Chapter 12 – The Dinner Party
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Harry wasn't prepared for the dinner party.
Considering the fact that Ben had given him zero heads up, he thought this was a rather respectable conclusion.
"Okay, so my parents surprised me with this as well," Ben explained when they piled into his limo, dressed in semi-formal attire.
Harry tensed from his spot between Doug and Lonnie. "What do your parents have to do with this? I thought we were going out to dinner."
For some damn reason.
"We are!" Ben chirped, his smile strained as they all settled in. "…at Auradon Castle, because my parents are hosting a dinner party."
"Ben," Lonnie chided, her head falling back with a sigh. "Why didn't you tell us that earlier?"
"I didn't want you to freak out!" Ben pressed. "I mean, I knew it was unavoidable, but I didn't want you to freak out all day because this isn't a big deal, it's just a dinner with my parents."
"The king and queen of Auradon," Doug surmised because Harry was too worked up to think about talking at the moment.
"But it's not a formal event," Ben urged, like he hadn't watched Harry put his makeup on, the pirate opting for a blue smokey eye to match his stupid suit and he had known the whole time. "It's a family dinner. They'll be there as my parents. As will um- all your parents."
"Ben," Lonnie snapped, wrapping an arm around Harry's shoulders like she knew he was about to lose it.
"That second part's supposed to be a surprise but I thought it would be better if you knew now," Ben explained in a rush. "But it's okay! It's going to be a nice, relaxing evening. Definitely not a big deal."
"You should have told us," Aziz, of all people, chided, his arm firmly wrapped around Chad, who was wringing his hands together in a nervous tell.
"I… I mean…" Ben trailed off, because they knew he had a tendency to lose track of things sometimes as he juggled all the duties that were shoved upon his shoulders. This wasn't malicious, it wasn't meanly intended, it was just a simple mistake. "I thought- everyone's already met Aziz's parents, right? And they like everyone! And Fairy Godmother loves all of us – that just leaves Lonnie's parents and Doug's dad."
"And also your parents," Lonnie reminded him with a huff. "Sonny, breathe."
"I'm fine," Harry hissed, even if he felt stupid. The royal couple had already seen him at his worst when he was dragged half-dead into their castle. They – at least Ben's dad – was already wary of his inclusion in their life.
"You're not fine," Lonnie replied. "And that's okay, we just need you to talk to us."
Fucking- "Why didn't ye say anything when we were getting ready?" Harry asked, aiming a wounded look at Ben. "I wouldn't have worn this shit."
Ben went from looking apologetic to determined. "There's nothing wrong with what you're wearing," he said, like the coat wasn't metallic blue patterned blazer with a shiny black silk shirt and smokey eyeshadow. He had fucking clip on earrings. "I wanted you guys to look like yourselves, because I love you for that and they're going to love you for that and- stop that."
"No," Harry grumbled, tugging off his jewelry and sliding it into his inside pocket. "No, ye don't get to do this, ye don't get to decide on our behalf how we should be introduced to your parents, that should be a group decision, and I know ye did this with the best intentions, but-" He cut himself off when he was no longer able to articulate the frustration he was feeling.
"Just- quick aside, is Ben now in the doghouse more than I am?" Aziz asked. "You don't have to answer now, just something to be considered later-"
"Yes, Aziz, I can safely say ye've been promoted," Harry muttered as he tugged his compact out of his inner pocket, wondering if there was a way he could remove his eye makeup without making it look obvious what he'd done.
"Guys," Doug said, sighing. "Ben made a mistake, he knows that, but we're together, and together we can tackle just about anything. Sonny, Chad – I know you guys are worried because having a positive parental relationship in your life is new to you, or that relationship is back on the Isle, but I promise it's going to be okay – and if it isn't, we'll be together. That's a guarantee."
"Is it, though?" Chad asked. "What if King Adam doesn't want us all dating Ben?"
"Then he probably shouldn't have invited my parents," Lonnie declared. "Because they will tell him what's what."
"And you know my mom will fight for us," Aziz said. "As will Ben's mom."
