Marlos

Together

The first blush of dawn painted Evie's room in soft pastels, chasing away the lingering shadows of the previous day's revelations. She stretched languidly in her bed, a contented sigh escaping her lips. Despite the unsettling secret of Jafar's staff, a new day in Auradon always brought with it a familiar comfort. Her mind, ever practical, quickly turned to breakfast.

She slipped out of bed, her bare feet sinking into the plush carpet. A quick glance at her reflection in the full-length mirror confirmed her usual impeccable appearance, even first thing in the morning. She hummed a cheerful tune as she picked out a simple, yet stylish, outfit for the day – a soft blue tunic and comfortable leggings.

After a quick, refreshing splash of water on her face, Evie headed out of her room. The hallway was quiet, the castle still largely asleep. She loved these peaceful mornings, the sense of calm before the day's hustle began. Her destination was clear: Mal and Carlos's dorm. It was their unspoken tradition, a small ritual of friendship that had anchored them since their days on the Isle. Mal usually conjured something delicious, and Carlos always made sure there was enough coffee.

As she approached their door, she noticed it was slightly ajar. A faint sense of unease pricked at her, a lingering echo from yesterday's tension. Mal was usually meticulous about privacy, and Carlos was equally particular about security. She pushed the door open gently, a cheerful greeting already forming on her lips.

"Morning, you two! Hope you're ready for—" Her voice softened as she stepped inside.

Mal was curled up on the window seat, a book resting open on her lap, though her gaze was fixed on the rising sun. Carlos was by the small kitchenette, a steaming mug in his hand, looking out at the gardens. Helios and Luna were nestled comfortably in their dog beds, both still sound asleep. The room was filled with the gentle aroma of freshly brewed coffee, and a plate of magically conjured pastries sat on the small table.

Mal turned, a faint smile touching her lips. "Morning, Evie," she said, her voice a little weary but warm. "Just enjoying the quiet."

Carlos turned from the window, offering a small, tired smile. "Coffee's ready," he offered, gesturing to the pot. "And Mal's been busy with the pastries."

Evie's initial unease dissipated, replaced by a wave of relief. She walked further into the room, a small, grateful sigh escaping her lips. "Good," she said, her voice a little more subdued than usual. "After yesterday... I wasn't sure what to expect." She looked at them, her gaze lingering on Carlos. "Are you two alright?"

Carlos took a slow sip of his coffee, his gaze meeting Evie's. "Yeah, we're alright," he confirmed, though a hint of exhaustion lingered in his eyes. "Just... a long night." He gestured vaguely towards Mal. "For both of us, in different ways."

Mal let out a soft groan from the window seat. "Don't remind me," she mumbled, not looking away from the sunrise.

Carlos chuckled softly, then turned back to Evie, his expression becoming more serious. "After you and Jay went back to Auradon yesterday, Mal and I stayed a bit longer on the Isle, watching over the people in the sanctuary. But then, after Mal came back, I realized I couldn't leave Jafar's staff just sitting in the vault. It was too dangerous, too much of a temptation for anyone who might stumble upon it."

He paused, a flicker of his divine power subtly shimmering around his hands for a moment before fading. "So, I went back to the Isle. Alone this time. I used my... my stronger powers to embed it deep within the earth, to bind its darkness to the very core of the Isle. It's not gone, not truly, but it's contained. It can't be found or used by anyone again."

Evie's eyes widened, a mixture of awe and relief washing over her face. "You... you did that? Alone?"

Carlos nodded, a weary satisfaction in his gaze. "Yeah. It took a lot out of me. Got back just before dawn." He then gestured towards Mal with a playful roll of his eyes. "And she," he said, a teasing note entering his voice, "decided that while I was off saving the world, it was the perfect time to conquer the latest level of 'Dragon's Lair: The Ultimate Quest.' So, she's been up all night too, just for a different kind of battle."