Emma nervously sighed as she stood at the bottom of the stairs, contemplating whether or not to go up on deck. Killian hadn't come back down since he had left her to change, and while the dress was slightly difficult to do up at the back, it hadn't taken her that long. She exhaled and decided to go for it, kicking out the skirt of the dress so she didn't step on it. Once she was above deck she felt a soft breeze blow through her hair and billow the dress out behind her.

'You look marvellous, my lady.' She heard a familiar voice call, and she turned round to see Baggins, the older man she had spoken to the previous night.

'Oh, thank you. My other dress was getting a little old so the Captain kindly gave me this to wear.' Emma proudly brushed her hands over the dress, still marvelling at how beautiful it was.

'Well it's a perfect fit, lass. I don't think I have ever laid eyes on such a beauty as pure as you, Leia.' She blushed at Baggins' comment but smiled at him. He looked over her shoulder before tilting his head. 'Perhaps I am not the only one to think such a thing.' He said, smiling as he walked away towards the crew's quarters.

'Emma.' She heard Killian behind her, and she bit her lip before turning around. His mouth was open as if he was about to say something, but then he just smiled. 'You are so beautiful.' He said softly as he walked over to her, his eyes following the lines of her dress before drifting back to hers. She scoffed and looked away, trying to hide her red cheeks with her hair. 'Do you always find it so difficult to accept a compliment?' Killian asked her. His tone was curious, not accusing, and something about the way his voice wavered slightly made her look back at him.

'I never received any praise as a kid and when I got older I learnt that usually people only compliment me when they want something. I didn't build my trust issues because of how much fun I have keeping people out.' She deflected her moment of honesty with sarcasm and they both knew it, but neither of them commented on it. Instead she pushed her hair behind her ear and pointed to the helm. 'Could you show me how you sail a ship, Captain?' The teasing tone was back in her voice and he grinned.

He showed her how to steer the ship and how many turns of the notches are needed to change course. He let her have a go at steering as he stood closely behind her, his arm coming around her body and resting against hers to help. She giggled and he instinctively shuffled closer to her, his chest touching her back and their fingers grazing each other. Even though he knew she hadn't washed properly since arriving, he could still smell how sweet her skin was and he found even her natural scent to be intoxicating. 'This is fun; I can see why you love it so much.' Emma said in a voice that sounded so light and airy and happy.

'It's so much better when you're around, love.' He grinned, almost rolling his eyes at his own cheesy line but he was much too happy to really care. He felt her lean into his touch, her head resting against his shoulder and her fingers touching his. He swallowed deeply and he swore he heard a sigh of contentment leave her lips but his own heart was beating so quickly he wasn't sure.

'One of my favourite things about sailing is looking out at the sea in front of you, particularly when there is no land in sight. It reminds me that the world is grand, and I am just a small part of an awe-inspiring universe. It's both reassuring and terrifying. I suppose for someone like myself, who has defied the laws of time, the ways of the universe shouldn't amaze me so much, but I am still astounded by it's beauty.' Killian said thoughtfully, his eyes scanning the water along the horizon.

'Did you ever write during all these you've been alive, Killian?' Emma asked him teasingly. He chuckled before brushing his nose against her ear, eliciting a shiver from her.

'I may have written a poem or two in my time, but my brother was always the writer in the family.' He instinctively clenched his jaw at the thought of Liam, but the expression on Emma's face when she turned around calmed him down. It was the hardness of experience but the softness of understanding, and the small dimple in her cheek as she smiled washed away the mournful ache in his heart.

'Captain!' Someone called from the lower deck and Killian cursed internally at the interruption. He looked over his shoulder see a crew member pointing towards a ship sailing behind them, and gaining quickly. The ship had black sails, and although he knew it was better to run into other pirates than a naval ship, they most likely wanted a trade. 'Emma, go back to my cabin, and don't come up until I get you.' He whispered hurriedly in her ear.

'Why what's going on?' She questioned. Usually he liked her inquisitive nature but right now he just needed her to be safe. 'It's another pirate ship. If they know there is a female onboard they will mostly likely murder us all to get to you, and they won't hold back with you either. Just get below deck so I know you're safe.'

He guided her towards his quarters by her elbow, nodding when she looked at him with wide eyes before climbing down the ladder. He exhaled when she reached the bottom and closed the latch before turning to give his crew orders. They wrangled up a barrel of rum, a set of china plates and a pearl necklace to trade. Normally he wouldn't concede as easily but he just wanted them to leave as quickly as possible. The other ship was almost in line with theirs, and he steadied himself with a final glance at his cabin before the rival pirates began swinging over on their ropes.