As the clock struck nine, the bells chiming could be heard throughout Auradon Prep. Evie began subconsciously counting the chimes.

Ding. 1. Doug looked up and checked the clock that was in the library.

Ding. 2. Evie began to gather up her stuff.

Ding. 3. Doug put his stuff in his bag.

Ding. 4. Evie forced her bag shut over the masses of books in it, with some problem.

Ding. 5. Doug smiles at her as he places his bag on his shoulder

Ding. 6. Evie smiles back, standing up.

Ding. 7. Doug pushes his chair under the table

Ding. 8. Evie walks over to him and takes a hold of his hand.

Ding. 9. They share a quick peck before heading out of the library.

Walking hand in hand, they made their way back to Evie's dorm. They talked about this and that and sometimes they said nothing at all. Just comfortably smiled at each other, fingers and hearts entwined.

They reached Evie's dorm and Evie sighed a sigh that was somewhere between relief, as she could finally go to sleep after a long day, and disappointment, because it meant she'd have to leave Doug.

Doug lifted Evie's hand and pressed a kiss to it. "Until tomorrow, my beautiful princess."

Smiling, Evie put her hands on Doug's shoulders and pecked his cheek. "Until tomorrow my handsome dwarf."

With a goofy grin and a swift kiss on the lips, Doug departed waving goodbye to his girlfriend who waited in the doorway, watching him until he disappeared around the corner.

Closing the door behind her, Evie kicked off her shoes before picking them up and placing them neatly with the rest of her shoes. Placing her bag on her sewing desk (which wasn't as crowded as it was when massive parties and balls were coming up but still pretty crowded) Evie made her way to the vanity mirror next to her bed. After undoing the braid in her hair and putting it up in a bun, she opened her make-up box and took out the make-up remover before setting to work and taking off her make-up.

She had just finished removing the last of it, when there was a knock at the door. Thinking it was Mal, who was still in a meeting with Ben, Evie called out for them to come in.

"Did you forget your keys again, Mal?" Evie said, not looking at the door and placing her make up remover back in its' place.

"Actually, it's me." came a voice, much deeper than Mal's. Evie looked up into the mirror and saw Doug's reflection standing by the door. Evie quickly covered her face with her hands.

"Doug!" Her voice sounded muffled in her hands. "W-why are you here? You can't be here." Despite not being able to here her perfectly, Doug could hear the panic in her voice. She suddenly breathing oddly, like she was hyperventilating.

Doug quickly made his way across the room and knelt next to her, telling her to breathe slowly and try to match his breathing.

She eventually calmed down and Doug wrapped his arms around her. "Hey, hey. What's the matter?"

Evie shook her head. "I can't."

Doug tried to gently pry a hand away from her face in order to look at her properly but she pulled back and kept her hands on her face more firmly.

"Evie, what's wrong. Look at me." he ordered softly. Evie shook her head again. Doug reached up and stroked her hair slowly. "Can you please take your hands away from your face? I can't understand you if you don't."

"No!" Evie yelled suddenly, making Doug jump backwards slightly. "No. I'm not wearing make-up. You can't see me like this."

Doug looked at half sympathetic, half confused. "Evie, I don't care. Come on." He crouched before her, so their faces were at equal level, and gently began removing her hands from her face. She tried to resist but he kept his hold firmly.

Her eyes were tight shut as she refused to look at him and her face was looking down. Doug hooked a finger under her chin and softly lifted her head. Evie opened her eyes, scared yet curious about his reaction. She had a few freckles dotting her face, her eyes had slight bags under them from not getting as much sleep as she should, and there was a scar along the side of her chin. Doug gently used his thumb to stroke it.

Evie began crying softly. "I know. I know I'm disgusting with out my make-up. I understand if you want to break up with me. I don't blame you."

Doug shook his head and brought his other hand to the other side of her face, wiping away the tears with the thumb.

"Evie, you're not disgusting at all. You're gorgeous." he said, looking at her lovingly.

Evie shook her head. "You don't have to pretend Doug. Please, just make this easier on both of us and end it."

"Evie, no." Doug said firmly yet kindly. "I'm not breaking up with you. You look amazing without your make-up and even if you didn't, which you do, I still wouldn't break up with you."

Evie's red eyes looked at him questioningly. "You...you wouldn't?"

"Evie, I'm not dating you just because you're the most beautiful girl in the world. That's just an added bonus." Doug replied. "You're smart and funny and talented and amazing and I wouldn't give you up for the world. I don't deserve anyone as kind or loyal or sweet as you. I definitely don't deserve someone half as beautiful as you."

Evie shook her head again. "But look at me, Doug. Without my make-up I'm just...this ." She gestured to her face.

Smiling, Doug shook his head. "Evie, you are so much more than a pretty face. You know that. You told me that after you passed your first test."

"But Doug. Look at me. That was when I was wearing make-up. Look at me now."

Doug's thumb traced the path of the scar on her chin. "I am looking at you now, Evie. And you're still my beautiful princess. And you are still amazing." He kissed her cheek. "And smart." he kissed her other one. "And funny." He kissed the scar on her chin. "And sweet." He kissed her forehead. "And kind." he pecked her nose. "And the best thing in my life." He said finally before taking Evie's lips with his.

Evie responded eagerly and wrapped her arms around his neck. They pulled apart and rested their foreheads against each other breathing slightly hard and smiling brighter than the sun.

"You really think I'm beautiful without my make-up?" Evie asked shyly. It would be a first. She was always told that she wasn't pretty without her make-up. That she'd never find a prince if she didn't wear it.

"I don't think. I know." Doug replied. Doug knew why Evie was so disbelieving but he didn't want to mention anything that may bring up bad memories.

Evie pulled away completely, her eyes now shining with happy tears.

"So why did you come here?" she asked, wiping her eyes.

A look a confusion followed quickly by realisation went over Doug's face. "Oh! Right. Your sketchbook ended up in my bag. I've put it on the table.

Evie smiled her gratitude before leaning towards him and pecking his lips again. "You should probably go." She whispered. "School night. And the rules."

Doug nodded and got up, Evie close behind him. He kissed her on the cheek and headed out of the dorm with one more loving look at the most beautiful girl he had ever seen, with or without make-up.

Evie closed the door behind him and smiled. He stayed with her. She wasn't wearing make-up and he still wanted her. To Evie, that was the most amazing thing in the world.

Voila. Thank you Riles16 for the prompt. I was quite proud of this one. Maybe too proud but proud nonetheless.

Response to Reviews:

xxXTheySayI'mEvilXxx : I'm so glad you liked it. Also, I'm pleased that you think they were in character as that is what I struggle with most.

DragonEmperor999: Thank you for your constant support and don't worry. It's on the to-do list (Yes I have one of those)

Guest who keeps reviewing the word 'Hevie' : If you are not the same person sorry, but if you are, constantly repeating something is not going to encourage me to do it faster, it is more likely to deter me if anything.

Bye!

SparkyGurl