#audrevie

when ben (Crown Prince ben! future High King Ben!) welcomes them, evie puts on the perfected enamoured face and introduces herself in the melodic tone she mastered before she can even realise what she is doing. 

“A worthy prince will mingle in his own circle, so introduce yourself appropriately!”

and then this oh so pretty girl, whose skin is clear and radiant, whose hair was probably done by professionals and makeup wasn’t scavenged from trash barges, this girl tells her that she has no royal status here. and evie is still not sure why she said anything to ben, still trying to regain control of her body, and this news sends her head spinning, like she swallowed belladonna berries. 

how can she not be a princess? her mother is a queen. evie knows how to cook, sew, clean, how to seduce a prince or a king, and how to say what he wants to hear. she knows how to choose proper outfits for outings, how to be benevolent to her subjects and how to act with the help, even if hers consisted only of vultures. she knows how to advise a king so he doesn’t notice it, how to make him think the good idea was his, and how to never let on that she is savvy in the government dealings. 

she can feel her face scrounging into a grimace. it must look awful. so she takes a deep breath, pushes her shoulders back, lets a mask of calmness fall over her face and tries not to think about how this beautiful girl (princess) destroyed a crucial part of her identity in one swift move. leaving her unbalanced like a house without foundation. 

and then they are off, walking towards the school. 

as soon as the statue starts transforming, all of evie’s nerves bundle up and she is ready to defend against an attack. but it is not home and she is safe here and it’s just a statue. she is mesmerised with the mix of magic and science that make it. she so desperately wants to ask Prince ben about the mechanics, enchantments, charms, that she has to bite her tongue. 

“No man wants a woman who is smarter than him. Their ego couldn’t take it! Don’t go on those long academic monologues of yours, they’re so dreadfully boring even I can’t stand them and I am your mother and I love you already. If you talk, talk about exciting stuff, like a reservation you finally got at an exclusive restaurant for you two! Not the dull dry facts. Better yet, just let him talk. But don’t ask too many questions, it’s not an interrogation.”

ben hands them over to doug, who looks half-terrified and half-turned on by her, which is comforting because it reminds her of the lost boys. he is not royal, just a half-dwarf, but he is an auradonian boy. “Practice makes Perfect.” she tries to talk to him, climbs up on that tightrope on her own accord, but he is so nervous and shaken by the half-feral behaviour of the isle kids that he is no use. they ditch him. 

***

the dorms are beautiful. she knows that as a princess she shouldn’t be that impressed with a single canopy bed and some lace decoration but as an isle brat she marvels at the wholeness and cleanliness of everything.

the fact that it’s already stacked with equipment for lady-like hobbies tells her the expectations for women haven’t changed that much from her Mother’s times. she is surprised by the disappointment that creeps up like the effects of the spanish fly, eating away at her insides. 

it’s fine, she’s probably just hungry.

***

the museum heist is a bust.

it doesn’t bother her like it does mal, who looks like she swallowed iron, or jay, who can’t look any of them in the eye.

stealing the wand was never her task. it was mal’s. it is maleficent who dreams of world domination and mal who dreams of maleficent's approval. evie’s task is ensuring that her life is safe and opulent and that she is never humiliated like her mother was. her task is taking her mother off the island and into a castle. she needs to find a prince or a king that will pardon her mother. 

“Men’s brains leave for a vacation when they see a pretty young girl. I’ve seen Kings do more for their favourites than their Queens. Secrecy is key in that case. Your reputation can not be tainted if you want to be an official wife later on. And you want it, right, genevieve?”

her number one choice would be someone from the Schwarzwald family, but King florian is too far for him to be a real possibility at this moment and snow’s children are both small girls. 

she just needs to find someone whose royal blood goes back hundreds of years. someone who has auradon’s respect. 

***

Prince chad is perfect. he is fairly good looking, second in line for the throne after ben, and a Charming. 

“genevieve, all men are essentially the same. Just pick the prince that isn’t ugly and do what I taught you. Soon enough, I’ll have my mother-in-law wing.”

it is a shame that he is in her chemistry class. she likes chemistry and now she will have to tank it and it makes her want to swallow cyanide. she lets herself wallow for a moment and misses a question from the teacher. 

he has that smug and sly look on her face that makes her entirely too uncomfortable. she remembers it too well from being cornered in alleys on the isle. she can’t do what her instincts are screaming she should (throw the pen she is holding in his eye and get away). he is too close and too cocky and too condescending. she wants to wipe that look off. 

she registered that the question is about silver, so she just fires baseline facts about it. 

(“silver - argentum. ar. number forty-seven on the periodic table. atomic mass - hundred and seven point eight atomic mass units. melting point - roughly nine hundred sixty two degrees celsius. well-known as a weapon against werewolves and other were-creatures. has been known to symbolise protection for some faery cultures.) 

as he turns away with a disgruntled but approving murmur, evie comes to. she can feel arsenic sliding down her throat, replacing the glassy feeling of being right. 

Evil, what have you done? why did she put her self-satisfaction so high? how did she allow herself to forget that there are Princes in the room? she had barely been here for a week and she already repelled ben, and now chad and aziz. how pathetic. she forgot all of Mother's lessons. She would be so disappointed. 

except...chad slides her a note. he wants to talk to her. 

***

the usual excitement-dread-need fills evie as she’s making her way to the bleachers. if she can just do it right, the talking and the flirting, her life will be comfortable. Mother might actually be proud of her. they will never need for anything again. 

