Chapter Text
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The United States of Auradon, the ultimate fairytale kingdom, where the princes' sixteenth birthday became an affair of state rather than a day for celebration. In Auradon's defence, the political parties were split in perfect halves. Supporters of Prince Benjamin, the youngest son of the King and Queen, had grown notorious over the years, while those in favour of the firstborn, Prince Alexandre, never gave up hope their prince would break his public silence.
Tucked in a corner of the princes' lounge, a cluster of sofas held the most acclaimed and awaited discussion — the claim to the throne. A private matter, according to the King and Queen, that should only be held between the princes, yet their girlfriends remained in attendance. Audrey had claimed the 'love sofa', yet her love, Ben, paced around as if sitting would be an offence to his mind. Across from her sat Princess Thamina on the only green armchair, her hands intertwined with Prince Alexandre's, who had taken the armrest as a chair.
"It isn't fair," said Ben. "It shouldn't be up to us who gets to be Crown Prince."
"Well, your parents clearly wanted no part in it," Princess Thamina, better known as Mina, leant her head against her prince's arm, looking up at his absent gaze. "Besides, you have no right to complain, Benny-Boo. Not when you've dragged me and Audrey into this."
"Don't listen to her, Benny-Boo," said Audrey, hugging her boyfriend's arm to pull him onto the sofa. "You're exactly what Auradon needs. Everyone knows it."
Mina chuckled. "If everyone knows it, why are we in this mess, exactly?"
"Girls, please," Ben huffed, his sight trying to meet his brother's with little success. "What do you think, Alexis?"
What a tough question to answer. What did he think? Often too much. Being the eldest, albeit for half an hour, Alexis had every right to become the Crown Prince. His parents had spared no expense on his education. But his heart didn't align with Auradon's practices, let alone the fairytale norms. He could never love a princess. That had become obvious over his three-year-long relationship with his best friend. Mina often called it 'their little secret defect', but it had nothing little about it. Not for as long as Auradon considered people such as them 'villain side-kicks'.
"I think we ought to do what's best for our people," Alexis replied, the blue spots in his otherwise brown eyes as vivid as stars. "And, I think, that means naming you Crown Prince."
Ben shot up to his feet, dropping Audrey's hand. "What about you?"
"I'm not going anywhere," said Alexis, a faint, twitching smile playing across his lips. "I'll always be a prince of Auradon. But before that, I'm your brother. And, as your brother, I know you'll one day become the greatest king Auradon has ever seen." The twitch faded away as he added, "Compared to our father, it won't be too difficult."
"I still think it should be you," Ben insisted.
"Nonsense," Audrey rushed to his side. "Think of your Kingdom. Think of us! King and Queen of Auradon! That's all we've ever wanted, Benny-Boo."
"I don't," Ben hesitated, his gaze returning to his brother, whose smile finally reached his eyes. "Why me?"
Alexis stood up, his yellow suit's pocket snagging on his ring as he tried to place a hand on his brother's shoulder. "Because there's something only you can do."
"And that is?"
No answer left Alexis' lips as their parents, the ever graceful King and Queen of Auradon, strode into the lounge hand in hand. Neither cared to pretend to be surprised at the girls' presence. They greeted them too.
But then, their father halted to wipe the non-existent dust off his glasses. "Have you made a decision?"
With Alexis' hand on his back, Ben faced their parents, his fidgety fingers playing with his blue sleeves. "I'll be the Crown Prince of Auradon."
"Oh," their mother muttered, her eyes wide as they met her husband's.
"However," Ben added. "As future Crown Prince, my duty's to my people. All our people. So... Alexis and I thought that it's high time for children on the Isle of the Lost to be given a chance to live here in Auradon."
Seeing their parents' silent shock, Alexis stepped up to stand by Ben's side, his hand sliding up to squeeze his brother's shoulder. "It's not a petition, but an informal announcement."
"We start out with a few at first," Ben carried on, trying to calm the tense air. "Only the ones who need our help the most. We've already chosen them."
Their father didn't hide his contempt. "Have you?"
But their mother stopped him in his tracks. "I gave you another chance," she said, focusing back on Alexis and Ben. "Who are their parents?"
"Cruella de Vil, Jafar, the Evil Queen," Ben needed to take a quick breath before finishing with, "and Maleficent."
A loud gasp echoed across the lounge. Audrey had never heard a word of their plan. It showed on her shivering hands, covering her open mouth. But that lost importance as, across from them, the twins' father let his temper get the better of him. Yet again.
"Maleficent!" He yelled. "She's the worst villain in the land!"
"Dad, just hear me out here," said Ben.
"I won't hear of it." Their father help up his hand, gesturing them to be quiet, "They're guilty of unspeakable crimes."
"Dad, their children are innocent," argued Ben. "Don't you think they deserve a shot at a normal life? Dad?"
Alexis didn't miss a beat and added, "This will happen whether you like it or not. You can choose if it's done under your reign, with your rules, or under Ben's."
Their father hesitated, his gaze shifting from his sons to his wife, who offered a subtle, encouraging nod. "I suppose... their children are innocent."
A relieved smile overtook their mother's face as she turned to them. "Well," she muttered, fixing Ben's jacket with a gentle touch. "Well done."
The lounge fell back into silence as the King and Queen walked away. Neither Ben nor Alexis could quite believe it. They had convinced their parents. A task perhaps way more complicated than helping four lost children adapt to a new, better life. Although that could come across as too optimistic, they didn't lose hope.
But Audrey had no bit of it. "Benny-Boo, be reasonable. They're children of villains! What do you suppose they'll do here? Play by the rules?"
"They're innocent, Audrey," said Ben. "Just as we aren't responsible for our parents' choices, neither are they."
Beyond disappointed, Audrey grabbed her purse and marched out of the lounge. Alexis almost expected his brother to follow after her. However, Ben sighed and got back to him, a grin plastered across his face. Celebration ensued, less for their birthday than for finally completing part of the program they had been working on for months. They spent the afternoon talking about the future, the children's welcome to Auradon, and many more things over a plate of Tiana's, Mina's mother, greatest snacks ever served in her restaurant.
The sun had only begun to set when Ben left the lounge to prepare a room for Mina to spend the night in. That left Mina with enough time to glance at Alexis, a worried look in her eyes. "Are you ever going to tell him?"
He sighed. "Yes. When I get a boyfriend."
"So," she taunted. "Never?"
"Exactly."
With quick steps, Mina darted in front of him, forcing their eyes to meet. "Ben isn't like the others. He might not understand, but he'll be there for you."
The cold, blue spots in Alexis' eyes grew a shade darker. "So why don't you tell him?"
"Maybe because he isn't my brother?" Mina huffed.
"Yeah, because only villains having hearts like ours isn't part of it," said Alexis, rolling his eyes as dramatically as he could muster. "As far as my father's concerned, anyway."
"It isn't evil to love whoever makes us happy," argued Mina.
"Tell that to half the so-called evil sidekicks still stuck on the Isle of the Lost."
She fell silent, her big brown eyes now hesitant to meet his own. "Things will change... one day."
"So, until they do," he said, placing a hand on her shoulder, "we best be careful."
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