Hoist The Colors
Summary: "Ye best start believing in ghost stories, Evie. Yer in one."
(A/N) This was heavily inspired by Pirates of The Caribean, The Curse of The Black Pearl. Take heed, it's very dark and some of the themes may be uncomfortable, particularly in the second chapter. It's a horror story meant for Halloween. Remember, it's a dark story - more so than The Dangerous Love Of A Pirate - and it's gonna get a bit darker in the next chapter, so please read with caution.
Tags for this chapter: #Major Character Death, #Dark, #Evil Harry #Slight gore (nothing too explicit).
Disclaimer: I do not own Descendants or Pirates of The Caribbean or any of the characters.
Never sail after dark.
Never sail on All Hallows' Eve.
Those were the words of warning given to Evie on the day of her husband's funeral. Madame Mim, an old friend of her mother's and a fellow witch, had been adamant that she take heed of those words. No matter what, no matter how desperate she may be, she was never to set sail under those conditions.
Evie hadn't understood the older women's strange caution, nor the desperation in her voice as she had told her. She had been so numb with bereavement that she had only smiled politely at Madame Mim, assuring her offhandedly that she would listen to her advice.
Truthfully, Evie had never been fond of the sea, her heart only yearning for one who had sailed on it. Harry Hook. Her friend. Her lover. Her husband. And now dearly departed. He had died at sea, stolen away from her by a black-hearted fiend, the notorious Captain Blackbeard. She would never forget how her legs had buckled, her lungs refused air and the pain of the floor hitting her knees upon hearing the news.
He ran him straight through with his sword, Uma's pained whisper haunted her. Right through the heart.
Uma and Gil had been unable to retrieve his body, barely able to make it out alive from Blackbeard's attack themselves. Harry's grave was an empty one, sitting on the edge of the beach, overlooking the sea he loved. High above it, upon the white, chalky cliffs lived his other love, his princess alone in her castle, longing for a husband who would never return.
Knock, knock, knock!
Evie turned away from the large portholes, seeing Uma enter her little cabin. She smiled at the other women, watching as she closed the door behind her. Uma and her had become closer in the years since Harry's departure of this world, both girls's finding solace in one another. She was sure Harry would have been ecstatic to learn of their friendship, the girl's previously having been on tense terms with one another. He adored the both of them dearly and had always wanted them to get along better, despite taking great amusement in their snippy banter and polite - if overly tense - arguments.
"I just came to let you know that we've set sail," Uma said. "Provided the wind stays on our side and the weathers nice to us, we should get to England by sunrise."
Evie nodded, letting out a breath of relief.
"In the meantime, I think you should get some rest. I know you're worried about Madame Mim, but I'm sure she'll be fine." Uma walked over to her, placing a comforting hand on her shoulder. "That old witch isn't going to let a mild case of malignalitaloptereosis get her down. It's not the first time she's caught it either."
Evie smiled, knowing that Uma was right. She couldn't help but worry though. Madame Mim was much older than she had been the last time she had caught the illness. She wanted to be there for her, to make sure she made a full recovery. Madame Mim, despite being a mean and nasty soul to most, had always been like a sweet - if slightly crazy - grandmother to her. She had taught her many a spell and trick, always insisting that witches were family and they always looked out for one another.
"Are you sure you're comfortable with sailing there, Evie? You haven't left land since..."
Since three years ago, when Harry never returned from sea. Evie had never liked sailing, only enduring it from time to time to spend time with her seafaring partner. She had always preferred her feet on dry land, a preference that had only cemented itself when the true cruelty of the life at sea had been made clear to her.
The sea was treacherous in its own right, a mighty goddess that on a whim could tear apart ships with one ferocious wave, sending the ship and its crew down to its dark depths. There was all manner of monsters that lurked under its glimmering surface, terrifying creatures that lived to destroy, torture and devour any sailor they could snare. The weather could be unforgiving. And there were many dangerous people who sailed the sea, looking for plunder and lives to ruin.
All of this had always fretted Evie's heart whenever Harry left to go on his adventures with Uma and Gil. But he always returned to her. Always... until he didn't.
His absence brought home the true lethality of the sea. Evie had sworn to herself she would never touch the ocean again. Its harsh life had snatched away one of the most precious things in the world to her. It had taken her heart, her soulmate, and it would never return him to her.