“Men make a decision about women after one, maximum three meetings, however fleeting. You know the stories of all the current royals, don’t you? Cinderella spent what, four hours with Henri-Archibald and he turned over his entire Kingdom looking for her. First impressions matter, girl.”

she looked up his family castles through the mirror earlier. they are amazing, breathtaking and airy and light. (it brought tears to her eyes, and suddenly she understood why mal held on to a grudge for ten years.)

he compliments her and it’s rewarding. she would never admit how hard she tries to be fairest (especially to a boy, they like effortless beauty), but his words feel like acknowledgement and a good mark. you are up to auradonian standards, thank gods! she has been noticing how beautiful and polished the princesses and other noble girls in the school are. their faces light with not knowing struggle, their nails carefully manicured and hands soft not knowing hard work, their intricate braids and updos hide no weapons. 

she likes that his perception of her wasn’t tainted by that embarrassing accident in chemistry. evie tries to explain that she isn’t really that smart, it’s just...it’s just mother’s mirror. chad accepts it easily. 

they always want to accept that you’re stupid.

when he leans in she feels like the ground below her is tilting. there is so much on the line here. is he going to judge her for being too easy? is he going to dislike her for playing hard to get? is she going to kiss this guy she barely knows? but he isn’t just some guy, he is a Prince. and she has to do almost anything he wants her to (almost, so he doesn’t get bored with easy pickings).

she had kissed a few times on the isle. jonas, for collecting three sapphire blue dresses for her. one of the gastons, for beating up a drunkard who was bothering her on the way home. jay, she wasn’t sure for what. he said that she looked beautiful when they were sitting on the roof of their hideout. it felt appropriate. 

she didn’t get why everyone was so into making out. it was awkward, each time she became too aware of her body, and didn't know what to do with her hands and mouth. maybe once she found her Prince it would make sense. 

so she checks that she is wearing an apple-flavoured lipgloss, takes a breath and closes her eyes. blood is rushing in her ears. 

she is relieved when it’s an awkward attempt at manipulating her into doing his homework. 

***

doug drops from the bleachers and asks her to go to the coronation with him. he gives her useful information so she can’t really say no outright. favour for favour. but it’s not like she can’t say yes either. or that she wants to. if she is seen at her first royal outing with someone less than a lord she will never climb out of that social circle. evie just laughs her melodic laugh and glides out of there. 

***

jane comes by. evie constructs a perfect image so she doesn’t have anything to gossip about later. she’s diligent (already done with homework), lady-like (sewing and speaking politely) and beautiful (her ribs hurt from her bra’s underwire and her lipgloss feels like a sticky mess).

evie isn’t sure what game she is playing. most likely trying to push on their feelings of pity to get something out of them, mal probably, with how her wet eyes flutter to her every so often. too bad for her, really, that lost kids don’t know empathy or pity.

the way she is criticising herself sets evie on edge, though. makes her hyperaware about the gap between the princess from the trash island and the princesses of auradon. jane is dressed in cobalt blue and evie experiences the symptoms of cobalt poisoning. 

“i have pimples,” baby pink nails are pointing at a trio of tiny comedones on the edge of her hairline. evie feels her breathing speed up.

“and these freckles! they make me look like a twelve year old farm girl,” blue sleeve makes an arc in front of her face. they are barely noticeable. evie feels lightheaded.

“and when i smile, one of my brows goes up and the other doesn’t and my eyes look so uneven and it’s so weird!” cobalt dress-clad body turns to her, put-upon expression on her face. evie feels her heart rate accelerate. 

if a girl as effortlessly beautiful as jane is shunned, evie can’t afford to lower the plank. what would be left of you if they took your beauty like they took away your princesshood?

***

lonnie follows jane. invites herself to their room like it’s normal. says that her mother’s Mulan, like they might not know who she is.

“Look, I understand that those were harsh times for their Kingdom but still, for a woman to voluntarily go to war… Unsightly. Forcing yourself into this masculine energy.” 

whatever her Mother says, the Lis have connections to all noble families, and, more importantly, to the prison structure. so evie makes an effort to be friendly, to be helpful. she comes over to lonnie, makes suggestions to straighten out her look.

but apparently, the unkemptness and clashing colours and roughness is what lonnie wants. like mother, like daughter, evie supposes. and when lonnie says that she (and all the other girls) want hair like mal’s it’s the worst thing she’s ever heard. evie is supposed to be the beautiful one, isn’t she?

lonnie thinks villains love their kids. that they have any warmth to share with creations that they sculpted into being. her naivete is almost funny.

***

the next day, just before mal is supposed to give her cookie to ben, evie is dropping off chad’s homework. she is glad that he looks delighted. before she can say anything about maybe meeting after the game, an angry audrey storms up to them. 

her heels clack softly on the marble. the leather of her pink mary janes shines from polish. her ponytail and skirt swing from side to side in a hypnotic sync. her honey brown curls are held together with a voluminous white bow. it’s so big it almost looks like a halo.

audrey demands to know what evie is doing with chad. what evil thing has she planned. evie is a little breathless and a little speechless and she doesn’t know why. she is usually so quick on her feet. it’s not like she’s even doing anything particularly Evil or malevolent, just clawing towards her chance at a proper life.

the shirt under audrey’s pink knitted vest is ironed and starched. it’s definitely made of a high gsm fabric, with the way it gathers so geometrically at her elbows when she raises her hands to emphasise what she’s saying.

chad just says that it is a chemistry thing. he doesn’t defend her, doesn’t tell audrey to back off, doesn’t say that she’s not evil. genevieve has probably done something wrong. 

