5 TIMES SOMEONE THREATENED HOOK (AND 1 TIME SOMETHING ELSE HAPPENED)
2 – The Boy Who Didn't Know Fear
Hook ducked beneath a brightly striped awning and peered into the shop window, pretending to examine the display. Although he did take a moment to admire his image, the picturesque street scene reflected in the glass was the actual focus of his scrutiny. As he watched, a wave of boys and girls in navy blue uniforms rushed past, their noisy footsteps and cheerful chatter almost drowning out the sounds of morning traffic.
When the crowd ebbed, one lone child remained, feet planted firmly on the pavement, small hands clenched around the straps of his backpack.
"Hey, you! Captain Hook!"
At first glance, the boy didn't look much like his mother. Though wholesome and healthy, he was a few years too old to be called cute. At best he could be described as ordinary, with mousy brown hair and a scattering of freckles across a non-descript nose. But the angle of his chin, the belligerence shining in his hazel eyes—there was no question in Hook's mind whose son he was. That fragile, defiant stance was all Emma.
"Captain Hook," Henry—that was his name, wasn't it?—repeated, a little bit of awe creeping into his voice.
Hook turned slowly, amusement already tugging at the corners of his mouth. "I heard you the first time," he said. "How can I help you, lad?"
"My name's Henry. I'm Emma's son." Saying those words bolstered the boy's confidence; he was proud of his parentage. "You're dating my mom."
Hook arched a questioning brow. He didn't recognize the term "dating", but Henry's accusing tone made its meaning all too clear.
Misunderstanding his silence, the boy tried to clarify. "You know, you're together?" He blushed, but continued, "Going out? Umm…in a relationship?"
"I get the idea," Hook said, smirking a little. The word's definition was tamer than he had originally suspected.
"Anyway, that's not what I have to say to you." Henry took a deep, dramatic breathe. "If you hurt Emma, or break her heart, I'll destroy you."
The pirate blinked. "Beg your pardon?"
"I'd get away with it, too," Henry said, his voice firm, his chin stubbornly lifted. "No one would ever suspect me. I have a plan all ready to go. I call it Operation Asp."
"Assassination via snakebite?"
"No," Henry said quietly. "But I'm pretty sure you know who my other mom is."
That caught his attention. He had heard of the uneasy détente between Emma and Regina, and he knew that Henry was at the heart of it. Emma would never allow her son to wield dark magic, but could the same be said of the former queen? If she was anything like her mother…well, if there was one thing that Hook could say with certainty, it was that Cora would take great pleasure in corrupting her young grandson.
"I'd advise you to tread carefully," he said. "Magic—"
"—always comes with a price. I know," Henry said. "I'd pay it. Emma deserves a happy ending."
"On that we are agreed," Hook said.