6101719: I am so incredibly sorry for the lack of update. I am, really. School's been wild, exams and breaks and applications and what in the name of all that is good am I doing with my life? Anyway, for a brief blurb on Mav (that's me) since I last updated, I have a) turned eighteen (actually that was the day I last updated but I totally forgot to say anything) b) watched Mean Girls for the first time and HUGELY wish I could add it to this story somehow, but alas, I cannot, and c) MOST IMPORTANTLY I legit got my whole family minus Father Dearest on OUaT. I kid thee not. The wee sister was first (her name's Cadence and she wants an honourable mention) and then Mother Dearest, and then the especially wee brother who's watched a bit, and then the big brother came home from University March Break—and it makes my heart so proud—and was up to all hours getting caught up in time to watch the episode Sunday before going home. *teary eyes* The big sister already watched, and even her boyfriend has kind of started too. I mean seriously. But that's enough about Mav and extended family. Moral of the story, I greatly apologise and hope that I'll be able to make up for it with a few more updates in the next little while.

Much love from Frick to you all!

Setting: Friday November 15th, and Regina has offered to host the next movie night at her house.

"I thought TV was a waste of time."

Regina looked up from rearranging couch cushions to where her son stood smirking in the doorway. "Well… all things in moderation I suppose." She stood, smoothing her skirt. "Come to offer a hand?"

Henry grinned and moved towards the other end of the couch. "I think this one could be a little to the left, don't you think?"

She appraised the scene with a critical eye. "I do think you're right." They shifted the couch slightly, angling it to better face the television. "We want everything to be perfect don't we?"

"Yeah," the boy looked around the room again, nodding once. "I think it is. Perfect, I mean." He looked over at Regina. "Thanks for doing this."

Even if she'd wanted to, Regina couldn't have kept the warm smile off her face. "You're welcome Henry." Out of habit she went to lean forward to talk to him, but she realised he was getting too tall for that. A pang of something sharp hit her heart. "I really am trying."

The corner of his mouth turned up. "I know. And I think everyone else is noticing too. You're doing a good job… I just thought someone should tell you."

"Well thank you." She turned again to survey the room. Couches and chairs were arranged around the flat screen TV on the wall, ready for the viewers who would be arriving in a few hours. Regina couldn't pretend she wasn't nervous, after all, even though these people had come to accept her, at one point they had been mortal enemies. And they still would be, if it wasn't for Henry bringing them together. It still amazed her to think that now, because of him, she had a family.

A family. The thought echoed around the inside her mind, bouncing back against a variety of emotions. Betrayal, hope, anxiety, fear, and happiness. She'd killed both of her own parents, and not a day passed when she didn't wish to undo that. But that was impossible, and up until recently she'd believed that there would be no second chances. Not for a villain.

But here it was. This strange, rag-tag group was including her in their numbers. The very family she'd tried to tear apart had invited her in, welcoming her with the news of their new baby and reaching out with a peace offering when she didn't deserve it in the slightest.

It was too good. Regina wasn't a good person. But she could do good, couldn't she? Henry could attest to that. He loved her, didn't he? Was that enough?

Henry was enough for her. And he would be, if he had to be. But that didn't mean that Regina was going to refuse the olive branch in the Charmings' hands. It was a tentative arrangement, and one she dared not be too hopeful about, but she was willing to try. And not just for Henry, this was for her happiness too.

"Mom?"

Henry's voice pulled her from her reverie. "What is it?"

His head poked back into the cabinet under the screen. "We don't have a VCR."

"Shoot, I forgot that I got rid of that a few years ago." Regina and technology had never quite been friends. This may have been a world without magic, but learning to use all its gadgets and devices felt all-too-much like when she was trying to learn spells years ago. "Do you know of anywhere we could get one? Or anyone who could lend us one?"

Henry thought for a moment. "Mary Margaret and David have one; we just used it last week. I'll run over and grab it." He was halfway to the door by the time he finished, grabbing his coat as he went. "See ya soon Mom. Love you!"

The door slammed shut before Regina could respond, but for once she didn't need to. Henry knew she loved him. Because he was her family.

A warmer smile than any from recent memory crept across Regina's face. She had a family, and somehow that seemed to make everything better.

