Gil sat on the railing of the Lost Revenge, looking out over the docks, searching for any sign of Jay's return. He just had an entire lecture from Uma, basically telling him how stupid he had been. Firstly because he went after his father on his own. Secondly because he made matters much worse with Mal. Gil hated it when people were yelling at him. First it had been his dad telling him how useless he was. Then Mal, demanding to get all the information she wanted. Then Uma and hopefully Jay would be next. Well, he didn't want Jay to start yelling at him, but it would be better than this silence. Wondering if he would come back at all.
Harry had been staring at Gil from a distance for a while. He understood how he must feel, waiting for him to come back, not even sure if he would return at all. Harry could feel his blood boiling, already cursing Jay. He would make him pay if he would break Gil's heart as well. He would put him in a bag filled with stones and let it sink to the bottom of the sea. He had no faith in Jay at all, even though he had seen Jay standing at Gil's side this morning, saving him from his dad.
Harry also cursed himself, since he almost had been too late. After a long night he had come back to the ship, immediately being greeted by Uma who wrapped her arms around him. She had been waiting for their return the entire night, but Gil still hadn't come back yet. Uma told him that it would be fine, that he was probably still with Jay. Harry had his doubts, as he watched how the first rays of the sun already illuminated the sky. Harry told Uma to wake the crew and get them ready for battle as quick as possible. He hadn't waste any time anymore, even forgetting to grab a sword, and ran towards the place where Gil would meet up with his dad. Even though they agreed they wouldn't go Harry knew Gil had to listen to his dad's orders. Harry wasn't even mad. That was just the way Gil was. Always loyal, even to the man who kicked him out of the house years ago. Even to the boy that would break his heart and let him wait for nothing.
Harry sighed, making his way towards Gil, who was still hopeful scanning the horizon for Jay.
"You've been sitting here for almost an hour," Harry said to him, making Gil look up for a moment.
"Hi Harry," Gil greeted him, his voice sad and distant. He felt guilty once more when he saw Harry's swollen eye and busted lip.
"You should eat something," Harry said. "We have Bonny in the crow's nest. She'll sound the alarm when she sees someone." Gil already shook his head.
"I'm alright. I'm not hungry anyway," Gil answered.
"We've got grapes," Harry tried, knowing how much Gil loved the fruit. This time it made him feel even worse, remembering the first time they walked through Auradon.
"Cantaloupe," Gil said softly to himself. Harry sighed and leaned on the railing. He looked over to Gil and tried to drop his tough act for once.
"Look, I know you feel bad," Harry said and tried to sound sympathetic. "But sitting here is not going to help anyone."
"There is not much I can do, right," Gil answered. "I messed up."
"Got to agree with you there. You completely messed," Harry added honestly.
Gil looked away again, staring to the water for a moment. It was calm and silent, just like the rest of the peer. It was still early, even though the sun was already shining brightly from the sky.
"I really tried to do the right thing," Gil explained to Harry. "I thought if I could just convince my dad than everything would be fine. And if not than I would be the only one to get hurt. I really tried, you know." Harry raised his eyebrows towards Gil.
"Well, it was an utmost excellence strategy," Harry said sarcastically. "You only forgot there are a few people who won't allow it for you to get taken away."
Gil glanced over to Harry. Harry still had a confident smirk on his face. He didn't seem frightened at all.
"And we won't allow it either if Mal wants to send you back to the Isle," Harry continued. "She gets herself a war if she tries." Harry noticed a little too late how his words actually had a bad impact on Gil. The thought of fighting against Jay once more terrified Gil. He didn't think he was still able to do so.
Harry silently cursed to himself. This is why he never did a pep talk, he was incredibly bad at it. He didn't know what else to say and just stared into the water together with Gil for a moment.
"Does it hurt a lot?" Gil suddenly broke the silence, making Harry look up again.
"You mean my face? Barely feel a thing," Harry lied to him.
"And the others?" Gil asked.
