Hazel Eyes ? UNDER WORK ? D2&3 ? H.H.

HARRY

"Why are you always so kind to me?" Hazel asked, her voice quiet, but echoing.

"I haven't found a reason not to be," I confessed, my voice soft as a comforting touch. I reached out, gently caressing her cheek with my thumb that had previously wiped her tears, feeling the warmth of her skin against mine. She turned away slowly, her movements hesitant.

She walked towards the corner of the quaint room, her footsteps light against the wooden floor. She bent down to lift a loose floorboard, revealing a hidden object - a small, finely crafted dagger. With her back to me, she retrieved it, then turned and held it out to me.

"If something unforeseen happens, I want you to have this," she said, her voice steady despite the gravity of her words. She meant unforeseen like her life draining before my eyes.

"Why?" I questioned, the weight of the blade heavy in my hands. I examined it closely, noticing the initials etched delicately into the metal H.W.P. "I can't accept this."

"I owe you for saving my life, and I may not be around to repay you in any other way. So please," she implored, her eyes shimmering with unshed tears, "keep it for me."

With a nod of understanding, I took the sheath she handed me. I slid the dagger back inside its protective casing and attached it securely to my hip. Together, we exited the comfort of her cottage, stepping out into the unknown.

The world outside was blanketed in darkness, the light of the moon serving as our sole guide. We had barely begun our journey back to the others when Hazel stumbled, a cough and struggling breaths tearing through her body as she lost her footing.

"Hazel," I reached out, catching her before she could hit the unforgiving, cold ground. "We're almost there, you can make it."

"Hook," she whispered, her voice barely audible. "Stop Audrey."

"You're resilient, Hazel. You can fight this," I encouraged, believing every word.

We took a moment to rest, Hazel reclining in my lap. Her vibrant color was fading and her hair, once full of life, was dull. Yet, she managed a weak smile and reached up to touch my face, her touch delicate as a butterfly's wings.

"You have the power to save Auradon, Hook," she murmured, her voice tinged with hope. "You can be a hero again."

With renewed determination, I hoisted her into my arms and began to run in the direction we had come from, her unconscious, but still alive form cradled against my chest.

"Uma!" I called out, relief washing over me as I spotted my blue-haired ally. "Mal!"

As I neared them, everyone froze in their tracks except for Mal and Uma, who seemingly didn't hear me and continued walking away from each other. I followed Uma, knowing that if she was returning to the Isle, I needed to bring Hazel along. The Isle was a sanctuary where evil magic didn't hold sway.

"Uma," I said, managing to catch up to her. Seeing Hazel unconscious in my arms, she halted her steps. "We need to take her with us."

I explained the events that had unfolded, my voice steady despite the fear gnawing at me. Uma gave a silent nod, her gaze fixed on Hazel. Mal's voice echoed from behind us, and I knew I'd have to repeat the story.

I needed Hazel to survive. She was more than a friend - she was my hope.

••••••••••

Later, I found myself staring at the unconscious girl lying in a bed in Ben's grand castle. Mal had conquered Audrey, but the victory had left her in the same state as Hazel.

I sat at Hazel's bedside, a silent guardian. I couldn't take her to the Isle. She'd be trapped there, living but not truly alive. I couldn't do that to her, not when she deserved so much more.

"Hazel," I whispered, my voice barely audible in the quiet room. "I don't know if you can hear me, but I wanted to thank you. It might sound foolish, but you saved me in a way I didn't think possible. You showed me a depth of care I didn't know existed, just like you do with everyone. I'm so sorry this happened to you."

A single tear slipped down my cheek, falling onto the back of her hand. I held her hand in mine, gently pressing my lips to her knuckles in a kiss filled with regret and longing. Standing up, I took one last look at her peaceful face before walking out of the room.

I knew I would never see the girl I had unwittingly began falling in love with again.

As I closed the door silently behind me, I was left  breathless. I was losing Hazel, everyone was losing her.

I walked down the long, empty corridor of the castle, each step echoing the heavy beat of my heart. The walls, adorned with grand portraits of past rulers, seemed to stare at me with silent understanding, their painted eyes full of sympathy as I left the castle.