Thud thud thud.

"Henry?" David opened the door, looking down at his grandson on the porch. "Hey, come on in. What's up?" He stepped aside for the boy, feeling the familiar swell in his chest that came every time he was with his grandson.

"Hey Gramps." Henry kicked out of his shoes, socked toes curling on the tile. "I was wondering if I could borrow your VCR for tonight. Turns out Mom got rid of ours, and we're going to need it for the movie. You still have one, right?"

David started for the basement stairs. "Sure thing kiddo. Give me a second and I'll go unhook it. Mary Margaret's in the kitchen, she might have something for you, and it might be brownies." He said, grinning at Henry. "I won't be long."

The boy didn't need to be told twice. Running to the kitchen and leaping onto the spinning barstool, he turned mischievous eyes on his grandmother.

"I sense someone came for brownies?" Snow smiled, holding out a platter filled with chocolate treats. "Are things going alright for tonight's plans?"

Henry finished chewing the gooey mess of deliciousness before answering. "Yep. We just need to borrow your VCR. It would be kinda bad if everyone showed up and we couldn't even play it." He scrunched up his nose, taking another bite.

Mary Margaret smiled. "That's very true." She leaned her forearms on the counter, leaning towards her grandson. "Who all is coming tonight?"

Henry thought for a short moment. "Well, you, Gramps, Emma, Hook, Gold, Belle, Neal, Tink, Ruby, and Granny. Any more and we wouldn't have enough room." He finished his brownie, brushing his hands on his jeans. "Why?"

Mary Margaret hesitated. "I'm just interested in who my dear daughter is spending her time with these days." She smiled again.

Henry pressed his lips together to keep the smile in. "You mean Hook, don't you?"

She couldn't look surprised. She knew there was already speculation about her daughter and the pirate. It was a small town, after all, and Henry seemed to be in on most of its happenings.

And of course, she hadn't forgotten about Neverland either. "Yeah, I do. What do you think about it?"

The twelve-year-old's face morphed into something unusually sweet and peaceful. "I think I like it. He's changed. I mean maybe he's not a good guy. But he's done good things, and he's trying."

Mary Margaret reached over to touch Henry's cheek. "You're a smart kid, you know that?"

Henry's lips turned up slightly. "Thanks."

She tilted her head, a soft smile. "I want Emma to be happy. But I don't want her to get hurt either. And I'm not sure where anyone fits into that just yet."

They were interrupted by David's steps on the stairs. "I've got the VCR. Why don't I drive you back to your place, huh?"

Henry grinned. "Thanks Gramps."

"Anytime. After all, once you've slayed a few dragons and broken a few curses, what's a truck-ride down main street for a couple of pros like us?"

The boy's smile widened. "The adventures aren't over yet!"

David chuckled, throwing his arm around Henry's shoulders as they walked to the garage. "Every day seems to be an adventure in this family."

He didn't see Mary Margaret smile with a hand pressed to her belly.

"It's Romeo and Juliet." Emma's legs swung lazily under the dock, Henry beside her. "Apparently they didn't want to pull The Lion King series out of the world of Shakespeare."

"Don't they die in that play?" Henry frowned. "They don't die in the movie."

"Well I guess mutual suicide was a little strong for the audience Disney was shooting for." Emma smiled. "Happy endings tend to keep people… happy."

Henry thought for a moment. "I like happy endings. I'm glad some people still appreciate them."

Emma ruffled her son's hair. "Me too kid. I'm pretty pleased with ours too."

Henry grinned. "I'm not sure I'm done with the action yet. I'm only twelve; all my adventures can't be over already!"

This earned a laugh from his mother. "Alright, but maybe a break is a good thing every once in a while. We're still in a town full of fairy tale characters, after all. Never a dull moment."

Henry looked over at the ships docked a ways away. The unmistakable mast and sails of the Jolly Roger stuck out like the centuries-old model that they were, drawing the boy's attention. "Are you inviting Hook tonight?"

"Already did." She looked at her boy out of the corner of her eye. "Why the interest?"

He shrugged nonchalantly. "No real reason. Just wanted to make sure he knew."

