Notes at the end of the chapter! Thanks for reading 3
Ben clapped his hands together and smiled. "Well, this has been an extremely productive meeting! Shall we break for a...late lunch?" He checked his watch with a grimace. It was much later than anyone had expected. "And when we return we'll just set a date for the next meeting and the plans for the upcoming week."
Uma stood from her seat and stretched. She felt like dancing on the ocean floor. With the help of Ben and Mal, Uma had hatched an entire program for helping rehabilitate the isle kids who wanted to go to Auradon Prep. There would be an immediate surge of resources sent to the isle to help bring families out of poverty and get them back on their feet. Best of all, it was going to be entirely free! VK students would have a goodness curriculum to pass each semester under Fairy Godmother's watch and every older VK who needed the studying they missed could take night classes.
"Someone looks chipper." Mal slid on top of the table and bit into an apple. She offered one to Uma.
"This is...kind of amazing. It's only been a day and we've already made so many great plans."
"And it's only going to get better." Mall smiled. "I'm glad you knocked some sense into me. This will be amazing!"
Uma bit into her apple, grimacing as a piece fell on her shirt.
"Nice outfit by the way. Did Evie get ahold of you?"
"She already had a full teal closet laid out for me. How does she do that?"
"I'm never quite sure." Mal tugged on the jacket. "I love this though. It's a step away from your usual pirate vibe."
"Well don't get used to it. I want to head back tomorrow and get some of my old favorites."
"Harry and Gil coming with? I could let you guys borrow a car!"
Uma shrugged. "If they aren't too busy I'm sure they'll want to come."
"What does Harry Hook call busy?" Mal laughed.
Uma wrinkled her nose. "Who knows honestly. I don't even know what they...do for fun anymore..." She frowned as she was reminded of the time she'd spent away. "I...I feel like I've missed so much...and I don't know how to apologize..."
"Apologize for what!? They practically follow you like puppies. They seemed totally unphased when you reappeared in all your fried octopus glory."
"I know but...I don't know things just feel weird between me and Harry right now...he's being..." Uma whispered. "different."
Mal's emerald eyes grew wide and she leaned forward. "Like...romantic different?!"
"What?! No that's not what I mean at all!" Uma scoffed.
"Uhm I call bs you're blushing Shrimpy! Full on blushing! You have a CRUSH! Or he does?!"
Uma rolled her eyes so hard she could've sworn they'd fall out. "I definitely do not. I think I would've known that by now."
"Oh yea? Then why didn't you kiss him yesterday?"
"Huh?! Who told you about that?"
"Evie! She said he tried to kiss you!"
"He was just being an idiot. He flirts with everybody." Uma threw her hands up. "He turned right around and spent the whole night dancing with Audrey...and other people..."
Mal nodded, taking another bite of her apple. "Love is a weird feeling. Trust me-" She gestured her apple hand towards Ben, who was having a quiet conversation with his father. "-I would know! You should totally ask him."
"Ask Ben?"
"No silly...Harry! Ask him why he tried to kiss you!"
"I...no way...I..." Uma shook her head. "I don't need that kind of distraction right now. I definitely have too much on my plate."
"Ooooooookay." Mal shrugged. "But if you're ever nervous talk to Evie about it! She is a mastermind at getting boys to talk."
"I thought she couldn't even get her own boyfriend to say 'the L word'"
"No, SHE wouldn't say 'the L word'. He was in love with her since day one and just respecting her boundaries. Duh!"
Uma pouted. She didn't like how confident Mal was about the entire situation. There was absolutely no way Harry thought of her that way. Nope. You're just letting the goodness get to you.
Uma sat in silence as her anxiety about Harry fermented. It felt like a whole 'nother year had passed before Ben called the meeting back to order. In a trance, Uma agreed to another council meeting at the end of the week and she'd be in charge of deciding what villains to invite.
"And that will be all for today! Thank you very much, everyone!" Ben beamed like a kid in a candy store.
"Uma would you like a ride back to the Heart house? Evie invited us over for dinner." Mal winked.
Uma nodded. "Y-Yup!" This was going to be interesting.
The trio made their way to Evie's front door as the sun set over the forest trees. Uma found herself more and more nervous as they stepped through the foyer into the lounge.
"Hellloooooooooo" Mal chimed. Everyone turned excitedly as the royal couple stepped into the room.
"Uma!" Gil's voiced rang out of the chorus of excitement. She smirked at him and glanced around the room, her eyes falling on Audrey, who was dressed in her usually sickly pale pink and had her overaccesrozied arm draped over Harry's hook. He smiles at her, but his gaze sweeps over to Uma as soon as Gil says her name. Uma breaks her stare and sits on the couch next to Carlos.
