Captain Swan One-Shots

Second Chance, Part 15a

Killian rested his arms on the railing as he stared out at the ocean beyond the harbor.

He let out a deep breath and ran his fingers through his dark hair. The water always brought him peace – but for now, his nerves remained frayed.

As he heard footsteps, he hoped those nerves would be calmed soon.

"Hello, love," he greeted when he turned around.

"Hey, Killian," Belle replied as she ran her fingers through her hair. She then took a breath and held up a take-out bag.

"I grabbed us some lunch from Granny's."

Killian smiled. It changed to a grin as he teased, "I do hope you remembered my favorite."

She shook her head – and yet, she couldn't help the giggle that escaped.

"You are incorrigible, Killian."

He only hummed. He then gestured behind him and suggested, "Shall we head below?" She nodded before they both headed down.

A silence settled between them as they ate. Killian's eyes drifted toward a porthole while Belle simply focused on her sandwich.

With a sharp exhale, he broke it: "Belle, I owe you an apology – I shouldn't have lost my temper or yelled at you. It was...wrong."

She only stared down at her food as she swirled the ice in her cup. She twirled the ends of her hair with one of her fingers.

Killian sighed and ran his hand through his hair. "Won't you say something?"

Belle let out a sigh of her own. She then admitted, "I know - and can see - how badly you feel, and I do want to forgive you. So much. But..."

"But I hurt you," he supplied, his voice thick with emotion.

She nodded. With a deep breath, she then elaborated, "I know it wasn't your intention – but you still made me feel small and naive. Like I wasn't capable of making up my own mind."

Killian dropped his head as he muttered, "Bloody hell." When he brought his eyes back up to hers, he offered, "I know it only says so much, love, but I am so sorry for making you feel that way."

"I know you, Killian – and that says plenty."

He gave a small smile. She returned it.

Killian then breathed in and out slowly as he ran his hand along his jaw and over his face.

He then ventured, "Shall we talk about what - or rather who - led us...here," gesturing between the two of them.

With a sigh, she surmised, "Perhaps not just yet – it's still a little raw."

He nodded, understanding flashing in his blue eyes. She then suggested, "Perhaps we can catch up? I know it's only been a week, but it feels like longer."

"Aye, love," he agreed. A grin then spread across his features before a chuckle escaped.

Belle tilted her head. "What's funny?"

He sipped on his drink before he told her, "I was just thinking how it truly feels as though we've always been in each other's lives despite the opposite being true."

She rested her chin in her hand as she commented, "We are siblings – it just shows that family runs deep."

A grin then spread across her face, earning a raised eyebrow from her brother.

She sipped her iced tea before she told him, "I was just thinking how you still sometimes are a little too overprotective."

Killian rolled his eyes. He then maintained, "I have you know I'm much better than when we first met."