Disclaimer: I do not own OUAT.
Summary: Emma had never met someone as infuriating as the captain of the Jolly Roger in her 28 years of being a talented thief. When he requires her help to find a dagger to "skin" the Dark One as he likes to say, what she's really agreeing to is late night fights, breaking her walls, falling in love, oh, and winning the war with her parents she knew nothing about. Emma Swan doesn't know what she should be mad about. How about that coin purse he tried to steal that started this whole thing….
Warnings: This is AU. There is no Curse. Hook returns to the Enchanted Forest from Neverland when Emma is 28. Emma is still an orphan. Reasons being that I prefer her to have that lost boy/lost girl connection with Hook. Henry does exist and will be explained for as the story progresses.
A/N: Happy Sunday! So… I have a slight confession to make… well not slight it's probably a noticeable pattern right now… I prefer trials of fear/anger before acceptance and fluff. That being said… Don't hit me at the end of the chapter xD
Also, because finals are coming up, there may or may not be a week where I will not update because I will be finishing art projects. Just so everyone has a heads up… I feel so horrible for possibly breaking my routine x_x
"So, tell me true, Henry, you know absolutely nothing of your father?"
Henry looked up from his meal. They had chosen to eat away from the crew today. It was such a beautiful day at sea that Hook dreaded the thought of leaving it. Henry's thoughts were quite similar. He was a nature boy it seemed. Forest or sea, if the sun was bright and the sky was clear and the breeze just right, Henry wanted to absorb and savor all of it. Henry had told him of his own little adventures behind his mother's back: sneaking out, riding the wild unicorns, fishing with the bears. He wasn't afraid of the life outside the large walls and Hook applauded him on that.
Henry was sitting cross legged, back against the mast with his plate balanced on his knee. They were chewing away at the last of the salted fish the ship had (in good time, they were going to make port today—Henry and Swan made it quite clear they were tired of eating fish every day since the meat ran out weeks ago. Hook laughed at them; beggars couldn't be choosers and all) and they managed to salvage a few fruits from the kitchens. Although all the flavor had vanished from them long ago, they were still edible.
Henry had taken to following Hook everywhere when the captain had emerged from his short dark time. The boy never asked what happened during his slight stumble and what brought him out of it, thankfully. He was a boy full of questions, but he knew his boundaries.
He swallowed and wiped his greasy fingers on his pants. "Just… what he did to mom. I think I know his name. But I'm not all too sure…"
Hook cocked his head as he bit into his flavorless apple. "What makes you say that, lad?"
After a few stones of Swan's walls had fallen free during their last encounter, Hook's curiosity of the woman had grown tenfold. She knew it, and looked deliciously terrified in her realization. There was more to the creation of the guarded woman strutting about on his ship, and he wanted to be her undoing. In more ways than one, of course. Perhaps, behind those tall walls, Swan was a passionate lover. A lecherous grin almost slipped past him, but for the sake of the boy, he reined it back in.
"Well…" the boy looked over his shoulder, looking for a sign of his mother. "On my birthday, my mom can sometimes get very disheartened. Sometimes, the night before, she'd have nightmares. She'd almost always scream a name in fright. It's a name she never brings up or talks about when I ask."
Hook waved his left arm for the boy to continue.
"Neal. I think my dad's name is Neal."
Hook snorted. "Curious name." A name fit for a coward, he thought.
"Yeah. She never talks about him. Just those two times in my life where I was curious and I wanted the truth. I don't pressure her. It looks like it's really painful for her. That swan necklace she wears though, that's from my dad. I asked her about that. I thought she kept it because it matched her surname. She told me Neal gave it to her on one of their loots. Said that, she wears it as a reminder that she can't trust anyone."
"Anyone except you, of course," Hook smiled when Henry chuckled.
"I asked her why she trusted Robin, and the Merry Men. But I guess, it's a little easier to trust someone when they take you in help you through the last stages of your pregnancy and the early years of your child's life."
Indeed. However, with the knowledge of Snow White and Robin Hood being friends, Hook assumed Robin knew who he was dealing with just by her looks and having her name. The captain wasn't sure how Swan would take it when she finds out Robin knew who she was and who her family was this whole time, never returning her to them. Hell, the man was telling her she wasn't allowed to go with her son to the Royal Palace. He was following Snow White's wishes and putting the fate of the kingdom in front of a lost girl's dreams. Her trust might crumble but with how the war was, she might understand. Might. She was still abandoned as a child and that sort of thing left a powerful stigma on a person's soul.
