Chapter 4 – The End

-:-:-

Things were fine until the day they weren't, and Harry almost didn't recognize that until the asshole attacker was upon them because he'd gotten so used to dropping his guard within the stupid confines of Auradon Castle that he'd practically invited the damn attack himself.

It was just him and Chad that time, the two of them enjoying the comforting warmth provided by the castle's solarium. As per Uma's orders, Harry was trying to make the most of things, experiencing what he could on his crew's behalf in the hopes that one day he could share these memories with them. He was reading through an epic he was pretty sure he could accurately recount to the others should he get sent back to the Isle. At the very least he'd have some new stories to share on cold winter nights, though he may tweak them to let the pirates be the heroes for once. May as well indulge.

Chad was splayed across one of the many window seats, happily drawing a picture of Ben and Evie, like he could see them out strolling the gardens together because that was a thing they did nowadays, Ben seeking Evie's counsel as though finally recognizing the strategist hiding behind that perfect smile and rightfully taking advantage of her wisdom. Queen Belle had let it drop that this was something Ben used to do with Audrey, though never to such successful ends, which made Harry wonder why the fuck she'd felt it was necessary to share that tidbit. Perhaps she was trying to drop a hint for Harry to bow out of his own relationship because Ben wanted both Chad and Evie now, but if she was, the queen was using the entirely wrong tactic. Harry wasn't smart enough for political mind games and he had no desire to return to the Isle, and seeing as his relationship with Evie was the only thing keeping him in Auradon, he sure as shit wasn't going to go without a fight. There was no conceding with grace, there was only the prospect of getting dragged away kicking and screaming, though he knew if Evie caught wind of what Ben wanted, she'd likely go along with it. Having the future king of Auradon hanging on your every word was too big an opportunity to pass up on and they all knew it.

Harry could only hope that if things came to that, she'd feel generous enough to keep sending medical supplies to the Wharf Rats. Maybe he'd laid enough groundwork to warrant such a thing. He'd gotten her Chad at the very least, and that had segued her into getting Ben. Harry would have to negotiate with her over it later. It was always better to have those conversation now rather than hope later, even if they both knew she was the only one with any kind of power.

Harry was considering this and trying to read, considering this and watching over Chad who was cheerfully drawing his pictures, oblivious to the bigger machinations going into work around him. Chad's existence was not an easy one with its blatant neglect, but it was certainly a simpler one than Harry's, cheerful in its ignorance, so much like Gil it hurt.

If he was sent back to the Isle, Harry would miss him. He wondered if Chad would reciprocate the feeling.

These were the ponderings going through his mind when he heard movement near the entry to the solarium. Harry looked over on reflex – expecting perhaps a surprise visit from Queen Belle or an impromptu tea delivery from Mrs. Potts, who seemed to think that tea was a miracle elixir that needed to be imbibed at all hours of the day – but was instead greeted by what seemed to be a single guardsman.

It immediately set Harry on edge as the guards tended to shift in pairs and definitely didn't encroach upon their private time unless there was an emergency. Combine that with the fact that the guard seemed entirely unremarkable in every way – average height, brown hair, indistinct features – and you had the perfect recipe for an assassin.

Harry found himself on his feet in an instant, unsheathing the dagger he kept tucked on the small of his back before he positioned himself in front of Chad.

"Blondie," Harry growled, loud enough to get Chad's attention. "Climb out through the window and run down to the kitchens."

"What?" Chad asked, likely blinking up from his sketchbook with a look of confusion. "Why do I need to go to the- why do you have a knife?"

The assassin seemed to weigh his options, trying to decide between playing dumb and knowing the jig was up, and settled on the latter. "We don't have to do this the hard way."

Even his voice was unremarkable. "The fuck we don't," snapped Harry. "Chad, get out."

"But-"

"Now," Harry snarled before he jumped into the fray. He was at a disadvantage, using a knife when the assassin had a sword, but Harry had fought with worse odds. Now he was rested, well fed and in peak physical performance, and best of all he didn't need to worry about Chad, who he could already hear scrambling through the window whose emergency release mechanism was a secret to the royal family and now, fortunately, Ben's favorite guests.