“Look, a proper man will not let anyone disrespect a proper girl. So if your Prince lets anyone say nasty things about you, it’s because you have done something to let them both think it is okay.”

audrey turns to look at her. makes a step that closes the distance between them. the pleats of her pink and grey tartan skirt never interrupt the pattern. her lipgloss shimmers when the light hits it just right. her eyes are lined warm brown just so, to give her a sweet doe look. but she’s frowning thunderously now.

“whatever you have planned, know, you are now in the land of the valorous. you think you’re so smart luring everybody away from the right path with your little gateway magic tricks. trying to destabilise us. rest assured, we will thwart your villainous schemes, as we’ve done before.” her tone is laced with venom.

evie is resistant to most poisons known to man. but venom is different.

rationally, she knows that it is all because she is from the Isle of the Lost. that it will take some time to change people’s view of her. that there is work to be done so that people properly respect her as a lady. that she needs to prove to them that she is a real princess. 

(and she is. she is a lady and a princess and a proper person. right?)

inside, she just can’t stop feeling dirty. like she won’t ever be able to scrub herself clean from the grim and blood of the Isle. like everyone can see through her carefully planned outfit and perfectly put on makeup that she is just a fraud, a barge waif playing pretend. 

she wants to claw her pathetic skin off and physically remove all the condescending gazes. 

***

she hates mal. she hates ben. she hates the spectacle and the spotlight when it’s not on her. evie is the one who was raised to be noticed, to be admired, to be serenaded to! and now she’s just ‘that pathetic isle girl who is too stiff to get a friend, unlike the other vks’. 

worst of all, mal didn’t even want it. she painted on a sorry excuse for a smile and accepted the confession with a shaking voice. it didn’t matter to her what people will think, what they will say, what the consequences of following her mother’s wishes will be. 

evie, however, knows what will happen if she fulfils her mother’s wishes. her life will be comfortable and opulent and poor.

***

the next few days, all people talk about are ben and mal and audrey. she started dating chad, apparently. not even a full day after the game. it’s messy, in an auradon way. calculatedly messy. softly. there are no fights or even attempts at them. instead, there are smear campaigns and divisions into camps. 

(she said that he said that he overheard them talking about her leaked audiomessage where he said to her that…)

evie feels the divisions like a physical line painted down the center of the hallway. team mal. team audrey. she is placed firmly on mal’s side by default, which she doesn't mind terribly until it becomes a narrative that she was the one who helped mal steal ben, like her mother stole the Schwarzwald king. the fact that it’s the truth is the worst part. she doesn’t want to be on a team. she wants to be on her own throne.

“Alliances are for those who cannot stand on their own. You are a Queen, genevieve. You bow to no one.”

but here, she is bowing. constantly. to the narrative, to the expectations, to the sheer, suffocating weight of being perceived as part of a monolith. the ‘villain kid’. the ‘evil one’.

she starts seeing audrey everywhere. a flash of pink in the courtyard, a sleek ponytail bobbing ahead of her in the lunch line. and each time, it’s like the world tilts, just for a second. the same feeling as when she’d misjudge a step in the dark sneaking down the stairs of her tower, that heart-leaping-into-throat sensation of the ground not being where she thought it was.

she tells herself it’s research. to understand the enemy. to learn how a real auradon princess operates when her world is publicly crumbling. but her observations feel less like reconnaissance and more like… consumption.

she notices the way audrey’s smile in public never quite reaches her eyes anymore, a practiced, serene mask that’s a masterpiece of control. it’s a performance evie understood in her bones, but where her own felt like a cage of someone else’s design, audrey’s seems like a fortress of her own making. she notices the tiny, almost imperceptible slump in audrey’s shoulders when she thinks no one is looking, the way she’d press her lips together, a quick, hard line, before smoothing her expression back into sweet royalty. the way her masseter tenses whenever chad starts talking.

it makes the fire roaring inside of her turn cold, like the powder of copper turns flames blue. a strange, protective chill. she wants to… what? wipe that practiced look off her face? sneak through the chinks in her armour and see what it was hiding? get a good look at the real girl behind it all?

If you were to ask any kid from the Isle, they would all tell you the same thing – there is no such thing as Christmas, or any holiday for that matter, on the Isle of the Lost. There was no time for fun and games, presents, or much love of any kind. Love, after all, is seen as a weakness. A way to catch your enemy off guard – a tool to use against them. For a gift given always comes at a price. It’s what they all have been told, just one of many rules that came with growing up with villains for parents.

When King Ben declared all children on the Isle of the Lost were to be given a chance to live in Auradon, no one really thought about how different their lives were compared to the people of Auradon. When the holidays came around later that year, there was a bit of a learning curve. It didn’t take long for the AK’s to notice the confusion from the VK’s whenever the holidays were mentioned. And it took even less time before they were sharing the magic of the holidays with every VK they came across. There were many nights spent, dedicated to a different holiday and all they entail.

