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kazoosandfannypacks · 1 year ago

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"Window Seat" by kazoosandfannypacks

Pairing: Captain Swan Rating: General Word Count: 3K Summary: Emma's son, Henry, befriends the man sitting next to them on an airplane- and Emma is impressed by how well the stranger bonds with him. Tags: au, fluff, captain swan, one shot, captain cobra swan Author’s notes: I've always loved interacting with children. They speak genuinely, they love life, and they ask questions that aren't (usually) too hard to answer. When I was flying back from my last vacation, I sat next to a four year old girl who was an absolute delight to talk with. (She once had a dream about zombie turtles! She invited me to play with her dollhouse sometime! She said the Obi-Wan keychain on my backpack looked like a monkey!) By the end of the flight, even though I'm six times her age, we considered each other friends. This fic is inspired by kids like her. Taglist:@zahara@kmomof4@jonesfandomfanatic@booksteaandtoomuchtv@jrob64@tiganasummertree@anmylica@teamhook@undercaffinatednightmare@gingerchangeling@lonelyspectator@caught-in-the-filter @ultraluckycatnd @cs-rylie @silver-the-phoenix @pawshapedheart [if you’d like to be added to or removed from this list, hmu in my dms or askbox!]

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Emma held her son's hand firmly as she walked to the back of the plane, trying to find their seat numbers. Navigating an airport was hard enough as is, but bringing a four year old boy with you makes it even more difficult, especially when you're managing him on your own.

Fortunately, though it hardly felt that way, Emma was used to taking care of her son by herself.

"Are we almost there?" Henry asked.

"Our seat numbers are 83D and 83E," Emma said, "And here's number 80, 81," she counted and pointed them out to her son, "82, 83."

"That's us!" Henry said.

"Yup," Emma said, "your seat's the middle one in this row."

She helped Henry take off his backpack and put it under the seat in front of him, then they both took their seats as Henry, in spite of being warned many times about strangers, introduced himself to the passenger next to him.

"Hello!" Henry said.

"Hello there," the man said, "looks like we're traveling buddies today."

Emma had been distracted by switching her phone into airplane mode, but when she heard the stranger's accent, she looked up to see if his appearance was just as attractive- and was delighted to find that it was.

"Have you ever been on an airplane before?" Henry asked him.

"Quite a few times," he said.

"Are you going to grampa's birthday party too?" Henry asked.

"I'm afraid not," he shook his head.

"Why not?"

"Well for one thing, I wasn't invited," the stranger gave a good natured smile, "and another, I've never met your grampa."

"My mom and I can introduce you!" Henry said, pointing at Emma, "and you can come with us."

"Henry," Emma interrupted, "let's buckle your seatbelt, okay? And don't pester this nice man with so many questions; he probably wants to just take a nice, quiet flight to Maine."

The reason Emma wanted Henry to keep quiet wasn't solely out of decency towards the other traveler, and it wasn't of a motherly caution about strangers either. She'd be lying to herself if she said it wasn't borne of not wanting to annoy one of the cutest strangers she'd ever met.

"It's no trouble, really," he said, "I've never minded children; I was a camp counselor for quite a few years in my younger days."

"Henry'll talk your ear off if you let him," Emma ruffled her son's hair before adjusting his seatbelt.

"I don't take people's ears off!" Henry protested.

"It's one of those expressions," Emma explained, "it means you talk a lot."

"Oh yeah," Henry said, then turned back to the stranger, "are you friends with my mom?" The man looked up at Emma and smiled, his eyes a deep and overwhelming blue.

"I don't know. I haven't met her yet," he said, not taking his eyes off her, "but maybe by the end of the flight we will be."

"I'm Henry," Henry piped up.

The stranger looked back down at Henry and held a hand out to him. "Pleasure to meet you Henry," he said, "my name's Killian."

"I'm Emma," Emma said.

"What a lovely name," Killian smiled.

"Okay, so he's a bit of a flirt," Emma thought, though she didn't stop herself from smiling at his compliment.

"Have you ever been on an airplane before, Henry?" Killian asked.

"Nope!" Henry said.

"Are you excited for your first flight?"

"Yeah!" Henry said.

Just then, the stewardess' voice came over the plane's speakers.

"Okay Henry," Emma whispered, "we have to be quiet now, okay?"

"Okay," Henry said.

He tried his best to sit quietly, but four minutes is an eternity when you're only four years old. Every now and then he'd start to ask a question, and Emma would remind him to be quiet- and once or twice he tried to ask Killian something, which led to a similar gentle reminder to be quiet.

Soon, they were allowed to talk again, and the plane began down the runway. Emma pulled a pack of gum out of her jacket pocket.

"Here, buddy," Emma handed Henry a stick of gum, "remember what I told you?" "That my ears will pop off if I don't eat it?" Henry asked, already putting the candy in his mouth.

"No, they'll pop," Emma corrected, "but the gum will help keep that from happening."

She took a stick of gum for herself, then held the package out to Killian. "Would you like one?" she offered.

"Thank you," he smiled, taking a stick of gum from the pack, "I certainly would hate for my ears to pop off."

Emma giggled a little- only half a giggle, almost more like an annoyed sigh, but a giggle nonetheless, and a smile along with it.

Henry was looking past Killian out the window, watching the runway as they drove across it.

"Why are we still on the ground?" Henry asked.

"It's like flying a kite," Killian answered, "you have to have a lot of room to run, so the kite is already moving fast before you let go of it, and then it gets into the air. The plane has to run really fast too."

"Cool!" Henry said.

They neared the end of the runway.

"Here we go," Killian said.

Henry let out a little squeal as the plane turned its nose up, and up they went. He looked up at his mom, and then at Killian, and then laughed a little.

"We're really high now!" Henry said.

"Indeed," Killian said, "look at the clouds!"

Emma looked out the window as well at the clouds, which were now next to, then below them.

Soon, the plane stabilized, and the stewardess announced they were free to roam about the cabin, if needed.

Henry continued asking Killian question after question, probably more questions than the stranger was in a mood to answer.

Emma pulled out her phone and opened Disney+, where she'd downloaded a few movies for Henry to watch on the plane.

"Here, kid," she handed Henry her phone, then grabbed his backpack to get his headphones out, "do you wanna pick a movie to watch?"

He looked at the downloaded titles- Treasure Planet, Peter Pan, Aladdin, and a few Lego Star Wars specials, before selecting Peter Pan.

"That's an excellent choice," Killian said.

"It's my favorite movie!" Henry said, as Emma put his headphones on his head.

"It's one of my favorites too," Killian said.

"Henry's been going through a bit of a pirate phase recently," Emma said.

"Ah," Killian nodded, "I take it you've watched Peter Pan a few too many times recently, then?"

"The things we do for our kids," Emma said, as Henry tried to lay down in his seat, resting his head in his mom's lap, incidentally kicking Killian.

"Here, move your feet, Henry," Emma said, trying to move her son's sneakers off Killian's pants.

"That's alright," Killian said, "I really don't mind."

Emma gave up the losing battle of keeping Henry's feet to himself.

"Do you have any kids of your own?" Emma asked.

"Oh, no," Killian half laughed, "but I remember what it was like to be a kid. I was a rather talkative lad myself, much like your boy."

Emma wrapped her arm around her son. "He's a pretty special kid," she said.

"His parents are very lucky to have him," Killian said.

Emma shook her head, "One of us certainly is."

Killian raised her an inquisitive eyebrow. "His father's not in the picture?"

"In the picture?" Emma rolled her eyes, "I wouldn't even say he's in the same gallery. He walked out before Henry even got to know him."

"Well, he's missing out on a charming family," Killian said, "from what I've seen, you've raised a great son."

"Thanks," Emma smiled, "I try my best."

"Well, if you ask me, you're doing great," Killian said, "it can be hard to raise a kid on your own."

Emma wrinkled her brow. "What do you know about raising kids?"

"I was on the other end of the equation," Killian said, "my mom raised three boys herself. My dad has been out of the picture since just before my little brother was born."

"From what I've seen, your mom raised a pretty good kid," Emma said.

"I try to be- my older brother was always the best of us though." Killian said, seeming a touch saddened, "he practically helped raise us. In my father's absence, he was the one who showed me how to be the man I am today."

"I'd say he did a pretty great job at it," Emma said.

"Indeed," Killian said, "I wish I'd told him that more."

Emma wasn't sure why that question was so solemn, or why it was past tense, and was unsure how to ask what he meant, so she waited for him to follow it up.

"He passed away this past week," Killian said, "that's why I'm on my way to Portland."

"I'm so sorry," Emma shook her head, unsure how one could even begin to cope with that loss- if anything happened to one of her siblings, she'd be devastated.

"Thank you," he said.

"How're you holding up?" Emma asked.

"As well as I can be," Killian shook his head with a sigh, "it's a weird feeling, really. He's just always been there, and now… now he's not. I used to say I didn't know what I'd do without him, and now- now I get to figure it out."

"I'm so sorry," Emma said, "I can't imagine what this must be like for you."

"I'm getting by," he said, "that's how you have to make it in this world, isn't it?"

"You got that right," Emma said.

"And being distracted from it helps," Killian said, "which is why I was delighted to have a seat next to your charming little chatterbox."

Emma looked down at Henry, who had fallen asleep before the characters in his movie even made it to Neverland.

"Seems the lad's a bit tuckered out," Killian said.

"After the TSA line we went through and waiting two hours in a terminal at seven a.m.?" Emma asked, "I'm surprised I'm not 'tuckered out' myself."

"Me too," Killian said.

"He sure is excited to get to meet his grandparents," Emma said, stroking her son's hair a few times.

"He hasn't met them before?" Killian asked.

"We've called them once or twice, had a few video chats," Emma said, "but the trip from Tallahassee to Maine isn't one I can shell out very often. My dad insisted on seeing his grandson this weekend though- it's the only thing he wanted for his birthday, to have the whole family together."

"How precious," Killian said, "your folks must be so excited."

"It's all my parents have been able to talk about for the last year," Emma said, "my brother and sister both still live in the area, and they said Dad's more excited than they've seen him in years."

"Does all your family live in Maine?" Killian asked.

"Pretty much," Emma said.

"Then what brought you to Tallahassee?"

"Doesn't matter anymore," Emma said, "because I didn't find it."

"Then why are you still there?"

"I've never been one to stick around the same place too long," Emma said, "but that's no life for Henry. He needs roots."

"I see," Killian said.

"I take it your story's not much different," Emma suggested.

"What do you mean by that?" he asked.

"You're flying all the way from Tallahassee to Portland for a funeral," Emma said, "what's keeping you down there? Job? Friends? Girlfriend?"

She hoped it wasn't the last one.

He smiled, "Don't have a girlfriend, and friends are few and far between. I do quite enjoy the weather down south though, as well as my job."

"What do you do?" Emma asked.

"Captain of an authentic tallship," Killian said, "The Rolly Joger, a magnificent vessel- one of those little three-hour tour tourist traps."

"Oh, that's so fun," Emma said, "Kind of like a real pirate." She patted her son's head, watching on the phone screen in front of him as Captain Hook's crew sang a little shanty.

"Aye," he smiled, "once or twice she's even been booked for 'pirate parties,' where the kids all come dressed as pirates."

"Oh, that sounds so fun," Emma said, "I wonder if Henry might like something like that for his birthday in a couple months. He's never been on a boat before either."

"Well, you're always welcome onboard The Rolly Joger," Killian said.

"We might just take you up on that," Emma smiled.

"And what did you say do you do for a living?" Killian asked.

"I work for Yellow Bug Bail Bonds," Emma said, "apprehending people who skip bail."

"Like a modern day bounty hunter?" Killian asked.

Emma laughed, "something like that."

"That sounds exciting," Killian said.

"It pays the bills," Emma said.

She wasn't sure what to say, and apparently he wasn't either, as they were both quiet for a bit.

Eventually, Emma pulled a book out of her carry on, not about to take her phone from Henry and risk waking him, but also not about to sit there doing nothing for the next few hours.

"What are you reading?" Killian asked.

"Oh, it's a book one of my friends is writing," Emma said, "he asked me to read through and give some feedback."

"What an honor," Killian said, "what's it about?"

"Some kind of historical fiction," Emma said, "fairy tale characters in the American Revolution, or something like that. I'm only a couple chapters in."

"Sounds interesting," Killian said, "I'll, uh, leave you to it."

"Alright," Emma said.

And even as she got lost in the world in her book, she found herself glancing more than a handful of times at Killian.

A couple hours later, Henry woke up, and after a "good morning, sleepyhead" from both Killian and Emma, she restarted his movie for him- and this time he watched without falling asleep. Emma continued reading her book, engrossed in the character developments her friend August had intricately woven into his story.

"Oh, Henry," Killian said, tapping him on the shoulder to get his attention, "look at that view. You can see the plane's shadow on the clouds beneath us."

Henry took off his headphones and looked out the window.

"Woah!" Henry said, loud enough that Emma looked over as well- and she did so to see Henry throwing her phone and his headphones on the floor.

"Henry!" Emma said, reaching over to pick them up off the floor- which was difficult, with her seatbelt still buckled.

Apparently, Emma wasn't the only one who had a problem with seatbelts, because she looked back up to see Henry had unfastened his, and was now climbing onto Kilian's lap to get a better view out the window.

She was about to stop him, but she was taken aback by how Killian responded- after an initial second of confusion, he put a hand on Henry's shoulder in case of unexpected turbulence, then pointed out the shadow of the plane, and a few other notable clouds next to them, talking with the boy like he wasn't an outgoing child who'd just overstepped his bounds, but almost like an equal, one who'd done nothing wrong as well.

Something about the scene, and how the boys interacted, looked to Emma like something out of a storybook, or like the picture you'd find in the dictionary if you looked up the word "father."

Then, Killian helped Henry off his knee and back into his own seat, and rebuckled him, reminding him that while the plane was in the air, it was probably a good idea to keep your seatbelt on and stay in your own seat.

"I am so sorry about that," Emma said, then put a hand on Henry's shoulder, "Henry, you need to respect other people's space."

"No worries, Emma," Killian said, "it's the price of having a window seat, I suppose."

He didn't seem at all as embarrassed or annoyed with the entire ordeal as Emma was- and he then turned to Henry and added, "but not all strangers like it when other people get too close to them, Henry. It's a good idea to keep your distance from strangers."

"But you're not a stranger anymore!" Henry insisted, "I think you're my friend."

"Aye," Killian smiled, "I suppose I am."

"If you come to my house sometime," Henry said, "you can play in my fort with me. I can show you my Legos too!"

"If I ever do come to your house," Killian said, slowly, his words carefully selected, "I'd love to see your Lego sets."

"I just got a really cool Star Wars set," Henry said, "it has Luke Skywalker, and his X-Wing, and Artoo Detoo!"

"That sounds awesome, Henry," he said, "I hope I get to see it someday."

"Oh yeah," Henry said, "It's really cool."

"You know, I had some pretty cool Lego Star Wars sets back in the day too," Killian said.

"Really?"

"Oh yeah." Killian said, "I had this one set…"

As Emma watched Killian and her son talk about Lego Star Wars sets, she put away Henry's headphones and swiped out of the movie on her phone, sensing Henry might be entertained for the rest of the flight with his new friend.

Henry wasn't the only one entertained by Killian, though Emma's interest in him was for an entirely different reason.

Henry's father had left shortly after Emma's pregnancy, not ready for the commitment of raising a family. After that, Emma had decided that all she needed was herself and her son. Between finding her job and raising her son, she hadn't had time for a boyfriend anyways, at least that's the excuse she used when her friends asked why she'd never gotten back out there.

But deep down, Emma knew part of the reason she'd stayed single was Henry- any boyfriend for her was a potential father for Henry, and as rare as it was for her to find a date, it was harder to find a date who was comfortable with kids- and soon she gave up on dates altogether.

She and Henry had always been content just to have each other- but as she watched her son talk with this man about Star Wars, Legos, and pirates together, she realized how much both she and her son would benefit from a guy like him in their life.

As they walked off the plane, Emma and Henry stayed close to Killian, Henry still chatting away with him the whole time.

"Alright, Henry," Emma said, once they got back into the terminal, "I think it's time to say goodbye to Killian."

"Already?" Henry asked.

"I'm afraid so," Emma said.

Killian got down on his knees at Henry's eye level.

"It was a pleasure flying with you, Henry," Killian said, "I hope I see you again sometime."

"Me too!" Henry said.

Killian held out his hand to shake hands with Henry, but instead Henry ran to his arms and gave him a hug. Killian looked up at Emma for her approval, and she nodded, so he returned Henry's hug.

Once Killian stood back up, he held a hand out shake with Emma, and she half desired to respond the same way her son had. Instead, she took his hand and shook it.

"It was a pleasure meeting you, Killian," Emma said.

"The pleasure was mine, milady," he said, and he then brought her hand to his lips and kissed it.

"I didn't know you were so old fashioned," Emma said, in a voice that said that wasn't a problem at all.

"I hope to see you again sometime?" he asked, letting go of your hand.

"Yeah," Emma smiled.

"Will you wanna come to my grampa's birthday party?" Henry interrupted.

Killian and Emma's eyes met, like the meeting between old friends.

"I don't believe I've been formally invited," Killian said, more like a question than an answer.

"I could send you the details," Emma nodded, "if I had your number."

"Yeah," Killian said, "I might be able to find time, uh, here."

He handed her his phone, open to the contacts app. Emma quickly typed in her phone number and handed it back to him, and she handed him her phone too.

"I'll text you later," she said, their fingers brushing against each other as she took her phone back from him.

"Aye," he said, "Can't wait."

"I'm really glad to have met you." Emma said.

"Me too," Killian said.

"Me too!" Henry said, "See you soon!"

Emma took Henry's hand again, glancing back at Killian quite a few times as they headed their separate ways.

"Mommy?" Henry asked.

"Yeah?"

"Are you and Killian friends now?"

"Yeah, kid," Emma said, a smile spreading across her face, "I think we are."

#captain swan #once upon a time #killian jones #emma swan #henry mills #captain cobra swan #captain cobra #swan believer #cs ff #cs fanfiction #once upon a time season 3

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exhaustedpirate · 11 months ago

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parent for hire

here is the end of our adventure! consider this a late christmas gift and thank you so much for joining us in this journey! this whole story is dedicated to krystal (@kmomof4) for how amazing she was during this whole thing, thank you so much!

Chapter Eight - Epilogue

word count: 2,010 words

rating: Teen and Up

tag list: @cocohook38 ; @bluewildcatfanatic ; @piraterefrigerator ; @sotangledupinit ; @booksteaandtoomuchtv ; @teamhook

Two years later

Avalon looked the same as it had the last time they had been there. It had looked the same as the time before that, too. And the time before that, and the time before that… Killian and Emma had made the journey to the island many times in the last two years.

After the portal disappeared from the water’s surface, they had sat on the water’s shore for a few long moments, hand in hand, barely any space between them. They hadn’t wanted to leave. They hadn’t wanted to face life without the boy.

Returning back to the Caspartine had been a slow trek, silence filling the space between them. They were received with understanding and mournful expressions. Despite his short time aboard, Henry’s presence had impacted the crew, the boy’s family, greatly.

Killian and Emma had joined the Caspartine crew in their voyages, dividing their time between the skies and the Misthaven court, sharing time with their families.

They had been present for Nemo and Shakespeare’s retirement celebration and had helped the former Captains move their belongings into a cliffside cabin. Then they had been in attendance at Prince Lucas’ birth. He was named Crown Prince after Emma declared her decision to join Killian captaining the Caspartine.

The ship had two captains once more. Ones just as in love as the former.

Their relationship had continued its growth during their separation from Henry. Without adventures and villains, Emma and Killian had finally been able to enjoy the quiet moments. They leaned on each other, trusted each other, and loved each other.

Killian knew he loved Emma far earlier than he thought possible. It took all he had not to shout it out before she was ready. The crew would forever remember the time he almost navigated the ship through a flock of birds when Emma whispered her love for him in his ear. Thankfully, her laughter at his reaction had been easily silenced by a kiss.

Every month, without exception, they would make their way to Avalon. They would row to the shore, settle on the bank of the lake and watch the sun rise and the sun set. Every month, Nimue and the island would welcome them as old friends and they would feel her understanding, her care, the shared love for their missing halves.

Sometimes Killian would quietly tell stories about the stars, repeating some, telling others anew. Sometimes Emma would sing, her voice blending with the nature surrounding them. They did it all in hopes of triggering Henry’s return. It hadn’t worked yet.

The sun was high in the sky, its blinding light reflected in the crystal clear water. Despite the cold air, the warm glow of the sun created a balmy atmosphere. Killian lay on the blanket they spread on the grass, parallel to the bank of the lake with Emma’s head cushioned on his chest.

“It’s Henry’s birthday soon,” Emma said quietly, popping a slice of pear in her mouth. “Will and Elizabeth invited us to be there. We need to bring him something.”

“Aye,” Killian sighed, his fingers running casually through Emma’s hair. “He did tell me what he wanted as a present, when we were last there.”

With a curious frown, she stretched her neck to look up at him. “What did he say?”

“He wanted Henry there.”

“Oh.”

Her quiet answer left even more quiet in its wake. It was why he hadn’t told her then, not when she was so happy, shown by the wide smile on her face, at spending time with their friends. Not when just the thought of the boy reminded him of the missing part of their hearts.

His strokes through her hair turned more comforting as the quiet gave them space to feel their loss.

“It’s been so long,” Emma whispered, her voice breaking. “What if something happened?”

The questions had been asked time and time again. Nimue would smile reassuringly at them, explain that this training was Henry’s destiny, and that she was confident he was safe. Snow and David would hug them, patting their backs comfortingly, giving them words of hope. They stopped engaging with the Blue Fairy after some aggravating comments over their “reckless behavior” when they split their hearts to save Henry instead of preventing it all together. If Killian had had any more interaction with the head fairy he wouldn’t be able to restrain himself from attempting something very foolish.

“We would know,” he answered as he did every time. Despite his own heart-wrenching concern for the boy, he knew that their hearts would also be the ones to warn them.

Emma turned around, carefully avoiding the spread of treats over the blanket. Crossing her arms, she lay her chin on them so they could look at each other. He cupped her cheek with his hand, rubbing his thumb on the apple of her cheek.

“We would.” Like always, she would place her hand over his heart, focus on its steady beating and he would feel the warmth spread over it.

He followed her arm to lay his hand over hers on his chest, his fingers tracing hers, focusing on her ring finger. His heart beat faster at the thought of adorning the empty finger. She smiled, feeling his touch and he was thankful she couldn’t read his mind.

It wasn’t the right time. There was still something missing.

“Come here.” Killian smiled, removing his left arm from behind his head to rise on his elbow.

Emma shared his smile and rising up on the palm of her hand, she cupped his cheek, their eyes focused on each other. His hand laid on hers once more, unable to keep from touching her, from being close to her.

Her lips pressed softly against his, a chaste kiss that still brought a spark to his whole body, like she always did. The kiss turned deeper, their love shared between the touch of their lips, the soft moans and sighs filling their little haven.

A powerful wave made the ground tremble, leaving a feeling of warmth. They opened their eyes, breaking the kiss. A frown creased their brow even as a surprised smile stretched their lips.

“How did you do that?” Killian asked, impressed.

Her smile dimmed as her frown deepened. “That wasn’t me…”

Their joint confusion melted into realization, their eyebrows raised and lips parted. At once, they turned to the lake, their hearts beating faster in anticipation.

Henry stood over the water like they had before, a closing portal behind him. He looked different, older, but they would always recognise their boy.

“Hi.” Even his voice sounded different and not just due to the emotion in it.

“Henry…”

Killian’s whisper prompted them into action. Faster than they thought possible, they stood up, rushing towards the water. Henry did the same, running towards them.

They met in the middle, crashing together in a jumble of limbs. Henry had grown taller, his head now reaching their shoulders, his arms long enough to wrap around them both. There was a mess of sobs, tears, and smiles in the almost non-existent space between them. They were together again.

“You’re back,” Emma cried, grabbing onto Henry’s cheeks to place several kisses on his forehead and cheeks. “I can’t believe you’re finally back.”

“I missed you guys.” Henry smiled, tears streaming down his cheeks, burying his face in Emma’s neck. “So much.”

With Emma’s arms wrapped around the boy, Killian wrapped his left arm around the both of them, his hand on the back of the boy’s head. “So did we, my boy.” He laid a kiss on his forehead.

He raised his head with an excited smile, his eyes shining. “I have so much to tell you!”

“So do we!” Emma grinned, wiping her tears with the back of her hand before going back to touching Henry’s face and arms almost immediately.

“A lot has happened.” Killian smirked, wiping away Henry’s tears, uncaring of his own.

Henry looked between them, his happy smile filling all the cracks in their hearts. They stood in silence for a few minutes, reveling in the fact that they were reunited, that they were a family once more.

“You have cake?” Henry asked, his eyes having finally gone to the spread blanket on the grass.

The two adults let out a surprised laugh. “Aye, my boy. Elsa made it specially for you.”

Henry frowned. “How did she know I would be back?”

“She didn’t.” Emma’s smile was melancholic as she caressed the boy’s cheek. “She makes it for us every time we come here, just in case.”

“Oh…” Henry sighed, a frown creasing his forehead.

“But you’re back,” Killian added, a smile on his face. “That’s all that matters.”

“Yes and we’ll have a lot of time to make up for.”

Henry gave an agreeing nod, a smile lighting up his face. “Starting with having cake.”

They laughed together as they began to walk back to the blanket.

“Actually,” Killian stopped their progress. “There is something that I’d like to do. Something that has been a long time coming.”

His companions looked at him, a curious expression on their faces. The realization of what he was about to do made him nervous, his heart beating faster and his palm sweating.

“I was waiting for you to come back to us to do this,” he began, looking at Henry. “Not only because I wanted you to be present for this but also because you have a very important piece of this puzzle.” Killian took a deep steadying breath, glancing at Emma’s confused expression before holding his hand out towards Henry. “I’m hoping you still have my ring?”

“Yeah.” Henry quickly unclasped the chain. “I kept it safe.”

As the ring was deposited in his hand, Killian saw Emma’s eyes widen in realization. Henry still sported a curious and confused expression.

“Thank you, my boy.”

He turned to Emma, her parted lips and wide eyes greeting him. He dreaded finding something in her eyes that told him this was a bad idea, but all he saw was love.

“Emma,” Killian said with a deep breath. “You know I love you and I hope you know I want to spend the rest of my days by your side. I want to be your family. I want to be your home. And now that we have our boy back, we can be just that.”

Killian smiled at Henry’s shocked face, finally realizing what Killian was about to say. He returned his gaze to Emma, sharing her smile and the watery shine in her eyes.

“So, Emma, our Swan…” His smile grew as his companions chuckled. “Will you marry me?”

He never felt more exposed - his heart in clear view of the world - as he did now, standing in front of the love of his life and his son, holding a ring that symbolized the family he had had once and that he hoped to have again.

His heart stuttered as Emma shook her head. Despite his nerves, he never expected a ‘no’. But then her hand cupped his cheek, her smile wide and bright, her other hand grabbing onto his and he could do nothing but get lost in her eyes as he shared her smile.

“With words like that,” Emma’s voice trembled. “How could I say no?”

His smile widened as he closed the space between them to kiss her fiercely, passionately. He could feel his heart fill with love, warmth, happiness. So full he felt it was doomed to beat out of his chest. Distantly, he heard Henry’s cheers.

They broke for air, Emma’s smile blinding. She let go of his hand to open hers to him. Understanding her intention, he chuckled, sliding the ring onto her finger. It fit perfectly. Henry wrapped his arms around their necks pulling them into a hug, now filled with laughter.

They were a family. They didn’t need anything else.

Well, Henry thought differently, much to their amusement.

“This calls for some cake, right?”

#parent for hire #carolina writes #the actual big finale #thank you for reading #i love you guys #killian jones #emma swan #henry mills #captain hook #captainswan #captaincobraswan #ouat #once upon a time #cs ff #ouat ff

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deckerstarblanche · 1 year ago

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Random WIP Thursday: Going to Hell (not sure what this is, but it typed itself onto this page!)

Emma was pissed off, and it wasn’t just because she was tired of fighting their way through Hell’s waiting room. No, she was pissed at Liam Jones; unpleasantly surprised that he turned out to be a self-righteous prick instead of the paragon of virtue Killian always idolized.

“Killian blames himself for being here…he’s been fighting darkness his entire life, and you pushed him off the cliff….Stop thinking of your own desires, and let him go…”

Liam’s harsh words kept repeating themselves inside her head, stomach-churning as they were.

Some of what he said was undeniably correct: She had been selfish as the Dark One, so desperate to keep her true love alive that she’d sent him hurtling backward; back down into the black void that had filled his soul for centuries. Maybe she really was the anchor keeping Killian from his destiny, and being forced to follow this endless clue path was her punishment. Emma shivered at the thought as a deep shame washed over her.

“What’s wrong? Aren’t you coming?” Killian asked, the gentle concern in his voice breaking through her negative thoughts. She looked down, wishing she could melt into the floor instead of meeting his eyes. Emma had never met anyone whose eyes were actual windows into his soul before, but she had gotten to know him so well that she could read him like a book — most of the time. Right now, she knew his gaze would be soft and loving, and she didn’t deserve that.

“Oh…yeah, sorry. Let’s go,” she replied, hearing the lifelessness in her own voice, so she knew he’d pick up on her feelings. He always knew. Even though her legs felt leaden, she tried to exit the room, but his hand gripped her wrist, keeping her close.

“No, wait. We’re not leaving until you tell me what’s going on. I know when something’s bothering you.” Killian reminded her, and when she finally looked at him, the love and understanding she could see in his eyes made her want to sob. Why would he willingly stay when she could save him?

Her heart thudded in her chest as she answered. “It’s Liam…I’ve had a bad feeling ever since we met,” she admitted, and it physically hurt to watch that sweetness fade from his eyes as he looked away, shaking his head in disbelief. She forced herself to continue, knowing that he always valued her perspective. He may hate her for it, but she couldn’t turn back now.

“At first, i thought it was just because he didn’t like me, but I think he’s hiding something.”

Killian gulped as he stepped back, narrowing his eyes and lengthening the space between them. She already felt colder, as if an intangible connection that linked them was slowly falling apart.

“That’s preposterous! My brother wouldn’t lie.”

It was Emma’s turn to gulp. “Maybe there’s stuff about him you didn’t know. Maybe he does know what his unfinished business is down here,” she reasoned uncomfortably, hating herself for making him feel worse than he already did. The man was dead after all, and had only recently been released from Hades’ own private insane torture chamber.

“No, you’re wrong about him,” he replied, eyes softening in a plea to make her see reason. “I know who my brother is.”

Emma could practically hear his voice in her head, begging her to trust him like he had in Camelot. She felt devastated, but clearly Killian’s long held reverence for his older brother was clouding his vision. She was about to open her mouth and point that out, but he turned away from her, heading out of the library.

It was the start of him leaving her, she could feel it.

“I’m going to go help my brother find those pages.”

Tag List: @kmomof4 @cs-rylie @ishoulddefbedoingotherthings @booksteaandtoomuchtv @jonesfandomfanatic @pirateswhore @teamhook @jrob64 @ultraluckycatnd @everything-person

#captain swan #current wip #ouat season 5 #underworld #feelings

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whimsicallyenchantedrose · 7 months ago

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Girls' Trip Fairy Tale Ending--Chapter 5 of 5

Summary: This is my combined birthday gift for Joni ( @jrob64 ), Marta ( @snowbellewells ) and Krystal ( @kmomof4 ). Happy birthday ladies! Four fandom friends are nearing the end of their annual girls’ trip when they’re suddenly visited by Isaac, the author before Henry. He gives them an each a gift–an opportunity to jump into any scene in the storybook they want and fix it. Large focus on CS, although other characters and relationships will be explored. A big shoutout to @hollyethecurious and @winterbaby89 for betaing!

Word Count: 1090

Tagging a few people who may be interested (Let me know if you want to be added or taken off the list): @sailormew @annaamell @flslp877 @emmateo26 @bethacaciakay

@ultraluckycatnd @effulgent-mind @ilovemesomekillianjones @kat2609 @brooke-to-broch

@missgymgirl @galadriel26 @the-lady-of-misthaven @charmingturkeysandwich @jennjenn615

@laschatzi @kimmy46 @snowbellewells @iamanneenigma @daxx04

@nickillian @gillie @britishguyslover @ginnyjinxedandhanshotritafirst @kmomof4

@linda8084 @golfgirld @captain-swan-coffee @searchingwardrobes @hollyethecurious

@laughswaytoomuch @allyourdarlingswans @winterbaby89 @facesiousbutton82 @therooksshiningknight,

@lfh1226-linda @tiganasummertree @jrob64 @anmylica @booksteaandtoomuchtv @elfiola

Other chapters: (1) (2) (3) (5)

Can also be found on: (ao3) (ff.net)

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Note: I know it's been forever since I posted (and you've probably forgotten what this fic is all about by now), but in the spirit of the thing, I decided to post on the last birthday of our group--which happens to be mine! I hope you enjoyed our adventures!

Epilogue

And with Jen’s return to the cabin, the fairytale adventure came to a close.

“I don’t know about the rest of you,” Jen said, “but for me, that is by far the best way to watch Once Upon a Time. You get to meet the characters, fix plot holes, and experience the Happily Ever After.”

There were unanimous choruses of agreement all around.

“Well, I’m glad you enjoyed yourselves,” Isaac said with a roll of his eyes, “but I hope you also learned something. I hope you all learned that my job is harder than you thought it was–that when you change one thing, there is an entire cascade of unforeseen effects.”

“Is that really a bad thing?” Jen mused. “When the original trajectory was stupid, changes are a good thing.”

“Speaking of,” Krystal said, “can we finally talk about our experiences?”

Isaac sighed. Loudly. “Fine, but no cheating! You have to disclose all of it, not just the things you liked, but the ways it changed the story, the ripple effects it had, the boring moments, the epic romantic moments that no longer happened.”

“Can you wrap this up?” Joni asked, “or is this lecture going to go on for a while, because if it is, I’m going to bed.”

Isaac sighed again. “Just get on with it.”

“Gladly,” Joni said. “I went back to the beanstalk.”

There was a chorus of excited voices at that revelation, being, after all, a very significant moment in the Captain Swan journey.

“So what did you do?” Jen asked. “How did you change it?”

“I convinced Emma to go back and free Killian,” Joni answered. “How about the rest of you?”

“I saved Graham’s life,” Marta said with a sound that was half-way between a sigh and a giggle.

“There’s a shock,” Krystal said.

“How did you make that work with the story?” Jen asked.

“I really didn’t have to do much,” Marta said. “I got Henry to distract Regina, and then I took back Graham’s heart. I got to put it back! Then he kissed my hand and used a Killian line on me.”

“And you’re still alive to tell the tale?” Joni asked.

“Barely,” Marta said, clapping her hands and giggling again, “but it was touch and go for a little while. Anyway, Emma decided she liked Graham, but she wasn’t sure she was in love with him. Then Regina got mad and banished Graham to the mental asylum. Then Ruby and Graham fell in love and lived happily ever after.”

There was a universal chorus of oos and ahs at that. The consensus was that that would have, indeed, made for a better story.

“I went back to season six,” Jen said, when the discussion died down.

“How could you possibly pick one scene from that hot mess to fix?” Krystal asked?

“Wasn’t easy,” Jen answered. “Hot mess indeed. Ultimately, I would have liked to change the entire arc with Killian killing David’s dad and all that came after that. After all, that made no sense at all. Since when would Killian kill someone to keep them from telling people he killed the king’s soldiers? Wouldn’t that enhance his pirate street cred?”

“I needed one more conflict between them before their happily ever after!” Isaac said defensively.

“One, why?” Jen asked, “and two, if you needed one, you could have actually made it necessary to the plot and not just angst for angst’s sake.”

“Well…well…” Isaac spluttered, “that’s not even the scene you picked, so why are we even talking about this?”

“Because you need to hear it,” Jen answered. “Anyway, I decided what bugged me the most about that whole arc was that Emma immediately believed he’d left her, and everyone else in her life just….went with it. I talked some sense into all of them. Oh, and I made it Christmastime–which let them bring Killian home with a little Christmas magic.”

