Dancing With Swords

CS Genre: Future Fic (Captain Cobra)

Emma woke slowly, taking her time before opening her eyes. It was so comfortable, so peaceful here in bed she didn't want to move. She felt the warm, gentle breeze from their open bedroom window, heard the birds peacefully chirping, enjoyed the warm sun against her back.

All that would make this feeling more perfect is if her pirate husband were with her, holding her against him, his even breath ruffling her hair. But it was the middle of the day, and Emma had yet to find a way to convince him to nap with her; he was far too active, had far too much energy. (Seriously, he could rival a puppy!) Given his new lease on life following the Underworld ordeal, he seemed determined to make the most of every moment he was given.

(Well, of course there was one way she could have gotten him to join her in bed in the middle of the day, and while she certainly wouldn't be opposed, it wouldn't involve much sleeping—a commodity she desperately needed lately.)

Emma rolled to her back and placed a protective hand on her stomach, only now beginning to display the tiniest of bumps. She was still wearing her normal clothing—well, the looser items, at least—but it wouldn't be long now before she had to start investing in maternity wear. Her mom had mentioned it the other day, eagerly offering to go shopping with her for all the necessary baby attire and accessories.

It gave Emma a feeling as warm and comfortable as the springtime weather currently caressing her. What a change from her first pregnancy! She had a doting husband (who was almost annoying in his insistence on caring for her, making sure she didn't over tax herself), a son who was thrilled at the prospect of being a big brother, parents and friends who could barely restrain their exuberance when it came to talking about the little bundle of joy that would be making an appearance in just over four months.

(She had to laugh at her father, who'd found a website detailing the baby's growth and development from week to week. After returning for the Underworld, the Charmings had decided it was important the family bond, and had instituted a weekly "Sunday dinner" for the whole family. Each Sunday since she and Killian had told them their big news, David had opened the dinner conversation with a recitation of facts about Baby Swan-Jones. Yesterday, he'd informed them that, at 19 weeks of development, the little guy or gal was the size of an heirloom tomato.)

This baby would be so very loved.

Gradually, Emma became aware of how quiet it was in their big house by the sea. She knew Killian and Henry would keep it down to let her rest, but shouldn't she at least hear some sounds out of her boys?

After the whole ordeal of the last year, Emma always felt a moment of panic when she didn't know where her husband was. For the first few months it was the worst. She rarely could let him out of her sight, subconsciously afraid that if she did she'd lose him again. The feeling had faded as the months passed and nothing more dangerous than a little run in with the tooth fairy (who, yeah, was real too—and more on the villain side of the ledger than the hero) had happened, but Emma still couldn't stop the little twinge.

Getting to her feet, she put on her boots and headed downstairs. She sighed in relief as she saw the note on the kitchen table, Killian's delicate 18th century scrawl letting her know that he and Henry were out back honing their swordsmanship skills. Her son had been inordinately interested in improving with a blade over the last few weeks, something she'd found rather odd, but as it gave he and Killian more father-son bonding time, she certainly wasn't going to complain. Henry, of course, still enjoyed a good sparring match with his gramps, but lately Killian seemed to be his preferred teacher.

Taking a bite of the apple Killian had left her with the note (insisting he knew she'd wake hungry and suggesting she go with something healthy to help their little pirate develop strong and healthy), Emma headed to the back door and stepped outside curious to see how her guys were doing today.

"No, lad," Killian said, circling Henry, "you mustn't let your stance relax. Good form is paramount. By slumping like that you expose your left side to my attack."

Henry straightened and then parried the blow Killian sent his way. "How am I supposed to keep up with you if you keep dancing like that?"

Killian grinned. "Being light on your feet and graceful is an important skill for a swordsman. Both agility and strength are of value."

Henry raised his sword and went on the offensive, moving forward with a flourish that was pure Killian. Killian warded off each of his blows, but it was clear to Emma that Henry was improving.

"You make it sound like dancing," Henry said, slightly out of breath. "All that spinning and footwork and agility and stuff."

"Aye," Killian said, twirling before meeting Henry blade for blade. "There are similarities for sure. Good form is a must, respect for your partner. You must study them, react to their moves, adjust your own accordingly."

The two continued their "dance" for another few minutes in silence, both wholly focused on each other and the task at hand. At last, Henry managed to catch Killian unaware, and with a flick of his wrist, sent his step-father's sword flying through the air until it planted itself in the rocky sand a couple yards away.

Killian smiled broadly as he jogged to retrieve his weapon. "Good show lad! I believe that's the first time you've so thoroughly bested me."

Emma smiled fondly as she saw the look of pride on her son's face. Just as she'd assured Regina way back when they were battling Zelena—for the first time—Killian was good for Henry. It warmed her heart how close her two favorite guys were.

Killian grabbed his sword, sheathed it and returned to the "battlefield". "I think that's enough swordplay for one afternoon, aye lad?"

"Yeah," Henry grinned. "Especially since it means I get to stop while I'm ahead."

Killian ruffled Henry's hair and then nudged him playfully. "I'd suggest you not rest too comfortably upon your laurels mate," he growled in mock indignation. "I fully intend to take them back from you upon our next encounter."

Henry's grin broadened. "Well, you can try…"

"I can indeed," Killian agreed.

