Chapter 16 – Back to the Grind

-:-:-

Carlos ended up getting fucked by every guy present, Uma murmuring words of encouragement into his ear the entire time as he was taken by Harry, then Gil, before he was followed by a blushing Aziz who didn't last that long, but Harry tried to make things up to the Agraben prince while Ben crowded into Carlos' space, the young De Ville groaning weakly before he rode him like a damn champ.

In the end, Carlos' torso was a mess of his many releases and he was exhausted, so Chad didn't think much of carrying him into the bathroom, quickly showering him clean before they shared a bath together so they could just cuddle while the others took turns freshening up in the shower and Ben's guest bathroom.

"I'm glad you're okay, Carlos," Chad informed him several times, nuzzling the top of Carlos' head while he held him close.

"Chad," Carlos whimpered, shifting uneasily, and it didn't take much for Chad to realize that the other teen was still affected by Mal's spell, so he jerked him off in careful movements, Carlos whining against his front all the while. "Chad. Chad. You don't- you don't have to-" He trailed off with a broken cry as he fell apart, back arching and hips rutting eagerly into his hand, and Chad merely guided him through it, the same way he would for Ben.

"Better?" Chad asked, stroking low to cup Carlos' sack, teasing up his length and grazing the top of his head to see if he had anything left to give.

"Evil, Chad," Carlos whimpered, his legs flexing wide. "I'm gonna- I'll-"

He seemed to be getting hard again, so Chad followed that, teasing and caressing him until Carlos was fully interested, moaning brokenly while Chad jerked him off once more.

"How many times has he come?" Mal asked when she strolled in halfway through, hair damp and looking entirely adorable in a set of Chad's pajamas.

"Working on number three right now," Chad said while Carlos moaned into his neck. "I'll be honest, I thought he would have been spent by this point."

"Might have targeted the spell to be extra responsive to you," Mal drawled over Carlos' whimper. "He should be able to go a few more times."

"Mal," Carlos croaked, seeming betrayed.

"This isn't hurting you, right?" Chad asked. "You don't feel overwhelmed?"

"N-No," Carlos panted, biting at his bottom lip.

"Okay," Chad said. "Let me know if that changes."

For whatever reason, Carlos came very quickly after that.

"Oh, Light – oh Light, Chad," Carlos whined into Chad's neck, the young De Ville having turned so that their chests were plastered together while Chad worked to jerk him off. "Chad."

"That's it, sweetheart," Mal said, cupping Carlos' flushed cheek. "I want you to think of this any time you doubt your worth. I want you to remember how happy Chad is to help you any time that you need it, because you are worthy of his help. You are worthy of his attention, of his affection, and most certainly worthy to have his hand on your dick."

"Did you- did you spell me to keep- until I believed that?" Carlos panted, falling apart once more.

"Maybe," Mal hummed, just the slightest bit wicked. "Is it working?"

"Mal!" Carlos crooned as Chad guided him through the aftermath.

"It's okay, Carlos," Chad murmured, pressing a shy kiss against his shoulder. "We can take as long as you need. I'm here for you."

"He c-can't keep going," Carlos gasped, shuddering into Chad's hand.

"I will as long as you need me," Chad countered, making Carlos shudder all over again.

They had to switch to the shower when the water ran cold, but Mal kept them company all the while.

"What if we have to do this forever?" Carlos asked, writhing in Chad's lap. "What if I never believe you?"

"You'll believe me at some point," Chad said. "We've got the entire weekend, at least."

"Ben wouldn't allow that."

"Ben doesn't actually own me," Chad pointed out. "And Ben also likes it when you're taken care of. Do you need me to get him to prove this?" Chad turned his attention outside the shower before Carlos could answer this. "Mal?"

"I'm on it!" Mal chirped, and then she was all but skipping out of the shower.

That was how they came to have a rumbling Ben hold Mal in his lap, the brunette murmuring a hot string of praise.

