"Once Upon A Time... BENLOS!" ~ Me, 2015. THEY ANNOUNCED DESCENDANTS 2 YOU GUYS! (You probably know that by now, but still.)

Okay, I'm not completely proud of this chapter, and it's way shorter than I'd like it to be. But hopefully you'll bear with it and keep reading. Next chapter, I promise, will be better. (Coronation Time!)

Warning : Brief mentions of potential harm.

Chapter 14 : Good Boy

The sweet, almost savory smell of the black and white and red roses made the De Vil's nose twitch, his head turning to the door of his room, spotting Audrey, her arms bundling the bouquet that the smell came from. Her eyes paused on the cast on his arm, now resting on his stomach while he flicked through the channels. "Glad to know you're alive."

Carlos chuckled lightly, his smile widening as she entered the room, stopping half-way to place the roses in an empty vase. Her hair was pulled back in a braid, and her neck displayed a sky-blue choker, with a golden pendant hanging down.

"I see my hospitalization hasn't put a dent in your style," he gave a once-over, acknowledging her choice to wear a dress truly fit for a princess and heels that could make her tower over the mighty Maleficent. It was pretty obvious this wasn't her last stop, most likely choosing to run late to some royal event he'd forgotten about so she could squeeze in a visit with the boy who stole her boyfriend. Not that she held a grudge, the warm smile and giggle at his joke told him that much.

She glazed him over, searching for a sign that his jokes and fits of laughter were forced, a sign that he was hiding the pain and depression she'd thought he'd be racked with.

Her concern for the boy grew even more.

"Yeah, well, I can't stay long. My mother and father are having more squabbles over who gets what in our castle, so I've gotta tag along. Sadly."

She didn't dare show a sign of sadness in her voice or on her face; she didn't have a right to bring Carlos down with her own inner-turmoil with what's happening to her family. He'd been through enough, and he will not have to deal with her problems. She wouldn't let him.

"Oh, I'm sorry, Audrey—"

"Don't," she placed a gentle hand on his cast. "It's fine. I'm fine. It'll only take a few hours. Besides, I heard you and Ben are planning on going on a vacation..."

He smiled, and that made her smile. A genuine smile.

"You heard about that...?" Carlos chewed on his bottom lip, his dimples showing.

"Ben spread it around like the plague; and all of us are excited for you guys. I'd say you two should go to Ariel and Eric's Half-Underwater-Half-Abovewater hotel, down on the coast. It'll give you two some alone time... If you know what I mean..." It was ironic, thinking about her ex-boyfriend having "alone time" with Carlos. When she, rather desperately, had wanted him and her to have their own "alone time" countless times throughout their relationship. He never complied, and now she'd known why.

She regretted the one time she'd actually had "alone time" with someone.

And her stomach fluttered at the thought... his hands... roaming her chest as she lowered onto his—

"I know what you mean," Carlos laughed, interrupting Audrey's thoughts like a brick wall.

"W-what?" She coughed, readjusting herself.

"I know what you meant, about Ben and I having 'alone time.'"

Audrey grinned, oh right. "Right, right. Yeah."

Quick, she thought, think fast. New subject. Something else to talk about... Something different. Something new. Just not this!

"Speaking of Ben," her lips betrayed her mind, "where is he...?"

Goddammit.

Carlos shrugged innocently, glancing from her to the television; once again stunned by the two blonde-headed Mal-look-alikes that showed up on screen. "Coronation stuff, rehearsals, y'know, the whole shebang."

"Right, right."

Her hands fled back to her sides, watching as he shifted under the covers and worried she'd done something wrong. He reassured her with another smile.

How can he be smiling...? After what happened to him... Everyone else is faking it, putting up fronts and finally pulling them down when they're alone. At least, that's what she did. She'd smile and do princess-y things like everyone expected, but once she reached the loneliness of her bedroom she'd fall on the bed and weep, sob, and cry like a baby. A very pink and very princess-y baby.

"Well, I really should get going. My parents are waiting." She returned the smile, hoping it didn't show the sadness her voice accidentally revealed. She gave him a quick peck of the cheek, and promised she'd visit tomorrow.

(She cried all the way to the limousine.)

Jane couldn't—or simply wouldn't—wrap her head around the idea of her and Lonnie actually happening.