"Jonas has a serious cut in his arm that need stitches, but I believe they already took care of that," Harry answered. "The others are all fine. The person with the worst injury is Gaston's guy, who's arm you broke. But he'll be alright as well. He and his mate are tight up below deck."
Gil nodded. This news seemed to make him feel a little better. Harry looked over the many dark blue and red spots on Gil's arms. Gil didn't come unscathed out of the fight himself, but Harry knew Gil probably didn't care about his own wounds. Harry decided to ignore this, as he patted Gil on the shoulder.
"Just don't waste too much of your time sitting here," Harry said before he walked away again. Gil smiled a little when he watched Harry for a moment. It actually gave him a little solace to know the pirate crew wouldn't get rid of him. He still had a place to go, even though Gil kept looking over to the peer, still wishing for any sign of Jay's return.
Another hour passed by, but finally some figures appeared on the horizon. Gil silently looked at them when he heard Bonny sounding the alarm from the crow's nest. He thought he could recognize Jay in the group of people, but they still were too far away.
"How many?" Harry yelled back to Bonny, as he made his way to the railing again. Uma also quickly appeared, her sword already in her hand.
"Four," Bonny answered from up high.
Uma looked at the group of people, immediately recognizing Mal. "Prepare for battle!" she screamed, getting the sound of cheering pirates in return. Gil immediately send a shocked glance to Harry.
"Just in case," Harry answered his unspoken question. "If they plan any funny business, we tend to defend ourselves." Gil jumped of the railing, immediately getting a sword pushed in his hand by Gonzo.
"We're going to try to talk to them first, right?" Gil asked to Uma.
"Like Harry said; just in case," Uma answered him. Gil had never been a real fighter, but Uma had never seen him so lost with a sword in his hand before. Gil still nodded, watching over the peer again. He fixed his eyes on Jay, who was slowly walking over to them. It seemed like he was staring right back at him. As if Jay had found him as well in the middle of the pirate crew.
"Remember, no more lies," Uma said to Harry. "We show them the letter and tell them we didn't intend to collaborate with Gaston. We thought about it, but we didn't in the end. Alright?"
Harry rolled his eyes. "It would surprise me if Mal actually listens to us."
"She can be stubborn, but I doubt she will be stupid enough to sign a war with us and Gaston."
Gil send a very quick look to Uma, listening to their conversation, before he had his eyes fixed on Jay again. It was getting very clear that Jay was looking right back at him. Gil wanted to go. He wanted to run right back to him and hold him again like he held him last night. Never let him go again.
The Core Four stood in front of the pirate ship. But none of them looked very eager to fight. Uma saw how Jay softly touched Mal's arm and said something to her. Mal seemed to think about it for a moment before she nodded. Carlos patted him on his shoulder, sending him a reassuring smile. After that Jay made his way towards the pirate ship alone, leaving Mal, Evie and Carlos at some distance.
"They're sending Jay?" Harry questioned out loud. A deep frown appeared on Uma's face, but she quickly turned towards Gil. He already looked at her with pleading eyes.
"Go," Uma simply said.
Gil immediately dropped his sword on the deck and jumped over the railing, making his way towards Jay.
"Never thought we would ever send Gil to negotiate for us," Harry mumbled to himself. Uma smiled up to him.
"Yea, it's been crazy lately," she said as she put her sword away and hung over the railing. There was nothing to worry about anymore.
Gil ran over the wooden peer, meeting him half way. But he didn't know what to say. He wasn't sure how to start or what to do. He honestly just wanted to take him in his arms again, but Jay deliberately stopped at some fair distance from him.
"I'm sorry it took so long," Jay started the conversation. "It actually didn't go unnoticed that a giant dragon flew through the bedroom window. So we had to explain the entire story to Ben and then to his parents and then again to some other dudes, calling themselves advisers or something." Jay sighed, but at least showed a slight smile. "It's still morning and it's already been a long day."
"Not a problem," Gil answered, wondering if he was allowed to take a step closer to Jay. He hated the space that was between them.
"So," Jay continued and his smile disappeared again. "I had to tell them about the conversation you had with your dad and just for your information, I heard everything."