"I'm fine, Uma," Evie assured the girl. "Don't worry about me."
There was the sound of loud banging and shouting up on the deck.
Uma rolled her eyes. "Bloody pirates. I best go check on the crew before they do something stupid."
There was the distinctive sound of glass breaking, followed by a curse and half of the crowd snarling and shouting.
"Too late," Evie said with a laugh.
Uma let out a sigh, glaring up at the ceiling. Evie felt sorry for the poor unfortunate soul who was about to have Uma's wrath unleashed upon them. With a quick goodbye, Uma left to deal with her unruly crew.
Evie wondered what had gotten into the crew today. They had seemed restless when she had come aboard the ship, everyone acting on edge, murmuring away to one another, eyeing the sea warily. They had been easily startled and agitated. It was almost like they were spooked. Uma had assured her it was nothing, just sailors being silly with their superstitions.
Deciding it was best to follow Uma's advice, Evie deciding to catch some shut-eye. It wasn't until late into the night that Evie emerged from her room, cabin fever driving her up deck to get some fresh air. It was cold, dark and foggy outside, the flaming lanterns dotted around the deck the only source of light. The waves gently rocked the boat, making it creak and squeak. There was hardly anyone on the deck, most of the men tucked away in their resting quatres. Up in the crows nest, she spotted a pirate, half hung over the railings, fast asleep with a telescope hanging loosely in his hand. The watchmen, no doubt. Up on the sterncastle, she noticed a more familiar face. With a smile, she made her way up the stairs, towards the young man.
"Hey, Gil."
Gil continued staring out into the darkness, not having heard her. Evie called out his name again, frowning when she received no reply. Slowly, she approached him, reaching out to place a hand on his shoulder.
"Gil, it's-"
"WOW!"
Evie let out a startled cry at Gil's surprised shout and his body flinching, her heart leaping in her chest.
"Wow," Gil breathed out, his hands moving behind him to steady himself on the rails. "Sorry, Evie, you surprised me there."
"I surprised you?" Evie said, clutching at her chest. "You nearly gave me a heart attack there, Gil! What has gotten you and the crew so on edge?"
Gil scratched the back of his head, looking sheepish. She had to stare up at him to look at his face. He was so much taller than she. When they were children she had always been taller, but as teenagers, he had quickly caught up and now as an adult towered over her.
"Ah, sorry. It's just... It's All Hallows' Eve," Gil explained.
Evie smiled, amused. "Oh, don't tell me you're scared of ghosts, are you?"
All Hallows' Eve, the day of the dead, when all spirts, no matter their power, could return to the Earth with ease. Despite being a witch well versed in the world of magic, Evie had never believed in ghosts, ghouls or spirits. Just because some supernatural creatures existed, didn't mean they all did.
Gil laughed nervously, shrugging his shoulders. "I'm a pirate. We're superstitious."
"I know," Evie replied lightly.
Harry had always been superstitious. She had taken wicked pleasure in provoking those silly old wife tales of his. Much to his annoyance, whenever he was home, she would do little things that made those wary of superstitions shudder in dismay and horror. She would put new shoes on the table, 'accidentally' knock over the salt at the dinner table and refuse to throw it over her left shoulder, pop open an umbrella indoors, among various other things that would always rile her pirate up. It was mean, but she adored teasing him. He always got her back, one way or another.
"Besides, I keep thinking that-" Gil shook his head, leaning back against the railings.
"What?" Evie asked curiously.
"It's probably just my imagination, but I keep seeing lights behind us. Every so often, little flickers of blue and red."
Evie walked over to the railing, leaning across it to look out into the foggy darkness, her eyes straining to see anything. "Maybe it's just another ship?
"Doubtful. No one goes sailing on All Hallows' Eve because-"
Somewhere on deck, the slow chime of a bell rung loud and clear. The few hands on deck stilled, looking up onto the stern deck where the bell hung. Gil froze, watching it ring, once, twice, three times before ceasing. No one was anywhere near it. Evie frowned, not alarmed by the ringing bell but the expression of anxiousness on Gil's face.
"What is it?"
Gil gulped. "Just... they say if a bell rings on its own on a ship... it's an omen of death."
Evie rolled her eyes. "Gil, it was probably just the breeze."
"Oi! Mr Mullin!" A new voice snapped, it's harshness causing Evie and Gil to jump.