“Well, of course, you can make things work out when you just randomly introduce a magical item!” Isaac exploded.

“You’re complaining about magical MacGuffins?” Joni asked. “May I introduce you to…any of your writing?”

Isaac grumbled under his breath, and then turned to Krystal. “All right. Let’s get this over with. Time for you to tell us about your adventure.”

Krystal shrugged and gave him an evil grin. “I killed off Neal.”

“Naturally,” Jen said. “I assume there was pain?”

“Do you know me at all?” Krystal tossed back. “Of course there was pain. Lots of it. And screaming.”

“So Rumple didn’t absorb him?” Marta asked.

“Nope, and almost nothing ended up changing,” Krystal said. “Except Snowing’s baby’s name, of course.”

Jen, Joni and Marta gave her blank stares.

“What does Neal’s death have to do with the baby’s name?” Marta asked.

“Without Neal around to be a ‘hero’,” she explained, “they ended up naming him Graham.

The blank stares continued.

“Oh come on ladies,” Krystal said, “I thought that would be your favorite part. No one, and I mean no one liked that they named their son Neal.”

“What?” Joni asked. “Why would they name their son Neal? Who would name their son after their daughter’s ex-boyfriend who sent her to jail and broke her heart?”

“Exactly!” Krystal agreed. Looking around, she noticed the other ladies were still giving her odd looks. “Wait….you mean that’s NOT how you remember it?”

“No!” Marta said emphatically. “There was a lot I loved about the CS movie, but the thing that always brought tears to my eyes was the naming ceremony when they named their baby after Graham and talked about how much of a hero he was. It was just…” There was the giggle sigh again.

Krystal looked over at Isaac, and he shrugged. “Far be it from me to deny it when I’m wrong. Neal was a stupid naming choice.”

“You’ve got that right,” Jen said.

With a dramatic sigh, Isaac shook his head and threw up his hands. “I give up. Clearly there’s no reasoning with fanfiction writers. Enjoy the rest of your trip, I guess. And next year? Lay off of the head trauma. By my count you knocked Will upside the head seven times in your story. Gave me a headache just reading it.”

And with that, he was engulfed in a puff of smoke, and a moment later, there was no sign that he’d ever been there. No sign, that is, but the excited chattering of the four ladies in the cabin who discussed their adventures long into the night.

#ouat fanfiction #sort of #girls' trip fanfiction #fandom friends' birthday fics #girls' trip fairy tale ending #my fanfiction

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kazoosandfannypacks · 1 year ago

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Every Crappy Morning by kazoosandfannypacks

Pairing: Captain Swan Rating: General Audiences Word Count: 1K words Summary: When Emma and Killian find themselves running late for Regina's coronation, Emma's surprised by her husband's calm demeanor. Author’s notes: This one's a bit of a missing moment from the season 7 finale. I hope you like it! Taglist: @zahara @kmomof4 @jonesfandomfanatic @booksteaandtoomuchtv @jrob64 @tiganasummertree @anmylica @teamhook @undercaffinatednightmare @gingerchangeling @lonelyspectator @caught-in-the-filter @ultraluckycatnd @cs-rylie @silver-the-phoenix @pawshapedheart [if you’d like to be added to or removed from this list, hmu in my dms or askbox!]

Also on Ao3!

This morning wasn't quite going like Emma had planned. She'd planned on getting herself and her family up early, getting to Regina's coronation early to greet the guests in attendance- give them a chance to dote on the new royal baby before the ceremony started.

But the problem with schedules and plans is that newborns rarely stick to them. Sometimes they end up keeping you and your husband up until three in the morning, giving you a late- and groggy- start to your morning.

And as soon as they did get up that morning, later than they would've liked, they got changed and had a quick breakfast.

"I think we can at least make it in time for the coronation," Emma said, picking up her daughter, "not as early as I'd've liked, but I'm sure they'll understand."

"Aye," Killian said, putting an arm around Emma, "how's our little princess doing?"

Before Emma could answer, Hope volunteered a response of her own. Unfortunately, Hope's response was to spit up all over herself and her mother.

"Great," Emma thought, swearing under her breath as she looked at the stain on her dress- a dress her mom had made a huge deal about, one that they'd spent three afternoons with a seamstress making sure was perfect for the coronation, one that was now ruined.

"Regina didn't happen to teach you a 'vomit stain removal spell,' love, did she?" Killian asked, taking Hope from her arms.

"No," Emma snapped, a little annoyed with her husband's attempt at humor, "I've gotta change."

"I'll get her cleaned up," Killian said.

"Alright," Emma sighed.

She ran upstairs to change, racking her brain to figure out what dresses she had that she could wear for a coronation. Mary Margaret had said she could dress however she wanted, that it was an event to celebrate the United Realms, and the real world was one of those realms. But Emma knew how important it was to her family that she at least try to dress the part- and deep down, she enjoyed the ballgowns, at least a little.

Begrudgingly, she pulled a dress out of the closet. Unlike the former dress, it wasn't the latest in style in the Enchanted Forest- it had been years since it was in style in this realm- but it was better than nothing, and at the very least, this one was pink and shiny. She quickly changed, then looked in the mirror, still thinking she was missing something.

Emma noticed her red leather jacket, hanging on the back of a chair. She threw it on over the dress, half jokingly, and looked again in the mirror- and though it didn't quite go with it, with the way her morning had been going, she felt a little more comfortable once she'd slid her arms into her familiar armor's sleeves.

"This'll have to do," Emma thought, "we're late enough as is."

She grabbed her phone on the way out the door and sent her mom a quick text, explaining that they were running late but were on the way.

When she got downstairs, she found Killian, having cleaned up Hope and wrapped her in a fresh blanket, now rocking her gently and humming a lullaby.

"Ready to go, love?" Killian asked, looking up at Emma and smiling.

"I think so." Emma said, "how do I look?"

"Beautiful as ever, Swan" Killian smiled, as if the mere opportunity to compliment Emma was a delight to him.

"Then let's get going," Emma said, "we're already late enough as is."

They hurried out of the house, Killian carefully buckling Hope into her carseat as Emma set the diaper bag in the opposite seat, then opened the driver's side door.

"I'll drive," Emma said, "we're already running late."

"Are you saying I'm a bad driver?" Killian asked, already willingly taking the passenger seat.

"You're a great driver," Emma said, "you're just a little more… careful."

"One does not drive fast and take chances when hauling precious cargo, love," Killian said, "and there's nothing in all the realms more precious than you and our daughter."

"Alright, Captain," Emma rolled her eyes, knowing it wasn't gonna hurt anyone to drive five miles over the speed limit- or the ten miles over it she'd have to go to make it to the coronation on time.

"I still can't believe we're so late," Emma thought, knowing it would be a close call to get to the Enchanted Forest before the ceremony started, "I could've magicked us there, but it's not good to teleport with a child. I hope we get there before Regina does, and that no one bats an eye that we're a little late. It'll be alright, I'm sure."

She glanced over at Killian and noticed that he didn't seem nearly as stressed as she was- in fact, that he was smiling at her, smiling the way he did when he clearly had something on his mind.

"What?" Emma asked, glancing at him with a smile to mask her state of exasperation.

"Your dress," Killian smiled, "you wore that color on our first date."

"Our first date?" Emma asked, "Killian, that was years ago."

"And?"

"I don't know," Emma shrugged, "I just didn't expect you to remember.…"

"How could I forget?" Killian asked, "it was a moment spent with you- and every one of those is a treasure."

Emma smiled a little, and tried to coyly hide her insecurities behind humor, "even this morning, when I was a frantic mess covered in baby spit?"

"You mean when you almost managed to get us out the door on time, despite being up all night with a crying child?" Killian asked, "and when I looked up at you and saw you, my princess, my wife- and our daughter, our little princess- and I thought to myself, 'Killian, how did you get so lucky, to get to call such a rare treasure yours?' And when we got to spend another moment longer together, with just each other and our daughter, because of that 'frantic mess and baby spit?'"

Emma couldn't hide her flustered smile.

"So what you're saying is," Emma asked, "that even though this morning was crappy, you treasure it because it was spent with me?"

"Aye," Killian smiled.

Emma couldn't remember anyone in her life who'd ever made her feel this treasured.

"Ya know what," Emma said, "this morning started with your groggy 'good morning' and sleepy smile. When our little princess caused a little mess, you were right there to help take care of it. You've been so great this morning, and always. I don't know what I'd do without you."

"Nor I without you, love," Killian said. He placed his hand on Emma's shoulder, "I want to spend every 'crappy morning' with you."

Emma glanced over at him and smiled, reflecting a hint of his own smile back into his blue eyes. "I want to spend every crappy morning with you too."

#once upon a time #ouat #captain swan #killian jones #emma swan #hope swan jones #fanfiction #cs ff #kazzy writes #once upon a time season 7 #missing moment #fluff #kazzy writes cs oneshots

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kazoosandfannypacks · 1 year ago

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Just... Hold Me (CS Drabble)

Everything she'd grown accustomed to- stability, comfort, hope- vanished as Emma answered the call, heard the panicked voice, knew there was nothing she could do.

She hung up the phone, still in a haze.

"What can I do, love?" Killian asked.

"Just..." Emma said, "hold me." She didn't have the words and she didn't have the strength, but she knew she had him. He wrapped his arms around her, tightly but gently, wishing he could be enough to calm her storm.

"Just hold me," Emma tried not to cry, "Just, hold me."

"Aye, love," he nodded, "I'll never let go."

a.n. / taglist below the cut

a.n: wrote this one almost immediately after posting "Two More Minutes" but decided to delay posting a little. I'll let you fill in the blanks on what scenario takes place around this drabble, but I was leaning towards "post canon loss of a loved one" when I wrote it.

Taglist: @zahara @kmomof4 @jonesfandomfanatic @booksteaandtoomuchtv @jrob64 @tiganasummertree @anmylica @teamhook @undercaffinatednightmare @gingerchangeling @lonelyspectator @caught-in-the-filter @ultraluckycatnd @cs-rylie @pirateprincessofpizza @pawshapedheart [if you'd like to be added to or removed from this list, hmu in my dms or askbox!]

#once upon a time #ouat #killian jones #emma swan #captain swan #once upon a time season 6 #cs ff #cs fanfiction #cs drabble #captain swan drabbles

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snowbellewells · 1 year ago

Note

Let's spread some love 😘. What are some of your top five favourite cs fics?

Okay Anon, so I genuinely haven't been ignoring your question, and I truly do LOVE to sing the praises of our many, MANY talented CS and OuaT fic writers, but it is so hard to have an answer of only 5!!! I would honestly say it is pretty much impossible!!! (Krystal @kmomof4 did force me to give her a Top 5 list this summer, but I only did it because she insisted it was necessary ;p and I'm still not sure it would always be the same five, depending on mood and what I'm JONESING for - ha ha, that pun was unintentional! - at the moment!)

In all seriousness though, even at that, I had to make up multiple brackets, like "normal" people do for the NCAA Sweet 16, to try to narrow down my choices. For real! I had several different sheets just to try to narrow it down somewhat: One Shots, Two or Three Shots, Short MCs, Long (Epic) MCs, Enchanted Forest fics, Modern AU Fics, Missing Moment/Canon Compliant Fics, Canon Divergent Fics, Whump and Hurt Comfort fics, you get the idea....It went on and on!

Still, in the effort to at least attempt to answer your question, and highlight some great stories and authors, as @booksteaandtoomuchtv did a few days ago, here's a sampling from my shorter story favorites (in no particular order, and certainly not complete or extensive)

Some AMAZING shorter works:

"One Jump Ahead" by: @andromeda3116

"A Charm of Powerful Trouble" by: @spartanguard

"It's Not Your Eyes" and "Round and Round" by: @killians-dimples (on ff.net that's the username anyway)

"Hold My Heart"// "All for Love" /// "Lessons Learned" /// "A Place Called Home" by: Montana-Rosalie (again, sorry it's ff.net, but sometimes I've loved them long enough that's the only place I can find them! And if you thought her MCs could be devastating, well, she can do it in one shots too!!)

"With You" by: @seastarved

"Protective" and "Monster Tamer" by: @vickyvicarious

"Every End is a New Beginning" by: @drowned-dreamer

"Moonlit Comfort" by: @imlaxdris71 (Just FYI - this is technically Irish Swan Trio)

"Slipped Away" by: @niniadepapa

"A Light to Fight the Shadows" and "Breathe Out (so I can breathe you in)" by: ladybonehollows

"Double-Edged" by: @iverna

"Saudade" by: @apiratewhopiness

"Raging Fire"// "My Pleasure"// "Hope for the Orphans" // "An Education in Southern Gothic" // "Blackbird" // "Something Beautiful" // "Better than Chocolate Cake" by: @searchingwardrobes

"Hope is the Thing with Feathers" by: @searchingwardrobes and @hollyethecurious

"Somewhere Out There" and "In the Viper's Den" by: @kmomof4

"Flicker from View" // "Never Nothing" // "the Swan and her Handler" // "The Promises We Keep" by: @elizabeethan

"Drift" and "Leaving Las Vegas" by: @thisonesatellite

*** Okay, this got away from me Nonnie! And I'm gonna have to come back with another post - this is already super-long, and it's just the shorter ones, and I know I've left out many authors I simply adore! I'll be back with longer ones, maybe I should try to make it a Friday habit. Hope this answers your question at any rate! :)

#cs fic love #favorites list #and these are just short ones #way more than top five #it's an impossible ask #we are a blessed fanfom!#snowbellwells answers asks

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exhaustedpirate · 1 year ago

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parent for hire

guess who's back? me! and since I'm back, I have a chapter for you! hope you guys missed me! as the title suggests, this portion of the adventure will be divided into three parts. I promise you won't regret it! @kmomof4 was once more my guardian angel and made sure I had everything perfect just for you all!

Chapter Five - Misthaven (Part One)

word count: 12,475 words

rating: Teen and Up

tag list: @cocohook38 ; @bluewildcatfanatic ; @piraterefrigerator ; @sotangledupinit ; @booksteaandtoomuchtv ; @teamhook

The port wasn’t far from where they parted ways with the Arendellian royalty. Along the way, he realized it’d be better to let Emma know that they’d sail past Neverland on their way to Misthaven, just to prepare her. She got quiet after that, and he left her to her thoughts. It was only when, during the last stretch before arriving at the port, Henry held her hand as he retold the story of their defeat of the snow monster that he noticed her relaxing.

They reached the port not long after lunch. At that hour, it was bustling with activity and there were ships aplenty. It seemed that even Hans’ seizing of Arendelle hadn’t destroyed the town’s prosperous economy.

Killian urged Henry to stay close to them, since it was the first time they had all been around so many people in an unknown environment. Emma shared his concern.

“Why don’t we join them?” Henry asked, pointing down the docks. The two adults followed his finger to find a grand ship with sails mended with mismatching fabric. The crew gathered on deck was made up of about a dozen people.

Killian and Emma turned to Henry with matching looks of bewilderment and shock, but he took their perplexity in stride and shrugged. “There’s a small crew and they don’t have any flags.”

“They are probably pirates, kid.” Emma’s eyebrow was raised in doubt.

“Which means they can be bought, right, Killian?” The boy’s grin was wide and proud.

“What have you been teaching him?” Emma asked rhetorically, smacking his arm with the back of her hand even as an amused smile toyed at the corner of her lips.

“Well, the lad is right.” Killian smiled brightly at Emma while laying a proud hand on Henry’s shoulder.

The boy giggled as Emma rolled her eyes.

“Let’s go!” Henry urged, holding Killian’s wrist to pull him towards the ship.

Killian shrugged, still smiling at Emma before turning back to the boy. She joined them with an eye roll, firmly fixing her mask back in place, walking next to him. Close to the gangplank, Henry stopped. Despite his eagerness, it was still a large ship full of strange people. Emma laid a hand on his shoulder to pull the boy towards her side while Killian stepped forward, trying to identify the captain.

A voice called from behind them, startling the three of them. “Looking for something, friends?”

They turned around to face a man with shoulder length dark hair and a friendly face much younger than would be expected, his posture the only indication that he might be the captain of the ship. If he was, then apparently all ship captains had very quiet footsteps.

“It all depends on where you’re headed.” Killian took a couple of steps forward so that he could once more stand in front of Henry. “Are you the captain?”

“Aye,” he answered, his arms crossed and an easy smile even if Killian could tell he was inspecting them. “We’ll be docking at the Maritime Kingdom.”

Their map was ingrained in Killian’s mind and he knew that, with Misthaven’s port closed for decades, their only option would be to dock somewhere close by and make the remaining journey on foot. The Maritime Kingdom’s port was the closest to their destination.

“How much for us to join you on your travels?”

He watched as the captain looked at them curiously, his eyes specially focused on Henry. The air around them sparked with concern and caution from Emma and Killian moved slightly closer to his companions.

“Do any of you have experience on a ship?”

The question startled him. “Hmm, aye, I do.”

“Then I’m sure you can earn your passage, right?” He grinned before turning to Emma and Henry. “Can you two help as well?”

Emma shared his startled expression but she recovered more quickly as she nodded. Henry was excited at the possibility of helping on a pirate ship. “Yeah!”

The captain grinned even wider. “It would be bad form for me to leave a family stranded in this cold land,” he said before grabbing a satchel from the ground.

Killian turned to Henry and Emma, sharing their surprise at their sudden luck. Before they could say anything, the captain walked past them towards the gangplank. “Come aboard, my friends. Our journey awaits.”

Henry was the first to move to follow the captain, urging Killian and Emma to follow. Killian chuckled. Henry seemed much more interested in being in the company of a pirate captain rather than them, he observed.

“What’s your name, sir?”

In the middle of the gangplank, the captain turned to them with a smile. “Turner, Will Turner. Welcome aboard the Black Pearl!”

As they followed Captain Turner aboard, Killian began to wonder if the winds of luck were actually on their side for once. Killian focused on his surroundings - the motion of the ship, the different voices calling out orders around him, Emma and Henry’s presence as they tried to help as best they could. Anything that distracted him from remembering the harsh words, the sharp lashings, and the pain that accompanied most of his time spent on a ship.

A sharp wind ruffled the hair at the back of his neck, and Killian gazed up at the cloudy sky. He had to do a double take as he thought he saw the shape of a familiar ship high in the clouds. He shook his head, it was impossible.

---

Killian thought that suddenly becoming a part of a pirate crew would be difficult and they would be on the receiving end of animosity from the crew. However, it seemed that their time with Captain Turner and the crew of the Black Pearl was going to be full of surprises.

They were greeted with generally pleasant, if tired, expressions when they were presented to the crew. Killian and Emma chose to be called Jones and Swan, respectively, but Henry had blurted out his own name in his excitement. Captain Turner seemed surprised at the boy’s outburst but smiled fondly at him.

Thankfully, their caution and concern was misplaced. No one in the crew seemed to care about who they were besides an extra pair of hands to help.

Despite the crew’s main focus being on the work they were doing, they seemed to be more than happy to entertain Henry’s undying curiosity. Whenever Killian called on the boy to stop distracting the other pirates, he received a reassuring hand wave back from whichever crew member Henry had deemed the current target of his attention.

After a while, Killian stopped worrying so much.

For the past few hours, Henry had been following a duo of pirates as they went about their duties. He was told their names were Pintel and Ragetti and that they were harmless if perhaps a tad uncouth. Once in a while, he would hear Henry’s giggles from a different part of the ship. Surprisingly, or perhaps not so much, he would see smiles on the crew’s faces at the sound. From Captain Turner, especially.

With night approaching, Henry’s wandering calmed, the adrenaline of the day finally fading. “Henry is asleep against the cannon,” Emma informed him with fondness clear in her eyes.

His gaze quickly found the sleeping child. Henry’s mouth hung open and he had his back against the cannon’s body with his head - uncomfortably, he was sure - against the rough metal. Killian’s responding smile was just as fond. “I’m not surprised, he hasn’t stopped since we came aboard.”

They shared a laugh.

“We should have a couple of free bunks in the crew’s quarters,” Captain Turner offered, interrupting their moment. It was strange to have their moments together around a whole crew of pirates, innocent as they may be. “You’re free to use them.”

“Thank you.” Emma nodded before turning back to Killian. “I’ll take him downstairs.”

“Feel free to get your rest as well, Swan. I will be waking up my first mate and the rest of my crew shortly so they will take charge while we sleep,” Captain Turner informed them.

“I’ll help the captain get ready, then join you.” Killian smiled with a nod.

He assumed Captain Turner thought them a married couple traveling with their child and while he wouldn’t be opposed to play into his belief, he didn’t want to make Emma uncomfortable. He thought Emma had the same suspicion, if the way she touched his arm before going to Henry was any clue.

Thankfully, he didn’t have to fake the way his heart thundered in his chest, or the way he couldn’t take his eyes off her, or the smile on his face when she picked the child up and he mumbled something completely unintelligible. He didn’t have to fake the subtle wave towards them when she found his eyes once more before descending below deck. If any of his gestures and expressions were deemed too realistic, he would blame it on the watchful gaze of the ship’s captain next to him.

It didn’t take long before the night’s crew arrived above deck. There were introductions exchanged between them and he found Gibbs to be a respectful man, worthy of the first mate position. Killian found himself nervous to join Emma and Henry below deck - would they be set up to sleep in the same bed? If the bunk beds were anything like the ones he was used to, they would have to sleep really close. Would she be angry?

“Thank you for your help, Jones.” Captain Turner’s heavy hand on his shoulder took him away from his anxious thoughts. All around them, the night crew was already in their positions. “I think it’s time to get some rest, don’t you?”

“Aye, Captain.” Killian cleared his throat, hoping to disguise the nerves in his voice. They began walking towards the hatch that led below deck.

“The honorific isn’t necessary, you know.” He grinned. “You’re not officially part of my crew. You can call me Will. If you’d like.”

Killian couldn’t help but chuckle. He’d enjoyed himself today, and if he was honest, he wouldn’t mind being a part of Will’s crew. As it was, he wasn’t in the position to join them. Not while he had a child below deck who needed him.

“I appreciate that, mate,” he replied. “But since I am working on the ship, and you are the captain, I’ll stick with that.”

“Very well, mate.” With a final pat on the shoulder, Captain Turner left him to enter his cabin.

All his worry had been for naught, in the end. Once he finally located the crew’s quarters, thanks to some loud snoring, Killian found Swan in the bottom left side bunk. Like the captain said, there was another empty bunk on the right side. He approached them as quietly as possible and found her still awake. She’d removed her mask and Henry’s hands clutched her tightly, even in sleep.

Her eyes found his once he was close enough. “He asked me to sleep next to him.” Her whisper sounded apologetic and all he could do was smile. Her lips thinned as she waited for his reply.

For all his worry over their sleeping arrangements, having her grow closer to Henry was no part of his concerns. But he also never counted on the creeping disappointment he felt over not sleeping next to her.

He crouched next to them. With Emma laying on her back and Henry’s head resting on her chest, all she had to do was turn her head towards him.

“That’s quite alright,” Killian whispered, reaching over to run his fingers through Henry’s hair, pushing away a few strands that had fallen over his face. He thought he heard Emma’s breathing change. “I’ll allow it for tonight,” he joked, a small smile upturning his lips as he turned to face her.

Her smile was amused and he felt her sharp release of breath on his chin. When he approached them on the bunk, he hadn’t realized how close that would make them. Their faces were only a few inches apart. He could see distinctly how the green in her eyes reflected the moonlight, how her nose was splattered with freckles. He wondered if she could tell he hadn’t taken a breath since he turned to face her. He wondered if she minded their proximity.

A particularly loud snore broke their silent stare and Killian cleared his throat as he finally stood. If Killian had paid closer attention or if it had been brighter in the cabin, he would have noticed Emma’s blushed cheeks or her equally irregular breathing.

“We should get some sleep,” Killian said, watching her nod through the corner of his eyes. “I’ll be in the next bunk, should you need me.” He gestured with his head, before striding towards the bunk after looking at Henry for a last time.

“Goodnight, Killian.”

He stopped midway through removing his coat to turn towards Emma, who was now looking up towards the top bunk. He could see the way her throat worked as she swallowed and he had to remind himself that she had spoken. Killian finished removing his coat, willing his heart to calm.

“Goodnight, Emma.”

It was a while before he fell asleep, too aware of her presence much too far away from him.

---

Killian awoke early the next day. He wasn’t surprised. Being on a ship, being in the confining crew’s quarters, reminded him too much of being on Silver’s crew. Once the sun shone on his face from the small window, he sat up so fast that he almost hit his head on the top bunk.

Memories of being dragged from his bed and lashed on the main deck for having woken up late made the scars on his back throb in remembrance. He sat there in panicked stillness as he waited for loud footsteps to invade the cabin, and the perverted grin of his former captain as he cracked the whip over and over again.

“Killian?”

It was miraculous how the soft voice of the boy broke through his frenzied thoughts, the way Nemo’s voice never could. He remembered his first year aboard the Caspartine clearly - he remembered the fear whenever he did something wrong, the panic whenever something wasn’t perfect. He also remembered the calm timbre of Nemo’s voice as he tried to get him out of that state. He remembered how long it took to do so but also the patience Nemo had had.

“Killian?” He heard the small voice again and his body was freed from his panic-induced, statue-like state.

Killian put his feet on the ground and turned towards the boy.

“Aye, lad?”

“Good morning.” Even when whispering, the boy managed to say it loudly. His bright smile made Killian’s heart feel like it would burst at any moment and he couldn’t help but smile back.

“I assume you slept well?”

“Yeah, but I’m done sleeping, the sun is out!” Henry said, sitting up next to Emma’s still sleeping form and pointing towards the window as if Killian hadn’t noticed. “That means Captain Turner needs his crew again, right?”

“Any captain would admire your work ethic, lad.” He grinned, before gesturing towards Emma. “Why don’t we let Emma sleep a bit longer?”

It was then that Emma seemed to lose the battle against the wide smile that now brightened her face. Killian noticed first but Henry noticed it louder.

“She’s awake!” Henry exclaimed and Killian was thankful for the lack of any sleeping crew mates in the cabin. He would have to teach Henry some cabin manners.

“How could I sleep when you shoved your elbow in my ribs when you saw the sun?” Emma’s tone was accusatory but the still shining smile on her face killed any trepidation it might have induced.

“I’m sorry!” Henry apologized, a sheepish smile on his face.

“You will be sorry.” Emma moved, faster than either of them were expecting, and grabbed onto Henry, bringing him back down on the bed, and tickling him.

In an instant, Henry’s giggles filled the empty cabin. His loud expression of joy pushed away any demons still waiting in Killian’s head to torment him with memories of the past. Emma’s joining laughter made him wish he could live in this moment for the rest of his life.

“It looks like someone is ready to work!” The captain’s presence was enough to quiet their raucous laughter. Killian could tell that the man’s authoritative tone was merely pretense. The smile on his face was pure joy and not for the first time, he wondered why the captain was being so kind to them.

He felt Emma’s eyes on him. When he met her gaze, he could see she was tense - she obviously wasn’t reading Will’s teasing and joyful visage correctly. He smiled and nodded at her reassuringly and watched as she relaxed.

“Yes, Captain!” Henry quickly scrambled out of bed to stand in front of his bunk with a smart salute.

The adults in the cabin tried to keep their amusement quiet at Henry’s serious expression and posture while his hair was a riotous mess and his clothes fell every which way.

“Very well, Sailor Henry.” Will placed his hands on his hips with a nod and a spark of mischief in his eyes. “All crew members are to present themselves on the main deck.”

“Yes, Captain!” Both Killian and Emma realized Henry’s intentions right away. Killian took a step forward just as Emma grabbed onto his wrist.

“You need to get dressed first, kid.” Emma’s voice shook with barely suppressed mirth.

“But the Captain is waiting!” Henry whined. From the corner of his eye, Killian watched as Will watched with fondness.

“And do you think Captain Turner will want a disheveled sailor in his crew?” Killian asked with a raised eyebrow as he tried to tame the boy’s hair at the same time Emma fixed Henry’s clothing. “I don’t think so!”

They hadn’t done that before. Henry was fairly independent, even during his more lethargic moments in the morning. There had never been the need to care for him before.

“And you need to eat, too,” Emma added to a pouting Henry.

“Not to worry, Sailor Henry.” They all turned to Will where he still stood by the doorway. “Our cook should have something for you to eat so you’re ready for a day of hard work.” Despite the way he spoke directly to Henry, Killian knew it was an invitation for them all. “I’ll see you on the main deck.”

“Yes, Captain!” Emma failed to hide her laughter when Henry saluted once more.

They made sure they all looked presentable to leave the cabin. He didn’t know where Henry’s energy came from as he spoke to everyone he found as he sped down the hall. In the galley, he seemed to be on a first name basis with the cook and he barely breathed as he ate, despite Killian and Emma’s admonishments to the contrary.

Thankfully they all made it above deck without any accidents. Henry was off like a shot towards the captain, eager to be given his tasks for the day. Killian watched the boy amusedly until a pained grunt called his attention back to Emma. She held onto the top of her hood trying to keep it in place. Without her mask back on, Killian could see the pained twist of her lips.

“What’s wrong, love?” Her eyes shot up to look at him. He swallowed drily as he realized that it was the first time he used that particular pet name for her. He tried to keep an impassive expression, as if it was normal - it was, actually. He would use that with any lass.

She cleared her throat as she looked away, and he could breathe again. “The wind is blowing my hood, I have pins to keep it in place and they’re pulling on my hair,” she complained.

“Why don’t you remove it?” Killian suggested. At her sharp glance, he wondered if he had offended her. “To spare you the pain.”

He was met with silence. Turmoil swirled in her eyes and Killian rushed to clarify.

“The weather in these parts is quite rough,” he added. He remembered how Nemo had avoided this region. As they approached Neverland and the Leviathan Shoals, the weather would get worse.

Still, she said nothing, looking everywhere but at him.

Thankfully - or not - Will called for him. He met her eyes and she nodded at the same time he did, although he was unsure of what she meant.

For the next few hours, Killian was busy pulling ropes, tightening knots, climbing up and down the rigging. By the time midday arrived, he was coated with a healthy amount of sweat and he was glad he’d left his great coat and vest in the crew’s cabin.

“Good job, mate.” Will grinned as they stood by the helm.

“It feels good to work for a good captain again.” The joy in his heart surprised him. As much as most of his memories aboard a ship pained him, he still remembered the freedom of the wind in his hair and the scent of the sea in his nose.

Something caught Will’s attention off to the side, making him turn back to Killian with a knowing smile. “It’s time for a break, don’t you think, mate?” Killian nodded, confused at the change in subject. “It seems your wife has some food for you.”

Still confused, Killian turned to where Will gestured.

Any thoughts he might have had of Will’s assumptions of his and Emma’s relationship were gone in a flash. Any thoughts whatsoever flew completely from his mind.

There, in the middle of the main deck, next to an energetic Henry, stood an angel. Emma’s hood was no longer hiding her golden hair, and the wind that had been so troublesome for the whole morning was now trying to break her hastily tied back hair free. She was laughing at something Henry was saying and he could swear there was a glow to her, no longer hidden by the shadow of the hood.

“Pick your jaw up off the floor, mate.” Will’s rough hand on his shoulder and subsequent laugh startled him out of his thoughts.

“Aye.” He winced at his rough voice, even as it made Will laugh more, and cleared his throat.

“Nothing to be ashamed of. Even after so many years together, I still look at my wife the same way,” Will confessed in a softer voice as they both looked at Emma and Henry. “Take your break, mate.”

With a last chuckle, Will focused back on navigating the ship and Killian was left trying to tame his thundering heart and racing thoughts.

Just when he thought he might be able to look at least somewhat casual, Emma’s eyes found him. Even at a distance, he could see the shine in her green eyes, imagined he could feel her breath on his skin. He only hoped the distance wouldn’t permit her to hear his faltering breath.

“Killian!” Henry called, finally putting an end to their stare. “Come eat, there’s fish!”

He laughed in surprise. The boy acted like the cooked fish in front of him was a royal feast. He hoped Henry never lost his wonder. Killian would blame the rocking ship for the way his steps faltered, not on his companions matching smiles.

It was hard to concentrate on the, objectively, delicious meal when there was an enchanting blonde and a precocious young boy that made him believe that maybe he could be a part of a family again. Being aboard the Black Pearl and having Will assume that they were one hadn’t been a problem, the three of them acted that way already. They simply had to embrace those roles. What was a problem, at least for him, was how much he was beginning to wish for it to be true. How much it pained him to realize that it wasn’t.

But he could pretend. As they sat together and talked about their mornings, he could pretend.

The afternoon went just as the morning did. Killian rushing from side to side as he helped the crew, Henry running from side to side “helping” as well and Emma, well, he tried to keep his eyes away from her, to avoid distractions. Especially when, after finding her at the other side of the ship pulling on some ropes, he had gotten so distracted, Cotton had to pull on his arm so he wouldn’t get hit in the face, earning the laughter of the surrounding crew. The embarrassment was enough to force the decision to avoid the distraction that was Emma Swan.

Thanks to his early night the day before, Henry had managed to stay awake much longer into the evening. By the time the night crew began their shift, the boy was still running around the deck, no sign of tiring.

“Come on, lad, time for bed.” Killian grinned, scooping up the boy to put him over his shoulder.

“But I’m not tired,” Henry whined, his body limp like a ragdoll as Killian walked carefully across the deck.

“You need to rest so you can help Captain Turner some more tomorrow.” Emma spoke from behind him, probably so she could look at Henry. His hand on the boy’s legs tightened.

“I hate it when you guys are right…” Henry complained before using both hands on Killian’s back to raise the upper half of his body. “Goodnight, mates!” he called out in his best imitation of Killian’s accent.

“Goodnight, Henry!”

A feeling of surprise rose up in Killian when the majority of the crew above deck reciprocated Henry’s farewell, but it wasn’t at all surprising that the boy had managed to charm everyone on board. He couldn’t help but remember how Nemo’s crew was the same way with him.

“Today was fun.” Killian was glad that Henry remembered to whisper when they were in the cabin. All but two of the bunks were full of already sleeping crew members. He sat the boy down on his bunk. “Did you guys have fun, too?”

“I’ve never been on a ship before,” Emma answered and he had to purposefully turn his gaze away from where she was using her fingers to comb her long blonde hair. He wasn’t a lad anymore, he should be able to control himself. “But you’re right, it’s fun to help around.”

Killian felt Henry’s eyes on him. “Aye, I haven’t been aboard a ship in a long time,” he replied as he prepared for bed. “I like Captain Turner’s crew. Very much.”

“Was your last time on a ship that storm?” Henry’s blunt question surprised him but all he saw in the boy’s eyes was curiosity.

“No,” Killian answered, clearing his throat. “After the storm, I was saved by another captain. I was part of his crew for a few years.”

“Oh, I forgot. Was that Captain Nemo?”

He should not have been surprised that Henry remembered the name, since he had mentioned it a few times before, but his heart still skipped a beat. Killian could feel Emma’s eyes on them.

“Aye.”

Killian sat on the bed next to Henry who patted the bed on the other side of him urging Emma to sit there. The innocent gesture made Killian let out an amused breath. It was becoming a tradition, apparently, for them to have important or heartfelt conversations before bed, the three of them, in this same position. Regardless, he wanted them to know about his past and, in a room full of sleeping people, it was better to have it as close as possible.

“As I said, he saved me from the wreckage of the storm.” Killian took a deep breath, preparing himself. “Nemo took care of me when I had lost everything. He gave me a home.”

“What was he like?” Emma asked.

“He was…” He rubbed his hand over his thigh. “He was kind, patient, reliable. He was the one who taught me sailing could be fun.”

“What happened?” Henry whispered.

Killian sighed, scratching his forehead. How was he to tell them that he had had everything he could have ever wished for and had lost it due to his own stubbornness?

In a childish move, Killian fell back on the bed with a huff, thankful that it was wide enough to fit his upper body. He chuckled when Emma and Henry imitated him.

“All we’re missing is the night sky,” Emma pointed out after a few moments of silence as they all looked at the wood framing of the top bunk.

