Lonnie and Jay jogged around the training grounds, both of them subtly challenging the other to a race, pace increasing with each lap. This wasn't Carlos's definition of fun. As much as he enjoyed running, he preferred more obstacles and parkour than going in circles. Watching other people run in circles was even more dull. But the alternative was being stuck indoors at either Maurice Hall or the library and Carlos loved being outdoors. He still had to be wary, watch his back, but it was safer to just be outside here than on the Isle.

Checkers meowed and butted his leg with her soft, little head and he stroked her fur. "Good girl," he smiled, scratching under her chin. Purr warm, Checkers blinked slowly at him. He returned the gesture. From what he'd observed, it was a sign of trust and affection for cats and it only made sense that if he did it Checkers would understand.

As Jay and Lonnie started another lap, Carlos groaned. There was nothing to do. Plucking at the grass, letting Checkers bat at the loose blades, he glanced at the stables. They were close. Easily within sight of the training grounds and he could run that distance easily if something happened. And it wasn't as if he couldn't defend himself. His knives were tucked away out of sight in his clothes so he was armed. Maybe…

When the other two approached again, Carlos got up, catching Jay's attention.

"What's up, Los?" Jay asked, slowing to a stop in front of him. Lonnie stopped too, but didn't join them, staying back and stretching.

"I'm gonna go to the stables," Carlos said, nodding towards the building.

Jay frowned. It wasn't unexpected. None of the others liked him being on his own, especially here, and normally he preferred being near at least one of them.

"I don't know, Carlos."

While Checkers wove between his legs, Carlos said, "It's right over there. I won't be that far." When Jay didn't reply, Carlos added, "I can still take care of myself; you guys made sure of that. Besides, we're in Auradon."

Gaze shifting from him to the stables, Jay sighed. "Fine. If anything happens, you come back here. Got it?"

"Yeah."

"Get going. I'll come get you when Lonnie and I are done."

"Yup."

As Jay rolled his eyes, Carlos headed for the stables, Checkers trailing along beside him. Together, they entered the open doors, several horses nickering greetings, Max moving to the front of his stall. Checking his pockets, Carlos found an apple he'd taken from breakfast and held it out for Max who immediately perked up and took it carefully from Carlos's palm.

Amused, Carlos stroked Max's neck as the horse happily crunched away at the treat. "I guess apples are your version of chocolate huh. I'll make sure to bring you more." The horse glanced at the door then at Carlos and he'd swear that Max was giving him the horse equivalent of an arched eyebrow. Carlos laughed. "They aren't stolen. And I won't tell anyone," he promised.

For a moment, Max studied him. Then he lifted a hoof and offered it to Carlos. Just like Rapunzel had said he'd done with Flynn. With another laugh, Carlos accepted the offered hoof and shook it.

"It's a deal then," he told Max and the horse snorted in agreement. After giving Max a few more pats, Carlos moved to the rest of the animals, making sure to greet everyone.

Once he'd said hi to all of them, Carlos set to work: mucking out stalls, laying fresh bedding, refilling water buckets. It was familiar. Just like chores in Hell Hall. Only here, his mother wasn't going to beat him if he didn't meet her standards. He just had to make sure the animals liked it and all of them were…kind. None of them ever actually got mad at him. Or even annoyed. With them…with them he might be truly safe.

Meowing, Checkers butted her head against his leg, breaking him out of his thoughts. With a shake of his head, Carlos crouched to pet her, subtly brushing the tears from his eyes.

"What are you doing here? You aren't a stablehand," a voice demanded.

Carlos stilled, hand frozen mid-pet. Gods he had the worst fucking luck.

Footsteps approached him and Carlos forced himself to straighten. "No, I'm a student in the Animal Handling class." And found himself face to face with the blonde prince that kept challenging Jay in Basic Training. Yeah. Worst fucking luck.

The prince frowned for a moment. Then there was a flicker of recognition and he sneered. "You're one of the villain invaders," he spat. It took everything in him not to flinch at the utter disgust in the words. Just like whenever his mother yelled. Before he could say anything, the prince's eyes widened. "Wait a second. You're Cruella's brat…And they're letting you near animals? Are they insane?"

This time Carlos couldn't suppress the flinch. "It isn't like that. I-"

"As if I'd believe anything a villain kid says," the prince interrupted. "Get out of here. Now."

Leave? But…

"Before you turn any of these innocent animals into a fur coat."

"I'm not going to hurt them!" Carlos protested, wincing at the very idea. Hurting any animal was just…The only reason he could force himself to eat any kind of meat was because of survival. To turn them into a coat was-was-nauseating.

Eyes narrowed, fists clenched, the other boy stalked forward a few steps. For a split second it wasn't a prince from the Ascendancy; it was Cruella, red red lips curled back, claw like nails reaching for him, smoke curling from her joint.

