This was a request by Princeasimdiya12 I'll probably only do requests every once in awhile because I'm an avid procrastinator, anyway hope you liked it!
Summary: Based on Aladdin. Reader is the princess who wants nothing more than to escape the reality, and Ethan is the street urchin.
Word Count: 2,701
Warnings: None.
A/N: I don’t know why this just came to my mind but I suddenly started imagining Ethan as Aladdin and I couldn’t keep the ideas from blooming. I need help. I also need Ethan in a vest, poofy pants and a little hat. (Title from if I could I would feel nothing by blackbear)
You knew that you had to marry a prince one day, being a princess made it kind of your destiny. But you didn’t expect it to be so soon, and that’s why you felt like someone had smacked you across the cheek when your father, the Sultan, had called you in. There, he had told you about your dreaded future plans and that had sent you in a small state of panic. You had protested, even begged him to let you find your own prince in your own pace. But your pleas fell on deaf ears so you did what any reasonable human being did; you packed up an ran away.
The long brown robe you had thrown on made it difficult to climb up the large tree, but you managed to get over the fence of the palace. Looking back on the place you had called home for as long as you could remember, you felt a lump form in your throat at the thought of leaving it and leaving your father. Not too long ago, you had both lost your mother and the country had lost their queen to a viscious accident that left everyone mourning. Since then, it had only been you and your father taking care of each other. He’d absolutely lose it if he searched the palace only to find out that you’d escaped.
The sun was starting to rise, peeking from the horizon as you walked down a path. You marveled at how orange and pink the sky looked, thinking of how you could taste the freedom on the tip of your tongue as you got further and further away from the palace.
By the time you had reached the street market, the sun had risen fully, beating down on you and all the market goers as the street filled with people of all ages and sorts. You looked around, trying not to feel too paranoid as you made sure that the scarf around your head didn’t reveal anything, eyes taking in the burly men and the yelling shoppers.
You passed by several stands where they sold beautiful, antique jewelry. Some even going as far as to lure you in, making you try on a certain bracelet and peeking up at you with hope shining in their eyes, begging you to buy from them. Your heart squeezed as you told them that you weren’t interested, not wanting to admit that you had escaped home with nothing on you, not even a cent in your pocket.
Continuing the path down the bustling market, your eyes caught a small boy reaching for something. As you stepped closer, your mouth parted as you realized that he was a street boy, struggling to reach for an apple up on the too high stand. You immediately went to his aid, grabbing the nearest apple.His big eyes looked at the fruit before glancing at you, fear and amazement shining through them.
“You must be pretty hungry, huh?” You asked gently, sad smile pulling on your lips as the little boy nodded. “Here you go.”
You placed it in his small palm and watched as he gasped, happily rushing away as he bit into the treat in his hands. He disappeared between the throng of people and you were just about to take a step when you heard a growly voice coming from behind you, making your heart stop.
“You’d better be able to pay for that, young lady.” The voice said and you were about to take an instinctive step backwards when a large hand grabbed your wrist, twisting you around.
You gasped as you came face to face with a fairly large man, face contorting into pain as he tightened his grip on you. Panic set in you, and you immediately tried to yank your hand from his grip but to no avail.
“Please, let me go.” You begged, panic scratching at your throat as you realized that this man was not going to let go and judging by the passing people, no one was about to help you.
“Not until you pay, you little thief.” His voice was deep, low, like he’d had ten packs of cigarettes just this morning. “You know what happens to thiefs like you?”
You gasped for air, still trying to free your wrist from his grip as you watched him with teary eyes. He reached back with one arm and you swallowed the cry of horror as he produced a long knife, more specifically a sword that looked sharp enough to cut through anything thick. It only became more clear to me when he yanked me forward and placed my arm on his counter, still holding my wrist tightly as he brought the sword forward.
“If you don’t pay in coins, you get punished.” He said and you let out a scream of terror as he swung the sword backwards.
You squeezed your eyes tightly, tears escaping them as you waited for the blow. For the pain, for the blood, for anything. But you only heard a faint slapping sound and a grunt, making you open your eyes with a sob.
A man was standing right in front of you, holding onto the burly man’s hand. It took you a few seconds to realize that the stranger had saved you from having your hand chopped off.
