Chapter Forty Five
A/N: I do not own anything other than my OCs when they come out to play. Everything else is either owned by Disney or by the Greek myths.
Alright, I'd like to just say this….guess who's back, back, back, back again? Ginny's back, back, back, on Ao3! The 30 day suspension ended yesterday and I was able to apply for a new account. I'll be reposting my orphaned stories (which Ao3 does allow—I asked) but I've got a question for you guys.
For the Watch and Learn stories, which would you prefer I repost on Ao3 (if you use Ao3): just the in-between stories or all of them but the viewing stories have been edited to sum up what is occurring on the screen rather than having the text from the movie ?
Katt Kiki: Hope you enjoy this chapter!
HufflepuffInDaHealingCoven: I'm so glad you liked it! And yeah I agree, Evie really needs a hug doesn't she?
61394: I'll gladly slap Leah!
Marcus Emrys: Clothing with pockets is the best isn't it? That's a good point about FG getting JC to teach Remedial Goodness. I mean, FG was the one who created the barrier in the first place so can she really claim to be good?
LotusQuil: I think Pain's used to it by now lol :D Agreed, there are multiple someones who deserve to be slapped! Hadie's just popular with the ladies isn't he? :D
Hufflepuff24: You're not wrong about that, I modeled them after a non-magical Weasley twins.
danifan3000: Oh well at least he got caught. And now I want to write a one shot of Harry and Jay having a guy's night with Hadie! The possibilities it'll provide!
medical ranger: I'm glad you liked the chapter, and the chapter over in the Last Bridge!
AmethystDragon14: Yay! Uma is great isn't she? And Leah's a pain! Woo! Hard to believe we're almost done with them reading Choosing Family!
Guest: If it helps, I found it fascinating and thank you so much for doing that research!
a-person-on-the-internet-75: You're very welcome! Yeah that mental link is going to just annoy Mal isn't it? As for Audrey, who knows?
twilightgirl587: Sleep is important! Mal really does put a lot on herself doesn't she? Well at last they'll be able to counteract that!
Canonverse: I cried. I legitimately cried because I could see Dude reacting that way if I brought canon-Dude into this reading. Which is why I'm probably not going to, I couldn't bare to send him back to a world without Carlos.
Guest: True, very true. All the Greek Gods were petty jerks now that I think about it!
Hope you all enjoy the chapter! Let me know what you think! :D
Emir grinned as he unfurled his scroll. "Alright, let's get this party started!"
"I feel a sense of dread already," Aziz sighed.
"Hey!" Emir exclaimed.
"He's got a point," Ashaki told him.
It was hard to believe but Mal had actually forgotten about the love spell and about Ben until the next day.
"How on Earth did you forget that?" Hadie asked.
"Slowly getting over a rivalry can do that to you," Malinda told him.
Of course, it helps ones memory when the walking reminder comes right up to them.
"That does tend to help," Hyllus nodded.
"Hey Mal," Ben said and Mal was at least happy to see he wasn't as peppy as he'd been the day prior. At the very least he didn't seem like he was about to burst into song.
"Yeah, that would just be ridiculous. Could you imagine Ben bursting out into song?" Akiho said with a chuckle.
"You were the one who told scroll-me to do it!" Ben exclaimed.
"Yeah but it's not like you were held by gunpoint by scroll-me," Akiho said, the chuckle still on his lips.
Maybe the spell had worn off and he hadn't realized he had been under it? Nah, that would be a really weak spell if that was the case-and Mal didn't see Maleficent having weak anythings in her spell book.
"But love potions that make cookies are okay?" Kristoff asked.
"She also has hair spells," Malinda said with a small chuckle.
Mal looked over at her future self. "Since when are hair spells evil?"
"You'll have to ask her that."
"Hey Ben," she nodded and gave him a small smile. "Good game yesterday. Bet you're happy that you won."
"He's probably so happy it's ridiculous," Akiho said with a chuckle.
"You participated in that song and dance too, you know," Benji told him as he shook his head.
"Thanks and yeah, it's great to end the season on a high note," Ben nodded.
Akiho, Chad, and Emir couldn't help the slightly sad smiles that pulled at their lips as they heard that. After all, for Ben, that sentence had a double meaning since he'd be giving up Tourney at the season's end.
"Listen, I wanted to ask you. I know I asked you to coronation and you said yes but…would you maybe be interested in going out with me later this afternoon?"
Belle nodded slightly and gave Ben a smile. "Good, she deserves to be asked without being put on the spot."
"It was definitely appreciated," Malinda chuckled.
Mal stilled, she definitely hadn't expected that—which now that she thought about it, she definitely should have at the very least. The boy was under a love spell for her dad's sake!
"No he's not!" Akiho said with a grin.
Malinda pinched the bridge of her nose and glared at Akiho. "I know that now. I didn't know that then."
I've never even been on a date before! There's no way Ben would actually enjoy himself…wait, why do I care? He's spelled. Wait, did he ever break up with Sleeping Brat? Mal thought, a bit of her irritation toward Chad coming out in her thoughts. Gods are all the guys in Auradon like this? Just jumping from girl to girl?
"No, we're not all like Chad," Aziz said.
"Some of us are a lot better," Emir added with a grin.
Kitty snorted. "Shame that the 'better' boys spend all their free time shadowing the future King when they could be out living their lives."
"Ben's my best friend," Emir shrugged. "Where he goes, I go."
"And sometimes that's literally," Ben sighed.
"Come on dude, I'm not that bad."
"If it hadn't been for Lonnie appointing herself head of my student security when we were eleven, I'm convinced you and Akiho would follow me into the bathroom to this day!"