Henry avoided the pointed stare from his mother, containing his sudden urge to squirm. "I'm not sure I'm buying that, but okay." Emma looked over her shoulder at the ship.

"He's coming then?"

Emma raised an eyebrow. "Yes, unless something has changed."

Henry nodded. "Okay. And Ruby and Granny are coming too, right?"

"As far as I know." She said slowly. "I thought you were the one planning this?"

"Well yes, but sometimes things change and I don't find out about them until later. You know how adults are sometimes. They don't tell kids stuff."

"Am I not an adult?" Emma's lip curled in a half grin, truly curious about his response.

"No you are." He affirmed. "But you were kind of my friend before you were my mom. And now you're both. So I know that even though sometimes you have to be a parent, you like just being Emma too. And you don't keep things from me, which is cool." He looked down at his feet, sneakers swinging under the wooden planks. "Not a lot of adults treat kids like that. My mom's getting better at it." He returned his gaze to Emma. "It's nice when your parents are your friends too."

Emma felt touched. Like a tidal wave, every lonely feeling from her time in foster care came rushing back, but not in an overwhelming way. It was a reminder. Just because you had a "family" didn't mean you had love. She had both. How lucky was she?

She wrapped her arm around Henry's shoulders, pulling him close. "You're a smart kid. And I hope I always treat you like the absolutely special, loved boy that you are."

Henry's words came back to her later that day, reminding her of her own situation. Mary Margaret had been her friend first too. When she became her mother… something changed. Emma could see that her mother felt like she was walking on broken glass, and she began to wonder if the tender-hearted princess was trying so hard because Emma was making her.

She looked over at her son, sitting beside her in the bug as they drove back to Regina's. She'd left him too, just like she'd been left, but he didn't hold it against her. Sure, she'd had almost twenty years longer of being alone, but he was just a kid. If he could just let it go and move on, accepting the strange relationship with his parents, then couldn't she?

And what of David? She knew her relationship with him was strange and strained at best. She'd hardly known him before finding out he was her father, and he'd had a head start on loving her because of it. Her first instinct had been to be guarded, and that was justifiable. It was a lot to take in. But… maybe now was the time to let it go. Maybe now was the time to start accepting that things may get bad again, and she might get hurt again, but she had all this love now, and maybe it was time for her to start trying as hard as her parents were to make the most of today.

She pulled into the mayor's driveway, the thought decided in her mind. She had Henry. And he was enough. But her parents were here offering even more love and even more security, and she would be a fool to keep trying to turn them down.

The magic that allowed the Jolly Roger to be operated by a single man was quite possibly the best type of magic Hook had ever participated in. If not, it was a close second behind a bottomless flask of rum. Any chance to indulge in both, of course, was something Hook wouldn't soon pass up.

The ocean breeze that whipped through his hair as he stood at the helm of his dear ship was welcoming, friendly and peaceful after the strange world he'd been living in while in Storybrooke. He'd seen many realms, and many strange sights and creatures in them, but they all shared one key characteristic, and that was the sea. They all had one, in some form or other, and for the pirate captain that meant there was always somewhere he could adopt as his home.

He filled his lungs with the thick, salty air, the cold chilling his throat in a pleasant sort of way. Before too long the temperatures here in the world of Maine would drop too low for such excursions, and Hook had decided he wanted another sail before being forced to pause for the promisingly bitter winter.

He checked the watch in the pocket of his leather coat. He had a few more hours before his presence was requested at the Queen's residence for another movie night. He felt the corner of his mouth twitch slightly at the thought. It seemed to have become a tradition of the Charming family, and his recurring invitation affected him more than reason dictated it should.

To hell with reason, Hook thought, the quirk of his mouth turning into a full-fledged grin. The heart didn't need reason, and his heart was what mattered in regards to the lovely Emma Swan. Nor her family, all of whom were slowly but steadily growing on the pirate like a colony of barnacles on the hull of a ship. In the best of ways, he amended. And he imagined they were becoming more fond of him too.

The feeling of something small and quiet settled in Hook's chest. Hope. He recognised it. The feeling had been all but forgotten in the years spent in Neverland, but since his last journey to those cursed shores he had returned a changed man. That's not to say he wasn't a pirate. Nor that he wasn't a "bad guy" as this realm tended to phrase it. But he had hope. Hope of a happy ending with a family who would accept him with all his vengeful, one-handed, innuendo-ridden history.

