Chapter Text
When Peter saw the poster in the city:
Hook and Pirates, he chuckled, thinking it could not be possible. However, Killian was always full of surprises.
After the curse escalated, Peter thought about not interfering. Still, it would be so much fun to watch that bunch of heroes without memories, going around in circles, like kids in the fog.
Still, primarily thanks to his shadow, who grounded his old memories and connection to the island, Peter could remember everything that had happened before. The new life outside the island also brought him new perspectives, but still, he really wanted to see their faces when they finally realised he was here too.
However, Peter needs to admit that Regina's sister did a good job; the curse wasn't really that evil. Peter could show them the real suffering.
New life just made him realise just how he missed Hook, his Captain, who was so shameless as not to retake his offer of business, though for Peter it was just formality.
Poor Killian suffered a bit after Emma chose Neal; it was so evident in his eyes that he regretted not taking Pan’s deal and saying fuck off to those heroes. Of course, Killian also fell for "Pan" doesn't have magic bullshit.
It was true, though, that his beloved island needed a boost of power—and, most of all, fresh imagination, which Henry had; Peter wouldn't hurt him too much, he needed his heart for some time. Actually, Pan wanted to seem ruthless to the outside world, especially adults. But it was just a game — sometimes brutal and cruel — but no one ever died, though that was his secret. Rumple, of course, didn't believe him. He used a dagger to take him to hell and made his body and soul evaporate into dust, but it didn't. It was just what Peter wanted. Rumple couldn't see his shadow, hidden within. But that also left him and his shadow stuck in hell, until they were released despite the initial plan. Rumple's powers teleported them outside and back to the city, only to be caught up in a new curse soon after.
Peter got lost in his thoughts. Before Killian became Captain Hook, the pirate was a Navy Captain who then returned to Neverland. Peter didn't want Captain to perish, even outside of his beloved Neverland. That’s why, during one of their battles, he grabbed Captain's shirt, ripped it off, and sank his nails into Captain's chest, just near the heart, creating the cursed mark. Dust flew from his nails. Peter grinned wildly and showed his fangs.
Captain grimaced from pain, afraid the boy would rip his heart out and finally kill him. He grabbed the boy's arm, realising how soft his skin was, how warm and smooth, but still he raised his hook, sinking it in the boy's neck in the last attempt of defence. Peter didn't even budge; his eyes only narrowed from the slight pain, his nails still deeply sunk, touching the man's heart. Finally, Peter pulled his hand out of Captain's chest, who tumbled down heavily on his back, taking the boy with him. The blood gushed heavily from the wound, and Killian felt it could be the end, his raised his hand from the boy's arm to his cheek, caressed it, tried to say the Pan's name, feeling he had so little time…why…he thought Pan wouldn't …
But the boy's long, now bloody fingers caressed his lips.
"Shhh", Peter whispered nearly tenderly, then Captain saw as Peter's hand went down his chest again, he braced himself, feeling this was his death.. But then he saw dust coming from Peter's palm, he touched his chest and closed the wound. Captain gasped; he tried to be conscious, but the amount of blood flowing made him faint. Peter gently caressed his forehead and looked down at the wound; he made the scar look like a wind rose. Peter would never admit it out loud, but his dark heart would break if he ever lost his Captain, so he decided to protect him in secret.
Smee woke Captain up, shocked that he was still alive. Hook looked at his chest —the scar. What is it? He clenched his fist. The boy marked him or something? What was this demon planning again? But soon after Captain decided to swim out of Neverland, he thought Pan would intervene. Still, the boy just stood on the highest rock, observing, his face unreadable. He didn't stop him. Did Hook want the boy to stop him? Definitely bloody hell.
But as Peter felt the ship leave his island, the lonely tear went down his cheek.
"Take care, Captain," he whispered into the wind. Waved his hands, and the sky was clear; he made the ocean smooth, and the wind blew evenly. Captain looked at the sky, he felt the steady breeze, and the soft ocean. He knew the boy made their journey easy. He clenched his fist, already missing this imp.
Hook looked back at Neverland, which became smaller, and then his ship flew up.
