- So, because I've just been so terribly unmotivated to write the next chapter, I thought I would just edit this one so that you guys have something to read in the meantime. I should be going to the library after my appointment tomorrow, so I won't have any excuse to put it off at that point... I really don't know why I didn't even start it yet. Like, I know what's going to happen and I did the research for it. It just... It must either be that the scenes I thought up are either boring to me at this point or I'm just avoiding writing it because of the subject matter and such. Either way, it's taking longer than it needs to.

- RadioDog77 1) I think I may have mentioned this before, but I actually did read some of the books. Before I even started writing the fanfic I wanted to look into the cannon storyline, so I found transcripts of the first book or two online. I stopped at the point where Ben was heading off to slay the dragon, though, because it was all just not making a lot of sense to me by that point. I mean, it's like a comedy. They don't have to king setting up council with other world leaders. Instead, they have the Council of Sidekicks, which is purposely described in ridiculous ways (like the mermaids in the bathtub, when really Ariel's sister should have just turned human for a couple hours and represent her people like a good queen would). I understand why they would have the stubborn dwarf Grumpy there to negotiate, but I feel like Doc would be the more diplomatic one. Anyway, also, I just really didn't like how Mal can turn into a dragon and Ben was on his way to slay a dragon without even bothering to ask her if she knows how to communicate with them... Aside from all of that, the books just add way too much to what already happens in the movies. I mean, not to dis a set of books it seems like you may like (and I don't blame you. Without context from the movies I'm sure I would have found them interesting too), but it's like it tries to fill gaps that don't exist. Everything is just scrunched so close together in plot to the point where it doesn't make sense... I won't even mention how the characters in the movie interact with each other like they've known each other for a long time when in the books (aside from Mal and Jay) they all literally just met a week prior to going to Auradon. Granted, the scepter test was pretty cool, but if the purpose behind the whole book was to give the characters one event to bond over, then I really don't like it. In real life people would need a reason to get pushed together again. When a plain crashes you don't just search out the other survivors. No. You wait until you're all psychically linked and are forced to help each other... I recommend the new TV show Manifest from NBC for anyone who likes time travel... or God. I'm not a believer, but it seems to be a theme and I honestly don't mind. 2) Anyway. Thank you for your name suggestions as well, but I already translated the main family names and such. I really did like Hayden, so I thought about changing the name I had for Jay; however, I've also been trying to pick names for the characters that will usually originate from their language or heritage, and then I will usually have the meaning behind the name match what I want to do with the characters. Hayden, as it turns out, is of Welsh origin from the Germanic word for heathen. Now, when I was looking up Arabic names for Jay's and Aziz's families I found Jake, which is actually of Hebrew origin but due to religious influence would probably be more well-known to the area Jaffar grew up compared to the welsh name Hayden. I do have to thank you very much so for introducing me to the name, but I sadly don't think it would be a good fit for Jay's character. However, because I had absolutely no idea what to do with Chad's roommate, I gave him the name instead just because I really do like it and don't want it to go to waste. I hope you don't mind. 3) Here's some names of other characters: Carlos- Caine, Evie- Eve, and Doug- Adam (all from biblical contexts). Now, as you may know, technically the characters have middle names but no last names. I plan to change that. So, Carlos's last name De Vil actually means from the place his mother comes from. So, I'm going to have his last name as Villanueva, which I like because it's like villain. Now, Mal won't actually have a last name at first, because her grandmother was a fairy hiding from humans whilst harboring a dragon, and her mother never tells her who she married. So, until she finds out about being Harmony's sister, she won't know her last name is technically Ayers (which means heir in Middle English). Jay's last name is Qadir (capable, powerful in Arabic). Now, Evie's last name is just the German name for Queen and Chad's last name has been changed to the French equivalent of his (Charmant), so their names would be Eve Koenigin (oe for the umlet o) and Charles Charmant. Now, for my absolute favorite. Ben's last name is Bete, which is beast in French. I only wish that I could keep his name as Ben, because I really like his first name the way it is especially when paired with Bete as a last name. The way things are with copyright, though, his name is going to have to be Beau (French for handsome). It's not a total loss, though. Apparently Bell without the E at the end is a boy's name in French (at least where I looked), so I can have him make a joke about how at least he wasn't named Bell. And then I can also have someone ask about a bow tie, so whatever. I know this was a long answer to your comment, but I hope you thought it was at least interesting. For those of you who weren't required to read this paragraph but did so anyway, thank you very much. And now, onto the story. -

Adventurous

(Day 75: Thursday Noon)

"Wow," Carlos comments in surprise. "He actually did that?" Mal nods with widened eyes and a frown. "Nice guy."

