Chapter Text
In The Quiet Of The Trees
It’s been about three months since Mal had the barrier to the isle taken down and Jay couldn’t have been happier. He and Harry had talked and reconnected, even trying to have an actual relationship this time and so far it was going great. He was planning to take a year off from everything with Gil but since he and Harry worked things out those plans changed. Harry spent a lot of his time lately helping Uma revamp the isle when he wasn’t with Jay. He was proud of how far most people from the isle have come.
Now that he finished school, Jay spent most of his time teaching self defense and fighting classes for the Auradon kids, and some adults too. It was one of the few things he did better than anyone else, aside from pick pocketing but that’s not exactly an “Auradon skill”. He had to keep himself busy with something as he was the oldest of his crew so he saw less of them these days what with school and other things everyone has going on.
He also took the lead on dealing with any rogue villains or VK’s that didn’t want to abandon their evil ways. Tracking them down and bringing them to the new villain jail essentially. Ben has been working on a new system with fairy godmother but now only the person committing the evil acts will pay for those acts. And there is option for rehabilitation, it’s not a forever sentence unless they refuse to give up their evil ways. Along with this came investigating mysterious magical things. Things that either have an off magical aura or have been reported acting out of the ordinary. Which has what has led Jay to the Enchanted Forest about ten miles out from Auradon Prep. Fairy Godmother told Ben a citizen who lives near it told her that he saw a dark fog coming from the forest. Which is never a good sign. So now Jay is packing a bag to go investigate. Some anti-magic potions, general antidotes, restraints, a sword, and some snacks.
He made it to the forest with no trouble and at first glance nothing seemed all that out of the ordinary. He didn’t even get the creepy goosebumps he typically gets with cursed enchanted things. Walking in still felt fine, the only thing he could say was unusual was there was no wildlife running about. The sun shone through the trees, not a speck of fog in sight. He decided to wait til nightfall just in case the problem only appeared at night. He sat under a tree that had some sun, it was warm and comforting and lulled him into a peaceful sleep. He woke to the sound of whispers. He looked around but saw no one.
“Is someone there?” The whispers continued as if he hadn’t said anything. “This certainly isn’t normal Enchanted Forest behavior…”
He searched but had no luck finding the source of the whispers. It was almost as if they came from the trees themselves. Or the air for all he knew. The creepy goosebumps crept into his skin and he felt like he was being watched.
“Okay. Maybe time to leave.” On his way out he noticed he was being followed by fog. He paused his exit to climb up a tree to get a better view of its origin. It looked as if it mushroomed out from the center of the forest, but from what he wasn’t sure.
“Peachy.”
He quickly made his way out of the forest deciding it best not to push his luck. He made a quick stop to see Fairy Godmother to give her a quick update and then home. He felt oddly exhausted.
He and Harry found a nice place with a private lake that’s not too far from Ben’s castle, Evie’s castle, and Auradon prep. It’s been nice having a place to go that’s private. Jay may come across as a people person but sometimes it’s just too much. Harry’s much the same. He arrived home to find said pirate already lounging in bed watching tv, eyeliner free. He loved the pirate by day look but there was something that just pulled at the thief’s heartstrings seeing just him. He smiled at Jay as he entered their bedroom.
“Long day, love?”
“Long, yes. But I don’t think I should feel so…drained.”
“Ya spent all day where, then?”
“Enchanted Forest. Fairy Godmother said it needed to be checked out.” He said as he changed into pajamas.
“And what did ya find?”
“Nothing during the day. Except no animals. Night there’s some odd stuff. Whispers, fog, my exhaustion.”
“Hmmm. Magic can drain ya, ya know. And animals know to stay away from bad magic. It’s instinct.”
“Since when are you a magic expert?” He teased.
“Since I’ve been readin books. Yea yea actual books. Laugh it up.” He flashed a smirk.
“Harry Hook? And books? Never thought I’d see the day.” He climbed in bed next to him, kissing him softly before snuggling up to his side.
“Sorry to tell ya love, but I think ya have a Haunted Forest now.”
“You’re probably right.” He said through a yawn.
“I’m often right.”
“Mmm.” Jay was out before he heard Harry’s reply.