The assassin cursed when he caught Chad getting to safety, his gaze flicking towards the blond's retreating visage with an annoyed expression that indicated it was Chad, and not Harry, that had been his intended target.

"You just made my job a lot harder," the guy growled, as though he was in any way intimidating. Harry had fucking fought Gaston before just to keep Gil from getting beaten to death, if this guy wanted lessons on intimidation, he should try to survive a damn night in the Isle.

"Boo fucking hoo," Harry muttered, dodging his swipes and striking out where he could. "My heart's really breaking for ye."

"I was gonna make this fast," the guy said, reaching behind him, and that was when Harry realized he had another weapon, this one seeming to be a wicked-looking knife. "But if he gets help-"

He'd kill Harry slowly, yeah, whatever, he was super scary. "What the fuck do ye want with him anyway?" Harry snapped, trying to take advantage of the man's cockiness. If he thought Harry was not long for this world, he'd likely let some of his plan slip, provide some vital information Harry could use.

"I don't give a shit about him," the guy hissed, lashing out with both his weapons. "It's his grandfather that wants him done in. Can't have him gaining political favor from Prince Benjamin or Sardinia will never be free of his tainted blood."

If that wasn't the biggest crock of shit Harry had ever heard, he didn't know what was, and as such, he felt few compunctions making a furious lunge when the guy would expect him to stay on defense, and sure, it got him a nick in the side with that dark knife, but Harry managed to stab his own blade into the assassin's stomach, which was all he really needed.

"You shit," the man hissed, stumbling back a few steps and staring at the blade now protruding from him. "You fucking…"

"Guards!" Cogsworth called from the hallway, and in flooded the reinforcements Chad must have been able to rally. "Seize him!"

"Took ye fucking long enough," Harry gasped, a furious burning sensation running up his side. It hurt to breathe, and it took him far too long to realize why, until his legs were collapsing under him, like all his energy had been stolen away, his head spinning when the familiar curls of poison spread through his veins.

It had only ever happened to him once before, and back then, Uma had been able to cure him through her mother's old remedies and some practical healing applications. Now Harry was in Auradon, but the poison seemed to be working much faster, likely designed to kill him more efficiently than the homebrewed poisons created back on the Isle.

"Sonny?!" That was Chad's voice, Chad that completely bypassed his would-be assassin and made a beeline for Harry, who slowly crumpled to the ground. "Sonny, what's wrong?"

"His side," Evie said, because she was there too, Evie and Ben and Queen Belle, all looking down at Harry as Chad cradled Harry's head in his lap. "That looks…"

"Poison," Harry gasped, the words difficult to get out. "Chad's grandfather ordered this. He wanted-"

"Hush," Evie said, kneeling down by Harry's wounded side and digging through her purse with a pinched look. "Save your strength, Harry, you need to hold on."

"It's no good," Harry managed with monumental effort. "Princess, t-take care of them," he pled, because he could do nothing else. "Them and Chad, p-please."

"You're going to take care of them," Evie snapped as she pulled out a first aid kit. "Because you're going to be fine."

"Love ye," Harry murmured, his vision beginning to fade around the edges. He knew he shouldn't, but he was dying anyway, so what did it matter. "Love both of ye. Can- t-take care of Uma, please. Gilly, I…"

Things got dark, after at, and for all that they hurt, Harry couldn't help but find a sort of blessed relief. Yes, he was leaving, but death had always been his one guarantee in life.

Love though – it might make him soft, but to have that – it was a gift, one he never expected to have, and though he may be deplorable in his own way, at least he'd managed to get that.

The rest Uma would hopefully forgive him for. If not now, then in time.

-:-:-

Harry woke in slow, reluctant increments. His body felt mostly numb, heavy in the way it did when claimed by prolonged bouts of sleep, not that he'd experienced it often. The room around him was bright with the glow of natural lighting, the air fresh and bed underneath him comfortable, which spoke good things about where his new future would take him.