"You're doing well, Carlos," Ben told him. "You look so pretty in Chad's arms, you're responding so well for him, and it's no wonder that he'll keep helping you, the way you respond like that."

"He's n-not even hard," Carlos moaned as he got close once more. "I mean, he is a little-"

"Chad's demisexual," Ben said, a term Chad himself did not know and would have to look up later to see if it actually applied to him, though Ben seemed sure. "He isn't always up for sex, that doesn't mean he doesn't find you attractive and doesn't want to help you."

"You're very pretty, Carlos," Chad said, pausing a moment so he could just admire the young De Ville's length with a shy flush. "I've been trying not to stare-"

"Light," Carlos gasped before he fell apart once more.

It also turned out to be the last time, for all Chad's minor teasing, Carlos stayed entirely spent.

"Oh man," Chad said, as he started wiping Carlos clean. "I would have complimented you earlier if I knew that was all you needed."

"Trust me," Mal said as they worked together to dry Carlos off, the other teen now entirely exhausted. "It was the experience he needed. He won't forget it, now."

"I hate you," Carlos mumbled as he slumped against her side.

"You love me and you're welcome," Mal said before she swept Carlos into her arms. "I'm gonna take him back to the others for cuddles. You guys are free to stay in here for alone time if you want."

"That'd be appreciated," Ben rumbled, moving to kiss Chad as soon as the door was closed.

It sort of made Chad glad he hadn't dried off because he found himself right back in the shower, gasping as Ben started rutting slowly against him.

"Hey," Chad began between kisses. "What's demisexual mean?"

"Right um- sorry," Ben said, a little flushed. "I shouldn't have said that without running it by you, but it seems to fit you really well."

"That's okay," Chad said, running his fingers through Ben's wet hair. "That's what I figured; I was just wondering what it exactly was."

"It's a sexual orientation," Ben said. "It's a person that only experiences sexual attraction to those they have close emotional bonds with. So, you care for all of us, but it isn't easy for you to one hundred percent throw yourself into sex. Which isn't a problem, none of us have a problem with that, it just- that might be why," he explained. "Why you don't get super aroused when we're having orgies but I can cuddle with you in the bathtub and you'll be um- ready to go."

"But I do like everyone," Chad said. "I love all you guys."

"We know you care for us, Chad," Ben said. "But these group situations, it can get a bit overwhelming. It's understandable for you to not feel entirely comfortable getting aroused in the wake of that while still feeling more settled in a more intimate situation. That's all I meant."

Chad thought about this, and realized Ben's hypothesis wasn't incorrect. He'd never really lusted after princesses for their looks alone, or gotten much from those magazines the guys sometimes passed around in the locker room. Chad understood that guys and girls were pretty, but he never really felt much of anything towards someone he wasn't already connected to. For a long time, that had been Audrey, but even with her he'd never really dared to be aroused in her vicinity. She found it too gross.

Things had been completely different with this Ben, though. And he supposed if he was ever one-on-one with any of the others – like, truly one on one, without an audience, maybe he would be comfortable enough getting worked up with them, and if he did it enough times he could do it with a group maybe.

Which wasn't the most useful skill to have for back when he returned to the real world, and he needed to remember that.

"I think you're right," Chad gasped, curling an arm around Ben's shoulders as they established a comfortable rhythm. "I um- I didn't even realize."

"That's okay," Ben said, aiming a happy grin at him. "Sexuality is a fluid thing. And honestly, this might not even be the most accurate description for you. Or if it is, that might change tomorrow. My point is that no matter what, we love you the way you are and want you to be comfortable and happy. And if you don't want to have as much sex as the rest of us, that's totally okay."

"Thanks, Ben," Chad said, truly grateful for the other prince's support. "Honestly, I'm not sure what I would do without your pep talks."

"As though you don't give them to me all the time," Ben rumbled, but then he was kissing Chad before the blond could argue, which was probably the wisest decision on his part.

