Chapter 93: Party at Granny's

The diner is filled with people by the time night begins to fall over the tiny town. Voices of men, women, teenagers, and children overlap one another, making it extremely hard to distinguish specific conversations. Laughter is the main emotion spread throughout the room as they mingle and enjoy their time. Food and drinks are flowing, non-alcoholic for anyone underage or pregnant and the kitchen is still hard at work. All attending might clean Granny out of stock before morning.

For a lot of kids from Auradon, the friendly atmosphere is inviting and enjoyable. They'd never seen a place so welcoming and full of people who truly cared. Perhaps it was the "small-town" mentality or just genuine kindness, it was a community of friends and family.

Jay is stuffing himself with any food he can get a hold of, not caring if he ends up with a stomach ache. Chad is also indulging quite a lot, seemingly craving "decent" food as well, but at least with his face full, he can no longer complain. Pin and Herkie had started a poker game at one of the tables, but they were only betting with pretzels and any other junk food available. Dizzy and Tallia somehow managed to get a hold of Granny's whipped cream cans and were daring each other to see who could hold the most in their mouths while also shoving candy in as well. Several other Auradon students joined the challenge, taking pictures of the event. Audrey is trying to flirt with any other boys and tries not to get involved in childish antics. Carlos and Jane are sharing an ice cream sundae in the corner, away from all the chaos, despite the son of Cruella constantly looking over his shoulder. Evie and Doug share a few snacks between them and watch the adults turn into children as the alcohol flows. Finally, Mal and Ben watch as David and Mary Margret insert money in the jukebox and put on a slower song. Several couples, including Emma and Killian, stop what they're doing and get up to dance. They find their own spaces to dance.

"Still not much of a dancer," Emma says. "Might be harder when my feet start to swell."

"Well then, let's make the most of our time Princess Leia," Killian smirks.

"After you Prince Charles," she smiles before the pirate wraps his arm around his wife and begins to dance.

Several of the teens groan and look away from the sickeningly romantic display, but a few of the Auradon kids watch on.

"Want to dance?" Ben asks.

"Uh-uh," Mal shakes her head. "I don't dance."

"Really?" he smirks. "Because you seemed to do a lot at the cotillion."

"That's different," she says quickly.

"How?"

"We weren't dancing in front of total strangers,"

"Most of those people were strangers. Even as king, I can't remember half the names of the people who attended."

"Doesn't matter, I'm not dancing."

Ben wants to get her to dance anyways, but since they were still ironing things out, he lets it go… for now.

Despite his two left feet, Doug grabs Evie's hand and guides her onto the dance floor. The two hold each other close and sway back and forth to the music. The daughter of the Evil Queen lays her head on his shoulder, treasuring the moment.

Regina watches from one of the stools at the counter. Her heart feels heavy, wishing Robin was still around. Even if he wasn't much for tango or the waltz, Regina grew up with balls and various celebrations that her mother always threw and after she married Snow's father, the man was more interested in teaching his daughter to dance than his wife. While her mother insisted that she learn all the styles of dance to ensure Regina attracted a suitor; she never really learned and the best memories were when her father, Henry Sr. would have his daughter stand on his feet and they would dance however they felt like. It didn't matter if it looked silly or less than graceful. The ball in Camelot was the only time she danced with Robin (after a few tips from David) and despite how the night had ended, it was still one of her best times with her outlaw. She watches her daughter dance with her boyfriend; how happy she was with him and how safe she felt in his arms. It pleased the mayor to see the girl so happy.

Turning her eyes, she sees Crystal across the room drinking root beer and playing on her phone. The two meet each other's gazes. Regina understood why the young girl had no interest in dancing. After her awful break-up and eventual disappearance of Mason, she'd had no interest in romance for the time being. Her heart had been broken like Regina's. The two share a knowing look of sadness and longing.

The music from the jukebox is drifting out onto the patio where three teens sit while not really speaking to each other.

Harry is sitting at a picnic table outside with his sister CJ, with Gil chowing down on whatever he can eat. The three pirates didn't feel "welcomed" in the diner, only the pirate siblings seemed to care. They were still viewed as outsiders, despite their "parents" being at the centre of this mushy happiness. They just grabbed what food they could and sat outside away from judging eyes.

"God, barf," CJ gags, watching the dancing from inside. She adjusts herself so she doesn't have to see it any longer.

"I know, it's so gross," Gil says through bites of fries.

"Grosser than you? You're such a pig Gil," CJ comments before offering him a napkin.

The second mate of Uma's crew had discovered the joys of chicken wings and was now scarfing down as many as he could, sauce on his fingers and face be damned.

"Takes one to know one," the son of Gaston mutters.

"Oi mate," Harry says, shifting away from his friend to avoid being splattered with any food.

"You going to eat your onion rings?" Gil asks.

Harry just shoves his half-eaten place to his friend.

"I don't know what you guys are complaining about, wanting to go home, this place is great."

