Killian knocked on his cabin door and waited for permission before entering since the princess was residing there while he stayed with the crew.
"I have cocoa for you, Swan." He said as he handed her the mug. "And I remembered the cinnamon this time."
"Thanks," She smile and motioned for him to sit on the chair opposite her where he and Liam usually sat. "And not just for the cocoa."
"For what then?"
"Making me feel normal. Everyone else is so formal and they call me Princess. It's nice to still hear Swan." She replied and sipped the cocoa. And she confirmed something that had previously crossed his mind. When they argued she wasn't being stuck up, just bloody stubborn.
"How did you get the name? The woman at the apothecary mentioned something about a pet?" He asked out of curiosity and an excuse to keep talking to her.
"I found the swan in the garden. It was really weak with an infection since its wings had been improperly clipped. I nursed it back to health and afterward it followed me around like it was a puppy. People thought it was cute and asked if I could help with their animals too." She told him then shook her head. "I always thought my mom was gifted with animals and it skipped me. But turns out I had a gift of my own; I just needed the right circumstances to bring it out."
"Why did you follow me even after I kicked you?" Swan asked deciding to take a turn with a question of her own.
"Well, I had to find a way to redeem myself. Can't have a laughing stock of a lieutenant representing the navy." He replied with a bit of teasing before he gave a serious answer. "I couldn't chance someone else finding you first and any harm coming to you. But that already happened, didn't it? That's why you ran from me."
The last part was a statement, not a question, and they both knew it. Still Swan nodded but took a minute to reply.
"His name was Walsh." She began and he knew if he ever came across the man he'd harm the man for whatever he did to Swan. "I was trying to get home and he said he was a soldier from my kingdom who would help me home. But really he was from an enemy kingdom and was trying to take me hostage all over again. That's when I realized I couldn't trust anyone and had to get home on my own."
She sighed and he thought that was all she would say, but after another moment she continued. "I knew I could hide at Ella's old place since her and her family only visit in the spring. At first I was just surviving and getting by. But then I came to really enjoy life there. What about you? We've only been sailing three days but I can tell you're really in your element."
"Aye, it's in my blood. My mother always dreamed of living in a seaside cottage. My grandfather was the best sailmaker in ten villages. And I wouldn't be surprised if my brother and I learned to swim before we could walk." He told her with a smile, proud of his heritage. "The horizon is calming and the water is peaceful. It certainly helps one sleep."
Swan had expertly brought things back to lighter, more enjoyable topics. But he brought things a step back with a risky question he just couldn't get out of his mind. And wouldn't until his curiosity was settled.
"Why…why did you smile?" He asked hesitantly knowing that neither one needed any further specifics. They both knew exactly what instance he was talking about.
She was quiet for a few moments and Killian was scared that he blew it and her walls would come back up. But instead she smiled again, that sweet smile just as she had all those years ago, before answering.
"You were different." She stated as simple as that. But she noticed his shock and confusion so she continued on. "I know this goes back to poor me and my perfect life, but the parade was getting a bit boring with the same thing year after year. Then I saw a boy hanging on a window, who jumped down and ran after me. I wished I could do things like that. And for the record, you had Graham and Grumpy pretty annoyed with your breach in security."
The last comment caused them both to laugh. He could just imagine to royal guards embarrassed and irritated that a ten year old got through them. And honestly he never even noticed when he was a lad. He just ran and didn't notice anything or anyone else except the princess.
"Anyway, so many people cheering for the princess, it all becomes a buzz after a certain point. So to actually hear my name was a surprise. I felt like you noticed me for me and that was really different. For a few seconds I felt like a normal person instead of a title or important figure to be respected. That's why I smiled. And even though I didn't do it again, I never forget." She shared with him honestly and his heart soared to know that it meant just as much to her as it did to him.
"Aye, neither did I." He confessed with a smile as well. And for several perfect, peaceful moments they sat together in comfortable silence, looking in each other's eyes.
"Lieutenant! Captain needs you on deck!" A crew member yelled as he banged on the door.
"Duty calls, love." Killian sighed and stood since the moment was ruined. He didn't exactly know what it meant. But he knew without a doubt that something had indeed happened between them.
CS
Over the next week they shared many more conversations like that as often as they could. And even though things started out rocky, by the second to last day of their journey they were close friends. If you didn't know any better you'd think they were friends since childhood. Killian felt it might've been more than that but wasn't sure. And despite Emma being normal and down to earth she was still a princess and he counted himself lucky to just call her his friend.
But the night before they reached land changed it all. And it wasn't until a few days later that Killian found out why.
"Bloody hell, Liam. Tell me again how such a bloody rumor got started?" Killian yelled as he paced through his brother's cabin.
"It's not a rumor, Killian. You found the princess and there is a reward for that. You're a hero and you could be made captain. That's something you've always wanted and the rest of the crew is proud of you. They just got a little over zealous that night because I let them have a little wine to celebrate." Liam shrugged it off, thinking it wasn't a big deal.
"I know, but the way Swan heard it and acted when we escorted her to the castle, she must think that was the only reason I did it. That I don't care." He sighed and slumped down on the bed with his head in his hands. He couldn't blame her for thinking what she did but it still broke him to think that she hated him now. He felt even worse than he did when they argued that first day.
