They make it to the ship with about five minutes to spare. Harry does his best to convince Hayden that they should just skip Cotillion and go find some fun of their own.
"Do we really have to go?"
"Yes," Hayden tells him. "We really do."
"Is it a need, though?" Harry asks. "Perhaps yeh migh' describe it as a passin' fancy 'stead?"
Hayden gives him a look. "Believe me, I don't 'fancy' attending this thing at all. We have to be there though, just to be completely sure Ben makes his announcement."
Harry brightens at that. "An' after we can leave, righ'?"
"Sure," Hayden drawls. "I mean, we'll have to jump off the side and swim but sure."
"Alrigh'," Harry agrees with a firm nod. "Werks fer me."
Hayden can't help but laugh when he sees how serious his pirate actually is. "We're not jumping off the side of the boat."
"Why no'?" Harry nearly whines.
"We're wearing leather," Hayden deadpans with a gesture between his own black formal wear and Harry's red and black. He gets an arm thrown over his shoulders and a mischievous grin in response.
"Alrigh', so we strip firs'."
Hayden doesn't even grace that with a response. He just rolls his eyes and heads over toward a certain pair, noticing as he does the way all of the Auradonians seem to be watching them from the corner of their eyes.
Uma looks every bit of the sea witch she is, the layers of her teal dress somehow both elegant and wild like the sea itself. He has no doubt there's at least one knife concealed under it.
Gil stands beside her in golden brown leather, formal but still durable and offering protection. His bandana is missing for once and half his hair is pulled back in a short tail.
"Cap'n," Harry greets with a dip of his head. Uma nods back, her usual smirk lingering at the corner of her lips.
"Hey, guys!" Gil says enthusiastically.
"Hey," Hayden says back, unable to help but smile at Gil's constant cheerfulness. He cocks one eyebrow in Uma's direction. "So, how are you two enjoying Auradon so far?" he asks, already fairly sure what kind of answer he'll get.
Sure enough, Uma immediately rolls her eyes. "It's too bright."
Harry snorts. "Aye," he agrees. "We all though' so."
"I kinda like it," Gil tells them with a shrug. "I mean, it's a nice change of pace. Happy, you know?"
"Maybe a bit too happy," Uma says, looking completely unimpressed as she studies the Auradonians around them in all their bright and/or pastel glory. "Still beats being stuck under that stupid barrier," she adds with a shrug.
Hayden nods and gives her a pointed look. "It's worth it to open that barrier, to let Isle citizens come over."
It's not long before the Cotillion actually starts. The opening ceremony starts, and they watch as Mal is presented as Lady of the Court. Hayden nods in approval when he sees that her blue and yellow dress has been exchanged for an identical design in black and purple.
Gil tilts his head in slight confusion as Ben takes Mal's hand at the top of the staircase. "So, does this mean Mal's gonna be queen some day or what?"
"Pretty much," Hayden says with a shrug.
Uma makes a disgusted sound. "Ugh. Just because we called a truce to get that barrier opened does not mean I have to like her," she says. "And I'm not calling her my queen."
Before any of them can respond, a sudden gasp goes up from the crowd as Ben gives the order for his gift to Mal to be shown. It's a stained-glass piece depicting the two of them, Mal clearly designed with her purple hair rather than the blonde she had before her return to the Isle.
An identical noise of disgust escapes Uma and Harry while Gil gasps in delight. Hayden, however, just shakes his head with a small smile.
It's nice to know that Ben really does love her, but he could do without the over the top gestures. It's like the love potion all over again.
"That's so sweet," Gil comments, still smiling happily.
"It's too much is wha' it is," Harry declares. He freezes for a second before he looks at Hayden. "Unless yeh like tha'. 'Cause if yeh do then I'll get yeh one."
Hayden sighs. "No, Harry," he tells him. "I do not want a stained-glass portrait of us."
"Oh, good," he says in relief. He pulls Hayden a little closer. "I'll jus' stick to a ring then, yeah?"
"I don't want a ring, Harry."
"Yer gettin' one," the pirate says, undaunted. "Someday."
Uma watches the two of them in amusement. "You know," she says, crossing her arms with a smirk, "a captain can perform ceremonies."