And then he looked over at who was occupying the chair positioned next to his bed and quickly reevaluated.

"Hey, looks who's awake!" Jonas cheered, too loud and too bright and seemingly out of place on the Auradon Castle furnishings. "Talk about sleeping beauty getting a real downgrade, am I right?"

"Ah, hell," Harry grumbled, his throat feeling hoarse from disuse. "I must have gone to the other place."

"Fucking fuck you too, Hook," Jonas cackled, his smile wide and bright. "Hey, Dessie, guess who decided to join the land of the living?!"

"Aw, did he wake up?" Desiree called back, seeming lost to the depths of the walk-in closet before she strolled back out, dressed in an assortment of accessories Evie and Ben had gotten for Harry. "I haven't finished trying on his pretty things yet."

"Incorrigible, the both of ye," Harry sighed, using what little strength he had to roll his eyes. It was important to distribute his energy appropriately. "What the hell happened?"

"Ye almost died saving a prince," Jonas chirped. "As a reward, they invited all us Wharf Rats off the Isle. Princess even negotiated to get Tremaine's kids off with us."

"They felt super bad since their security's supposed to be like, the best ever," Desiree said, swaying her skirt back and forth so she could watch the tassels on the fringed scarf she'd liberated sway in a fluttering dance. "I bet you could ask them for more stuff, like a tiara. Try and get a tiara."

"I don't need a fucking tiara," Harry hissed. "Get your head out of your ass. Now, where are the others?"

"That Prince Ben guy's trying to worm himself into Uma's good graces," Jonas chirped. "He's been sweet talking her and Princess in between all the time he spends staring at your dumb sleeping face."

"Princess had to make a schedule, since all of us wanted to be here with you," Desiree offered with a grin. "Gonzo's going to be so fucking mad you woke up after his turn."

"He'll learn to get over it," Harry muttered. "The others?"

"Don't worry, we've all been on our best behavior," Jonas soothed, answering the question Harry hadn't asked. "Captain made sure of it. We've all got guest quarters here, but most of us have taken to enjoying the gardens and shit when we're not with you."

"Or enjoying the bathrooms," Desiree hummed somewhat dreamily. "We can have baths with bubbles. My hair's so clean. Feel my hair!"

"Fine," Harry sighed, but obliged Desiree, since there wasn't all that much he would deny any of his crewmates. "It's very nice."

"It smells like cherries," she giggled. "I love it. I love Auradon."

"Yeah, it sucks a lot less now that we live here," Jonas agreed. "Uma has Gil watching after that blond prince of yours. We like him, he's sweet."

"And cute," Desiree murmured. "Good job, Harry."

"I'm not with him because he's cute," Harry muttered.

"Yeah, but that didn't hurt, right?" Jonas asked, his attention split between Harry and a phone he seemed to have on hand. "You want do to anything before we release the hoards? We're supposed to call captain as soon as you wake up, but if you want a few minutes to yourself for a pee break, we would understand."

"It would cost you this scarf," Desiree offered sagely. "But we could make it happen."

"Call Uma and help me to the bathroom," Harry muttered, seeing the logic in Jonas' suggestion. "And ye can keep the damn scarf."

"Yay!" Desiree cheered before accepting the phone from Jonas, the third mate sliding in to help Harry wobble towards the bathroom since apparently he wasn't actually dead.

By the time he was being eased back into his bed, the door to his room was flying open, and in came Uma, Evie, Prince Benjamin, and a doctor.

"Let the doc check him out first," Uma said, holding a hand to Ben's chest before he could surge forward and do… Harry didn't know what. "Then cuddle." She turned her attention to Jonas and Desiree. "You two, go update the rest of the crew." She narrowed her gaze at Desiree. "And take that stuff off."

"I gave her the scarf, captain," Harry said, pulling his shirt up so the doctor could check his bandage from where he'd gotten nicked. "Hell, she can have all of it."

