Authors note: So, given the release of Descendants 2 is this month I thought I would get on the band wagon and make my very first Descendants fanfic. Ben and Mal have been dating for a few months now, seems longer though. Ben has the perfect idea for a gift…however…will it go over well with Mal? Surprises and turns are on the way for Aurodon's cutest and envied pairing…but can things unravel in the blink of an eye? Love will be tested here and sometimes it is the lengths one goes to that shows how they truly feel. Hope you enjoy.

Descendants: The gift

CH.1: The necklace

"So, what do you think?" Ben stood before Mal's friends; he had just shown them what he had bought for Mal and wanted their opinion before showing it to them. They originally started out wicked and came from an island where mischief ran wild and rules were thrown out the window. However some part of him always felt like they were misjudged and right from the get go that is what happened here. He wanted to give them a chance…and…wound up falling for Mal, the daughter of Maleficent. Jay was the son of Jafar, Evie the daughter of the Evil Queen, and Carlos the son of Cruella.

They had proved their mettle going against their parents and what they wanted of them and Mal and him became a couple. It was not easy though…temptation for Mal always lingered about in the genes her mother created. Evil was fostered and bred into malcontent and turning things on its head…he got it, and yet, he also felt like this was a chance for them to show the world it was wrong about them. Someday he would be King and as such he wanted to start by giving the children of evil a new home…give them a purpose other than their original design.

"It is…beautiful…but how did you ever afford such a thing?" Evie held the sparkling necklace before her and Ben rubs the back of his neck nervously.

"I got a job…yeah I know, Prince is my title, but even a Prince needs to flex his muscles a bit and earn funds on his own. My parents were kind of hesitant about letting me get a job but in the end they realized I needed to learn what it meant to not have a crown on my head. My mother knows more than most how it is to make an honest living without royalty attached her humble beginnings in a small quaint town-."

"You aren't going to sing are you?" Jay inquires causing the group to laugh. Ben knew his singing wasn't up to par with them but he could share in their laughter.

"No, trust me, the musical genes don't come too often…but if they do…I will work on it. Now, about the necklace, do you think it is too much? The person who sold it to me told me it was a real seller…one of its kind. No other necklace like this can be found anywhere…and trust me I have done my research-."

"I'm sure she will love it, hmm, one of its kind…how much is it worth exactly?" Everyone looks at Carlos and he holds his hands up. "I'm just asking…trust me I am done being wicked."

"I spent about 200 on it. It practically cost me most of my savings from my job but I know Mal is worth it. I really do love her and…well…given how long we have been dating I feel expressing my feelings through this is sort of long overdue."

"So, where is this place exactly?" Now it is everyone's turn to look at Jay. "In case I decide to buy something for a special girl…or girls…what it can happen?"

Ben sighs but accepts the necklace back from Evie as he holds it up to the light. There was a green gem that was circular and the chain was golden. For some reason green just seemed to remind him of her. Mal was not with them right now…he wasn't really sure where she had gone off to but of late he noticed a distance with her. It was hard to tell what was going on in her mind…if she was with him at times or somewhere further away. Sometimes he would catch her staring off in the direction of the Isle of the Lost…her home.

Ben had asked her if she missed it at all but she would always tell him no. There were also moments where he caught sight of her doing something wicked…and a glint of mischief in her eyes that glimmered green. He still loved her, but, he would wish she would talk to him is all. Ben hoped he had never gave her the feeling she could not share anything with him. He wanted to be there for her, a shoulder to cry on, strong arms to hold her to him, and even her friends were worried about her.

"The place I bought it from is Zander's Jeweler Wondrous Delight. I know, it is a mouthful; still, I saw it and knew it was for Mal. He was going to offer me a Princely discount but I told him not to. He would have lowered it to 100 for me but I wanted to pay the full price. I didn't work all those long hours just to have a discount based on status. I hope Mal doesn't hold it against me for working a lot-."

