Tag: mal

A Tale of Two Kingdoms, part 7/11 (2015-08-21)

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The islanders are reluctant to share their knowledge of what exactly happened, not because they’re distrustful of Ben, but because it involves magic. The only ones who really understood magic were the ones involved, and they’re the ones missing.

“Good riddance,” one woman mutters, face hidden by dirty blonde hair and a grungy scarf.

The woman next to her jostles her sharply, hissing a warning, “If the captain heard you, you’d walk the plank.”

“Well the captain’s dead, she’s not here to protect her damned pet squid. It’s because of him that the kaiju are around.” The woman spits back, before shuffling away when the expression on her conversation partner’s face clearly doesn’t agree.

The remaining woman glares at her retreating back, before turning expectantly to Ben and Chip. Her back is hunched and her clothes are dirty, but the set of crossbones stitched onto her beanie are a bright clean white. “You’ve got questions, then?”

“Yes,” Ben says politely, “I’m trying to figure out–”

“What happened to the other magic kids, eh?” She interrupts, eyebrow raised slyly, “You think the entire Isle don’t know about your mission? And I’m not talking about finding those three.”

Ben tries desperately not to blush.

He obviously fails from the way the woman laughs raucously.

“If you could please–” Chip starts, only to be interrupted as well.

“You’re a bit too clean for my own tastes,” the woman says to Chip appraisingly, “but that can be fixed easily.” She winks, and now Chip is also flustered. Great.

“Ma’am, we need to know what happened.” Ben says, bringing them back on topic, “How is it that Uri’s death is confirmed, but no one knows what happened to the others?”

“That’s easy,” she scoffs, “How else?”

Ben waits for her to explain, but Chip is the one to answer.

“There was a body.”

—

It’s not like Carlos is just waiting for Auradon to come back. He has a lot to do around the docks; it comes with the territory of being the head of the jaeger program. That being said, he has no idea why Jane and Lonnie keep following him around.

He’s still a bit suspicious of them, ever since they tricked him into talking to Auradon. So it’s not his fault his face automatically turns into a squinty eyed stare in their presence, especially Jane’s.

“It worked out for the best,” Lonnie says, absolutely steady from her perch on the catwalk railings.

Carlos only grumbles back at her, combing through some basic wire work on the fourth jaeger. Jane, at least, has the decency to sit on the actual walkway, safe from tipping over. Not that her being in Carlos’ peripheral vision is making him any less nervous.

“I think it’s absolutely romantic,” Jane sighs, head propped in her hand, and Carlos is not fooled at all.

But he still asks, “What is?” and ignores the feverish sensation on the tips of his ears.

“A knight on a quest to prove his love,” Jane responds wistfully. Carlos wonders if this is what she was like before coming to the Isle, if she would have been just a daydreaming teenage girl, instead of a jaeger pilot capable of destroying giant monsters. Well, now he gets to deal with both.

Lonnie hums in agreement–correction, now Carlos gets to deal with both twice over–before adding, “Usually the prince ends up with the rescued princess, but traditional stories are so two decades ago.”

Jane barks out a laugh, “It’s not like your parents were very traditional,” she reminds teasingly.

“I like to think they were trendsetters,” Lonnie shoots back.

Their easy banter washes over him, familiar at least, if not soothing, after weeks of it; but Carlos is still stuck on something in particular.

“Auradon is a prince?”

—

Finding where Jemma Hook is buried is easy. Finding where Jemma Hook buried Uri? Not so much.

“Captain was real torn up about his death,” a man nearly two feet taller than Chip says morosely, casually shrugging a crate of potatoes onto one shoulder, “She would’ve buried him wherever she hid her treasure.”

“Good luck finding that,” someone else snorts, unashamedly interjecting himself into their conversation, “She kept that a secret to her own grave.”

“It’s true,” the first man says, “Any decent pirate would have a hidden stash, Captain Hook’s would be particularly hard to find.”

“You know, if anyone could find it,” The second man suggests, “It would be that damn thief; or maybe the princess, if there were enough gems.”

“You think this boy would be bothering with the Captain’s treasure if he already had Carlos’ gang?” The first man scoffs, reaching out to cuff the other on the back of the head.

It nearly bowls him over, but he keeps to his feet, “Just saying,” he scowls.

“No wait,” a third person says, bodily inserting herself into their discussion by ducking under the first man’s arm, “He’s onto something. The ones who would best be able to find the captain’s treasure would be Jay and Evie.”

“Neither of whom we have,” Chip reminds.

“So the closest thing you have to that is their parrot.” The girl says, a mischievous grin on her face.

“A parrot,” Ben finally says, leaning forward in interest, “Tell me more.”

—

“Don’t you dare hurt Othello,” Evie warns, even as she brings up his image onto her mirror and passes it over to Jay.

“You think I’m going to risk our one chance by purposefully messing with that bird?” he asks, hands on the mirror, eyes beginning to glow.

“There’s a reason he likes me better,” Evie says, before turning silent, focusing on her precognitive abilities. She needs to keep an eye out for any of their hunters, especially now that Jay is occupied with possessing Othello and Mal has brought down their shield. They’re not actually sure if it will work, which is why Mal is using her magic to amplify Jay’s.

“This is ridiculous,” Mal murmurs. It sounds like one of those fairy tales, she thinks, a prince following a bird to one secret area. Then following another set of animals to a different secret area. All as part of a quest to rescue a princess. So what if that bird is a parrot being magically possessed, and the next set of guides are eels, and there’s an evil fairy’s daughter and an evil sorcerer’s son being rescued alongside the princess? “So ridiculous,” she repeats.

—

“This is great!” Ben enthuses as he and Chip pick their way along the trash-strewn shore, following after the blue and yellow parrot. “It’s really like a proper quest.”

Chip, done with absolutely everything–especially the parrot who not only scratched and bit him, but also pooped on his shoulder–is distinctly less impressed.

“Mystery, a hidden treasure, an animal guide,” Ben lists off, before the parrot screeches– “Hurry up!” – and they both pour on the speed.

They wouldn’t want to lose the bird for a second time. At least it seems to be intelligent enough to not only get the gist of what they need, but also to circle back and find them. Suspiciously intelligent, Chip thinks to himself, but that may just be his newly found bias against birds speaking.

The parrot brings them to a rocky outcropping, a small five foot cliff of sorts. Looking around, neither of them can see a place where something can be buried.

“Did this thing take us on a wild goose chase?” Chip asks belligerently, before flinching when the parrot lands on his shoulder.

Ben laughs, out of breath, but his hands clench into fists with irritation as well.

“Lagan! Derelict!” The parrot screeches, disastrously loud right next to Chip’s ear.

It takes a few moments, but soon enough, in the water below them, the long sinuous bodies of two eels appear.

“You’ve got to be kidding me,” Chip says in disbelief.

“Multiple animal guides,” Ben amends, before steeling himself and jumping into the water. “Come on!” he calls up to Chip.

Chip stares balefully down at him instead, looks at the parrot on his shoulder in commiseration, realizes he’s doing so, and decides to flee from the feathered pest by jumping down after Ben.

The water is cold and kind of slimy feeling and Chip hates everything about this. He says as much.

Ben just grins obnoxiously back, “It’s not over yet.”

~

A/N: Yes, that’s how I’m ending it because I can’t believe it’s not over yet. AAAAAGH. We will get there soon. Hopefully.

Thanks to theotpauthor for letting me know that the eels are not just a strange fluke. Hence, Othello the parrot, who is technically Evie’s but is descended from Iago so… yet another timeshare pet?

And jalencolbert, in case you didn’t see my edit on the last post. Lagan and Derelict are the book canon names for the eels, I didn’t come up with it. But I think Uri as Ursula’s son’s name is my creation? Not sure, there are only so many U names. Feel free to use that as well, though.

A Tale of Two Kingdoms, part 6/11 (2015-08-20)

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There is really only one thing that Carlos–Carlos the boy, not Carlos the head of the jaeger program–wants.

He wants his friends.