"Yes," Desiree gasped before she skipped out into the hallway, out of Uma's reach before the captain could negate Harry's offer.

"You'll spoil her," Uma muttered, strolling up while the doctor checked his vitals.

Harry shrugged. "It's just clothes, captain. I can get more clothes."

The doctor spoke up before they could continue their conversation. "It looks like your fever's gone," he murmured, giving Harry a reassuring smile. "You are well on the road to recovery. Continue to take it easy for the next week, and then we can remove your staples. Rest, hydrate, and follow Mrs. Potts' diet, and you should be okay."

"Thank you, doctor," Ben said as the doctor packed up his things, giving them all a polite nod before he parted from them again.

There was a tense moment of silence before Uma rolled her eyes and shoved Ben towards the bed, the prince stumbling for a moment before giving her a startled look.

"Cuddle him," she ordered, narrowing her eyes before she pulled the guest chair out for Evie. "We all know you want to."

"Go for it, Ben," Evie encouraged, like that was a thing he actually wanted to do, and apparently it was because Ben sat down beside Harry with a hot flush, wrapping an arm around his shoulders with a tentative swallow.

"I'm so sorry," Ben gushed, nuzzling Harry's shoulder. "I'm so sorry. That never should have happened. There was a break in our security, and I promise it's being fixed, but the fact that you and Chad almost- that you almost died…" He let out a low rumble, his eyes squeezed shut with a sorrowful look. "I'm sorry. I can't- I don't have words for it."

"Hell, Ben," Harry muttered, heat flooding his cheeks at the prince's open sorrow. "Ye can't control everything that happens in this damn castle. Ye didn't send the assassin, so it sure as shit wasn't your fault."

"But we almost lost you," Ben murmured, holding Harry close. "You and Chad- losing any of you-" He rumbled again, this seeming less human, more beastly. "It's not acceptable."

"Glad to hear that," Uma said, her expression neutral. "And I'm glad to see you taking care of my first mate."

"I always would have," Ben said, sending her a mild glare before it softened, the prince seeming shocked by his response. "Sorry."

"You don't have to apologize for caring about what's mine, your highness," Uma murmured. "I only take the best, and Sonny's number one."

"Fuck yeah, I am," Harry said, feeling hot over the small compliment. It wasn't much, but it was more than enough for him. "Are ye okay, Princess?"

He knew what he'd said near the end was likely intense, but it'd been all he was able to offer in the moment. He didn't have anything else, so he'd laid it all out there.

It made him wince, thinking about it. About how he'd violated their business relationship.

She cut straight to the point, as was her way. "Did you mean it?"

Harry ducked his head, apologetic. "Yes. I'm sorry."

"You don't-" She cut off with a sniff, and belatedly he realized she was tearing up. "You don't have to apologize for that, Sonny, that's a gift. I knew you loved Chad and Uma; I didn't think you had room for me."

"I don't understand," Ben interrupted, brows drawn together in confusion. "I thought you two loved each other. I mean, and obviously Chad."

"It was more like a business arrangement," Harry said, deciding to come partially clean. The prince earned it, at this point. "Evie and I- we say we love each other just so we can know what it feels like, but we didn't mean it the same way we did with Chad." He swallowed. "At least, not until I got stabbed, so."

"I love you too," Evie said, her gaze entirely genuine, and he knew her now, knew her beneath the lies and manipulation, knew it was true. "But I was never going to push for it. I was never going to put you in the position where you felt you had to reciprocate."

"Evil," Harry muttered. "You're not that bad, Princess. You're nothing like your mom, or whatever ye think of yourself. Give yourself a damn break."

"You did a good job looking after them, princess," Uma added, carding an easy hand through Evie's hair. "We're in your debt, for now and always."

"No, you're not," Evie sniffed, dabbing carefully at her eyes with the tips of her fingers. "This is- we're even, here."

"Okay," Uma said, taking that for what it was worth. "But you don't get to hog Sonny anymore, you do know that, right?"

"I know." Evie nodded. "But Chad-"

"We won't force him into anything he doesn't want," Uma said. "But Sonny was ours first."