"As will Ben," Ben rumbled, his voice low and beastly. "No one's taking any of you from me, with the exception of yourself, because I won't- I won't hoard you, but please don't doubt that I would fight for you, because I will."
"You're a powerful person, Ben," Harry said. "But ye can't win every fight."
"Watch me," Ben growled, low and determined, and then he was pushing into Harry's space, nuzzling at his throat while his hands curled around his hips. "I'm sorry, I did this all wrong. I wanted- I hoped this would be a nice surprise but instead it was just a shitty one, and of course it was a shitty one, someone just tried to kill you, and-" He wrapped his arms around Harry, dragging him into a tight hug. "I love you so much, Sonny. Sometimes I forget that you don't know how amazing you are, but you are brilliant, and my parents are going to love you, just like all our parents will love you, so um- please trust that. This is going to be a happy night, and if it isn't, we'll sic Lonnie on them."
They'd cuddled a lot and bonded a lot and Harry didn't doubt Ben's friendship, but this was the first time the L-word had been thrown around, and Harry couldn't help but be shocked by it. It was fortunate that it was a surprise that left him so numb he didn't respond to it – at least not in an outwardly negative sense, even if part of him felt tempted to start panicking.
No, this was just fairytale shit, Harry decided. Ben had been raised on stories of love at first sight. He was just being dramatic. That didn't make his affections less real, but they likely weren't as intense as he thought they were.
Harry returned his attention to the present, where Lonnie was puffing up with pride.
"Damn right you will," Lonnie hissed, nuzzling Harry's shoulder. "We've got you, Sonny."
"We can stop by my room and get you a different blazer if you want," Ben said. "Whatever you need, just-"
"It's fine," Harry sighed, once more floored by the dedication of this dumb prince. He shouldn't care for Harry this much, shouldn't give a shit when the pirate had hissy fits, but the deed was done. At least for now. "I can somewhat see your logic, and if ye think they won't be mad-"
"If anything, they will be grateful to be wowed by your fashion prowess," Doug offered.
"That's it," Chad declared. "I'm wearing my lip gloss."
"Please do," Aziz murmured, and just like that, they reclaimed a semblance of normality for themselves, the future not seeming as intimidating as it was before.
Which in itself should be terrifying, but somehow wasn't.
-:-:-
There was no denying a certain level of nerves when their limo pulled up to a private side entrance to the castle, Cogsworth waiting to herd the lot of them into the formal hallways of Ben's home.
Harry ended up staying with Doug, unwilling to draw even more attention to himself by keeping at Ben's side. The Auradon prince didn't seem happy by this, but he couldn't really argue when Lonnie deftly hooked her arm through his, striding forward with her usual determination that left Ben grinning fondly. Aziz followed up with Chad, happy to hold his hand and nuzzle his shoulder, and that was the way they retreated to a grand sitting room of some kind. Harry would spare the time to look around, but it was already filled with the others' parents, some of which he'd only met over video chat – like Doug's father and Lonnie's mom and dad. Ben's parents he had only met briefly while he was in hiding at their castle, but they were just as polished as ever, the queen's smile warm and welcoming while the king looked just as composed as ever.
"Lo-Shen!" General Fa Mulan cheered, the woman moving with an inherent grace indicative of years of training. "You look lovely, my dear."
"Mama, Baba," Lonnie greeted, detaching from Ben so she could pull her parents into a hug. "I learn from the best."
"Yes, we are quite lucky to have your mother," General Li Shang agreed, earning some pleased chuckles from the ladies.
Just like that, everyone split up to greet their respective parents, the king and queen descending upon the Fa-Li family while the rest of them sort of scattered.
"Sonny, this is my dad," Doug greeted, nodding to a smartly dressed dwarf with an intricately braided short beard.
"Ori, son of Cori, at your service," Doug's father greeted with a respectful bow. "But you may know me better as Dopey."
"Stupid nickname, is what it is," a muscular dwarf next to Dopey – or um, Ori – grumbled. "Dwalin, son of Fundin, at your service."
"And you know him as Grumpy," Ori chirped, earning a small laugh. "It's a pleasure to properly meet you, Sonny."
"The pleasure's mine," Harry said, feeling his cheeks heat in a light flush. "Um- Harrison, son of Captain Hook, at your service."
