A/N: Hello, hello! So, I hadn't anticipated getting this story up this week as it has been a beyond hectic week, but here we are! Thank you so much for all your wonderful reviews! If I haven't replied to yours, I apologise and I shall do it as soon as I can! The dance evaluation I am doing is killing me; if only it were fanfiction, it would be done by now!

This story is based off a prompt from FiliandKili'sGirl18 - wishing to see Killian's reaction to the events of "Strange." You don't necessarily have to read/re-read "Strange" as the events are still mentioned below, but of course you are welcome to go back and read it. It is number 41 in the series!

Enjoy!

Keep Smiling!

Killian walks through the door and sees his beloved wife and son sitting at the kitchen table, mugs of cocoa in front of them. He places his satchel down on the table's surface, next to Liam's bag, before moving to the occupants of the table.

He kisses Emma, nuzzling her nose tenderly when their lips part.

"Good day, handsome?" she asks him as he pulls back and goes over to Liam. He ruffles their boy's hair affectionately.

"It wasn't too bad, thankfully." Killian says and leans against the counter for a moment. "What's going on here then? Cocoa like this only happens when something important needs to be discussed."

Liam, suddenly panicked, looks at Emma who simply rests against the back of her chair.

"This is one for you to explain, mister." she says.

Killian stands behind Emma, allowing her to lean the back of her head against his toned stomach. His hand rests on her shoulder, which she promptly grips; gently playing with his fingers.

He looks at Liam who seems suddenly unsure, his fingers twisting together in anxiety.

"Hey, you know that you can talk to both of us, lad." Killian says, giving his boy a soft smile.

Liam nods, glancing at his mother to see her giving him an encouraging smile.

"I was on my way home and a boy came up to me." Liam begins, swallowing thickly and unable to make eye contact with either of his parents. "He said some things and... and I..." He pauses for a moment. "I got into a fight with him."

"You got into a fight..." Killian says, his voice low. "You got into a fight."

Liam's eyes grow wide at the tone of voice his father is using. It is one that sends fear and uneasiness into him. Emma quickly recognises it as his 'Captain's voice.'

Liam never wanted to disappoint his parents.

And now he has...

"Follow me, Liam." Killian says.

He tenderly kisses Emma's temple before leading Liam out the front door and onto the porch. They walk around the side of the house and sit in the two chairs overlooking the back garden.

Killian remains quiet as Liam's anxiety grows uncontrollably. His heart constricts in his chest, and his hands harshly fist the hem of his shirt. He watches as his father sighs and leans forwards, resting his forearms on his thighs.

"I'm not angry that you got in a fight, Li." Killian says, turning his head to his boy. "But I want to know what happened, why it happened. I know you've probably explained it to your mother already, but I want to hear it from you."

Liam nods and takes a deep breath. "The boy I was hit by, and hit, told me I was weird and unwanted because I'm not like you or Mum. He kept saying it and I just... snapped. I yelled at him and he hit me."

"So you hit him back?" Killian asks, his heart aching for his boy. He never wanted Liam to be in that position.

"Not at first." Liam's voice has grown quieter. "He said he could keep beating me because no one would help. He said he would do the job that you and Mama should have done..." He stops for a moment, trying to collect himself. It doesn't escape Killian's notice that he has slipped back to calling Emma 'Mama' like he did when he was younger.

"What, Li?" Killian whispers.

"That you should have gotten rid of me... because I shouldn't exist."

Killian quickly moves to kneel in front of the eleven-year old.

"You, just like your mother and brother, are the light in my life." he says. "You are like the water beneath my ship, keeping me afloat."

"But, I don't have magic, or a hook."

Killian's solitary hand raises to cup Liam's cheek so their gazes meet.

"You don't need either, Liam. You are so loved for who you are, as I am sure your mother has already told you." His boy merely nods. "I've loved you from the moment your mum told me she was pregnant. I felt so much joy with every kick you made and felt privileged to be woken in the middle of the night to go to the shop because you were making your mum crave pickles.

"I knew from the very first moment I held you that I would do absolutely anything and everything to keep you safe, until my last breath."

Tears, that have been slowly gathering, begin to overflow and spill down Liam's cheeks. Killian wastes no time and pulls his boy into his body. Seeking comfort, Liam turns his head into his father's neck and sobs.

Killian pulls him down so he is sitting on his butt with his legs out in front of him, and Liam is curled up in his lap.

