Based on a graphic from Tumblr with Emma haunting Hook in the year that was lost.
The ship groans, waves crashing against the hull as he lies in the narrow cot, feet propped up against the shelving beneath the windows. He takes another swig from his flask, the memory of shared drinks, of her lips on his, a soft broken smile, a gentle and quiet voice.
He throws the flask across the room, the sound of shattering glass indicating he's hit the lantern hung on the wall. It wasn't lit so he doesn't spare it a glance as he covers his eyes with his forearm.
You and I, we understand each other.
Look out for yourself and you'll never get hurt, right?
"Swan, you were bloddy wrong."
Killian sighs and swings his legs over the edge of the bed and leans his elbows on his knees, fingers rubbing circles at the bridge of his nose.
"I was right and you know it, Hook."
He doesn't look up, doesn't even move at the sound of her voice.
"You're not real. You're not here."
"But I am."
"Then how can you be speaking to me!? You're happy, Emma! You're safe with your lad, you cannot possibly be here!"
He's on his feet, chest heaving with ragged breaths as his eyes flash at her, at this ghost of his Swan. Her hair is down, long golden waves that fall past her shoulders and whisper against the fabric of her dress. She looks a vision and he's certain it's not her, not really, because how can she be here, how can she be dressed like that when he knows she'd never had the chance to. But her expression is sad, full of loneliness, and all he wants to do is wrap her in his arms and kiss her until she smiles into him, until the pain washes from her features.
He stays where he is instead.
Her dress is feathered at the arms, long white fabric slipping against itself elegantly. He can't help the small smirk that tilts his lips as he regards her standing before him.
"You look like a proper princess, lass."
Her smile is distant and she's flickering in and out of focus, phasing before his very eyes.
"This was the life I was meant for, but it was ripped away before I ever had a chance to live it…"
He walks by her to slump into his desk chair, avoids looking into her eyes as he does. He's tired, so very tired and he needs rest. He's cannot handle this right now, not with her so far away, not this projection. He wonders briefly if he's finally gone mad.
"What do you want of me?"
She shifts, glides towards him and kneels at his feet, cold fingers wrapping around his as she looks up at him with those large green eyes, deep as the sea.
"Save me."
"Pardon?"
"Hook, you have to come find me. You have to save me."
He pulls his hand away and leans back in the chair, breath caught in his throat at the pleading look on her face.
"Swan-"
"You have to!"
And suddenly the room is cold and distant and she's moving forward, skin cold as ice as she leans in and presses her lips to his in a chaste kiss. But she leans back only an inch or two, looks deep into his eyes.
"Save me."
She disappears into the salty sea air.