Hook-centric Fanfiction. It takes place a few weeks after the season 3 finale. I haven't written a proper fanfiction in more than three years plus this is my first OUAT story so please bear with me. Enjoy.

Hook grunted as his shoulder collided with the concrete sidewalk then toppled into a streetlamp.

"Don't come back unless you have revenue to support your binges!" the barman yelled before slamming the back door behind him.

It was the third time this week that Hook had been tossed from The Rabbit Hole, the finest and yet only source of alcohol in all of Storybrook. His yearning for Emma had grown desperate and since she had no desire for him, the only thing that quenched his thirst was an unyielding amount of rum.

Unfortunately his supply had run dry a week ago leaving only one option, the bar. He however did not put into account that he had no vast wealth or income to support his dependence. The barman was agreeable enough to tolerate him for a while but he should have guessed it would come to an end soon enough.

The bruised pirate stood brushing off his long coat before stalking down the shadowy street. The options were bleak. He quickly dismissed the idea of asking Emma for funds, she wouldn't understand. He could beg? The pirate almost slapped himself for thinking of something that degrading.

What made Hook different from the folk here was the fact he was never under the curse. He had no second life, no job and no knowledge of this world. It made him feel uneasy that he was this vulnerable when it came to what made this land tick.

Hook made his way to the docks where he currently called home. He had always taken comfort to being by the sea, the slow movements of the tide and salty smell. When he came across an abandoned vessel tethered to the docks he took the opportunity. To his surprise it belonged to Leroy now known as Grumpy the dwarf. Rumor had it he never used the vessel and since remembering his life in the Enchanted Forest had cared even less for the boat since. It was nothing compared to the Jolly Roger but the old dingy sufficed.

The drunken pirate stumbled down below deck closed the pulled the hatch closed taking a sigh of relief that he was home. It was small, his head almost touching the ceiling and his bed taking up most of the room. Connecting was a small bathroom and even smaller bathing area, to which he found was called a shower. However it never worked and he never bothered fixing it.

He felt his hand around unless he found his matches and lit the wax seeping candle before placing it beside his cot. Stumbling around as the boat tossed he fell onto his makeshift bed kicking off his heavy boots and shrugging off his coat.

The bed he slept in was no more than tattered blankets and sheets he found about laid on the floor of the small room. He felt around smiling as his hand found the smooth shape of a bottle but to his dismay it was light. The rum long gone.

Hook sighed. It was going to be a long night.

For even sleep brings nightmares and he did not have nearly enough rum to evade that. Have a dreamless night.

The next morning came quicker than he expected. A cold sweat upon his face. He dreamed of Neverland. Of his years stuck on that dark world, of the dying boys and his painful revenge, which never came to pass.

The pirate sat up rubbing his weary eyes before leaning his head back against the far side of the room. His nose crinkled. No wonder he couldn't get Emma, he smelt of rum and low tide.

"Aye…", he whimpered as his head pounded against his skull, no doubt a hangover. His side ached from the fall the day before and he forgot to remove his hook, which in his sleep left a scratch along his cheek.

The pirate rushed to the mirror looking at the wound. To his relief it wasn't too deep and would heal quickly. However his attention was brought to his sunken eyes and overgrown beard.

He was a mess.

And yet this realization brought one thought to mind. Not his aching hunger. Not Emma. Not even his brother who no doubt would be disappointed in him seeing his little brother this way.

It was his dry throat. The rum. He needed the bitterness. His mind to be clouded. His thoughts to fade to nothingness.

But there was none.

He knew he needed help. And yet, he didn't want to ask it.

The phone rang on and on. Hook stood at the pay phone near the sardine factory. He managed to scrounge up a few pieces to pay for the call. He just hoped it was worth it.

Then he heard an answer, "Hello"

That voice made him roll his eyes. The regality, so clean and proper, it was all that he wasn't. Maybe in the Royal Navy he clung to that game but that was many years ago, a different man in his boots.

But it did it still took the pirate until half past noon to find the courage to call David Nolan.

"Hello? Anyone there", David chimed again.

"'ello Lad, it's Killian."

"Hook?"

"Ah yes." Hook bit his lower lip, he wondered if this was a good idea. This man despised him. Hopefully less after Neverland but still so. Especially for chasing after his only daughter, so frankly.