Peter knew Captain would be back at Neverland sooner or later, and that way, finally, he could spend more time with him. The last events with the heroes gave Peter some time, but it wasn't enough; it never was. That's why Peter was so excited about this new curse.
Peter wandered around the city and got lost in his thoughts again. Actually, the most challenging moment before the curse was Rumple's visit to his island. And Peter did feel guilty; he really wasn't cut out to be a father. He was pulled into it by the other fairy.
Peter only pretended to grow up, but it was such a horrid experience that he wanted to end it right away and come back to his beloved island. He wouldn't admit it and always hid it away, but he regretted hurting Rumple.
This fairy should have raised him with Peter—that was the deal—but it didn't end well.
Now, after the new curse was activated, Peter didn't want to think about those times anymore.
He bought tickets to the concert and got close to the stage, on an actual ship.
Ah, right — pirates. He was actually thinking: if Hook seriously came out with something cringe and obvious, he doubted, but hoped.
Though if someone didn't know Killian personally, but only knew a book about Captain Hook, they would probably love the idea of it. People next to him, dressed like the ones he saw in Tortuga—girls in fluffy dresses, men in shirts and leather dressed as pirates. Peter actually dressed as he did on the island, in a green outfit: green shorts with a belt, a linen open shirt, a short vest, and golden bracelets on his wrists. Everyone looked at him; some even gave him some space, watching him with interest. Peter became excited about the upcoming concert, though a bit nervous too. He could feel his powers —the magic. It wasn't like in Neverland, but he could feel it on the tip of his fingers.
Then, after waiting several minutes, they saw the lights go off, and a man started singing:
"Run !" the powerful melody started.
They saw him when the ship's lights came on.
The man with the electric guitar, dressed in a dark leather jacket, ran onto the stage. Is it possible? Thought Peter.
The man sang:
"I am far away from home(...)
We are runaways"
And as the lights went on, the crew and their vocalist started playing powerfully; it was terrific.
The girls next to Peter began yelling: "Love you, Hook !"
Peter finally saw the vocalist's face. He took a big breath and whispered:
“Killian”, his heart fluttered unintentionally.
Damn it, he needs to focus, not to be so into this.
Then the tune changed into: Fairy song.
Peter wondered if Killian remembered something from the past — songs were very original.
Still, the vivid descriptions of strange encounters were equally so. Peter needs to know what exactly Captain remembers.
He went closer, trying to catch the Captain's look.
Killian went on stage, though it was literally his ship deck with his beloved electric guitar. It was the fifth concert in a month, and he and his "crew" — he chuckled mentally — were rolling. Before, Killian didn't believe it would work, but it turns out he had an excellent voice. In the army, he sang navy songs. After he earned the Captain title, he said to his colleagues, "Hey, wanna make a band?"
They eyed him, shocked, and laughed.
But Killian added: Hook and his Pirates —we will play on our ship, and two of them went with him, he laughed at the memory.
Once they became famous and the interviewer asked: "Does Hook and his Pirates have a ship?"
"We have two"
One of his colleagues was a large, redheaded man who loved to get on stage in a kilt with his bagpipes; he also played guitar, and the other, Blackbeard, played drums.
This concert will also be perfect, people loved them for their whole outfit and music style.
Pirates - his crew. Killian felt best on the ship; they really performed nearly all concerts in bays or harbours. He loved living on the boat.
Killian had fun being a pirate in the band, but he really had some dreams about being a pirate in a past life, a Captain. In his dreams, he saw an exotic island and had adventures just like Hook.
He liked that character, though he felt bad for him, fighting with Pan all the time. Killian didn't know if he could handle this; he thought that spanking this lad could be enough. He chuckled mentally.
Once, when the interviewer asked him about Hook's long, curly hair and his being a bit younger than the original, he laughed and said the book's imagination went too far. Still, Killian liked the book's Hook, too.
He could say it was true, though he wasn't that serious or uptight, and not that frustrated, but he felt some parts were similar. Killian tried to remember more about that island; maybe one day, he would remember the boys and Pan.