It was another familiar face; Bill Jukes, an old friend of Harry's side of the family. He was an older pirate, winkles adorning his face and hands, his hair stringy and gray, mostly tucked under a ratty, poka dot bandana. He was wrapped up warmly, wearing a thick woolly jumper with a bright green scarf around his neck.
"Wake up, ye lazy git! Now tell us what that thing that's been following us for the last thirty minutes is!"
Evie and Gil glanced at each other, looking back over the railing. Sure enough, this time something was clearly following them. A dark dot against the blackness, wading in and out of view at the fogs will.
"I knew something was following us!" Gil exclaimed, slapping the railing. "What are they doing sailing today? I thought we were the only ones stupid enough to- I mean, um... sorry, Evie."
Evie crossed her arms, letting out an irritable breath. She was the financier of this voyage, determined to get to her ill friend as fast as she could. Uma was the only one willing to take her, everyone else, like Gil said, avoiding sailing on All Hallows' Eve. It had cost her pretty penny. Uma may be her friend, but like her, she was a business woman who knew how to get a profit. Much like her mother, Uma drove a hard bargain.
The pirate in the crows nest wildly floundered about, nearly dropping his telescope in panic. He looked through it, his lips quivering as he lowered the spyglass.
"Sir! It's another pirate ship! Says on it's front that its The Sunken Tide!" the boy shouted down.
"It canny be," Bill Jukes muttered. "The Sunken Tide... and here I thought I'd never see that accursed vessel again."
Gil swallowed, looking back at the ship in alarm.
"You know that ship?" Evie asked.
"It's a ghost ship, M'lady. It's said to have haunted the seas for centuries. It's manned by the damned, people who perished at sea on All Hallows' Eve, who were unlucky enough to have the ships shadow fall upon them as they died," the pirate explained in a hushed whisper, his eyes never leaving the approaching vessel.
"It's a silly story," Evie muttered. "It looks like just a regular old ship."
"Nae, not that one. I'm tellin ye, the stories are true! I've seen the ship meself! It was that blasted vessel that took down The Jolly Roger and all her crew bar me. And the only reason they spared me was to spread their infamy. Their new Captain's nuthin but a merciless demon!"
Evie's eyes widened, not at his ghost story but at the comment that this was the ship that had sunk The Jolly Roger. The ship that sunk her father-in-law's ship was said to have shown no mercy, appearing out of the blue and leaving only destruction and pain in its wake. They needed to get the crew up on the deck, now! They may have a battle on their hands.
"Gil!"
Gil didn't need to be told. He ran over to the bell, ringing it loud and clear. Within moments the deck was bursting with life as pirates piled onto it, hurrying to their stations on Gil - their First Mates - command. The canons on deck were loaded, pirates rolling barrels of gunpowder next to them and preparing more cannon balls. Two pirates began dishing out guns and swords, arming the men. Uma arrived on deck moments later. Once Gil explained the situation she began barking orders and taking control of the steering wheel.
"Cap'n! That ship's catchin up with us quicker than the devil himself!" Mr Mullin bellowed down. "They'll bloody be on us in the next fifteen minutes at this rate!"
Uma cursed under her breath.
"Everyone get ready! If it comes down to it we'll defend ourselves!" Uma shouted.
It was even less time than expected when The Sunken Tide caught up to them. Everyone in deck held their breaths, listening for the jeers and cries of the other ship's crew. They were greeted with silence. Everyone on The Lost Revenge stilled when The Sunken Tide pulled up alongside them. Not a soul was in sight, no one on deck, not even a Captain or First Mate steering the wheel.
Evie clutched onto the railing, peering over to get a better look. Beside her, Uma stood tense, her eyes scanning the other ship's deck warily. No one made a sound, all transfixed by the haunting sight. The only sounds that could be heard were the lull of the wave, the creaks of the ships and the light billow of the sails.
"I don't like this," Evie whispered, unnerved.
She couldn't stop the shiver that rattled through her as her eyes landed on the ship's steering wheel. For a second there, she felt like someone had been watching her.
"Me neither," Uma muttered. "Gil, grab a few men and head over there, check the ship out, see if there are any survivors. I'm guessing something must have happened to the crew. Evie, can you go below deck and find the medic for me? He should be in the galley."