"Um Mal?" Ben said hesitantly.
"Oh!" Mal said, realizing she'd been just standing there and Ben had been expecting an answer. "Uh, sure Ben."
"Great! I'll pick you up later! It's a date!" Ben said before walking off.
"Belle! Adam! Get the camera! It's my little brother's first date!" Chip said with a grin.
Ben looked over at Chip and tilted his head. "Um…I've been on dates before Chip. Can you really call this my first one?"
Chip chuckled. "When it's the first actual date where you're not going to be treated like a pack mule? Yes. It must be recorded for posterity!"
"But…it hasn't happened yet. What good would a photo do of something where we're just reading about it?" Ben asked and Chip only shook his head fondly. It was clear that Ben didn't understand the significance of that moment.
Malinda chuckled and nudged Benji's shoulder. "Oh I didn't realize I was your first date Benny," she teased.
Mal stared after him in shock. What had she just done? She didn't know the first thing about getting ready for a date!
Mom! Help!
"Oh that's going to set off alarm bells in Aunt Steph's head," Uma said, though she couldn't help but look amused at the panic evident in her cousin's thoughts.
Mal shook her head, she could handle this without involving her mom after all. Wait a minute, Blueber—I mean Evie! They may have only just started their alliance but maybe this could help it grow?
"Well I mean it was Evie who helped you get ready for your date with Ben in my timeline," Audie said with a smile.
Uma shook her head. "Mal's going to Blueberry for help on getting a date. I've officially gone down the rabbit hole."
"Hades, stop growling," Poseidon said, shaking his head. "Your daughter's going to date now that she has the freedom to do so."
"Doesn't mean I have to like it," Hades said through clenched teeth.
Mal? What is it? Mali, what's wrong?
"Told ya, alarm bells!"
"I think that's kinda obvious Uma," Jay said as he shook his head.
Mal jumped slightly upon hearing her mother's voice in her head as she tried to find Blueber—Evie. Yeah, definitely going to have to work on that.
Nothing, mom, never mind. I'm fine, just…can you be on standby? Please?
"Something tells me that's not going to work," Macaria said with a small chuckle.
"You'd be right," Malinda nodded; a sheepish smile pulling at her lips.
Oh no young lady! You don't just shout 'help' through your mind link and then tell me to go on standby!
Mom, really, it's nothing. I'll just go and see Blue—I mean Evie for this type of help. You're busy.
"A parent is never too busy to help their child," David said as he looked over to give his kids a smile.
Mal, I'm never too busy for you…wait did you just say Evie? If I remember your rants on her, this help either involves make up or a boy. Does this have anything to do as to why Prince Ben was singing to you after the Tourney game yesterday?
"Actually it has all the things to do with it," Jay said with a smirk.
"That made absolutely no sense," Mal said, her voice flat.
Mal sighed but stopped as she saw Evie with Doug, sitting at a picnic table. Evie was smiling, showing Doug a small booklet. Mal didn't have the heart to disturb them.
Audie sighed. While she liked Doug, the viewings and her growing friendship with Evie had given her a bit of pause about his relationship with Evie. Especially one comment that had never been resolved that really should have been.
"Evie…this may be none of my business but I'd be sure to address something with Doug," she said slowly, as if the words themselves didn't want to come out of her mouth.
"What…what is it?" Evie asked.
Audie sighed once more. "I don't know if it's the case in this timeline but in my timeline, there was a moment in one of the viewings that the Blue Fairy had us watch where you asked Doug if he was stalking you after he approached you as you finished a conversation with Chad."
"What was his response?"
"He said yes. Well actually he said 'well technically…yes'. I think it was supposed to be a joke but it was never addressed after you two got together."
"I'm sorry, he what?" Uma exclaimed. "Oh no, only Mal and I get to mess with Blueberry!"
"Uma's right," Mal nodded and looked over at Evie. "Blue…Evie, if you've got the brains the Gods gave you, you'll at least talk to Doug about what he meant about that."
"Doug's a good guy," Emir said.
"Yeah, he's a great friend," Akiho nodded.
Harriet shook her head. "Doesn't matter. If he'd made a comment like that on the Isle, he'd be on par with Zevon of all people. Mal and Uma are right, Blueberry. I'd talk to him if he makes that comment."
Evie nodded, a small smile pulling at her lips at the thought of the three most powerful girls on the Isle standing up for her. Even if it was only because Mal and Uma were the only ones who got to mess with her.
They may have been only allies but the blue haired girl was slowly growing on Mal—like a fungus.
"That's…nice?" Emma said with a slight head tilt, as if she was trying to figure out if that was a compliment or an insult toward Evie.
Mom? Can…can you promise not to tell dad? At least not yet?
On one condition Mali—you're not in trouble or hurt are you?
"Lady Steph, I'm hurt!" Jay exclaimed. "You really think I'd let Mal get hurt or in trouble without me?"
Persephone chuckled at the boy who was practically a third son to her. "No Jay, I have a feeling that if Mal was hurt or in trouble, you'd be right by her side. And what have I said about using the title?"
No, no, nothing like that! It's…Prince Ben just asked me out.
"Only to Mal would that be a crisis worthy of using the mental link," Uma chuckled.
On a date! Mom, I don't know what I'm going to do! This is a prince—actually a crown prince we're talking about and I"m just a girl from the Isle!
"First off, thank you for clarifying," Lucy snorted. "But second of all, have you forgotten the make up of most of our parents? Prince and Scullery Maid here."
"Princess and Thief," Emir added.