Unfortunately for Evie, while December marks the start of the holidays, it also brings finals and one of the busiest fashion seasons. Between studying, all the orders for parties, and trying to figure out where to go once break starts, Evie didn’t have much time for anything Christmas related. It wasn’t until finals were over (passing with flying colors of course), all her orders had been filled (without the help of magic, there was just something about doing it herself that she always loved) and finding where to stay for winter break (she would be splitting her vacation between Phillip and Aurora’s castle in Auroria with Audrey and Belle and Adam’s castle in Auradon City with Ben, Mal, Jay, and Carlos) that she had any time for Christmas.

-

5 days to Christmas

The halls of Auradon Prep were bustling. Students were rushing up and down the halls, grabbing last minute things from their dorms, and saying goodbye to friends. With the VKs coming to Auradon only a month before, the whole school had become even busier than normal, at least that’s what Ben told her. It made sense when she thought about it. All those schedules to make, living arrangements, and other accommodations took some serious planning, it was almost a miracle they were able to get it done as fast as they did.

Dodging some of the younger students, Evie made her way to her dorm. She had just finished saying her goodbye’s to Dizzy, who was going to be spending time with Chad and Jane at Cinderella’s Castle. Winter Vacation had officially started after classes the day before, but many students planned on using the weekend to head home for the next few weeks. When she reached the dorm, Evie found the door open. Entering she found Mal tearing through the drawers on her side of the room and Lonnie sitting legs crossed on Evie’s bed watching her. Lonnie waved as she entered and Evie sent her a smile, but Mal remained oblivious to her presence.

“Woah!” Evie barley dodged a flying jacket Mal had thrown across the room. “Is there something you’re looking for, M, or do you just plan on leaving a mess over break?”

Mal spun around, a green and purple shirt clutched tightly in her hands. “E! Thank goodness, where have you been? I have no idea what to pack and I’m freaking out and Lonnie has been no help.”

Lonnie uncrossed her legs and stood up from her spot on the bed, giggling. “Hey, I tried to help you but you just roll your eyes and started throwing clothes everywhere.”

Mal growled lightly at her before turning to Evie, “Your the best with fashion, you helped me with my first date with Ben, nothing Lonnie suggested feels right.”

Evie raised an eyebrow at them both, silently asking what in Zeus’s name Mal was talking about. Lonnie ended up answering her. “She’s worried about spending the holidays with Ben and his parents.”

“Mal, it’s not like you haven’t met them before. You’ve literally defeated your mother in front of them. I don’t think it matters what you wear over winter break.” Evie gently grabbed Mal’s shoulders trying to calm her nerves. Evie didn’t see any reason for Mal to be this nervous, it was very unlike her. “What’s the big deal about spending a few weeks with them?”

“It’s not just Ben’s parents, I have to make a good impression on everyone at the castle! Mrs. Potts, Lumiere, Cogsworth, all of them! Apparently, they take Christmas very seriously.” Mal shook off Evie’s hands and turned to her suitcase sitting on the bed next to her. She grabbed a long sleeved shirt, holding it up for Evie to see. “What do you think of this one?”

“I think anything you wear will be fine, you’re Ben’s girlfriend, I’m sure it won’t matter what you wear.” Evie smiled at Mal, hoping it was calming. “Besides, what’s the big deal about this Christmas thing?”

Mal tilted her head at Evie, who flinched a little at the sound of Lonnie gasping so close to her. “You’re kidding, right?”

It was Evie’s turn to tilt her head in confusion. Realizing she was 100% serious, Mal and Lonnie looked at each other before turning back to Evie. “E, what do you mean? It’s all anyone can talk about these days.”

“My family doesn’t even celebrate Christmas and I know all about it.” Lonnie moved next to Mal to see Evie better. It did nothing to help Evie’s confusion. “People have been getting together for weeks now, didn’t you notice?”

“I’ve been busy with finals and all those clothing orders. I didn’t have time to learn about Christmas!” This was the last thing she needed to worry about, Mal wasn’t the only one who had packing to do still. Unlike Mal, Evie had barley met Audrey’s parents, only briefly meeting her grandmother when the other VK’s were brought over from the Isle. “What is it that I should know? I thought it was just another day!”

Lonnie gently led Evie to sit on her bed, “It’s ok, Christmas is more than just another day. Let me explain…”

-

An hour later not only had Mal and Lonnie done their best to explain about the holiday, they also recruited Jane, who happened to be passing by and decided to say goodbye before she and her mother left to join Chad and Dizzy, who filled in any information the other girls were missing.

“I hope that helps.” Jane tucked a piece of her short hair behind her ear, “I wish I could stay and help more, but I really have to get going. Mom wants us to be at Cinderella and Charming’s castle by 12 sharp.”

“Or else your carriage will turn into a pumpkin?”

“Or else we’ll lose the deposit on the rental car.”

“Thanks Jane, you were a big help.” Mal said. Evie and Lonnie chimed in their own goodbyes and everyone exchanged hugs before the young fairy left the dorm. “Do you understand now, E?

Evie had been really quiet, her mind racing with all the new information. “So let me get this straight, on Christmas people exchange presents and spend time together with a big dinner and for a lot of people this is an important time of year.”

“That’s the short version, yes.”

“Lonnie, you wouldn’t happen to know if Audrey is one of the people who think Christmas is super important, would you?”

“She did decorate her entire dorm one year with a Santa’s Village theme. Complete with reindeer and a sleigh.” At the look on Evie’s face Lonnie shook her hands in what she hoped was a calming motion. “But Fairy Godmother had her return them because Auradon Prep only allowed small animals to live on campus.”

