Chapter 4 – The Makeover
WARNING – very minor dubious consent in the first scene – it's all good in the end, but for more details, see the endnotes.
-:-:-
"It really isn't a big deal," Chad was saying as Ben set about turning down his bed for the night, the pretty nightlight Mrs. Potts had selected projecting soothing patterns of aurora borealis against the ceiling. "I can just sleep on your couch, Ben."
"You're my guest," Ben insisted with a frown. "There's no reason we can't share the bed."
"As long as you don't mind." Chad felt his cheeks heat as he buried his hands deeper in the pocket of the dark hoody Ben had lent him. It might be a little worn around the edges, but it was soft from multiple washes and smelled a bit like Ben, which made it a win for Chad. "I um- I've never shared a bed before," he managed to get out. "I'm sorry if I cling or anything."
Usually Chad hugged a pillow because it made him feel a little less alone, but he could also pass it off as a personal sleeping choice. He'd spent the past six years with Doug's comforting presence just a bed over – at least before the musician moved into Evie's cottage, so while Chad was used to a certain level of company, it was never exactly what he wanted.
Ben paused his efforts of tugging down the blue and yellow patterned sheets, his gaze focused on the bed. "That's perfectly okay," he said after a beat. "Cling all you want."
"Ben," Chad said, a swell of embarrassment flooding his chest. "Don't enable me being a baby."
That finally got the other prince to look at him. "That wouldn't make you a baby," he said, his tone firm. "There's nothing wrong with wanting comfort. In fact." He straightened up, a new idea seeming to dawn on him. "What if I wanted to cuddle? Would that make me a baby?"
No, because it was Ben, who'd undergone unjust trauma at Chad's hand. And even if he hadn't, Ben was still the nicest guy ever and deserved like, the moon, even if he'd never ask for it.
Ben seemed to read that on Chad's face, because he pointed a knowing hand in Chad's direction. "See? It'll be okay."
"As long as you're sure," Chad repeated, because he didn't want Ben to think he couldn't respect personal space.
"I'm so sure, I'm positive," Ben laughed as he climbed into the bed, the other prince shutting off the overhead lights before Chad followed in suit.
"Only fools are positive," Chad muttered, remembering the old adage Queen Belle used to tell him.
Ben brightened up with a wide grin, practically beaming at Chad that he'd caught the reference. "Get in here," he said, offering out a hand to Chad.
"What?" Chad tensed, pausing his quest to determine which pillow he could hug that evening and if he should wait for Ben to fall asleep before he did so.
"I would like cuddles," Ben informed him, still holding his arm out. "Would you oblige me?"
"Ben," Chad groaned, feeling hopelessly embarrassed.
"Please?" Ben said, like Chad was doing him a favor, and Chad- he couldn't ignore Ben on a good day, and he certainly wasn't going to do it now that he'd essentially hijacked the other guy's life.
"Okay," Chad said, crawling next to him with a flush. After a moment's hesitation, he rested his head on Ben's chest, wrapping a tentative arm around the other prince's waist as he settled against Ben's side. There was a beat, and then Ben curled an arm around his waist, holding him close.
"Yeah," Ben sighed after a few minutes. "That's good."
"Thank you, Ben," Chad whispered, his heart pounding in his chest, but this- it was everything he'd wanted. What he'd hoped to get with Audrey but had never been good enough to achieve.
"The pleasure's mine," Ben said, seeming to mean it. "I um- I usually have nightmares, but I don't think that will be a problem tonight."
"I also have nightmares," Chad said. Usually they were of unrelenting darkness or walls closing in on him or his father's death or the world forgetting about him, but it happened. "So sorry if I wake you in advance."
"No need to apologize," Ben hummed, giving Chad's hip a comforting squeeze. "What are friends for?"
Right, they were friends here. Chad had a friend. A real one. He bet this version of Ben would celebrate Chad's birthday with him if he asked.
Because he didn't have a choice. Because Chad hadn't given him a choice.