"Yours?" Ben echoed, seeming tense.

Uma gave him an unimpressed look. "Me and Gil."

Harry felt his blush spill down his chest. "Captain, ye don't have to-"

"We fucking want to," Uma muttered. "And we're in Auradon, so we can now, so-" She turned her attention back to Ben. "If you want in on this, you're going to start wooing a few extra people."

"Okay," Ben said, and he seemed satisfied with that, resolute, but-

"What?" Harry asked, entirely confused.

It was strange seeming Uma and Evie roll their eyes in perfect synchronicity.

"Ben's attracted to you and Chad," Evie explained. "He's been trying to woo you for weeks now."

"Ben's attracted to all of you," Ben corrected, making Evie's gaze go wide with surprise. "And he- I have been trying desperately to catch all three of your attention, and for someone who is very smart, you are having a difficult time picking that up."

"Me?" Evie echoed. "But I'm not even a proper princess."

"Yes, you are," Ben and Harry snapped at the same time, sharing a look with each other before turning their attention back to Evie.

"You are," Ben repeated. "You're smart and kind and thoughtful and talented, and there is not a thing that could have happened to you on the Isle that could have changed that."

"Aw, Ben," Evie sniffed, seeming really worked up now. "I… thank you."

"Evie." Ben ducked his head with a flush. "If anyone should be thanked right now, it's you guys. I mean, I thought I had everything planned out, and then I met you and it was like I didn't know anything at all. The three of you, made me see a side of life I'd never experienced before, because you didn't exist in any predetermined box. You dress how you want, care for who you want, act how you want, but through all that you're not mad at the rest of the crowd for doing things the way they always have. You embrace everyone for exactly who they are. You are, the Auradon I want to see in the future."

"Good," Uma said, her voice tinged with approval. "Now remember to tell that to Chad when he gets here. Accompany it with a lot of snuggles, because that guy deserves them."

"Let him get a voice recording too," Harry offered. "He likes those. Likes having solid proof."

"Then he shall have it," Ben declared, which was good because in the next moment, Chad and Gil burst through the door.

"Sonny!" Chad shouted, darting across the room and throwing himself across the bed until he could crawl up to Harry's free side. Despite his enthusiasm, he was careful when he approached Harry, nuzzling his shoulder and wrapping a tentative arm around his waist. "Sonny, you almost died because of me, I'm so- you should have let them take me, I wouldn't have minded, it would have been okay."

"I would have minded," Harry growled, wrapping an arm around the blond and dragging him close.

"We all would have minded," Evie said, her gaze firm.

"Even I would have minded and I've only known you like, three days," Gil chirped, shifting uneasily near the side of the bed, unsure of where to go. "So I'm glad Harry saved you, even though I'm sad he got hurt."

"Get in here, Gilly," Harry said, motioning the blond on with a tilt of his head.

Gil didn't need to be told twice, content to splay himself across Harry's legs so he could nuzzle his stomach. "I missed you so much," he murmured, eyes squeezing tight. "I tried really hard to be a good first mate but I spent the first few weeks you were gone crying myself to sleep because you weren't there anymore to wear your coats or correct me when I did stuff wrong or fight with us and I missed you so much."

"I missed ye too," Harry said, using his free hand to pet through Gil's hair. "I'm glad you're here now."

"Me too," Gil sniffed, shivering at his attentions. "You um- need to hug and kiss Chad though, because he feels really bad even though it's not his fault his grandpa's evil. I tried to tell him that, because it's not our fault our parents are evil, but he still thinks he's the worst."

"Gil," Chad whined, like he'd told the pirate that in confidence.

"He's right, darlin'," Harry said, brushing his forehead against Chad's. "Nothing that happened was your fault. Not the fact that ye were targeted or the fact that your grandfather doesn't like ye. I don't regret defending ye and I never will, because ye are sweet, enthusiastic, and kind, and I love the hell out of ye."

"Sonny," Chad murmured, melting into his hold. "I love you so much."