Evie groaned and flopped backwards onto the bed, covering her eyes with one arm. “I’m doomed!”

“Aw don’t say that, E. I’m sure Audrey’s mellowed since then. I bet that was years ago.” Mal shot Lonnie a look and grimaced. “Right, Lonnie?”

Lonnie let out a nervous laugh. “…right. It’s not like it was… last year.. Or anything like that…”

Evie let out another, louder groan.

-

4 Days to Christmas

“Where to find the perfect gift?” Evie mumbled under her breath. That morning she had woken up early to head into the town near the castle to find Audrey a gift before Christmas. Unfortunately, she had no idea what that was. Evie had no luck the day before trying to find a gift for Audrey, there wasn’t any time, what with packing, traveling to Auradon City, unpacking, no one had time for anything really.

Auradon City was covered in a few inches of snow, paired with the brisk morning air it was a beautiful sight. Evie wished she could enjoy it more but there wasn’t any time. She went from shop to shop searching for the perfect gift, without any luck. The shoes weren’t pretty enough, the jewelry not shiny enough, not even the make was the right shade. After a few hours, Evie was tired and feeling a bit hopeless. Exhausted, Evie decided to take a break at a small bakery. It was warm inside and Evie felt her face flush at the temperature change. While waiting in line, Evie noticed a very familiar head of teal braids a few people ahead of her. Evie watched as Uma ordered and made her way over to a table in the corner where a few familiar pirates were seated.

Once Evie ordered, a millefeuille and blueberry tea, she made her way over to the group. “Uma!” she called, as not to startle them. Some habits from the Isle never go away. Uma, Harry, and Gil looked up from their conversation with two little boys Evie recognized as the Smee Twins. The twins were too engrossed in their pastries to pay Evie any attention. Uma and Harry kept their expressions neutral while Gil smiled brightly at her. Since coming to Auradon, the pirates and the core four had settled most of their differences. It took a while, Evie still wouldn’t call them friends yet, but they were on friendly terms. “I didn’t expect to you you all here.”

Uma nodded, “We’re just passing through. We’re headed to Neverland and the boys wanted to stop and see the sights. Evie wasn’t sure if she was talking about the Twins or Harry and Gil. “I thought you and Audrey were spending the break together?”

“I will be, Mal, Jay, Carlos and I are spending a the week with Ben then I’m spending the last week with Audrey in Auroria. But she’ll be here for Belle and Adam’s Christmas Party.”

“Do you mind if I join you?”

The three pirates shared a look. “Aye, lass. We aren’t staying long, though.” Harry said. “We have a few more places to visit before getting to Neverland.”

“Thanks,” Evie said pulling up a chair. “I won’t keep you long, I have plans.”

“Does that mean Jay and the others are around?” Gil asked. Surprisingly, Gil and Jay had become the closest out of all of them.

“No, it’s just me. I was so busy with school and sewing that I forgot all about Christmas. I only have a few days to find a gift for Audrey.” Evie sighed into her tea.

While Evie stared into her tea, Uma gave Harry a look. “Ok boy’s, how about I’ye get you two cleaned up and we can play in the snow some b’for we go?” Grins break out on the twin’s faces and they shake their heads vigorously, chocolate smeared all over them. “Gil, give me a hand, mate?”

“Huh?” Gil asked, looking confused. Harry rolled his eyes and elbowed him. Pointing his head in the direction of the bathrooms and looking between Uma and Evie. Once Gil realized what he meant he gave Harry an ostentatious wink. “Oh! Yeah, sure.”

As the four boys made their way to the bathroom, Uma turned to Evie. “Ok, so what’s really bothering you, princess?”

“W-what?” Evie had gotten lost in her thoughts and didn’t even notice the boys leave the table. “There’s no trouble at all.”

Uma crossed her arms, leaning back in her chair. “You’re almost as easy to read as Gil. It’s all over your face.”

Evie wanted to argue but she was to frustrated to keep up a facade. “Have you ever cared about someone so much that you want to give them a gift as special as they are? Ever since Audrey and I started dating, she’s become so special to me. She’s beautiful, kind, and completely amazing. I don’t know what I’d do without her.” Evie sighed, a dreamy look on her face. “Have you ever felt that way?”

Uma looked out of the window, outside Harry and Gil were playing with the twins. Harry carried one of the boys on his back, spinning around, both of them laughing while Gil was showing the other how to make a snow angel. When Harry got tired, he threw his twin onto a tall snowbank before jumping in himself. The Smee twin making snow angels watched before throwing himself onto Harry in a playful attempt at revenge. The girls watched as Gil noticed the commotion behind him and joined in on the fun. Evie glanced at Uma to see a gentle smile on her face.

“I know exactly what you mean,” Uma muttered under her breath, just enough for Evie to hear. Her eyes never leaving Harry’s form. Evie watched as Harry glanced in the window at Uma and his grin widened impossibly. If he could, Evie was sure it would split his cheeks if she smiled any harder. He sent Uma a wink before bringing his full attention back to Gil and the twins. Uma turned back to Evie a smile on her face. “If she feels anything like I can tell you feel about her, You won’t have to try very hard. She’ll love whatever you get her.”

Evie smiled, but Uma’s words did nothing to sooth her nerves. “I’m sure you’re right.”

-

3 Days to Christmas

Evie had no luck finding anything in Auradon city. Sure there were some nice presents she could have gotten, but none of them felt right. She wanted her gift to say everything Evie felt without her having to utter a single word. She wanted it to fill Audrey with as much love as Evie feels whenever she’s around her. She wanted it to be perfect.

