A/N - Hi Guys, thanks for your ongoing patience. Even though by the time you read this there will be a block of ten chapters already posted on this story. I'm proud to admit that I have spent two weeks of leave from work writing this story - present and future chapters. Enjoy! Much love RSD xoxox.

We sat in our usual spot, in front of the old oak tree that settled itself on the outskirts of the college border line. We have had so many fond memories being sat in front of this tree and I knew that both me and Ben held them very dear. It was in front of this tree that I told Ben that I loved him for the very first time. It was also the very tree in which me and Ben had fell asleep in front of and accidently sent his parents crazy as they didn't know where he was. I pushed all these memories away as I sat down on the grass and threw my bag in front of me; I watched as Ben mirrored my actions and moved closer to me by sitting on my left hand side.

"Well..." I stated watching him as he came closer to me.

"Well..." he repeated.

"You have me all to yourself, so what did you want to speak to me about?" I asked not beating about the bush.

"You don't miss a thing do you?" he joked.

"No" I stated as he rested two fingers underneath my chin and lifted my face to his.

"I hope you realise the more you try to distract me the more I worry" I added.

"Unless this is all you wanted me for" I said as I brushed my nose against his.

"Both" he breathed before quickly kissing my lips.

I responded to the kiss and moved my head to the side so we could deepen the kiss. My hands left my lap and soon found his hair; whilst his hands captured my hip and then my lower back. Ben was the one that started the kiss and he was the one to finish it.

"Happy with yourself?" I breathed as I tried to regulate my breathing.

"Most definitely" he said as the grin on his face got bigger.

"I best get talking otherwise you will be a worrying wreck" he joked.

"Ha ha" I answered back sarcastically.

"I know that you have been having problems deciding on your career choice..." he began.

'Right..." I said slowly prompting him to continue as I didn't know where he was going with this.

"Don't worry" he said with a smile telling me that my face must have been telling him that I was starting to worry.

'Ok" I answered back.

"I just wondered whether you had thought anything about any other long term plans" he said watching my reaction.

"Long term plans?" I repeated slowly still not understanding where he was going with this.

"Yes" he confirmed.

"Ben babe, you are going to have to help me out here. You have me really confused" I admitted. He shook his head and quickly kissed my lips.

"I know what my plans are Mal, I wanted to know whether you knew what yours were as well" he told me.

I pulled my brow up in confusion; was this me being thick or him talking in code?

"My long term plan is obviously to reign until my son or daughter's 16th birthday. So I obviously plan to get married and have children" he said watching my reaction.

"Ben you're not asking me to..." I started.

"No I'm not asking you to marry me...yet" he said still watching my reaction.

"You are asking me whether I want to spend the rest of my life with you?" I asked finally twigging onto what he was trying to say to me.

He nodded to this and I swallowed.

"Do you doubt me?" I asked quietly starting to feel hurt.

"No" he immediately said.

"Of course not" he added.

"Why ask if I want to spend the rest of my life with you? I thought you already knew the answer?" I asked slowly.

"Do you not want to spend the rest of your life with me?" I asked wondering whether that was where he was going with this.

My mind instantly went to when I was with him last night and this morning I didn't pick up on any bad vibes. So I had no idea where this was going or where this conversation had come from.

"I think I may have caused you some unnecessary worry" he said as he shook his head as he broke me from my train of thought.

"I don't doubt you Mal; I don't doubt what we have. What I wanted to achieve with this conversation is to show you how much you mean to me and to talk about the life that I would like us to have together" he answered slowly as he took my right hand in both of his.

"I love you Mal, I always have and I always will" he added after a few moments.

I felt tears of happiness start to form in my eyes so to hide the embarrassment I learnt forward and snuggled into his shoulder.

"I just wanted you to know that I love you so much and that I do value our relationship more than anything else in this world. Sorry for worrying you; I just wanted you to know that I can't imagine any future without you in it" he explained further.

"I know that I made it sounded like I doubted you but I don't. I just wanted you to be aware of my intentions as I had thought they were the same as yours. I just didn't want to assume so I thought we should talk about it. We haven't really spoken much about our future together" he added into the silence.

"Mal, are you ok?" I heard him ask as I didn't comment on any of what he had just said.

I felt him pull away from me and I saw him look down as he heard me take a deep breath.

"Yes, I just have something in my eye" I lied; at times when Ben was being cute like this I couldn't help but be overwhelmed.

"I see" he said and he lifted my face up again to meet his.

"In all seriousness Mal, I wanted to make sure that you knew that you are never getting rid of me" he said as a smile started to spread across his face.

"I wouldn't have it another way" I stated as I smiled back at him.

"Good" he answered and he quickly captured my lips with his. I broke away after a few moments.

"I hope you realise Benjamin Florian of Auradon that you are never going to be able to get rid of me either" I answered back happily.

"Using full names are we?" he joked.

"Don't you dare!" I stated jokingly as he knew how much I hated my middle name.

"Or else what?" he joked.

"I won't kiss you" I warned; even though both of us knew that it was pointless to threaten this.

