Hi Guys. HAPPY NEW YEAR! And in celebration here is the next chapter. As always a MASSIVE MASSIVE MASSIVE THANK YOU to my AMAZING Beta xez2003 for your PHENOMENAL editing! And of course a HUGE THANK YOU to you all for all your reads,reviews, follows and fav's! I feel as if I should also put a *FLUFF WARNING* as this chapter is COMPLETELY Bal centered read at your own risk lol. Well that is all. Without further ado take it away chapter 5!
DISCLAMER: I DO NOT OWN DECENDANTS ALL RIGHTS GO TO DISNEY ANY DIOLOGE YOU RECONISE BELONGS TO DISNEY I OWN NOTHING!
Mal quickly walked down the hallway leading to the boy's dorm. It was Sunday and the corridors where practically deserted as most kids had left early that morning to visit their families for the day. She had just spent a very fitful night the previous evening, filled with strange dreams, as her conversation with Hailey continued to play in her head all night. She simply couldn't brush off what she had told her about being a hero or her fresh new doubts about letting her mother get the magic wand so she picked up her pace even faster, eagerly hoping to find Ben to be able to finally spend some time alone with him, without being disturbed. He was the only one who could really help her. Somehow he always knew what to say and do to make things right…to make sense of whatever was usually bothering her. She had managed to speak to him briefly yesterday after the Tourney game, but he practically only had the time to apologize for being late as he explained that Hailey had stopped him to talk to him about something important. He had just started to tell her something about a ring when Jay and Carlos had come to pull him away from her as they needed to head out for the victory celebration with the tourney team. And she had not seen him since then.
She smiled as she finally arrived. She turned the corner of the corridor leading to Ben's room but her smile instantly disappeared. Her eyes narrowed dangerously as she spotted a smirking Audrey with her hand on Ben's chest, effectively blocking his path.
"Audrey! What do you think you're doing?!" she snapped as she stormed over to them, completely forgetting about Hailey.
"I was just telling Ben that he did really well at yesterday's game and I was asking him if he wanted to go somewhere to celebrate." she replied coyly, her hand still on Ben's chest.
Ben smirked as he desperately tried to stop the chuckle that threatened to escape his throat as he watched amused the scene unfolding before him, noticing that Mal's eyes had now started blazing.
"Get. Your. Hands. Off. Of. Him!" Mal snarled, her hands curling in tight fists.
"Why should I?" Audrey replied innocently. Before she even had time to blink, Mal grabbed her arm, twisted it behind her and forcefully slammed her against the nearby wall.
"Look prissy! I don't know who you think you are, but where we come from, if you touch someone else's things you die! And need I remind you that you already have a boyfriend! So I don't know where you got it in that stupid head of yours that you could mess with mine." She paused as she released Audrey, who had started to shout in pain. Mal then grabbed the front of Audrey's blouse in her hand and brought her close to her face so she could stare into her eyes, which had started to glow an intense green. "I will say this only once, so you better listen carefully. You ever touch my boyfriend again and I will show you why I was considered to be the most feared VK on the isle! And no, that is not a threat, it's a promise!"
"Mal" Ben said softly, putting his hand on one of her shoulders to calm her. "It's enough. I think she learnt her lesson. She's not worth it!"
Mal took a deep breath and released Audrey, who cowered a few steps back in fear, rubbing her sore wrist before she turned to run away. Mal threw her one last glare as she disappeared from view, before spinning around to face Ben.
"Maybe you have gon-" Ben started to chuckle before Mal abruptly pushed him against the wall, kissing him passionately. Ben knew that Mal needed to feel reassured whenever she felt threatened, especially when someone dared to flirt with him in an effort to separate them. Not because she did not trust him or his love for her, but rather because her biggest fear, much like his, was that fate could one day somehow intervene, tearing them apart and take away the little corner of happiness they had fought so hard to create for themselves. He let his hands slowly travel along the side of her arms, gently stroking them before letting go and wrapping his own arms firmly around her back, pulling her even closer to his body as he deepened the kiss.
Ben then pulled his face away from hers, just enough to gaze deeply into her eyes as he removed one hand from her back to cup her cheek tenderly, before gently caressing it with his thumb. "I love you Mal. Coming to Auradon has not changed anything. Nothing or no one is ever going to tear us apart. I promise!"