As he went on stage, people cheered; he loved it. Killian started singing and playing, starting with Runaways. He could feel that this island and adventure were his home; he wasn't satisfied with his life till now. He had a girlfriend, but he knew someone else was destined for him —yet who?
Killian sang the next song, “The Fairies dance”, cause he somehow knew magic existed… He could be Hook, or maybe not. But once, when he was in the army, he got into a dangerous situation: they were under attack by another ship that nearly crushed into them, and then the shooting started. Killian decided to jump into the sea with a rope to swim under the deck, but he got shot in the ribs. He thought it was the end of him, but then suddenly his scar mark was glowing in his chest.
He didn't remember where he got it. It looked like a scar, but he thought it was too precise, too beautiful, this wind rose. It glowed with dusty golden green, and his wound closed. Something protected him, or maybe someone?
As Hook was singing, glancing at the audience, he noticed a boy who, despite being dressed similarly to others, still stood out: the green outfit, bare shoulders and arms, and gold bangles made him visible. The boy smirked. Killian didn't know what to think, but this boy matched perfectly his "Gypsy Dancer" song; he was beautiful.
So he decided what to sing next, waved to his crew, gave them a sign, and the song started.
Peter heard it and looked up, locking the Captain's eyes with his.
The boy smirked wider. Maybe it wasn't a good idea to tease him, though Captain thought this green, delicate outfit reminded him of a gypsy boy.
When Peter looked back at Captain, the other waved at his band, and a new song started.
Peter smirked when he heard about Gypsy Dancer, and Captain kept looking at him with dreamy eyes. Maybe Peter has more chances than he initially thought.
The boy started dancing in circles to the music, his hands shot up, gold bracelets jangling. Others made him some space, as he jumped to the music.
Then the band started to play harder again.
Peter liked the rock and metal hints in most songs. Captain played about being hunted by dreams and magic, mostly.
Pan chuckled and thought: Captain should soon remember that he has always belonged — and still belongs — to me. Peters smirked and continued jumping to the music, like others, feeling the atmosphere of magic and adventure.
Though when they started playing, Peter took out his pipe.
Hook started playing Awaken to iron.
When Hook saw it, he stopped others and breathed into the microphone:
"Wait, mates… You boy in the first row, if you can and wanna play this, come on stage"
Peter smirked.
The security guy wanted to help him on, but Peter jumped on stage with a smooth movement —too easy for Captain; he needed to take a step back.
It was something about this boy —something dangerous and sinister. Killian scolded himself mentally; he had a concert to do. He chuckled.
"So boy…. Come here and play your magic pipe.
"Oh, Killian…. thought Peter, you are asking for it."
He came closer "What's your name, boy?"
The boy came close, too close, looking at Killian, challenging, smirking, though he was shorter and younger. As the boy leaned to him, Killian could smell an ethereal composition — like amber, yet exotic, like the sun and sand — it was unworldly. The boy stood close to the microphone, then grabbed it, glanced at Killian, then at the audience:
"I'm Peter… he said nearly innocently Peter Pan…"
The audience laughed.
Peter smirked more, his eyes darkened.
"Oh yeah, good joke, boy, care to say what…" but he was cut off by Peter's laugh.
"It wasn't a joke, Captain, or should I say Killian ", he whispered last to him directly and off-microphone. Killian's eyes widened, but like the boy could look it up, right?
Hook grinned—that little cheeky brat.
Peter turned to the audience, "How are you guys DOING …HAVING FUN !?"
audience cheered
"What would be Hook without Peter Pan… he smirked. Want me to use my magic pipe?!"
"Yeah!!! " Audience cheered
Peter's eyes flashed an intense green; he smiled toothily. Killian swallowed. The boy looked strange, with his heart-shaped face, high cheekbones, messy, carmel-blond hair, and slightly pointed ears. He looked out of this world—beautiful but demonic.
He pulled out the pipe and started playing the same "Awaken to Iron" melody. Hook's crew soon joined him.
Captain started singing after a moment, getting into the flow. He had to admit the boy was awesome.
