you’ve got a friend in me ; max
The affection soothes his rampant emotions, although some frustration remains. He tends to physically lash out – slashing, throwing, ripping, biting – when he feels like this, but he refrains. It’s safer to stuff his face and be coddled by Maxine than risk expulsion.
Samuel makes a face at the term of endearment, but let’s be real: he still collects action figures. He supposes that he can be rather childish at times, especially for a future king. Plus, he had the emotional maturity of a four year-old if one were to look at his permanent record. But, he likes to think that he can be regal and professional when the situation calls for it.
Nevertheless, his best friend had a way of calming him down that the castle staff believed to be magic. He melts into her arms with a sigh, then licks frosting off the corners of his mouth. Even though she promises to handle the situation, he can’t help but be a worrier. He frets over everything from mismatching socks to thinking he forgot to turn off the lamplight on his desk. Lately, all his worries had been centered around Arielle and her perception of him. “Of course I believe you, it’s just that I can’t help but worry,” he says.
“How do you make these cupcakes taste so good? Are you cheating and using magic?” he asks. “I swore off sweets a month ago because prom season is coming up! But here I am, gulping down a batch of cupcakes. Do you think if I ask Arielle months in advance, she’ll say yes? If I ask too late, she might agree to go with someone else. And…you’re going with Adriel, right? You’d make a cute couple!”
“You’re cute when you worry but I’m telling you, there’s nothing to worry about.” Maxine hugs the younger one tighter and drops another kiss to the crown of his head. At this state, she has learned that the best way to placate Junior is to shower him in affection as a tangible form of reassurance. Cogsworth, Lumiere and Mrs. Potts may think that she has a magical way of calming him down when but in reality, she just understands him-- perhaps much better than anyone else ever can.
She only half listens to what he says next because she thinks about how to approach her uncle without igniting his fury. At the mention of prom, however, she stops short. How could she have forgotten that prom season is coming up? “Prom season already?” She asks, sounding almost dumb. There’s a small bit of panic that bubbles up in her chest when she realizes that she has hardly made any preparations for the big event.
“Of course, she’s going to say yes!” is what she says when she finally gathers her bearings. An all affectionate and loving smile graces her lips as she squishes Junior’s cheeks in reply. If she had a magical way of making him feel better, Junior only needed to act cute and adorable around Maxine and all will be well. “And yes, I definitely think you should ask her in advance just to be sure. As for Adriel....do you really think I should ask him? He really isn’t the type to go to such social functions.” She admits with a worried pout.
