Chapter Text
Mal is feeling so much better after visiting Dizzy. She's spent the afternoon adding to the art on the walls of her old hangout - no, not old anymore - and is feeling more and more at home by the hour. She will definitely miss strawberries, and being with Ben, but he doesn't understand that freedom is a part of her. Her mother never gave it to her, and she got a taste of it in Auradon before commiting to good, but she hadn't realized what she was missing. And now, she has it back, and Auradon might have fresh fruit and pretty dresses, but the Isle gives her what she needed. She isn't good; she isn't evil either. She has a bit of both, and she needs the space to be both or neither if and when she chooses.
Her encounter with Harry was odd - he wouldn't have noticed her if she'd kept her mouth shut, but Harry brings up feelings Mal can't keep under control, and it was the same way with Uma. The three of them used to run together after all, and the banter was constant back then. Mal can barely hold her togue in Auradon - being around Harry, it's hopeless to even try. She starts to remember a time with Harry and Uma, when she was as happy as one could be on the Isle, but she pushes them away.
Mal's mind is also occupied by her departure. She should've left a note for Ben because he'll probably do something stupid to convince her to come back. He might even succeed because Mal can't help believing him when he makes her promises.
Hesitant footsteps sound up the stairs, and she knows it isn't Jay, Evie, or Carlos. They each have unique footsteps - Carlos's sound light, quick, and excited. Jay's are quick as well, but heavier and uneven because he skips steps. Evie's are often the sound of a heel, but even without they are delibrate and dramatic. She walks like she's making an entrance, chin up, shoulders back.
These steps are even and heavy, slower than anyone from the Isle. Maybe part of the royal Guard? Mal keeps her focus on her art.
"At least I don't see a picture of me with horns and a pitchfork,"
Mal whirls around. Is he really dumb enough to come himself? "Ben." He starts towards her but she holds up her hands, intending to look threaten but probably failing. Auradon had softened her.
"Mal, I'm so sorry about our fight. It was all my fault, it-" He sounds like he was looking for the right words, the right key to fit the lock and make her come home. "Please come home," He expects her to come.
She won't. "Ben, I am home." Definitely not what he was expecting.
Obviously at a loss for words, he says, "I brought the limo. It's a sweet ride,"
He isn't understanding. "I don't fit in, Ben. I really gave it my best shot. You think that I can change; I think you're wrong."
"Then I'll change. I'll skip school, have more fun. I'll blow off some of my responsibilities,"
"No! No, see I'm such a terrible influence. It's only a matter of time before I do something so messed up that not only does the kingdom turn on me but they turn on you!"
"Don't quit us, Mal," He puts his ring in her hand, a last plea to convince her. "The people love you. I love you," He pauses. "Don't you love me?"
Mal can't decide if he had great or terrible timing. She weighs her decision one last time, but she needs this. "I have to take myself out of the picture because it's whats best for you, and what's best for Auradon." She doesn't say, what's best for me.
"Mal, please don't,"
"Ben," He still isn't going. "I can't do this," Mal turns back to her painting. "You should go, Ben." She doesn't hear him move. "Ben, please go. Please leave." She sounds pathetic and she knows it. She watches him go, stifling a sob.
A moment later, Evie's voice comes through the horn shaped speaker by the door. "M? Mal, it's Evie. Let me just talk to you for a second,"
She's angry now, angry at everything, and she yanks the lever to yell back, "Go away!"
Jay's voice comes through in the background, and the Carlos's a second later. She can't make out what they're saying, but Mal feels some anger dissipate. They all came, for her, because they were worried. Until a few minutes later, when they all come in through the window, the rest of her anger turns into worry and exasperation. Ben's gotten captured, and she's really not surprised.
"If you guys hadn't brought him here, this never would've happened," she snaps. "What were you thinking?"
"He was going to come with or without us, we just wanted to protect him," Evie puts her hands on her hips
"Yeah, and we completely blew it," Carlos says to her.
"Okay, Okay," Jay finally steps in. "So what are we gonna do?"
"We," Mal snarls, "are not doing anything. This is between Uma and me, and she's a punk and guess what? Now I have to go get him." She's relieved her voice stays even, because her stomach flips at the thought of seeing Uma again.
"Whoa, whoa, whoa, Mal, you're still going to have to go through Harry Hook and his band of wharf rats." Mal feels a flash of pride when Carlos is the first one to want to have her back.
"You're gonna need us," Jay supplies.
She wants them with her, just like old times, but... "Uma said to come alone."
"Mal, come on." Evie knows Mal can't be comfortable with this.
Carlos repeats it. "She said to come alone." He plops onto the couch. "I know one thing: I'm not going anywhere."
"We'll be here when you get back," Jay concedes.
Mal turns and walks out before Evie can say anything, mentally preparing for the encounter and not letting herself turn back.