He was going to fix it. That was the important part. Chad couldn't let himself get distracted by guilt. He was going to fix things, and until he did, it was his job to make things up to Ben, and he couldn't do that by moping.
"Goodnight," Chad murmured, allowing himself to savor the comforting beat of Ben's heart beneath his ear. It was kind of mind boggling to comprehend that he was cuddling Ben of all people, something he had only ever imagined doing briefly – but like, when he had a fever and couldn't remember he was supposed to only dream about girls.
That was one of the easiest rules his grandfather had given him to follow. At least, Chad thought it had been easy.
He was beginning to fear that maybe it would be difficult, and with Ben pretending to be his boyfriend-
Well, he wasn't actually Chad's boyfriend. That was the important part.
"Goodnight," Ben said, giving his back a careful rub before holding Chad close, his arm acting like a protective shield against the rest of the world.
It was really nice.
Chad was going to have to remember this for later.
-:-:-
There weren't any nightmares for him that night.
There were no panic attacks, no sudden bouts of anxiety – Chad simply drifted off into a peaceful slumber and woke gradually on his own instead of to the harsh greeting of his alarm. He felt rested and peaceful in a way he rarely ever was, and also protected. He could feel Ben curled around his back, acting like a barrier between Chad and the rest of the world. It felt unjustly intimate, for all that it was likely inherent. Ben was used to- or, this Ben wasn't, but maybe his body was used to cuddling? Mal mentioned that he was a clinger. Maybe he was just making up for his lack of cuddle buddy by spooning Chad.
It was- it was very nice. Chad found he liked it, more than he probably should. He felt cared for, like he was worthy of being protected, and he was shifting through that mess of thoughts when he felt a distinct hardness grind against his rear.
Chad tensed on reflex, surprised by the sudden contact, but Ben just let out a low rumble before it um- happened again.
That was- that was Ben's- Chad understood, he was a young, hormonal guy. He also got morning wood. He'd just never had it brushed against his butt before, and Ben kept catching the underswell, digging Chad's boxer briefs between his cheeks-
At this point, Chad should probably be freaking out. He knew this was the kind of taboo thing his grandfather insisted princes didn't do and if Chad everdid it, he was going to be disowned and thrown out and then he really would have nobody.
But Ben wasn't doing this on purpose and it didn't feel bad, exactly. Not nearly as um- vulgar as his grandfather made it out to be.
Chad would go so far as to say it felt good, which was likely worrying. What if this version of his grandfather would throw him out for this stuff too? Ben had already promised to be Chad's boyfriend, would the Duke pitch a fit about that? Chad hoped not, Ben was the best partner for him right now. He was the only one that knew Chad's situation, and he already knew most of Chad's failings and didn't seem to care all that much.
Just- best not to think of his grandfather now, especially when Ben seemed determined to eliminate all space between them.
There was one hand petting against Chad's stomach – lazy, stilted movements that indicated Ben was still likely asleep. It tangled in Chad's borrowed shirt before delving lower, making Chad's breath catch when it brushed against his pelvis before it settled determinedly between his legs.
"Ben," Chad gasped, unable to restrain himself because that was- no one had ever- Ben's hand shouldn't be there, Chad wasn't good enough for him and also they were both princes, they really shouldn't- even if it felt nice and he sort of liked whatever was happening- "Ben."
His voice sounded strangled, too weak and quiet to wake the other prince up, and Chad was torn as to whether he wanted that to happen regardless. If Ben woke up he'd stop, but he'd also be embarrassed, and maybe he'd be upset at Chad for letting his happen.
Maybe Chad should just figure out a way out of this himself.
Tentatively, he reached down towards Ben's hand, curling his own around it in an effort to pull it away. The problem was that even now, Ben was substantially stronger than Chad, and even though Chad was trying to pull his fingers away and Ben was still half asleep, he was still able to grope Chad easily through the fabric of his clothing which was- which was problematic, because Chad was beginning to respond to it, a certain warmth settling low in his groin that Ben coaxed to life with seemingly little effort.