Evie was possibly the worst to go to in that situation; she's basically thrown away all logic and fell into a land where happily ever after's would grace her and Lonnie. Jane tried to get Mal to pull Evie from the hallucination that her wish would be granted, but instead received: "Why not? This is Auradon... Happily Ever After's are kind of your guys' thing."

It was just one kiss. One tiny, possibly-accidental kiss that meant nothing to no one.

(Besides Evie, who Jane had to run away from just to get some peace and quiet about the subject matter.)

She wanted to throw up; she wanted to bury herself in schoolwork and do nothing but help set up for Carlos' party, for when he's released from the hospital. She made a mental note to check up on him the next morning.

"Hey—" Jane whirled around, gripping the wrist connected to the hand that had gripped her shoulder, her eyes widened at the starling realization that she'd just grabbed Mal. "—Jane..."

"S-sorry! I'm sorry! It's j-just, uh—"

Mal rolled her eyes, "Calm down. I'm not Lonnie, no need to freak out. I wasn't trying to kiss you if that's what you were thinking."

Jane was freaking floored; her eyes widened and her mouth hung open. "W-what? No—"

She watched the green eyes roll again, it was more mind boggling than anything else. How can she be joking about the most difficult point in my life?! Jane swallowed hard, forcing a smile as Mal laughed.

"Too funny," she beamed, "you're way more than just Plain Jane; you're fucking Gay Jane."

The Fairy Goddaughter gasped, glaring and gripping onto Mal's wrist, "Shhh!"

"Oh, relax. Lonnie's not even here. Just you and I. And I don't plan on kissing you, so you should be safe." Jane rolled her eyes this time, before turning back around and finishing the poster she'd been working on.

"Can we hurry this up, just a little, please?" Ben fidgeted in his spot, "This is supposed to just take a few hours—"

King Beast eyed his son down, silencing him and showing him that he wasn't king just yet. Belle, rather regal in her stance, gave a small smile and a 'Just Bear With It' kind of look. He chewed the inside of his cheek, huffing as he remained in place.

He'd walked through the giant doors and all the way to the dais, bowed to probably everyone at this point, and had to keep a happy and smiling face the entire fucking time.

Carlos was waiting! Don't they get that...?

It was even more annoying by the fact he had to dress up and everything. He'd much rather show up in pajamas and, you know, not risk destroying the suit the seamstresses and seamsters spent months on. But no, that's apparently not how a proper soon-to-be king does things.

He just wanted to come out and describe all the sinful things he did to Carlos once all night long and just prove how wrong they are when they describe how he should act.

I just can't wait to be king...

Chad tensed, seeing through the darkness that his eyes had since adjusted to, seeing the boy with obsidian eyes and bare muscles. Jay was standing not ten feet away, his fists clenched and his face stone-cold. But what he next to him made his blood run cold.

The hair as blue as the oceans surrounding the Isle she grew up on, and where he'd be spending the rest of his life—at least what's left of it. Her face was dark, shadowed and cold, she'd been ready for this, ready for confrontation. He couldn't help but notice her magic mirror glowing from her hand.

"W-what do y-you guys w-w-w-want...?" His voice cracked.

They stepped forward, and Jay could see the pathetic excuse for a prince huddled in the corner of his cell, dry tears running down his dirty cheeks. Evie clenched her jaw, knowing she wanted the Charming Bastard's head on a pike.

"We just want you to know exactly what you're in for, on the Isle." Jay spoke (surprisingly) calmly.

"The pain that'll be inflicted on you. The agony..." Evie curled her lips, her hands on her hips. She knew how to hurt just as much as she knew how to look good while doing it.

"P-p-please... don't."

"You'll be tortured, Chad. Raped like the little bitch you are."

"Over, and over, and over again—"

"STOP IT!" Chad shrieked, rocking back and forth in a huddled-position. Jay shook his head, a smirk across his face.

"Pathetic."

And with that, the two took off, without another word.

To say Ben was excited about finally being allowed to leave the practice ceremony was an understatement. He hollowed with joy, ditching his parents and not taking any effort in hiding himself as he ran to the hospital. He gave a few waves to familiar patients and doctors he'd seen with his visits, and mentally prepared himself not to jump onto Carlos and kill him until their lips went numb.

He cracked open the door, expecting to see the boy sound asleep. But what he saw was all-the-more heartwarming.