Evie nodded, hurrying downstairs and going towards the door that led into the ship. Truthfully, she wasn't quite sure she was comfortable with offering help to a ship and crew who had led to the end of her father-in-law, but she knew it was the right thing to do. She reached for the brass handle, freezing at the sound of a ghostly whisper in her ear.
Princess...
Evie spun around, looking to find who had called for her. No one was looking at her, everyone too preoccupied. Evie sighed, placing a hand on her head. She could have sworn someone had-
Princess...
Evie froze. She knew that voice. She turned around to face the other ship, where the voice had come from. That had sounded like-
As soon as she realized where she had heard that voice from, Evie bolted towards the railings of the ship. Her heart hammered painfully in her chest as her eyes desperately looked over the other vessel, looking for the source of the voice but failing to find it.
No... no, I heard that! Evie assured herself.
She cast a quick glance to make sure no one was watching before scurrying over one of the planks connecting the two ships. She tried her best to ignore the staggering drop into choppy and foggy waters down below.
She knew it was foolish, her whole body tingling with nerves, urging her to return to the safety of the other vessel, but she couldn't help herself. She was like a helpless sailor, captured in a siren's spell, drawn to the sound of the voice that she hadn't heard in so long. So long...
The instant both of Evie's feet were firmly on the other ship, chaos erupted. In a swirl of filthy gray mist, grizzly looking pirates appeared on deck, swords and teeth bared. Gil and his men jumped back in alarm, whipping out their swords and aiming their guns.
Where in Fairy God Mother's name did they come from? Evie gasped.
The Pirates of The Sunken Tide grinned evilly, swooshing their swords teasingly in the air. There was a few on the stern deck, a handful dangling from the shanks, leering down at Gil and his five fellow crew members. One enemy pirate let out a fearsome battle cry, the others joining in before charging for Gil and his men. A battle erupted, swords clashing and guns firing.
Evie spun around, intent on getting back aboard The Lost Revenge. She screamed when two mangy looking pirates, one tall lanky fellow with copper hair and the other one short and plump with barely any hair at all, appeared behind her. They shoved aside the plank, letting it crash into the water.
"Look what we have here, Ragetti," the shorter one said to the taller one, a sly grin on his bearded face. "And where do you think you're going Poppet?"
Evie backed away, her eyes seeking out one of the other planks. She didn't have any weapons with her, leaving running as her only option. If she was quick enough she might be able to make it over to one of the other planks. But first, she needed to distract the creepy pirate duo blocking her path, watching her like vultures.
"Watch out for that-" Evie shouted in panic, pointing behind them.
She couldn't believe they actually whirled around to look, falling for the poorly performed lie. It was the oldest trick in the book. Idiots.
Evie dashed across the deck, avoiding pirates who flung themselves at her, sharp blades and the path of bullets. All around her she could hear the vicious snarls and shouts of the two crews, the clash of their swords and the sound of gunfire from their pistols and the ship's canons. The ship rocked madly with every fire and hit, almost making her lose balance.
There was the sound of a whistle, low and long, coming from The Lost Revenge. She heard Uma's voice screaming over the battle, ordering her crew to retreat. Evie tried to get back to the plank, her panic flaring when she noticed most of Gil's men, himself included, had successfully made it back to the ship.
A blade suddenly came slicing towards her throat. Evie ducked, her feet slipping on the damp deck floor. The two pirates from early grabbed her, each holding her by one arm and dragging her away from the connecting planks. To her dismay she could do nothing but watch as one of the crew on The Lost Revenge shoved the last plank into the ocean, allowing their ship to pull away.
No, Evie thought in aghast, struggling to free herself from the tight grip of the two pirates. They don't know I'm not on the ship!
Stupid, stupid, stupid! She cursed at herself.
"Now, what to do with you?" The taller pirate giggled, grinning menacingly at her. "What do you think Pintel?"
Evie glanced at both of them, watching in muted fear as the other pirates began closing around her, forming a circle of sniggers and leers. She was in trouble. Big trouble.
"Parley," Evie whispered.
The pirates paused, giving each other a look before letting her go. Evie instantly moved away, standing in the center of the circle, watching the pirates cautiously, in case any many a move. If any of the tried anything they would be in for a fight.
"Tell us Girlie, did ye just say... parley?" the short pirate, Pintel, asked.
The sinister grins creeping onto the pirates faces made Evie hesitate before answering. They looked positively gleeful, like she had gifted them with an amusing present that they couldn't wait to unwrap.
