Six months at sea. Six months away from a woman he'd never spoken a word to and yet found himself eager to be in her presence the moment they made port. Their trek home started and Killian found his dreams filled with the blonde princess and his days remembering her beautiful smile.

The closer they sailed to their kingdom, the more he began to wonder and worry if she'd given a second thought to him after he dared to reveal his identity to her. Did she accept and appreciate her secret admirer was a simple sailor? Or did she scoff at the idea of someone so much lower in status had an infatuation with her?

By the time they reached port, Killian was a right mess on the inside, nerves wracking through him. He'd avoided every glance Liam sent his way as he paced back and forth across the deck, not wanting to inform his brother of what was bothering him. He had managed to keep his feelings about Emma quiet the entire six months, he didn't want to deal with explaining everything now.

Storm blue eyes scanned the docks as he ordered his crew about their usual preparations, hoping and praying to deities he didn't believe in to spy the familiar gold of the princess' hair. His heart dropped when it was only the king and queen standing on land to greet the Jewel of the Realm and her men.

It seemed the princess held no interest in him after all.

Six months was way too long to test Emma's patience. While she'd the flowers to keep her hopes up and his notes to reread as she waited, that only lasted so long. Until the flowers started withering, of course. After that first month, it took everything in the princess to keep herself distracted.

Not that the lieutenant wasn't always on her mind. She'd found herself daydreaming about him more often than not during her lessons. Her parents could sense something was bothering their daughter, but they never once questioned what it was, nor did she spill her secret about the sailor.

The Jewel was set to dock the following morning, making Emma giddy as excitement flowed through her. Finally! She would get to see her lieutenant again! Finally get the chance to speak with him and admit his infatuation was returned in whole. Perhaps even be daring enough to kiss him for the first time so quickly. She spent most of the morning wondering how his lips would feel against hers, how the wool of his jacket would feel in her grip.

Her excitement was turned upside down when dinner hit and her stomach seemed to disagree with everything she attempted to eat. No no no no no! She couldn't be sick! She needed to be at the docks in the morning with her parents! She couldn't greet Killian and the rest of his crew- but mostly Killian- if she was sick in bed!

Lying in bed, her stomach churning despite how empty it was now, she called for Grumpy, demanding he find something to ease her symptoms so she could sleep and be well in the morning. The dwarf returned quick enough with a potion, ensuring it would fix her ailments by the time she awoke.

The next time her eyes opened, the sun shone brightly into her chambers, a small smile appearing as she remembered today Killian would be coming home. And then Emma suddenly shot up, noticing just how high the sun was. No! No no no no no! What time was it?! She panicked, knowing it was much later than she wanted it to be. Rushing to the window, she looked out towards the ocean, spying the Jewel already docked, her deck devoid of any movement. They'd been in port for some time now. She missed greeting them with her parents! Oh gods, Killian probably thought she wanted nothing to do with him now!

Not so silently cursing Grumpy and the potion he'd given her, she got herself ready as quickly as she possibly could, not having the patience to pretty herself up enough for a dress and so deciding on a white and blue riding outfit. Pulling her hair back into a high ponytail, she ran out of her chambers and to the main hall, hoping her parents were in there with Killian and his brother.

The door slammed open, causing everyone inside the hall to jump and turn to stare as Emma appeared, a flush covering her neck and cheeks at the unexpected noise she'd created. Killian's eyes widened as he watched her, his breath catching in his throat as he waited for her to react to his presence.

Head ducked down, she closed the door behind her, mumbling an apology too quiet for the others to hear. Glancing up, she caught the lieutenant's gaze, lips parting in a silent gasp as all air escaped her lungs. Aware that he was waiting for her to act first, a wide smile spread across her lips as she moved forward to properly greet everyone.

Bows and pleasantries were exchanged while under the watchful eye of the king, queen, and captain. It wasn't until later that afternoon when both Emma and Killian were free from their duties that they happened across one another in the gardens.

"Another flower upon your return?" she asked, a hidden smile gracing her lips as she waited with anticipation for his answer.

The lieutenant smiled, a soft chuckle passing his lips as he reached over and plucked a rose from a nearby bush. "Aye, one upon my return," he agreed, offering her the flower.

Emma's smile widened, bypassing the flower and moving closer to throw her arms around his neck, hugging him as she brought her lips up to his in an enthusiastic kiss. "Welcome home, Lieutenant Jones," she mumbled against his lips.

His smile grew, arms circling around the princess' waist as he resumed the kiss, taking advantage of the private welcome back for as long as he could.