"Same," Rowyn nodded.
"Princess and Ice Merchant for me," Akiho grinned.
"The point is, Ben won't care that you're from the Isle," Rose said. "If he does, make sure you're actually talking to Ben and not Chad."
Not that I care but I don't even have anything to wear! I only own two dresses and neither one measures up to a date with the crown prince! He'll laugh his ass off—
"You thought I would laugh at you?" Benji asked, his voice soft as he looked over at Malinda.
Malinda shrugged. "I didn't know how good you truly were Ben. Remember I grew up on the Isle of the Lost."
Hadie chuckled a little. "You know mom's going to tell you to watch your language. I guarantee it."
Mal, Mal, honey calm down. Also, watch your language. But Prince Ben is not going to laugh at you.
"See?!"
"Hadie, no one disagreed with you," Mal said as she shook her head.
You don't have to wear a dress on a date though, if you want to, I'm sure we can make one of your dresses work.
Harry, Jay, and Uma turned to stare at Mal.
"What?" Mal asked as she noticed their eyes on her.
"You have dresses?" Uma asked. "You hate dresses."
Mal sighed. "…mom's idea. The Princess of the Underworld should at least know how to wear a dress even if the Isle isn't the most suited for it."
Meet me in your dorm in a minute or two okay? We'll go through your clothes, see what we can work with. Knowing you, you'll want your dark purple dress with the flowers on it. We can make that work if you want.
"Flowers?"
"Yes Harry, flowers. My mother's the Goddess of Vegetation. What did you expect it to have?"
Benji smiled slightly as he kissed the top of Malinda's head. "It's one of my favorites of your dresses. I think your Cotillion dress tops it."
"Well you might be a little biased based on the events that happened at Cotillion," Malinda said, smiling as her baby kicked slightly.
O…okay mom. I still don't know how we're gonna make this work…wait, I'm not going to have to wear makeup am I? Mom, I don't know anything about that!
"You don't need it," Robin said, looking at Mal. "I'm guessing it's the advantage of being a Godling to be able to look stunning no matter what."
"Um…thank you?" Mal said, sounding unsure as to whether that was a compliment.
I do though sweetheart. Relax.
"No one in the history of the world has just relaxed upon someone telling them to do so," Rowyn said, shaking her head.
You know that's not such an easy thing.
I know. But you'll be fine. Do you think I'd do anything to make you feel embarrassed?
"Of course not," Malinda said.
Mal nodded. "Yeah, mom's one of the few people we can trust to not do that."
…no.
Exactly. Now like I said, I'll be over there in a couple of minutes to help my daughter get ready for her first date.
Milah couldn't help but smile a little as she heard that though tears began to pool in the corners of her eyes as she realized that she wouldn't be there to help Harriet or CJ get ready for their first dates. Or to help Harry get ready for his.
He'd already had his first flirtationship and she'd missed it. Granted she was dead but still.
Are you going to cry?
Possibly.
Persephone looked over at Malinda with a small smile on her lips. "Just you wait until the day your little one has their first date. You'll understand and cry too."
I missed five years of your life Mal and then missing half the year every year being in Auradon…you grew up too fast.
"They always do," Phoebus said with a small smile as he thought about his son Zephyr.
Mom…it's just a date—
It's your first date Mal…something I thought I'd never experience because I'd be here in Auradon while you were on the Isle.
"We don't date on the Isle though," Harry shook his head. "It's flirtationships or fli—."
"Not in front of the under 15's Harry!" Mal and Uma barked.
"We know what flings are," Hadie spoke up. "Dustin really isn't the most discreet when talking about his."
"Remind me to kill Dustin," Uma growled.
"I'll help," Mal muttered.
Hades tapped his chin as if in thought before turning to Harry. "Oh yeah, that reminds me. You, Mal, flirtationship? Mal mentioned it earlier? Ring any bells? Explain."
"I went to Harry because, like I said before, I was curious what the big deal was about flirtationships dad," Mal said, shaking her head as Harry's face went as pale as a sheet at the thought of angering the God of the Dead. "Harry and Jay were probably the only two boys I trusted to have it just be friendly. It ended after a couple of weeks though, Harry's too much like my brother for it not to be weird."
Mom, I wouldn't have had a date on the Isle. We don't date on the Isle. It's flings or flirtationships at best. You wouldn't have been happy to hear about that.
"At least you guys would have had a choice in having a fling. Some girls aren't that lucky, they need to have it to survive," Evie said, looking at Mal and Uma.
"Why do you think we put as many of the younger VKs under Rat protection as we can?" Mal told her and looked at her knowingly, as if she knew there was a specific girl the blue haired VK was referring to. "Dizzy won't have to worry about that, Blue…Evie."
Hey, she figured that if she was calling the girl by her name in the scrolls, she could start doing it in real life too.
Dizzy beamed at the promise and Evie gave Mal a small smile, neither girl noticing the lack of hostility in Mal's voice.
"No kid should have to worry about that," Ben added. "I'll make sure it gets taken care of Mal. You have my word."
"We all will," Emir added with a nod.
You're right, I wouldn't have. But thankfully that is not something you need to worry about. Now like I said Mal, I'll meet you at your dorm in a few minutes. And don't worry, I won't tell your father or brother about this until you say I can.
"Why would we want to know about Mal's date anyway?" Hadie asked, shaking his head. "Sounds boring."
"You won't be saying that in a few years, minty," Mal chuckled.
"I thought we agreed not to use that one!"
Thanks mom.
You're welcome Mali. Love you.
Love you too mom.
