Ben walked into the cafeteria flanked by Doug and Lonnie, who were lost in their own conversation, something about military tactics through the ages. How they'd gotten to that topic he didn't know, but to be fair he hadn't been paying much attention even before the conversation started. There were other things on his mind. The reason he was at lunch a little earlier than usual. He scanned the hall looking for some specific people with some rather distinctive hair colors. He hadn't sat down and had a conversation with the VK's since they arrived. Wishing them luck the first day of classes and greeting them whenever their paths crossed didn't count as true interactions. They didn't need him fussing over them. But now that they've had more time to settle in, it was time to start learning some more about his controversial guests.
Spotting them at their usual table–the one closest to the north exit for an easy escape and angled perfectly so no one could sneak up on them–he realized they had company. The princess of Corona and her boyfriend. He had met her once and only briefly, but her personality was as bright as the sun of Corona's crest and equally as bubbly. He didn't know her boyfriend, Flynn, but considering how happy she was when she talked about him, he couldn't possibly be a bad person. The two of them would be an excellent buffer between him and the four VKs. He could insert himself into their group and start building some rapport without making the VKs feel targeted.
First things first. "Doug, Lonnie, go ahead and find some seats without me. I won't be joining you this time."
Lonnie caught on first, following his gaze to their obvious target. "Ahh. Got it. Let us know how it goes."
Doug was a little slower on the uptake. "Wait, what's going on?"
Already walking away, he heard Lonnie explaining as she steered Doug toward a different part of the hall. Knowing her, they would be sitting somewhere they could watch him, but he didn't look to see where they went. He couldn't give their position away if he didn't know where they sat. Gods he was starting to sound like Lonnie. But he had to admit her thinking was useful. Like this, the VKs could spot Lonnie and Doug watching, but also notice that Ben wasn't constantly looking back at them, let alone aware of where they were. A sign of trust they'd be able to recognize. At least he hoped so. Maybe he needed to talk to Lonnie more.
As he approached the unusual group, Rapunzel was gesturing, her arms flying through the air as she spoke, and almost hitting Flynn in the face several times. But even if he wasn't looking at her, Flynn still seemed to know just when to duck and sway to avoid getting smacked by the boisterous blonde. Their relationship was closer than he'd expected.
"-and Max just sends the frying pan flying. Both of them were so confused, just standing there staring after it. When they finally looked at each other again Eugene asked for two out of three!"
Luck appeared to be on his side today. She'd just reached the end of her story. Apparently it was hilarious because even the normally stoic kids from the Isle were trying not to laugh. He would have to ask Rapunzel about the story later. She seemed like she'd be happy enough to tell it again.
"Looks like I just missed something," Ben grinned.
Rapunzel turned to him, green eyes glittering. "I have more. Come sit with us."
He looked away from her green eyes to the hopefully still grey ones of the VK leader, trying to gauge her reaction. They would know this wasn't an accident, and if he wanted to start building an actual relationship with them, he needed to extend every possible courtesy. Including asking their leader, even indirectly, for permission before accepting the invite.
"If that's okay with everyone," he replied. "I don't want to interrupt."
A potentially dangerous answer since Mal could very very easily say no. But he wasn't about to invade their space unless it was a matter of life or death.
For a moment, Mal watched him, head tilted, fingers tapping against the table. Finally she shrugged, "Why the hell not." He'd take it.
There were only two seats left, one next to her, and the other next to Carlos. That made it an easy choice; if he sat by Carlos they'd all be on edge with him next to their weakest link, too paranoid to fully engage. So he sat next to Mal. Probably the best person for him to sit next to anyway. She was clearly the leader, one of their better fighters, and this way she sat between him and the rest of her gang. It would make them all feel safer, and give him more time to get to know the most difficult member of the group. Carlos, Evie and Jay wouldn't be easy, but with enough time he could win their trust. Mal, on the other hand, was stubborn and it wasn't difficult to see they would follow her lead. The bond between them was strong enough that they'd follow her to hell and further if she asked.
"Thank you," he responded. Mal's eyes narrowed. She wasn't expecting it, and possibly didn't even want it, but not only had his parents taught him to be polite, it showed Mal that he wasn't going to disregard what the VKs wanted.
Now he had to be more direct than he had been the first time he met them two weeks ago. If he wasn't careful, Evie would swoop in and start directing the conversation to keep it away from anything they wouldn't want to discuss, which sometimes felt like everything. He also made a mental note not to overlook Carlos this time. "Sorry it's been so long, I wanted to give you guys a chance to settle in. The first week is always rough. How are your classes so far, Mal? Any you like?"
"They're fine," Mal shrugged as she popped a blueberry into her mouth. She had a fondness for all fruit, but there were always blueberries and strawberries on her plate no matter what the other options were. He'd have to keep those stocked and make sure to include them in any future meals he had alone with the four of them. If he could manage to even get that far. This was going to be a long process. One he was determined to see through.
"You don't like any of them?" he asked.
She shot him a look. She knew what he was trying to do, get her to talk just a little more. He kept his expression calm and curious while inside he was trying not to fidget. Or was it swoon? The intensity of her gaze pinning him in place was deadly when combined with how attractive she was… Maybe he shouldn't tease Doug so much about Evie. He was just as bad if not worse, since Doug was only smitten with one of them. He held her stare as best he could without it turning into a challenge.
In the end it was either her acknowledging him or, more likely, her patience ran out, and she huffed quietly. "Philosophy belongs on the Isle where it can't get anyone."
He swallowed a laugh, but he couldn't hide his amusement. "It can definitely be a form of torture on the mind. Trying to find an answer to a question that doesn't actually have an answer can be maddening on its own. Explaining your perspective to others and how you reached that conclusion is even worse."
"The professor doesn't seem to see it that way."
