AN: I'm back...sort of! If you haven't read my stories before, welcome to my fic. If you a reader from long ago, HI! This is not my normal in that it's just a normal fic - no smut or anything but this idea floated around in my head this whole week and I decided to get it out. Its a bit OOC for the characters but it's how I imagine them. Try to think of the gangs on the Isle as operating sort of like old school Mafia (it's where I got some of the inspiration).
-0-0-0- CHAPTER 1 -0-0-0-
There was something different; Ben could tell the second he saw the VK's enter the dining hall that morning. A tension; more than their usual wariness from being in a crowded space. They still moved in that odd way; not together but like they all always had an awareness of where the other three were. Ben watched from where he stood by the trash cans as Mal and Jay went to their usual table. Carlos paused a few steps away to wait for Evie so they could go fetch the groups food as was their routine. The blue haired princess had stopped beside Mal, dipping over to murmur something in Mal's ear. Mal only turned to meet her gaze with a hard look before turning away in dismissal. It was subtle, but Ben didn't think he had seen Mal behave that way with Evie before. Ben was distracted from his not so covert staring by Jane, who was wanting to confirm details for an upcoming event.
The tension between the VKs did not seem to dampen over the next couple of days but to Bens surprise no one else seemed to notice. He supposed they weren't obvious about it; they still mostly moved around the school in pairs or all four together; maybe he had just gotten to know them well enough to pick up on what others didn't. Tension between all the VK's wasn't exactly accurate though, Ben realised when he sat with them during study hall later that day; Evie and Carlos were still chatting about science and as amicable as ever; and even Mal was mostly normal when she interacted with them; the tension seemed to be with Jay. Or specifically Jay and Mal. Ben had this sudden epiphany as he watched the thief the next day in the library when he handed a book to Evie who barely so much as glanced at it before handing it to Mal. Technically it was more polite than reaching over the table to pass it to her directly but Ben was sure Jay would have normally forgone the middle (wo)man. Then he thought back and realised he had not seen Jay or Mal speak so much as a word to each other in the last few days - admittedly they were not the most effusive most days but they did normally chat and banter with each other…that was also what was off; there was no banter…between any of them. Now that Ben had realised this he seemed to notice it all the more; and while by the next day it was as obvious to Ben as if they were wearing a sign that said all was not right between Mal and Jay, it was also clear the whole group was being affected.
It had been four days when Ben finally decided to ask. He had been watching the VK's from the edge of the dining hall again and Evie and Carlos were chatting in what appeared to be their normal, albeit slightly more somber way while Mal picked at her plate. Jay was not sitting with them though but rather standing leaning in a too casual way against a wall near their table. Close enough to be still be in earshot of the group but not so close that a stranger may mistake him for being all on his own. He appeared to have his attention on the rest of the room as he munched on an apple he was holding but the occasional glances to the table showed his attention was still very much on his friends.
Then Jay looked over to Ben suddenly and met his gaze. Ben flushed at being caught watching them. He ran his hand through his hair in embarrassment and, having been caught, decided it would be rude to not acknowledge them now so he walked over to the table. He greeted them all, hoping Jay wouldn't call him on the staring - the thief didn't, barely nodding in returned to the greeting while Mal plastered a smile on her face Ben knew she used when she was trying to give the impression there was nothing amiss as he slid into the seat beside her. Months ago Ben would have been fooled by the way Evie started up a conversation with him about school work to continue the charade and Mal made an effort to include herself in the conversation where before he arrived she had very much been in her own mind.
When Evie seemed to be distracted with some factoid she and Carlos were discussing Ben took the moment.
"Everything alright?" He asked Mal quietly.
She smiled sweetly, but her expression was a little to tense to be natural "Why wouldn't it be?"
Jay, who had been silent up until now snorted. Mal instantly glared at him. "Something to say?" she demanded harshly; Carlos and Evie falling silent. Jay just stared back at her, a wordless conversation passing between them. Ben watched uncomfortably.
"Jay…" Carlos interrupted, breaking the starting contest and when Ben looked back to Mal he wasn't sure if there was a flicker of fading green in her eyes. Jay glanced at him, letting out a frustrated huff, something in his demeanour telling Ben he had come out second best to Mal in whatever had passed between them. Jay shoved off from the wall, standing as though he wanted to leave but hesitating.
"Mal," Evie said, pulling Mals attention from the thief "I was hoping Jay could grab me one of the tourney jackets before our next class so I can copy the pattern?" It was phrased as a question and it took Ben a second to realize why it felt odd to him - Evie had addressed it to Mal, not Jay directly. He had noticed they all did that sometimes, they would ask Mal, as though for her permission rather than the other VK directly.
Mal pursed her lips, Evies excuse clearly sounding even more flimsy to her than it had to Ben. "Fine." Mal agreed with a dismissive flick of her hand towards Jay. Jafars son stalked off instantly. "M…" Evie started gently but Mal cut her off with a look. Evie took the hint and Mal's shoulders were still hunched though in a way that told him that asking for more information would not be appreciated, so he allowed Evie to not so subtly pull him into a conversation about the upcoming party.
AN2: Chapter 1 done but much more to follow. There will be a lot more explanations as it progresses but the first few chapters are Bens POV so you're not supposed to know everything that's going on just yes. This fic will probably have about 5 or 6 chapters and an outtake. Hopefully they should all go up within a few weeks - I promise I will finish this one; most is already written!
