Hey Descendants!
Who else is excited to see the Wedding this summer?
Well, today we've got a different ceremony that's the center of everyone's attention.
Are you ready for Ben to become the official Heir Apparent?
Seriously, we couldn't make a 16-year-old the King of united kingdoms.
Straight up nope.
Anyway, here's today's chapter, we hope you enjoy it!
And stay on the lookout, there will be another on Friday!
Check out our if you're interested in being a week ahead! We have all kinds of goodies for our Patrons, and we're still getting it up and rolling.
That's all from me :)
Lots of Love!
-Dark-
He hadn't been this nervous since he'd met Mal and the others.
His gaze drifts to the corner of his room where his new, designer suit was hanging.
It was darker than the blue he usually wore, and the gold had a bit more of an edge to it. But it was the embroidered beast emblem that really stood out.
He honestly wasn't sure how Evie had found the time between classes and the rest of the outfits she'd taken upon herself to make.
But after seeing the way she paled over his original suit?
His lips twitch into a smile, he couldn't say he was all that surprised.
It was about more than just how the suit was different though.
It was a reminder.
Today was the day.
The big swearing-in ceremony.
He'd been waiting for this day for as long as he could remember.
The day he would accept becoming the heir to the throne in front of hundreds of royals and god only knew how many heads of state and ambassadors.
But more importantly, in front of his friends.
Real friends.
Friends who he'd made oaths to.
And if he was this nervous…
He frowns, he couldn't imagine how Mal, Evie, Jay, and Carlos were doing.
Sure, they'd gotten used to Auradon, but they hadn't even attended a dance yet.
The closest they'd gotten was the Friday night tourney tournaments and family day- which had been a complete disaster.
He shakes his head before he pulls his attention from the suit.
He needed to go check on them and make sure they were doing alright.
Especially Mal.
She was nervous even on their best day being together.
She handled the press at their first real date together like a true princess. But with the recent turn of events, and with how important this ceremony was to him. The Kingdom. To the rest of their friends left on the isle? She was bound to be wound tighter than Cogsworth.
He grimaces.
Family day.
That really could've, no-
Should've.
That should've gone so much better.
He shakes his head.
He could spare some time until he needed to be ready for the ceremony. Plenty of time to check on the others.
Mind settled, he slips from the room and heads down the hall to knock on Jay and Carlos's door.
He blinks as the door opens on a cacophony of noises before a hand pulls him into the room, quickly shutting the door behind him.
How had he not heard this from outside the door?
His eyes sweep over the room to find Mal and Carlos running from a loud shrill noise of frustration-
Evie was making that noise?
-as they dodge and jump over furniture with Dude yipping at their heels.
"Sup?" Jay asks, acting as if the situation was commonplace.
Which for all he knew probably could be.
Jay lifts an eyebrow. "Shouldn't you be gett-?"
"Ben!" Evie shrieks as she skids to a halt looking mortified, the snap of a tape measure echoing her concern.
"Ben?" Mal and Carlos look around before he finds himself rushed.
Oh? Were they hiding behind him?
Warmth spreads through his chest.
He can't help his smile of amusement as he coughs into his hand to hide his chuckle.
He happily takes advantage as he wraps an arm around Mal who enthusiastically takes cover in the crook of his shoulder.
At the playful 'nyah' a laugh leaves him before he even gets a chance to cover it. Had Mal just stuck her tongue out at Evie?
"Hey," He smiles as he looks over his shoulder at.
"What the fuck are you doing here?" Mal demands.
Evie coughs delicately, "I believe what she means to say is don't you have to prepare for your swearing in?"
Mal rolls her eyes, "That's what I said."
"Well yeah, but I just wanted to make sure you-"
"Were letting me take final-"
"We're doing great," Mal looks up with him with a tight smile as Evie huffs and stamps her foot, "just finishing prep and stuff."
Jay snorts, "yea, 'and stuff' being the keywords. We thought E got crazy before howlers-" He shakes his head, "This whole swearing in thing-" He rubs the back of his head as he eyes Evie with concern.
"It's not my fault if you three can't recognize etiquette." Evie stomps her foot indignantly as she crosses her arms over her chest.
He turns when he feels a slight tug on the back of his shirt to find Carlos looking up at him with pleading eyes.
He gives him and gives a soft nod before he turns back to Evie.
"I'm sure you're all going to admire and adored, if for no other reason then people wanting to fawn over the outfits you've slaved over for the last few weeks," He smiles kindly.
Evie smiles as she presses a hand to her heart, "Aww, thank you."