Evie rushes into the room with a tray of snacks. "Dinner is almost ready! But I made some finger food for the big announcement!"
"Evie!" Mal gasps. "I was going to wait until dinner!"
"Well I just couldn't wait any longer! It's been so hard keeping this secret all day!"
Ben laughs lightly and takes a seat. "Well the floor is yours your Majesty."
Uma looks between the royal couple in confusion. "What's this about?"
Mal puts her hands on her hips. "Welllll as you all know...this castle is getting a little overcrowded to say the least. So Ben and I were thinking of some places for everyone to stay. As you know Celia, Dizzie, and the twins all have Auradon prep to stay in come the Fall-"
"-and are welcome to stay here for the summer!" Evie hugged Dizzie from over the back of the loveseat.
"But where does that leave our loyal pirate crew?" Mal smirked.
"Oh! Oh! I know!" Gil shot his hand up. "Homeless." He smiled.
Uma shook her head as everyone laughed. "I mean we do have our ship."
"If you can even call it that." Harry chuckled. Uma shot him a look and he grinned even wider at her. She felt a burst of satisfaction as Audrey looked between them.
"Oh my goodness Mal tell them or I will!" Evie tapped her wrist like she had an invisible watch.
"You're getting a beach house! Just off the Auradon coast! And there's plenty of room for any boats or pirate ships your villanously advenurous hearts desire."
Uma's jaw hit the floor as Harry and Gil shot out of their seats. "WHAT?!"
"I picked it myself! Evie will obviously help with the decorating. You're each going to have your own suite, with a full kitchen and gym. It's got the best gadgets you can imagine aaaaaaand the most amazing view of the sunset."
"Mal...w-what? There's no way-" Uma gasped as her words sunk in.
"There absolutely is a way and I'm so not taking no for an answer! It's already yours!"
"You can move in by the end of the week." Ben smiled. "Speaking of gifts! - I left all the phones in the car let me go get those."
Uma put a hand to her shell and tried to even her breathing. She couldn't believe it. Her very own house with her two best friends. She smiled up at Harry who was smiling down at her like she was the only person in the room. Uma's smile fell as she watched Audrey slide her arm into Harry's.
"Oh my gosh, you guys should throw a house warming party! That would be so much fun!"
" 'ou wouldn't mind a few pirates there would ya?" Harry winked. "Pirates are the life of the party."
Audrey emitted a laugh that sounded like a dying cat. Uma wrinkled her nose.
"Well I guess we'd have to invite you so you don't put everyone to sleep again right?"
Audrey gasped. "W-What?"
Uma felt a lump in her throat as she realized everyone had heard her snarky remark. All eyes were on her as she put on a face and shrugged. "I'm just saying. I don't have 'let Auradon get cursed by a raging hormonal princess' on my agenda. So you can come over any time." Uma stood from her seat and stormed towards the hall.
"What the heck is her problem?" Audrey scoffed.
This set Uma's blood to boil. She whipped around clutching her shell in one hand. "My problem is that I just came home from a long meeting where I had to make my people - who have spent the last few decades suffering - don't do anything for the next hundred years that offends your grandma you privileged litte-"
"Uma!" Mal stepped in front of her.
Uma took a heavy breath through her nose and glared at her former nemesis.
"Take a walk." Mal's words were harsh but Uma could see the pleading in her eyes. She'd been there.
Uma turned on her heels and strode as quickly as she could towards her room. She slammed the door and took off her jacket. Stupid princess. Stupid Auradon. Stupid goodness. Stupid...me...
Tears started to fill her eyes as she sat at her vanity and stared at herself. Her hair was frizzy and unkempt. Her makeup was sloppy and about to get sloppier with the impending waterworks. She took a deep breath and pulled herself towards her bed. She nosedived into her plush pillows just as she heard a knock at the door.
"No." She responded.
"Uma..." Harry's voice startled her and she sat up.
Cursing herself with each passing second, Uma rolled off the bed and walked over to the door. She cracked the door open.
"What?"
"Let me in Uma..."
"Maybe I don't want to."
"Then as yer first mate, I will be forced to sit out here and wait until 'ou do!"
Uma rolled her eyes. He was always so dramatic. "...Fine..." She opened the door an inch and he stepped into the room. Uma took a step back and crossed her arms. "What do you want?"
Harry gestured behind him to the closed door. "What the hell was that?"
Uma shrugged. "I don't like her."
Harry gave her a look. His eyes getting wider as he looked her over. "You don't like anyone! That doesn't mean you make them cry!"