"B-Ben," Chad croaked, panting when the other prince found a certain spot that made him shiver.
Right there that was-
Chad's gaze went wide when he realized he was coaxing Ben's hand towards that spot instead of pulling him away, he was- he was taking advantage of his friend and worse, Ben just went along with it, caressing and squeezing as he subconsciously obliged and instead of fighting him, Chad was pressing him closer.
Fuck, did he know no limits? He really sucked sometimes.
"Ben," Chad gasped, shivering when he felt a certain wetness begin to spill from him. "Ben, I- I'm sorry, I-"
Ben stroked the head of his length, making Chad's head fall back with a gasp as Ben rutted against his butt again, and Chad had only dreamed of being touched like this but he'd given up on it happening.
"Ben," he moaned, tugging weakly at Ben's wrist again. "S-Sorry- I-"
"Chad?" a sleepy voice croaked behind him, Ben's movements coming to a slow halt as he seemed to wake up. "What…?"
Ben froze, likely realizing what the hell was going on, and then immediately he was gone – rolling away from Chad's back and off the bed in one smooth motion.
"Ben!" Chad urged, sitting up with a horrible flush and bundling the blanket in his lap so his dumb horniness wouldn't be apparent. "Ben, I'm sorry-"
"You're sorry?" Ben hissed from his position crouched beside the bed, his pupils dilated and lips parted so he could take in ragged gasps of air. "I'm the one that assaulted you."
"No, that's- you were just trying to be nice, I think," Chad said. "I should have stopped you sooner. I know I should have stopped you sooner, but it felt nice and- I know that doesn't excuse anything- please don't hate me-"
"It felt nice?" Ben interrupted, that fierce gaze locked on Chad, sending a shiver down his spine.
"Yeah?" Chad said. "I'm sorry. I'm so sorry, Ben. It won't happen again."
"I rutted against you," Ben pointed out, his eyes narrowing slightly.
Chad felt his blush darken. "Yeah, that was… I mean…" Wow, he sucked sometimes. "That was nice too." He tugged the blankets closer to his chest. "Please don't tell anyone."
For a moment, Ben just stared at him, like he was waiting for the other shoe to drop. "What we do in private is no one's business," he said finally, which made sense.
"So you don't hate me?" Chad hazarded, even if it was impertinent.
That matter was too important for him not to be impertinent.
At that, Ben's shoulders seemed to finally relax. "No, Chad," he said. "You don't hate me for sleep-groping you?"
Chad flushed hard. "Like I said, it felt nice," he murmured. "So um- no."
Ben considered this for a moment. "Do you want me to finish what I started?"
The words refused to make sense in Chad's brain. "What?"
"I got you worked up," Ben said, motioning to where the blanket didn't quite cover Chad's lap. "It seems only fair that I finish what I started."
"You don' have to feel obligated to do that," Chad said, feeling embarrassed. "I should have stopped it."
"And I shouldn't have done it, but I did," Ben said, climbing back onto the bed. He didn't seem worked up anymore, but Chad was, because he was the worst. "And now that it's done, I would like to make my friend feel good."
"Ben," Chad whined, but Ben was already crawling to Chad's side, settling next to him with an easy grin before he wrapped an arm around the blond's waist.
"I promise this is something I want to do," Ben said. "It is not an obligation, it's a gift we can share."
"I just- I don't want you to think I won't be your friend if you don't do that," Chad said, feeling flustered.
Ben gave him an unrepentant grin. "You've already made it pretty obvious that you won't do that," he said. "I trust you. Now please, trust me."
"Okay," Chad said, shifting nervously. "How um- how do we do this?"
"Could I hold you in my lap?" Ben asked, seeming excited by this.
Ah, he really did just want to cuddle. Well, Chad supposed it wouldn't hurt anyone. It wasn't like he didn't enjoy cuddles too.
"Sure," Chad said, flushing when Ben easily transferred the blond into his lap, the other prince wasting no time to cup a hand between Chad's legs.
"Ben," Chad groaned, letting his head flop against the brunette's shoulder.