"More like embarrassing," she nearly smiles. "I mean, what was stopping his parents from finding out about it right there and then?"

Jay frowns as he pokes his fork into the noodles, "You're not going to like this." before he turns towards Mal. "But I think it's good that he knows."

She lifts her eyebrows at him, "Really?"

"He's your boyfriend," Jay reminds her. "If he didn't know, then you'd probably have to go through another date trying to figure out what to do with the wine." He pauses, "And I don't think you could have passed up that drink forever."

"Not forever," Mal mumbles. "Just, you know, until I'm no longer the freak that attempted to assault their beloved princess."

"Mal," Evie sadly comments. "It wasn't like that. You know that."

She eyes the sandwiches on her plate, "I'm not sure if I know anything anymore." before she hysterically laughs. "I mean, I can't even get through one dinner with Ben's family without everyone talking in French at some point."

"French?" Carlos questions in interest.

"Yeah," Evie seethes. "He kind of really hates English."

Doug comes over and sits across from Evie, "Hey. What's up?"

She smiles, "Not much. I was just telling everyone how much Ben dislikes English."

"Yeah," Doug frowns before scratching the side of his face. "There's a good reason, actually." He shrugs, "Or, at least, I think it's a good reason."

"And that would be?" Mal tensely asks.

He hesitates, "Well, I don't know how many people actually know this." but when he sees her glare he continues. "Ben didn't really start to learn English until first grade. All he had to learn in kindergarten was the alphabet, because it was basically just number patterns and letter tracing worksheets, and his family does typically speak French at home. So—"

Evie scrunches her eyebrows, "They didn't prepare him?"

When he fails to speak fast enough Mal comments, "He was going to be king, and they didn't think he should know English?"

"I doubt it was like that," Doug defends. "They were probably just really busy. And anyway, it's not that uncommon for people to have a family language they speak at home. There's some people on the reservation who don't even speak English. It's just German." He shrugs, "And then, of course, a lot of us learned sign language, because my dad's mute."

"Mute?" Carlos questions.

"He can't speak," Evie answers, before she eyes over the cafeteria. "Where's Ben anyway? Shouldn't he be here?"

"Hold on," Doug sighs before taking out his phone, and after a moment he looks up at Evie and turns his phone upside-down onto the table.

"Well?" Mal prompts. "Where is he?"

He glances between Mal and Evie, before he uncomfortably states, "The weights' room. He's in the weights' room."

Mal watches as Evie immediately complains, "What? The weights' room?" Doug doesn't speak. "Why doesn't he have to be here? I have to be here." She sees him about to speak, "No. Here I'm told to sit down in front of the entire cafeteria with something manageable to eat, and he's off working out?"

"Ben's athletic. He needs to find some time somewhere in his schedule to work out," Doug excuses, "and it's not like he doesn't eat. He eats all the time."

"He's not eating now," she counters.

"No," Doug submits, "but he eats enough at dinner and while studying to make up for it." He sees her scowl in silence. "Look. I'll talk to him if it makes you feel better. Okay?"

Evie opens her mouth to speak; however, before she can she watches Chad come up to their table, and Carlos turns to where she looks. Chad smiles, "Hey, bitch."

"Hey yourself," Carlos slightly smiles back.

"So, I have some homework I want your help with," he slowly informs.

Carlos is taken aback, "You mean right now?"

"Preferably before the next class." He lightly chuckles, "You up for it?"

"Yeah. Sure," Carlos answers; however, after Chad starts to walk off and Carlos stands from his seat he feels the hand grab him, before he turns back and sees Jay with narrowed eyes.

He furiously whispers, "So, what? You're selling your mind and body to him now?"

Carlos gives him a look, "Believe me. I'd much rather be doing your homework." and after a moment he eyes between Jay's hand and him. "Let go."

After Jay does as he's told Carlos walks away, and Mal sees him cross his arms, "You don't look very happy."

"They're obviously fucking," Jay frustrates, as he watches them leave the cafeteria.