Harry perks up in interest as Hayden gives her a glare. "You're not helping," he deadpans.
"Oh, I'm helping one of you," she drawls back, smirk still firmly in place.
"Don't give him any ideas."
She shrugs. "He doesn't need any help. Seems to me he's got plenty of ideas on his own."
Harry grins at him but just as he goes to speak, their attention is drawn back to Ben. The king stands at the top of the staircase, Mal beside him and all cameras pointed at them.
"I know that we're all eager for the event to truly begin," he says, "but I have one more announcement to make." He takes a deep breath as he looks out over his people. "I'm sure that many of you remember my first official proclamation as your king. You remember the five Isle citizens that crossed the barrier to attend Auradon Prep."
There's a murmur of agreement from the crowd. Hayden can feel multiple pairs of eyes drift in his direction and see that the others are getting the same treatment. He makes eye contact with Ben and tilts his head slightly, silently telling the king to get on with it.
Ben smiles a little and seems to stand a bit straighter. "I'm sure you also remember the deal I made at my coronation. It's time for my deal to be completed."
The noise from the crowd seems to rise once again as they realize what exactly their king is saying. A flash of red catches Hayden's eye and he smirks when he sees Moira turn excitedly to Angie, their hands intertwined.
"Effective immediately," Ben continues, "the barrier will be opened so that more Isle residents may cross the bridge. Those with criminal records shall have those records re-examined to determine whether or not a different punishment will suffice. The barge deliveries will be severely adjusted to provide proper and healthy supplies. They are all citizens of Auradon just as any of us and it is far past time they are treated as such."
There's a brief moment of absolute silence before, surprisingly enough, the crowd begins to cheer. There are a few people who are definitely upset with the news but, overall, Auradon seems to accept the new changes.
Hayden can see cameras panning over the crowd and notices how several stop to focus on the villains' kids that are present. He knows that means the residents of the Isle can see it as well, can see the proof of Ben's proclamation in Uma, Harry, and Gil's presence.
Uma holds out one fist with a satisfied smirk. Hayden can see the honest happiness and relief in her eyes as he silently presses his own fist against hers. Harry and Gil share a loud high-five with bright grins on their faces, Harry's just as slightly unhinged as usual.
With his announcements made, Ben declares Cotillion officially started.
Gil quickly wanders off toward a table loaded with food and Uma sighs in resignation as she watches. "I better go keep an eye on him," she says before she looks at the both of them with a smirk. "After all, you two won't be any good for watching anyone but each other."
Harry nods in unashamed agreement even as he holds up his middle finger in her direction. Uma just cackles as she follows after Gil. Hayden does the same when he notices the scandalized looks Harry's actions earn him from multiple people.
He steps out from under Harry's arm, ignoring the slight pout it gets him, and grabs his hand as he notices something. "Did you only paint the nails on your middle fingers?" he asks in amusement.
Harry nods proudly as he holds up his other hand for him to see the matching black nail. "Aye. Tha' way it draws a lil extra 'ttention to it when I need it," he explains.
Hayden just shakes his head as he drops his hand. He can honestly say he's not that surprised. The smile on his lips fades as he notices the way Harry's chewing at his bottom lip like he's nervous.
Harry doesn't do nervous.
"What is it?" Hayden asks him.
"It's jus'..." Harry sighs before he asks his question all in one breath. "Yeh don' expec' me to fully give up rum, righ'?"
Hayden grins a bit when he realizes what Harry's apparently been worried about. "Of course not," he assures him. "I mean, I'm certainly not quitting. You just need to cut back some from where you were."
Harry sighs in relief. "Okay. Good," he says, reaching into his jacket and pulling out a scratched-up metal flask.
"Really?" Hayden deadpans. Harry just shrugs as he takes a swig then holds it out in offer.
Hayden barely hesitates before he shrugs back and grabs the offered flask. He takes a sip before quickly hiding it as he sees Fairy Godmother walking past them. Harry grins as he watches him, wrapping one arm around his shoulders again and pulling him into his side.
"I ever tell yeh how happy I am yeh never changed yerself an' tried to mee' Bore-adon standards?" he asks.
"Can't say you did," Hayden replies as he wraps his own arm around Harry's waist, slipping the flask back in his pocket as he does.