Mal nodded giving him a small smile. "I love you too Ben!" But a few moments later her face took on a sad expression, before she bowed her head slightly to look down to the floor. "I'm sorry Ben. I know that Audrey doesn't mean anything to you. It's just that…that…"
"It's okay sweetheart. I know!" he said lovingly as he put one finger under her chin to get her to look back at him. "Come on!" he said as his hand left her face and reached out to gently take hers as he started to walk her back to her dorm. "Let's not waste any more time talking about Audrey. Actually, I just got the perfect idea…you know that yesterday I mentioned that there was somewhere I had to go alone. Well...I think it's time for me to tell you my secret." He paused as he arrived just outside her door and stopped to look down at Mal, excitement written all over his face. "I just found the perfect spot to take you out on our first official date as a free couple here in Auradon. So go get yourself ready and I will pick you up in about two hours. I just need some time to organize myself."
Mal stared at Ben dumbfounded for a few seconds, not knowing what to say to him. An elated smile then graced her lips as she excitedly pulled Ben down by the collar to kiss him briefly, all thoughts of Audrey forgotten. Spending some time with him was just what she needed. "I love you, Ben! I will be patiently waiting for you." She told him, giving him one last bright smile before entering her room.
Ben smiled at the sight of Mal's happy expression before he quickly and excitedly turned to leave. He had little time and so many things to do.
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Mal closed the door behind her and rested against it, still smiling broadly.
"Someone looks happy." Evie commented in an amused tone, as she stopped working on her coronation dress. However, her brows knitted in concern a few moments later, when Mal's smile suddenly disappeared as she went to sit down on her bed, looking down to the floor. "What's wrong Mal?" she asked.
"Ben is taking me out on our first real official date." Mal replied in a worried tone, pausing as she looked up to face Evie. "And you should have seen his face. He was so excited about it."
"So what is worrying you?" Evie asked her softly as she stood up and took a seat next to her.
"He told me to get ready as he is picking me up in two hours. We are in Auradon now, Evie and I have never been out on a proper date before. I…I… don't know what I have to do." She confessed sadly as she returned to look at the ground.
Evie smiled gently before taking a hold of Mal's hand. "Mal, we can handle this!" she paused as Mal turned to face her. "I am sure that all Ben wants is to enjoy your company. But luckily for you all my mother has ever done in her life is prepare me for when I would get to go out with a real life prince. So come with me, let's get you ready to go out with yours." She smiled reassuringly, before pulling Mal to her closet. "You are looking a little pale, but I have just the thing…"
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"Wow…easy on the blush. I don't want to scare him away. Not that I could anyway." Mal commented wistfully as they both sat on Mal's bed as Evie put the finishing touches to Mal's makeover.
"Please!" Evie replied in a mock offended tone. "My mother taught me how to apply blush long before I could talk. Always use upward strokes!" she smiled as she stopped to put down the brush and picked up a lipstick, helping Mal apply it.
"My mom was never really big on makeup tips and I never had a sister."
"But now you do. We are going to need all the family we can get if we don't pull off this off. My mom is not a barrel of laughs when she does not get her way. Just ask Snow White…But let's not talk about our moms. It's time and Ben should be here any minute now. Come!" Evie told Mal as she gently pulled her up and guided her to their portable long mirror.
"Evie!" Mal gasped as she looked at herself in the mirror. "I look…look…"
"Say it!" Evie smiled as she rested her chin on her shoulder, putting her arms around her in an affectionate hug.
"Not hideous!" Mal exclaimed.
"Not even close." Evie replied as they both started giggling. They stopped when there was a knock on the door a few moments later.
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"You…You-lo-ok-" Ben stuttered stunned, when Mal opened the door to greet him. "Gorgeous!" he greeted once he managed to find his voice.
Mal smiled shyly at the compliment, avoiding his eyes as her cheeks took on a light red shade. She composed herself and looked up again to get a proper look at him. He had removed his beanie and his hair was neatly combed and parted on one side while he had replaced his signature blue leather jacket with his Tourney one. He looks so handsome…just like a prince out of a fairy tale book…my prince. she thought dreamily before slightly shaking her head. Since when do I dream about princes? She then noticed he was holding two helmets in one hand while the other was hidden behind his back.
He suddenly blinked as if he had just woken up from a day dream and smiled brightly. "For you! I almost forgot all about it for a moment." he laughed softly as he took out his hand from behind his back to reveal a single red rose.