The parents of the AKs couldn't help but smile sadly at that. It was clear by the reading that the kids truly were just like their own children and didn't deserve the Isle.
Well, with a notable exception of course.
Mal disconnected the mind link and went back to her room, knowing she had to hide the Dragon's spell book if it was still out.
"Mom probably knows you have it," Hadie pointed out. "I mean Jay did give it to you in front of dad and he's not known for keeping secrets from mom."
Meanwhile, on the other side of campus, Ben had paused what he was doing as he had come to a very important realization.
"Ooh, what did you realize?" Akiho asked, looking excited.
He had no idea how to plan a date. Especially a last minute one.
"…that is rather important, now that I think of that."
Chip shook his head. "Don't worry Benji, I'll teach you everything you need to know."
"After you get over your shock that Ben's dating someone who's not Audrey," Lucas pointed out.
"Well of course!"
Audrey usually handled our dates, if you could call them that. Shopping dates every weekend was not my idea of a good time. But…I don't know if what I would like would be what Mal would like.
"Dagger throwing!"
"Sword fights!"
"Spray painting!"
Benji chuckled. "I think I know what my wife likes now thank you."
Whipping out his phone, Ben called the one person he knew would have at least a helpful suggestion or two.
"I'm surprised we're not already in your office," Emir said.
"First off, the scroll said one person and it also said helpful suggestion," Lonnie teased.
"You wound me Lonnie!"
"Hey Benji, what's up?"
"Why am I not surprised you called Chip?" Abby said with a small smile.
Ben shrugged. "Why wouldn't I? Chip's basically my older brother after all."
"How do you plan a date?" Ben asked, the words flowing from his mouth before he even thought of saying 'hello'. "Like a good date? One I could feasibly throw together in like thirty minutes?"
Lonnie grinned. "Sounds like someone wants to make a good impression if he doesn't even say hello to Chip before diving into the conversation."
"Of course he does," Emir nodded. "Remember he messed up his first impression in front of his dad's statue with his 'kingly's speech."
"You mean to tell me you're actually going on a date with someone who is not going to drag you round every shop in Auradon?!"
"Oh please, it wasn't every shop," Audrey scoffed.
"There's not a shop where the owners don't know our names, Audrey!" Ben exclaimed.
"You're the future King of Auradon! They're going to know your name regardless Ben!" Audrey shot back.
Emir and Akiho blinked in shock. "Did…did she just make a valid point?"
"Time to check to make sure the world's not ending!"
"Yeah, didn't you hear? I broke up with Audrey—now focus Chip!"
"I don't know why I didn't think Chip hadn't already heard the news," Benji said, shaking his head.
"To be fair, you were excited about our date," Malinda told him.
"No, no I definitely heard about that but we can discuss that later. Okay, first of all what's your main idea? Like are you thinking restaurant? Picnic? Movie? Arcade?"
"I'm sorry, you're actually capable of not cheering for twenty minutes straight at hearing…you probably did that the moment you heard the news didn't you?" Lucas asked with a sigh.
"You know him so well," Audie giggled as Audrey rolled her eyes at the blatant disrespect. Surprisingly, she was ignored.
"He's my husband, I've got no choice especially considering the fact that we've got a bunch of kids running around the place."
"…we've got what now?" Chip asked, looking at Lucas.
Lucas smiled. "Well, I don't know if you're even with this timeline's me but my Chip and I foster a bunch of VK girls and even adopted a couple. Gia, Lacey, and Brooke. The LeGume-Potts girls."
"You took my last name?"
"That's what you got out of that conversation?"
"No, not an arcade. She doesn't seem to like crowds. A picnic would be a good idea, be a nice way to really get to know each other."
"Picnics are kinda your thing after all," Audie said with a small smile. "You had one for all the dates we got to see in the viewings the Blue Fairy had us watch."
"Okay where's the picnic going to be? You'll want privacy, otherwise the vultures that call themselves the press will be chasing you like the hounds of Tartarus."
"Why not the gazebo on campus?" Rowyn asked. "No press is allowed on school property after all."
"There's still the chance someone will sell a photo to The Gazelle," Rachel pointed out.
"Damn that's a good point. Uh, what about the Enchanted Lake? That's got plenty of privacy!"
"It's also a gorgeous spot to have your first date with Mal," Lucy grinned.
Ben looked over at her. "I thought Emir, Akiho, and I were the only ones to know about it?"
"You also told Chad about it who told us," Kitty told him. "It's a great date spot."
"The less I know about that, the better my blood pressure will be," Kit muttered.
"Good, good, okay. We have the idea and the location. Now time for the finer points, like food. Does she have any allergies? The last thing you want is for her to eat something and have to have half your date at the hospital."
"You know, something I just thought of but would Mal even know she had allergies even if she had them?" Elle asked. "I mean…with the scarcity of food on the Isle, there really wouldn't much choice but to eat the food even if she reacted badly…"
Ben paused as Chip said that. Allergies. How had he forgotten about freaking allergies?!
"Oh because you're still on cloud nine because not only have you gotten out of a horrid contract with the Banshee, you got Mal to agree to a date," Akiho said.
"Plus I mean Beastie forgot about a freaking medical system for the Isle. It'd make sense his son would forget about allergies," Uma muttered to Jay.
"Be nice. Mal likes him even if she won't say it. Don't ruin her future," Jay muttered back.
"Hey I'll be as nice as I can be since the kid in Mali's belly didn't ask to be wiped from existence," Uma told him.
"Um..I don't know," he said, rubbing the back of his neck with his free hand.