"That's my name," Ben chirped. "Is this good? Could I um- I touch you properly?"
"Touch?" Chad echoed, feeling somewhat dazed when Ben began to stroke and tease him again. "Like um- you mean in my pants?"
"If that's okay with you," Ben said. "I always thought it felt better."
Chad thought that too, and even though the thought of it was kind of embarrassing, Ben had asked. He wouldn't have if he hadn't been interested, and Chad needed to trust that.
He swallowed hard. "Okay," he said.
Ben let out a cute rumble before he pushed his hand into Chad's sweatpants, cupping him through the thin material of his underwear.
"Ben!" If it had felt good before, this was- Ben was basically touching his dick, Chad could feel everything, and he kept teasing the damp fabric straining against the head of his length, something that only got worse with every stroke of his hand.
"You sure are wet," Ben rumbled, his lips buried against the curve of Chad's neck.
"S-Sorry," Chad gasped. "I don't- I didn't mean to."
"There's nothing wrong with that," Ben soothed, using his free hand to stroke Chad's side. "I admire that, if anything." A shudder rocked through his body. "You feel very good in my hand."
"Ben," Chad squeaked. "You can't- you can't say that kind of stuff."
He was pretty sure. Maybe. He actually had no idea.
"I can if it's true," Ben decided, stroking Chad faster. "Are you close?"
"Yeah?" Chad panted. "It's um- I'm gonna- I'll make a mess."
"Then I'll clean you up," Ben seemed to purr. "You can borrow some more of my clothes. It will be okay."
But that meant he'd be borrowing Ben's underwear, and that seemed like a line he shouldn't cross but Ben was already kind of jerking him off so maybe they were there already, maybe Chad had already ruined that.
"Ben," Chad gasped. "Ben, I'm gonna-"
"Let go," Ben rumbled, sliding his hand in a delicious grind that went from tip to base that sent pleasure rocketing through Chad until he fell apart with a rough cry, spilling within the confines of his clothes until he truly was a sopping mess.
"Oh, B-Ben," Chad crooned, because Ben was guiding him through all of it, until Chad had nothing left to give. "It's- I'm dirty."
"Then let's get cleaned up," Ben hummed, thinking nothing of gathering Chad in his arms and carrying him to the bathroom. "Is it okay if I see you, or do you want to be alone for this?"
"You want to help?" Chad asked, confused by the offer but yes, obviously, Ben wouldn't have made it if he wasn't interested, Chad just didn't get why he was interested.
"Of course," Ben said, smiling wide. "I like being able to help, but not at the cost of your comfort."
"Then um- I think I'm okay with that," Chad allowed, running a tentative hand through his hair.
Ben let out another one of those cute rumbles. "You can change your mind at any time."
Aw, he really was the most thoughtful guy.
Ben set Chad on the closed lid of his toilet, not hesitating to tug off his sweatpants and underwear until it was just Chad, embarrassingly Chad, Ben was staring at his slick-smeared groin but didn't seem to care, was too busy cleaning Chad off with a wet washcloth until he was flushed and clean once more.
"I'm sorry," Chad murmured when Ben gave him another once over, the brunette seeming to recognize how much being dirty seemed to set Chad off and being extra diligent to get him clean.
"You have nothing to apologize for," Ben murmured, pressing a kiss to Chad's hand. "I was happy to help."
"But isn't it weird?" Chad prompted. "That I liked that?"
"You liked it, so I think by those grounds alone, it couldn't be weird," Ben offered kindly. "Did you grandpa tell you it was?"
Chad flushed at having been found out so easily. "Yeah," he admitted.
"Well," Ben hummed. "Your grandfather was wrong. Now let's get dressed, shall we?"
"Okay," Chad said, and it wasn't even that strange that he was sitting half naked in front of Ben, because the other prince didn't treat it as strange. Which just went to prove that Ben really was the nicest person in all of Auradon.
