Once Upon a Captain Swan

Killian waves his hook vaguely. “Well, aye, but... she's going to find out. Later.”
“Is it illegal?” The boy doesn't sound as if he'd mind.
“Of course not!” Killian contradicts in fierce indignation and lifts a reprimanding eyebrow.
“Why would you even consider this?” When Henry tilts his head in a very hook-ish way,
Killian raises his hand. “Alright, I see your point. Anyway, I can assure you, it's not in
any way repugnant to the law.”
Henry folds his arms and frowns in confusion. “Well, then, what is it?”
Killian shuffles his feet. “Look, you know that your mother and I are...” he pauses and
waves his hand a little aimlessly before he goes on, “well, you know, together.”
“Yeah, I know,” Henry replies in an amused voice. “I live in this house, remember?”
“Aye,” he replies almost absentmindedly and tilts his head. “Anyway, I thought, I would
love to, I mean...” Stumbling over his own words, he falls silent, hastily rummaging
around in his usually quick mind for a way to reveal the delicate news to Emma's lad.
“Shoot me!” Henry suddenly exclaims, his reaction startling Killian a little, and points his
index finger at him like a sword. “You're planning to propose, aren't you? That's it!”
The lad's voice is excited, and Killian feels relief settle in. He knows that Emma's son
likes him, that he considers him already family. That he approves of him and his mother
being a couple, that living under the same roof, as a family, has become a natural thing
for him. But still, this – this is one big step further, and a part of Killian was a little
anxious about Henry's reaction. But the excitement and joy in the boy's eyes leave no
questions open about his attitude towards this. Killian averts his eyes for a moment and
scratches behind his ear. “So, I take it you don't mind if...”
“Are you kidding me?” Henry interrupts. “I've been asking myself already when you'd
finally pop the question! And let me tell you I'm not the only one.” When Killian raises a
surprised eyebrow, the boy chuckles. “Everyone's waiting for it.”
“Well, it's not that I didn't want to,” Killian clarifies, “I just thought she might need a little
more time, you know.”
Henry nods. “Yeah. Can't blame you. But I believe in her.” Of course he would say that.
He grins. “She's ready.” Leaning a little forward curiously, he wants to know, “So, when
are you gonna do it?”
“Soon, lad, soon.” Killian scratches behind his ear again. “But I'd like to ask you a favor
first.”
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