@tiderider wanted a birthday party starter!!
the isle looks fantastic, with the usual coloured lights that hang between buildings practically doubled of tripled in some places, and the market square cleared of stalls- instead hosting a stage, that might just be all of those stalls shoved together and covered in plywood- and on that stage a band. music pouring into the streets, people excited and dancing, chatting.
the energy is electric- and though it’s not for her specifically, it still feels like the first birthday party where she hasn’t had to compete for attendance. it’s more than that, though. it’s freedom. it’s the celebration of them entering into a new year of opportunities they have never been afforded before.
she’s practically bouncing, exuding excitement and energy, as she finds harry, as she jumps up onto his back, arms around his neck. “ there you are! ” she greets with a grin. “ having fun? ”
roaming the streets, harry was equal parts celebrating, as he was keeping an eye out for any mischief. the job of a first mate was never really over, especially in crowds such as the one that had gathered for uma’s birthday and the victory of their triumph to see the barriers fall. everyone was in high spirits, and it was difficult not to be swept up in the joy and thrill of it. he had seen nothing suspicious yet, no signs of impending danger or threat but that didn’t mean that it wasn’t there.
harry was weaving between bodies when she pounced on him. every nerve and muscle in his back suddenly tense until he recognized the familiar weight and feel of his captain. harry caught hold of her legs, hoisting her up onto his back in a piggy back ride as he glanced over hsi shoulder to try and look at her. his smile was wide, and whatever awareness he might have demonstrated before her arms were wrapped around his neck, faded in an instant.
“ the best. did you catch the last band? ” harry asked, his pale blue eyes alight under the feeling of her excitement. he liked her like this. giddy with excitement, beaming with cheer. if anyone attempted to ruin her special day, he would hang them from the posts by their entrails. “ i’ve got something for you. ”
the atmosphere is so unusual on the isle, the feeling of freedom and a party without care or consequence. no-one is waiting for maleficent to come and ban them from the streets, no-one is waiting for the bog boys to slink out of side roads and start slicing into the crowd ( she has a promise that won’t happen, after all ) and it feels so good. she wants to be able to soak up this atmosphere, this feeling and take it with her everywhere she goes. it feels like joy.
harry catches her without incident, arms curling under her legs to lift her higher on his back and she leans over his shoulder so she can see him, and he can see her, planting a kiss to his cheek deliberately designed to leave a smear of lipstick in its wake. though if he doesn’t notice, she isn’t going to say anything.
it feels like her own excitement is catching too, as his eyes light up and he asks about the band. “ yeah, feels like i’ve been doing nothing but dancing. ” it’s a good thing she can’t break a sweat. “ you do? ” her legs uncurl from him and she drops off his back to instead move to stand in front of him. “ what is it? ”