Another stiff breeze blew across the water, causing Hook to shiver slightly under the layers of leather. He rubbed the cuff of his right sleeve between his fingers and palm, as he often did while lost in thought. It was time to return to Storybrooke. The thought of returning to another promising evening with the royal family brightened his otherwise shifting spirits. He always felt mixed about taking port, and this was no exception. Centuries ago this odd sentiment developed; the first time his ship docked under the new name, the first time he docked without Liam a step ahead of him, that was the first time he almost couldn't get off. His best memories had taken place atop these decks, in these cabins, under this rigging. With Liam, then Milah, and all the adventures he'd had in between. Leaving the Jolly always left him feeling a little emptier inside, like he might lose the memories if he stayed away from her for too long.

He shook his head. He was moving on. Emma. Emma was his reason to try something new. Liam and Milah would never leave him; they were a part of him, just as they always had been, and just as they always would be. Memories, emotions, laughter, and tears. But it was time for something else. He couldn't change what he'd done, who he'd become, but he could make the most of the new opportunities sent his way.

He steered the vessel towards the shore, a mere smudge on the horizon at this distance. He was returning to the one place on land where he could be at ease. He reminded himself of last week's movie, the sweet agreeability of it all, that strange family gathered peacefully around the screen, laughing and enjoying the film together. He remembered Emma's invitation nearly a week afterwards that he return for the sequel.

As always, the thought of Emma brought a smile to his face. He drummed his fingers on the helm, the dull thud of metal rings on wood familiar and soothing. Swan was… not something words could describe. She was a feeling in his chest, a weight lifted from his heart because he knew. She was a hundred complicated things joined together, and yet simple in the most wonderful way. She was a lost girl who'd been found, a saviour who'd been rescued by her son, a princess who needed no prince to slay her dragons, and yet still a woman who might kiss a pirate, might care for a villain and offer him what she herself had never had.

Hope was a tricky thing, but it was worth the risk.

He would risk it all for Emma, because she deserved it. Because he was a pirate, and pirates went after what they wanted. And more than anything, he wanted her happiness.

Hours later he was docked, changed back into what was acceptable attire for Storybrooke, and strolling down the street towards the Mayor's house with anticipation in his gait.

The smile he'd come to associate with Emma Swan had not left his face.

The feeling of dread settled heavily over Hook's spirit even before the movie began, and it was a strange experience. Only a few minutes in he decided upon the source; this movie was going to hit a little too close to home for his liking.

A daughter—the heir—with a protective father, misfit family members, and wildly independent spirit? Kiara might as well have been named Emma. He felt mesmerised, no, hypnotised by the action on screen, between the young lioness who reminded him of his Swan; the ever-hilarious Timon and Pumbaa, awkward uncles unable to control their charge; and David, or rather Simba, the father whose love for his only child clouded out his ability to see how overprotective he was.

But it's when the princess meets the outcast cub Kovu that Hook really starts to feel the sinking feeling in his gut. He looked over at the others in the room, taking in their expressions one by one, hoping to see he wasn't the only one feeling squeamish about the film.

The prince had his arm around his wife's shoulders, as usual, but quite unusual was seeing that the Queen sat on Snow White's other side, looking perfectly content. Henry sat beside Regina also, and was currently making faces at Baelfire across the span between couches, his father responding with expressions just as goofy as his boy.

Hook's seat near the door allowed him to see the looks on almost everyone's face, but unfortunately not Emma, who sat with Tink and Belle. Rumplestiltskin sat with his son, casting the odd glance in Hook's direction, which made his skin tense all over.

The pirate swallowed. Aside from perhaps the crocodile, everyone else seemed to be enjoying the movie. So why did he feel like he swallowed an anchor? He returned his gaze to the screen where Simba and Zira were just taking their cubs back to their respective homes. You're bloody losing your mind.

Seeing the parents stalk away with their cubs caused something to click in Hook's mind, adding to the tightness in his chest. Romeo and Juliet. Emma had mentioned it in passing the day prior when she'd extended the invitation. The couple famous for being separated by their families.

