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"I remember it, you know."
Killian was startled out of his thoughts—daze, really—where he was in the far corner of Granny's diner, alone at the end of the bar. Emma had given into her feelings and kissed him outside only moments ago, something he was still reeling from.
They'd been inside for a while, but she'd just gotten up to check on Henry and her new brother in the booth across the crowded room.
But it wasn't Emma who'd spoken, it was David, who pulled out a stool and sat next to him, looking at him like they were already in the middle of a conversation.
"Sorry?" managed Killian, finding the semblance of his voice, sitting up. "You remember what?"
"Meeting Prince Charles and Princess Leia... y'know, you and Emma." said David with a grin, like the names were amusing to him.
Killian felt himself tense; for some reason, it hadn't actually occured to him that Emma would tell them. "You do?" he managed.
With a grin, David said, "Meeting my True Love by helping a prince save his thieving princess from the Queen's castle?" asked David. "Something like that is a little hard to forget."
Killian cracked a smile. "Aye, when you put it like that."
"It's hazy," admitted David, leaning back, and Killian felt himself relax a little. "But I remember Prince Charles," said David. With a crease in his brow— "Didn't you insult the mutton?"
Killian felt a smirk erase his discomfort. "Tad overcooked."
"Right," said David with an amused nod. "I liked Prince Charles," said David. Looking at Killian, he said, "You know, Snow and I invited you and 'Leia' to our wedding. It was thanks to you both that we got together, after all."
Killian's brows raised. Never has he ever been thought of in such a way. The pirate's life certainly prevented royal invitations and he wasn't a huge fan of the affairs but the idea of being thought of was something… touching.
"I can't believe it was you I was talking to," said David, shaking his head in disbelief. "I bonded with Captain Hook over the problems with my engagement," he said with a laugh.
"I'm not so sure her parents approve of me."
"Given the lengths you've gone to save her… they'd be crazy not to."
"I hope you remember that."
Suddenly, Killian was uncomfortable. He'd been more than vulnerable when he'd talked to past-David; he thought it wouldn't ever matter. He'd never have been as open with the version of David he knew.
How much did he remember?
Bloody hell.
"Our conversation that night?" prompted Killian cautiously, trying to appear casual. "You remember it from all those years ago?"
"Bits and pieces," said David. "You asked me something about how I didn't look like I was happy with my engagement?" said David, brows kneaded like he was trying to remember. "I don't know; it was a really long time ago. For me, at least," he added.
Killian felt himself breathe out in relief.
He didn't remember.
"Aye," said Killian, relaxing. "Something like that."
David hesitated a moment before saying, "I wanted to thank you."
"For what?" asked Killian.
"For what?" echoed David with surprise. "For jumping in that portal after Emma when you didn't have to," clarified David. "For protecting her when I couldn't—or when I didn't know I was supposed to."
Killian felt a little heat creep up the back of his neck, the gratitude feeling uncomfortable. "Of course," he managed, taking a swig of the rum from his glass, thankful it was there. David stood, and Killian felt himself nearly sigh with relief, suddenly thinking that life was easier when the prince was yelling at him.
David turned to go back to his wife, when he said, "Oh, one more thing."
"Hm?" Killian forced a grin.
A tiny, knowing smile quirked the corner of David's lips. "We would be crazy not to."
Killian choked on the rum.
"Given the lengths you've gone to save her, they'd be crazy not to."
Killian stared at David in utter shock.
David just grinned at his reaction.
He bloody remembered.
With a sigh, David said, "I meant what I said to you that night, Hook," he said seriously. "I walked away from Prince Charles thinking that he was the most stand-up guy I'd ever met." Killian stared in shock. "We would be crazy to not see just how devoted you are to Emma." With a softer smile, something Killian has never gotten from David before, he said, "Thank you for… going to the end of the world for her." A little, meaningful smirk. "And time."
Killian forgot how to breathe.
"It's obviously up to Emma, whatever you and she become," said David. "But… I approve of you, Killian." With a look toward the booth where Snow was sitting, who'd looked up, gaze on both men, David said, "We both do."
Killian.
He bloody called him by his name.
Killian could hardly find his voice. He managed a nod, his voice stuck somewhere in his chest.
But his shock seemed to only make David's approval solidify, with another quirked grin at the man's lips.
"What are you guys talking about?" asked Emma, walking back over and sitting next to Killian.
Killian swallowed and David told Emma, "Just catching up with my old friend, Prince Charles." David shot another look to Killian before leaving them to find Snow and the baby again.
Emma intertwined her fingers with Killian, smiling at him with something he's never seen her direct at him before tonight. Something that looked like the sun after weeks of cloud and rain, like a shine that had always been there but had finally broken free.
Emma.
He had Emma.
And the approval of her parents.
He felt a smile at his lips, something foreign tickling his chest. Something he never thought he'd feel again.
And it was happiness.