"Pirates abroad, prepare your sword "
Pan started playing and dancing fast. Oh fuck, Killian thought this boy was Pan, but it still seems like a stupid joke.
"Fire all the cannons NOW, let them burn bright"
Hook also got caught in that; it was wild. The audience jumped and cheered, too.
When they stopped, he breathed heavily, grinning. The Captain thought about the next play; he wanted to keep the boy on stage, who glanced at him, amused, his cheeks a bit flushed.
Then Captain sang "Run on the banks", which was a bit melancholic and more country, but Peter liked it too; he could see Captain's emotions there vividly.
Then they played again with pipes to Peter's amusement. Next was the climactic violin melody. Peter didn't know Captain could play two instruments and sing; he was impressed. Killian was going apace; Peter loved accompanying the slower moments with his pipe.
Hook and the Pirates continued playing some more:
Then the Captain chose the hard one at the end: "Sic Semper Tyrannis"
The audience loves his crew to end with this piece.
"Sound the horns, grand is their call
Blessing the triumph of the battle
Nourished in blood, the pain of us all
The outcry of our final rattles
Rising in power, the glory of our kings
Soaked in their moral shame and filth
Sold for a penny and sold for their means
We're bound to be choking on all sins"
After two verses,
"Thus always to Tyrants, inglorious ride
Sic semper Tyrannis, the devil and his bride"
Killian waved to Peter to play.
But Peter went to the microphone and sang perfectly and eerily:
"They will hang from the oldest oak on morrow
And a pale moon's light the sky
Their necks will crack – no one'll feel any sorrow.
And a crooked cross will stand there wry"
Killian took a big breath. The boy's voice was perfect, intoxicating, hypnotising; his eyes flashed dangerously. The band accompanied him in awe, and the audience cheered. But Killian wondered what the hell was with this boy? " I need to focus ", he thought to himself, and continued playing.
And in the final verse, strong drums accompanied Peter to the end of the song.
The audience cheered and clapped.
Peter was breathing heavily, then smiled toothily, watching Captain, who came closer to the front and said.
"Thank you, mates, you were brilliant!"
The audience kept cheering loudly, clapping and shouting for an encore, so Hook decided to play one more song. He whispered to Peter’s ear that he knew that one; it was a popular folk song.
The boy nodded, amused.
Killian gestured to his crew:
Peter started with his powerful soprano voice, then Killian sang the next verse.
At the end, when the audience kept clapping, Killian said into the microphone:
"Thank you, mates !”
"On bass, Blackbeard, on pipes and guitar - Ginger" Some girls just yelled more.
Yeah, yeah, I know you love him…" chuckled Hook. Hook glanced at Peter and his beautiful, flushed face.
"And today our special guest …Peter Pan vocal and pipe," Killian chuckled.
The audience cheered more. Peter opened his arms and bowed to the front, amused. Then he came to the microphone, grinning wildly, and whispered:
"Thank you, Hook… Captain Hook!" He shouted.
The audience kept cheering and clapping.
"Without him, Neverland is just not the same, '' Peter added softly and looked at Killian longingly. Killian glanced back, surprised, but smiled genuinely. He liked the sound of that. He could use some adventure. Peter took a step back, Killian smiled, and said:
"Thank you, see you guys, see you in the next bay…next stop Florida !!" They cheered when Killian and Blackbeard threw their guitar wing.
Yeah, Killian liked Florida —it was sunny, and the ocean was perfect. The audience kept clapping, and Blackbeard and Ginger started playing the last melody. Killian turned around, glanced at Peter and waved at him to follow him backstage. The Hook and his crew mostly finished like that. Blackbeard and Ginger kept playing for a bit, when Killian went back ahead.
This time, as Killian turned, Peter followed him to the organised backstage area; there were some tables, chairs, and sofas. It was under the made-up wooden structure and covered with soft material, though it seemed waterproof. They usually met there after concerts. Then Hook could go to his cabin just ahead, where he had a bathroom and a not-big-enough bedroom. Under the deck were two large rooms for his crew, a living room, and a large kitchen.
Killian sat on the sofa in the provisional backstage. He opened a beer and hesitantly offered one to Peter.