She took in a steadying breath, straightened her shoulders and holding her head high. She would not allow these sorry excuses for pirates to intimidate her. Before they had become friends she had had many a run-ins with Harry. If she could stand up to his wild and dangerous side then she could stand her own against any pirate. These were mere puppies compared to the wolf that Harry could be. Had been...
"Try cleaning out your ears," Evie quipped "Yes, I asked for parley. You have to take me to your Captain and they can decide if we can come to an accord."
She knew all about the rules of parley. Harry had taught her it, told her that any pirate worth their salt would always adhere to it. Anyone who claimed parley was protected, at least until they had spoken to the Captain and an attempt at some accord was made. It might not be much, but it offered a chance at their life being spared.
The lanky pirate, Ragetti, giggled like a little school boy up to no good. "Parley. She asked for parley. She wants to see the Captain. Ha... like that's any better to what we were going to do. We thought it'd be fun to keelhaul you. But... if you want the Captain to deal with you..."
"He ain't known for his mercy, Poppet. Ye'll regret this. Not a soul has crossed Captain Hook and not."
Evie felt her chest pang, her eyes snapping towards the pirate.
"Captain Hook? As in... James Hook?"
Both pirates leaped forward, covering Evie's mouth with their hands. Ragetti put a finger to his lips, hissing for her to be quiet. All the pirates on deck looked terrified, eyeing each other and their surroundings nervously, as though waiting for something to rear up and attack. A quiet murmur passed through them.
"Careful. If I was ye, I wouldn't mention that name in the presence of the Captain. Not even we would wish the punishment ye'd get for that on ye," Pintel whispered.
"You don't think he heard, do you?" Ragetti asked, sounding nervous.
"Well, we'll find out once he's through with her, won't we?"
The two pirates grabbed her, leading her up the sterncastle. They pushed open the grand doors, chucking her in.
"Captain, this here girlie has asked for parley!" Pintel said, giving her an evil wink before closing the door.
Evie looked around the dimly lit room, looking for the Captain of this wretched vessel. To her surprise, there was no one here. Evie wandered into the cabin, taking in the lavish furniture and decorations adorning the Captain's quarters. There was a familiar scent in the air, it was salty but there was something else... something that made her feel comfortable.
Evie slowly made her way over to the Captain's desk, noticing several maps laid out, overlapping one another. She knew she shouldn't be snooping at a murderous, pirate Captain's desk. First off, it was rude and second, Captain's seldom liked people being privy to their secrets. She was curious though, the land masses on the map looking familiar to her.
The first map was of Arendelle. It was a normal map, yellowed from age and finely decorated with excellent artwork and penmanship. Curiously though, there was a large, red circle marking an area on the coast. Evie couldn't help but notice that she had a fashion boutique in that area. She wondered what it was about that area that had earned it that red marking. vie brushed aside the map, looking at the one below it. This was was of Agrabah, another red circle marking its coast.
I have a shop there too, Evie thought, unnerved by the odd coincidence.
She pushed aside the map, taking a glance at the last one below it. This one was of Auradon. Evie tensed when she saw another red marking, this one marked with a small, red x, clearly marking a cliff on the coast. It was the cliff that was home to her castle.
Evie swallowed, pushing the map aside in alarm. Why... why were there red marks against places that she lived and worked? Was it just some striking coincidence? But how could...
Something golden gleamed in the candlelight, catching her attention. Evie gasped, lifting up the trinket. It was a golden pocket watch, a pirate ship engraved on it. Evie's finger trailed over it. She turned it over, already knowing what she was going to find. Upon it was there was a name inscribed; Harry.
This is... this is Harry's pocket watch.
Evie's hand flew up to cover her mouth, to stop the cry escaping her. She could feel tears prickling at her eyes, her heart aching painfully in her chest.
It was the pocket watch that his father had given him, back when he was just a small boy. Harry had always admired his father's own pocket watch, an antique passed down generation to generation. It was broken, the Captain having purposely sabotaged it so that it would cease the ticking sound he so despised and feared. Harry had constantly stolen the watch from his father and Hook, having had enough of it, bought the boy his own non-ticking watch to appease him.
Why is it here? Evie thought, holding it tightly.
Harry had taken it with him everywhere. It should have still been with him, wherever he lay at sea.
