A/N: DISCO by Nessa Barrett is so Ali-coded, like you should actually play it while reading his POV. I LOVE YOU, NESSA BARRETT <3

Ali Nimer's POV

When driving into Book End, Ali turned up the radio. DISCO by Nessa Beauty was playing, it was his type of music. 'Take me to the disco, set my heart on fire, wanna see where this goes, make me feel alive...' He rubbed his eyes, hoping that he was sober enough to drive. (Reminder to never drink and drive from Nadine.)

Finally, he arrived at his destination, opening the car door as he rested his eyes upon the building in front of him. Midnight Shelter, founded by... yours truly, Hassan.

Hold on! It's Nadine right here and I just had to pause the story for one minute since Ali can't hear Narrators. You're probably wondering 'Who the hell is Hassan?' and let's just say Ali thinks he's slick. Ali may be the Party Prince, but holy hex, is he nice when he wants to be. Which is more often than you think, but alas, plot armour seems to be this book's favourite thing.

Under a pen name, Ali created a shelter for, well, basically anyone who needed a home. 'How sweet!' is probably what you're thinking, and yeah it is, but Ali is an asshole who doesn't want anything to know. It's... complicated.

Mostly because of the plot armour.

Anyways, unpause!

From the car, the song continued to play. 'And we use a bed, babe, I could be your band-aid, I could wreak some havoc, I'm only into bad boys. Saw you at the disco, I could be your good girl...' Ali leaned against his car, staring at the shelter for a bit. It was sort of a funny name for the shelter—his mother was always telling him about how she went on the carpet ride with his dad at midnight. Seeing as his name is Ali, which was a massive joke in general, it only felt right. Every few months, Ali would stop by the shelter to see how it was going.

Everything seemed to be running smoothly, so he was about to turn around when he heard a familiar voice coming from inside. "Lucifer, spit the mouse out! No, no, spit it out!" It was faint, but still recognizable. Better question; what the hex was Daphne Tremaine doing there?

Oh, for Grimm's sake—

He walked into the shelter, hearing the noise coming from the community playroom. Peeking his head inside, he saw Daphne wrestling a dead rat from a black cat's mouth. "I'm taking away catnip privileges for a week." She dropped it in the trash can, shuddering as the cat scrambled away. The playroom was full of children, primarily little kids who were chasing around the cat until it screeched.

"So are you just going to stand there?" Daphne asked, her voice steel. Jesus Christ, did she have eyes from the back of her head? There was a note of pride in her voice, but Ali couldn't decipher why. "Didn't think this was your place, you know? Poor people and such."

Ali straightened. "Of course it's not. Why are you here?" he asked suspiciously.

"The kids like the cat, so I brought him here. Isn't Lucifer a cutie? Very coquette." Daphne laughed, gesturing to a group of girls who were clipping bows and ribbons onto the cat's black fur. Lucifer seemed as if he was a bow away from biting off a child's finger. Still, Ali stooped to the floor, wanting to pet Lucifer. "He's not friendly, he likes to scratch my ankles every morning."

Ali snorted. Growing up around the palace, his mother kept tigers all the time. He petted Lucifer, and though he hissed, Ali scooped him up and scratched the cat behind his ears. "Et, tu?" Daphne said to Lucifer. "Traitor."

"Okay, you actually need to go," Ali told Daphne. He didn't need anyone staying around the shelter and finding out he was the founder. Despite loving and often craving attention, Ali only liked certain types of attention. This? Yeah, he was on-and-off when displaying his generosity. "You're French, right? So how do you say 'Daphne, take your cat and get out' in French?"

"Daphné, prends ton chat et sors."

Ugh, now she was definitely mocking him. Ali dragged her outside to the hallway and set down Lucifer on the floor. "Why are you so interested in the place? Because I'm definitely not," he said, hoping it sounded convincing.

Daphne rolled her eyes. "I like teaching the STEM programs here, because despite the fact you fund this place and keep it floating, you can't help people once they turn eighteen. By law, they better get a job or find upper education."

Just as Ali was about to practically bribe her to get out, something registered in his head. Despite the fact you fund this place and keep it floating... "I don't know what you're talking about, I would never waste money on this shelter," he said.

"It seems as if gaslighting isn't above you, Ali. Or shall I say Hassan?" Now, Ali understood why there was a prideful tone in her voice. Lucifer was in her arms as Daphne caressed the cat. "To my understanding, you really don't want others to fund Midnight Shelter, undoubtedly the largest shelter in Book End. Or the fact you actually created this place. You know, it only takes a few Google searches to realize you're behind it."

Ali swore under his breath. "Okay, okay, hold your horses. What do you want? Money? An invitation to a luxurious gala? Sexual favours?" You'd be surprised how many people asked for all three of those as if Ali was the next Genie from his legacy.

Daphne wrinkled her nose. "Number #1, I don't want your filthy money. Number #2, I'm not a Cinderella rip-off. Number #3, you're just ew." Fair enough, Ali guessed. Daphne continued, "Coming up, there will be Family Night where everyone's parents are presenting something about their fairytale. Whatever, I'm not interested in that, but my family is going to be there. And let's just say... they're complicated."