"Yeah, if you're a hero," CJ mutters. "If you're not, then you're still a freak on the outside and you end up having to fight for your food."

Harry simply nods in agreement.

"For the record, you're the one who wanted to fight," Gil points out.

"Shut up Gil!" CJ snaps. She sips from cola from a cup. "Those goodie goody VKs get to be with them because they're 'reformed' and everything. It's totally bogus. Mal and her sister almost burned down the town today and Evie was the whole reason for it in the first place, now they're being treated like royalty in there."

Harry doesn't respond or agree. Unlike his sister, he's looking through the window, gazing at Crystal who is chatting with Patrick at the counter of the restaurant. He continues to look at her with his heart racing and his stomach swimming, unable to hear what his sister says next.

"Right, Harry?"

"Sorry what?" he says, looking over.

CJ looks at her brother and then into the restaurant. She rolls her eyes.

"Give it up big brother, she's not interested."

"Who?" Gil asks, finally intrigued enough to take his face out of his food.

"Nuttin'," Harry says quickly. He glares daggers at his sister to warn her to keep quiet.

However, she smirks wickedly.

"Harry has a crush on Rumpelstiltskin's daughter."

"DARN IT CJ!" he shouts, reaching across the table to collar his sister, knocking over everything as he does.

"Dude my root beer!" Gil whines, before snapping back to focus. "You seriously like that Crystal chick?"

"He's so in love with her that he's broken into her apartment several times to kiss her," CJ teases, making kissing sounds.

"CJ!" Harry snarls. "Want me tae dump ye in the dram?"

"Remember the last time you did that? Daddy made you on bait duty for a month."

"Well, Daddy isnae 'ere, is he?"

"No, but this Dad will certainly make it worse," she says, nodding towards Killian inside.

Harry snarls and releases his sister. He didn't want to screw up in front of the father figure who actually respected him or look bad, Crystal might be watching. In order to be "dateable" he had to stop with the aggressive acts.

"Dude, even I know you don't break into a girl's house even if you like her, that's just creepy," Gil says.

"I KNOW THAT!" Harry snarls.

"Want my advice?"

"NO!" the son of Captain Hook snaps.

"Chicks like it when you play hard to get. You need to flirt with other girls in front of them and then flex your pecs to get them excited,"

He flexes his arms to show off his impressive muscles. He does a few poses, emulating his father's

CJ stares for a few moments before shaking her head and rolling her eyes.

"Yeah, because that worked out so well for your dad. And how about those brothers of yours? Any girlfriends?"

Gil lowers his arms and sits down to sulk.

"Seriously Harry, who cares about her anyways? She's a hero like all the others. She doesn't give any villain, let alone you a second glance."

"But she's like us…" Harry says. "Her dad is Rumpelstiltskin, and he's a villain, which makes her a VK."

"Yeah, a real villain," CJ says, looking through the window. The imp is cradling his young son as he sleeps, the perfect picture of fatherhood. "Want my advice?"

"No," Harry says firmly.

"Don't get involved… besides, she's too old for you."

"She's 21, and I'm 18," Harry points out.

"When did that happen?" his sister asks confused.

"Last month," he glares at her, a little hurt that she forgot it had been his birthday. Harriet was only a year older than him, but CJ was three years younger than he was. It didn't help that CJ always got the attention and the birthday parties (if that's what they could be called).

"Happy Birthday," she mutters weakly.

"Thanks," he groans. "I'm going to get a drink."

He gets up and enters the restaurant, leaving the two alone.

"What's his problem?" Gil asks, still a little ignorant of what is happening.

He walks across the room, ignoring the eyes staring at him. A few of the Auradon kids actively move out of his way, which was fine until he reaches Granny's fountain drink machine. Orange soda sounded interesting, so he begins filling his cup and glancing around the room.

The romantic dancing had ceased, and more exciting music was playing. The son of Captain Hook watches as a group of Auradon kids dance, laugh, and scream along with the music. He never understood the ritual of moving to music. It looked foolish and very pointless. He would not be caught dead doing anything like that. He focuses on Crystal again as she pulls her hair up into a ponytail.

With some hesitation, Jay goes over to Harry. They did have a sort of shaky agreement between them after the pirate had asked him for help in exchange for getting Uma to assist in finding their way home. While he hadn't upheld that part of the bargain, Jay could tell that the guy really wanted to find a way to talk to girls…specifically Crystal.

"You okay man?" he asks.

"Fine how come dae ye ask?"

"Because your cup is overflowing," he points out.

Harry looks over to see orange soda overflowing all over his hand. Swearing under his breath, he removes the cup and goes to find some napkins.

"Are you still serious about asking Crystal out?"

Harry looks at Jay and then over at the girl he had a crush on. His cheeks flush a little pink. She had started as a sort of girl to flirt with, but now she was a challenge… and Harry Hook did not back down from a challenge.

"Yes," he replies.