It’s not something that’s easy to admit. The Isle has been critical of such soft, positive emotions–you have minions or a gang or, if you’re particularly lucky, partners in crime–but friends are for the weak. Friendship just means admitting a person is your weak spot.

But that was before. There’s a new world order on the Isle; in the face of kaiju, posturing as a tough, heartless loner is not only useless, but detrimental. Survival means cooperation now. The strongest of them, the jaeger pilots, are only such because they are drift compatible. To protect one’s family, for the love of lost friends, to contribute to the community–that’s what the Isle now holds above all else.

But it’s a lifetime of conditioning to work against, so it’s still difficult to admit. And, truth be told, Carlos is scared.

It’s a selfish request, to risk their source of, well, everything, just to try and figure out what happened to three people who may or may not be…

Carlos doesn’t know what happened to them; the mystery is as much a source of hope as it is despair. If he doesn’t know, then their deaths can’t be confirmed, they could still be alive. But surely, if they were still alive, they would have come back by now?

And what use would it be to know now, after over a year? What if its dangerous, what if it’s pointless, what if…

But Auradon asks, and that’s the only thing Carlos wants.

—

“You don’t have to,” Carlos says, fingers tugging nervously with the ends of his gloves. He’s said the same thing dozens of times already, voice conflicted, eyes filled with both hope and fear, “You don’t have to, really.”

“Auradon,” Ben says, just to get Carlos to look at him. At Ben. Not a resource, not a king, just Ben.

“What?”

“That’s what you call me. And, you know, there’s a bit of a tradition in my kingdom,” Curiosity makes Carlos quiet, waiting for more. It’s better than him being worried, so Ben continues, “A boy goes on a quest to prove that he’s worthy.”

“Worthy of what?” Carlos asks, confused.

“I don’t know yet,” Ben says with a laugh. Carlos wrinkles his nose, to which Ben shrugs helplessly, “I’ll bring them back to you,” he says seriously, grasping both of Carlos’ hands to stop his fidgeting. And because he wants to, “One way or another, I’ll find them and I’ll bring them back to you,” Ben vows.

This vow is more crucial than bringing back cars and boats and planes and engineers and pilots. Because this isn’t a promise between a king and the head of the jaeger program. This is a promise from one boy to another, from a boy in love to the one he loves.

“And when I succeed,” Ben says, squeezing Carlos hands between his own, “I’d like it if you used my real name.” And he brings them up to his lips, brushing a kiss against bare knuckles.

Carlos tugs his hands away, a flush high on his cheeks, and Ben thinks he’s screwed up. But Carlos says, “You’ll have to come back and tell me what it is, then,” before he stomps away, no doubt back to the jaeger docks.

Ben smiles goofily after him, until Chip cuts in with a not so subtle cough. “Very smooth,” he says, completely straight faced.

Ben squints at him suspiciously, unsure if Chip is being sarcastic or not.

“It’s better than your dad at least,” Chip says reassuringly which, considering the story behind his parents’ get together, is not really all that of a consolation.

“Are you sure you want to come with me?” Ben asks, echoing a conversation they had months before.

And like before, Chip says, “I’m not letting you go alone.”

—

There is something strange about magic on this side of the tear. Or maybe, on this side of the ritual, on this side of Uri’s death.

The barrier being taken down was just a side affect, the tear between worlds an unintended consequence. The ritual was meant only to use son of a witch as fuel to revive the power of four magicians. Except there weren’t just four magicians–there were seven; even if three of them were young and unknowing.

Rituals are delicate things, everything must be done precisely or else it’ll end up a mess. The magical backlash, along with tearing down the barrier and tearing open a path between worlds, caused enough chaos for the three of them–back up sacrifices and accidental vessels–to escape.

But they didn’t know then which way they were escaping. Instead of going back, to warn the rest of the Isle, they went forward; into the world of the kaiju.

In this world, magic comes easily to them, thankfully. Otherwise how would they have survived without Mal’s constant shield. Without Evie’s precognitive warnings. And how would they have figured out the truth behind the kaiju without Jay’s mind magics pulling the truth out of one.

If only magic could bring them back.

But they’ve learned in the past couple of days–weeks–months–that magic doesn’t always need to be the solution. Not with Carlos.

“He’s sending us a prince,” Evie says, voice elated in a way Mal and Jay haven’t heard since they’ve been trapped on the wrong side of the tear.

“How will that help us?” Jay asks, disbelief blatant in his voice, even as he stares eagerly at Evie’s mirror.

“If he can find the ritual site, he can act as an anchor for us on that side,” Evie explains, excited grip causing the mirror’s frame to dig into her palm.

“We’d be able to find an opening that isn’t where the kaiju are being sent through,” Jay says in understanding.

“However we came through in the first place,” Mal agrees, “If there were some way we could lead him there…” she trails off, unsure. The ritual site had been Ursula’s choice, a cove that she had kept secret from the rest of the island.

“The eels,” Evie suggests, at the same time Jay says, “Lagan and Derelict.”

Mal looks at both of them skeptically before shrugging, “I suppose if anything can get him to Ursula’s secret lair, it’d be Uri’s pets.” And how poetic it would be, if creatures that Uri cared for were to help expose his murder.

~

A/N: Okay, so according to Jay’s wiki page, he’s the one with pet eels which I find kind of odd since it’s clearly a reference to Ursula’s Flotsam and Jetsam… unless that means Jay’s mother is Ursula?!?! Uh… well, let’s just say not since I have Uri in this story. Maybe in this universe Jay and Uri have a timeshare on the eels or something, I dunno.

Uh, yeah, strange ending. Sorry about that. :/

EDIT: (Because I don’t know how to reply to replies). jalencolbert, I just pulled the names for the eels off Jay’s wiki page so I don’t own them. As far as I know, Uri isn’t a canon name for Ursula’s kid (if she even has one) so that is sort of mine, but feel free to use that as well.

A Tale of Two Kingdoms, part 4/11 (2015-08-18)

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What ensues during the following months is the strangest rivalry the Isle has ever seen. It’s also the most argumentative courtship Chip has ever witnessed which, considering what his childhood was like, is certainly saying something. The different views probably explain the confusion.

Carlos asks for cars, Ben gives him cars. And boats. And computers. And planes, because why not.

Carlos asks for better tools, Ben provides those. As well as access to factories and Auradon technicians who don’t mind working alongside islanders or under a teenager.

Carlos asks for pilots, and Ben volunteers himself… until drift compatibility is explained to him.

“You can’t just jump in a jaeger with a random person and hope for the best, Auradon,” Carlos says, refusing to even learn Ben’s name, much less use it, “The pilots have to be compatible in order to share the controls. Otherwise you’ll end up with the disaster that would have been Gaston the Fourth.”

Ben grimaces at the mention, and not just because of the stories his mother has told him about her youth.

Carlos seems to think of him as a challenge and a resource, for some reason prickly at Ben’s generosity but willing enough to answer his questions. The rest of the Isle look at him with a collective bemusement, cautious but grateful, and a little entertained by his interactions with their jaeger program head.

But the Gaston twins? It’s not like Ben has announced his parentage–the islanders just seem to take his identity as Auradon at face value–but those two seem to somehow know, as if expecting him to transform into a monster at any second.

Or maybe it’s jealousy. They were supposed to have been jaeger pilots instead of Harry and Jace, it would have been their opportunity to be heroes as they seemed to think of themselves. For Ben to arrive and successfully aid the program without being a pilot himself, well. Just imagine how pissed they would be if they knew who he actually was.

—

With all the material he’s getting from Auradon, building a two-person jaeger out of the remains of the Jolly Roger is no longer a problem. In fact, they have enough for another two double jaegers, which Carlos sets his technician teams to work on. Auradon gave him actual engineers who follow his directions; that guy is so strange.

The problem now isn’t the lack of jaeger parts, or a lack of technicians, it’s a lack of jaeger pilots.

No matter how willing Auradon seems to be, it’s not just a matter of stuffing two random volunteers into the cockpit. If it were just that, there wouldn’t be a problem–sure the Isle is made up of villains and evildoers and their despicable descendants, but there have been a lot of islanders willing to risk their lives to save their friends and family.

