Who's Afraid of Little Old Me?
by Taylor Swift
The dimly lit quarters of The Lost Revenge were packed with the most trusted members of the pirate crew. Maps, stolen Auradon blueprints, and crude sketches of the barrier were sprawled across the wooden table, weighted down by daggers and empty rum bottles. The air was thick with tension, anticipation, and the unspoken thrill of rebellion.
Estella stood at Harry's side, arms crossed, her sharp eyes scanning every detail on the map before her. Gil sat opposite them, rubbing his jaw in deep thought. Around them, the rest of the crew murmured amongst themselves, waiting for orders.
Harry leaned down, voice a low whisper against Estella's ear. "Y'look sexy when yer schemin', love."
She huffed, shoving him lightly, but the corner of her mouth twitched. "If you don't focus, I'll make you swab the deck instead of breaking through a magic barrier."
Harry only grinned, slinging an arm around her waist and pulling her against him. "Aye, but wouldn't ya rather have me by yer side when we take what's rightfully ours?"
Estella sighed dramatically but didn't push him away. She liked it when he held her, though she'd never admit it.
Gil cleared his throat, breaking their moment. "Alright, so we all know the VKs are going to come back for more kids to bring over." His expression darkened. "They left Stella behind. They left all of us behind. And now they're coming back, acting like they can pick and choose who gets saved."
The room filled with murmurs of agreement, fists clenching, expressions hardening.
"We use this moment," Estella spoke, voice carrying through the quarters with the authority she had grown into. "When the barrier cracks open, even for a second, we push through. Hades tried and failed, but er have the element of me. They will most likely try bring me over, then Gil and Harry will follow closely. Once we're out, we find Uma, and we bring her home. And we fight for all the starving and forgotten children on the Isle."
Harry's grip on her waist tightened slightly, his own mind racing at the thought of stepping foot beyond the Isle. The only thing keeping him grounded was Estellaâthe fire in her eyes, the sheer determination in her voice.
"Security will be tight," one of the crew members muttered.
"Then we fight," Harry said smoothly, a wicked grin playing at his lips. "I reckon they won't be expectin' a proper pirate ambush."
Gil smirked. "And if they do, well... we fight harder."
The room erupted in agreement, fists slamming onto the wooden table in unison. The thrill of revenge, of justice, coursed through the group. They weren't just fighting for themselvesâthey were fighting for everyone the VKs had abandoned.
Estella felt her heart pound in her chest. Not out of fear, but out of exhilaration. She turned to Harry, her hand slipping into his without thinking. He squeezed back, his blue eyes gleaming with something she couldn't quite place.
"We're gonna win," she murmured, her voice steady.
Harry's smirk softened just slightly, the sharp edges of his pirate persona fading for just a moment. "Aye, love. With you by me side, we can't lose."
The meeting continued late into the night, plans forming and battle strategies being finalized. The crew spoke of explosives, distraction tactics, and their escape routes. But even in the midst of plotting revenge, there were stolen moments between Estella and Harry.
At one point, she was tracing a line on the map, muttering about potential weak spots in the barrier, when she felt fingers brush against her hair. She turned to find Harry, effortlessly braiding one of her blonde strands, a look of complete focus on his face.
She raised an eyebrow. "What are you doing?"
"Multitaskin'," he said simply, a boyish grin tugging at his lips. "Strategizin' and makin' sure me girl looks good while doin' it."
Her heart stuttered at me girl, but she rolled her eyes to cover it. "You're insufferable."
"Aye, but ya love it," he teased, finishing the braid and tying it with a stolen ribbon.
She swallowed back a smile, forcing herself to focus. But damn it, he was making it really hard.
Later, as the crew slowly trickled out to get rest before the big day, Estella and Harry found themselves alone on the ship's deck. The moonlight shimmered on the water, the sound of distant waves lulling the Isle into a rare moment of peace.
She leaned against the railing, staring at the barrier in the distance, glowing faintly with unnatural power. "Soon, everything changes."
Harry stepped behind her, resting his chin on her shoulder, arms wrapping around her waist. "Aye," he murmured, pressing a slow, lingering kiss against her bare shoulder. "No turnin' back now, love."
She tilted her head slightly, resting against him. "Wouldn't dream of it."
Harry exhaled, holding her a little tighter. The thought of her stepping into battle tomorrow, of anything happening to her, made something dark curl in his stomach.
"I swear," he whispered, lips brushing her ear, "no matter what happens, I'll keep ya safe."
Estella turned in his arms, placing a hand on his cheek. "We keep each other safe."
Harry studied her for a moment, then nodded. "Aye, together."
And for the first time in his life, he knewâhe wasn't just fighting for revenge anymore. He was fighting for her.
The night was quiet aboard the ship, the usual rowdiness of the crew settling into an exhausted lull after hours of planning. The distant sounds of waves lapping against the hull filled the room as Estella sat on the edge of Harry's bed, pulling off her boots.
Harry stood by the small vanity mirror, pulling off his red leather coat and tossing it carelessly onto the chair. He caught Estella watching him in the reflection, a teasing smirk curling on his lips.
"Enjoyin' the view, love?"
She scoffed, rolling her eyes as she yanked off her last boot. "Please. I was just wondering how someone could be so dramatic about taking off a jacket."
Harry chuckled, striding over to her and tugging playfully at the end of her braid. "Y'love me dramatic."
She swatted his hand away, standing up to grab one of his stolen Auradon shirts from a pile of clothes. Without hesitation, she pulled it over her head, letting it drape over her frame, the fabric ridiculously large on her smaller body.
Harry's smirk faltered for a moment, his blue eyes raking over the sight of her in his shirt, looking so effortlessly at home in his space. His fingers twitched with the urge to pull her close, but instead, he just swallowed and cleared his throat.
"Stealin' my clothes now, are ya?" he teased, leaning against the wall with crossed arms.
Estella shrugged, crawling onto the bed and flopping down onto her stomach. "You steal from literally everyone, I think I'm allowed."
Harry huffed out a laugh, but he didn't argue. Instead, he kicked off his boots, blew out the last candle on the nightstand, and slid under the covers beside her.
As soon as he was settled, Estella turned onto her side, facing him in the darkness. "Big day comin' up." she murmured, voice softer now.
"Aye," he agreed, reaching out to tuck a loose strand of blonde hair behind her ear. "But let's worry about it when it happens, yeah?"
She hesitated for a moment before nodding, shifting closer. Without thinking, Harry pulled her into his chest, wrapping an arm around her waist. Estella melted into him, resting her cheek against his bare shoulder.
"This is getting too domestic," she muttered, voice muffled against his skin.
Harry chuckled, his fingers tracing lazy circles against her back. "Aye, love, but I don't hear ya complainin'."
She didn't respond, just let out a content sigh, her body relaxing completely against his. Harry grinned to himself, pressing a small, lingering kiss to the top of her head.
And as they lay there, tangled together in the dark, neither of them said itâbut they both knew.
They were home.