Chapter 81: Hello My Heart

Crystal is unsure of how to approach the guy she sort of had a crush on and sort of didn't. She sighs as she continues to search for Harry along the shoreline. If he truly was the son of Captain Hook, the best place for him to go and think would be by the sea. The daughter of the Dark One also preferred to do her thinking close to the scenic areas near bodies of water, especially at sunset. She truly believed that the simplest and most beautiful moments to behold were when one was watching the sun sink beneath the horizon, the golden light bathing the skies with vivid pinks and oranges.

While growing up, the highlight of any summer was when she and her mom would spend a week or two at a lake house. How her mother afforded such a place on her meagre salary, Crystal would never know but these trips were the absolute best. The sandy beaches, the cool lakes, the campfires, the ice cream, the boat trips, and of course the sunsets. This was how she learned to swim and spent almost the entire day in the water until her fingers were wrinkled and her nose was peeling from the sun. It was one of the few times in her life that the daughter of Rumpelstiltskin felt truly normal. The demonic voice that bothered her mind seemed to be put on mute (or go on vacation itself), allowing relief and true happiness.

Looking back on it now, Crystal knew that her best memories were when she was sitting with her mom on the beach. No fighting, no torment, no shift work, no rent to worry about, nothing but them and the open water. These moments were also not tainted by the truth about who they were and where they had actually come from. The one time her father and his darkness had not influenced her life. Just shutting her eyes she can see it; the wind was blowing off the lake, the waves were lapping against the shore, the soft sand was under their bare feet, and the warmth of the fading sun, absolutely perfect. Both mother and daughter were truly at peace with not a care in the world, leaning against one another while wrapped in a beach blanket and sharing the loving bond they always had.

While thinking about them now there is an air of sadness to be found, it is still always reassuring to Crystal that she knew what real love was and how to trust those around her.

Her shoes shift the sand beneath her feet as she keeps an eye out for Harry. While she was sure he was merely attached to the ocean because he lived on a ship most of his life, she can't imagine what his memories are like… especially ones of his parental figure. With no mother, two sisters who hated him and a father who was likely more of a wild card than her own father, it's no wonder that all these Villain Kids are angry and struggle with themselves. Uma hates the world because the world never gave her anything, Mal struggles with her feelings for Ben and to be the best person that she can be, and Harry sort of has both situations. She isn't sure if his crush on her is just an attempt at conquest, like many of her previous relationships, or if he's actually trying to change for her. Could he become dateable? Did she really want to know?

Further along, she spots a single figure standing near the water's edge. His hat was off and tossed to the side, revealing his dark brown and slightly wavy hair. His left-hand grips the fake hook so tightly that it looks as he might bend the metal or even break it in half. The waves lightly lap at his boots as Harry Hook stands at the shoreline, gazing out towards the horizon.

Unsure of how to approach him, Crystal slips back to the trees and watches from afar.

His slumped posture indicates that he's defeated, possibly depressed. He truly is a lost boy and doesn't know where to turn. She doesn't doubt that he's been crying too, who wouldn't when you're questioning your morality and just had a massive fight with the person who was supposed to be your best friend.

Eventually, Harry begins picking up rocks and pitches them into the water in anger. Occasionally, she hears him growl and moan in frustration. Each splash is a way to vent his feelings. All this pent up anger and confusion, it's enough to drive someone insane.

As time ticks by, the fuming and irritated tosses become slower and more precise. Harry begins to skip rocks with an impressive amount of skill, no surprise because skipping rocks was one of the few things a young pirate like him could do in between helping his father at the Inlet and Shack. While throwing rocks at people was also fun, he got rather good at skipping them and got so much distance that they would often hit the force field around the Isle.

As he does this, the daughter of the Dark One gets an idea.

She approaches quietly, still keeping her distance but eyes him carefully.

With his next stone, Crystal uses her magic to make the stone skip further than would be physically possible. She then has it change directions and skip back until it lands at the pirate's feet.

Harry picks it up, spooked and a little confused. He then looks around, becoming aware of Crystal's presence.

She gives him a small smile before tucking her hands in her pockets and walking towards him.

"Just thought you could use a little cheering up," she says quietly.

"Nothin' could brighten me spirits right now," he grumbles.

"Can't imagine why," Crystal mutters, before removing her shoes.

The son of Captain Hook looks at her questioningly.

"Can't be on the beach without sand between your toes," she smiles.

She then takes the rock from his hands and skips it, without using magic. It doesn't go as far, but she still manages to skim it a few times along the surface. She walks into the water, ignoring the temperature and searches for more rocks. She mirrors what Harry had been doing with less rage involved, while he watches on.

"I know you've probably never been asked this before, but do you want to talk about it?"

Harry gazes at his crush, but she can see the confusion as he tries to decipher what she means by this. What was there to talk about? What happened had happened and now he had no captain, no friends and no allies in anyone. How could one person feel so alone? It's never happened before… or maybe it has and he's never had the sense to realize it.

Who was he? What was his purpose? What's a pirate without his crew?

"That would be my answer to this mess too," Crystal says sarcastically.

She gazes into Harry's bright blue eyes and she can see the pain, the hurt, and the confusion.

"I wish I could help you and tell you what to do or what to decide, but this is something you'll have to figure out for yourself. You can't spend your whole life being told who you are and having other people make those decisions for you. You can't base yourself on who your parents were or what you did in the past, it's what you do now that counts and who you choose to be. Your past does not define you, your present should not anchor you, but you need to make your own future…"

Crystal turns to skip a few more rocks before getting out of the water and burying her feet in the sand to warm them up. She bites her lip and takes a few slow steps towards him. Their eyes lock again, establishing a new connection, something that the daughter of the Dark One had been fearing and putting off for a long time.

Her knees weaken, her face flushes a bright red and her heart drums in her chest. Is this what she wanted? Why is she so afraid of love? Were her broken heart and history holding her back? Yes, but also… why him? Of all the people, why Harry Hook? What was it about him that drew her so close? Why were her rejections of his advances softening?

All these questions make tears well up in her eyes before she can't hold them back any longer. She too, begins to cry, the matter of her heart always aches badly.

While one would be mortified to cry in front of their crush, something unexpected happens…

Crystal suddenly feels strong arms wrap around her body. She gasps and is about to try and break out when she gazes at him once more. God those eyes were hypnotic… A single and impulsive gesture shows the kindness in his heart that softened her judgements even further.

Her breath catches in her throat before she tilts her chin up. She pauses, still unsure but also unconsciously testing him…

He leans in, closing the gap and their lips meet gently.

Both their worlds explode in fireworks, igniting a rush of sensations and emotions within their bodies. Many thoughts and feelings blur together in a flurry of colour, but at the same time, there was a feeling of calm and stillness in that. They refuse to break apart as they continue to kiss, embracing what felt like something they had been waiting for. The passion is beyond thrilling, and the taste of each other's lips leaves them wanting more.

When they do take a moment to break apart and breathe, their noses are still touching, and Crystal feels as if she's just come up for air after a long time underwater. In the moment of passion and amour, all Crystal can think in her mind...

Hello... my Heart…

A/N: Here is a new chapter, I hope you like it. I am on the fence about what Crystal says at the end here. If anyone can make a suggestion for something else, please feel free to do so.