“Maybe tomorrow night, Captain Turner will let us sleep above deck,” Henry suggested, earning a soft laugh from both adults.

“I think the weather might be too rough for that, lad,” Killian warned, placing his hand behind his head.

“The stars will always be there, kid.” He felt Henry’s head leaning against his shoulder with a sigh.

There was a comfortable silence between them. Despite the question, Killian allowed this moment of comfort to wash over him, to help him through the most difficult part of this tale. He took a deep breath.

“Almost a decade ago, I lost my hand,” Killian began, taking a moment to settle comfortably on the bunk. “I lost my hand and my love on the same day. I swore vengeance on the demon who did it. I swore to hurt him the same way he hurt me.”

“Nemo was the one who helped me get better. He took care of me, as he had before, and he fitted me with the hook.” Killian raised his hooked arm. He watched as Henry’s hand wrapped around the steel. Despite his stabilizing breaths, he still felt the stinging in his eyes. Even as he lowered his arm, the weight of Henry’s hand was still on it. “He was trying so hard to help me and I pushed him away. I tried to run away in the middle of the night but he caught me.”

The memories crashed over him. He could feel the cold air of the night on his face, the pain in his left arm and the heavy satchel on his good shoulder. He could see Nemo’s saddened expression, the underlying disappointment Killian was sure he was feeling. He could hear the pleading tone in his voice as he asked Killian to stay. He could still feel the suffocating weight on his chest over leaving the only real home he had ever had.

“I left,” Killian finished with a sigh. “I didn’t want him to be disappointed in me and I didn’t want him to be ashamed of me, so I left.”

Killian lost his battle against the tears when he felt Henry’s arm around his torso and his head on his chest. He removed his hand from behind his head to rub it on the boy’s arm, his own head against Henry’s.

“Have you thought about finding him?” Opening his eyes, Killian found Emma’s. There was no pity, just compassion and understanding.

“Aye.” Killian cleared his throat, hoping to get rid of the wobbly tone of his voice. “Many times. Especially since we started this journey.” Killian felt Henry’s head leave his chest and the boy’s eyes on the side of his face. “I kept wondering what Nemo would do next.

“After you were poisoned,” Killian continued, “I just wanted to see him and beg him for help. He would know what to do.” He felt a second hand on his torso and looked down to see Emma had reached across Henry and placed her own hand on him as well, the lad placing his hand over hers. The silent support comforted him further.

“When I was growing up,” Henry spoke, seemingly out of nowhere, “Tiger Lily would bring me books to read. I used to read about heroes and adventures in faraway places. But my favorite story was about this boy who was all alone and a knight found him and took care of him. I used to read that story every night before bed. I wished for a father like him to come and take me away.”

The silence between them was heavy. It was as if they had all stopped breathing as they took in Henry’s words.

“Nemo was like that knight to you,” the boy continued. “He was a father to you and you miss him.” He shrugged.

Killian said nothing. There was nothing he could say. His only response was to reach over and caress the boy’s cheek with the back of his fingers. He was right.

“When did you get so smart, kid?” Emma asked in a soft teasing tone.

“Since I became a hard-working sailor.”

He feasted on the quiet giggles from the boy as well as Emma’s equally silent chuckle as she pushed away Henry’s rebellious hair.

“Well, I just thought that I would miss you guys if I lost you,” Henry continued in an even smaller voice. “You guys saved me and took care of me. I’m very happy I found you.”

Both Killian and Emma moved in sync as they wrapped their arms around the boy. He felt more than heard Henry’s satisfied sigh, his head nuzzled comfortably in his chest. All together in this tight huddle, Killian felt as if all the loose pieces of his heart stitched together.

“So are we, Henry,” Killian whispered, watching as Emma nodded against the boy’s hair. “So are we.”

There was silence after their conversation, after the declaration of this small found family. He felt Henry’s breath even out and he thought the boy had fallen asleep.

Killian felt Emma’s shoulders tense, their close embrace obviously becoming more real to her now that Henry wasn’t a conscious part of it.

She moved, probably trying to free herself from Henry’s grip to give them space. She had managed to release her hand from the boy’s when Henry grabbed it back again.

“Nope, not yet, please.” His voice was muffled on Killian’s chest but still clear.

Killian couldn’t help laughing at Emma’s surprised expression. He watched as she resigned herself to Henry taking her hand hostage but raised herself to look down at the boy.

“I thought you were asleep, kid.”

With her head down, her blonde hair curtained her face. It was both a shame and a blessing. He couldn’t see her face but never had he had such close proximity to such fair hair. It smelled like the sea.

“Not yet,” Henry said, laying back on the bed to look up at Emma, both their faces now curtained by her long hair. He heard the boy giggle before he saw his hands come up to play with it. His fingers dragged along the strands allowing Killian to see Henry’s delighted expression. “Your hair is pretty.”

“Oh.” Emma’s shoulders stiffened as she pushed the hair away from her face all to one side. The side that allowed him to see her eyes darting back and forth and the blush on her cheeks. “Well, the pins that were holding my hair were hurting me so I took them off…”

“I like it,” Henry confirmed, his fingers now focused on the gathered hair on her shoulder. For a moment, jealousy surged in him of the boy’s ability to do what he himself longed to do.

She looked tense, uncomfortable. He hoped it wasn’t because she regretted trusting them enough to drop her armor. He hoped instead it was because she did trust them and that was scary. He could understand that. “I like it, too.” Killian found himself saying, her wide eyes on him making his breath catch in his throat. Emma looked like she was searching for something. All he could do was let her search, and hope she found what she was looking for.

She smiled and his heart felt like it was trying to beat out of his chest. “Thank you.” Her eyes were no longer on him but on Henry, whose eyes were beginning to droop.

He could breathe again when she laid back down next to Henry, and turned toward them. Killian took a moment to focus on the wood of the bunk above to try and control his heartbeat.

“Emma,” Henry said, his voice quieter than it had ever been, “will you tell me a story?”

Both of them looked at him with surprise.

“Me?” Emma gave voice to their mutual shock. “I thought Killian was the storyteller…”

“Well,” Despite his exhaustion, Henry’s smile was smug. “There are no stars so it’s your turn.”

“I don’t really have any stories, kid.” Emma fumbled, her nerves obvious.

“Then can you sing me something?” Henry’s eyes were pleading and Killian knew it was only a matter of seconds before Emma agreed.

She bit her lip and between that and the possibility of hearing her sing, he knew he needed a moment to prepare his heart. Killian waited with baited breath as the other two settled in more comfortably.

And then she started humming. He knew, consciously, that he shouldn’t have expected her to sing but his disappointment was short-lived. He glanced their way and saw Emma’s eyes on the boy, whose eyes had closed, though it was clear he still wasn’t asleep.

Killian took Henry’s lead and closed his eyes as well. There was something soothing about Emma’s song. Despite its melancholic tune, there was hope in it, a belief that she hid deep down, a hope he knew she was scared of. He let it fill him, feeling like he understood her just a little bit more.

---

He wasn’t sure when they fell asleep and he could only imagine what it looked like to the others who saw them. Two adults and a small child huddled in a narrow bunk.

Killian’s legs were still on the floor with his upper body stretched over the width of the bed. Henry had stretched himself over the length of the bed, legs over Killian’s torso and head next to Emma’s curled up body. She was turned to him, her untied hair resembling a halo around her head, one of her hands under her head and the other on Henry’s head.

He couldn’t help but appreciate this moment. The relative silence surrounding them. Their peaceful expressions as they slept. The trust in him they showed which allowed them to rest fully.

Of course, such a peaceful scenario couldn’t last. A particularly loud thump above deck, woke Emma immediately, the alarm in her green eyes disappearing when her eyes found his. Henry awoke more slowly, rubbing his eyes and yawning. But as soon as he saw the beam of sunlight hitting the top bunk, he was up in a flash.

That day proved to be a continuation of their new routine - Killian helped around the ship along with Emma while Henry ran around the deck. The three of them got together for a meal around midday before going back to work.

By the time the sun set, Henry was worn out. Killian watched as the boy fought sleep as he lay on the main deck, thankfully out of anyone’s way. Emma smiled fondly at the boy.

She joined Killian as he stood at the helm next to the captain. A large map, larger than the one he owned, was stretched over the wood. They both watched as Will checked the stars and his compass to confirm their course.

“It looks like your namesake is guiding our journey.” Will grinned as he turned towards Emma.

Emma looked stunned at the captain and then at the sky.

“I see that as a sign of good luck, mate.” Killian smiled fondly as he looked towards Cygnus and Emma.

“So do I,” Will agreed, receiving curious looks from the two of them. “My wife, she was Swann with two n’s before we were married. I used to say that the swan would guide me home,” he finished, gesturing towards the sky.

Killian was speechless. What were the odds? It did, however, explain his kinship with the captain.

“You have a wife?” Emma asked.

“Aye.” His voice was wistful, a soft smile on his face. “She will be waiting for me when we dock, her and my boy, Henry.” Killian and Emma turned sharp eyes to the now amused captain. “Believe me, I was just as surprised as you are. When I saw you three in Arendelle, I thought I would be able to help you with passage but upon finding out your names, I couldn’t stop thinking that perhaps you were meant to be on my ship.” With his eyes on the horizon, Will sighed. “That’s if you believe those kinds of things.”

Killian couldn’t help but smile. His gaze found Henry on the main deck, finally having succumbed to sleep. At least he had seen the stars. “We might be starting to.”

Just like the night before, Killian took Henry in his arms to take him downstairs, followed closely by Emma. Once in the crew’s quarters, Killian laid Henry carefully down on the bunk they slept on the night before. He stepped back and Emma sat on the bunk to brush away Henry’s hair and kiss his forehead.

“I’ll sleep with him tonight,” Killian offered. “You should have a restful night without small elbows and knees interrupting your sleep.”

They both laughed quietly.

“Thank you,” she whispered, standing up from the bed after caressing Henry’s head one last time. Killian caught his breath at how close to each other they stood.

Her hair was even more beautiful in the moonlight. His hand clenched by his side as he felt the urge to run his fingers through her hair, down her cheek.

“I’m glad you took my advice, Swan.” His whisper seemed to startle her and it took a second before she realized he was talking about the lack of a hood on her head.

“Oh.” There was a bit of self consciousness in her voice, also made apparent by the way she held on to the ends of her hair. “Well, you were right.” She stopped, her eyes darting away for a moment. She took a deep breath and Killian waited for her to continue. “Besides, I don’t need it with the two of you.”

He didn’t expect her to actually voice what he had suspected, and to hear it now filled his chest with what could only be deemed as hope. Hope that she trusted him. Hope that she might be starting to care for him, as he cared for her.

He couldn’t take his eyes off her, felt like he hadn’t taken a breath, his heart pounding in his chest. He wondered if she could hear it as well. They were definitely moving closer, but he wasn’t sure if he was swaying towards her or if she was leaning towards him.

A quiet grunt from the bunk shattered the moment between them. Turning to the right, they could clearly see a frown on Henry’s face. He must have been having a bad dream.

“I should…”

“We should get some sleep,” Emma said with a final nod as she took a step back to remove her boots and prepare for bed.

“Aye,” he agreed, going through the same motions before he joined Henry on the bed. “Goodnight, Swan.”

“Goodnight.”

For just a moment, he wished he could know what was going through her mind. And if it was remotely similar to what was going through his.

---

The next day, they were met with low dark clouds and a tumultuous sea when they joined the crew on the main deck. With concerned frowns, they joined the captain where he was giving orders.

“This will only get worse, mates,” Will informed the crew. “We’re passing through Neverland.” Killian’s hand tightened on Emma’s arm to help keep her steady. “We will need all hands on deck for this stretch of the journey.” Will turned to them. “I would suggest you keep your boy below deck for his safety.”

Henry wouldn’t like it, that was for sure. The boy was much too stubborn for that. Even if Henry looked like he could feel the difference in everyone’s demeanours and the gravity of the situation, he seemed determined to act as usual.

“Captain, why don’t I stay with Henry below deck? To make sure he stays safe and away from danger?” Emma suggested and he wondered if Will could also see the unrestrained fear in her eyes.

“This passage is dangerous for even the most seasoned sailor,” Will said with an empathetic smile. “We should be alright with your husband’s help. Stay below deck and keep safe.” With a nod, the captain returned to his crew.

“Will you be okay, Swan?” Killian asked, standing in front of her.

“Yeah.” She nodded, finally catching his eye. “I’ll help by staying below deck with Henry. It’ll be safer for all of us. Just,” she paused and grabbed his left arm with a tight grip. “Be careful.”

There was more she wasn’t telling him and he could only hope she’d share it with him later, when they weren’t dealing with this nightmarish situation. His internal battle eased as he gave into temptation and cupped her cheek with his hand, his thumb caressing her soft skin. Surprise colored her face at the gesture, but, to his relief, she didn’t pull away from him.

“You don’t have to worry about me, Emma, I’m a survivor.”

Her lips parted, her eyes shining and Killian was sure she wanted to say something else.

“I’m sorry, mate,” Will shouted, clearly chagrined as the rain began to fall. “But we need you at the top sail. And Swan, get yourself and Henry below deck!”

“Aye, Captain,” Killian yelled over the wind, before turning back to Emma with a reassuring smile. “Take care of the boy for me?”

She smiled and nodded at him before rushing to Henry’s side. She knelt in front of him, uncaring of the wet deck.

He expected to see Henry’s obstinacy but Emma put a stop to it quickly. Once the hatch closed behind them, Killian could breathe once more, no longer having to worry about their safety.

The sea was determined to take them. The ship rocked from all directions as the crew struggled desperately to keep her afloat.

There wasn’t an inch of Killian that wasn’t soaked and he tried to focus on the loud voice of the captain instead of on the cold wind against his skin or the feeling of drowning when a particularly strong wave vaulted over the gunwale. Killian kept his focus on pulling and tying ropes instead of on the abrasions they created on his hand.

“Steady, men! The ocean depths won’t take us today!” Will’s strong voice rose above the raucous sound of the waves and every crew member answered with a shout.

The camaraderie amongst all the crew members lifted his spirits and helped him banish the memories of the last time he’d been in a storm like this.

The dark fog remained around them as well as the strong winds. Killian kept his eyes away from the port side and the whirlpool of Leviathan’s Shoals. There wasn’t much to see to starboard due to the heavy fog and he tried to determine how long it had been since Henry and Emma had secured themselves below deck - the sky was dark and he swore he could see two stars high in the sky, the one on the right shining brighter than the other. For a moment, he wondered if the water was affecting his vision as he watched dark shapes float over the Neverland sky.

After what felt like days, the winds finally calmed and the sun shone lower in the sky. There was a collective sigh of relief throughout the crew as the ship settled in the calm seas.

No sooner had he taken a deep stabilizing breath, when it was taken away again as short strong arms wrapped around his torso. A fleeting thought ran through his mind that Henry was probably getting soaked as well from the contact before he kneeled on the wood to wrap his arms around the boy.

“It’s alright, my boy,” Killian whispered in the boy’s ear, as his hand ran through Henry’s dark hair. “We’re alright, it’s passed.”

“I wanted to come and help you but no one would let me.” His small whisper made Killian smile even as his eyes stung with relieved tears.

“But you did help, lad,” Killian assured him, causing the boy to pull his head back with a frown from where it had hidden in the crook of Killian’s neck. “I knew you and Emma were safe and that helped me and the other crew members do what we needed to do. You know all I want is for you to be safe.”

Henry rolled his eyes even as his lips lifted in a small smile he clearly hoped to hide. “That’s not what I meant and you know it.”

“I do,” Killian chuckled.

“But you did help, Henry.” Emma’s voice made them look up from where they were still hugging. Her arms were crossed over her chest, her hands holding on to her upper arms. He wondered if she was cold and he regretted not being able to give her his soaked through coat. “The kind of help you were talking about,” she continued. “You helped the surgeon and the rest of the crew secure the ship.”

“See? We couldn’t do it without you,” Killian added with a smile and he made a conscious effort not to be distracted by Emma’s responding nervous smile.

He wanted to ask what she was thinking, to know what was going on in her mind, but Henry rolled his eyes once more with a much more open smile before hugging Killian again.

“Henry!” Captain Turner called out jovially from the other side of the ship catching the boy’s attention. He was off like a shot.

“Be careful!” Both Killian and Emma called out in warning, the only indication that Henry had even heard them being the slightly slower speed of his running feet.

They both laughed. She was beautiful when she laughed. It was true when he could only see her eyes. It was true when she’d trusted them enough to remove her mask, and it was especially true now with her blonde hair shining in the late afternoon sun.

Her green eyes sparked with mirth as she turned towards him. He was sure he sported an idiotic smile that he just couldn’t hide. Despite his reasoning that he’d be able to keep Emma and Henry out of his head once he knew they were safe, it had been much easier said than done.

Her laughter died down and the fear returned to her eyes. He didn’t say anything, he simply gave her time and space to deal with what was going on inside her, taming his smile to a softer, more encouraging one.

“I hope you know… I wanted to stay here with all of you and help,” she started in a softer voice, her eyes looking at everything except him. “But… with Neverland so close, I-”

“You don’t need to explain, love,” Killian interrupted. He had suspected that was the reason she seemed so frightened earlier - despite her inherent bravery and strength, he couldn’t imagine that being so close to such a traumatic place had been easy. “I understand.”

He hoped she saw the raw truth in his eyes, because he did. He understood.

“I’m-I,” Emma stammered and he noticed the way her hands tightened around her arms in discomfort. He waited. “I’m glad you’re alright.”

“I did tell you I was a survivor.” He smiled softly at her with a raised eyebrow. He was happy to see her respond with a reluctant smile, so reminiscent of Henry’s that his smile grew wider.

“Yeah, a wet survivor, maybe,” she teased, pinching the collar of his shirt with a feigned disgusted expression on her face. He was glad that she had managed to avoid his exposed skin even if he was helpless before her with the way her nose scrunched up rather adorably.

His lips stretched in a mischievous smile and she frowned in confusion when she noticed, only to widen her eyes immediately when she realized his plan. Before she could move away, Killian shook his hand vigorously from where he had placed it on his hair to sprinkle Emma with the water still lodged in it.

She laughed in surprise as she placed her hands in front of her face in a futile attempt to protect herself. He joined her, delighted to hear the joy in her laugh. When he stopped, she looked up at him, her laughter restarting once more.

“What?”

“Your hair!”

Emma’s laughter was reduced to amused chuckles as she reached up to fix it. He felt as if his heart stopped beating as he felt her fingers running through his hair. He wasn’t sure what was happening on his face but whatever it was, it must have made Emma realize their current position. She removed her hand slowly from his hair with frightened eyes.

He couldn’t help but wonder why she was so afraid to be close to him, to let herself feel. But then again, he didn’t really need to wonder, he knew. It was the same reason he tried to push away his own growing feelings towards her. It was the same reason they had struggled to trust each other. It was the same reason he had latched on to the need to protect Henry.

They had been hurt before.

“Mates!” The captain’s voice called everyone’s attention. “I couldn’t have asked for a better crew to sail with, thank you!” There were deafening cheers from across the ship. “We should arrive home tomorrow for some well-deserved rest!”

As they crossed the ship towards where Henry stood next to Will, they heard the excited and expectant chatter of the crew as they spoke of their awaiting loved ones.

“So you all live in the Maritime Kingdom?” Henry asked.

“My crew and I have been sailing together for a decade,” Will answered. “When I settled down with my family in the kingdom, they decided to join me.”

“You have a family?”

“Aye, my wife should be expecting me tomorrow and my boy as well.”

“How do they know you’re arriving tomorrow?” Henry frowned.

“Well,” Will chuckled. “I have been sailing for a long time, and they know approximately how long my journey will take and so, they’ll be keeping a weather eye on the horizon everyday waiting to see my ship.”

Henry was clearly fascinated and Killian smiled wistfully as he couldn’t help but put himself in Will’s shoes. He wished to have the same certainty of an awaiting family even as his heart and mind struggled to settle on whether he wanted Emma and Henry to be waiting for him or to join him on his travels. Even as he struggled to think of anyone else but Emma and Henry as his family.

“If I was your son, I would want to travel with you.” Henry brought him back from his daydreaming and he smiled at the boy’s wistful expression.

“He does, sometimes,” Will placated with a laugh. “He’s still young, though, a little younger than you, and this journey is dangerous. I feel better knowing he’s safe with his mother.”

At the word mother, Henry swayed towards Emma who stood behind him and she placed her hand on Henry’s shoulder. The boy startled slightly, making Killian think that he hadn’t meant to do it.

“What’s his name?” Henry asked.

Will’s smile grew wider and Killian and Emma both turned to watch Henry’s reaction to the answer. “Well, his name is Henry.”

Henry’s jaw dropped in surprise before it changed to a frown. “No, it’s not. You’re lying,” he accused looking between the three adults around him.

“I am not, lad.” Will held up his hand while the other lay on his heart. “I swear to you.”

Henry narrowed his eyes and inspected Will’s face before relaxing into a smile. “Can I meet him?”

They all laughed at Henry’s excitement.

“I’m sure he would love to meet you,” Will answered before glancing at Killian and Emma. “But, I will leave that up to your parents.”

Killian felt like he choked on his laughter and Emma tensed up next to him, as Henry looked up at them in expectation. He knew Will thought them a family, had referred to them as such for the entire journey, and none of them have had the heart or the courage to deny it. Besides, they felt like a family. They’d shared those sentiments with each other already. But to have it said so explicitly by someone else outside their little circle was still jarring. But the assumption didn’t seem to bother Henry.

“Uhm,” Killian fumbled after too long a silence for such a simple question. “We’ll have to see when we dock.”

If his voice wasn’t convincing or if his expression seemed odd, no one had time to react as Will’s attention was called back to his crew and the three of them were left alone.

“We need to carry on to Misthaven. There is no time to waste,” Emma declared, clearly believing that their game of pretend shouldn’t get in the way of the mission.

“Aye,” Killian nodded, his thumb hooked over his belt. “It’s still an almost two-day journey to the kingdom by horse. Who knows how long it will take to walk it.”

Henry’s frown deepened, clearly displeased with the answer. “I think we can stop for a night at least. I would like to play with someone my own age, for once.” His crossed arms and set mouth were still far more adorable than aggravating.

“You know how important our mission is, Henry. Villains are still looking for you. They haven’t stopped. We need to carry on as quickly as possible,” Killian reminded the boy, Emma nodding her head in agreement.

“I know that,” he said. “They want the Heart of the Truest Believer, and that’s me.” Henry’s expression was exasperated as he whispered his title before his expression fell. “But Captain Turner has been so good to us and I’ll miss him.”

“I know, lad.” Killian sighed, kneeling in front of him. “I will too, but the mission is too important. Let’s just enjoy the time we have with him now.”

Henry’s fallen expression remained and he couldn’t help but feel like the worst person in the world for denying him this but they had to keep going.They didn’t have time to waste.

“I know…” Henry sighed, but then a glint of mischief shone in his eyes. “Then can you teach me to sword fight?”

Killian’s eyes widened at the gall of the boy, pride swelling in his chest at his scheming. Emma’s expression was the first to fall apart, a smile stretching her lips even as she tried to hide it. Henry’s pout was losing the battle against a smile at Killian’s expression. He huffed in amusement as he shook his head.

“You drive a hard bargain, lad,” Killian grinned. “But I’ll accept.”

Henry’s smile was wide and bright. “When do we start?”

“When we make camp on land. It would be disastrous to teach a landlubber like you to sword fight on a ship,” he teased.

Henry scrunched up his nose at the term. “Do you promise?”

“Aye.”

Henry nodded and Killian noticed Emma’s fond smile on her face as she watched the negotiations. “I’m holding you to that.”

Without another word, Henry stepped away, joining the other sailors. Killian was quite sure he intended to ask about the stormy journey from their perspectives. Emma and Killian watched in silence for a bit longer before they laughed.

---

The rest of the day was calmer. Everyone still seemed to be relaxing after the stressful journey. The warm sun dried them and the deck, making it a far more pleasant trip than any of the previous days. When the sun disappeared behind the horizon and the stars began to appear, Killian found Emma and Henry sitting with their backs against a crate.

“What are you two doing?” Killian asked as he stood next to them.

Both looked at him in surprise and his smile grew.

“We’re watching the stars,” Henry answered excitedly, pointing up and disrupting the blanket Emma placed over the two of them. “Join us.”

He looked around the deck. Everyone was focused on their jobs and the crates were placed away from the busy sailors. The weather was pleasant. Why not?

“Make some room,” Killian said, to the happy expressions of his two companions. He sat down with Henry settling between the two adults, the blanket stretched over their laps.

The sky was clear. Not a cloud to block their view. The stars were shining bright like they knew it was their last night aboard The Black Pearl. The night was calm and quiet, despite the noise of the crew.

Killian diverted his gaze away from the sky to watch as Emma turned to it instead. Their time on the ship had been so idyllic that he almost wished they could stay there longer. But Henry needed them. Looking down at the boy, he found him looking at him, expectantly.

“What?” Killian asked, in surprise. He hoped he hadn’t caught him looking at Emma.

“We have stars,” Henry answered, gesturing towards the sky as if Killian was supposed to know what he meant. When neither adult made a noise, Henry sighed. “You can tell me a story now.”

Killian laughed boisterously at Henry’s expression as he put his arm around the boy’s shoulders, drawing him closer. He caught Emma’s fond smile in the corner of his eye. “You’re right. How could I have forgotten?”

Henry smiled widely as he settled more comfortably against Killian’s chest and took Emma’s hand to hold in his lap. Killian waited for Henry to stop his fidgeting and looked at the blonde amused. She shared his smile, the eye contact, unfortunately, not lasting long before she looked up to the sky. He did the same, looking for a constellation he recognised.

“Do you see that constellation that looks like a fish’s tail?” Killian asked, pointing towards the southeast. The constellation was brightest in the sky as it always was when there was a full moon.

Henry hummed in the affirmative, keeping his eyes on the sky as Emma did the same. His eyes rested a minute too long on her fetching profile.

“It tells the tale of a mermaid,” Killian started, focusing on his story. “A mermaid who became a collector of human things. She created her own treasure trove under the sea but it wasn’t full of gold or jewels. It was full of books, boxes, paintings, even cutlery; she found those to be more precious than any gem.”

“What happened to her?”

“Her love for humans wasn’t restricted to just objects. It was said she met a man she saved from drowning.”

“Was it love at first sight?” Henry asked with a frown.

“Anyone who told the story would say yes. The mermaid made a deal with a sea witch that would turn her into a human for three days, to allow her to get close to the man, who actually turned out to be a prince. And that only True Love’s kiss would turn her into a human forever.”

“And you don’t believe that?” Emma’s question tinged his cheeks pink and he thanked the dark night for hiding it. Talking of love had become much more difficult in her presence.

“I believe that the mermaid was thrown into the world she coveted. By saving the man she got a taste of what she yearned for.” Killian took a deep breath, wondering if he was letting his personal experiences influence the story. “I believe that she grew to love the prince because they shared the same interests, a love for life and adventure.”

Even after a decade, he could still see her. His Milah. Her bright eyes would hang on to his every word, her hand under her chin, barely any space between them - almost as if she could live his tale if she were just an inch closer.

“I agree.” Henry’s eyes sparkled in the moonlight, catching his attention and Killian smiled. How different his life would be without this boy.

“Is that the whole story?” Emma asked, discomfort showing on her face.

“No.” Killian cleared his throat. “The mermaid got her legs and met the man she saved. For three days, they were inseparable. They could be seen around the kingdom, exploring, laughing, telling tales of adventure. Love blossomed between them.”

“In three days?” Emma’s eyebrows rose in disbelief.

“There were no walls between them,” Killian answered. He almost regretted it when Emma turned her head back to the sky, but she needed to hear it. “They understood each other and wanted the same things. It was inevitable.”

Emma lowered her head, a frown barely visible in the dark. Was she thinking the same thing he was? He felt Henry snuggling closer to him, eyes drooping.

“The sea witch, who’d made the deal with the mermaid, didn’t want her to succeed. She turned into a giant monster so she could get rid of them. Despite her interference, the mermaid and the prince defeated her, together.”

“Did she become a human?” Henry mumbled.

“Aye.” Killian’s hand rubbed up and down the boy’s arm soothingly. “It is said that when the setting sun touches the waves, you can still see the mermaid and her prince on walks along the beach, exploring, laughing and talking.”

Henry’s head was heavy against his chest and he pulled the boy closer to keep him comfortable as he slept. Emma’s presence, usually calming, was making him uneasy for some reason. Killian focused on the quiet setting surrounding them and on Henry’s calm breathing.

He heard Emma’s deep breath. “For someone whose happy ending involves murder, you are quite the romantic,” Emma commented, her tone slightly accusatory.

“I have had a great love taken from me. I think I earned the ability to be both, don’t you?”

“You fill his head with such happy endings. Don’t you think we should be preparing him for the reality of the world?”

Her words felt as if she had thrown them all the way back to the beginning of their journey. But Killian had already seen her smile. He wasn’t willing to let go of that progress.

“What has you so scared?”

Her eyes widened and her lips parted. He kept eye contact with her, opening himself up to her, silently urging her to trust him. She sighed, defeated.

“What doesn’t?” Emma whispered. “You’ve seen what he has been put through. And who knows what we’re heading into? How can you not be scared?” Her eyes lowered to her hand, where Henry’s grip had loosened in sleep.

“Believe me, love, I am scared.” There was a small soft smile on his face when her eyes whipped to his. “I have known fear all my life. And every step we take, every mile we walk, I am more scared than I have ever been. I am scared something will happen to him… to you… because of me.”

“Henry needs me to guide him. He needs me to be strong, and so I carry on despite my fear. I keep going because I must. Because I will follow Henry wherever he goes.” He let his words settle for a moment. “And I imagine the same goes for you.”

Emma was silent. Her eyes were on his, fear and hope battling each other in the deep green. They understood each other. He could only hope she could see the confidence and trust he had in her in his eyes. Finally, she looked down, her thumb rubbing Henry’s hand, Killian’s eyes following the movement.

“I never thought,” she began, in a quiet voice, “that Henry would become so important to me. I didn’t count on him. I didn’t count on you and I was so angry that things became so complicated. I thought it was just anger, but I realized I was just scared.”

Killian’s eyes found hers in an instant. She was already looking at him. Her small smile didn’t mask the chaos of emotions in her eyes, but he saw hope win out, her courage rising.

“All my life I’ve been alone. I have been running for as long as I can remember and that’s how I survived. In Neverland, I ran to stay alive. When I left, I ran when things got complicated… when I was scared. I didn’t want to stay still. That left you vulnerable, and being vulnerable got you hurt.”

Killian didn’t speak, lest he break the moment they were having with Emma trusting him with her story. But he wanted to comfort her, to let her know that he was there for her. With as subtle a movement as he could, Killian placed his hand on her arm. Emma didn’t flinch and he counted that as a win.

“When I joined the two of you,” Emma continued, her eyes on the sky and her voice quiet, “I was scared to trust you. In the end, I was scared that trusting you meant being vulnerable, meant that you could hurt me.”

Despite his best efforts to remain silent, Killian felt the need to reassure her. “Emma, I would ne-”

“I know.” The strength of her belief, the trust and vulnerability in her eyes, quieted him instantly.

For a moment, Killian wondered if he had fallen asleep and this was all a dream - Emma’s trust, Henry’s peaceful presence and the feeling of safety surrounding them - until he felt her touch his hand, her fingers brushing his with a softness he never thought he missed.

“I know,” Emma repeated, her small confident smile making his heart beat faster.

He wanted to kiss her, to hold her, to keep her safe. The sudden thought had been buried in the back of his mind for a while, he realized. He hadn’t felt that way for anyone in so long.

“I trust you.” Even with the confidence in her words and in her eyes, she still sounded hesitant. Old habits die hard, he assumed. “And I’m going to do everything I can to keep the two of you safe.”

“Me too.” For someone typically never in short of words, his lackluster response was pitiful. He watched as Emma’s smile grew shy, and he stopped breathing.

It had to be a dream.

The warmth of her hand still touching his reassured him.

“I trust you, too, Emma,” Killian said, holding her hand properly. “I don’t know what’s coming next, but I will be by your side. We will be by your side.”

Her smile reached her eyes now, with creases on her nose and dimples in her cheeks. He wanted nothing more than to touch her cheek, to taste her smile, to live in her light. Killian smiled with her.

He stayed stock still as she leaned toward him, his thundering heartbeat overwhelming any other sound. And then her lips brushed his cheek, a soft touch that stopped his heart. He probably shouldn’t die right now, it would be bad form.

Emma kissed Henry’s temple next and he wondered if she did it to mask her emotions. His heart beat a steady pace in his chest and his breathing returned to normal. He watched with regret as she pulled back the blanket from her legs.

“We should probably take him to bed.” Her fingers ran slowly through Henry’s hair, uncovering his open-mouthed sleeping face.

Emma smiled and he smiled with her.

“Aye, I’ll carry him down.”

Killian reveled in the way she walked beside him. He hoped the darkness below deck hid his blush at the way she touched his arms to help him down the stairs, while he still carried Henry. He tried to hide his disappointment when he realized they would have to part for the night.

“Would you mind if I slept with Henry tonight?” Emma asked, after he lay Henry down on the bunk and she sat next to him.

Killian didn’t expect her to sleep next to him. Nor did he have any special desire to be the one sleeping with the boy. He could tell she needed the comfort, love, and easiness Henry’s presence offered. So he smiled.

“Of course, love. But beware of bruising limbs.”

His smile grew to a smirk and she laughed, a soft joyful sound that nestled neatly in his chest. Killian took off his coat to keep his hands busy.

“Thank you,” Emma whispered, and he watched her lie down. “Goodnight, Killian.”

Killian sat on his bed. “Goodnight, Emma.”

It was a long while before he fell asleep. The feel of her lips on his cheek, her touch, her smile, her eyes, filled his head. And when he finally fell asleep, his dreams repeatedly asked him what if.

What if she had kissed his lips instead of his cheek? What if he had touched her the way he wanted to? What if she had confessed to something else, something greater than her trust in him? What if he had confessed instead?

It had been a decade since he had fallen in love. He knew it wasn’t love yet, but his dreams made something quite clear: it easily could be.

---

Killian woke up to a shout from above. He looked around to find the cabin empty - that wasn’t too strange. What was strange, was to find that both Henry and Emma were awake and out of bed. He had never slept so late without a hangover.

When he finally joined the crew above deck, he found it much fuller than it had ever been.

One look at the horizon told him the reason for the excitement. He could see land in the distance. Within the hour, they would dock at the Maritime Kingdom.

“Look, Killian! We’ve arrived!” Henry’s enthusiastic shout called Killian’s attention to him and brought Emma’s attention to Killian.

For a moment he worried that she regretted her confessions from the night before. He worried she would shut him out. His unease vanished when she smiled at him - he could still see the fear behind her eyes but he could also see how she stubbornly pushed it down.

He could do nothing but smile back.

A/N: Henry's "waking up with the sun" attitude was actually a little self-insert: When I was young, I used to wake up my parents by shouting that "sun's out! sun's out!" and no one else could go back to sleep. I thought why not? Hope you enjoyed!

#cssns23 #carolina writes #killian jones #captain hook #emma swan #captainswan #captain swan #henry mills #once upon a time #ouat #ouat ff #cs ff #will turner #potc #thanks for the patience guys #so glad to be back #parent for hire

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exhaustedpirate · 1 year ago

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parent for hire

finally back with a new chapter, the last one in Misthaven and it's a big one, guys! @kmomof4 is the most amazing beta i could ask for! thank you krystal!

Chapter Five - Misthaven (Part Three)

word count: 17,037 words

rating: Teen and Up

tag list: @cocohook38 ; @bluewildcatfanatic ; @piraterefrigerator ; @sotangledupinit ; @booksteaandtoomuchtv ; @teamhook

It was just as eerie inside as it was outside.

The shards of mirror reflecting them as they walked made them even more uncomfortable now that they knew the Evil Queen was probably watching them. They tried to walk determinedly and unafraid, but he wasn’t sure if they were doing a very good job of that.

