The festivities were still loud below on the first floor of the inn, despite it being nearly midnight. The wedding party seemed to extend to all the other tenants, inviting everyone to partake of the party. The food and drink was dispersed generously, and the entire party had spent hours dancing and teasing the new couple. Until the time it was finally decreed for Emma and Killian to retire upstairs for their wedding night. The insinuation and laughter as they went up might have caused the young bride to blush demurely to the untrained eye. But the exchanged glance to her new husband told of her eagerness. The two entered the room hand in hand, finally to be alone. Emma shut the door and bolted the lock to ensure there would be no other intrusions. Allowing for arms to wrap around her waist and dragged her into a warm chest, making it easier for those familiar lips to start trailing on her exposed shoulder.
"I don't think I told you...but you look stunning in this dress."
She hummed and leaned back against him.
"It's a good thing," She paused, biting her lip as his mouth closed over a sensitive spot between neck and shoulder. "I'm good at reading body language. Especially yours."
She slowly lifted his tight arm hold on her waist and turned her body to look up at his face. Killian looked down at her with a heartbreaking smile and his blue eyes glittering with happiness.
"Was today everything you hoped?" He whispered, softly brushing the back of his hand down her cheek. Emma nuzzled into the affection, pressing pink lips to his palm.
"I never really hoped. But its everything to be with you." His loving smile that reflected the love she held for him as she took his face in her hands, dragging him closer to her lips. "Married, and together now, is it just me or is it a strange feeling?"
"If by strange," He huffed over her face, his breath hinted with the drink he indulged in below, eyes closing softly to look down at her plump lips. "You mean devastatingly amazing, then yes."
"Good, I'm glad I'm not the only one feeling that way." She gasped closing the distance between them. His lips moving against hers in the perfect rhythm of their stolen kisses. His togue slipping into her mouth, running over hers and consuming her in a way that easily made her weak in the knees. But instead, she pushed back, increasing the pressure of her own lips creating a bruising kiss. Though she still found herself pushing towards him, her weight falling into his chest as she proceeded to direct her attentions to his bottom lip. His arms tightened around her, and he teetered backwards a step before adjusting his balance with her weight, until he unexpectedly hit the edge of the bed, causing the two to fall with a fit of giggles.
"Already taking this to bed?" She grinned down to him. Killian's startled look causing her to press her forehead against his chest to hide her laugh. "You shouldn't look so mortified."
"How else can I react when a temptress tackles me to bed?"
"If that's how you feel then fine." She shrugged carelessly, pushing away from him only to be tugged back down.
"I never said I wouldn't be taking the temptress on her offer." His lips brushing along the shell of her ear, whiskers tickling the flesh. "Especially now that the temptress is my wife."
"You make me sound as if I'm some seductive siren."
"Oh, that you are, love. Without you even realizing it too."
She snorted at that. Killian really exaggerated her flirtation skills with his insistence on her being some temptress.
"I don't think I am." She whispered, her lips hovering over his. "I think I'm just a woman who loves the man she married."
His laugh was a throaty brush over her face, his hand brushing up to tug at the curls at the back of her head, tugging her closer to him.
"That is the most beguiling temptation a man can ever even hope to experience." And his lips sealed over hers. Pulling at the seam of her mouth as she moaned into the touch. Emma's own hands dug into his scalp, threading her fingers within the dark locks. His kisses trailing up her neck. Her hands fumbled with the buttons down his jacket. Doing her best to unlatch them when her brain couldn't help but focus on the electric pulses that came from his lips on her neck. "Are you trying to declothe me wife?" He laughed in a husky tone.
"That is the general idea of a wedding night." She smiled back at him. "Although you would be a great help if you weren't so…distracting." Her voice pitching when his teeth nipped at the junction of her neck, no doubt leaving a bruise that she would have to carefully hide tomorrow with her hair.
"And to think this is me with my clothes on." He waggled his brows playfully at her, earning a smack in the chest. "All you need to do is ask and I'll help you."
"Get your bloody clothes off then." Emma teased. The lieutenant didn't waste any time, deftly snapping the rest of the buttons undone to toss his jacket to the spare wooden chair in the room. The cravat and vest following soon after.
