Chapter 2 – Ben

-:-:-

It was a bit of a relief to get back into Auradon. The kingdom had been Chad's home for almost half of his life – his grandfather reluctant to cart Chad back and forth between Sardinia and school between breaks, so as soon as Chad had been shipped off to Auradon Junior Prep, Auradon had been it for him. Which was fine, Auradon was lovely and scenic and beautiful, a bustling metropolis and the center of all political activity in the United States of Auradon.

Only now it wasn't, because Chad had ruined that, so even though the city was still bustling, it wasn't as diverse as it had been before. It didn't cater to as many political elites. Did that mean Sardinia did? Was Auradon Prep gone too? Had it become Sardinia Prep?

Chad would have to google that later, but for now, he followed the familiar drive to Auradon Castle, which looked more or less the same.

Oh good, so he hadn't caused it to get destroyed by a meteor or something. Hooray.

There was even the same guardsman posted at the vehicle check station outside the gates, though he seemed confused to see Chad.

"Reason for visit?" he asked, giving Chad a nervous look before glancing over his car and then landing back on Chad again.

"Um- right, I'm here for Ben," Chad said. "Prince Ben, I mean. Benjamin." There was a pause. "I'm Chad. Chad James."

The guard gave him another strange look. "Right."

There was some business in the guards' hut where he likely called Cogsworth like he always did before the guard returned. "You're clear to go. Pull up to the front and the valet will take your car."

"Okay," Chad said, even though he just about always went to the private garage when he drove here. Just- normally he didn't drive. Sometimes he'd hitch a ride with Ben, but most of the time he ran. It was a good thing he built up so much stamina doing Tourney, it wasn't a short trip by any means, but Queen Belle was always kind enough to pretend he was invited, and sometimes she'd have tea with him and ask him how he was doing in school and those conversations always meant the world to Chad.

"Your highness," Cogsworth greeted as Chad slid out of his car and obligingly handed over his keys to the valet. "Please forgive our lack of preparation, I wasn't informed of your visit."

"Oh, no – that's on me, Mr. Cogsworth," Chad said. "This is kind of a spur of the moment school thing. I um- I wanted to get some advice. From Ben. Some Ben advice."

Cogsworth's eye began to visibly twitch, though he otherwise gave no external tells of his annoyance. "Prince Benjamin is out in the gardens," he murmured instead. "Shall I take you to him?"

"Oh, no worries," Chad waved him off. "I know you're busy, I can see myself out."

With that, he walked around the outskirts of the castle, letting the head butler get back to his work. Honestly, bothering valets, butlers. Chad hadn't meant to cause such a fuss. He made it into the gardens by rote and was relieved to find that they were more or less the same. It didn't take much for him to retreat to a familiar pond with overlapping bridge that Ben usually chose as his own private reading retreat. It was one of his mother's favorite places in the castle, and every once and a while Chad had come upon the sight of mother and son reading side-by-side in the warm Auradon sun, watching ducks paddle happily in the castle pond.

Thankfully, Chad's guess had been right because Ben was near the pond, only he was splayed across a stone bench attached to some kind of decretive art statue that Chad hadn't seen before. He guessed that was new. New enough that he didn't immediately register what Ben was wearing. But that was… was he wearing a hoody?

Ben didn't wear hoodies. He certainly didn't wear black, but that was what he had on now – a black, worn hoody and black jeans, of all things – ripped up at the knees and not in an expensive way some Auradon boutiques did in an effort to be fashionable. These all looked to be from wear and tear. He was wearing boots not unlike the kind the Isle kids wore, and his hair was a shaggy mess, like when he'd rescued Chad from Audrey's cabin.

He looked kind of awful, and not at all like Ben, and he seemed to be drawing of all things which- maybe he already did that? Chad didn't know, maybe Ben was a scribbler or something. A set of beaten up headphones were hanging around his neck, further confusing Chad because Ben was a prince, he could afford good headphones, what was wrong with this world.

"Ben!" Chad greeted, making the other prince startle. "Ben, man- Ben, I think I fucked up."

