Chapter Text
Mal is avoiding her.
It has been a few weeks since the mess of Ben’s cotillion and Evie has only just calmed down from the trauma of being kidnapped by Uma and her little band of pirates. Foolishly, Evie expects everything to fall back into place; she expects to get back the girl she loves, she expects for Mal to feel better. But she doesn’t. If anything, she’s worse. She goes out of her way to make sure that her and Evie aren’t alone together, and if they are then Mal barely says two words to her. Just like before, Evie can feel Mal slowly slipping away and she is doing everything she can to hang on. She doesn’t think she’ll live through the pain of losing Mal again, she doesn’t know if she has anymore fight in her; that battle on the Isle was enough for a lifetime. So, she decides to give her girlfriend her space and just carry on as if nothing is happening.
“Lady Evie!”
Evie sighs as Ben’s newest assistant rushes to her with wide eyes, “Is there something I can help you with, Debra? I’m a little preoccupied.”
“I was sent to ask if you plan to attend the dinner this evening,” Debra breathes out with pink cheeks as she presses her planner to her chest. “The king has everything arranged, but you are the only one who hasn’t given a definite answer.”
“I don’t think I’m going to be able to make it. I have too much on my plate.” Evie sighs as she gestures to the piles of material around her. “Send my regards to my brother and the guests, I’ll see them at school later on this week.”
Debra falters, “I was told to ensure you go…”
“I’m sorry, but the answer is no.” Evie replies as she turns her back to the woman and waves her off with a quick flick of her wrist. “If you wouldn’t mind, I’m tied up with something and I need to finish it. Excuse me for not showing you the way out.”
Evie tilts her head and listens as Debra slowly leaves the room, and she breathes out a sigh of relief when the door clicks closed behind her. As soon as she is sure she’s alone, Evie reaches up to pull her tiara from her blue locks before she sets it aside and stares at the gleaming jewels. Ever since she was on the Isle, Evie has had nightmares; well, not so much nightmares as memories. Being in that awful place had shaken awake something that she was sure was locked away, and all she has done lately is attempt to fight against it. Evie feels so alone; Ben has his kingly duties, Audrey is busy running council, Jay is occupied with Carlos, Carlos is stuck on teaching Dude new tricks, Lonnie and Finn are going through things, and her girlfriend? Well, Evie isn’t so sure she can even count on Mal at this point.
“Knock, knock.”
Evie smiles softly as she turns her head, “Hi, Dad.”
“What are you doing locked away in here?” Adam asks as he steps inside and arches an eyebrow. “I thought you’d be scouring your closet for something to wear to Ben’s dinner tonight.”
“I’m not going.” Evie whispers as she focuses her attention on the material in front of her. “I have more pressing matters to take care of, I’m sure I won’t be missed.”
“You light up the room, sweetheart. I think you’ll be missed.” Adam chuckles as he moves to press a kiss to the top of her head before he lowers himself onto the seat beside her. “So, how about you tell me what’s really going on?”
Evie cringes, “Nothing.”
“You never were a very good liar, Evelyn,” Adam smiles with a fond shake of his head. “How do you expect me to help you if I don’t know what’s going on in that head of yours?”
“I…” Evie trails off and she reaches up with a careful touch to catch a tear that slowly escapes. “Dad, I’ve been remembering things. A-And Ben is busy with the kingdom and Jay has Carlos and Mal is...I don’t even know. I just feel so alone.”
Adam looks at her with a look of sadness, “Oh, Evelyn.”
“Ever since we left the Isle, Mal has been a million miles away and I don’t know what I did wrong. I’ve tried everything.” Evie sniffles. “I thought everything would be better after the cotillion, I thought we could work through everything.”
“Have you told her any of this?” Adam asks.
“How can I?” Evie scoffs as she continues to wipe away her tears. “If we’re in the same room together for longer than thirty seconds then she bolts, and she doesn’t respond to my texts. It’s like she doesn’t want to talk to me.”
“A lot has happened over the last three weeks, sweetie.” Adam points out. “Both you and Mal have been tested, and your relationship has been put through quite the turmoil. Have you considered that Mal might be trying to protect you?”
“From what?” Evie scoffs.
Adam chuckles and shakes his head, “Your girlfriend is a dragon, dear.”
“So? Am I supposed to be scared now?” Evie demands as she pouts her lower lip. “I don’t care that she’s a dragon, at the end of the day she’s still my Mal. She’s still afraid of bananas, she still likes her hot chocolate with ice cubes, she still prefers fingerless gloves, she still hates the snow, and she still…”
“I think I get it, Evelyn.” Adam laughs.
“I just...she’s still the girl that I love.” Evie whispers as she ducks her head. “But what if she realizes I’m not the girl she loves anymore?”
“Evelyn Isabelle,” Adam begins, and Evie immediately quiets as her father stares at her with a stern frown. “Your mother and I have taught you what happens when you make assumptions. You need to talk to her.”
Evie nods slowly, “Okay.”
“As for those things that your remembering,” Adam sighs as he reaches out to tilt Evie’s chin up with a gentle expression. “Your mother and I feared there would be repercussions to you being on the Isle. Do you want us to setup an appointment with a friend of Dr. Winters?”
“I don’t know.” Evie admits as she furrows her brow slowly. “Right now all I can focus on is fixing this thing with Mal, everything else can wait. I can only handle so much at a time.”
Adam laughs at her disgruntled expression, “You look exactly like your mother when you make that face, it’s no wonder how you managed to get everything you ever asked for.”