"Better then?"
"Depending." She smirked. "Haven't you given any thought of making me more comfortable without this dress?"
"Oh, I've given it many thought today." His blue eyes raked over her with dying heat. "Dancing with you and watching you move in that dress has been torture."
"Shall I take it off then?"
"And I thought you could read my body language." Raising a brow, she sensuously turned around, lifting the curtain of blonde hair so he could have access to the laces along her back.
"Then help me."
While Killian had been fast and rough in ripping his own clothes off a moment ago, she could sense the shyness rising out of him at this. He hesitated, but only for a moment before stepping closer to her. His fingers digging into the laces to loosen them carefully until the strays pulled apart and she felt the front of her gown loosen enough that she would be able to step out of. Her hand crossed over the front of her gown, holding it in place as she slowly turned back to him. Suddenly nervous herself at this intimacy, for the fact that his hands drifted away from her. She turned to look at him, studying his blank face as his eyes drifted all over her. Looking and studying her for something.
"What is it?" She asked softly, blinking up at him. His blue eyes focused in on hers, snapping out of the reverie he seemed consumed by.
"I was just imprinting this to memory." He smiled warmly to her, raising his hands to cup her face gently between them. "I'm going to remember every detail of this moment, the first time I lay with my wife."
"It isn't the first." She whispered back. Their time amidst the flower bed still fresh in mind the day before. It was oddly not the place she ever imagined losing her virginity. In her mind a beautiful flower bed, beneath a breezy willow, and a blue-eyed sailor was more than she could ever dream of having her first experience with. But despite the unpleasantness, it was more then perfect for her. The perfect first to always remember.
Killian softly brushed aside a loose curl, twisting it between thumb and finger as it hung just barely above her breast. Not touching that swell of skin.
"With you…it will always be a first. The first time," His breath hesitated over her pink lips, anticipation building for the kiss. "Of the next best time."
And then his lips were brushing over hers. Soft, and tender as they melded once more, bringing the bond between them to hum perfectly. Vibrating somewhere deep within at the cosmic feeling that bridged their two souls. Gripping tightly to his shoulders, Emma steered him to the bed, pushing him down to sit on the edge so she could pull away. He gazed up at her with complete adoration, only looking on her face until she peeled off the front of her gown and was left in nothing but a slim shift that barely reached her upper thighs.
Emma only hesitated a moment, a moment of her instinct revolting against her vulnerable exposure to someone before it was pushed away from her thought. This wasn't exposure to her, but openness. The type of open connection she had always wanted and found with Killian, that made her want to do everything and show him everything that she had. Because in her life, he was the only one to truly accept it all and more, just as she had with him. Her fingers met the edge of the shift and tugged upward, leaving her bare for his hungry gaze.
Her lieutenant was always a gentleman. Always being proper and respectful to her, and one of the few men in her life that did not try to take advantage of her solely for her body. He held her gaze a minute longer, waiting for something in her eyes that told him that she was ready before drifting down her body.
His pupils dilated almost immediately, soaking in as much of the creamy skin that was always concealed from view. A hidden temptation he and nearly every man within a vicinity were aware of, now given to him as a value of love. He reached out, not for a piece of exposed flesh, but instead to find her hand that had drifted to hide behind her back. Taking it to bring back to his lips.
"You are beautiful Emma. But more than beautiful, you are a wonderful woman. Tell me…tell me how you want to be touched." Emma beamed at him, gripping his hand gently and bringing it closer to her breast. Inviting him to cup it. He had barely grazed over it the day before in the field, instead just focusing on her comfort over exploring a body she practically could feel him desperate to map out. And she had been wanting those callused sailor hands to hold her breasts for months now.
He needed no further invitation from her, taking hold of the perky mound in hand and rolling it in his touch. Emma's sigh of enjoyment spurning him on to squeeze gently, daring a finger to roll forward around the peaking nipple. His other hand trailing up the small dip of her waist to mirror his actions on the other. With his hands gently massaging her, his lips reached up to seize hers, kissing her in tune to his caresses, although a small pinch had her squeaking to him in pleasure.