Immediately, Ben was sitting up, his sketchbook clutched against his chest and eyes wide as Chad strolled into view. "What?"

"I fucked up," Chad repeated. "My grandpa had this spell book thing and it changed the fabric of reality and I didn't mean to do that but the lady said I had to do it since I was the one that finished the book-"

"Is this some kind of prank?" Ben asked, his expression stormy and entirely defensive. "Why the fuck are you here?"

"Because I fucked up," Chad repeated. Man, he wished this was a prank. "Here," he said, digging into his satchel for the book. "I'll show you-"

Ben surged to his feet, sketchbook abandoned on the bench and lips pulling back in a snarl. "I don't want to see shit, James. Now why the fuck are you actually here? Did Audrey put you up to this?"

"Let's not talk about Audrey," Chad said, feeling pained at the thought of the princess that had set this off in the first place. Well, Chad had set it off because he was stupid, which proved why he shouldn't be the king of everything. "And also no-"

He froze when Ben's hand curled around his wrist, stopping him from pulling the book out of his satchel. This close, it was impossible to miss the rising fury in Ben's gaze, something Chad hadn't seen… ever, and come to think of it, Ben was being way more super aggressive than he had ever been before.

Maybe Chad should have realized that sooner.

"I know you're too fucking nice to hurt me on purpose," Ben growled, literally growled, like a beast person. "But whatever Audrey sent you to do, just- don't do it. Go home, James."

"Ben," Chad said, because his friend- well, the guy he wished would be his friend, the guy who occasionally did friendly things for him, like rescuing him from closets and letting Chad talk to his mom – that guy was hurting, he was angry and snappish and beastly, and Chad didn't even know why. Was it because Chad had stolen Audrey's love from him? And why did he think Audrey had sent Chad in the first place? "Ben, buddy-"

"I'm not your buddy," Ben snapped, using the hold he had on Chad's wrist to push him away a few steps.

"Right, sorry," Chad said, carding a hand through the hair that kept being shorter than he expected it to be.

"Don't apologize," Ben snarled. "You're not the victim here. Just- take your perfect life and get out of here."

"Ben, Ben," Chad said, feeling lost. "What's wrong, Ben?"

There shouldn't be a world where Chad had nice things and Ben didn't. Ben didn't deserve that. Ben was the best. He was brave and strong and kind and everyone loved him.

"Will you stop saying that?" Ben snapped. "My name's Benjamin."

"What- I mean, yeah," Chad agreed. "Which is long for Ben."

"Only my mom called me Ben," the brunette snapped. "You know that."

"Calls you," Chad said, making Ben come to a sudden halt.

"…what?"

"Calls you," Chad repeated. "You said- you used the past tense."

Ben just stared at him, teeth clenched together as he painfully breathed through them, posture tense enough to wound. He glared at Chad with a hatred not unsimilar to what Chad's grandfather wore any time he looked upon the blond, though this seemed entirely more primal.

"Ben," Chad croaked, beginning to feel disconnected from his body, his frame wracked with uncontrollable trembles. "Ben, she's- she's still here, right? She's just inside-"

"You know she's not," Ben snapped, gesturing angrily to the statue. "We're by her damn memorial, Chad."

Chad looked at the statue with fresh eyes, noticed for the first time that it was an accumulation of roses – books and roses – noticed the plaque positioned at the base of it reading 'In Honor of Queen Belle Florian, loving partner and mother'.

The date had her passing ten years ago.

She was- Queen Belle was dead.

Queen Belle was dead.

"Oh no," Chad whispered, feeling a sudden heat buildup behind his eyes, his throat thick with emotion as he realized the magnitude of what he'd done. He'd killed Ben's mother. He'd killed the nicest, kindest, most avid reader and adventurous spirit there was just so he could have a shot at dating some girl who would never even truly like him.

It was enough to leave Chad crying, one hand shoved against his mouth as he struggled to compose himself.

"Ben," he gasped. "I'm so sorry, I'm so sorry, Ben. I didn't- I didn't mean to-"

He let out a sob, and through the blur of tears, he could see Ben shift uneasily, though his posture was still tense, seeming ready to attack. "What the fuck are you crying for?" Ben growled, low and defensive. "She died when we were kids."