The creak of boots on the floorboards alerted Evie to someone else's presence in the room. She looked up, startled to find a tall, dark figure lurking in the shadows by the door. She hadn't even heard the doors opening. Evie swallowed, lowering her hands to her side. This had to be the Captain.
"Don't scare me like that," Evie snapped, scowling at the stranger.
"Don't scare you?" The voice replied mockingly. "But that's my specialty."
Evie dropped the pocket watch, its thud resounding around the room. She stared wide-eyed as the figure emerged from the shadows, standing in the amber hue from the candles. Evie felt her knees buckle and her heart lurch in shock.
"Harry?" Evie whispered.
"In the flesh," Harry said with that grin that made her heart flutter, just like so many of his expressions had. "Sort of."
He was just as she remembered. Handsome with a hint of mischievous charms, dressed in his signature red coat, opened up to reveal his tattered, white shirt. He didn't have his hat on, instead, leaving his dark, blackish brown hair in its usual messy style visible. He was looking at her with that cheeky grin of his, one that always seemed present on his face.
Evie didn't know how it was possible, but before she could question it she raced around the desk and crashed into his open arms. Harry wrapped his arms around her tightly, his chin resting on her head. Evie squeezed him with every bit of strength she had, terrified that if she let go he would vanish, just like he had from the horizon the day she had watched him leave her for the last time.
"Aww, Evie," Harry murmured into her hair, kissing the top of her head. "I've missed ye."
Evie let out a body wrenching sob. She clenched her eyes shut but it did nothing to prevent the tears slipping free and trailing down her cheeks. Harry was here. He was alive and in her arms. She never wanted to let him go. If she did and he disappeared like a dream she didn't think she would be able to bare it. Not again.
Harry ran his hands up her arms, gently grasping them and pulling Evie away from him, just enough so that he could look at her face.
"I thought you were... they said that you were..." Evie couldn't bring herself to say the word, her body shaking with breathless sobs.
"Dead?"
Evie sniffled, nodding her head against his chest.
"Depends on yer definition," Harry muttered, his hand soothing her back comfortingly.
Any desire to find answers to her questions, of what he meant? How was he here? What had happened to him? It was all pushed to the back of her mind when he raised his hand to rest on her cheek. Instinctively, she nuzzled her cheek into his hand, her own hand moving to keep his in place. When he leaned down and kissed her, Evie felt her heart soar. He kissed her softly, delicately, as though he was as scared as she that this wasn't real, but some cruel illusion or mischief.
Evie placed her other hand on his lower chest to steady herself. She splayed her fingers, feeling as much of him as she could, her hand slowly moving upwards. Subtly, and without breaking their kiss, Harry grasped both her wrists, pulling her hands away from his chest and cheek and instead placing them over his shoulders. She smiled against his lips, moving one of her hands into his messy mop of dark hair, running the tips of her fingers through it. He'd always loved her playing with his hair, almost as much as she loved him doing the same - though he had always had a bad habit of getting his fingers tangled in her locks, much to both their irritation.
Harry applied a little more pressure to the kiss, his hands moving to her back, keeping his arms wrapped around her.
Oh, she had missed this. She had missed this so much. She had forgotten what it was like to kiss him, to feel his lips moving against hers, firm but gentle. She couldn't resist deepening the kiss, earning her a moan of pleasure from Harry.
"Evie," Harry drawled in a whisper.
He kissed her again, quick and fierce, before sweeping her up in his arms in a bridal carry. She had always scolded him whenever he picked her up, never a fan of having her feet leave the ground. She held back her reprimand, letting him carry her over to the cushioned window seat. Besides, she was far too distracted with the kisses he was speckling across her neck. He lay her down, his body hovering over hers, his elbows keeping most of his weight off of her.
Evie couldn't get enough for him, she had to feel more. She wanted to feel every inch of him, to confirm in her mind, heart, and soul that he was real. That he was here. For three long years, she had thought him dead, thought he had been stolen away from her forever. But to have him here, right now, safe in her arms, she could scarcely comprehend it.
Eagerly, Evie ran her hands across his arms, over his shoulders, and down his back. Harry followed her lead, his hands caressing as much of her as he could.
He's so cold, Evie thought to herself.
His skin was like ice, his touch leaving a trail of nippy coldness along her skin. She almost found herself shivering, not from his lingering and passionate kisses, but from iciness he left along her body as his hands roamed across her, feeling as much as her as he could. Evie pressed herself closer to him, wanting to take away that biting coldness from him, to wrap him in her warmth.