"Your mother is a complicated woman."
Henry laughed. "Yeah. But I love her."
"You're quite lucky lad, not many people have mothers like yours." Henry cleaned the last of his plate and watched Hook with a curious eye.
The captain made himself more comfortable and mentally prepared himself for whatever question Henry threw his way. He found himself having to do that around the pair aboard his ship often as of late. He had found himself becoming more and more comfortable around them, his own guard slipping in their presence, and that bothered the pirate that he was. A part of him preferred that they kept to themselves in their cabins as they had done the first half of the month, but where was the fun in that? They were entertaining, especially in Swan's case. She was tough, perfect for a pirate, but deep down, she was a vulnerable woman.
"You… seem to understand my mom a lot."
"Aye, I do. We are more alike than she would like to admit." He glanced at the handkerchief that still covered his knuckles, twirling a loose thread between his finger and the apple.
Henry grinned. "But you have no problem with that, right?" Hook gave him a reassuring wink and bit into his apple.
"I never knew my mother. She died giving birth to me. My father was a fugitive. Fled in the middle of night to avoid capture. I grew on the streets for quite some time."
The look on Henry's face clenched his heart that he had forgotten he had. "You were abandoned too?"
"Aye, that I was." Another bite, a little more aggressive than necessary. The apple was now finished, and he tossed it over his shoulder.
"Did you tell my mom? She might be nicer to you." The hope in the boy's eyes was endearing, but Hook couldn't find himself to believe what the boy believed so easily.
"It's a little more complicated than that, Henry. Besides, I've told her my stories. It's past time for her to tell me hers."
The boy stood up and shook his head with Baelfire's lopsided grin. "It's a little more complicated than that." Hook laughed and moved to ruffle his hair.
Henry dodged the hand, but Hook pulled boy in close with his left arm that snaked out before he could escape. His arm slipped over his neck, putting him in a headlock while he ruffled the boy's hair with vigor, laughing at Henry's protests. When he finally got free—Hook let him—Henry grabbed his sword and jumped atop an empty barrel by the railing. He held the sword at Hook's face and the captain felt not a drop of malice enter his veins at the familiar threatening image from Neverland. Henry was none of the boys.
"Fight fair villain!"
"Oh, so I'm the villain this time, lad?"
"You're bigger, and an adult." Henry shrugged his shoulders and pointed the sword with a stronger hold. "And a pirate."
Hook rubbed the scruff on his face drolly before he shrugged as well. He started to pull his sword free, using his hook to push aside Henry's sword.
The ship jerked underneath his feet in such an odd way that Hook stared at the ground while bracing himself.
What—
It jerked again, like something was slamming into its side. He heard the slam come from the port side. He grabbed a rigging and held on tight as the next hit was harder.
"What's happening!" Henry asked.
Hook jerked his head to Henry, remembering that the boy was standing on something unstable and too close to the railing for his liking. "Get down—"
—Another hit.
The barrel slipped from underneath Henry. The boy flailed and fell back onto the railing. There was a loud thud and he fell over.
"HENRY!" Hook ran to the railing, reaching it as soon as there was a 'splash'. His heart beat frantically in his chest as he looked for a sign of the boy in the waters. Shit!
Henry splashed and sputtered up, staring up with wide eyes in panic. "Hook!" he bobbed for a little bit before he fell back underneath the waters, his small hands grasping for something that slipped between his fingers every time.
"MAN OVERBOARD!" He hollered, running to grab loose rope.
"Hook!" He looked up to find Swan running to him. "What's going on? Where's—"
Swan froze.
She knew Henry was with him, and the look on his face must've been enough for her to understand the situation. Her face went pale and she ran to the starboard side, almost losing herself over as well when the ship was hit yet again. Hook yelled for his crew to find the source and stop the attack while he ran to Swan, grabbing her by the middle as she tried to jump after her son. Jameson rushed to their side, picking up the rope that Hook dropped to stop her from jumping to her death.