"Then that works out, doesn't it?" Harry grinned, and even though he was pretty sure his breath was terrible, Chad didn't hesitate to kiss him, eager to cling against Harry's side.

"Aw, you two are real pretty together," Gil said when they pulled apart, his cheeks heated in a light flush. "I'm happy for you."

"T-Thanks, Gil," Chad said, ducking his head bashfully. "You're um- cute too."

"Really?" Gil perked up. "Thank you! That means a lot, coming from you."

Throughout the course of the conversation, a steady blush seemed to spill across the bridge of Ben's nose, the prince seeming entirely enraptured with Gil and Chad's dynamic.

It spoke good things for the future, even if Harry honestly didn't get what Ben saw in him.

"Chad," Evie interrupted, her voice gentle. "There were some things Ben wanted to talk to you about when you're ready for it – things he already covered with us."

Chad tensed. "Bad things?" he asked, his voice small.

"Good things," Harry reassured him with another squeeze. "Things I think will make you very happy."

"Oh." Chad blinked. "Then we can- I mean, can I cuddle with Sonny for a little bit, first?"

"I think that is definitely a fair request," Gil hummed, seeming to melt into Harry's legs.

It was maybe fifteen minutes of solid reassurance before Ben led Chad and Evie away for the conversation, Evie pulling out her phone to ensure Chad had a recording.

In the meantime, Uma and Gil cuddled Harry on the bed, for once not having to put up a front or hide their affection for each other.

"You did it, Harry," Gil mumbled against his side. "You got us to Auradon."

"Princess got us to Auradon," Harry muttered, cheeks flushing dark when Uma stroked the side of his face. "I just followed orders, same as always."

"You wooed a prince," Uma reminded him. "Two princes. And a princess."

"Three," Harry said, figuring he may as well go for broke as he stroked through Gil's hair. "And two princesses. Ye two are royalty to me."

"Aw, Harry," Gil sighed, holding him close. "You're the best."

"He's mine," Uma hummed. "So of course he is."

"Sonny!" Chad interrupted before they could continue. "Did you know Ben has been trying to woo us this whole time?"

"He might have mentioned it," Harry said, offering the amazed blond a small grin. "That make ye happy?"

"Very," Chad admitted with a flush. "But Evie said that um- that you guys- Miss Captain and Mr. Gil-"

"If Sonny loves you, we love you," Uma said, opening her arm out to Chad. "Simple as that."

"Oh wow," Chad said, sitting next to her cautiously before he melted into her side, his eyes wet with moisture. "I thought I was going to spend my whole life alone because something must be wrong with me, but now it's like I have everything."

"Not alone," Ben rumbled, wrapping himself around Chad's back while Gil tugged Evie down on the bed next to him, letting them create a cozy pile. "Never alone. We'll never let that happen."

"And that's a promise, sweetheart," Uma said, pressing a kiss to Chad's flushed cheek.

"What a lucky person I am," Chad marveled with no amount of irony.

Harry smiled, true and unabashedly, feeling like the entire world was at his fingers. "That's a sentiment I feel every day."

And damned if it wasn't true.

-:-:-

"So," Ben said later when they had transitioned to the couch, the prince flushed from being allowed the opportunity to finally kiss them, and while Harry had known he'd been chasing after Chad all these months, and maybe Evie more recently, he hadn't realized the brunette had also had an eye on Harry and was just as eager to act on that crush. "Harry?"

"Oh." Harry blinked, realizing there were still some holes that needed to be filled in. "That's my other nickname."

"He's Harry when he's a boy and Sonny when he's a girl," Gil offered, smiling brightly as he was allowed to cuddle Chad to his heart's content, the blond prince seeming to entirely reciprocate that happiness.

"So you don't always consider yourself a girl?" Ben asked. "Or was that a necessity of the Isle?"

"Ben," Harry sighed. "I've never considered myself a girl."

