Uh-Oh... what did Junior do?
It did make me giggle though... what a wee monkey he is.
As always please review
Enjoy
:)
Swan pulled Junior behind her back when the bloody Crocodile suddenly surged forward and barged his way through the crowd of people with a look of total fury on his face as water dripped from his nose onto his crisp clean suit.
"You nasty, horrid little piece of work... just you wait until I get my hands on you" he seethed as he approached with his hands stretched out in front of him.
Killian needed to stop him but he was still sitting on the ground and had no leverage to move quickly. The humor in the situation was most certainly gone now and he could feel the boy panicking as the Dark One descended on him but right before Killian's eyes something extraordinary happened.
The town turned on Rumplestiltskin and in a flash the boy was surrounded by people keeping the Dark One at bay. Killian still needed to move, he could feel Junior and he was terrified. He managed to get himself on his hand, stump and knees and was crawling his way slowly to the small wall wincing as it pulled painfully on his ribs and hip. He could hear the indignant calls from all around him as he moved he took comfort in the fact that everyone was defending the boy.
"It was an accident"
"Grandpa, he didn't mean it"
"He's just a kid, leave him alone"
"He couldn't possible have intended to hit you Gold, leave him be"
Then one voice raised louder than the rest as David boomed "STOP... look Gold yes he hit you and for that you can see that he is sorry" David yelled and he was right, Killian could feel the lad's regret although he thought that it maybe had more to do with him being caught than the actual act itself "But if you so much as touch ONE hair on my Grandson's head you will be sorry"
"THIS thing is NOT your Grandchild. He is an abomination created by the darkest magic imaginable. He should not be here, he is nothing" he raged but then he laughed and sneered "Neither of them will be safe while the other is close by. Maybe I should send this version to another realm for you before he gets too comfortable here where he cannot remain. We all know that is how this will end, there is no other way... you should just deal with it now before you all get too attached."
Killian took an unexpected gasp as Junior obviously did the same then the boy's sheer panic hit him nearly taking his breath away making him slump back down onto his knees for a second until the feeling passed.
"RUMPLE STOP THIS NOW...I am so sorry David, he doesn't mean it " Belle's voice cut in "Let's just go... please"
Killian had just managed to claw his way to his feet again and turned around to find Gold's eyes darting across to meet his and the Dark One was moving once more.
"YOU... you put him up to this!"
Killian could see the fury in the Crocodile's eyes but he wasn't about to back down so he pushed off from the wall and took a step forward to meet the imp who now stood before him with his hair pasted to his forehead. Killian's heart was thundering in his chest and he was struggling to control his panic with the added dose from the boy hitting him hard but he managed to grit his teeth and answer.
"I did no such thing... it was a water balloon fight MATE. You just happened to arrive at the wrong time. We are all wet too, do you see us having a tantrum about it?" Killian tried to keep his temper... the boy needed him to stay calm so he pulled in a couple of steadying breaths as he felt his double heart thundering in his chest.
"You... I... This is not the end of this... mark my words Pirate. You will pay. BOTH of you will pay"
With that he disappeared into his cloud of red smoke and Killian sagged in relief. The crowd were muttering and milling around but through it all he could still feel Junior's panic then he saw the boy darting forward towards him. He didn't say anything but Killian could feel his pain, his torment at the words the Crocodile had used against him. Killian braced himself knowing that this was going to hurt but Junior needed this, they both did so as the boy ran to him he stooped down and hauled him up hugging him tightly in his arms.
"It's OK Son, Papa's got you... the Crocodile is gone. He will not harm you"
In seconds his friends and family were crowded round but it only seemed to add to the boy's agitated state and in the end Killian lent over and whispered to Swan.
"Take the boy into the bedroom, we need to talk to him alone, there are too many people here"
She nodded before tugging a quite reluctant Junior from Killian's arms and heading inside. David was there with the chair in a second helping him to sit but then Belle was by his side looking close to tears "I am so sorry Killian but I need to go. I need to find Rumple, I need to know what he is doing... Please give this to Junior and tell him I am sorry"
"Thank you Love and you have nothing to be sorry for" he replied with a smile taking the parcel "Are you sure you do not wish to stay? Maybe let him calm down a bit before you seek him out"
"No... Goodness only knows what he will get up to in this mood, I need to find him. I'll use a locator spell if I need to!"
She gave his hand one last squeeze muttering more apologies before dashing off out of sight, Killian glanced up at David who looked quite worried but the Prince said nothing he just pushed Killian inside and turned around marching back outside yelling as he went.
"OK people the party is not over maybe just delayed for a while, why not go and grab yourself a fresh drink and some more food?"