"Everything?" Gil repeated him surprised.
"Yea, I was hiding behind a tree the whole time," Jay confessed to him. "So I told them what I heard. I told them that the pirates immediately resigned from teaming up with Gaston. I told them you made a mistake, but that you actually stood up for Ben and Belle. And how you didn't hesitate to fight with us against your dad." Gil frowned for a moment, unsure if he remembered it like that as well.
"They believed me," Jay quickly continued his story. "Well, the Beast wanted to send the entire pirate crew back to the Isle, but Belle stood up for you. She refused to believe you meant any harm. Somehow you made a very good impression on her." Jay send him a charming smile again and it encouraged Gil to take a step towards him.
"I still don't understand why you didn't tell me last night?" Jay continued. His smile disappeared just a quick and Gil stopped immediately.
"I didn't want to involve you," Gil answered him. "I knew you probably would get mad at me or you would try to stop me."
"Yea, I probably would," Jay sighed, moving a bit forward himself.
"I feel really bad that you got hurt," Gil apologized to him.
"I've got worst," Jay shrugged it off.
"Well yea, but this was my fault," Gil said, moving a little closer to his boyfriend again. "I never wanted for you to get hurt."
"I know," Jay immediately said. "I told you, I heard everything you said to your dad." This time it was Jay who took a few steps closer to Gil, giving him that charming smile Gil was getting to know so well. "The best thing that has ever happened to you?" A slight blush appeared on Jay's face again, just like when he heard those words when he was hiding behind the tree. "I don't think anyone as ever said something like that about me before."
Gil walked up to him as well, until they were finally close enough to be able to touch each other again. Jay carefully touched Gil's arm, noticing all the bruises he got from the fight as well. Probably when he was protecting him from Gaston.
"And you're right," Jay said silently, slowly looking up to him again. "I'm not afraid of you." Gil smiled brightly back at Jay, till a sudden thought made him frown again.
"So does this mean we're not turning back into enemies?" Gil asked. He couldn't shake this anxious feeling he still got from the entire situation.
Jay chuckled, instantly easing Gil's fear. "I told you, I don't think I could ever hate you again. No matter what."
Gil didn't hesitate anymore and quickly wrapped Jay in his arms. He felt how Jay immediately kept a tight grip on him as well, as if he wasn't planning on ever letting him go again. Jay however slightly pushed Gil of him again, so he could look into those light brown eyes again.
"We still have a lot to talk about," Jay said. "You still have to explain yourself to king Ben and the rest of the castle."
"Yea, I figured that much," Gil said frowning. The dissatisfying look in his eyes showed he wasn't looking forward to it. It made Jay laugh out loud, making Gil chuckle with him in return.
"Huh," Mal said to Evie, when she slowly made his way over to the boys. "I guess you were right then. Gil and Jay did get pretty close the past few weeks."
Mal frowned as she saw how Gil let his forehead rest on Jay's, making Jay smile up to him even more. Jay put one hand on Gil's chest, as if he was searching for the other boy's heartbeat. Mal's mouth fell open from amazement when Jay moved in even closer and kissed Gil on his lips.
"Evie!"
Jay jumped away, startled by Mal's sudden loud voice. He almost tripped over the edge of the peer, but he fortunately was able to grab Gil's shirt and let himself fall in his arms again.
"You never told me they got THAT close!"
Jay sighed frustrated, but Gil took the opportunity to capture Jay in his arms again.
"Seriously Mal?" Jay asked from his save spot in Gil's arm. "You nearly gave me a heart attack."
"Look who's talking," Mal said in her defence. "Since when are you messing around with one of the pirates?"
"Oh, come on Mal. It's been obvious for days," Evie came in between.
"More like weeks," Carlos mumbled to himself. Mal glanced over her two friends and then looked back to Jay who was still nestled in Gil's arms.
"How was I supposed to know? Nobody told me." Mal continued to defend herself.
"Well, for starters," Evie said, already a huge smile on her face. "I know all of Jay's clothes. That jacket he is wearing is not one of them." Carlos eyes grew wide for a moment, but then he started to smile as well.
