Chapter Forty
A/N: I do not own anything other than my OCs when they come out to play. Everything else belongs to Disney or the Greek Myths.
*ducks projectiles* Whoa! I honestly can say I did not expect that reaction when I said there were only six chapters left for this story. I feel honored that you guys have stuck with it till the end! To answer your questions, yes there will be a sequel (two sequels!). After all, I gotta get Harry and Uma to Auradon!
As always, special thanks to AmethystDragon14. I don't think either of us thought this would happen when we started messaging each other back in August of last year but I'm so grateful we did! :D
Hope you all enjoy!
As the two of them drove off to the location of the date known only to Ben, Mal couldn't help but wrap her arms around the Prince. If only to prevent herself from falling off the bike as she told herself. Ben though couldn't help but smile as he felt her arms around his torso.
"So, I don't mean to pry," Mal said as they rode along. "Actually, who am I kidding, I love to pry. But um, shouldn't you have a swarm of security following us right now?"
"Technically yes," Ben said with a small smirk.
"Technically?"
"I gave them the day off," Ben chuckled at her reaction.
"You did what?" Mal gasped. "Why?"
"Because I figured neither one of us wanted my security team following us around on our date. Do we?"
"Well, no not really," Mal told him. "But Ben, you're heir to the throne. I'm a VK. Wouldn't security just be natural?"
Ben shrugged. "Are you planning to do something?"
"No," Mal said. I have too much riding on not being wicked for once. Besides I've already done something to you. Something that I need to reverse as soon as I get back to my dorm.
"Well then what are you worrying about?"
"I'm a VK. Worrying about potential outcomes is what we're good at," Mal told him causing Ben to chuckle.
"Well don't," Ben told her. "Besides, I give my security team the day off all the time. Drives 'em nuts."
Mal couldn't help but chuckle slightly at that. Ben was definitely not what she'd expected, even if this was just because of a love spell. The scenery wasn't bad either. Unconsciously, Mal raised her hands so that they were resting on Ben's chest and leaned a little closer into him. Ben smiled and sat up a little straighter.
They arrived at a parking lot surrounded by a wooded area and Ben turned off the bike. He was loathed to leave though; Mal's embrace sent shivers down his spine. But they had to get off the bike to go to the Enchanted Lake. Hopping off, Ben held out his hand for Mal to take.
"It's gonna be a bit of a walk. Hope that's okay," Ben said as they started making their way down the path.
"Oh no Ben, clearly I'm the type of person who wouldn't be okay with the idea of walking," Mal snarked with a chuckle causing Ben to chuckle as well. Making their way over a rope bridge, Ben couldn't help but smile as Mal held out her arms as if trying to touch both sides at the same time.
"Tell me something you've never told anyone," Ben said as he leaned forward, grabbing both sides of the bridge with his hands.
"Hmm…my middle name…is Bertha."
"Bertha?"
"Yep," Mal snorted. "Just Maleficent doing what she does best. Being really evil. Mom offered to change it but I kinda liked the contrast between it and my first name."
"Mine's Florian," Ben told her and Mal couldn't help but chuckle.
"How princely," she said. "It suits you."
"Ah well, it's better than Bertha," Ben teased as they continued to walk. Soon though, they made it to a part of the path that Ben wanted Mal to close her eyes as they walked down it. That way, she'd be surprised.
"Hey Mal? Could you…could you close your eyes?" Ben asked, his voice soft. Mal hesitated, closing one's eyes on the Isle could mean the difference between getting attacked or not. But she did what he asked. After all, Ben was trusting her by not having his security; she could do the same. She felt him take her hands as her eyes closed. Ben carefully led Mal through the woods, guiding her feet and taking care to make sure she didn't trip over anything.
"Okay, you ready?" Ben asked her as they got to their destination.
"Ready," Mal said softly, nodding her head.
"Open."
Mal opened her eyes to see a beautiful lake with ancient columns that wouldn't have looked out of place in Olympus if her mom's stories were true. It was probably the most beautiful place Mal had ever seen.
"Ben…" Mal whispered.
Ben smiled as he led her down to the stone patio where a blanket and picnic awaited them. Thank you Chip, Ben thought as he quickly took off his jacket and put it on the back of one of the nearby chairs.
"Do you like it?" Ben asked Mal as she hadn't said a word since they had arrived at the lake.
Mal nodded. "It's beautiful Ben," she said softly. "I'm surprised it's not packed to be honest."
"I might be one of the few people who know it's here," Ben said with a sheepish looking smile.
"Really?" Mal asked, looking over at Ben. "How'd you find out about it?"