“Thank you, Dad.” Evie whispers as she stands and smooths her dress down before she moves to wrap her arms around her father’s neck. “I know how hard its been for you and mom to accept my relationship, but I’m so thankful that you do. I love you.”
“I love you, too.” Adam smiles as he stands, and Evie squeals as her father lifts her up and gives a playful twirl. “Now, go get ready for that dinner and I’ll see you tomorrow for tea.”
Evie nods as her father sets her safely back on her feet and leaves her with a kiss on the head. As soon as he’s gone, the worry fills her once more. As much as she likes to kid herself, Evie isn’t as confident as everyone believes. Just like the rest of her friends, she goes through patches of wondering how she ended up with such a good life. With a soft sigh, Evie slowly lowers herself back to her seat and reaches to run her fingertips over the diamonds on her favorite tiara. Part of her wants to stay safely locked in her sewing room, but she knows that running from her problems won’t do anything; all she can do now is face them head on and hope that somehow everything works out.
-
Mal tries to pretend she doesn’t spend the whole dinner looking for Evie. She expected the princess to pop up, but they’re halfway through the main course and her girlfriend has yet to make an appearance. It makes her feel a little breathless, Mal has been careful about keeping Evie in her eyeline since they got back from the Isle. She doesn’t think she can handle it if something else happens to Evie, especially if it involves something from Mal’s past. With a sigh, she pushes the pasta around on her plate as the background buzz of laughter sounds while her friends chatter on about life. Mal thinks of excusing herself, she just wants to go back go her dorm room and wallow in self-pity. Just as she is getting the nerve to make her exit, she perks up as she hears the soft rap of heels and she glances up to watch as Evie walks through the archway with an apologetic frown, and Ben immediately stands with a smile to greet her.
“Hey, Debra said you weren’t coming down.” Ben frowns as he pulls out a chair from Evie. “Want me to get you a plate?”
“Oh, no. I’m sorry, I didn’t come down to join you guys.” Evie murmurs, and she visibly flinches as Ben deflates. “I’m sorry, Ben. I promise I’ll plan the next dinner and I’ll even attend. If you’ll excuse me, I just came down for some water.”
Mal feels a sting of pain when Evie barely acknowledges her presence, she simply gives Mal a nod before she turns to walk away with her water. As soon as the large wooden doors close behind her, Mal is out of her seat and following her girlfriend. She can’t take it anymore, she can’t keep avoiding Evie. She sees how it’s affecting Evie, she can see the dark rings under her eyes and how she seems to dim with each day. With ease, Mal makes her way through the spacious castle and finally pushes her way into the sewing room; she feels her heart ache when she sees Evie glaring down at a half sewed dress before she gives up and pushes it away.
“E?”
Evie tenses and doesn’t turn to look at her, “Yes?”
“Are you okay?” Mal asks.
“Why does it matter to you?” Evie scoffs as she shakes her head. “You’ve barely said two words to me since the cotillion, it’s a wonder you haven’t just broken up with me. I mean, that’s what you wanted to do before you ran off to the Isle.”
“I see that you’re angry…” Mal begins hesitantly.
“I’m not angry, Mal. I’m hurt.” Evie hisses, and the words crack halfway through as she finally turns to face Mal. “What happened to us being unbreakable? What did I do to drive you away again?”
“Evie,” Mal breathes out, and she slowly crosses the room so she can kneel before her girlfriend with her curled fists resting on Evie’s knees. “It isn’t you. I’m just...scared. You were kidnapped, spelled, and almost drowned because of me. You were used as a pawn in a grudge that should’ve been buried years ago. It’s just...everytime I look at you I worry about what’s going to happen to you next.”
Evie softens as she reaches out to curl a gentle strand of hair behind Mal’s ear, “Uma’s decision to target me isn’t something that should haunt you, Mal. I’m okay.”
“They hurt you.” Mal chokes out.
“But you saved me.” Evie reminds her.
Mal licks her lips as she locks their gazes, “You saved me too.”
“Can we please just go back to being us? I miss you. I know we both have things to work out, but we can do it together.” Evie assures her. “You and me against the world, remember?”
“You and me, and every space in between.” Mal nods as she lifts her head slightly. “Look, I’m not good with all the mushy emotions but I hope you know that I never stopped loving you. Even when I was running away, even when I abandoned everything, your happiness was the only thing that mattered to me.”
Evie laughs her way through a choked sob, “We are an absolute mess.”
“Yeah, but it’s kind of perfect.” Mal shrugs as she stands and carefully lowers herself to straddle Evie’s lap. “We are perfect. And I know that we’ll find our way back to how we were, but for now let’s enjoy what we have right here. We should make the most of having a second alone.”
“I’m not having sex with you in my sewing room, Mal. Don’t even try to pout.” Evie teases as her hands curl around Mal’s hips. “But if you have another place in mind…”
Mal perks up and scrambles from Evie’s lap, “I know just the place!”
“Not the art room.” Evie orders as she accepts the hand Mal holds out to her, and she smiles at Mal’s huff. “Try again.”
“The kitchen?”
“Ben has guests.” Evie reminds her.
Mal rolls her eyes, “The living room?”
“Once again, we have guests.” Evie giggles.
“Gym?”
Evie scrunches her nose, “Ew.”
“Alright, my princess,” Mal growls as she tugs Evie to her and her eyes glow as a small moan escapes Evie. “How about you stop being a pillow princess and tell me where we can go?”
“Mm,” Evie drops her head to nip at Mal’s lower lip as she smirks. “The movie room does have a very comfortable couch.”
Mal nods as she eagerly begins to tug Evie, “That will most definitely do.”
As Evie stumbles after Mal, she can’t help but think that they’re on the right track back to perfect.