Stained Glass Breaks and So Do Hearts

Aftermath

The aftermath of Maleficent's return was felt Auradon wide. The support in King Ben and the VKs wavered. Ben was doing televised campaigns to renew support. It was also a way to remind people that despite the troubles that arose they managed to defeat both Zevon and Maleficent. It was a tense time for everyone as a splinter of anti-VK protests began to break out in Auradon's fringes, even on the castle lawn. The people were understandably upset about what happened and were fearing exactly what King Adam had feared from the very beginning. This caused tension within the castle itself.

Former King Adam was now much more vocal about his prior concerns and became a figurehead for the radicals who even wanted kingship transferred back to Ben's father. Carlos was beating himself up about letting Zevon get the jump on him and not being able to do anything. He was also recovering from the trauma flashbacks he had while petrified and in the closet. Ben was tense with constant parading and arguments. Former King Adam and King Ben were constantly butting heads now but it usually ended in Ben's favor. Mal and Uma were still in charge of managing the VKs that had come over and protecting them. With all the protests, no one felt comfortable leaving them unprotected. Even people from Auradon had to compacity for evil, the world knew that now and it was scary.

Doug and Evie had expanded the Four Hearts Line and made clothes for boys as well, with Carlos, Ben, Jay, and Harry as the models. Doug was supposed to be a model but he refused in the end not feeling he was model material. Harry had seemingly found his calling as a male model and after some connections got an agent and soon had plenty of work. This also let him meet his boyfriend, Samuel White son of Snow White, He was much like his mother. He was a gentle guy with ivory skin, raven black hair, and the poutiest red lips. Harry was hooked on him and the two have been inseparable since their first photoshoot together.

Jay and Gil were out exploring the world and finding adventures. They visited all the kingdoms and all the areas in-between. They explored jungles, swamps, tundras and everything else. They regularly sent back postcards from where they explored. To their surprise, one of them came with a native wedding ceremony photo. The two had become best friends and each other's happily ever after.

The trouble the now plagued Carlos and Ben was tearing their relationship at the seams no matter how much they tried to pretend everything was fine. Carlos, ever the gentler soul, broke first. He went down to Ben's office, tears pricking at the corners of his eyes. Ben and Adam were locked in another argument when Carlos knocked. Adam opened the door for Ben and stopped to look at the fragile state of the king to be in front of him. His anger drained and he stepped aside letting Carlos walk in past him.

"We can discuss these issues later..." Adam said respectfully and as calm as he could before leaving. Ben took a deep breath, body buzzing from his argument. He looked Carlos over and frowned. He wasn't looking good today. Carlos always looked good to him but today something was wrong and Ben could feel it.

"I don't know if we should keep this up." Carlos whimpered tears already welling up in his eyes despite the honest fight to keep them down.

"Pup?!" Ben's voice cracked in surprise and concern.

"You are so busy all the time and I've needed you. When I messed up and got caught by Zevon I was petrified and left to relive every moment... every beating, every whipping, every torment and I've had to handle it on my own. I know you are king but I... I can't" Carlos seemed unnaturally pale, the tears forming now dropped, flooding his face with streams of pain and regret. "Her voice is so loud in my head everyday... I'm sorry I can't do this anymore." Carlos stumbled a bit and Ben ran to catch him, grabbing him.

"Carlos... when was the last time you ate?" Ben questioned picking him up but Carlos passed out unconscious. Ben sprinted, pup in his arms to the nearest transportation and gunned it. Getting Carlos to the hospital was his only concern. When they arrived, Carlos was taken away from the king leaving him alone. He sat and buried his face in his hands crying softly for a bit before calling everyone to let them know Carlos was in the hospital. It wasn't long before the waiting was full of all the VKs minus Jay and Gil who were on the first ride back to Auradon now. The wait felt like it was going on forever and Mal nearly cursed the receptionist multiple times for not having an update on Carlos' condition. Eventually, a doctor came out to the king.

"It appears that Carlos wasn't eating properly and has been suffering from flashbacks due to PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder). He also had signs of injury and self-harm related to these flashbacks. He's going to be alright, but we need to keep him until his injuries heal and we find the appropriate medications to treat his issues." The doctor frowned as he spoke.

"Can we see him?" Ben's voice was raw by this point.

"Only one at a time... His mental state is very fragile right now and we need to take things slow." The doctor nodded regretfully. Ben insisted that everyone go before him. By the time that Ben came in Carlos was conscious again. The look of Carlos in a hospital bed only made him whimper. Carlos smiled at him and held his arms open. Ben practically sprinted into them holding Carlos as tight as he dared to.

"You scared me puppy. Please... please promise me you won't hide things like this anymore. I knew you weren't doing well but you didn't tell me. I'm so sorry puppy... I love you so much." Ben nuzzled into his neck letting the tears come. Carlos clung to Ben tightly.

"I'm sorry... You were just so busy... I felt like everything was my fault. Like you might not want to marry me because of it." Carlos whimpered, crying himself now.

"Ben pulled back and pressed him into one of his powerful but gentle kisses. "I love you so much puppy, I want you to be my king and nothing will change that. I meant it when I said I'd give my whole kingdom for just one kiss." They both chuckled in their tears.

"So we are still getting married?" Carlos asked burying his face into Ben's Chest.

"Of course." Ben kissed the top of his head, holding him until the nurse forced him to leave.

(A/N: The Wedding will be the final chapter of this book. Sorry for the delay, it was my birthday. <3)