The snow from the day before quickly turned from a light coating into a full blown storm. Far too cold her her to go out and far to close to Christmas to order anything. With everything on her mind, Evie couldn’t find much joy in any of the activities Ben had planned for them. The weather did nothing to help her mood. Evie couldn’t tell if it was a blessing or a curse when Carlos and Jay came into the sitting room Evie was using to come up with ideas.

“A whole castle and there’s nothing to do.” Jay said to Carlos as the boys entered the room. Evie continued pacing in front of the fireplace, assume the boys would pass through to the kitchen or the media room. Instead Jay plopped himself down on one of the couches , throwing one leg over the back while the other hung off onto the floor. “I thought spending two weeks at the King’s castle would be fun.”

“You could always read a book.” Carlos replied, sitting cross legged on the opposite couch, Dude resting in his lap. “Or see if we can sneak into the kitchen to grab one of Mrs. Potts cookies.”

“Yeah right,” Jay scoffed. “If I ever willingly read book other than for school or Tourney, the world is ending.”

“And last time you tried to steal food from the kitchen, the chef practically chased you out with a spoon.” Carlos laughed.

“Don’t you two have anything better to do?” Evie snapped, she didn’t mean to, but she was just so frustrated.

“No,” they replied in unison. Mal had got them up to date on the drive to Auradon City from Auradon Prep. When Evie returned empty handed the day before they figured she hadn’t had any luck, so they didn’t take too much offense at her grumpy mood.

“I still don’t get the big deal about the whole presents thing,” Jay said, shifting his leg on the ground onto the couch. “But if it’s that big of a deal, my offer still stands.”

Evie groaned and plopped down into the armchair by the fireplace. “I’m not giving my girlfriend one of your old jersey’s. They smell like sweat and dirty socks. Besides, it’s not like she comes to the games just to cheer you on.”

Jay shrugged, “Suit yourself, but I’m telling ya, when I make it big playing Tourney, she’s gonna wish she had one of my jerseys.”

Evie and Carlos share a look and roll their eyes. The room is silent until Carlos speaks up. “Three heads are better than one, why don’t we try and help?”

Evie glanced at the clock, the day was almost over anyway, it was worth a shot. “Sure, why not. Maybe you guys will be able to think of something.”

-

“What about a necklace? Girls like those right?”

“Audrey has tons of jewelry, Jay. Besides, I’d already thought of that. There wasn’t anything in town she’d like.”

-

“Shoes! Girls can never have enough shoes, why not get her a new pair of heels or something?”

“Thanks C, but Audrey’s favorite shoes only come from Cinderellasburg and nothing will get here in time with the weather and being so close to Christmas.”

“Why not give her one of the pairs you brought? It’s not like you don’t have a million of them.”

“I’m not giving her pair of my old shoes! For one thing, she’ll know immediately, and I’ll have you know I need each and every one of those shoes.”

-

“A drone?”

“Carlos, it’s something Audrey would want, not you.”

-

Hours had gone by and everyone was getting tired. Jay and shifted into hanging upside down on the couch, his legs hooked over the back to keep him from falling off. Carlos laid face down on his couch, the side of his head squished against the cushions as his head faced toward the fireplace. Evie had turned in her chair, now laying across it horizontally with her feet hanging over one arm. Her head and left arm were draped against the other arm of the chair. Her right arm wash squished between the back of the chair and her body, only her hand coming up to pet Dude who had migrated to sleeping on Evie’s stomach.

“What about…” Jay started before trailing off. None of them had come up with anything in the past 30 minutes. “I got nothin’.”

Evie and Carlos groan at him, both too tired to come up with anything better. They stay like that for another hour or so before Mal comes in looking for them and forces them to go to bed.

-

2 Days to Christmas

2 day til Christmas. 2 days and Evie had no luck at all. Nothing Jay or Carlos or even Mal could come up with was right and Christmas was approaching fast. Evie thought about pretending to be sick so Audrey would have to give her a few more days to find a gift but she knew that wouldn’t work. Even if Audrey did fall for it, Mrs. Potts sure wouldn’t. That woman would use any excuse to fuss and fret over someone in need. Evie had yet to get out of bed, trying to use all her energy on figuring out what to get Audrey and not waste it on anything silly like moving. It wasn’t until Mal barged into her room that she even sat up.

“E! Did you know Mrs. Potts has a sewing room?” Mal was decked out in her winter coat and Evie assumed the snow had finally let up.

“And?” Evie was only half listening to what Mal was saying, sitting up cause her body to ache from laying in bed for half the day. “What does that have to do with anything?”

“What’s one of the things you’re the best at in all of Auradon?”

-

Once Evie finally understood what Mal was trying to tell her she rushed to get dressed and booked her way to the sewing room. Gratefully grabbing the food Mal offered as she ran down the halls of the castle. The room was a designer’s dream. Fabric littered the walls in a variety of colors, thread, zippers, buttons, anything she would need to make Audrey the most beautiful and perfect dress. The only problem was the one fabric Evie wanted - no needed for the dress was barley enough to make the skirt. Sure she could use a different fabric, but she had her heart set on the baby blue and pink silk that looked like the clouds Phillip and Aurora danced on when they met as royalty.

