Not So Happily Ever After

Motherly Love

Carlos had quite a stressful day once breakfast was over. Everyone, from students to teachers, was looking at Carlos's neck in a mix of curiosity, surprise, and even concern. By the end of the third period, he was called down to the head mistress's office after one of the teachers had sent word. He was a bundle of nervous energy walking into the room and the way the Fair Queen's expression fell upon seeing him made him feel even worse. He knew people would stare but he didn't think it would be that big of a deal.

"Carlos... What happened to your neck?" The Fair Queen asked sweetly and calmly. Carlos knew she would understand she was the fairest in so many ways, it is why she made the perfect headmistress.

"It is kind of complicated. So I and one of the Isle students have started dating and apparently, they have a sort of system for marking people when they are in a relationship. I promise no one hurt me, quite the opposite honestly. The kids from the isle are still adjusting to life in Auradon. On the isle, it is more common for people to share relationship partners so making them like this is sort of a sign that they aren't to be shared. I think he got a little carried away in the heat of the moment. Please don't be mad. He didn't do anything wrong." Carlos pleaded and the Fair Queen nodded with understanding smiling a little.

"If anything I should be congratulating you on your new relationship. Though I will advise you to inform him that such markings are very distracting and should be kept to a minimum. Alright? I'm honestly surprised that you managed to open the heart of one of those kids from the isle so easily. It appears to me that your motives to bring innocent villain children here for a chance at being good are well-founded. I'm proud of you Carlos. I will notify your teachers about the situation privately so that none of them report this again. Keep winning those isle kids over. They deserve goodness and happiness from what they lived through." The Fair Queen rounded the desk and pulled Carlos into a hug. She knew him well as Evie's best friend growing up so there was a motherly love there that he recognized. He had yet to inform his mother of the events as of late but knew he needed to do that today. Hopefully, she would be understanding. She sent him back to class and when lunchtime came around he pulled his cell phone out and called his mother.

It took several rings before Cruella De Vil picked up the phone. "Oh, my precious puppy! How are you doing son? Is the school treating you well? Do you need more clothes? Mommy loves to spoil her dashing little boy." Cruella doted over the phone making Carlos blush.

"Mom, I'm calling because I have news. I have a boyfriend now." Carlos bit his lip nervously not sure whether she would be elated or horrified. There was a brief pause before Cruella started laughing.

"Oh, my precious baby boy! I'm so happy for you. Who is he? You and I will have to bring him over for dinner this weekend so I can meet him. I knew you would find someone who would love you. You are such a brilliant precious puppy. Mommy loves you. I must simply design some clothes for him so everyone can marvel at you both. The ideas are already coming. I'm inspired! A whole collection based on young budding love." Cruella let out the loudest shrill squeal of delight. Carlos couldn't help but blush and laugh at his mother both.

"His name is Ben, he is one of the boys from the isle. He is really amazing mom. I think you'll like him. It's lunch so I gotta go. He likes blues and golds though. I'll measure him for you later and text you the numbers. I love you, mommy. Bye." Carlos could feel his face on fire still calling his mother "mommy" on the phone in public. Cruella made kissy noises into the phone before he hung up. He grabbed his lunch and headed to the table for lunch where Jay and Ben were already on the ground wrestling with each other. Evie was failing to pull Jay off and Mal was on the verge of casting a spell. Carlos let out a sharp whistle stopping both of them. "Hey! What the hell is going on?" Carlos frowned looking very disappointed at both of them. They separated and Jay quickly came over to Carlos inspecting his neck.

"One of the tourney guys told me Ben had hurt you. Oh god, he did a number on your neck." Jay growled annoyed shooting a glare at Ben who rolled his eyes frustratedly.

"Me AND Evie tried to explain that I didn't hurt you but he wouldn't listen," Ben said straightening his classic blue leather jacket and fingerless gloves. Carlos let out a heavy sigh as Jay turned on Ben.

"Didn't hurt him? His neck looks like you strangled him half to death!" Jay spat before Carlos swatted Jay's hands away, strode right up to Ben and pulled him down into a kiss right in front of everyone. Chad and Harry from another table made cheers and wolf-whistles to Uma's dismay. Jay just stared dumbfounded.

"He didn't strangle me, Jay... He marked me. I'm sick of explaining that this is an isle thing. Ugh." Carlos sat down with his lunch, Ben followed a little bit like a loyal guard dog. Jay quietly sat down still in shock before grinning.

"Sorry, Bro... but damn you really went to town on him huh? I'm going to have to switch dorms with you at this rate." Jay put his hand up for a high five immediately changing his tune. Ben reluctantly high fives him back and the girls roll their eyes, especially Audrey.

"We should probably switch dorms since you and Gil decided to ruin my bed. I refuse to sleep on that thing now. I'm only sleeping next to Carlos at this point." Ben said disgusted making Jay laugh and shrug. Carlos could feel the fiery warmth radiate from his cheeks again.

Lonnie is the last one to join the table. Immediately both her and Mal get flustered sitting next to one another. Audrey raises a brow at how shy Lonnie suddenly seems.

"Did something happen that we missed?" Audrey asked Mal and Lonnie who both went bright red before Lonnie cleared her throat.

"I'm taking Mal to the dance." Lonnie announced and half the table "Awww'ed" at how cute it was. Lonnie and Mal grumbled at the same time before locking eyes. The intensity was palpable. Carlos smirked and let out a little noise of approval snuggling into Ben who wrapped an arm around him.

"Oh... I told my mom about us by the way. She invited you over for dinner this weekend. I warn you... she can be a lot to handle." Carlos sighs looking up worriedly at Ben. Ben smirks confidently pulling him into a teasing kiss, biting and tugging on his bottom lip.

"I can be a lot to handle too, little pup." Ben continues to tease making his boyfriends whole face light up with a blush. Carlos nudges him making him laugh surprising everyone at the table, especially the beast gang. Audrey smiles brightly at this.

"I don't think I've ever heard him laugh or seen him actually smile..." Lonnie seems almost worried. Audrey shrugs, she has seen this side of Ben but not for a long while and frankly it is refreshingly sweet. Carlos beams with pride being the one to draw out the good side of Ben.