"Okay, well a party is always a good way to get to know her. Usually asking her to dance is a way to break the ice."

Harry looks at him confused.

"Get rid of some of the awkwardness."

"But I don't think she'll say yes," Harry says.

"Dude, you won't know until you try. And a recommend a song like this, not a slow song. It shows that you're coming on way too strong."

The pirate teen shakes his head, unable to understand any of this. Jay sighs.

"Okay, just watch."

Jay goes over to Lonnie, who is hauling in the next round of junk food from the poker.

"Hey Lonnie," he says. "How about you give the guys a break from beating them and come and dance?"

"Thanks, Jay, but I'm on a roll right now," she says. She is pleased to be also beating her older brother.

"Come on Lonnie, just one dance… I know you have the skills."

"Later Jay…" she says.

"Dance off?" he asks.

The words make the daughter of Mulan drops her cards.

Without warning, Jay performs various hip-hop moves to the music. The other kids from Auradon cheer him on as he dances in the middle of Granny's. Even the people from Storybrooke are impressed and applaud the effort. When he finishes his routine, he points to Lonnie. She pretends to glare at him before putting on her own hip-hop moves, doing her best to show him up. The two begin to battle one another, trading moves until finally, Jay admits defeat. The prize... another dance with him, which she accepted with playful annoyance, With the next song, the two begin to dance together.

Harry stands there awkwardly, not sure how he was supposed to get Crystal to dance like that when he could barely do anything. He did not see the value in dancing, but Jay said it was the best way to "break the ice."

Reluctantly, he inhales before walking towards the daughter of Rumpelstiltskin, who is drinking a milkshake and scrolling through her phone.

Her eyes flicker to him and she's prepared to leave, but he's not approaching aggressively. In fact, he looks a little nervous.

"Hey Harry," she says politely.

"Hey," he responds.

"Having fun?"

He shrugs and just nods a little.

"Thanks for your help with the search today," she says, deciding to give him credit for his efforts. When he wasn't being obnoxious or not respecting boundaries, he can be helpful.

He swallows and smiles. "No problem."

The son of Captain Hook begins to fidget on the spot, allowing the silence to lengthen between them. Crystal continues to stare at him, expecting him to do or say something.

"Do you need something?" she offered.

"I…I…"

Suddenly, someone bumps Harry from behind, forcing him forward and snapping him out of his anxiety trance. He falls against the counter and nearly spills the milkshake onto Crystal. The pirate turns to see Jay dancing close to him with Lonnie and nodding to him to make a move.

"You okay?" she asks.

"Y-Yes. I was wonderin' if you wanted to dance."

The daughter of Rumpelstiltskin opens her mouth to say no, but something about the whole situation stopped her. He wasn't trying to be flirty or aggressive, he was just being "normal." A normal young man. She decides to give him one dance.

"Sure," she finally says.

She stands up and begins to move to the music.

Harry awkwardly turns and tries to move, but he had no idea what he was doing. He begins to jerk around and slide his feet. His gestures are very exaggerated and big.

Crystal just smiles, knowing that he just wasn't used to dancing.

"Not a lot of dancing lessons?" she asks.

He just stops and shakes his head.

"Just bring it down a little bit, move but don't go over the top, like this…"

She demonstrates how to dance more casually. He begins to copy her and soon both of them are moving to the music.

Crystal smiles and just has fun, happy to see a smile spread across Harry's face as well.

…

"And he's gone," Gil sighs. Both he and CJ began watching the exchange through the window after the pirate failed to return. "Old Harry has become a traitor. Victim of love."

"Gross," CJ says. Deep, deep, deep down, she was a little happy that her brother had talked to his crush.

"Tell me about it," a voice says behind them.

Gil and CJ turn to see two shapes, walking towards them, one with long hair. As the two figures step into the neon light of Granny's sign, the two see that the shorter one is Uma and the taller one is her mother Ursula… the alternate version.

"Uma!" Gil says. "Glad to see ya."

"Thanks, Gil," she says. She stops to talk to them, while Ursula enters the restaurant.

"I thought you wouldn't be caught dead at something like this?" CJ snorts.

"There's free food and Mom would never turn down a free meal,"

"Mom?" the blonde pirate raises and eyebrow.

"This version of Ursula who is my mother," Uma clarifies, shooting daggers at Harry's little sister. The pirate captain did not like CJ at all. She thinks that she's entitled to the position of captain, even though she never earned it. She also thinks that she's better than everyone else… Uma thinks that too, but at least it's true in her case.

The daughter of Ursula peers through the window and sees Harry dancing with Crystal. A pang of anger shoots through her body. She'd lost her first mate to the hero's side. Never thought he'd be the one to go. She grinds her teeth and then bites her lip.

A plan begins to form in her head, a plan to keep things interesting in this tiny town and to get even.

A/N: Happy New Year. Sorry that it's been such a long time. Hope this chapter is full of fun. Some trouble brewing on the horizon with Uma...