Her hand slipped under his shirt, moving up his bare chest. She could feel his muscles under her fingertips, every line that she used to trace while they lay together at night, safe, sound and content. She opened her eyes a fraction, taking delight in the satisfaction on his face, caused by her affections. He was biting his lip, holding back a moan as he became lost in her warm touches and spine-shivering caresses.
Evie narrowed her eyes, a little annoyed that he was holding back his moans. Harry had never let her get away with that during their nights of intimacy, so if he thought that she would let him get away with it then he had another thing coming. To retaliate, she leaned forward, lavishing his neck - which she knew to be one of his more sensitive areas - with heated and teasing kisses and nips. Harry couldn't bite back the groan that escaped him then, uttering her name in husky whisper.
Evie continued to allow her hands to feel his chest. It was when her hand moved to above his heart that she froze. Where she expected to find flesh she found none, her fingers slipping into what felt like a slit in his chest. Evie broke their kiss, looking at her lover wide-eyed, her hand flinching down his chest. She felt Harry curse against her lips, one of his hand capturing her wrist and pulling it out from under his shirt.
"Harry," Evie spoke quietly, her eyes staring at his chest, right where his heart was. She shook herself, pushing herself up into a sitting position and forcing Harry to do the same. He sat back on his knees, watching her tensely. "Harry... take your shirt off."
"Ye know, I always preferred a wee bit of foreplay," Harry said teasingly, a grin spreading on his face.
Despite his impishness, Evie could that tell he was uncomfortable, his whole body having tensed at her demand. He was looking at her with those intense, searing eyes of his. She couldn't help but realize they were so much darker than they used to be.
"Harry, I'm not joking. Take your shirt off." There was no humor in her voice, no teasing or seduction. "Please."
"I don't think that's a good idea, Princess," Harry said carefully, leaning away from her.
Evie leaned forward, ignoring the warning in his eyes. She placed a hand on his low collar, pulling the stretchy material down enough for her to see. Nothing could prepare her for seeing it with her own eyes, a horrified gasp escaping her trembling lips.
Blackbeard. He ran him straight through with his sword. Right through the heart.
Right above where his heart was there was a grotesque wound, a slit of a hole gaping at her. Evie's fingers timidly skimmed over the wound, her hand shaking.
This was the stab wound, the fatal blow that had ended Harry. It wasn't healed. It was there and still as grim and gruesome as the day he had received it, blood crusted around it. She glanced up at Harry's face, his stare so frightfully intense that she couldn't bear to be so close to him. Evie scurried off the seat, her eyes never leaving Harry.
A terrible truth was now clear to her, bringing tears to her eyes.
This wasn't Harry... it couldn't be Harry...
Harry pulled his shirt back up, hiding the gnarly hole. Evie still stared, unable to think. Cautiously, his hands raised in a calming manner, Harry slipped off the seat and onto his feet. Evie coward away at that, moving back several feet more. Her whole body was trembling, the strength in her legs threatening to abandon her.
"Princess," Harry said softly.
"Don't come any closer!" Evie shouted, backing away further, her hand held out in warning.
"Evie, let me explain-"
"No," Evie shook her head, tears rushing down her cheeks. "Who are you or what are you?"
"Evie, I'm husband," Harry said quietly, his voice calm and soothing.
"No! My husband's dead. Blackbeard-"
"Stabbed him, aye, I know. I was there, Princess. Where do ye think I got the wound from?" Harry said, sounding a little peeved at the reminder. He gritted his teeth, taking in a deep breath, trying to regain his control of his snideness. "Princess, just sit down and I'll explain everything."
Evie shook her head, grim tales of warning passed down to her by sailors, pirates, and friends echoing in her memory. There were all manners of monsters at sea. Twisted creatures that could take the form of a friend or lover in sinister plots to capture prey.
"You're not Harry,"
"Aye, ma fair lass... I am," Harry insisted. "I'm just... different now. But I'm still the same man that ye fell in love with. The same pirate that ye married when we were twenty, who ye vowed yer heart tae."
He walked over to his desk, picking up the fallen pocket watch. Slowly, he approached her again. He held out the watch for her to take, Evie taking it with trembling hands.