"Ben! When you're going on a date with someone, you need to know if you can't eat something! Particularly if you're packing up a picnic!"
"I'm…I'm pretty sure Ben knows if he can't eat something. He just doesn't know if Mal has any food based allergies," Evan pointed out.
"Pretty sure Chip just meant the general 'you', Ev," Ruby sighed and shook her head.
"I know, Chip!" Ben sighed. "I just…I got really excited to ask her out. Besides, she's been here like three weeks. Allergies haven't come up in conversation."
"And yet you've known me for seven years and it took this little adventure to learn that you're allergic to shrimp, soybeans, bananas, and Neosporin," Mal said, a note of amusement coloring her voice.
"You're going on a date with someone you've only known for like three weeks? Well she must be enchanting."
"More like she enchanted him!" Audrey exclaimed.
"She's…she's not working with a full set of sails is she?" CJ asked Harriet.
Ben chuckled. "You'd really like her Chip. But now what am I going to do about the allergies thing? Last thing I'd want is to wind up feeding her something she can't eat!"
"The only thing you can do! Ask her!"
"That won't be an awkward conversation at all," Rachel said, a note of amusement audible in her voice.
"Okay, okay. I'll text her after we're done talking. Thanks for your help on this by the way."
"No problem Benji. You just need to keep it simple. Despite what Miss Leech probably told you, dates don't always have to be flashy."
"Eh not your best work," Audie said as she looked at Chip. "Some of the names you called Leah in my timeline were…mwuah! Perfection."
"Chef's kiss worthy? Wow, maybe I'll meet your me and we can compare notes," Chip chuckled.
"So that's it? Keep it simple, pack a picnic and find out what she's allergic to?" Ben asked.
"And remember your manners, don't be late picking her up! She'll take that as a sign that you're not really interested. Have her back to her dorm by curfew, and walk her to the door."
"It's Ben, he's practically the Prince of Manners," Kitty said, shaking her head. "There's no way he'd do anything to make Mal feel uncomfortable."
"Though good call out about running late. Ben may be the Prince of Manners but he's also the Prince of Tardiness," Lonnie chuckled.
"Lonnie!"
"Am I wrong Ben?"
"Manners, curfew, simple, picnic, allergies, don't be late, walk her to the door," Ben rattled off. "Oh Gods, okay. Thanks again Chip. I really don't want to mess this up."
Beast couldn't help but look at his son with a sad smile on his face. This was the first date Ben was planning and yet he went to Chip instead of his father.
Have…have I made myself so inaccessible to my own son? Beast thought.
Belle noticed the look on Beast's face and reached over to give his hand a squeeze. "It's good that Ben has a sibling relationship with Chip," she said softly. "He has someone he can go to if he doesn't want to come to us."
"You really like this girl huh?" Chip asked, his tone gentle.
"I do," Ben nodded. "I…I can't explain it Chip. I just know that when she's around, things make sense. She doesn't care about my title, she's able to tell me when I'm being stupid. I…Chip I feel like a regular teenage boy around her, not someone who's going to be king soon."
Mal couldn't help the small flush that came to her cheeks as she heard that while Malinda looked over at her husband with a fond smile.
"Thank you," Belle said, looking at Malinda. "Thank you for giving him some normalcy in his life."
"It was really no trouble Belle, I was happy to do it," Malinda told her.
Mal pointedly avoided Jay, Harry, and Uma's eye. She already knew the looks she'd get from her flush alone.
"Well if I didn't know about your christening gift, I'd be worried you were spelled," Chip said with a chuckle. "Ben, little bro, just be yourself. That's who this girl likes. Otherwise she wouldn't have agreed to go on a date with you.
"Or she agreed initially because she thought you were under a love potion and wanted to make sure you didn't do anything bizarre and potentially hurt yourself," Malinda added. "But I do like Ben."
"Kinda obvious since you married me, dragon," Benji chuckled.
Oh! Crazy idea but bring towels on your date. I know you Ben. If you're going to the Enchanted Lake, you're going to end up swimming."
Malinda chuckled. "Well you're not wrong there Chip. We definitely went swimming."
"Knew it," Chip grinned.
"No one likes a know it all, Teacup," Lucas shook his head in amusement.
"Got it," Ben nodded. "Also…Miss Leech?"
"My nickname for Audrey."
"You never used that around me before."
"If you say you dislike the girlfriend, they will latch onto the girlfriend," Chip said. "It's an unspoken rule."
"You'd better take notes about that Ben!" Emir teased, gesturing to Malinda's baby bump.
"You don't know it'll be a boy," Leah sniffed.
"Girls can date girls," Harriet snapped as she shot a glare at Leah.
"Also, Leah, please refrain from referring to my future child as 'it' in the future," Benji added, also glaring at Leah.
"Ben, don't you know the unspoken rule? Always say you like the girlfriend. If you don't, there's like some weird force that only makes want to spend more time with the girlfriend. But ex's are a completely different animal. Speaking of which, I'm surprised the Beauty Matriarch from Hell isn't blowing up your phone after breaking the contract. Not to mention your little musical number yesterday."
"I'm in no way surprised Leah somehow found out about that," Alexandria sighed.
"How dare you!" Leah exclaimed, though much to Kit and Cinderella's relief, she was glaring at Chip and not Alexandria.
"Oh were you not aware of my nickname for you, you geriatric waste of oxygen?" Chip asked, his friendly tone fooling no one.
Lucas shook his head. "Nope, I was the guy in charge of keeping Leah alive in the viewing I was in and I hated every minute of it. Not my timeline's Leah, not my problem."
"Wait, you know about that?! How?!"
