Marlos

"Worry"

The opulent bedroom in Auradon Prep, usually a haven of peace and comfort, felt like a gilded cage to Carlos that night. The soft glow of the enchanted lamps did little to dispel the darkness that clung to him, the chilling memories of the void and the terrifying power he had unleashed still vivid in his mind. He lay on the plush velvet comforter, staring up at the intricately carved canopy, sleep a distant and unwelcome visitor.

Every time he closed his eyes, he saw the swirling blackness, felt the surge of raw, destructive energy coursing through him. He shivered, despite the warmth of the room, the weight of his newfound potential pressing down on him.

He felt Mal shift beside him. She had insisted on staying with him, her presence a silent promise of support. Now, she stirred again, her warmth a tangible anchor in the storm raging within him.

"You're still awake," she murmured, her voice soft in the darkness.

He didn't answer, not wanting to burden her further with his fears. But she knew him too well. With a soft rustle of silk sheets, she sat up, and then, with a grace that always took his breath away, she settled onto his lap, facing him. Her arms wrapped around his neck, her presence grounding him in the present. He instinctively held her waist, finding a fragile solace in her closeness.

"Tell me," she urged softly, her breath warm against his cheek.

He hesitated, the words catching in his throat, then the dam broke. He spoke of the void, of the voice, of the terrifying power of destruction that had been revealed to him. He spoke of the blackness that had consumed his eyes, the brutal force he had unleashed against Maleficent. He confessed his fear, his uncertainty, the chilling realization that a part of him had almost embraced the darkness.

When he finished, the room was silent save for their soft breathing. Mal held him tighter, her chin resting on his shoulder.

"That power..." Carlos finally whispered, the fear creeping back into his voice. "It felt... easy, Mal. Too easy. Like something inside me understood it, welcomed it."

Mal pulled back slightly, looking into his eyes, even in the dim light, her gaze was intense and unwavering. "But you fought it, Carlos. You came back. That tells me everything I need to know. That darkness isn't who you are."

She cupped his face in her hands, her thumbs gently stroking his cheeks. "Listen to me, Carlos. You have incredible power. The power to create, to heal... and yes," she conceded softly, "it seems you have the power to destroy too. But that doesn't define you. It's a part of you, maybe, but it doesn't control you."

Her green eyes shone with a fierce determination. "And you won't face this alone. I'll help you, Carlos. We'll figure this out together. We'll learn to control it, just like I learned to control my magic. We'll find a way to balance it with the good in you, the light that I know is there."

She leaned in and pressed a soft kiss to his forehead, a gesture of comfort and unwavering support. "We're a team, remember? Always. We'll face this shadow together, and we'll make sure it doesn't consume you."

In the opulent darkness of their Auradon bedroom, held close in Mal's embrace, a fragile seed of hope began to sprout within Carlos's troubled heart.

"Come on," she murmured, her voice soft but firm, her hands still cupping his face. "Let's get you to bed. You need to rest."

She gently guided him back to the pillows, her movements slow and deliberate, as if handling a fragile thing. He allowed himself to be led, the tension slowly draining from his body, replaced by a weary exhaustion.

Mal settled beside him, her arm draped across his chest, her fingers lightly tracing the curve of his collarbone. The opulent room, with its silken drapes and soft lighting, felt less like a cage now, more like a sanctuary, a safe haven from the darkness that still lingered at the edges of his mind.