"Killian." She moaned softly between kisses. "More. Do more. Don't treat me like glass."
He tugged her to straddle his lap, her thin arms wrapping around his neck as their breaths intermingled in hot puffs, before his mouth trailed down her chest, catching a rosy breast. Emma inhaled softly, a hiccup of air as his tongue traced around the areola. Licking, sucking, with his teeth gently scratching over the sensitive flesh that gave him nothing but her rising pleasure.
"Is this what you like Swan?" His smile imprinting into her flesh as his mouth moved to suckle onto the other bare breast, before placing a tender kiss on the swell. "A bit more…passion to blaze."
"I just want my turn to explore you." She bit back in a throaty voice, though her nearly closed eyes told of the express pleasure she felt from his attention. He hummed in thought, cataloging this reaction away for later, while he pulled apart from her. Stretching his arms up, his lips stretching apart in a daring smirk.
"Go ahead and undress me then darling. I am all yours to explore, now and forever."
Pressing a quick kiss to his lips, she immediately tugged off the soft shirt he wore beneath his jacket, tossing it aside to reveal the chest that had been teased to her in passing. Whenever he was involved in the hard labor on deck, in nothing but a shirt that dipped to reveal the toned chest she had felt in their small embraces. Covered in dark chest hair, she hesitantly traced a finger down, lingering on the muscled abdomen. He might not be as defined as other men from her world, but strong unyielding muscle trembled beneath her touch. His closed eyes and tossed back head told her how much he was enjoying the soft caresses when another idea popped into her mind. Lowering her head to his neck, she began her own trail of kisses down his chest, sinking lower and lower. By the time she even reached his navel, he was hissing her name.
"Christ Emma, you tease."
"Like you don't." She grinned up to him, making a point to softly scratch at him with the curve of her teeth. His hand gripped her bicep, pulling her up closer to his mouth, kisses no longer sweet caresses but turned starved. She eagerly met his consumption, pushing back to him and egging him forward. With one of his hands at the back of her head, and the other drifting to the small of her back, he flipped their positions around. Her small frame tucked perfectly beneath his as his kisses paused.
"Are we done playing?" He grinned to her.
"For tonight." She promised, a sweet smile across her own face as her hand tugged at the waistband of his pants. "There is definitely more to explore."
His blue eyes lit with anticipation before smirking down at her.
"Oh, there is definitely more to relish and explore darling." His lips pressing to hers, before drifting up to her ear. "But that is for a later date."
"As long as you take your pants off," Her breathing hitched as his lips closed around her lobe. "Then we have an agreement."
"You drive a hard bargain love." But with a deft grace, he pulled away stepping out of his uniform pants to reveal the fine muscular body beneath. Strong thighs and legs that led up to the erection that stood ready. She still felt her cheeks heat with bashfulness at seeing it, even after her less then innocent childhood, it was still new to her. And considering how Killian couldn't exactly hold her gaze for longer than a few seconds, it felt natural that they could still be shy about this. But shyness did not stop the continuing touches. Bashfulness did not prevent the kisses. And innocence no longer halted the growing connection between them. With a still gentle thrust, he slid into Emma once again, the two pausing in their shared pleasure.
"God." Emma moaned, her teeth digging into her lip.
"Does it still hurt from yesterday?" He asked, she shook her head leaning up closer to place a kiss to his jaw.
"No, no it doesn't." She smiled to him. "Move again."
He complied. A rocking of his hips that had pleasure bolting up both their spines. It didn't take any time to find a rhythm together. Emma's hips coming up to meet his with every thrust. Sensually and lovingly, picking up speed with every rock.
"I'm…I'm…" She gasped, digging into his back, dragging him even closer.
"I know." His breath panted to her ear. "I feel it too. I…I love you, Emma."
That was all that needed to be said for them both, a final buck of his hips digging into her core as deeply as possible. Her ankle raised up, digging the heel into his lower back to keep him there as her own orgasm crashed into her. Her lips pursing in pleasure and her eyes shuddering shut as the euphoria crested over them. A few moments passed, her leg lowering from him as he slipped out of her, to roll beside her. Emma shifted to her side, scooting closer into the chest of her husband, being accepted in his welcoming arms as she snuggled closer into his body.