-:-:-
Ben bashfully passed over a pair of his worn boxer briefs for Chad to change into before they discovered an assortment of clothing racks and shopping bags waiting for them in Ben's sitting room. Apparently Mrs. Potts had taken the liberty of procuring new clothes for Chad as well, which was kind of embarrassing but also nice.
"This wasn't necessary," Chad said as he looked through the familiar shades of Sardinia blue and gold and pausing when he came upon an elegant jacket cut in Auradon blue. "I could have bought something myself. Do you think she'll let me pay you guys back? I have money."
Chad thought. At least, he had money back home from the custom dress sales he anonymously made. His grandfather wasn't big about giving him a spending budget, but if Chad was this universe's Ben, he probably had some kind of charge account set up.
He should probably look in his wallet.
"I guarantee she will accept absolutely no payments from you," Ben said, looking over his own new clothes with a light flush. "You should wear that coat."
"This one?" Chad asked, holding up the Auradon coat highlighted with yellow accents that bordered more on stylish rather than traditional.
Ben nodded. "It'd look nice on you."
"Oh." Chad felt his cheeks heat up, flattered even though Ben was just being objective. "Okay, thank you."
He paired the jacket with a light blue polo shirt and some kakis, finishing the look with Auradon blue and yellow socks and brown, reliable boat shoes.
What a spiffy boy he was.
"Mrs. Potts told me to hold off on trying anything on," Ben said, looking over a note that had been attached to one of his garment bags. "Said she arranged for something special after breakfast, what do you think that could-" He trailed off when he saw Chad modeling his new outfit, seeming surprised despite being the person who had helped Chad pick it out.
"Well?" Chad asked, hiking up his pants so he could show off his colorful socks. "What do you think? Do I look snazzy?"
"Very," Ben rumbled, voice deep for some reason, and then he was pushing back into his closet to slip into one of his old outfits for what was hopefully the last time.
They had breakfast in the sunroom, and Chad was sure to watch Ben actually eat all of it, which he did without complaint, seeming flattered by Chad's attention.
Good. Good. Chad would feel horrible if he'd fucked up Ben's appetite as well.
"Come along, young master," Mrs. Potts chirped, taking Ben into some kind of extravagant bathroom. "It's time for you to get a haircut."
She announced this just as what could only be a portable hair cutting station came into view, a stylist waiting to wash Ben's hair and get into the act of taming Ben's unruly locks.
Ben drew to an abrupt halt, his body wrought with tension at the surprise. It was enough to leave Chad biting at his lip again, to give Ben's hand a careful squeeze. "You don't have to if you don't want to," he said, because that was important. "But you deserve to have orderly hair too."
Ben considered this with furrowed brows for a hard moment before his gaze shifted onto Chad. "Will you hold my hand?"
"Of course," Chad said, not needing to really think about it. There had been many a time Chad would have loved for there to be someone there to hold his hand when he was worried.
If he could do that for Ben, he was more than happy to.
That seemed to be all Ben needed to give in, surrendering to the stylist's care. Chad held his hand while his hair was washed and while it was getting cut, moving to stay out of the stylist's way but never letting go of Ben's hand as he maintained an easy conversation.
"What's your favorite subject in school?" Chad asked, rubbing small circles on the back of Ben's hand.
"Um- art, probably," Ben said. "It's where I get left alone the most."
Oh, so it was kind of horrible.
"Do you do sports?" Chad asked, wincing because this was shit he should probably already know, but he was pretty sure the stylist and Mrs. Potts wouldn't say anything.
Ben let out a small laugh. "I was excused from that on the grounds of a private study that I definitely do."
"Ben," Chad gasped. "Ben, you need exercise, Ben."
"I get plenty of exercise fighting my inner demons," Ben rumbled, making Chad freeze. "I mean- shit."
"It's okay," Chad said, hoping his expression wasn't too pinched. "You're allowed to feel sad. You don't have to pretend."
"But I also don't have to be an asshole about it either," Ben pressed with a huff. "Not to you."
"I'm your friend," Chad reminded him. "That's what I'm here for – the good and the bad."
