A Little More Conversation

Captain Swan. A series of much needed conversations following Neal's death. [Hook & David, Emma & Snow, David & Snow, Hook & Emma]

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Hook & David

"How about a drink?" David asks, hand on Hook's shoulder.

That was hours ago and it's late at night and both men are tipsy. The bottle of rum - once completely full - is now half gone.

David would like to claim responsibility for it, but it's more than evident that this is work of the seasoned rum drinker that is the pirate beside him. Though, as the man agreed earlier, this is finer quality rum that he's ever had the chance to taste.

Studying the pirate, David notices the despondent look in his eyes is back. Neal's death hit him hard, harder than it did Emma.

Almost as if he's read David's thoughts, Hook begins to speak.

"I knew him when he was Henry's age. I used to jokingly call him 'Spitfire' - because that's all he was. Teenage anger and father issues." Hook smirks. "Not unlike me at his age."

David had sensed that some of the tension between the two men had been non Emma-related, but rather their own. However this was not what he had expected.

But seeing the man next to him broken up over the loss, he can relate. He has the expression of a father mourning a potential relationship. David knows, because he sees it in the mirror every day now.

"At least you made amends." David says hand on his shoulder to offer solace as best he can.

"The hug was meant to be a beginning. Not an end."

At his words, David steals himself. He'd heard a similar tone a year ago when a certain blonde haired saviour had voiced her frustrations. Seeing the pirate beside him do the same David can't help but see how disarmingly similar the two are.

So he just tells Hook what he told Emma then.

"Life is made up of good moments and bad moments. Sometimes you get more of the bad. But that just means you have to look for the good ones and treasure them." He smiles at his unintended pun. "That sounded like a good moment."

Hook's face turns contemplative at his words.

"How do YOU look for the good?" He asks, turning to face David.

The prince is caught off guard. He wasn't expecting the focus to be on him. But he thinks about Hook's question before asking.

"I try and see the bright side of everything. Even if that's a little hard at the time."

"But what's the bright side of all that's happened? A witch is out to get you, you lost Emma for the second time and you don't remember a year of your life."

David takes a shot. It has been a rough year - or rather two years - for him since the day the first curse was cast. But the he thinks of Snow, and Emma and everything that has happened and smiles at Hook.

"If the witch wasn't after us, we'd never have come back. We'd never have seen Emma again. You'd never have found her and brought her back." He stares at the glass in his hand before quietly admitting, "I'm glad I don't remember the year because I don't want to remember being away from her. I only just got her back."

He smiles sadly and places the shot glass down. It feels like a weight has been lifted off his chest. He hasn't told Snow that, even though he knows she probably feels the same. It's just that with the new baby, he hasn't had the chance to really process the fact that he let his first born go yet again - just as he was getting to know her. He'd always heard that father's have a soft spot for their daughters. He just didn't realise how soft a spot his was for Emma.

"Aye," Hook agrees pouring them both another shot. "If I could, I'd choose to be in similar shoes."

David hears nothing but a man in love. He smiles. His daughter's effect on the men who love her is considerable. Given who her mother is he's not surprised. He fell that hard once. And every day he finds himself falling harder - if that's possible.

It's clear the man next to him is in the same boat and no doubt he's aware of that. Once, David would have rejected the idea of his princess with this pirate. But now he's reminded of how he, a lowly shepherd, had fallen for a thief only to discover she was a princess. Studying Hook, he thinks that Emma could uncover the noble man underneath. After all, he's been nothing but one, over the past few weeks.

"To Fatherhood." Hook announces before downing the shot. David follows suit but the alcohol burns his throat. He isn't sure if that's what it is or if it's his second secret.

He decides to bite the bullet and tell Hook anyway. He needs a friend right now.

"I'm scared." He admits, the fear that he's been living with since seeing Snow's swollen belly dissipates as he says the words aloud. "I wasn't there for my first child, how can I be there for the second?"

Hook looks at him concerned. "What happened to the good moments mate?"

David smiles at his words being thrown back at him. "That's just it. I don't have any with the second one. I don't even remember making it."

Hook chuckles at that and David can't help but smile. But his tone remains serious. "With Emma, I felt her first kick. I was there when Snow would throw up. I watched her grow for 9 months. And then I was there the day she came out. For those first five minutes, I was her father."

"Well you're going to have the rest of your life with this one. Then the first nine months won't matter. Trust me."

"It doesn't feel that way now."

"From what I've heard, uncertainty is the hallmark of fatherhood. I say you're doing quite well."

"Thanks." David says with a wry smile. "Have you spoken to Emma? About Neal."

"No." Hook shakes head with a sad smile. "I thought she could use the space right now."

David nods, considering his point. Though he doesn't really agree with it.

"Besides," Hook continues, brow furrowed. "I wouldn't want to burden her with my mourning. She has Henry to think about."

He pours himself another shot and downs it effortlessly.

"You know," David begins. "You should tell her. She listens to you. Even when she's upset."

He doesn't like the wave of jealousy that flares up in him as he tells Hook this. But it's true, he's noticed this in Neverland. While Emma had been ready to bite his or Snow's head off when she was upset, she'd always listened to what the pirate had to say. David would give anything for that relationship with his daughter.

"Perhaps," Hook concedes contemplatively. "What about you? Have you spoken to her?"

"About what?" David asks, unsure as to what Hook is referring to.

"Her new brother or sister." Hook answers. "Pardon me mate, but back in the cave your wife all but said she wasn't enough, not long after Emma herself admitted to feeling like an orphan. Now she returns after a year to find you ready to have a second child? I think that warrants a conversation."

David feels defensive of Snow's words, but as much as he hates it, he sees Hook's point. He'd wanted to talk to her after she'd returned, but like many things this too had fallen by the wayside. There was so much he wanted to tell her, and ask her about, but they couldn't seem to find the time. Either she was off trying to solve the matter of this curse so she could keep Henry safe, or Snow needed his help with the baby.

He frowns.

"I'm not blaming you mate," Hook says after a minute, his tone apologetic.

"No. You're right," David tells him, putting his glass down. "She needs to hear it."

He gives Hook a sad smile. "You know, I love the new baby, but I'd have been happy with just Emma - the moment I held her I knew that I couldn't love anyone more than her… or Snow."

Hook nods knowingly. Parenthood changes a man. For the short while he'd had Bae, he'd been willing to give up on his quest for revenge. Each day with the boy had reminded him of the life Milah would have wanted for them.

"If that is how you feel, perhaps you need to talk to your wife as well." Hook offers.

David nods. He'd been thinking that too.

"You know, I was supposed to make you feel better." He says with a wry smile.

"Friendship is a two way street." Hook says with a genuine smile and suddenly David can see the man he'd been before he'd been a pirate. Suddenly he understands what Emma sees in him. "It works both ways."

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A/N: The fic first started because I wanted to see a Captain Charming scene after David patted Hook on the back after he returned to Granny's. Now it's turned into something where I want to see characters actually taking the time to discuss their feelings.

If you have any thoughts, comments, questions or concerns, let me know! If not, check out my other stuff on tumblr, or AO3! Thanks for reading!