Killian looked to the bed where Swan now sat with Junior on her lap as the boy sobbed quietly in her arms
"Come on Lad... do not let that scaly old Crocodile upset you like this"
"He said bad things about me" the boy suddenly said peeking out from Swan's embrace to meet Killian's eyes.
"That is only because he knows nothing... The Crocodile is jealous that we all have each other and his way of dealing with that is to try and make others feel bad"
"He called me a thing and said that I should be sent away!" suddenly he was crying in earnest "I do not want to go... I like it here. Please do not send me away again. I want to stay"
Swan pulled him in closer "You are going NOWHERE Kid, you hear me? We won't let anything happen to you OK? You are here to stay. Junior, you are safe I promise you. Safe and very much loved"
Killian felt the boy relax after that, he was glad to know that the Lad had actually listened and believed it to be the truth. After a good few minutes Junior sat himself up and scrubbed at his face with his hands.
"I should not have thrown that balloon at the Crocodile, I am sorry. Grandpa warned me not to rile the beast but I did not listen and now he is angry" he hung his head in shame.
Killian sat forward on his chair and reached over to take the Lad's hand "Indeed, you should not have done it but you did, it is done and cannot be undone and as much as I feel you have learned a lesson and will not do anything so silly again you will still have to be punished therefore you will sweep and clean the entire house without complaint... but not today. Today is supposed to be a happy day." he suddenly gave a chuckle and sat back "I have to say lad that given the timing and the angle from where you were standing that was quite an impressive shot!"
"HOOK!" Swan suddenly burst out with a laugh "You're not supposed to encourage him"
"I am not encouraging him. You clearly heard me say that he should not have done the deed and give him fair punishment but I am praising him for a shot well taken" he replied with a shrug "It WAS a good shot!"
Junior was grinning now and gave a little giggle as Swan tickled him "OK, I can admit that. It was a good shot but no more poking the Crocodile OK?"
"Yes Momma" he replied with a little grin and Killian noticed again that he was adopting a more informal way of talking but he didn't mind, it suited the lad.
Junior's eyes moved back to Killian and fell onto the gift that he still had sitting in his lap.
"What is that Papa?" he asked with a knowing smile. The boy was not stupid, he knew it was for him but Killian couldn't help it when he teased him a little.
"It is a gift" he said raising an eyebrow and lifting the brightly wrapped present up before placing it back on his lap and starting to pretend to open it "For me... Belle just gave it to me. What do you think it is? I can't seem to get it open"
Junior laughed wildly "It is for me Papa... it is not your Birthday, it is mine"
"Ohhhhh... Belle did not say, she just handed it to me. Are you sure that it is for you?" Killian asked in mock confusion
"Aye" he cried jumping down onto the floor and leaning forward but he did not touch the gift he just looked up at Killian with his little red rimmed eyes.
"Go on then Lad. Open it up and let us see what wonders are held within"
Junior took hold of the edge of the paper and ripped it exposing the books inside
"I have more books" he squealed jumping up and down on the spot before tearing off the rest of the paper and taking hold of the first one that came to hand. "Matilda" he read holding it up and scrutinising it closely.
"WOW... I loved that book as a kid" Swan suddenly burst out sliding forward and peering into the paper "Oh my God you got all the Roald Dahl books, these are amazing"
Junior grinned up at her "Maybe we can read them together just you and I"
"I'd like that Kid..." she smiled back before looking up at Killian as the boy carried on pulling out more books.
Killian smiled at her and she grinned back but then suddenly seemed to remember something. She was suddenly tugging the books from Junior's hands and putting them on the bed.
"Right... what does every Birthday Party need?"
Junior gave a little confused look before shrugging "I do not know Momma"
"Kid, we discussed this. Every Birthday Party Has to have...?"
"A CAKE" he yelled sending another jolt through Killian's chest "BIRTHDAY CAKE"
"You got it" she grinned "So come on, climb on board the Papa train and we'll go and see if we can find one"
Junior was on Killian's knee in seconds grinning up at him as Swan started pushing them through the house. They were making their way down the corridor when Junior lent in and whispered in a quite loud voice.
"I know what I am to wish for" he grinned madly and his eyes jumped up to Killian's head where the stitches still lay. In an instant Killian knew that the boy was going to wish his stitches away and his stomach dropped, it wouldn't work and the Lad would be disappointed.
"Well use your wish wisely, do not waste it on things that will be fixed in no time at all" he whispered back trying to change the lad's mind.
But the boy just smiled even more and lent back in his arms "Once we have done the cake Momma may we swim in the pool?"
"If you want Kid" she replied offhandedly and Killian's stomach dropped again. Junior was about to be very disappointed when he found out that Killian still wouldn't be able to swim but when the boy suddenly turned and frowned at him obviously picking up on his negative thoughts Killian gave him a little tickle and grinned.
