(Well, I intended to post this little one shot some time ago, but as much as I have wanted to see a scene similar to this on the show for some time, it seemed to fight me on actually being committed to the page. Hopefully I have finally succeeded with something both a bit entertaining and a bit touching as well. This story is for Jennifer - whimsicallyenchantedrose – in particular, who prompted me to write a story where Killian is seeking either Charming's or Henry's blessing/approval to propose to Emma for my 100 follower celebration. Thanks for the prompt, Jennifer! And I hope you like this!)
"Permission Granted"
"Oi, Dave!... Mate? You here?" the Captain's voice rings out clearly along with his firm rapping on the doorframe as Killian Jones enters the sheriff station seeking out the Prince in the empty quiet of a slow afternoon in their small, sleepy town. Since Hades' defeat, things have been relatively calm in Storybrooke, even allowing Emma, her family, and himself to slip into a placid, relaxed, and dare he say normal, routine. Most afternoons, only Dave or Emma need to be on duty to keep paperwork caught up at the station. Not that they want to count on this lull in the fairytale action – that would probably be enough to jinx the peace and bring some new chaos raining down on them.
"In the office, Jones!" David calls out absently, glancing at the clock to see that he has lost track of time and missed lunch, but not sure what his daughter's boyfriend is doing here when she is not. He and the pirate get along remarkably well after all they have been through in Neverland, the Enchanted Forest, the past, Camelot, and the Underworld, but generally Killian chooses to spend a bit of time on his ship or to be out helping Emma or engaging Henry, not checking up on him at his desk work. They certainly hadn't made any plans for this afternoon that David can recall.
When the Pirate eases his way into the enclosed main office where the Prince is seated behind the desk though, it becomes clear that something is weighing on Jones' mind. He bears a large bag of takeout food from Granny's which he promptly offers to his love's father, then moves almost unconsciously to scratch behind his ear with his now-free hand. David has enough of his daughter's sharp observational skills to know by now that this is his friend's biggest nervous 'tell', and the feeling is further confirmed when Killian clears his throat awkwardly, gestures toward the chair in front of the desk as if asking to be seated, and sinks into it heavily at David's nod, before practically stammering, "Ah, Dave…might you have a moment? I need to speak with you on a matter of some importance."
The former ruler turned sheriff's deputy is both intrigued and amused now, wondering what could be going on and how it could have the man who is usually so smooth and adept with words stumbling over a simple question. Trying to ease the other man's tension with a bit of humor, David sweeps his arm out to indicate his empty workplace and jokes, "I don't know, Killian… Can't you see how swamped I am with people who need my attention?"
His words manage to bring a short huff of laughter from the pirate's mouth, quirking his lips upward in the momentary flash of a smile, but then his eyes fall to his lap where he toys with the tip of his sharp steel moniker in the fingers of his other hand. "Aye, I see just what you mean," he murmurs good-naturedly, but David senses he has not eased the weight on Jones' mind and he sobers, hoping that this important matter isn't something as troubling as the other man acts like it is at present.
"Killian?" he prompts seriously, drawing the Captain's eyes up to meet his. "It's fine. Whatever it is, let's have it. You can talk to me."
Killian dips his head gratefully in a succinct affirmative nod, wets his lips and begins, "Thank you, you Majesty."
David opens his mouth to interrupt – especially when he realizes Killian is not being the least bit facetious with the honorary title – to tell him that they've been long past such formality for some time, but Killian plows on earnestly, and soon David is biting any words back, his stomach knotting with nerves of his own as it become crystal clear to him just what his daughter's True Love has come to discuss.
"And so…" Killian is finishing up his rambled explanation; both hand and hook moving at times to accentuate his words, and eyes still anxious, but trained on the Prince with earnest focus as well, "while it may be old fashioned, and while your daughter is certainly a grown woman completely capable and in control of her own destiny, even so, it would…it would mean a great deal to me, Mate, to have you and your wife's blessing to ask for her hand in marriage."
