After closing the door to Adam and Belle's suite I then slowly started to walk down the darkened corridor; when I was halfway down the corridor I sighed. Was this really going to be my life now for the next coming months? Yes, I know that I would go through it; I just hated that even though Leah was on house arrest she still had some control over me and Ben. And she probably thought that she won this battle; but she was wrong – very wrong!
As I continued to walk down the corridor, I thought about everything that has happened since me and Ben has left college; and I noted that I started to miss the privacy and security bubble that Auradon College used to hold for me and Ben. Yes, the press would appear every now and again, but things didn't feel so bad back then. I wished I could go back in time to tell myself that I was going to need to be stronger for when I left college. As even though I felt that I was currently doing a good job I could probably be better at dealing with what me and Ben were currently going through.
When I got to the end of the corridor I sighed as I looked out of the large stained-glass window for a few seconds; I then looked up to see that it was a depiction of Adam and Belle's story. It made me remember that Adam and Belle have both told me in the past that even with their relationship they both had hardships. They had told me stories in the past how there was even times when people didn't accept Belle as a match for Adam. Belle did stress this was however before the United States of Auradon was unified and even before she married Adam. I found this crazy as the kingdom loved both Adam and Belle, but it just goes to show that everyone can have their problems.
After standing looking at the stained-glass window for a few minutes I decided against walking the rest of the way due to the fact that I just felt so tired. So as another wave of tiredness hit me, I yawned as I teleported quickly to my suite, so I could go to bed and get some well-deserved sleep – but not before speaking to my perfect Benny.
I landed in the living room area of my suite with a large pop; and before I did anything else I quickly walked up to the main doors of my suite, and I locked them. I then turned and started to walk towards my bedroom, turning the lights off along the way.
When I walked into my bedroom, I quickly turned both of the bedside lights on rather than the main light as I didn't think my tired eyes could take the brightness. I then plugged my phone into its phone charge and placed into onto the pillow on the right-hand side of the bed, ready for my goodnight Facetime with Ben.
As I went to walk into the bathroom, I sighed at the fact that I wasn't able to share a bed with Ben yet, but I knew when the time came to when we were allowed, we weren't going to take it for granted. I never would take any time with Ben for granted as he meant far too much to me.
After getting ready for bed and changing into my dark purple sleep vest and shorts I then walked back into my bedroom and quickly walked across the room before climbing into bed. As I pulled the covers back over me, I heard my phone go off; and when I looked over, I saw the following texts:
"Mal I know you told me not to worry but surely you can see why I am worried. Especially how you left like that. I'm guessing the sudden change to your mood was due to the fact that I have moved into my parent's suite. I did come looking for you, but I saw you teleport, and you looked very deep in thought. I know a lot is going on right now, but please don't shut me out. I only want to be there for you, I understand you will talk when you are ready. Please know that even though we can't see each other privately that me being there for you will never change. Love you loads Princess. B xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx"
"Mal, if you are still awake, I just wondered whether we could FaceTime again? I know it's probably a stupid thing, but it helps me get to sleep. Even though I can't lie in bed next to you it's the next best thing. Love you, B xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx"
In all honesty I knew that Ben was probably going to worry, given his reaction not too long ago. I did understand why he was worried, as I would be the same if the roles were reversed. But I didn't want him to worry as I didn't think it was that much of a big deal this time. So, in a bid to not make the situation any worse so it wouldn't make him worry anymore I quickly Facetimed him before he could send me another text or him coming looking for me, with either one of both of his parents in toe.
"Hello" he said after his face appeared on my face after it rang only a couple of times.
"Hello" I answered as I balanced my phone up exactly as I had done the night before as I lay on my left-hand side. When I looked down at my screen, I noticed that Ben was already lying in bed with his phone already in place, and there was a very concerned look in his eyes. "Right- "I began as I decided to not beat about the bush. "Let me answer what you said in your text" I stated.
"Ok" he said, and he went silent which told me that he was giving me the time I needed to speak.
"I can understand why you are worried" I said before biting down on my bottom lip for a few seconds. I just decided to let him know exactly how I was feeling as Ben could ready me like a book, I didn't want him to think I was hiding anything from him. "There's just so much going on in my head" I admitted. "And- "I added but I stopped myself.
"Yes?" he prompted.
"You moving into your parent's suite just caught me off guard that's all" I confessed, and I watched as his brow knitted together at this. "I don't know why- "I confirmed. "I wouldn't want to be in our bedroom either without you" I added. "But honestly Ben that wasn't what made me go into a funny mood" I advised hoping that he wasn't currently beating himself up over upsetting me when this clearly wasn't the case.
"Oh" he muttered. "What did?" he asked.
