Seventeen Going Under by Sam Fender
The next morning, Estella woke up in one of those moods.
She wasn't sure what set her offâmaybe it was the Isle's never-ending gloom, maybe it was the fact that she hadn't slept well, or maybe it was just the weight of everything pressing down on her all at once. Either way, she wasn't exactly pleasant company.
Harry, of course, noticed immediately.
He let her stew in silence for a bit, but by the time she had lazily pulled herself from bed and half-heartedly started getting dressed, he had enough.
"Alright, what's with you?" he asked, arms crossed, leaning against the doorway of their quarters.
"Nothing," she muttered, pulling her boots on aggressively.
Harry raised an eyebrow, unimpressed. "Aye, no, don't give me that. You've got a face like a storm cloud, and I ain't spendin' the whole day listenin' to ya sulk."
She glared at him but didn't answer.
Harry sighed, running a hand down his face before walking over and crouching in front of her. "Look, I don't know what's crawled under yer skin today, but I do know that sittin' here mopin' ain't gonna fix it." He tapped under her chin, forcing her to look at him. "So how about ya snap out of it, hmm?"
Estella rolled her eyes but, to her own frustration, felt a tiny smile tug at the corner of her lips.
Harry smirked. "There she is."
She huffed. "You're annoying."
"Aye, but at least I'm right." He stood up, clapping his hands together. "Now get ready, quick. We've got things to do."
"Things?" she echoed, standing up properly now.
"Restocking for the crew," he said, grabbing his coat. "And an errand."
She narrowed her eyes. "What kind of errand?"
Harry just smirked. "You'll see."
The market was as chaotic as ever, but Estella and Harry moved through it like it was second nature. They stole what they needed with practiced easeâsome dried meat, a few loaves of bread, some fruit that wasn't too rotten.
Estella pocketed a small pouch of salt when no one was looking, slipping it into her coat. Harry saw, of course, and gave her an approving nod.
Once they had what they needed, Estella expected them to head back to the ship, but instead, Harry led her in the opposite direction, toward a dock she rarely ventured near.
"Where are we going?" she asked, suspicious.
Harry grinned. "To see my dad."
Estella stopped in her tracks. "What?"
But Harry didn't give her time to argue, grabbing her wrist and pulling her forward until they reached it.
The Jolly Roger.
The ship was massive, towering over the smaller vessels around it, the dark wood sleek despite years of wear. The sight of it sent a strange thrill through Estella's chestâthis wasn't just any ship. This was Captain Hook's ship.
Before she could ask what the hell they were doing here, a deep, familiar voice rang out from the deck.
"Well, well, what have we here?"
Estella looked up just in time to see a tall, broad-shouldered man step into view. His presence was commanding, his long coat swaying as he approached the edge of the ship, his metal hook gleaming in the dim light.
Captain James Hook.
Estella swallowed, suddenly feeling much smaller.
Harry, however, seemed completely at ease. "Ahoy, Dad."
Captain Hook raised an eyebrow before his sharp gaze landed on Estella. "And who's this, then?"
Estella quickly straightened her posture, putting on her best unimpressed face. "Estella."
The captain studied her for a moment before smirking. "Estella, eh? And what's a little thing like you doin' hangin' around my boy?"
Estella crossed her arms. "Stealing, fighting, annoying him mostly."
Hook let out a booming laugh. "Aye, I like this one."
Harry grinned. "Knew ya would."
Estella exhaled slightly, feeling herself relax. Maybe this wouldn't be so bad after all.
The warm glow of the fire bathed the captain's quarters of the Jolly Roger in a soft, flickering light. Estella sat between Harry and his father, Captain Hook, a cup of rum cradled in her hands. The evening had been filled with tales of high seas adventures and hearty laughter, the rum adding a pleasant warmth to the camaraderie.
As the night deepened, Captain Hook stretched and let out a contented sigh. "Well, it's been a pleasure, but this old pirate needs his rest." He stood, giving Harry a pat on the shoulder and offering Estella a nod. "Take care of each other."
"Will do, Dad," Harry replied, watching as his father retired to his quarters, the door closing softly behind him.
The room fell into a comfortable silence, the crackling of the fire the only sound. Estella took a sip of her rum, her thoughts drifting. She no longer dwelled on her past in Auradon; instead, her mind was consumed with thoughts of the futureâtheir future. She envisioned a life intertwined with Harry's, a partnership forged in the fires of adversity. And beneath that, a simmering desire for retribution against the VKs who had betrayed her.
Harry's voice pulled her from her reverie. "Penny for your thoughts, love?"
She turned to find him watching her, his blue eyes reflecting the firelight. The intensity of his gaze sent a shiver down her spine. "Just thinking about what's to come," she replied softly.
He shifted closer, the scent of rum and sea air enveloping her. "Care to share?"
A slow smile curved her lips. "I was thinking about us. About how unstoppable we could be together."
His hand found hers, fingers intertwining. "Aye, that we are."
"And," she continued, her voice taking on a harder edge, "I was thinking about those who wronged me. About making them pay."
Harry's grip tightened, a fierce gleam in his eyes. "They'll regret ever crossing you, Stella. I promise you that."
The shared promise of vengeance hung heavy in the air, fueling the fire between them. Without another word, Harry cupped her face, his thumb brushing over her cheek as he leaned in. Their lips met in a searing kiss, a collision of passion and shared purpose. The taste of rum mingled with the heat of their desire, each kiss deeper and more demanding than the last.
Estella's hands tangled in his hair, pulling him closer as the world outside the captain's quarters faded away. In that moment, there was no Isle, no Auradon, no past betrayalsâonly the two of them, united in their hunger for each other and their shared quest for retribution.
As the fire crackled beside them, they lost themselves in each other, the flames mirroring the intensity of their connection and the burning desire for the vengeance they would soon unleash.