The fact was that as they walked towards the tall castle, they saw more and more of the destruction of Misthaven. The houses were still abandoned, no signs of life, an uneasy feeling surrounding them. Here and there he saw small animals - too small to notice outside the kingdom’s magical barrier - brave little creatures unwilling to leave their home, seemingly unbothered by any evil around them.

Killian pulled Henry closer to them as he saw the evident signs of struggle, of defeat - rusted pots and pans thrown haphazardly on the ground, makeshift weapons in a time of need, doors kicked in, broken windows and toys.

Seeing children’s toys forgotten on the ground hurt the most and made his resolution grow. His hand clenched around Henry’s even as he tried to calm his thoughts. He hoped they hadn’t noticed it yet.

Henry seemed focused on the castle, perhaps unwilling to think of anything else but their next step. Emma though, she noticed. Her eyes were breathtakingly sad, heartbreak in them for a home she’d never had. He saw resolution in them, a determination he knew had been in them ever since he met her.

He was glad for it. It made them an united force, ready for anything.

It was surprisingly easy to reach the castle gates.

There had been no guards in the streets, nothing but silence. They hadn’t said a word since they crossed the walls, worried a sound louder than footsteps would trigger some alarm.

The gates were heavy, handcrafted but cracking, the years taking their toll on the wood. The hinges creaked as they all joined in their efforts to open them. Killian wondered how long it had been since they’d been opened.

“Where should we go?” Henry asked, whispering in acknowledgement of the silence around them.

They all quieted for a moment, waiting and wondering before taking a deep breath. Brave though they were, the silence was unnerving.

“Well,” Killian answered. “She thinks herself a queen, doesn’t she?”

“The throne room.” Emma nodded.

They all took a collective steadying breath as they stepped inside the castle. There was no obvious passage to the throne room, so they walked cautiously.

The destruction outside the gates continued inside.

There were broken mirror frames on the walls, miniscule-sized shards on the floor beneath them. Every surface was covered in dust, spider-webs at the corners of rooms, many doors collapsed on the floor. There was also an air of handmade destruction in the broken vases and torn pictures.

They entered a dining hall, where a battle had obviously taken place. There were chairs strewn around and some were broken, as if they’d been used as weapons. He wondered how long ago it was, as long rotted food still sat on the table. There must have been some type of preservation spell upon the room keeping the stench intact. They left the room as quickly as they entered.

As they continued through the castle, he could feel the sparks of everyone’s nerves electrifying the air around them. He wanted to reassure them, think of a joke or comforting words but nothing came.

They stood outside a door now. It looked taken care of, used, and clean. A stark contrast to everything else in the castle. This had to be the throne room.

“Ready?” he whispered to his companions, letting go of Henry’s hand to grab his sword.

Henry shook out his hands, now both free, and Killian could see the sparks at his fingertips. He nodded. Emma did much the same. He watched as she rolled her shoulders and took a deep breath, but instead of focusing on her magic, he watched her take care to chamber an arrow in her crossbow and grab her sword.

Over the course of their journey, he had witnessed her coming around to her magic, becoming comfortable with it as she learned. To see her push it aside now in favor of physical weapons felt wrong, demoralizing almost.

Before he could ask, reassure or anything at all, Emma used her foot to throw the door open. Not wasting another moment, they rushed in, hoping to catch the villain by surprise.

Unfortunately, their plan was unsuccessful.

Standing in front of a set of hand carved thrones, stood a woman. There was a clear regal air to her, with the way she wore her crown and stood. But there was madness in her eyes, in her smile. Her clothing was exquisite, expensive fabrics and hand-sewn gems.

Just like the castle, she had suffered the effects of time. Her hair was strikingly white in the middle of her dwindling dark hair. Her skin was less youthful, her features less defined. It was clear she had been a beautiful woman but her madness, her evil had burdened it far more than time ever could.

“Finally,” the Evil Queen exulted, her arms open and a wide bone-chilling grin on her face. “I have been waiting for you!”

Her words boomed in the silent room, shaking their bones. Turning slightly towards Emma, he saw the rage in her eyes. This was her parent’s killer, the reason she was left an orphan. To see the Queen so gleeful and nonchalant would infuriate anyone.

In a flash, Emma shot the arrow from her crossbow towards the Queen’s chest. They held their breaths as the arrow flew across the still air only to be turned into dust by a quick swiping motion of the villain’s hand.

“Really, Emma?” Her tone was annoyed but amused. “Are those the manners your parents taught you?”

The heat coming from Emma was intense, and he knew Henry could feel it too. Before either of them could make a move, before they could reach for Emma, before she could use the power they felt coming from her, a black dust blew in her face. They watched as Emma fell to the ground, unconscious.

It happened too fast. No sooner had Emma hit the ground and Killian had looked around for the source, than he was being shoved to the ground. He felt hands and knees keeping his shoulders and waist trapped, his hand uselessly gripping his sword.

“Killian!” He heard Henry call for him and felt a sparking in the air, before it came to an abrupt stop.

Killian struggled to turn towards the boy, only to find him on his knees with some very familiar cuffs on his wrists. His struggle turned violent as he managed to roll away from the guard’s hold and swipe at one of their chests. His victory was short-lived, however. Two more grabbed his arms from behind, taking his sword and hook and forcing him to his knees.

“You fought well, Killian Jones.” His name from the Queen’s lips shook him to the core. He should have known she’d know who he was, who all of them were, but to hear it spoken with such casualness, was chilling. “But you are no match for me.”

He was being manhandled to kneel next to Henry, his wrists cuffed behind his back and two guards behind him, feet on his calves and hands on his arms and shoulders to keep him still. Henry was swaying now as he kneeled, sat back on his feet, a guard behind him.

“Killian…” he murmured weakly. Killian struggled to try and comfort him, to hold him, but the guards’ grip simply got tighter.

“What do you want from us?” Killian demanded.

She walked towards them, a sway to her step. She stood in front of him, his position on the floor making him look up at her. Her hands were on her hips and he glared at the victorious grin on her face.

“A little birdie told me about what you did in Oz,” the Evil Queen answered, her hand casually gesturing to the black framed mirror behind her, “and who wouldn’t want the power that the Heart of the Truest Believer possesses?”

Killian shook his shoulders, his need to protect Henry from her stare, from her thoughts, instinctive. A wider grin stretched the Queen’s face.

“It’s funny, I only wanted the Heart but you’ve basically brought Emma to me on a silver platter, as well.” She laughed to herself, her chuckle unsettling, unnatural. “I just couldn’t pass up the opportunity to get my happy ending.”

He believed Henry. Killian believed him when he said that Cygnus was leading them to where they needed to be. He had understood it then and he understood it now. He wanted to fight with Henry and Emma by his side and win. But now, with Emma unconscious on the floor and Henry swaying in place, he cursed it all. Cursed their journey. The one that kept putting them in danger. And yet he still hoped. Hoped for a life in a cabin on a seaside cliff where they would be safe, away from any dangers.

“That isn’t…a happy ending.” Henry spoke from next to him, his voice weak even as he seemed to use all of his strength to look up at the Queen. “You can still…change.”

She looked at him, her grin never faltering. He watched her lean down in front of the boy, his heart pounding against his chest. It couldn’t end like this.

“Why would I want to change, dear?” The Evil Queen tilted her head, a mockingly confused expression on her face. “I’m about to get everything I ever wanted.”

“I already killed Snow White and her ridiculous prince.” Her eye roll didn’t diminish the satisfaction he saw in her eyes. “I’m about to kill their precious child.” Her hand grabbed onto Henry’s chin, bringing their faces close together. Killian’s struggle against the guards’ hold intensified, uselessly. “And then I’m going to rip your heart from your chest and make him,” she gestured with her head towards Killian, “watch before I kill him.”

The Evil Queen released Henry with a sharp movement, the boy almost losing his balance if it hadn’t been for the guard’s grip on his shoulder. She strutted a few steps away before twirling back towards them.

“So you see,” she held her arms open. “I’m about to get everything I ever wished for.”

Since he had met him, Henry had been a good child. He believed in the inherent goodness of people. The child believed there was good in him and Killian was the first to say that that belief is what made him want to change. But for all his wishes to protect Henry from his own belief, he hoped the knowledge that the Queen had no desire for redemption wouldn’t change him too much.

The Evil Queen’s expression changed to one of boredom as her gaze fell back on Emma’s unconscious body. “Take them to the dungeons,” she commanded, gesturing towards them.

As the guards’ lifted him by the arms, he wanted to call out to Emma, wake her up, hope she would be able to defend herself from the Queen’s sadistic plans, but there was a paralyzing fear coursing through his veins. For all their victories, were they going to fail now? Was the Evil Queen going to come out victorious?

---

The disarray of the castle continued down towards the dungeon. Killian’s focus was on Henry and the way he could barely take a step and was essentially being dragged by the guard. He tried to free his arm from their hold only to receive a punch to his gut.

The corridors were damp and dark and smelling of death. There was no shortage of decaying bodies and decomposed skeletons along the way.

He never fancied himself a man of hope, but now, in this hopeless place, he wondered if perhaps it would do them good to hold on to some.

It wasn't long until they were shoved into two empty cells, side by side. As soon as his cuffs were removed, Killian rushed to the iron bars separating his and Henry's cell as the guards turned and walked away, leaving them alone in the dungeon.

"Lad! Henry!" he called when he noticed the slumped form of the boy. At his call, Henry raised his head slowly, tearful and frightened eyes landing on him.

"Killian, it hurts…" Henry moaned, his voice weak.

"I know, lad, I know."

Luckily - as much as their situation could be called lucky - Henry's clothing was within Killian’s grasp. Reaching through and pushing himself against the bars, he grabbed the boy’s cloak, pulling the child closer to him.

It wasn’t the most comfortable of positions for either of them, but Killian pulled Henry into a seated position against the bars between them, the child holding as tightly as he could onto his arm. Killian wrapped both arms around the boy and Henry sighed in relief, making his heart clench in his chest.

From a far away cell, Killian could hear a giggle, as if someone watched their interaction and found it amusing. The sadistic glee of the laughter reminded him of a cold touch on his cheek, a proclamation of love, tears streaming down his face.

Henry's fingers tightened almost imperceptibly around his arms as the boy released an unsteady breath. With a shake of his head, Killian banished the memories, his focus on the lad restlessly slumbering in his arms.

"I'm sorry, lad…" he whispered, ignoring the pain of the rough iron against his face as he laid a kiss on the boy's head.

---

Her head was foggy. She forced herself to wake up. To remember where she was.

They were in Misthaven. They had just found the Evil Queen. Regina, her name was Regina, she was no queen. They- She couldn’t feel Henry’s energy. She couldn’t hear Killian.

Her eyes shot open, a gasp forcing air into her lungs. She had to blink repeatedly to force away the clouds in her eyes. Even before looking around, she knew they weren’t there.

She clenched and unclenched her hands, trying to wake the rest of her body. The soft fabric at her palms surprised her. She had been standing in the front of the room when she had been knocked out. She looked down to find soft dark velvet. She was sitting on a throne, she recognised it as one of the thrones at the end of the room.

There was no perceptible weight over her head or her shoulder. Her hood was gone, her mask not bunched on her neck, her hair coming loose with the removal. She wondered what magic knocked her out for her not to feel it.

A glint of light caught her eyes and she looked up to find Regina standing in the middle of the room. She stood there with a patient expression, waiting for Emma to wake up. She wondered how long she’d been out.

Then she saw it, the source of the light. Regina held a curved piece of metal in her hand. A hook. Killian’s hook.

“What have you done to them?” Emma demanded, ignoring the rough sound of her voice.

Regina didn’t move. The only clue that she had heard Emma was the grin on her face. “You should worry less about them and more about you.”

Her body was still refusing to work. The only progress was in the way she could move her toes and flex her fingers. The Queen was probably right.

“What have you done to them?” Emma repeated, wanting, no, needing to know.

She thought of the way she and Henry had fought side by side in Arendelle, the way she felt Killian’s belief from across the field. She needed to know where they were.

“I put them somewhere safe,” Regina answered in a sickly sweet tone. “I couldn’t very well let the dessert escape while I’m busy with the main course.” Emma watched her lick her lips, like a predator stalking its prey, and an urge to run overwhelmed her.

“What do you want from me?” Emma asked, hoping to pass the time until her body responded to her urging. She didn’t know whether Regina planned for her death to be quick or if she wanted to drag it out. The older woman didn’t seem overly concerned with being disturbed before her plan was complete.

“I thought you’d never ask.” Regina’s face lit up in excitement. Emma held her breath when she made a swiping motion with her hand.

No attack came.

Instead, she watched as the dozen mirrors hung across the room showed an image of a young child, dark hair and green eyes with a bright smile. She didn’t recognise the child but there was something familiar about her.

“You see her?” Regina asked, keeping her eyes on Emma as she began to slowly stalk around the thrones. “She ruined my life.”

So, that was Snow White. Her mother. She could see the similarities. She could see how Johanna had recognised her.

“She killed the man I loved,” Regina continued. “She made me a villain.” Her voice came from behind the throne. “She got everything while I got nothing. Tell me, how is that fair?”

Emma wondered how long Regina had lived with these thoughts, how long until it had become the only truth she knew, and how long until it had consumed her. Her arms regained feeling and she was able to slowly shuffle her feet.

“Is it fair that you took my parents from me?” Emma asked, anger fueling her bravery. “Is it fair that I grew up alone?”

“You’re right,” Regina answered, a solemn expression on her face, leaning against the throne with her hands holding the hook in a demure position. “It isn’t fair.” Her expression morphed into one of disappointment. “I should have killed you, too, but you escaped.” Regina ran her fingers down Emma’s cheek with a pout on her face, but with a glint in her eyes. Emma moved her head away from her touch in disgust.

“Not to worry,” Regina said loudly, an expectant grin on her face as she hooked the metal weapon on the top of the throne and almost skipped to the center of the room. “You won’t escape me now.”

“What are you waiting for, then?” Emma asked, wishing her glare was enough to hurt the woman. “If you’re going to kill me, just do it!”

“Oh, no, no, no, dear, I want to savor this moment, I want you to suffer.” Her grin was predatory, her fingers sparked and her eyes were lost in fantasy. “I want you to fight back. I want to bring you to your knees and have you beg me to kill you.”

“Don’t hold your breath.”

Regina’s laugh was mocking as she made another swiping motion with her hand.

The mirrors’ image changed. The image was moving now. Emma watched as a dark-haired woman dressed in comfortable armor deflected a ball of fire, a blonde man fighting next to her. All while a victorious laughter reverberated in the room.

Despite the rapid movement, she knew who they were. She recognised the fire in the green eyes, the determined chin. She recognised the shape of the man’s eyes, the color of his hair.

Her parents. The last moments of their life.

She watched as her mother stopped, her father in Regina's clutches, her hand in his chest. Emma couldn’t look away as she watched Regina remove her father’s bright red heart.

“Time for you to know how I felt.” Regina’s voice gloated from the mirror.

“I love you, Snow,” David forced out, his voice pained as Regina squeezed his heart until it crumbled to dust in her hand.

As his body dropped to the floor, she heard her mother’s screams of anguish as she fell to her knees to Regina’s cruel delight. There were tears in Emma’s eyes and her heart pounded in her chest, knowing what was sure to come next.

Emma watched as her mother stood up slowly from the ground. She gripped her sword firmly in her hands. “I won’t stop until I stop you.”

Emma watched as the battle resumed, Regina’s attacks more vicious than before. She watched as her mother deflected the attacks, single-mindedly erasing the distance between them. Pride surged in her heart despite the dread as she watched Snow White fight back.

Emma couldn’t help the gasp when she saw her mother’s sword slice Regina’s face and then saw the red angry wound on her cheek. It seemed like a futile battle, that small cut the only injury Snow had managed against Regina, but at the same time, it felt tremendously important.

Unfortunately, Snow White’s determination was for nothing. While Regina recovered from the shock of the cut, her mother tried to stab at her. She watched the anger burning in Regina’s eyes as she grabbed the sword in her hand, the metal turning red hot from her grip. It reached Snow’s hands and, gasping from the pain, she let go of the sword.

She heard the clatter from the mirror as Regina threw the sword across the room but she didn’t take her eyes away from her mother. There was a disappointed look in her eyes, grief, hopelessness, anger. So powerful, Emma could feel it in her chest.

“Your turn.” The Regina from the mirror grinned like a predator who had caught its prey.

Emma watched her mother take a deep breath and Regina wasted no time plunging her hand in her mother’s chest. Emma gasped, even if she knew it was inevitable.

Regina held the heart in her hand like a precious gem. “Finally…” she whispered.

Emma followed her mother’s hopeless movement as she carefully kneeled next to her husband’s dead body. Her mother placed her father’s head on her lap, her fingers feather-like on his features. A sudden flinch and gasp broke Snow’s focus from David, an angered look thrown at Regina.

“I was just testing it out,” Regina shrugged, a faux-innocent smile on her face.

“You will never win, Regina.” Snow’s voice was determined but refused to look away from her husband for another second longer.

Emma watched as Snow leaned over David’s body to kiss his forehead. “I will find you.” She heard her mother whisper and Emma felt tears sliding down her cheeks. She didn’t take her eyes away from her mother even as she let out a pained scream - the crushing of her heart dragged out for Regina’s amusement - and her body slumped over David’s.

They were both dead.

“But I just did.” The voice in the mirror was echoed by the Regina standing in front of her.

To her disgust, Emma watched as the mirrors restarted the scene. Her parents fighting against Regina’s spells showing once more all around the room. She hadn’t taken her eyes off the mirror before but now, she noticed how Regina mouthed the words said in the mirror and wondered how many times she had replayed the scene of her triumph.

Emma’s body no longer felt like lead. The effects of whatever spell had been cast over her body were finally gone. She looked around to locate her sword. She found it on the floor next to Regina. She didn’t think she could get to it without raising an alarm.

Sitting up straight, the silver of the hook flashed in the corner of her eyes. As subtly as she could, she took hold of it. It was cold. She wondered how Killian was. She wondered about Henry. If they were okay. What could Regina possibly have done to them?

Trying to make as little noise as she could, Emma stood up. She took a few deep breaths for balance, her legs unsteady. With Regina focused on the mirror in front of her, Emma took quiet steps towards her, hook raised in front of her.

As close as she could be, Emma stopped and swiped the hook down towards Regina’s back. But before the weapon could make contact, Emma was thrown back against the throne, a grunt escaping her as she made sharp contact with the wood.

Regina turned to her with an amused laugh. “Oh, you’ve got nerve! You caught me basking in my victory!” Her tone sounded unexpectedly proud, Emma didn’t much care for it. “But if you’re ready for a fight, then it’s a fight you shall get!”

Emma barely had time to let her confusion settle before an unseen force was grabbing at her neck in a tight grip. It pulled her to her feet as she clawed at nothing, her nails catching on her skin. She felt the air being strangled from her, letting out panicked grunts. Before she could pass out, Regina used the grip on her neck to throw her to the other side of the room.

Emma got on her hands and knees trying to catch her breath. Her eyes found Regina standing patiently on the other side of the room, her gaze following Emma’s every move .

“Grab your weapon, princess.” Regina formed a fireball in her hand, her grin excitedly eerie. “We’re fighting to the death.”

---

Henry drifted in and out of consciousness and it reminded Killian too much of the aftermath of Emma taking the arrow meant for him. Henry’s hazel eyes now replaced Emma's green ones, both dulled by magic Killian could do nothing about. He laid the boy down close to the bars so that he could get comfortable but still within Killian’s reach. He pushed the boy's hair away from his face, his stump held tight in Henry's frail grip.

"Killian?" His voice was soft, almost a whisper.

"Yes, lad?" Killian's hand caressed his shoulder.

"Do you think Emma’s alright?"

His question was punctuated by a tremor from above them. As Killian thought about it, he realized the sound had been a near constant from shortly after they settled down here, even if he couldn't tell exactly how long that had been.

"I think Emma is very strong and I learned that we shouldn't underestimate her." He tried for a reassuring smile as his thumb ran back and forth on the boy's cheek.

"I hope she wins." Henry's eyes were heavy as he blinked.

"I hope so, too."

He felt it in his chest, that determined beat, hope rising in his heart.

"I'm going to get us out of here, lad." His voice was low but there was determination filling every syllable.

Henry hummed, his eyes closed.

Reluctantly, Killian pulled his stump away from the boy's limp grip. He stood and finally took a look around his cell. With his attention directed towards the boy the whole time, he hadn’t taken a moment to analyze his surroundings.

Their cells had much fewer decomposed bodies compared to the others. They were locked by a heavy padlock, signs of age clear in them. If he had his hook, they would be out of there in no time, and Henry wouldn't be in so much pain.

He couldn’t despair, he needed to think.

---

Emma quickly grabbed her sword to deflect the fireball thrown at her. Regina wasted no time sending another. Emma tried to summon her magic, recalling everything Henry had taught her, but it resisted her. Thankfully, her sword didn’t.

Emma tried to push back against Regina’s attacks. But every time she managed a step forward, a particularly vicious attack sent her back two. She begrudgingly thanked the Lost Ones’ cruel attacks for helping her in this fight now.

The mirror still played the same scene over and over, Regina seeming to cherish every repetition of Snow White’s death, a wide grin stretching her face. The sounds of her mother’s sword in the mirror matched hers.

“Your mother also thought she could defeat me,” Regina taunted, the effort of the fight not affecting her as it affected Emma. “Look where that defiance led her.” As if on cue, her mother’s screams echoed in the mirror.

Emma tried to not let Regina’s words stop her, tried to focus on moving forward, tried to focus on saving Henry and Killian. And yet, every time she heard one of her parents die, it brought her to an exhausted stop.

Surprisingly, Regina stopped attacking. Holding her sword in trembling hands, Emma looked at the other woman. She was grinning, an almost childlike gleam to it, excited.

“Are you ready to beg?” Regina asked, her arms wide open cherishing every one of Emma’s ragged breaths, her unsteady stance.

In the mirror behind her, Emma watched as her father died yet again. She wondered if she gave up, let Regina win, perhaps Killian and Henry would be able to survive, carry on. The rational part of her brain told her no, Regina wasn’t letting anyone leave her castle alive.

Emma watched as her mother stood from the ground once more, the way she persevered even after losing what the stories claimed was her True Love. But this time, as soon as Snow White was on her feet, Emma looked towards Regina. She saw the flash of surprise in her eyes before it was replaced with anger.

“Are you ready to die like your mommy and daddy?” Regina taunted.

Snow White had fought to her last breath. She hadn’t let Regina’s cruelty get the better of her.

Emma wouldn’t either.

She felt a warm and comforting weight on her chest. A weight that wanted to burst forth. Emma was helpless to stop the power as a white wave of magic escaped her. The explosion threw Regina back, the mirrors surrounding them shattering as one.

Despite the power of her magic, Regina stood up only a moment later.

“I see you’ve been holding out on me, Emma.” Regina’s grin was unimpressed but she recognised a hint of trepidation in her eyes.

Emma let the warm wave of magic flow through her, strengthening her tired arms, her unsteady legs, her heavy chest. Emma felt the determination, the hope rising within her.

She was going to win.

She was ready when she saw Regina raise her hands so, imitating the movement, she let the power flow through her hands. With a quake, Regina’s dark red stream of magic met Emma’s white one shaking the ground around them. At the back of her mind, Emma heard the walls cracking but remained focused.

It felt freeing to let her magic flow unrestrained. Fighting alongside Henry had been good but she had been pulling back, afraid of her power, afraid of what it might do, who it might hurt. But Henry had told her to trust it, to allow it to flow.

Emma felt the significant power difference between their attacks. Regina had had far longer than Emma to hone her abilities. But she didn’t let that stop her.

For the first time since her battle started, Emma took no steps back. She kept pushing with her magic, kept walking forward. Despite her confidence, Regina wasn’t able to mask the fear in her eyes. Emma’s power scared her.

“Enough!” Regina yelled, a suddenly powerful blast pushing Emma to the floor, the sharp shards of mirror tearing through her clothing, cutting her palms and her knees.

Emma was able to shield herself from a fireball Regina threw at the last second. The other woman strode towards her and she threw a ball of her own magic towards her.

Regina swiped it away. “You think because you have magic that you’re going to defeat me?!” Her voice was filled with rage, echoing in the room, vibrating its foundations. “You’re an orphan, a street rat! You are nothing!”

“I am not nothing!” Emma yelled back, standing steadily to her feet, her own voice filling the room around them, making the walls tremble. Her hands glowed with a warm light. “I am going to win because I have something to fight for.” She threw a ball of magic against Regina, the woman stumbling even as she deflected it. “I am going to win for my parents.” Another ball of magic, another stumbling deflection. “For my kingdom.” Her last ball of magic hit Regina in the shoulder.

It felt like the cut her mother inflicted on Regina. It felt like a step towards victory.

“I am going to kill you!” Regina yelled, a stream of magic that Emma matched preceded a faltering stride towards her.

She could feel the shaking under her feet but she focused all of her concentration on her magic, on keeping Regina away from her, on winning.

“I am going to crush your heart slowly and painfully!” The dark red stream of magic turned black, her anger fueling the magic, causing Emma to take a stumbling step back. “I will win, I will always win!”

Before Emma could take a proper breath, Regina’s hand was buried inside her chest.

“Finally…” Regina whispered.

Emma felt the intrusion in her body, a hand wrapped around her heart. She thought of them.

She thought of her father’s devotion to her mother, his bravery to the end. She thought of her mother’s courage, hope, and resilience in the face of pure evil. She thought of Henry’s light, his laughter, his belief. She thought of Killian, of his warmth, his trust, his smile.

She thought of them and hope rose in her.

She hoped and she felt a tug in her chest. Opening her eyes, Emma saw Regina’s frown, her frustration, her anger. She felt Regina tug on her chest again and again, gasping at each one.

“What is this?” Regina was angry but in her eyes, she saw fear, regret. She wondered for a second how different this woman’s life could have been if she hadn’t followed this dark path.

“My mother was right.” Emma smiled. “You will never win!”

Feeling her magic coursing her veins and gathering at her heart, she let it go.

Regina’s hand was ripped from her chest, and Emma gasped in relief, watching as her enemy was thrown against a far wall. The cracks already filling the walls ruptured further, reaching the crumbling ceiling. Before Emma could take another step, big blocks of stone fell on Regina.

A swooping warm wave caused Emma to take a step back. The Evil Queen was dead.

---

Killian strode to the corner of his cell where a pile of bones lay. Locating a rib bone, he broke it in half. Filled with renewed determination, Killian ignored the distant giggling, the distant rumblings and, finally, a tremendous wave of power and slipped the end of the bone into the lock.

Thanking the sudden silence, Killian focused, moving the bone carefully within the lock. A moment later, he let out a surprised laugh when the lock opened. He wasted no time rushing to Henry's cell.

This one took even less time than the other as he was now able to look at the padlock. Once it was opened, Killian ran in kneeling in front of Henry. Pulling the boy carefully towards him, he focused on the lock on his cuffs, barely aware of Henry's eyes blinking open.

Killian sighed in relief once the cuffs opened, and he threw them as far as he could from the boy. Everything else forgotten, Killian pulled Henry into his arms, holding the boy close as his hand cupped his head. He felt the boy's arms wrap slowly around his neck, his heart resting for a moment.

"Are you alright, my boy?" Killian whispered, not letting go of him.

Clearly exhausted, Henry nodded against Killian's shoulder.

"Let's go find Emma."

---

There was a difference in the air, a warmth. A lack of darkness, of cold.

Emma looked at the pile of rubble on the far side of the room. She could see a hand protruding from underneath it, unmoving, not even the slightest twitch.

She felt the magic in her body settle. Her breathing was labored, her limbs heavy and eager to rest. But she couldn’t, not yet. After a decade on her own, she now had people to care for, who cared for her in return. She needed to find them. She needed to know if they were okay.

The castle was no longer silent. She heard footsteps, running, from far away. She needed to move. Her hand gripped the hook from the floor tightly.

Like earlier, she walked aimlessly, nothing but hope guiding her.

The halls were as oppressively dark as they were earlier, but now, they seemed even more constricting without the presence of Henry and Killian, their support and their strength.

She never thought they would become so important to her. She had tried to distance herself from these feelings. From being hurt. But Henry’s light was captivating, contagious and she knew she was devoted to the boy from his very first smile.

As she roamed the halls, looking for some sign of them, she saw a cluster of guards in black armor without their helmets. Her hand tightened around the metal of Killian’s hook, her hands tingling. They weren’t attacking. They seemed to fear her, their faces full of anguish. They weren’t threats, just frightened soldiers, looking for help.

“Do you know where it is?” One of them asked, his hand clawing at his breastplate.

“What?” She took a step back, worried regardless.

“Our hearts,” another one explained, his head swiveling from side to side. “Do you know where they are?”

There was a moment of hesitation, of shock. However, given Regina’s propensity for heart removals, she really shouldn’t be surprised.

“No,” Emma answered honestly. “But can you help me find my friends? I can come back to help you.”

The soldiers looked between each other. She saw confusion, mistrust, fear.

“They’re in the dungeons,” one answered from the back of the group. “Down the corridor.”

“Thank you.” She nodded. “I will be back, I promise.”

She wanted to help.

With her new direction, she carried on past the distressed soldiers.

She would help. She just needed to find Henry and Killian first.

Her chest seemed to lighten as she rushed down the corridor, as she got closer to them. It scared her. For all she pulled Henry closer, Emma pushed Killian further away.

Their time with the Turners had been a dream. A very pleasant dream. To be so close to both of them, to imagine that they would be together in the same way the other small family was. To imagine a life on a seaside cliff, peaceful and good.

Thoughts of a future with him - with them - scared her.

Her steps faltered.

The metal around her neck pulled at her hair, the ring heavy and warm against her skin. She grabbed it over her shirt and continued on, needing to find them.

Emma ignored the rubble, the bodies, the stench festering inside the castle. She ignored it all as she ran down half-crumbled stairs.

But it scared her, he scared her. He had scaled the walls around her heart and had found a way inside. She was too vulnerable with him. The way she already felt so close to him, the way it had felt to sleep by his side, the way it had felt to touch him, the way she worried about him, the way she cared for him. She’d never cared about anyone the way she cared for him. Could he possibly care for her the same way?

She couldn’t ignore the whispers, the footsteps from ahead. She held the hook in front of her, her only weapon. She deflated when she saw them.

Emma felt her heart burst with happiness. Her breath hitched in her throat. Her hands itched to hold them, to touch them, to keep them.

She didn’t feel scared with him anymore. She needed him.

Killian lowered the rusted sword in his free hand before dropping it completely with a smile of intense relief. She knew hers was the same.

“Swan…”

"Killian…" Her voice was breathless. She was aware of it, but she didn’t care. “Henry?” She cleared her throat nodding towards the boy resting on Killian’s shoulder.

"He's alright, just exhausted." His eyes roamed her, seeming to take stock of her, and any injuries she might have. But she didn’t feel anything, just light. She approached them with slow steps.

"I was coming to save you." Her smile hurt her cheeks by now, her tone teasing. He smiled back at her and her heart felt like it grew too big for her chest.

"The only one who saves me is me." His tone matched hers and he winked as she drew closer.

She laughed, shaking her head, her eyes fondly looking into his. They stood facing one another now, his smile fading as he seemed to read something in her.

Emma wondered what he saw. She wondered if he could see the chaotic turn of her emotions. She let them lead her hand, her deepest desires coming to the surface. She cupped his face, her thumb running back and forth over the scar on his cheek.

Emma searched his eyes. Looking for a sign, something that told her she wasn’t wrong, that he was the man she thought he was. She found it. She saw the deep care he had for her. She saw the desire, the trust. She recognised it because she felt the same.

It should scare her. But it didn’t. She knew she could trust him, that her heart was safe with him. A desire rose up in her - the desire to be close to him, for the future she couldn’t yet hope for. A brief flash of fear leapt up at how easily she pulled him towards her.

Her lips connected with his, his sharp intake of breath caught between them. It didn’t take long for him to kiss her back though. His lips were soft against hers; a calm, deep kiss not at all matching the furious, loud beat of her heart. Emma’s magic sparked as she felt his free arm wrap around her waist, tucking her into his right side. She felt his hand tighten against her, her fingers reaching up to his hair, the metal weapon in her hand hooking into Killian’s shirt.

"Emma, finally!"

The voice startled them and pulled them apart. Any feeling of loss and regret was pushed to the side as surprise and concern took over. Emma stood protectively in front of Killian and Henry. She could feel him shift from foot to foot as if he wanted to switch places with her, stopped only by the fact that Henry was in his arms.

They watched as a woman wearing an utterly impractical blue gown stood in front of them, smiling widely. She looked unbothered at the destruction around her and Emma noticed that her feet didn’t touch the ground.

"No need to be alarmed, dear. I am the Blue Fairy," she introduced herself with an almost insignificant bow. "Congratulations on defeating the Evil Queen.”

Emma’s emotions were still too close to the surface - the adrenaline from her fight and consequent victory, the comforting feel of the kiss, and now this surprise making her hair stand on end. Hook still in hand, Emma pointed it towards the Blue Fairy.

She watched the scrunch of the fairy’s nose as she looked at the silver weapon and felt Killian shift behind her, Henry’s body accidentally knocking into her. She stood her ground.

A spark of annoyance shone through the woman’s eyes. “As I said, I am the Blu-”

“We heard,” Emma interrupted, letting her magic flow to her fingertips, her desire to protect the two people behind her fueling her. “Excuse us if we’re a little distrustful.”

“I understand your battle was hard,” her tone sounded put-upon, dismissing. “But you’ve won. The Evil Queen is gone and Misthaven is saved.”

“What would you know about my battle?” Emma’s tone was angry, her arm lowering making her no less dangerous. “I didn’t see you anywhere. I had to fight it on my own.”

“Well, of course you did, it was your destiny.” Her voice was grating, her anger beginning to get the best of her. “Besides, we couldn't get inside the castle.” The fairy followed her statement with a dismissive hand wave and Emma felt the urge to break that hand. “I’m glad to see you kept the Truest Believer safe.”

“No thanks t-” Killian’s hand on her arm stopped Emma’s tirade. Despite its calming intention, his hand was shaking with anger.

“If you’re right and Misthaven is saved,” Killian began between gritted teeth, “then we can leave these dungeons, correct?”

“Yes.” The Blue Fairy barely managed a glance towards Killian before she turned back to Emma. “Your subjects have already entered the walls when they came down and are helping my fairies bring it back to its full glory.”

The fairy began to walk - well, float - out of the dungeons. Emma turned to Killian, her annoyance and anger clear in her eyes.

“I know, love.” He smiled reassuringly and pushed a strand of her hair away from her face despite the turbulent emotions reflecting her own in his eyes.

His touch was soft against her skin, raising the hair on her arms. Her hands clenched and she remembered the fact that she was holding his hook.

“Oh, I have something of yours.” Tearing her eyes away from his and without rustling Henry too much, she grabbed his brace and clicked his hook into place. When she looked up, she found him still looking at her.

“Thank you,” he whispered.

“There’s no time to wait, Emma!” The Blue Fairy’s impatient voice sounded ahead in the corridor.

Emma and Killian shared an annoyed glance and took a deep breath before following.

Killian had only ever been to one castle before.

On his first mission with Nemo, they were hired to find a king’s bastard child.

Killian remembered being in awe of the riches of the castle. Gold and jewels everywhere, more riches than Killian had ever dreamed of. After his time aboard Nemo’s ship however, he realized that no amount of riches could entice him to replace the freedom of the skies for the stifling air of a castle.

This castle was just as sweltering as the other.

It had been sinister before, with the silence and the destruction. Now, it was less sinister but more overwhelming.

People that hadn’t been there before filled the hallways, parting for them to pass. Everyone looked at them as they did, most of them bowing to Emma. Emma’s shoulders stiffened at the attention, her hands clenched, her posture uncomfortable. If there was anywhere she could have run off to, he was quite sure she would have already.

He tuned out the Blue Fairy’s voice, focusing on Emma and on Henry’s weight in his arm instead. He felt the boy stir awake, his hands clenching his clothing tight in his small fists before relaxing.

“Killian?” Henry whispered, face still hidden on Killian’s neck.