"Because I killed her," Chad snapped. "I made a stupid wish and it killed your mom and I wouldn't- I never would have- I didn't want your mom to die, she shouldn't be dead but I killed her-" Chad sobbed again, his face feeling hot and uncomfortable.

Fuck, he really was the worst.

"Stop crying," Ben snapped, shifting uncomfortably. "Just- get out of here."

"But I- I need your help," Chad sniffed. "I can't- Ben, I only make stuff worse. I need- I know it isn't fair to ask because I killed your mom-"

"You didn't kill my mom. Light, Chad," Ben snarled. "She died in a car crash."

Funny, Chad's mom had died in a car crash too. It seemed so horribly benign. "The wish, Ben," Chad snapped, fumbling in his bag until he found the right book and pulled it out. "Your mom was alive and nice and sweet and you were happy and I undid it and I- I'm gonna fix it, I will, I just- I need help until I can finish re-writing the book because I only have so much blood-"

"Are you having a breakdown?" Ben asked, sounding tense. "Why are you even here?"

"Because you're Ben," Chad said, which explained everything for him but likely didn't for anyone else. "You're smart and adaptive and kind and patient-"

"I'm literally none of those things," Ben snapped. "I threw a printer in second grade."

"What?" Chad blinked, thoroughly caught off guard by that prospect. "Why?"

Ben stilled, like he hadn't expected that question. "Because I fucking wanted to, that's why."

"What? No you didn't," Chad sniffed, patting his cheeks in fluttered motions. "You hate it whenever you go beast on someone."

"Don't call it that," Ben growled.

"That's what you called it!"

Chad didn't get this world, didn't get this version of Ben that grew up without his mom like he shouldn't have and now was all dark and rough and were people mean to him? Had Chad caused him to get bullied?

Ben had mentioned once about the things that helped him when he was going beastly, and by that Chad meant he talked about it with the VKs and Chad had eavesdropped to pretend they were friends. What had he mentioned? There was something about physical touch being grounding? Or was it familiar scents? Maybe both?

"Well, I'm not calling it that now," Ben snapped. "Just- get out of here, Chad. This is the dumbest prank Audrey has ever tried-"

He cut off halfway through with a sputter because then Chad was hugging him, nuzzling himself close to Ben's chest in the hopes that maybe it would make the other prince feel a little better.

"What are you doing?" Ben hissed, his body entirely frozen.

"You said hugs helped," Chad sniffed. "Or physical contact helped? I don't have any familiar scents, is all."

"Did Audrey put you up to this?" Ben croaked, his voice sounding strangled and hands shaking when they curled around Chad's shoulders.

"Audrey doesn't know I'm here," Chad pressed. "No one does. I was playing it safe-"

"Don't do this, Chad," Ben said, his voice pinched. "Don't- just leave. Just go home and we can pretend it didn't happen."

"I'm not leaving you while you're hurt," Chad snapped. "Not when it's my fault."

"It's no one's fucking fault but my own," Ben hissed. "I'm the one with stupid beast genes."

"They're not stupid," Chad insisted. "They're cool. They make you strong and loyal and- and I dunno, one time you found Doug when he twisted his ankle halfway through a run and was stuck in the woods because you like, scented him out, and sometimes you let out these cool rumbles and all of those are awesome things."

"I never did that," Ben said. "With Doug. I didn't-"

"You did before I broke the world because you are awesome and you need to be nicer to yourself, so stop- stop hating yourself, Ben, because you're great."

"Chad," Ben said, his tone tight and almost painful. "Chad, please."

"Why do you want me to leave so bad?" Chad asked, even if he sort of knew the reason. It was the same reason most other people wanted him to leave, because he was obnoxious and needy and dumb.

"Because you can't stay," Ben snapped. "Even if I want you to."

Chad froze, his eyes going wide because Ben wanted- just- this Ben wanted him around. Wanted him to stay.

That um- that was pretty cool. Chad didn't get it, but it was pretty cool.

"I'm staying," Chad insisted, hugging Ben closer. "I'm the prince of Sardinia, I can stay if I want to, and I want to."

