The walk back to camp was mostly silent.

But not in a tense way.

Hook both reveled in the fact that he was still alive, and the fact that the silence between himself and David was actually comfortable.

He wasn't exactly sure which of the two stunned him more.

Most of the journey to Dead Man's Peak was a blur, but Hook had nearly no recollection at all of actually reaching the top. Something he'd experienced many times after a few too many draughts of rum.

But the moment he'd come to after the water healed him, seeing David struck Hook with a strong sense of familiarity. A sense of loyalty and partnership. Like someone he knew.

Only after David had mentioned Liam, had it clicked.

Not days ago, Hook had the fleeting sense of familiarity with David, that the prince and Liam both had that brash, impulsive over-confidence.

But their similarities didn't stop there.

Liam was also loyal and heroic and brave.

And David was almost more so than Liam had been.

David had saved Hook's life.

Something he didn't have to do.

He'd cut through that Dreamshade, at risk of his own life, for Hook.

As uncomfortable as it was to think that he had mistaken David for Liam…

It also wasn't surprising.

But that wasn't the only thing on Hook's mind, knowing what had transpired in the time he couldn't remember.

Because Hook knew for sure that he hadn't told David how to find the spring at the top of Dead Man's Peak.

Yet, even then, when Hook was apparently bloody delirious, David still hadn't given up on him.

The last time Hook had a person—a friend—a partner that refused to give up on him…

…was Liam.

Hook still couldn't quite believe that, only hours ago, David had struck him, viewing him as utter scum of the realms, and would probably have killed him himself after one more snide comment.

Yet even when Hook was too far gone to save himself, David hadn't stopped trying.

He'd saved his life.

And the part that Hook still couldn't fathom, was that when the Dreamshade was healed, David looked relieved.

It wasn't just about David feeling that he owed Hook for saving Emma's life.

"I was wrong about you."

The idea of being accepted by not only hero types, but the most heroic types there were?

By David?

Prince bloody Charming?

It was something that Hook knew he would honor for the rest of his days.

But as they approached the camp, a fleeting thought slipped through Hook's mind, that the only thing he could want more than David's acceptance…

…was Emma's.

Approaching the camp, Hook and David walked through the leaves, only to find a sword, arrow and ball of fire aimed at them.

"It's just us," said David, throwing his hands up in surrender.

"David!" cried the Queen, and she dropped her weapon to hug her husband. David held her back just as tightly.

Emma, letting out a breath of relief, sheathed her sword, and Regina, seeming reluctant, put out her fire.

And Hook felt himself freeze for a second, seeing Emma before him, a rush of relief washing through him.

For when he'd left here, he was almost certain he wouldn't be coming back.

That he would never see her again.

The urge to embrace her now was blinding.

Emma's gaze shifted from Hook to her father and back, her eyebrow hitching up. "Where's the sextant?"

Hook hesitated, his eyes finding David's, as they both seemed to realize that they forgot about coming up with a story.

Though, they'd been a little preoccupied earlier with making sure they'd even need a story.

"Ah…" began Hook, scratching behind his ear, carefully not meeting her eyes as he lied, "I'm afraid Pan got to it first."

Emma's face fell a little. "Oh."

A wave of disappointment ran through the three of them.

But then, David spoke.

"Hook saved my life."

Hook's head snapped up as everyone looked at David in surprise.

Emma looked between David and Hook, brows raised high. "What?"

David's gaze on Hook, he repeated, "Hook saved my life." With a grin, he said, "On our trek, we were ambushed by Lost Boys." Mary Margaret gasped a little, taking his arm. "Pinned down, outnumbered," David went on. "But Hook…" His gaze turned to him again. "He risked his life to stop me from getting hit by a poisoned arrow. If it wasn't for Hook…" David hesitated, then said, "Well, our group would be leaving here a person short." Smiling genuinely, even more so at Hook's shock, David finished, "I thought he deserved a little credit."

Surprised gazes turned to Hook, but none more so than Hook's himself.

"Thank you," said Hook, words barely audible.

And to Hook's surprise, the Queen embraced him.

Hook's brows shot high in even more surprise.

She pulled back before he could figure out what to do in response, and gave him a look as genuine as David's. "Thank you, Hook."

Utterly speechless, Hook only managed a nod.

She returned to David, Regina rolled her eyes at them all and walked away, and…

It left Hook alone with Emma.

He half expected her to walk away with them, but instead, she was staring at him oddly.

"What?" he managed.

"If I didn't know any better," she said wryly, "I'd say that you and David were—how do you say it?" Assuming his accent: "Mates."

And Hook felt the hint of a smile at his own lips, for that actually felt like it was true.

"You really risked your life like that?" asked Emma, smile fading for something a little heavier.