"You are…amazing darling." He whispered into her hair.
"Oh, I know." She grinned, a finger tracing in the hairs on his chest and dipping downward again and again. "I never thought…it would feel this good."
"I did."
"Really? I don't find that surprising." She scoffed.
"I don't mean the release Emma. I mean, being intimate with you. Loving you in the closest of forms. This would never be the same with anyone else."
Tilting her head back, she smiled coyly, almost sleepily at him.
"Would you ever do it with anyone else?" It sounded like a joke, but the smallest of insecurity held on her breath. His blue eyes steeled against that, leaning down to kiss at the bridge above her nose.
"Like you even must ask. I would never even think of this with anyone else. You will be my one and only Emma. Forever."
"Forever." She repeated. Never dreaming that a lover would promise that to her. But with Killian it was a strong promise.
He smiled gently at her, pressing his lips to hers in one kiss, before he was leaning back.
"Let's just bask in this moment together darling. Let's enjoy actually sleeping in the same bed as man and wife."
She smiled and snuggled closer in the crook of his arm, feeling the fatigue and relaxation from him as her eyes became heavy. With a last thought she pressed a quick kiss right below the lobe of his ear, her pink lips only a breath away for her to softly coo to him.
"I love you too Killian." Before curling into his body, happy with the knowledge she would never be going to bed alone again.
.
.
The wee hours of light were barely visible over the horizon. Pale pinks and purples that grew, showing the promise of a clear blue day. Emma awoke sprawled across Killian's chest, no doubt a final position achieved from a romp after their nap. Uncontented to move from him, she nestled her head under his chin, gently trailing her finger through the fine hairs on his chest. She knew he was awake too. Awake and holding her close to him while petting his fingers over the curls trailing down her back. She leaned into it happily, gratified for the attention.
"It's sunrise." She whispered into him, pressing a kiss to his neck. His pulse jumping beneath her lips as she pulled away. "We need to be going."
"Is that so?" He hummed, his fingers trailing down the end of her loose curls and down the curve of her back. Slipping over her bare hip and tugging her atop him, her knees on the bed the only thing keeping her up from his groin. "I'd don't recall anything saying we had to be out of our room at dawn."
"Maybe not, but we do have to depart today." She grinned down at him. "What if Liam is waiting?"
Tossing his head back, he groaned playfully.
"Love, please take a lesson and try not to mention my brother while we are in bed." She giggled at him before leaning closer across his chest, quickly kissing his lips.
"Noted." His hand held the back of her head, keeping her in place for a prolonged kiss. The fervor he attacked her lips with leaving her breathless, nothing but consuming to his touch as well. He pulled away, eyes creeping open to look at her with a teasing smile.
"Still think we need to be going this moment?"
"I think we're entitled to be a little late today."
"And here I thought I would never hear a good reason to be late in my life." He grinned to her, cupping her cheek. "Clearly my standards of punctuality will be changing."
"Whatever will your superiors think of you then?" She smiled. With a playful wink, and a gentle turn, he propped himself over her, his forearm bracing his body against the bed as he slid into her waiting core.
"That I'm one hell of a lucky bastard." And he made short work of her whimpering a release with the roosters.
.
.
After the newly married couple shared a quick breakfast that morning, they were forced to make a quick departure for the ship. Happy to be setting sail and going back to the normal life she had come to know at sea with her now husband. Of course, with the changes to her marriage status, she knew there would be differences to expect.
Largely, now Killian was welcome back into his cabin to share with her. It was easily the most welcome change possible to her living situation. Even in cramped quarters with Killian, she couldn't get enough, and neither could he. Any free time essentially resulted in them meeting alone in the room, holding each other closer and sharing long talks through the night. There were also a few changes to life on the ship that surprised her. For one, the crew seemed to handle her differently. Gone were the happy and casual 'Emma' or 'Miss Swan; or even 'Swan'. Now it was strictly 'Mrs. Jones'. Respectable but stiff. Only Matthews still called her Emma in a friendly manner.