“I don’t think that will be necessary, Sir.” The man said, freeing your hand from his limp grasp without taking his eyes off of the angry salesman.
You cowered behind the stranger, feeling your body shake as you rubbed the red skin on your wrist. The stranger leaned forward and whispered something in his ear, and you knew you’d be able to hear it if you had just strained your ears a bit. But you were still in shock, blood rushing fiercely in your ears as the tears dried on your cheeks.
“Alright,” The salesman humphed angrily. “If I see her here again, then nothing will stop me from decapitating her.”
You stopped the gasp from escaping your lips at his violent words, wondering what you had gotten yourself into. You had been so cooped up in the palace, so used to the nice servants, and you had never imagined how tough it would be outside the walls of your home.
“Alright, macho. No need to get violent here.” The stranger said, humor laced in his voice as he patted the angry man’s shoulder before turning to you.
Your heartbeat stuttered in your chest as you finally got a good look on him, eyes widening as you took his face in. Hazel eyes, sharp jawline, pink lips, flushed cheeks and arched eyebrows. He was singlehandedly the most beautiful human you had ever encountered, and you had seen plenty of prince’s from all around the world.
There was something in the man’s eyes that made you trust him, so you didn’t protest when he grabbed your hand in his abnormally large ones, pulling you along through the throng of people that had gathered to watch the pervious commotion.
Once you had put quite a distance between you and the angry salesman, you decided to speak up.
“Thank you, for doing that.” You said, not really knowing how to thank him. What were you supposed to say? Thank you for saving my hand from getting chopped? Not really.
The man gave you a side glance, smirk pulling at his lips as he continued walking towards what looked like a small, rundown tower. You frowned, but something told you to follow him. So that’s what you did. He eventually lead you inside, stepping up through some stacked stones to get higher up since the stairs looked too damaged to put any kind of weight on them.
He could sense your hesitation, turning around and looking down at you.
“You coming?” He asked and you cocked an eyebrow.
“I’m not sure if I should trust you,” You said and he tilted his head to the side as he regarded you. “I don’t even know your name.”
Then something magnificent happened. He smiled. The kind of smile that could probably get any girl to fall on her knees, one that made you feel weak as his surprisingly straight, white teeth showed. His cheeks dimpled in a beautiful way and he looked amused as he held his stare on you.
“I’m Ethan.” He said and then he stuck a hand forward, palm up. You glanced down on it, wondering how a hand could be so big. “Do you trust me?”
You bit back a smile that threatened to burst through, placing your dainty hand in his, almost gasping as he enveloped it to help you up the rocks. It wasn’t a long or hard climb, but it took a few minutes.
“So, mind telling me why we’re climbing up this mess?” You asked, keeping your hand in his so he could support you whenever you stepped on an unstable piece of rubble.
“To show you the greatest view in Agrabah.” He answered, like it was obvious.
He stepped up on the last floor of the tower, getting down on his knees so he could pull you up. You went easily, pushing yourself up on your feet as you took in the small place, hands going to dust off the dirt from your clothes.
“Do you live here?” You asked gently, taking in the small makeshift bed and the few books next to it. You kept yourself from blushing hotly when you realized that you had called his home a mess. You and your big mouth.
“I come and go,” He explained, spinning around to walk over to a large gap on the tower, covered by a worn down rag. “I’m usually traveling all around, but this is where I go when I need sleep.”
You felt ashamed all of a sudden, for running away from the comfort of your home when people were struggling to get by the days. Ethan was sleeping on rags and wearing worn down clothes, and you felt like your problems were bigger.
“You take all the ladies up here, then?” You asked, trying to lighten up the mood. It clearly worked since Ethan’s lips broke into a smile.
“Only the beautiful ones.” He said and it was your time to smile, albeit a little shyly as you rubbed your palms together.
You walked over to him, watching as he gripped the rag that was hanging in front of the gap. Ethan glanced over at you before ripping it away, revealing a beautiful view of the whole city, including the palace far away. You stared, not knowing how to feel as you looked out the small window, sitting down by the sill to take in the view in silence. Ethan did the same, sighing heavily as he plopped himself down.
“It’s beautiful, isn’t it?” He asked and you made a sound of agreement. “I can only imagine how it would be like to live in the palace. Servants, good food, warmth.”