Harry was worried that they might think he was mocking them, but even Dwalin seemed pleased by the extended courtesy, a hint of approval in his eyes.
"I'm glad to hear you've been looking out for Douglass," Ori spoke up, his smile soft. "He's such a shy lad-"
"Dad," Doug whined, dragging a hand across his face.
"Nothing wrong with being reserved, Douglass," Dwalin murmured. "Your Uncle Bombur certainly did well by it."
"You know him as Bashful," Ori stage whispered, offering Harry a wink.
"I love Snow," Dwalin began with a growl. "But she could have given us better nicknames. Human names are as diverse as dwarven ones, they could have figured them out eventually."
"It's history, Dwalin, let it be," Ori murmured, patting his arm. "And we have much more important things to worry about."
"True," Dwalin said, seeming to transition his attitude accordingly. "I trust you two haven't been having sex, right?"
"Uncle Dwalin," Doug hissed, his cheeks flooding red.
"It's serious business, Douglass," Ori said, giving his arm a few consoling pats. "Dwarven courting is no light matter. You may take after your mother, but our culture is in your veins, and it must be respected."
"We um- haven't copulated yet, Master Ori, sir," Harry murmured, replying so Doug wouldn't have to. "We collectively decided to take things slow."
"That is very mature of you," Ori chirped, making Doug let out a strangled groan. "Hey, I was a young dwarf too you know, we all understand the desire, but you must have patience to ensure that things are done correctly."
"Is that what this dinner's about?" Harry asked, clearing his throat nervously.
"Among other things," Ori hummed. "A relationship like yours is a relatively new development for Auradon. Though it is quite common in dwarven culture, it's still a bit of an adjustment to humans."
"They act like that one Corona Trio was a fluke," Dwalin grumbled. "Like they're the only humans in existence who loved more than one person. It's rubbish."
"They're trying," Ori soothed, laying a comforting hand on Dwalin's shoulder.
"Who are the Corona Trio, if ye don't mind me asking?" Harry pressed. "Just- I've heard them mentioned before, but I don't know who they are."
Doug gave him a surprised look. "It's the trio of royals that govern of Corona," Doug explained. "Queen Rapunzel, King Eugene, and Lady Consort Cassandra."
"They created quite the stir back in the day," Ori informed them with a small grin – Doug's grin, Harry could see easily enough. "Daring to demand a human polyamorous wedding in a world that thrives on monogamy. Scandalous."
"Far as I'm concerned, they're the only humans with any bit of sense," Dwalin muttered. "'Cept of course you lot, now. And good on you for knowing what you want."
"Um, thank ye," Harry murmured, pleased but flattered with the declaration.
Further conversation was interrupted when Cogsworth called the group to order and herded them into a private dining room, this one even more lavish than the one Ben had back in his suite. Harry ended up sitting next to Chad and Fairy Godmother – likely to round out their party, since everyone else had two sets of guardians with them that evening.
"Sonny," Sultana Jasmine greeted from across the table, her smile fond as they settled in. "It's good to see you again. And may I please apologize again on my son's behalf for that cultural misunderstanding."
Harry felt his cheeks heat with embarrassment. "It wasn't your doing, your majesty, but I appreciate the sentiment."
"Mom," Aziz groaned. "I literally just got out of the doghouse for that."
"And you should be grateful for every moment of that," the sultana replied sweetly, making Fairy Godmother giggle.
"Greetings, everyone," King Adam said when they had all gotten situated, the king's smile wide and congenial. "I'm glad we were all able to gather here tonight to celebrate our childrens' unique new relationship. In Auradon, we are fortunate enough to experience a vast array of cultures, which was why I wanted to invite you here tonight. We all know how delicate these things can be when navigating courtships at our level, especially in this age of technology when it's so easy for the public to follow our every move, so I wanted to get together to formally address how this new relationship would be approached to ensure that all of our cultures and statuses are respected."
"Spoken like a true king," Aziz's dad said, throwing King Adam a wink that had the rest of the table chuckling. "But yeah, we think this is a great idea. A relationship of this magnitude is unprecedented at Auradon Prep, and we want to ensure you kiddos have the tools you need to deal with the press and your classmates and whatever else life could throw at you."