"Thank you Benny." She smiled, kissing him lightly, before taking the rose from his outstretched hand to smell it, as a thrilled shiver ran along her spine. She then went inside her room to put the rose in a nearby vase and joined him back at the door, giving one last smile to Evie as they left the room.
He handled her one of the helmets and grasped one of her hands tightly as they made their way down the hall. "For the first time I understand the difference between pretty and beautiful." he said, making Mal laugh giddily.
"That's the cheesiest thing I've ever heard." She said still giggling.
"Hey! Cheesy but true!" Ben shrugged grinning.
He led her to the outside of the dorms where there was a sparkly light blue scooter waiting for them.
"Are you serious? Where did you steal this from?" Mal asked incredulously. "Where are we going?"
"I didn't steal it Mal. I actually borrowed it from Hailey." He grinned at her surprised expression, as she wore her helmet. "You will see. Now hop on and hold on to me tight."
He drove for a while through a country road. Mal held tightly to Ben's stomach, resting her head on his back as she marveled at the beauty of the passing woodland. This is so different from the Isle. She mused lost in thought.
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After parking the scooter on the side of the country road, they walked a short distance, crossing a rope bridge. Just a few meters later, Ben suddenly stopped.
"Close your eyes." He instructed.
"What?" Mal replied as she looked up to meet his warm hazel green eyes. They twinkled with clear excitement, just like a child about to open a wrapped present.
"Trust me." He said, smiling in response.
"Ben, you know I am terrible with surprises." She pouted, curiosity clearly shining in her green eyes.
"You will like this surprise. I promise." He replied, smiling as he instinctively brought a hand up to cup her cheek.
"Okay you win." She relented with a gentle sigh, closing her eyes as a pleasant shiver ran through her back at his gentle touch. She felt his hands take her shoulders and he guided her the rest of the way, being extremely careful not to make her trip on anything. They eventually stopped and Ben's hands left Mal shoulders.
"Open your eyes." Ben whispered in her ear, a smile evident in his voice.
Mal slowly blinked her eyes and gasped in awe when they fell on the beautiful sparkling clear lake just a few meters away from her. There was a gorgeous waterfall just off on one side while a blue blanket with a picnic basket on it rested on some stone ruins on the other side.
"Ben..." she whispered, looking from side to side to make sure it was real.
"So do you like it? I wanted to take you somewhere special." he said nervously.
"It's beautiful!" she replied as he gently took her hand leading her to the picnic site.
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"Now Mal, I must warn you. I don't know what most of this stuff tastes like but I was told it's good." Ben explained as they sat down on the picnic blanket close to the lake.
Mal giggled in response before reaching out to pick up a bright red strawberry. "Don't worry Ben. I am sure that everything is…hmm…It's delicious Ben!" She said softly in enjoyment, before she picked up another one and offered it to him. "Try one!"
Mal then let out a long sigh before she turned around to look at the lake and the nearby waterfall. "This is so much prettier than that cold damp cave back on the Isle." She commented as she reached out to touch the clear blue waters of the lake with her fingers. However, she immediately froze and her body stiffened as soon as her fingers touched the waters, her green eyes flashing an intense green in response.
"What is it Mal? Are you okay?" Ben asked worriedly.
"Yes I am fine Ben, don't worry." Mal smiled reassuringly. "The water just startled me. I am not sure but I think this lake is enchanted somehow. I can feel it."
"Really? Wow!" Ben marveled at the news. "Who would have guessed…but hey, we are in Auradon now, so we shouldn't really be surprised about anything magical around her. But having a magical girlfriend surely comes in handy!" he chuckled as he reached out to clasp her other hand. They remained in silence for a few moments before Ben spoke up again. "Mal, can I ask you a question?"
She nodded in acceptance, smiling at him.
"How does it feel discovering having magic?" he asked curiously.
"To be honest it was very strange at first but now it feels like I am finally whole, as if I was always missing a part of myself that I didn't know about. I mean even though it is all new to me and I am still slowly discovering a little more about my powers with each passing day, somehow it still feels like I have always known how to do magic. It is difficult to explain but it has been so much fun and exciting. I just can't wait to see what else I can do!" she replied, her eyes shining enthusiastically. "Speaking about magic, you won't believe what I found out going through my mother's spell book yesterday!"
"What?" Ben asked curiously.
"There is actually a way we can mark each other magically…a way to symbolize our everlasting love and connection." She confessed softly, blushing slightly as she broke off eye contact with him.
