Second day of Descendants Week 2024 @descendantsweek
The Little Prince and the Mad Scientist
An Archive of Our Own, a project of the
Organization for Transformative Works
Chad meet his Grandfather, and the King has an idea Chad is going to regret…
As celebration, a ball for Chad to choose a girl to Marry wasn't what he was expecting.
Whatever passes through Chad's Grandfather's mind is not a good thing at all. He already did that with his son, now he's attempting it once more with his grandson. It was a family reunion when it hits Chad.
"Chad, my boy, you're a grown-up man now. And soon you'll succeed your father and you'll require a wife. What's up with you boys? How did you two manage to remain single for so long? " Chad's Grandfather begins. "Father..." Henry begins speaking, but his father interrupts him shortly after. "Do I have to do it all by myself?" He inquires. "What do you mean, grandfather?" Chad tries.
"I intend to arrange a ball. In the same way I did for your father. It worked pretty well for him." He looks at his son who just nods. Cinderella gives her son a concerned expression, although Chad is unsure of the reason. It can't be that bad, can it? But now, a ball has been planned for him in a few weeks and Chad isn't sure how to feel about it. In fact, it occupies nearly all his thoughts, or close to it.
A couple of days afterwards, he shared the news with Ben, who then gave him a curious look. His friend appears to be slightly concerned about the plan. Probably because of all the VKs or something like that. However, Chad can sense the worry in his friend's behavior.
And the following days are not very helpful either. He attends classes and almost everyone is aware of this party. And once again, everyone is invited. Mostly young, single girls around his age. He ends up crossing paths with Iz and Spin again. And he can swear his heart did a thing. Not a good one. He internally panics. Why does he? He has no reason to feel that way. He just sees Iz once and he starts doubting as hell. Even worse: Iz notices. Or he's sure he does because of that thing he does with his lips (and how the hell does Chad notice that?). He won't leave it at that. Because for some unknown reason known only by Spin, they end up at the same table at lunch, he was questioned.
"You really should worry less loudly, Little Prince; I have issues staying focused." The scientist says, more concerned by his work than Chad's well-being. "I'm getting married soon, how do you want me to feel?!" Chad answers a bit angrily and Iz looks up with a certain confusion, a confusion shared by Spin and even Caesar who turns his head toward the prince. "Did I miss the part when you got yourself a boyfriend?" Iz simply asks and Chad's world falls apart. His eyes widen in shock and his mouth falls open. It will take him a couple more moments to regain composure. "I'm not... I don't-" He yells before quickly lowering his voice to a whisper. "I don't like men!" He sounds like the most offended person they've ever seen. And Spinelle finds it funny as Iz sighs. "Oh great, you haven't realized yet..." It was akin to a straightforward declaration as he returns to his tasks. "What makes you think that anyway!? I'll find a great girl at this ball, a princess I will marry." Iz gazes at him without blinking for a moment, making Chad feel uneasy. Iz remains silent, but his glance says enough. "Yeah... Clearly, it is what will bring you joy..." And once more he returns to his work. "Why do you even care?" "I don't." Iz looks up. "What about that ball anyway? It's not like you can go to a party, pick a random girl and propose her." He hears Spinelle uttering: "Oh." Like she really gets something that Iz is completely unaware of. "I guess mister I-know-everything really did miss the news then." Chad answers before leaving. Iz seeks out Spinelle to gather information.
Iz's revelation keeps running in Chad's head, no matter how hard he tries to push it away. However, it is already too late. He's here at a party he has no desire to attend. And he has a bad feeling about it. It's like a gut feeling, like feeling sick. He doesn't want to marry. Not even a Princess. Not a girl. He remembers back when he dated Audrey, she only did that to make Ben jealous. Perhaps that's also the reason he did it then... Is he gay after all? No, he can't. That's silly. His family, especially his grandfather, would never approve of it.
Ben finally catches sight of Chad in the crowd and makes his way over to him. He looks concerned.
"You’re ok? You seem... off?" Ben asks. Chad absentmindedly hums, unsure of himself. "Chad, did you hear me? Listen, I know you don't want this, you don't seem happy about it. And that's fair, but you can't just pretend-" The blond prince interrupts. "Why is he doing here?" He sounds more confused and internally panicked than angry. Ben glances over to see Izkandar and Spinelle arriving at the ball. And oh, that makes sense now. "So, this is it, right?" Chad looks back at Ben with confusion. "What?" "Him. That's him?" He asks again and Chad starts to panic internally. "Whom? Iz?! NOOOOOOO, no no no no no!" He chuckles a little to mask his anxiety. "Ben! I don't... you know? That's silly! I can't!" As Ben gives him a look that is both knowing and reassuring, he begins to stutter. "Chad, it's fine.” Ben smiles, but Chad 's face just loses his smile and goes full worry. He's now whispering to Ben. "No Ben. You don't get it. I can't. I'm not... - Ok?" He turns around, and now Ben is very worried for him.