"HENRY!" She shrieked.
"Swan no!" He reached up and grabbed her wrist to pull her down. She grunted and screamed at him, her face now flushed.
"He can't swim!"
"And can you?!"
She whipped her head to him and tried to glare but the worry etched along her face only caused it to tremble and shatter. "That doesn't matter!"
"Yes it does! If you throw yourself over after him I have two people who can't swim in those waters! There's a chance that'll one of you will float off too far for me to save! Not to mention I have no clue what's attacking us! We're wasting time, Swan. Get down!" Hook pulled her again, they were wasting every precious second.
At this rate, they could still, possibly revive the boy if the sea invaded his lungs. But if Swan didn't listen to him—
Soon, tears burst from Swan's eyes and she nodded, taking his experience to heart for once. She took her feet down from the railing while Jameson threw off his jacket.
"I'll go, captain!"
"One of you bloody bastards get over here and help!" Two of his crew men hurried over, grabbing the other end of the rope.
While Jameson wrapped the rope snug around himself, he frowned, staring down at the waters.
"Captain!" Hook looked over. He held his breath when he no longer saw a sign of Henry, no more signs of thrashing. The ripples were dispersing and the shadows of the depths didn't resemble the form of a small boy. He squinted, hoping to catch a shadow flailing, but found nothing. Then he spotted something that sparkled like diamonds underneath the current in the corner of his eye. It darted so quickly but he knew.
"No…" he hissed.
Swan grabbed the lapels of his coat and shook him. He grabbed one of her hands to let him go. Her green eyes were so wide and petrified that Hook started to feel her frozen fear in his own body, specifically the hand that was holding hers. "No? No what?!"
Smee ran to his side, almost as red as his cap, "I never expected them to be this close to port, Cap'n."
"Them?" Emma whispered.
"Mermaids," Hook hissed and looked to Jameson, "get down there and don't let those wretched beasts curse you or Henry, damnit!"
"Look!"
They all looked down, Hook almost called for the boy but then took note that only Henry's head bobbed above. He wasn't flailing anymore. Someone cursed. His mother screamed and Hook grabbed her again, holding her close as she tried to jump after her son. He wrapped his fingers tight around his brace while she struggled, shrieking and crying.
"Swan, don't—!" he grunted in pain as she tried to elbow her way free.
"My son! MY SON!" she tried clawing through the sleeves of his leather coat.
Swan whipped her head around, her tear streaked face and red rimmed eyes drenched in despair. She was so close to his face that he cringed. She was breaking. Fast. A part of him wanted to guide her head to his shoulder, like a gentleman should have done because this was something a mother shouldn't see. But he knew Swan. She wouldn't want comfort from a pirate. She wanted her son in her arms. Even if he already breathed his last breath.
Hook's arms tightened, holding her flush to his body. He opened his mouth to order Jameson to the waters.
"Gods be good…" Jameson whispered.
A mermaid broke through the surface, cradling Henry to her as she looked up at them. Her bright red hair encased both of them while Henry's head lolled over her shoulder. Hook watched on in confusion as she swam closer to the ship. She jerked her free arm, calling for rope. Jameson immediately tore the rope off his body and tossed it below. The mermaid wrapped it around Henry and signaled for them to pull.
"She's got it around him. Pull!" Jameson called, joining the men in lifting the boy above the water.
Before Henry's body left the water entirely, the mermaid kissed his lips.
"Oi! Keep your cursed lips off of him!" Hook yelled.
The mermaid looked up at him and then pointed at Henry's throat just as the boy coughed and gasped for breath.
"Bloody hell…" Smee murmured, ripping his cap off his head.
While they pulled the struggling boy up Hook noticed that the mermaid had her eyes on Emma in his arms. Her eyes were wide and doubtful. Twice she blinked and squinted up at Emma. Her eyes darted to Henry's shaking body and then to Hook. Their eyes met, and he felt a sense of dread wash over him before she dived back into the depths.
A member of his crew grabbed Henry by his arms and pulled him back over. The boy trembled, nearly falling to the floor. They tossed a blanket over him wounding it tight around him. Once wrapped properly, Hook released Emma to let her run to her son.