Really, they were lucky that Harry and Jace were drift compatible, that the Hell Jalopy has a stable pair of pilots.

They need drift compatible pilots, and there aren’t any more on the Isle. Even including the engineers, Chip, and Auradon himself.

Carlos thinks this will be the sticking point. It’s one thing to give materials, one thing to have people build the jaegers, but piloting is dangerous. Has already proven deadly. Auradon may be willing to volunteer himself, but there’s no way he can get others to do it.

He’s just one guy, not the personification of a kingdom. Carlos knows what it’s like now to be seen as more than himself, as a means to an end instead of just a boy, the head of the jaeger program instead of Carlos De Vil. He shouldn’t expect so much from the other boy, no matter what he calls him.

—

Ben knows that being a good king isn’t about power. It’s not about absolute rule backed by strength and fear. It’s respect. It’s asking his people to do something, and having them agree because they believe in it too.

The engineers working on the Isle now? They were the ones working on the Wall, despite knowing how futile it was against the kaiju. They were the ones who saw the Jolly Roger fight back. They know, more than Ben does, just how important the jaeger program really is.

There’s no difficulty in getting people with faith in something to help contribute to that cause.

But pilots are another matter.

“They have to be teenagers,” Harry admits, because Carlos won’t.

“Have to?” Chip asks–like Ben, he’s been helping out with the jaeger program as much as he can, and has become fond of the islanders that are part of it.

“Carlos tried to change the programming,” Jace says, “There are at least a few parents who would rather be pilots than watch their kids do it,” though on the Isle, that number isn’t very high.

“It’s the compatibility–adults have a stronger sense of self than most teenagers,” Harry explains with a shrug.

Teenaged volunteers for jaeger pilots… this particular request is going to be harder than Ben thought.

—

Auradon leaves the Isle. He says it’s to find jaeger pilots, but Carlos knows it’s an impossible mission. At best, Carlos expects him to come back having tried and failed, a sheepish smile on his lips, with a few more planes and technicians as a consolation prize.

At worst? Well… no, no need to even consider that. He’ll come back, he has to. He’s left Chip behind, there’s no way Auradon won’t come back.

Carlos spends the next few weeks a little snappish and irritable, combing over every little move the technicians make until Harry and Jace bodily remove him from the jaeger docks.

“You’re making them nervous,” Jace scolds.

“Of course they’re going to make more mistakes when you’re breathing down their necks,” Harry adds, shaking Carlos by the collar of his jacket. She hasn’t done that in ages, and not because of his growth spurt.

“They have your blueprints, they know what they’re doing, just let them build in peace.” Jace finishes, before handing Carlos a sandwich. The food on the Isle has gotten better too, yet another thing Auradon keeps giving him. Them. The Isle, that is.

“What’s wrong with you?” Harry asks, when it appears that not even food can make his bad mood go away.

“I’m thinking about Jemma,” Carlos deflects, though now that he says it, he really is, “I wonder if… had I known to split the control of the Jolly Roger…”

“It’s not your fault,” Jace reassures quickly.

“Yeah, I know,” sometimes Carlos does, anyway, “But what I meant was. Who she would have been drift compatible with. Maybe I would’ve–”

“Except we need you to build the jaegers, not pilot it,” Harry interrupts.

To which Carlos scowls, but agrees, “Yes, that. But I wonder if… maybe she would have been drift compatible with Uri.”

Harry and Jace share a worried, knowing glance.

“I wonder what happened to them,” Carlos continues; there is only one particular set of ‘them’ that could refer to.

—

Time moves differently on this side of the tear. They know it’s been over a year, they have watched their friend change and grow and lose so much. Whenever they can, whenever they feel safe enough, they crowd around Evie’s tiny mirror and watch him.

They know that months have passed. But to them, it only feels like days. A few weeks at most, really.

They need to get back. Somehow. They need to get back to Carlos. To tell him what they’ve seen, to tell him what’s coming.

To tell him how to stop the kaiju for good.

~

A/N: It’s a bit messy, but I figured better to post this and edit it later than have it languish on my laptop.

EDIT: NOW WITH TITLE, “A TALE OF TWO KINGDOMS”

Ain’t No Rest, part 1/? (2015-08-13)

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Here is a secret about magic: when it does get passed on, it is always stronger in the next generation. Some of that has to do with compounding knowledge–usually, parents and teachers will share with their children–and the fact that magical objects absorb ambient energy over time. But neither of those apply to the Isle of the Lost.

Why would villains pass on their knowledge or artifacts, when both have been made useless? On a barren island, surrounded by an impenetrable barrier, the greatest witches and sorcerer of the age found that they were unable to use their powers. They accepted their new, mundane way of life with ill humor, but they did accept it.

Never again would they raze kingdoms with a mere blink of their eye. Never again would they hold the fragile lives of royalty in their hands. Never again would they break the laws of nature and humanity just to prove they could. They were trapped on a rock where no magic could happen, and from which no one could escape.

But… neither of those are true; not exactly, not completely.

—

Carlos is fourteen and they are sixteen when their lives change. Not necessarily for the better.

It’s subtle at first, starting with Jay, the oldest of the four. He’s been stealing for over a decade, hardly ever gets caught, but in the rare occasions he does? He can always use flirtation or fear to get out of trouble. But his powers of persuasion have been improving, to the point where Lady Tremaine even let him take her emerald ring directly off her finger.

“I’m just that suave,” he’ll say, rattled but unsure why and unwilling to show it. The rest of them suspect it had more to do with the temporary, unnatural glow in Jay’s eyes than any charisma, but they let the matter go.

Later it begins happening to Evie; small, near-unnoticeable things. She knows where to find the best food, the best fabrics, the best spare parts–but she’s always been pretty good at that. Once, she decides to take a different route than the usual and happens to avoid falling pieces of rubble–surely its just coincidence. It develops further: she knows the answers to questions she shouldn’t, to questions that have yet to be asked.

Then one day, out of the blue, she says, “There’s a book of spells inside the freezer.” They look at her, surprised, and she, too, looks shocked at herself. It’s not worrying until she adds, “We’ll need it.”

And they do end up needing it, sooner rather than later: the next day Mal is startled and somehow turns her own hair green. The four of them manage to steal the spell book and she easily reverses the color change on her very first try; all without their parents knowing.

Thus, the crux of the matter: their parents not knowing. There is a tense moment where they all stand and stare at each other, knuckles pale, breathing shallow, nervous and uncertain. Carlos looks away first, this is not his decision, but Mal is the one to close her eyes next. She’s always wanted to impress her mother, and surely being able to perform magic on the Isle would finally do it. But they don’t know what will happen, don’t know how their parents will react. They decide to keep it a secret.

They manage to do so for five years; at which point they then find out their parents’ reactions. Unsurprisingly, it’s nothing good.

There are two things capable of taking down the barrier around the Isle of the Lost. One of them is the Fairy Godmother’s Wand, the artifact that originally created the barrier. The other? The other is a teenaged genius without magic, desperate to save his friends’ lives.

~

A/N: And thus I present: my Criminal/Detective!AU fic, Ain’t No Rest.

I’m going to be honest here–this fic is gonna be slow. Especially in comparison to Only Fools Rush In which I wrote in some kind of hazed, feverish, insomniac state. (Which I only now realize the irony considering this one is called Ain’t No Rest).

I actually have high hopes for this story; I intend for it to be a nice sprawling epic with crime and justice and magic and multiple groups with different, rational motivations in play. I will try to include every named character in the movie (and some not named in the movie, trust me, I have plans for some of the book-only characters) though I will be picking and choosing details as I please.

And I do plan on it being Benlos, but again, this is going to be slow. So it probably won’t get there for a while, and it won’t be the main plot.

