Permission

Killian had never been more nervous than anything in his entire life. Considering he was well over 300 years old, that was saying something.

He sat in a booth at Granny's, coffee in front of him, but he was not drinking. Instead, he was rubbing his sweaty palms together; he could not figure out how to keep still he was so nervous. He couldn't explain why he was so nervous; he's been seeing this person a lot lately. He considered this person extremely important in his new life her in Storybrooke. It definitely had to do with the question he needed to ask.

It was past 3:00pm. School had been let out about a half hour beforehand, so he knew it was only a matter of time before Henry showed up to meet him for this afternoon get-together. Just as he was thinking this, a mop of brown hair entered the diner.

"Henry! Over here, lad!"

Henry beamed over at Killian as he made his way over to the booth. The two of them had been meeting up more and more lately. Whether it was sailing, spending time at Granny's or just hanging out at Henry's grandparent's apartment and playing what he called "video games," the two were becoming inseparable, which is why this meeting was especially important to Killian.

"So how was your first day of school? High school must be a big change for you."

"Not bad. And not really, considering I've been with these kids ever since I was in kindergarten. Plus we haven't really started actual work, so that's a plus. I know I'm really going like my English teacher this year, though."

"I should certainly hope so. If there was one person who knows English and literature more than anyone in Storybrooke, it's dear Belle."

"Totally! I'm really glad she was able to move on from my grandpa and find someone who appreciates her."

"I agree. Belle was always such a decent person; someone whom your grandfather didn't deserve. Will makes her happy, and she in turn puts him in his place."

This seemingly normal conversation between him and Henry just made him all the more anxious to ask him. What would he say? What would happen if he said no? Would their relationship alter? Either way, it was no or never. Killian drew a large breath, and exhaled slowly, finally garnering the courage to ask.

"Henry, there's something I need to ask of you."

"Sure, what's up?"

He steeled himself, knowing it was no or never.

"Your mom and I have been seeing each other for quite some time now. I love her more than I have ever loved anyone or anything in my entire life. I just wanted you to know that, first and foremost."

'Okay…"

Killian reached into the pocket of his leather jacket and pulled out a small box. He opened it and showed Henry the contents. Inside laid a ring: a ring with two princess-diamonds on either side of a larger emerald-cut ruby.

"Your mother once put my heart back into my chest; little did she know that she had taken it from me long before she did that. That is what the stone in the middle represents: my pure heart, given to her willingly. What I wanted to ask you Henry, since you are one of the most important men in your mother's life, is if you will consent to me asking your mother for her hand in marriage?"

He had never seen Henry really, truly cry. He had seen him be upset at his mother-both his mothers, in fact. But he had never witnessed true tears from the boy.

"Killian, you are so old-fashioned," Henry said as he giggled through the tears.

"I wanted to do this right, lad. I didn't feel comfortable if I didn't ask."

"Of course you can marry my mom!"

Both been jumped out of their seats and hugged one another. It was one of those hugs that just felt right to Killian; it felt like home.

He whispered to Henry, "This in no way means I'm trying to replace your father, you know that, right, lad?"

"Of course I do. But hey, I get to tell everyone my step-dad is Captain Hook!"

"Right you are, Henry."

They both released each other from their embrace. Killian dropped money on the table for his coffee and they both strode out of Granny's together. As they reached the bottom of the steps, Henry asked, "So, since you went to me, are you going to ask my grandparents?"