Emma fell to her knees, taking the boy with her. She covered him in wet kisses and held him like a lifeline. She was utterly vulnerable. Hook had seen many distraught mothers in his life, but never had he seen one as Swan. She loved her son with everything she had. She needed him. He watched them silently. He never knew, personally, how strong a mother's love was. Not even Milah displayed the affections as strongly as Emma…
"Keep him above deck. It's far warmer than below." Hook advised, feeling dreadfully heavy guilt lift from his chest. Emma looked at him, her eyes piercing through him with such relief that he, for once in a long time, felt uncomfortable under a woman's gaze. He ducked his head and scratched the back of his ear. "Take him to my quarters. Keep him warm."
She licked her lips, picked him up, and carried her shivering bundle away from the mess. Once behind his door, the crew roused into chatter.
"Women were always bad luck to have aboard a ship…" someone murmured. "First that bloody siren and now mermaids… what next, a kraken?"
Hook jerked his head to his crew and they ceased their mumblings. They obediently straightened their backs and waited for his next order.
"I thought the mermaids were closer to Port Royal than Jefferson," he seethed.
Jameson shook his head. "I was under the impression as well captain. But almost as soon as the boy went overboard, the attacks stopped."
"Must've thought him dinner." Someone else tried whisper.
"If I hear another unnecessary word from you lot," Hook stared them all down, feeling fire in his veins, "You'll walk the plank and pray they take pity on your soul as they did the boy. Is that understood?"
"Aye, captain." They hummed.
"Captain, the mermaids here must be more amiable than the mermaids of Neverland. That mermaid with the red hair, she saved Henry. Revived him." Jameson shrugged his jacket back on and crossed his arms over his chest.
Smee nodded his head, "Let's not forget, Cap'n, they made that pact with the King and Queen. The mermaids must have some kind of heart if they stop their attacks at the sight of a child."
"Well someone toss them a bloody spyglass. Henry was on the deck the long before they launched their attack." Hook pulled at the scruff on his face, feeling it snag onto the white handkerchief.
Swan… Gods she was going to be furious with him. She had something of a tunnel vision.
"Cap'n," Smee began, "Think of this in a better light. If these are the mermaids that are friends with the Charmings, they might allow us passage to Port Royal, giving us no further hassle and shortening our time to your revenge. Especially with Henry aboard."
Hook observed his first and second mate, a thought being tossed back and forth in his head. Yes, that was very much true. Henry was proving to be more and more useful every day, and it would be a terrible waste if the boy was killed. Not only a waste, it would foil everything. If he lost Henry, then he lost Swan.
After the defeat of the Evil Queen and the permanent imprisonment of the Dark One, the realm appeared to be full of heroes and their helpful allies. Henry was an appeal for many of them at such a young age. When they made it to the Royal Palace, it would be advantageous for them if Henry could convince the King and Queen that they were only simple—though armed—sailors, doing a noble deed. There were going to be sentinels on guard and a white peace flag above a pirate ship can only do so much to wary knights.
Not to mention there was no idea how the King and Queen would act to seeing their unannounced daughter with a pirate by her side.
He ordered his crew to get back to work while indicating his mates to follow him to the bow with a nod of his head.
There was another obstacle, however. "That mermaid…She knew Swan."
Smee and Jameson's faces contorted.
"I thought Swan had never traveled by sea?" Smee asked.
"How could a mermaid know a thief who traveled by land?" Jameson nodded to the fast approaching port. "Mermaids are territorial, they'll stay close to home, even if they do decided to use magic to walk. I doubt Miss Swan had ever been this far."
Hook opened his mouth and then remembered, he had kept Swan's true identity to himself, burning the personal letter from Snow White. Jameson he could trust with such valuable information, but Smee… once on land there was no telling what that sniveling rat would say to the highest bidder for that kind of information.
If the mermaid recognized Swan for Snow White's daughter, the news of her travels could reach her royal parents before them. And mermaids were swift swimmers. He grasped the buckle of his belt and shook his head, feigning ignorance.
"I haven't a clue. But perhaps we could use that to our advantage. I'll inquire Swan about it, when she's not so distraught."
Smee took the answer with a nod while Jameson squinted his eyes at him. "Mr. Smee, assess the damage on the ship. Those attacks must have thrown things astray below deck."
