Title: Look After You
Chapter Fifty-Two: Emma's Boys
Author: snarkysweetness
Rating: PG
Characters: August, Henry, & Regina
Summary: August and Henry bond.
Warnings: Adorableness.
Disclaimer: I own nothing.
Author's Notes: Henry, my boy, I am disappointed that you have yet to give one fuck about August this season. Shame on you.

August hadn't been lying when he said he needed a break. Of course, he would have come anyway; anything for her. The cool sea salt air felt refreshing on his skin and his aching leg was thankful for the exercise. The station wasn't far from Granny's and Emma was sure to protest having the kid on a motorcycle, so here he was, walking towards the kid.

"What's up, kiddo?"

Henry looked up from the game in his hand and smiled.

"Hey, August!"

"Ready to go home?"

"Nah, I'm meeting my mom at Granny's."

August's eye twitched at the word 'mom'. He knew Regina had raised him but he felt too protective of Emma to not feel…what? Defensive? Offended? Something he couldn't quite name. Emma should have raised Henry and August couldn't help but blame himself for the fact that she'd been forced to give him up and that the poor kid was stuck with the Evil Queen as his mom.

"All right then, to Granny's it is, come on."

Henry shoved his game into his backpack and trotted alongside August.

"How was school, kid?"

He shrugged.

"It was okay."

"Just okay?"

"Miss Blanchard seemed really distracted. Is Mrs. Nolan going to be okay?"

Henry looked up at him with his sad eyes and August sighed.

"You know about that?"

Henry nodded.

"My mom…never mind," he muttered.

"What is it?" August asked, glancing down at the kid. Henry shook his head and August took his arm gently before getting on one knee to look him over. Henry averted his eyes and August felt a silent rage build up in her chest. If Regina hurt him…"Henry, did she do something?"

"No, she just…" Henry looked around, as if to make sure no one was listening. He leaned in to whisper. "She hates Miss Blanchard. And she said…she said that Miss Blanchard hurt Mrs. Nolan but I don't believe her. You don't think someone…killed her?"

Jesus Christ. What was wrong with Regina? Henry was too young to know about things like this. His resolve to break the curse strengthened and August squeezed Henry's shoulder.

"I promise you, if something bad did happen, Mary Margaret didn't do it. She's too good. I can't promise that someone didn't hurt her, but if they did, your mother will find them and make sure they pay for it, okay?"

Henry nodded and August stood and crossed the street towards Granny's with him.

"So…can I ask you something?"

"Go for it, kid."

"Why does my mom think you're my dad?"

August smirked. The kid didn't ask if he was his dad, only why Regina thought he was. Smart kid.

"I may have…let her believe I was."

"So you lied to her?"

"Yes," he admitted. "I don't like to lie, kid, and you shouldn't do it either, but…she was getting on my nerves. Besides, she just assumed I was. I just didn't correct her. Did you tell her the truth? That you're dad's dead?"

Henry gave him a 'look'.

"We both know Emma lied."

"So what did you tell her?"

The kid shrugged and August chuckled. Cheeky kid.

"Don't be too amused with yourself, as soon as I tell Emma, she won't let us keep it up."

"Right…but it was funny to see the look on her face."

"Oh yeah. I know she's your mom but-"

"She's also the Evil Queen." Henry said seriously.

"Speaking of the devil."

"Henry!"

Regina emerged from the diner and crossed her arms. She glared at August, looking ready to kill him.

"This is where I leave you, kid." August led him to the gate and because he couldn't resist it, ruffled his hair. "See you later, son." He gave the kid a wink and Henry hid a smile before running to join Regina. August tipped his imaginary hat in her direction and laughed as he walked around to the alley that led to the Inn. The look on Regina's face was priceless. He couldn't wait to tell Emma about it.