Ben laughed – a weird, sort of hopeless thing. "It's because you're the prince of Sardinia that they'll make you leave, you idiot. Eventually you'll have to go back to your press conferences and stupid perfect girlfriend and I'll be here, a social outcast because I can't keep my temper in check."

"Yes, you can," Chad said. "I'll help you. Anytime you feel growly you can just hold my hand or whatever, it'll be fine. And like- yes, eventually I will have to go home, but that doesn't mean we have to stop being friends-"

"The only reason you got here was because you snuck out, Chad," Ben pointed out. "No one else wants us to be together. And you still have a girlfriend-"

"Will you forget Audrey for a second?" Chad snapped. "What does she even have to do with anything?"

"Well, she hates me for starters," Ben pointed out, which was so drastically averse to anything Chad ever knew that he found himself listless for a second. The Audrey he knew had gone crazy trying to win back Ben's love. The Audrey he knew spent hours primping and working to be the perfect girlfriend for Ben, she declared him best above all others, and now this Audrey hated Ben.

Hated him because he wasn't the prince of the united kingdoms anymore. Hated him because he wasn't useful to her.

Holy fuck, Chad had dedicated himself to a princess and she wasn't even the best princess like he thought she was. She wasn't sweet or kind. He should have fucking wished to date Princess Ruby. He could have had literally anyone. Why was he so stupid?

"Light," Chad hissed, shuddering against Ben's chest. "I'm so stupid, Ben. She hated me too. When I wasn't- she only kept me because I was useful."

There was a brief pause, and then Ben sighed, tentatively wrapping his arms around Chad and tugging him closer until they were melded to each other, which wasn't something they ever did, but it felt really nice. "Yeah," Ben sighed. "That sounds like Audrey."

"Why, though?" Chad sniffed. "Why did she do that?"

"Because she's a power-grabbing asshole," Ben muttered, his lips brushing against the top of Chad's head. "At least, that's what my dad said her grandmothers trained her to be."

"It's so shitty, Ben," Chad croaked, blinking against fresh waves of tears. "I don't know why I didn't see it sooner."

Obviously, the only reason anyone would want to date Chad was for his position. None of the other princesses had ever asked him out, and why would they? Chad sucked.

But Audrey hadn't cared about his personality. She hadn't cared about him at all. She'd only wanted his power, the same way she'd only wanted Ben's.

Ben paused, and then tentatively started rubbing Chad's back, making the blond melt into him further because um- yeah, that was nice. "You gonna break up with her?"

"Light," Chad hissed, because the entire reason he had changed the world in the first place had been to get with Audrey, and snubbing that seemed to spit in the face of Queen Belle's death, but- but Chad was going to fix it, so it wouldn't matter anyway. "Yeah, I guess I should."

For whatever reason, those words seemed to make Ben fully relax. Maybe the other prince still had some kind of latent crush on Audrey. Maybe that was why he was so twisted up, because he loved her the way Chad had loved her but she would never be capable of returning that love because she was a power grabber, or whatever.

"I'm sorry, Chad," Ben offered, voice gentle like his old self. "For what it's worth, I'm sorry."

"It's worth a lot," Chad sniffed. "I'm um- I'm sorry too. For breaking the world, I mean, and then crying all over you when you already feel bad. Fuck, I'm a shitty friend."

Ben tensed again, likely realizing the truth to Chad's words. "We're friends?"

"What?" Chad blinked. "Oh, right – you said- sorry, we're not- sorry."

"No," Ben interrupted hastily, making Chad blink. "I mean- we can be friends. I'd like to be friends."

"Oh." Chad felt warm, because this wasn't really- he wasn't really friends with Ben, just this sad version of Ben because the other prince didn't know better. He thought Chad was great because everyone else thought he was great but he actually wasn't. If Chad was good, his father would probably talk to him on occasion. His grandfather wouldn't have to punish him so much.

But Chad wasn't good, because Chad did things like change the fabric of reality for a girl who wasn't capable of actually loving him.

