Chapter Text
Audrey didn’t quite know what to make of her new roommate. She knew that she was the daughter of a sea witch, had a pirate crew, and had apparently destroyed cotillion. She supposed there were worse roommates to have.
Uma mainly kept to herself, staying on her side of the dorm and avoiding conversation with the princess. It seemed to be going smoothly, no major confrontations or arguments happening.
The first time Uma left their dorm at 9:30 at night, Audrey didn’t think anything of it. She was probably just getting a drink or something, and she returned just before curfew at ten o’clock. But this became a routine. After a week of the same thing, Audrey was starting to get suspicious. What was so important that she needed to do right before curfew? Was she planning some villainous act? Trying to take over Auradon like Mal and her friends did?
Sometimes she worried that Uma wouldn’t return in time and get them both in trouble, but her roommate always managed to slip in the door just before the clock struck ten. After two weeks, Audrey’s paranoia and curiosity won and she decided to follow her.
Audrey followed Uma down the multiple corridors of Auradon prep, trying her best to go unnoticed by the pirate. They had already passed by the kitchen and the front entrance, and Uma hadn’t show any sign of slowing down. It wasn’t until they were in the halls where the male dorms were that she stopped. Audrey quickly ducked behind the corner and watched in confusion as Uma approached one of the doors. What were they doing outside the boys dormitories? Boys and girls weren’t aloud to be in rooms together after dark.
Peeking around the corner, she realised that Uma has disappeared into the dorm. Audrey crept closer and found that it was slightly open, just enough for her to peek inside. She glanced through the crack, trying to stay as quiet as possible. The first thing she saw was Gil passed out on one of the beds. He drooled on his pillow, making the princess grimace. Uma appeared at his bedside, pulling blankets over the sleeping pirate. After he was tucked in, Audrey’s eyes followed Uma to the other side of the room. Harry Hook sat on the other bed, fiddling with his hook, which had been dulled when they arrived in Auradon. She watched as Uma sat beside him and they talked in quiet voices, not wanting to wake up Gil. They looked at him fondly before returning to their serious looking conversation. Audrey glanced down at her phone. 9:57.
She looked back up just in time to see Uma embrace her first mate. He buried his face in her neck and squeezed her tighter. Audrey was shocked at the intimacy, not expecting to see a VK look so vulnerable. She stepped back, suddenly feeling bad for intruding on such a personal moment. A few moments later she heard Uma’s voice become clearer as the pirate moved towards the door. “... get some sleep. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
Audrey jumped back and darted down the hall, back to her room. Uma closed the door behind her just as the pink blur disappeared around the corner. She furrowed her eyebrows and sped back to her dorm. When Uma returned to her room right at 9.59, Audrey was sitting on her bed, pretending to read. The two girls’ eyes met, and Audrey froze. It felt like she could see right through her. The princess looked back, and the look of understanding in her eyes was enough to make Uma relax. The two went to bed without a word.
——
It was a few weeks later when Uma’s routine was suddenly knocked off balance. The two girls sat on their beds, Audrey writing in her diary and Uma doing homework for her goodness class. As an unspoken rule, neither had mentioned Uma’s nightly visits.
A loud static filled the room before Fairy Godmother’s voice came through the sound system.
“Attention, Auradon Prep. As we will be expecting some royals on campus for a meeting tomorrow, I expect all students to be in bed by 9.30 so you can wake up bright eyed and bushy tailed! Thank you, have sweet dreams.”
Once the sound cut out, Audrey glanced over at Uma. The pirate was glaring at her homework, her eyebrows furrowed.
“Uma, are you alright?” Audrey asked softly. The pirate looked back at her with a blank expression that looked like something she had lots of practice in.
“Course, Princess.” She said, scoffing like the question was ridiculous.
Audrey frowned. She didn’t know why it was so important for Uma to see the boys every night, but she knew that it had to be big if she was like this.
“I’m sure they’ll be okay.” The princess said hesitantly. It was the first time either of them had directly mentioned Uma’s nightly visits. She immediately regretted breaking their unspoken agreement.
“I know,” Uma replied, collecting her work and dumping it on the desk. Audrey felt relieved at her response and followed suit, putting her diary away before climbing into her bed. She glanced over at Uma once she was settled, but all she could see was her roommate’s back. Audrey sighed and rolled over, drifting off to a peaceful sleep.
——
It was a couple hours later when her sleep was interrupted by a horrific scream. Audrey sat up quickly, looking around for danger. Images of spinning wheels and crows flashed in her mind before she realised there was nothing there. Her eyes landed on Uma.
