Just a short little ficlet on Killian's thoughts after arriving back in Storybrooke post 7x02.

I feel her heartbeat.

I feel it thumping quickly, right underneath my breastbone. There is a shudder in her breath that she quickly tries to stifle, as her fists clutches tighter around my jacket. Knuckles are white with the pressure and her arm feels like a vice against me. I breathe in her scent slowly, allowing my body to lean into hers another inch. The smell of her shampoo wafts up from her golden tendrils and it smells like home. She feels like home. Even the short days we were apart were enough to fill my heart with a longing that I had forgotten the pain of.

"What if he isn't okay?" The words are clipped. Stunted. She's trying to be strong. That's my Swan.

"Love, Regina will look out for the boy. You needn't worry." The words fall flat. They aren't enough, I find myself thinking. I feel her thinking it too, even though she nods because she digs a little deep her into me. I brush my lips across the crown of her head and give her a tight squeeze before letting her go.

I look behind us and see that the portal has gone and we are back in front of Granny's diner. I hear one of the dwarves laughing and the clink of glasses. There is a light breeze in the air and I can smell the salty sea air calling my name. Home. We are home.

"I know, I know. But why is it that I can't help but think something bad is going to happen?" She pulls her hair behind the nape of her neck, her hands digging a little deeper into the pocket of her red jacket.

I think of all the things I can say to ease her mind. The words become twisted, as I look down at the small swell of her body and feel the back of my neck heat. The warmth spreads to my cheeks and base of my skull, enveloping all of my senses in a giddy joy. I understand the parental instinct now, the drive and desire to ensure that my boy … my boys … are safe. It is primal, I tell myself.

"Emma…."

Well that was eloquent, wasn't it?

I try again.

"Emma, our boy - Henry - is a man now. He can take care of whatever comes his way, we must let him continue his journey much how we have to continue ours for our other boy."

She looks over at my quickly and smiles before letting out a deep sigh. Her hand finds mine and I find myself following in her footsteps. She is letting out a small little laugh, so I must've eased her mind somehow. Bloody confusing, innit? I allow myself to smile but when she turns around I realize I shouldn't be smiling.

"Boy, Jones? Do you know something I don't?" Her tone is sharp, but the soft curves of her face are giving her away I see from her profile.

"Of course the wee little tyke is a boy, Emma."

She lets out another giggle as she bounces on to the first step of Granny's, turning towards me once more. Although her eyes are still rimmed in sadness, she smiles. Her hand, holding mind, reaches towards her belly once more.

"We BOTH know, it is a girl."

"Alas, do we now?" I tickle her in under the ribs as I embrace her once more. Her giggle, it washes across me igniting my chest in the most unbelievable swell of love.

"Our boy will venture the realm just like his big brother before him, my lady. Swashbuckling his way into his own story, finding his own true love. He's got some mighty footprints to follow, now doesn't he?"

"Thank you, Killian. For always reminding me."

"Reminding you of what, love?"

The corners of her lips curve upwards and I remain completely baffled as she lets out another small laugh and turns to open the doors. Her hair falls in her face as she turns towards me, as I stand there like a complete and utter buffoon wondering what on earth I've said that has pleased her so.

"Our boys. I like the sound of that."

I smile.

I, too, like the sound of that.