Ben gave her a small smile. "I went running a couple of years ago with Emir and Akiho, we were training for Tourney. These woods are actually a great little track."
"Really?"
Ben nodded as he sat down on the blanket, laying down on his side as he was propped up on one of his elbows. He never would have thought to do this with Audrey, she probably would have shot it down claiming she could have ruined her dress. "Yeah. So anytime I need to clear my head or just get away from the pressures of being 'Prince' Ben, I come here. It helps that Emir and Akiho think I live in my office so that's usually the first place they look when they want to find me."
"I can understand that," Mal said with a small nod. "…being known as Maleficent's daughter isn't the easiest thing on the Isle, especially when it's not true. She may have given me life but that's all she's given me."
Ben couldn't help but give her a sad smile. "Well…here we can just be Mal and Ben. Nothing else."
Mal couldn't help but give him a small smile, which Ben happily returned.
"You hungry?" Ben asked. "I…I wasn't sure what you'd like so we have a bit of everything."
"It looks amazing," Mal told him. "I'm surprised you got this all done in such short notice."
"Thanks," Ben said. "Have to be honest, all this was Mrs. Potts. Well her and her son Chip. Last time I tried to help in the kitchen, it did not end well."
Mal gave a small giggle at the thought. "I can cook to a degree but I only do it if I have to. The Isle has a few restaurants I prefer going to."
"Really?" Ben asked with a smile. "What's your favorite one? I can see if we have any similar restraints over here if you want to try them out, to compare."
Mal paused, inwardly debating about what title she would give her dad when talking about his restaurant. "…my dad's," she said softly.
"Lord Hades has a restaurant?" Ben asked.
"He does things like garlic chicken, fried fish, curly fries," Mal said with a small smile thinking about her dad's cooking. "I'd be there pretty much every night, plus helping him come up with new things in the kitchen at home. Plus there's Ursula's Fish and Chip Shoppe."
Ben looked thoughtful. "That actually sounds pretty good, the food from Lord Hades' restaurant. I wish I could try some…and that probably sounds pretty stupid."
"Why?"
Ben looked over at her. "Why what? Why do I want to try some of the food at Lord Hades' restaurant or why do I think saying out loud sounds stupid?"
"Both I guess."
Ben sighed. "The Isle's part of Auradon, whether people realize it or not. Besides, we don't have many restaurants that make food like what you just described. But it sounds dumb to say it out loud because I'd have to go to the Isle and I figure I'm not the most popular guy over there just based on who my dad is."
"You'd be correct," Mal said softly, thinking of the numerous defaced posters of King Beast that scattered the Isle. "But…speaking of the Isle…can I ask you something?"
"Ask away," Ben said with a small smile.
"What made you decide to bring kids over from the Isle?"
Ben sighed. "There's a view of the Isle from my parents' castle. For the longest time I'd look out at it and know there were kids on the Isle, kids who didn't ask for that life. They were innocent in all this."
"Would you ever consider bringing over more than just me, Jay, Carlos and Evie?" Mal asked, her heart racing as she realized that Uma, Hadie, and Harry's futures hung in the balance.
Ben smiled. "Of course! I won't be able to get approval until after coronation because of dad's council but after that, the plan is definitely to bring over more kids. Out of curiosity, why do you ask?"
"I have some friends…some family…that I was hoping to have come over," Mal said softly.
Ben nodded. "Of course. I'll send the invitations right after coronation Mal."
Mal couldn't help but stare at him, slightly in shock. It was really that easy? That was all she had to say?
"What? Do I have something on my face?" Ben asked, noticing her staring at him.
"That was all I had to say? You don't want to know who they are? Or there's no deal involved for it?"
"Mal, you said they were your friends," Ben said. "I figure you wouldn't be inviting anyone you actively hated. I can get the information when I send out the invites. Why would there need to be a deal? I want to bring over more kids, you know of kids who could come over. It's as simple as that."
Mal stared at Ben, still slightly in shock, before shaking her head. "Ben, I…I don't know what to say."
"You don't need to say anything. If you can think of anyone else though, that'd be good. I want to stick with four—that seemed to be a good number this go around."
Mal thought for a moment. If they needed to bring four, then they could invite over Gil as well. Harry wouldn't like it but all he'd have to do handle the limo ride. After all, while he wasn't in the gang proper, Gil was friendly with Carlos since they were under the gang's protection together. Carlos and Gil could room together, allowing Harry and Jay to be roommates.
"Well I can think of enough for four people to come over…but one of them is a bit younger than the rest," Mal said softly.
"That shouldn't be a problem," Ben told her. "Each person would get someone to act as their 'guardian' so to speak so age shouldn't be too big of a deal unless we're talking about a newborn."