-:-:-

It turned out that Mal's spell against Carlos didn't apply to just Chad, but to all of them to some extent. It was what made the next day particularly lively for Carlos, because while he seemed to believe that any of the Core Four or Doug and Jane would willingly dote on him as long as he needed it, that didn't necessarily extend to the rest of them.

Well, it did for Chad, and slowly for the others, which was a nice morning wakeup when they all blinked to awareness to find Harry jerking Carlos off in careful movements, the young De Ville writhing under him while the first mate happily purred compliments into his ear.

"So lovely, ye are," he murmured, nipping at the lobe of Carlos' ear. "Ye come as many times as ye need, savvy? I wanna see all of them."

"Harry," Carlos whined, falling apart two more times before he came to accept the first mate's affection as true.

Breakfast found him sitting in Gil's lap, the second mate happy to feed him bits of waffle and suck his lips clean of syrup until Carlos was whimpering again, flushing when they realized he was turned on once more. Gil, of course, was happy to oblige him, and didn't think much of rubbing a broad hand between his legs, working Carlos over until he was babbling nonsense. It seemed to take longer for Carlos to accept Gil's affections as true, but mostly because he thought the second mate was just doing this because Harry had, rather than from any desire on his own part.

"You don't have to," Carlos croaked, flush steadily spilling down his neck.

"Nope, I get to," Gil agreed, thinking nothing of slipping a hand under Carlo's shirt to start toying with his nipples.

By the time they were finished, Carlos had to change clothes because the groin of his borrowed sweatpants were soaked through. Uma was kind enough to volunteer to clean him off, and Chad wasn't sure what went down in the bathroom, only that Carlos was stumbling and dazed when he was finally released from Uma's clutches.

"Guys," Carlos tried to protest, half-hiding behind Jay as they took an afternoon stroll through the backwoods of Auradon Castle, pausing when they got to their private cove. "You don't have to do this."

"Pretty sure we do," Ben rumbled, proceeding to give Carlos as many blowjobs as he needed until the young De Ville understood how much Ben cared for him. It took a while, but Chad was pretty sure Ben was happy with that, letting out pleased rumbles that made Carlos moan and shake.

"And t-this is okay?" Carlos gasped the one time Chad had gone to check up on them.

"Of course," Chad hummed, pressing a kiss to the top of Carlos' head. "I like seeing my boys happy."

A croon, and Carlos was falling apart, seemingly for the last time.

Carlos and Aziz didn't fall together until that night after dinner, both of them flushing under the group's attention when everyone else piled onto the couch to watch them fumble through kisses.

"You don't have to," Carlos whimpered, as though the protest had worked on anyone else.

Aziz's flush darkened. "I want to, I'm just not um- used to being in charge."

That, for whatever reason, seemed to make Carlos relax. "Yeah, me neither, but you still don't have to-"

Aziz interrupted him with a kiss, and the prince got him off once before Uma took pity on them and curled around Aziz's back, pumping the two of them together until they fell apart enough times for Carlos to get the message through his head.

"You're the worst, Mal," he moaned as Jay carried him off to the bathroom, Jane treading on his heels.

"You're welcome!" Mal called after him, her smile pulling wide.

"Should have figured you'd teach yourself sex magic," Uma mused with a roll of her eyes.

"It's called priorities," Mal replied sweetly, and Chad had to admit she was right.

-:-:-

They weren't allowed to return to school until the hate group that had organized the attacks was tracked down and properly arrested, neither Chad's parents, King Adam, Sultana Jasmine, or Fairy Godmother wanting to take the risk. They ended up locked down at Auradon Castle while Fairy Godmother had their schoolwork sent to them, leaving them to help each other get through their usual worksheets and projects as they tried to distract themselves from worrying about those that would resort to dark arts just to make a point.