That being said, I NEED YOUR HELP, please prompt me. Seriously, give me a character (or two, max) and a word or a phrase (or a sentence, max). I have a lot of general ideas, but it’s easier to focus on specific scenes and stuff with prompts. And, well, if it doesn’t fit into this story, I’ll try to write a drabble based on it anyway. It’s a win-win! So, again, prompt me, please? Either respond here or shoot me an ask. I look forward to it.

Untitled Benlos drabble (2015-08-11)

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The C in ‘Plan C’ does not stand for coronation.

Plan A had always been their parents’ plan. Brute force, obvious, simple: use the magic mirror to find the wand, steal it, take down the barrier. It was luck on their part that the wand was being displayed in a building so close to campus, with such lax security. Even if they did have to retreat and scrap the plan after the alarms sounded.

Plan B, well, that had been in action since the very beginning. It was more their style than their parents’, a little more subtle, and maybe with time it might have worked. Carlos had been making pretty decent progress.

The B in ‘Plan B’ does not stand for Ben. But it might as well have.

—

Carlos just really enjoys sex, okay? He’s a teenage boy and it feels great and it’s fun to make other people feel great too. He just doesn’t like the implications that come along with it. They say he’s callous, but it’s not because he’s a snobby sadist like his mother. He’s actually rather nice–charming, one might say–it’s just that after he’s had his fun, well, he’s not obligated to fulfill any expectations, okay.

Their gang of four are notorious on the Isle–if the girls haven’t asserted their dominance over someone, or if they haven’t been robbed by Jay, then Carlos has probably seduced them then jumped out the window at the first opportunity.

To him, people are as easy to program as machines. Easier even, maybe. While Jay likes to base his flirting on his lack of sleeves, gorgeous body, and raw predatory sexuality, Carlos likes to take a more controlled approach. With Jay’s targets, if they’re not even the tiniest bit attracted to him at first sight, then there’s no helping it. Jay doesn’t chase after anyone who doesn’t want it.

But for Carlos, that’s all just part of the game. Actually, he specializes in making those who don’t want to be chased do the chasing instead.

—

There are a few tricks, easy body language stuff, that Carlos uses, but the bulk of his seduction is actually neuro-linguistic programming. It requires having a little knowledge on the mark, though, and since cold-reading is always a risky venture, he tends to keep first impressions… vague. Sexy, but vague.

Eye contact is an obvious one, a person can fall in love just by gazing into someone’s eyes for long enough. Not Carlos, but he’s heard it’s happened–has made it happen before. So when they are first introduced to the crown prince, Carlos makes sure to match eyes with him, gaze steady and open. But while eye contact is necessary for a good seduction, that alone is not sufficient.

Everyone knows that mouths can be the most suggestive body part, and Carlos knows his is more so than others. It’s so simple to draw attention to his mouth–smeared with that delicious sweet stuff they found in the limo. Sure it implies he’s a messy eater, but sometimes messes can be fun. How a mark decides to clean up a mess is a fantastic insight into their personality.

Ben makes it so easy, too, his fingertips automatically going to his mouth instead of the more proper option of a handkerchief or even the unrefined but impersonal wipe onto his clothes. Mimicry is another effective tool for seduction, and if Carlos’ own hand to mouth action is a little more obscene, well, like he said–messes can be fun.

—

It’s pretty easy to get a read off of Ben–he’s not interested in Jay’s overt masculinity, or Evie’s upfront femininity–in fact, Carlos’ biggest competition for Ben’s attention is Mal, who could not be less interested if she tried. But that in itself is informative. Ben wants to prove himself to Mal; he wants her to want his help. Ben is a provider, a protector… a hero.

Carlos can easily be someone who needs saving.

A yelp at the statue’s transformation is enough to bring Ben’s attention back from Mal onto Carlos and it starts building foundations in Ben’s mind.

Carlos needs someone to help him, to make him feel safe. Maybe that someone could be Ben.

—

As it turns out, Ben is almost ridiculously susceptible to neuro-linguistic programming. Or maybe just susceptible to Carlos.

After that first tourney practice, which Carlos was unsurprisingly terrible at, the coach recommended Carlos quit the team. Which would have been stupid, considering his mark is one of the players.

He had honestly expected to have to suffer through a few more such practices, pretending a steady disheartening before shyly approaching Ben for advice. After Jay’s performance during that first skirmish, Carlos would hardly have to explain why he’d decided to turn to Ben for help first.

But immediately, with barely effort on Carlos’ part, Ben volunteered himself.

An additional hour alone with his mark every day? Almost too easy.

—

The thing with Dude was brilliant, if Carlos may say so himself. Unplanned, of course, but still absolutely brilliant. The fleeing in fear bit was completely truthful, not just an exaggeration to foster more protectiveness in Ben. The fact that it did, though, was very helpful. Vulnerability can be attractive, Carlos knows, but he’s never encountered anyone on the Isle as attracted to it than Ben.

And “good boy?” Carlos could not have planned that any better himself. With such delicious Freudian slips like that, it’s best not to disrupt the mark’s train of thought, let them stew in their own wild imaginings with a few visuals tossed in. Carlos doesn’t get belly rubs, maybe he would like them; any positive physical contact, really, and praise is always appreciated. Carlos hasn’t been appropriately cared for, doesn’t he deserve to be cherished? Wouldn’t Ben be the best for that job?

From that point on, Carlos keeps Dude with him. Not solely for seduction–because Dude is adorable and adoring and lets Carlos hold him and pet him and dress him and Dude is Carlos’ now–but, like Dude’s introduction into Carlos life, the association of pleasant feelings and protectiveness is an excellent bonus. 

—

Given more time, Carlos is sure that Plan B would have worked. Hell, if the goal were just to sleep with Ben before the coronation, Carlos probably could have done it. But to make Ben so obsessed with Carlos to the point that he would not only break up with Audrey but officially declare Carlos his boyfriend? In a week? Impossible.

He says as much to the rest of the gang, a little ashamed but mostly frustrated. The coronation is their best opportunity, and Mal is the best choice to have at the front. Not only because she’s actually a girl and her gender won’t inspire political backlash–her parentage, sure, but not her gender, not like Carlos’–but because, if there’s a need for it, she can actually use the wand–again, not like Carlos.

Love potion it is, then. Carlos tells himself that its the use of magic that bugs him, not the fact that it’s Mal instead of him. He’s definitely not relieved when Evie suggests he stick close anyway, just in case.

—

The song was… well… ridiculous. But it may have also been the most fun he’s had since leaving the Isle, possibly the most fun he’s had without sex being involved, so he just gives in and enjoys singing and dancing with Ben while he can. 

—

Carlos has to coach Mal in seduction for her date, which is honestly not something he ever thought he’d have to do. Not just because people don’t date on the Isle, but because Mal has always been as uninterested in sex as Carlos has been in romance. But in such a short time, lust can be confused for love; though, with the potion is already in effect, the seduction is more of a safety net.

She’ll have to use slightly different techniques, though, because her relationship with Ben is different from Carlos’. Not that Carlos and Ben had a relationship; Carlos doesn’t do that.

Anyway, while Evie prepares Mal’s outfit, Carlos prepares her. Having been friends since they were children, Mal knows at least some of Carlos’ tricks, even if she needs a little help in polishing them up for her own use.

Eye contact? Yes. but in Mal’s case, turning away every so often might be best. She has to make Ben feel like he needs to earn her attention, either by talking more or reaching out to touch her–both outcomes are good.

Accentuating her mouth? Also a yes. Makeup can do some of the work, which Evie eagerly breaks out her lip glosses to test colors at the suggestion, but if she can add some kind of action that would be even better. Carlos is a big proponent of sensual eating.

But the hardest part for Mal? Hints of vulnerability. It goes against her nature, and Carlos has no idea how to teach someone vulnerability. But maybe in this case truth is the key.

Carlos leaves before Ben is due to pick Mal up from the girls’ dorm room. No need to complicate matters.

—

After the coronation, as the fireworks go off and everyone is dancing, Carlos stands aside. It’s kind of warm. He just needs some air, is all, too many people trying to breathe the same oxygen. And he didn’t get much sleep last night, so he’s a little tired and his eyes ache.