Chad already knew how hard it was to maintain relationships pretending everything was fine all of the time. It was practically the story of his life. He didn't really have people asking him how he was doing except maybe Fairy Godmother and Captain Anozie every once and a while, but they were both very important people, and they didn't have time for Chad, especially when he should be fine.
"He does raise a good point, young master," Mrs. Potts cut in, deftly changing the subject. "You do need to pick something to focus your private studies on."
"Maybe you could do archery or riding or something," Chad offered, trying to think of non-team-based sports. "Bowling? Is that a thing?"
Ben let out a small laugh, though this one seemed more amused than bitter. "The only way I'd take up bowling was if you did it with me."
"Okay," Chad said, not even thinking about it. "That's fine with me. Maybe I could dump choir for it."
He'd only ever joined the acapella group because of Ben and Doug and Audrey, and he had a feeling this version of Ben wasn't exactly a performer.
The brunette just sort of stared at him with wide eyes, making Chad worry he might have been sarcastic. Was that sarcasm? Chad was so bad at detecting that.
The blond turned an imploring gaze onto Mrs. Potts. "Do you think we could do that?"
The elderly woman blinked, then melted into a pleased smile. "I'm sure we can arrange something. I'll put in a call to Fairy Godmother this afternoon. Maybe Lumiere could be your adviser, he likes to bowl."
"Is… are we actually doing this?" Ben asked, seeming confused.
"Sure," Chad said. "I've never been bowling before. It seems fun, and even if it isn't, we can get nachos."
Which also seemed fun.
The comment was enough to startle a laugh out of Ben, who latched onto the humor gratefully. "Well, so long as there's nachos."
Further conversation was interrupted by the hairdresser moving on to blow Ben's hair dry, and fifteen minutes later, they were greeted to a stylish version of how Ben used to look – all sleek and polished and handsome and stuff.
"Aw, Ben," Chad chirped, pulling the other prince into a hug as he resisted carding his hands through his brown locks. "You look so good! Everyone's going to be so jealous!"
"You oversell it," Ben said with a light flush. "But thank you, Chad."
"I'm just speaking the truth," Chad insisted before they moved back to Ben's bedroom.
The other prince let Chad pick out his outfit, and the brunette that walked out of his bedroom looked much closer to his old self. He looked so sharp in his suit and button up shirt, polished loafers and a yellow handkerchief tucked in his pocket. His posture wasn't as easy and confident as it was before, but he'd get there, Chad knew it because this was Ben, and Ben could do just about anything.
"Ben!" Chad cheered, torn between hugging the other prince and not wanting to wrinkle his clothes. "You- aw man, you look great. Amazing. Just- like you. You look like you."
"This is me?" Ben asked, holding his arms out as he looked over himself.
"Oh yeah," Chad swallowed roughly. "That's… that's peak you. The epitome of a dapper gentleman."
"High praise," Ben mused, aiming a fond smile at Chad.
"Accurate praise," the blond corrected with a flush. "So um- now what? Should we work on my decree?"
"We can," Ben said. "But I think we need to establish our new relationship in the eyes of the public first."
"Ah, good point," Chad said, nodding his agreement. "The faster we do that, the less opportunity Audrey has for scheming." He shifted his weight uneasily. "What should we do?"
"I was thinking we could go to the book store?" Ben offered in what had to be the most predictable move ever. "Get the first few selections for our book club? We just need to be ourselves in public. Someone will get a photo of us holding hands or something, maybe someone will sneak in for an interview and you can explain what's up. It'll be fine."
"Okay," Chad said, feeling better now that they had a plan in place. "Okay, let's do that."
A private car drove them down to Ben's preferred shopping center and let them out at a discreet location, the driver reviewing all their backup procedures for an exit strategy before he let them go. It was easy to walk hand-in-hand with Ben towards the bookshop, the other prince looking sharp in his sunglasses and elegant suit as they talked about what kind of books they were looking for.
"I mostly read trash, sorry," Chad said as they strolled into the store, Ben tugging them immediately towards the fiction section. "Only the happiest, most cliché of endings."
