Author's Note: I have a few ideas about where I want this to go. I'm going to do my best to write and post one approximately 500 word chapter everyday because it's a manageable goal. Enjoy!
Hook was sitting on the log by the dying fire, staring at the chess piece he'd carried across many realms, when he felt the tip of a hook tapping on his arm. He looked up to see Emma's Killian eyeing him with a natural expression. By the tilt of his head towards the opposite side of the clearing, he understood Killian intended for them to talk privately. He followed, trying to prepare himself for what might be unsaid between them.
"Aye, what is it you wished to say?" Hook demanded of the other man when they were out of earshot of the others.
"My wife has placed her trust in you by asking you to look after Henry. You have to understand how important it is; that you do not break that trust. Emma's trust was one of the things that set me on the path to let go of my villainy and explore the possibility of a happy ending, or, as Emma prefers, a happy beginning," Killian explained, though Hook could tell there was more to be said from the way he paused.
"I understand this is a second chance and I don't intend to waste it," Hook stressed, almost desperate that his doppelganger believe that he meant it. After almost separating the man from his child, a pain he wouldn't wish on his worst enemy, Killian had still pleaded with Emma to save his life, thus Hook now felt a debt was owed.
"I hope you do not. I think you should also know that Henry is the one responsible for setting the events in motion that lead Emma to me. Emma had Henry when she was incarcerated for crimes the father of her child pinned on her. Young and alone, she gave Henry up to give him his best chance unlike our own fathers who were selfish and abandoned us for self preservation. Regina," Killian pointed towards the Evil Queen, "she adopted Henry and raised him alone until Henry was 10 and set out to bring Emma to Storybrooke. He helped her find her parents and she eventually found me. Her family became my family and though I might not be the lad's birth father, make no mistake, Henry is my son and I love him as such."
"He seems like a fine young man. I'm sure… well… I'm sure he'll be okay," he mumbled, stumbling over his words, a little embarrassed that for all the languages he knew, words had failed him just then. Killian chuckled softly.
"He may seem grown but he's still a lad in many ways and you know it. I need you to promise me that you will look after my son, as though he was your own, because whether he means to or not, he'll look to you for guidance and support because you're a version of the man that helped raise him," Killian contended, intentions finally aired out.
"I owe both you and Emma for saving my life, so I promise, on my honour, that I will guide and protect young Henry in your stead," he vowed, extending his hand.
To be continued...