Apparently the wand aimed at Chad had been corrupted so that it disintegrated any unfortunate enough to be turned against it, while the wand aimed at the VKs in the stands had been some sort of explosive/combustive discharger. Both were designed to be wielded by non-magic users, and the detectives of the Inspectors' office worked back from the two student zealots who had been targeted for their difficult home lives (something rarely spoken of in Auradon, which Chad knew from experience) and warped to fit the hate group's ideals. It didn't excuse their actions, but it did have Chad's father giving them slightly less harsh sentences when discovering they were, essentially, misfortunate puppets.

The root of the problem seemed to be in a group of disgruntled elites from all over the united kingdoms that were unhappy with the Isle reforms, most of which seemed to have been organized under his grandfather's rule before the man had been arrested. It took a few weeks to weed all of them out and discover the extent of the moral rot – their associates and assets and backup plans – but by the time it was over, at least three more assassination plans had been discovered and efficiently dealt with.

"I can't believe people want to kill us just because of who our parents are," Dizzy said, clinging to Chad after a particularly hard news day. "I never even knew my mom, grammy raised me, but they still want me dead."

"Because they're fools," Chad said, hugging her tight. "They're idiots that can't look past your parentage to see the amazingly talented and sweet girl you are. That's their loss. I'm glad you're my cousin. I'm glad we're family, and I love you very much."

"I love you too," Dizzy murmured, her voice tight. "I'm so glad you gave us a chance. I promise I'll never be wicked."

"You don't have to say that; I know you're good," Chad said, feeling his eyes tear up in sorrow. "You're good because you're Dizzy, and I love you."

Her only response was a few weak sniffles.

Later, when Chad's father had teleported in to check on him, Chad relayed the conversation to him, making the king's brow set in an unhappy frown.

"I think I have an idea how to fix this," Queen Snow said, giving her husband's arm a comforting squeeze.

The next night, Chad's parents presented the adoption paperwork to Dizzy themselves, asking if she would like to be a part of their family as Princess Elizabeth Tremaine-James.

"Your grandmother will get off the Isle with the petty criminals," Chad's father explained. "So if you'd like-"

"You'd be my daddy?" Dizzy asked, her eyes filling with tears. "We'd be a family?"

"We are family," Queen Snow insisted, her smile wide. "This would make it official."

"I want it," Dizzy croaked, rubbing at her eyes. "Please. I promise I'll be good."

"You're great," Chad insisted, hugging his cousin – his new little sister – close. "And now you're a princess, and Sardinia can only benefit from it."

"Mama," Dizzy cried as Queen Snow moved in to join their hug, Chad's father following not long after. "Daddy. I have- Chad."

"We're here, sweetheart," Chad's father said, his eyes wet with unshed tears. "We're here, and we're not going anywhere."

For now, but when Chad changed the world back-

Dizzy would have the others, of course. She had Evie. She had- it'd be fine. Or maybe Chad could wish for the world to change back but they keep this one thing. Maybe that could be allowed. It seemed fair. It was a nice thing, for Dizzy. For his dad.

Chad hoped they could keep it.

-:-:-

The months following Parents Day seemed to pass in a blur. With the hate group dealt with, the others could simply enjoy their time in Auradon – thriving at the opportunity to plan their futures with Fairy Godmother, Uma and Evie helping Chad finalize the refugee reforms until they could be presented in November, when the first of the emergency evacuations began.

December was hard, getting all the kids who had been accustomed to fighting their entire lives just to survive to actually settle, but between the combined might of Mal and Uma, they managed to get them to fall in line.

Somehow, they ended up spending Yule at Auradon Castle – Aziz, Jane, and Doug calling every night from their own homes until they could visit later the day of so they could receive all their presents. That week had been rife with a host of charity events and fundraisers to get the Isle refugees and the regular underprivileged kids across Auradon something to celebrate, and frankly, Chad wouldn't have it any other way.

He went to a ball and had not one, but three partners that would keep him company, along with a host of friends he could only be grateful for. They spent an evening celebrating by the fire and watching cheesy movies, all while cuddling each other and their respective parents. It was nice to see Dizzy tucked against Queen Snow's side, having crashed after a lovely sugar high of hot chocolate and sugar cookies, but it was even nicer to watch King Adam wrap a tentative arm around his dad's shoulders, Chad's father giving him a brilliant smile because they could cuddle and it wasn't weird.