Unable to breathe, Carlos stumbled back, slamming into a wall, trapped. Adrenaline surged in his veins, but he couldn't make himself grab his knife. Couldn't force himself to do anything but shrink away from the older man approaching him. Fighting back only caused more pain. He didn't want to hurt. He was so tired of hurting.

Confusion replaced hate for a moment before the prince laughed. "Oh my gods! You villains really are all bark and no bite. How pathetic!" Smirking, he rested a hand on his own knife and Carlos swallowed. Out of the corner of his eye, Carlos saw Checkers hiss, fur fluffing up all over her body, and he could hear Max neighing. Silently, he begged Checkers to stay where she was. He didn't trust this prince not to kick her if she got close. "At least you know your place," the prince said, taking another step closer. "Groveling in front of us."

As he took another step forward there was a flash of brown fur and a loud growl that drowned out Carlos's soft whimper.

DOG.

The dog was here. In between him and the prince. And it wasn't growling at him. It was growling at the prince. Like his pack would.

"Move, mutt," the prince ordered. But his voice was shaky and his hand moved away from the knife. "You want nothing to do with him."

Another growl filled the air as the dog curled its lips back.

"He's an animal killer. Just wait."

The dog didn't move. It snarled at the other man, adding a sharp bark. Carlos didn't know how long they stayed like that, all of his attention locked on the two as he fought to breathe.

Finally, finally, the prince backed away. "Stupid mutt. Would serve you right if he turns you into a coat."

Neither Carlos nor the dog moved for a long time after he left, slamming the doors behind him. What-what had just happened? He…The dog…

Adrenaline crashing, Carlos dropped to his knees, trembling, unable to bring himself to pet Checkers as she brushed along his side. He'd been accused of…He'd been cornered…He-He hadn't even tried to fight back. All he did was freeze. Tears left streaks down his cheeks, but Carlos didn't make a sound. That was one of the first things he'd ever learned: cry silently or else.

A soft whine caught his attention and he looked up. Through the tears he could make out the stray, watching him with big brown eyes, head low, trying to be small. It whined again, this time a little louder.

He didn't…He didn't understand. Dogs were supposed to be vicious, wild pack animals that tore people to shreds. But this one…this one had…

Hand shaking, Carlos stretched out a hand and watched as a long pink tongue licked his fingers. Vision blurred, sobs coming in silent gasps, he pet the dog's head. More tears streamed down his face as the animal took a cautious step forward, pressing his head into his hand. Whining gently, the dog began to lick his face, moving closer when he didn't push it away. With Checkers purring against his side, Carlos buried his face in the dog's fur, clinging to it.

Scared. Frustrated. Stupid. Worthless. Pathetic. Gods he never should've left the training grounds. Never should've thought he could find a place he could feel happy in. Almost safe in. The metallic taste of blood on his tongue pulled him back to the stables and he carefully loosened his jaw, releasing the inside of his cheek.

Right. If he wanted to help his pack even just a little, he had to stop being so pathetic…Well, he at least couldn't let them see how pathetic and useless he was. Swallowing the rest of his tears, Carlos carefully pulled away from the dog, managing a faint smile when it licked his cheek.

"Good-good boy," he said.

The dog wagged its tail and licked his hand again.

Slowly, Carlos forced himself to his feet and to a clean pail of water, splashing his face to erase any evidence that he'd been crying. That was the last thing he needed Jay to see. They needed to keep as low a profile as possible and if Jay found out that prince targeted Carlos, he wouldn't hesitate to beat the prince to a bloody pulp. Not what they needed right now. Besides, Carlos had told him that he could fend for himself…

When the dog took a hesitant step towards him, Carlos crouched and held out a hand. "Thank you. You-you didn't have to do that." The dog tilted its head like it didn't understand why it wouldn't step in. It was a cute little gesture, innocent and sweet, and Carlos relaxed a little, heart warming. "You're a good dog." It wagged its tail, but still looked hesitant. So he added, "Um…do you want to…keep me company?"

A bark answered him, the dog's whole body shaking with the force of its wagging tail. With a small smile, Carlos scratched behind its ears, then pet Checkers as she joined them. "Okay. And we aren't telling the others about this."

Behind him, he heard Max snort and he turned to face the stallion. "Please, Max. No one needs to know." The horse did the strange eyebrow raise again. "Please, Max. I'm fine. I promise."

For a moment he didn't think Max would agree. But then the horse sighed and shook his mane. He wouldn't tell anyone.

Relaxing, Carlos closed his eyes, shoved his stupid memories and thoughts away. He needed to work. Do the chores. The world would make a little more sense when he was done.