Chapter Text
The Isle of the Lost wasn’t known to be the most beautiful of places. Actually, it was more akin to a slum area than anything. Crime was rampant, food was scarce, life was hard, but what more can you expect in a place full of the most evil people?
But beautiful things flourish in the harshest environments. Both of them would attest to their friendship being one of them. It was almost comical how they used to hate each other, Mal had it worse though. Always having this deep seated anger towards Evie when they were younger. She used to make traps for the poor girl and often mocked her for wanting to be called a ‘princess’. Funny how things turn out, right?
But over the years they were always by each other’s side. No matter what went on in their lives, where Mal was, Evie followed. Which often led to nights like this.
To say that she felt like shit was an understatement. Another fight with her mother left her with a stinging cheek and a wish to run away. But she was never able to get far, where would she even go? It wasn’t like she could leave this place, so all she did was run far enough away that her mother wouldn’t bother looking for her and sat down on a rooftop.
What followed was ten minutes of silence, then the rhythmic tapping of heels across a tile roof echoed deep into the night. “Bad fight? I could hear you guys yelling.”
“Mhm, and you’re as punctual as ever. Always knowing when I need you, right E?” She laughed through the pain, she always did. Trying to appear stronger than she really was. She was the leader of the VKs, she always had to put on a strong front for them. She needed to always be there for them.
Evie didn’t seem happy with the response, she moved closer and sat herself down next to the dragon. “M, be serious here, let me see.” She made a move to cup the girl’s face but before she could Mal flinched away. “Okay, fine. But I’m not leaving you alone up here.” As soon as she finished her sentence, she felt a jacket be placed on both her shoulders.
“Figures. Here, keep this on, it’s a little cold tonight.”
“I thought I was supposed to be comforting you.”
A small laugh came out of the dragon’s mouth, “You can’t comfort me when you’re shivering like a popsicle stick.” She leaned against the girl’s shoulder and held her hand firmly within hers.
They stayed like that for a while, basking in the moonlight together. Neither of them said anything, they didn’t need to, both of them just found comfort in each other.
“I feel like I’ve been dealt a bad hand in life sometimes.” Mal finally broke the silence. Looking up at the sky, she couldn’t help but think the moon looked beautiful.
It was Evie’s turn to laugh this time, “Wow, someone having a bad deal in life, here, in the Isle of the Lost? Noooooo.”
What followed was a light punch to her arm. “You know what I mean.”
“Haha, yeah, I get it.”
“Life’s shit.”
“Totes.”
The silence returned, they always did say comfort is silence.
“But whoever said that we’ll always have bad luck?” Evie spoke up again, this time looking directly at Mal, “We were born into bad circumstances, but who's to say that it was always bad? You’ve got me, Jay, Carlos, we’re all here.”
“I wouldn’t know what I’d do without you guys.” Mal couldn’t help but curl up into herself, tucking her knees into her chest, continuing to look up at the sky.
“Let’s change our luck, okay? We have a shit life with shit parents now, but it won’t always be like this. One day we’ll make a name for ourselves and change everything.”
“I like that idea, thanks, princess.”
“Anything for you, my little dragon.”
They stayed like that well into the sunrise. At that moment it truly felt like it was just them against the world. Everything was simple, no matter what they would always be together. It was childish to think that everything would always stay the same, but dreaming never did hurt anyone.