They'd been getting closer, lately – Ben and Chad's parents – and they would only get closer the more time drew on.

February brought the completion of the first reform facilities and low-income housing for the petty criminals being transferred off the Isle, as well as a Valentine's Day ball Chad actually looked forward to. He got to dance with Ben in public, trade kisses with Gil and grin proudly as he wore Evie's handiwork, sure to be stolen by one of the others who had no defined couplings in public, but Jay and Mal just about always seemed to be together, and Jane was happy with Doug and Carlos. Aziz seemed to drift towards Uma and Harry like a moth to the flame – always shy but always welcomed, and Chad hoped that when he switched the world back, he could somehow help those few find each other again.

That was something else he was making progress on, the new book.

April had the first celebration of a hundred successful adoptions and family placements for the Isle kids – some of which were still struggling with therapy and felt more comfortable in group homes for the time being. May brought Cotillion and a smattering of excitement because aside from Prom, it was one of the most important events of the academic year. Much planning went into what outfit you would wear, who you would go with, what you would do afterwards. Chad sat back and let the others take charge since he'd already done it once, delighting in their excitement, and every once and a while Ben would slink in close and tug off his hat, messing with Chad's curls which were now proudly a few inches long.

It was, ultimately, a wonderful school year. Far better than any Chad ever had before, and while he knew it was temporary, he was glad to be allowed this chance nonetheless.

The memories, he decided, would stay with him, and that mattered.

-:-:-

It seemed like an evening out at the Enchanted Lake did all of them well. They didn't swim – content to laze about the stone dais and the woods on comfy picnic blankets while they munched on treats courtesy of Mrs. Potts, reveling in the warm night air as they stared up at the sky to enjoy the meteor shower.

"After Cotillion school will be over," Mal noted, curling against Jay's side with a small pout. "What happens after that?"

"The same thing that happened during winter break," Chad said without really thinking about it. "You'll stay at Auradon Castle." He paused, realizing that was a bit presumptuous of himself, then turned to Ben. "Do you think your dad will be okay with that?"

"My dad loves you guys, so I don't think it will be an issue," Ben said, carding an easy hand through Chad's short locks. He'd forgone his knit cap that night now that he had a few inches, even though it was still quite short. "Aziz, Doug – do you think you can stay for a few weeks?"

"I'd have to visit home a bit first," Aziz said. "But I can always fly over on Carpet and spend the night with you guys."

"Same for me," Doug said, flushing lightly. "Except for the magic carpet, I mean."

"I've been thinking for a way around that," Uma spoke up. "I've been working with Fairy Godmother to create teleportation keys, but we've still got to do some more testing before I'd feel comfortable making them for you guys."

"We can wait," Aziz assured her with a soft grin. "We're honored that you thought of us."

"Don't get diplomatic on me now," Uma muttered, rolling her eyes before she dragged the Agraben prince into her lap and started kissing up the side of his neck, making him shudder helplessly in her grasp. "Like we're not past that shit."

"Yes, Uma!" Mal cheered, offering her own support by the way of enthusiastic snaps as Uma began to undo Aziz's pants. "Give us all a treat."

"We all know how much Aziz likes to show off," Harry purred, curling around the prince's side so he could start nipping just under his jaw.

"Yes," Carlos hummed, a small flush spreading across the bridge of his nose as he leaned closer to Jane and Doug. "This is the evening out I was expecting."

"Mercy," Jane hummed, fanning herself with a shy hand.

It was stuff like this that made Chad grateful that Lonnie was taking Dizzy out for an evening of 'awesome lady bonding time', because his little cousin really didn't need to see this, as much as Chad may um- enjoy it himself.

Chad tilted his head back to get a better look at Gil, who'd pulled him into his lap almost as soon as they'd chosen spots around the lake, Ben doing the same with Evie right beside them. "You want to go help them?"