"I had that on me the day I died. I still carry it with me, just like ma hook, tae remind me of ma roots, ma lineage," Harry said, watching as she gripped the pocket watch tightly. "Evie, can't ye see it's me? We use tae be friends on The Isle of The Lost, even though our mates hated each other's guts. We moved tae Auradon and lived in that blasted labyrinth ye called a castle, which, I still hate. The amount of times I got lost in it tryin tae find ye is unforgivable."
Evie bit her lip, remembering how much Harry had hated living in the castle. He had only agreed to it to please her, knowing how much she had longed for a castle of her own. He had lived his life on ships, his room always a small cabin area, and was unused to the massive rooms and high ceilings. He's always preferred smaller, cozier dwellings.
He smiled fondly, braving another step forward.
"I would go out tae sea voyagers with Uma and Gil and ye'd always wait for me tae come back," Harry said quietly.
"You didn't come back the last time," Evie whispered, her eyes darting up from the watch to lock with his eyes.
"Nae, I didn't," Harry replied sorrowfully. "Do ye know the old superstition of what happens to someone if they die at sea on All Hallows' Eve? No? Well, they say that they're doomed tae sail the seven seas for all eternity... as ghosts."
"There's no such thing as ghosts," Evie muttered, taking a step back.
But there were monsters. Shape-shifters. Demons. Or maybe she had finally lost it, the stress of being at sea again, her worry for Madame Mim, and all the woes of running a full-time business finally driving her off the deep end.
"Ye never did believe in them, did ye?" Harry said lightly. "It's true. And as for me and everyone else on this ship, we were lucky - or unlucky, depends on yer view - to fall in the shadow of The Sunken Tide when we passed. So now we're forever trapped within it... tasked tae... take care of it."
Evie's eyes widened, realization flooding her. "You're the Captain, aren't you?"
Harry smirked proudly, spreading his arms out wide. "Aye. Only took me dying but here I am, Captain of me own vessel."
Evie backed away, a hand rising to her chest in a futile attempt to ease the sickening feeling stirring there. "How long?"
Harry tilted his head, giving her a questioning look.
"How long have you been Captain of this ship?" Evie demanded, her voice louder, stronger.
"Three years or so, why?" Harry asked lightly, innocently.
But she knew, she knew him far too well not to. She knew that he knew what she was thinking. And he didn't look sorrowful or regretful at all. There was a wicked delight there and it sicked her.
"You're the one who sunk The Jolly Roger... and her crew," Evie whispered. And her Captain...
He had the audacity to smirk, a sinister gleam in his eyes.
"I always thought if I got a crew and ship of my own me Da would be proud, but... he didn't seem to happy tae see me that night, I have tae say," Harry said casually.
Evie let out a shuddery breath, her whole body shaking. This wasn't Harry. This couldn't be Harry. Harry adored his didn't always get along and had many a terrible fight and falling out, but they still loved each other dearly. Even if they didn't always show it. Even if they showed it in all the wrong ways. No, the Harry she knew would never hurt his father.
She had to get out of here.
Evie ran for the door, yanking it open and slamming it shut behind her. When she turned around she couldn't help but scream.
If she hadn't believed in ghosts before, she certainly did now. The crew were the living dead. Some were skeletons with tattered clothes hanging from their frames, patches of flesh still clinging onto their bones. Others were whispy, smoky spirits, the wounds that killed them visible and clear. Others were like rotten corpses, limbs hanging off, disgusting, festering wounds all over their flesh. Many stopped in their tasks to glance at her, sniggering evilly.
The two pirates from earlier, both skeletons, turned to her. Pintel's jaw dropped as he stared at her. With a curse he dug a hand into his pocket, pulling out a gold doubloon which he passed to a gleeful Ragetti, who seemed to have won some kind of bet.
Behind her, Evie heard the doors to the Captain's quarters burst open. She froze, terrified to see what monster her lover had become. Ever so slowly, she turned around.
Harry stepped into the night air, his body changing to a gleaming blue.
Ghost... Harry... You really are a ghost...
Evie backed away, tears cascading down her flushed cheeks.
"Best start belivin in ghost stories, Evie. Yer in one."
(A/N) Let me know what you think! I'd love to hear your thoughts and theories! :D And yeah, that was Pintel and Ragetti from Pirates of The Caribbean. xx
Hope you enjoyed and thank you for reading!