He nods before he looks over the four of them carefully, "Please just be yourselves. I know you're all worried but, I promise the people will love you guys."
And those that didn't?
He couldn't exactly say they didn't matter as they were going to be members of his kingdom. But-
Maybe it would help him, okay not him, help Hiro, Mulan, and Shang narrow down who exactly was targeting them.
"Yeah, o-kay." Mal scoffs with a small pout.
"Hey," Jay clasps her shoulder, "People liked us more after I started destroying in Tourney-"
Evie's face twists in horror, "This isn't-"
"No, but Jay's right. And Ben's right too. After everyone sees us in your outfits, that circle is going to like us more too." Carlos beams.
"They're right you know,' He assures her when she looks up at him with uncertainty, "If people aren't warmed by your-"
"I swear to god if you say anything close to presence or whatever, I'll kick you." Mal glares up at him.
He quickly diverts his eyes, she knew him so well. "They'll be won over by your fabulous work, Jay's aptitude at sports, Carlos' ability to keep up in a conversation with Hiro, and your amazing art."
"You're the future king of Auradon," Mal rolls her eyes, "being nice is kind of your calling."
But she couldn't hide the small smile from him.
"As true as that might be," He gently squeezes Mal to his side, "I know there are many in this kingdom with similar beliefs. And I know those are the ones that are going to adore all of you, just like I do. For the others? They'll just be arriving late to the party once they realize how astounding you all are."
Jay grins, "Sounds like faking it until the other guy realizes how screwed he is." He chuckles lightly.
He beams at Jay, "Very much so."
"I was really good at that on the Isle," Carlos grins before he lightly grimaces, "usually because you and Mal were like, close. Or…" His voice tapers off.
Evie blinks innocently, "Or Deez or T."
"Yeah." Carlos rubs at his ear, "But the look on the other guy's face was always worth it."
Jay grabs Carlos and pulls him to his side, "If you weren't you, I'd say you did it on purpose with that look pup."
Carlos holds a finger up in protest, "Except I am me."
Jay laughs as he ruffles Carlos's hair.
"Hey!" Evie protests, with a stomp of her foot before she pulls Carlos away from him with a glare.
Jay's eyes widen before he holds his hands up and takes a step back, "Sorry! Please don't make him start all over again."
"Like I have a choice." Evie continues to glare, as she turns Carlos in her arms and starts to fret over his hair.
"Jaaaaay!" Carlos whines when Evie gives up and leads him away by the shoulders.
"Haha!" Mal snorts, "Sucks to suck."
"You're next." Evie glares over her shoulder.
"No fucking way," Mal returns the dirty look.
"I'm next." Jay pouts, "Remember, I have something I need to go do."
"You heard your volavictum." Mal grins as she pushes Jay forward before she turns to him. "And you," She lifts an eyebrow, "Are volavictum two."
"Oh, okay, should I go get my suit then?"
"Yes please!" Evie calls without turning away from Carlos.
Jay rolls his eyes as he pulls his outfit from the hangers, "Welcome to the pack."
He could only imagine how stupidly wide he was beaming. "Awesome."
Because that, more than any other sentiment that was inevitably going to be said to him, was what would get him through the day.
"Look how handsome you are." Nani smiles as she smooths the fabric on his shoulders, "Evie did an amazing job on your dress clothes. I can't wait to see how the others look."
His cheeks warm, but he couldn't wipe the smile off his face.
"Nani, you're embarrassing him." David chuckles as he rests a hand on his hip and looks him over.
"Nonsense, Jay knows if he doesn't want me gushing over him all he has to do is say so, right Jay?"
"It's okay. If it makes you happy," Which for whatever reason it seemed to be doing, "I mean, it's kinda nice ta hear or whatever." He freezes before he drops his hand back to his side.
He really didn't want to damage his hair by rubbing the back of his head right now.
He wasn't sure how, but he was certain a single hair out of place could somehow summon Evie.
Nani sticks her tongue at David, "See, told you."
David snorts before he looks him over and grins, "You do clean up nice brah."
He can't help the grin, "Thanks," He lightly shoulder bumps David, "Evie wouldn't let us out in public without doing her name justice right now, but I'm uh, glad to know it like, suits me."
He sighs as he looks down, twisting to look over the fancy clothes once more. Evie had always put reds, blues and yellows in with blacks or browns and called them his colors, but these weren't the same shades he was used to from the Isle.
And even though Evie did give them a touch of Isle edge, they still felt different.
