"We'll be reaching the first islands soon," Doug informed us while studying his trusty map. "Really?" I perked up. Huh, that was fast. It was already getting late on our second day of sailing. It'd be dark out soon. It wasn't a particularly eventful day yet. Or that was until Jane suggested that, simply to assume ourselves, we should have a dance party. Not seeing a reason as to why not, I gave the go ahead. She excitedly cast a spell with her mother's magic wand to get some music out of nowhere playing. None of us had any fancy dresses or tuxes, but our regular clothes worked just fine.

It began with a bit of an unorganized mass. None of the VKs knew how to ballroom dance, so we just went free style at first. But as the evening progressed, we collectively got more structured. I wouldn't say we were ballroom dancing per se, but some bastardised version of it. We'd swing around in pairs, switching every so often. By eight o'clock, everyone was laughing and having a grand old time. Well, almost everyone.

I danced with Evie, Lonnie, Jay, Doug, and even Gil. It didn't matter who danced with who; we just went with whoever was in front of us. Even Uma got into it. The only ones who elected from the side were Harry, Audrey, and Dizzy. I knew why Harry hadn't joined in- he's never been one much for dancing. I couldn't tell you about Audrey or Dizzy.

I had just finished up a second round with Evie when a familiar figure approached me. It was Ben; someone I surprisingly had not danced yet with. He gave me his trademark smile, holding out his hand for me. "May I?" I grinned back, taking his hand. Why shouldn't I dance with Ben? I've danced with my other male friends before tonight, and I didn't see how this platonic waltz would be any different. I was surprised though, by how tightly he was holding onto my hand once he had it. He kept smiling at me the entire time we danced together.

"See? I knew you could dance." "Badly," I chuckled gently. "Nonsense! You're a natural." "Well thank you. We didn't have many opportunities to dance back on the island." Ben's grin began to fade. "I hadn't realized how much you've been deprived of in your childhood there." "Oh, it's not your fault, Ben. Anyway, how could you have known?" "All the same, I don't think the sins of the parents should have fallen onto the children so literally. To think you'll be returning to such a place…." Ben's words trailed off. As if it were possible, his grip actually tightened around my hand. I glanced from it back to his concerned face. His eyes lowered onto me with the upmost tenderness, catching me a bit off guard. Why was he looking at me so… intently like that?

"You're too good for that god-forsaken place, Mal." "Oh, Ben." "No, I mean it. That such a person could come from there; it shouldn't be possible, but here you are…." My lips parted startled as his hand left my waist to brush a few stray hairs off the side of my face. "Ben, what are you…..?" I was more than a little confused. But Ben looked more certain than I'd ever seen him before. "Things will be different, Mal; I'll make sure they are. When I'm king, I'll change everything for you guys- all the VKs on the Isle of the Lost. You'll never have to live like that again." "Ben, that's…..!" I didn't know quite what to say to that. What a kind move on his part; I mean, he didn't have to make our situation better, but he was going to all the same.

Satisfied with my reaction, a smile returned across his lips. If I didn't know any better, I'd say he was holding me closer than before. He leaned his head in towards to mine, so to nearly whisper in my ear. "Maybe you won't have to go back at all," his voice was so determined. Before I could respond, Jane yelled for everyone to switch partners. Ben gave my hand one last squeeze and me one last smile before going off to dance with Lonnie; he was replaced with Evie for me.

After all that dancing, I had to go take a break and cool off. I went to the quiet part of the dock where there was a beautiful view of all the stars. Going over to the ledge, my elbows softly rested on the wood while I took in the beautiful sky high above me. My eyes shut and I drew in a long, deep breath. The salty sea air felt so good filling my lungs….

The moment was only made better by a beloved voice. A voice so precious to me….. "You know, watching you tonight made me realize that we've never danced with each other." Smiling, I spun around to see him; my hand was still on the wood of the ledge. "Harry…." Matching my euphoric smile, Harry stepped over to me. I merely watched him with ease as his hand stretched up to caress the side of my cheek; his eyes staring so adamantly down into mine. "Harry…" "Mal."

My hand reached up to cover his in an affection fashion. My eyes lowered a bit. So did Harry's. "Incredible…. Each time I look at you, you're even more beautiful to me." "You too," I breathed. "I wish there words to tell you….." "I already know, Harry; I can hear it in your voice." He chuckled. "Good, cause I can't think of a good way to say it. Except for maybe when I hold you, I know I'm holding the whole world in my hands." "Harry….." He couldn't have made my knees turn more into jelly if he tried. Or so I thought. Still smiling, Harry removed his hand- and hook- and took a step backwards. I watched breathlessly as he raised his hand out in the air. "Tonight's the night, babe. Take my hand; dance with me."

You can guess that's all he needed to say. Without a second of hesitation, I took his hand, letting him gently pull me to where he was standing. We weren't do any particular kind of dance. Instead we simply swayed back and forth, growing ever increasing closer to each other. Neither of us dared say another word- what else was there to say? After looking at one another's face one more time, I moved in to rest my cheek against his shoulder. Harry's arm wrapped around me so protectively and possessively. I in turn clung onto the back of his shirt. We didn't say anything but we both knew what the other was thinking…..

I knew it. I was right all along. Back what I told Ben that day on Auradon. "Our circumstance is different, but our feelings haven't changed. No matter where I am, I know our feelings won't change. They're safe inside our hearts." It didn't matter. The time we lost, the opinions of others, the spaces between us….. none of it matters. Nothing will change what Harry and I have; he is safe inside my heart now and forever more. My fingers clung to him even harder. After all, I'm so in love with him that all others seem utterly ridiculous.