"I am so proud of who you are, Liam Jones." Killian mumbles, running his hand through Liam's hair to help soothe him. "You shouldn't listen to what they say, Li. They don't know you and have no right to say those things. You are who you want to be, and we love you so much."

Minutes pass, and Liam slowly calms himself. He pulls back, his cheeks flushed.

"I'm sorry, Papa." he mumbles, embarrassed.

"Hey, none of that." Killian chides gently. He hooks his fingers beneath Liam's chin. "I love you, Li, as does the rest of your family."

A small smile twerks on Liam's lips. "I love you too."

Killian kisses his boy's forehead and wipes the traces of tears away.

"Mama told me I'm not allowed to fight anymore."

Killian nods. "I think we had better listen to her, lad. Aye?"

"Aye." Liam says, his smile blossoming. "I did mention that perhaps you could help me. She wasn't so sure."

A laugh escapes his father. "She is right, Li. But, I can help you let off steam at home, so you don't fight and get hurt."

Killian pushes Liam's hair off his forehead as he contemplates.

"Can we try something now, Papa?" Liam asks, jumping to his feet.

Smiling up at his boy, Killian stands as well. He tucks the lad into his side and steers them back into the house.

Emma turns from where she is browsing the cupboards in the kitchen, deciding what to have for dinner, when they walk through the door.

"Is everything all right?" she asks her boys.

Liam smiles up at his dad and Killian bends his arm at the elbow, keeping it draped around Liam's shoulders, to ruffle his hair from behind.

"I think we've sorted everything out." Killian tells his wife. "I would love to teach whoever hurt our boy a lesson with my hook..." Emma gives him a look, her eyebrow arching. Killian raises his hook in defence. "I would love to, but I won't."

Liam laughs at his parent's antics.

"Papa said the he is going to help me run off some steam at home so this doesn't happen again." he says.

Emma smiles and moves towards her boys. She kisses Liam's forehead and hugs him to her tightly. When she pulls back, she uses her magic to produce two blunt cutlasses in her hand.

"Here." she says, handing them over "Why don't you go and get ready in the garden. Plenty of room to move around."

Liam grins, looking so much like his father, and kisses Emma's cheek.

"I love you so much, Mama."

Emma's heart melts into a puddle. Liam hasn't called her 'mama' for a few years - other than the rare occasion when he has been seeking comfort.

She cups his cheek in her right hand. "I love you too, baby. Always."

Liam gives his mum another hug, taking the moment with her, before he withdraws and vanishes from sight as he moves out the door.

Emma laughs and looks at her husband. She steps towards him. Her hands slide up his chest before wrapping around his neck. Killian's arms easily hook around her waist, pulling her closer.

"How did your talk go?" she asks. "He seems happier."

Killian leans his forehead against hers.

"It went well, I believe. I just..."

"Just what, babe?" she asks, fingers fiddling with the ends of his hair.

Killian's eyes slip closed. "I hate that our boy believed those words - that he was unwanted, unloved."

Emma hums, running her nose against his.

"He is far too special, too amazing to think like that." She sighs, her own eyes slipping shut. "Seeing that bruise on his jaw... I never thought something like that would happen to him. I wanted Li to have a far better childhood that I ever had."

Killian's arms tighten around her waist.

"I know, sweetheart." he whispers. They are quiet for a few moments. "What are we going to do about this?"

"I've already called the school. I'm going in to see the head teacher and will be talking about bullying - perhaps the message will stick with my badge on my belt and my gun on my hip."

Killian chuckles lightly. "You've done such a magnificent job raising our boy."

Emma lets out a laugh of her own. "As have you, Kil. We've done it together and we have both done an amazing job."

He leans against her forehead more. In response, Emma tilts her head and captures his lips with her own. The kiss begins gentle before instinctively deepening, their tongues tangling. Killian, unable to resist, dips her. Emma's hands run through his hair, keeping him close.

After a few minutes, Killian lifts her up and spins her around. Giggling, Emma breaks the kiss and buries her face in his neck. Her feet touch the ground once again.

"I love you."

Those three little words never fail to bring a smile to Killian's face, or a flutter to his heart.

"I love you too, my darling." he mumbles, soft and quietly.

Emma gives him another quick kiss, hands planting themselves on his chest.

"Our boy is waiting for you." she says, a smile blossoming on her kiss swollen lips. "Go on, Papa."

Killian grins at his wife, giving her one final kiss, before running off to join the product of their True Love; their Liam.

End note: Please review! :)