Chapter 3 – A New Step Forward

-:-:-

Doug limped slowly through the rain, tears pouring down his face as he tried to determine his next step. He still had his dorm room. Not all of his stuff was at the castle. He'd been sneaking things out for weeks, like he'd known this was going to happen, so it wasn't like Evie would have a lot to box up.

Fuck, it hurt. His whole- everything just hurt.

He was lost to his own misfortune, so he didn't notice the limo pull up next to him until it was rolling down its window.

"Doug!" The half-dwarf startled at the sudden call, jolting when he realized it was just Chadlooking out into the rain with a worried expression. "Are you okay?"

Strange. That had been the one question Doug had been dying to be asked for months now, and yet it was only offered now that he was broken up from his messy conglomerate of ex-lovers.

The thought only made Doug sob harder, breaking down completely as he curled in on himself, self-loathing washing over him like a physical thing.

He didn't hear Chad call to him again, but a few seconds later an arm was wrapped around his shoulders, and Doug found himself dragged into the limousine, tears streaming down his face.

"Fuck," he heard Audrey mutter – Audrey, who must have been Chad's date – and Doug wasn't given much time to dwell on this before he found himself cradled between the two royals, Audrey patting at his cheeks with a pink handkerchief while Doug definitely got her pretty dress wet with his soaked stature.

"What happened?" Chad asked, the prince glued to Doug's back.

"We need to get him out of this wet stuff before he gets sick," Audrey murmured, tugging lightly at the collar of the coat Evie had made Doug.

Fuck, most of his clothes were from her. He was so stupid.

"Doug?" Chad tried, running a hand over Doug's head and giving him a light hug. "I've got some spare clothes you can use, but we need to get you out of this stuff. Is that okay?"

"Evie," Doug croaked, because he was useless. He'd known it was over for weeks now, he wasn't sure why he was crying. "I-"

"Did they break up with you?" Audrey asked.

Doug's only response was to sob.

"I'll take that as a yes," Audrey sighed, reaching to undo Doug's hair tie. "Chad-"

"Okay," the blond murmured, and then he was tugging Doug's blazer off of him, the half-dwarf allowing this because what did it matter? What did anything matter? He was so useless.

"It'll be okay," Audrey soothed, gently wiping his tears away, stroking the back of his head while Chad got to work. "It might not feel like it now, but eventually it's going to be okay."

They continued like that for the next few minutes, Doug following Chad's silent prompts until he was stripped out of his shoes and socks, his coat and button up shirt and pants. It wasn't until the prince was easing off his undershirt that he realized that they wanted to replace everything, and Doug froze, his heart beating furiously in his throat when he felt Chad's fingers hook on the waistband of his underwear.

"Don't," he hissed, throat tight as his hand curled around Chad's wrist. "P-Please."

Chad startled. "We're not- this isn't a sex thing, Doug, I promise. We're just gonna change your clothes-"

"You can't," Doug begged, because he had no pride left. "Please."

Audrey tensed. "Did someone touch you, Doug?" she asked, her voice deceptively gentle.

Doug shivered. "No. No, not like that."

"Then… are you embarrassed?" Chad asked. "It's okay, Doug. We have the same anatomy-"

At that, Doug flinched, his head bowed in humiliation. As Chad's once-roommate, Doug had seen what the prince was packing, so to speak. They didn't even compare.

Audrey stilled. "Do you not have the same equipment?"

Doug let out a small croaking sound.

"Aw, buddy," Chad murmured, and then Doug was getting pulled into his lap, getting held tight while Chad made a determined effort to nuzzle him close. "It's okay. Whatever you have, we don't judge, alright? But if you don't want to show us, you don't have to. We'll just wait for you to dry off before you put on my sweats-"

He kept talking, and Doug tried to hold onto the thread of the conversation, it was just- his body was receiving a lot more stimulus than it normally would have and he was mostly naked, and the neglect combined with the steady stream of attention was a recipe that Doug's overactive libido couldn't ignore. He almost immediately found himself hard, not that anyone would notice, and Chad was still cuddling him and nuzzling Doug's shoulder, which meant his lips were touching Doug's skin-

The dwarf-kin moaned, interrupting whatever one-sided conversation Chad had been maintaining, and shoved a hand against his mouth, immediately horrified.

Chad and Audrey froze.

"Um," Chad said after a few moments. "Are you okay?"

Audrey leaned forward, like Doug was some sort of experiment to be held under the lens of her microscope. "I think he's aroused."

