De Fragee Prutia

f i f t e e n

 Something was covered in a curtain at the end of the dance floor. The blue curtain was taken off and revealed a stained glass panel. It was one of Nami and Ben. The guests all clapped enthusiastically at its reveal. It was beautiful, especially the detail of her curls. But what she was focused on was her shadow. The shadow was placing the tiara on her head in the design. It was a stained glass panel, they weren't made quickly, and Ben had only seen her shadow yesterday. How long had he really known?

"Ben did that?"

"Yeah, he did."

"Ben!" Uma yelled before her voice turned sweet, "why don't you tell everyone my present."

Uma touched his arm and Ben melted into the touch.

"Uma is joining the court as my lady and my, my gift to her is that I want to take down the barrier once and for all."

Ben's announcement surprised everyone. Uma was tugging on his arm in excitement but Ben stayed looking at Nami's portrait. Uma frowned.

"Cover that back up!" she yelled.

"I will not!"

"No, Lumière," Nami called to him. "She's right. I'll take it with me but it's not my night, anymore. Cover it back."

"Are you sure?" Carlos asked. "You're not going to fight for this? For Ben?"

"She doesn't do that," Ben said finally tearing his eyes away from the panel. "Nami never likes to fight."

"I never fight for you because I care, Ben! I care about you too much to keep you held to something you don't want. I've cared since the moment I met you. I thought all our parents' fairytales were dead but love at first sight must've existed because I knew it when you first welcomed me to Auradon. And it scared the hell out of me when I saw you. I care too much to force you to be with me."

"Who said it was forced?" He looked at her in confusion.

"Huh?"

"Ben, look at me," Uma interjected.

Nami saw Ben's face change as he looked at Uma. The Ben she saw moments ago wasn't there. She turned to look at Uma when she saw her shadow. It was clutching Uma's glowing necklace tight. Ben was spelled. Whatever the shadow was doing seemed to give Ben moments of clarity as long as he wasn't focused on Uma.

"Ben! Don't listen to her, I know you're in there." Nami went to turn his face towards her.

"Look at me Ben... Bring down the barrier, now!" Uma yelled at Fairy Godmother.

"No, Ben focus on me." Nami cupped his face with her hands. "I've got you, I've got you."

Her fingertips itched slightly, like her shadow was asking permission to move. She completely let go and the shadow ripped Uma's necklace from her. The necklace shattered as it hit the floor.

"Prutia."

It worked.

"Give it to me." Uma lunged for Fairy Godmother's wand.

"No, guards seize her!" Fairy Godmother struggled to hold the wand out of Uma's grasp.

Uma ran to the side of the boat. Nami and Ben realized she was going to jump.

"No, no!" Nami called out.

Ben tried to hold everyone back from running out to her. "Uma, stop. Please!"