"Stop Papa... I will fall" Junior giggled squirming to get away but in the next second it was all forgotten as Henry ran over.
"You OK Junior?" he asked coming up to his side with Rapha tagging along behind him
"Aye" the lad replied with a smile "We are to have cake now"
"Awesome" Henry said with a smile looking up to Killian "You OK too?"
"I am fine Son. We both are... nothing will stop us having a good day, right lad?" he gave another little tickle to Junior.
"Right" Junior giggled before turning to Swan "Stop Momma, I would like to get off"
Then he was gone running across the room with Henry and Rapha towards the table where he pulled himself up onto his chair in anticipation of the pending cake. Killian was wheeled up to the table too and Swan bent to kiss his cheek before heading off to the kitchen.
"What does a birthday cake look like Henry?"
"They all look different... but yours is cool. Just you wait until you see it" he turned to Killian with a grin "You too, you're gonna like it as well"
Killian gave a frown and immediately looked to the kitchen but Swan saw him and yelled "NO PEEKING"
He gave a chuckle and looked back to a laughing Henry "What are you laughing at lad?"
"You" he simply said with a shrug before looking at Junior "Have you got your wish ready?"
"Aye" he replied nodding vigorously
"Cool... but remember you can't say what it is or it won't come true" Henry added sitting forward and glancing towards the kitchen.
"I won't tell... I am good at keeping secrets" Junior replied but he looked to Killian and his eyes raised to the scar on his head.
Before Killian had a chance to even think of anything to say to get the lad to change his wish the room erupted into singing as everyone gathered around the table then Swan was carrying a huge cake that was in the shape of a pirate ship towards them. It had five candles on it that much Killian could see but after that his attention was drawn to the table as Junior suddenly pulled himself to his feet on the chair and did a little dance of joy and another surge of happiness shot through him.
"WOW" he yelled out "IT IS A PIRATE SHIP"
"Yeah it is" Swan said sliding it onto the table next to the Lad "Right Mister I suggest you sit before you fall. Come on you need to blow out the candles. You need to take a big breath and blow them all out then close your eyes and keep them closed tight while you make your wish otherwise it won't work... you ready?"
"Aye" he cried scrambling to sit himself down "I am ready"
"Well go on then... make your Birthday wish Kid" Emma looked towards Killian and he expected her to smile at him but her gaze fell above his head. He was confused for a second and was about to turn to see who was behind him when suddenly the candles were blown out and the boy had his eyes clamped shut... then Killian felt it. He clamped his own eyes for a split second not knowing what was happening but then there was a familiar heat on the side of his head and when he lifted his hand towards it he gasped in surprise to find his stitches gone. What the bloody hell?
He looked at Junior in wonder trying to figure out how the lad had done it but when someone's hand slid onto his shoulder and squeezed it he jumped in surprise.
"Calm down Guyliner it's just me... and you're welcome. I may not have had much magic and now I have a little less BUT we couldn't disappoint Junior now could we? Some say Birthday wishes are the strongest ones of all and today it looks like they are right"
Regina! How did she know? His eyes jumped straight to Swan who just gave him a knowing smile before putting a hand on Junior's head ruffling his hair "Open your eyes kid."
Junior did just that grinning at Killian. He obviously already knew that it had worked having felt Killian's surprise when Regina's magic had washed over him.
"It worked Papa, it worked... now you can swim too"
"Aye lad, that we can... Thank you Son"
Killian found himself feeling quite choked up as that lump returned to his throat, Junior had just used his first ever Birthday wish to heal him. He could have wished for anything in the world not knowing that it would not come true but he had chosen to use his wish to help him. He could easily have wished for his Liam but instead he had chosen to heal a wound that would have been fixed in two more days all because Killian had said that he wanted to swim with his boys... suddenly that pool seemed like the most important part of this day and as Swan placed a piece of cake down in front of him and rubbed his shoulder he grinned at her.
"Are you ready to see the master at work? See how well this version can dive?"
"Not today I'm not... you're NOT diving into that pool with those ribs you can walk in like any sane person. I do not want a repeat of what happened at the hospital thank you very much"
The grin fell from his face for a second before an eyebrow shot up and he lent forward "Do you have your bathing suit with you? You know, the one that leaves nothing to the imagination?"
She rolled her eyes "I do but I am not putting it on with this lot about"
"Aye but maybe we can take a midnight swim..."
She raised her own eyebrow and lent in closer "If we were to do that... why would I need a bathing suit?"
His jaw fell open as she waltzed back around the table to make a fuss of the Birthday boy and Killian took a large breath letting it out slowly as Junior looked at him with a curious expression on his face.
Clean thoughts... clean thoughts... clean thoughts... he desperately tried to calm his heart and mind, he did NOT need the boy asking questions, he was not ready for that conversation!