"Doug doesn't get aroused, he's asexual," Chad declared with the certainty of one who held onto a few universal truths. "Wait- unless that's why you're upset? Do you want me to stop touching you?"

"N-No," Doug whined, because he really was desperate and stupid. "I'm not- I lied."

"About being asexual?" Audrey prompted. "Because of…?"

She motioned between his legs.

His erection was barely noticeable. If you didn't know to look, you'd think it was just an awkward bunching of fabric.

Doug nodded miserably.

"Hey," Chad murmured, rubbing a hand down Doug's side. "I promise, Doug. It's okay. We really won't judge you."

"We can help you, if you want," Audrey offered – Audrey, the princess of three kingdoms. "It would be our secret."

Doug was tired. He was hot and aching and miserable, and he'd been holding onto his shame for such a long time that he didn't know what to do with it. Maybe if they laughed at him he could get over his breakup with the others, he could know it had really been for the best.

Before he really thought it out, he nodded, leaning into Chad's hold. "Okay."

"If you change your mind, just say 'red'," Audrey told him, her gaze serious. "I mean it."

"Yes, Audrey," Doug murmured.

The princess offered him a small grin, then turned her attention to Chad, nodding.

Doug's heart clenched painfully in his chest when Chad eased his underwear down his thighs, until for the first time in years, Doug's length was exposed to someone other than himself.

"Oh," Chad said after a moment. "That explains why you're so self-conscious."

"Well, you don't have to be," Audrey declared before Doug could lose himself to humiliation. Her gaze was determined as she slid down onto her knees, pulling Doug's underwear the rest of the way off before she pushed his legs wide.

"Audrey?" Doug asked, feeling very exposed.

"You know what's awesome about your dick?" Audrey hummed, looking up at Doug with knowing eyes. "It makes it super easy to give you a blow job."

Before Doug could process this, she was leaning forward, her mouth wrapping entirely around him-

"Shit," Doug hissed, every nerve ending seeming to light on fire. She had been right in her deduction, and he could feel himself um- entirely in her mouth- a princess'smouth, could feel her lick and suck and could feel himself shudder against the warm heat. "Shit, Audrey."

"That's it," Chad soothed, running a hand up Doug's chest and setting it on his nipple, giving it a light twist, those pink lips brushing relentless teases against the curve of Doug's neck. "Just sit back and enjoy it."

"It f-feels-"

"Really good," Chad hummed, a grin on his face as he turned Doug to look at him, running a hand through the dwarf-kin's loose hair before leaning forward and kissing him.

Kissing Chad was- Doug might have imagined it once or twice. It wasn't his fault, really. Chad was very good looking. He could be funny and kind, though he didn't show that side to many people because he tended to get taken advantage of. It was why, Doug suspected, Chad had tried to make Evie do his homework once upon a time – a victim trying to turn the tables. It didn't justify it, by any means, but-

It was a lot. Audrey – pretty, untouchable Audrey was between Doug's legs, had Doug's length in her mouth while her boyfriend made out with Doug, his hands roving the dwarf-kin's body and it felt so damn good Doug didn't know what to do with it.

He pulled away with a whine when he felt himself come close to the edge. "A-Audrey," he gasped, the heat building into a relentless thing. "I'm gonna- I'm about to-"

"Do it," Chad urged, reaching low to cup Doug's sack, and Doug did.

The two of them worked together to milk Doug dry, to work him over until his diminutive member had nothing left to give. Of course, even then Audrey still kept her mouth on him, looking up at Doug with sultry eyes that went um- right between his legs, and it was a bit conflicting to see her expression of victory melt into one of confusion.

Eventually, she pulled off of him with a wet 'pop', revealing his new erection for both of their um- entertainment.

"Dwarven stamina," Doug gasped when Chad carefully stroked him. "Sorry."

"You don't have to apologize for that," Chad declared, transferring Doug over to Audrey as she moved back up onto the seat. "That just means it's my turn."

"What?" Doug could barely believe it, but yeah, there was Chad – distant, hopeless dream Chad – sliding onto his knees, giving Doug a cheerful grin before he licked Doug's erection into his mouth with a happy hum. "F-Fu- Chad."

"Yeah," Audrey cooed, beginning to suck a mark on Doug's shoulder as she toyed with his nipples. "He's very good at that. Practiced on Ben, back in the day."

Ben had- Ben and Chad?

