The Golden Age of Unlikely Friendships

Author's Note

Hello, my lovelies! My apologies for the late update. Finals happened the past week and I spent the weekend trying to relax. However, the new update is here and I hope you enjoy! It is a bit short, but that's how Wander had it outlined and I didn't have the heart to change it because of finals. The next chapter is longer, exciting things happen.

Leave those reviews!

**This story was given to me by WanderlustandFreedom. The majority of the ideas/outline is hers. From here on out, ALL chapters are written by yours truly!**

Year 8

Mal showed up at the next meeting, a frown present on her face and her arms crossed. Her hair was a dark violet now and she was still the same height as the past few years. A leather jacket was draped over her shoulders and her boots scuffed along the tiled floor as she made her way to her seat, Maleficent in tow behind her.

Ben shuffled his notes together. This was to be his last council meeting as the crown prince. He'd be the king the next time the meeting rolled around.

He wasn't sure how he felt about that.

The meeting went by and just as Adam was about to end it, Maleficent raised her hand. "My daughter has something she'd like to say."

"What else does she want to say after her stunt last year?" Phillip huffed, narrowing his eyes when he glanced towards Mal, who seemed to fight the urge to roll her eyes. She stood up, clasping her hands together in front of her.

"Actually, I wanted to apologize for last year. And anything else I've done in the years prior," she paused to take a small breath. "I'm going to be attending the meetings as the Isle representative next year. I want to start over, a fresh slate, because I don't want there to be any bad blood between the Isle and I and you all in Auradon. So, my apologies for everything." She turned to Chad, who squeaked under her gaze. She shot him a small smile and Ben felt an unknown irritated feeling in his chest. "I'm sorry for shooting you with the nerf gun, by the way."

Kit and Cinderella chuckled as Chad casually gave her a thumbs-up. "No biggie. Um, I'm sorry, too. For the mean things I said about you when we were younger." he said and Mal laughed.

"No biggie."

The other royals let out soft laughs and Maleficent let a small smile across her face. Mal sat back down and Phillip hmphed.

"I can't believe you're just going to-"

"Phillip." Aurora muttered, placing a hand on her husband's shoulder, who backed down, but continued to glare at Mal.

Adam's face stayed rock-solid as he addressed Mal. "Er, thank you for your apology, Mal. I'm sure we… I'm sure we all appreciate it."

Ben glanced at his mother, who stared at Adam almost in disbelief. The meeting ended then and everyone began to stand, collecting their things. Mal bounced up to Ben after his father inched away, brushing a strand of hair from her face.

"Hey, Ben." she said softly. Ben stiffened, the memory of last year still lingering in his head.

"Hi, Mal."

"I.. I knew you were there last year. On the roof with my friends. I didn't want to, uh, say that about you. But I did anyways and I know I hurt your feelings," Mal shuffled her feet together, her hands behind her back. "I'm sorry."

Ben immediately softened- he couldn't really stay mad at her, even after all the years she's rejected his getting near her. "It's alright, Mal. I'm a big boy, I can handle the hurt."

Mal scoffed teasingly. "Nah, Bennyboy, you probably thought about it for five months afterwards."

They met each other's eyes and laughed, not noticing Belle or Maleficent watching them with amused expressions. "Hey, uh, you mentioned you were taking over as a representative for the Isle?"

"Yep. Mom thought it'd be a nice way to tell the younger people of the Isle they're still being heard.. There have been some rebellions within the gangs."

"The gangs?"

"Yeah. Um, a lot of the teens have morphed into these gangs. And they, you know, they're teens and think they deserve all the freedom in the world. My gang, with Evie and Jay and Carlos, we're the highest ranking. So, mom thought.. She thought it'd be a good way to stop the rebellions."

Ben nodded in understanding. "Are you nervous?"

"It's not like I'm being crowned the king of Auradon, like you are." Mal nudged his shoulder and he flushed. She smelled like smoke, but in a good way. Like smoke… And strawberries?

"I've prepared for that my whole life though," Ben chuckled. "Hey, uh, I could write to you, if you wanted. Give you advice, help you out with your fancy new position."

Mal almost brightened. "You'd do that? I mean, mom's been helping me, but I don't know, maybe it'll feel better with someone helping me that's my age."

"Is it weird?"

"Yeah. I'm not really that sold on it, but I don't wanna disappoint my mom."

"It's no problem, Mal. I think our parents are waiting for us." Ben raised his chin towards where their parents were standing, Adam with his arms crossed and a hardened expression as he watched the two and Belle and Maleficent speaking quietly to one another.

Mal turned on her heel to head towards them, but Ben grabbed her arm.

"Are you going to the afterparty?"

She stared at him, her green eyes searching his face. She shrugged, but smiled at him before going back to her mom.

Ben grinned, feeling that she probably would.