"No, no! He's not that young—he's ten, about to turn eleven," Mal said quickly.
"Oh, okay," Ben said with a small nod of his head and a smile. "That shouldn't be an issue then. Like I said, each person gets a guardian so age wouldn't be something we'd need to worry about. It's certainly doable."
Mal couldn't help but return the smile. She was getting her friends and her brother off that Isle. It was more than she could hope for.
"By the way, have something to eat! Please! You don't need to wait because we're talking," Ben told her.
Mal nodded and grabbed one of the weird white spheres that were on a plate near Ben. Biting into it, she could see a bright red center.
"First time?" Ben asked with a gentle smile.
"Hmm?"
"Your first time eating a jelly donut?" Ben clarified, smiling as he saw the powder and filling around her mouth. It honestly was kinda adorable.
Mal paused before looking over at Ben. "Is it bad?"
"No, no, of course not," Ben said. "You've just got a little…" he told her while gently wiping at the powder around her lips with his finger. "I mean…yeah do this," he added, pressing his lips together so Mal could remove the remaining bit of powder.
"Can't take me anywhere I guess," Mal said softly, following the instructions. She wished someone would explain why she felt a shiver run down her spine as Ben's finger brushed her lips.
Ben gave her a smile as he laid back down. He didn't mean to but in the back of his mind he couldn't help but compare Mal to Audrey. Audrey would have never dared to touch a jelly donut out of fear it might ruin her outfit. Whereas Mal was eating them without a care in the world, not even thinking about her dress. It truly was amazing, the difference between them. All Ben knew was he wouldn't trade this moment for the world.
"So Ben," Mal said, trying to change the subject, "coronation's coming up soon. You excited?"
"In a way…"
Mal tilted her head. "There are ways to be excited about something?"
Ben couldn't help but chuckle at that. "I mean I'm glad I'll have the chance to do more for the kingdom but I don't know if my dad's making the right choice, stepping down right now…"
Mal frowned slightly; she honestly thought Beast never made a good decision but she wasn't going to say that to Ben. At least not on their date.
"You're worried aren't you?" Mal asked softly after a moment.
"Yeah," Ben nodded. "I mean…a crown doesn't make you a king. I just want to be sure I'm doing what's right for the kingdom."
"Ben…you're going to be a good king," Mal said gently.
Ben gave her a small smile. "Thanks. It's just there's this…feeling that no matter what I'll do as king, there'll be people out there comparing me to my dad's reign. I'll only be the second king of Auradon after all—there's no one else to compare to."
"Well what do they matter?" Mal asked. "I mean, Ben, you can't please everyone. Honestly that's a lesson we learn pretty quick on the Isle. Besides, you'll be king. You're going to be the one making the final decision so you're going to have to go with your gut for some decisions."
"I…I just don't like people being upset," Ben said and then sighed. "Trust me, Chad and Audrey have graciously proven that sometimes there's no pleasing people."
Mal couldn't help but roll her eyes. "Ben, look at it this way. You're probably the only person I've ever heard say that you consider the Isle part of your kingdom. You're wanting to go on the Isle to try the food—which if you're serious about that and we can wrangle it safely, I'm willing to take you—"
Ben seemed to perk up at that. "Really? Absolutely Mal, I'm serious! Being a good king means caring about my subjects after all and for the life of me I can't remember ever seeing a report on the Isle. How can I rule Auradon if I don't know how some of its citizens are living? The food would just be a bonus."
Mal couldn't help but nod slowly. "Maybe we could slip you on when we pick up the next group but you'd have to borrow some of Jay's clothes. I doubt you have anything that would be considered 'Isle style'."
Ben nodded and then paused. "Won't Jay's stuff be a bit big on me? I mean he's like five inches taller than me at least."
Mal frowned slightly. "Do you have a pair of jeans?"
"I think so," Ben said. "If not, I know Chip'll have an old pair I could borrow."
"Or if all else fails I guess I could steal something off Carlos for you," Mal muttered. "Carlos' stuff might be too small on you but it's the only option other than borrowing something of mine. It won't matter too much if the top's too big. Most of the kids on the Isle are in clothes that are a bit big on them but you need to be able to walk."
"If it comes down to it, I've got an old pair of sweats from Tourney that might work," Ben told her.
"Good." Mal said as she took a bite of one of the strawberries, her eyes widening slightly as she actually tasted it. "Mmm!"
Ben grinned as he heard her utterance and made a note to have strawberries in stock in the kitchen. "Glad you like them," he told Mal as he looked out over the water. "Hey? You want to maybe go for a swim?"
"Now?" Mal asked, her eyes wide.