"Just the realisation that this is our life now" I told him. "Until this is sorted" I added. "And I know you wanted to walk me back Ben, but I couldn't let you" I sighed sadly as I knew that I was close to admitting something to Ben that I hoped wasn't about to hurt him.
"Why?" he questioned as he started to look hurt.
"Because I'm scared" I confessed as I started to feel my heart pound in my chest.
"Scared?" she said slowly.
"Yes" I nodded. "I'm scared of losing you" I elaborated. "Terrified even!" I exclaimed and I watched as his face dropped at this. "If anyone finds out that we have been on our own" I said as I started to feel a lump start to form in my throat.
"Mal one of my parents- "he started.
"I know that" I said cutting him off. "But there is a chance that I have to carry this fear until our wedding day Ben; and that is a lot of me to try and get my head around at the moment" I told him, and we both fell into a silence with both of us just looking at each other.
"I'm going to do everything in my power to make sure that it isn't the case" he promised.
"I know you will" I answered with a warm smile. "I guess I'm just trying to prepare myself for the worst, that way when you tell me that it has to stick it isn't going to hurt as much" I added.
"I hate that you have to go through this" he sighed sadly. "Because of me, because of who I am" he added as he pouted.
"Ben, I don't go through this because of who you are" I replied. "Who you are is the man I love" I told him fondly and I watched as a warm smile spread across his face. "We seem to be going through this because of me" I told him, and I watched as his face dropped once more. "Not you" I continued harshly. "Me!" I exclaimed. "Because of whom I am" I continued as I pushed down the lump in my throat. "Because people hate me so much, they will try anything to try and make sure that I can't stay by your side" I finished before I sighed. "I have mixed feelings talking like this" I confessed.
"Why?" he questioned.
"I want to be honest with you, of course I do" I pressed. "I don't want secrets between us" I added.
"Why do I sense there is a but coming?" he questioned as he pulled one brow up at me.
"But- "I started, and I stopped when I saw him throw a stern look at me. "You have the task of trying to get us out of this mess, I don't want to make it any harder for you" I told him. "I don't want you fixating on how I am feeling" I stressed.
"Mal stop" he advised before I could say another thing. "It's my job to fixate on how you are feeling" he added. "Telling me how you are feeling isn't making it harder for me, if you don't tell me that is what makes it harder" he finished before pursing his lips together.
"I get that" I nodded. "And I will try to tell you" I promised.
"That is all I can ask for" he smiled at me. "And before you ask- "he began which made me pull one brow up at him. "Of course, I am going to do the same" he offered.
"Good" I smiled at him.
"Mal?" he said.
"Yes?" I answered.
"You have been honest with me; can I be honest with you?" he asked which made my stomach flutter nervously at this.
"Yes" I confirmed before I taking a couple of deep breaths to steady my nerves.
"I knew that tonight really bothered you" he offered. "More than you were ready to admit" he stated.
"I know" I nodded. "We are very in sync" I said happily.
"Yes" he confirmed. "But that is not what I meant" he stated, and I could tell by the nervous tone of his voice that he was wondering about what he was about to say to me.
"Right?" I said slowly. "Go on" I prompted him.
"You know when you said that you can sense me" he reminded me.
"Yes" I grinned proudly.
"Well since you changed into a Dragon- "he hinted, and I pulled one brow up at what he was trying to tell me and then it suddenly hit me. Was Ben trying to tell me what I thought he was trying to tell me?
"What?" I questioned.
"Yeah" he nodded. "When you are happy, I hear you purring" he started to explain. "When you are annoyed or irritated, I hear you growl, when you are upset you roar" he continued. "It's really weird" he admitted as he pulled a funny face.
"I know it is" I giggled. "It takes a bit to get used to" I advised.
"I don't mind" he smiled. "It makes me feel closer to you" he said happily, and I watched as a twinkle entered his eyes.
"Likewise, Benny" I winked at him.
"Yeah" he grinned. "I've done some reading about it actually" he admitted.
"Really?" I questioned. "You have books on Dragons?" I pressed.
"Yes" he nodded. "Of course, we do" he confirmed. "We did used to fight th- "he started but quickly stopped himself. "Sorry I didn't mean" he quickly apologised as his eyes widened.
"It's ok" I dismissed. "I know that you are not going to try and drive a sword through my heart" I teased. "I know I can trust you" I smiled at him.
"Yep" he grinned before he pulled a funny face at me which I couldn't help but giggle at my very playful beast.
"So, what did you read?" I enquired eagerly.
"Well apparently if a Dragon reveals itself to its mate they create a physic bond- "he stated.
"So similar to what happened when you revealed yourself to me" I returned. "That didn't sound right" I giggled.