It takes a moment for Doug to comment, "I don't think Chad is like that."

Jay gives him a pointed look, "Like what?"

Doug fumbles, "Well, ah, you know…" He continues to stare at him. "Adventurous. I just don't think Chad could be adventurous like you." He nervously adds on, "Plus, he has a girlfriend. He can't be… adventurous."

"He knows?" Mal comments.

"He suspects," Jay answers as he continues to look at him. "How about you shut up and stop talking about things you don't understand?"

"That's good," Doug stands down. "I'll just do that."

Mal looks at Jay, "You can't be mad at him, you know. He's allowed to… to have other friends. You never said he couldn't."

"But Chad?" Jay exasperates. "Out of everyone, it had to be Chad?"

Mal raises her eyebrows at him, "It's Auradon, Jay. People aren't exactly lining up to experiment with their…" She raises an eyebrow at Doug, "Adventurous, was it?"

"Yeah," he uncomfortably comments.

Mal slightly shakes her head, "These people are afraid of sex. You can't blame Carlos if he found someone who isn't."

When Jay doesn't speak Evie comments, "I'm leaving." before she stands from her seat.

"But you didn't finish your orange," Doug protests.

Evie gives him a look, "It's an orange. Geeze." She shakes her head, "I've got work to do, and I'm not staying if no one else is bothering to either." before she struts off.

"Hey. Ben." When Doug walks up to the circular table he notices the can, "Did you drink this much soda before?"

"I would think so," Ben comments as he copies the information into his notebook.

"Okay. Look." Doug waits for him to look up. "I think we need to talk."

Ben sets the pencil down and rests his arm on the table, "What about?"

Doug can't help but keep eying the soda can, "Well, first off..." He gestures to the can, "What's up with all the Diet Coke?"

Ben glances between the can and Doug, "It's a soda. It's diet… It's a drink."

He gives him a look, "You know that even diet soda has caffeine in it, right?" and then Ben eyes up in irritation. "You ever think that that could be what's keeping you up?"

Ben widens his eyes at him, "If you would remember, there was a time when I drank energy drinks filled with caffeine." He pauses, but Doug just continues to look at him. "I would try to pull an all-nighter whenever I got behind on my homework."

"So?"

"So," Ben pointedly states, "I had to stop using them, because I kept falling asleep right in the middle of drinking them. I really don't think caffeine is the issue here."

Doug sighs, "Still. You're king of the country. Don't you think you should be setting a better example for your citizens?"

Ben shakes his head before picking his pencil back up, "I really don't need a lecture right now. I'm in the middle of reading a book full of them."

He notices the Intro to Law textbook, but he persists, "You have an influence over your people, Ben. If it turned out that children were copying your behavior just because you're their leader, then what would you do?"

"I would tell them to stop putting me on a pedestal like some kind of god," Ben looks up and shouts. "I'm only—"

Doug notices Ben's expression soften, "You can't say that anymore, can you?"

It takes a moment for Ben to quietly respond, "I guess the fact that I'm… that I'm a… a hybrid, it still hasn't sunken in quite yet." before he finishes off the soda, crushes the can, and stands to put it in the paper bag with the others.

Doug watches Ben go to the fridge to grab another, "I understand that you're only just a person, but your actions still has influence over people." He sees Ben turn around and start on the soda. "If you won't do it for your people, at least do it for Evie?"

"Evie?" Ben lowers the can as he furrows his brows.

Doug takes a step forward, "Skipping lunch to exercise? You can't honestly have thought that was a good idea."

"I felt like lifting some weights," Ben reasons, before he glances down for a moment. "You know, I was just in that kind of mood."

"And because of that Evie didn't bother sticking around for lunch," he softly informs.

Ben's voice raises, "It's not my fault Evie has an eating disorder."

"No," Doug accepts, "but you're not helping her either." He slightly shakes his head, "You ever think about how this impacts Mal, seeing Evie do this to herself? Because, I haven't known Evie for very long, and even I can't help but feel terrible about what's happening to her."

Ben gives a tired look, "And what does that have to do with me?"

"Because," Doug sternly responds, "your eating habits— or lack of them, I should say— is having a negative impact on Evie." He sees Ben look away in annoyance. "Having her see you skip meals and then leaving a bunch of wrappers and cans on the table for her to see, that's not good for her." He adjusts his glasses, "And I think that if you really cared about Mal, then you would care about the health of her best friend too."