"Do you?" Liam asked, suddenly acknowledging the seriousness of the matter.
"Of course I do, Liam. I have since I was ten." He stated defensively.
"I'm not talking about that, Killian. I don't mean interest, or crush, or whatever. Do you love the princess?" Liam practically demanded of him.
"We only spent a week and a half together." He began and tried to collect his thoughts. "But I…I'm starting to."
"Why?" Liam pressed on.
'Why does it matter and why do you care?' Killian wanted to reply. But instead he thought about it for a moment.
"We understand each other, despite our different backgrounds and titles. At the end of the day we're just Emma and Killian. And I…I've never been happier with anyone." He confessed and actually felt a little better after doing so.
If only he was speaking to Emma and not his brother. He didn't know how he felt before but now he could see he was in love with her. He wished he had told her while he had a chance and never would. Last he saw her; she had a distant and disappointed look in her eye as she forced a goodbye from her lips.
"Then show her." Liam spoke, and for the first time during the whole conversation Killian wasn't half tempted to hit him. "I know she's stubborn as hell. And if she wouldn't talk to you a few days ago, she's probably less inclined to now. But actions speak louder than words. Tomorrow morning you're meeting with her father, and I think you know what you need to do, little brother."
"Aye, I believe I do." He nodded. "And it's younger brother."
CS
Another week passed after talking with his brother and the king. As expected, the king wanted to reward him by making him a captain. He would've had his own ship, crew, and orders to sail on another rescue mission for an important passenger ship that had been wrecked on an island. He was already congratulated by people on the street and the journey would make him even more of a hero. But the fame didn't matter to him, Emma did. So he politely turned down the reward.
Now he was wandering through town since the Jewel's whole crew had been given a month's leave as reward. Ironically he was walking the same road that the parade travelled each year which brought his thoughts back to Emma once again. But he shook away his thoughts when he saw a man trying to pickpocket a woman in a blue cloak.
"Not so fast, mate." He threatened and brought his sword to the man's hand. "Drop it or lose it, your choice. The lady's off limits."
"Killian!?" Emma gasped and turned around to face him as the would-be thief ran off.
"Aye, love." He nodded and gave her a sad smile as he sheathed his sword.
"You're supposed to be…I was headed to the dock…never mind." She stuttered in surprise and for a moment seemed happy before she covered it up and returned to being indifferent.
"You were headed to the docks to secretly see me off." He finished since this was the day he should have left for his voyage and did his best to hold back a smug grin for two reasons.
One, it was fun to call her out with how stubborn she was. And two, her heart was broken. That's why she was acting the way she was, because she'd been hurt. But that meant her heart still worked and gave him a small hope that she cared for him as well.
"No! Why would I…ugh just leave me alone!" She shouted in frustration and he couldn't help but find it amusing. She started to march away but walked into a vendor's cart and nearly fell.
"Swan, stop before you hurt yourself." He said and grabbed her elbow to steady her.
"I'm fine." She argued and brushed off her skirt. "Good day, Captain."
"It's still Lieutenant, love." He corrected as she turned walk away again but she instantly paused in her step.
"You really expect me to believe that? I heard what the crew was saying that night. And my father told me himself. So congratulations, Captain. You got what wanted and used me to get there, nice strategy. You'll do well with your new promotion." She spat out at him in anger and he would've deserved every word of it if that had been what he'd done.
"Your father did offer me a position as captain. But I didn't take it, Swan." He admitted quietly so she would know it was the truth.
"You gave up your reward for me?" She asked just as quietly as it sunk in but he could still see the disbelief on her face.
"Aye." He nodded and hoped that once and for all she would believe him. The chance to know her, really know her and fall in love with her was more reward than anything the king could ever give him.
He thought she'd either say something or runaway again. But instead she took him completely by surprised and took him by his collar and placed her lips on his. No one but Liam actually knew this, but he had never kissed a lass before except on the hand or Granny on the cheek. And to have Emma be his first kiss was beyond his imagination both in theory and actuality. Despite his lack of experience he gave it all he had and was certain there had never been a more perfect first kiss for anyone.
"Killian, I don't know what this is but I…I…"
"I know, love. But we have all the time in the world to figure it out." He smiled and gave her a short and sweet kiss.
"But you're in the navy. Even if you're not a captain you'll still have to leave again eventually for who knows how long or what will happen." She pointed out sadly.
"Way ahead of you, love. When I spoke with your father, I didn't just turn down his offer. I sort of negotiated with him. He knows you want your freedom but can't let you go completely unguarded, though that clearly doesn't stop you." He began and paused when they both laughed a bit. "I'm not a captain, but I will be one day. So I've been given the honor of escorting the princess wherever her heart desires on the Jewel of the Realm. What do you say, Swan? Will you go to the ends of the earth with me?"
"I certainly will!" She said and he caught the sight of a few happy tears before she threw her arms around him and buried her face in his neck. "Thank you, Killian."
"Anything for you, love. I won't you lose you." He whispered as he held her close.
Some more ups and downs in this one. But it's smooth sailing now with next chapter being the last one. I know it's short but it feels right. I hope you've enjoyed so far and look forward to the fluff filled end I have planned. Thank you for your reviews, I appreciate them and they do make me excited to share and write more. Thanks again and have an awesome week!