She felt like this should have been harder.

After so long of it being her and Henry against the world, it should have been more difficult to let someone new into their lives. But it wasn't. Killian slipped in like he was meant to be there. Of course, Liam had been there to bridge the gap. Liam was the reason for it all. And Brennan's death aside, she wouldn't have changed a thing.

Their residence next door only added to Henry and Emma's world. What previously had been dinners for two, quickly became group dinners several nights a week, sometimes at her place, sometimes at his. The doors constantly slamming as the boys ran back and forth between the apartments. She just knew if it was quiet at her place, it probably wasn't over at Killian's.

For the first time she didn't feel like a single mom. All of the sudden she had a helpmate. After so long relying on only herself, she had someone she could depend on. She couldn't pinpoint when exactly it happened, but she realized one day that it was no longer one sided. He was there for her and Henry every bit as much as she was there for him.

-Found Henry's jacket in my car. Bringing it over later.
-Killian, stuck with a guy in processing. Can you get Henry from school, too?
-Swan, Junior needs his football shorts for practice. Can you grab a spare pair on your way?

And it wasn't just that she had someone to share the load with. She had someone to discuss how hard it was to be a parent, a single parent at that. Emma Swan did not have friends. She wasn't the woman who could chat with the other moms and dads over a glass of wine. Her life was just too different. Growing up without parents didn't prepare her for a kid. And it certainly didn't prepare her for dealing with other parents.

But with Killian, he knew. In continuing to open up, she'd learned more about him in return. More than just the abandonment of his father and death of his brother. She'd learned about his heartbreak, and his shutting himself off from all but the people he was closest to. His struggle wasn't the same. No one's struggle was the same. But he could understand her. And knew how tough it could be.

But oh how easy.

It was easy for Emma to see a world in which she and Killian were more. She could see herself scooting closer to Killian on the sofa, and his arm coming around her shoulder. She could see them never having to go home to go to bed. And the more she imagined it, the more it scared her. What they had right now worked. If she upset this balance, it could all fall. And she was already too dependent. If she lost his support and his friendship, the first she'd ever known, she'd feel it for the rest of her life.

Some nights she could swear she could feel him looking at her. She could swear he was thinking the same thing. But the evening would end, they'd all return to their apartments, alone. She'd curl up in bed, knowing Killian was just on the other side of the wall, and wonder if he was feeling anything at all.

Killian was quickly finding out that even with Emma's support, being a parent, or in his case, older brother, was not easy. There were the demands of day to day life. Gone were the nights of working late and eating the same leftover take out for days on end. Gone were the days of settling in on the couch with a glass of rum and his own thoughts. They were replaced with school pick ups, football practice, homework, and sensible meals. Some nights there just did not seem to be enough time in the post-school hours to get everything done.

But he wouldn't trade it for anything. He looked around the new apartment, and realized that it was truly theirs. Signs of his younger brother littered every surface: LEGO sets, stray shoes, empty glasses. Killian, meticulous to the core, had not yet trained Junior to clean up after himself, and it was these little signs of another life scattered throughout the apartment signaling him that he was not alone. Nor would he ever be.

The boys were over playing video games at Emma's, but he knew the door could burst open at any moment, two lads with some fresh idea storming through. He'd come to enjoy the energy they brought to his quiet life. Junior was usually up to something, with Henry hot on his heals. Emma was right, his mischief was harmless. He knew he'd be finding soda in the kitchen for years to come after they tried some candy experiment. The peanut butter in the microwave had not gone as well as Junior had hoped either. He couldn't bring himself to curb their curiosity.

But tonight he actually felt alone. It struck him how much he'd changed in a few short months. What was a typical night for him not so long ago now felt too quiet and calm. He found himself looking up from his paperwork every few minutes, in the hopes his door would burst open. He wanted to see the two heads, one dark one light, bob through the door and hear their voices excited with whatever was on the agenda next.

And hoping it involved Emma.

It was becoming increasingly hard for him to come up with legitimate reasons to have Emma over all the time. He almost always made enough dinner for four, knowing there was every chance Henry would already be eating with them. Swan, Henry's at mine. There's plenty. Come eat with us. Dinner would finish, and he'd ask her to stay under the pretense of discussing the bake sale. Or the PTA meeting, or anything he could think of. She'd see through him eventually.