A few hours earlier, Spin managed to persuade Iz to attend the ball. "I can't believe I'm at that stupid ball..." Spin nudged him with her elbow and gestured towards Chad with her head. "Your little Prince doesn't look good, I'm sure he'll need a friend." Iz sighed but didn’t 't waste his time arguing about nonsense. "Iz, stop being so broody... that prince is completely head over heels for you." "You should tell him that. Because I'm pretty sure he isn't aware..." Spin yanked Iz's arm and dragged him into the crowd.
Chad's mind is constantly swirling with thoughts about everything. Why must he come to that realization at the most inconvenient moment? He is not prepared for this and he never will be. However, he also doesn't want to spend his life like this. He wants to be happy. He notices Iz and Spin in the crowd. Spinelle's arms are laced around Izkandar's. Why does it hurt so much? He's not surprised. The two are very close. And really, Iz looks stunning in that suit. And no! He's at it again! Ok, maybe he's gay. Maybe he likes guys, but why him? Why a villain? Why the most insensitive person on this earth? He can't read him. He doesn't seem to have emotions. So why? Why couldn't he had fall for Ben instead? Ok, maybe he had a crush on Ben once, and it wouldn't have been better. Ben is his best friend; he can't lose him. Chad is so lost in his thoughts he doesn't even see his grandfather coming.
"Son! How's the party? I take great pride in it. Any pretty girls catching your eyes?" He winks at him and Chad feels bad and uneasy. He is somewhat scared of his grandfather's potential harsh reaction and chooses to remain silent, so he keeps pretending. "Yes, good party." He bows politely and Ben saves his life by greeting the old king. He politely bows and Ben rescues him by greeting the elderly king. Chad breathes out and seizes the chance to walk a few steps away before feeling a hand on his shoulder. He jumps and turns back to see Iz and Spin. His heart goes on a roller coaster when he meets Iz 's eyes and realizes the hand doesn’t belong to Spin. He's more than confused by Iz 's face, which looks concerned? Chad frowns.
“You’re okay, little prince?” Izkandar asks. Noticing the confusion in the prince 's eyes, he comments, "You're shaking and look like a dead body." Spinelle, as a translator, explains that "Iz is trying to say that you're as white as hell”. Chad looks at his hands, indeed shaking. He looks back at Ben, who surely noticed too. While Chad pays attention to the VK, Iz is observing the party's host with a new expression on his face that he hasn't seen before, but he can't decipher what it is. He frowned at the scientific gaze directed towards him. "I still doubt any girls here will suit you. I mean, I'm convinced none will." Iz might look serious, Chad only has one question in his head right now. "What are you doing here?" Iz shrugs in a nonchalant gesture. "Spin forces me..." He seems serious, and Chad doesn't like it. He wished he would have come for him. "However now I'm here, I see why. But I don't know why I feel concerned. It's none of my business." Chad is confused. Is Iz confused too? No, Iz is never confused. So why is he like that? "I don't need your pity, " is all Chad manages to find to answer. Spin sighs slightly annoyed. "Iz won't tell you, so I will: It's what are friends for." She gives Iz a look, but his expression remains the same. Actually, Iz just shrugs like it's a matter of fact. Chad's eyes widen as he fixes the white-haired man. "Friends...?" He asks unsure. The scientist shrugs again. "I guess it's the word for when people spend time together." Chad frowns, and his heart starts bouncing again. Now he's friends with Izkandar Aksay, the son of Yzma. And he's happy about it. Deep inside him, he knows how he feels, yet a part of him questions if they are simply toying with him. "You should tell him Chad is feeling even more perplexed and slightly anxious now. What's in Iz's mind? Does he think he loves Ben? Because no, not anymore. The VK points someone out with his eyes. Chad follows it and lands on his grandfather. He quickly turns back to Iz, now feeling extremely anxious. "No!" He nearly shouts before speaking in a hushed tone. "I can't do that..." Chad's expression of panic did not go unnoticed. However, the Prince has already attracted the attention of his grandfather.