"We both know that you won't manage that" he stated.

"Oh really?" I stated.

Ben knew that I had a stubborn streak, as he did, so I would try it and probably fail.

"Really?" he breathed bringing his face closer to mine.

As he went to kiss my lips I turned my face to the side so he caught my cheek.

"We both know you won't be able to keep this up for very long" he whispered into my ear.

"I can do anything that I put my mind to Ben!" I snapped.

"Ok, let's see how long we can BOTH last" he stated emphasising the word 'both'.

"Fine" I said and I turned my face away from his.

"I love it when you play hard to get" he said moving his face closer to mine.

He then rubbed his nose down my cheek and towards my jaw.

"And when is this not trying to kiss me?" I asked trying not to concentrate on the shiver this was sending down my spine.

"Well I'm not kissing you am I?" he asked as he pulled away and looked down at me.

"I know what you are trying to do Ben" I stated as I looked up and smiled.

"Which is?" he asked obviously playing dumb.

"You're trying to tease me so I give in" I muttered as I watched his eyes darken.

"Well that normally works" he muttered back.

"I know it does, it normally works on you as well" I whispered.

"Yeah well look how that ended last time" he said huskily.

"Hmmmmm" I said at the memory as I turned my head more towards him.

I watched as he started to smile and I knew what he was thinking - that I was getting close to kissing him. I moved my face closer to his and I watched as he opened his mouth slightly. A smile started to form on my face as our faces were inches apart.

"Now look at what we have here" he muttered.

He smiled my favourite goofy smile that I couldn't help but sigh and shake my head at.

"Hmmm" I replied before I looked him up and down.

I reached over and put my hand on his collar. I saw his gaze drop to my hand; I slowly moved my hand onto his neck and slowly dragged my nails up his neck. A grin spread across my face as I saw him stretch his neck upwards due to the tingle down his spine that I knew it was causing. When I got to the bottom of his jaw bone; he brought his gaze back to me. I started to slowly drag my index finger of my right hand down his jaw and stopped onto the point of his jaw.

"Mal" I heard him say.

"Yes?" I asked slowly as I raised one of my eye brows.

"You know exactly what you are doing" he said quickly as he closed his eyes which caused my lips pull up into a smirk.

"Do I?" I flirted as I now dragged my finger down his neck back towards his collarbone.

"Yes" he breathed.

He snapped his eyes open and moved his face closer to mine. His hand cupped my face holding it in place and he tried to make me kiss him. However due to quick reflexes I moved at the right moment and my lips caught his cheek.

"Darn" I heard him say.

"Who exactly is going to fail at this?" I laughed.

"You, I know you can't resist me" he joked back.

I narrowed my eyes at this to flirt with him and then I let a thought fill my mind. Fine he wants me to tease him I will tease him and this time I will win. I bit down on my lip and then put my hand on the right hand side of his face and then moved my face closer and closer to his face. I watched as his gaze burnt into mine; when our lips were only an inch apart; we sat like this for a few moments and I was finding it very hard not to kiss him right there and then. I watched as he smiled at me and it took everything I had to quickly move my face and rest my head against his shoulder.

"Well you have just proved me wrong'' he joked.

"I told you I could put my mind to anything" I said into his shoulder.

"Stubborn" I heard him say into my hair.

"What's your plans for the rest of the day?" I asked changing the subject.

"Well I have my classes but then straight after I need to go home and get ready as I have a meeting tonight" he advised quickly.

"Right..." I replied picking up on his tone.

"With Zeus and Hera" he added. This caused me to pull away from him.

"So SHE is going to be there?" I asked incredulously. He knew exactly who I meant.

"Yes Aphrodite will be there" he answered.

"And you didn't mention that last night or this morning because" I snapped starting to get irritated at him.

"I was distracted" he said smiling at me but when he noticed that I wasn't going to smile back at this he continued.

"And I would have told you".

"When?" I said my tone still sharp.

"I don't know I would have rang you beforehand" he said offhandedly.

"I don't know why you have such a problem with Aphrodite anyway" he added quickly afterwards.

"Really Ben?" I said as I threw my arm in the air to show my annoyance.

"Every time she's around you, she's constantly flirting with you and putting her hands on you" I explained angrily.

"But there's nothing in it" he advised.

"That's just her way" he added.

"Of getting on my nerves" I muttered which caused him to laugh.

"Mal, there's no way I would go anywhere near anyone else, let alone Aphrodite" Ben advised trying to reassure me.

"It is hot though - you getting jealous" he said making the tone of his voice husky.

"I really don't know how to answer that" I said as he pulled me closer.

"She knows I'm with you, so don't worry" he said as he started to stroke my back.

"Still doesn't stop her flirting with you" I stated as I pulled away to look up at him.

"Doesn't mean I flirt back" he stated.

"I know" I answered as our gazes started to lock together.

"I'm yours" he whispered.

"And I'm yours" I whispered back and he pulled me closer and I nearly kissed him but I turned away as I realised what he was trying to do at the last moment.

"God I thought I had you distracted enough there" he groaned.