He wants Dude now.

Evie, taking her own break from dancing, stands beside him and follows his gaze. “They look good together,” she says gently. And Carlos wants to agree, wants to compliment Evie on putting together Mal’s gown because it is honestly some of her best work.

But instead, purple and blue blur together in his eyes, and Evie silently draws his face to her shoulder. It’s just the fireworks, the smoke and the light probably too much.

When Carlos composes himself, he manages to say without his voice trembling, “I guess we don’t need Plan B anymore.”

“Did you want to?” Evie asks carefully.

“I think it would have been decent,” he answers, but then they both reconsider. It’s highly doubtful Ben and Audrey have ever had sex, considering how high society Auradon acts with each other. Certainly not good sex, with the way they were both so willing to end their relationship. Carlos and Evie know Mal hasn’t, doesn’t want to.

“It would have been fun to teach him,” Carlos amends, which is in itself a confession.

“Okay,” Evie says simply, letting them stand off to the side for a few moments longer, before dragging Carlos back into the fray.

A lot of good came out of tonight. Carlos knows his future has changed for the better, there’s no need to ruin it with melancholy and random regrets. 

—

A few weeks after the coronation finds Carlos hanging out in the girls’ dorm room with Evie, helping out with her latest project. She’d been draping what looks to be a jacket of some sort over a chair before he came in, now Carlos is being used as a live mannequin instead. It looks more like a Lost style jacket, leather and asymmetric cuts, different than her more recent works which have been trying to incorporate Auradon’s aesthetic. But the color scheme is sea foam green and a soft maroon, more pastel than any of their gang’s colors.

“Hold still,” Evie says, when Carlos’ mind drifts away and he twitches out of her careful positioning.

“Sorry,” Carlos sighs, moving back to the original configuration, “I’ve been kind of restless recently. It’s probably because I’m not burning off so much energy at tourney practice anymore.”

“I thought you enjoyed the Future Engineers Club,” Evie says, pinning in one more fold before carefully peeling Carlos out of the jacket.

“I do,” Carlos says, because he does, “Just, you know, in comparison to running up and down a tourney field, tinkering isn’t as physically draining.”

“Are you sure it’s not because of the dry spell you’re in? It’s been a long time since the Isle,” she says. A long time since your last sexcapade, she doesn’t say.

“It’s not a dry spell, I’m just focusing on other things right now, okay. I have my whole life in front of me,” he says, and it might have been somewhat convincing if he hadn’t added, “And no one has really caught my interest… and plus, everyone has roommates.”

Her raised eyebrow is enough to show she’s unimpressed with his excuses. Especially since he’s just been repeating the same things every time he gets asked.

Doug knocks on the door, a little unnecessarily since it’s open, to get their attention, “The FEC meeting is in ten minutes.” Doug, also a member of the Future Engineers Club, has been very helpful in getting Carlos transitioned from tourney player to… well… nerd.

Fondly, Evie waves the both of them off, eager to return to work on the jacket. Now that Carlos has the answer in front of him, it’s not too difficult to figure out who it’s for. He knows that Doug and Evie aren’t dating–she wants to revel in her independence–but it’s not just friendship, and it’s clearly not sex. Carlos wants to ask, but he decides to wait, thinking he’ll have the opportunity to do so after the meeting.

He does not.

Because as the meeting lets out, Ben is standing there; far enough away from the door that the rest of the club members can leave, but close enough that he can easily see every member exiting. And every member exiting can see him.

They’re a little unnerved, because for all that Carlos is a Lost kid, he’s still a ginormous nerd who likes to build stuff out of other random stuff. He’s one of them. In comparison? Ben is the king. More than that? He’s the captain of the tourney team. He’s a jock. A nice jock, yes, but still a jock. Never mind that a few weeks ago Carlos was a jock too.

With a sigh, Doug manages to wave the rest of them off before turning to look between Carlos and Ben. Neither who have said a word since their eyes met.

“You okay?” Doug asks Carlos, reaching out for his shoulder. Suddenly, Ben looks at Doug’s hand like it had personally offended not only him but his entire kingdom.

“Yeah,” Carlos says, then, because Doug is actually very observant, he repeats more confidently, “Yes. I’ll catch up with you later.”

“Okay,” Doug nods, careful to make slow motions as he pulls his hand back and walks away.

Carlos and Ben stand in silence for a while longer, this time both looking at where Doug disappeared, before almost reluctantly dragging their eyes back to each other. Well, it’s reluctant on Carlos’ part, that’s for sure. He’s been trying to reign back all of his flirting, but it’s difficult. A lot of it is just automatic and he doesn’t know how much interaction is expected for just friends–or at least, friends you haven’t grown up alongside and committed burglary with. He doesn’t know how much eye contact or touching is allowed, so he kind of just… hasn’t.

“So, you and Doug have gotten pretty close,” Ben says, which Carlos is confused by but goes with because he doesn’t know what else to talk about.

“Yeah, he’s been a big help in getting me into the club, even if it was after sign ups for the year. The other members are pretty great, too. And, uh, Mr. Gepetto has a lot to teach us. I mean, he says I remind him of his son which is a little weird but, yeah…” Carlos trails off, uninterested in his own rambling, “I… what are you doing here?”

Because there’s no reason for Ben to be here. Carlos has been backing off. They still eat at the same table, sure, but Carlos has been practically neat in comparison to before, and he always makes sure there’s at least one person between them at the table. Unless…

Ben shrugs, mouth open to say something before his expression twists, “No, you know what. I’m going to be honest.” And when Ben stares into Carlos’ eyes, he can’t help but match it, “It kind of feels like you’ve broken up with me before I even knew we were dating,” Ben steps closer, near enough that either of them could reach out and touch the other.

… Carlos has accidentally been pulling an apathetic seduction. The sudden absence of flirting making Ben want to get Carlos’ attention, the same as Mal looking away causes Ben to reach out.

“We weren’t,” Carlos spits out, because he never dated, he’d know it, and he sure as hell wouldn’t have let go if he had been dating Ben.

Ben steps closer, hand reaching out to land on Carlos’ shoulder, thumb lined up with his collarbone. Ben has yet to look away, and so Carlos hasn’t either.

“It was just part of the plan, okay, I was supposed to seduce you to get the wand. But then there was the coronation and you needed a girlfriend not some fucktoy,” Carlos blurts, throat going tight, “It had to be Mal, not me. So I’ve stopped, okay, that’s all.” His eyes are starting to sting, and there aren’t any fireworks to blame.

Ben steps even closer, other hand cupping Carlos’ cheek, “I know,” Ben says, simply, easily, as if Carlos hadn’t had to tear the truth out of himself.

Carlos lets himself close his eyes, unable to handle Ben’s stare anymore, and the motion lets a tear escapes.

“What I want to know,” Ben murmurs, thumb swiping across Carlos’ cheek to intercept that fallen tear, “is if you actually like me,”

"You’re dating Mal,” Carlos says, which is not an actual answer at all. And can’t stand up against Carlos’ nod, the way he leans into Ben’s hand.

“Who do you think told me about the plan?” Ben asks, a smile in his voice, and now both of his hands are cradling Carlos’ face, “Carlos, open your eyes” he says.

Carlos does so, eyelashes heavy with nearly shed tears. This close, and with their height difference, he can’t help the way his gaze goes to Ben’s mouth; can only feel a thrill up his spine as that mouth edges sideways into a smile.

“I learned a lot from you,” Ben begins, leaning forward so that he can lower his voice and still be heard, “I’d like to learn a lot more.”

Carlos’ hands clench into the fabric of Ben’s shirt, unsure whether to pull him closer or push him away because they are still in the middle of the hallway. But then, Ben says six words that makes the decision for him.

“I have a private dorm room.”

~

A/N: I dedicate this to jalencolbert and awesomestlonerever because this wouldn’t exist without either of them. Like, literally, I would not have thought of this. But with awesomestlonerever’s gifset and jalencolbert’s comment in this post my brain just went into overdrive and I had to analyze EVERY interaction between Ben and Carlos as Carlos deliberately seducing Ben. And it was so easy to do, I can’t undo it. Damn it! What happened to my precious adorable baby? Now he’s all grown up and seducing kings.