Carlos was wearing his "Love: Peace, Puppies, and Princes" shirt that Evie made him, and was tapping away at his phone, his eyes left the screen when the door creaked, and a smile graced his lips as he spotted Ben.

"Where have you been?!" His arms outstretched, eagerly waiting for Ben to fill them.

The prince did so, leaning down and draping his arms over the smaller boy while Carlos did the same. He kissed his freckled-cheek, and took a seat on the bed.

"Stupid coronation stuff. I can't wait till it's over and done with."

"Well, if you're stressed about it, I can always help."

"Help, huh?"

Carlos nodded, grinning like a goof as his hand rubbed up and down Ben's arm. His eyes sparkled and his legs shifted under the covers. "I'm not that sore, anymore..."

"You will be after I'm through with you," Ben joked, smiling and smirking at the same time. The younger teen giggled.

"Good."

The soon-to-be king leaned closer, "If you're a good boy."

Told you it was short. And it sucks even more because it took forever to post. (Blame school.)

It will definitely be better by next chapter! I promise!

But now, it's review time:

(Chapter 12 Reviews) ~

KelseyHeart - You're welcome. ;)

NathanMartens - Your review made me smile so much! ILYSFM!

EpicKiya - You'd think they'd know, right? Guess Chad was the secretive type.

BenlosAllTheWay - My favorite part, too.

shadowcat ninja - #Prais

immahater123 - BENLOS SHALL REIGN! THANK YOU SO MUCH!

Casper97 (Guest) - Cliffhangers are a writer's best friend, and a reader's worst nightmare. ;P

The Thunder Kitsune - Nothing much, postin', you?

Jaymacnizzy94 - #Benlos4Life

Yokofannumber1 - That would be a cool plot twist.

Moon-9215 - Who knows...

GilRan123 - So do I!

HornedHalo19 (Guest) - Cruella being nice...? Not buying it. ;P Jk, who knows...

GoldenFlame14 - #Benlosforevah

Shadow Cat17 - That would have been heartbreaking. Too much. Too much!

ClockWork96 - Thank you! Screaming is always a good stress reliever. ;) And believe me, you aren't the only one pleased that Prince Harming will be sent to the Isle.

Jellyfish3012 - More Jay/Mal soon, I promise! (Maybe...)

Disneypeppermintkidd - Hope you're feeling better by now, and don't worry, those stories shall be updated soon-ish.

The God of Animals - That was originally going to be written in, but writer's block snuck up on me. :(

BloodWolfToboe - The fate of Chad Charming shall be revealed soon.

H Koutalidou Aligizaki - Well, you know by now. ;)

Invisible (Guest) - #benlosforevah

Guest - Very high chance that could happen. Jay and Evie made that perfectly clear.

terboDC1989 - Poor Carlos, indeed. But he seems to be getting a lot better.

Alostkid - Yeah... Totally not crying...

Zachery (Guest) - Thank you! And I'm with you on the Chad-part.

BenlosIsRe4l (Guest) - THANK YOU SO MUCH!

Candy (Guest) - Hopefully these chapters helped. I promise next chapter will be longer and better!

Nice (Guest) - #CameronIsBae (Did I use that right?)

Guest - Same, random person. Same.

Guest - Killing me, too.

(Chapter 13 Reviews) ~

shadowcat ninja - Interesting ideas...

Casper97 - Carlos is a cutie.

Shadow Cat17 - Very true, thank you!

Kashimo's Comet - ;)

AurorWolf19 - Thanks!

Yokofannumber1 - Yep. Yep. Yep.

NathanMartens - THANK YOU SO MUCH!

Guest - ;)

chrisco47773385 - I did. More to come from that, later.

Jellyfish3012 - Shhh! Don't tell anyone!

Pgear84 (Guest) - Thanks!

MagicalKitsune - "Little wee Carlos," ~ I loved that.

GoldenFlame14 - #FluffyBenlosRules

Princeofauradon - Love the name. ;P and yep, Jane & Lonnie.

IceRush (or, Joey, if you prefer) - Thank you so much! Benlos is adorable and Chad is getting what he deserves!

Takeshi (Guest) - Here it is.

FireFox Vixen - Thanks!

InvisibleRainbow (Guest) - Thank you so much!

ieuanvideogames - Neither can I.

Guest - Thank you so, so, so much! #BenlosForever