You looked away, turning your body to look over his small home. You felt too ashamed and sad, not really knowing why you had ran away in the first place. Surely, your father would make an expection? He had enough love for you to postpone the whole choose a prince debacle.
“Not as good as you’d expect.” You muttered and Ethan shifted around, mirroring your position as he gave you a questioning glance.
There was silence, stretching over the room and almost suffocating you. He stared you down but you refused to look at him, not wanting to see his facial expression because you could see it clear enough from the side of your eye. Ethan was trying to read you, to figure you out like you were some kind of puzzle.
“You alright?” He asked quietly.
You shrugged, not really knowing how to answer his question. All your life, you had expected to find your prince charming, fall in love and have him propose to you in the old, traditional way. But those dreams were long gone when you’d grown up and realized that your duties as a princess would make those dreams nearly impossible to fulfill.
“My father is forcing me to get married.” You answered softly, you hadn’t meant to. It just came out.
Ethan made a sound of pitifulness, face contorting into an expression of distaste as he scooted closer to the wall to straddle the window. You turned your head and watched as he dangled a long nimble leg out of the window, the other one bent as he rested his arm against it. The rays of the sunshine beat down on his face, making his eyes look ten times more beautiful as he stared out.
“That sucks, I’m sorry.” He murmured and you nodded slowly.
“No need to be.” You answered, shrugging. “Have you ever felt stuck? You know, you think you know so much about the world but then a whole door of unknown opportunities opens up and you realize that your knowledge is just a small blip on the radar? You realize that you know absolutely nothing.”
You didn’t know why you were rambling, and when you caught yourself, it was too late. Ethan smiled though, nodding.
“I know exactly how it feels.” He scooted away from the window, settling in beside you. “But you’re still young. I’m still young. We all have so much to learn.”
You looked down, teeth biting into your lower lip as you frowned in thought.
“A great man once said, Be the change you want to see in the world. Maybe you can be the one who changes things?” He said and you couldn’t help but giggle.
“You quoting Gandhi on me, Ethan?” You asked teasingly, bumping my shoulder with his as you gave him a sly smile.
Ethan laughed.
“Maybe. But he’s right, isn’t he? So go out there, and do great things.” He said and stretched out his toned arms in front of him, making you smile.
You stood up with newfound strength, back straight as you spun around to look down at Ethan who was looking up at you with confusion and admiration.
“You going somewhere?” He asked, but it seemed like he already knew the answer judging by the tone of his voice and the facial expression.
“I’m changing the world.” You said, smile stretched on your lips as you put your hands on your sides in mock confidence.
Ethan laughed.
“Atta girl.” He paused. “Go show the Sultan what he’s in for.”
You were about to nod but then you realized what he’d just said. Sultan? He knew who you were?
“You know?” You asked, eyes wide in surprise.
“I’d recognize that gorgeous face anywhere.” He said easily with a small shrug, making you open your mouth and close it like a fish on land. You were completely speechless. “Good luck, Y/N.”
You felt your heart flutter at the way he said your name, face growing hot as your stance slumped a tiny bit. Ethan watched you, a teasing glint in his eyes as he sat still. You refused to be the one left feeling surprised, so you trusted your instincts as you stepped forward and leaned over him. His lips parted as you placed your hands on his broad shoulders, nudging the skin that wasn’t covered by his vest that he was wearing. He blinked up at you, eyes closing as you pressed a chaste kiss to his lips. He breathed in through his nose, a noise of surprise coming from his throat as you pushed into the kiss.
You leaned back, breaking the kiss in the process as you stood right back up. Ethan looked up at you, face flushed and lips wet as he blinked at you.
“Good luck, Ethan.” You said, biting back a smile as you turned around and made your way down the rubble.
You had gotten halfway down when you heard a shuffle from above, making you look up. Ethan stuck his head out, staring down at you.
“Will I see you again?” He asked, voice echoing through the tower.
*Daughter of a Sultan/Mad Titan *Is not a prize to be won or a starry-eyed waif here to succumb to your pelvic sorcery *Falls in love with a Street Rat/Ravager Yup! Gamora’s a Disney Princess. (Also pssst the soul stone is in her headband/tiara thing. Don’t tell Thanos!)