"Yeah, come on!" Ben said with a grin as he hopped up, already starting to unbutton his shirt.
"I…I think I'm just going to stay here and eat some strawberries," Mal told him. "They're good."
Ben chuckled. "Don't eat the whole bowl," he said as he made his way over to the other side of the lake. Mal finished the strawberry she'd stuffed in her mouth then stood up, smiling slightly at the sighed of Ben climbing onto a rock on the other side of the lake.
Ben looked out over the lake and gave Mal a wave as he saw her looking. He'd stripped down and so was only in his boxers but he didn't care. They were long enough that they passed as swim trunks.
"Are those little crowns on your shorts?" Mal called, trying to hide the slight giggle in her voice.
Ben looked down at his shorts and then looked back at Mal. "Maybe?!"
Shaking his head slightly, he gave a playful roar before jumping off the rock, cannon balling into the water. As his body hit the water, Ben couldn't help but inwardly sigh. He loved playing Tourney but there was nothing that was better than swimming.
Mal couldn't help but smile fondly as she watched him. It was strange but she was honestly having a good time with Ben…a good time she knew would end once she got that antidote in him. Honestly she'd be lucky if he didn't kick her back to the Isle.
At least Uma, Harry and Hadie would have their chance, she thought. Ben wouldn't take back a promise…would he?
After a moment, though, Mal realized that Ben was nowhere in sight. "Ben?"
At not getting any response, Mal called again. "Ben? Ben?!"
Seeing no other choice, Mal jumped off the stone platform and began to wade into the water, not realizing how deep she was going. Before she knew it, she was near the middle of the lake with the water coming up over her head. Thinking back, it might have been a good idea to take her shoes off before jumping in.
Well, at least I won't get sent back to the Isle for letting the crown prince drown when he was alone with me, Mal thought as she struggled to keep her head above water. The only downside is Beast will probably end the VK program meaning Uma, Harry and Hadie won't be coming over after all. I'm sorry guys…I did try….
To Mal's surprise though, the water seemed to be getting lower and she could breathe more easily. It was then that she discovered that Ben was carrying her out of the water. He gently set her down on the platform. After shaking his hair out, he looked over at her.
"You can't swim?!"
"You scared me!" Mal said, slapping his chest lightly.
Ben stared at her and looked over his shoulder as if he was being pranked. Looking back at her, he said, "I'm sorry, I just..I didn't mean…you can't swim?!"
"No!"
"You live on an Island!"
"Yeah, with a barrier around it, remember?!"
"And yet you still tried to save me," Ben said with a slight smile on his face.
"Yeah, but do you thank me?" Mal asked with a slight eye roll. "No, all I get is soaking wet!"
"And this fancy rock," Ben added, holding up a very shiny rock. "Make a wish and throw it back into the lake."
Ben, this is not the time to hand me a rock. Gods you're lucky you're cute…wait what?! Mal thought as she stared at the rock for a minute before throwing it back into the water before getting up.
I am such an idiot, Ben thought as he hopped back onto the platform and wrapped a towel around Mal's shoulders. "Thank you," he said softly, looking over at Mal. "I'll pay to get your dress cleaned. Least I can do."
"Don't worry about it. It's just water," Mal told him. You're more important than some dress.
Ben stared at Mal in a slight daze, unused to someone reacting like that. Most of the girls in the school would have freaked out about their dresses, well maybe not Kitty or Lonnie.
"I'm sorry, by the way, for scaring you. I didn't realize I'd gone so far out," Ben said and Mal shrugged.
"I panicked," she said softly, looking away from him.
Ben frowned a little as Mal looked away from him. The date'd been going so well and he had to go and ruin it by swimming. Maybe the arcade would have been the better choice.
"Mal…" Ben said softly, gently cupping her chin and turning her face back toward him. Mal stared at him, his hazel green eyes almost staring into her soul
Gods what is this feeling? Mal thought after once again triple checking that no one could enter through the mind link. It's like I want to hit him in the face with a textbook but the textbook is also my face. Ben's going to make me go insane!
"What?" Mal asked him softly, trying to not enjoy the feeling of his hand on her chin too much.
"Are you okay?" Ben asked, his voice soft and his hand still cupping her chin. The very touch sent sparks up his spine.
"I'm fine."
"You sure? Mal you could have drowned. Your head went under the water. I…I want to make sure you're okay."
"Ben, it's not the first time I've nearly drowned. You got me out in time, that's all that matters," Mal said softly.
Ben stared at Mal in shock. What did she mean that it wasn't the first time she'd nearly drowned? What happened? Had she been hurt?