“Aye, lad, I’m here.”

“Where is Emma?”

Killian reached forward to touch Emma’s arm, startling her. She whirled around towards them, pausing their procession down the corridor. Her eyes filled with relief and joy instead of fear when they landed on Henry’s relieved and joyful smile.

“Henry!”

“Emma!” Henry cried at the same time, releasing his grip on Killian to wrap his arms around Emma’s neck.

Killian stumbled towards them since he still held the boy’s legs in his grip. Standing so close, he could clearly see Emma’s face relax, her arms desperately wrapping around the boy, as the two took a deep and satisfied breath. He made no effort to release Henry.

From the corner of his eyes, Killian could see the people around them look at their embrace with affection. He could relate. He felt their joy as his own, felt complete with them so close.

A sigh of frustration penetrated their joy. “You are expected in the great hall, Emma,” the Blue Fairy urged, breaking up the reunion.

Killian saw Henry’s frown as he looked at the Blue Fairy. Emma reluctantly released Henry, but not before laying a kiss on his forehead. Killian relished the fact that Emma chose to walk beside them as they resumed their walk. He was amused at the glare she was sending towards the fairy in front of them.

“Who is that?” Henry asked, keeping his voice quiet.

“The Blue Fairy,” Emma answered, her tone tainted with annoyance.

“Oh.”

At Henry’s frown, Killian pulled him closer. “What is it, lad?”

Their attention was broken by the opening of a large door. They were in one of the first rooms they had entered earlier, but it was barely recognisable now. There were no cobwebs or broken glass shards on the floor. The shattered furnishings were now back to their former glory. The torn pictures sewed back together, frames and pictures of royalty back on the walls.

“Nova!” Henry called, his voice echoing in the room.

Killian followed his eyes towards a dainty woman dressed in pink, who looked back at Henry with a stunned expression. He remembered her name from Henry’s stories, and wondered if she had expected to ever see the boy again.

The fairy didn’t move. Henry frowned.

“Nova?”

The Blue Fairy placed herself in front of them and turned towards the obviously frightened fairy. “Nova, since this room is finished, go with Silvermist and Tiger Lily to fix the King and Queen’s quarters and the Princess’ nursery. Have them prepare a room for the Truest Believer, too.”

Killian watched as the fairy looked between Henry and the Blue Fairy before lowering her head in a nod. “Of course, Blue.” Her voice shook before she rushed out.

“I just wanted to talk to her,” Henry said, turning offended eyes towards the fairy.

“She can’t very well talk to you when there is so much to do.” Killian’s hackles raised at the fairy’s condescending tone.

“I wanted to ask her why she left,” Henry continued, a sense of pride welling up in Killian at his determination. “I wanted to ask why she didn’t come help me when I called, why none of them did.” The boy’s vulnerable tone hurt Killian’s heart and he felt Emma’s warmth as she stepped closer to them.

“You didn’t need their help, Henry. You were perfectly safe.” The Blue Fairy waved away the boy’s emotion, and when Henry’s hands clutched his clothing, Killian had had enough.

“Perfectly safe?!” Killian’s voice echoed angrily in the now empty room, as he took a menacing step towards the fairy. All his anger towards the boy’s misfortune finally found a target. “He was taken by pirates! They put cuffs on him that weakened him! That hurt him! The same cuffs the Evil Queen just used on him! He was alone! He wasn’t safe!” He pointed his finger at the fairy’s unbothered face. “And now I’m wondering just how much you had to do with it!” Emma’s energy sparked beside him.

The Blue Fairy’s eye roll made him stand upright, the anger overwhelming him. “As you can see,” she gestured towards Henry. “He is perfectly safe, no need for dramatics.”

Killian took an instinctive step forward, wishing that Henry wasn’t in his arms so he could strike the fairy down with his hook. Emma took a matching step, though at the moment, he was too infuriated to notice.

“Emma? Is that you?”

An emotional voice called all their attentions to the older woman who had just entered the room. She looked too old to be helping restore the castle but she had an inherent strength to her, a determination, a care in her eyes.

“Yes, Granny Lucas, this is Emma and the Truest Believer.” The Blue Fairy turned towards the approaching woman gesturing towards the trio. “Take care of them while I supervise the rest of the renovation.” She turned back towards them, her eyes on Emma and a pleased smile on her face. “Welcome home, Princess.”

Killian took a step forward wanting to stop the fairy from leaving - to get some explanation, some retribution - but, before anyone could do or say anything, the fairy shrank down to the size of a small bird and flew away leaving a trail of blue magic. His arm went back around Henry and he felt Emma’s hand at his back comforting him as well.

“Are you alright, lad?” he whispered, ignoring the approaching steps.

Henry nodded, looking up at Killian with sentimental eyes. “Thank you for defending me.”

Killian’s smile was small but his voice bore testimony to the overwhelming emotions in his heart. “Always, my boy.” Emma dropped a kiss on the boy’s head and Killian watched Henry close his eyes in affection.

The slow steps continued to approach and Emma turned to the woman they apparently called Granny Lucas. Killian was slower with the boy in his arms and, anger now abated, he was able to see how the older woman’s eyes sparkled with unshed tears. Emma looked uncomfortable, but she wasn’t running away, so he counted that as a win.

“You’re Granny Lucas?” Emma asked.

“Yes, dear,” she replied, taking a hesitant step towards the group. “I’m very glad to see you again. It’s been a long time.”

Emma seemed to be pushing back any emotional response, focusing on facts. “Are you the one who made the blanket for me? Johanna said you did.”

Granny Lucas nodded. “Yes, I was friends with your parents for a very long time. They were like family to me. And you were always like a grandchild to me.”

Emma’s arms wrapped around herself and he wanted nothing more than to comfort her. Henry must have thought the same since he used his weight to get closer to Emma, pulling Killian as well. His hand laid comfortingly on Emma’s back and he saw her shoulders relax.

“I can only imagine how hard this is for you, my dear,” Granny Lucas continued, cleaning her dust covered hands on her apron. “Why don’t I take you all to my cabin? You can rest and recover a bit while the fairies finish up here.”

Killian took one look at Emma before turning back to the older woman. “That does sound inviting, Lady Lucas, it’s been a tiresome journey.”

He wasn’t offended by the surprised look the woman gave him, her eyes had been only on Emma. But now that she was looking at him and by extension, Henry, her eyes softened even more, a fond smile on her face.

“Yes, of course, you all deserve some rest. I don’t believe I caught your names.”

Despite her politeness and overall better demeanor, Killian was reminded of the Blue Fairy’s dismissive attitude, his hold on Henry tightening.

“I’m Henry. Truest Believer is not my name,” the boy introduced himself, his voice vulnerable but determined.

“And what a fine name it is!” Granny Lucas affirmed, earning a smile from Henry, before turning to Killian.

“I don’t think the Blue Fairy even cared to look at me twice, much less know my name.” His tone showed his bitterness towards the fairy and he did feel bad for somewhat directing it towards the much nicer older woman.

“Don’t let her get to you, dear,” Granny Lucas advised with an amused smile, even as he felt an understanding in her tone. “That fairy has a stick up her ass but she is one of the good guys.”

Killian smirked at the matching giggles from Henry and Emma, even if Emma’s were much better hidden. Granny Lucas grinned at that, having noticed as well.

“My name’s Killian Jones,” he introduced himself.

“It’s a great pleasure to meet you all.” The older woman did a small version of a bow, no less respectable. “And thank you for taking care of our Emma.”

Killian caught Emma’s wide-eyed look from the corner of his eye, probably surprised at the care in the woman’s voice. “With all due respect, Lady Lucas, Emma’s saved us a lot more times than we have saved her.”

“Yeah!” Henry rushed to agree. “She’s awesome!”

He saw the blush in Emma’s cheeks and the uptick of her lips even as she tried to look away. “Alright, we should get out of here.” She quickly interrupted the conversation.

Emma began walking towards the exit and Henry leaned towards Granny Lucas. “She’s just shy, Granny Lucas, but she is awesome,” he boasted in a loud whisper.

“I believe you.” She nodded with a fond smile. “But please, call me Granny.”

---

Killian still remembered the destruction outside the castle - he didn’t think he would ever forget it - the emptiness, the destroyed houses, the scattered belongings. So, despite knowing that the Misthaven people were working to bring their home back to its former splendor, it was still jarring to see so many people wandering about.

The broken mirror shards cemented on the walls were nowhere to be seen. He suspected they had been the first things to go. He didn’t blame them. There were no more scattered things on the ground. He could hear the laughter of children and small feet stomping around - he wished Henry could have the same innocence as them.

Henry had been put down on the ground after they stepped out of the castle’s door but he didn’t go far. He walked between Emma and Killian, holding their hands. Killian still felt Emma’s discomfort, especially as the people outside bowed to her as well, but he could tell she felt calmer with Henry’s presence at her side.

“Why must they bow to me?” Emma whispered the complaint.

“Because you’re their princess, dear,” Granny answered. “They have been waiting for you for a long time.”

“How have they stayed so loyal? My parents have been gone for 28 years.”

“They had hope,” Granny explained simply. “That’s what your parents taught us to have. They did a lot of good and loved their people so they loved them back. They believe in you in the same way. You’re our savior, but you’re also their child. You’re our princess.”

“I never asked for that,” Emma mumbled, her free arm rubbing the opposite one. Henry noticed and leaned further on her. “I never asked to be anyone’s savior.”

“I know. I know,” Granny repeated after a pause, trying to comfort with her words. “But you were. You defeated the Evil Queen and everyone here is grateful for that. Now, you get to be in your home, you get to be loved by your kingdom and learn to love them back. You get to be their Princess.”

Despite the loving words from the older woman, Emma still looked uneasy. It had taken some time for her to be comfortable with the two of them, for her to express her feelings towards them. To have these expectations spelled out so plainly likely made her feel trapped, tense.

“Granny, we’re almost d- is that Emma?!” A blur of red interrupted their thoughts and their walk, and Emma was suddenly wrapped in a tight one-sided hug by a tall brunette.

She was a beautiful woman, much older than them. The white mixed in didn’t take away from the wildness of her long hair. There were lines on her face that showed a full life. The red cloak on her shoulders didn’t hide the strength of her posture.

“Ruby, let the girl breathe,” Granny Lucas admonished, even with a soft smile on her face.

“Right.” The woman called Ruby quickly stopped the hug, making Emma stumble slightly. “I’m sorry, I’m just so happy to have you back.”

“You know me?” Emma asked, feeling overwhelmed.

“Everyone knows you, Emma.” Killian saw how that seemed to make her withdraw even more. “But I knew you before they did. I am your godmother. Your mother and I were best friends.”

“Oh, so you knew her, too?” He wondered how it felt for Emma to be around so many people that knew so much of her family, how desperate she was to learn all she could about them.

“Yeah, even before she met your father! We found her in our chicken coop stealing some eggs.” Ruby laughed at the memory, a hint of bittersweetness to her tone.

“Why was she stealing eggs?” Despite her casual tone, there was a desperate hint to Emma’s tone.

“Well, she was on the run and got hungry. She was so scared.”

“We just had to take her in.” Granny shrugged, a slightly put-upon huff completely overshadowed by the immense care in her eyes.

“She was lucky to have you,” Emma whispered, a small smile on her lips. Killian felt Henry tug on his hand as he leaned against Emma’s side. She looked at him, at both of them and her smile grew.

Ruby suddenly seemed to notice his and Henry’s presence, not that he took offense. Pointing between Emma’s two companions, she turned to the blonde.

“Is the kid-? Are you-?” She couldn’t finish her questions, but it didn’t take long for them to understand her meaning.

“No.” Despite her vehement response, she smiled softly at them. “We’re just having an adventure together, I guess.” Her simple response was accompanied by a fond look in her eyes that made it feel like more than just an adventure.

“The boy’s the Truest Believer, from the prophecy,” Granny explained and Ruby nodded. There was no ulterior interest in Henry’s power, Killian realized. It was simply a clarification for them.

“My name’s Henry,” The boy clarified, a wide smile towards the women.

“It’s very nice to meet you, Henry.” Ruby smiled back before a mischievous glint sparked in her eyes. “Do you like wolves?”

“Yeah!”

“Ruby,” Granny interrupted. “There will be time for wolfing out later.”

“Wait, you’re a werewolf?” Despite the bright sun in the sky, there was nothing brighter than Henry’s eyes. Ruby just winked in response and he could feel the boy’s excitement.

“They have finished repairing the west side,” an accented voice interrupted. “We can start housing the families from there.”

They both turned to the approaching man at the same time. Before anyone could respond, Emma had taken several steps forward with a knife he had seen on Granny’s belt.

“You’re the one who tried to poison Killian!” Emma accused.

“Woah, Emma,” Ruby took slow steps towards the stranger holding her hand out to the knife. “Why don’t you put the knife down and we’ll talk?”

“You’re right, I did.” The man spoke directly to Emma and Killian couldn’t help but take a step towards her while keeping Henry behind him. “At Regina’s command. She had my heart.” His hand moved to scratch at his chest, and he saw Ruby’s eyes soften. “She had it for a long time and one of the things she forced me to do was to get rid of the Believer’s keeper. I couldn’t refuse.”

The tension between them lessened with his explanation. Killian could see, underneath his age, the exhaustion in the man’s posture, the years of servitude in his eyes. He could relate. But Emma stood her ground, her eyes analyzing the man’s and Killian was impressed with the way he didn’t back down either, letting Emma see the truth in his words.

Finally Emma lowered the knife, handing it back to Granny’s awaiting hand.

“Alright, now that everyone’s calmed down,” Granny said, “I should take these three to our cabin while you two help around here.”

“Yes, Granny.” Ruby nodded with a regretful half-smile towards Emma. “I’ll see you again later,” she promised before taking the man’s arm. He made a small bow towards them before following Ruby towards the west side of the village.

“You don’t need to concern yourself with Graham,” Granny reassured. “His heart is safely back in his chest and he has been going above and beyond to redeem himself.”

“Emma was poisoned by the arrow,” Henry explained, the furrow on his brow making Killian relive the painful experience of watching Emma dying in their arms. “She saved Killian.”

Granny’s frown matched Henry’s even as a proud spark lit up her eyes. Emma shifted her feet, uncomfortable with the praise.

“It’s still quite fresh in our minds,” Killian added.

“I understand, it will take some time.” Granny nodded, sensing the renewed tension. “We should keep going. Johanna’s waiting for us at the cabin.”

“You know Johanna?” Henry asked, excitedly following the older woman, his two companions right behind.

“Of course, who do you think told us you were here?” Granny winked with a grin.

---

The Lucas’ cabin was, surprisingly, not far from the kingdom’s walls. Killian guessed the Evil Queen had been satisfied enough with having destroyed their lives and wasn’t interested in chasing them. It was surrounded by a whole village’s worth of hastily-built cabins. They had made their own home away from home. There were still people running around, gathering their belongings.

Granny’s cabin was the only place with some life and quiet in it - the smoke from the chimney rose up to the sky. As they approached, they saw in the window a figure moving around inside. It must be Johanna. There was a delicious smell wafting from it.

When they entered, the source of the smell was quite apparent - the sweet pastries still warm on the table. The scene was very comforting and welcoming. Henry sighed next to him.

“Oh, you’re finally here.” Johanna rushed towards them, looking them up and down. “I’m so glad you’re okay,” she fussed.

“Granny says you warned them?” Emma asked, already knowing the answer.

“I’m sorry for not having told you, sweetheart.” Johanna frowned apologetically. “We couldn’t pass the barrier but we knew you’d win. We all believed in you.”

Emma nodded, her eyes soft with gratitude. “Thank you.”

“Why don’t you guys get some rest and we’ll prepare you a bath?” Granny interrupted kindly. “We have some clothes that should fit you and you’ll need your rest for tonight’s celebration.”

“Celebration?” Henry asked.

“Of course, everyone will want to celebrate your arrival.”

They sat around the room, eating their delicious treats Johanna had prepared. The conversation was hushed, quiet, everyone recovering from the exhilaration of the day. They talked about their journey, especially now that everyone was on the same page.

Despite Henry’s returning energy from his rest in Killian’s arms, there was still clear exhaustion in his eyes and limbs. As expected, the boy fell asleep on the plush chair with a half-eaten pastry in hand, mid-conversation.

They all ended up falling asleep, their bellies full and warm. Killian let sleep calm his racing thoughts - the terrible outcomes of what if’s where he lost this family that he just found.

Once they all awoke, they agreed that Henry would bathe first. Emma had gone after and Killian made sure to keep his eyes away from her. Because of the small cabin, they washed and dressed in the same room, a hanging sheet providing the only private space to change. It was tempting to try and catch a glimpse of her, but she trusted him. He had worked hard to win her trust. He wouldn’t destroy all of their progress for that.

The warm bath felt as good now as all the other times. Killian was happy to be rid of the sweat and grime from the last two days. The loose white shirt was a couple of sizes too big but the brown trousers fit him perfectly, if a little long.

She was still in the room when he finished dressing. She stood looking out the window, one arm around herself, her free hand laying on her chest where he saw the metal chain peek out from her collar. Emma was dressed much like himself - much like Henry -, a loose cream shirt and brown trousers. She was quiet but he could almost hear the spiraling thoughts in her head.

“Are you alright, Swan?” Killian asked quietly, not wanting to startle her.

Emma must have been a lot more aware of his presence than he thought because she simply turned her head to him and nodded. “This is just…too much.”

“I know.” He joined her by the window. “But, you found your home. You know more about your parents. The truth.”

“It doesn’t feel like home,” she confessed in a quiet, shameful voice. “When I was in that room with Regina, she kept showing me my parents’ death and I was losing. I kept seeing them die and I kept thinking of how I would be next.”

Hoping to provide comfort, Killian leaned so that his shoulder touched hers. She responded by pressing their shoulders together more firmly.

“And then I saw the way my mother fought - the determination in her eyes, her strength - and I reminded myself what I was fighting for.”

“What were you fighting for, love?”

“You,” Emma turned to look into his eyes and Killian’s heart rate picked up. “And Henry.” She looked back at the window. “I was fighting for my people and for my parents, but… that’s not where I belong.”

“And where do you belong?” His voice was quiet.

“I don’t know.” Her voice was just as quiet. “I thought that I would find a home here but seeing them bow to me, seeing their belief…” Emma sighed. “I want to help them. I want to be what my parents couldn’t be for them, but…”

“That’s not who you are,” Killian finished.

Emma shook her head. “No, it isn’t.”

“And just who are you, Swan?”

She turned to the side to look into his eyes, and her mouth opened and closed a couple of times. “I know I’m not a princess. I’m not a savior,” she said, haltingly. “I’m just…me.”

“I have to disagree, Swan,” he said, making sure she could see the truth in his eyes, even with the doubt swirling in hers. “You could never be ‘just’ anything.” He paused for a moment and took her hands in his own. “You are Emma Swan. You are brave, selfless, caring and terribly stubborn,” he said with a fond smile.

Emma lowered her head but he saw the way the corner of her lips rose. Holding on to a moment of bravery, he slowly reached up to cup her face, urging her to look at him.

As their gazes met, her hand cautiously followed his own, running up his forearm until it laid on top of his hand. Her skin felt warm and smooth against his.

“You really believe in me, don’t you?”

Killian worried for a second that she felt overwhelmed by his belief, like she had about her people’s. But all he saw in her eyes was surprise, affection and just a touch of fear.

“Aye.”

Her hand tightened on his, her eyes filled with vulnerability and returned belief and he thought his chest might explode. He had never expected to feel this way again.

He couldn’t help the way his eyes flicked to her lips, the memory of their kiss vivid in his mind. The memory made him eager to repeat the experience. To feel her lips on his again, to feel her hands on him, to feel her close to him again.

Killian wondered if he was imagining the way she leaned closer to him, their faces inches apart.

“Are you decent, dear?” A voice sounded from the door, their moment shattering.

Emma pulled away first and he felt cold in her absence. She was the one to open the door to a surprised Johanna. The older woman looked between the two of them.

“It’s time to head back to the castle.” Her voice was unsure, perhaps aware of the tension in the room.

“I’m ready.” Emma nodded, her shoulders tense for a whole different reason now.

---

Henry was more of his energetic self on the way back to the castle. He served to divert everyone’s attention to things such as werewolves - how a werewolf looked or what a werewolf ate. There was a lot of talk about werewolves.

The wall around Misthaven had been repaired. The houses on the way to the castle were repaired and ready to be inhabited. The paths no longer had anything broken and scattered over it.

There were lights coming from the castle and noise, as well. It looked alive. Nothing like the decrepit building it was before. As they approached, the excitement surrounding them dimmed just a bit, the grandiose feeling of the place overtaking them.

As soon as they crossed the open threshold, the noise grew, music, laughter and conversations ahead of them in a great ballroom. In a flash of blue magic, the Blue Fairy appeared in front of them, wearing a formal blue gown.

“Finally, you’ve arrived.”

Despite the time he spent away from her, Killian still wanted to wring the gnat’s neck. She seemed to be sizing them up and down, her focus on Emma and Henry.

“Those rags won’t do, Granny Lucas, they are guests of honor, they must look the part!” The fairy’s admonishing tone was received by Granny with a glare. Killian was reminded of the woman’s reassurance and wondered just how much of it was to herself as well as to him.

With a decisive wave of her hand, a cloud of blue smoke surrounded them. He was surprised the fairy had cared enough to change his outfit as well, but he supposed she didn’t want him standing out like a sore thumb.

When the cloud dissipated, his clothes had been turned into a dark brown noble outfit. They felt constricting, despite the flowy fabric. Perhaps royal life really wasn’t for him.

Henry, he saw, was dressed in colors similar to his but his outfit was more detailed, more rich. It suited him, made him look like a young prince.

But then a goddess in white took over his vision. Emma’s hair was down, loose, flowers in a crown on her head. Her dress was long and flowing, lace and soft fabric coming together to highlight her beauty, her form. The metal chain on her exposed neck and the ring he knew settled somewhere underneath, made her look even more enchanting. He could look at her forever.

Emma looked surprised and more nervous now than she had been. Henry seemed to have found the magic impressive even if he still harbored resentment towards the Blue Fairy. Killian was still entranced by Emma. But that wasn’t a surprise.

“We’ll head to the ballroom now,” Blue spoke to Emma and Henry. “You’ll be presented to the kingdom and make a grand entrance.” In her excitement, she completely missed the panicked look on Emma's face. Killian counted on Henry to be there for her. In a quick move, the Blue Fairy grabbed onto his two companion’s arms.

“The rest of you will use the side entrance,” Blue ordered at last with a passing glance to the rest of the group. In a blue cloud of smoke, Emma, Henry and the fairy disappeared.

“What a horrible, horrible bitch!” Granny grumbled.

“Evelyn!” Johanna admonished.

Killian smirked, following Granny and Johanna as they walked through the side corridors towards what he expected to be the side entrance.

“Oh, come off it, Johanna, she was rude and you know it, not that she cares. Don’t defend her just because she’s one of the good guys.”

Johanna was quiet for a few seconds and Killian watched as her frown deepened before she sighed. “Fine, she is a bitch.”

“Now, now, ma’am, that is quite rude of you,” Killian mockingly scolded and the woman’s shoulders tensed.

Granny laughed and he joined almost immediately, Johanna relaxing with a shake of her head, a smile peeking through. The noise from the ballroom had been steadily growing as they approached the door. When it opened, it was deafening.

“Now this is more like it.” Despite the noise, he heard Granny’s satisfied sigh loud and clear. She caught his questioning gaze. “This is what Misthaven should have always been.”

The room was full. Everyone in the kingdom had come to the celebration. There were children running around, everyone was talking, laughing, dancing. Their joy was infectious.

There wasn’t a lot in terms of decoration. Much of the original layout of the room was intact, merely repaired, and Killian tried to forget the despair he had felt mere hours ago in that same room. The thrones were clearly the main attraction. There were flowers decorating them and the jewels embedded in the wood were gleaming.

Killian nodded, Granny was right.

A sharp thump on the floor from a short dark haired man standing by the large door made silence descend quickly - mostly everything, anyway. Children were always difficult to keep quiet for long.

“It’s my pleasure to present Princess Emma of Misthaven and the Truest Believer!” The man’s announcement echoed throughout the room and an excited energy took over everyone.

“His name is Henry…” Killian mumbled.

The doors opened to Emma and Henry, holding each other’s hands in a white-knuckled grip, obviously - at least to him - completely overwhelmed. The loud roar of applause from the crowd startled them. The Blue Fairy behind them urged them to descend the stairs, shifting their focus.

Killian watched, from afar, as the Blue Fairy parted the people so that Emma and Henry could pass. Emma’s shoulders were tense, and Henry was glued to her side.

Killian tried to make his way to the front. To be with them, support them. But the crowd was too thick - everyone wanting to see them, to talk to them, shoving everyone to get closer - he couldn’t push through. Killian was all but shoved to the back of the room, leaning against a pillar, while trying to keep an eye on Emma’s blonde head.

Everyone went silent as Emma and Henry stood on the dais, the Blue Fairy in front of them.

“After 28 years, we have our Misthaven back!” A loud cheer almost deafened him. “Not only is the Truest Believer of prophecy with us,” her hand on Henry’s shoulder, while showing care first, was now used to part him away from Emma’s side. She placed her other hand on Emma’s shoulder, despite her poorly hidden glare. “But, we have our princess back!”

Another loud wave of cheers overtook the room. Killian had to stand back and watch as Emma was swallowed by her people, receiving praise and well wishes while she looked like she wanted to be anywhere else.

“Killian!” His troubled thoughts were interrupted by a familiar voice next to him.

Seemingly out of nowhere, Henry was suddenly there.

“Lad! What are you doing here?” Despite his surprise, Killian was relieved to have the boy with him. He crouched in front of him.

“I needed to get out of there,” the boy confirmed with wide eyes. “I was almost trampled by those people.”

“They’re just happy to have their princess ba-”

“I know, I know,” Henry sighed. “It’s been the three of us for so long, it’s just too much…” Killian gave him a tight-lipped smile, his hand caressing the boy’s head. “I just wish I could have gotten Emma out of there, too.”

“Me too, lad…”

Killian and Henry stood at the back of the room, the boy leaning against him instead of the pillar. It felt like hours before the Blue Fairy made her voice heard once more.

“Let us celebrate!” With a wave of her wand, the music began to play, instruments moving on their own.

When Killian looked back towards where Emma had been standing, he saw she was no longer there. He tried to find her blonde hair, made more difficult by the colorful spinning heads of the dancing audience.

“I’m going to try to find Emma,” Killian said, turning to the boy whose face lit up at something he saw on the other side of the ballroom. “Will you be okay?”

“Yeah,” Henry quickly nodded. “I see Ruby, she’ll keep me company.” Before he was even done talking, he rushed away.

Alone once more, Killian made his way through the room, the mingling and dancing crowd making it easy to navigate. He tried to catch a glimpse of blonde hair, of white fabric, of sparkling energy. When he couldn’t locate her right away, he feared the worst.

Then, he saw her. Trying to escape conversations, trying to find a safe space. Maybe he could provide it for her. He hoped he could.

In a smoother maneuver than he ever thought himself capable of, Killian grabbed onto her waist and hand and slid with her towards the dance floor. He felt her grip on his right arm tighten and an instinctive spark throughout his body before she recognised him. Her hand relaxed where it lay on his shoulder and her other hand fitting more comfortably on his hook.

“I could have hurt you, you know?” Emma asked with a raised eyebrow, a veiled threat in her countenance. Her whole demeanor softened in his presence making it easier for him to lead her in a waltz.

“You wouldn’t,” he said confidently.

“You’re really that sure?”

“Aye.”

His grin was bright and happy. He couldn’t help it. And it only got brighter as they danced around the room. She noticed and her smile was shy, but not less happy.

“Watch the mocking, I’m actually getting the hang of this.”

“I’m not mocking, Swan. I’m just thinking about what you said earlier, about not being a princess.” He watched her look away and he worried he might have upset her but then he noticed the pink blush on her cheeks. “All I’m saying, Emma…” Boldly, he pulled her to him and spoke close to her ear. “Is that you appear to be a natural.”

Her smile was soft and he was sure she could hear his heart pounding over the music. They moved effortlessly, her trust apparent as she allowed him to lead.

“Emma.” Her green eyes were bright and he took a second to just look at her - at the soft smile on her lips, the way the white flowers compliment her beauty, at the freckles on her cheeks. “About our kiss-”

In an instant, her whole demeanor changed. He could feel the distance she put between them like a physical thing, even if he still held her in his arms. Her eyes shuttered, her posture turned tense, and her smile disappeared. He tried again. “It was…”

“It was nothing, Killian,” Emma immediately interrupted, her voice sure. “A one-time thing.”

“I-”

“They’re here!”

The short man from earlier shouted from the top of the stairs, shocking the whole room into silence.

“They’re here!” he repeated.

From the open door, everyone watched as a dark-haired woman and a blonde man walked in. Killian recognised them from the paintings around the castle.

The Queen of Misthaven and her Prince.

The whole room erupted into chaos. Loud voices, people rushing to the front of the room. In the confusion, Emma escaped from his hold and he couldn’t help but worry about what that meant for them.

“People of Misthaven.” The Blue Fairy’s voice quieted everyone. “Our Queen and our Prince are alive!”

The whole room stood in stunned silence. He could see the confusion on the royals’ faces. In their young faces. They looked just as they did in the portraits. Not much older than himself.

And then the questions and accusations began.

“Why do they look so young?”

“How are they alive?”

“This is a trick!”

“Please, everyone!” The Blue Fairy urged, laying a hand on the Queen’s shoulders. The monarch looked like she wanted to argue but the fairy continued. “What was for us 28 years of despair, was for them but a moment.” He watched the shock and grief on the Queen and Prince’s faces even as they tried to conceal it. “Even though the Evil Queen seemed to have won, their souls were protected in the stars. When Emma broke the curse, it freed them!”

At the mention of their daughter’s name, the royals could be held back no longer.

“Where is our daughter?” the Queen demanded.

At once, the crowd parted towards where Emma stood, on the other side of the room. Her eyes were wide, her lips parted as she looked at her parents. Killian felt Henry slip his hand into his and he tightened his grip.

“Emma…” The room was silent enough for them to hear the Prince’s awed whisper.

It was like the whole room stopped breathing as Snow White and her prince made their way down the stairs to the floor of the ballroom. Henry pulled on his hand.

“I can’t see,” he whispered.

Killian scooped Henry up on his arms, their heads at the same level. Together, they watched as Emma now stood in front of her parents.

“Emma…is that really you?” The Queen asked.

Emma was no longer looking at the man and woman in front of her, her eyes on the floor. Her posture looked as if she expected a blow, but Killian had become quite skilled in reading her, and he knew she was afraid to hope. Afraid to believe that she’d be able to reunite with her parents. To find her family.

“I knew you’d find us.” The Queen’s barely audible whisper made Emma look back up at them, look back up at the hope shining in their eyes.

The Queen cupped Emma’s face, gently forcing her to look at them, the love in her eyes almost blinding. Killian heard a few sniffles from the crowd and he could see, from the corner of his eye, Henry’s fascinated expression. Killian’s own thoughts went to his mother, gone too soon, and then to Nemo, the father he left behind.

There were sighs in the crowd when the Queen and her Prince finally hugged their daughter. Emma hesitated for a moment before she all but melted into her parent’s embrace.

“People of Misthaven!” The Blue Fairy’s voice echoed through the still silent room. He watched as the reunited family reluctantly separated. “I believe we should allow our rulers some much needed solitude.”

The Queen cleared her throat and, all at once, everyone turned to her. “Tomorrow we will hold an assembly. It seems we have missed much, but we are so glad to be back here with all of you and our Emma. We are ready to be your leaders once more.”

The cheers and applause filled the large room, a general feeling of exhilaration and hope that was contagious. Henry swung his legs in joy and Killian found himself smiling.

They lost sight of Emma once more when the people in the room began to filter out, a cacophony of sounds surrounding them - footsteps and excited conversations. He led Henry away from the crowd, lest they were swallowed by them.

Once they were free to move again, they tried to find Emma. His eyes landed on the three of them, once more enveloped in a tight hug. Emma’s shoulders were still tense but she seemed to be making an effort to relax, to get used to her parent’s affection.

“Emma!” Henry called out, dropping from his arms, when they broke the hug.

Killian watched as Emma took a deep breath to welcome Henry’s arms around her waist.

“Hey, kid.” Her voice was gravelly with emotion, holding the boy like a lifeline. His smile was bright and Emma’s could only follow, if a bit smaller.

“Is this the Truest Believer?” The Queen asked, wiping the tears from her cheeks.

“His name’s Henry.”

“My name is Henry.”

“It’s Henry, actually.”

The three of them all spoke at once, receiving a wide-eyed look from the royals.

“It’s been a long day, your Majesties,” Killian apologized, placing his hand on Henry’s shoulder.

The Queen looked at them with kind eyes and an understanding nod. He could see where Emma got it from. He wasn’t surprised by the Prince’s suspicious gaze on him, he could see where Emma got that from, too.

The Queen knelt in front of Henry. “You may call me Snow and this is David. We’re very happy to meet you, Henry.”

Henry’s smile turned shy at the Queen’s attention and he nodded. “Me, too. I’m glad Emma found her parents.”

“It looks like you guys had quite the adventure.” The Prince, David, looked between them, his gaze heavy on Killian.

“I can tell you all about it!” Henry’s shyness was overridden by his excitement, earning him fond looks from the royals.

Killian and Emma shared an amused smile, but she looked away faster than he hoped. He sighed in resignation. It seemed like things between them had just taken several steps back.

---

The corridors of the castle were now empty but they didn’t feel as daunting and nightmarish as before. Perhaps it was the renovations, or the company or Henry’s continuous chattering. Perhaps it was all of it, but the castle felt more inviting, warmer.

“Johanna was the one who told us about you!” Henry spoke excitedly, his hands gesturing all over the place. “That’s how we found out Emma was your daughter and she was the one who brought us here!”

Some rooms were still ruined and aged, the fairies not having finished their task before the celebration had started. But the view of the restored library through the large open doors was breathtaking and it made Killian wish they could spend just a while longer in the castle.

Unconsciously, Killian stopped in front of the door.

“You can go in and take a look, if you’d like.” David’s voice caught his attention, his eyes wide as they met the Prince’s gaze.

For all of his suspicions, Henry’s story had obviously raised Killian in Emma’s father’s eyes.

“Wow, is that a library?!” Henry rushed to Killian’s side to peek inside the open door. “It’s huge!”

“Why don’t you two go in and have a look?” Snow suggested. “We would love to have some time alone with Emma.”

He watched as Emma’s eyes widened slightly. He knew it was the surprise at being chosen, at them wanting to spend time with her, at wanting to know her.

“We’ll take you up on that. Come on, lad.” Killian nodded, sending a reassuring smile towards Emma.

“What?” Henry looked between Emma and the royals, confusedly for a second, before his mouth opened in the shape of an ‘O’. “Yeah! Yeah, we’ll see you later!”

Henry ran back over and quickly wrapped an arm around Emma’s waist and shot a bright smile at the Queen and her Prince before returning to Killian and rushing through the library’s open door.

“He’s still learning how to be a little more subtle in his interactions.” Killian shrugged, smiling at their amused expressions. “Your Majesties.” He bowed before following Henry.

“You found some very interesting companions, Emma.”

---

The library was as magnificent as he suspected. Floor to ceiling shelving with golden accents filled the room. Several beautiful paintings scattered along the few empty walls. A couple of soft-looking couches faced a large stone fireplace.

They walked up and down the carpeted corridors, Henry’s hand carefully running over the spines of the books that they could see under the bright light of the moon shining through the tall, wide windows.

The only downside was the severe lack of books. He feared that they had been lost during the Evil Queen’s reign. He only hoped that the collection could be restored.

“Look, Killian, it’s Cygnus!” Henry called from the large window. “Where is it pointing?”

Pushing aside his worries about all the lost knowledge the lack of books attested to, Killian joined Henry. Through the window, he easily found the familiar constellation. He thanked his years of sailing for not needing a compass.

“It’s telling us to go West.”

“What’s West?”