Chad cleared his throat. "I'd like that too," he admitted. And then he swallowed, realizing he was still more or less clinging to Ben. "Hey," he said, looking up at the other prince and trying to ignore how close it brought their faces together. "Do you feel better now? Less um- beastly?"

Ben blinked, as though this had not occurred to him, then thought it over for a moment. "Not quite," he admitted. "Could I uhold you in my lap?"

Chad felt his face flare with warmth because no one had ever done that with him, and Ben was blushing too, though he was likely embarrassed that he had to resort to asking Chad, the only person available and by default, his only option.

"Okay," Chad said. "Whatever you need."

"Thanks." Luckily, Ben seemed just as awkward as Chad felt as they got into position. It wasn't hard for him to maneuver Chad where he wanted him because of his beast strength, the prince simply grabbing Chad by his hips and lifting him into his lap so that he was curled up sideways against Ben's chest. The other prince wrapped his arms around his waist, nuzzling against his curls once more before he let out a contented rumble.

Well, at least Chad was sort of helping, that was pretty cool.

"Better?" Chad asked, trying not to feel guilty about how much he enjoyed the physical contact.

"Much," Ben rumbled, squeezing Chad's hip. "…what's with the book, again?"

Chad blinked, realizing he'd been holding onto his grandfather's instruction book this entire time.

"This was what I was telling you about earlier," he explained. "I haven't read all of it, but apparently it's some kind of old magic ritual that allows the user to change the fabric of reality."

He could feel Ben blink. "Wait, you were being honest about that? You weren't just having some kind of breakdown?"

"Ben," Chad sighed. "I get that it's a lot to take in, but trust me. I come from an entirely different reality from where we are now. It's supposed to be the United States of Auradon, not Sardinia, and you're supposed to be the king of all kingdoms and your mom and dad led them and your mom's still alive and I don't know what else I messed up with my dumb wish, but I promise I never would have actively wished for any of this. I wouldn't have wished for anything if I had thought this would happen."

"Ancient magic rituals are tricky that way," Ben said, half focused as he skimmed through the first few pages of the book. "This is some heavy shit, Chad. And your grandfather found this?"

"He was the one who almost completed the book," Chad said. "I just finished it for him. I wasn't going to use it, I just wanted to help."

"That's strange," Ben said, and Chad tensed for a moment, thinking he was commenting on Chad's helpfulness, when the brunette continued with- "I wonder what blood he used."

"What?" Chad blinked, because that hadn't crossed his mind.

"You can't use just any blood," Ben said. "According to this, it needs to be blessed blood – which for you makes sense, your mother's line was Fae-Blessed, it was what called Fairy Godmother to her in the first place."

"Right," Chad said, nodding as he processed this.

"So what blood did your grandfather use before you helped?" Ben prompted. "Did he know someone else who was blessed?"

Chad thought about this while Ben pondered it over, then froze, something icy flooding his chest.

"What?" Ben asked, sensing his unease.

"Um… I-" Chad shifted, unsure how to word it. "My grandfather demanded regular blood donations from me, but that- he said that was for an emergency, in case I got in an accident or something."

"Well, he probably used that then," Ben said, and while Chad was used to his grandfather's manipulations, that didn't make him feel any better about it. "That ingredient, plus time and dedication to copy down the correct passages – it's those things that allow for this spell to supposedly work. There is a cost, though."

"What kind?" Chad asked, feeling panicked.

"I'm not sure," Ben said, squinting at the text. "I think it depends on why you use it. Sometimes the fate weaver is generous. Other times, she'll demand a boon – usually…"

"Usually what?" Chad asked when Ben drifted off.

The other prince tensed, hugging Chad closer. "The soul of whoever's blood was used."

That, but that-

"Maybe he was going to use it for a good reason," Chad said. "M-Maybe he knew she wouldn't- she wouldn't have- and we don't even know if it was my blood-"

"Chad," Ben interrupted, his tone sorrowful. "It only works with the blood of one. You can't use multiple sources, even if you were capable of finding them."

Chad was shuddering hard by the time Ben finished his explanation, because he knew, he knew deep down that his grandfather didn't like him, was disappointed in him, but he hadn't realized he'd messed up so bad that his grandfather was willing to trade away his soul for the good of the world.