"So far you've handled yourselves wonderfully," Fairy Godmother said. "There's been little opposition at the school, though I know there's some concern growing online."
"They'll learn to deal," General Mulan said. "Just as they did for Corona, they will deal with this."
"Besides," Lord Consort Aladdin spoke up. "It's just dating. Whether it grows into something serious or not, what matters is that right now they're all happy and comfortable."
Ori cleared his throat. "That's um- just it, your highness. Dwarves don't generally do casual relationships. Now, because Douglass is half-human, it would be understandable for the rights of courtship to not come to fruition, but tradition dictates that they do at least need to be started."
"I believe that's progressing well so far," Fairy Godmother chirped. "Due to the lack of dwarven representation in Auradon City, Douglass asked me to be his overseer as he instigates the first steps of formal courtship. So far he's started on his first set of courtship gifts, and they are coming along splendidly."
Harry blinked, because he hadn't been dating Doug for all that long, hadn't realized the dwarven cultural implications of their relationship. They didn't do casual, easy commitments, but that was- that was a full dwarf, and Doug was only half. He didn't need to complete the courtship whatever, though Harry couldn't help but wonder what would happen if he did.
"Doug, you dog," Aziz chirped, earning a giggle from Lonnie. "Is that what you've been sneaking off to do?"
"It's supposed to be a secret," Doug replied, his cheeks flaring pink. "I can't present them to you until I've received permission from your family to proceed with courting." With that, he took a moment to still himself, then gently stood up from the table, pulling his shoulders back and easing into a level of confidence he rarely exuded. He turned his attention to Lonnie's family, who were the closest to him. "General Fa Mulan, General Li Shang – I, Douglass, Son of Ori – respectfully request the opportunity to fight for the courtship of your daughter, Lo-Shen Fa-Li. May I have your blessing?"
"You may," General Mulan replied, a certain fondness in her eyes, General Li nodding beside her.
Doug repeated this process on all the other families, addressing the parents by their formal names as one by one, they gave their blessings. Eventually, he got to Fairy Godmother, though when he did so, he seemed to hesitate.
"It's okay, Douglass," Doug's father murmured. "The magic of Valar ties Fairy Godmother to Chadwick's family as strong as blood, you can make the request."
Like that, Doug's shoulders seemed to relax, and then he repeated the same request, getting permission from Fairy Godmother as well.
And then it was just Harry, who had no parents or guardian, whose father had been slain by his own sword less than a year ago.
"This is a problem," Ori said, voice entirely regretful as Doug took his seat. "I'll put in a request to King Thorin as to how Doug can proceed with your courtship, Sonny."
"Could we bring Mr. Smee over from the Isle?" Ben asked, brows furrowed. "He essentially raised Sonny."
Ori sighed. "Requests have to be put in to blood relatives. Fairy Godmother was allowed an exception because of her magical bond with Chad's family. I'm afraid it wouldn't be the same." His gaze shifted back to Harry. "Do you know who your mother is?"
Harry felt his cheeks flood with heat, humiliation settling deep in his stomach. "No," he murmured, hands curling tight in his lap. "My older sister, Harriet, could she um- could ye make the request to her?"
"Did she raise you?" Ori asked, his voice gentle.
There hadn't been much room for kindness growing up, not even with his siblings. Harry did what he could, they all did what they could, but it hadn't been much.
"No," Harry said, feeling even worse about the situation.
"We'll figure something out," Ori assured him. "I'm sorry. Dwarves tend to live very long lives, so it's usually easy to get some kind of blood relative to give approval. Orphaned dwarves are absorbed into new families, but as you have no official family – and this kind of courtship has never been attempted with a human-"
"It's fine," Harry interrupted, feeling foolish all over again.
What was he thinking, dating these people? He didn't have anything. Just because they'd asked him didn't mean he should have said yes.
"We'll figure something out," Ori repeated. "I promise, Sonny. It will take time, but I'm one of the head scribes of Erebor. Dealing with paperwork is what I do."