"So, boy, you were great, he chuckled, want some beer? You can have one, right? " Killian sipped on his to hide his nervousness. Just what the fuck, he is nervous about?
"Call me Peter… Killian, the boy, smirked and sat down next to him, close, too close.
"I am sixteen here, but don't mind, I am much older than that"
Captain narrowed his eyes, thinking about what the boy meant by it.
Peter turned to him
"Right…and that was fun, Captain …"
"You bet, " Killian chuckled, "the audience loved it, they generally love new stuff, new elements in the show."
"Anyways, Peter, how come you…? " he wanted to ask about this "I'm Pan joke", maybe he'd better not, the boy had fun and it's ok right?
"Ah… I'm your fan," Peter smirked again.
"The biggest, actually," he added, chuckling out loud. It was kinda true —he adored his Pirate.
Captain nodded, sipping more, blushing slightly to Peter's amusement.
"So, Captain, is there someone you love, a nice girlfriend? And you live in a big house?," Peter joked. He was comfortable and sipped his own beer.
Killian smirked and shook his head, " I am a man of the sea, and I live here."
"Oh, that's kinda pathetic, Hook", Peter teased him, who glanced surprised and slightly pissed, which made Peter even more amused.
"I don't mind," Captain tried to stay confident, breathing out slowly. Those emerald orbs assessing him made him surprisingly tired. Then, with the corner of his eye, he saw that his crew were putting the instruments back in place.
"Really, Killian, you are satisfied with your life?" Peter teased. It sounded like 'with your pathetic life. Captain didn't want to admit he could use some adrenaline, though he was having fun. Maybe he was missing someone close; his last girlfriend had a son, but she went back to her ex-husband. It was actually a relief for Killian. He liked this kid and her, but he treated them as an excuse. He was longing for something, for someone? He glanced at the table and decided to make himself a Cuba Libre. He grabbed the bottle of rum; he needed to admit the boy's eyes were familiar —oh, he would need a drink or two, goddammit. But the boy’s behaviour was so cheeky and insolent. Killian thought his own life was good; he had a promising army career in the Navy, a band, and was generally having fun.
" Naah mate, I'm having fun as you see, maybe it's not that bad as you say," he laughed.
Though Peter rolled his eyes, and brushed through his blond hair, Killian glanced at him, noticing, this coppery hihghlights on he boy's hair reminding him of strawberries in the sun.
"So no worries, boy", Hook grinned and sipped more, seeing his crew finally coming.
"Hey, Blackbeard, Ginger, want some beer or rum ?" They nodded and sat down.
"Great job, boy," said Blackbeard, and winked. Peter only glanced and nodded, then returned his attention to Killian.
"He matches us, Hook, don't you think, wanna stay, little boy ?" Ginger winked
Peter's eyes flashed in intense green; he smirked dangerously.
Killian glanced at Ginger; he didn't like how they looked at the boy, but he wasn't sure why.
"Hey mate, stop it”, he said, waving, “Give the lad a break", he knew Ginger preferred men, so it was apparent he would hit on Peter, though the other didn't seem interested.
"Don't mind him, Peter, if you wanna stay, you can, though it will soon be time to call it a day". Captain poured himself some more.
"Damn, you are no fun, Hook", said Ginger.
"Jeez, Ginger," said Blackbeard and shook his head, sipping on the beer.
"Sorry, sorry, seeing a handsome lad, what can I do?"
"Behave... " sighed Killian
"Don't worry, Captain, I have my eyes set only on you", he smiled as he moved, and his bare knees and thighs touched Killian's arm.
Killian blushed slightly at this declaration.
"Right.." he sighed.
"But I have my wild friend who would suit you more", Peter smiled, glancing at Ginger, who became excited "Tell me about him!"
Pan told some more about Rufio, who liked playing around with older men — mostly teasing them, though. But this Ginger guy could really be Rufio's type. They kept drinking and laughing, sharing stories from previous concerts, like the time they started teasing Blackbeard about meeting an adorable girl who was their fan after a concert. However, she turned out to be ...well Dude looks like a lady was the perfect conclusion to this story. Blackbeard coughed, seemed embarrassed, snatched a bottle of rum, and to drink something stronger, though his shiny, smiling eyes exposed how he really thought of this encounter.
