Captain Swan One-Shots

Second Chance, Part 10b

Killian was pulled from his thoughts when Robin strolled into the stockroom.

"Alright, mate, one side of the shop is mopped. Like usual, I'll let it dry before I tackle the other side."

The dark-haired man only hummed as he continued working. Robin sidled up beside him and grabbed one of the remaining boxes.

However, he nearly dropped it back on the floor when he saw the tea and coffee bags and canisters placed sideways and upside down, the pastry ingredients tossed haphazardly, and the extra mugs and a few other supplies teetering on the shelf's edge.

He quickly pushed the mugs and supplies back on the shelf before they could fall, placing the box back on the floor. He cast a worried look toward his friend - who continued to obliviously arrange the stock.

Robin then placed a hand on his shoulder and fretted, "Are you alright, Killian?"

Killian's head snapped up as he posed, "Of course I am. Why do you ask?"

Robin nodded toward the shelf and surmised, "The stock is in utter disarray, mate - that isn't at all like you."

With furrowed eyebrows, Killian slowly turned his blue eyes back to the shelf. He blinked several times as he took in the state of scattered goods.

"Bloody hell," he muttered as he raked his fingers through his hair and over his face. He then sighed and slid the baseball card out of his pocket.

As he ran his thumb over it, he admitted, "I'm just distracted. I can't seem to make sense of anything."

Robin only nodded as he gave his friend a sympathetic look. A companionable silence ensued - as Killian let out another sigh.

With a deep breath, Robin then surmised, "That baseball card - it's the one your father gave you, isn't it?"

"Aye," Killian confirmed. He paused before he elaborated, "I spied it on the counter after August left. We talked about how I'm dealing with everything - I'm okay, but I still don't know what that means."

He then ran his fingers back through hair and leaned against the shelf, looking down at the floor. When he looked back up, he questioned, "Does that even make any bloody sense?"

"Of course it does," Robin assured him. He then took a moment to consider his words before he told him, "Mate, you found out that the father who selfishly abandoned you - and your sister - seems to have actually changed. You're slowly letting him into your life - you're dealing with a hell of a lot. It's okay that you're still figuring this out."

With a meaningful look, he then added, "And it's okay if your opinion of Brennan is changing."

Killian sighed before he spoke, "I suppose you're right - but I can't help but feel slightly hypocritical.

Robin furrowed his eyebrows in confusion. A few moments later, however, it dawned on him.

He shook his head as he pointed out, "You were only hurting yourself."

"Not always," Killian told him, a self-deprecation in his tone. He then gestured wildly and continued, "I got a second chance and I changed - I don't see why it's so damn difficult for me to offer the same. Sometimes I think it'd be easier..."

He trailed off and clenched his fists - more in frustration at himself than anyone or anything else.

Robin then supplied, "If your father had stayed away." Killian simply nodded.

He then rubbed the back of his neck and said, "I just wish I knew what to do. Part of me believes my father, but the other part is waiting for him to abandon us again."