"Why the bloody hell'd you do that for me, mate?"

They are back at the loft, in spite of all of Killian's complaints and his insistence that they find her, they help her. She had been so visibly petrified and it left him utterly aching to hold her and comfort her and assure her that it was okay, that she was okay and that everything was going to be okay.

Heaven only knew what she thought had happened. What she'd actually seen in her horrified stupor.

It had happened suddenly and he'd been a fool, not unlike usual. Following after her despite her cries to "Stay put, stay back, I'll hurt you too," chasing her with her parents, insisting that it was alright and she was fine and it would be okay.

He'd heard the deafening crack of magic a moment too late, seen the whole buggering light pole coming down at his head, too close to move. He braced for impact, muscles clenching, internally cursing himself for his lack of diligence.

But when something solid hit him it was from the side and he tumbled down hard onto the asphalt. Looking back just in time to watch in horror as the heavy rod sent the prince crushing into the ground. His breath caught dangerously in his throat, and for a moment everything seemed to stop.

Looking to her should've been an afterthought. He should've immediately ran to her father with Snow, immediately shown her that it was okay (even if he wasn't sure himself). But instead he tore his attentions from her father and found her.

She was clutching her hands to her chest, eyes wide and horrified, taking step after small terrified step back. Away. Running.

She met his eyes with hers (full of tears that made his heart pound) for the briefest of seconds before she turned and ran.

As much as he wished to follow her, he had more urgent matters to attend to.

It took him and three dwarf's to heave the pole from Dave, at which point Snow threatened his good hand to go after Emma while she pulled her vessel around for him to help the prince into.

She made him come back to the loft with them.

"She needs space. She needs to cool off. It is okay, Hook. She'll be okay."

Now he sits tensely on the edge of the couch where Charming is reclined, wincing at every breath (It's his ribs, he knows, can tell by his ginger movements and shallow breathing). Snow is making a pot of tea, and has left the men alone, finally long enough that Killian can question the bloody idiot's apparently suicidal tendencies.

"I didn't do it for you," he answers, voice strained, shifting slightly on his multitude of pillows to see him better, "You are a nuisance."

"Oi, thanks for that. You know how to flatter a man," he says and glares at David, who smiles smugly for a moment, before his face settles into something more serious.

"I didn't do it for you," he repeats, settling back again with a slight groan before continuing. "I did it for Emma."

Killian raises a brow quizzically.

"I fail to see how injuring yourself assists your daughter in any way."

"Quit being a smartass," he growls (and the resemblance to his daughter as he says it is bloody tangible). "As much as I hate to admit this, Killian, she cares about you. A lot. I'm her father and it's my job to protect her happiness. And right now, pirate, that happiness depends on you."

Killian is silent as he speaks, and reaches to scratch behind his ear as he finishes, ducking his expression from view until he can compose a meager response.

"Er… thank you," he finally mutters, and the words feel strangely foreign on his tongue.

The prince smirks at him (and again the trait is so ridiculously Emma he nearly laughs).

"And just between the two of us, Killian," he continues, and lowers his voice conspiratorially, "You might just be growing on me."