"Thank ye," Harry said, because he couldn't be ungrateful, couldn't snarl. "I appreciate that." He cleared his throat, turning his attention to King Adam. "May I um- be excused for a moment?"
The king blinked in surprised, then nodded. "Of course."
"Thank ye," Harry repeated, pushing away from the table before the waiter or footman or whoever the fuck he was could help him because he was a barbarian.
He kept his head high from years of training with Uma, managed to wait for Cogsworth to open the door for him before he strolled out into the hallway, back towards the sitting room. He didn't know this castle. He only knew Ben's private section of it, couldn't even remember the secret passageways because he'd been so out of it when he'd arrived. It wasn't like he could get lost though, not when there were so many people around, not when someone was always watching him because he was the wild Isle kid and who knew what he would do if given the opportunity.
"There's a restroom this way, if you would like a moment," Cogsworth murmured, the older gentleman keeping pace with Harry to keep an eye on him.
"Thanks," Harry said, trying to will away the frustration and shame that seemed to have settled into his bones.
It hurt, hearing that he had no official family. Family was different on the Isle. Who treated you like family was more important than blood relations. Mr. Smee had been a father to him more than Captain Hook ever had, and yet he'd been dismissed entirely out of hand. It burned, to have him brushed aside so easily, to have Harry labeled as an orphan and unwanted- well, obviously he was wanted to a degree, Doug would have included him in his little courtship rite of passage or whatever if he could have but Harry was defective so obviously he couldn't even manage that much.
Harry wasted a few minutes staring at his reflection in the mirror of the private bathroom Cogsworth had shown him to. It was as refined as the rest of the palace – even this small, out of the way place that the public would likely never see, that guests probably weren't supposed to use but Harry was the idiot that needed to breathe in the middle of an important dinner party. It made him wonder if he should break up with the others, if they would let him or if they'd even have a choice, because if Doug couldn't court him then they were through, weren't they, which meant they'd have to choose between Doug and Harry and who in their right mind would choose Harry over Doug? Harry didn't even have a family.
He didn't cry, though there was a certain heat behind his eyes. Harry swallowed it down, taking steady breaths to calm himself once more.
He needed to get over himself. He already had six loving partners, why the hell was he bellyaching over losing fivemore? Five that were out of his league on a good day. Five that had always been temporary at best. He knew he'd been getting attached – too attached, it wasn't even a question. And maybe he could have helped it and maybe he was always destined to throw his adoration towards the strongest person available because he couldn't stand on his own two legs like Uma seemed to think he was capable of.
It didn't matter though, it was finished.
Even if this was over – dinner done for him before he had a chance to start, he could at least go in and be supportive. Be a good friend. He didn't have to cry about that. He needed to go back in there and represent the Isle, show that he was mature and calm and dignified. He just needed a few more minutes to-
Movement, from the corner of his eye. Harry turned in time to see some kind of smoke spilling out from underneath the door to the bathroom. It wasn't a natural occurrence, the gray smog seeming to be purposefully funneled into the room, and Harry was already beginning to feel light headed-
Fucking gas. It was gas.
Harry tried not to panic, ripping off his coat and trying to shove it at the bottom of the door, wanting to fill the gap while he searched for possible exits, but he already knew there weren't any and more gas seemed to be spewing from the vent above him and-
It was inevitable, for him to lose the fight with consciousness. He scrambled for his phone, tried to get out a call to one of the others, but his fingers were too uncooperative, his eyelids too heavy. He ended up slumping against the door, darkness drawing in on the edges of his vision until it overtook him entirely.
-:-:-
Endnotes:
Bum bum BUM. As though things weren't dramatic enough ;)
Story notes:
Ben's A+ ideas coming into play. Sure, not warning my partners about a fancy dinner will go super well. I am the smartest human ever. This guy man, this guy.
Ori, Dwalin, and Bombur are all stolen from J.R.R. Tolkien's 'The Hobbit'. Valar is also from Tolkien's verse. These dwarven courtship rules are entirely created by myself, feel free to use them if you want to get in on some Doug dwarf action ;D
Cassandra is from the animated Tangled series.
Until next time
