Evie/Carlos threads

[dudesbestfriend]

For overflow/extra threads with 4hearts!

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The Pancake Date

[dudesbestfriend]

[Not long after sending his last message from here, Carlos is knocking on Evie's door. He has a huge bouquet of red and white roses in his hand and a grin on his face.

He did say he was going to bring her something, after all.]

[4hearts]

[Evie's got her breakfast nook all decked out - coordinating placemats and napkins in red and white, since red is a color they both claim in their signature styles - and is setting out the butter, syrup, and a bowl of fresh fruit as topping or just extra snacks, when she hears the knock.]

It's open!

[Even as she shouts, she's moving through the kitchen and living room to get the door. The roses pull her attention first, and she gasps in delight. They're beautiful, though she worries they'll be too big to see around if she uses them as table décor. Then, her eyes track up to the boy holding the roses, and her smile grows even wider as she steps to the side to let him in.]

You really didn't have to do that....

[dudesbestfriend]

I wanted to! I know I don't have to be the typical boyfriend, but sometimes I like being cheesy and romancing you. And you feel crummy. Flowers cheer you up, which is my goal!

[He grins and leans over, kissing her cheek. Thankfully, Dude stayed at his room to growl at any prince-shaped interlopers.]

Besides, it's our colors together! Throw in blue and black, and that's us.

[He glances in the dining room, and just grins.]

Now I could say the same about you. Really, you didn't have to go to all of that trouble. It's just me.

[4hearts]

I feel a lot better now that you're here.

[She isn't lying or trying to be overly sappy. Having something to focus on besides her own misery has lessened the hangover considerably.]

And you were feeling crummy too, from what you said. That's why we're having pancakes.

[She returns the gesture before taking the bouquet from him.]

It is. Black and blue roses are a little harder to find. We'd probably have to go to an actual garden center to get a few of each. But red and white are two of the most common colors for roses, which means they're perfect for a bouquet.

[She shrugs, still smiling.]

You are never 'just' anything, Carlos. And it isn't any trouble. I have to set the table in order to eat, and I was making breakfast anyway. You're the one who went out of his way. You got dressed and everything.

[Says the girl wearing a cotton nightdress, bathrobe, and fuzzy slippers. She turns to head back into the kitchen, trusting Carlos will follow her. Once there, she pulls out two vases, then eyes each of them, along with the bouquet, before putting the smaller vase back and filling the larger about a third of the way with water.]

Would you mind getting those arranged while I dish up?

[dudesbestfriend]

I feel better too. And I super appreciate the pancakes. And time with you. Always time with you.

[He grins, shrugging a bit at her words and following along back into the kitchen.]

I really didn't think you'd appreciate a guy showing up in boxers and nothing else. Besides, uh, this is the shirt I slept in. I just found some pants.

[Taking the vase from her, he nods.]

Uh. I'm no flower arranger, but I'll do what I can.

[4hearts]

[The compliment makes her smile.]

The feeling is mutual.

She glances at his outfit and can't help the slight cringe now that she's aware of it.

If you want to get a shower after breakfast, I do have a few spare outfits for you here, same as I do for Mal and Jay. Although, for the record, the right occasion might make me very appreciative of a particular guy showing up in boxers and nothing else.

[She leaves Carlos with the flowers and heads back to her oven, taking out the two plates of pancakes she's had warming. Because it's Evie, and she lives for color coordination, she pulls two red plates out of the cupboard and adds three pancakes to each before taking them over to the breakfast table. She pours them both hot water and adds a slice of lemon to each mug.]

Breakfast is served.

[dudesbestfriend]

I'll take you up on that. I feel a bit nasty. I'm not surprised that you have some clothes here for me. Then again... I've thought about just bringing some clothes over considering how much I'm over here.

[He gives her a bit of a hopeful glance. He's had thoughts of just... moving in for a while, but he hasn't wanted to push it on her. She's enjoying her space with Dizzy, and he doesn't want to stay if it would be awkward.

While arranging the flowers, he can't help but smirk.]

I'll definitely keep that in mind. You never know when that might happen.

[Finishing the flowers, he brings them over, and sets them to the side of the table so he can look across at Evie. Shaking his head, he just grins at her.]

That looks lovely, thank you. You're wonderful.

[Sitting down, he takes a sip of the hot water and sighs. Yes. That's already helping him feel better.]

[4hearts]

[She catches that glance and ducks her head for a moment as she's dishing up pancakes.]

That seems like a smart idea. I... there's an empty drawer or two in my dresser you can use if you do.

