Neither Once Upon a Time, nor FFX nor any other fandom that may creep in belongs to me. I make no money from this.

Although I have sort of based it in the world of FFX and Dragon Age, that was more so I could have something to reference in terms of maps and positioning. Therefore, familiar names may crop up at certain points, but I don't plan to have anyone interact with Yuna or the Warden Commander or anyone like that.

Henry was sat watching Killian as the man stared out towards the horizon. They were sailing about the harbour of Storybrooke, and as much as Henry would like to head out to the open sea, the captain was careful to keep them within the town's limits.

"You're awfully quiet, lad." Killian's blue eyes focused on Henry as the boy ran his fingers over the grubby boards of the deck.

"Don't you wish you could head out and go pirating?" he asked, eyes flicking towards Mr Smee as he sent one of the few crewmembers below deck.

"Got a thirst for the deep, blue sea, have we?" Killian grinned at him. "We can't go beyond the limits or we can't get back, and I doubt any of your Charming family would appreciate that."

He sighed, acknowledging the truth but unwilling to let go of the daydreams that had been drifting through his mind.

"Besides," Killian continued, unaware of what exactly was drifting through Henry's mind, "I have no maps for this realm. I don't want to sail away from the one port I know with no way back, no way to reach another realm and no maps to find another safe place to stop."

"But that's how you have adventures!" he insisted. "Anyway, I have my cell phone so my mom could come and guide us back into town."

"She'd take you back, sure." The pirate gave him a wan smile before calling one of his crew over to take the helm. I once did that you know."

"Had adventures?" Henry asked, but he shifted into a more comfortable position, eager to hear a new story.

"Aye, that too. But I mean I once sailed without a map. We didn't mean to, but we knocked off course by a storm and ended up in territories our navy hadn't charted."

"Your navy? You were in the navy?"

"Aye. Since I was about twelve years. This particular time though, I was about nineteen years old, and a midshipman."

"What was your navy like? Was it the same as ours?" Henry asked, interested to hear of a realm different to both his own and his grandparents.

"I have no idea what your navy is like." Killian replied, the blank look on his face was one he often wore when considering things of this world. "But ours was strict when you were near port, more lax when further away and frequently unbending in its superstitions."

"So, this storm?" Henry asked, keen to get them back on track.

The storm was something that, in later years, Killian would not wish one even Blackbeard. Of course, it had all started well, the whole trip. The sun had been blazing when they left Luca, no more than a few wisps of cloud in the sky that tracked quickly with the strong wind over to the East as they set out.

Killian had said goodbye to his brother by the restrooms in the stadium, thankful that it was off season and he could have this moment.

"Sail well, little brother." Liam said, ignoring the frown that briefly creased Killian's forehead at the word 'little'. "When you return, I hear you will be promoted to Lieutenant."

"Already?" the younger man looked curiously up at his brother. "I thought you said I wouldn't be promoted for at least five years once I reached midshipman? It's only just been two!"

"I am getting promoted to Captain soon. Part of the process involved discussing different people to promote and the reasons behind it. Naturally, you were brought up to see if I could be fair. I assume I was successful because I saw your name on the papers last week."

"Do you think it's too soon?" Killian asked softly, unsure if he wanted to hear the answer. His brother's opinion was everything.

"No. You work hard and you learn fast." A heavy hand fell on the younger man's shoulder. "Promotion is a good thing. Don't look so worried."

"Right." Killian nodded his head and pushed a lock of hair out of his eyes. "I'd best head off."

"Let's get you presentable first." Liam grinned and tugged the band out the dark strands of Killian's hair, before deftly replacing it. "Sail well, brother. The captain you travel with is a fool, but his parents are rich so the work will fall to the officers and of course, the officers in training."

"There are only two of us training on this voyage."

"Make sure you learn from the right superior." Liam embraced him, and Killian headed back out towards the ship, his posture straightening as he approached the gangplank.

"Said goodbye to your brother, got it. Then what?"

"Have a little patience, mate. We'll get there." But Killian relaxed as he spoke, happy to have such an interested audience.