Then again, what was one soul for the good of many?

"Then I guess it's a good thing I found the book after all," Chad sniffed. "Um- do you think she'll get mad if I ask to undo the wish?"

"It doesn't mention anything about people trying to do that," Ben admitted. "I don't think they're usually in a position to."

Probably because they were too busy trading souls or whatever.

Fuck, was Chad stupid.

Well, Chad was still going to do it, regardless of the risk. He owed it to the rest of Auradon. He owed it to the VKs and Ben and Queen Belle and whoever else he'd changed on accident. Chad's life might be better, but he had no right to live it up when it came at the cost of good people's happiness.

"So…, Ben spoke up as he closed the book slowly, urging it back into Chad's satchel. "You knew my mom?"

Oh. This was a social cue Chad could actually understand. He picked up that hint of hope in Ben's voice.

"Could I tell you some stories about her?" Chad asked, just to be sure, and the way Ben lit up was entirely worth it.

They spent the next few hours like that, Chad recounting every positive memory he had about Queen Belle, reenacting conversations the brunette's parents had in front of Chad (Ben thought the 'I didn't make a good decision until I was forty' and then his mom's 'We got married when you were twenty-eight' was especially hilarious). Every corny joke and nice thing, every initiative and charity event she enacted. He talked about their tea times and how she'd sometimes gossip with Chad about Ben, but that was mostly he suspected out of pity for Chad, who was so achingly alone.

"You guys had your own book club," Chad was explaining. "Even though you were always super busy, you'd take turns picking books that were entirely for the sake of leisure and then have like, in depth discussions about them. It was really sweet."

And not something Chad was entirely jealous of.

"Maybe we could have a book club," Ben rumbled, his nose buried in the crook of Chad's neck, where it had been for the majority of their conversation. "You know, when you have free time."

Chad felt himself flush. "That'd be nice."

He always enjoyed doing stuff with Ben. There was no way Chad was going to pass up on prime Ben time.

"Are you sure your legs aren't falling asleep?" Chad asked sometime later, and Ben simply let out a rumble in confirmation.

"I'm good," Ben assured him, seeming to cuddle Chad closer to prove this. "I'll let you know if that changes."

"Okay," Chad said, and they got back to talking.

This was probably the longest conversation he'd ever had with Ben.

"Really, I just need your insight," Chad said. "I think this me is smart enough to recreate all the stuff you did, but having someone around as like, moral support, that'd- I mean, if you don't mind. I'm sorry to bother you."

"It's not a bother," Ben assured him, giving Chad's stomach a few careful pets because apparently such things grounded him. "I'd be happy to help however I can."

And granted, that was because Chad was going to fix their reality again, but it was still really nice to hear the words. Not a surprise, though, Ben was a good guy, it was expected for him to do good guy things.

"Thank you," Chad said, because he was a polite soul. "I really appreciate it."

"Master Benjamin?" Cogsworth called, the two of them looking up to see the butler lingering near the edge of their garden nook. "Prince Chadwick – would you like to take lunch up in the courtyard? Mrs. Potts thinks it's a lovely afternoon for outdoor tea."

Chad blinked, startled to realize how much time had passed. "Is it lunchtime already?" he asked, looking at his watch. "Do you need me to get out of your hair? We could trade numbers-"

"No," Ben interrupted, making Chad blink. "I mean- yes, let's trade numbers later, but no, you can- you should stay." He turned his attention back to Cogsworth. "We'll take lunch in the courtyard, thank you."

"Of course, young master," Cogsworth said, giving them a bow. "If you would both follow me."

-:-:-

Endnotes:

Ben – Oh, hell no, you cannot leave, I let them do that once and NEVER AGAIN.

As you can tell, he has all the chill ;)

Story notes:

The printer throwing thing is somewhat stolen from the musical 'Dear Evan Hansen'.

Sorry, Belle, this time you had to be the sacrificial mother figure. I know, alright? I know, I also object to this nonsense.

Hey, both their moms died in a car crash, nothing weird about that, right?

Until next time :)