the way things go by beabadoobee

Tatiana stormed through the Isle, her golden jewelry jingling with each furious step. The moment her father had summoned her, she knew it wouldn't be good—but this? This was worse than she ever could have imagined.

She pushed open the heavy wooden doors to Scar's lair, her anger barely contained. The dim candlelight flickered over the cracked walls, casting long shadows behind the figure seated in the center of the room.

Scar barely looked up from sharpening his claws. "You seem tense, little one."

"You just told me I'm being sent to Auradon," Tatiana snapped, crossing her arms. "Forgive me if I'm not thrilled about it."

Scar's emerald eyes gleamed in the darkness. "You should be honored."

Tatiana let out a humorless laugh. "Honored? To live with a bunch of spoiled royals? To follow their rules, wear their ridiculous clothes, and pretend I don't want to strangle them all?" She scoffed. "Not happening."

Scar finally set his claws down and stood, his lean frame moving with slow, calculated precision. "Oh, but it is happening."

Tatiana stiffened as he stepped closer, his presence suffocating.

"This isn't about you, Tatiana," he continued, voice low. "Prince Ben has foolishly chosen you and a few others to leave this prison, to walk among the royals as if you belong." His lips curled. "And you will play your part."

Tatiana's stomach twisted. "You want me to steal the wand."

Scar smiled, slow and sharp. "And when you do, everyone will see who truly holds the power."

Tatiana's fists clenched. This wasn't about her getting a fresh start. It was about her being used—being controlled. Just another pawn in her father's endless game.

"Forget it," she spat. "I'm not doing it."

Scar's gaze darkened. "You will do as I say."

Tatiana's breath came out shaky, her nails digging into her palms. She wanted to scream, to fight, to run. But it wouldn't matter. Scar had already decided.

She was leaving the Isle.

Whether she wanted to or not.

Tatiana didn't remember leaving the lair. Didn't remember slamming the door behind her or storming through the streets. All she knew was that her chest felt too tight, her hands trembled, and she needed to hit something.

So she did.

She kicked over a crate, sending splintered wood flying. She grabbed a rusted metal pole and swung it against the nearest pile of junk, the loud clang ringing through the docks.

"Oi, love, what did that crate ever do to you?"

Tatiana whipped around, her breathing heavy, to see Harry Hook leaning against a barrel. His smirk was lazy, but there was something sharp in his eyes as he studied her.

"Not now, Hook," she muttered, turning away.

Harry tilted his head. "Someone's in a mood."

Tatiana clenched her jaw. "My father's sending me to Auradon."

Harry's smirk vanished. "...Come again?"

She let out a sharp breath, gripping the pole tighter. "You heard me. I'm being shipped off to the land of sunshine and happily ever afters."

Harry's expression flickered—just for a second—before he masked it with a scoff. "Well. That's... unexpected."

Tatiana turned and swung at another crate, smashing it to pieces. "I don't want to go!"

Harry didn't flinch, just watched her with an unreadable look.

"Then don't."

Tatiana let out a bitter laugh. "Like I have a choice. Scar wants the wand, and I'm the lucky little pawn that gets to fetch it for him."

Harry ran a hand through his hair, exhaling. "When do you leave?"

"Tomorrow." The word felt like poison on her tongue.

Silence stretched between them. For the first time, Tatiana realized how final this was. She was actually leaving. Leaving the Isle. Leaving Harry.

Her chest ached.

Harry, for once, didn't have a joke. Instead, he reached out and flicked one of her golden bangles. "Guess this means I have to cause trouble without you."

Tatiana swallowed hard. "Guess so."

Harry's smirk returned, but it didn't reach his eyes. "You'll miss me, princess."

Tatiana rolled her eyes, shoving his shoulder. "As if."

But the weight in her chest told her otherwise.

Because no matter how much she fought it...

This was goodbye.

Morning came too fast.

Tatiana stood outside her father's lair, arms crossed, jaw tight. The sky was its usual dull gray, the air thick with the familiar scent of rust and sea salt. She should've known King Ben wouldn't send her alone—but she hadn't expected this.

Mal. Evie. Carlos. Jay.

She stared at them, standing together in front of the limo, bags packed.

Of course it had to be them.

Tatiana's face remained unreadable, but inside, she was fuming. She barely tolerated Mal as it was, and now she had to live with her? Be around her all the time?

No. This arrangement was not okay.

She stood stiffly, her posture guarded, masking every ounce of emotion. She wasn't about to let them see how she really felt about this.

Scar stepped beside her, looking down at her with sharp, expectant eyes. "Remember what I told you," he murmured.

Tatiana didn't respond.

Then, without another word, she turned and walked straight to Harry.

For once, he didn't have a joke ready. He just looked at her, his usual smirk nowhere in sight.

Tatiana's throat tightened. "You should be coming," she muttered.

Harry let out a low chuckle. "And miss the chaos you're about to cause over there?" He flicked the edge of her braid. "Nah. But I will be waitin' for stories."

Tatiana swallowed hard, suddenly unable to speak. She had never been good at goodbyes.

Harry seemed to realize that because, before she could say anything else, he pulled her into a tight hug.

Tatiana froze for a moment—then gripped the back of his jacket, holding on longer than she should have. Her vision blurred, her chest ached, but she refused to let a single tear fall.

Not here. Not now.

Harry pulled back slightly, tilting her chin up. "Don't let 'em change you, yeah?"

Tatiana forced a smirk. "Like they could."

Harry grinned, then stepped back, slipping his hands into his pockets. "Go on, then. Before I start gettin' sentimental."

Tatiana took a deep breath, straightened her posture, and walked toward the limo.

She tossed her bags in the trunk, then slid into the seat next to Jay, Mal across from her.

The door shut.

The engine rumbled to life.

As the limo pulled away, Tatiana kept her gaze forward, her face blank.

But for the first time in her life...

She felt like a caged animal.

And she hated it.