"Let's do it!" he exclaimed, as Mal's head snapped up to look at him. "What do we have to do?"
"You're sure?" she asked.
"I love you Mal and we don't have to hide what we feel for each other anymore. So yes I am more than sure!" he replied, as he bowed his head to claim her lips in a gentle kiss. She sighed blissfully as she parted her lips to deepen the kiss. He moved his hands gently down her shoulders and back until he reached her waistband before sharply pulling her closer to him, feeling her body tremble slightly in response. Her arms wound around his neck, wanting to be closer to him as well. Both of their hearts started to race and the kiss grew even more deep and frantic as they lost themselves in each other, oblivious to the world around them.
Mal pulled her face away from Ben and gazed apprehensively into his warm loving eyes, as her own turned a bright shade of green as she summoned her magic. Encouraged by the little smile which Ben sported before he nodded and closed his eyes, Mal lowered her head as she started to plant tender kisses all along the arch of his throat, pausing as she reached his neck. She took a deep breath, her eyes flashing an even brighter shade of green as she suddenly sank her teeth into its tender skin. Ben's eyes remained closed, his face a mixture of sweet pain and bliss, as her name escaped his lips in a soft sigh. Mal pulled away a few moments later, kissing the mark gently which caused it to shine brightly. Once it's blinding light subdued, all that was left on Ben's neck was a small, silvery scar, barely visible against his pale skin. Ben's eyes finally opened and Mal just stared back at him with an apologetic expression, holding her breath as she searched them for any signs of acceptance or rejection. She visibly relaxed when he beamed at her before crashing his lips into hers.
"I love you Mal." he exclaimed in a tender whisper as they broke apart.
"I love you too, Ben." Mal replied, as her eyes lit up in delight. "Now it is your turn."
"What do you mean? How? I don't have magic." Ben asked puzzled.
"Oh but you do have, in your own very special way…" she paused summoning her own magic again, as she gently stroked his cheek. His eyes flashed an intense yellow, as his dormant beastly powers sparkled back to life as a reaction. "Now that we are forever connected through our mark, you don't have to ever worry again about your beastly powers being able to hurt me. Actually you can use them to magically mark me." She explained.
"I don't know Mal. What if I lose control of myself somehow?" Ben asked in fear.
"There is nothing to be afraid of Ben. You will not hurt me in any way. Trust me." She smiled, as she reached up and traced her fingers down the side of his face in a gentle caress.
"Okay here it goes." He replied, as he took a moment to concentrate. Mal smiled softly and tipped her head to the side as Ben slowly approached her, his eyes flashing yellow. Ben and Mal could only smile at each other lovingly as they embraced, once the bright magical light that had engulfed them finally subdued a few moments later. They were now forever connected and nothing or no one could ever break their bond.
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Mal sighed happily from her position, her head and back resting against Ben, who was propped up against a column and had his arms around her, as they admired their peaceful surroundings. "You know. I could stay like this…in this place forever. Here with you, just us, away from the world." She confessed a little while later, breaking the silence. Ben tightened his arms around her in response and that is when Mal finally noticed the ring that he was wearing.
"Where did you get this?" she asked curiously, as she sat up and turned around to face him, looking at his hand. She watched as he stiffened slightly as his face took on a sudden serious expression.
"It is the ring Hailey gave me. The one I tried telling you about last night, before the guys pulled me away. It is my family crest ring, which previously belonged to my father." He replied, as he gazed sadly at his hand lost in thought. He blinked a few moments later when Mal reached out to grasp it and gave it a gentle squeeze.
"Hey." She told him softly as he looked up and gazed at her. "It's okay if you don't want to talk about it. I know how hard it still is for you to talk about your family."
"No it's okay Mal." Ben replied with a little smile. "I actually have been thinking a lot about what Hailey told me yesterday."
"What did she say?" Mal asked.
"She told me all about my family's actual history. How my father had a kingdom here in Auradon, before he was cursed for his cruelty and selfishness, how he lost it all once he turned into a beast killing Gaston and how his actions have pulled our family legacy into great darkness, especially after what he did to mom. But she said that she believes that I could turn it all around someday and do something good with it instead."
"How?" Mal asked in a soft whisper.
"She encouraged me to use the goodness and kindness I keep hidden inside me but which, she said, I unconsciously reveal every time you and I are around each other." He paused to take a shaky breath. "And I…I…think she is right. I want to believe her…believe that I can be better than my father, but I feel that I can only do that if you are by my side to help me. You make me a better person Mal. I love you so much."