He turns back to him and firmly comments, "I'm not changing the way I eat just because she doesn't know how to."

Doug takes a calming breath, "I'm just asking you to eat something at every meal, to show up at every meal." He sees Ben shake his head. "Why not? What's so important that you can't do something as simple as sit and eat for five minutes?"

Ben's mouth slightly gapes, and when he speaks it's a lot quieter, "Well. It's never really just five minutes, is it?" as he glances down at the dark carpet.

It takes a minute for Doug to answer, "No." and he pauses. "But it would be healthier for you to eat normally. Or, at least, more…"

"Consistently," Ben offers.

"Well. Yeah," Doug agrees. "It can't be good for you to go a whole day without eating and then just eat an entire pizza for dinner."

He shifts his eyes, "I'd hardly say it's like that."

"Still," Doug continues on. "Your life needs structure. And maybe, just maybe, if you ate more regularly, then you could sleep more regularly too."

There's a long silence, before Ben says, "I have to go."

Doug watches as he heads for the door, "Ben." and then he turns around. "Where are you going?"

He frowns, "Well. It's getting late. I was thinking about dinner."

"But dinner isn't served for another couple hours," he comments in confusion. "Wouldn't it be better to wait rather than to make something yourself?"

Ben glances down again, before he meets his roommate's eyes, "I was also thinking about those macadamia nut cookies from Starlit Nights." Doug doesn't say anything. "Don't wait up for me." Ben quietly warns, "It will take longer than five minutes." before he heads out the door and Doug is left staring as he stands in the middle of the dorm.

"I think I finished the research," Jay comments as he and Carlos sit at the table.

Carlos looks up from his homework, "Really?"

He hears the excitement under his hesitant tone, "Yeah." Jay shrugs, "As much as I'll be able to anyway."

"So?" Carlos slowly inquires.

"If it's okay, I'd like to start with something more normal."

"Like?" he unsurely questions.

"Well," Jay starts, "how do you feel about spanking?"

"Spanking?" He glances down for a moment, "I guess we could try it."

When he looks back up Jay evenly responds, "Unless, of course, Chad has already given you something more than that."

"Uh, no." Carlos uneasily breaths, "He doesn't know… He doesn't know." before he scratches the back of his neck. "It's really a one-sided thing with him." He rests his arm on the textbook and eyes down, "All I usually get out of it is money, so…"

"So, you're still interested?" he continues on.

Carlos looks at him and nods, "Yeah. I think so."

"Okay, then." Jay stands from his seat, "Let's try it."

"What? Now?" Carlos comments in shock.

"You're the one that's been asking for it nonstop all month," Jay reminds him.

"Right," Carlos recalls, before he glances over the room. "How should we do it, then?"

"The traditional way is over the knee, isn't it?" He nods. "Well. Okay, then." Jay takes a few steps for space before kneeling down, "Get over here."

Carlos slowly walks over and then half laughs, "I'm a little nervous."

Jay frowns and raises his eyebrows, "Well. If you don't want to do it." but Carlos interrupts before Jay can stand.

"No!" He takes a couple breaths, "I want to do it." as his eyes dart down and then up. "I want to try this," he firmly decides.

"Okay, then." Jay pauses, "Is this with or without the pants up?"

Carlos thinks, "It would probably be more effective with them down."

After another moment Jay comments, "Well?" Carlos nods and then undoes the button and zipper of his jeans, before he kneels down next to Jay, places his abdomen over his leg, and uses a hand to push his pants and boxers down.

When Carlos had both hands placed on the floor Jay questions, "Ready?" He nods, and a second later Jay slaps him. "That okay?"

"Yeah," Carlos softly responds.

He hits him again and then continues at a steady pace, "Do you think Chad would ever do this for you?"

"I—" Carlos's breath escapes at the hit, and he gulps, "I don't know." There's another. "I don't think so." He takes a deep breath, "I wouldn't ask. I mean, I don't think of him like that."

"Huh?" Jay questions.

"Like, I'm not that attracted to him." He shuts his eyes for a second, "It's just— just the money, ya know." and he feels himself become uneasy. "Go harder."

Jay complies, "This good?"