Gil released Jay from his grip and kept him on an armlength. He stared at his own jacket for a moment, noticing once more how well it looked on Jay.
"You're still wearing it," Gil said, giving Jay the brightest smile.
"Well yea, I didn't really have time to change clothes or anything," Jay simply said.
Harry heard the conversation as he and the rest of the pirate crew walked closer to the couple. He pointed at the jacket Jay was wearing, his eyes wide and serious.
"Why exactly are you wearing his clothes?" Harry asked to Jay who already rolled his eyes.
"My clothes fell in the water and got wet. Gil was kind enough to lend me his jacket, that's all," Jay explained to all of them. He knew Carlos and Evie were wondering the same thing from the stupid grins on their faces.
"And you were still wearing your clothes while they fell, or not?" Harry continued asking.
"You know, I don't think it's actually relevant to talk about that right now," Jay simply answered him.
"Well, I think it is. Tell me Jay, why weren't you wearing your clothes?"
"What? You want details now?" Jay asked, narrowing his eyes. He took a step towards Harry. The pirate tilled his head a little bit, sending an intimidating smirk in return.
"Actually yes," Harry answered, a threatening ring in his voice.
"No, we don't!" Uma quickly came in between. "Harry might, but the rest of us really doesn't need to hear it." Jay shrugged towards Harry, but then quickly turned towards Gil once more.
Harry looked back at him and wished he could smack the self-righteous expression of Jay's face. He however decided to remain quiet as he noticed the passionate smile Gil send towards Jay.
"So are we cool?" Uma asked up to Mal.
"Depends," Mal answered her. "Are we invited on your little pirate ship?"
Uma gave her a slight smile and crossed her arms in front of her chest. "Why not," she answered. "There is a lot more space on my ship than on this little peer of yours."
Mal smiled back at her. She followed Uma and leaded her group over the peer towards the Lost Revenge. The pirates jumped over the railing without hesitation and owned the deck again. Gil, being part of the crew, did so too. But he immediately turned around and reached his hand towards Jay, inviting him on board. Jay grab his hand firmly and jumped on deck of the Lost Revenge. Gil smiled brightly to him again.
"Welcome to the pirates," he said to Jay, making their foreheads slightly touch again. Jay closed his eyes and he could feel this euphoric feeling once more.
"I'm very happy to be here," he said. It wasn't even a lie.
...
Harry looked with mixed feelings how Gil carefully stroke over Jay's hand, while they softly talked to each other. He was definitely glad Jay didn't leave Gil heartbroken, but he still had this nagging feeling that he couldn't shake off. Harry secretly kept an eye on them, observing every movement they made and cursing every smile they send to each other.
"You got to let him go," Uma suddenly said beside him. He sighed frustrated, hating it how Uma could read his mind again.
"I've no idea what you mean," Harry lied to her.
"Of course you don't," Uma said back to him as she walked closer to him. She softly touched his cheek, inspecting the swollen eye Harry got.
"How are you feeling?" Uma asked with the affection she only showed to Harry and Gil. Harry could feel how his skin heated up underneath her touch. He turned towards her and laid his hand on her shoulder, pulling her in an embrace.
"I'm doing alright," he answered her. He indeed already felt better having her close to him.
"I've been thinking about last night," Uma said while she softly pushed herself away from him again. She wanted to see the expressions on his face, trying hard to understand. "I know something has been bugging you lately. I get the feeling you're still heartbroken over Jay."
"Heartbroken over Jay?" Harry's voice sounded amused as he grinned towards Uma. "What gave you such a foolish impression?" Uma crossed her arms in front of her chest, not impressed by Harry's crazy behaviour.
"You've been acting weird lately," Uma said straightforward. "And it clearly has something to do with Jay."
"Nothing to worry about here," Harry answered smirking. "I might have been a little worried about Gil, with good reasons if I need to remind you. Jay is just very irritating."
"Than where have you been the entire night?" Uma asked him. "It's not like you to just disappear."