It reminded her of when she first arrived on the ship and Killian ordered them to treat her with the same respect as the captain. They did and they were much more chivalrous with their manners. What once had been playful jokes and camaraderie with her was now stiff politeness. Solely offers to help her if she was carrying something or polite small talk typically about the weather. Her becoming a married women resulted in a change of behavior in becoming much more respectful.
She brought it up with Killian one night while they were in bed. His body curled around hers as he whispered into her ear.
"Well darling, to them they have to. You're my wife and Liam's sister now, if they insult you, they insult us." He pressed a kiss to her hair. "Besides, I like it that they call you Mrs. Jones."
She snorted at that. Anytime she walked up to deck and the crew lifted their hats to her or called her by her married name he would be full of such pride and happiness it made herself giddy.
"Of course, you do." She chided but nuzzled closer to him. The bond thrumming Witt happiness at the proximity. "I just find it curious is all."
"It's their way of respect love nothing more. They just want to make sure you don't take offense. Most married women wouldn't be as gracious and casual as you are."
"I suppose you are right." She huffed. "Though I would be fine being treated just as before."
"Give them time then. Sooner or later, they will relax in their manners." He hummed with a kiss to her throat before snuggling down. "Provided they don't get too relaxed."
"You are definitely the jealous type."
"Aye, love I am. Especially for your attention."
"Good thing," She turned in his arms to press a sweet kiss to him. "You have no one to compete with at all."
"I would hope not. Goodness knows what I would do to keep it."
.
.
"Already working extra to avoid your wife brother?" Killian looked from the helm towards his older brother walking up the half deck, a playful smile on his face.
"On the contrary Liam, I am eager to get to our room." He looked off to the side, feeling his cheeks flush red with embarrassment at the insinuation, scratching slightly behind his right ear uncomfortably. "If not for Old Bill being late for his watch."
"I think last I saw; he was asleep in the galley." Killian let out a groan of impatience. Of course, leave it to his luck that his night post would be paired to trade off with the oldest on the shift that had a habit of falling asleep and being late. He was an old codger that loved his navy, but blast if he wasn't lazy at times.
"Is married life suiting you?" Liam stepped over, placing a hand of comfort to Killian's shoulder. Killian glanced to it and back to his brother and captain. Surprised at the question coming nearly a month after he and Emma exchanged vows.
"More than anything. I am…I will never be as happy as I am with Emma. Having her by my side day by day…it's the best thing I could ever hope for." He beamed. He held no shame in confiding this to Liam, the brother he shared and told everything with, hoping to earn his pride. The glint in their shared eyes, and Liam's reaffirming squeeze told him enough.
"I'm glad of it. You two have something beyond special, anyone with eyes can see that. How did she like your wedding present?"
"She listens to it every night." He smiled softly, wanting to reach up and touch his own musical locket. He knew what he was wanting to gift Emma long before they made port and asking the harbor master pointed him in the direction of the short market a few miles away where an inventor lived that specialized in such musical creations. After asking the man for the smallest music box that would be portable to take along with them, the man presented the lockets. The perfect gift for any sweethearts.
A matching set encased in silver, that sang the most melodious of tunes, Killian knew he had to have them. He was just glad that Liam had wandered off on his own search for a gift to the bride, to not know of the matching locket he purchased. Trust it that Emma resulted in all secrets he seemed to keep away from his brother. But it made it even more special, that their necklaces were just for them. Often, he would hear the melodious melody as he came to their room for the night, Emma listening to it and humming along beautifully as she combed through her hair. Her happy smile alone made it worth every silver he paid.
"Do you think she will…be displeased when we reach home port and learn we don't have living accommodations?" He asked his brother. Liam only shot him a droll look.
"She lives on a naval vessel with nearly thirty men, and I haven't heard her complain of it once. I doubt your Emma is one to frown at the idea of not managing a household. In fact, she might be the only woman I know glad of it."
"I believe so as well." Killian sighed longingly. "She is an amazing woman."
