The laughter on deck had eventually died down as the crew broke off and made their way to their beds for the night, most of them humming under their rum-scented breath as they went. Killian looked over his ship, taking everything in to appreciate it while he was here. He didn't regret his decision to give up his ship, but it was his home for hundreds of years and he missed it. With a bittersweet smile he quietly climbed down into his cabin.
Earlier he had hidden the other version of himself in the storage cupboard after giving him some herbal concoction that had the ability to help people sleep (he preferred that method of control than constantly knocking himself out in an alternatively violent manner). He peeked in the door to check Hook was still out cold before locking it and turning to his bed. For a second he was surprised to see Emma asleep among his sheets; his surroundings had taken him back to a time when he didn't even know her. But the fact that she was here made this whole journey back in time surreal, and it just hit him how crazy the past couple of days had been.
He'd spent years in Neverland and was accustomed to the mysterious ways time worked but this was something else entirely. A stab of guilt hit him in the gut as he watched Emma peacefully sleeping. In all honesty he had no idea if this plan would even work. He'd only ever heard rumours about Moirai Cove; no one had actually been there and lived to tell the tale. Gods, the bloody place might not even exist. He might as well be sailing his ship blindfolded considering how little he knew about their destination.
He shouldn't have gotten them into this mess, but when the Crocodile had sent them away from his castle, he had seen Emma's crestfallen expression. The dresses and fairytale costumes and balls only served as a temporary distraction to their problem, and he knew that now more than ever Emma needed to be back with her family. It was just as well that he would go to the end of the world for her because it might just take that to get her home.
He grew frustrated with himself and searched for extra sheets in the box at the foot of the bed, laying them down on the floor in the corner. He used one of the small cushions that Emma had kicked off the bed for a pillow and settled down. The floor may not have been the most comfortable place to sleep, but it felt like home now he was drifting off as his ship swayed beneath him. He listened to Emma's gentle breathing as she slept and his soon followed her pattern until they were in sync, both finally getting some much-needed rest.
The sun was streaming through the windows of the cabin as Emma woke up, blinking to readjust her eyes to the brightness of the morning. She sat up, feeling a dull ache in her muscles from the previous day and wished she could just visit her yoga class in the city to ease out the pain.
'Morning, Swan.' Killian's voice called from the chair behind his desk. He was wearing a large grin as he casually popped a grape in his mouth and reclined like he was some Roman emperor. '
Oh, God, you're a morning person aren't you?' She groaned as she rubbed the sleep from her eyes and brushed her fingers through her hair.
'Aye, and what's wrong with that?' He retorted, still wearing his big grin even as he acted insulted.
'Well, back in New York I'd have to get up early for work and there were always tons of cheerful people running though Central Park or getting a coffee and they were always so bright and happy and way too loud for me at that time in the morning.' She left out the bit about strangely missing those cheerful people who jogged at ridiculous hours, knowing that he would start his whole 'Storybrooke is your home' campaign. She knew that now, that her home was with her family there, but she still missed things about the city.
Her stomach rumbled and he laughed, gesturing to the fruit bowls on the desk. 'Help yourself, Swan. It's not the special breakfasts you get in New York but its food.' She noticed the vibrantly red strawberries and climbed out of bed towards them, closing her eyes when she first tasted it.
'Hmm, this is delicious.' She knew Killian was watching her but she was too hungry to care. 'Have you ever tried strawberries covered in chocolate?' She mused as she licked some of the juice off her finger. She could tell by the way he shifted in his seat that he was aroused by the sight (he was incredibly easy to tease it seemed) but his eyes were dancing with amusement.
'Is that something Henry came up with?' He chuckled, and she rolled her eyes.
'No actually. It's pretty common in my world. It's meant to be pretty...sensual.' She finished her sentence after popping the rest of the strawberry in her mouth, barely able to hide the smirk as he cleared his throat. She spotted a bowl of cherries and knew just the thing to make this even more amusing. 'Oh, do you want to see something really cool?' She asked happily as she pulled the stem off a cherry.
'I am rather curious as to what you can do with a cherry, lass.' Killian said humorously. She placed the cherry on the table and put the stem in her mouth, almost laughing at the frown on his face. She began to move her tongue around it, tying it with the tip expertly. When she finished she stuck her tongue out, the stem sitting in a knot.
'How did you...' Killian started before stopping himself, his finger scratching his ear telling her she had succeeded. 'That is a very impressive trick, love.' He managed to say, and she found the red blush that spread across his cheeks adorable. She lifted the stem off her tongue and laughed before reaching over the table for a grape and popping it in her mouth the same way he had done earlier.
'It's certainly gotten me my fair share of free drinks at bars.' She laughed. 'Anyway, there was something I wanted to ask you.' Emma said more seriously as she picked a few more grapes from the bunch. Killian raised his eyebrows to encourage her to continue. 'I mean, it's kind of wishful thinking considering you don't even change your own clothes, but I don't suppose you have something for me to wear do you? My cloak is fine but this grey rag smells like 10 other people have worn it and never washed it, plus if I snag a loose threat it will probably unravel the whole thing.' She looked down in disgust at the so-called dress she wore, running her fingers over the tattered edges.
'While I am most certainly not opposed to the idea of your dress coming undone lass, I do in fact have something for you. It's not quite a ball gown but it's certainly better than a rag. It's in the box at the foot of the bed.' He gestured with his hook towards the box and she walked over to it, lifting the heavy lid of the chest to look inside.
'Wow, it's beautiful.' She gasped as she lifted up the bodice of a pale blue dress. It was covered in delicate lace with beading along the neckline, and although it wasn't as grand as the dresses at the ball, it was still stunning.
'I know you like your red leather jackets and tight blue jeans, but the clothes here suit you exquisitely, Swan.' Killian said softly from his seat behind the desk, and she smiled and him before frowning.
'You think my jeans are tight?' She questioned, and he smirked before getting up.
'And that is my cue to give you privacy to change.' Emma shook her head with a smile as she pulled the rest of the dress out of the box, running her fingers over the material and relishing in its softness compared to the rough rags she wore. She turned around, noticing the bundle of sheets and a cushion in the corner of the cabin.
'Killian.' She called just as he climbed the ladder. 'Aye, lass.' He replied, peering down at her with a twinkle in his eye. 'If I had known you would be sleeping on the floor I wouldn't have taken the bed.' Emma said gently, feeling guilty for making him sleep on the floor on his own ship.
He smiled, but she had seen that smile plenty of times to know that it was in a self-deprecating manner. 'That is exactly why I didn't tell you.' He said before climbing above deck and closing the latch. She didn't care that he was trying to be chivalrous; she wouldn't put him out of his own bed and she knew that their sleeping arrangement would definitely have to change from now on.