“I’m sorry dear, we got that on a trip to Agrahbah. There’s no way to get any more until well after Christmas.” Mrs. Potts looked incredibly sorry and Evie did her best not to show her disappointment and upset the woman more.

“It’s ok, I’ll figure something out. Thank you again for letting me use your fabric and sewing machine.”

“Not a problem, dear. I’m sure you’ll get it done in plenty of time, and I know Audrey will jsut love it.”

Evie gave her a smile and a wave as Mrs. Potts left the room. When the door closed behind her she dropped her head into her hands and muttered, “What am I going to do?”

-

“OK, I can do this.” Evie told herself as she rolled up her sleeves and shook out her fingers. “You’re a witch, Evie. Magic is in your blood. It’s just one simple duplication spell.”

It took her a little while but Evie had come up with a solution to her fabric problem. All she had to do was use a duplication spell on the fabric for Audrey’s dress and she’d have plenty to finish it. So she borrowed Mal’s spellbook, knowing she wouldn’t mind too much what with the time crunch and all. And it wasn’t like she was doing it because she could, it was a last ditch effort. If this didn’t work, she didn’t know what she’d do.

Flipping through the pages, Evie found the spell and calmed her breathing. If she was going to do this, she had to be calm. “You got this Evie, it’s just a simple spell. You could do this in your sleep. So what if you haven’t practiced in a while. What’s the worst that could happen?”

“When I need a little more and going to the store is a chore, don’t make me wait, have this item duplicate.”

-

A lot apparently. First, she accidentally used it on the wrong spool of fabric. Easy mistake. Then, she sneezed and hit the mannequin. It’s fine, an extra mannequin never hurt anybody. When he tried again, she heard Carlos and Jay rough housing in the halls which startled her, causing Evie to say ‘decorate’ instead of ‘duplicate.’ Which would have been fine, accept this had to be the one time her spool was the one affected and the fabric came to life and used itself to decorate the couch tucked away in the corner of the room. So instead of a dress, she created a pastel blue and pink silk couch.

Fed up and completely frustrated, Evie had had enough.

-

Christmas Eve

All Evie wanted to do was be left alone. After the spell fiasco, she’d decided to give up. Nothing was going right and she’d have to show up tomorrow, giftless. She knew Audrey would understand, it was more herself she was letting down than anyone else. Who knew everything would go so wrong? Evie decided the best place to hide would be in the stairway where Belle and her father were once kept prisoners long ago. Obviously, it wasn’t used anymore. The way to the tower often left unused except for storage. There in the tower, Evie sat. On the stairs, not even caring about getting her clothes messed up. It would just be another stroke of bad luck.

“Mind if I join you?” Evie jolted her head up from its position of resting on her knees. Ben stared down at her, a cautious smile on his face. He wore a bright blue sweater with white snowflakes and the words “Let it Snow” written on the front above a giant snowman with stick arms and a carrot nose sewn on as separate pieces so they hang off in a 3D effect. It brought a small smile to Evie’s face and she nodded, moving over to make room for him. Ben’s smile became more relaxed as he listened to Evie’s giggle. “What, don’t like my sweater?”

Evie let out an actual laugh this time, “It’s not that, it’s just. Isn’t that sweater a little big on you?”

“I don’t know I kinda like it.” He pulled it down some so he could see the design a bit more. “I think I might wear it to the next Council meeting.”

“Oh, please do. He can be your second on the next voting session.” Evie giggled, picking up one of the snowman’s arms and waving it at him. Once their laughter died down, they sat in silence. Much more comfortable than when she was alone. “How did you know I was here?”

“I used to come here when I wanted to be alone. Everyone tends to ignore this part of the castle because they don’t want to think about my mother and grandfather being locked up here.”

“I can see why, it’s a great place to think.”

“Yeah, but when your upset it’s better not to be alone.” Ben gently nudged Evie’s shoulder. “I’ve found it tends to make things worse.”

“I take it you heard?”

“Kinda hard not to when one of the couches has been upholstered with silk.”

Evie gave him an apologetic smile. “Sorry, I’ll pay to fix it.”

“Don’t worry about it. Lumiere’s hoping Cogsworth won’t notice so he can film him falling off the couch when he tries to sit on it.” They laugh again and it’s quiet for a little bit before he speaks again. “Wanna talk about it?”

Evie hesitates for a moment before telling Ben everything. He patiently waits for her to stop talking, letting her air out her frustrations, expectations, and fears. “It’s been a really tough few days.”

Ben nods in understanding. “It sounds like it. And you’re not alone, I used to date Audrey too, remember? You know you can always come to me, right?”

“I know that, but I also know you’re busy with being King, plus you have your own things to do, and this is your vacation too! You should have to be sucked into my problems.”

“Hey, it’s not a problem if your my friend.” Ben held out his hand for Evie to take. She accepts and he squeezes her hand gently. “Friend’s help each other, and I can’t let my friend not have a gift for her girlfriend on Christmas, now can I?”

Ben stands and pulls Evie up with him. He gently tugs on her hand and leads her through the castle halls. “Where are we going?”

“Did you know Audrey loves ice skating?”

-

Christmas Day

It had taken most of Christmas Eve and part of Christmas Day, but Evie finally had the perfect gift all ready for Audrey. All she had to do was find her. Belle and Adam’s Christmas party was in full swing, they’d invited family, friends, and everyone from Belle’s old village. The palace was packed but it was more than large enough to accommodate everyone. If only she could find her girlfriend. Evie was putting in some finishing touches when the guests had started arriving so she didn’t get to greet Audrey like she wanted to. But she knew it would be worth it once she got to see the look on the princess’s face.

