Gil couldn't stop humming to himself the next morning. Together with his mates he collected planks and other materials to repair the broken ship. Uma and Harry were mostly fighting against the water that kept pouring in. They tried to find a way to remove the broken and rotten pieces of wood so that they could be replaced with new ones. But the ship would most likely sink if the hole in the ship would get any bigger.

Gil didn't interfere with their plans. He wasn't even paying much attention to his own work. Jay was all he could think about, humming and singing the entire morning, making his crew mates look up in surprise. Uma wasn't surprised at all. His glowing face warmth her heart, knowing he deserved all the happiness he got. It also broke her heart knowing Harry was right last evening, this happiness could end real quick if things didn't end well. She didn't show any of this to Gil and smiled back at him when he looked her way.

Gil wasn't tired at all when they all sat back at the deck, enjoying their well-deserved break. Gil immediately grabbed his phone, reading Jay's very first text message to him. It was a very simple 'Good morning' with a little icon of the sun. Somehow it made Gil smile and he immediately replied, wishing Jay good morning and asking if he had slept well. Gil decided to sit down in the sunlight, happy to feel the warmth on his skin. It was a sunny day again, with no sign that autumn was getting nearer. Gil closed his eyes for a bit, enjoying the soft breeze on his face, when his phone already started buzzing.

Gil immediately picked it up again, glowing to see that Jay already replied. He had slept well and asked Gil what he was doing this morning. Gil replied happily about the ship and the repairs it had to undergo. He send the text and within seconds got a response. Gil noticed he had to laugh. Texting was something he had to get used to. He wasn't the best at spelling and his fingers seemed to be too big, which cause him to push the wrong letter again and again. He knew he was making a lot of spelling mistakes, but Jay didn't seem to mind, still replying seconds after Gil had hit send. Gil clung to the little machine. It was amazing to be able to talk to Jay, even when they were apart. Gil didn't even notice Harry walking towards him. Harry had to clear his throat before Gil finally looked up.

"I've known you for many years now, but something just happened for the very first time," Harry said.

"Yes, I have my first conversation through text," Gil proclaimed excited. Harry narrowed his eyes for a bit. He didn't have to guess who was receiving Gil's messages.

"Congratulations, but not what I meant. Someone wrote you a letter," Harry said, showing Gil the envelope. It made Gil forget about his phone and he jumped up. "I have no idea which fish brain would send you a letter, though. You can't even read."

"Yes I can," Gil responded offended. "I'm texting with Jay right now." Gil pointed at his phone as if he tried to prove his point. Harry just rolled his eyes, while he already opened the envelope.

"You really didn't had to confirm it's Jay," Harry said annoyed.

"The letter is from Jay?"

Harry stopped opening the letter, just to give Gil an intense stare. "If it is I will rip it up right on the spot," Harry threatened, making Gil silently nod.

Harry pulled the letter from the envelope and scanned it quickly. His eyes grew wider for a moment.

"It's from your dad," Harry declared.

"My dad send me a letter?" Gil's voice sounded confused, yet hopeful and excited. "Tell me, what does it say?" Harry quickly took a step back, making sure Gil couldn't snatch it out of his hands. Gil impatiently waited for a response, still trying to sneaky glance over.

"He wants to meet up," Harry finally said.

"When?" Gil immediately responded. Harry looked up from the letter.

"It doesn't matter," Harry said. "He wants information about King Ben and the castle, which we don't really have."

Gil still took the piece of paper out Harry's hand, quickly reading it as well. A frown appeared on his face, mumbling the words to himself. Harry raised his eyebrows, wondering if Gil would be able to decipher the terrible handwriting in which the letter was written.

"He wants to meet me at where?" Gil's frown got possible even deeper as he moved the letter closer to his face. "I don't know this place."

"Dawn," Harry answered, pleased he was right after all. "He wants to meet you at dawn." For a second Gil stared at the paper again, when a glimpse of understanding appeared on his face.

"Later on he says where," Harry continued. "At the end of the bridge, Auradon side."

Gil nodded that he understood. He still seemed proud that he had been able to read the letter. Or at least most of it. "So we got an entire day to gather some information."

Harry sighed, taking the paper from Gil again. "Follow me."

Gil nodded and followed Harry without question, dogging a few crew mates that were laying around on the deck. Harry didn't mind them and just gave a quick signal to Uma. She nodded and the three walked into the little cabin of the ship. Inside Harry immediately gave the letter to Uma and she read it quickly. Gil still waited impatiently. He wanted to follow his dad's instructions as soon as possible, trying to meet up to his expectations. Uma laid the letter on her desk and then leaned against it.