"If you need Emma she's not here."

"Ah no. Actually I need to talk to you."

"Alright. How about Granny's at 1?"

"You see. I need this to be private and all."

"This isn't some sort of trap?"

"No! Please mate. I just need your help", Hook cursed at his desperation.

"Alright. My place in half an hour. Don't worry. Mary Margaret and Emma won't be there. They're baby shopping with Neal."

"Great."

Then he hung up.

By Poseidon's beard, he just made plans with Prince Charming.

Charming placed his phone back in his pocket settling down on a bar stool in the kitchen. Margaret was gathering her belongings, throwing her scarves and sweaters throughout the bedroom. She wore her long winter coat and a pale beret that almost hid her perfect dark hair.

"Hon, what are you looking for?"

"My... Purse." she pouted with annoyance before diving back into the pile thoroughly ripping it apart. Charming smiled picking up her purse, which was hidden behind the kitchen counter since breakfast, "Snow."

She looked up smiling deeply in embarrassment before taking the velvet purse. They embraced and kissed slowly before holding each other.

"So what did Hook want?", she said seriously.

"You heard that?"

"Our home isn't that big. If it was a castle, maybe you could have gotten away with it."

Charming sighed, "I'm not sure but he sounded confused."

"That's odd."

"Yes indeed. Let's keep this between us. I don't think he wanted you or Emma to know."

Snow frowned, "Fine but don't get into trouble."

"You know I never look for trouble."

Snow smiled pecking him on the lips before heading toward the door, "It just finds you."

Charming shrugged, "You need that coat on? It's almost spring. The weathers pretty warm."

"Not warm enough for me Charming. Ill text you when I get Neal from Granny."

And she was gone.

Charming spent the next ten minutes throwing all of Snows belongings back into her dresser before he heard a hard knock on the door.

"Coming!" he called jogging over before swinging the door open.

There stood Hook. His hair was overgrown as was his beard. He smelt of something foul and his gaunt eyes made him look tired beyond measure.

"Come in", Charming said speechless. He tried to figure out the last time he saw the pirate. Couldn't have been more than a few days.

"Thanks mate." he strode in. Eyeing the closest chair before settling down.

The pirate fiddled with his hook lowering his blue eyes to the ground, "I guess you want to know why it is I am here?"

Charming didn't respond right away. Instead he settled down on a nearby chair and rubbed his chin, "Not really. How- what happened? You're- not to be blunt."

"A bloody mess? I know."

"What happened?"

Hook sighed running his hand through his oily hair, "I ran out of rum."

Charming had to stop himself from laughing. Rum? The liquor savvy pirate always had his favorite drink at his hip and at his lips most of the day. Now the seemingly endless flask was unfilled.

"What does that have to do with anything? You want me to buy you more?" David scoffed.

"No! I mean. I came to realize I have... I have nothing."

"What do you mean nothing, no rum?"

"Not the rum", he scowled, "I have no job. ... None of this "America" money-"

"US Dollars", the Prince corrected.

Hook glared at Charming, "None of these", he gestured at all of David, "garbs. I live in a sailboat for fortunes sake! I have nothing because it's all in the other world. Where we are meant to be."

Charming nodded, "The curse didn't affect you. There's no alternate life to help you."

"Thank Regina for that one. It took all my rum to run out to realize that I'm stuck here, so I might as well live my life. I can't believe I'm asking this but will you help me mate."

Charming was speechless once again, "Why me? Why not Emma or..."

Hook slammed his hand down, "Who else? There isn't anyone who will help me. I'm the pirate. Mary Margaret would treat me like some injured puppy dog, no offense, plus the new baby and Emma... we are not on good terms right now."

"What do you mean?"

Hook sighed, "Not important right now. The truth is you see a man inside of me. Beyond the pirate. You are hero and I am a villain. Don't get me wrong, I love the rum. Plundering, the open sea. Maybe you can teach me a thing or two mate about… ."

"Not being a pirate. Alright. But you have to listen to me. No backing out. If this is for Emma...

"It's not! It's, it's for me. Maybe a bit for the lass but mainly to keep intact my good form."

Charming smiled, "Then let's get started."

Thanks for reading!