Not So Happily Ever After

Did I Mention?

The day after the dance, Thursday, Ben seemed to disappear. As practice was finishing up for tourney and the cheer squad Ben stopped everyone, pulling them aside talking to Audrey. "Hey... I know this is completely out of left field but I want to do something big to show Carlos I really mean it when I say I love him." Ben's face tinges a slight adorable pink and Audrey looks surprised.

"What did you have in mind then?" Audrey said bringing the whole squad over to listen. Ben cleared his throat looking the waiting girls and tourney team.

"I want to do something special after we win the game tomorrow. It is very short notice but I have everything worked out in my head. The band geeks are all willing to pitch in but I need you guys too." Ben sighs his cool exterior up but Audrey can see he is nervous underneath he was planning something big and she could feel it.

"What did you have in mind?" Jay asked leaning on his shoulder, Ben nudged him off with a look of distaste at first.

"We're in Auradon! What do you think I'm planning to do for a grand gesture of a love confession?" Ben asked as if the answer was obvious and to his benefit it was. Everyone grinned looking at each other.

"A Musical number." Everyone said in unison, half cheering in excitement.

"I know that practice just ended but If we are going to get this right before tomorrow's game, we need to get this together tonight," Ben said and everyone agreed. He called up the band geeks to come out to practice. They practiced all the way through dinner, making sure every move and note was perfect. The whole thing was planned out in one day, but this was Auradon, they lived for this kind of display. Ben was nervous as hell; he had never thought about something like this before today but after seeing someone trying to flirt with Carlos at lunch, he wanted everyone to know. It was a bit selfish in motivation, but he wanted it to matter. He really did love Carlos and what better way to say I love you in Auradon than with a song? When Ben made his way back to his dorm that night Carlos was waiting looking nervous.

"Ben? Where have you been? I haven't seen you all day?" Carlos stood up rushing over to Ben. Ben pulled him close kissing the top of his head sighing exhausted from all the practice they put in.

"Tourney practice went really late, the whole team had to stay. Even the cheerleaders stayed to show support. With the big game tomorrow everything has to be perfect. You're going to be there right? Promise me?" Ben asked squeezing him tightly. Carlos chuckled a bit nuzzling his face into his chest holding him tightly.

"Of course I'll be there. What kind of boyfriend doesn't go to support their boyfriend? Not me. I'll be there. I promise." Carlos pulls him down into loving and heated kisses before Ben has to break the kisses as they get more intense.

"I'm sorry baby but I'm really tired... I want to mess around but I just don't have the energy. Tomorrow? After I win the big game to celebrate?" Ben grins and Carlos nods. They head over to the bed to settle in for sleep. True to his word, Ben is out like a light completely exhausted, head on Carlos's chest. Carlos kisses the crown of his head and smiles before settling in to try to sleep himself.

The next day goes by like lightning fast as everyone is excited about the game that night. Ben and the team are all jitters and nerves, making sure Carlos is in the stands as the game begins. Thankfully he is perched exactly where they hoped he would be with Evie, Lonnie, Mal, Harry, and Uma around him. Everyone was out to support the Auradon Knights against the Agrabah Sultans. They are fierce competition and known rivals. The game starts and from the very onset, it is neck and neck. The teams are equally matched as the game progresses. The scores remain even the whole way through bringing Ben even more nerves. But in the end, Jay takes the objective, passes it to chad who sends it to Ben who scores the winning goal. Everyone screams and cheers from the stands. As the announcer finishes Ben rushes the announcer stealing the microphone and turning to the crowd.

"Give me a "C"!" Ben howls into the microphone and the cheerleaders are prepared going along with it as the tourney team gets in position behind Ben. The crowd follows along with the letters of "A", "R", "L", "O", and "S". "What does that spell?!?" Ben cheers with the cheerleaders. Everyone cheers Carlos's name. Carlos sits in the stands looking stunned and embarrassed red-faced, not sure what is going on. Ben flashes him a wicked grin. "I love you, Carlos. Did I mention that?" He winks before turning to the band. "Give me a beat!" Ben commands and the band starts up after a count down and Ben starts singing. "Did I mention that I'm in love with you? And did I mention there's nothing I can do? And did I happen to say, I dream of you every day Well let me..." Ben cheers with the cheerleaders, "Shout it out loud! If that's okay, Hey, Hey!" Ben started strutting and dancing with the tourney players as the cheerleaders kept cheering.

"I met this boy that rocked my world like it's never been rocked and now I'm living just for him and I won't ever stop. I never thought that it could happen to a guy like me but now look at what you've done, you got me down on my knees!" Ben and the tourney team fell onto their knees begging all eyes towards Carlos who was giggling with his face bright red.

"Because my love for you is ridiculous. I never knew" Ben sang lovingly up towards Carlos as he danced around.

"Who knew?" The tourney team and Cheerleaders mimicked.

"That it could be like this. My love for you is ridiculous My love is R-I-D-I-C-U-L-O-U-S!" Ben spelled it out with his body in the most practiced routine he has ever done. Thankfully he nailed it and the tourney team and cheerleaders joined in after. "R-I-D-I-C-U-L-O-U-S!" They mimicked Ben's every move it was well practiced despite how short notice this all was. "It's ridiculous! Just ridiculous! And I would give this whole kingdom for just one kiss." Ben sang up. The song continued in a similar fashion singing to the ways his love for Carlos was ridiculous and how he never expected it as an isle boy. He tosses his jersey halfway through the song to Carlos who watches it. Lucky number seven emblazoned on it along with Ben's name. Carlos hugs it to himself as he watches Ben get launched into the waiting crowd by the cheerleaders and tourney players making Carlos squeal in surprise as he is crowd surfed to Carlos. He pulls Carlos close handing the microphone off to a waiting cheerleader who returns it. Ben smiles panting heavily. "I love you, Carlos. I really do." Ben beams handsomely. Carlos starts crying pulling Ben down into suffocating but intensely loving kisses as everyone cheers loudly. Even Lonnie is up and cheering for the two despite how this is definitely not her scene.

"I love you too Ben." Carlos swoons after their lips part, only for them to come back together. Evie nudges Ben and Carlos to ease up on the kissing and they both laugh grinning at each other. The attendees start to leave, and Ben sits with Carlos holding his hand.

"Did I surprise you little pup?" Ben smiles happily looking over at Carlos who still remains absolutely smitten.

"Yes. You surprised the hell out of me. How did you find time to come up with a whole routine!" Carlos cries out in complete blissful confusion giggling. Ben smirks and nuzzles his cheek kissing to his ear giving it a playful nibble.

"We practiced all of yesterday. That's why I came back to the dorm so late." Ben admits. Carlos shudders and snuggles up into Ben. It is getting late and getting cold. "Let's head back to the dorm pup," Ben suggests and he nods the two heading back to the dorm together, Carlos wearing Ben's jersey and holding his hand the whole way.