The Rise and Fall of Captain Hook & The Princess

9. Castlecoming

"Ready?" Red inquired, holding onto the pocket watch now that they stole the cookbook from the villains and saved Bridget from her awful fate.

Chloe nodded and took hold as well. "Ready."

Hans' time machine lit up and the girls prepared to return to Auradon Prep, the present, but instead, they remained at Merlin Academy and were surprised and puzzled, wondering what went wrong.

"Family Day," Chloe read the banner, pointing at it. "It's after Castlecoming, my mom said it was hard for her."

Red stood beside the blue haired girl, gazing at the banner curiously. "I wonder why it brought us here? We saved Bridget."

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Castlecoming was a ball that all of the bubbly Merlin Academy students could not shut up about.

Hook and the other VKs laughed at the idea of it, he never imagined he would attend the event much less be nervous as it approached.

With each thump of his eagerly racing heart against his chest, it was a reminder of how much he had changed since Dawn.

She brought out a side of himself that he didn't even know he had, a softness that was all for her.

It would come as a shock to the villains how much of a gentleman he was.

He always picked the princess up at her dorm, never making her walk alone; he always had flowers for her, even one plucked from the outside garden on his way in. 

Her eyes softened in awe when she saw the boy all dressed up, white ruffled-collar flounce shirt that had flowy sleeves, with black high wasted, wide leg pants that were decorated with gold buttons.

"You look handsome." She complimented him.

"You look beautiful.. as always." He enunciated the latter, drinking her in as she wore a fitted, velvet deep blue dress that fell off her shoulders.

The corners of her mouth curled up shyly and she shut the door behind her.

"See," He bragged, "Notice how I threw in the as always."

Her eyes narrowed and the corners creased as she grinned, "I did."

His features were still soft, like he was in a trance still admiring her.

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Merlin Academy was decked out, with Heroes and Villains alike all dressed up.

Bright, freshly bloomed flowers were placed throughout; large, golden tables blanketed in desserts under a blue cloth with red trimmings.

The only students not in attendance were the three villains who were caught with Merlin's cookbook and were forced to spend the dance in detention, but it was still on school grounds and with Merlin busy, they were able to sneak out.

Uliana had her arms crossed against her chest, just about trembling with anger, with Hades and Maleficent at her side laughing at all of the students who were dancing together.

Her laughter came to a halt as she gasped and then patted her boyfriend's chest to get his attention and motion to Captain Hook who they never in a million imagined would be gazing softly into another's eyes and slow dancing.

"I can't believe you talked me into this." Hook muttered to the girl and huffed a laugh, glancing down at his feet as he was desperately trying to stay in the rhythm.

His arm was wrapped around her waist as his hand was holding hers while her free hand was resting on his back.

Dawn felt like a grin was permanently attached to her face, "You're doing so well."