Liam smiled at Killian, taking hold of the helm, and giving him a small shove to the steps down to the passage below deck.
"Go on then. You've done your post; I'll wait for Old Billy in your place."
"Its not necessary Liam-" Killian tried to wave off when Liam just held up a hand.
"Its on principle. You are set to be off and getting a decent night sleep, not waiting all night for the next watch. Go, so you may be with your wife, and I may have a few words with our sailor."
"Thank you, brother." The lieutenant beamed and wasted no time in returning to his shared cabin, surprised to see the sleeping figure in bed. Usually, Emma would be up waiting for him to return, but tonight she was already curled into a small ball asleep. He never grew tired of the sight of returning to her in their quarters, even with them being small, cramped, and probably not fit for a lady, with her it felt like home. Their home. It was no surprise when he made short work of undressing himself and slipping on some loose clothing. Blowing out the candle he expertly maneuvered around the room and crawled into bed, pulling her close to his body and letting out a small hiss of the sudden cold.
Emma groaned from in his arms before she blinked up at him, the moonlight cast in the cabin the only light.
"I'm sorry, I must have fallen asleep."
"Don't worry about that my love." He pressed a soft kiss to her temple. "But bloody hell, did you somehow dip your feet into the ocean? You're freezing, despite being under this blanket."
"No, it's just that my bed warmer had rounds tonight so they couldn't get warm." She smiled up at him coyly before holding out her hands to press against his chest. "My hands too."
He shivered both from the touch and the coldness of her skin.
"Lord, I might have to never go on duties again if they leave you this cold. Do you even get circulation down there?" He adjusted them to move closer in the bed, assuming a position where he had her cradled against his chest so he could run a hand absently up and down the length of her body.
"Well technically heat circulation tends to focus on the mid-section. You know." She looked up at him and even in the dark he could see the glowing emerald eyes. "Keeping all the good essentials warm and the like."
The way she pressed herself against him didn't make him question what all was being kept warm. Because while her appendages were freezing, there were other more favorable parts radiating warmth. Ready and waiting for his attentions due to the interested glint in her eyes.
Yes Liam. I'm more than happy with life just as it is. He thought, tackling his wife into his embrace.
.
.
Emma rolled in her sleep, within the field of both dream and consciousness that she couldn't seem to shake. The dream coming to her again. The same dream that would prod at her every few weeks, but much worse than previously. For this time, it was all a flash of confusing images. Odd faces and shouting voices that echoed in her head while she couldn't move or do anything to stop it within the dream.
'Everything you love, everything all of you loved will be ripped away.' A dark-haired woman sneered. Her smile of perfectly white teeth more a snarl than cordial.
'She's nothing more than an evil witch!' A different voice cried in anger.
'The curse.' Someone spoke.
'The curse.'
'The curse.'
'Get the child to safety.' A scratchy voice warned. Impatient and demanding.
'The curse! It's here!'
'She will find us.'
'Find us.'
'Find us Emma.' A loving but sad coo.
She wanted to press her hands over her heads but felt immobile. Frozen in place with fear and unable to see anything other than hearing the cries of tortured voices that felt like they belonged to someone she knew.
'I will carve out her heart and add it to my collection.' It was the dark-haired woman again. In her hands, an ornate box, and looking closely Emma recognized her name scripted on it with gold. 'The heart of the child of my worst enemy.'
The witch's gaze then looked to her as if seeing Emma from where she stood. A beautiful face, twisted in such anger and hatred it scared her enough to move. Emma tripped away, scrambling in the dark to escape this evil woman, yet made no distance. The witch closing in on her.
'Come here Emma.' She sang sauntering over. 'Come here and give me your heart!'
Emma's eyes flew open with a gasp as she bolted upright in the bunk. Adrenaline rushing through her as her body began to recognize it was only a dream.
"Dream." She sighed, clutching her pounding heart to ensure its safety. "It was just a dream."
Already she could feel the stirring of Killian across the bond before he even moved to sit up beside her in their bed.
Fear. Love. Concern.