"There's nothing wrong with that," Ben hummed as they looked over the shelves. "Any favorites catch your eye?"
"Yeah?" Chad murmured. "I should probably look for something better, though."
Ben hooked his sunglasses onto his front pocket, giving Chad a distinct look. "I want to read your favorite books, Chad, I don't care what they are. I want to read what makes you happy."
"O-Okay," Chad said, feeling himself blush. "But you have to do the same, okay?"
Ben offered him another easy smile before squeezing his hand. "Okay."
They looked over the shelves, and the entire time they tried to maintain some kind of connection with each other, either with Ben bracing a hand on Chad's shoulder or Chad leaning into Ben's side and distantly, Chad was aware of the attention they were attracting, but he was having too much fun discussing books with Ben to overthink it like he normally would have.
"Is this too much?" Chad asked, holding up the fictional retelling of his own parents' fairytale. "We don't have a copy back at the castle."
And despite Chad's best efforts, he wasn't allowed to check it out at any of the libraries he had cards for. It was always blocked from him for some reason. He'd tried to get Doug to check it out for him once, but his roommate had thought Chad was trying to play a prank on him or something.
It had been very frustrating.
Ben looked over the book with a renewed sort of dedication and added two copies to their basket. "It is definitely not too much," he assured Chad before they moved on.
There was something comforting about the monotony of standing in line, Chad and Ben looking over the selection of bookmarks and impulse buys while they waited to get called up to the register.
"I'll get this," Ben said when Chad started reaching for his wallet.
Chad blinked. "But you already got-"
"Chad," Ben interrupted, his voice kind. "I would like to buy this for my boyfriend."
That was just- not fair.
And of course it left Chad flushing helplessly. "I'm buying us dessert," he muttered, and Ben accepted the bargain with a roguish grin.
They ended up in a nearby café with large hot chocolates that might ruin their lunch as they discussed what order they would read their books in. Ben wanted Chad to go first, but Chad insisted it was Ben's tradition he was catching up on, and he was excited to read any of Ben's books anyway, and they were trying to hash that out when Jane of all people stumbled upon them.
"Um," Jane said, staring down at them with wide eyes, though her focus was mostly on Ben, whose aesthetics had done a complete one eighty since she'd last seen him. "Hi Ben, hi Chad."
"Hey, Jane," Chad cheered, deftly sliding their new books back into their shopping bags to make room for the young Fae. "Would you like to join us?"
"Um- sure," Jane said, sitting down in the newly vacant chair. "I'm just waiting for my to go order."
"Neat." Chad did his best to be sincere and supportive because he honestly didn't know how his relationship with Jane was here. She wasn't giving him a lot of social cues.
"Um." She started fidgeting again. "So uh- what are you two doing here? Together."
"Shopping date," Chad replied easily, nudging his foot against Ben's so he'd stop almost-glaring at Jane. "Ben and I wanted to get some new books before the school year started."
"Oh, cool," Jane said, the words seeming like awkward filler. "I didn't know you were friends."
"We're boyfriends," Ben cut in coolly, his face impassive. "We reconnected yesterday and it just sort of clicked."
"Um." Jane's expression shifted into something mildly alarmed. "I thought you were dating Audrey, Chad."
"We broke up, unfortunately," Chad said. "The truth was, I just wasn't good enough for Audrey, and I couldn't keep holding her back from getting something she truly deserved."
It sounded very noble, and if Chad didn't know himself, he probably would have believed it.
"Shouldn't you fight for her, then?" Jane hazarded. "Just- if you love her."
"I think part of me will always love Audrey," Chad lied, something twisting low in his stomach. "That's why I broke up with her. But hey, it worked out," he picked up with a grin. "I'm with Ben now and I'm really happy, and I think when Audrey moves on, she'll be really happy too."
Ben seemed to preen at that in a way Chad hadn't seen since the brunette had started dating Mal. It was sort of cute and a little weird.
