The harsh sound of metal tapping wood echoed throughout the loft; the bottles, rattles and diapers David was juggling tumbled out of his hands. He sighed, attempting to pick them up again on his way to the door.
Upon opening it he saw Hook standing there -with mixture of amusement and sympathy on his face.
"Sorry, Emma's not here right now" David stated, before glancing behind him into the apartment – anxiously overseeing Snow tend to their son.
"As a matter of fact, mate, I came to see you" Hook replied, the amused smile on his face increasing.
David turned again, dumbfounded, "Me?" fear suddenly entered his eyes. "Why? What's wrong?" he asked eagerly.
"Calm down, mate! I simply thought we should embrace tradition and go for a few drinks– you look like you need it"
David turned, once again to the loft.
"I'm...I'm not sure…"
"Go ahead- I've got everything covered, and Emma and Henry will be back soon" Mary Margret interjected, rocking baby Neal in her arms – swaddled in a blue blanket.
He stood, conflicted for a moment before placing the baby items on the table and grabbing his jacket.
"I won't be back too late… you're sure?"
"Yes, Go!" Mary Margret replied, smiling.
David passed Hook (who had a triumphant smile on his face) into the hallway.
"So what's this about" David asked between gulps of beer, suspicious.
"Told you – tradition" Hook replied raising his glass of rum.
They sat on bar stools around one of the tall circular tables in the Rabbit Hole, Bon Jovi blaring from the duke box, over the sounds of the shots being made from the pool tables.
"No, it's more than that… what are you up to?"
Hook sighed, before taking another swig of his rum before answering.
"Over the past few days … you've been a bit on edge… about the new prince, and we thought you deserved a break"
"We? Who's we?" David demanded
"Emma… may have mentioned it to me" he said sympathetically.
"Well I'm fine! I'm Prince Charming- I can handle a few dirty diapers and sleepless nights." David stated- his pride clearly hurt.
"Now there's no need to get upset, mate. Your family's just worried about you"
David remained silent, before finishing off his drink. Hook sighed, uncertain how to reassure his mate.
"They just thought you needed some time to be David, rather than Prince Charming: Super Dad."
That got Hook the smile he was after.
"You know… I may hate to admit it but, perhaps this wasn't a bad idea"
"Now, you're talking! How 'bout we order you something with a bit more kick?" Hook said, smiling.
"Oh no, I'm not persuaded that easily – don't bite off more than you can chew!"
"Ah, well – I tried"
David smiled before saying "Now it's your turn to be in the hot seat"
Hook looked over his glass " Me? What've I done?"
"This… thing you have with Emma, what's going on between you two?"
"Now surely that is between us?" Hook replied mischievously.
"Not when I'm her father" David stated, only half serious.
Hook remained silent, not looking David directly in the eye anymore. Sensing Hook's reluctance to talk, David decided to change his approach.
"Well obviously she's been confiding in you – with her concern for me for example, it's good to know she has someone she can talk to about these…"
Hook cut him off "Look, mate… I appreciate that you are looking out for her but… I don't even know what's happening at the moment" he sighed "your daughter is …a very complicated woman."
"Aren't they all?"
They both smiled at this, nodding in agreement.
An awkward silence suddenly loomed over them, screaming all the things not said about Hook and Emma's increasingly complicated relationship. Both stared into their empty glasses.
Finally David broke it, "refill?"
"About bloody time."