~Mano a Mano~

Killian had awoken the instance the unfamiliar presence had entered. Yes, he was indeed a sound sleeper, but he was also a three century old pirate. You don't survive that long without learning a few tricks, his sense of presence and wary mindset of strangers being just a few of them. Killian kept his eyes closed, waiting to see, or in this case hear, what would transpire. He'd learned many a secret this very way. Watching. Listening. Feigning drink, sleep, even sex to distract them from his motivation of gaining knowledge.

It was a man, that much he was sure. An angry man. A fearful man. One who was surely gazing at Killian, who could feel the prick of hairs on his arms and neck as the angry gaze took in his image. The gaze lasted only moments, but it felt like an eternity. Killian had to gauge his breathing as if still sleeping, to remain undetected.

"How long since he's been here?"

Oh, bollocks, it was the King. He'd been mildly successful in staying at arms length, so to speak. Now, he knew his streak was sure to end.

"Since I arrived to relieve the last man, majesty. Around daybreak. He was still reading to her then. Fell asleep that way."

Before long, the king was feigning a cough. An attempt to wake him, he knew. Killian wasn't ready to give in.

He felt the anger soften, slightly. Then a shift, half a foot step, as if the man turned. It didn't take long before boots were moving across the floor. Killian didn't dare move, though he no longer felt the gaze of the king.

There was a soft squeak as the other man sat on the bed. Killian's eyes flew open, his neck stiffening enough to drink in the sight before him. The sandy haired man holding on to Emma's hand with a look of anger, fear, and confusion. Killian could see the cogs of the King's mind working rapidly. Feeling the pull of the king's eyes back to him, Killian quickly shut his own and relaxed his neck.

Surely by now the King had been fully caught up in the events of the missing day. Along with the past week. He wasn't sure he was ready for a one-on-one with the father of the woman he was falling for. He'd have to be.

"Captain." He hissed, not quite loud, but demanding.

Killian allowed himself to seem startled by it, eyes going wide, his feet instantly placed on the floor, hand on the book, and his posture straight up as he stared into the eyes of her father.

He allowed himself a moment as if clearing his mind, wiping the sleep from his eyes, before standing and taking a proper bow, letting the book land on the chair he had just vacated. "Your highness." Killian ended his bow, relaxing into his typical stance. "I don't believe we've been formally introduced. Killian Jones."

Prince Charming stood, reluctantly letting go of Emma's hand. Both men moved in step with each other to the end of the bed, and Killian kept eye contact though fully aware the King's hand was placed on his sword. He kept his own arms bent at the elbows, hand on hook.

"I don't want you to court my daughter." He finally said.

"I would expect nothing less." He replied, keeping his face blank.

Killian could have sworn a smile flashed in the man's eyes, but he couldn't risk that idea festering. He knew he would have to defend himself in some fashion. He was fully prepared for whatever this man wrought upon him. Mostly.

"You won't stop then?"

"I haven't started, highness. That would require permission from her." He waved his hand in her direction. "Alas, she is also the only one who can tell me no."

Killian's whole body shifted to face her still form, not caring about the worried look on his face or the fact that he was, absolutely, being watched by the King who still had his hand on that sword. He was worried. He couldn't help it. This woman didn't deserve this. Any of this.

"As much as I would like to harm you in many creative ways, her attacker's puppeteer is still out there. Do you know anything else, anything at all, about the witch Neal met with? Or Neal, for that matter?"

"Bae, yes. But the witch? I wish I could, mate. I never met her. Bae heard the rumors, same as me. A witch who took payment to reveal your future. I wasn't interested, but Bae's been running from his father for… quite a while, actually. He went with intentions to learn if he was safe from his father, or if he needed to keep running."

"And then?"

Killian sighed, looking back to the king. "When he returned, he was not himself. He kept picking fights with me, demanding I take him to this land with no magick, like I'd ever heard of the place aside from his own lips. Then we found our way here, and I'm sure you know the rest."

"Yes. You saved her from being crushed by your ship."

"Aye, that-" He grinned sheepishly, waving his hand and hook in a defensive gesture. "not my fault."

"And then you kissed her."

Killian nodded slowly, biting his lower lip. "I didn't much mind that part, honestly."

"And last night?"

Killian's face fell for a split second, before he pushed a grin back out. "Guilty of that one too, I suppose."

"You seem more cavalier than you really are."

"You noticed? What can I say, mate? It's my defence mechanism."

"I'm not your mate." From his expression and tone, Killian was instantly reminded of Emma.

The king was silent a moment. "What could you offer her?"

"What couldn't I offer her?" He replied. "I have wealth-"

"That you've stolen."

"Aye, from other pirates. Or any devil who got in my way."

"Oh, is that all?"

"I may not have much in the way of title, or land, but I have enough to buy those things, if that's what you'd require. I could purchase your kingdom if I chose to. She'd never want for anything."

"You can't buy my kingdom."

"Didn't say I would, mate, just that I can afford it."

"What about your travels?"

"What about them?"

David scoffed. "Well, are you planning on leaving, taking my daughter with you?"

"That, sir, is just as much up to her as it is me. If she chose me, and she chose to travel the realms, I would gladly comply."

"And if she wanted to stay, to rule this kingdom?"

"I'd comply with that as well."

"What if Neal left more than the trauma?"

Killian breathed deeply. After the early morning talk he'd been present for, he already suspected Emma was with child. A son, by the sound of it. But he didn't know for sure until the king had just confirmed it.

"I already know, highness. Unfortunately for you, a family couldn't scare me off. Even by another man. I'm not going anywhere unless she wants me to."

"You already- how the hell do you know?"

"Knowledge is power, Charming. I have my ways."

"That's not good enough."

Hook lost his cool, just for a split second, but that's all it took. "You want to know if I can provide for her? I can. Protect her? I can. Ensure her happiness? I can bloody well try!" Hook sighed, breathing out the pent up aggression, combing his hand through his hair. Aggravation was not the way. "Look, mate, I don't even know if she's had more than a passing thought about a future with me, and until she makes that clear, let's call a truce and figure this sort out. When this is all over, and suppose she does reciprocate my feelings, we can continue this lovely chat. If not, I'll gladly help you chain and torture her other suitors. Savvy?" He held out his hand, hoping the king would take it and they'd be done... for now, anyways.

"Not quite." David crossed his arms and a smile flickered across his face that Killian would rather not have seen. "I want a duel."

Killian slowly grinned, taking in the man's words. His outstretched arm fell to his side as an eyebrow shot up. "Name your terms."