A KIND OF MAGIC ↝ Killian Jones

⇒ CHAPTER NINE

AFTER DAVID'S SPEECH, their group spread out across the camp, but instead of following suit and taking a seat by the warm campfire, Wilma stayed behind with Killian, who, by some goddamned miracle, still had some rum left in the infamous flask he always carried around. Wiping tears from the corners of her eyes, Wilma chuckled, and stepped towards Killian, contemplating her options for a while, but eventually, the rush of happiness and bravery encouraged her to lean in for hug — it seemed to surprise Hook, but he had no intentions to pull away, so instead, he accepted the gesture, even if he was just a tad confused as to why he earned it. Luckily, Wilma elaborated.

  "See, told you you're a hero. Doesn't matter why you did it, you still did. You saved Prince Charming", she smiled, nudging Killian slightly once she dropped her arms from around his body, and it made him smile, too. There was evident pride in the expression, and in his posture too, as he gracefully found a seat from a nearby rock, making Wilma grin — granted, that pride within him, it was well-deserved. This, if nothing else, was officially proof that he wasn't just some selfish villain. He, like the rest of them, was a good person, on the hunt for some friends and happiness, and that was something Wilma had sensed since day one. Perhaps now, the others would too.

  "Aye", he chuckled, glancing down, "I suppose I did", which made Wilma snicker, whilst finding a seat next to him. It was quite difficult to fit the two of them on the same rock, but neither had a problem with sitting thigh to thigh, breathing in the same air that lingered with the smell of rum and leather — a thrilling combination, that Wilma never thought could mean so much to her, but now, it always reminded her of Killian.

  It became quiet between them then, just a comfortable silence that was nice like that, but Wilma ended up breaking it by clearing her throat. Admittedly, there was something that had been itching her mind ever since they started their journey to Dead Man's Peak, and now that she had drawn the attention to herself, she couldn't help but blurt it out. As sensitively as only possible, of course.

  "So... you lost your brother? You too?", Wilma asked carefully, trying to meet Killian's gaze, but instead of bravely facing her, he did something rare, and looked down. He borderline avoided looking at Wilma, although he huffed quietly before a sad, completely unamused smile broke onto his plump lips, but Wilma didn't blame him — she was well-aware of how consuming the pain was, how it was always there no matter what. Wilma had no doubt that what she and Walter used to have, was drastically different from Killian's relationship with his own brother, but nevertheless, they had both lost a sibling, and more, and that had always been something to connect them. They both knew loss, they both knew pain and heartache, and because of that, Wilma didn't hesitate to take Killian's right hand, which encouraged him to speak.

  "Liam was a good man. We traveled to Neverland once upon a time, and it's because of Dreamshade that he is now gone", Killian nodded, and finally, looked up to meet Wilma's sympathetic, yet curious stare. "Much like you, I live with it, though. I endure the pain. Luckily, there are good moments too, that balance the aching, moments that make living through the pain worth it...", he continued, his voice drifting and his gaze wandering, from Wilhelmina's attentive eyes to her soft, inviting lips.

  And just like that, he began leaning in, and something in Wilma ignited, the blood in her veins boiling and her whole body shivering as she gulped and returned the favor by leaning towards him with equal enthusiasm. Their lips were barely inches away from touching, and Wilma felt like exploding from the immense desire and need and want to just feel them on hers, but right before Killian could pull her closer and into an intense kiss, they were interrupted by an irritatingly familiar voice and they both jumped far away from each other.

  "Hate to break such an awe-worthy moment, but I'm afraid I've come to test your theory, Wilhelmina. You know, the one about Killian being a hero", Pan's accent in its mocking manner caused Wilma's soft, loving gaze to harden as she glared at the boy. "Didn't know you were such a jokester, love", he added with a low chuckle, shaking his head as if Wilma had cracked the joke of the year, but instead of being amused, the protective side of Wilma broke free again, and with her sword in her hand again, she lunged towards Pan with wrath.