Or maybe he felt different because of where they were.
He takes a deep breath before he looks back up, swallowing against the beating pulse in his throat, "Like it does suit me, right?"
"Very much so," Nani nods.
"Suave, I'd say." David nods as he rubs his chin thoughtfully.
Suave? He blinks before he looks between them, "And that's good?"
"It is." Nani smiles. "Lonnie's certainly going to have her hands full today." She chuckles.
He takes a deep breath before he lets it out slowly.
He wasn't a fan of how nervous this situation was making him.
Like he was waiting for someone to jump him or something.
"Speakin' of, " David grins broadly as he steps away from Nani to go to his desk and pulls a green and white envelope out of a drawer, "It came in this morning."
"Yes!" He accepts the weird looking bag, his nose wrinkling at the tiny bubbles, "Oh, that's what this is for."
Nani lifts a brow, "What is?"
"We couldn't figure out what the bubble plastic was for on the barges, but it makes more sense now that I know what addresses are." He grins as he rips the plastic open to find a box with a piece of string tied around it.
"Got'cha." Nani nods as she and David watch him with interest.
He moves to tuck the plastic into his back pocket, but jumps when David pulls it from him.
"I got it brah," He chuckles, "Don't need Evie losing her mind when you crinkle every time you sit."
He whistles, "Thanks for the save." He slowly shakes his head before he turns his attention back to the long rectangle box in his hands.
He carefully slides the string off the box before he lifts the lid and pulls out the small dagger.
It was perfect. He pulls it from the painted sheath and runs a finger along the edge of the blade.
Almost perfect. He knew Gil would have been able to make the blade sharper, but he couldn't deny that the details were more important to him than a keen edge.
He could always offer to sharpen it later, or better yet, he could offer to work on their weapons-
Except he didn't have his weapons here.
He shakes his head of the thought before he turns the blade over in his hand, testing the weight and balance.
It amazed him that Gil, a kid from the Isle who grew up thinking he was an idiot because he couldn't read, was able to make better weapons than the one in his hand.
He smiles.
Again, it wasn't about the usefulness, or at least not completely.
It was about the water like colors and waves in the blade. It was about the soft pink and white lotus that made the pommel and the guard. It was the beautiful weave of green leather that created the grip.
It was the fact it was beautiful and dangerous.
Just like Lonnie.
He looks up when Nani touches his shoulder, "I brought some ribbon and a nicer box if you're interested. Girl's usually like that sort of thing." She smiles. "It'd be more like a play on a bouquet- Which is the type of gift you'd typically bring a girl in these situations." She offers, "Though I think your gift is a lot more clever than simple flowers."
"I um, thanks Nani. If you think it will help," He absently rubs the back of his neck, "I um, I just don't think Lonnie is like, a typical girl, especially for Auradon."
"I'd have to agree with you on that," Nani chuckles, "She really stands out in all the best ways. Just like you." She smiles before she turns to David, "Ya heard him," She holds out her hand, "Give me the goods."
David laughs as he hands her a small bag, "So bossy."
"And you love every second of it." Nani waves him off.
"Love seems like a strong word." David's eyes brighten.
"Oh really?" Nani lifts a brow, her own eyes sparkling with amusement.
"I'm pretty sure he loves everything about you Nani." He rolls his eyes at their teasing, "He uses you guys a lot when he's explaining what love feels like."
David groans teasingly, "Don't tell her that-"
"Aww Baby," Nani giggles, "I-"
"More wrapping, less teasing. Please? I'm already so nervous."
"Sorry," Nani chuckles, "Come here, let me show you how to do it for the next time." She pulls him over to the table.
He frowns down at the piles on the table before he looks up at her, "Um, you're going to deprive me of the opportunity to come to you for help next time?"
Nani blinks up at him, "I see what you're doing-" She glares, "But I love the sentiment, so okay!" She pats his head and kisses his cheek before she swipes the dagger from him and happily leaves the two of them behind.
"Thank you." He grins as he backs away.
That looked involved.
And complicated.
And just, so not his thing.
"Nice one brah," David chuckles as he pats his back.
"That was a lot of stuff to wrap a blade, and maybe when I don't feel like everything is watching me I'll see if Nani can show me, but I think if I'd tried that right now I would have forgotten to breathe or something."
"Look at you." David whistles, "Very nice self-awareness." He nods appreciatively.
"You could have just said that too, lolo." Nani chuckles before she turns around with a nicely wrapped box in her hands.
"Sorry."
"Nah," Nani holds up her hand, "It was cute."