I looked up at him and winked at him.

"You could just end this Ben, and then you could kiss me all you want" I teased before biting down on my lip.

I watched as he contemplated this for a couple of seconds before a smile spreading across his face.

"I suppose I could, but I know it's driving you crazy as much as it is with me" he answered back.

"Yeah it is starting to take its toll" I admitted.

"You could end this Mal, and then you could kiss me all you want" he said mimicking me.

I shoved him and then took his hand in mine.

"Please don't worry about tonight though" he advised as he started to slowly stoke my hand.

"If your awake after it I'll ring you?" he promised.

"I'll try to keep awake, but I know how late your meeting with Zeus and Hera can sometimes go on for" I laughed.

Once Ben had a meeting with Zeus, Hera and Aphrodite and it went on until three o'clock in the morning; but that was mainly due to the fact that Zeus and Ben's father were talking about 'the good old days'. At least on that occasion I was there at the meeting and it was then when I met Aphrodite for the first time and she reduced her flirting level with Ben - ever so slightly.

"If you don't answer then I will know that you have fell asleep - that or you don't want to speak to me" he joked and he stopped stroking my hand and held it instead.

"Oh I wonder which one it will be" I joked back.

"Oh I nearly forgot, do you have any plans for the weekend?" Ben asked changing the subject as he started to stroke my back again.

"Nothing, just probably my assignments, texting you, ringing you and hanging around with our usual crowd?" I said happily.

"Why?" I asked after a few moments.

"Try and free sometime to actually see me?" he laughed.

"I think I can manage that" I laughed.

"Good, as I know how busy you can get" he joked.

"I know, hopefully I can squeeze you in" I said sarcastically.

Me and Ben both started to stare at each other and after a while I quickly checked his watch.

"Not long before we need to head back" I said as I looked back at him.

I watched as he pulled his lip to the right hand side a little bit but still didn't say anything.

"What are you thinking about?" I laughed.

"You, like always" he answered.

He quickly prodded his cheek to signify that he wanted me to kiss his cheek; I smiled at him and went to kiss his cheek. However my happiness at how cute he was being soon changed into annoyance as he moved his cheek quickly at the last minute making me kiss him.

"YES!" he shouted as we broke apart.

"Ben!" I shouted back.

"I knew I'd get you" he laughed.

I narrowed my eyes in annoyance and sighed.

"Oh come on, you knew you were going to give it at some point" he laughed tightening his arm around my waist and pulling me to him.

"Now come here" he said quickly before kissing me again.

I was still annoyed at him but this washed away as he deepened the kiss. I felt him come closer to me and I felt him drop my hand; and his hand flew to my hip whilst the other held the small of my back pulling me closer. I pulled on his blazer and he responded by moving his torso closer to me. We broke away for a second and quickly crushed our lips together for a couple of seconds.

"Now that is much better" Ben breathed after we broke away.

"I know" I breathed back.

"That's all I will be thinking about tonight" he added winking at me.

"That and this morning" he said before pecking me on the lips.

"Well I wouldn't want to get blamed for distracting the king when he is doing his royal duties now would I?" I teased as I placed my hands on his chest.

"You know you do anyway" he teased back.

"Distracting me, not getting blamed" he quickly added.

"I'm not going to justify that comment with a response" I answered back sarcastically.

"You're choice" he said before kissing my cheek.

"We best get back to class" I moaned as I checked his watch again. Ben groaned at this comment.

"Wish we didn't have to" he said and he pushed his bottom lip out so he was now pouting at me.

"Same here" I said laughing at the face he was now pulling at me.

"At least we have the weekend?" I said trying to pacify him.

"Yes we do, so make sure you finish those assignments. Just so I get you all to myself for much longer" he said pulling me into a hug.

"Is that a royal demand?" I teased as I pulled out of his hug and then slowly stood up.

"Yeah I guess it is" he said as he stood up as well.

"Well if the king has spoken, then who am I to argue?" I teased.

"You can't really" he stated and he quickly wrapped his arms around me and then pulled me into a kiss.

"I'll text you all night Mal" he promised after pulling away.

"I know, which will make me worry less" I admitted.

Of course I knew that I couldn't be at every royal engagement that Ben attended but knowing he was going to be on his own with Aphrodite was going to make all my insecurities flare up.

"You have no reason to worry Mal; you know you have my heart and that I am yours. This is all that matters" he said with a smile as he rested his forehead against mine.

"I'll try not to worry" I said with a smile.

"You have my heart as well, and I'm all yours baby" I said as I pulled on the lapel of his blazer to bring him closer.

"Hmmmm, why is time always against us?" Ben asked sadly.

"I don't know baby" I answered back as I moved and rested my head against his shoulder and he wrapped his arms tighter around my waist.

We stood like this for a short while; and as Ben started to stroke my back slowly my mind started to dismiss any other concerns I had about Ben's meeting tonight. He was right - I was his and he was mine and that is all that matters.

Additional A/N - no major changes to this chapter - just minor grammar corrections - 06/02/2016.