It was harder when the boys were at her place. He couldn't text and say Invite me over, please. But he craved being with them. She had them over for dinner frequently, but not enough for his liking. Every night wouldn't have been enough for him.

Killian couldn't believe he hadn't seen it at first. Of course he'd noted she was pretty. But Emma Swan had been the last thing on his mind at the time. Finding out you were going to be responsible for a ten year old trumped meeting a beautiful woman. But now that life with Junior had settled down, thoughts of Emma consumed almost every available moment. And it wasn't just that Emma was beautiful. She was tough, and so independent. Fierce. She had fought for everything she had, and would fight to protect everyone she loved. After so many years alone, Killian wanted to be someone Emma would fight for.

He didn't remember falling asleep. He just remembered his head hitting the pillow, head full of thoughts of Emma. So the buzzing of his phone startled him awake. Checking the screen as he grabbed it, he was confused to see that it was two in the morning, and that it was Emma.

You should come over. Liam's here. He needs you.

This had been happening every once in awhile still. Junior would have a rough night of it, and he'd steal away to Emma's to curl up in his corner of the couch, crying, waiting for her to hear him. Tonight was the first time she invited him to come assist with calming the lad.

Without thinking, he rolled out of bed, and wandered down the hall. As soon as he entered the apartment, his eyes searched out his brother, and found him on the sofa fully enveloped in Emma's arms. Killian's eyes met her's and he saw the silent invitation to join them. He sat close, and started to rub Junior's back with his wrist, not saying a word. They'd learned that his brother would share if he needed. Right now he just wanted to comfort the boy. As Junior quieted, he rolled a bit and landed half in Emma's lap, half in Killian's. Rather than have his arm stuck awkwardly between him and Emma, he chose to wrap it around her shoulders, pulling her and Junior close. She dropped a kiss in Junior's hair, and her head came to rest on Killian's shoulder. There they sat quietly, waiting for the boy to cry it all out. Killian hadn't taken time to put on a long sleeve shirt, and he noticed Emma's eyes tracing the scars on his wrist and forearm. It had been so long since he'd allowed anyone but the boys to see it, and never anyone but the doctors to touch it. When Emma's hand reached out over the boy and started tracing the smooth white skin of his scars, he let his head fall back, savoring her touch.

He hated this. All of it. He hated that his brother was suffering. He hated that Junior still felt safer coming to Emma rather than to him. And mostly he hated himself for loving that he was holding her right now. He felt Junior start to squirm, and knew this moment was coming to an end. He hated himself for wishing it could have lasted longer.

His brother finally extricated himself from their clutches, and stumbled off back to his apartment, leaving him alone with Emma. He didn't want to move, knowing if he did he'd have to take his arm from around her. She made no move to shrug him away, and he stayed there, thigh pressed tight to hers, Emma's head still against his shoulder.

"That's good."

He stilled. Completely. What did she mean That's good? Was she saying what he thought she was?

"This is nice," he agreed.

She stilled. Completely. And then he heard her sharp intake of breath as she lifted up her head to look at him.

"I meant that he went back to your place. Usually he curls up in his bunk in Henry's room. I meant it's good that he went home." He had no response. He couldn't take back his words. There was nothing he could say that could undo them. She was quiet, but firm. "What did you mean?"

He took the fact that she hadn't moved away from him as some encouragement.

"I meant that it was nice being here with you, Swan."

That sent her flying across the room.

"Killian." He watched as she stood, shaking her head and running her hand through her hair, distress plain across her face. Not wanting to add to her discomfort, he stayed seated. "We can't. I mean, it would be great, but we can't. There's too much at stake. What happens if it doesn't work? I depend on you too much. And it's not like we can tell the boys they can't be friends. And then we have to see each other every day. And we live right next to each other."

He listened as she listed a million reasons why they couldn't be together. But he had only heard one thing. It would be great. He stood up and crossed over to her, smiling.

"Emma. Emma stop. It's alright, love. Forget I said anything." He pulled her into a hug and kissed her temple. "Pretend it never happened. Pretend I never said a word. All will be as it was before." He held her for a moment more, but then released her and told her goodnight.

He was still smiling as he climbed into bed, focused on those four words she might not even remember admitting. It would be great. Emma liked him. Oh, she was scared. She had her reasons. He knew her well enough to know them. He could wait. And in the meantime, he just needed to show her how great it could be and that he wasn't going anywhere.

