A/N – Hey Guys! Long time, no read. Here's the new chapter; if you like it, leave a review and let me know!

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Chapter 18

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Mal shot up, sitting up straight in bed, her heart pounding. She gasped quietly for air, kicking the covers off of her, and getting up. She crossed the room, taking short, light steps across the cold floor. She reached the balcony door, and pulled it slowly open. She froze as it creaked, her head whipping round to check that Harry was still asleep. She watched him closely for a moment, and, seeing no response, quickly stepped out onto the balcony.

She took a deep breath, letting the cold air calm her. She tiptoed to the railing, and leant on it, watching the waves in the distance. She looked up, the full moon high in the sky, creating a silver sheen on the water.

Suddenly, she felt a pair of arms snake round her waist, holding her still. She jumped, cursing, before settling into his warm embrace.

"You scared me," she muttered, still staring out to sea.

"Sorry, love," came the murmured reply, as Harry nestled his head into her neck.

There was a moment of quiet; the waves lapping gently at the shore.

"Nightmare?" Harry asked.

Mal didn't answer, but nodded her head.

"You having those again?"

She sighed. "They never stopped. I thought if you were here, they would, but, evidently not."

"I'm sorry," he whispered into her ear.

"Don't be," she brushed off. "It's not your fault."

She turned around in his arms, facing him, and wrapped her arms around his neck.

"I woke you," she stated simply.

"Yep," Harry replied, popping the 'p'. "I'm still a light sleeper. You, on the other hand, could sleep through an earthquake."

She grinned. "I'm tired when I sleep, unlike some people," she said, poking his chest lightly.

He didn't reply, but pulled her close to him, wrapping his arms around her even more tightly. He held her as though if he didn't, she would disappear.

"You know I'm here if you want to talk, love," he mumbled softly into her hair.

"I know."

"And you know that you have loads of people who would listen to you if you asked them to."

"I know, Harry. I'm fine."

She listened to his heart beating in is chest. How it had a steady rhythm, much like the rocking of a boat. She thought back to the Isle, when she used to fall asleep to the sounds of boats rocking in port. It reminded her of that. She sighed sleepily against his chest.

"D'ya know what I think?" He asked her quietly.

"Mmm?"

"I think it's time to go back to bed, ma wee dragon," he whispered, picking her up, and carrying her to the bed.

"I can walk myself," she protested, glaring up at him.

"I'm well aware," he answered, laying her down on the bed. "But it's ok to have a bit of help from time to time. Have someone do something for you, instead of doing it all yourself," he finished, pulling the covers back up over them, and throwing his arm over Mal's stomach.

"I know what you're trying to do, Pirate. You can't trick me."

"What am I trying to do," he asked, in mock surprise.

"You're trying to get to me to realise that I should talk to someone about how I'm feeling because it will help my panic attacks and my nightmares," she answered, knowing she was right.

Harry didn't seem to care that she had seen through him. "Panic attacks?" He asked quietly.

"Shit," Mal muttered under her breath. "Nothing," she said, glancing up at him. "Promise. Just forget about it."

The last thing Harry wanted to do was forget about it, but he knew better than to push Mal to say something she didn't want to. God knows it had had disastrous consequences in the past.

Mal broke the silence. "You know we won't be able to do this when school starts, right?"

Harry came out of his thoughts, filing away that information for later. "Hmm?"

"This. Us. All of it," she replied, not looking at him.

"What do you mean?" He asked, praying she wouldn't tell him that they couldn't be together.

"Ben is going to be in our classes, Harry. When I do break up with him, he's going to know that something was up if I start going out with you straight away."

Harry sighed, trying to follow her logic. "But," he started, trying desperately to find a loophole. "Surely he knows that we were together on the Isle?"

"He doesn't really like talking about the Isle. I can't imagine what his reaction would be if I started talking about my boyfriends on the Isle," she responded, giggling. "He'd go all Beast on me or something!"

"What if he, wait," Harry said. "When?"

"When what?"

"When you break up with him?"

"I don't understand," Mal said.

"You're actually going to do it?" He asked incredulously.

"Well, yeah," Mal replied, still not following. "I mean, we're together, right?"

"Yes! I mean, of course we are! As long as you want to. Cause I definitely want to. But if you-" Harry rambled, panicking.

Relief flooded Mal's face. "For a second there, I thought you were gonna say no!"

"Never," Harry promised. "I thought you'd go back to him."

"Why?"

"I'm a pirate. He's a king. Should be fairly obvious, love," he muttered.

Mal sat up, pushing him back on the bed, straddling him. "Guess what?" She asked.

"What?" He smirked. "You lookin' to get frisky, hmm?"

"Harry!" She exclaimed, swatting him lightly. "I'm being serious."

"Fine, fine. What is it?"

Mal took a deep breath, looking him straight in the eyes.

"Do you remember what you said to me when we spoke via magic mirror?"

Harry knew immediately what she was talking about. "Course I do."

"Did you mean it?" She asked quietly.

Harry raised his arms, cupping her face in his hands. "Yes. And you don't have to say anything back. Just as long as you know that I meant it then, and I still mean it now.

Mal smiled quickly. "Sshh. I love you too."

"What?" Harry said, gobsmacked. Of all the things she could have said, he was not expecting that. He knew that those words were special to her, and it took a lot for her to say them. He took her hands in his, running his thumbs over her fingers.

"Thank you," he whispered, watching her. "You know I love you too."

"Yeah," Mal replied, lying back down and snuggling into his chest. "I know."

"What time is it, love?" Harry asked her.

She glanced across the room, squinting her eyes to see the clock in the dark room. "Three. We managed to get a whole hour's sleep," she laughed.

"Better than some nights on the Isle," Harry grinned.

"Shut it, Pirate," Mal smirked. "We have to get up at eight, so goodnight."

Harry held her close. "Goodnight, ma wee dragon," he murmured, kissing her forehead gently, before both of them succumbed to sleep.

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A/N – So? What did you think? Classes at Auradon will be starting soon, and there'll be lots of fun and drama then, so I'm looking forward to writing that! If you liked it please leave a review, and let me know! :)