And the worst part was that Doug could actually see that, could envision the two wrapped up in each other, Ben's gaze predatory as Chad dutifully slid onto his knees-

It made him twitch, though Chad swallowed that eagerly, kept his hands braced on Doug's thighs to keep them spread wide, like an invitation.

"You're doing good," Audrey murmured, running a hand through his hair. "Such a pretty boy for us."

"Audrey," Doug whined, turning to hide his face against his shoulder.

"No." Audrey's voice was firm when she gripped his chin, turning him back to meet her stare head on. "You're lovely, Doug, no matter how big you are. Fuck anyone who ever made you feel bad for it. You don't have to hide from us." She traced a hand down his side, brushed it through Chad's curls who gave them both a grateful look before returning to his work. "You're smart and clever and now Chad's going to make you feel as good as you make us feel."

"Y-You?" Doug's breath caught.

"We like you," Audrey explained, though it made zero sense. "Well, Chad's had a crush on you forever, and the constant barrage of all your good qualities from him has spread it to me, so-" She hummed, then bit into his shoulder, carefully twisting his nipple. "We'd be happy to be your rebounds. Or just your friends, if you would prefer that. Either way, we're here for you."

"Guys," Doug gasped. "Please, I'm gonna come."

"Then come," Audrey ordered. "You would really make Chad's day."

And then Chad – handsome, charming Chad – looked up at Doug with pleased eyes, a blush spilling across his cheeks, the blond bashful almost. Over Doug?

It made no sense.

Doug fell over the edge and Chad swallowed it down, coaxing Doug's legs wider while Audrey toyed mercilessly with his torso, until Doug was a crooning mess. That time when Chad pulled off of him, he stayed soft, and also terribly naked between two unquestionably attractive people.

"Everything she said was true," Chad said in a rush, kissing his way up Doug's chest and settling on one of his nipples until Doug whined. "We like you, Doug. And we'd like to take care of you, please."

"We left the show when we realized you were gone," Audrey explained. "Didn't expect to find you walking in the rain."

"Though I'm glad we did," Chad chirped. "You take care of everyone else, Doug. It's time you let us take care of you."

It wasn't something Doug could really argue, even though part of him wanted to. It was too alluring a prospect.

They didn't demand answers from him as they changed him into Chad's spare clothes, but they were sure to dote him with kisses, on his shoulders, his hands – they cuddled him close until at last, exhausted, he collapsed between them, happy to be held.

"You um- you won't tell anyone, right?" Doug asked, dread clenched in his chest.

Audrey made an unhappy sound. "It's no one's fucking business what you have in your pants, Doug."

"Though for the record," Chad murmured. "We think it's pretty great."

"Oh, without question," Audrey hummed in agreement.

That was- wow. Doug really hadn't been hoping for that much. But both of them-

Well, maybe they were the only two people in the world who found his uniqueness to be a bonus.

"Thanks," Doug murmured just before he drifted off to sleep, the day's activities catching up to him with ruthless determination.

The only thing he registered before the darkness claimed him was another kiss against his shoulder, and a hand running through his hair.

-:-:-

When Doug awoke, he was in Chad and Audrey's penthouse apartment in Auradon city. He was curled in a large bed, nestled against Audrey's side, the princess combing a steady hand through his hair. A familiar scent wafted through the air, and it took Doug a few moments to place it as one of his favorites – Hanoven Potato soup.

"Chad's cooking you comfort food," Audrey offered when she realized he was awake. She'd changed out of her partywear into what seemed to be a spare set of Chad's pajamas, the clothes dwarfing her petite frame. "You up for some more talking?"

"Um- yes," Doug decided, taking in the squishy blue and pink comforter, the painful spotlessness of the room, the way Audrey's soft curls were pulled into a messy bun.

"Neat," Audrey said, pressing a kiss to his forehead. Oh, that was um- very nice. "What else has been getting you down?" she asked, cutting straight to the point. Doug tensed, but she would have none of it. "I know this is bigger than your body issues. We've been noticing you withdrawing for weeks."

Because they'd been looking, because they liked him for some reason.

It was still a lot to digest.

"I…" He'd come this far, was the thing. They knew his biggest secret, didn't seem to care about it at all, and were actively trying to give him some kind of comfort.

It was hard to stay silent, in the wake of that.