Weaving through the crowd, Evie finally found Audrey by the refreshment table talking to Mal. Audrey’s back was to Evie but she knew she was the most beautiful person in the room. Taking advantage of not being seen, Evie quietly crept behind Audrey before wrapping her arms around the slightly shorter girls waist. Audrey jumped but relaxed immediately when she saw Evie’s blue curls come into view. “Hi, babe.”

“Evie!” Audrey spun around in Evie’s hold, throwing her arms around her neck and giving Evie a quick peck on the lips. “There you are, I feel like it’s forever since I last saw you.”

“I missed you too.” The two of them stayed holding each other until Mal cleared her throat. Reluctantly, they released their grip on each other and turned to Mal, keeping one arm around each other’s waists. “Sorry, M.”

Mal rolled her eyes playfully, “I know, I know. It’s been what five days?”

“Very funny, you know if you had to leave Ben for that long, you’d be doing the same.”

“Speaking of Ben…” Audrey said as said King made his way over to the small group. Letting go of Evie, Audrey and Ben exchanged a quick hug in greeting. “Great party Ben, your parents really outdid themselves this year.”

“Thanks, it’s one of our favorite traditions. Though, most of the credit goes to Cogsworth, he gets really into it every year.”

They all share a laugh, each other them having experienced Cogsworth’s particular brand of party planning before.

“Speaking of surprises,” Evie took Audrey’s hand, giving it a light squeeze. “If you’ll excuse us, I have a surprise of my own.”

Ben and Mal nod and leave the two girls by the refreshments, sharing a smile as they pass. Once they’re gone, Evie starts to lead Audrey through the crowd. “You have a surprise for me?”

Evie just smiles at her and waits until the leave the ballroom and make their way toward the kitchen. “Of course, I heard how much you like Christmas so I wanted to get you a gift.”

Audrey stops Evie in the corridor, “Evie, you didn’t have to do that.”

“I know, but I wanted to.” Evie starts to tug Audrey forward but the brunette stops her again.

“Hey,” She said gently, pulling Evie closer. “I can only imagine what people have told you about my love of Christmas, but I want you to know that you don’t ever need to get me anything.”

“Aud…” Evie starts but is interrupted.

“Wait, let me finish. Please?” Evie nods and Audrey continues. “I have to be honest with you, I knew you were really busy all month, so I avoided telling you about Christmas so as not to add to your plate. I don’t want you to ever feel pressured into doing anything extreme to make me happy. All I need is you, because you make me happy.”

“Aud, thank you for telling me that. I have to admit, when I found out about Christmas, I did put some pretty tough expectations on myself. But I also know you, and I know you would never try to pressure me into anything, intentional or otherwise. In the end, I did this because I care about you and want to see you smile every chance I get.”

They pull each other into a tight hug, neither of them wanting to let go but eventually they do. “I really care about you too, Evie.” Audrey says before pulling her into a deep kiss. Unlike in the ballroom, this kiss lasts much longer. By the time they break apart, they are both gasping for air.

Evie gave Audrey a dopey grin and Audrey gives her one in return. Evie pulls back, grabbing both of Audrey’s hands and leads her toward the kitchen again. “Come on, I still have a surprise for you.”

Upon reaching the kitchen they are met with one of the castle’s coat men who hand them each their respective coats. They thank him and Audrey raises an eyebrow at her girlfriend. “We have to go outside?”

“Yup, now close your eyes, and no peaking!” Audrey complies and just in case Evie covers the brunette’s eyes with her hands. Carefully, she leads her outside. Taking slow steps so neither of them fall, they go a few feet before coming to a halt. “Ready? 3… 2… 1… open!”

Evie removes her hands and Audrey opens her eyes to see the lake behind the castle is completely frozen. Pink and blue fairy lights surround the lake and bridge. Whatever isn’t lit by the lights is illuminated by the lights from inside the castle. It was beautiful. Audrey turns around to express her surprise only to see Evie holding two pairs of ice skates, one pastel pink, and one royal blue.

“Do you like it?” Evie asks, voice sounding a little unsure.

“Like it? I love it!” Audrey pulls Evie into another hug, careful not to hit the blades of the skates. “How did you know I love ice skating?”

“A certain royal told me when I was struggling for a gift.” Evie hands Audrey the pink skates and directs her to a bench nearby to put them on. “After almost giving up, we both thought something simple would be the best. Once Ben showed me the frozen lake, it was like I knew exactly what to do.”

Evie reached out her hand, once she had her skates on. “Shall we?”

“We shall.” The two girls skated for hours, neither of them paying attention to the time. First it was hand holding and skating around the lake, then they started to dance. The music from inside was the perfect stereo, though neither of them truly needed the music. Every step was like dancing to their own song. On one of the spins they got tripped up and fell into the snow along the lake’s edge, both laughing. Audrey ended up with her back in the snow while Evie fell directly on top of her. Their laughter turned to giggles and then went quiet all together, just staring at each other with big grins on their faces.

Once they were able to catch their breath, neither of them made a move to get up. They stayed that way for who knows how long before they both spoke at once. “I love you.”

They got quiet again before processing what the other said. “I love you, too.”

Both girls thread their hands in the other’s hair, pulling each other in for a kiss.