[And you have no idea how much she agonized over what needed to be donated or relocated in order to clear out two whole drawers, Carlos. She's been thinking about the idea of him moving in for a while, too. It would solve the breaking-and-entering problem, but it would also open up a whole different set of things to work out.

She blows him a kiss at that smirk.]

Promises, promises.

[She waits until Carlos has set the flowers down and taken a seat before she sits herself, reaching for her own mug. Hearing him speak, she can't help but tease.]

Stop stealing my compliments!

[dudesbestfriend]

[He knows her love of clothes, and he lifts his glass to her with a gentle smile.]

I'll have to take you up on that now, since you made such a sacrifice for that. It means a lot that you want me here that much.

[And he's not going to push. He wants her more than anything to be comfortable. If that means putting up with Chad's shenanigans, he'll put up with him. However, if anyone tries to make Chad his roommate, he just might have to have a Chat with Ben.

He smirks again, grinning at Evie just a bit.]

Nah. I don't think I will. I think you like it.

[4hearts]

[She hides a slight blush by taking a drink of her lemon water. She should have known he'd understand the gesture for what it was. She did want him here. After he graduated, she hoped he'd move in permanently. But that was still a ways off, and she didn't want to rush him, especially not when he'd landed a single for his final year at Auradon Prep. His own space, where he could create whatever he wanted, and not worry about someone else messing up his stuff.

Except for Chad, but they'd sort that out.]

I like it when you're here. It's like the place is cozier when you visit.

[She shakes her head, grinning right back. Even as her hand slips into the bowl of fruit to grab a blueberry.]

I will neither confirm nor deny that statement.

[How she manages to say that with a straight face, Evie isn't sure. Same as she's not sure how she doesn't give away the game when she picks up her spoon, drops the blueberry into it, then uses it as a makeshift catapult to send the berry sailing toward Carlos's nose.]

[dudesbestfriend]

[He's already thought about moving in after he graduates if she'd be up for it. For now, though, he's more than happy to stay over occasionally, and show up to hide in a room to study if the dorm gets to be too much.

He grins at her and shrugs.]

Well, that's a good thing because with school starting up again, I might be hiding here a bit if the library's too much.

[Before he can say anything else, the blueberry bonks him on the nose, then drops down to settle in the syrup on his pancakes. He laughs, spearing the blueberry and eating it.]

You know, it's a good thing that I have some self-restraint, because Jay might just have flung that back at you. And then you'd have syrup in your hair.

[Carlos knows his girlfriend. That's not a retribution that he ever wants to have.]

[4hearts]

That would be nice. You coming over to study and finish your work while I finish up in my studio. We could cook dinner together, maybe curl up and watch a movie before bed....

[She hasn't had this exact scenario play through her head before. Not at all.

She waits to see what he'll do about the blueberry, and laughs herself when he pops it into his mouth.]

It's more that you know when it's a good time to exercise self-restraint. Your survival instinct is stronger than Jay's. He'd react before weighing the consequences.

[She eats a few bites of her pancakes before they have a chance to go cold, and chases them with the lemon water.]

I'm trying to remember who suggested this as a hangover remedy, because it's really effective. I feel like I should send a thank you card.

[dudesbestfriend]

[He doesn't realize how much of a silly look is on his face as he sighs a bit. Just the little domestic things sound absolutely amazing to him right now. Sure, he's liking school and dorm life, but the thought of having a home, even temporarily just sounds like heaven.]

That sounds amazing. I promise I won't get in the way of your work, and you can kick me out if you want or need to, but yeah. We can have dinner, and then spend time together, and it'll be awesome.

[He laughs a bit, shaking his head and having a few more pancake bites.]

Jay has very little survival instinct, but somehow everything he does works out. I have no idea how he pulls it off. And you're right. We should figure out who to send a thank you to, because I'm not entirely sure this isn't magic.

[He's teasing. Mostly.]

Tired!Evie

[dudesbestfriend]

[OOC: From here!]

[Carlos grins at her, and walks over, putting the tray down on a table near her bed for now, and sitting down beside her. He leans over and kisses her gently, taking her hand. Clearly, he doesn't mind her state of... everything.]

Let's get you fed, and then let's see about getting you a bit more put-together, ok? I can help brush your hair if you're tired, or... whatever you need me to do, Princess.

[Getting up again, he gets the tray and puts it on her lap, taking one small plate for himself. Yeah, he's hungry too.]

Dude's downstairs, if you hear shuffling. He promised not to get into anything he shouldn't.

Re: Tired!Evie

[4hearts]

[She leans against him for a moment, just glad he's here, with her.