The portly man nodded his head and hurried to his task. Jameson, however, crossed his arms and Hook flinched. He suddenly felt like Liam was looking at him, they both had the same look when they were upset with him. He grit his teeth.
"You're not telling me something…"
Hook smirked, although it was half attempted. "I haven't a clue as to what you're referring to." He tried to stroll off to his quarters, but Jameson grabbed his arm. The captain that he was would've thrown his mate's hand off, threatening to sever it off for insubordination. But right now, Hook was Killian, as he was when Jameson looked and acted so much like Liam.
Jameson and his brother were best mates, and some of Liam's mannerisms bled onto Jameson, who held onto them as a reminder of their lost captain. "This isn't a joke, Killian. If there is something about Miss Swan that you know about, I think it's best you let me know what's going on if you're not going to tell Smee. That mermaid saved her son's life and if what you're saying is true, that this mermaid knows Swan, we need to know why."
"Oh, I know why," Killian started, "but I'm not telling you."
"Killian!" Jameson hissed and his brow furrowed. "If any detail you withhold may protect Miss Swan and keep her and her son safe you're going to need more than just yourself to help keep it that way."
A sinking, but sharp heat blossomed within Killian that felt very similar to jealousy. He pushed it down while lowering his voice so no one nearby would hear. There was never a reason for him to be envious of one of his rare friends. "I can protect her myself, Jameson. When I feel it necessary for help, then I'll let you know."
He wretched his arm from Jameson's grasp and stormed to his quarters. His mate didn't call for him and he felt himself slip back into familiar boots.
Hook quietly opened his door, spotting Henry tucked away on his bed. Swan had found his extra comforters and wrapped her son in those too. The boy's wet clothes hung on the lower support beams, already wrung free of the water. He heard her boots before she walked into his vision.
She was still distressed that she had almost lost her son. She hung another article of clothing and then sat on the bed next to her son, finding the breathing hole he made for himself so he could stay hidden under the covers. She brushed her fingers against his cheek and sobbed.
"Mom… I'm fine…" he heard from under the covers.
Hook closed the door and her attention turned to him. Almost immediately, her face contorted to anger. Hook braced himself for her wrath, leaning against the door with his hand latched onto his belt buckle.
"What the hell happened? What were you doing that he got thrown overboard?"
Hook glowered at her. "Honestly, darling, your son having so little meat on his bones he would've gotten tossed no matter what."
Emma opened her mouth to lash at him, but her son's hand shot out, holding hers. "Mom, it's my fault, I was standing on a barrel too close to the edge."
Hook shook his head. "No, lad. It was no one's fault here. The mermaids were very much unexpected. If anything, you saved us from a pretty bloody battle."
"How? By drowning?" Swan threw up her hands and stared at him like he was senseless for even making that assumption. Hook clucked his tongue.
"The mermaids made a pact with the King and Queen. I'm sure the Charmings would love to hear that their allies had slayed an innocent child. Imagine what that would do to whatever deal they made." Hook walked in their direction and paused a good distance from Swan in case she lunged with her claws extended. "The one who saved your son revived him with a kiss. It's a kiss I've only heard stories of. Most mermaids' kisses lead to death."
Swan shook her head and gripped the sheets tight. "If you had just let me jump after him…"
"And kill yourself in the process? What would that get me, Swan, other than a few less mouths to feed? No, we made a deal, I'm going to get you to the Royal Castle."
"This is too dangerous," she hissed with her teeth bared at him.
"I never said it wasn't going to be, pet. I only stated that the chances Regina's forces would reach you is slim. This is the great sea, there are many other dangers besides a storm."
Swan stood up and stomped over to him while he took a few steps back. He looked at Henry who poked his head from his warm home to watch them. "You also said you'd get us there safely."
Hook grit his teeth. "Complications, love. The most I can assure at this point is that you'll both get to the Royal Palace in one piece."
"What if this happens again?"
"It won't. They stopped attacking the ship when Henry hit the waters. And if, god forbid something else attacks us, I'll keep him safe, Swan. You just have to trust me."
"How can I trust you after today?" she said, glaring up at him, with a livid fire in her eyes.