"Gil," Uma started, getting the boy's attention. "Last night Harry and I decided that we won't side with Gaston." Gil's excitement disappeared and instead showed a mix of confusion and fear.

"What?" Gil slowly said, looking back to Uma. He then glanced over at Harry, searching for some kind of clarification. A crooked smile appeared on Gil's face as he frowned a little. He didn't believe he understood it correctly. Harry softly sighed as he walked over to Uma and also leaned against the desk, showing Gil he actually heard and understood it right for once. Gil stood there for a moment, blinking quickly as he stared at his two best friends.

"This can't be right," Gil said after a while. "No one says no to Gaston."

Harry rolled his eyes. "And yet we will," Harry sighed. Before Gil could respond, Harry quickly grabbed the letter from the desk and waved the piece of paper in his hand. "And now that we have this letter, it will be simple. We go back to the castle and hand them the letter. We tell Mal and Ben this is the first thing we heard from this whole taking over Auradon plan. Or we just tell them we didn't take Junior and Trip serious at first. You know, because Gil can't lie and is not able to keep secrets either." Harry stopped for a moment, awaiting if Gil would respond or not. Gil still stood there with a frown on his face.

"They can put an ambush for Gaston," Harry continued after a while. "We let them capture Gaston in the morning. And bam, all our problems solved and nobody needs to know." Uma already nodded in agreement, but Gil's eyes widened with each word.

"That's not fair," Gil started to object the plan. Uma raised her eyebrows. It sounded like the perfect plan to her.

"You can't just lead my dad in an ambush," Gil continued.

"Why not?" Harry asked annoyed.

"He's my dad. I would betray him if we did this."

"You would be betraying him?" Uma asked, raising her eyebrows. "He forced you into this mess. I say it's his own fault."

"You guys don't understand," Gil responded, his voice cracking up a bit. "My dad is going to be really mad. No one says no to Gaston." Harry just rolled with his eyes, hearing the same argument again and again.

"Besides, my dad will never fall for an ambush," Gil desperately continued. "I tell you guys, betraying my dad is a bad idea."

"So you want us to side with Gaston and help him conquer Auradon?" Harry asked back with this challenging look in his eyes that Gil didn't like. "Let him kill the old Beast and King Ben? Because let's be fair, they're dead meat if Gaston wins. After that he probably forces Belle to marry him. Who knows what will happen with the rest of Auradon. But honestly, why should we even care about all that. We're his allies. At least… Please tell me again what happened to LeFou after he left Gaston."

Gil was lost for words for a moment. He hadn't really thought about the consequences if his dad would win. In fact he hadn't thought much about anything else than Jay and the pirate crew. Gil turned his head towards Uma. Her slight smile was compassionate, but her eyes were strict. Harry was right.

"I just don't think it's a good idea to betray my dad," Gil softly responded.

Uma looked back up at him. She hadn't seen Gil so determined before. He always just followed his orders, but this time he seemed to refuse to do so. Uma then glanced over at Harry. It was obvious something had been bothering him the past few days. She wasn't certain what it was, but Gil had definitely something to do with it. Uma decided to step in between, taking charge of the conversation again.

"Harry and I really thought this through," Uma said, turning towards Gil. "We realize that with the help of Gaston we could raise an army big enough to overtake Auradon. But we also risk all what we've accomplished so far. The barrier is down and we're finally free. Mal seems to be finally coming around. Honestly, I still don't trust her, but I don't trust Gaston either."

Harry sneered in the background, making both Uma and Gil look up at him. "Let's be honest now, we both can't stand that guy. Or your brothers for that matter."

"Harry," Uma already warned him. From the very start they agreed they would be objective about the matter, leaving Gil's upbringing out of this. It seemed like Harry was ignoring their agreement, as he pushed himself away from the desk and took a step towards Gil.

"From the very start they've treated you like garbage," Harry declared, his eyes wide open. "They beat you up, threw you out, kicked you down. And now we should help them?"

"Harry, that's enough," Uma quickly said. Harry send a quick glance towards Uma, but immediately had his eyes set on Gil again.

"You really believe I didn't think about it?" Gil softly responded. Harry narrowed his eyes as he noticed the hurtful expression on Gil's face. He knew it took a lot to actually offend Gil, but he got the feeling he somehow succeeded. "I did think about it. I know my dad always gets what he wants and for once he wants my help. He would never accept it if I would ignore his orders."

"I told you, you have a choice here," Harry said back to him.

"No, you don't get it," Gil answered, raising his voice a little. "If I don't do this, he will hunt us down. Even if they manage to capture him in an ambush, my dad will find a way. I would bring us all in danger."