"And true." He takes a deep breath as Nani sets the gift in his hands.
She'd wrapped it in a shimmery looking white paper with a pretty pink bow that kind of matched Lonnie's favorite color. He smiles as he looks up into Nani's brown eyes, his throat strangely tight, "Thanks. It looks amazing."
"I do my best," Nani grins. "Now," She takes him by the shoulders and turns him towards the door, "Go, while I get this mess cleaned up for the swearing in."
He turns into her grip and wraps his arms around her, "Seriously, thanks." He whispers against her ear, "It really means a lot to me."
She hugs him back tightly, "Of course, that's what I'm here for." She squeezes him before she steps back.
He looks over her shoulder at David, "And um, not to be like, too needy or clingy or whatever, but you guys will be there?"
The news of the adoptions had gotten out in the past few days and it seemed everyone wanted to share their opinions about it.
"Brah," David snorts, "Don't be lolo. That ain't needy. Or clingy. I'm fuckin' nervous too." He rubs the back of his neck. "I shouldn't be anywhere near a swearing-in. So, promise, we'll be grinin' an' bearin' this together.'
"K." He nods his head, "Cool. Cool. Yeah-" He takes a steps back towards the door, "I um, I should probably go get Lonnie then. Apparently we're all riding to the chapel together. Well, not all of us. Like Ben and Mal have to do this weird carriage ride thing because of tradition or whatever-"
"Jay," Nani smiles kindly, "breathe."
He takes a deep breath, "Right." He shakes his head, "It's not like the Isle."
"Brah," David walks over and squeezes his shoulder. "Pineapple. Just, say pineapple, and I'll get us outta there quicker than Carlos can finish a peanut butter cup."
He snorts, "Dude, that's fast."
"I know, that's how much I relate." David nods somberly.
He chuckles as he rests his hand on David's shoulder, "Then might I suggest real shoes and not flip flops brah?"
"Oh, he won't be." Nani crosses her arms as she shoots a glare at David. "And you two lolo's better not leave me in your wake." She adds.
"What are you talking about?" He snorts, "You run faster than he does."
"True," Nani's glare softens. "Just, you know, I think we can all agree that we're uncomfortable and nervous about this evening."
"That-" He nods slowly, "That does make me feel better. Big gatherings were never a good thing on the Isle, unless they were howlers."
David's face scrunches. "Yeah a lot of stuck-up roy-" He's interrupted by Nani's elbow.
"We have a go word. We'll be alright. It's just a few hours. But, if you or any of your pack need out for whatever reason, let us know and consider us gone." Nani finishes. "Just remember that alright? We can handle this as an ohana. Besides, someone's got to keep your lolo, well your lolo-est, uncle in line."
He chuckles as he looks between them, floored all over again that these two almost completely normal people wanted to have anything to do with him.
Let alone adopt him.
"I'll remember." He nods once, "Pineapple means out please."
"Good," Nani nods.
"That's my brah." David grins as he holds up his fist.
He smiles as he bumps his fist against David's, "Cool. Okay, really going this time. Thanks again, for all the help and pep talks." He slowly backs up towards the door.
"Of course, see you at the ceremony." David chuckles as he and Nani wave before he slips from the room.
Sup?
Fuck writing these things all at once is hard is fuck… Speaking of-
Question, it's 2/2/21 today… When I'm writing this...
Are we posting two chapters a month yet? I wanna know… And fuck knows I don't post this shit, so someone throw me a bone.
Evie really is a fucking psycho. I know she wasn't as bad in the movies but ya know we got a hold of her and this, what do you guys think about what we've done?
Mal and Carlos hiding behind Ben in fear was just fucking adorable. Fight me.
LoLz Carlos's admission about his safety net. Mal. Jay. Deez. T. *cough* Gil *cough*
I mean I wouldn't fuck with that.
Not that our lil' cinnamon roll ever actively sought trouble, but fuck knows it helped stave off most of what could've happened.
He'd certainly been nixed as a nuh uh on the Isle, after all how else would this sweet kid have survived?
But it was cute so, yeah, of course we kept it.
The scene between Nani, David, and Jay was just pure candy floss.
Fucking beautiful.
Nani mothering the shit out of him.
David reassuring him.
His disbelief that the two would actually want him.
Did it hurt anyone else's teeth?
LoLz pineapple.
Fave line:
He frowns down at the piles on the table before he looks up at her, "Um, you're going to deprive me of the opportunity to come to you for help next time?" -Jay
What was yours?
Much love and appreciation
-Twisted