Chapter Text
Home at Last
The ship docked at Auradon’s shore under the soft glow of the moon, its silver light reflecting on the calm waters. Mal stepped off first, her heart lighter than it had been in weeks. She had chosen this—chosen him . And despite everything, Ben had never stopped choosing her.
She felt his presence behind her before she even turned. When she did, he was already reaching for her hand. His touch was warm, steady, grounding.
“Ready to go home?” Ben asked softly.
Mal swallowed, her fingers tightening around his. “Yeah. I think I finally am.”
The walk back to the castle was quiet, but not uncomfortable. The night air was cool against Mal’s skin, the stars twinkling above them as if the whole universe was watching. She had spent so long running, doubting, wondering if she truly belonged here. But Ben had never hesitated—not once. And knowing that filled her with something warm and unfamiliar, something she wasn’t sure she had ever truly felt before.
Love.
When they reached her bedroom door, Mal hesitated. She wasn’t sure why—Ben had been in her room before. But tonight felt different.
“Come in,” she murmured, tugging his hand.
Ben followed, closing the door behind them. Mal let out a slow breath, glancing around the room. It was exactly the same—her spell books stacked neatly on the desk, shades of purple and green filling the space—but it felt…new, somehow. Like she was seeing it for the first time.
She turned back to Ben, suddenly hyperaware of how close he was. Her heart fluttered, a soft warmth pooling in her stomach. It was ridiculous, really—they had kissed before. But this was different. This was quiet and intimate, just the two of them, away from the chaos of the past few days.
“You okay?” Ben asked gently, brushing a stray strand of lavender hair from her face.
Mal nodded, even as her breath hitched. “Yeah. Just…tired.”
He smiled, taking her hand and leading her toward the bed. “Then sit with me,” he said simply.
She did, sighing as she let herself sink into the plush mattress. The exhaustion was catching up to her, making her limbs heavy, her thoughts slow. Ben sat beside her, his arm resting lightly against hers.
For a moment, they just sat there, neither speaking. Then Ben turned to her, his expression soft, adoring. Mal felt her pulse quicken.
She leaned in first, pressing her lips to his in a kiss that started slow but quickly deepened. Ben responded immediately, his hand coming up to cup her cheek, his thumb brushing her skin in the gentlest way. Mal melted into him, her fingers tangling in the fabric of his shirt as warmth spread through her. It was more than their usual kisses—longer, deeper, filled with something that made her chest tighten and her heart race.
When they finally pulled apart, both a little breathless, Mal rested her forehead against his. Her eyes fluttered shut, a small smile playing on her lips.
“That was…” she started, but she didn’t even know how to finish the sentence.
Ben chuckled, pressing a soft kiss to her temple. “Yeah,” he murmured, as if he understood exactly what she meant.
Neither of them moved, content to just sit there, tangled together in the quiet. Mal felt her eyelids growing heavier, her body sinking further into Ben’s warmth. She didn’t even fight it when she felt herself drifting, her head resting against his chest, his arms wrapped securely around her.
Ben pressed one last kiss to the top of her head. “Sleep, Mal,” he whispered.
And for the first time in a long time, she did—safe, warm, and utterly at peace.