"I actually got myself a new girlfriend," Harry said and seemed pleased with himself. Uma went quiet for a moment and frowned upon him. She could feel a slight panic rising up in her chest.
"Girlfriend?" she asked in disbelief. "Who?"
"Audrey," Harry answered her.
"Audrey? Sleeping Beauty's daughter?" Uma said, feeling even more disgusted than she was before. "You will forget her name within a week."
Harry secretly glanced over to her and was glad to see the displeasing look on her face.
"You were with her last night?" Uma asked, staring at nothing in particular.
"I was," Harry answered. "So you see, I'm definitely not heartbroken over Jay." Uma heard how Harry spit out the other boy's name. She already shook her head, turning her back towards him.
"Of course no," she said, before she walked away from him. She couldn't stand to be near him when he behaved like that.
The smirk immediately vanished from his face. He wasn't sure if he had hurt her or not. And if that was the case, Harry wasn't really sure if he was happy with that or not. He stared back at the happy couple not so far away from him. They were laughing again and Harry cursed once more. He was never letting him go. Not to his dad, but neither to Jay.
Gil carefully stroke over Jay's hand again.
"Does it still hurt?" He asked his boyfriend.
"Just a little bit," Jay confessed. "I didn't think your dad had such a hard skull."
"My dad says it's because of all the eggs he eats," Gil answered him. "He says you need to eat five dozen eggs every day to make you strong."
A deep frown appeared on Jay's face. "That does not sound right," he said slowly, afraid to hurt Gil's feelings if he showed too much disgust.
"Well, you don't need it," Gil said back to him. "You hit my dad in the face and got away with it. That was the bravest thing I've ever seen." Gil smiled proudly to Jay, making his hazel eyes sparkle. Jay slightly blushed again, looking away for a moment.
"Well, you haven't seen what I saw," Jay said back to him. "I saw someone who stood up to his dad and wasn't even scared to face the consequences." Jay stared back into those eyes. He grabbed Gil's hand and softly squeezed in it, ignoring the pain this caused. Jay send a bright smile to Gil again, squeezing in his hand once more. "That was the moment I realized I'm not letting you go."
Gil could feel his heart beat faster as he held Jay's hand in his. He didn't think he actually deserved to be praised, but he felt incredibly lucky to know Jay wasn't mad at him. He was still there, being close to him and holding his hand, still wearing his leather jacket.
"Besides, we have a lot to do," Jay continued. "We still need to see those penguins."
Gil's face immediately lit up. "And the icebergs!" he happily added.
"And the jungle!"
"And the desert!"
Jay smiled back up at him, glad Gil had already added the desert to their little list. "But first we have to defeat your dad," Jay said, a regretful smile on his face.
"Yea, I would be surprised if he actually gave up," Gil said apologetic to Jay. "You also still need to graduate first."
Jay chuckled again. "Yea, I'm really sorry about that too," he said back to Gil. The two boys silently smiled to each other again.
"But first things first," Jay said with a serious expression. "I need to find my phone back. I dropped it at the field when I came to your aid. After that I should probably grab my clothes at the lake. So, you know, I could finally give your jacket back to you."
Gil send him a meaningful look, a mix between guilt and pleasure. He knew Jay had lost both due to his fault, but he also figured Jay was messing with him again.
"I could help you look for them," Gil offered his help to Jay. A bright smile immediately appeared on Jay's face.
"Yea, you kinda owe me that," Jay said laughing.
Gil held Jay's hand even tighter, smiling brightly when he did so. He knew they were still in for a lot of hardship as long as the shadows of his dad and his twin brothers were lurking in the background. Knowing his family they wouldn't be hiding for long. Gil looked out over the Lost Revenge, seeing how the Core Four interacted with the pirate crew, while he still sat close to Jay. Gil slowly started to realize he didn't have to fight his dad on his own anymore and he started to believe that it would all be alright as long as they would stand tall together.
This was the last chapter of the first story.
Next week I'll start with the first chapter of the follow up story, which will be called New World Divided.