And that he brought breakfast. She nods as she hauls herself into more of a sitting position and leans back against her headboard.]

Thank you. Not just for breakfast, but all of it. And I'd love it if you helped me with my hair.

[She settles the tray carefully, then grabs a piece of bacon. Fork? Who needs a fork with bacon? She nods, trusting for the moment that Dude will behave himself, and takes a bite. The sound she makes is borderline obscene, and only underscores just how hungry she is.]

[dudesbestfriend]

[She can lean against him all she wants. He's not worried about anything today other than taking care of her. There's a part of him that feels oddly special that she's comfortable enough with him that she's relaxed and content even when so... disheveled. If Dude doesn't behave himself, Carlos is going to kick his fuzzy little butt, and well, Dude prefers butt scratches and treats.

He takes a couple bites of pancakes, laughing at her bacon-loving sounds.]

Clearly you really did need bacon. When was the last time you ate, anyway?

[4hearts]

[She doesn't apologize for her love of bacon. Especially Mrs. Potts' bacon. That woman is a genius in the kitchen.

There are three people in the entire world Evie would allow to see her like this. One is M, because they've both seen each other at their literal worst, and roomed together all through school. She's dealt with Evie after a sewing binge before. One is Dizzy, because like Mal, Dizzy's the sister of her heart, and she can't deny the younger girl anything unless it's harmful. And one is Carlos, partly for the same reasons as Mal, and partly because she can't think of anyone she trusts more. Or loves more. He'll tease, but it won't be the same as if Jay, or even M were to tease.]

Bacon is life after a job like that. Protein and salt and fat all in one delicious, delicious handheld strip. I'll get to the pancakes, I promise. But right now....

[She finishes the current strip of bacon and picks up another to munch as she thinks.]

I grabbed a snack after the bridal party left, and another snack sometime after nine but before midnight.... Did I do a full breakfast yesterday, or did I do a smoothie? Hmmm.... Full meal was... night before last?

[dudesbestfriend]

Alright. In that case, after breakfast, we'll get you back to normal, and then I think we should find somewhere nice to have lunch. Breakfast is good and all, but after that much work, we should get some more food in you.

[He munches a bit of his pancakes, just watching her eat. There's a silly smile on his face as he quietly muses about how beautiful she is to him even with messy hair and all kinds of tired.]

Once you feel like going downstairs, I'm going to plunk you in that squishy chair of yours, and I'll get your studio tidied up. If I know you, it's probably a sewing disaster area. And we can talk while I clean.

[Cleaning for Evie is one hundred and one times different than cleaning for his mother. He's doing this out of love, not out of a compulsion to.]

[4hearts]

[She looks up from her bacon and blinks at him.]

You bring me the best breakfast ever, and then start talking about lunch? I'm gonna be so full after eating all of this.

[But she smiles at him, knowing if their positions were reversed, and Carlos had gone this long without proper meals, she'd be doing the exact same thing. They'd both gotten better about food since being guaranteed meals every day, but it's easy to fall into old patterns long ingrained without realizing it. And the feeling of fullness, real fullness, from eating is one that, away from her mother, she relishes. She does pick up that small plate of pancakes after her fourth slice of bacon, and sets to eating slowly, so she doesn't gorge and feel ill.]

It's not a 'disaster area' so much as carefully controlled chaos. And, thank you. I'd appreciate the help.

[For a moment, she considers protesting. But this is one of his ways of showing how much he cares, and how much he trusts her. Like her allowing him to brush her hair. She knows Cruella made him clean almost non-stop when he was growing up. And she knows he dislikes cleaning as a result. So offering to tidy her studio isn't an offer made lightly. Rejecting that offer would be like rejecting him, and Evie does not want to hurt him, even accidentally.]

Just don't go snooping for a glimpse of M's wedding dress. She and I are the only ones who've seen it so far, and the plan is to keep it that way until the wedding itself.

[dudesbestfriend]

We won't have lunch right away, I promise! Just... making plans.

[He puts up his hands in a 'surrender' gesture.]

Hey, I promise, I won't go looking for anything. I'll be just as surprised as the rest of the kingdom. I know it's going to be gorgeous, though. Just like its creator.

[Cheesy? Yes. But pure Carlos. He falls silent for a bit, eating, and just watching her. Once they're done eating, he gets up and takes the plates, putting them back on the tray, and the tray on a table, so syrup doesn't end up on everything. Coming back, he sits on the bed beside her.]

Now, how about getting you a bit more put together? Hair first? Or something else?

[In his slightly-awkward Carlos way, he wants her to know that today he's taking care of her.]

