When Your Walls Come Crashing Down

Chapter 3 - Broken Bottles

A/N: Hey guys! I just wanted to apologize for the long wait. Between schoolwork and rehearsals for my school's musical, I don't have much time. As it is, I write at midnight, read through it once to adjust anything I may want to, and upload. I have no intention whatsoever of abandoning this story, and will continue to write. I'm just asking that you please be patient with me.

Also, this is your trigger warning:

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!⚠️PAY ATTENTION PLEASE⚠️!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

!!!!!!TRIGGER WARNING: This chapter contains mentions of past abuse and trauma. If you do not feel comfortable reading this chapter, there will be an author's note at the bottom that summarizes the basis of what happens for you so that you may continue reading. It is safe up until the scene divider. However, fair warning: this will not be the last time something like this happens to our poor Swan.!!!!!!

Just a (long overdue) reminder that I do not own Once Upon A Time, the characters, the sets, etc. If I did, Season 5 never would've happened. Hope you enjoy!

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Distance. That was the first thing Emma noticed when she came to her senses. Or her lack thereof, to be technical. She found herself, upon waking up, laying on top of Hook, her head resting on his chest, legs intertwined with his, his arm slung over her.

Carefully, she shimmied out from his grip and sat up, combing her fingers through her sleep-mussed hair. Deciding to go freshen up to the best of her abilities, Emma pushed herself up off the ground, swiped her palms across her pants, and walked away. Unfortunately for her, she didn't notice the pair of deep chocolate eyes following her journey away from camp.

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*A/N: HERE IS YOUR TW!*

When Emma returned to camp, she had planned on sitting back in her original spot, but seeing as it was now occupied, that wasn't an option.

"Neal?" Emma questioned.

"Hey, Ems," he sneered back coldly.

"What's up with you?"

"Oh, nothing. Just that I understand now. I get it. I really do." Each syllable was punctuated with a sharp consonant, and his teeth clenched tight as he barked his retort.

"What do you understand now, Neal?" Emma asked, highly confused.

"Why you won't get back together with me."

Just then, Emma noticed the swaying and slurring. Hook's flask lay on the ground, discarded on top of a satchel, cap uncorked.

Not again, she thought, her thoughts traveling back in time. It can't happen again. She remembered the staggering up the steps, the bruises, the broken bottles, the weak apologies in the morning with a cup of coffee to make up for it.

Instinctively, Emma started backing away. Neal looked ready to pounce, a tiger preparing to attack its prey.

"There's something keeping you from being mine. More importantly, someone."

Emma kept shifting backwards, trying to keep her bearings to the best of her ability. Eventually, she ran out of room, crashing into a tree behind her. Neal continued approaching, stopping with his face inches from hers.

She winced in preparation. She knew what was coming. Taking a deep breath in, Emma prayed her parents wouldn't wake up. She wouldn't be able to handle it.

Neal's hand came up, slowly, tauntingly, agonizingly. It swung back, starting to fly forward. Feet from Emma's face. Three feet. Two feet. One foot. Closer and closer. Ten inches. Eight inches. Six inche-

"Oi."

Neal froze in place, body snapping towards the noise. Emma let out a shaky breath from behind closed eyelids. Neal collapsed on the ground from a punch to the jaw, sprawled out and very much unconscious. Emma collapsed to the ground, sitting with her knees in front of her face, rocking back and forth, breathing heavily.

Her breathing grew faster and faster, heavier and heavier. Tiny spots clouded her vision. Suddenly, everything went dark.

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A/N: I know it's super short, but this chapter isn't worth the extra fluffy filling. I promise you'll see more of that in the future.

In case you didn't read the chapter, here's what you missed: Emma got back and encountered Neal at her spot. She starts to question why he's there, and he is angry. Neal is also a threat to Emma's safety. Emma starts to give up hope from the terrible situation she's facing, when all of a sudden, a voice calls "Oi" from behind, knocks Neal out, and sets Emma free from harm. She ends up collapsing on the ground and passing out from hyperventilating.

I hope you enjoyed this chapter. Things are only going to go downhill from here, so prepare for that. I assure you, though, happy endings are in store for our favorite Sheriff and Pirate. Love you all!