If she wants to talk about it, she'll tell you, he thought. The two of them continued to eat and talk, Ben finally letting to of Mal's chin to eat some food himself.
"Did…did you have a good time?" Ben asked as they headed back to the bike.
"I did," Mal nodded. "More than I thought I would."
"I'm glad. Every girl should have a good first date," he said with a smile.
Mal couldn't help but smile at that. "Well, you succeeded. Though I'll confess, I never pictured I'd spend part of my first date planning on smuggling the crown prince onto the Isle."
"Well you're a VK after all. Isn't planning to sneak around what you do?" Ben teased.
Mal chuckled. "Hey, it's what we're good at! But um…to reiterate my point from earlier Ben, you will be a good king. You just need to trust your gut and stand your ground on things you really think should happen."
Ben sighed. "I know you're right, and I know I'll need to be able to do that, especially if I want to bring more kids from the Isle."
Mal nodded. "Hey, if you need someone to be 'bad cop' to your good, Jay is quite skilled at glaring people down," she jokingly offered.
Ben gave a soft laugh at that. "I may take you up on that."
"I'll let him know. He really liked being on the Tourney team by the way. Just don't let him know I told you."
"I'm glad—he's a good player too."
"He is," Mal nodded, "which is weird considering we don't have Tourney on the Isle. But he's always been athletic I guess. Have to be really, to make it around the Isle."
Ben nodded slowly. He took a moment before speaking. "You know, when you first arrived, I thought you and Jay were dating."
"You what?" Mal asked, stopping dead in her tracks.
"Yeah," Ben nodded. "Well you seemed to try to avoid spending time with Evie and weren't really close with Carlos. Jay's the only other VK I saw you around so I just thought…"
"Ben, Jay's like my older brother," Mal told him. "We've been friends since I was five. Dating him? Just…ugh!"
"Okay, okay," Ben said with a chuckle at Mal's shudder. "I'm just telling you what I saw, plus I heard you and Jay talking one day and he had said you'd gone into his bed. I almost didn't ask you out because of it."
"Yeah well like I said, he's my family. He's the only one of my gang I've got with me—I missed spending time with him. Besides no one would let me switch rooms or do anything other than share with Evie."
"That was Fairy Godmother's idea," Ben told her. "She thought you'd be more comfortable rooming with the other female VK. I had wanted to pair you guys up with Auradon kids, sort of break up the tension between our two worlds."
Mal couldn't help but smile slightly at that. She really hoped he wouldn't hate her when she removed the love potion…and why did she care about that again?
Ben paused when they neared the bike. "Oh, by the way, I won't tell anyone about the love spell," he said with a small smile.
Mal froze and looked at him, eyes wide. "Wait, what?"
Ben couldn't help but give a small chuckle at her reaction. "Mal, I'm immune to love spells. Have been ever since I was born. Merryweather gave it to me as a christening gift."
"And you still asked me out? More importantly, I'm still here at all?!"
Ben sighed. "This may sound really bad but I was really happy you tried to spell me. It meant you at least wanted my attention."
"So if you weren't spelled the whole time, what was with that performance at the Tourney game?"
Ben sighed again. "Yeah, sorry about that. But I needed to get the point across to Audrey."
"You couldn't have just talked to her?" Mal asked. "You had to do a performance with the entire Tourney team?"
"Oh believe me Mal, I tried talking to Audrey," Ben said. "Unfortunately, as Emir and Akiho pointed out, Audrey only responds to the dramatic so I had to think of the most dramatic thing I could."
"I can see that," Mal sighed.
"Yeah. I'm sorry if it put you on the spot though," Ben said with a small smile.
"It's alright," Mal said, returning the smile. "So what, since you're not spelled, you've just been faking it the whole time?"
"Mal," Ben said stepping a little bit closer to her. "I haven't been faking anything," he said, gently cupping her cheek with his hand.
Mal's breath hitched before she could prevent a reaction from escaping. "Oh," she said softly and Ben gave her a soft smile.
"Mal, I know it was a rather crazy way to ask so I want to try it again," Ben said softly. "Will you be my date to coronation?"
"Well…since you asked so nicely," Mal teased before her tone turned genuine, "yes Ben."
He'd done so much for them, for her; the least she could do was make sure he didn't go to coronation alone.
"Great!" Ben said with a grin.
"Just don't burst into song again," Mal told him. "I mean, it was a great performance but…"
"Right, don't worry. No more big performances, promise."
Mal sighed in relief. "Thank you."
Ben smiled and helped her get back onto the bike, a smile Mal returned as Ben got on as well.
"You ready?"
"Yeah." Mal said as she wrapped her hands around him once more. Ben smiled and made his way back to the school.