Uh, so yes. Neuro-Linguistic Programming is an actual thing, but as the hyperlink will show you I’m using the Leverage version of it so I cannot say whether or not my portrayal of it would actually be successful. A lot of it has to do with associating yourself with something they find pleasurable, but also letting them do most of the talking. Any talking on the seducer’s part is more to prompt certain thoughts or connections.

I don’t know, I’m hella ace, flirting and seduction is just this whaaa~? kind of thing in my mind. I can appreciate it from a psychological point of view but in action I just… uh, no thanks. I’ll stand way over there.

But, yes, ~SEDUCTION~ and the seducer falling in love with his target, then the target seducing the original seducer. That’s totally a thing, right?

edit: can now be found on ao3 here, under the title “(This Feeling) Without A Name” since… well… I still don’t know what to call it.

Only Fools Rush In, part 12/12 (2015-08-10)

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Carlos joins him in bed again that night, and for many more nights after that. Not all the time, and not always heady make out sessions. Sometimes they do actually just sleep next to each other, and sometimes they talk instead, whispering secrets to each other beneath the covers.

One night, Ben admits that he doesn’t feel ready to be king. He’s only sixteen, he’s not even finished with school yet, how could he possibly rule an entire kingdom? But he doesn’t say this for reassurance, he just wants a safe place to voice his fears without judgement.

Carlos spends the rest of the night doing his best to hold Ben, both sets of limbs wrapped around Ben’s torso.  He still moves around in his sleep, so the next morning Ben finds himself half way off the bed, but it’s the thought that counts. It was a very well-meaning aggressive snuggling, so Ben’s not even the tiniest bit angry.

On a different night, it’s Carlos who confesses: Before coming to Auradon, he had taken the barrier down around the Isle. But he panicked, hadn’t known what to do, and so the breach had only been temporary. The truth of the matter was that he had been scared of what might be beyond the Isle, had been raised on tales of vicious creatures and human beasts.

But he’s glad that Ben reached out, had given them the opportunity to leave the Isle. Carlos loves his life now. He likes that he and the other Lost kids are finally thriving, not just clawing out their continued survival. Instead of being something to fear, Dude is a stalwart companion Carlos wouldn’t give up for anything. And Ben… makes him happy. He’s happy because of Ben, and he’s happy to be with Ben.

Carlos still can’t quite say he’s in love with Ben, but it’s early days yet. They are happy together and that is enough.

—

“I can’t believe we’re going to be late!” Evie exclaims, fussing over her dress before holding a napkin out, just as the limo makes a turn. The soda sloshing out of Jay’s cup lands on it exactly.

“You made the both of them change like five times each,” Mal reminds her. Unlike the other passengers, she is completely calm; partly because she’s already been to one such family dinner before, unlike the other three Lost kids, but also because she’s not the one who’s going to inform Ben’s parents about his nontraditional take on relationships.

Although, to be fair, Jay’s energy has less to do with nerves and more to do with the amount of sugary limo snacks he’s been consuming. Maybe spoiling one’s dinner isn’t something that’s warned against on the Isle.

“That’s because he kept trying to wear shirts without sleeves,” Evie says, one thumb jerked at Jay beside her, “And this one apparently doesn’t own actual full-length trousers,” she continues, nudging Carlos playfully with her shoulder. That sets off a miniature domino reaction as Carlos then bumps into Ben, who then sways into Mal.

Carlos, normally exempt from Evie’s fashion scoldings, can only shrug sheepishly in response.

Evie sighs, as if greatly inconvenienced, when everyone knows she had been the one most enjoying the impromptu fashion show earlier, “I can’t believe we’re going to be late for dinner with a queen and king,” she repeats.

“I’m a king and you have dinner with me all the time,” Ben says, just to be cheeky.

Evie looks at him, flatly unimpressed, before breaking her composure and smiling.

“I can’t believe Carlos brought Dude,” Jay says, not because he actually can’t believe Carlos would bring Dude along, but more to make a point.

“Ben said it was a family dinner, if you’re coming then Dude gets to come, too,” Carlos responds. In his lap and being treated to a two-handed head scratch is Dude, decked out in a matching outfit to his chosen human.

“This is going to be hilarious,” Mal says in general, then taps on the chauffeur’s shoulder and asks him, “What do you think, Chip?”

“It’ll be more interesting than the last one, that’s for sure,” he says without turning around. Before he can explain, the limo approaches the drive, “Clean it up, ladies and gentlemen,” Chip advises, before stopping the car and exiting, coming around to hold the door open for them. The five of them, plus Dude, manage to exit the limo on their feet, at least, if not gracefully. Chip snickers before he leaves, muttering about the kitchens being the best vantage point and helping his mother.

Rather than waiting inside, Ben’s family have come to the front door to greet them, pushing introductions sooner than Ben expected.

“Everyone,” he says, addressing the Lost kids, “this is my mother, Belle, my father, Adam, and my grandfather, Maurice.”

Beside him Carlos hisses a breath and tries to subtly elbow him in the ribs. He’s not very successful on the subtle part, but fortunately for him, that’s not the biggest reveal of the night.

“You know Mal, my girlfriend,” Ben says, this time to his family, “This is Evie, Jay, and Carlos. My boyfriend.”

His parents, somehow still not used to how unorthodox their son is, stare in silent shock. Grandfather, on the other hand, laughs uproariously, mustache quivering like mad.

“Considering the lack of imprisonment, this is still better than how I found out about your parents,” he assures before turning to Carlos, “Don’t think we won’t continue our discussion on pneumatic cylinders from earlier today, my boy, but first let me see this dog of yours.”

Obediently, Carlos holds out Dude.

“Looks a bit like my old footstool,” Grandfather says, a little nonsensically, but completely understandable, “Come along then, kids, dinner’s waiting, and I know Lumière has prepared a bit of a performance. He makes new ones every time, you see,” the Lost kids, taking the hint, follow after him, leaving Ben and his parents alone. In the silence.

“Mom? Dad?” Ben prompts, worried but unafraid.

His mom shakes off her stupor, before smiling softly at him, a hand reaching out to cup his cheek, “I suppose I shouldn’t be surprised, you really are my son.”

“Actually, I think in this case I’m more like Dad,” Ben says, which finally seems to get through to him.

His Dad asks, “How so?”

The answer is easy, “I’m lucky to have found love.”

~

A/N: !!!!!!!!

!!!!!!!

WHAT?! I finished a multi-part story?! WHAAAAAAT?!

Holy smokes, I don’t even… what?!

!!!!!!!!

Okay, well… uh… congratulations Descendants fandom, you are now the recipient of the first ever completed multi-part story by jacksgreyson/jacksgreysays.

If anyone would like to be a beta and help me polish this up so I can post it onto AO3, just send me a message/ask. Because… this would also be my first AO3 fic if I do that.

And maybe be a beta to help with future BenxCarlos endeavors (BECAUSE I HAVE SO MANY IDEAS BUT NO ONE TO RANT ABOUT THEM TO).

I just wanted to say, this was an absolutely fun nine days of being obsessed with a DIsney Channel Original Movie based on second-generation fanfiction. Absolutely fantastic. Writing this series was kind of the highlight of my week and I probably wouldn’t have been able to get so far (TO THE POINT OF FINISHING?!?!) without so many enthusiastic readers.

Stay rotten to the core, fandom 😉

Only Fools Rush In, part 10/12 (2015-08-08)

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They go to the dining hall for breakfast, early enough that it’s not too busy, but still after the girls.

The first thing Evie says when she sees them is, “You’re clashing with yourself.”

“I know, right?” Carlos exclaims back, “It’s Jay’s fault.”

Mal, as equally fashion-blind as Ben, shrugs a greeting.

“I suppose in that case you should be grateful your shirt still has sleeves,” Evie jokes.