So he told her about the trial he had technically passed but also technically failed. He told her about how he could never live in Erebor, never be a true artisan or guild member. All his work was for nothing, and maybe he deserved that for turning his back on them-

"Gonna have to stop you right there," Audrey interrupted, holding up a hand. "Sounds to me like you've got some petty ass bigots on that council. If you passed, it shouldn't matter if you are half-human – you passed. You've got dwarven blood and you created a piece of respectable renown, you passed the combat tests – you did everything necessary and they denied you. That's bullshit," she declared, her eyes narrowing in anger. "And Chad and I know a thing or two about political bullshit. Chad!" she called out the open door to the bedroom, and a few seconds later the blond scurried into view.

"Hey, Audrey! Doug!" he greeted, wasting no time throwing himself on the bed, crawling up it so he could curl around Doug's back. "How can I help?"

"I need you to take over cuddle duty while I make some calls," Audrey declared, straightening with a definite scowl. "Some dwarves in Hanover are about to wish they hadn't crossed me."

"Yay!" Chad cheered, thrusting a fist up in celebration. "You get 'em, Audrey!"

"I fucking will," Audrey sniffed, and then she disappeared into the hallway, her hips swaying in a tantalizing pattern despite being dressed in oversized pajamas.

"Yeah," Chad sighed, nuzzling Doug's hair. "She's so damn hot. Hey," he perked up. "Want another blowjob?"

Doug tensed, flushing all the way down to his toes. "You don't have to humor me, Chad."

"If anyone's being humored, it's me," Chad replied, running a hand through his loose hair. "I um- I won't lie, I'm a little obsessed. But like, if you don't want to do anything, I am totally down to cuddle, because I care about you, and want you to be happy."

It was a candidness Doug had never expected to receive from Chad, which was what automatically made it overwhelming.

It also maybe made him tear up a bit, because Doug knew on an intellectual level that he'd had the same thing with Evie, he'd just been too big a coward to open up about his personal hang-ups. And yet he'd done it to Chad and Audrey to an overwhelmingly positive response. Would Evie have been the same way?

Now he'd never know.

"Thanks, Chad," Doug said, ducking his head. "Could we cuddle for a bit? And then, maybe later-"

"Whatever you want, Doug," Chad assured him, sliding underneath the covers so he could snuggle Doug properly. He didn't say anything when the dwarf-kin turned, deciding to use Chad's chest as a pillow and relaxing when the prince wrapped an arm around his waist. "I meant what I said in the car."

"It's just hard to believe," Doug admitted.

"I know," Chad said. "Or, at least, I get it now. You've been conditioned to not think highly of yourself, but Audrey and I both do, so…" he trailed off with a shrug. "We'll go at whatever pace you want. And our help isn't contingent on you letting us sex you up. That's a bonus for us, but that can be easily nixed if that isn't what you want."

"You do know that both of you are substantially more attractive than I am, right?"

Chad had the audacity to scoff. "Yeah, gonna have to disagree with you on that one, Doug-o," he declared. "You're fucking blue steel, man. And that hair-" His head fell back with a sigh. "Ugh. It makes me want to have your babies."

Doug flushed again. "Chad."

"What? It's true," Chad insisted.

"Your hair is um- also pretty," Doug admitted. "I- I um- I've always liked your curls."

"Fuck," Chad groaned. "I am definitely going to remember that the next time I masturbate."

"You are incorrigible," Doug groaned, burying his face in Chad's chest.

And yet, the prince merely held him close. "Incorrigible for you and Audrey," he sang. "Which I think is a pretty good list."

-:-:-

By the time the soup was ready, Audrey had finished her call. She came back to find Doug herded into a chair with a blanket wrapped around his shoulders (at Chad's insistence, it was one of the ones hand-quilted by Queen Ella before she passed, and he was determined that it brought only the most comforting vibes) and Chad humming in the kitchen, doling out bowls of soup and warm bread while the princess made a walk of victory.

"Congratulations, Douglass, son of Ori," Audrey greeted. "It turns out there was a little paperwork misfile in regards to your quest results. You passed with flying colors. They're going to include you in the next graduation ceremony, but until then, I have received promises that the proper certifications and awards will be mailed to you to officially note your position."

Doug stared, taking in her triumphant grin. He could hardly believe it. "You- you got them to…" He could feel himself tearing up. "How?"

"Audrey knows bureaucracy," Chad offered as he started setting the full bowls down at the table. "And she's also heir to one of Erebor's biggest buyers of raw material, so she can do things like threaten to take her business elsewhere to get some bigoted fuddy duddy to give you your due."

