The Instructors

CS Genre: Captain Cobra Charming Canon Divergence (66x3)

A/N: This "episode" of Fluffy Fridays was originally posted as part of last summer's Captain Charming Double Feature Fridays on Tumblr

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"That's right lad! Advance!" Killian said, holding his stick out before him, ready to parry the next blow. "When you have your adversary on the retreat press your advantage."

David watched from his place behind a tree at the edge of the park. While on his rounds, he'd heard a commotion and gone to investigate. He'd relaxed before he'd even gotten in view of the battle, Henry and Hook having taken up sturdy sticks and "sword fighting", hearing Henry laugh joyously, a sound that was all too rare after all that had happened over the past few months.

David's first inclination was to find a stick of his own and join the fray, but he thought better of it. Hook was a master swordsman—trained by the royal navy, with centuries of practice perfecting his skill. Could be that David could pick up a few pointers.

Not that he was going to let his not-quite-son-in-law know he needed them. A man has his pride after all.

And so it was that David hid behind a tree and unabashedly eavesdropped.

Emma's two True Loves fought back and forth, alternately advancing and retreating, laughing and trading playful quips, sticks clashing against each other. Finally Hook whirled, brought his stick down, and neatly disarmed his teenage opponent.

"Wow!" Henry said. "How did you do that?!"

"It's all in the twirl, my lad," Killian said, leaning against a tree. "While the twirl is a most effective way to impress the ladies, that's far from its only purpose. By drawing out your attack, you increase the momentum with which you land your blow."

As Killian patiently demonstrated his signature move, David leaned so far forward, he nearly fell to the ground.

The first attempt Henry made went spectacularly wrong. He misjudged his twirl, and instead of landing a blow to his opponent, he ended up falling awkwardly to the grass.

"Alright there, lad?" Killian asked, offering Henry his hook to help him up.

Henry grinned, taking the offered metal appendage and getting to his feet. "Yeah, it's gonna take a lot more than that to defeat me, Killian."

"Oh is it indeed?"

"Yeah," Henry insisted with a decisive nod. "What did I do wrong? Why'd I end up falling down?"

"Too much enthusiasm, mate," Hook said, raising his sword once more. "No matter how flashy, you must make every move with deliberation. Think about where you wish your sword to land and follow the path with your eyes as well as your hand. It will keep you grounded and successful."

Henry nodded, took up his own stance once more and prepared for his twirling attack. David leaned yet farther…and then froze as his foot snapped a twig.

Killian whipped his head around, looking attentively for the source of the interruption…clearly ready to confront whatever attacker might be coming their way. David moved quickly, hiding himself behind the tree. After a moment, Killian relaxed, turning away from the source of the noise and back toward his almost-step-son.

David breathed a sigh of relief. Close call! If he'd been caught…well that would have been embarrassing.

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"Alright, Dave," Killian called, amusement lacing his voice, "you can come out now. The lad has hurried off to the bust stop."

There was a beat of silence, and then Sheriff David Nolan, Prince of the Enchanted Forest, shuffled out from behind the tree, looking as guilty as a child who'd been caught with his hand in the cookie jar.

Killian's smile blossomed. He little knew what Swan's father had been up to, but he fully intended to tease him within an inch of his life.

"This isn't what it looks like!" David said, attempting to stand tall and proud.

"Aye?" Killian asked on a laugh, "you weren't spying on your grandson and me as we got in a bit of sword play before school?"

David huffed, and then glanced aside. "Okay, maybe it was what it looked like, but I was merely doing my job! I heard a commotion in the park and came to investigate. Never know what kind of villains might show up."

Killian raised one eyebrow. "And yet you remained after you'd ascertained nothing nefarious was at hand. David…did you fear you needed to…to protect Henry from me? Do you fear I might be a danger to him?"

Suddenly the grin slid from Killian's face as the guilt rushed over him again. Aye, he'd turned his life around, but he'd been a villain…and more recently an out-of-control Dark One. Did his loved ones fear he'd relapse?

Shock quickly covered the prince's face, and he rushed forward, putting a hand on Killian's shoulder. "No!" he hurried to exclaim. "Nothing like that! Killian, I know you'd never hurt Henry. We all know how much of a hero you are! You gave your life to save my daughter—all of us really."

Killian let out a long breath and nodded slightly. "If that's not the case, why the secrecy, Dave?"

Killian watched in amusement as his love's father flushed a deep scarlet. "I…look, if you tell anyone, I swear I'll make your life miserable…but I wanted to learn your techniques. You make the whole sword fight thing look effortless."

Killian's teasing grin returned. "Should have said so, mate. I'd be pleased to offer you lessons as well."

David shot him an exasperated frown, and Killian felt an unexpected surge of affection well up for his friend.

"Although, I'd wager you little need the help," Killian continued firmly "Anyone who could teach Henry the basics so effectively is well able to hold his own."

David gave Killian's shoulder a squeeze and stepped back, smile firmly in place. "Between the two of us, I'd say we'll have Henry ready to take on any villain who might next appear."

"That we will," Killian said, feeling the acceptance and family of that statement clear down to his toes. "Aye, Dave, just like your lovely daughter, I'd say you and I make quite the team."

Notes:

-Hi everyone and happy Friday! It's been a busy, busy week full of fanfiction writing for me, and I didn't get nearly enough sleep last night, so writing a brand new story wasn't really a possibility for me today. Because of that, I chose to go with the last remaining prompt from flslp87's and my Captain Charming Double Feature Fridays project from last year. The prompt was a bts photo of Hook and Henry swordfighting with sticks (from 6x3).

-Speaking of my fic writing this week, I've got 3 new WIPs if you want to check them out! 1. Under the Apple Tree (an OQ season 7 fic). 2. The Princess and the Pirate (Captain Duckling). 3. The Honeymoon (about the CS honeymoon—basically my crazy CS fangirl headcanon for the perfect season 7.) How's that for self-promotion!

-Up next: I'm not sure what, but I promise I'll write something new for next week!