Killian closed his eyes and envisioned their map. “Camelot.”

Henry hummed and they stood looking out the window in silence for a moment. Slowly, the boy sat down on the plush bench underneath it, and Killian joined him on the opposite side.

“Do you think Emma will travel with us to Camelot?” Henry’s voice was quiet, his eyes still facing the constellation.

“I believe she will,” Killian answered after a short moment, hoping he was right.

“But…” The boy turned to him and his heart broke at the doubt in his eyes. “She has her parents now. Don’t you think she will want to stay?”

“Emma said she would take you to Avalon, lad, and I don’t think she is the type to break promises.”

“I know,” he sighed, crawling across the bench to rest against Killian’s chest. “I believe her…”

“But?”

“But I wouldn’t be mad if she wanted to stay with her parents. She probably missed them.”

Killian’s arm around Henry tightened as he laid a kiss on top of the boy’s head. “I’m sure she did, my boy, and if she does decide to stay, we can carry on together. Just like before.”

Henry moved around in place, turning to look at Killian. “Would you miss her if she stayed?”

“I would.” There was no doubt, no hesitance whatsoever.

“I would, too,” Henry sighed, resting back against him.

They stayed that way in silence for a while. While they looked outside the window, Henry played with his fingers and rings. It felt relaxing to have this moment of peace and quiet, just the two of them. Like before. Killian liked to have Emma’s company but he had missed these moments.

“Can you sing me something?”

“I thought Emma was the singer. You don’t want me to tell you a story instead?”

Henry smiled, shaking his head. “No, Emma is not here to listen to your stories.”

“Alright, any special request?”

“After the battle in Arendelle, you said you remembered your mom’s lullaby. Can you sing it to me?”

Killian’s eyes widened at the shy request and he felt his heart beat faster. “Aye, I can.”

Henry shuffled in his seat, resting his head more comfortably against Killian’s chest making his heart settle. It had been a long time since he thought of his mother’s song. He feared he had forgotten. Killian closed his eyes, his hand running up and down the boy’s back and thought back to a time before he first suffered loss. He began to sing.

He saw his mother’s smile. He remembered Liam playing with him in the living room while his mother laughed at their antics. He could feel her warm embrace surrounding him, her kiss on his head when he hurt himself. He remembered her song, the safety he felt when she sang to him.

Killian felt Henry relax in his hold, his breathing deepening as he sang the last words of the song. He pulled him closer to him and tried to blink away the wetness in his eyes.

“That was beautiful.”

He looked sharply up to find Emma standing by a nearby bookcase, a blanket over her shoulders, another in her arms. Her white dress reflected the moonlight and made her glow.

“Thank you.”

She smiled timidly, seemingly almost regretful to have shattered the quiet of the room but he could never regret being able to look at her. He hoped his eyes were welcoming enough to transmit the invitation his dry mouth could not. It seemed to work.

Emma moved quietly across the room. She draped her extra blanket over her two companions and he heard Henry sigh in his sleep. Her smile grew as she sat on the opposite side of the bench.

“What song was that?”

“It was a lullaby my mom used to sing to me.” He was sure his cheeks were bright red and he could only hope it wasn’t too noticeable. “Henry asked for it.”

“Not for a story?” Emma’s eyebrows furrowed in confusion.

Killian’s smile grew. “He said he didn’t want one because you weren’t here to listen.” Her eyes opened wide before she softened them to look fondly at the boy. “I agreed.”

Emma’s cheeks reddened and she looked away, outside the window. He joined her. Despite his happiness at seeing her, he could still feel her rejection like a dagger to his chest. They had been growing close. They trusted each other. They understood each other. How could he have been so wrong?

Killian felt the ghost of a touch - their legs were stretched side by side on the bench, the white fabric of her dress almost touching his dark one. She had come looking for them, for him. She had brought them a blanket. Maybe she was still afraid.

“I told you I had a great love,” Killian started in a quiet voice, pausing to allow her to remember their last night aboard the Black Pearl. “Her name was Milah. I met her more than a decade ago. I was young and naive, but I was in love. I was already part of Nemo’s crew and she wanted to join us - travel with us, go on adventures, see the world.

“I asked him, begged him to let her join but he refused. He told me I was blinded and that I didn’t know her. I was so angry, I left.”

Killian felt Emma’s eyes on him but he couldn’t look up, keeping his eyes on the landscape below.

“I stole a small merchant’s ship and we sailed together for about a year. They were the happiest moments of my life.”

He stopped for a moment, memories of what he was about to tell her filling his mind.

“You also told me you suffered a great loss,” Emma interrupted his thoughts with a whisper, a furrow on her brow. “I’m guessing this doesn’t have a happy ending.”

Killian shook his head. “She had told me she was married and, during our travels, she spoke of the son she left behind.” Guilt quieted him for a moment, unconsciously holding Henry tighter. “Milah told me of how unhappy she’d been with her husband but that she missed her son. I wanted to go back for the boy, but she refused. She didn’t think we could give him the life he deserved. And I didn’t mention it again.

“Her husband found us. She always spoke of him as a coward but when he found us, he was different. He had become the Dark One.” Emma’s widening eyes told him she had heard of the demon. “We had something he was looking for. Milah traded our freedom for it, but he went back on the deal. He killed her.” Killian took a deep steadying breath. “Tore her heart from her chest and crushed it right in front of me. He was the one who cut off my hand.

“Nemo found me. Our ship had gone adrift, miles from any coast. I had tried to fashion some sort of bandage but there was too much blood. I would have died if it wasn’t for him.”

“I can see why you’d want revenge.” Emma had folded her knees against her chest while he told his story, her arms around them.

“That’s not why I told you this.” Killian shook his head. Unable to touch her, approach her, Killian locked his eyes with hers, opening himself up to her. Letting himself be vulnerable. “I understand why you’re afraid. I was, too. Loving Milah was everything and losing her hurt more than I could ever imagine. I never thought I’d be able to let go of her, of my first love… Until I met you.

“That kiss-” He could see in her eyes that she wanted to look away but he wouldn’t let her. “That kiss wasn’t nothing. I know you felt it too.”

“Killia-”

“I’m falling for you, Emma.” Her eyes widened as her mouth followed. “And I believe you might feel the same way for me.”

He let silence fall between them.

“We don’t have time for this, we need to focus on getting Henry to Avalon,” Emma deflected.

“You’re coming with us, then?” Killian asked.

Her countenance was surprised and a flicker of hurt shone in her eyes. “Of course I am,” she said. “I gave my word.”

Killian nodded in satisfaction, pleased that his speculation about Emma continuing with them was correct. “We will get Henry to Avalon,” Killian said confidently. “But know this,” he continued, capturing her gaze again, “I’m not going to give up on us, Emma.”

She looked at him and he let her see the truth in his eyes - his promise to her, and the depth of his feelings. She stood up from the bench and his face fell. Her arms were wrapped around herself and her eyes never landed on anything for too long.

“It’s late, we should go to sleep,” she said as she walked away from him. “Henry’s room is at the end of the corridor on the left.”

“Goodnight, Emma.”

She paused with her hand on the doorknob. “Goodnight, Killian.”

---

Henry’s room was big. Too big for just the two of them and Killian pushed down the feeling that something was missing. He knew what was missing. As suspected, there wasn’t a room prepared for him. It didn’t matter, he wouldn’t have left Henry alone in such a big unknown castle, no matter who it belonged to.

The bed was soft when he laid Henry down, the boy curling up instantly. Killian quickly removed their coats and boots before he spread the blanket that had been around them in the library over the boy. He sat down against the headboard, not willing to let his guard down for a moment, his sword within easy reach.

Henry, probably noticing his presence, disregarded all the plush pillows on the bed to curl up against Killian’s side, his head pillowed on Killian’s thigh. A smile spread on Killian’s face almost instantly, as he’d begun to do more often in Henry’s presence, his hand on the boy’s head.

Killian hoped his sleep was quiet and peaceful, because he suspected a bigger battle was to come.

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kazoosandfannypacks · 2 years ago

Text

"Open to Interpretation" by kazoosandfannypacks

Chapter 10/16: Open to Interpretation Pairing: CaptainSwan Rating: General Word Count: (2.4K/24K) Summary: Emma Swan is appalled at works by modern artist Killian Jones- until a handsome stranger convinces her otherwise- and after introducing himself as the artist in question, he invites her out on a date. As their relationship develops, they find that they might not be as different from each other as originally thought. Chapter Summary: As they share about their lives on the way to the graduation, Killian asks Emma an important question- and then continues to flirt with her and attempt to win her heart Tags: au, fluff, captain swan, modern au Author's notes: Bonus chapter update this week! This one's one of the longer chapters in the fic, so I hope you like it! Taglist: @zahara @kmomof4 @jonesfandomfanatic @booksteaandtoomuchtv @jrob64 @tiganasummertree @anmylica @teamhook @undercaffinatednightmare @gingerchangeling @lonelyspectator @caught-in-the-filter @ultraluckycatnd @cs-rylie @pirateprincessofpizza @lfh1226-linda @pawshapedheart [if you'd like to be added to or removed from this list, hmu in my dms or askbox!]

Also on Ao3!

Killian looked at Emma again, thankful he was familiar enough with the empty back roads to let her distract him from time to time.

"What do you mean by that, love?" he asked.

"You're not the only broken person in this car, Emma said.

Killian nodded for her to continue.

"I moved in with my first boyfriend when I was sixteen," Emma said, "I thought he was my golden ticket out of the system- turns out a copper ticket gets you just as far. We didn't last very long- I'd had three more exes by the time I was twenty-one, and plenty more after that- and each of them left their own kind of scars."

He looked over at her to see her looking away, staring intently out the window.

"The last one lasted the longest," Emma said, "it would've been five years today if he hadn't dumped me two weeks ago."

"Two weeks ago?" Killian thought, "just a few days before I met her."

"What happened?"

Emma threw her head back against the seat and sighed. "He wanted to start seeing other people," Emma shook her head, "and a week later he'd found himself a shiny new girlfriend."

"Emma deserves so much better," Killian thought, "She deserves someone who treasures her, values her, someone whose intentions with her are true."

He swallowed a lump in his throat as he realized he wanted to be that for her. He wanted to bring her with him to all his exhibitions and benefit dinners. He wanted to sit on the couch with her and watch all their favorite movies together. He wanted to be the one to comfort her when she was hurting- to be the first one she turned to when she was hurting. He didn't want her companionship just to be a one time thing, or a brief fling- he wanted a relationship with Emma Swan.

Once he was sure she was done speaking, he spoke up.

"Forgive me if I'm bold in saying this," he said, "but you deserve so much better. You deserve someone who doesn't intend to let you down."

"Thanks," Emma smiled.

He took a deep breath.

"I don't intend to let you down," Killian said.

He turned to look at her, and she turned her eyes from his gaze. He looked back at the road they were driving down, knowing that focusing as well on driving might make the question he was about to ask so much easier.

"Emma?"

"Yeah?"

"You'll soon run out of pardons for me being so bold," Killian said, "but I have an important question. You can say yes. You can take as long as you need to think about it, consider it, answer it later. You can tell me to act like this conversation never happened."

"What conversation?" Emma asked.

"The one where I make a fool of myself," he sighed, "and ask to be your boyfriend."

She didn't respond.

He looked over at her, trying to read her averted expression carefully, her silence telling him to regret putting his heart on the line so soon.

She shook her head. "I don't think I'm ready."

"I understand, love," Killian tried to hide his disappointment behind a smile, "I figured you might not be ready now. I just," he sighed, "I just want you to know, my intentions with you are true. I have no intentions of leading you on or ever abandoning you."

He looked back over at her to find the fear he'd seen in her eyes slowly melting away.

"Thank you," Emma said, "and I'm sorry I… it's not that I don't like you- I kind of like you a lot- I just…."

"No need to apologize, love," he said, "I came on a little strong."

"You're fine," Emma said, "and maybe sometime something might work out, but right now…."

"A relationship is a work of art unto itself, Swan," he said, "it takes work, and planning, and sometimes the pieces that take longer than expected turn out to be your favorites. How about for now we just leave this one open to interpretation?"

"That sounds good to me," Emma said.

"Alright," he said.

And though he was saddened by the rejection, he knew not to give up so easily. Emma had put up a wall between them- her mistake, really- not because a wall would scare him away, but because the opposite was true. Something about the challenge allured him, excited him. People only put up walls when they have something of value to protect, and Emma was a treasure like no other. Getting to her, to the treasure she'd buried within herself- that would be quite the feat, and none was more motivated than Killian Jones. He started contemplating all the little ways he could begin to woo her- subtle acts of devotion, stolen glances, romantic dinners, affectionate whispers, passionate touches.

Of course, he'd do all that and more, no strings attached, if he knew their relationship would never be more than what it was, if it'd always be "open to interpretation." He took delight in the idea of doing things for Emma simply because he fancied her. What they had was already more than he deserved from a wonderful woman like Emma Swan.

But more than anything else in the world, he wanted to win her heart.

The roads they traveled grew more and more familiar as they got closer and closer to what Killian had once called home. Every now and then, he'd point out some place, some memory, something that called him back to his childhood- and those moments grew closer together the closer they got to his hometown.

"The Smees used to live there," Killian said, pointing to a house they passed by, "their son Billy and I used to be best friends, until they moved away."

"How long ago was that?" Emma asked.

"Long enough ago that I remember him as 'Billy' and not 'William.'" Killian said.

"I see."

"And that's the soccer field Lee used to play on," Killian said, "I was never into sports, but I'd always go to the games to cheer him on."

"That's so sweet," Emma said.

"Someone had to," Killian said, "and it certainly wasn't gonna be our dad. But I always looked up to Lee, wanted to be just like him someday."

Killian looked out the window solemnly, really missing his big brother's advice these past few years.

"I think he'd be proud of you," Emma said.

Killian smiled a little, "I sure hope so. But he'd sure find things are different."

"How so?"

"When our mom passed away, my dad sent us away to our grandmas." Killian said, "We returned to find he'd tossed out photos of her, sold her belongings, removed her very memory from the house- I didn't understand it at the time, but having been in his shoes, I understand the pain of a memory.

"But when Lee passed, I knew my father would do the same thing- I was away at college, and I came back for Christmas break to find everything of his- and a few things of mine- gone from our old room."

"That must've been hard," Emma said.

"Fortunately I had the foresight to save something," Killian smiled and held out his hand, motioning to a ring on it, "his class ring. He always said it was a good luck charm- I guess it wasn't so lucky in the end though."

Emma's hand returned to his shoulder, her touch a comfort like none other in the world.

"I'm so sorry," she said.

"It's alright," he smiled, "I'm learning not to dwell on the past, to live in the present instead."

As they rounded the next corner, Killian got hit with a wave of nostalgia- seeing the high school he'd once graduated from for the first time in years.

"Good old Hyperion High," Killian smiled, "I did four years here as a lad."

"Did they give you an early release for good behavior?"

"Something like that," Killian chuckled.

He looked down at his watch- there were still twenty minutes until the graduation started- and he quickly found a parking space.

As soon as he'd parked the car, he got out and ran to Emma's door so he could open it for her before she got to it first. He quickly opened her door and held out a hand to help her out of the car.

"You know," Emma said, taking his hand and stepping out of the car, "I am capable of opening doors for myself, Killian,"

"What a coincidence," he said, noting to himself again how the colors and figure of her dress complemented her natural beauty, "I'm capable of opening doors for you too."

She rolled her eyes as he closed the door behind her.

"Besides, I enjoy getting the door for you," Killian said, "makes me feel useful."

"Who am I to deprive you that luxury?" Emma smiled. She then looked over her reflection in his car's tinted windows.

"How do I look?" Emma asked.

Though Killian wasn't going to pass up the excuse to stare at her more, and to appreciate even more how breathtaking she was, he already had a response to her question at the ready, having been thinking of compliments to sweep her off her feet since he first laid eyes on her that day.

"Shining like Starry Night," Killian said, stepping behind her and watching his reflection in the window do the same, "more lovely than Monet's Impression Sunrise, and more beautiful than The Birth of Venus."

Emma blushed as he put a hand on her shoulder.

"Mona Lisa and The Girl With The Pearl Earring envy your beauty, and your grace, and charm."

'I suppose this is what I get for dating an artist?" Emma said.

"All dates come with a price," Killian said.

"Don't I know it."

"And the price of an artist is you're spending an evening with someone who appreciates your beauty," he said, "though there's much of it, and even as a professional in the subject, I still don't feel I do it justice."

"If you're trying to fluster me, it's not gonna work," Emma said.

"Bold words, but your flawless face betrays them," he brushed her cheek with his thumb, "your cheeks are flushed with a pink so vibrant, I'm surprised Semple hasn't tried to bottle it."

The pink grew even more vibrant as he said that. He spun around to her side so his arm was wrapped around her shoulder, then he let her hand trickle down to her side instead.

"You didn't ask me how you looked," Emma pointed out as they walked together towards the school.

"Oh?" he asked, "my apologies. How do I look, Swan?"

She smiled as she gave him a once-over with her eyes.

"I see why you never painted a self portrait," she said, "I can imagine it'd be hard to capture something so handsome on canvas. Not even the great Killian Jones could do it justice."

Her fingers gently grazed his cheek as they walked along, and he tried to remind himself not to let her words and her touch get to him too much yet.

"Though I suppose if you could do it," she said, "you'd make millions off such a beautiful work of art."

A heavy sigh slipped through his wide smile.

"Pull yourself together," he thought, "she's already wooed you; you're trying to woo her, remember."

"And if I could capture your beauty on a canvas," he said, "I'd never need to paint another masterpiece again."

She smiled and nestled her head against his shoulder for a moment as they entered the school.

Killian was hit with a touch of nostalgia once they were inside. He remembered walking through those doors every morning in his teenage years on his way to classes.

All the nostalgia would have to wait though, as Killian was greeted by two familiar faces- his father and step mother.

"Ah, glad to see you didn't bail out on us last minute, Killian," his dad said, greeting him with a handshake.

"And miss out on my own brother's graduation?" Killian asked, faking civility, "wouldn't miss it for the world."

"And I take it this is that girl you won't stop talking about," his dad then turned to Emma and shook her hand.

"I didn't talk about her that much," Killian thought, hoping he wasn't blushing too much.

"Emma," she introduced herself.

"Brennan Jones," he said, "and this is my wife, Fiona."

Emma shook hands as well with her.

"A pleasure to meet you both," Emma said, then turned back to Brennan, "you really have raised a pretty great son."

Killian smiled a little as Emma put her hand on his shoulder and smiled at him.

"Always warms a father's heart to hear that," his dad responded, "some days we wonder."

He laughed a little, and Fiona and Emma did too, albeit respectively more awkwardly.

"And don't worry," Killian said, hoping he could prove he'd done something right before his dad tried to throw in another backhanded insult, "potato salad's in a cooler in the car."

"We'll get that in the fridge as soon as we get home," Fiona said, "Liam's so looking forward to the party tomorrow."

"His big brother couldn't be prouder of him," Killian said.

"We should probably all go take our seats before the ceremony starts," Brennan said.

They followed him into the auditorium, towards the front of the room.

Killian shook his head a little, fighting off the nostalgia.

"The last time I was in this room was my graduation- our graduation. Milah and I had such high hopes for our future- she was almost more excited about my art scholarship than I was. Gosh, I miss her."

But then he happened to glance at Emma, and see her smile at him as they sat down next to each other in the folding auditorium seats.

"Stop dwelling on the past, or you'll miss out on the present," he thought.

He smiled back at Emma, then, not too quickly but not too slowly, wrapped his arm around the back of her seat, his hand on her shoulder.

When he'd lost Milah, Killian thought he'd never get into a relationship again, not willing to put his heart out just to have it broken again. But with Emma, he almost felt he could love again. It was like she made him forget, forget all the pain that love can bring- and at the same time made him remember, remember all the hope and joy that comes with it.

And he wanted to savor every second of it.

#captain swan #once upon a time #killian jones #emma swan #ouat #cs ff #cs fanfiction #cs au #once upon a time season 6 #brennan jones #fiona ouat #kazzy writes open to interpretation

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kazoosandfannypacks · 2 years ago

Text

"Open to Interpretation" by kazoosandfannypacks

Chapter 9/16: Blue Skin Pairing: CaptainSwan Rating: General Word Count: (1.7K/24K) Summary: Emma Swan is appalled at works by modern artist Killian Jones- until a handsome stranger convinces her otherwise- and after introducing himself as the artist in question, he invites her out on a date. As their relationship develops, they find that they might not be as different from each other as originally though. Chapter Summary: Emma talks about Killian with her coworkers. Emma and Killian drive to the graduation the next day Tags: au, fluff, captain swan, modern au Author's notes: n/a Taglist: @zahara @kmomof4 @jonesfandomfanatic @booksteaandtoomuchtv @jrob64 @tiganasummertree @anmylica @teamhook @undercaffinatednightmare @gingerchangeling @lonelyspectator @caught-in-the-filter @ultraluckycatnd @cs-rylie @pirateprincessofpizza @lfh1226-linda @pawshapedheart [if you'd like to be added to or removed from this list, hmu in my dms or askbox!]

Also on Ao3!

Thursday night's shift had gone pretty well for Emma- she was only blatantly objectified by three of the customers at the truck stop, and it was a slow night. She was also particularly proud of herself- she'd managed to pack for her weekend with Killian's family, clean up a little so she wouldn't come back to a messy apartment, and even get the dishes done that morning- and that afternoon she'd finally had the time and motivation to finish the painting she was working on- so she went into work with a sense of accomplishment. On top of all that, her two favorite co-workers were working the same shift as her.

"I still can't believe you're meeting his parents tomorrow," Ruby said, during the lull after their dinner rush.

"I almost don't believe it either," Emma said.

"Don't you think you're moving too fast?" Lily asked.

"I'm going to his step-brother's highschool graduation," Emma said. "It's not like we're getting married and starting a new life in Oklahoma or something cliché like that."

Lily shook her head, "I just want you to take care of yourself, Em. You're just getting off a rough breakup, and…."

"And what?"

"All I'm saying is," Lily said, "you've been running from one bad relationship right into another since we were seventeen."

"This is different," Emma said, "Killian's a really great guy."

"Okay," Ruby said, "besides the fact that he's a professional artist and, in your own words, 'equal parts emotional and intellectual' and 'hotter than Orlando Bloom in Pirates of the Caribbean,' what exactly makes him different from the last one?"

Emma rolled her eyes, but she still smiled at the thought of the great catch she'd landed.

"For one, he actually has a soul," Emma said, "and he appreciates my music taste."

"That's what you said two exes ago," Lily said.

"Okay," Emma said, and leaned a little closer so no one else around would overhear, "but when all he got from me was a good night kiss, he took 'no' for an answer, and didn't push me any further."

"Really?" Ruby asked, both herself and Lily seeming a bit taken aback.

"I can't say that about any of the last ones," Emma said.

"Or half our customers, for that matter." Ruby rolled her eyes as a trucker across the room whistled for her. She grabbed a nearby pot of coffee and brought it to him for a refill.

"Okay, so he's got that going for him," Lily said, "just watch yourself."

"I will," Emma said.

After all, she'd always been good at that.

Fourteen hours later, Emma and Killian were driving down backroads, blasting country music on the radio and singing along.

"You really don't have to do this," Killian said.

"What, sing along to the radio?" Emma asked.

"No, love," he said, "you don't have to come to this with me."

"I want to," Emma said, "I like getting to know you."

"You may not like it so much after today," Killian said, "though now that I think about it, it's hardly fair."

"What?" Emma asked.

"On our last date I revealed much about myself," he said, "but I've still yet to learn much at all about the mystery that is Emma Swan."

"Oh?" Emma looked at him, "what's there to know?"

"Everything," he said, "where did you grow up? What do you do for a living? What do you do for fun?"

"Do I tell him I grew up in the system?" Emma thought, "and I work at a truck stop? And do I tell the greatest artist I've ever met that I paint too and risk the shame of showing my art to him?"

"I moved around a lot as a kid," Emma said, "I'm a waitress, and when I'm not doing that- or finding a date at the art museum- I hang out with friends sometimes, I guess."

"A waitress?" Killian asked, "what restaurant?"

"I'd be hard pressed to call it that," Emma rolled her eyes and sighed.

"More of a dive than a diner or a drive in?"

"Try truck stop," Emma said, instantly regretting her words.

"Truck stop?" he asked, "that's pretty cool."

"Cool?" Emma asked. There was nothing cool about being a waitress at a truck stop.

"Truckers are important people," Killian said, "they spend days away from their families so other families can go to the store and buy groceries."

"Spoken like someone who's never met a trucker," Emma said.

He didn't respond, and instead he glanced over at her, a split second's eye contact as he said, "My older brother was a trucker."

Emma shrunk down in her seat, knowing what had happened to his brother and how deeply he respected him.

"I'm so sorry, Killian," she said, "I…."

"No, that's alright," Killian laughed, "he didn't hold the other truckers in high esteem either."

"I don't blame him," Emma said.

She didn't want to talk any more about the truck stop, and Killian seemed to notice, switching the conversation to something else.

"So, you moved around a lot as a kid?"

"Yeah," Emma shrugged, unsure how to bring this topic up either.

"Did your dad travel a lot for work or something?"

"Which one?" she rolled her eyes.

He turned to look at her, a bit confused, hoping for further explanation.

Emma leaned closer to him and spoke quieter, despite the fact that they were the only ones around.

"I grew up in the foster system," she said.

He turned back to her again, this time smiling a little.

"Small world after all," he said.

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"My younger brother, Liam," Killian shook his head, "my step mom adopted him out of the foster system before she met my dad."

"Really?" Emma asked.

"Yeah. Do you honestly think I'd lie to you about something that important?" Killian asked.

"I don't know," Emma teased, "are you the kind of person who'd 'forget' to tell me you painted the art we're debating, or who'd 'forget' to mention you're promoting the benefit dinner you're taking me to?"

"That's hardly the same thing, Swan," he said.

"I know," Emma smiled, "and I do appreciate you sharing that."

Her workplace and her family- or, her lack of the latter- were two of the things she was most scared to admit to- and if Killian could accept them so casually, maybe he'd be just as accepting of any other skeletons in her closet.

Killian turned the radio off.

"Hey, Emma?"

"Yeah?"

"Remember at the banquet when you said I can talk about what happened when I'm ready?"

She turned back to look at him, to make sure he was still serious.

"About your late wife?"

"I think I'm ready to talk now," he said, "if you want to listen."

"Of course," Emma said.

He sighed, "I guess there's not too much to tell," he shrugged, "other than everything."

Emma put a hand on his arm and smiled. He looked down at her, gave half a serious chuckle, then smiled sadly.

"Milah and I were highschool sweethearts," he began, his smile shifting to a happy one as he recalled the memories, "just two kids whose parents said we'd never make it. Her parents didn't think an art major could support her, and my dad, well, he didn't think anything I did was good enough. But we proved them all wrong.

"Shortly after I graduated from art school, Milah and I got married. We didn't have much, but we had each other, and I was the happiest I've ever been."

He glanced over at Emma, and she nodded for him to continue.

"Her diagnosis came out of the blue," he said, "she'd been showing a few symptoms, but assured me it was no big deal. It was just a routine check-up. And then my world shattered again."

"Again?"

"When I lost my mother, I still had my brother, Lee. When I lost Lee, I still had Milah. When I lost Milah," he shook his head, "I lost everything. The only family I had left was my dad, who had a shiny new family of his own. My friends were few, and far between- all I had left was my art, and I lost myself in it. I painted more in that first year without her than I ever had in my life."

Emma nodded, unsure what to even say to all that.

"As you might've figured, that's why the benefit dinner last week mattered so much to me," he said, "at risk of sounding self righteous, a lot of the commission I earn for most of my art goes to the Humbert fund, working to end that terrible disease. I'd go as far as to say I'd give my own life if it meant ridding this world of endocarditis."

Emma tried to put herself in Killian's shoes for a moment, tried to consider the pain of losing everything, taken unfairly from you in just a moment.

"How do you even live after that?" Emma thought. She'd had her fair share of breakups, but she'd never lost someone she loved who actually loved her in return.

"Those paintings," Emma said, "Sad Song, Grief. You painted them that year."

"You're quite perceptive," he bit his lip.

"I'm so sorry about all that you went through," Emma said.

"It's alright," he shook his head, "I wouldn't be where I am in my career if I hadn't lost her. Still, I'd trade everything I've done for one more moment with her."

Emma nodded, and they both sat in silence a moment longer. She let go of his arm and put her hand on his shoulder.

"Thank you for sharing that," Emma said.

"Thank you for listening."

Emma let go of his shoulder and slumped back in her seat. He'd just been so vulnerable with her- he let her see clear through to his heart.

"What was that poem you quoted at the museum?" Emma asked.

"Masks?" Killian asked.

"That's the one."

"'She had blue skin, and so did he." Killian said, "He kept it hid, and so did she. They searched for blue their whole lives through- then passed right by…" he paused to look at Emma, "and never knew.' Why were you asking?"

"I think you just took off your mask," Emma said, shaking her head, "and you're not the only one with blue skin."

#captain swan #once upon a time #killian jones #emma swan #ouat #cs ff #cs fanfiction #cs au #once upon a time season 6 #lily ouat #ruby lucas #kazzy writes open to interpretation

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exhaustedpirate · 11 months ago

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parent for hire

and here we are, as promised the last chapter of our trio's adventure! enjoy and weep! as always, krystal has been the most amazing beta i could ever ask for, this fic is definitely my gift to her so @kmomof4, this is for you!

Chapter Seven - Avalon

word count: 16,443 words

rating: Teen and Up

tag list: @cocohook38 ; @bluewildcatfanatic ; @piraterefrigerator ; @sotangledupinit ; @booksteaandtoomuchtv ; @teamhook

Emma’s hand was on the hilt of her sword as she looked between the newcomer and Killian. He could feel their eyes on his face. Henry’s hand came up to his sleeve making him take a deep breath and finally face the man he considered a father.

While he had expected disappointment, Nemo’s face was unreadable with a small smile threatening to break through. That caught Killian off guard.

"Captain." Killian acknowledged with a nod, confusion and uncertainty making him more nervous. "Nemo, I-"

"Wait, you're Nemo?!" Henry interrupted, the confirmation of his identity enough to make him confident of the lack of danger.

"You've heard of me?" Nemo asked with an amused expression as he glanced at Killian before he turned back to the child.

Killian felt Emma's gaze on him as he tried to discern Nemo's thoughts. He glanced towards her with a shy half-smile, his cheeks reddening. Her lips pressed in a thin line in an effort not to laugh.

He made quite the figure, he was sure, acting like the child he hadn’t been for a long time.

"Killian talks about you a lot!"

"Not a lot, just-"

Henry ignored Killian’s feeble attempt at an unnecessary argument as he continued to watch the captain. "I feel like I already know you."

A warm smile graced Nemo's face as he turned to Killian, who scratched the back of neck in embarrassment. Henry seemed completely unaware of the shared look.

"I'm Henry and this is Emma,” he continued, excitedly. “We have so much to tell you!"

Emma placed a hand on Henry's shoulder to gently pull the boy away from the two men. She leaned down to whisper something in his ear. Whatever she said was enough for the boy to settle against her, his hands on her wrists from where they were placed against his chest.

Killian would have to thank her for that at some point.

"What are you doing here?" Killian asked, clearing his throat at the childlike tone of his voice.

"It's like I said, I have been looking for you," Nemo answered, placing his hand on his shoulder, warmth swirling in his eyes.

It was a welcome weight and it felt as if no time had passed by since the last time he did that. It felt like home, like care, like love. Killian tried to hold back his feelings with a nod.

Nemo smiled with understanding. How he missed that smile.

"Come, children, we're your transportation for the last leg of your journey," Nemo said with a pat on Killian's shoulder before walking past them towards the docks.

Killian had already seen the ship, but now, no longer desperate to run away, he was able to properly look at her. He hadn’t seen her in a decade and she still looked the same, despite the clear signs of use. The fabric along the balloon had been changed - his fingers still stung from sewing the fabric on it all those years ago. She still looked like home.

But his companions hadn’t seen her and he watched amusedly as Emma’s surprise took over her face and heard Henry’s loud excited gasp and saw his starstruck eyes.

He had been much the same when he first saw the ship.

"We're going on that ship?!" Henry spoke loudly as he rushed to grab the Captain’s sleeve.

“Finest airship on the seven seas,” Nemo proudly proclaimed.

“And skies,” Killian added, receiving a fond smile from Nemo.

“Skies? Wait, it flies?” Emma asked, shocked.

“Of course.”

“You never said it was a flying ship!” Henry turned betrayed eyes towards him.

Killian looked at his companions with a flustered expression.

Nemo laughed. "Welcome aboard the Caspartine!"

"This is great!" Henry began running up the gangplank, stopping halfway when a man appeared standing at the top of it.

"I believe you need permission from the Captain to come aboard." The man's voice was stern, his hands clasped behind his back.

Killian took a step forward as Emma's hand went to her sword. He turned to Nemo, gauging his reaction to a stranger aboard his ship but all he saw was a calm smile that reached his eyes. Killian placed his hand on Emma’s arm reassuringly.

"I thought-" Henry's confusion caused a smile to stretch across the stranger's lips.

"Friends," Nemo began as he reached Henry's side and placed a hand on his shoulder. "This is Captain Alberic Shakespeare."

Killian recognised the name and turned wide eyes to the man he never thought he’d meet.

"You have two Captains?"

"It's a big ship, my boy," Shakespeare answered with a secretive smile towards Nemo.

"Can I be a Captain, too?"

"Henry," Killian called, attempting to calm the boy’s enthusiasm.

"You have to get acquainted with her first, don't you think?" Nemo answered with a raised eyebrow.

"May I?" Henry asked, turning to Killian and Emma with pleading eyes.

Killian sighed with a smile.

"As long as the Captains are okay with it," Emma agreed with a warm smile.

Henry turned the same look towards the two men in front of him. Killian's smile widened as he thought about just how effective that look was.

"Of course, Master Henry. It's our honor," Shakespeare answered with an outstretched arm towards the deck.

Henry wasted no time running inside.

"Be careful!" Killian called out, completely ignored by the excited boy. He heard Emma snort and turned a raised eyebrow towards her. She shrugged with an innocent smile.

With their intermediary gone, Killian and Emma joined the two Captains on the deck. Killian’s amusement vanished as his nerves returned with a vengeance.

"Alberic, this is Emma," Nemo introduced, motioning towards the blonde.

"Emma Swan," she added, holding out a hand towards the Captain.

Shakespeare took it in his own before turning it to place a soft kiss on the back of it. Emma smiled as her cheeks turned red, much to his amusement. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Miss Swan."

“Call me Emma.”

Shakespeare smiled before turning towards Killian. "And this must be Killian Jones."

Pushing his nerves down, Killian nodded before stretching his hand towards the Captain.

"I've heard much about you," Shakespeare said as they looked at each other. His unreadable expression made Killian wonder about his opinion of him, on what he did to Nemo. Was it possible to have disappointed the man before they even met?

“As have I.”

Killian wondered if his nervous expression was noticeable. Shakespeare smiled, a warm smile that reminded him of Nemo and Killian’s heart calmed.

“It’s a pleasure to finally meet you, Killian.”

Killian returned the smile.

“Likewise, Captain.”

They separated somewhat awkwardly to find Emma and Nemo looking at them. Killian recognised the thinly veiled pride in Nemo’s eyes while Emma seemed to have found their interaction fondly amusing. He rolled his eyes at her even as his smile grew.

"Emma, Killian, look at me!" Henry called from the top of the rigging. Killian's heart stuttered in his chest and Emma gasped.

"Henry, get down from there!" Emma called out as they moved toward the ropes where a crew member watched the boy amusedly.

"He's safe. You know that, Killian. You used to be a lot worse," Nemo commented drily with a fond smile.

"But I was also older than him."

"Not by much."

It was just a moment, where everything felt like it was back to normal. But that wasn’t the case, and they both knew it. The truth was in Nemo's older face, the fact that Killian no longer needed to look up at the man, in the weariness in their eyes.

It had to be visible to the others.

"Why don't I show you and Master Henry around the ship?" Shakespeare placed his hand on Emma's back catching her attention.

