prompt: Liam is in Kindergarten and Killian is called to the school because Liam is pretending to be a pirate, which entails him hoarding toys and pillaging lunches for gummy bears.

the pirate's son

"Swan," Killian says as he steps into the house, nerves fraying in his belly and his thoughts higher than the clouds.

Emma turns toward him, smiling as she puts her hands to work, cleaning the table of breakfast dishes.

"Oh, hey," Emma walks the plates to the kitchen sink and turns the water on and Killian nervously curls his fingers into his palm. "I was thinking that we could take the kids on your ship later. It's a really nice day today."

She narrows her eyes slightly and turns the water off when he doesn't reply. "What happened?"

Killian runs his hand through his hair and shakes his head. "I was- while I was dropping Liam off, his teacher asked if we'd both come later for a parent teacher conference."

Emma's eyes widen and she opens her mouth. "Oh."

"Aye," Killian sighs. "She wouldn't tell me what he'd done, so I don't know what we should expect."

She gives him a look and wipes her hands on the dishtowel before walking toward him, pressing her hands to his shoulders so he'll look her in the eye. He does, not able to do otherwise.

"I'm sure it's no big deal," Emma promises. "Liam's a good kid. He's a little… rambunctious sometimes, but he means well."

Killian's grimaces a little, feeling sick over the whole thing, and she lifts her hand to brush back the fringe of his hair.

"Hey. What is it?"

"I-" Killian pauses to sigh. "I don't know. I just can't believe he'd do something to merit us both going to school later."

She strokes a hand down his arm. "Listen, it's going to be fine. I'm sure this happens all the time."

"Aye," Killian sighs. "I suppose I'm overreacting."

Emma smiles a little. "No, you're being a concerned parent. That's different." She creeps up on her toes to kiss him chastely, and it only helps him feel a little better. "I promise. It'll be fine."

..

Killian is for the most part flustered because Liam hasn't ever shown signs of being a troublemaker at home. Sure, he's got his moments where he'll throw a tantrum, or he'll be a little aggressive where it comes to his own strength, but that's normal for a five-year-old boy.

He can't reconcile how his son, named after his older brother, a man whom practically raised Killian from childhood into adulthood, a man whom he looked up to and always wished to please because he was the idealistic gentleman, could misbehave, even a little.

Emma holds his hand as they wait in the hall for the little ones to find their parents and when Liam's teacher comes to the door at last, she smiles a little at them, sighing softly.

"Okay, why don't you come in? Liam's waiting inside."

Killian glances down at his wife, who smiles at him and squeezes his hand comfortingly.

As they walk into the classroom, Killian easily sets his eyes on his boy, his feet scuffing against the floor as he sits in a chair built for his size, his shoulders slumped, his hair a ruffled mess. He smiles at them just a little, as if he knows he's been caught in the act.

Liam's teacher has them sit at her desk and Killian stares at his son as he colors at the table, seeming a little quieter than usual.

"Alright," his teacher smiles softly. "I'm not sure if Liam has told you much about his time at school, but lately, he's been having a lot of fun playing pirate."

Killian's eyebrows shoot up and he looks to Emma, who laughs softly. "Oh, trust me, that's a family trait. He does it at home too."

The teacher smiles faintly. "Well, it's gotten a little out of control. He's been taking all of the toys and he won't share with the other kids." She sighs, looking past them at the little boy. "Today, he decided to go through the lunchboxes and find all of the sweets."

Emma laughs. "That sounds like something he'd do."

Killian joins her in chuckling, the feeling in his chest lifting substantially. At least he isn't hurting anyone physically. This is something he can handle.

"Aye. He's a rapscallion, that's for certain."

"I'm sure it's just a phase," Liam's teacher smiles, "but I wanted to let you both know about it so that you could, I don't know, talk to him?"

Killian nods. "Aye. Of course."

He turns his attention back toward Liam, who examines a crayon with a tilt of his head and his tongue pressed between his lips.

"Liam," he says, rising to his feet. "What do you say we head home?"

His son grins and scrambles toward him, leaving his paper and crayons on the table so he can wrap his arms around Killian's legs.

"I missed you, Papa."

Killian sighs. "I missed you too, Son."

..

Emma walks beside Killian as they head back toward home. Liam's theft of all of the sugary sweets at snack time has ended in his demise and he's heavy and warm as he buries his face in Killian's neck.

When they get home, Liam stirs against him and Killian smiles at him as the little boy rubs his eyes.

"You're tired, aren't you, lad?" Killian murmurs.

Liam sighs and pushes his head into Killian's neck again, making him chuckle. "Come now, Son. We need to talk about school."

Killian takes his boy into the living room and eases the child down onto his feet. He crouches down so he's lower than him, taking hold of his hand.

"What about school?" Liam asks.

"Well," Killian sighs, searching the depths of Liam's eyes. "Your teacher had some things to tell us about how you've been behaving."

Liam frowns. "What?"

"She said you've been playing pirate." Killian explains.

A wry grin spreads on his son's face and he nods. "Just like you, Papa."

Killian struggles for a second, shaking his head with a crease in his forehead. "Well, that's not entirely true now, lad." He straightens out. "You need to be kind with your friends at school. You can't expect to make friends if you're pillaging and plundering away all of their sweets, can you?"

Liam contorts his face thoughtfully and then shakes his head slowly. "No."

"Aye," Killian smiles, reaching up to squeeze his son's arm, "you can play pirates at home, of course, but… don't do it at school. At school, you should be a proper gentleman. Especially to the ladies."

Liam bobs his head in what Killian hopes is understanding. "Okay, Papa."

Killian winks at the boy and a smile fills his lips, mirroring the one on the five year old's face.

"Now, how about a duel, pirate?" Killian winks playfully.

Liam's smirk spreads. "I'm gonna win!"

"I don't know about that." Killian teases, rising to his feet as his son goes to find the play swords.

Emma stands nearby, a smile on her lips, and he crosses the room to meet her.

"See? What did I say? He's totally fine."

Killian hums. "But it appears he's inherited more than just my devilishly good looks."

Emma rolls her eyes and smacks him in the chest playfully. "Well, as long as he gets his naps in and eats his vegetables, I think I can live with it."

"Aye." He smiles against her lips when he kisses her.