Hook winced. Yes, his responses were delayed because he had to keep her safe as well. Even if the mermaid hadn't revived Henry, they still might've had enough time to revive him with their own methods. However, there was no reason for him to dwell on what might and what might not have happened. He nodded to the covers and lowered his voice. "He's still alive, is he not?"
"Thanks to that mermaid who attacked us!"
"Swan keep your voice down…"
"How can I trust you!? You're just a pirate!" she yelled.
He barked a laugh bitterly. "Ah, yes, the pirate thing. Let me remind you, Swan, this pirate is giving you and your son the life that you want—"
"Snow White and her husband are!"
He leaned in close to her that their noses were almost touching. "Who is getting you there? I could just toss you off the ship right when we make port. Find your own damned way to keep your son safe and pray that the Evil Queen's black knights never find you, as I am most certain they will! In fact, since you're trying to uproot my good services, why not toss you off my damned ship right now? How about we do just that!"
Swan squared her shoulders. Trying to find an argument but knowing it was futile because it was true. They were far too close to Regina's castle where the thick of her army still resided. And it was a far more dangerous chance than continuing to ride the sea with him.
They were out of breath from their anger. His eyes darted over her face. He knew every shred about it. Her face was seared into his memory, whether he liked it or not. At this moment, her blonde tresses framed her burning face, her eyes bloodshot and her mouth set firmly—angry, pissed, livid. And she looked bloody gorgeous.
"Trust me, darling. Open up and things will go by a lot smoother." He said taking a step to the side to leave them to themselves. He was losing his internal battle with her and he did not want to stay to watch himself lose all together.
Her hands shot out and she grabbed him by the lapels of his coat, pulling him back and pushing him against the weight bearing post. For a woman smaller than him she had a lot of strength in her body. Hook watched her. He remained cautious. She wouldn't dare do anything rash. Not after last time she pulled a blade on him. He watched her to see what she would do. Her face was scrunched up, the battle with herself showing itself on the surface. He smirked.
"Ah, what's this? Are you planning to open up to me now, Swan? While I don't mind, your son is in my bed so, is there—"
—She kissed him.
And it swept him off his feet.
Hook breathed in her skin while her fingers entangled themselves in his hair. She smelled like the forests and the salty tears she shed. She kissed him so feverishly that Hook almost couldn't meet her back with just as much force. He growled. She tasted so sweet and sour… biting her lip and pulling her closer with his own hand in her hair and his hook resting on her hip he deepened the kiss. But it seemed almost unnecessary because the ship rocked gently, and Swan, still not having good sea legs, stumbled into his body. He groaned and dropped his hand to her waist where he gripped and rubbed the supple flesh beneath the clothes. Gods, he what he wouldn't give to feel the whole of her skin against his.
Her hands fell to his neck, where she massaged the tensed muscles from their spat. An electrifying chill bounced up and down his spine and he dipped his tongue in her mouth to get a better taste of the essence that was Swan. The woman sucked on his invading tongue and he almost lost it, cursing her to the seas that she came from. This woman…This siren…
There was a squeak and shuffle from the bed that brought Swan back from her adventure in passion. She broke the kiss off and rest her forehead on his chest. She was hiding from him.
He leaned his head back and stared at the boards above them, trying to calm his breathing. He trailed his fingers through her hair, being mindful of the knots and tangles. He licked his lips and tried to push down the arousal that he knew she had no intentions of fix.
Well… That was unexpected.
While he did crave for more, and he would've had what he desired with no protests from her, they did have a rather young audience.
"Thank you…" she whispered. "For everything… For… saving Henry."
"Well… if such deeds get me quite a rigorous kiss from you, can I toss the boy over a few more times?" He chuckled at his jest, running his tongue over his teeth, even though no one was looking at the show he was putting on.
"No thanks!" Henry yelled from his covers.
Emma pulled away and shoved him away, almost playfully. Her eyes and face were dipped too low for him to see. "Don't joke about something like that… Besides, it was a one time thing."
Hook leaned forward, grasping her chin. He rubbed the outline of her jaw as he tilted her head up and smiled. Her eyes wavered as they met his. "No, it's not darling."
"Please don't do that again…" Henry whined from his hiding spot. "I wasn't ready for all that stuff. Mom, that was sooooo disgusting!"
Hook laughed while Swan's blush reached her chest.
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