Free Bird || King Ben x OC **On Hold**

"Chapter Eight"

After the whole fiasco, I went back to my dorm room about an hour ago with the other VKs. We hadn't said anything on the ride back.

"...I'm sorry." I said still not making eye contact and stared at my feet.

"For what?" Jay responded.

"Yeah you were right!"

Normally Mal would've said something, but I can tell she's been real quiet.

"And you already know what I told you." Evie replied as well.

"Look, I know we have some rough patches but you're from the isle like us."

"...Especially from the underworld." Mal would finally speak.

I immediately looked at Mal.

"How did you—"

"Hiding files under your bed isn't the best idea." Mal spoke.

I faintly laughed. It was last minute so... I finally looked at each and every single villain kid before sighing.

"...It's optional if you guys still want to steal Fairy Godmother's wand and take over the world."

"Before I tell you my decision... I have a confession." Mal spoke.

Mal didn't say anything, giving eye contact with Evie as she knew what Mal was thinking and had left and dragged Jay and Carlos with her.

"What is it?"

"Remember how you made the outfits and did the hairstyles for Jane and Lottie?" Mal asked.

"Crystal."

"Well... I used my spells not only on the outfits you've made but with their hair and makeup. Since I know you lied about spells and winning their trust wasn't gonna be easy so..." her voice trailed off.

That explains why they were upset. Because she ended the spell while the whole thing was going down.

"Mal... I don't know what to say."

"Let's just say you owe me one." She said half jokingly.

"...Okay and your decision?"

"We all discussed. Although all of us are really conflicted."

"Conflicted? I thought most of you were happy to be here?"

"We are but... it was like you said earlier: We're the sons and daughters of Evil. We came here to steal the wand and bring it to my mother and break the barrier." She continued.

"But is that what all of you want? Had they done anything for—" I stopped myself, "Sorry."

"I... I just don't know. I don't know what I want." Mal admits.

I faintly smiled. I approached Mal and put my hand on her shoulder.

"As I kept reminding: it's your decision. You can think about it." I reminded.

She nodded.

"Thank you..." She said as she pulled me into a hug as Evie and the others join in the group hug.

I felt tired from everything and from running away.

"Mind if I have a few minutes to myself?" I asked them before they nodded and I would leave my dorm room. I needed a walk. I normally would use my dragon wings to go flying but... I can't risk being seen.

I looked at my hands again. I know I'm a daughter of evil... I just don't know who. All I know for sure it isn't Maleficent. Since I don't have any memory of her. But then again all my memories are blank except the incident. I know I made my choice. I know I want to fight for Aurodon. But... I know it's not going to be easy being accepted as "Ben's girlfriend," "the extra villain kid," And I now don't care.

I feel as if all this weight had been off my shoulders. That I could finally breathe. Although I know everyone thinks negatively me for earlier but... I just can't handle the stress and expectations.

"Lumi?" A voice called out my name.

I looked up. It was Ben.

"Oh hey," I said as he approached.

"You feeling okay?"

I didn't say anything for a moment.

"Ben... there's something I have to confess."

"What is it?"

I found a bench to sit down and he sits next to me, holding my hand.

"When I first came to Aurodon: I was scared... paranoid. I was so worried about what everyone wants me to be and the fear of judgment. I thought then I couldn't fit in." I began.

Ben was about to say something but I put my finger to his lips.

"But you... everyone... you convinced me that Aurodon is a safe place where you can be whatever you want to be." I continued with a warm smile, "And I realized I can't run away, I'm tired of running away and being scared of every little thing. I don't care what anyone thinks of me now. Because Aurodon is now my home and..." my voice trailed off.

Ben gently squeezed my hand for reassurance.

"You. I want to always be with you because you are the reason why I'm here, why I realized I don't have to follow the footsteps of other villains' paths. You shown me what true love is..." I finished as Ben warmly smiled as he had his other hand to my cheek.

"Lumi...." He said my name softly, "That makes me so happy to hear you say that. Because I always want to be with you too, I want to love you, support you, and guide you." He said with his charming smile.

I warmly smiled as I leaned in and he leaned in before we share a loving kiss that lasted for a minute.

"But I can tell you were on a walk as if something else was bothering you."

"Well you see... Mal and I had a fight and she made the others not speak to me but before you panic, we worked things out. And I just needed to reflect on everything from earlier."

"I'm sorry you had to go through that, by the way." He said as he frowned.

"It's fine, honestly I've just learnt to accept I can't please everyone." I reassured with a small smile.

He nodded.

"My father, mother, and I were able to reason with Queen Leah. Although I know she still isn't happy."

I reassuringly smiled as I kissed his cheek.

"You did your best. That's up for her to decide if she wants to come or not."

He nodded before I yawned.

"Need for me to escort back to your dorm room?"

I nodded. He and I get up before he escorted back to my dorm room. We shared a small hug and kiss before returning back.

"Everything okay, Lumi?" Evie asked.

"Yeah, I'm fine." I said truthfully,  "Just ran into ben during my walk and talked about a lot of things." I put it at that. 

Although I think they know by now... I am just too tired.

"Get some rest, we'd move to Jay and Carlos' room." Mal said as I nodded before stretching and the other VKs leave.