In the end, Captain drank two bottles of beer and several Cuba Libre drinks.
Killian became a bit drowsy, and he nearly lay down next to Peter, who glanced at him, smiling. Captain thought sleepily that he loved that smile, and those eyes … Oh fuck he really drank too much.
"Captain… Captain?" Peter repeated
"What was that luve?" Killian asked sleepily, but before he realised what he said, Ginger started laughing.
" I mean, Peter, sorry"
" I think you need a rest, Killian. The others looked surprised, wondering if they knew each other from before" Peter said and stood up, " Where do you sleep? " he glanced around and helped Captain up, who eyed him amused, though a bit flushed. Peter loved it.
"There ", Killian waved at the right, where the big door near the steering wheel was.
Peter took him slowly towards the door.
The captain waved at the men:
"Night lads ", he smirked and let himself lean just slightly on Peter, who didn't mind just the other way round.
When Killian opened the door, they went into a big room with half a bedroom with a big bed and the other half a living room. It also has an inner door. Peter thought that it must be a bathroom. He pulled Killian to the bed, who sat down heavily and nearly fell asleep seconds after, glancing amused at Peter.
Peter rolled his eyes, though he sat down next to Captain, helping him with his boots.
"Thanks, Peter ", Captain chuckled, got a bit more comfortable and kept observing the boy,
"Mind telling me your real name, though I liked your stage name just like the audience?"
Peter eyed him:
" I am Peter Pan, Killian, and you are Captain Hook."
Killian chucked "right…" and Esmeralda will serve me drinks, lad," he laughed more.
"You just don't remember, you stupid pirate"
"Oh boy, with pirate, I agree, but I'm not stupid", he yawned
"Should I worry that your father will punch or even kill me for having you here?" he chuckled.
Peter sighed.
"In this world, I'm Peter Gold, what an irony, I plan to come back to my island, though I need someone's company first "he looked hungrily at Killian, who was surprised he didn't know what was more surprising, his whole behaviour or Pan's jokes. But this kid may have had some mental problem. Killian didn't know if he should play his game.
" Alright, so your father will worry, right?
"He is not my real father, Killian… he sighed, but yeah, I will call him, so don't worry," he stated.
Peter took the phone, clicked, and Killian heard the male voice in:
"Yeah, it's me, I went to a concert… yeah, backstage too. Mhhm, I will be when I will be," he hung up and glanced at Killian, who was watching him dreamily.
"So Captain…"
"It's late, Peter, if you wanna stay, there is a bathroom, he waved at the right, there are some towels and my t-shirts in the wardrobe, you can take a bed, I will take a couch", said Hook, and tried to get up.
"Don't be stupid, Captain", said Peter, taking a towel " You can barely move", he laughed.
Captain groaned.
Peter took the stuff from the wardrobe and went to the bathroom. He took a quick shower and went out only in Killian's t-shirt. Then came out of the bathroom and smirked when he saw blushing Hook. He wanted to tease some more, so he took a blanket and headed to the couch, but Killian mumbled:
"You can take a bed, Peter, it's more comfortable" - what actually took him to say that, maybe Peter's slender legs, or maybe his dangerous shiny eyes, which were so familiar, Hook pulled off the sheets. Hence, Peter went back to him and got into bed.
Peter lay down next to Captain, smiling and thinking that he could get used to that life, though he missed his island and maybe more of the wild Captain, too.
Killian grinned, pulled out his hand to pat Peter on the head. He actually wanted to do more, but his conscience told him: No, the boy was dangerous.. But Hook was a pirate, right?
He groaned, "Alright, need to pee and shower." and stood up with some difficulty, staggered to the bathroom, trying to shower quickly, keeping his hand on the wall as his head spun slightly. When he came out of the bathroom, Peter lay on his belly, head supported by his hands, his slender legs spread. Captain chuckled, couldn't believe what was happening, he didn't know if he should hit on someone so young.