Chapter Forty One
A/N: I do not own anything other than my OCs when they come out to play. Everything else is either owned by Disney or the Greek Myths.
Wow, it's honestly hard to believe we're now in November! Just one more month to go before 2020 is a thing of the past!
Thanks to all of you for your constant support and reviews!
As always, special thanks to AmethystDragon14! :D I couldn't do this without you!
Hope you all enjoy!
Ben didn't know what he had expected when he opened up his wardrobe to get ready for class the day after his date with Mal but it certainly hadn't been this. Instead of his usual array of suits, there were numerous shirts and jeans that Ben knew were not his.
He had never owned anything with a reindeer on it for instance.
"Note to self, get different friends," Ben sighed as he grabbed a short sleeved brown shirt with a reindeer on it and a pair of jeans. While his friends had left him with a suit blazer, it was the green and gold plaid one that even Chip had banned him from wearing claiming it was an eyesore.
I honestly thought Audrey had thrown this out, he thought when he found it in the back of his wardrobe but then shook his head. He wouldn't subject anyone to that. Not today at least.
But if Emir or Akiho didn't give him back his clothes, Ben might not have the choice. Family Day was that weekend after all, and he couldn't be the only one not wearing their formal attire. Not when there was a likelihood he'd be meeting Mal's mom officially for the first time.
"Hey Ben," Emir smirked as he walked up to Ben as the brunette stopped by his locker. "Nice shirt. It looks familiar."
"Considering we've seen Akiho wear it how many times?" Ben asked, rolling his eyes a little. "Why did you guys steal my suits?"
"Because that's all you wear," Emir said with a shrug. "Jay and Carlos helped. It was a nice Tourney bonding experience."
Ben shook his head. "Why am I not surprised?"
"Because you know us too well?"
"Sure, let's go with that," Ben chuckled as he grabbed his books from his locker. "You couldn't have at least left me one suit?"
"We did!"
"The eyesore doesn't count," Ben told him as the two of them made their way to chemistry. Throughout the day, Ben had to fight the urge to roll his eyes as he felt the eyes of all his classmates on him. He didn't wear suits all the time!
…did he?
Sadly though, he was brought out of his thoughts by the sound of a very familiar nickname.
"Bennyboo, can we talk?" Audrey asked. "Also…what in the world are you wearing?"
Ben closed his locker and turned to face his ex-girlfriend. "Audrey, this is the fourth time you've wanted to talk since I removed my consent for our betrothal contract. What more is there left to say?"
"Bennyboo, did you really think this through before pulling out of the contract? You know there's not anyone else who can bring what I would to the marriage."
"While it is true you would bring a reasonable dowry, there's no point to it if we have no relationship," Ben told her. "Besides, I have a girlfriend Audrey."
"You honestly think Mal is a better match for you than me? Ben our families wouldn't have set up the contract if they didn't think we'd be a good match! Besides, a dowry isn't the only thing I could bring. My family is an amazing political alliance and you know it!"
Ben shook his head. "Audrey, can you even hear yourself? You're talking about us like we're prized horses being matched for breeding. Political influence and dowries aren't everything! What about the fact that we barely talked to each other? Or the fact that you haven't let me even hug you without you clinging to my arm since we were twelve? We barely know anything about each other Audrey! There is no emotional connection between us!"
Audrey rolled her eyes. "Oh you want to talk about us not talking? You hide in your office any chance you get! I had to twist your arm just to get a date out of you. You rescheduled on me twice the week of the Imperial Academy game!"
"That was because of practice and I still went on the date with you," Ben pointed out.
"I still had to pull it out of you like pulling a tooth! You say there's no emotional connection but did you try? Or did you just decide that when it got tough, you'd just quit? Thirteen years of a betrothal, a relationship down the drain!"
"Audrey, before I gave the directions to Mal and the other VKs, did you even know where my office was?"
"Why should that matter? So now I need to hunt down my boyfriend if I want to spend time with him?"
Ben sighed. "It matters because you could have tried to ask me or anyone and come knock on the door. I would have been happy for you to come in so we could spend some time together! We could have had a lunch date or just sat on the couch talking! You say I didn't try? Neither did you. I went on every shopping date you wanted Audrey, even when I was on day two of recovering from a concussion, and you didn't even know where I was for most of our relationship. Dating is fifty-fifty Audrey."
"Oh yes, holed up in that office together would have been a great date Ben. No wonder I had to plan all of them! When was the last time you surprised me with a date instead of them being something I had to plan just to spend time with you? Oh and you say a relationship is fifty-fifty? Who lifts the curse? Who slays the dragon? The boyfriend Ben!"