"That's… good," Jane settled on. "I'm um- happy for you guys. I…" She paused, turning towards the counter. "I think my order's almost up, so…"
She left without saying goodbye, seeming a level of reserved Chad hadn't seen from her in years.
Ben waited for her to be out of sight before he let out a low rumble. "She's reporting back to Audrey now," he murmured. "We should probably get going."
"What- Jane?" Chad whispered back, but he didn't hesitate to follow Ben, scooping up their shopping bags and exiting through the side entrance while Ben texted their driver.
"Jane's lonely and desperate for validation," Ben said. "Not desperate enough to resort to my friendship, but she'll do just about anything to get approval from her peers. Audrey takes advantage of that when she needs to get information but can't be seen doing it herself. The good news is, Lonnie will probably be with Audrey when Jane makes the report, so the entirety of Auradon will know we're dating by nightfall."
"That's one positive, at least," Chad said, slipping his hand into Ben's. "I feel bad about Jane, though. Jane's super nice and sweet and organized. And I like all the pretty bows she wears."
There was a beat, and then Ben offered Chad a fond smile. "You always look for the best in people."
"That was literally just a list of facts," Chad murmured, ducking his head. "Do you think the people around us eavesdropped on our conversation?"
"Definitely," Ben said. "If Lonnie doesn't do it, they'll sell that gossip for a quick buck and our job will be done."
"Neat." Chad felt somewhat dazed. "So um- we're officially boyfriends now."
He hoped his grandfather wouldn't be too mad about it.
"Yep." Ben grinned, giving Chad's hand another squeeze. "I should get you some official boyfriend jewelry – like a bracelet or something."
"Ben," Chad whined, feeling all flushed again. "You don't have to waste your money on something like that."
"'Have to' and 'get to' are two very different things," Ben hummed. "I'm your boyfriend now – I can't let it look like I'm slacking."
"You couldn't slack if you tried," Chad informed him sagely.
"Then we'll have no arguments about the jewelry," Ben said, and that was how Chad got dragged into a nice silversmith's shop. They each ended up picking out bracelets for each other, Chad selecting a fishers of man bracelet of silver and gold for Ben, because it looked reliable and strong, and Ben selecting a golden chain that seemed to curl like a vine, woven with leaves that looked sort of majestic and earthy.
"It's too much," Chad tried to insist, but Ben ignored him, happily securing the bracelet around Chad's wrist and beaming at him with open pride. And Ben- he was so happy, just- it couldn't hurt to wear it, right?
And if Chad just so happened to kind of love it a lot, that was his business and no one else's, truly.
"That was a full afternoon," Ben sighed when they climbed back into the car, their bags abandoned at their feet and Ben's hand firm in his own. "So, you wanted to work on that decree?"
"If you don't mind," Chad said.
"Of course I don't mind," Ben soothed. "I just feel kind of bad that we've spent all this time together and I haven't even asked you what it is yet."
"Oh." Chad blinked before offering him a shy grin. "Well, why don't I tell you now?"
-:-:-
Endnotes:
Hey look, finally going to touch on those VKs Descendants usually, you know, revolves around ;D
Thanks for the feedback, everyone, it's greatly appreciated! For whatever reason, this website has decided to become sporadic at best when it comes to notifying me that I have reviews. I now know to keep an eye on it though, so thanks for the support, guys! :D
Story notes:
Ben, pretending he doesn't have eighteen perfectly good guest rooms and the only alternative is his couch: Yep, uh huh, sharing the bed's the only option, truly.
The 'only fools are positive' thing is from the movie Fern Gully – at least, that is where I heard it.
Fishers of man is a distinct style of bracelet/links – at least, as far as I know, I found it on the James Avery website. Chad's bracelet was entirely made up.
WARNING – very minor dubious consent – basically morning wood shenanigans and Ben's beast gets a little touchy feely before he properly wakes up. Chad feels conflicted because he enjoys the experience but has been trained to avoid that sort of thing. Ben wakes up before things get too terribly out of hand and they talk it out. Still, it's something to keep an eye on if you'd prefer to skip that kind of thing.
Until next time