SOo back again. It took me longer to start again sorry about that. But I didn't know what to write.
(Just a little side note, sometimes I get comments about my not-so-great grammar. And it's true I'm sorry guys, I never learned English in school. and I don't have 12$ in the month for Grammarly premium) hope you can still enjoy it tho xx

The story goes on.

It was a bright sunny morning in Belle and Adem's royal palace. And it was precisely 9 o'clock in the morning,
time for breakfast. Both Ben and Belle were already seethed at the table. Belle was siping her thee with honey and Ben was eating some delicious toast the cook usually made, especially for him. There was a comfortable silence between them. Until Ben's father entered the dining room.

"Good morning dear," Belle said happily.

"morning dad" Ben said.

"Good morning to you too" Adem replied and took his place at the table. Then asked the butler for his morning coffee.
Adem really longed for his coffee in the morning, but this morning he really wanted to know only one thing.

"So, how is Mal doing?

Ben: "I went to check on her a few minutes ago. She was fast asleep. So mom and I figured it was best to let her sleep for now."

Adem: "Mmm, yes that is a good idea. After last night she really needs the rest."

Ben: Last night? What do you mean dad?

Adem: "Well yes I really need to talk to you both about Mal...
Last night I saw Mal. And I must say I am very worried about her.

Belle: "What happened dear?"

Adem: "Well last night I found her on bare feet sitting in the library. She was peacefully reading by the window. I was a little surprised to see her there. After what you told me about her falling ill. And due to it being the middle of the night of course. We talked for a little while, and everything seemed to be fine. But when she got up and wanted to make her leave to go to bed, she started to sway dangerously. After that, she just fainted."

Ben: "Wait what! she did?"

Adem: "Yes! Luckily I was close and was able to catch her in time... "
"I suspect she fainted because she was weakened and stood up too quickly."
"But then only a little while after she fainted and felt a little better. She did as if nothing happened, and denied all help..."
"I didn't know what to make of that, honestly...
"Mal really doesn't like anyone helping her it seems. " Adem said, his voice getting quieter at the end.

Belle: "Oh, poor Mall. "For how long has she been pretending not to be sick? Must off tired her out... Why didn't you wake me last night dear?"

Adem: "Well she went back to bed." And you were sleeping so peacefully. What was there to be done?"
"I decided to talk to both of you first thing in the morning."

Ben, Belle, and Adem were quiet for a few minutes. Thinking about what to say or do.
What Evie had said yesterday about Mal and the Isle was shocking. Ben had told his mother and his mother in her turn had told his father. So all three of them knew that there were no sick days on the Isle. But hearing that she had passed out that night still felt... unreal. It deeply worried the three of them. For how long has she been sick?

After another quiet minute, Then Ben spoke up.

Ben: "Mom, dad I can't say that I know what to do... But I do know what not to do...

Belle: "What do you mean Ben?"

Ben: "What I mean is that I know Mal and the other Vk's. And if there is one thing I learned is that you can't just expect people to change, even when you think it's better for them.
The more we pressure Mal to accept how we take care of sick people here in Auredon. The more uncomfortable she is going to get.

Adem: "I think you might be right there son..."
"When I was still you know... beast. I didn't want any help either. It wasn't until I decided for myself that I wanted to change that I did. So we can't push Mal to you know 'let us in.'

Belle: "So what do we do then?"

Adem: "I think it is best to help Mal where possible and not push her too much."

Ben: "Yes I think so too.

Ben looked at his mother's face and knew that she was still debating what this all meant.

Belle: "So we are taking care of Mal but not... as obvious? " Belle asked carefully.

Ben: "Umm? yes. I think that pretty much rounds it up.

Belle: "Well that is not going to be an easy task for me." Belle said with a small laugh.

Adem: "Hahaha, yes that's right honey. You have the most natural talent to care for people. So this will be a hard task for you indeed." Adem said laughing.

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When Mall awoke she was confused for a minute. But then she quickly remembered that Ben and Belle had kidnaped her sorry-ass and made her stay overnight with them.
It was weird staying somewhere else than the school dorms they were given. And to be a guest...
On the Isle people didn't really stay as guests, unless they were hiding from someone or had a relationship of some sort.
Mal sat upright in her bed.
Mal looked out the window. it appeared to be something in the afternoon.