“I don’t think I have the biceps to pull that off,” Carlos says doubtfully, pulling up his sleeve and flexing. While he has been improving in tourney, it’s fair to say that it’s more due to strategic thinking than muscles.

The two of them continue to dominate the conversation, dragging Jay into an unwilling fashion lesson when he eventually joins their table. But that doesn’t prevent Ben and Mal from communicating with each other.

From across the table she stares at Ben, her eyes catching pointedly at Ben’s mussed hair and rumpled clothing, before her gaze slides sideways to Carlos. Carlos wearing an apparently clashing outfit, having arrived with Ben and not Jay like usual, and his own disheveled appearance. Her raised eyebrow is eloquent enough without words; Ben blushes.

The rest of breakfast continues much the same until the bell rings, an advance notice for classes starting. None of the Lost kids have their first class together, but Ben does share his with Mal.

For all that this thing with Carlos is still new, it doesn’t feel odd to lean over and press a kiss to Carlos’ cheek as they disperse. The Lost kids certainly don’t react to it beyond somewhat distracted smiles.

But the other students stare as he and Mal walk by, Ben’s arm draped over her shoulder casually. He’s been the object of other people’s scrutiny since birth, so the attention paid to him over the course of the day doesn’t unnerve him. But he’s aware of the rumors buzzing around, even if he never hears them, and the constant pseudo-itching sensation between his shoulder blades tell him about the eyes following his every move.

Ben’s more concerned about Carlos and Mal. He can only imagine the terrible things being said to them, about them as a result of his actions. He spends most of his classes fidgeting, inattentive to the lessons. During every passing period he checks up on both of them, even goes out of his way to do so; neither of them report any out of the usual harassment, and while they both look bemused they also indulge his tactile reassurance.

Caught up in his own worries, Ben failed to catch what the rest of the school actual thought.

“Most people think it’s cute,” Evie says during lunch, assuaging most of Ben’s nerves, “Lonnie and I share Home Ec,” she answers Ben’s unasked question about her knowledge, this time at least.

“Most people?” Ben repeats grimly, remembering Chad’s toxic opinion.

“Others are… confused,” she explains diplomatically, mouth twisted into a grimace, giving Ben a better idea of what those others really think. “That’s more because of us, though, than the situation. Although that does apparently actually confuse some people.”

If he weren’t the one living it, Ben would probably admit that such a nontraditional arrangement might baffle him, too. Having a platonic girlfriend and a romantic boyfriend simultaneously? The latter alone is unorthodox.

The Lost kids don’t seem to have any qualms about the situation, and he wonders if this is just another matter than can be chalked down to differing cultures. Evie, having been taught the idea of monogamy by her mother at least as an intellectual practice, is the best to translate for both sides.

“Gang activity instead of dating?” Ben tries to understand, seeking confirmation from Mal.

“If we were still on the Isle, you’d be part of our gang.” Mal says, patting his arm fondly, “Definitely something to be proud of,” she tacks on.

“Yeah, we’re the worst of the Isle,” Jay adds with a smirk.

“Which means that we’re the best,” Carlos clarifies, a little nonsensical but perfectly understandable to Ben.

“We don’t really use the term boyfriends and girlfriends, so the definitions seem constrained,” Evie continues to explain, “And dating is pretty vague. Technically, you might be dating all of us.”

Ben sputters, flushing a bright red, while the others laugh.

“You’re not, we know,” Mal says before he can stumble through a denial.

“So on the Isle, this, what we have, makes sense?” Ben asks.

“It’s this place that’s the problem,” Evie agrees, though she tempers it with, “But it’s something that can change, I think. And who better a trendsetter than the king?”

~

A/N: Okay, we’re definitely nearing the end, but it’s not quite yet upon us.

This part really was just an excuse for me to do a study on culture clash and conservatism vs liberalism in that world. There was supposed to be a little more, but that last sentence seemed like a really cool ending line for me so… yeah. I’ll just shove the next scene into tomorrow’s installment.

As far as I see it, on the Isle, “gangs” are like animal packs. Some of the members’ relationships may be sibling-like, or even platonic without being related, but it’s also not unusual for there to be ‘mating’ within packs (so long as, you know, no incest). So while it’s not actually expected for Ben to be romantically involved with all of the Lost kids, on the Isle, it wouldn’t necessarily be a surprise or scandalous.

Also, I think the Isle views reproduction differently–more of an attempt at immortality via legacy than an opportunity at domesticity–hence everyone having a kid, the kids being named after them, but not actually being married or forming nuclear family units. From the way it was portrayed in the movie, I interpret Maleficent, EQ, Cruella, and Jafar’s cohabitation as a statement that the four of them are a gang. Now, whether that means Jafar is all of the Lost kids’ father (as I suggested in this other drabble) or the ladies just found a random guy to provide half the DNA, none of whom joined their gang, I don’t know. But it’s something that really interests me for some reason.

Only Fools Rush In, part 3/12 (2015-08-01) [3]

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“Am I being too subtle?” he asks, leaning casually against the lockers next to Mal’s, the perfect picture of a devoted boyfriend. Except for the conversation topic.

A laugh bubbles out of her, honestly surprised and brightly entertained. Ben is always pleased when he can do that, anything to make her happy.

“You announced to the entire school that you were in love with me before we were even dating, and on our first date you took off your clothes,” Mal reminds him, smile edging sideways with mostly benign teasing.

He scratches his cheek sheepishly, acknowledging her point, but defending himself with, “But that was when I was under the love potion.”

Her nose crinkles, now more ashamed at the memory of having to resort to a love potion than having been caught using said potion.

“But it didn’t change who you were, or how you acted while in love. It just focused those emotions on a specific target,” she responds thoughtfully, fingers tap tap tapping against the spine of her spell book, “Just because the target of your affections is one that you’ve chosen, doesn’t mean your behavior would be considerably different.”

Her voice drops out of the lofty theorizing, and darkens into something hard and flinty, “I understand that you’d want to be a little more discrete since it’s Carlos…”

And Ben is still working his parents over on the matter of my-girlfriend-is-Maleficent’s-daughter, much less the I’m-actually-in-love-with-Cruella’s-son.

“…but he’s not going to end up your dirty little secret,” she states, advice and warning combined.

He shakes his head, because of course not. He wouldn’t–doesn’t–view Carlos that way whatsoever. The reason why he doesn’t sing his feelings at the top of his lungs to the entire school is because Carlos and Mal are different. “With you, I knew you’d reject me if you didn’t want me, even in front of the entire school. But with him… I don’t want him to feel pressured into saying yes.”

“There you go,” she says, satisfied, “Now, walk me to my math class so we can pass by Carlos in the hallway on his way to computer science.”

Ben’s next class, history, is in a completely different building on the other side of campus. But he thinks the daily tardies are a worthy exchange for daily smiles and waves.

Mal hip checks him when he stops moving to watch Carlos walk away, nearly completely turned around to do so. Luckily for Ben, the crowd flowing around them are all students almost late for class, too busy to notice.

“Not subtle at all,” she chides half-heartedly.

~

A/N: THIS IS THE HIGHEST NUMBER OF DRABBLES I HAVE WRITTEN IN ONE DAY. I AM RUNNING ON LESS THAN THREE HOURS OF SLEEP. WHY ARE MY FEELINGS FOR THIS CAMPY MOVIE INCREASING OVER TIME?

Continuation of today’s earlier posts.

Also, any suggestions for a title for this series?

EDIT: NOW WITH TITLE– “ONLY FOOLS RUSH IN”

Only Fools Rush In, part 2/12 (2015-08-01) [2]

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There seems to be a disconnect between his conscious and subconscious mind; because while he still finds it extremely difficult to verbally ask Carlos out, his subconscious seems to be completely on board with the seduction.

“Good boy,” Ben murmurs into Carlos’ ear after he’s finally made a goal during one of their tourney practices. One of Ben’s hands is curled possessively around the back of Carlos’ neck, the other strokes down his stomach, pulling away just before it hits waistband. Belly rubs indeed.