Killian hadn't sold Brennan's sloop. He wasn't sure why this of all things was the one item he could hold onto from his father's possessions. Maybe because he did have good memories of his time with both Brennan and Liam as a child, out on the water. The boys had been relentless in their pleas to go sailing, and he'd decided to give it a go, despite the temperatures. Leading Henry and Junior down the dock to the small boat, he was fighting back panic. He hadn't stepped near the water since his accident. He had been planning on convincing Emma to join them for the day's excursion, thinking her company might help, but after last night's events, he knew to leave her be this morning.

Junior hopped up on deck and, without instructions, started prepping the boat. Killian looked on, proud. Brennan was right; the lad would make a good first mate. Turning his attentions to Henry, he instructed the boy on what needed to be done before they could leave the dock. Not too long after, life vests, sweaters, and beanies all in place, they were ready to set sail. Junior ran up to the bow of the boat, body bent over to feel the full force of the wind in his face. It made Killian nervous, thinking about Liam's death, but he looked about and decided they were safe as no other boats were about.

Henry hung back with Killian at the tiller.

"Is this your first time out on the water, lad?"

"Yup. Mom's never brought me out here. But I think she would like it."

"Aye, I think she would. We'll get her out here when the weather is nicer. By then you'll be an expert sailor and can impress her with your skills. You and Junior can take turns being First Mate."

Henry beamed.

"I overheard you guys last night. You like my mom, don't you?"

Killian tried to hide his surprise at the boy's directness, but answered truthfully. "Aye, that I do, lad."

"Good. She likes you, too. She's just scared."

"You're perceptive for your age, aren't you?" Killian didn't know any kids other than Junior and Henry, but Junior hadn't picked up on any of this, he was certain.

"Yeah, and I know my mom. She's never had any boyfriends. I think my dad hurt her when he left."

"I believe so, which I have no intention of doing."

Henry nodded. This was a serious matter. "So we just need to get her to see that."

"That's my plan."

"We need a code name." Henry was still serious.

"New operation? For what?" Junior had returned, and was excited as soon as he heard the discussion of a code name. He was familiar with operations. He planned operations. He was always up for an operation.

"I'm confused. A code name? Operation?" Killian wasn't following. For as much time as he'd spent with the boys, he had not been let into this particular area of their inner circle yet.

"For getting my mom to fall in love with your brother."

It only took Junior a second to process the development. "Excellent."

"Operation Velociraptor," Henry announced. Junior nodded as though it were perfect. Killian knew better than to question it when the boys agreed like this.

He'd texted to say they'd be late, so Emma wasn't surprised at all when two boys, practically blue with chill, burst in in through the door at dinner time with Killian close on their heels

"Hi Mom."
"Hi Emma."

She could barely keep up as they talked over each other, relaying the day's adventure. She looked up at Killian, whose eyes were shining listening to the boys talk about how much fun they'd had.

"You have to come next time, Mom. You'd love it. I swear. Killian says he'll take us out soon. He promised."

She'd been glad that she'd already declined the invitation for today's trip. She couldn't have spent the day with Killian, not after last night. Despite the fact that, true to his word, he'd been completely normal when he picked Henry up this morning, she wasn't prepared to test it.

Emma nodded. "We'll see, kid."

"No, you have to come."

"Why don't you go stand in front of the heater for a few minutes so you can warm up. Dinner's almost ready. I'm sure you're hungry." She watched as he ran off down the hall. "And hang up your coat," she yelled."

Turning to Killian, she noticed he was chilled to the bone as well. "Thanks for taking them. Looks like you could use some time in front of the heater."

"I'll warm up. Don't worry about me, Swan. Good to face some demons. And watching the boys have fun made it worth it. I think we'll be spending quite a bit of time out on the boat."

Henry came running back in just then.

"Mom, can Liam stay for dinner?"

"Of course. It's beef stew. I thought you'd want something hot."

"Killian too?"

Emma couldn't say no. There was enough food. And there really was no reason to say no. He was behaving as though nothing had happened.

"Absolutely."

It was Killian who caught Henry's wink as he ran back out of the room.

Yes, with Operation Velociraptor and Henry on his side, he could win the war.

AN - Thank you so much to everyone who has followed, favorited, reviewed this story. I didn't anticipate this kind of reception, and I really appreciate it. I hope it continues to live up to your expectations.