"Audrey, it's not all about dates! It's about just being with your partner, talking to them and knowing what makes them tick. We never did that—and we used to be the best of friends until something changed. Be it puberty, be it different interests I don't know. And all the stories? Did Lonnie's mom wait for her boyfriend to do everything? Did Akiho's mom get saved by a guy? No, they didn't!"
"In all the stories that matter Ben! You know what, clearly you're not in the mood to talk. When you're feeling more level headed, come and find me," Audrey snapped before storming off.
"Well, it's safe to say I'm glad I'm not Chad cause he's probably going to get an earful," Akiho said as he walked up. "Also, Audrey better keep her distance from me for a while. I'd hate for her to get to close to someone who's story didn't matter."
"Sorry about that," Ben sighed.
"It's not your fault Ben," Akiho shook his head. "The Banshee does what she does best. Hopefully she didn't give The Gazelle a juicy new story about you though."
"It's a public hallway," Ben shrugged. "I was doing my best not to yell since Audrey doesn't deserve to have a front page story about us fighting but someone would have heard it anyway."
"Audrey does have her fair share of people who dislike her," Emir nodded as he walked up. "But she mentioned Mal's name. The fact that you have a new girlfriend is juicy enough for those vultures. The fact that she's from the Isle and is the daughter of two Gods? That might just make their heads explode."
"I know," Ben sighed but smiled as he saw Mal approaching. Mal, who seemed to stop upon seeing exactly what Ben was wearing. Mal, who's eyes seemed to go up and down his body as if examining every inch of the crown prince. Mal, who unless Ben was imagining things, seemed to flush and turn the other way.
"I think your girlfriend likes your new look," Akiho teased gently as they watched Mal scurry away.
"Why wouldn't she just say that though?" Ben asked.
"Oh you poor naive princeling," Emir sighed, resting a hand on Ben's shoulders. "You want my sister to explain the facts of life for girls to you?"
"No thank you. Chip already gave me the talk," Ben chuckled. Meanwhile, Mal had made it to her locker and was in the process of trying to figure out her reaction to seeing Ben in something other than a suit. She had seen him in it before—he had worn a dress shirt and slacks to their date. Not to mention his swimming attire, which showed the world his abs. Mal definitely wouldn't mind running her hands over those…
Whoa, bad thoughts! They didn't do relationships on the Isle, and Ben wasn't even love spelled so there was no point in continuing the charade…but Mal wasn't going to lie even to herself. There was something tempting about the idea of a relationship with Ben.
There was just something about him. There wasn't an act or an angle he was trying to pull, Ben genuinely was a nice guy. Who had already asked her on a date. Un-love spelled. At the very least there was no harm in enjoying it for a while, right?
Gods, she didn't know what to think!
Mom? Mal thought as she leaned against her locker. Can…can we talk?
Of course Mali. Is everything okay?
I'm just…I'm so confused.
What's wrong sweetheart? Did something happen with Jay?
No, no, it's…it's Prince Ben.
Oh? What happened? He hasn't done anything has he? He doesn't seem like the type but you know your father would gladly escape the Isle if he's hurt you. Of course he'd have to be content with whatever was leftover after I got through—
No, no! And that's the problem! He's good, he's too good! No one's as good as him mom, he doesn't seem to have any agenda, it seems genuine.
He did always seem to have a good nature about him whenever I spoke to him.
Mom, he wants to visit the Isle and try dad's food because he wants to know how his citizens are living. He asked me out on a date for Gods' sake!
Oh that reminds me, how was your date? Don't worry, I haven't told your father. Yet.
It…it was…
Sweetheart, you can say if you enjoyed it, Persephone said gently
Mom, I'm a VK and he's the crown prince. Even if I did enjoy it, it would have to be a one off thing. It can't work even if I did want it too.
Mal, you don't know it won't work unless you try. But if you want proof, just look at your father and me.
Um, okay? But you and dad are fine—
I meant the whole 'villain and Auradon person coupling not working' thing you seem worried about honey, Persephone told her, a small chuckle to her voice.
Mom, you two are Gods. It's a bit different.
Mal, sweetie, in every relationship, all that matters is being happy with the other person. If Prince Ben makes you happy, why not give it a shot?
Because he's the Golden Boy and I'm…I'm just poison from the Isle. I'm bad for him, Mal told her, her inner voice soft.
Malinda, you listen to me okay? You are not poison. You care deeply about your brother, about your crew. Would someone who was poison need to be pretty much forced to get out of a horrible situation because it would mean leaving their friends behind? If you were as rotten as you claim you are, you'd have left without a backwards glance.
But those are my friends, it's different mom! Besides, with Ben, it's like my body's sending me all these different messages. Clearly it wouldn't work if I can't decide what I'm supposed to be feeling!
