XF → Harry Hook [2]✔

Close Calls

Although the television was on, broadcasting the livestream of Auradon's VK Day celebration, the two tenants of the cottage weren't paying much attention to it. It was the main reason why they weren't standing with the rest of the students in front of the doors of Auradon Prep – celebrations, as far as XJ and Harry were concerned, were fickle things, and if they had attended, they would have been bored out of their minds.

No, it was much better to be here, in the summer cottage that had been gifted to them by the school, far away from anybody else. It had been more to do with keeping them from causing havoc in the school than providing them with an accommodation, especially after the two had set off fireworks in all the school's bathrooms simply because they were bored.

Another bonus was that there was nobody around to tell them what they could or couldn't do, which was proven now, as the television screen flickered due to a spear. It whistled through the air, a golden and dark brown blur, before embedding itself in the wall beside the TV with heavy thunk. The sound of raucous laughter filled the living room as Harry leaped over the couch in front of the television to retrieve the weapon.

"Bullseye," He squinted at the graffitied target that had suffered so many cuts and slashes that the blue and yellow paint was almost indistinguishable, while the red spot that should have occupied the middle of the circle was replaced by an actual spearhead shaped hole in the wall.

Harry yanked the spear out of the wood, grunting with the effort. He flippantly spun it in his right hand as he inspected the target. "We're going to need more spray paint."

When he didn't hear a reply, Harry frowned. "XJ?" He asked, turning around.

XJ was standing stiller than a statue behind the couch, her eyes glued to the television screen. The expression she wore was one that Harry knew all too well – her face was a caricature of unreadable calm, and that could only mean that she was thinking.

Harry put his knees up on the couch in front of XJ and wrapped his arms around her waist. He looked up, concerned. "Is something wrong, lass?"

Harry followed XJ's gaze to see that Ben was down on one knee, with the crowds of Auradon surrounding him and Mal, who had her hands over her mouth. The purple opal of the silver ring glinted through the TV from its place in a case of rich velvet.

Mal nodded, her purple locks bouncing vigorously as her shoulders racked with happy sobs. Ben got to his feet while all of Auradon erupted into cheer, a joyful wave of yellow and royal blue encircling the King and Queen.

Ben slipped the ring onto Mal's fourth finger, and even though the TV had been muted, XJ and Harry could still hear the gaiety of the couple's loyal subjects from outside of their cottage.

As Harry felt a hand caress the back of his neck, his attention returned to XJ. She ran a hand thoughtlessly through his hair as she continued to stare at the screen. Even after all this time, Harry couldn't decipher her exact train of thought from her impenetrable poker face. A streak of panic ran through him as he thought that his worst fears were confirmed to be true.

"Xiao Jun?"

When XJ looked down at him immediately, Harry felt idiotic for every doubting that she wouldn't. She blinked questioningly. "Hmm?"

Harry drew her tighter into his embrace, trying to hide his relief. XJ laughed as she felt his arms lock around her like he was insistent on never letting go.

"Easy there, Hook," She chuckled. "What's the matter?"

"Nothing," He murmured. "What were you thinking about?"

"About our own wedding."

Harry almost choked on his own spit. He looked up to see XJ with amusement written across her face in place of her previous cold composure.