It was just before noon that Sunday afternoon, and the boys, plus one pirate princess, were out on the docks. Flora was clutching her stuffed dog, watching the scene unfolding in front of her, a look of awe and glee plastered on the five-year-old's face. Her older brother Henry sat to her right watching just as intently, only breaking every few minutes to look down and jot notes on his writing pad.
"Get him dad!" Neal cheered from her left, dark eyes pinned straight ahead.
"Shh Neal, remember we can't distract them" Flora whispered, placing her index finger to her lips as if to emphasize the severity of his actions. Neal quickly clamped both hands to his mouth, forgetting the most important rule of sitting out there and watching their fathers fight.
Things were never quiet for long in Storybrooke. Between monsters, witches, and other villains, both Killian and David knew it was important to have every weapon at their disposal. Making sure their sword fighting skills were top notch was of high importance in the event of a further breach to their safety. Considering both men were the best swordsmen around, who else would they practice with?
Their weekly sessions started, innocently enough, during Saturday morning brunch, when Henry approached David and asked to resume their long forgotten sword-fighting lessons. After all, getting stuck in a sleeping curse, being kidnapped, having your body taken over by Peter Pan, and having your mind erased for a whole year did put halt on such lessons.
"Now boy," Killian perked up at Henry's suggestion "why wouldn't you come to me with such a request? A pirate is a master swordsman after all" he grinned as he spoke the last part, causing Emma to roll her eyes and walk into the kitchen.
"Listen up, Hook" David emphasized as he stood from the table and walked behind his grandson "Of course Henry would come to me. Not only am I Henry's grandfather, but I have also slain several worthy adversaries in my time. "
Killian let out an exasperated sigh as both men continued to argue, each giving an impassioned speech as to why they should be the one to teach him. Henry turned to his mother and gestured for help. Emma simply shrugged as she lifted her mug of cocoa with a raised eyebrow. Sorry kid, you brought this on yourself she appeared to be saying.
"Listen, pirate," David spoke up as Henry snuck into the kitchen with his mother and sister "we all have our roles here. Mary Margaret is teaching him to be a successful tracker. Robin is teaching him archery. Regina is teaching him magic."
"Oh!" Emma interrupted "Don't forget, I'm teaching him sarcasm and irony, both very important skills here."
Henry laughed, but David and Killian pretended to ignore her. "Plus, you're already teaching him how to sail and navigate. Face it, Killian I'm the sword guy"
"I thought we established that you were the cool grandpa?" Killian mocked
"You should have a contest." Flora spoke up from her corner of the table, milk mustache displayed on her lips. "The best sworder wins" she exclaimed with a raise of the arms.
All the adults turned and considered her statement. Killian and David turned to each other and both smiled something wicked. The discussion was over.
Over the course of the next few days, a rating score was implemented, using standardized measures that were developed by Killian and David (and Mary Margaret for good measure). Henry would use the scale to rate each men weekly on various corresponding skills. It was agreed by all involved that he, the heart of the truest believer, would be the most objective and score them appropriately. And Henry took the responsibility with pride.
Unfortunate for both men, Henry also never disclosed who had won each particular round. Henry figured that by being ignorant of their scores both men would be more competitive and more likely to perform at a level of a true master swordsman.
That was how they all came to the docks every Sunday afternoon, Flora always sitting between her uncle and brother, quietly cheering the men on. Hard as Flora and Neal tried, neither was able to pry the winner from Henry. Flora always swore her father was the winner, and Neal would say the same about his. In the end, it never mattered, because both men would repeatedly show they were more than capable of keeping the town safe.
Everything her father did was a marvel to Flora, these sessions were no exception. She would watch enthralled as Killian and David went through their motions, never once stopping. Both men dancing around each other with elaborate turns, one man taking the initiative for a blow while the other countered with a strategic arm swing or move to the right. One man closing in as the other stepped back and a figure eight back to the fighting stance where they would repeat the dance. To the untrained eye, both were equal in ability, yet only Henry knew the truth. And he would never tell.
After their session was over, David slapped Killian hard on the back "Another day, another win Hook" he grinned as he made his way towards his son and grandchildren.
"Nah, mate, I think today I was the victor. I got you few times there towards the end." He followed David up the dock.
"Whatever you say, pirate." The prince grinned as he grabbed the jug of water by Neal's feet.
Killian approached Flora and scooped her up in his arms. "What do you say lass, who do you suppose was the winner today?" Flora wrapped her arms around her father's neck and peeked over her shoulders towards David. "Sorry grandpa, daddy won this one today." Killian laughed, pressing a kiss on her cheek. "He got you a few times there in the end. I sawed it." Killian raised his head and let out a cackle. "From the mouths of babes, mate." He turned towards his friend, his daughter still held tight in an embrace.
David grinned and whispered something into Neal's ear. Neal nodded and gave his father a fist bump, clearly having a similar conversation with his son.
"Daddy, I think in celebration you should take me out to ice cream" Flora whispered in her father's ear, still clinging tightly to his neck.
"Is that what you think, love?" He leaned his forehead onto his daughters, looking her straight in the eyes. She gave him a toothy grin and nodded, not breaking contact with her father. He leaned further and pressed a kiss to her nose before setting her down.
"Same time next week, mate?" Killian turned to David who was already approaching the pair.
David nodded as he leaned down and gave his granddaughter a kiss and hugged his grandson goodbye. Flora waved goodbye to her uncle before grabbing Killian's hook and Henry's hand. She skipped as she walked between her favorite men. She could not wait to get home and tell her mother about how her father had won again.
A/N: This is getting to be really fun to write. So if you wouldn't mind too much, please let me know your thoughts. I do my happy Snoopy Dance every time I get a review!