"Benji, all your classmates have cameraphones. Someone uploaded the video to Auratube—it's gone viral! I have to say, you'd make a good cheerleader if you were interested."
"It'd be a safer choice for the heir to the throne of Auradon too," Harriet nodded.
"But I love Tourney," Ben said with a slight frown.
"Yeah well I'm sure Auradon would love a King without head trauma," Harriet shot back.
Ben chuckled but then paused. "Wait, did you say viral? As in other people in the kingdom saw that?
"Yes Ben, that is what the word 'viral' means," Evan said, snorting slightly in amusement.
"Um Ben? Not just people," Malinda said with a small giggle. "The Gods of Olympus were quite enthralled with your performance considering how out of character it was for you."
It was just something I had come up with on the spot! Emir and Akiho put me up to it anyway."
"Ah, I might have known those two were involved," Chip chuckled.
"Did you really expect otherwise?" Ashaki asked. "They're known as Ben's shadows after all. Where he goes, they go."
"Yeah, Audrey was in denial that the contract was declared null and void so they thought it would be a good idea to go dramatic," Ben sighed. "Have to say, it seems to have worked. Though she's probably badmouthing me to her parents right now. Oddly enough I can live with that."
"Please, she's more likely badmouthing you to Grandmother," Phillip Jr. sighed. "Mom and dad would never put up with Audrey badmouthing you for breaking up with her as amicably as you did."
"Ben, remember this, if you do have to do battle with Leah, your parents are going to have your back.
"Without a doubt," Belle nodded. "You don't have to put everything on your shoulders, Ben."
And yeah, Audrey's probably badmouthing you to Leah and her parents but here's the thing. You wouldn't have been able to get out of the contract without your mom and Aurora's approval.
"It would be too hypocritical for me to insist on a contract when I got to marry for true love," Aurora said. "It's what I want for my own child as well as for you, Ben….and yes mother, I am aware that Phillip and I were betrothed regardless of how we fell in love."
Since you're talking about dating your mystery girl, I'm guessing you got it."
"You really think Audrey would let me get within five feet of another girl I was interested in if I didn't?" Ben chuckled.
Jasmine pursed her lips together slightly. A significant other shouldn't have to 'let' you be around other girls, Ben, she thought.
"Well…and I'm just throwing this out there Ben, but I've never seen you interested in another girl.
"A'int that the truth," Lucy nodded. "There's no way Audrey would tolerate Ben showing interest in another girl unless he's got a sisterly relationship to them and even then she just barely tolerates it."
But going off of what I know about Audrey, I'd have to say no. You know, though, that this won't be like your relationship with Audrey right? There's no contract guaranteeing a good end result. There'll be work involved."
"However, as shown in front of us, it clearly works out," Emir said as he gestured to Malinda and Benji.
"I know. I'm aware it's not going to be a walk in the park…she's worth it though," Ben said softly.
Malinda smiled and kissed Benji on the cheek. "It helps that you're worth it too," she told him.
"Good. I just wanted to make sure you knew what you were doing. Now, I'll want the details of how your date went. Oh! One more thing. Your security team, what are you going to do about them?"
"Who wants to put money on 'give them the day off'?" Akiho asked.
Ben rolled his eyes. "I don't always give my security team the day off."
"Uh huh, keep telling yourself that Ben," Emma said.
Elle looked over at Malinda. "Does he still do that?"
"Well he'll tell the guards to focus their energy protecting me rather than him," Malinda said.
"You're pregnant!"
"Seems he's the same no matter what timeline you're in," Audie said with a giggle. "He did the same thing in my timeline too. Well give his security team the day off I mean. You're not pregnant in my timeline."
Ben sighed. "Can I say 'give 'em the the day off'? Having James and Brad around would more than likely freak her out."
"Called it! Who owes me money?!"
"No one because anyone with eyes and who knows Ben would have told you you were right Akiho," Lonnie snorted in amusement.
"Yeah dude, no one bet against you," Emir shook his head.
Chip chuckled. "If you had said anything else, I'd be worried about you bro. Just don't let your mom know—you know Belle would freak out over you being without your security detail.
Belle sighed and nodded a little before looking at Ben. "I understand Ben, I was the same way as I was adjusting to going from living in the village to being royal. It's not easy to be followed around all the time but please let them do their job more. For your own safety."
"I know mom," Ben said with a smile sigh of his own. "But you know the security team has better things to do than follow a teenage boy around on a date right? Like being security to the King and Queen?"
You know one of these days they're going to start insisting on following you places. I think you give them more days off than any other person with security.
"I dunno, at least you have a security team and use them occasionally. You could have, say, made a trek through a dangerous summer snowstorm in only a formal dress and no guards to assist you, and asked the first person you met to help you," Kristoff chuckled, gently nudging his wife with his shoulder.
"We've been married how long and you're still teasing me about that?" Anna asked, shaking her head.
They'll feel like they're not doing their job properly. Actually, in a few days, you're not going to have a say in the matter. You'll be king—no one in their right mind would let the king roam without security."
"But I wasn't King on that day," Ben said. "Besides, who wants a bunch of eyes on them when getting to know someone?"
"Hey Ben, if you're that concerned with privacy, why not just employ Chip as your security for the day?" Akiho asked. "Or you know, me and Emir? Or Lonnie?"
"Because you two would spend the entire time talking about the performance or gushing that you were finally free of Audrey," Benji said with a fond sigh.
"I know," Ben sighed. "But at least I can wrangle it for my first date that doesn't involve shopping."
Ben nodded. "Exactly."