"Son! There you are! And..." He scans the VKs. "And what are those people?" He turns to Chad who is even paler. "Chadwick, what are you waiting for lad? Introduce me to this gentleman and her lady!" Spin and Iz esquisses a little smile at this. Indeed, unlike some other VK, they are distinguished. No wonder the old king didn't realize. "Yes, my apologies. Grandfather this is Izkandar Aksay and Spinelle Medusa." He hesitates a little, unsure how to say that. "They are new students.” He turns back at his ‘friends’. “Iz, Spin, my grandfather, the king of Cinderellasburg." Both the VKs politely bow, because they have manners. "Where were we? Ah! Yes! The party! Have you found someone already?" Chad 's eyes land on Iz for a moment, but he quickly turns away and tries to scan the crowd. "Hm... not yet." He tries. "Chad, if you don't choose anyone before midnight, I'm afraid I'll have to pick one for you. I've a few in mind."
"It's in five minutes!" "Well, then, you have five minutes!" Iz frowns visibly and stands a little closer to Chad. "Sorry to interrupt, but have you considered the possibility of the chosen one not being a girl?" And no! He really hasn't said that? Because now Chad is currently in a state of increased panic. He's sure his heart just simply ceases to beat. How dare he? The king's face contorts in anger, outraged. "What are you talking about, young man?! Are you implying my grandson might be a faggot? Not under my roof!" Chad takes a small step backward and accidentally collides with Iz, who remains completely still. "I'm not suggesting anything, mister. It calls being open-minded, but it seems like you're not familiar with the concept..." The king now appears completely red, unlike Chad who’s very white. "How dare you talk to me like that?!" "Grandfather, please..." The king shifts his focus back to his grandson and whispers in a very quiet voice, while leaning on him. "Is it true, Chadwick? Are you-" He double-checks around them to make sure no one else is listening. "Are you a faggot?" Chad gulps. "Still not what I said." Iz adds, thinking 'even if he is' but doesn't phrase it. Nevertheless, the monarch, chooses to ignore it. Ben chooses this time to show up. Great timing.
"What's happening? Is everything alright?" The old king looks towards Ben. "Did you know?" Ben looks confused. "Did you know my grandson is a fag?" Concern reaches Ben and he glances at Chad, who looks like he was about to faint. He also notices the intimidating glares from Izkandar and Spinelle and is surprised by how scary the scientist can be. "I'm not sure it's a good time to talk about it. You should just cancel and think about it with a fresh mind, " Ben tries to help. The king snorts and turns away, leaving them alone. Ben almost runs into Chad's space and holds him by his shoulders. "Chad! Are you okay?! Breathe, it's okay." Chad catches his breath he didn't even know he was holding with Ben's help, tries to calm down. While the boys are busy breathing, Spin puts her hand on Iz's shoulder. "Calm down. You know people in high spheres are stupid." Iz hums nonchalantly and focuses his attention back on the prince who is shaking. "We should go somewhere quiet." Ben nods and manoeuvres Chad toward an empty room of the castle, followed by the VKs.
Meanwhile, Chad began sobbing and ended up nestled in Ben's embrace, as Ben did his utmost to soothe him. "Chad, calm down, it's okay." It's useless. "I doubt it will be really okay." Everyone turns to Iz but Chad, giving him a look. "He's a huge bigot." "Iz!" Spin stopped him, but Chad, who starts to slowly recompose. "No, he's right..." Chad turns to Iz accusingly. "Why did you do this?!" Iz shrugs. "How was I supposed to know your grandfather was an intolerant douchebag?" "Listen! I don't know how it is on the isle, and I don't care! You didn't have the right to do this!" "I technically didn't do anything, little Prince. But now the wedding is canceled, so you're welcome." "Oh yeah! Thank you for ruining my life!" "What life, little prince? Sorry to tell you this, but you don't want to marry a girl, and you're not very subtle about it. You wouldn't have been happy." "It wasn't up to you to make that choice for me!" Iz stays silent for a second. "Well, maybe you're right, and I'm sorry. But still, your grandfather is an idiot. Don't take his words too much to heart." It's probably one of the nicest things Iz tells him. Although Chad may still be upset with him, he can't control the small blush on his face. "I still hate you." "I 'm pretty sure you don't, but I'm sorry anyway." And Iz is, kind of. It wasn't very delicate of him, and it even if he would argue it’s not exactly what he said. And it doesn't turn out great either. It was so different than the isle; he kind of forgot how it worked here. Chad sighs. "Come on..." He wraps his arms around Iz without warning, and Iz freezes for a second and rolls his eyes before awkwardly patting Chad's back. Chad reluctantly breaks apart and steps back slightly.
“Hm… sorry, I just…” Chad starts. “Needed a hug, I guess that.” Iz finishes. Chad snorts and tries to pretend he didn’t.