[4hearts]

[She smiles and blushes. It may be cheesy, but it makes him happy to say, and it makes her happy to hear. And better a cheesy line said with real feeling than a smooth one devoid of feeling. Sitting together in companionable silence is nice, and makes her feel more like this castle really is a home for them both. She focuses on her meal, appetite returning the more she eats, and it isn't long before her pancakes have disappeared, along with most of the bacon.

The moment he sits down beside her again, she snuggles against him and sighs. She's not used to being taken care of like this, and it's a lovely indulgence. She pretends to think carefully, just to get those few extra moments of snuggling in.]

Hair first. I think once it's less of a snarled mess, I want to pin it back partially. It'll make dealing with the nightmare that is sleeping in makeup a little easier.

[dudesbestfriend]

Alright. I'll go get your brush.

[He kisses her gently, getting up and getting her brush, and sitting down beside her. Carefully, he reaches out and unwinds her tiara from her hair, putting it on her bedside table.]

Have I mentioned that I love all of your tiaras? They're so pretty. And so you.

[Maybe one day, he'll get her one that isn't costume jewelry. One to rival even Audrey's. Or maybe he'll make her one with LEDs that will actually sparkle. While he thinks, he starts brushing her hair, being as gentle as he can with all of the tangles.]

So, tell me about what you're working on. Not Mal's dress, but... other things.

[He always loves to hear her talk about her work.]

[4hearts]

[While he's up, she reaches for the glass of water she'd somehow remembered to put on her bedside table before collapsing the night before. It's room temperature, but it's liquid, and water is good for her. She also wiggles to ease her leggings the rest of the way off. More mobility.

She's shifted a little by the time he sits down again, turning so her back faces him to make it easier for Carlos to brush her hair. He's so careful in getting the tiara out of her snarls that she barely flinches.]

You haven't mentioned the tiaras specifically, no. But I'm glad you like them. I feel naked without them. Which, given my current state, is probably strange to say.

[She sits still, the way she's done before when he's helped with her hair, and lets the rhythm of the bristles moving lull her a little.]

Hmm? Now that the bridal party from evil knows where is finished? Aside from M's dress, I'm putting a few finishing touches on my own, and working on the dresses for her bridesmaids. And a dress for Dizzy.

[She goes on at length about the dress she's making Dizzy for the wedding. The floofy, glittery, layered parfait of a dress with denim detailing and a bit of embroidery. And then she talks about some of her other orders for various people in Central Auradon, including the commission she's gotten from Auradon Prep to design the new marching band uniforms. Those, thankfully, she won't have to piece and create. The design will be sent to the usual outfitters. And while she isn't normally a fan of having her designs mass-marketed, it's for the school, and so many Isle kids are joining the band as they discover a love of music.]

What are you working on right now?

[dudesbestfriend]

That doesn't sound strange at all. I get it. When you have something on or around you so much, it just feels super odd when you don't have it. I was like... four when I saw Mom without some kind of fur on for the first time, and it was so weird.

[Maybe not the best comparison, but it makes sense.

He grins at her discussion of her projects, making proud and excited noises as he brushes her hair, counting softly to himself as he does so.]

That's awesome, Evie. Are you sure you have time to make something for me for the wedding? That sounds like a lot that you're working on.

[When she asks what he's up to, he makes a face, pausing in the hair brushing.]

Unfortunately, nothing interesting. Just homework. Everyone wants to be in my groups for things, but no one actually wants to do any of the work.

[Carlos hasn't made anything in a while, because he's focusing so hard on classes. He loves his classes and he's super excited for all of them, but... he hasn't had time to tinker.]

[4hearts]

Exactly. Wait, your mom actually has times she doesn't wear fur? That's just...yeah, that is really weird. Like Maleficent without that horned cap. Or Harry without his hook. It's just wrong on some level.

[She knows she's going into way more detail that Carlos probably wants, but he asked, and she gets carried away whenever she starts talking about her work.]

Of course I have time to make you something. You will be the best-dressed non-wedding party member at the wedding. Oh! And M let me in on a secret about the reception. I have been dying to talk to someone about it. Promise me you won't tell anyone if I tell you?

[Her expression falls at those words. That isn't fair, and reminds her way too much of the way Chad used her for homework way back when they first arrived.]

Can you ask your teachers if they'll let you work alone? If you're doing all the work anyway, you might as well. Let the others flounder and struggle through it. It'll build character for them, and you won't have to suffer fake group meetings.

And you need to work on something. I know you. Even if it's something small, and you only spend like ten minutes a night on it. It'll help keep you grounded and make you happy.