Mal instantly bridged the distance between them and embraced him tightly. "Benny…that was one of the sweetest things you have ever told me…I…of course I am never going to leave your side. I love you too!" she replied, her voice muffled as she buried her head in the crook of his neck. They remained like this, snuggled in each other's arms in a comfortable silence, for a few minutes. They would have given anything and everything they had to remain exactly where they were.
However, Ben suddenly felt Mal's lithe form start to shake against him and something wet slide alongside his neck so he reluctantly broke apart from her to look down at her. "Mal?" he questioned softly. "What is it? Did I do something wrong?"
"No Ben!" she hurriedly replied in a shaky whisper, as she wiped the tear that had slid down the side of her face. "You did nothing wrong! Everything here is perfect! You are perfect!"
"Then why are you upset?" he asked worriedly as he tenderly laid a warm hand on her cheek.
"I am happy, Ben. I think I finally know what real happiness feels like for the first time in my life…here in this place with you." She confessed with a sad smile.
"Then why are you crying? I don't understand." Ben asked confused.
"What do you think will happen once I give the wand to my mother?" Mal cried before lowering her eyes. "I was so angry when I arrived here in Auradon…angry at the people who lived this comfortable and peaceful existence forgetting all about us while we rot and suffered on the Isle. I wanted to make everyone pay. But now I am not sure I want to do it anymore."
She lifted her tormented eyes to meet Ben's loving gaze, urging her to continue as his thumb slid over the cheek in a tender caress. "After what Hailey has told both of us, I don't want to spell her anymore. She has been nothing but kind and understanding with us and she doesn't deserve it. But most importantly giving the wand to my mother would mean destroying Auradon and our first real chance to love each other freely and just be happy together, and selfishly, I am not ready to give it all up and return to a world where I can't tell you and show you just how important you are to me. But what choice do we have?" she cried sobbing, as she pulled her face away from Ben's embrace and buried her head in her hands.
"Mal" Ben said softly as he gently rested his hands on her shoulders. "We always have a choice. Look at us! We aren't supposed to be together and yet we made the choice to, despite all our doubts and fears. Think about it…we are safe from our parents here. They can't reach us so we don't have to steal the wand anymore."
"But that would mean openly defying my mother, Ben! You have no idea what she would do to us if one day she would manage to find a way to escape the Isle somehow." Mal exclaimed in a terrified voice.
Ben pulled her close to him in a comforting embrace. "Nothing is going to happen to us, I promise." He reassured her. "We should talk to Hailey and tell her the truth. She could protect us."
"What! Are you crazy!? She would send us straight back to the Isle!" she replied, incredulously.
"Maybe not." He stated in a hopeful tone. "She was the one who brought us over in the first place, remember."
"She won't have a choice, Ben. Plotting against the ruling family is a crime. It's the only thing she could do and going back to the isle without the wand would be a death sentence for us." She cried.
"Hey…shh…sweetheart calm down. Everything is going to be okay and we will find a way, like we always do, together." he reassured her. "I believe that Hailey will appreciate our honesty after everything she has told us. Trust me."
Mal just stared in Ben's gentle and hopeful eyes for a long moment, before finally nodding as she held out her hand and summoned her magic. The spelled cookie appeared in her open palm a few seconds later. She gave one last look at Ben before she crumbled the cookie into oblivion. "I just signed all our death warrants." She whispered meekly.
Ben pulled her to him, kissing her deeply. "No you didn't…you just thought about doing what you felt was right and not what your mother wanted. I am so proud of you!" he told her, once they broke apart.
She snuggled closer to him, resting her head beneath his chin. "I love you, Ben." She whispered. He continued to hold her tenderly as he gently caressed her back reassuringly. Ben is right. Hailey will help us and everything will be turn out just fine. Our parents can't force us to do anything anymore. We are finally free to be happy together and that is what matters right now.
That's it! OH I LOVE BAL FLUFF AND NO ONE CAN TAKE THAT AWAY FROM ME! lol So the cookie is destroyed bal have made their choice. In case you guys are wondering Ben's 'magic' isn't magic the way Mal has it its more to do with his beastly instincts and being able to mark her so that he can tell if she's hurt and things along those lines. Make sense? I hope you guys liked this chapter and once again I wish you a happy new year! Please review? Pretty please?