"So it was inevitable from the start?" Harry answered, raising his voice as well. "Then what about Jay?" Gil went silent again when Harry dropped that name. Uma stood between the two boys, watching them closely.

"I think that's more than enough," Uma said strict to both of them, but mostly Harry. "We will compromise the plan. We won't go to Gaston's bidding tomorrow. Not showing up should give him a clear hint which side we're on, but also gives him a chance to flee back to the Isle. After that we bring the letter to Mal and tell her about Gaston's plan." The infuriated look on Harry's face let her own he didn't agree with the plan. It probably didn't take long before he would explode.

"My dad should never learn about Jay and our relationship," Gil suddenly responded to Harry, ignoring Uma altogether. He hadn't been listening to Uma at all. His mind was drifting far away to the guy that had changed his world completely the last couple of weeks.

"So we're going to break his heart then? I'm all for it, honestly," Harry responded uncompassionately.

A deep frown appeared on Uma's face as she noticed they both ignored her suggestion completely. It was all about Jay again, she should've known.

"Then I have just one more question for you," Harry said, taking another step towards Gil.

Uma quickly put her hand on his chest, making him stop in his trace. He didn't look down at her, even though he was well aware of her hand on his chest and how close she was. It made him hesitate for a moment. But having her so close also made him feel even more distant.

"Why did you do it?" Harry sneered to Gil. "I told you to keep your distance from Jay. But no. Somehow you felt the need to get all lovey-dovey spring time with him."

"I never meant to do this," Gil defended himself. "I never meant to kiss him. It just happened." Harry already shook his head and snorted in disbelief.

"I thought about that too, you know," Gil continued. "How my dad would disapprove of it. How I turned out just like him by forcing myself on Jay. But you know, when I told Jay he said that he wanted it to happen again. So it happened again. I never meant to. I just wanted to spend some time with him as long as we could. You know, before we would turn into enemies again."

"Yes, and now you've turned it into a bigger mess than it ever had to be," Harry suddenly yelled up to him. "Because of it both you and Jay are in bigger danger than you needed to be."

Uma pushed Harry back again, growling his name. It wasn't uncommon for Harry to suddenly start yelling, but it was very unusual for him to talk to Gil like that. Gil didn't even step back. His eyes were just filled with guilt.

"I know I messed up," Gil softly responded. "It just felt so right with him. I could finally be myself, you know. Being here. Just being here with Jay is the best thing that has ever happened to me."

Harry swore he could feel a knife penetrating his heart when hearing Gil's words. For a moment he just stared at this person who stood opposite of him. This guy that he had known since they were kids. He swallowed the lump in his throat, while pushing back the tears. He then walked up to Gil, abandoning Uma's touch. He moved closer to him, until their faces were just a few inches away from each other. "Let me tell you something, Gil. Things like that never 'just happen'."

For a moment Harry finally looked back at Uma. As if he just noticed she was there as well. Before she could respond Harry turned around and stormed out of the cabin, slamming the door behind him.

Gil stood there, his eyes wide, staring at the door in which Harry just disappeared. He didn't understand. When Harry was mad at him, he usually send him away to get some time out. It was never Harry himself that left, definitely not in that manner. Gil tried to follow him, but he stopped as he felt how Uma grabbed his arm.

"Let him cool down for a little bit," Uma ordered him. "Harry won't be mad for long, you know how he is."

Uma let go of his arm and went to sit behind her desk. Her composed expression worked calming on Gil as he softly breathed out. Deep down Uma was worried. Something was definitely bottling up in Harry and she didn't like it. She could also see the miserable expression on Gil's face. She assumed there was still a war going on in his head.

"Come over here," Uma said softly. Gil looked up at her and slowly took a few steps towards her desk. "I heard you, but it didn't change my mind. We're still saying no to Gaston, whatever his rule on that might be." Gil nodded slowly, he got his orders. "Now tell the others their break is over. The ship will never be ready when they're just laying around on deck all day."

Gil nodded again. He turned around and just walked out of the cabin. A bright sunlight greeted him immediately, but for Gil the sky seemed grey. He looked around, but he couldn't find Harry anywhere. It was probably best to follow Uma's orders and just go back to work. Gil first grabbed his phone from his pocket to read Jay's latest text.

"You're free tonight? There'll be a full moon." Followed by a little icon off a moon.

For a moment Gil just stood there with his phone in his hand. It wasn't just because it took him awhile before he understood Jay's text, but also because he had no idea how to respond. Gil knew he should say no to Jay's invitation, knowing it wouldn't improve the situation they were already in. But then he realized this could be their last time together before turning into enemies again. Gil couldn't risk to throw away their last chance to be together. He slowly typed his response, even though it was just three letters long.

"Yes!"