Work Text:
make my day
♔
Ever since he was sixteen, Ben never anticipated how hard being king would be.
Leading up to the coronation, his father always tried to give him leadership tips on how to run Auradon — “Don’t upset the mice”, “Always sign the document a week after”, “Never give Aladdin a direct answer or he’ll take it as a threat.” — yet quite frankly Ben couldn’t be assed and instead went into his room to read, which ended up being very foolish. Very foolish.
Between the Maleficent problem, the Uma problem, and the Isle barrier going down forever, he doesn’t know which situation is more stressful, on top of the fact that he broke off his engagement with Mal, his parents were on his case about finding a new ruling partner, and the many, many papers that were sprawled on top of his desk about the (admittedly) pointless requests from the countries of Auradon. Why in God’s name does Arendelle need a beach?
Just as Ben scribbled across another document in now messy handwriting, he heard the door creak open. Looking up, he saw a barrage of sky blue and golden curls that were familiar.
“Hey, Chad.”
“Hey, Ben,” Chad greeted with a smile.
Without missing a beat, Ben burrowed right back to his papers. “What have I told you about knocking?”
“That I should… do it?”
“But do you ever do it?”
“No.”
Classic Chad Charming. When Ben could still feel his best friend’s presence, he finally looked up to meet Chad’s gaze, he had a weird expression that Ben couldn’t read. “Chad, is there a problem?”
“No,” Chad assured. “I was just wondering if you wanted to hang out today.”
Ben looked back down to hide his eye roll. “Sorry, Chad, as you can see I’m pretty busy.”
Ignoring Chad’s very obvious stares, Ben tried to reassert himself back into the work pace, hoping Chad would take the hint (not really a hint though) and leave, but Chad just… stayed.
Ben looked up again, “Chad, what is it?” He asked with a bit more tone.
Chad sat down in one of the leather chairs in front of Ben’s desk, never breaking eye contact. “It’s just… we’re all kind of worried about you. Ever since you quit Tourney, opened the barrier, and broke up with Mal, you just sit around all day and work.”
“Yes, Chad, that’s what happens when you’re the king. Responsibilities.” Ben went back to writing. It was quiet for a few moments until he felt his pen being taken out of his hand. “Chad, give that back!”
Chad stretched the pen out of reach. “No, you need to get out and have fun.”
“Dude, I’m glad you all care about me but I can take care of myself. I know my limits,” Ben responded, reaching up for the pen again.
Chad stretched his arm out farther. “No, you don’t. You’re stressed out.”
Ben was standing now. “No, I’m not,” he said with a bit too much contempt. “Give it back.”
“Ben, come on, I’ve known you my whole life. You’re stressed out.”
Ben slammed his hands on the desk in complete frustration now. “No, I’m not. Listen, I can handle being king it’s just a lot of things to do sometimes like this stupid clemency or this embargo between Agrabah and Wei and there’s so many school programs I have to open up for the Isle kids I just—“
Before he can finish his sentence, Ben feels a pair of soft lips touching his own. Chad was kissing him, and Ben… didn’t hate it. At all. He sees why Chad was so popular with the girls.
Ben closed his eyes, wanting to get more enveloped in the kiss, but soon he found his lips feeling lonely, staring at a panting Chad.
“Why…” Ben breathed. “Why did you do that…”
Chad shrugged. “It was just a way to get you to relax.”
If Ben wasn’t so flustered right now he could slap Chad.
Chad waved at him, “Have a good day, man,” and was swiftly out the door.
Ben sat down, slowly pulling his fingers to his lips.
His parents were right. Maybe he did need a ruling partner.