"You threatened trade?" Doug choked. "Over me? Audrey, that's not something to be done lightly."

"You're worth it," Audrey said with a dismissive shrug. "Look, I didn't do this so you'd feel indebted to me or anything. I did it because it was right, and obviously making you miserable."

The second part was true, though Doug hadn't mentioned it in any capacity.

These two, though, they'd just known.

It made him wonder how Evie could have missed it over all this time.

"You deserve it, Doug," Chad said gently, settling down in the chair next to him so there was one on either side. "And like I said before, we're here for you. For however long you want, or need."

"You can stay with us for now," Audrey said. "You could stay with us forever, actually."

"Roomies again!" Chad cheered. "If you want. We're both busy, but we're usually here in the evenings, and it would be good to see you."

"This is just… wild," Doug said, staring at the soup, his favorite, thinking about the rite of passage he had passed, how he'd be able to visit Erebor without hassle, how he could play music as a master now.

"It's a lot to take in," Audrey allowed. "So think on it."

"And remember that we will gladly go down on you whenever you want," Chad added with a wink.

Audrey rolled her eyes. "It's always sex with you," she said, but then she was grinning. "But yeah, that's true."

"Just wild," Doug repeated, and then he dug into his soup.

He may as well take it one thing at a time.

-:-:-

Living with Chad and Audrey was definitely an adjustment.

But like, a good adjustment. Things weren't nearly as hectic as they were living in Auradon Castle. There weren't servants, but Doug sort of liked it that way. There were less people there for Doug to feel self-conscious around, to be anxious over. Once a week a cleaning service would go over the place, but Chad was a notorious neat freak. Doug had already known that, but Audrey was the one to explain that it was his way of managing his anxiety.

The two of them had set aside a room for Doug to practice in, both of them assuring that it was fine, they understood he would be playing boring scales and the same pieces over and over again and that the rest of the building couldn't hear it anyway. Doug slowly but surely found more of his stuff moved into their suite, and after the third time Audrey had walked in on Doug sobbing over a jacket Evie had made him, the two of them took him on a shopping spree to freshen up his wardrobe.

They didn't get rid of the Evie clothes. Chad was certain to reassure him of this many times. They packed them into boxes and put them in a storage closet and promised they would still be there when Doug felt strong enough to face them.

It felt better, to be wearing different clothing. Better to not have the shroud of Evie hanging over him. He had more free time now that he wasn't helping with her business. He could focus on his own music composition, on his schoolwork. Sometimes he helped Chad and Audrey plan charity events. It was easier. Fun.

And um- there was also sex.

When Doug was ready for it, Chad and Audrey seemed to almost always be prepared to dote on him. At first it was blowjobs – a lot of blowjobs, and when Doug had wanted to return the favor Chad had warned him off, but they'd compromised by teaching Doug how to eat Audrey out instead. It was a heady thing, the princess' legs hooked over his shoulders while she crooned above him, Doug making her feel good for once.

Doug really wasn't big enough to penetrate… anything, but Chad insisted on getting fucked by him, and while Doug was almost certain it was terrible for the other prince, he'd come twice before Audrey pulled him out and showed him how to finger Chad to completion, the blond moaning all the while.

Eventually Doug moved up to anal, and that was- it was a time, for sure. They liked to take turns, one behind and one in front, fucking him into someone's eager mouth and Doug could do nothing but valiantly hang on for the ride.

It was a different existence, but Doug- he liked it.

They reassured him a lot. At first, Doug had worried about the amount of effort they were putting into him, but then Audrey had laid it out for him.

"We're both sort of insecure," she explained. "Chad because he's been taken advantage of so many times and me because of, you know, Ben, so we try to be very constant with our feedback. And blunt. Makes it so there's no miscommunications."

"I like that," Doug admitted. One of the issues he'd had with the big group was the blatant lack of communication that seemed to happen. Or at least, Evie and Mal's crew communicated, and the rest of them seemed to just be dragged along for the ride.

"Yeah," Audrey hummed. "We do too."

-:-:-

Endnotes:

Chad and Audrey – trying and succeeding in being the best rebound bffs in the world.

No, I am not biased, how dare you imply such a thing ;)

Thanks to everyone for the feedback! Some of you have rightly guessed the natural progression of this story, but you know, I can't help it, when I can give the Chad and Audrey bromance a time to shine, I'm always happy to do that ;D

I wouldn't say what the three of them have now is really a relationship, but I have more thorough notes on that for next chapter.

Until next time :)