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Saturdays were VK´s days. That was sacred. It didn't matter if one of them was traveling hundreds of miles or at a royal meeting that put Auradon in danger, they had to see each other on Saturdays one way or another.
Honestly, over time, the meetings grew larger. From time to time, the little ones would spend the day there: Dizzy following Evie around like an abandoned puppy, scissors in hand to cut any scrap of fabric that got in her way; Celia trying to convince Mal to let her "just take a look" at her spellbook; or the twins seeking protection from the big Jay and the smart Carlos.
On quieter days, they became a sort of quadruple date where everyone and their partners would have a simple dinner prepared by everyone. And although it was rare, it even happen that the pirates would join together on special days.
On this day, it was one of the quiet days. Evie was cutting some new fabric that Jay had brought (“I didn’t steal them, okay. They just appeared in my path and no one was there to claim them.”) doing evil knows what.
Jay was on the floor playing some online video game, cursing every time his team didn't do what he had planned in his head, while Mal was sitting on the couch with Ben, one leg draped over his, practically in his lap, with a cup of black coffee in her hand.
Suddenly, the door opened and slammed shut. A blur of white, red, and black passed through the room and plopped down on the couch, right next to Mal with a grunt.
"Hey, 'los," Evie said with a smile and her soft voice. Jay just raised his head slightly in recognition. Carlos looked at Mal and snatched the cup from her, taking a long drink. Mal growled and smacked him on the back of the head.
"Ush. Bad dog," she said as she retrieved her drink.
Carlos leaned back in the couch with his eyes closed and his mouth full of coffee. After a sigh, he swallowed hard.
“I’m not sure love is for me,” he exclaimed. Jay laughed and took an earbud out of his ear. “What are you laughing at, big guy?” he said, defensive.
“Carlos, I saw you making out with Jane yesterday. Believe me, I've never seen you that hungry, and I was on the isle when-”
“Wait, how did you see that?”
“Oh, I needed my phone charger and didn't want to bother you, so I took it.”
“How-? Ididn´t even-”
“Old habits, man. They never die, I guess.”
Evie walked over to the couch, sat next to Carlos, and began stroking the spot where Mal had hit him.
“Why do you say that, Cub? I'm pretty sure I listened to you for hours this week about how Jane had skin as soft as fur and eyes as beautiful as chocolate.”
Carlos sighed, “and lips as pink and soft as rose petals.”
“Ugh,” Mal blurted, cuddling closer to Ben.
“Mal, you're not the one to-” Jay began.
“Los… You can't seriously think you don't like love,” Evie said, her hand still in his hair, interrupting the other two.
Carlos sighed, leaning into Evie's soft, familiar touch.
“It's weird… No… I-I don't think I understand it.”
“´Los, you're not supposed to understand love. It just happens,” Mal said from her spot, stroking Ben's cheek, who leaned into her touch.
Carlos looked at them and frowned.
“No… It's different. I'm smart. I… I know how things work. And objectively, love is something that can be explained. A bunch of hormones with weird names that are meant to preserve the human species or something. But just when I feel like I've got it under control… it changes. It's not constant.”
There was silence in the room. Everyone in that room had been in a long-term relationship, but each experienced it differently.
“Carlos… Love isn't something you can… explain or study. At least not in a way that… No, that's not how it works.” Ben said and Carlos fell silent. The prince was about to ask him why he'd started this conversation, but Evie signaled him to stop with her hand.
Carlos wasn't someone you could attack with questions without him shutting down and leaving the conversation hanging. It wasn't until after a couple of minutes that he spoke.
“Jane is too… nice,” he murmured. Everyone, absolutely everyone in that room had felt that way; it was nothing new for someone from the Isle. “She…” Carlos grimaced in frustration, tugging lightly at his white locks. “She's still all kind and understanding! I don't know what's wrong with her!”
“Oh, that. Dough always does that, too. He says things like, ‘A relationship is based on trust and honesty,’ or something like that. It's incredibly stressful." Evie talked.