"He does know he just agreed with himself right?" Kitty whispered to Lucy who shrugged in response.
"I know Ben. Just be careful okay? Don't do anything that people might say is, I don't know, ridiculous?"
"Ha, ha," Ben said dryly. "Very funny. I'm never going to live that down am I?"
"Chip still makes jokes about it," Benji sighed.
"Well your classmates might forget it in a couple of weeks. With me? Probably not, no. Now, if your parents saw the video, you'll probably be getting 'ridiculous' jokes for the rest of your life."
"Hey, to be fair, the rest of the team will probably get the same ribbing from their parents," Rowyn pointed out. "I mean the video went viral after all. The only ones who probably won't get teased are the cheerleaders since that's kinda something that's on point for them."
"Yeah no, dad's still going to be making jokes about that when he sees that video," Rose said.
"True but that's dad. Kinda comes with the territory. At least he won't be as bad as Uncle Lance or Uncle Varian would be if they saw it."
"It would be too much to hope that mom and dad haven't seen that video yet right?" Ben asked with a small chuckle. If it'd already gone viral, there was a huge chance one of their advisors had informed them so they wouldn't get blindsided by the press.
Everyone (with the notable exceptions) looked over at Ben and Benji with a look of shock mixed with fond exasperation on their faces.
"Ben, that performance was so out of character for you. You don't think it wouldn't have spread like wildfire?" Ruby asked.
"Yeah Ben, I've no doubt your parents saw that video," Lonnie nodded.
"Do you want the answer that'll make you feel better or the reality?"
"Does anyone ever pick the reality?" Melody asked.
"The fact that you're even asking that question means they've seen it," Ben sighed. "Though if that's true, I'm surprised they haven't been blowing up my phone."
"Eh either they're assuming we dared you to do something strange and unusual or they're giving themselves a few hours to pick their jaws up off the floor," Emir said.
"Yeah, more than likely it's the latter," Akiho nodded.
"Boys…" Jasmine and Kristoff sighed.
"I'll let you in on a little secret Benji. I was walking past your dad's office a few hours ago…guess who he was on the phone with?"
"The Dark Lord Chuckles, the silly piggy?" Ashaki asked, throwing out a guess.
"…I'm sorry, the Dark Lord who, the silly what?" Milah asked.
"Oh yeah I forgot there was a pig who was a villain," Harry nodded. "Seriously, we can't get him sent to the Isle?"
"The kingdom he attacks on a regular basis isn't part of Auradon," Ben said.
"Chip, you know I'm horrible at guessing games. Just tell me."
"The Beauty Matriarch from Hell."
"Dad was on the phone with Queen Leah?"
"Do…do we know any other royals who I refer to as 'the Beauty Matriarch from Hell'?" Chip asked. "And also, this surprises you? I'm more amazed she's not blowing you your phone Ben."
"Yep! Apparently the reason why she's not blowing up your phone is because she's too busy blowing up your father's phone trying to demand that the contract be reinstated. Obviously she thinks that since you're not king yet, Adam still has power over you to force you back into it.
Benji shot a glare at Leah. "If you've got a problem with it, talk to me. Don't scream at my father, I'm sure he'd like to keep his hearing."
I'd check your email, you probably have like thirty demands for a meeting."
"Oh look now we have harassment of a minor. Is there nothing illegal you won't do?" Audie scoffed as she glared at Leah.
"I am your grandmother! A Princess doesn't treat her elders this way Audrey!" Leah exclaimed.
"Did…did you miss the part where I said I abdicated?" Audie asked.
"If you did, we'll be happy to remind you if it gets you to pass out again," Harry said with a smirk.
"Harry, behave," Milah told her son but she couldn't hide her own amused expression.
Taking a quick peak at his email, Ben saw that Chip was right. "Actually, there's about forty five demands…and counting, an email just came in," he said with a small sigh. "Chip, you didn't happen to catch my dad's response to Queen Leah's demands, did you?"
"Well all I know is if it was anything other than 'take a long walk off a short pier', Leah's got something over your dad," Ashaki told Ben.
"More like she's just used to getting her way," Phillip Sr. muttered.
"He said no, said that you didn't want to be in it anymore and that you were your own person and had the right to your own choice.
Ben sighed in relief. "Thank you dad."
Beast couldn't help but give his son a small, sad smile as he heard that. "Of course son."
He looked over at Benji. "You didn't think I'd put you back in the contract when it was your decision to leave it, did you?"
"Leah can be very persistent," Benji said with a small shrug. "Sometimes it's easier to give her what she wants rather than fight her."
Although some of that may have have had something to do with the fact that Belle was standing right in front of the desk. I couldn't see her face but I'd bet she was glaring at him. Probably almost daring him to agree to it so he could see what would happen."
"If Belle is anything like Persephone, I think it's safe to say that you do not test their patience," Hades said. He didn't realize that he'd forgotten to give Belle a nickname the way he'd given one to Beastie and Beastie Jr.
"I'm going to take that as a compliment," Persephone said with a smile.
Ben sighed in relief. "Oh thank Zeus! Though, I don't blame dad. Queen Leah's on the council after all, he's still got to work with her. That being said, thank the Gods mom was there. I don't want to know what the result might have been otherwise."
"Ben said he wanted out and he will stay out of the contract until he says otherwise," Beast said.
"And yet you had no issue putting him in the contract when he never said he wanted it," Abby muttered. Yes she loved her father but sometimes he could be a real idiot.
"So the reason they're not blowing your phone up about the video? Their phone is tied up battling Queen Vampire Bat for you."
"Another excellent nickname!" CJ chuckled.