"Nah," Gil said, a pleased flush spilling across the bridge of his nose. "I think I'm good."

"It is a nice view," Ben offered, the catcalls growing when Uma finally shoved Aziz's clothes out of the way and revealed his flushed and dripping length for all of them to see.

"It certainly is," Chad agreed, though the pleasant warmth they'd managed to kindle seemed to die out when he caught Evie's preoccupied expression. "Is everything okay, Evie?"

The princess blinked, jolting in a way she didn't normally, before a worried gaze shifted onto Chad. "Sorry," she said, realizing their concern. "Just- I might have been digging through your drawers looking for extra material to finish up a project earlier."

"That's fair," Chad said, unsure what she was getting at. "What's mine is yours, you know that."

"Right," Evie said, mustering a small grin. "But I think I found something I wasn't supposed to."

Chad frowned, running over a quick catalogue of what he had in his dressers before Evie answered the question herself by rummaging through her bag and revealing the Book of Fates.

Immediately, Chad tensed, though he tried very hard not to under Evie's assessing gaze. "That was my grandfather's," he said. "I was afraid of it falling into the wrong hands, so I held onto it."

"You still have that thing?" Ben said, tensing when he realized what Evie held.

"What else was I supposed to do with it?"

"Burn it?" Ben prompted. "That thing's too powerful to use, Chad. You know that."

"I don't think he does," Evie said, looking torn as she put away the Book of Fates and pulled out the spell book Chad had been diligently working on for months, the one that was almost done. "Chad, I know you want what's best for us-"

"What is that?" Ben asked, tone taking on a guttural edge. "What is that?"

"A fate matrix," Evie explained, proving that she'd read the forewarning of the Book of Fates. "A completed one of these has the power to change all of reality, but the cost-"

Evie cut off with a gasp because between one moment and the next Ben plucked the matrix out of her hands and hurled it towards the Enchanted Lake, making Chad's breath catch in his throat as he scrambled out of Gil's lap- all those months of work, the waters would undo it-

The book fell short and Chad ran for it, fueled by a rush of adrenaline and terror, his heart pounding painfully in his chest as he scooped up the abandoned matrix, looking over it to ensure it was still in one piece.

"What's wrong?" Mal asked, the half-Fae already on her feet as she looked between Chad and the others. "Why are we throwing things?"

"We need to destroy that thing," Ben growled, held back only by the hand Gil had on his elbow, the second mate looking helplessly confused.

"Ben's right," Evie said, her expression pinched. "Chad, I know you would give anything for us-"

"What's going on?" Uma asked, easing a spent Aziz into Harry's arms as she moved to rise as well. "What are we freaking out about?"

"That book," Evie said. "It has the power to change all of reality in exchange for Chad's soul."

"That's not- it isn't a guarantee," Chad said, panicking as he flipped through the pages, glad they still seemed whole and legible.

"That doesn't mean you should risk it," Evie snapped, her eyes welling with moisture. "Chad- whatever you want to use that book for – it isn't worth it. I know you would take away our pain if you could, but what we have now- it's perfect. We're happy. The children of the Isle are free. The prison system is being reformed. Everything's good, what more could we possibly need?"

"I have to fix it," Chad said, a certain heat building behind his eyes. "I have to- Evie."

"But you don't," Ben urged, and he was openly crying now, pitiful, ugly things. "We don't, Chad. You don't have to go back to whatever shitty world you came from, we could just stay here. Everything's good here! You fixed things faster and brought us together and you don't- you don't need to undo that."

"What is he talking about?" Mal snapped. "What shitty world?"

"You have to be king, Ben," Chad said, tears leaking from the corner of his eyes. "You deserve to be king. You deserve to have a mom. Your dad deserves to have a wife."

"You're going bring back Ben's mom?" Evie said, like she was finally putting the pieces together.