She took a moment to look at Killian. He smiled back reassuringly. Emma touched his arm in support before she turned back to the Captain with a smile.

"That would be great. I just hope you're ready for how excited Henry is going to be," Emma warned with a wide smile.

"There's two of us and one of him,” Shakespeare replied confidently. “I think we have the advantage, don't you?"

He winked at her and Emma couldn’t hold back a snort of laughter as they walked together towards the rigging. "You'd be surprised."

Killian smiled longingly at their retreating backs wishing he could be present for Henry's tour of the ship - even if he knew he'd get a detailed retelling of it. Turning back to Nemo’s patient smile, he knew he had something more important to do at the moment.

“We’ll be setting sail shortly. Why don’t we go to my quarters?” Nemo asked with a nod towards the heavy door ahead of them.

Killian nodded, not trusting his own voice.

All at once, all the feelings he had spent the last decade pushing down, threatened to drown him. For years, Killian had despaired over how angry Nemo must have been at him. Over how disappointed he was, how much he must hate him.

Looking at his Captain now, he knew he had been blinded by sadness and guilt. Still, his heart beat faster at what was to come.

As they walked across the deck, the bustling crew frequently stopped them to give him enthusiastic handshakes, nods of recognition, and even one bone-crushing hug. Starkey still had a lot of strength for someone as old as he was. Killian thought they'd be angry. That they’d resent him for what he did. But the outpouring of love was as unexpected as it was overwhelming. But also good. Very, very good.

Once they were below, Killian took a deep breath in preparation. He followed in silence through the familiar passages until they reached the doors of the Captain's Quarters.

Like the ship, it still looked the same. The back wall was still full of the books Killian loved to read, there were still rolled up maps on top of the desk ready to be used, the chair he used to sit on and pretend to be captain was still the same.

But there were differences. The amount of books had grown exponentially, there were things on both sides of the made-up bed, there were flowers in the vase by the window that had stood empty for years. Chief of all, there was a second large chair next to the old one.

The door closed behind him and the silence was beginning to swallow him whole. He turned towards the Captain, itching to break the quiet.

"I understand you must be angry with me, I shouldn't have left, but-"

Killian's confession was interrupted when strong arms surrounded him. For all the many times he imagined their reunion, he never thought he would experience Nemo’s embrace again. It was almost embarrassing how quickly Killian reciprocated the hug. The feeling of comfort, of love, of home that he thought he had lost long ago surrounded him.

His fingers turned white where they grasped Nemo's jacket, his face hidden in the man's shoulder. Later, he would notice the equal desperation in Nemo’s grip.

"I'm so happy to see you, my boy."

His heart was set to explode right out of his chest. For so long, he thought Nemo would be angry with him. He vividly imagined his rejection if they were ever to see each other again. It would have killed him to see the dismissive expression he imagined on the man's face. But it would have been no less than he deserved.

Now, all those thoughts felt like a nightmare.

"I'm sorry for leaving." It was easier to say without looking at his face.

Earlier than he wished, Nemo broke the hug to place his hands on Killian's shoulders, keeping the younger man's eyes on him. They both ignored the watery shine to their eyes.

"Don’t apologize, Killian. All that matters is that you’re back."

"How are you not angry at me? Y-You asked me to stay, and still I…I left."

"I couldn’t stop you." Nemo shrugged with a soft smile. With a pat to his shoulder, he sat at the table, urging Killian to take the other seat. "I realized that, no matter how much I wanted you to stay, you needed to go."

"I wanted to stay," Killian admitted. He sat down, forearms on the table, fingers playing with his hook. "I felt ashamed that I couldn't let go of my grief, of my need for revenge."

"Why did you feel ashamed of that?"

"You told me what happened when you lost Shakespeare and how you found the person responsible. How you stopped yourself from killing them.” Killian paused for a moment and took a deep breath. “I thought I was failing you for not being able to let go of my grief, of my anger.” He paused again, struggling to keep his voice level. "I thought that the only thing that mattered was getting my revenge."

“You must know that isn’t true. You’ve never failed me.”

"I headed down a dark path. I didn’t want to see the disappointment in your eyes." Killian's head dropped as he scratched the back of his neck. “I did much that I’m not proud of.”

"I know." He raised apprehensive eyes to meet Nemo's even as the man smiled in understanding. "I’ve been checking on you," he explained. “You will always be my son, Killian. Grief doesn’t change the fact that you are very much the boy I saved from the sea.”

Killian swallowed around the lump in his throat as he clearly heard the reassurance and love in the man’s voice. He realized that his fear had taken him away from his father, from the support he needed. He nodded minutely, still overwhelmed by the sentiment.

“I missed you.” It felt good to say it, to let out the breath he had been holding for a decade. “I wanted to find you so many times in the years we’ve been apart, but never more than in the past few weeks.”

Killian kept his eyes away, not wanting to get distracted.

"I accepted a deal that would bring me very close to my revenge. They told me they would give me a weapon strong enough to kill my demon. All I needed to do was bring them someone, a wizard, they said.” Killian took a deep breath, finally looking at Nemo’s caring eyes. “It turned out to be Henry. When I saw him, actually saw him, I knew I couldn’t go through with it. I just… couldn’t.”

“I know.” Nemo nodded, a compassionate look in his eyes.

He would know. If there was anyone that would know, it would be him.

"Aye. After that, it's been chaos. Henry… h-he's special."

"Yes, the Heart of the Truest Believer."

His head shot up, looking at Nemo with wide eyes. Instinct brought his hand to his waist, the hilt of his dagger skimming his fingers. Deep down he knew Nemo could never, but with all they had been through…

"Relax, my boy, I am not a threat to the child," Nemo said placatingly, hands raised from the table.

"How do you know about him?"

There was a glimmer of pride in his Captain’s eyes that he didn’t understand. "I had been trying to find a way to get Shakespeare back and one of my journeys took me to Avalon.” Killian’s eyes widened but he let him finish his tale. “There, I met Nimue. She helped me get him back and enlisted my help to guide Henry to her.”

“You’ve been to Avalon? We’ve been trying to find it for weeks.”

Killian took out the map he carried in his satchel, extending it on the table, only to find Nemo with a different map in his hand, a smirk on his face.

“When you were preparing your bags, you should have grabbed the right map, lad.” Smirk widening, he opened the map over Killian’s.

They looked the same - same lines, same layout - the only difference was an island on the top right corner. On Killian’s map, it was simply a storm prone area, uncharted. On Nemo’s, there was a defined layout of an island, Avalon scripted over it.

“We’ve been following Cygnus, like you always taught me, like the prophecy said.” Killian kept looking at the maps, embarrassment threatening to peek through. “We’ve been going back and forth through this realm, putting ourselves in danger, when I could have prevented it all by just grabbing the right map…”

“You didn’t know,” Nemo reassured him, placing his hand over the map to bring Killian’s eyes back to him. “You did the best you could and from what I could see, you’ve done a great job.”

“Henry’s been through too much. He’s had to watch us in very dangerous situations, all because I-”

“Because you cared for him enough to stay by his side, despite the danger.”

Killian’s accusing thoughts quieted.

“Do you know what I see?” Nemo asked. “I see a boy who found two people to love when he thought he was doomed to unhappiness.”

Killian frowned, confused over Nemo’s phrasing.

“I see three people who were alone in the world, wanting to find love. I see the way you found each other and realized you could find a home in each other and fought to preserve it. Am I wrong?”

Killian looked away, trying to hide his reddened cheeks but he knew the way he scratched the back of his neck was a clear sign of discomfort. Because Nemo was right.

“You’re not. You never are. I love them.” Killian sighed with a pathetic shrug before standing up to look out the large window at the sea. “Emma is incredible. She’s brave, clever and we understand each other. And Henry… Well, he has my heart.”

He could see Nemo’s smile from the corner of his eye. “I know how you feel.”

“No, he really has my heart.” Killian turned to look at him and his smile ticked up at Nemo’s confused expression.The weight on his chest is heavier now that he has had time to process what they just went through. “He died. Gave his heart to Pan to save us. So, we decided to save him, too.” Killian took a deep stabilizing breath. “Emma and I split our hearts and put them together to give to Henry.”

“Killian…” Nemo stood up from his seat to join him at the large window.

“We couldn’t let him die. He’s only a child. He had so much life to live yet.” He couldn’t control his wobbly voice and blurry vision anymore. “I would have given him my heart, I would have died in his place if I had to, but… Emma…” He sighed her name. “Emma suggested we split our hearts, give the halved pieces to Henry, and it worked.”

“Seeing him lifeless on the ground…” He continued to look out the window, not seeing the bright blue ocean but instead Henry’s dead body. “You’ve met him, he has so much energy, he’s so warm, engaging, always on the go, and to see him so quiet and still…”

Killian hadn’t noticed the tears that were making their way down his cheeks until he felt Nemo’s thumb wiping them away. The way the older man pulled him into a tight embrace helped him sustain the heavy weight on his chest. His tears flowed freely.

“He’s alright, my boy,” Nemo whispered, his hand on the back of his head. “At this moment, he’s somewhere on the ship asking a million questions and touching everything.” Killian let out a watery chuckle and took a much needed deep breath. “He’s safe.”

For a moment, Killian wondered who had been there to reassure Nemo when he had lost his hand. Who had told him that he would live, that he would be safe.

Nemo’s constant reassurances and steady support managed to calm Killian’s breathing, his tight grip on the man’s back to loosen. They separated from the embrace and Killian wiped away his tears under Nemo’s caring gaze.

“I’m so proud of you, my boy.”

Killian’s smile was watery. “I never thought I’d see you again, much less hear something like that from you.”

“Then we’ll have to make up for lost time.”

Nemo’s smile was wide and inviting and Killian could only nod in response. It was all he had ever wanted for the past decade - to be with his father again.

“But for now, we have a rambunctious young boy loose on the ship and, just between the two of us, I don’t know if Emma and Alberic are able to control him alone.”

Killian laughed, his heart full at the idea of his whole family aboard the ship he called home for so many years. He nodded.

“Aye, we should go lend them a hand.” He wiggled his hook as well as his eyebrows and reveled in Nemo’s surprised laughter.

Despite his happiness at being back aboard The Caspartine, his nerves had stopped him from completely appreciating the agelessness of the ship. Walking down its corridors now felt exactly as it had all that time ago, despite the few differences.

“You found a way to bring back Shakespeare?”

“Ah, yes,” Nemo’s smile was involuntary and Killian could only return it. “As I said, I went to Avalon and Nimue told me where he was being kept and how to find the weapon to rescue him.”

“Who’s this Nimue?”

“She’s the Lady of the Lake. She’s the one who will take you to Merlin.”

Killian nodded, even as dread filled him - Nimue would be the one to take Henry, to separate them. For a moment, he wished he could stop time, have more time with him.

“It’s his destiny, Killian, he needs to be taken to Merlin.”

He wasn’t surprised that Nemo knew what was on his mind.

“I know.”

“Besides, he’ll be back.” Nemo spoke with such certainty that Killian turned to him with surprised eyes. “The boy loves you. He won’t want to stay away forever.”

Killian smiled. “I hope you’re right.”

They approached the door to the study. Inside, they heard music and laughter. His smile widened, already expecting what he would find.

They opened the door quietly to see Henry sat between Emma and Shakespeare, the three huddled on the small piano bench. The music from the instrument filled the room, accompanied by Henry and Emma’s irregular and dissonant tune drowning out Shakespeare’s attempt at a song. Their laughter was a far better symphony, anyway.

Killian imagined enjoying this happiness for the rest of his days and he yearned for it. He felt a gaze on the side of his face.

The three maestros finished the improvised song in a fit of laughter and Killian joined Nemo in a round of applause. The noise drew the trio’s attention and Henry almost fell from the bench trying to turn to the new arrivals.

“Did you hear our song?” Henry asked. “The captain is teaching us to play!”

“I’ll make a virtuoso out of you, Master Henry,” Shakespeare boasted with a wide smile.

Henry scrunched his nose. “What does that mean?”

“It means that he wants to teach you to play piano like a professional,” Emma answered.

“Yes, please!” Henry’s face lit up. “This was so much fun!”

“It’s a deal.” Shakespeare grinned before he turned to Emma. “Although, our Emma has quite the talent for someone who’s never touched a piano before.”

Killian relished her red cheeks - to see the strong, confident Emma falter under such appreciative words. “Must be that royal blood of yours,” he said. Emma shot him a look of utter betrayal even as her cheeks turned impossibly redder.

“We have a princess aboard?” Nemo asked and Killian noticed how he straightened his posture, much to his amusement. His navy days might be in the past but it was clear some things had stuck.

“Yeah, she’s the princess of Misthaven!” Henry said excitedly, much to Emma’s dismay.

“Just a very recent discovery, it doesn’t really matter.” Emma tried to wave away before glaring at Killian, who had the decency to look properly chastised.

“Nonsense!” Shakespeare spoke up. “We shall celebrate tonight.”

“Oh no, there’s really no need to fuss.”

“Actually, there is,” Nemo interrupted. “We have Killian back home.” It was Killian’s turn to blush and Emma smirked.

“Exactly,” Shakespeare continued. “We’ll celebrate Killian’s return and the two of you. The crew will love it!”

It was surprising to see the interactions between Nemo and Shakespeare. For all that he had heard about the man, he had never thought he would be such an enthusiastic character. The way Shakespeare brought out Nemo’s more animated, lively side while Nemo made sure Shakespeare’s feet didn’t fly too high from the ground.

Nothing made him happier than to see his captain happy.

“I do like parties.” Henry grinned.

“That’s a boy.” Shakespeare returned the smile with a ruffling of his hair. “Alright, you three go have some father-son bonding getting this ship sailing while Emma and I go have some fun of our own.”

“Really, it’s okay,” Emma tried to protest, smiling to disguise the panic in her eyes.

“Trust me, dear.” He wrapped his arm around Emma’s shoulder while his other hand fingered the fabric of her sleeve. “A princess deserves more than cotton and I haven’t had the chance to tailor a dress in a long time.” His voice was soft despite his enthusiasm and Killian saw Emma soften under it. “I can only make so many sailor outfits, you know?”

Emma laughed. “You know how to make clothes?”

He nodded. “My mother taught me to sew and I enjoy making people look pretty.” Shakespeare gestured with his head towards Nemo who preened slightly under his gaze.

“Yes, most of our money goes into luxurious fabrics he finds in the markets,” Nemo interjected, receiving a stuck out tongue from his partner. Killian laughed at the ridiculousness of it all.

“Alright,” Emma smiled. “I trust you.”

“You won’t regret it, I promise.” Shakespeare smiled before walking with her towards the door. “Have fun, boys!”

“Alberic, this is your ship!” Nemo half-protested, his amused smile and excitement over spending time with Killian and Henry overwhelming his tone.

“But it’s your crew!” With a dazzling smile, Shakespeare and Emma were gone.

“He’s fun, I like him!” Henry laughed.

“Evidently, so do I.” Nemo shook his head with a smile as he held up his ring finger that was adorned with a silver band, his only piece of jewelry.

---

It turns out that you can take the man off of the ship but you can’t take the ship out of the man. Helping Nemo and the crew get ready for take-off felt like no time had passed. The feel of the ropes in his hand, the shouts of orders, the sounds of rushed steps across the deck was wonderfully familiar.

For a moment, he felt like he was that kid again.

But he wasn’t.

Now, he had to accommodate for his hook. Even if, after a decade, he was proficient at wielding it. Now, he didn’t have so much difficulty pulling on ropes, having grown into his muscles. Now, he was taller. Now, he had Henry.

He could see the boy’s bright eyes from where he stood at the rigging. How he sat away from the action, as instructed, able to see everything and everyone. He could feel his desperate need to be involved, to help, to participate. And so could Nemo.

With a questioning glance towards his captain and a returned nod and smile, Killian called Henry to where he stood, stiff rope in his hand.

“Care to give me a hand, my boy?”

Henry’s smile was dazzling, too excited to help to comment on Killian’s poor joke. “Yes!”

“Stand in front of me and hold the rope,” Killian instructed, making space for the boy. “With both hands.”

He was able to see the boy’s concentrated brow before his back was turned. “As soon as the first mate calls for it, we need to pull with all our strength.” He smiled and kept a tight grip on the rope to help the boy as Henry shifted on his feet. “You got it?”

“Aye, aye.” Killian’s smile widened.

Across the deck, he found Nemo’s eye. There was fondness in his smile, a pride Killian shared. This must have been how he felt all those years ago.

He was happy to be aboard the ship again, to be with Nemo again but to have Henry and Emma with him felt like a dream come true. Felt like a family.

The first mate gave the order and, even before Killian began, Henry was already pulling on the rope with all his might. Killian grinned at the boy’s concentration and eagerness and began pulling the rope in tandem.

They helped the crew take the ship to the skies together. Killian relished Henry’s starstruck expression - the brightness of his eyes, his dazzled smile. That’s likely how he had looked himself the first time he watched the ship set sail.

It filled his heart to the brim to be able to share this with Henry. Especially when the setting sun reflected in the boy’s face as he leaned against him in contentment.

“Nothing like watching the sun set high above the clouds, don’t you think, my boy?”

“I could stay up here forever,” Henry sighed.

“Me too.”

“Fantastic work, my boys.” Nemo approached them with a wide smile, placing both his hands on each of their shoulders.

A surge of contentment filled his chest, his heart feeling fuller than ever. He felt Henry’s heart beat steadily under his hand and the warmth of Nemo’s hand on his shoulder. Killian took a deep contented breath.

“You two should go get ready for the celebration,” Nemo spoke calmly, not wanting to disrupt the moment too much. “I’m sure Alberic will want to start everything promptly.”

“Aye, we should go.” Killian nodded and he began to remove his hand from Henry’s chest only to be stopped by the boy’s hand on his wrist.

“Just a little longer, please.”

His voice was quiet and he hadn’t taken his eyes from the sky. Killian felt the happiness in it and in his touch, of wanting to keep this moment going for a few moments more. It didn’t take much convincing for both men to acquiesce to his request. They were content.

---

He wondered if Shakespeare did it on purpose.

Killian decided he didn’t care if he did.

After a bath, Killian and Henry stood in front of a large mirror fixing their outfits. Their outfits were made from the same soft fabric, the same deep blue color and style.

However, where Henry’s was looser, more conducive to a young boy’s excited movements, Killian’s was fitted, contouring the shape of his body. He had to commend the Captain’s talent.

“We look rather dashing, don’t we?” Killian grinned as he looked at Henry in the mirror.

Henry matched his grin. “And ready for a pirate party.”

They shared a laugh. From the main deck, they heard the lively jaunt of music and Killian looked down to see Henry’s excited grin.

With practiced efficiency, he used his hand to style the boy’s hair in a similar way to his, letting his hand move down to caress the boy’s cheek. Killian looked up to see Henry watching him with something bright behind his eyes.

“What is it, lad?”

Henry thinned his lips and he finally understood that it had been his unshed tears that brightened his eyes. The boy shook his head as a watery smile spread on his lips. Killian kneeled in front of him, keeping his hand on his cheek.

“What is it?”

“Nothing.” Henry’s voice was wobbly with emotion. “I’m just happy.”

Killian’s smile matched the boy’s as his hand rested on the side of his neck. “Me too, lad.”

Without warning but not unwelcome, Henry wrapped his arms tight around Killian’s shoulder.

“It’s alright, my boy,” Killian whispered, his hand moving up and down on the boy’s back, even as his eyes grew watery themselves.

It was a few minutes before Henry’s breathing relaxed, his small body releasing the tension, but Killian continued to reassure him. He let the boy be the one to break the emotional hug, but he still kept himself in the space of Killian’s embrace.

“I’m so happy I found you,” Henry whispered, his bright eyes on Killian’s, full of so much love. “I never thought I’d have a family, someone to love me. But then I found you and Emma and I’m just…happy.”

Henry sighed with his whole body, a contented breath and Killian smiled, his own emotions threatening to burst out.

“I know how you feel, my boy. I really do.”

Killian’s soft smile was met by a similar one from Henry before the boy wrapped his arms around him once more. His hand was on the boy’s head and he felt him hide his face on Killian’s neck.

A knock on the door broke the moment. “Are you two ready?” Nemo asked as he popped his head inside the room, only to frown at the reddened faces of the two inside the room.

“Aye, we’re ready, right?” Killian asked, clearing his throat at the raspy tone of his voice.

Henry nodded, using his hand to wipe at the tear tracks on his cheek.

Nemo’s smile turned knowing as he entered the room and handed the boy a handkerchief. “Come on, the party isn’t the same without you two.”

“Yeah.” Henry nodded once more, taking a deep breath to settle himself as he used the cloth he was handed. “We have to go to the party!” His bubbling excitement under the strong emotions was obvious and the men chuckled as they all left the room.

“Why do I have to wait?” They heard Emma’s voice from behind a door to their right, stopping them in the corridor. Killian recognised it as the door to the study. “They are all up on the deck already and I’ve been here for hours.”

Killian shared an amused glance with Henry at Emma’s impatience as they approached the door.

“My creation is a wonder and deserves to be appreciated by all.” Shakespeare’s voice was calming but even they knew it wouldn’t work. “Besides, a princess always has to be escorted to any event, even if it is aboard a flying ship.”

Killian and Henry shared a wince under Nemo’s confused gaze.

“Right, well, I’m not really a princess, Captain, so I can very well escort myself above deck.” Emma’s frustrated voice preceded an abrupt opening of the door.

Without time to react, they all stilled as Emma, in a whirl of red fabric, stomped out of the room running directly into Killian. He wrapped his arms around her in an effort to stabilize her and felt her hands on his chest doing the same.

Her hair was pulled up, exposing her long neck. Her lips were painted red to match the color of her dress, her wide green eyes were bright. The fabric was soft under his palm. It covered her arms but left her collarbones exposed. Despite its bright color and tight corset, it fell lightly down her body, a comfortable dress yet elegant.

She was beautiful, utterly breathtaking, and the dress only enhanced her beauty.

“Uhm, hi,” he stuttered out and appreciated her similar flustered expression.

“Hi.”

Snickering from next to him made him aware of his surroundings, making him realize that they had been staring at each other far longer than normal people should.

“Another successful mission, wouldn’t you say?” Shakespeare grinned from his place inside the room Emma had just burst out of.

“Aye, you look…” Killian began, trying to force his brain to think of actual words.

“Striking?”

“Stunning?”

“Beautiful?”

Nemo, Shakespeare and Henry’s suggestions broke the spell between them, making them look away from each other, releasing each other from the sudden embrace. Instantly, he missed the warmth of her hands on his chest.

“Aye.” Killian cleared his throat, hoping the darkened corridor hid his reddened cheeks as he scratched the back of his neck.

“Hmm, thanks.” Emma looked away as she tucked a stray hair behind her ear.

“Unbelievable.”

The mutter from behind Emma had him look up at their companions. They all shared amused, knowing expressions even though Shakespeare’s sported a hint of disappointment.

“Well, if you were looking for an escort,” Nemo said, thankfully breaking the silence and Killian’s embarrassment, “you have two wonderful gentlemen to choose from,” he continued, placing his hands on Henry and Killian’s shoulders. Killian couldn’t help but tense up.

Emma looked up at Killian with wide eyes and mouth, before shaking her head and looking at Nemo. “I don’t know if you heard but I was very much against having to be escorted anywhere. I’m a princess only by blood, not in practice. I’m very capable of walking myself.”

“Believe me, dear,” Shakespeare interjected. “No one thinks otherwise. But I did make your outfit to match with the boys’...”

Emma sighed, her shoulders dropping. “Fine.” She turned towards Henry, holding out her hand. “What do you say, kid?”

Henry looked between Emma’s pleading eyes and Killian’s disappointed ones before holding his hands behind his back. “Well, I already did that in Misthaven so maybe Killian can do it this time, right? Yeah, see you above deck.”

Without warning, Henry dashed up the stairs under his companions’ shocked looks. Shakespeare tried and failed to contain his laughter behind his hand, and Nemo was also losing his composure behind him.

Nemo’s hand tightened on Killian’s shoulder and he took a deep breath. “I’ve been told I’m not a terrible second choice. What do you say, love?”

He held out his hand towards Emma and couldn't help his pleading eyes. Her eyes found his, the fear in them trying to overwhelm the hope. She took a deep centering breath and took his hand, nodding her head.

His smile bloomed across his face as he guided her towards the stairs, under the amused eyes of the captains. “Surely, I was better than that, right?”

“Of course, dear,” Shakespeare reassured Nemo with a smirk. “Of course.”

---

Killian climbed up the stairs to the main deck with Emma by his side. He couldn’t take his eyes off her - the way she held his hand, the way she focused on the steps, the way she looked even more beautiful under the lantern light.

He felt more than saw the way the whole crew turned to look at them. He could feel Henry’s excited energy from across the ship. He felt the happiness filling the deck. Emma’s discomfort at being the center of everyone’s focus was palpable.

Killian tightened his hold on her hand, her eyes immediately finding his. He saw the anxiety in her eyes, the plea for help she wouldn’t speak aloud. He smiled in reassurance.

“I thought this was a party, lads!” Killian called out towards the quiet crowd.

That seemed to break the stares as some of the crew laughed and the others urged the music to restart. Killian winked at Emma, turning her thankful smile into an eye roll.

“The Captain really outdid himself,” Starkey commented, bringing their attention to him.

“I’d say it’s all about who wears it,” Killian agreed, looking at Emma to see her beguiling red cheeks.

“No, the Captain does know his craft,” Emma tried to argue.

“Be that as it may,” Starkey continued with a conspiratorial smile, “the men are eager to fill out your dancing card.” The two of them glanced around to see some of the crew still chancing glances at the princess. “They are not bad,” he quickly reassured them at Emma’s panicked look. “Just terribly uncoordinated and not the most charming bunch.”

Emma’s shoulders dropped in relief as she chuckled.

“Yes, they are nothing like our Killian here.”

Killian startled at his words and at the pointedly rough nudge from the older man. Starkey’s eyebrows rose and fell as he not-so-subtly gestured towards Emma with his head. When Killian turned to her, her smile was amused, even if nervous, too.

“Right, uhm, aye, I can-”

“Shut up and dance with me, Jones.”

Her grin widened, his nerves enough to calm hers. Killian returned the smile as his nerves calmed, as well. With a short bow, he did as he was told and pulled her to the middle of the deck, his hand moving to her waist and his hook holding her hand.

“That’s a lass.”

For the first time in weeks, he was able to ignore everything else except for the blonde in his arms. He ignored the looks, the chatter, anything that wasn’t her and the music.

They were safe. They were together.

As he led her around the deck - in between and around the celebrating sailors who had decided to join them - Killian couldn’t help but remember the last time they danced. His hand tightened on her waist, pulling her closer, hoping to keep her in his arms as long as he possibly could.

Her face was calm, her cheeks keeping their reddish hue, her lips curled into an easy smile, her hand laid comfortably on his hook. The fruity scent of her hair filled his nose. Her other hand moved up to the nape of his neck, her fingers ghosting the tips of his hair. His heart beat loudly against his chest.

His eyes hadn’t left her face when she looked up at him. His movements slowed as their eyes locked, not really dancing anymore, just moving in time.

“I’m sorry.”

Killian frowned at Emma’s whisper. “What for?”

“For lying.” He kept quiet as she took a deep breath, giving her time to gather her thoughts. “In Misthaven, when we danced, when you… when I said that-”

With his heart threatening to beat out of his chest, Killian interrupted. “When you said that our kiss meant nothing.”

Her eyes widened as her gaze locked with his once more. She nodded. “It wasn’t nothing, I lied.” Her grip tightened on his hook and shoulder, and his hand tightened on her waist in response. “I lied because I was scared, because it did mean something.”

Killian didn’t dare to say another word, his emotions doing their own jaunty jig in his chest.

“I won my battle against Regina because of you, because of Henry and when I left that room, all I could think about was finding you two.” Her voice was quiet, her eyes bright. “And when I did, when I saw you two alive, safe, I kissed you because…well, because I couldn’t find a reason not to.”

“Why were you scared?” His voice matched hers.

“Because you scare me, Killian. Because you make me feel things I have never felt before. Because you almost died, because Henry almost died. Because I thought I had lost my chance to tell you the truth.”

“So you can only admit how you feel when one of us is facing certain death?”

Her laugh was self-deprecating and he couldn't help but join. “I think…I’ve had to protect myself for so long - for all my life - that I forget I don’t need it around you, around either of you.”

They had given up on dancing. They had tuned out the music, the laughter, anything else that wasn’t the two of them. This was it. This was the moment he had hoped for since they had left Arendelle, since he confessed his feelings for her.

The sound of two bottles clinking against each other broke through their bubble. “A toast,” a crew member announced.

He heard her disappointed sigh at the same time he expelled his. It was cold when she left his hold, her place standing next to him too far away. Everyone on the main deck turned their attention to a young crewmate standing on a wooden crate.

“A toast to the Caspartine!”

There were cheers and raised tankards.

“A toast to the Nautilus!” Another crewmate called from the other side of the ship receiving the same loud cheers.

“Why did they call two different ships?” Henry’s voice had them turning to find the boy next to them.

“Ah,” Killian cleared his throat, remembering his Captain’s answer to the same question from him years before. “Well, Caspartine is the name of the ship, it was Shakespeare’s ship. The Nautilus was Nemo’s vessel. When Shakespeare disappeared, Nemo gave up his ship to keep this one.”

There was a fond smile on Emma’s lips, a similar reaction to the one he had had.

“Why did he give up his ship?”

“He told me this ship had always felt like home to them. It was where they planned to spend their future together,” Killian said, smiling. “He told me that when he got Shakespeare back, he would want him to have the future they planned, no more waiting.”

Killian felt a spark at his side, the outward expression of Emma’s matching emotions, he suspected. He hoped she would agree - no more waiting.

“Wow.” The two adults turned to see Henry’s awestruck expression, sharing an amused glance. “That’s awesome.”

They chuckled and Henry turned to them with rosy cheeks, joining them in their laughter. The cheers finished and the music turned lively, a fast-paced dance. Killian saw Henry’s face light up, his eyes bright as he watched the sailors begin a bouncy dance.

“You can go dance, lad.”

“Hmm,” Henry’s wide eyes and wringing hands showed his nerves. “I don’t know…”

“I can dance with you, if you want.”

Both Henry and Killian turned to Emma at her suggestion. Henry’s eyes were full of excitement, of enthusiasm, clearly having had hoped for this outcome. Killian’s were full of concern, of fear that she was trying to escape their interrupted conversation, of having to take too many steps back after having trekked this far.

“Will you?”

“Of course!”

“Yes, let’s go!” Henry grabbed her hand and began to pull her towards the middle of the deck.

“Emma…” Killian tried to call, to stop her just for a moment.

She turned back to him and smiled - an open, reassuring smile. He took a deep breath. It wasn’t over, they would have their chance. He just needed to be patient. He nodded.

---

The night’s celebration was dying down. After that first dance with Henry, the boy ended up convincing her to share a few more dances with him. Once he was done, there was no time to save her from dancing with an happily drunk Starkey, who twirled her around the deck faster than a man of his age should be able to.

Killian waited, joining the crew in a few dances, watching Emma dance, watching Henry have fun, watching Nemo finally join in the merriment - he was quite the talented dancer.

He waited as he divided his time between watching the crew and the dark sky. He waited as the large crew slowly dwindled in number, returning to their bunks to rest for the next day. He waited as a lone fiddle played the last song of the night.

He waited as he watched Emma and Henry dance the last dance, Nemo and Shakespeare joining them. He waited as he strived to memorize that moment, how it felt to have his family around him again. How it felt to feel happy, content.

He waited as they finished their dance, Henry holding Emma back for a moment. He watched as she kneeled in front of him, as he spoke to her, as their eyes sparkled in the dim light. As they came together in a tight embrace, the boy’s face hid in her neck. He imagined Henry had expressed the same feelings he had to Killian at the beginning of the night. He waited as they took control of their emotions together, Emma cleaning their tears with her sleeves.

His waiting ended as Henry joined Nemo and Shakespeare, where they would continue teaching him about the ship and as Emma finally joined him by the railing.

“You’d never think that he escaped death this morning.” Her voice was heavy, emotional.

“He’s a resilient lad.” With a careful hand, Killian wiped away a stray tear, leading Emma to turn her bright green eyes towards him. “He’s learned from the best.”

“I was so scared,” Emma sighed, leaning her elbows on the railing to copy Killian’s posture. “He is always so full of life and then he was just…not.”

He placed his hand over hers, her hand turning to interlock their fingers. Despite his initial surprise, he moved his thumb to caress hers.

“He’s alright now, we saved him. Look at him, he’s alive.” His voice was quiet and he heard her sigh as she turned to look at Henry excitedly talking to the captains.

“I still… I can’t believe how that boy can have so much hope, so much belief.”

“You could say it’s his super power.”

Emma laughed in surprise, inching closer to him.

“You know, he thanked me…he thanked me for loving him, for saving him.” She shook her head, a disbelieving smile on her lips. “Like I could have done anything else.”

“He doesn’t understand, what he gave us in return - the love, the belief he has in us - we’re just giving it back.”

“He gave us a family,” Emma agreed and he turned to her, his eyes finding hers. “He gave us each other.”

Her eyes were open - no fear, no panic, just belief and hope. His heart beat faster.

“Emma-” He stopped himself at the clenching of her hand on his, her eyes begging for him to let her speak first.

“We don’t know what’s going to happen next,” Emma took a deep breath, completely turning towards him, their hands still holding each other in a tight grip. “But I know that, with all that we’ve been through, we can get through anything together.”

He mimicked her posture. “I believe in us, Emma.”

“I do, too.” Her hand rested against his cheek, his eyes closing in response. “Thank you for waiting for me.”

Killian opened his mouth to tell her, tell her that she didn’t need to thank him, that he’d wait for her until the end of time itself. But Emma didn’t let him.

Her lips touched his in a soft, careful kiss. His left arm wrapped around her waist as he pulled her closer to him, deepening the kiss, unwilling to lose the feel of her lips against his. Her body relaxed against his, her hands on his chest.

Killian slanted his mouth across Emma’s, her quiet moan quickening the pace of his heart. A spark where her hand found the skin of his neck again caused him to gasp.

“I’m sorry…” She murmured close to his lips, her hand beginning to retreat from its place.

With his hook, he stopped her, instructing her to place her hand once more against his neck. He shook his head, his eyes still closed, his voice a mumble. “No, it’s fine.”

“Really?”

Killian smirked at the breathlessness of her voice, knowing that it matched his. “Aye, I like it.”

He took pride in turning her wide smile into a moan with a kiss, his arm wrapping around her once more, pulling her closer against him.

---

“Finally!”

Henry’s quiet exclamation grabbed Nemo’s attention. Noticing that his focus was across the deck, he followed his gaze to find Emma and Killian sharing a passionate kiss.

Henry flushed and cut his eyes to Nemo who looked on amusedly. “They’re not really subtle...”

“You’re a clever lad.”

Henry’s chest puffed up at the praise and Nemo laughed, his hand settling on the boy’s shoulder where he stands with his hands on the helm.

“I’m glad to see Killian so happy,” Nemo sighed, sparing a quick glance to the distracted couple. “I have you two to thank for it.”

“No,” Henry smiled, looking up at the captain. “He just needed the right push.”

Nemo laughed again. “You’re quite right, my boy. Nevertheless, thank you for staying by his side.” He took a deep breath. “I had hoped he would find a way back again to the boy I once knew and seeing him with the two of you… I was right to hope.”

“You really love him, don’t you?” Nemo turned startled to Henry. The boy nodded with a knowing smile on his face. “He loves you, too.”

“He’s the son I never had.”

Henry frowned looking out at the sky. Curious, Nemo stayed silent, giving him time. It wasn’t long before the boy turned back to him.

“So, are you like my grandfather?”

Nemo didn’t know whether to be shocked at the matter-of-fact way Henry asked his question or happy to know that the boy felt so strongly for Killian, in a way he knew Killian reciprocated. Happiness won. To Henry, it was natural to think that way, to feel that way.

“I suppose I am.”