"Mal loves you Ben…don't forget that. When we were on the Isle of Lost she was a lost soul, like we all were…love was not an emotion we had to go on. Our parents had us but sometimes I wonder if they ever truly loved us." Evie says, her hands clasped in front of her.

"Yeah, like with my mom…she had me scared of dogs because she was scared of dogs, or, more like malice towards them. Either way living there it was fun and all…but…it didn't really give a sense of belonging and purpose other than to steal and lie. "Carlos notes. Ben can see how much he had matured, even though he was still quite a bundle of energy.

"Alright…thanks, all of you. Oh darn, I need to put this in something…can you hold onto this for me?" Ben hands the necklace to Evie, figuring she would be the one not to drop it or…ok there he went again, they were changed. Still…given this was love and the other two had yet to he felt better handing it to Evie.

"Don't take too long…she may show up any second." Evie calls after him. Ben just waves his hand as he picks up the pace back to his place.

Mal was walking along with a wicked glint in her eyes. Her green eyes flashing with malice and malcontent. Her sway of her hips promised something but her smile crumbled any hopes. She was the Prince's girlfriend, yeah, so they were just left out wanting in. Her purple hair bounces atop her head and she spots her friends and waves at them. "Hey, there are my favorite people, what do you got there?"

"Oh, um, it is nothing really…just something we're holding onto…" Evie smiles but something about her uneasiness makes her want to ask what was up, however, she was in too good of a mood to ask.

"You know…I've been thinking a lot…aren't you guys ready to go home? I mean, look at this place, people waving at each other and being friendly…don't you miss the days where a smile could mean anything?" Mal looks at the three of them but notes they aren't on the same page as she is.

"Mal…are you ok?" Jay looks at her and she runs a hand through her hair. "I thought we were all happy here-."

"Happy…c'mon Jay, the rules are dragging us all down and you know it. Thievery…magic…mayhem, we were born to be wicked…not born to settle down and live happily ever after, not in our cards-."

"Mal…what is wrong with your eyes?" Evie moves towards her but she lets out a laugh. "Mal, something is wrong…maybe-."

"I have never felt better Evie…you guys are acting like you haven't seen me before. Anyway you know that jewelry place…Xander's smanders…well…someone finally bought that dinky old necklace, can you imagine the lucky fool who winds up wearing that? All that gold weighing on their neck…green jewel…I mean why not red or even blue? What is with you guys…we used to joke about the rich all the time back home-."

Mal hears footsteps and as she looks around her face suddenly drops as she sees the face of Ben standing there.

"Back home…seems you keep going back there Mal, sorry, was planning on surprising you but forgot something. I chose green because it reminded me of your gentle nature, your care for your friends, the reminder of the evergreen…but…guess I was wasting my money huh? Yeah I bought it…now I kind of wished I hadn't. What is with you lately Mal? Haven't I been the best boyfriend…what have I done wrong to deserve this?"

Mal feels her throat constrict and words don't come as easily as they did before. He bought this…for her? The green in her eyes flicker and she feels light headed. It takes all her strength to keep standing. Her friends say nothing but it is clear they do not approve of this…her. It was her though…so…what gave?

"I see you have nothing to say, which is unfortunate. I thought we meant something to each other Mal…but maybe what you are searching for isn't here." Mal tries to shake her head but Ben is already retrieving the necklace from Evie as he…was he crying?

Ben had a single tear rolling down his check and she realized just what an impact her words had. However it wasn't just this…it was clear her actions of late had distanced herself from him and even her friends. All of those qualities he discussed…when had she lost them? "Ben…I can…explain…"

"I wish you had let me in Mal…whatever you are going through we could have gotten through it together. I need to return this to the jeweler…see you guys later." Ben's gaze lingers on hers and she tries to take back what she said but he is already moving off. Oh no…what had she done?

Authors note: So, what has made Mal so wicked? Can Mal save her relationship with Ben before the damage cannot be undone? Next chapter Mal will find herself on a journey as she tries to not only repair what was with Ben…but also let her friends in on her personal ordeal.