Uma was still asleep, but she was panting and gasping for air. Her hand was reaching around for a weapon or something. “Don’t touch them!” She shrieked to an invisible threat. Her hand went to claw at her throat as if something was choking her.
Audrey leaped out of her bed and raced over, grabbing Uma’s arm.
“Uma, it’s okay, you’re okay,” she said, shaking the pirate. Uma trashed harder, tears now pouring down her face.
Audrey had to think fast. She knew that Uma wouldn’t want Fairy Godmother or Mal (who’s dorm was the closest) to see her like this, so they were out of the question. Suddenly, the obvious answer struck her and she stood up.
“I’ll be right back, okay?” She told the pirate, before dashing out of the room.
Audrey ran barefoot down the hallway, trying to remember the room number she was looking for. Spotting what she hoped was the right door, she skidded to a stop and knocked urgently. It took about ten seconds for the door to be opened, revealing a sleepy shirtless Harry Hook, looking confused at her sudden appearance.
“To what do I owe the pleasure, princess?” He grumbled. She had no doubt that it looked weird, showing up at his door in her silk pink pjs at two AM.
“It’s Uma,” she barely got the words out before he suddenly became wide awake. Before she could say anything else, he had already pushed past her and was running down the hall. Audrey pulled herself together and followed him, having trouble keeping up with his speed.
She reached her doorway, panting. Harry was already beside Uma’s bed.
“Uma,” he whispered, sitting down and pulling her into his arms.
“It’s alright, captain. We’re in Auradon. You’re safe,” he continued to reassure her in whispers that Audrey couldn’t hear. “Harry?” Uma mumbled, her eyes opening.
“Right here, love. You just had a bad dream, is all.”
Uma choked on a sob and dropped her face onto his bare chest, her breathing still rapid. Audrey stood in the doorway, feeling like an intruder in her own room.
“I’ll get her some water,” she said, not sure if either of them even heard her.
——
Audrey took her time getting the water, not wanting to intrude on their private moment. She knew her roommate would hate that she saw her in such a vulnerable state. When Audrey returned, she was met with only quiet. She opened the door and stepped in on her tiptoes, not wanting to disturb them. The two pirates were curled up on Uma’s bed, the girl in question being sound asleep. Harry looked up from his captain and met Audrey’s gaze. She tried to smile, lifting the glass of water.
“Is she okay?” She asked, looking at Uma asleep on his chest.
“Yeah. You did the right thing, comin’ to get me.” He told her, gratefully.
Audrey nodded, placing the glass of water at Uma’s bedside.
“So I assume you’re staying?” She asked politely, not wanting to sound like she was trying to kick him out.
“Anyone gonna know?” He asked, tightening his hold on his captain at the mere idea of leaving her.
Audrey chuckled and moved to her own bed.
“I won’t tell if you won’t,”
Harry gave her a small smile before looking down at Uma.Audrey watched them for a second before speaking hesitantly.
“Has this happened before?” She questioned, her curiosity getting the better of her. Harry was silent for a moment and she wondered if she had overstepped a boundary.
“Happens on occasion, but it’s usually the other way ‘round.” He said finally. “There was always someone on the ship that woke up screaming.” He didn’t look away from Uma, stroking her hair with one hand.
“Is that why she visits you guys every night?” Audrey spoke before she could stop herself. When Harry didn’t show a notable reaction to her question, she guessed that Uma had told him their secret meeting wasn’t so secret.
“Yeah. We used to share a room back on the ship, but we can’t do that here so seeing her and holding her beforehand is the best she can do to help stop me from havin’ nightmares. I guess it helped her too.”
Audrey wondered if he was revealing all of this because he was tired, or if he really trusted her with that information. Either way, she was beginning to understand her roommate a little bit more.
“Goodnight, Harry,” she said, getting back into her bed. She heard him respond quietly before she fell into a deep sleep.
——
“Is everything okay? We heard noises from your dorm last night,” Mal asked at breakfast the next morning. Audrey saw Uma and Harry tense up across from her and jumped in.
“Yeah, it’s fine. I started sleep walking and Uma woke me up. Sleep issues seem to run in my family,” she glared playfully at Mal, who laughed in response.
The topic of conversation shifted quickly and Uma met Audrey’s eyes, nodding in thanks. The princess smiled back. The two girls shared a mutual respect, and Audrey knew that this was only the beginning of their friendship