Nemo returned Henry’s wide smile, his heart feeling as full as the day Killian accepted his care, the day he opened up to him. Suddenly, the boy’s eyes widened.

“Wait, does that mean I have another pair of grandparents?”

Nemo frowned, looking out at the couple now, no longer kissing, but keeping minimal space between them. “You mean, Emma’s parents?”

“Yeah…” His voice was breathless, his eyes bright with wonder.

“Is that alright, lad?”

“Yeah, I just…My parents were gone before I even knew them really. I’ve always been alone, and now..”

Nemo smiled, kneeling in front of the boy, his hands on his arms. “And now you have more family than you know what to do with.”

“Yeah…” Henry sighed. “It’s exciting but scary. I don’t want to lose them…”

“You won’t, my boy. You know, you never really lose anyone.” Nemo placed his hand over Henry’s heart, feeling the strong beat of a patchwork heart. “They will always stay right here, with you.”

Nemo watched as the panic and fear was swallowed by the hope, love and belief in the boy’s eyes, as a small smile stretched his lips. Henry wrapped his arms around the captain’s neck in a tight hug. Nemo returned it, just as tightly.

“Thank you,” Henry whispered.

“No,” Nemo murmured, “thank you, my boy.”

“I hope I’m not interrupting,” Shakespeare said with a smile, placing his hand on the unmanned helm. “But I believe it’s approaching bed time.”

“Oh,” Nemo looked up at his partner before checking his pocket watch. “You’re right. It’s been a long day.”

“But I’m not tired.” Henry frowned, even as he leaned more firmly against Nemo.

The captains shared an amused smile.

“I believe we can work out a deal.” Henry turned to look at Nemo with an intrigued expression. “If you go to bed now, I’m sure your grandfather has a great amount of stories he could tell you.”

While Henry’s look was one of excitement and eagerness, Shakespeare looked at Nemo with shock and hope. Just as Nemo had told Killian all about Alberic and their relationship, he had also told his husband how he felt about the boy he rescued from a shipwreck. He assumed Alberic had the same thoughts he had had before.

“Will you?” Henry grinned, excitedly as he held on to Shakespeare’s hand.

A wide smile stretched across his face. “It would be my honor, my boy.”

Nemo stood to hold onto the handles of the wheel. Henry turned to smile at him. “Goodnight, granddad.”

He couldn’t help but return the smile. “Goodnight, my boy.”

Nemo turned back towards the bow of the ship, unable to dim his smile. From where he stood, he could see Killian and Emma now sitting on the deck, his coat around her shoulders, her head on his chest. They held hands over Killian’s thigh, and their smiles were content.

Later, when his own bed time approached and Nemo left the helm to his first mate, he could still see them sitting even closer together. Emma’s eyes were closed, her chest rising and falling calmly. Nemo approached them with a warm throw in his hand.

“Don’t stay here too long, lad,” he said with a quiet voice.

Killian turned calmly towards him, trying not to disturb Emma’s sleep. “We won’t.”

Nemo smiled, happy to see the calm, content smile on his face. “I’m happy for you, Killian.”

Killian flushed at the sentiment and nodded, thankful. Nemo placed the blanket over them. With a last touch to Killian’s shoulder, he retreated to his chambers.

---

The moon was bright and high in the sky and Killian should really have been going to bed, the day’s high emotions finally settling. But he couldn’t bring himself to move.

Emma’s head was cushioned on his chest and her hold on his hand, while loose, was unmoving. Her breathing was relaxed and ruffled the exposed hairs of his chest. With his face so close to her hair, the smell of citrus filled his nose. Her face was pure peace.

He couldn’t move even if he wanted to. And he really didn’t want to.

Killian was secure enough in Henry’s safety aboard to be able to relax, to delegate his duties to someone else, someone he trusted. There was no one he trusted more than Nemo.

He barely felt the cold of the high altitude, already used to it and with a metaphorical fire burning wherever her body touched his. It felt like a dream, to have kissed Emma, to have been kissed by her, to be so close to her, to have her trust him completely. He couldn’t help but fear that it would all disappear if he closed his eyes for more than a second.

Emma’s body shivered, then she woke up with a gasp. He noticed the tension in her body for a second before she relaxed. He waited silently as she took her time to look up at him. For a moment, he worried she’d regret their kiss, that she’d regret them.

But then she smiled.

A small smile, just an uptick of the corner of her lips. There was peace in her eyes, joy, and trust. He let out the breath he had been holding, his lips curving with hers.

“Did everyone go to sleep?” Her voice was quiet, tired, still half asleep.

“Aye,” he nodded. “It's just us and the night crew.” He smiled teasingly.

“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to fall asleep.” Emma blushed, her face looking even more beautiful than he thought possible.

“Well, I had been telling you the brave tale of when I captured my first Kraken, so you should be sorry.” He made his best attempt at lying, trying to control the widening smirk on his face from taking over.

The glint in her eyes told him she knew exactly what he was trying to do but also that she was willing to play along. “Oh yeah? How can I ever make it up to you?”

He could play this game all night long but any moment that he spent not kissing her, felt like a wasted moment. “You can kiss me.”

Killian saw the moment his words and his breathy tone registered and watched as her lips parted and heard her sharp intake of breath. His eyes couldn’t leave her lips as she ran her tongue across her bottom lip. “If I must…”

Her arms over his shoulders, he closed the space between them, capturing her mouth with his. It felt as if it had been a year since he had last kissed her and not an hour. His left arm wrapped around her waist, pulling her as close as possible, while he buried his now free hand in her soft blonde locks.

The limited space and the curious eyes on the deck prevented him from taking this as far as he wished, as he could tell she wanted to as well. Her thigh found space between his legs, her skin warm even under the thick skirt. The moan she let out against his lips stopped him from feeling the cold altogether, his whole body burning up.

“Perhaps,” he spoke against her lips, “we should move this downstairs…”

She hummed against his lips, the delightful vibration making him pull her back for another thorough kiss where he mapped every inch of her mouth and recorded every sound she made.

“Where- Hmm, where are you going to sleep?”

“I used to sleep in the piano room.” He made a conscious effort to give their faces a few inches of space, lest he get distracted again, his lips curving in a smirk. “I wouldn’t mind sharing my bed with you again.”

His body thrummed with excitement as he watched her smile longingly, her mind clearly going to the same soft bed in a cozy seaside home, on the feel of her body next to his.

“I promise not to run this time.” Despite her amusement, he could see the shame she was trying to hide, the worry at her many attempts of pushing away her feelings for him.

He cupped her cheek and she involuntarily leaned into his touch, filling him with delight. His eyes were focused on hers, though, making sure she registered his sincere words.

“I knew you weren’t ready, love.” Her eyes wandered down for a second then came back to his after he brushed the apple of her cheek with his thumb. “I waited for you and I would have waited as long as it took because you are worth it.”

Her eyes shone in the moonlight at his words, at the truth behind it. He knew that her past never let her believe him before, but he vowed now to repeat it to her until she did, even after that. Her arms still around his neck pulled him closer, her lips pressing against his in a soft, chaste kiss but one that was a testament to her care, her trust, her hope.

“Take me to bed?”

Her soft request made him smile wide, her lips curving in response. There was no doubt, no fear, nothing but happiness in their eyes. There was nothing he wanted more.

“Of course, m’lady.”

Killian stood to hold out a hand for her as she smiled exasperatedly at him, rolling her eyes as she took it. He took deep pleasure in pulling her up against him, his jacket falling to the deck floor. Her cheeks reddened as she lightly smacked his chest.

“I’d have thought Nemo taught you some manners.” Her tone was teasing and he grinned widely.

“Of course.” He rushed to pick up the jacket to place it around her shoulders once more before holding out his arm for her to take. “He taught me to be a perfect gentleman.”

Emma grinned as she took his arm, both of them making their way to the door leading below deck, after wishing the amused crew a good night.

“We’ll see about that.”

---

It would take them three days to reach Avalon, according to Nemo. And, despite the mission they needed to complete, Killian was tempted to delay their arrival, if only for another day.

Truth was, their time aboard the ship was like a dream. Henry was safe from Pan, Killian had been reunited with Nemo, and Shakespeare proved to be a seamless addition to life aboard the Caspartine. The fact that he and Emma were rarely apart had definitely made a good situation even better.

Emma’s hand would occasionally slip into his when they would stand above deck. He’d feel her lips against his cheek or his own lips whenever she fancied, feel her body so close to his not even a breeze could pass between them. It felt like a dream, a fantasy made reality.

Henry had taken the whole situation in stride. He moved around the ship like a seasoned sailor, helped with any and all chores and slept like a rock through the night. He refused to take longer than however long it took to inhale his meals before rushing back onto the busy deck. It was commonplace to hear him talk or laugh around the deck but all they saw was a blur.

The boy would follow Nemo’s every word, every order, every instruction like the man hung the moon - just as Killian had, when he was around Henry’s age. So, it came as both a shock but also inevitable, when, out of nowhere, they heard Henry refer to Nemo as his “granddad”.

Killian’s hands stilled on the rope he had been pulling while, behind him, Emma dropped a thankfully empty bucket on the wood of the deck. They shared a surprised look, his eyebrows reaching his hairline.

They watched as Henry and Nemo continued their conversation as if nothing had happened, like two peas in a pod and Killian’s eyebrows relaxed. He recognised the expression of happiness, of trust, of love in Henry’s face. He remembered how badly he had wanted to call Nemo “father” but had never felt confident enough to do so. Henry didn’t have that problem.

The boy loved and showed his love with abandon. Something Killian had never been able to do.

He wondered then if his familial treatment of the captain meant that he also treated Killian the same way. If, in fact, Henry considered them his surrogate family. The same way he thought of Henry like his child.

Emma’s soft gaze at the two figures by the helm made him think that she might be thinking the same thing. Despite their rough start, it was unquestionable that Emma felt strongly for Henry, that she loved him. As if half of each their hearts didn’t now beat steadily in Henry’s chest, as if they couldn’t feel the love the boy felt echoed in their chests.

Killian’s eyes found Nemo’s. He saw love and happiness there, a content man. He remembered the way his eyes would shine when Killian completed a task successfully, the way he would smile and laugh, the way his hand felt on his shoulder. He saw the same thing now, directed at Henry.

“As usual,” Killian said, catching Emma’s attention. “The lad takes to it like a swan to water.”

It took a second for her to react to his weak joke but her expression still softened, a smile curving her lips, before rolling her eyes at him, shoving him lightly with her free hand. His laugh must have reached the boy, since not even a full minute later, Henry appeared in front of them, ready to help and prepared to fill any and all silence.

---

There was an odd silence aboard the Caspartine after Nemo announced that they should reach the island in a couple of hours.

The sun was beginning to sink toward the horizon line, the golden light bathing the ship as the sky turned orange. The sky was clear and, when Killian looked over the railing, he could see the light reflecting on the waves.

He heard Nemo’s approaching steps before he felt the man’s hand on his shoulder. They both stood in silence for a few seconds, watching the sun’s slow descent.

“I’m very proud of you, my boy.”

Killian had to take a deep breath before he could find his voice. “I never thought I’d feel this happy again.”

“I know how you feel,” Nemo nodded, his hands joining behind his back as they stood side by side. “I never thought this ship would feel like a complete home again.”

“A bigger family too,” Killian teased and relished Nemo’s laugh.

“That was definitely a surprise. But a fantastic one.”

“Oh, yes, ‘granddad’. I can see that.”

Nemo’s laugh turned soft, a smile so wide in his face that Killian wondered if it might hurt. Although, he knew by experience, it didn’t.

“Henry is a very special boy.”

“Aye,” Killian nodded with a wistful sigh. “I wish we could stay here for just another day. Maybe two.”

Nemo’s smile was understanding, compassionate. “If it was up to me, we would stay up here for the rest of our time, lad, but-”

“I know,” Killian interrupted, raising his hand. “I know that it’s his destiny, that he needs to learn and to be protected, but- but I don’t want to lose him now, not when…” He took a deep breath, acutely aware of his trembling voice. “Not when we have just become a family.”

The weight of Nemo’s hand on his back is a welcome comfort. He wasn’t grieving alone, not like when he lost Liam and Milah. As much as Nemo was a helpful rock by his side during that time, he didn’t know them, he didn’t love them. This time, there was a whole crew of people who would know how he feels.

“You’ll still be a family even if he has to go,” Nemo spoke softly after a moment, giving Killian time to absorb his words. “Nothing can take that away from you. Just like you never stopped loving your brother, you will never stop loving Henry.” Killian nodded, the cold air on his tear tracks stinging his cheeks. “I mean, he quite literally has your heart.”

Killian released a surprised watery chuckle, cleaning the tears from his cheeks. “I don’t know if I said it before, but I’m really glad you found me.”

“Always, lad.”

Nemo kept his hand on his back as Killian finally allowed himself to feel the impending loss, to bring his breathing under control. He focused on the warmth of the sun on his face, the wind in his hair, the rough wood on his palm. It felt like home.

Henry’s loud laughter caught their attention and they shared a smile. The boy stood next to Starkey as he and Emma listened to the older sailor’s stories.

“Why don’t you go spend some time with them?”

Killian returned Nemo’s smile, more than happy to follow his captain’s suggestion.

“Aye, aye, Captain.” They chuckled amusedly.

He took a step towards his companions before stopping to turn back towards the other man. Nemo looked at him with a curious smile.

“Do you think you have a place in your crew for a man who misses sailing and his landlubber partner?”

Nemo’s smile wavered as his eyes water. “My boy, you’ve always had a place on this ship and I’d be honored to have Emma join us.” Killian nodded, hoping to keep his tears at bay but fails when his father wraps him in a tight hug, one he is more than happy to return. “Nothing would make me happier.”

They stayed there for a short moment before Nemo broke the hug to hold on to Killian’s upper arms. “Go spend time with your family, my boy.”

Killian nodded with a watery smile before turning towards the laughing duo and their satisfied company. Henry noticed him approaching first.

“Killian, Killian, Starkey tells the funniest stories!” The boy’s voice was breathless from laughter and he could see the tears in Emma’s eyes.

“Did he tell you the one about the time a swarm of flying fish got stuck above deck and we had to scoop them out?”

Starkey laughed loudly remembering that tiring day.

“No!” Henry’s eyes were wide and his open mouth was lifted up in shocked laughter.

“It was Killian’s first trip to Glowerhaven,” Starkey began. “One of his first trips as part of the crew.”

“I got slapped by so many fish, it ended up cutting the skin. That’s how I got my scar.” Killian smiled as he pointed to his cheek.

“No way!” Henry exclaimed, approaching Killian’s face to look at the scar, regardless of the fact that he had been looking at his face for almost a month now.

Emma grinned, approaching him. He stood to his full height to turn to her. “I had expected it to have happened because of a swordfight, honestly.”

“Hmm, maybe I should have lied.”

“No.” Emma’s hand cupped his cheek, her thumb running over the scar in a soft motion. “I prefer the real story.”

Killian couldn’t help the soft smile, nor the way he couldn’t look away from the expression in her eyes and he especially couldn’t help the way his lips touched hers in a chaste kiss.

“I wonder if they would notice if we left…” Starkey’s voice broke their moment and caused Emma’s to chuckle against his lips, widening his smile.

“Probably not.”

They turned to look at Starkey’s amused expression and Henry’s happy smile. His arm wrapped around Emma’s waist, keeping her close to him, before turning to the two jesters.

“Actually, I came over because I was hoping to steal your two helpers,” Killian told Starkey with a smile. “I wanna watch the sunset with them.”

Starkey’s smile was soft and he patted Henry’s shoulder. “Of course, my boy, be my guest. I’m sure there are a few blokes around that should be working.”

Killian nodded towards the man with a thankful smile before glancing between his two companions. “What do you say? Care to join me?”

“Absolutely,” Emma answered with a smile and a squeeze to his waist.

“Hmm, I don’t know…” The two adults were surprised at Henry’s response before they noticed his barely restrained grin. “Will you tell me two stories?”

Killian grinned, holding out his free arm. “My boy, I’ll tell you all the stories you want.”

Henry finally gave up the fight against his grin, rushing to wrap his arms around Killian. It was a jumble of arms as they hugged each other but Killian never felt happier.

---

They settled on the bow, backs to the railing, staying out of the way of the crew. A blanket over their legs afforded them protection from the weather so high up in the sky. Killian sat in the middle this time, Emma settled against his left side with his arm around her while Henry leaned against his right, his hand playing with the fingers of his right hand.

There was silence for a moment as they watched the sky turn red as the sun descended. Killian felt a warmth rising in his chest, a feeling of completion, of being whole. A feeling of love. He heard the pleased sighs of his companions as they all relished that feeling.

“I know I said I wanted a story, but I think I just want this, just us.”

Killian let out a relieved sigh. Despite how much he enjoyed sharing his stories with the boy, he couldn’t think of a single one at the moment. No matter how much they tried to put it out of their heads, they didn’t know what was going to happen next so every moment counted.

“We can just stay like this, together,” Emma agreed.

“I like that.” Killian nodded with a smile.

Despite the noisy crew, the whistling of the wind, and the hard deck, there was something perfect about this moment. He could feel the weight of Emma’s hand on his brace, her head nestled perfectly on his shoulder, her thigh against his. Henry buried his head more firmly against his chest, his body curled up against his.

They were silent as the sun disappeared over the railing, over the horizon until the sky grew dark. Stars began to shine in the night sky. Cygnus seemed to spread her wings over the ship, flying on top of them in the same direction.

“There she is…” Henry whispered, his head turned to the sky.

Every time he looked up, he remembered the stories, the tales Nemo would tell him. But now, standing on the deck with the stars above him, it all felt more real than ever. He could feel the strain in his neck as he tried to keep an eye on the constellations, Nemo’s hands on his shoulders, the cold wind on his hands as he held the helm, the harmonious sound of his father’s voice.

He had wanted nothing more than to share that with Henry, with his family. He hoped Henry would remember their moments as fondly as Killian remembered his with Nemo’s. He hoped the boy thought of him as he thought of Nemo - a son, a father.

Much too soon, Shakespeare’s footsteps approached their quiet cocoon. The man crouched in front of them with a small smile and Killian knew what he wanted to tell them. Killian nodded in acknowledgement.

The captain reached over to run his hand through Henry’s hair. The boy seemed to stir, having nodded off in the quiet. Emma turned her head to the boy and he could see her fond smile.

“Did we arrive?” Henry mumbled.

“Just about,” Shakespeare replied. “We’re preparing to descend.”

“Oh.”

The two sailors shared a look and, thankfully, Shakespeare understood his. With a nod, the older captain patted the boy’s leg before returning to the helm where Killian sees Nemo. His face was unreadable but the strained set of his shoulders provided a clue as to his inner turmoil.

“I guess our journey is coming to an end.” Henry’s low tone hurt Killian’s heart and he could tell Emma felt the same, as she took hold of the boy’s hands.

“It’s not over just yet, we’re going with you,” she promised.

The ship trembled beneath them and Killian pulled them closer to him. “You haven’t seen a flying ship land, have you, my boy?” Henry shook his head, his curious eyes shining through the sadness. “You’re in for a treat.”

Killian’s excited tone seemed to rub off on the boy, his smile lightening his expression. He helped him to stand up before removing the blanket from their legs. Emma looked up at him and he saw in her eyes the same sadness that was in Henry’s and the same one he was trying to push down inside him. He kissed her forehead before standing up, then helping her to stand.

Killian pulled them with him towards the rigging, winding his hook in the ropes and urging Henry and Emma to secure themselves. He placed his free hand on the boy’s shoulder for extra security.

The ship trembled even more beneath them and they relished Henry’s excitement. It was not long until the ship hit the water, a mighty splash covering them. Killian laughed as Emma gasped and Henry giggled. She smacked his arm before joining their laughter.

“That was amazing!” Henry shouted once the anchor had been deployed. Nemo’s grin was instant as he welcomed the child’s spontaneous hug, unbothered by his drenched state. “Where are we going now?”

“Now, you just have to take a small boat to the island,” Nemo answered, his voice clearly showing his unwillingness to end this journey. They could all relate.

“Are you coming too?”

Nemo looked away as Killian and Emma approached. “It only fits the three of us, lad.” Killian answered. “It’s our journey, remember?”

“Oh, right.” Henry’s shoulders dropped as he looked between the captain and his two companions.

“But we’ll see each other again, my boy. I promise.” Nemo crouched, his eyes shining, his hands on the boy’s shoulders.

Henry didn’t answer, simply wrapping his arms tightly around the captain’s neck - another spontaneous hug that Nemo reciprocated instinctively. Nemo’s eyes closed as his hand cupped the back of the boy’s head. The lump in Killian’s throat gets bigger and he can clearly feel Emma’s tension next to him.

“We’ll go prepare the boat while you say goodbye, lad.”

Killian didn’t wait for an answer before he pulled Emma towards the starboard railing. Once alone, she turned to wrap her arms tightly around his waist, her head hidden in his neck.

“I know, love, I know…” He rubbed her back comfortingly.

From where they stood, he watched as Henry hugged Shakespeare just as tightly as he hugged Nemo, the captain speaking quietly with the boy. It felt wrong to take the boy away from a family he just gained and the weight in Killian’s chest swirled with anger and sadness.

Emma took a deep breath before breaking the hug, but she didn’t step away. Her hands cupped his cheeks and she pulled him in for a kiss. Only the feeling of her lips on his filled his mind, everything else was a blur. His hand clenched the material of her coat as he willed the kiss to never end.

But it did and when she looked at him, she smiled. “I know how hard this is for you, too.”

He wondered if she felt his inner turmoil or if she just understood him that well. He wondered if it even mattered. “Thank you, love.”

Her forehead nudged into his for a moment before Killian took a deep breath. They busied themselves preparing the boat, joining efforts to lower it into the water. Behind them, they heard Henry saying farewell to the crew before joining them.

“Ready, my boy?”

“No,” Henry sighed. “Let’s go.”

They all shared a thin smile before Emma began descending the ladder, waving towards the captains. As Henry did the same, Killian noticed the way Nemo and Shakespeare stood together, clearly finding support in each other just as he and Emma had.

With a nod, Killian joined his companions on the boat.

---

The island was filled with apple trees, red fruits shining in the moonlight across a lush green landscape. They could hear birds and small animals living in peace as they followed the river towards the lake in the center of the island, just as Nemo instructed. Despite the darkness of the night, the flickering lights from fireflies over the water illuminated their path.

They held hands as they walked, Killian in front with Emma drawing up the rear. Despite the peaceful ambiance, he knew Emma held her dagger tightly, just as he was prepared for any trouble with his hook. Even Henry is uncharacteristically quiet.

The peaceful walk and pleasant surroundings gave them a feeling of timelessness - like they’ve walked for days or only minutes at the same time. The moon reflecting on the lake surface was their first clue that they had reached their destination.

Along the shore of the vast lake, beautiful white flowers seemed to glow in the dark giving the landscape an ethereal feel to it. The waters were calm, subtle ripples the only indication that there was life under the surface.

“Wow…” Henry sighed.

“You can say that again.”

“Aye…”

There was something amusing at the way the three of them shared the same dazed expression. A ripple in the center of the lake caught their attention before a dark head began to rise from the water. On instinct, Killian pulled Henry behind him and Emma, only to realize the boy leaned his head against their arms to peer through them.

A figure fully emerged from the waters, standing on the surface. Their long dark hair contrasted strikingly with the pure white of their long gown, the wide sleeves concealing their hands, the train floating on the water. Their face was shadowed in the moonlight as they raised their head and began to walk calmly towards them. It had to be the Lady of the Lake.

“Welcome to Avalon.” Her soft, melodic voice rang over the quiet sounds of nature surrounding them, perfectly in tune with them, blending seamlessly. “I have been waiting for you.”

“You’re the Lady of the Lake?” Henry asked, finally pushing his head through the space between their arms.

“I am.” There was a hint of a smile in her voice. “You may call me Nimue.”

Killian took a step forward, keeping his hand on Henry’s chest to keep him in place. He could feel Emma’s gaze on his back even as she stayed with the boy.

“We were told to find you, that you would know how to find Merlin. Is that true?”

“Yes.” She nodded. “I’m grateful that Nemo brought you here. Merlin has been awaiting your arrival.”

“Where is he?” Emma asked, her voice closer to him.

From this close, he could see Nimue’s small smile and the way it didn’t reach her dark eyes. He could see the sadness reflected in them, the heartbreak but also the hope.

“Merlin went into exile in a pocket dimension when a very powerful enchantress almost succeeded in trapping him,” she explained. “Even after she was defeated, Merlin could still feel the strength of the dark forces of the world. He knew that the Truest Believer would appear and would need his guidance.”

“He knew about me?”

Henry’s question was a distant sound as Killian realized what their next step would be. Nimue nodded, her expression softening as she turned to the boy.

“Merlin knows all, he is a great sorcerer. He will teach you all he knows.”

“What happens next?” Emma asked, her frown mirroring his conflicting emotions. Her dagger had been sheathed securely back in her belt.

“Come.” Nimue gestured with her hand, summoning the three of them towards the lake’s shore.

Killian and Emma shared a look, halting Henry’s almost immediate steps. Her nod is all he needed for him to walk towards the Lady of the Lake, his hand on the boy’s shoulder.

“There is a reason I helped Nemo before he completed his part of our agreement,” Nimue began, the freckles on her cheeks more prominent with their proximity. “I saw his heart. I saw how pure it was and I knew he would help me.”

“You want to see our hearts?” Henry frowned, his small hand covering his chest, the first time the boy expressed anything other than excitement.

“I need to know if you’re pure of heart,” she explained. “I won’t take it from you.” Her tone was calm, reassuring and Killian squeezed the boy’s shoulder.

“I’ll go first,” Emma quickly said, causing the three of them to look at her. Her expression was fierce, a strong desire to protect the boy glinting in her eyes.

“Emma…” He watched as Nimue smiled and nodded.

She took a step forward, her boots an inch from the water. Nimue raised her hand and Killian had to make a conscious effort to keep his grip on Henry’s shoulder light. They watched as her hand made contact with Emma’s chest, a white light coming from her palm.

He watched as Nimue smiled, a knowing smile, before removing her hand.

“Thank you.” Nimue nodded before turning to Killian, a questioning look in her eyes.

Killian glanced at Emma, her reassuring smile and accompanying nod the only confirmation he needed to take a similar step forward.

As Nimue approached him, he wondered if all the darkness in his heart would ruin Henry’s chances at safety. His heart pounded in his chest as her hand settled over it. He felt the warmth as the white light appeared again. She smiled again, the same knowing smile, before removing her hand.

“Are you ready, Henry?” Nimue asked in a soft voice as she looked down at the boy.

He looked nervous, his hand still over his chest, as he looked up between Killian and Emma.

“My- my heart…” Henry looked back at Nimue as if he was pleading with her to understand.

Killian thought of Henry’s heart, the image of the boy dying on the floor flooding his mind like it had every quiet moment since it happened. He then thought of what they had done.

Turning to Emma, he watched as she bit her lip in concern, the same thoughts clearly running through her brain. Had they ruined Henry’s future? Was the Heart of the Truest Believer gone? Had they failed?

He tried to find some regret but he couldn’t. Seeing Henry lifeless on the floor had been the thing of nightmares. He would have done the same thing again if he had to and he knew Emma felt the same.

“We-” Emma began, stopping when Nimue raised her hand, a kind smile in her face.

They watched as the woman knelt on the water, her gown spreading around her. Her eyes were on the boy, open and soft. “I know.”

“Y-you do?” Henry asked with a frown, his hand falling to the side.

Nimue nodded. She placed her hand over his chest, her palm lighting up with a golden light, as bright as Henry’s heart had been. Their surroundings silenced in anticipation, the only sound able to be heard was their breathing. Her smile widened as she removed her hand.

“A strong, pure heart. So full of love. More than I’ve ever felt before.”

Nimue’s voice echoed in the vastness of the lake and the sounds of nature resumed, with a collective exhale. Henry’s smile as he looked up at the two relieved adults was brighter than any moonlight, a smile they were unable to not return.

Nimue stood effortlessly as she took a few steps back. “I’ll open the door to Merlin, but I’ll give you time to say goodbye.”

Henry’s smile dimmed almost immediately, his eyes panicked as he looked towards Nimue. “Goodbye? Why? Can’t they go with me?”

Nimue held her hands in front of her, a thin smile on her lips. “No, Merlin can only be reached by the Heart of the Truest Believer. Only you can go through.”

“But-”

“It’s okay, lad,” Killian reassured him, kneeling on the ground. He tried to tame the sadness in his eyes and voice but he knew he was unsuccessful. “You know you have to go.”

“Yeah.” Emma joined him, her voice unashamedly trembling. “This is where we’ve been trying to get to, remember?”

Henry nodded, his eyes shining with tears that he let run down his cheeks. Killian wiped away the tears on his right cheek with a small smile.

“We’ll see each other again.” His voice shook and he gave up on any attempt at control. “I promise.”

He could feel Henry’s eyes on him before the boy turned to the Lady of the Lake. “How long?”

Her expression was understanding, her voice matching the emotion between the three of them. “I don’t know, Henry,” she answered truthfully.

Henry nodded, deflated, and lowered his head. “I don’t want to go,” he whispered and Killian felt his heart tear in half.

The boy’s arms wrapped around his neck, pulling him into a tight hug, before grabbing onto Emma’s sleeve for her to join. His hand tightened in Emma’s shirt as he heard Henry and Emma’s sobs against each side of his neck, his own tears landing on their hair. He placed his hand on Henry’s head, stroking it reassuringly.

“It’s going to be okay, my boy,” he mumbled, wanting to reassure him but unable to fully believe his words. Nothing that felt this heart-wrenching could be okay.

“Y-you’ll always have a home with us, Henry,” Emma whispered, her lips against the boy’s temple. “Never forget that.”

Henry nodded as he tried to calm his sobs. “I’ll miss you. I’ll miss my grandparents, I just found you all…”

“We’ll miss you, too, Henry. So much,” Killian said. What before caused him so much happiness, now was just one more thing that Henry would lose, if only for a moment.

Henry lost the battle against another onslaught of tears and Killian tightened the hug at the same time as Emma tightened her arms around the two of them. Over their heads, Killian looked towards Nimue with a pleading look. She seemed to be wringing her hands under the cover of her long sleeves and her eyes shone brighter than before. Mournfully, she shook her head.

There was nothing they could do.

Attempting to be their anchor, their stable ground, Killian broke the hug when Henry’s sobs calm. His hand moved to the boy’s cheek, wiping away the new tears from both sides. “We believe in you, my boy. You know we do.” His voice still betrayed the tougher demeanor he was trying to portray.

“We’ll be waiting for you, kid,” Emma agreed, her hand gripping the front of Henry’s shirt.

“I wish you could come with me,” Henry whispered, his voice rough from crying.

“We’ll always be with you, right here,” Killian reassured, his hand on the boy’s chest.

Henry nodded, even if it didn't seem enough to him. With a small smile, Emma reached for her neck. “And if you want something more physical…” She pulled the metal chain over her head, the ring swaying in the air. “You should take this.”

Killian’s heart soared at the image of his mother’s ring slipping over Henry’s head once more. The idea that he could provide some protection to his loved ones even when they aren’t beside him made the whole situation slightly better.

Henry let out a watery chuckle as he placed his hand over the ring on his chest. “I’ll protect it with my life.”

Killian shared the laugh and shook his head. He tapped his hand over Henry’s before placing it back behind the boy’s head. Softly, he pulled Henry to him, his lips landing on the boy’s forehead. “No, my boy, it’s the other way around.”

Henry’s lips trembled before wrapping his arms around Killian’s neck once more. As he looked at Emma with tearful eyes, he watched as confusion melted into recognition. A memory from the beginning of their journey, when a celebration over the defeat of a green-skinned witch was reaching its end.

“Thank you, Killian,” the boy whispered.

His hand went to the back of his head, pulling him closer. “Thank you, my boy.”

After they separated, Henry wasted no time wrapping his arms around Emma’s neck. Her eyes closed as she deposited a long kiss on the boy’s head, her arms tight around him.

“Thank you, Emma,” he whispered again.

Emma laughed tearfully, placing a hard kiss on the boy’s cheek. “Thank you, kid. You’re the best thing that happened to me.”

Henry smiled widely at her even as his cheeks turned red. He held onto their hands. “Even if I’m not with you, I’ll still believe you’ll find your happy endings.”

Killian saw the statement for what it was - a way to change the subject, to give them some hope. Even though he had been their source of hope and belief for the whole journey.

“I’ve found mine,” Killian answered, his hand squeezing Henry’s. “You two are my happy ending.”

“I don’t believe that,” Emma argued, an amused smile on her face when her two partners looked at her in confusion and worry. “This isn’t an ending. You gave me my life back, my parents, a family,” She looked between them with an adoring look. “This can’t be an ending, happy or not.”

Henry smiled widely. “It’s a happy beginning then!”

“I like that.” Killian smiled with them, a loving expression on his face. “A happy beginning.”

Henry pulled them in for another tight hug, a jumble of limbs wrapped around each other in a giggling mess. Pulling back, Henry kept a tight grip on their clothing, his knuckles white.

“Henry?” Nimue called, the tone of her voice soft, unhurried.

“Yeah, I’m ready.” His confident words contrasted greatly with his unwillingness to let go of his partners, his family.

“We love you, Henry,” Emma said, her fingers pushing back the hair from his face.

“Never doubt that,” Killian agreed, his hand on the boy’s back.

Henry shook his head. “I won’t. I love you guys.”

Simultaneously, Killian and Emma stood up, Henry holding each of their hands. Their grip was tight as they walked towards the lake’s shore. Nimue smiled at them.

“Thank you for your sacrifice.” She nodded, a reverent bow before she hesitated. “Henry, would you do me a favor?”

He seemed surprised and so were the two adults. “Of course.”

“Would you tell him I’m thinking of him?” Her request surprised them further, especially due to the bashful sound of her voice, so different from her normal voice. “I’m sure he knows, but…”

Henry smiled wider. “I’ll tell him.”

“Thank you.” She returned the smile, relieved. “All you need to do is walk through.”

“Thank you.” The two adults nodded, mirroring Henry’s sentiment.

Nimue began to submerge in the water, a natural slow sinking. As soon as her dark head vanished under the water, a small ripple grew to form a portal in the water. From the portal, they saw sunlight, a blue sky, and a verdant landscape. A sharp contrast to the dark night of the island.

Henry took a deep breath, preparing himself to take a step towards his destination. Feeling his hesitancy, Killian took the first step towards the water. His boot didn’t break the water’s surface, though, allowing him to walk over it. Emma joined him, wanting to urge Henry to follow them. With a final nod, Henry joined them.

They walked slowly, reluctant to end their time together. As they stood an inch from the portal, they felt the ripples under their boots. Peering over the rim, they saw that the portal led to an island that looked like Avalon would during the day. They were looking out over the same lake, a purple-robbed figure waiting on the shore. The man’s kind smile was visible in the sunlight, his stance patient and inviting.

“This is it,” Henry sighed.

Emma pulled Henry to her, bending to kiss his head one more time. Killian joined them, unable to simply stand and watch.

“You’ll do amazing things, kid.”

“Aye, we’ll be waiting for your return.”

Henry nodded vigorously between them, before taking a settling breath. They mirrored him, needing the strength to go through with this sacrifice. They released the boy from their hug and Henry took a step forward, not yet releasing their hands.

Killian had been separated from his loved ones more times than he ever wished, either by voluntary or involuntary reasons. And yet, he couldn’t help but appreciate this one. While it hurt and would hurt for as long as they weren’t reunited, he knew they someday would be. Henry would come back. Their family would be restored.

In the meantime, Killian and Emma had each other.

They helped him cross his leg over the portal, his whole body following suit. Their hands were finally released when Henry crossed over, the portal impeding their passage.

“I love you,” Henry called out as he stood on the bright water.

Before they could say anything in return that their boy already knew, the quiet vortex of water closed in front of them, Henry’s saddened and hopeful expression the last thing they saw.

plot twist: i'm a lying liar and you're going to also get an epilogue that i'm going to post very soon! (if you come from ao3 you can probably tell but for my tumblr babies, this is my christmas gift for you!)

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