Carlos makes a noise, "Yes." He breathes, "Yes."

Jay nods, "Good." but after a couple more hits he stands to his feet, leaving Carlos to fall onto the floor.

He looks up and complains, "You can't just stop."

"You say I can't just stop." Jay points a thumb to himself, "Well, I say you can't just fuck whoever you want."

Carlos pulls his pants back up, "But you mess around with girls all the time."

"That's different," Jay nearly yells.

"How?" Carlos says louder as he sits up. "How is that different?"

"Because," Jay exasperates, "I'm not putting their junk in my mouth." Carlos silences, and Jay raises his arms. "Really? Chad? What made you think that was a good idea?"

"It wasn't my," Carlos begins, but Jay talks over him.

"You know the reputation he has, right?" Carlos gives him a look. "You don't know how many people he's been with. How do you know he didn't give you a disease or something?"

"I doubt he would knowingly spread a disease," Carlos irritably answers.

"And what?" Jay continues on. "Because he's a prince, he can't have one. Is that it?"

"No," Carlos lets out. "But I don't think—"

"That's right. You don't think," Jay interrupts. "If you did, you wouldn't have done it." Carlos's mouth cracks open in disbelief. "You want this thing to continue? Then get yourself checked out. Until then, no sex, no making out, and especially no pain of any kind. Got it?"

Carlos furrows his eyebrows, "You're so mean. You know that?"

Jay frowns and then shakes his head, "Whatever." before he heads out the door and Carlos can hear the door slam behind him. He places a hand to his forehead, rubbing it, before he hears the whimpering and turns his head to see the dog. "Hey." He reaches out to pet it, but the dog continues to make the same sound. "It's okay." Carlos frowns, "I'm okay." before he looks back at the dorm door. "It's fine."

"Hey?" Chad questions when he sees Carlos at the door. He glances back inside before informing Carlos, "I don't need any assistance with homework tonight. I've got it covered."

"No. Ah, I know," Carlos uneasily says, glancing down for a moment. "It's just…" He turns his head back up and sees Chad listening with interest. "I need to talk to you." He sees a few guys walk past, before he continues, "You know. About the experiment."

"Can't we talk about the experiment later?" Chad irritably questions. "I don't want to bother my roommate with the details."

"You should have thought of that before you practically told all of my friends that we were working on this project together," Carlos counters in frustration.

Chad hisses, "I didn't say anything."

"My friends aren't stupid," Carlos comments. "You didn't need to say anything for them to figure it out. All you had to do was come up to us and tell me that getting your assignment done before the next class was optional." Chad doesn't respond. "Look. I just need some information from you so that I can solve a problem that our experiment made."

Chad sighs, "Fine." before he steps aside. "Come on in." Carlos hears the door shut, before Chad sits down at the table and he goes to sit across from him. "So. What's the problem?"

Carlos glances over at the black haired guy reading on the bed, and he notices his grey eyes catch him before he looks back at Chad, "The experiment." Chad gives a cautious look. "So, you know how plants can sometimes catch disease?"

"Yeah?" Chad furrows is eyebrows in confusion.

"Well," Carlos continues, "Jay was concerned that one of the plants could have had a disease, and he, ah, is worried that the disease could spread." He observes Chad's blank expression for any sign of thought. "He's worried that if one of your plants has a disease, then, uh, a plant that has interaction with both your plants and his could cause his to become sick too."

After Carlos finishes speaking Chad shakes his head, "I'm sorry. You've completely lost me." Carlos sighs. "I'm really not that good at analogies or… whatever that was."

"He's asking you if you have a sexually transmittable disease," Chad's roommate interrupts, before they turn towards him. "What? I have an A in English."

Chad gives him a semi-cautious look, "Why would he need to know if I have an STD?"

"Because he's your assistant," Hayden frowns as he sits up from the pillows.

"Yeah," Chad counters, "because I have a girlfriend who won't allow me to have a female assistant."

"Where's the plants?" he counters.

"What?"

"The plants," Hayden emphasizes, marking his page and setting the novel aside. "This experiment of diseased plants you two are working on. Where is it?"

Chad gives Carlos an irritated expression, "I don't know. Where are they, Carlos?"

"Sorry," Carlos mumbles, and then Chad shakes his head.

