Disclaimer: Once does not belong to me, and that's all I'll say on the matter.

Killian strode into the sheriff's office, wildflowers clutched in his hand. With most other women, he would rely on his suave good looks and irresistible charm to flip them head over heels. But Emma – Emma was different, and so he was willing to change his methods – change everything – for her.

He was whistling when he walked in, but immediately stopped when he spotted David sitting at the deputy's desk. The two hadn't really seen each other since Killian had knocked the other man unconscious, even when Killian started dating Emma.

"Your Highness," Killian said warily. There were very few things he feared in life, and Emma's father was one of them. Not because Killian thought that David was the better swordsman or would run him through, but because if David disapproved of the relationship, then he would lose Emma, and that wasn't something he ever wanted to deal with.

Of course, he couldn't imagine a woman as string-willed as Emma letting her father dictate her actions, but still.

David didn't say anything, but he nodded in response to Killian's greeting. Killian forced himself not to shift from foot to foot, unwilling to show his nerves in front of the other man.

"Emma likes you," David said abruptly. "I can see it when she talks about you. I don't know you well enough to know your intentions – although based on your reputation, I doubt the honor of them – or whether or not you love her too. But know this – " His demeanor shifted, and Killian could see part of the great king whose reputation had spread to all the lands. "If you ever do anything to hurt Emma, I will find you, and you'll wish you were dead by the time I'm finished. Then I will let Snow and Emma have at you, and they'll finish you off, and none of us will regret a thing." He smiled. "Got it?"

Killian didn't have a chance to respond before Emma walked in, her arms overloaded with files.

"Hey," she said, giving Killian a peck on the cheek. "I didn't expect you here so early. Just give me a minute and then we'll go."

She strode into the office and puttered around, straightening up the papers that already lay haphazard across the table. Killian took the chance to say, "I would kill myself before I hurt Emma, but if I ever do, you have my full permission to throw me to the sharks."

David gave an approving nod and the beginnings of what might have been a smile appeared on his lips. He watched as Emma and Killian left the station for Granny's, observed the look of utter adoration on Killian's face, saw how Emma smiled when she held the bouquet of wildflowers to her nose, and how she laughed – really, truly laughed – at something the pirate had said. David wondered if that was what he and Snow looked like to outsiders.

Well, if that was True Love, who was he to disapprove?