"Emma?" His voice was laced with sleep as he tried to sit up along with her. His hands gently grasping her shoulders and gently rubbing up and down her arms. "Love what is it? Are you alright?"
"I...I...it was just a nightmare." She whispered, brushing his bangs across his forehead. With Killian sleeping beside her over the past month her sleep has been nothing but peaceful. She didn't want to keep him up over a silly dream.
"You're shaking." He whispered, pulling her closer as he adjusted them on the bed, with her curled into his arms so her head was placed perfectly under his chin. Across the bond she could feel the soothing emotions he was sending her to try and help her relax. It was barely working. "Do you want to tell me about it?"
"I can't even describe it. It felt like a memory or like some sort of story." She snuggled closer to him, relishing in the physical comfort he brought. "That's probably all it was. Just a story I must have heard somewhere turned into a nightmare."
"It was only a dream lass." He hushed, pressing a kiss to her temple. "It can't hurt you."
"I know." Though when she said it, it was more or telling herself.
But it felt like it could. It felt so real. She thought. His ministrations paused a brief second, before resuming in gentle traces up and down her back.
"I'm here." He whispered softly. "I'm real. It's okay. You're safe."
Simple words. Simple statements that so often were not said to her as a child. And they both knew it. Yet those simple comforting reassurances eased her. Her eyes rolling shut as she leaned her nose closer against his chest. His scent a washing balm of comfort containing salt air and the tough lye soap they all used, yet something else that was pure Killian.
"Talk to me?" She asked. "Just…talk, your voice helps."
"I'm glad to know my timbre is suitable to you darling." She could feel his teasing smile and felt the need to poke him below the rib.
"It's mostly your accent."
"Sure, it is." He laughed softly. There was another moment of silence before he started humming. His soft but deep voice, forming the perfect soothing sound. Deep rich timbre that gently helped her relax. As his song came to an end. "Better darling?"
She nodded against him, her eyes becoming heavier.
"I'll keep the nightmares away Emma."
She gripped to him tighter, holding him as close as possible with the sudden fear she was experiencing that he would be ripped away. That he would be her happiness that the evil witch would try to steal. His calm emotions over riding hers, soothing away the anxieties and any thoughts of evil witches in black, instead coaxing her with his same lethargy. Emma inhaled deeply, comforted by the unique scent that was all Killian. That was all home. A home that would never be ripped away from her.
Never. A resolute thought not entirely her own confirmed before she gave in to the sleep that called them both.
.
.
"Emma! Emma darling! Wake up." Emma groaned and rolled over in bed to look up at Killian with drowsy eyes. Usually, she would get up with him, but with them arriving in the home port, he and Liam were making sure the ship was perfect. He smiled down at her and swooped down for a quick peck on her cheek. "Wake up beautiful."
"Are we already docked?" She sat up abruptly and looked around. Only the smallest hints of light came in through the window, letting her know the sun hadn't even risen yet.
"Not yet, but we're close enough to see it."
She grinned and slipped into her comfortable leggings and tunic before sliding on her boots. Once dressed she grinned to Killian as he took her hand and led her up the steps. Once again, the crew was bustling about in preparation of pulling into port. This time there was an air of nervousness and excitement about them, many of them having not been home for a year. Killian weaved them between the crew until they reached the front bow of the ship, and he held out an arm to point.
"There it is love. Yavenport."
Emma smiled and could see it clear enough as they were drifting in. Unlike the other ports they had stopped at, this kingdom was huge. A tall castle sat at the top of a mountain overlooking at the city beneath. Bustling and busy it wrapped around the ledges of the cliff and was surrounded by port.
"It's amazing." She sighed and grinned up at him. Killian just smiled back at her before pulling her in a tight hug. Across the bond she could feel his overflowing emotions from seeing his Homeland again.
Pride. Happiness. Excitement. She reveled in those same feelings. She never really had a hometown before. Never had somewhere she could say she was from when she was traveling. While she couldn't see giving up sailing with Killian for some time, and The Jewel would always be their home. This kingdom still was a part of Killian. He was proud to say he served in its navy and proud to be a man of it. So, she was happy to find Yavenport as her home too. Their home together.