David swallows down a choked snort of surprise – honestly touched and not wanting to offend the man who may well be his son-in-law quite soon. Though he has grown to grudgingly respect Hook and value his friendship – as well as feel grateful to the part he knows the other man has played in their daughter's opening up to all of them – he is still a pirate, and his daughter is no traditional princess. He had not expected to be consulted on the matter, if they chose to marry at all, no matter how much his father heart might have wished it.
Not wanting to make Killian question his approval for even a second, the Prince gives a sharp, decisive nod, then states firmly, holding Jones' gaze. "You have it," he assures plainly, his voice and expression certain, ignoring the quaver of emotion that he knows must be evident for the other to hear in his voice if Killian so chooses.
For his part, the sailor makes no comment, but instead returns the regent's nod of affirmation with one of his own, his whole face lighting with a pleased joy that David knows he has not truly seen the centuries old pirate wear, not until recently at least, when Emma let him into her heart fully and he became a definite member of their odd but fervent patchwork of a group. His voice is rough and more than a bit choked with emotion itself when he manages a response. "Truly?" all he finally asks.
David smirks a bit, unable to resist a bit of teasing for the man he had once thought was nothing more than ridiculous swagger, turncoat self-preservation and dangerously attractive innuendo, now that he has given his heartfelt answer and Killian still leaves an opening. With a horrible attempt at the Captain's accent, he offers a wink as he says, "Aye, indeed I do." With a snort of internal humor and shaking of his head, he then adds after a moment, "But Emma will have both our heads if she knows you came to me for permission like she's some royal prize, and that I actually went so far as to grant my approval."
"Truer words could not be spoken, mate," Killian agreed. "I had hoped to keep this between us. Yet, I was once a lieutenant of the Royal Navy, and…despite what others may think, I value 'good form'. It seemed only right somehow – you are her father, and she is a princess, though she's had little chance to live as one."
David nods his agreement this time, eyes fading to a far off look for a few moments and leaving little doubt in Jones' mind that he is envisioning another life, a childhood his daughter never had and the type of fatherhood he'd never gotten to experience with his only daughter. Killian's heart hurts for the man as he considers the loss and struggle his mate has suffered – despite being a noble hero – merely to reunite his family scattered for years over realms and to even live in peace with his True Love. He – and Emma too, whether she would admit it or not – deserves something suitably momentous and meaningful, both grand and romantic, as well as David being due the peace of knowing that someone loves and wishes to care for his daughter with the love and caring he himself would show. Killian plans to spend the rest of the time allotted to him on this earth in seeing that Emma is honored and adored as the princess she is.
He extends his hand, and Dave meets him with his own halfway, clasping hands to shake firmly. The current of agreement and understanding that passes between them bolstering Killian's hope and needing no further words.
A wry smile quirks the pirate's brow as he stands once more, actually sketching a bit of a bow to his mate as he does so, preparing to bid him goodbye. Truth be told, his mind is now running ahead to the proposal he has in mind for Emma. Now that he has procured her family's blessing, he can hardly wait the few hours until their date this evening to ask Swan to be his wife. "Thank you, your Highness," he adds with only the slightest bit of sardonic mockery when he turns to leave.
"Um, Hook?" David calls out before he gets more than a couple of steps. "You may have forgotten the person you most need to speak to. Have you asked Henry what he'd think of you proposing to his mom?"
Killian turns back only partially, grinning over his shoulder in such a way that Dave can't help but see he is joking. His eyes practically light up with mischief as he levels a dashingly roguish stare at his mate. "Who do you think I spoke to first?" he offers in a parting shot as he leaves the station, the prince's hearty laugh at his last word ringing behind him.
His heart is light and his path clear before him; if Emma feels as he believes she does, then in a few hours' time, Dave, Henry, and Snow will be his family as well. Between that and the idea of Emma agreeing to be his wife and them pledging to follow each other to the end of the world – or time – he cannot think of a happier possible ending for a reformed man of honor like him to receive.