Paternal instinct
asked for a oneshot of a flashback story with the family talking about a time before the curse broke where David instinctively fought off a group of guys accosting Emma and being shocked that he could do that.
"I wish we could nab that punk." Charming grumbled, stabbing his fork into his roast potatoes a little harder than necessary. "But he's always just on the right side of the law."
"Yeah, he is a bit of a tosser." Emma agreed. "We'll get him one day." Suddenly, Emma had a recollection. "Hey, remember that time you found Ethan and his gang of cronies having a go at me for suspecting them of the graffiti in the play park?"
"Oh yeah, that's right." Charming said, remembering the incident himself.
"What? What happened?" Snow asked, curious.
"Well, Ethan and his bozos were getting all in my face and trying to be smart. Dad saw them and marched over telling them to cut it out or he'd make them regret it. I don't think anyone would want to mess about with a guy that angry looking so they backed off." Emma explained.
"Woh! Gramps that's so cool!" Henry cried out. His grandpa was badass.
"Thanks Henry." Charming chuckled at the boy's excitement. "It really wasn't a big deal. I didn't get why I was so angry at them at the time. I just put it down to chivalry and not liking the kid. Guess it makes sense now though." Charming smiled over at Emma who smiled in return. Charming must have had some paternal instincts before he could remember he was a dad. Well, he had promised he'd protect Emma no matter what when she was just born. He guessed even cursed selves keep their promises to their babies.