Marlos

Another World

The next morning, sunlight streamed through the window, painting the room in a warm, golden glow. A gentle breeze rustled the curtains, carrying the sweet scent of blooming flowers from the gardens below. Mal stirred, her eyelids fluttering open, and a soft smile spread across her face as she took in the scene.

She turned to find Carlos still sound asleep, his face relaxed and peaceful. A stray smudge of chocolate frosting still clung to his cheek, a remnant of their delicious late-night indulgence. She couldn't help but chuckle, remembering the playful food fight that had ensued.

Carefully, she reached out and gently wiped the frosting away, her fingers lingering on his soft skin. He stirred slightly, a soft groan escaping his lips, but didn't wake.

Mal slipped out of bed, careful not to disturb him, and padded over to the window. The gardens were alive with color, the flowers in full bloom. The air was crisp and fresh, filled with the sounds of birds chirping and the distant hum of Auradon Prep coming to life.

She glanced back at Carlos, still sleeping soundly, and decided to let him rest a little longer. She knew they had a busy day ahead, but she also knew how much he valued his sleep.

A gentle knock on the door interrupted her thoughts. "Mal? You up?" Evie's voice echoed through the room.

"Come in," Mal called out, turning towards the door.

Evie and Jay entered, their faces bright and cheerful. "Morning!" Evie exclaimed, her eyes widening as she took in the remnants of their chocolate feast. "Looks like you two had a good time last night."

Mal grinned. "We may have gotten a little carried away," she admitted.

"A little?" Jay chuckled, pointing to a stray dollop of frosting on the nightstand. "Looks like a chocolate massacre."

"It was delicious," Mal defended, laughing. "And totally worth it."

"We just came to see if you two wanted to join us for breakfast in the courtyard," Evie said. "It's a beautiful morning."

"Sounds perfect," Mal replied. "Give us a sec."

"We'll see you down there," Jay said, giving them a playful salute.

As soon as they were gone, Mal turned back to Carlos, who was finally starting to stir. "Morning, sleepyhead," she said, leaning down to kiss him gently.

"Morning," he mumbled, his eyes fluttering open. "What time is it?"

"Time for breakfast," Mal replied, grinning. "And maybe a little more chocolate."

Carlos groaned playfully, stretching his arms above his head. "Do we have to get up?" he mumbled, his eyes still half-closed.

"Yes," Mal said, gently tugging on his arm. "Evie and Jay are waiting for us in the courtyard. It's a beautiful morning."

"Courtyard…" Carlos mumbled, his voice trailing off as he tried to focus. He blinked a few times, finally opening his eyes fully. He looked at Mal, a sleepy smile spreading across his face. "Morning," he said, reaching out to pull her into a quick kiss.

"Morning," Mal replied, kissing him on the lips. "Now, come on. We don't want to keep them waiting."

Carlos sighed dramatically, but a smile tugged at the corners of his lips. He sat up, rubbing his eyes. "Fine, fine. But if there's no chocolate at breakfast, I'm blaming you."

Mal laughed, grabbing a nearby pillow and playfully tossing it at him. "Deal," she said. "Now, get dressed. I'll meet you in the bathroom."

Carlos chuckled, throwing off the covers and stretching again. He glanced around the room, taking in the remnants of their chocolate-fueled evening. "Worth it," he mumbled to himself, a grin spreading across his face. He hopped out of bed, ready to face the new day.