"I didn't make her cry!" Uma paused. The grimace on her first mate's face debunked her statement almost instantly. "I...I wasn't planning on making her cry I just got annoyed."
"Why? Because she was flirtin' with me?"
"N-No! Because I just found out we get a home for the first time in our lives that won't be above a restaurant smelling like fish and she's inviting herself in! It's my house!"
"That's the only reason?" Harry took a step towards her.
"Yes." Uma looks away from him.
"It doesn't have anything to do with me dancing with her and now she thinks I'm her boyfriend?"
"She what?!" Uma gasped. Harry giggled at her.
"Yer jealous! You are so jealous!"
"Jealous of what?" Uma put her hands on her hips.
"Yer jealous that Audrey likes me."
"I am not. What's there to be jealous of? It's not like you take relationships seriously. You flirt with anything that breathes if I was going to get jealous I would've turned green the moment we hit puberty. So I don't care who you date or who you kiss-" Uma swallowed her words almost instantly.
Harry took another step towards her. "Is that what this is about? Me tryin' to kiss you?"
"No. You were just being...I was just...No."
Harry nodded at her words. To Uma's surprise, he actually took it. "And you think I want to be with...Audrey?"
Uma shook her head. "I don't know it's your business." She stared down at her boots.
Harry took a big step forward and took her hands in his. "Uma." She looked up at him through her lashes. "I swear on the pirate code that I don't want anything to do with that pretty pink pansie princess...I was just being friendly yesterday."
Uma looked at their hands. She ran her thumb across Harry's hand that was littered with scratches from years and years of wearing his hook. As the butterflies thrashed around in her stomach she used all her courage to meet his gaze.
"We can't...do this..."
"Do what?" He somehow found a way to step even close to her.
"I don't...know...how to do this." Harry said nothing and tilted his head at her. Uma continued. "I have so much to think about with the Isle and the new responsibilities I have...I don't know if I'm ready to..." Uma mentally slapped herself. She was digging a deeper grave with every word. She took another breath. "I think you should go."
Harry's soft expression turned to stone as her words sunk in. He released her hands and let them drop to her sides. "...Oh."
"I just have to think. I'm sorry. I just have so much on my mind."
"And you think I don't?" His tone was sharp as a sword.
"I-I..."
"You. You ever think about how much of my time I've spent on you. Ever since we were wee children I've been by your side and you expect me to just walk away now when you command me too?"
"I didn't mean-"
"You know what I was doing the entire time you were out on yer little adventure?" Uma froze. "I was helping yer mum in her shop. She was worried sick about you if you can believe it. We all wer'! Every day I would watch the stories to make sure you weren't captured by the Auradon guards. Every day I-" Harry pointed towards the door. "-would comfort Gil when he got would talk himself into a fit about scared he was and he couldn't cry in front of his dad!" His voice rose to a shout. "I had to be there for everyone and I spent ever other second of my time being worried about YOU!" Uma flinched at his words.
Harry took several beats before taking a deep breath.
"Harry..." Uma whispered.
"I made a promise to you. We may have been no bigger than the twins but I made that promise and I intend to keep it."
Uma felt tears coming as she took in his words. The memories of those days hit her like a tidal wave. Why was he bringing that up now?
"Whateve' you think yer doing...I..." He took another breath and turned to the door. Uma could see the tension in his shoulders as he muttered a farewell. "...I'll leave you alone..."
Uma gasped softly as he left the room without looking back. He hadn't slammed her door but somehow the soft click felt like a stab in her side. She choked on a sob that had bubbled up inside her as soon as he turned his back. She sat down on her bed and let the tears stream down her face.
Uma hadn't remembered the last time she had let herself cry this much. Anytime she got emotional during her year away she would pull it together and start looking for another route into the Isle. She never let herself cry on the Isle in front of her crew...except for those few nights where she'd let herself go and hide in the deepest cellars of her ship. Her only comfort on those late nights was the one person who would hold her while she cried, giving her quiet words of encouragement and kissing her hair. Uma clutched her shell. Her heart felt like it was being squished.
'And wouldn't you give anything to be wrapped in those arms again?'
*jazz hands* gotta love some ANGST! But don't worry it'll all be okay soon!
What do you think Harry's promise to Uma was? Wrong answers only _
The next sequence is already planned out in my noggin but I decided to cut it off here and make that a fun opener! I am still very much an Anti-Audrey fan when it comes to her development in the series so I don't have a lot of plans to redeem her in any way. I don't plan to give her a lot of airtime in my story other than a light antagonist.
Thanks for reading! I'm hoping to update as often as I can!
