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And I appreciate it.

[ it's been a relief, being able to open up to someone, but it's not something he'd admit out loud so he chooses to play a gentleman instead. she must have an idea what he's actually grateful for. ]

You could leave your name out of it, I'm sure. No one would know it's you.

[She does. Talking about Milah is difficult for him, probably because he hasn't spoken much about his lost love despite wearing her name on his wrist.]

I said I'm sure I'm not the only married person here, not that I think there are many. I'm sure I'd be easy to single out.

[But he's trying to offer help, so she sighs.]

I know I just need to get over it, but it's difficult.

Well.

[ a meaningful pause. ]

You do know you can always count on my help, love.

[ he finally crossed the line that hadn't been crossed in this particular relationship until now. usually flirting is where he starts. what he had with her was more of a friendship of sorts, one not to be ruined with stupid innuendos and such, but there's only so long he can refrain himself from doing it. ]

[And there it is. To say she hadn't been waiting for it would be a lie. What had she actually initiated here? A few hand holdings. A few outings. Brief touches. The one kiss she's had was not something she asked for, only allowed when offered.

She can't be here forever.]

Taking pity on me, Captain? [It's asked with a wry smile, after a pause maybe a moment too long while she considers.]

[ it doesn't go unnoticed. ]

No, I think not. You could have anyone you wanted. I just think it's time you started.

[ his honest opinion whether she wanted it or not. ]

[Claire's quiet again, watching him. She is guarded, and while that's done her well at home, it's not doing her any favors here. And he's been kind despite seemingly not knowing what to do with that when pointed out, and despite being a pirate, which even without the whole Captain Hook thing doesn't really inspire trust.

He was the first person to hold her hand here, so maybe it's fitting that he's the first person she chooses to kiss. Even if it's just the corner of his mouth, fingertips resting lightly on his jaw as she leans in.

That only took her a month.]

[ truth be told he was half-expecting this would not happen at all, that Claire would figure out what an untrustworthy fellow he is, he already told her half as much. but there it is and he welcomes it. she knew so much about him and yet... ]

Not so difficult, now, was it?

[ he smiles softly, any possible crude comments clearly absent. ]

No. [She finds it in her to smile herself, more at him than anything else. He could have said something crude or inappropriate, but as she suspected, he didn't. Why did he have such a hard time looking at himself and seeing the kindness she saw?]

For the record, I didn't mean to seduce you with sweets and misty eyes.

[Not that her eyes did such a thing this time! She made sure of it.]

I did just miss your company.

[ he has his moments. ]

Oh? Perhaps you are considerably better at this than you let on.

[ teasing her. and even if this was a plot he would have fallen for it happily. ]

You found me out, Captain. The plan was to sweeten your mouth with fruit tarts and then have my way with you. Damn.

[Claire can tease right back. Though if she were really plotting anything, it would probably include a lot of alcohol. For herself.]

I should be more careful in the future.

[ it's easier for the both of them if the matter is treated lightly. ]

Do pirates know how to be careful?

[Don't ask about crocodiles, Claire. Don't do it.]

It's not a common trait among us, but we are fast to learn.

[ him especially. because he's good at everything. right. ]

But I suppose that would only prolong my stay in this place, so I don't think I will care much for my safety in the future either.

Then maybe I'll have to see about stocking up on cakes.

[A little bit of the guilt is soothed away knowing that the intimacy that is expected of them helps others, too. A kiss not only brings her closer to Jamie, but it brings Killian closer to those important to him. She likes him enough to care about that.]

[ it's the same for him, partly. being the hero while doing things for his own pleasure. what could be better? ]

And I'll have to remember those bottles I promised you.

And an invitation, the next time you go on any impromptu adventures.

[Peace and quiet is nice in short doses.]

I might lose my mind if there's not even the prospect of one in the future.

It might take a while, but I'll be sure to ask you to come.

[ let's not get into the details why that is, shh. ]

We are the same in that sense. Being here might count as an adventure on its own, but it's not quite enough.

[Claire waves at the apartment around them.]

I'm not used to this. It's nice, but it's not the sort of life I'm used to. Growing up, I traveled with my uncle, and then I served in a world war, and then I... never quite settled.

[She lifts her chin a little.]

Perhaps I was a pirate in a past life.

Oh?

What did you steal? Other than the hearts of some unsuspecting young men?

[ go on. ]

[That earns a laugh and a light kick to his leg before she leans back against the couch, a little more relaxed. And there's not even alcohol in her hand.]

I've never had a husband that stayed put. [Frank moved from place to place for his studies, and she went along. Jamie was sent here and there, when he wasn't hiding or on the run, and. Well. She followed when she could.]

I'd ask if a pirate must steal, but if he didn't, that would just make him another sailor, wouldn't it?

[Though that makes her think of a question.]

Were you? A sailor, before?

[ he suspects she wouldn't have stayed put even if her husbands had. ]

There are plenty of other differences, I can tell you.

[ this is where he looks away, pretending to take an interest in the apartment she just gestured at. modern furniture, so peculiar. ]

Ah, I've been a pirate as long as I can remember.

[ now that's a lie. ]

But rather than just a pirate I'd prefer to think myself as a man of honor. Pirates do follow a code. Well, some of them.

[... born into it, maybe? Claire keeps her eyes on him even when he's looking about. She stares at the white walls of her place enough. She knows a bit about pirates, but she's not eager to say as such. Just like she's not asking about boys that never grow up.]

An honorable pirate. I'm sure it was through honorable deeds that you became captain of a ship.

[Stealing. Totally stealing, she's assuming. Just like whatever he used to go out seafaring recently.]

Ah. The honorable means usually include a duel of sorts, one to decide who will become the new captain. Alas, this time the captain was nowhere to be found.

[ that honorable enough for you, Claire?? ]

[Better a thief than a murderer, though Claire doesn't doubt that he's killed. She imagines most here have blood on their hands, herself included.]

Lucky you.

[ she's better off not knowing the numbers. ]

It wasn't by luck that I got the ship, only by coincidence. Had the captain been there, I would have bested him in a fight.

[ keep telling yourself that, Killian. ]

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