What are you feeling?
I don't know mom! All I know is that I'll have clear thoughts and then I'll catch a glimpse of Ben's eyes or see him in a short sleeved shirt like I did just five minutes ago and all I can think about is how good it looks on him and I can't think straight after!
Mal, honey, that's called attraction.
What?! No! No, mom that…that can't be it! Mal told her, horrified at the thought. If relationships weren't done on the Isle, attraction certainly wasn't done! Flings were done primarily to advance one's standing on the Isle or to get food for the few girls who weren't in a gang or crew.
Well, what do you think it is if it's not that?
Mom, I can't be ruthless yet loyal if I'm staring after Ben like some prissy pink Auradon girl! We don't do attraction on the Isle.
Mal, honey, if you think about it, that type of nature could actually be good for a relationship.
How, mom? I mean loyal sure but ruthless?!
Ruthless could mean simply just defending your relationship and partner—and for someone like Prince Ben who's entrenched in politics and council members trying to push and pull him to support what they want, he'd probably be glad to have someone who could detect a threat.
He's the crown prince though mom. I'm sure he's got people who can do that for him.
Maybe so but as I said honey you won't really know if anything will work if you don't give it a chance. Was the date so horrible that he said he hated it?
No. He…he actually said he wanted to do it again.
Then give it a shot sweetheart.
What if I mess it up mom? Or what if I'm bad for Ben? He's…he's truly not like the people here in Boreadon. Not counting you obviously.
Mal, despite whatever Maleficent has told you whenever you made an appearance in her castle, you are a smart, loyal, protective girl who any guy with any amount of sense would be glad to be around. What's more Prince Ben isn't stupid. He has a good head on his shoulders, if he didn't think being around you was a good idea, he wouldn't do it.
He would if it meant he'd be rid of his ex.
Mal, honey, do I need to come down there so we can talk in person? I'm more than happy to if you need me. Sweetheart, you're one of the most confident people I know. Any boy would be lucky to have a relationship with you. Even if you spelled them first.
…how'd you find out about that?
I was talking to your father about Prince Ben's performance and he mentioned that Jay had stolen Maleficent's spell book for you. I can put two and two together after all.
I…I didn't spell him to get into a relationship with him. He was being stubborn and wouldn't admit that he needed to get out of his betrothal contract. It wasn't good for him, he was exhausted because Sleeping Brat kept dragging him around every Sunday on his one day off from all his other prince duties. I…I didn't know he's immune to love spells though.
I could have told you that honey. I was at Prince Ben's christening…which is why you're only grounded for a week. Following Prince Ben's coronation.
…yes mom.
But anyway honey, see what I meant about protective? If you were bad for Prince Ben, you'd have spelled him for a completely different reason or tried to use the spell to get into a relationship with him.
You have to say that, you're my mother.
Just because I'm your mother doesn't make what I said false in anyway. Mal, if Prince Ben didn't want to be with you, he wouldn't have asked you out on your date.
Mal sighed softly, she couldn't deny that her mom had a point. Still, no one in Auradon was going to let the future king date a VK. Especially one most of them 'knew' to be Maleficent's daughter.
Mal?
Sorry mom, got lost in thought.
Thinking about what I said?
Yeah. But mom, everyone here 'knows' me as Maleficent's daughter—thanks to Sleeping Brat insisting I'm lying. There'd be riots in the streets if Ben and I became a couple. Even if I wanted to…for Ben's sake, I can't. I"m too big a risk.
Mal, shouldn't that be Prince Ben's decision to make? Besides, if anyone did try to argue against Ben dating you, I'd be there in a heartbeat if you needed me.
Mom, you shouldn't have to be involved in this. It's just mindless drama—
Mal, you're my daughter. When it comes to you and your happiness, I'm happy to be involved. Mal honey, take the chance. If you don't, you'll only have the what-ifs.
…okay.
That's my girl. I love you Mal.
I love you too mom.
I've got to go. I'll see you on Family Day okay?
Okay. Tell dad and Hadie I said hi and that I miss them.
I will honey. You take care of yourself okay?
I will. Thanks for letting me talk to you mom. It helped.
You're welcome honey. That's what I'm here for.
Mal disconnected the mind link and sighed, before shaking her head and grabbing her books for her next class. Thankfully she just had one more to go before she could go talk to Ben.
She definitely didn't mind—especially if it meant she'd be seeing him in that shirt again.
Gods imagine him in one of Jay's beanies…
Mal shook her head again as she got to her class. She really was going to have to focus on not thinking about that. The last thing she needed was for that thought to make it to the mind link.
Uma and Hadie would tease her until the cows came home.