For the first time in a few days, it felt like her stomach didn't want to leave her body. Her head wasn't going to self-destruct. And she just didn't feel like death.
She still had a headache tho. And if someone would show up with a full dinner table she would throw up, but to Mal that wasn't even worth mentioning...

Then all of a sudden it hit her. How could she forget?!
Last night!... She went to the library, Ben's father, her blacking out...how stupid could she be... ?!
What a poor excuse of a Vk she was. How could she let this happen!?
... Aggrh no! Mal face-palmed herself deep in thought
"Shit."

If she knew this would happen she would have made a run for it 3 days ago, when she first started to feel bad. She definitely gone into hiding.
She'd leave Evie a card saying they had to cover for her while she was gone.
And then nothing of this would have happened...
Better take notes for next time Mal taught.

But then... But then she would have never...
Seen the soft expression on Belle's face that was meant for her.
She would off never heard all the nice things Belle had said to her. And she wouldn't have talked to king Adem like that.
And she would not have seen the way Ben looked at her with all the love in the world even when she was sick. How was he so sweet? And to her of all people...

...

Mal snapped out of her thoughts. "Wow, I am going soft," she said out loud with a hint of disbelief.
Mal sighed deeply, she still felt... 'cloudy' not that that was a real thing... or was it? "Pff"...Mal and the other Vk's were still learning to give words to their "emotions." And well cloudy was the best she could come up with. So what if it was.
But maybe it was the bed tho; it was sooo soft.
Maybe a few more minutes of sleep wasn't that bad of an idea.

But at that moment she heard something by the door. Was that a knock?
After a few seconds, the door of her bedroom cracked open.
Both Ben and Belle came into the room as they saw a confused Mal staring straight at them thru the door.

Belle: "Oh you're awake sweetie. Sorry for busting in, but we came to check on you. How are you feeling?" Belle said in a warm tone.

Mal: Oh, well feel fine" Mal said without giving it no real thought. It was already hard enough to give a response that didn't sound sarcastic.

Belle smiled at Mal's answer. She knew that it was not really an honest answer. No one gets better that fast. But it was so nice to see the girl smiling slightly. Belle simply couldn't help but smile back.

Belle: "That is wonderful dear. Well both me and Ben brought you a little something to eat."

That's when Ben came in with a tray wat Mal assumed would be the food.

Ben: "Morning Mal. I am going to put the food here so you can decide when you want to eat. Is that fine?"

Mal: "oh yeah sure." Mal said, with something that didn't resemble a smile nor a gin but something in between.

Belle swiftly moved into the room and went to sit next to Mal on the bed.
Mal followed the lively woman with her eyes, wondering what she was going to do next.
Meanwhile Ben started chuckling quietly, his mom was going at full power. it seemed Ben's good advice was already out of the window. It seemed that his mom had forgotten what they had said at the dining table upon seeing Mal.

When Belle went to sit down on the bed, she motherly petted Mal's leg thru the blankets. And then spoke up.
"Now Mal is there anything you need? A bath? Something for your head? Or are you feeling nauseous by any chance?"

Mal needed a little time to answer her question. It was not like people haven't been nice to her in Auradon. But...
...Ben's mother was really something else. Her hand was still placed on Mal's leg. And the former queen was looking straight into her eyes.

Mal couldn't really think but there was... something.
She was starting to feel... something.
It was like all of a sudden her heart was heavy. There was no doubt anymore, she was feeling a strong emotion. But she couldn't tell which one!

When Ben looked at Mal to hear the answer, he saw a change in her eyes. He hadn't seen that look often. Something was going on. Then Mal answered. Mal spoke up softly but clearly.

"Nothing, I don't need anything," Mal said in a neutral tone.

Now it was Belle who was taken aback by the straight answer she received. Why did the girl look... so said?

Ben as well wondered about the expression that could be seen on his girlfriend's face.

Belle: "Oh well, okay then." Belle said trying to sound as cheerful as ever, but it was clear Belle was caught off guard.
Ben: "Hey mom I think we should give Mal some time to wake up don't you think? Maybe you can see if we still have some strawberry pudding for later. And I will be back down in a bit okay?"