When the brunette startled, Evie spoke up. "That was a ploy to get us off the Isle," she explained. "Which, granted, it worked, but if you want to go back to how you used to dress…"

Harry shrugged, looking off to the side. "I've gotten used to it now," he muttered. "May um- like it. At least parts of it."

He wasn't going to pretend he was a hundred percent on board with being corseted, but the other stuff was fun.

"You're allowed to do that," Uma said. "Dress however you want, Harry, Sonny – what the fuck ever. You can bounce back and forth for all we care."

"It's true," Ben said, taking this information surprisingly well. "We'd support you either way."

"You're not mad?" Harry asked, his brows furrowed in confusion.

"Based on what you've told me about the Isle, no," Ben said, because over the weeks they'd been together, they hadn't held back their explanations when Ben presented questions to them as to how the Isle functioned. "You were just trying to survive, and when you did get over here, one of the first things you did was take care of Chad. It's not like you did anything actively vindictive, you were just trying to live."

"Good to know some of you Auradon schmucks have common sense," Uma muttered. "Now apply that understanding to every other kid on the Isle."

"I know, I know," Ben sighed. "We're working on it, I promise."

"You'd better," Uma muttered. "Can't have one of my boyfriends actively encouraging the unjust confinement of innocent civilians. That shit's evil, and we are straight up good guys now."

Harry was pretty sure despite being somewhat insulted, or at least threatened, Ben definitely had stars in his eyes when he looked at Uma, something that was openly adoring and wonderous that he was fortunate enough to have a person like her exist in his life. Let alone actually date him.

Ben ducked his head. "I suspect you've always been good guys, Uma."

"Yes," Uma hummed with narrowed eyes. "Yes we fucking have."

"Just take pity on him and kiss him, captain," Harry said, drawing his legs up to hide a sudden interest. Now that his body was more awake and over the shock of his brush with death, it seemed intent to happily respond to the months' absence he'd had from Uma's fiery personality.

"Ben," Uma drawled, "Drag Harry into your lap, would you?"

"Uma," Harry grumbled, flushing dark when he was pulled into the tall prince's lap.

"Three months apart and you think I'm gonna miss when you're horny?" Uma challenged. "Fuck no. If you're feeling up for it, there's no way in hell I am not taking advantage of this."

"I'm up for it," Harry said, swallowing hard. "If um- if ye don't-"

"Ben, stick your hand down his pants," Uma ordered, the first mate whimpering when Ben didn't hesitate to do so. "Anything you want in particular, Princess?"

"I think I'm good with watching for now," Evie hummed, watching over their interactions with a fond smile. "Chad, Gil, feel free to have fun."

"If um- I may?" Gil asked, hovering a hand over Chad's groin, and if the hand Ben had on him hadn't been close to taking Harry apart, the blond prince's bashful nod may have done it, coupled with a lovely flush when Gil cupped a broad hand between Chad's legs.

"Yes," Uma said, looking over the lot of them like a pirate that had found their treasure. "This is the life."

"Yeah," Ben sighed, happily sucking on the curve of Harry's neck. "Agreed."

There wasn't much more to it than that.

-:-:-

Endnotes:

Next update will be actually be on either Thursday or Friday, depending on how things go. December 2nd (Friday) is my writing anniversary and I always try to post something on that day. Not sure if I want to make you guys wait that long, so we might have an early anniversary celebration. I don't know, it all depends on how this week goes :)

Good news – next story is a long one featuring our favorite golden retriever, Chad! It's an AU that doesn't actually take place in Auradon (for the most part), but trust that there will be plenty of magic, as well as most of your favorite characters :)

If that sounds good to you, keep an eye out for 'This is My Idea of Love'.

Story notes:

You're welcome for not having a cliffhanger after the attack. The wordcount didn't work out this time around, but I think we also all know that I wasn't actually going to let Harry die. Realistically, it would have been a bigger plot twist if I had ;)

Until next time :)

-:-:-

"I'm strictly a female female, and my future I hope will be, in the home of a brave and free male, who'll enjoy being a guy, having a girl like me." – 'I Enjoy Being a Girl' from Flower Drum Song.