"I'm not noble, Evie," Chad snapped, because he was tired of them looking up to him like something to be admired. "I'm not trying to make the world better, I'm trying to put it back how it was because I already changed it once!"

The words rang in the air, ugly and true, and by the time they were done Chad's chest was heaving, everything feeling tight and broken and sad.

"I made a stupid wish," he gasped, clutching the book close to his chest. "I didn't mean to. I didn't know what the book would do, but it broke the entire world. I made a wish for Audrey to love me, to be in a position where she would love me – and it turns out that the only way she'd ever do that was if I was the future ruler of the united kingdoms." Chad drew in a rough gasp that sounded more like a sob. "I wasted a universe changing wish on something stupid and meaningless – and I broke all the good things you guys had worked for, so yeah, that was why I was working so hard to get you nice things, because I know you're good. I know you're amazing. I know you deserve good things because you'd already managed to get them once before, and then I stole them from you."

"But you made it right," Ben said, moving forward slowly. "It doesn't matter what happened back then. What matters is that we're happy now."

"I'm a fraud, Ben," Chad said. "The only greatness I ever achieved was done by copying shit you'd already accomplished. I can't do that in perpetuity, I can't be the king of Auradon, that's your job. You're the king and Mal's the queen and Evie's gonna marry Doug and it's good. It was good. You'd worked so hard to get that-"

"Chad, please," Ben gasped, tears spilling down his cheeks. "Please, I love you. I've loved you this whole time. I just pretended to be your fake boyfriend so I could date you instead of coming clean and just- please, please don't do this. Just throw that book away. Just leave well enough alone. If you want me to help you rule so badly, we can get married, all of us could- we could rule Sardinia together."

"But it's not supposed to be Sardinia," Chad gasped, turning pages with shaky hands until he got to the end of the book. "It's supposed to be Auradon. Your father ruled it with your mom-"

"She's dead, Chad," Ben sobbed.

"I know," Chad snapped. "I know she is. And I know how much it hurts to lose her, because my first… my first wish was to bring my mom back." He shuddered, staring down at the empty corner of his page, that little section just waiting to be filled. "I couldn't do it. Not even this book could fix that, but if I can spare you that pain, then I will, because I can be a good friend, Ben. I can be useful. I can do the right thing."

"No one said you couldn't," Ben rushed to say, moving faster now.

They didn't have to; Chad always knew it himself.

He didn't voice this though, didn't have time for it. Instead he bit down on his thumb, hard enough to break the skin, and smeared the last symbol onto the page in frantic movements, Ben making one last lunge for him before the world was consumed with brilliant light once more.

When it faded, the world around Chad seemed to have stopped, Ben frozen mid leap while the others watched on with horrified expressions.

With a weariness he could never hope to articulate, Chad turned to face the Fate Weaver.

He'd been working so hard to get to this point, worked for so many months, and yet now that he was finally here, he just felt empty.

"You didn't steal my soul," he said when she didn't say anything. "Why didn't you steal my soul?"

"I knew you would change it back," she said, her lyrical voice seeming tinged with sorrow. "You understood the severity of your actions better than your grandfather ever could."

"You know what I want, then?" Chad asked, clutching the book close to his chest, the one whose glowing words would soon vanish. "Could you undo my first wish, please?"

"As you so wish it, so it shall be done," the weaver said, and then the world faded into a brilliant eruption of light.

-:-:-

Endnotes:

Look, we all knew things were going too well. Let's not pretend to be surprised here ;)

I promise, I promise there will eventually be more nice things and magic nonsense, just hang in for the soap opera realness, please.

Story notes:

Demisexuality might not be the best description for this version of Chad, but for the sake of plot and simplicity I thought that'd be the best label for him. He's definitely on the ace spectrum – maybe graysexual would have been better – but ultimately I thought it'd be nice to shine a light on one of the lesser utilized sexualities in fanfiction.

For everyone who's been asking for Dizzy/Chad bonding time – this was it, this was the story where I actually made that happen. I hope you enjoy it :)

Until next time :)