*Author's note: trigger warning eating disorder*
Holding out his arms, Carlos lets Evie wrap a tape measure around his hips.
"I've never gotten to actually make something fancy," Evie chatted as she made a note on a nearby pad. "I'll have to look over my old design ideas. Maybe I have something I can blend with Auradon's fashion."
"Do you have to blend them?" Carlos grimaced. "Auradon's fashion is so restricting. I can barely move right."
Smile soft, Evie draped the tape measure around her shoulders and gestured for him to lower his arms. "I have to take some inspiration from them. Nothing on the Isle lends itself to something as elegant as a ball." Gaze meeting his, Evie took his hands and twirled them. "A ball, Los. This is my first ball. I've dreamt of this ever since I was three."
Unable to resist, Carlos smiled. Even though he had his reservations about the ball–forced socialization and if anyone even bothered talking to them he'd have to make small talk–, Evie was so excited. When they were younger, she would sneak him away to play dress up and dance. And he liked the idea of dancing with her. Of helping her show off to the world just how beautiful and graceful she was.
Which reminded him.
"You're going to need a dress too," he said, slowing down their spinning. "Let me help get your measurements."
For a split second, her expression faltered. Then she smiled, the same smile she used when lying to Uma and her crew. It worked on them, and sometimes even Mal and Jay. It didn't work on him. Not that he told her that.
"Thank you, pup." Lifting the tape measure over her head, she handed it to him.
"Arms up," he instructed and she warily raised her arms.
One final confirmation. One last double-check. Gods he wanted to be wrong.
He wrapped the tape measure around her waist.
He wasn't wrong.
Chest aching, he lowered the tape measure.
"Carlos?"
"Are you okay?"
"What are you talking about?" Evie laughed. "I'm planning outfits for a ball. I'll be able to dance with you. All of you. We're in Auradon."
"You haven't been eating much," he countered, crossing his arms. "You haven't been for about three weeks now."
Something in her expression slipped and he tilted his head. If he hadn't been sure before, that confirmed it.
"Pup, I don't know what you're talking about."
"Stop bullshiting, E," Carlos snapped, lip curling for a split second. "I know you."
Blue eyes going cold, Evie crossed her arms. "I'm fine. I'm eating enough."
"No, you're not. You've lost weight. And you know that we weren't healthy when we got here. There was never enough food on the Isle to be healthy."
"To be as healthy as people on the mainland," she countered, turning away from him. Dismissive, she began flipping through her notepad before marching to the wall of fabrics. "We were healthy enough."
This time he didn't even bother fighting the curl of his lip as he darted forward, placing himself between her and her target. "You aren't that stupid, Evelyn," he sneered. He ignored the way she drew herself up. Unfortunately for her, she was the one person he'd never be afraid of.
"Is it stupid to make sure I'm pretty?" she hissed. "To make sure I can win a prince?"
"You're already pretty, E."
"No. No I'm not. My mother-"
"Is an idiot." For a moment, she just stared at him and he took advantage of the opening. "You want to be pretty? Then you need to be more than just skin and bones."
"Carlos."
Pointing to her chest and then her hips, Carlos met her gaze. "You want a prince? Don't you need to fill out your assets?"
There was a moment of hesitation before she tried to step around him. He only closed the distance between them a little more, refusing to let her pass. "I know what I'm doing."
"Do you?" he growled. "Mal and Jay are more attractive now than they ever were on the Isle. Because they aren't starving themselves. Because they're a healthy weight. Weight they had to. Put. On." Crossing his arms, he glared up at her. "Or do you think they look worse?"
A blush colored her cheeks even as her eyes narrowed. "Of course I don't. You know I don't."
"What about me?" he asked. "Do I look worse?"
"What? No, Los, of course not."
"Then why doesn't that apply to you?"
"My mother-"
"Is an idiot," he repeated. "It's not just us. Everyone on campus has more weight than anyone back on the Isle. And even I know they're more attractive."
"Godsdamnit, Carlos," Evie snapped, shoving past him. "Leave it alone."
Fine. She wanted to do this the hard way. He could do this the hard way.
"I'll tell Mal."
She froze. "You wouldn't dare."
"Wanna bet?"
Head high, she turned back to face him, blue eyes hard as sapphire. Jaw tight, lip curled, Carlos refused to back down.
Finally, she looked away, muttering a curse they'd all learned from Jay. "What do you want?"
"I want you to eat," he replied, rolling his eyes. "And I will fill your plate myself if I have to." When she didn't reply, he stepped closer. "E. I can't lose you. Please. If we have to prove to you everyday that you're beautiful we will. I will." Blue eyes turned to him and he allowed his expression to soften a little. "You're always reminding us that we're in Auradon. That we can live here. That applies to you too. Your mother isn't here."
When she just frowned, he chewed his lip. What else could he try?
Oh. That might work.
"How would she know the beauty standards for the mainland anyway?" he shrugged, dismissive. "You and Cruella always talk about how quickly trends come and go. So your mother's information is out of date."
That at least managed to earn him a smile. "Carlos."
"You are going to eat. I will be watching," he reminded her, gaze sharp. "But I won't tell Mal as long as you don't try it again. Deal?"
"Deal."