He looks between his roommate and Carlos, "I'm going to say this once: I don't have an STD or STI, okay? I get myself tested every time I have a checkup, so probably four or more times a year." Chad eyes Carlos, "Now. Why don't you tell me about this Jay guy?"

"He's your teammate," Carlos uneasily states.

"No," Chad sternly replies. "Tell me why you didn't tell me you were already with someone. Don't you think that would have been important for me to know?"

"We're not exclusive," Carlos timidly explains. "He's with girls all the time."

"That only proves my point," he angrily responds.

"Look," Carlos tries to reason. "You didn't want anyone to know about us. Jay's the same way." Chad's expression softens. "And, honestly, if it weren't for the incentive, I probably wouldn't be doing anything with you in the first place." He pauses, "I saw a chance to get more money, and I took it. I wasn't thinking."

It takes a minute for Chad to comment, "You need to get tested." and before Carlos can speak he gives a questioning look. "Does the island even have STD screenings?"

"Not very good ones," Carlos glances down. "Ah, we know the symptoms, but…" He shakes his head, "No. Not really."

"And how many people has Jay been with?" Carlos shrugs, and then Chad nods, "I'm postponing any experiments until this is solved." Carlos observes him but doesn't say anything. "You'll still be doing my homework, of course, but I can't risk getting sick like that. You know how embarrassing that is? I would have to pick up medication from the clinic and everything."

"I understand," Carlos softly responds, and after a moment of tense quiet he questions, "So, how does someone get screened around here?"

"For you?" Chad raises his eyebrows. "There's a specific clinic that people go to if they don't have a very good doctor, because they specialize in the stuff, you know, and so would be able to help them better." He almost laughs, "I have no idea what it's even called, though."

Chad's roommate interrupts, "Don't worry." and Carlos looks at him. "You can probably just look it up."

"And if I can't find it?" Carlos worries.

He smiles, "Then I guess you're just going to have to tell the headmistress all about how you've been fucking two different guys on campus."

"Don't listen to him," Chad intervenes. "He's just messing with you."

"Oh," Carlos uneasily says. "Good. That's, uh, good."

"She probably would know," Chad thinks for a moment, "but save yourself the embarrassment and just ask your phone. It should tell you."

Carlos looks up, "Uh."

"You do have a phone?" Chad asserts.

"Not really," Carlos slowly admits.

Chad grins at the absurdity, "What am I paying you for?"

"Mostly," Carlos evenly responds. "Clothes. And school supplies." He looks up, "And a laptop. I thought I should get a laptop."

"Well, you can type the question into a laptop," Chad makes a face. "But you really need to get yourself a phone. You won't survive here without one."

Carlos partly smiles, "Is that figuratively or…"

"Just trust me," Chad comments. "You need one."

Carlos lets out a breath, "Okay, then. I will get right on that after I get tested."

"You know, you can't just walk in there," Chad comments. "I'm pretty sure you're going to have to make an appointment."

"An appointment?"

His smile widens, "That's how it usually works."

Carlos sighs, "I'll have to use Evie's phone."

"Okay, then." Chad solves. "Now, is that it or do you have any other personal questions you would like to ask me?" He raises his eyebrows, "Maybe you'd like to ask me if I'm bleeding from the ass?"

"No," he grimaces. "I really don't need to know that."

"Okay, then," Chad says again, before he stands from his seat and slaps Carlos on the shoulder. "Well, good luck." He heads over to the door, "Let me know how it goes." before he opens it and smiles. "Ladies first."

Carlos gives an annoyed look, before he stands from his seat, "I'm not a girl."

Chad waits for him to near the door, before he responds, "Okay." and then grins. "Bye, then, bitch."

Carlos laughs as he exits the room, "Night, Chad."

- Would keeping a child from being able to communicate with people outside of the household be considered abuse? I mean, yeah, probably, but what about just keeping them from learning the national language if they are still being taught how to speak the family's language? I would think so, but I'm not sure about the technicalities of it. Surely, if it was found out that the parents were capable of teaching the child the national language and they purposely didn't to keep the child from speaking up about things, then that would be considered abusive. But what if it was assumed that the parents were truly just busy and didn't maliciously intend not to teach the child the second language? From a legal standpoint, it seems pretty iffy to me. Would it just be looked passed or would the parents still be considered neglectful? After all, it's not like the child was kept out of school.