They lapsed into silence for a minute, and Emma watched the expressions pass across her son's face. Slowly, the triumph of a battle won morphed into something resembling embarrassment.

"Killian?" he asked, glancing aside.

"Aye, lad?" Killian asked, taking a seat in one of the piece of patio furniture they'd bought just after moving in. Henry took the chair across from him.

"Do you think…do you think you could teach me how to dance? Real dance, I mean, not sword fighting dance."

Killian tilted his head, looking more closely at the boy. After a moment ne nodded. "Aye, if you'd like. Any particular reason for the sudden interest?"

Henry reddened. "Well there's this dance at school in a couple weeks…"

Killian grinned. "Is there indeed?"

"Yeah, and, well, I kind of wanted to ask Violet—you know she and her dad decided to stay in Storybrooke when everyone else went back to Camelot?"

"I may have heard something of the kind," Killian said drily. Emma laughed to herself. Yeah, they may have heard something of the kind every hour on the hour for the first week after Violet and Percival had made the decision. Henry had made an attempt to be subtle, but it was clear his case of puppy love was nowhere near cured.

Killian cleared his throat, obviously trying to keep his amusement at bay regarding the conversation the adolescent found deadly serious. "So you'd like to invite the lass to accompany you to said function."

"Yeah," Henry said. "The thing is…I don't know how to dance. At all."

"Shouldn't be an issue from what I've observed of this realm's customs where dancing is concerned," Killian said. "It would seem all one must do is hold his chosen partner and sway back and forth upon the spot. Rather uninspired, I'd say. Granted, it's not an activity I mind when your mother is the one in my arms. Particularly when she buries her face in my neck and whispers tiny endearments into my skin."

"Ew!" Henry groused. "Did you really need to go there?"

"Why not?" Killian asked with a grin. "I was under the impression you quite approved of the relationship your mother and I share."

"Yeah, but that doesn't mean I want to hear about…holding and endearments and skin. You know you can be totally disgusting sometimes."

Killian laughed. "I'll keep that in mind the next time I'm tempted to talk to you about your mum. At any rate, I'm not sure I could be much help when it came to that kind of dancing."

"That's the thing," Henry said, looking earnestly at Killian now. "I don't want to just dance like that. Violet's used to other dancing. You know real dancing. Like the kind you do in a ball room. She finds all our customs and stuff really weird, and, you know, I just kind of wanted to make her comfortable."

"Quite gentlemanly of you, lad," Killian said with a nod. "Very well. I'll teach you a few dances."

Deciding she'd skulked in the shadows long enough, Emma stepped forward. "You're in luck, Henry," she said with an indulgent smile. "Killian's the best teacher out there. You'll be able to sweep Violet off her feet by the time he's done."

Emma's heart turned over at the look of utter joy and adoration that crossed her husband's face when he caught sight of her. "Swan," he said. "I trust you and the wee one had a nice nap?"

"Yeah," she said. "Feel much more rested now. It would have been better if you'd joined me, though."

"Mom!" Henry groaned.

Emma laughed, taking a seat on Killian's lap and putting an arm around his neck. "Don't worry kid, I was talking about just sleep. He's just so nice and warm. Like my own personal space heater."

Killian shot Henry an exaggerated aggrieved look. "Do you see what I have to put up with, mate? Here I am, loving your mother with everything within me, and she sees me as nothing but a space heater."

Emma laughed and swatted his shoulder. "You are such an idiot. You're lucky I love you as much as I do."

He suddenly sobered. "Aye, Swan. I remind myself of that fact every single day. It's a blessing that will never cease to fill me with wonder and awe."

Emma felt the love and affection well up within her again, and was on the point of leaning down and fitting her lips to her husband's, when her son spoke up again.

"Ugh," he said. "You two are going to start making out again, aren't you?"

Emma grinned, and turned back toward her teenager. "I'll try to restrain myself for a few minutes until you go off to do something else."

"Good."

"So," Emma said. "School dance, huh?"

Henry fidgeted. "Yeah. I mean, it's no big deal, just the spring dance at the middle school. I just thought, you know, Violet might like to go."

Emma got to her feet, went over to her son, and kissed the top of his head. "She'll be lucky to have you as her date. You guys gonna be a while? I thought I'd go into the station for a while and catch up on paper work. It's amazing how much added up while I was busy being the Dark One—and then going through hell."

"Perhaps the lad and I could continue our training—in both forms of dancing," Killian said, "and then pick you up at the station in time for dinner?"

"Sounds good to me," Emma said, stepping back into the house. "See ya in a bit."

She shot her boys one last look through the sliding glass doors, smiling as she saw Killian get to his feet and take a dancing stance, motioning to Henry to join him.

It might have taken a while—and a lot of heartache to get here, but she wouldn't trade her life now for anything.

Notes:

-Today's story came from a prompt by bethacaciakay on Tumblr. I'm not sure it was exactly what was in your prompt, but I hope it was close to what you were looking for!

-This was primarily supposed to be about Captain Cobra bonding, and Emma standing back and watching her boys fondly, but I couldn't help but add in a little CS pregnancy fluff as well—mainly because I started typing, and this just happened.

-Up next: You have all given me such interesting suggestions! There doesn't seem to be a consensus about what genre you want next, but it looks like it's been a while since I've done an au. I think I'll go with that. Exactly what that will entail…I guess you'll have to stay tuned to find out!