Belle: "Yes good idea Ben. Then I guess I will see you two later then". Bell slowly stood up and made her way to the door.
Mal: "Belle...Thank you for the food." Mal said with a small smile.
Belle: "Oh your welcome dear." And then Belle left.

Then it was only ben and Mal in the room. It became silent. Ben made his way from the table where he left the food closer to the bed. He actually wanted to ask her about last night and why she was in the library. And why she looked so said just now. But he knew better than to ask, it would drive her into a corner. That was almost certain
Let's just keep it breezy, he thought.

Ben: "Hey there. Ben said carefully."

Mal: Hi, umm thanks for the food and clothing and stuff.

B: "Yeah no problem... Actually, you might look better in those sweatpants than I do."

M: "Well, Then I guess I have to steal them from you." Mal said with a little more life in her.

B: "you should, I mean you can... if you want." Ben smiled

M: "Wait, no no. I am not stealing anything. You know that was just a joke right? " Mal said a little alarmed.

B: "Yes yes I know, but they're yours.

M: "Ben you are giving mixt signals here. Telling a villain kid that it's okay to steal, I don't think people in Aurdon are going to stand behind that." Mal said with a small grin.

B: "No no it's more like...because you are my girlfriend you can wear them you know. That's a thing couples do"

M: "Oh I get it... Well, good thing you didn't tell Jay that when we came here."

B: "Yeah you might be right. Ben laughed a bit. Then Ben's smile turned back into a more serious look.
"Hey, Mal can I ask you ... what happened this night? you know in the library.

Mal looked at Ben "Mmm, well what has your father told you?

"That you both were in the library this night. That you talked a little. And when you wanted to go back to your room you... uh fainted." Ben now looked at Mal with a worried look.

"Well, that's about it."
"I couldn't sleep, so started reading. Came across your father we talked. then I was a little out of it so I went back to sleep." Mal stated while sounding very neutral, a little unbothered even.

"So you are okay now?
"like seriously? Because I can not tell if you are feeling bad or not if you won't tell me."
And you know... I think I get why you don't want help. But Mal... believe me when I say that I am on your side.
If you don't want people to know fine... I can make an excuse. I can even cover for you and everything.
But what you don't have to do is hide from me Mal... I'm on your side

Mal was quiet really quiet. Her face slowly showed signs of emotion. But still, the girl said nothing. She looked down a little and pressed her lips together. Then looked up.

"Why be on my side?" she asked sincerely. While looking Ben in the eye.

... Because you have been on my side from the start Mal.
People told me that the kids of villains would be mean terrible and untrustworthy. But right from the start, I really enjoyed talking to you. You have been trying to get along with everybody. And you literally declared that you choose good in front of hole Auredon to see. And well you also declared you wanted to be... with me.
You are on my side so I am on yours... Ben took mal's hands in his own and came closer
..."I love you..." he spoke softly.

Now Ben had done it. Now there was clearly emotion visible on the purple-haired girl. Her face pulled in a pained expression. Her eyes began to look like they were from glass. Tears block her vision.
Mal slowly leaned in closer to Ben, looking down. She laid her body against Ben's chest. Leaning her full weight against him. Now the golden-haired boy had truly defeated her. Maybe good was indeed stronger than evil. Mal taught out of the blue. It felt safe and warm to lay against Ben.

Ben didn't expect Mal to innocently lay herself against his chest. He put his arms around the poor girl. He gently hugged her. One hand he buried in Mal's soft hair and with the other he held her firmly. "I got you," Ben said softly.

Mal couldn't speak. Even if she wanted she couldn't. her eyes were leaking tears. All she could do was pull her arms close and let them rest between them on Ben's chest. Somehow Ben was able to melt certain parts of Mal's heart that she didn't even know were there. And hearing him say that he 'got her' made Mal feel all kinds of emotions that she couldn't acknowledge.

Ben himself was calming down as well. He was starting to get worked up trying to find the right words to say. Trying very hard to react in the best way possible, which in Mal's case was very different. But feeling the weight on his body that was Mal was calming him down. They said nothing. A comfortable silence fell over them

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So this is what I got so far. I write pretty slow sorry. And don't know how to continue just je. Hope u guys like it. xx