"No" he chuckled back. "No, it didn't" he laughed further. "It's a good thing we are way past that point" he teased.
"Very true" I joked back. "However, I guess there will be no more revealing ourselves to each other for a while" I sighed sadly.
"I know" he pouted at me.
"You are such a perve!" I laughed wholeheartedly
"When it comes to you?" he asked rhetorically. "YES!" he stressed. "But you can't say anything missy, you're not entirely innocent" he joked.
"I never claimed to be Benny" I cooed. "I am a VK after all" I winked at him.
"Yeah" he grinned, and I watched as a dark glint started to show in his eyes. "You're my bad girl" he purred, and I let a large smirk spread across my face.
"Ben behave" I warned him as I started to feel a knot of lust start to tighten in the pit of my stomach.
"Why?" he asked mock innocently.
"Because you're turning me on" I admitted. "And there is nothing we can do about it" I snapped as I tried to push away the lust that was trying to engulf my body.
"Sorry" he smirked at me.
"You're not sorry!" I accused.
"Nope" he winked at me, and I couldn't help but giggle at him once more.
"Anyway- "I said as I decided to change the subject before things too out of hand. "I guess this just proves even more so that we are meant for each other" I offered.
"Yes" he grinned. "Yes, we are baby" he added proudly. "And you know what?" he said eagerly.
"What?" I teased.
"I've known that since the moment I laid eyes on you" he said to me.
"You are such a charmer" I said as a large and very smug grin spread across my face.
"I try" he chuckled. We both then went on to talk about what we were going to do for the next few days, and we tried to incorporate some allotted time together. Yes, we normally did this, but this time felt different, as when we had made our plans, we had to add the prefix that 'as long as either Adam or Belle was free. I tried to make peace with this; but it was hard. I hated that me and Ben were being dictated to on how and when we could spend time together. I didn't feel any malice for Adam or Belle, they were trying to help us – and this was something that I would always be grateful for.
*Belle's POV*
After the way Ben came back into our suite after he and Adam went looking for Mal Ben quickly excused himself to get ready for bed; and it broke my heart to see the concerned look in his eyes. I really did hate the situation that he and Mal currently found themselves in; and I wanted to do everything in my power to help them. But Ben was and will always be my little boy, no matter how old he gets, and before I went to bed, I wanted to make sure that he was ok.
"Belle what are you doing?" I heard Adam say as I started to walk towards Ben's bedroom in our suite.
"I'm going to check on Ben" I advised as I stood next to the door, and I froze when I heard Ben talking to Mal over the phone through the door. I heard them both burst out laughing and I let a large smile spread across my face at the fact that both Mal and Ben were in fact ok, well as they were going to be in this situation.
"Oh" I said as I quickly turned around and started to walk towards Adam, who was currently stood in the doorway of our bedroom.
"What?" Adam asked as he pulled one brow up in confusion.
"It would appear that I don't need to check on Ben and Mal" I advised as I continued to walk towards him.
"How so?" he enquired as he stepped to the side so I could step into our bedroom.
"I heard him talking to Mal on the phone" I stated as I nodded towards Ben's bedroom door. "And they are laughing" I confirmed as he smiled at me as we both stepped into our bedroom.
"I told you they would be ok" I heard Adam say after he closed and locked the door behind us.
"I know" I replied. "But I worry about them" I told him as I sat down on the foot of our bed.
"I do too" he agreed. "I hate that they have to go through so much" he advised as he pursed his lips together as he sat down on my right-hand side.
"I know" I sighed.
"But Belle- "he started as she slid his left hand into my right.
"Yes Adam?" I answered.
"You know that they are both strong enough to get through this" he told me as he gave my hand a gentle squeeze. "And we are going to be there for them each step of the way" he reminded me kindly.
"Of course, we are" I answered. "You know there was a time when Mal wasn't part of our lives; and we both were concerned when they both started dating" I reminded him.
"Yes" he chuckled. "But that was a long time ago; and a lot has changed since then" he happily smiled down at me.
"Yes" I confirmed. "We now see Mal as our daughter" I smiled fondly. "And I wouldn't have it any other way" I stated.
"Me neither my dear" he agreed as he dropped my hand, and he wrapped his arm around my shoulder, and he pulled me closer to him, so my head was now against his broad chest. The room then fell into silence as I started to think of ways on how me and Adam could make it easier for Ben and Mal; right now, I didn't have all of the answers. But I did know one thing. Adam was right, Mal and Ben were a very strong couple, and they could get through this – and me and Adam would help them every single step of the way.
Hey guys, I hope you have enjoyed these few chapters. It still means a great deal that you still follow me on this journey with me, and I can't wait for you to see what I have planned. See you shortly on the flipside, fingers crossed, much love, RSD xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo.