"We're almost there," Jay said, breaking the peaceful silence while he and Gil still walked hand in hand. "Just around the corner."
Gil looked up in excitement. He had been longing to see the Enchanted Lake for a while now. He just knew it would be just as wonderful as the last two places they had been to. And indeed it was. The trees parted and a beautiful lake appeared in front of them, a dark blue with a welcoming silver glistering of the moonlight. The lake surrounded a little hill, which appeared as a dark shadow in front of the clear blue sky. From the hill fell a mythical waterfall, which reflected the silver light of the moon and rushed down in the lake. Thousands stars and a bright full moon shone above them, making the scenery even more magical.
"Wow," Gil slowly said to himself. "I've never seen so many stars before."
"You want a closer look?" Jay asked, making Gil turn towards him.
"Are we going to climb a mountain again?" Gil asked, already having a excited ring in his voice.
"I wouldn't call this a mountain," Jay answered. He held Gil's hand even tighter, leading him towards the hill. "But yes, it's a little climb to the top."
Together they took the first steps uphill, careful not to trip in the dark. The path became less steep when they entered a little cave. Darkness welcomed them when they were surrounded by the rocks of the hill. To their right fell the waterfall, to which a little bit of light shone through. Gil realized they walked directly underneath the rushing water, with only the rocks above them that saved them for getting wet. Gil let his hand run through the falling water, making his glove entirely wet in the process. The water was cool, but not yet cold.
"Watch your steps," Jay warned in front of him. "Stones can get slippery here."
"I can't see a thing, honestly," Gil said, searching his way in the dark. The only thing he was able to see was the falling water at his side.
Gil still held Jay's hand, making sure they wouldn't get separated. Jay led the way, walking slowly while searching their way in the dark by touching the moist wall of the cave. He had been here in the dark before, but it was still hard to navigate at this part. They indeed didn't see anything, except for the gliding water on their right. Fortunately the cave was high enough, so they didn't need to be afraid to bump their heads. However, they had to be careful not to slip over any wet stones underneath their feet.
"We're going for a little climb up ahead," Jay instructed Gil. "Don't worry, it won't be as rough as the last one."
"I'm not worried," Gil said back to him. "I just hope you won't completely go out of breath like last time." Jay could hear the genuine concern in Gil's voice, but he still felt offended.
"Last time I was unprepared," he defended himself. "And besides, I still made it."
"Barely," Gil immediately said back. "I didn't notice until you laid down on the top, though. I honestly expected you to be tougher than that."
Jay suddenly stood still, causing Gil to bump into him.
"Why did we stop?" Gil asked, not able to see the offended glance on Jay's face. Jay took his chance and with a quick movement splashed water in Gil's face. Jay could hear Gil snorting in response.
"That's what you get," Jay said strict.
"For what?" Gil asked, whipping his face off with his wet glove. Jay blinked with his eyes in confusion. Gil spoke as if he really wondered why he deserved the punishment.
"You made it sound like you think I'm weak," Jay explained.
"What? No, that's not what I meant at all?"
"You didn't?"
"Of course not. Why would I think you're weak? That's more something my dad would say." Gil silenced himself with his own words, suddenly being reminded about his dad and their appointment the next day.
"You can splash me back then," Jay said, dragging Gil away from his thoughts.
"What?" Gil answered, clearly confused by Jay's words.
"You can splash me back," Jay repeated. "If you say you didn't mean to offend me. You still choose your words very poorly, though."
It went silent again, only the rushing water and the splash at the end of the waterfall could be heard. Gil didn't want to get back at Jay, didn't feel the need to do so. He just wanted him close again. Gil slowly reached towards Jay, careful exploring the dark until he found Jay's face. Suddenly Jay squealed, quickly hitting Gil's hand away from his face. It took a while before Gil realized what had happened.
"I'm sorry, I totally forgot my glove is drenched," Gil quickly apologized.
"You really expect me to believe that?" Jay said. Gil was glad to hear a little chuckle in Jay's voice. He wasn't mad at him, at least. "You definitely got me there. I didn't expect that."
"Believe me, I didn't intend to get back at you," Gil continued pleading.
"Of course not," Jay said sarcastically. He splashed some more water in Gil's face. "There! Didn't mean for that to happen either."
For a moment Gil just stood there, not even bothering to wipe the water from his face. It took him a few seconds to realize Jay was challenging him, but totally different than he was used to. His brothers were always challenging him, mostly intending to really hurt him. Shoving him aside, calling him names, pushing him down if he wasn't able to do a certain thing. On the pirate crew it had been the same story, humiliating and provoking him. At least they wouldn't go so far as beating him up. This time it was just a little splash of water in his face.
Gil could feel how Jay pulled on his arm, still holding his hand. They were going to continue their way. Gil was confused once more, trying to comprehend why Jay gave up so easily. Gil let his hand run underneath the stream of water again. He made a little bowl of his hand, to detain as much water as possible. With a quick movement Gil threw the water over Jay. Gil could hear Jay cursing and he turned around immediately. Gil stood still, unsure about what would happen next.
"That was an accident too?" Jay joked in the dark. Gil smiled relieved as he heard the little chuckle in his voice once more.
"Yes, it was?" Gil answered as truthful as he could. This time he could see Jay's hand reaching for the waterfall. Gil decided to block it with his arm, making the splashing water miss its target. Gil tried to get back at him for real this time. It didn't take long before the two boys were splashing water in each other face and trying to block the other.
Jay wanted to be smart, maneuvering his body closer to the waterfall so that Gil wouldn't be able to reach the water anymore. For a split second he forgot the slippery stones underneath his feet, an underground he wasn't used to. Gil could feel Jay slipping away and he quickly pulled on Jay's hand. He let himself fall against the rocky wall as Jay fell into his arms. His wet glove once more on Jay's face, but this time Jay didn't push it away. Gil found Jay's lips in the dark and softly kissed him.
"See? This is what I meant to do," Gil said softly, carefully striking his fingers through Jay's hair. Gil swear he could feel Jay smiling up to him as he made their noses touch again.
"I believe you," Jay softly spoke to him and kissed him back.
'There he was again,' Jay thought when he was softly kissing Gil. He only had to hold that hand and he wouldn't fall down anymore. Gil would always pull him right back on his feet again.
Jay parted from their kiss, playfully pushing himself away from Gil. He couldn't get the grin of his face while they continued their way, the grasps on their hands even tighter than before. Jay could see the light at the end of the tunnel and for a moment was blinded by the bright moonlight. He turned around and saw Gil blinking his eyes as well. They finally could look at each other again. Gil could see the bright smile on the other boy's face, a few strains of hair out of place due to their little playfight.
Jay let go of his hand for a moment, just so he could climb over a few stones. Gil followed him, noticing how the stars shone even brighter when they reached the top. The hill was indeed not as high, considering the top of the hill had about the same height as the swaying trees around it. Gil looked to the sky, realizing it was impossible to count all the little lighting dots. He'd heard there were countless stars, he'd just never seen them before.
For a moment Jay gazed upon Gil once more. He was beautiful in the moonlight, even though sunshine still fit him better. Then again, Jay had to admit, every kind of light would probably look beautiful on Gil. Because it wasn't the light, but his undying wonder and that blissful smile on his face that made him so wonderful to look at. Jay sighed happily, before deciding he would lay down on the rocky surface of the hill. He knew his neck would start to hurt when he looked up at the stars while standing up.
"I've never seen the stars so bright before," Gil said, taking it all in. He followed Jay's example and laid flat on the mountain top, folding his arms underneath his head.
"I know, it's beautiful," Jay said, while laying besides Gil. "It's because we're far away from other sources of light, like houses. The stars are better visible then."
"Really?" Gil responded beside him. "I thought it was because we sit on a mountain. I mean, the closer you get, the better you see things, right?"
"I don't think that rule applies on stars," Jay said chuckling. "They're so far away that such small distance like this hill won't matter that much."
Gil frowned towards the stars above him, suddenly wondering how far away they were. "I don't know," he concluded out loud. "I just know they're so much more beautiful than back on the Isle. I barely saw any stars there, always the same dark clouds hanging over the island."
Jay glanced over to Gil. He didn't look sad when talking about the Isle, but there was still this saddening undertone in his voice.
"Hey Jay, what would be the best spot to look at the stars?" Gil suddenly asked. All the sadness had disappeared again, as Gil looked back at Jay with this exciting glance in his eyes. Jay had to wake himself from the trance Gil had put him in.
"I heard stars are best seen in the middle of the desert," Jay answered the question after a while. "First of all the sky is very clear there. Not a single cloud in the sky. And secondly, there isn't another source of light in miles."
Gil smiled up to the stars again, just happy to listen to Jay's voice.
"The desert," Gil softly repeated for himself. "That's the really hot place with just sand, right?"
"It is," Jay answered.
"Have you ever seen it?"
"Actually no," Jay answered, while his thoughts slowly drifted away. "Even though I'm from there."
Gil turned towards him again, a deep frown on his face. "You come from the desert, but you've never seen it?"
Jay laughed softly at Gil's misconception. He'd always had to be careful with his words when Gil was around.
"I come from Agrabah," Jay explained to him. "Well actually, that's where my dad comes from. It's an amazing city in the middle of the desert. Or at least that's what I'm told. Like I said, never been there myself."
"It sounds amazing," Gil said, smiling towards the stars again. "I bet the sand is also a lot better to lay on than these rocks." Jay laughed as he watched Gil stretched his body and sat upright again.
"Hey, we should go there," Gil said enthusiastic, softly hitting Jay against his leg.
"What?"
"You know, after we explore the jungle and the icebergs. We should go to the desert as well. Oh man, there are so many things we could do in this… What did you call it? Gap year? Yea, gap year!" Gil smiled down on him, while Jay blinked back at him. He went to sit upright too, while a million thoughts ran through his mind.
"Actually, I already had plans to go to Sherwood Forest," Jay answered. "After graduating I will be leaving to an university there to train to be a professional tourney player."
"Oh," Gil softly responded. He looked away for a moment, staring at his hands, before he turned to Jay again. "But we're still going to see the jungles and the icebergs, right? We have to see those penguins."
Jay had to smile again at Gil's enthusiasm. He wanted to say yes, jumping head first in this crazy adventure with him. He remembered the day when the barrier had broken down. How happy he was Gil had returned. It was an euphoria that had come rushing over him. Back then he didn't understand, in the meantime he figured he probably had already fallen in love with him. It was in that heat of the moment when he suggested to do a gap year, so he and Gil could explore the world together. He had loved it how happily, without even a second thought, Gil had accepted his invitation. It had been a heat of the moment thing, but apparently not for Gil, as he looked at Jay with the same excitement he had on that particular day.
Jay stared back at the stars for a moment. He hadn't even given it much thought since that day. Maybe he should've, but it just sounded like a dream to begin with. Not really useful to put too much thought into a daydream.
"Jay?" Gil's voice made Jay turn back towards him. His enthusiasm had changed in this saddened glance all over his face. His eyes even a little hurt, scared that Jay's hesitation was a rejection.
But Jay wanted to go. He wanted to stay with Gil and see the same wonder in his eyes. He wanted to see Gil's smile when he saw his first penguin or how proud Gil would be to climb in the tallest tree and tame the wildest river in the jungle. He wanted to see it all and he wanted to hold Gil's hand through it all. Holding him close and kissing him on every occasion. Now that he had him, he didn't ever want to let him go. Besides that, Jay couldn't stand the sad glance in Gil's eyes. It didn't suit him. Jay came closer and was glad that Gil still let him kiss him. Jay softly touched his shoulder, finally finding an answer.
"I have to make a few arrangements first," Jay said softly.
"I know," Gil answered. "You have to graduate first."
Jay smiled up to him, glad Gil understood. He couldn't tell Gil yet he may had to graduate from college first too. And after that focusing on his tourney carrier, leaving their little daydream behind. It still felt strange to Jay that somehow this little daydream seemed more important than his goal to become a professional tourney player.
This is the first part of a much larger chapter. In the end I decided to split the chapter in two, because I don't want my chapters to be too long. Second part will be uploaded within a few days.
The information about Jay wanting to go to Sherwood University comes from a deleted scene from Descendants 3. During the scene Jay says he wants to go there because their tourney team is really good. Knowing Jay already had these plans it's kind of strange that he suddenly wants to add a gap year to explore the world with Gil. But we all know why Jay suddenly changed his mind.
