Jay stayed at the hospital overnight, sending Uma and harry to pick him up a change of clothes. Auradon's social media was awash with Villain blaming hate for the fighting that broke out at the rally. Not to mention there was someone with the gall to blame the villains for Gil and Carlos's injuries. To say Jay was livid would be an understatement. He sat in the hospital boiling with rage as he held Gil's hand once he was out of surgery. Thankfully Gil was alive for now, but the blade punctured the right lung and lacerated the liver, not mentioning the arteries severed in the process. The recovery would be an uphill battle but he would survive. It would take nearly six months to a year without healing magics for him to recover normally. Uma, Harry. And Jay was hungry for blood for the one who attacked Gil, but none was more furious than Jay. Taking a break from Gil's bed, he went into the lobby to meet up with Uma and Harry to retrieve his clothes from them. "How is he?" Uma asked gravely and Jay's frown deepened.
"He is out of surgery and he is stable, but he is going to be in recovery for months. Not to mention he will be in excruciating pain for a while." Jay's voice had a dangerous edge to it that made Uma and Harry share a look. Harry suggested they grab breakfast at a place nearby and try to think about something else. They walked into a small little café, earning side glances from the employees. They ordered some light breakfast food like muffins and bagels with coffee and tea. Uma preferred tea to coffee but the other two wanted their coffee blacker than Harry's guyliner. They sat talking about the rally from the day before when the tv in the café lounge was turned on. On-screen was Former King Beast. All three turned to watch. They were interviewing with the king.
"So what do you think about the two injured and the fighting at the rally yesterday?" Snow White asked from the newsroom, a live interview with the beast. He grimaced slightly.
"I believe those two probably did something to warrant their injuries. No one is blameless in the events that happened yesterday." The beast replied acting sagely but Jay had just crushed the rest of his muffin in his hand glaring at the screen.
"Word is that one of those injured is dating your son, the current king Benjamin. What do you think about the royal break up and Ben's choice in partners?" Snow white prompts. The beast sighs and looks into the camera.
"Ben has always made his own decisions when it comes to love. I don't always approve. I didn't approve of Mal and I definitely don't approve of this new … boyfriend of his. If he got injured he most likely brought it upon himself. All the more reason the King should find a more suitable partner." The beast reprimanded. Jay threw his crushed muffin at the screen and walked out, Uma and Harry quickly following after him.
"Jay. What are you doing?" Uma asks catching up cautiously. Jay snorted angrily not looking at her.
"I'm gonna go kick his ass. He just blamed Carlos and Gil for being attacked. He even basically said Ben and Carlos shouldn't be together. The fucker better be ready to put his fists where his mouth is or I'm gonna knock his god damned teeth in." Jay seethed and Harry looked at Uma who grabbed ahold of Jay.
"You're a part of The Court of Villains now. You aren't in this alone. I say we get the villains together and go trash Beast's castle, riot, and show that asshole that actions and words have consequences." Uma plots and Jay nods sharply. Harry and Uma get on their phones notifying the villains of the plan.
Ben was sitting down to breakfast when the newspaper was brought in. He and Carlos were starting to eat still in relatively good moods, unaware of the chaos that was raging outside the castle. Carlos took the newspaper first looking at the front headlines before frowning deeply as he read deeper into the article on the front. He opened it up to the full article seeming very interested which drew Ben's attention. "What is it puppy?" Ben asked growing concerned. Carlos didn't -couldn't- speak, he merely handed over the newspaper containing an article referencing the former king's interview on the topic of Carlos and the protests. The entire article was about how the former king and queen didn't approve of Ben's choice in a partner and how things seemed to have started to go to chaos the moment Ben was made king. It was a thinly veiled smear piece on the crown. Ben's jaw clenched as he read his father's words and looked across to Carlos who looked very upset. "I don't give a damn what he thinks. He has nothing but hard on me since I became king and I refuse to let him bully me over my choice in who I love. Don't let this get to you, Carlos. His opinion doesn't matter to me." Ben says resolutely folding the paper up and tossing it to the side.
"It matters to me though. I want to be with you but I don't want to add to your issues and if that is what I'm inevitably doing by creating a rift between you and your parents… maybe we need to reconsider this… us." Carlos's words cut through Ben, making his feel like his heart was being pierced.
"No." Ben stumbled for something else to say. "No. I… I don't care how hard things get. I love you, Carlos. I mean it. I'm not going to let someone else ruin this for us." He was completely beside himself. They stood up at the same time.
"But I will. We've barely been together a couple of days Ben. I know we were close beforehand but this is too soon. Too fast for you to be so sure of that… I hate to say it but look at what happened with Mal…" His words shook Ben to his core. This couldn't be happening. He rounded the table to Carlos's side and pulled him into his arms. Carlos resisted at first but ultimately gave in, burying his face in Ben's chest.
"You might not be my true love but I really don't care. I still know how I feel about you right now and that's what matters to me. Yes, this is very new but that doesn't change how I feel. I'm listening to my heart and it's telling me this is more important than anyone else's opinion. I know you are worried but please don't leave me. Not over this. If I become unbearable and a complete jerk, then leave me. But don't leave me just because my dad has a judgmental opinion as always. I love you 'Los. I mean it. Please don't go." Ben begs holding him tightly. Carlos sighs and wraps his arms carefully around Ben.
"Alright… I just don't want to be another repeat of Mal. I'm not your true love until we know… and I love you too Ben." Carlos looked up at his lover who leaned down kissing him deeply.