Swallowing, matching her depth, Hook said carefully, "Aye." Something even richer in his eyes, he met hers. "However, what I did…" he said slowly, "I did for you."

Emma blinked, seeing the absolute truth in his eyes.

For it was true.

Emma suddenly had a look of panic in her eyes, so small, barely-there, that looked like that of a frightened animal.

It was a look Hook remembered from the Beanstalk, right before she'd left him there.

When he knew she felt something for him, trusted him, yet only now understood, terrified her.

That look was in her eyes now.

Hook had danced around his feelings for her, never truly coming out and honestly telling her in a serious manner that he cared for her.

Not until now.

But he had quite literally almost died mere hours ago.

He was done just surviving.

If he was going to live, he was going to live.

And he didn't want to do it without her.

Perhaps, then, the first step to winning her heart… was telling her he was trying to.

So, he held her gaze, hoping that his desperate hope wasn't painfully obvious.

She held his gaze, seeming to be at war with herself.

But it was the first time that he could see past those walls of hers.

Something changed in Emma's eyes.

A decision made.

And just as Hook knew he wouldn't be able to handle her walking away from him this time…

She kissed him.

One second she was standing before him, the next she was grabbing the lapels of his jacket, pulling him to her with the same desperation that he felt in his own chest.

Emma.

Emma.

Her lips met his, his eyes fell shut, his arm wrapping tightly around her waist, pulling her to him, his hand tangling in her hair, feeling rushing through his body that felt more euphoric than the Neverland water had.

Because the water may have healed Dreamshade, but Emma?

Emma healed him.

It was like nothing he'd ever experienced before.

She was like nothing he'd ever experienced before.

Suddenly everything around them was lost except for them, a dream he's had for weeks suddenly coming bloody true, all the hints of emotions he's read in her eyes that she's never voiced he could hear her say now.

And he lost himself in her, never having felt more alive.

They pulled away as one, eyes opening, and he saw her inches from his face, looking into his eyes.

He felt paralyzed, arm still around her waist, fingers still in her hair, and her hands still clutching his jacket to her.

Hook barely managed to find his voice. "That was…"

Bloody hell there weren't words to describe it.

But Emma seemed to find ones, for he watched the walls attempt to build back up in her eyes, and she breathed, "A one-time thing."

And she let him go, moving away from him, and Hook had to convince his arms to let her.

"Don't follow me. Wait five minutes." she breathed, still out of breath, walking back to the others.

"As you wish," he whispered, just as breathlessly, seeing a hitch in her walk before she continued on.

Hook let out a shuddering breath, fingers resting on his lips, which were still alive with feeling. Her.

And he felt the ghost of a smile at his lips.

Because Emma wasn't the only one who was good at reading lies.

That kiss—this, between them—wasn't a one-time thing.

And he couldn't bloody wait for the second time.

Hook had waited his five minutes, and was on his way back to camp when David suddenly appeared, walking toward him.

Suddenly going tense, Hook inwardly winced.

As much as he and David had found an understanding with each other, perhaps even a friendship, he highly doubted that included David's acceptance of Hook with his daughter.

"Hook," said David, giving him a grin.

Trying to shake away his nerves, Hook stopped, saying, "Thank you. For… what you said."

"I meant it," said David honestly. "You deserved credit."

Hook smiled a little.

"Also," said David, something unreadable in his eyes. "It's okay with me."

Hook's brows kneaded. "What is?"

But David was looking at him with a sort of look, like he knew something.

Then—

"Emma and Snow have the same… smitten look, you know."

David smirked.

Hook froze.

With a sigh, his smile losing the amusement, but trading for something more meaningful, David said, "If you and she… become anything…" He sighed, but never lost the tilt to his lips. "Well, it's all right with me."

Hook couldn't remember how to speak.

David smirked a little at his reaction, however not in an unkind way.

And even though Hook's fingers found their way to that spot behind his ear to itch away the lingering nerves, he found a smile breaking out on his own face.

He had David's acceptance.

Not just as a person.

Not just as a friend.

But as the father to the only woman Hook would ever want for the rest of his days.

For the first time since Hook had lost Milah, he suddenly felt something he thought he'd never feel again.

Happy.

"And Hook," said David, tearing Hook from his thoughts. "We will find a way to get you off this island alive." Something even more genuine, deeper in David's eyes. "You're coming home with us."

The word home sent a warmth in Hook's eyes that could melt ice.

And those words… it wasn't just David's acceptance.

They were a promise.

Hook, at a complete loss for words, simply nodded his thanks.

David smiled, seeming to hear everything Hook didn't say, and he clapped a hand on his shoulder.

And suddenly Hook was flashing back, centuries.

To Liam, who had once used to do the same gesture.

David smiled again, and walked back to camp.

Hook stood alone, yet felt the furthest thing from it.

For Dreamshade may have taken his brother from him…

But it also just gave him another.