"I'm really happy yeh didn' change," Harry says softly.
Hayden fights back a smile if only because he knows there are other people around. "Don't go getting soft on me now, Hook," he tells him. Harry grins widely back, effortlessly understanding the silent I'm happy you didn't change either.
On the other side of the ship Mal, Evie, Jay, and Carlos stand together. The crowd parts slightly and all four of them can see the pirate and godling, both of whom look too wrapped up in each other to even notice anyone else.
Evie's eyes are soft as she watches the two of them with a smile. "I don't know if I've ever seen him so honestly happy," she says.
"Yeah," Mal quietly agrees. "I still don't really like Uma or any of her crew, but I'm glad Hayden's happy." The others nod in agreement.
"You know what though?" Jay says suddenly with a small laugh.
"What?" Carlos asks in confusion while the girls give him questioning looks.
Jay shakes his head, still smiling. "Fairy Godmother is gonna hate having those two on campus."
The other three start to smile as they think about it.
"They're never gonna leave detention," Carlos says around a laugh. Jay nods in amused agreement.
"Good thing Hayden has his own room," Mal points out with a smirk. That makes them all laugh though Evie quickly hides it behind a perfectly manicured hand.
"Stop it," she scolds them, trying to stay serious. "This is a formal event. Behave."
"Aright, fine," Jay says, holding both hands up in surrender. "I'm just saying that I've never seen Hayden so... touchy with someone before."
Carlos hums in agreement before he realizes what he just saw. His eyebrows shoot up even as he chokes back another laugh. "Uh, guys? You saw that right?"
"Do you mean the flask?" Evie asks flatly.
"Yup."
"We saw," Mal confirms, tone half-amused and half-exasperated.
"Yet somehow Fairy Godmother didn't," Jay notes. He shrugs. "Maybe they won't be spending as much time in detention as we thought."
"Maybe," Mal says slowly as she notices Ben gesturing her over. Her lips immediately curl up in a smile. "I'll see you guys," she says as she makes her way over and grabs his hand. They both look around at all the happy faces with soft smiles.
That's when the music starts.
Hayden groans in annoyance as Harry just cackles. "Why?" he demands. "Why does it always end this way?"
Harry shrugs back at him. "We may never know, love," he says simply.
Hayden shoots him a look as he gestures behind them, the exact opposite direction everyone else seems to be headed. Hayden and Harry both make their way over to the ship's railing, pointedly ignoring the singing and dancing behind them.
"I blame Apollo," the godling mutters.
Harry chuckles at his irritation as he leans against the rail. "So, yeh only sing wit' me, huh?"
Hayden doesn't even look at him. "Wipe that smug look off your face."
"Wha' look?" Harry asks, smug smile never leaving.
Hayden just sighs as he leans against the rail beside him. He looks over and can feel his own lips curl at the corners. "That look," he says. "You look like the hydra that got the hero."
Harry leans a little closer and slides his hand across the rail so he can hook his pinkie over Hayden's. "Even better," he claims. "I'm the pirate tha' got the godling."
"Yeah?" Hayden cocks one eyebrow and leans even closer with a grin. "You ever think that maybe I got you, Hook?"
Harry hums and kisses the grin off his face. They pull away after a few seconds with soft smiles they'd never show anyone else.
"I'm happy to be got," he tells him. "I'll tell yeh though, there's somethin' yeh should know 'bout tha'."
"What's that?"
"See, once I'm yers, tha's it. 'Fraid there's a no return policy."
"Is that right?" Hayden asks, smile growing when Harry nods firmly. "Well, I'm happy to keep you." He unlinks their pinkies and turns so he can wrap one arm around Harry's neck. "You should know, however, that the same rules apply on this end. Once I'm yours, that's it."
Harry grins as he wraps his own arm around Hayden's waist and pulls him into his chest. "Wouldn' dream of anythin' diff'rent."
Hayden presses his lips to Harry's again and can't help but wonder somewhere in the back of his mind if he's getting a glimpse of his future. Standing on the edge of a ship, ignoring the antics of everyone else around, wrapped in Harry Hook's arms...
It sounds better than any fairy tale ending he's heard yet.