Being a member of the court had some advantages. Keeping his disgust to himself, Ben nodded, trying to show he understood. "Professor Maguire can be...very hard on his students and he likes to keep things formal. He wants them to struggle with difficult and new concepts so they can learn how to think. Unfortunately, he can be very heavy handed in the process."
At the other end of the table, Carlos shifted, frowning slightly as he bit his lower lip and Ben didn't allow himself to watch longer than a second. Paying too much attention would only set them on edge.
"Whatever you say, man," Jay shrugged. "Doesn't mean it isn't some form of fucked up magic."
"Fair enough," Ben grinned. "How are your classes going? Other than Philosophy."
"They're whatever," Jay replied. Then he glanced at Mal and seemed to sigh, probably knowing Ben would ask him another question too if he didn't say more. "Basic Training is fun. It's one thing you guys in Auradon got right."
"That's a relief," Ben laughed. "I was starting to worry we were completely incompetent."
A soft laugh escaped Evie and Mal snorted, but there was a faint grin on her lips. Jay's grin widened. He couldn't see any reaction from Carlos. "You still pretty much are," Jay informed him. "Don't get too excited."
"We'll just have to work harder then." As well as this was going, and as much as he wanted to keep up the banter, if he didn't engage with Evie or Carlos now he'd lose his chance.
"What about you Evie?" Rapunzel asked and Ben thanked her silently. "Are you taking any fashion classes? Are they fun?"
Smile sweet, Evie straightened and twirled a strand of hair around a finger. "I'm actually taking Sewing and Embroidery. So far I'm enjoying it. There's something nice about just working on a project and making something beautiful. Math and English are fascinating." Mal and Jay snorted, but Carlos smiled. "I'm not very good, but I'm hoping I can figure it out."
"I'm sure you will," Rapunzel nodded. "I can always help if you want. I used to read all the time."
"Thank you, but I don't want to bother you and waste your time. I can always ask Carlos if I need to."
That was...interesting. It certainly supported Doug's observations. Evie was smart, very smart, but she didn't want people to know. If they knew, she'd have a harder time slipping under their guard. An airheaded princess wouldn't understand anything she overheard or even think of telling anyone.
Now for the trickiest part. Carlos. He needed to find a way to engage their youngest without making him even more nervous than usual and getting the other three to shut everything down. Silently asking for some more good luck, he asked, "Are you enjoying Animal Handling?"
For a split second, Carlos stiffened, shoulders curling inward, before he caught himself. "Yeah," he admitted, voice quiet. "I...It's nice."
None of the others made an attempt to distract him this time and Ben relaxed just a little. "That's good. I've heard that you're a natural with them. I'm not surprised."
A faint blush colored Carlos's cheeks as he ducked his head. "Thanks. They're easy to work with. There weren't really a lot of animals on the Isle so." He shrugged. Then, taking a breath, he glanced at Rapunzel. "Um, I've been wanting to ask...what is he?"
Rapunzel blinked and then understanding softened her features and she reached for Pascal who was mimicking the different colors of the food. "He's a-"
"Frog," Flynn said.
"Chameleon," she corrected without batting an eye.
"Gesundheit," Flynn smirked and Pascal stuck out his tongue.
"Come on now," Rapunzel laughed, stroking Pascal's back and bumping her shoulder against Flynn's shoulder. "Are we going to have to make you two shake again?"
"Shake?" Ben asked.
"Max, one of the captains of the guard-" Rupenzel started.
"And a horse," Flynn added.
"Was after Eugene because he'd stolen my crown, which we didn't know was mine, and I convinced him not to take Eugene in because he was helping me and it was my birthday. But they did not get along at the time and I had them shake to make a truce. I've had to use it with Eugene and Pascal a few times," Rapunzel explained and Flynn took her hand and squeezed it once before patting Pascal on the head.
"You...you stole a crown?" Carlos blinked. "But...but you're here and not…"
"I wasn't always the well-behaved gentleman sitting before you," Flynn said even as Rapunzel frowned, looking at her wrist where Ben swore there'd been a bracelet earlier.
"Eugene," she said, holding out her hand.
Without looking at her, Flynn produced the bracelet out of thin air and dropped it in her palm. Carlos's eyes widened, opening his mouth as if to say something before closing it, biting his lip again.
"Not bad," Mal admitted.
"Eh, gotta keep the skills sharp. You never know when you might need them," Flynn shrugged, smiling wide.
"You mean like teasing your girlfriend?" Ben smirked and Flynn winked as Rapunzel rolled her eyes.
"Messing with friends too," Flynn added. "Or even passing notes or small things without getting caught."
"Now you're speaking our language," Jay said with a smirk which Flynn returned.
The rest of lunch was spent asking Rapunzel and Flynn for more stories and Ben didn't discourage it. After learning Flynn had once been similar to them, all four of the VKs had relaxed, Jay and Evie no longer hiding their laughter while Mal and Carlos didn't hide their grins. And for a while they weren't the children of some of the worst villains in history. They were just four young adults having fun.
Once the VKs left, heading back to their own dorm, Evie promising to meet with Rapunzel in a few hours to talk about dresses, Flynn waved Rapunzel on when she looked at him. "Be there in a second, Blondie."
She gave him a knowing nod before she turned and waltzed out the door, Flynn watching her, smile affectionate.
"Is everything alright?" Ben frowned and Flynn turned back to him.
"Everything's fine. I was just hoping we could talk tomorrow."
"Of course." Curious, Ben asked, "May I ask about what?"
Light brown eyes found his and Flynn nodded towards the door the VKs had used. "I might be able to help you with them."
****Author Note: FYI two chapters will be posted next week. Chapter 30 will contain lemons so if that is not something you want to read, skip to Chapter 31.****