“You want to know what a relationship was based on where I come from?” Carlos asked, annoyed. Mal covered Ben's ears, who just stared at them with wide eyes. Evie laughed and rolled her eyes.
“I think it's just one of Auradon's things… They're a little strange here. No offense, Ben,” Evie said, winking at the king.
Ben looked at them all with that surprised look they were all used to receiving from the prince.
“Let me get this straight… Your problem is… Jane's being nice?” Carlos nodded. “Uh… Can you clarify how that's a problem?”
Carlos looked at him blankly.
“Well… It's not normal. She must… It's… You can't really be that nice… She must expect something in return, and I'm not sure what else she wants from me…I try to give her... I don´t knwo what else could she want” Gradually, his voice became softer, and his brow furrowed.
Jay grunted at the loss and took off his headphones completely, turning to where the conversation was taking place.
“Pup… Jane's a sweetheart. I don't think… She's not that kind of person… I don't think so.”
“Then why is she being so kind? Why… Why doesn't she get upset when I don't know what to do, or get away when im overwhelmed or-”
Evie tensed and pulled him into her arms.
“It's… It's okay. We're not on the island. No… People can be kind without expecting a sacrifice in return. That can happen, ´Los”
Carlos clenched his fists and whimpered.
“No… I know, I understand. But… I don’t really understand it. I told her I didn’t want to kiss today. I was sure she would get all mad at me and break up with me and everything would go to hell, but she just said, ‘Okay. If you want, you can tell me why, and if not, I’ll wait until you feel comfortable.’ What the fuck?”
“Carlos… Do you really think Jane’s going to dump you because you said no to kissing?” Ben asked.
Carlos’s eyes darkened, and the rest of the VKs tensed.
“Ben… You don’t want to know what would happen in the island when you said no… special in things like that…”
“I’m sorry…” Ben cleared his throat. “It’s just… Carlos… Do you think I’m looking for something more from Mal? Something more than she wants to give me and gives me her consent to take?” Carlos looked at him, almost like a scolded child, and shook his head. “Have you ever seen Doug take anything from Evie without asking? Or him getting ´ all mad at her´” Same response. “Do you think he’s expecting something more than her being nice and loving him?”
"No? I don't know! T-they... Not yet, but they may-”
"Come on, ´Los. Even Gil keeps giving me roses just for the pleasure of seeing my reaction. No… I know life was hard back there, okay? I went through it too. But… We're not there. Not anymore,” Jay said firmly.
“And yes… I know it's confusing, Los. No… people aren't always good. But there are kind people out here,” Mal said, glancing at Ben, her eyes shining. Carlos rolled his eyes, but was surprised that his mind instantly went to Jane
Evie placed a soft kiss on his temple.
“Ugh… I know the logical thing to do is protect your heart and your little head.” With that word, she tapped him on the head a couple of times. “But… Don't you think it's worth it? Maybe love is for you, you're just afraid to feel it. Not a half-hearted love, not a conditional love. A true love, like the one in the storybooks we used to flip through at home.”
“Love is for the brave, they say. And I know you're a chicken, but I also know you can be as brave as a night in charming armor.”Jay said.
“Let you feel. Let you love… And that's an order,” Mal said, kicking Carlo´s leg lightly, earning a laugh mixed with a groan.
Carlos was about to argue something when his cell phone started ringing. He took it in his hands and looked at the name “Jane 💖” His heart raced, his cheeks heated, and for a moment all doubts disappeared until a laugh made him look up. For that moment, all his doubts disappeared because Jane and Jane was calling him, and Jane wanted to hear his voice.
“You are so down… Go get your girl,” Mal said, ruffling his hair. Carlos smiled and waved goodbye as he left, quickly returning to grab his jacket to say goodbye again. Mal laughed mockingly.
“Uhm?” Ben asked.
“I don't blame him… But I hope he understands soon. He's going to save himself a lot of heartache.” Ben smiled and placed a kiss on her nose, pulling her closer.
“That's the way love goes, uh.”
“That's the way love goes,” the girl replied, pressing their lips together with a smile.