Well Hook didn't have a family. That was just the problem. His "family" was his crew, his lifestyle, the sea. All of it turned him into the man he was, and all of it was the exact opposite of what a princess should have.

He forced these thoughts to the back of his mind, an old habit, and one he was quite good at. Charming himself had told Hook that Emma would never love him, and more than once. The pirate was good at not giving up. But even pirates had their limits. The best thing to do was just not think about it.

The film progressed and the tension in Hook's ribcage relented slightly. It seemed that despite everything, Kovu and Kiara were going to be together. There was the minor matter of Kovu's secret agenda of killing Simba, but surely that could be overcome. The monkey, Rafiki, if Hook remembered correctly, seemed just as eager for the princess and rogue to be in love. An allegiance between the two tribes, the good and the bad, certainly seemed like a good idea after all the strife. Aye, things were looking up.

But the moment's respite Hook had received was evaporating with every moment Kovu kept his secret from Kiara. Hook knew firsthand the destructive power of simple secrets, and he could see the impending doom unravelling with startling clarity. By the time Simba and the lad were interrupted in the middle of "the talk," he was unconsciously digging his nails into the couch cushion.

Bloody hell mate. It's only a movie. But it didn't just feel like a movie. It felt like somehow, there was more going on, something beyond Hook's control. The air around him felt thick and slow, as if his doubts were subtly trying to suffocate him. But that wasn't possible. He clenched and unclenched his fist, ignoring the accusations being thrown around inside his mind, painfully reminding him of what he didn't want to acknowledge, and returned his focus to the screen.

Simba was yelling at Kovu, who profusely denied his part in the plan to kill the king. Everything about the scene brought Hook back to Neverland, back to Dead Man's Peak with David. How many parallels could one movie have?

How could she? You're nothing but a pirate.

Hook's head snapped up. He could have swore he just heard the prince's voice, but a casual look around the room proved no one had actually spoken.

I have a secret too. I'll never stop fighting for you. Ever.

Baelfire's voice, and a flash of a scene in Neverland surrounded in a purple haze. Was he losing his mind?

And villains don't get happy endings.

He was sure something was going wrong. Why were these moments appearing?

"Why did you come back?"

"You don't belong here."

Hook realised this time the voices were real, coming from the TV. Whispers surrounded the younger lion, the scar on Kovu's face marking him as an outsider, inferior to those he'd thought could accept him.

"When you first came here you asked for judgement. And I pass it now."

Hook's chest clenched painfully.

A thief and a liar.

Villain.

Orphan.

"Exile."

Hook felt lightheaded. What had been wisps of haziness before was now a thick veil over his reason. Edges of purple swam in his vision, unfortunately not enough to keep out the scene before him, nor the words.

"Deception, disgrace,

Evil as plain as the scar on his face.

Deception,

An outrage!

Disgrace!

You know these outsider types!

He asked for trouble the moment he came.

Deception,

Just leave us alone!

Disgrace,

Traitor, go back with your own!

He asked for trouble the moment he came.

Born in grief, raised in hate,

Helpless to defy his fate,

Let him run, let him live,

But do not forget what we cannot forgive!

That he is not

One of us,

He has never been one of us,

He is not, part of us,

Not our kind…

Someone once, lied to us,

Now we're not so blind…

And we knew he would do what he's done,

And we know that he'll never be one

Of us.

He is not one of us…

Deception,

Disgrace…"

He couldn't wait for the final chords to wrap up. He couldn't wait until the voices on-screen mixed with the voices in his head, all accusing him, all rightfully so.

He was standing, quietly, easing out the door before anyone would notice. Not that they would, their eyes were glued to the screen.

Reflexively he curled his wrist to the cuff of his jacket before he realised that he wasn't wearing his leathers. He would go back to the Jolly and change into it. He was done with Storybrooke anyway. It was a pirate's life for him, and he'd been delusional to think this façade would last.

He didn't look back as he left the mayor's house. If he had, he might have seen the slow smile spreading across Gold's face, watching him as he went.

6101719: Am I a terrible person? Perhaps. Next up will contain splashes of Rumbelle? It's looking like it. Thank you all for sticking with me through my unfortunate break.