Carlos, distracted by the joy and pride of his first successful shot, only smiles at Ben gratefully. The same as he always does during their personal training times.

Outside of those, Ben’s opportunities to ask Carlos out (continue seducing him) drops to zero. Because for some reason, even though all of them know he’s trying to date Carlos, the three other Lost kids do not leave him alone.

“Associating yourself with endorphins and exhilaration? It’s a good start,” Evie says with a wink–how does she know these things–at lunch one day. Thankfully, Carlos is not in earshot of their lunch table, opting to spend the rest of his free time playing fetch with Dude, but still. He’s right there.

“Carlos loves chocolate,” Mal mentions pointedly, both helpful and despicable, as Ben’s mind goes full throttle down a particular road. Blood rushes elsewhere in addition to his face.

“Still don’t need to hear this,” Jay grumbles, and steadfastly ignores everyone else at the table.

“Hear what?” Carlos asks as he rejoins them, Dude loyally following at his heels. He plops down into the space next to Ben; and Ben has apparently lost all control, automatically leaning towards him.

“Nothing,” the girls say, giggling to one another. Jay continues to ignore everyone.

“Ookay?” Carlos responds, and if Ben is maybe thrilled by the slightly breathless way he speaks, panting with exertion, well. No one else needs to know. Certainly not Jay.

—

One would think that, after years of looking after Dude, it would have earned Ben some loyalty; or at the very least some kind of leeway. But when it comes to the dog’s favorite human, apparently even past generosity means nothing.

“I fed you steak,” Ben hisses, feeling betrayed, when Dude growls at what he apparently deems an inappropriate proximity to Carlos.

It’s a Friday night, and Ben and Carlos are finally alone–thanks to Evie and Mal literally dragging Jay out of the boys’ dorm room–and they’ve spent the last two hours playing video games.

Not that he hasn’t enjoyed spending time alone with Carlos without the pretext of tourney training. Or, nearly alone with Carlos. But he was kind of hoping to elevate their relationship to the next level. Or at least bring up that possibility.

Instead, Dude has been acting as chaperone for this not-date (would be a date, if Ben could actually ask), bodily going in between the two of them whenever Ben tries to do anything.

He has never been more aware or more frustrated by the presence of a bed in his entire life.

So what if Dude dooms this particular night to a strictly platonic hang out? It’s not exactly a hardship to interact with the boy he likes.

“Again?” Carlos pleads, even though Ben has lost every single round thus far and he’s kind of getting bored of the game. But Carlos asks, hardly even needs to pout or widen his eyes or tilt his head beseechingly, and of course Ben is going to say yes. Though all of that certainly doesn’t hurt his case.

And, well, so what if Ben loses yet again? Carlos’ delighted grin is an excellent consolation prize.

~

A/N: WTF! Are you kidding me? I literally could not fall asleep because I was thinking about this. Whhyyyyyy? I did not sign up for such a disproportionate amount of feels.

And I’m hinting at puppy play between two next generation Disney characters. Oh my lord, I might as well fling myself into the sun, I’m probably going to some level of hell.

Direct sequel to this.

Also, maybe I should come up with a title for this if it’s going to be a series…

EDIT: IT’S CONTINUED HERE. WHY AM I BEING COMPELLED TO WRITE THIS?

EDIT2: NOW WITH A TITLE! CHECK OUT MY “ONLY FOOLS RUSH IN” TAG FOR MORE INSTALLMENTS.

Only Fools Rush In, part 1/12 (2015-08-01) [1]

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“Of course I don’t mind,” Mal says, soft smile gracing those perfect pink lips he’s never kissed. And never will.

Certainly not if he’s going to follow through on this crazy idea of his.

“But one condition,” she adds, and now her smile turns sharp and edged and dangerous, like nothing in Auradon. He thinks it’s going to be secrecy, not to cause a scandal, but instead she says, “Break his heart and I’ll end you.” The tapping of her fingertips against her ever present spell book is just a reminder of how easily she can back up her words.

He remembers why he loves her, why he wanted her to wear his ring. She’ll make a great queen.

Maybe not a good one, but he’s sick of good. Good is boring. And what he wants? Is neither.

—

He gets Mal’s permission first–because there’s no way he’s going to cheat on his girlfriend, even if that term is used more as a job title than a relationship status–but she’s not the last.

Evie blinks at his question, rolls her eyes, then dismisses him, “You think I didn’t already know? I suppose I could threaten you but, to be honest, anything I do would be faster and less painful than what Mal or Jay would do to you.”

He considers that, then nods in agreement.

She’s about to turn away, onto her next project, when she stops, head tilting as she considers the idea that has just popped into her head. Then she smirks, gaze crawling up his body from toe to head in an amused leer.

“Is the change genetic?” She asks, and he’s about to say no, his father’s curse was broken decades ago, but then she continues, “Because Carlos likes fur.”

The blush that spreads across his face is almost as red as the ruby around her neck. He cannot flee fast enough from her laughter.

—

Unsurprisingly, Jay is the hardest. And not just because he’s got biceps as big as Ben’s head with a predilection to use them whenever he wants. Jay and Carlos are brothers and, more than that, they’re roommates. It takes a lot of maneuvering to get Jay by himself, and even that still involves Carlos looking at them both with abandoned, hurt puppy eyes which nearly undoes all of Ben’s plans.

But no, he’s going to do this right.

When he first broaches the topic, Jay shows remarkable restraint when, instead of immediately decking Ben across the face, he merely punches a hole in the wall next to Ben’s head.

“Mal knows, of course she knows!” Ben blurts out, relieved when Jay finally pulls away his fist, “Evie does, too.”

“Duh,” Jay scoffs, which–what, does Evie just know everything?–but at least he’s not angry anymore.

“I promise I won’t hurt him,” Ben says, then his thoughts stray just a little so he flushes and admits, “Well, unless he wants me to–”

“Shut up, I don’t need to hear that,” Jay thankfully interrupts before their conversation delves too far in a direction neither of them want to go in. “Promises mean shit,” he redirects, still scowling, but backing away so he no longer looms menacingly over Ben.

“But you are the reason that damn mutt sleeps in our room…”

The reason Carlos isn’t frightened to death of dogs anymore, Ben translates.

“And you were willing to help him out with tourney training even before…” Jay trails off and waves a hand vaguely which Ben doesn’t know if that means before he started dating Mal or before he started having feelings for someone not his girlfriend. And not a girl, for that matter.

“You better not screw this up,” Jay says, before punching Ben on the shoulder–both a warning and a gesture of approval. He ends the conversation completely by simply walking away.

Ben resists the urge to rub away the pain until Jay is completely out of his line of sight. That really hurt.

Now comes the actual difficult part: asking Carlos if he wants to go out with Ben.

~

A/N: Oh god, what am I doing? Doing what I do best, apparently, writing about a ship without actually having the characters of the ship interact.

Not necessarily related to my other Untitled Descendants drabble here, but they’re not inconsistent with each other, so enjoy?

Basically, after reconsidering the movie and sifting through all the awkward heteronormative stuff, I gleaned a few excellent headcanons about everyone’s orientation/relationships/personalities which I now greatly enjoy.

Mal: either demi or aro ace. She and Ben are still together, and probably will get married, but she’s not going to deny him happiness. Especially not if it’ll make one of her brothers/best friends happy.

Ben: there’s no way that boy is completely straight. no way.

Evie: once she drops the air-head routine, she accepts her potential for omniscience. she doesn’t even need her mirror for it.

Jay: older brother. SUCH an older brother. and plus, they all grew up on the Isle together. Even if Jay and Carlos aren’t genetic brothers (and, again, I can easily headcanon that all of them are at least half-siblings) I have weird, specific feelings about the Westermarck effect.

Carlos: what an adorable little charmer. did you see how easily he got the security company to turn off the siren? that boy’s hella cute.

EDIT: continued here.

EDIT2: NOW WITH A TITLE. THIS SERIES IS CALLED “ONLY FOOLS RUSH IN,” SO FOLLOW THAT TAG FOR MORE INSTALLMENTS.