"Why thank you," Chip beamed at the younger Hook girl.
Ben frowned. "I mean, don't get me wrong I'm grateful but this was my decision. Shouldn't I be the one dealing with Queen Leah?"
"Does he not value his own hearing?" Macaria asked, looking at Emir and Akiho.
"No, he just doesn't want others to do what he considers to be his responsibility," Emir sighed.
"He is also right here and doesn't really like it when you talk about him as if he's not in the room," Ben added.
"In someways yes, but Ben they're your parents. They're not going to just sit there while she tears into you. I feel sorry for your dad's ears though, she was screaming so loud you'd have thought she was on speakerphone when I walked past."
"She probably was," Benji said. "Dad always has the phone on speaker when he takes a call. It's the only way he can take notes, says the phone pressing his glasses into his skull gives him a headache."
"It does," Beast nodded.
"Why not just do a conference call and have someone else dialed in to take notes?" Kit asked.
"But I'm going to be king soon. I won't have other people to fight my battles for me when that happens."
"Does…does he not know what dignitaries are? And armies? And—?"
"Okay, we get it," Benji chuckled slightly. "But I can speak for my younger self that I probably wasn't referring to dignitaries and armies when I said that. I can't exactly be King and running to mom and dad for help."
"Ben, all I'm saying is be ready for battle because the Bat is steamed. She was screaming about 'public humiliation of Audrey' and that the only compensation she'd accept is the contract being reinstated and that there was no valid reason to cancel it."
"Oh except for the fact that they were three when it was finalized and that neither the Brat's nor the Sunspot's signatures were anywhere on that contract…oh and did I mention they're both minors and can't agree to a contract regardless?"
"We get it Hades," Hera sighed.
"Do you? Wonderful," Hades rolled his eyes. "Now work to make sure she gets it," he said, pointing at Leah.
Ben nodded. "I'll talk to dad for when the time comes. Right now, I'd like to focus on my date with Mal and not the impending battle with Queen Leah."
"That is something that's much more pleasant to think about," Jay nodded. "Just one thing Benny boy."
"Yes?" Ben asked as Jay and Harry glared at him.
"If you hurt Mal, we hurt you."
"Jay!" Mal exclaimed as Ben nodded his head furiously, as if indicating his understanding of what Jay had said.
"Mal huh? That's an unusual name," Chip said with a smile in his voice. Ben chuckled, thankfully Chip didn't seem to know where Mal came from. Not that Ben cared but he wasn't stupid. He was hopeful—there was a difference.
"Ben, you've got the highest G.P.A. on the Tourney team," Neal said. "No one would ever accuse you of being stupid."
He knew people would probably not care for the future king going out with a girl from the Isle.
"And those people are fools, love doesn't care about where you come from," Tiana said.
"Like Mama Odie said, doesn't matter what you look like or what you wear," Naveen nodded.
Ben honestly didn't care. He had checked the written records the day after Mal arrived and she'd been right, she was the daughter of Lady Persephone and Lord Hades.
"Thank Gods I updated the written records after I adopted Mal since it's saving her a headache," Persephone said.
There'd been an asterisk by Lady Persephone's name to signal adoption but Ben didn't care about that—blood didn't dictate family.
Chip was his brother in all but blood after all.
"And technically Mal should be Lady Persephone's daughter by blood too," Jane spoke up timidly. "I mean…she did do a blood adoption."
"Because of the fact that the potion I chose was the least likely to hurt Mal, she is mine by blood but genetically she's still half Fae," Persephone explained.
"It's a nickname, short for Malinda but she likes to go by Mal," Ben said with a smile.
Chip grinned. "And a very lovely name it is too."
"You're my brother-in-law, Chip, you don't need to flatter me," Malinda told him.
"Well I'd love to meet her if the date goes well. Tell you what, I'll come round on Family Day. As for the food, find out what her allergies are and text me. I'll have mom whip up some stuff and set it up at the Enchanted Lake for you."
"That would be awesome Chip! Your mom's food's amazing," Ben said as he grinned at the former teacup.
"Thanks Chip, that'd be great!"
"And don't worry, I'll have mom keep it under wraps. Though if your mom saw the video, she probably has it figured out by now. She's a smart one, Belle."
"Why thank you Chip," Belle said, smiling at him.
"Don't I know it," Ben chuckled.
"Okay, I'll let you go Ben. Like I said, find out Mal's allergies or heck just any food she doesn't like and then text it to me. Mom'll whip it up and I'll drop it off."
Ben turned to Mal. "So…same question you asked me? Are you allergic to anything?"
Emir chuckled as he read ahead. "I think you're about to find out Ben."
"Thanks again Chip. Bye."
"See you Ben," Chip said as he hung up. Ben sighed before firing off a text to Mal. He still couldn't believe he had forgotten about allergies of all things. His phone pinged and Ben read the text from Mal: Hey Ben. No, none that I know of.
"I'm pretty sure I'd know by now," Mal said with a shrug. "Mom and dad would have figured it out if I had any food based allergies."
Shooting off a quick text to Chip, Ben got up and made his way to his dorm. He needed to get ready after all.
"Yeah, I'm sure it'll be a challenge deciding which suit to wear," Akiho said, gently teasing Ben.
"I own more than just suits!" Ben exclaimed.
"Really? You don't wear them."
Emir shook his head. "There we go, the scroll is finished and I was on my best behavior!"
"I had total faith in you dude," Ben told him.
"Thank you Ben! Anywho, who wants to read next?" Emir asked.
Anna smiled. "I wouldn't mind reading for a bit."
