As soon as Amira took off, Killian was calling after her like an overwrought parent who hadn’t slept in weeks. In a way, it wasn’t a completely inaccurate descriptor for Killian. He’d always slept light, if at all, and his general demeanor tended to lend itself to being stressed and on edge. The most she’d ever seen her boyfriend relax was in the months since they’d gotten together, his smiles coming easier, touches both gentler and more desperate. Every day they were edging closer to something they’d both craved for so long but hadn’t been brave enough to cross the line towards.
She spun herself in circles, enjoying the rush of the wind against her skin. The sleeves of her shirt billowed dramatically, and she almost found herself wishing she’d worn something a little more flowy and dramatic. If she’d known where he was taking her, she would’ve opted for something a little more pirate-y. Still, she was so pleased with her surprise, and even more pleased that it was Killian who had done this for her. She loved him so completely that she thought her heart might burst out of her chest.
“Yo ho, yo ho, a pirate’s life for meeeeee!” Amira hummed to herself, singing softly under her breath as she explored her new vessel. Not that she really believed it was hers for any more than just today, of course, but she allowed herself to sink into the fantasy, feeling the feathery plushness of it embrace her. She could so easily imagine herself at the helm of a ship, leading her own crew towards great adventures unknown.
As she found herself at the rear end of the boat, she dropped to her knees, staring out at the open water. It was so beautiful. Carefully, while distributing her weight in a way that only Amira Pace would know how to, she leaned forward and let her fingers trail along the water, creating a soft ripple effect.
Distantly, she could hear her name being called. She frowned, snapping out of her reverie, noting the strange sense of urgency in Killian’s voice. He sounded desperate, as though something was wrong. Panic rose up in her chest as she wondered if something had happened. Maybe he’d been hurt. Another, treacherous voice rose up in the back of her mind, a faint reminder of who they’d once been. That nagging voice told her that they’d been cornered, and that Killian hadn’t actually rented out the boat at all but had stolen it. Perhaps there were cops on the deck with him now, waiting for her to make herself known. Holding her breath, she rounded the corner and stepped towards the unknown.
With a blink, she realised there was nobody there. Nobody other than Killian, of course. He was all alone but looking stricken.
“Killer? What’s wrong, love?” she frowned, stepping towards him.
She glanced around them, searching for some sign of a scuffle or perhaps a drop of blood to indicate that he’d been hurt. He looked perfectly healthy, aside from the severe lack of blood in his face.
“Are you okay, my love? I was thinking we could go for a swim, maybe? Before we set off to pillage and plunder, of course,” she giggled, trying to inject a light air into her tone.
She reached out, pressing a hand to his face. Absently, she realised her fingers were still wet, but she hoped Killian wouldn’t mind. She was sure he’d understand how excited she’d gotten, her thumb caressing his cheek in the tender way that she knew usually helped even out his breath and bring him back to her.