Ain't that the truth, Ali had his own family issues to deal with. Sweet mother, complex dad, and an awesome grandpapa. Yes, Ali was a grandpapa's boy. "So? What do I play in this scenario?"

"My grandmother, Lady Tremaine, certainly has some more... traditional views on what a woman should be. Top priority? Marry rich. She's been bugging me about for years, so I just invented a fake boyfriend to get her off my back since it's my last year at EAH."

Then it clicked. "But this boyfriend doesn't exist."

"Exactly, but Lady Tremaine always gets what she wants in the end. Typical." Daphne leaned against the wall as Lucifer meowed. "You don't want your secret of Midnight Shelter to get out and I coincidentally need a wealthy, reputable boyfriend for the night. Well, we'll work on the reputable part. To avoid suspicion from Lady Tremaine, we'll start fake-dating as soon as possible. You would be surprised at how stingy she gets. But..." She stuck out her hand. "The choice is yours."

"It's like dealing with the Devil."

"I assure you, I am ten times worse than any devil."

"I can't tell if you're flirting with me or trying to start a fight."

"Neither, actually. I'm blackmailing you, Nimer."

"So you admit it's blackmail?"

"I admit nothing, I'm just mildly suggesting it."

This was possibly the most confusing argument Ali has ever been in and he watched his grandpapa argue with corrupt politicians on the daily. Ali wanted to laugh in her face and tell her to find another guy for the job. It sounded wild, plus Ali only dated rich folks or hook-ups for less than a week before moving on. Playboy? Sure, but it was the thrill that got Ali hooked, like an addicting drug. Still, he had a secret that he wanted to hide.

In the end, he shook Daphne's hand.

"Pleasure doing business with you."

︶⊹︶︶୨୧︶︶⊹︶

After sorting out everything, they agreed on a set of rules, which was absurd since Ali didn't even know fake-dating needed to have rules. Number #1, they would be subtle about it, no need to tell the entire world. "And I need to emphasize that," Daphne said sternly. Ali insisted he did not have that much of a big mouth.

Number #2, they couldn't date anyone else during their little game. Again, that was mainly directed to Ali for his infamous one-night-stands. Ali was slowly starting to realize that these set of rules were really just insults in disguise.

Number #3, it would last from tomorrow to a few days after Family Night so it wasn't that obvious. So roughly about a few weeks, which was actually longer than most of Ali's relationships lasted. What? Don't judge.

"You really thought this through, huh?" He was giving her a ride back to EAH since that was the foundation of their story. Ali, being a totally nice guy, offered to drive Daphne back to Ever After High, yada yada yada. He'd let Daphne work out the kinks.

"Well, it sort of works when both of us are total assholes, right?" To that, Ali couldn't argue. After that, the conversation died down, the music on the radio filling up the void. Daphne sat in the backseat, playing with Lucifer and scratching behind his ears.

Let's hope this isn't something I regret...

︶⊹︶︶୨୧︶︶⊹︶

Vanya Ella's POV

Vanya wasn't sure if she was bringing the flowers to the Nurse's Office for Professor Red's recovery or funeral. At the waiting room, she was holding her breath when the door suddenly flew open. "Holy hex, is she actually dead?" Holton asked, bursting through the door. "Vanya? It's literally 3: 00 AM right now."

Vanya yawned. "Well-aware."

Shortly after, Frederick Pan and Violet Bell arrived in a rush. Frederick was notably wearing rubber ducky slippers that Holton soon made fun of him for. "All I heard is that Professor Red took a really bad fall. Like, blood everywhere," Vanya informed them.

"What a tragic accident," Violet agreed.

"It's not tragic if she survives," Frederick said. The door flew open once more, cue Ali and Daphne who ran in. Daphne had a cat in her hands, who Vanya recognized as Lucifer. She remembered Cinderella telling Vanya horror-stories of how the Tremaines' family cat. "Damn, you two are really late."

"Don't even ask," Daphne said, rubbing her tired eyes. She sat down on the floor for lack of chairs and Lucifer practically leaped out of her arms to scratch Vanya. She was embarrassed to admit that a literal cat, who was ten times smaller than her, scared her to death. "Nimer and I had to stop by the crime scene."

The stairwell. "And?"

"There was a stain of blood on the wall and then the rest on the floor," Daphne explained, stroking Lucifer's back. Was that a bow on his head...? "Which confirms my worst suspicions; this was no accident. And, well, we might be the ones responsible for this."

Holton quirked an eyebrow. "Tremaine, what the actual hell?"

"Vanya, you said it yourself. If Professor Red saw someone, then she could be our key witness. That means Professor Red was a liability to our culprit. I'm willing to bet that the same person who set the Lifairy on fire and stole the Book also pushed our teacher down the stairs. It wasn't an accident, the professor didn't just slip and fall. So we succeeded in our plan, we drew the perpetrator back to EAH, we just ended up almost killing our teacher."

Vanya was overwhelmed. This wasn't just a mystery for them to solve now; this was a game of life-and-death. And right now, Professor Red's life was on the line. "Call it off. Call it all off." Everyone stared at Vanya. "If we nearly killed Professor Red because of that one threat—that one threat—then it's too dangerous."

Daphne protested. "But we're so close! The thief is here in our school!"

"We're less than three days into our investigation and someone almost lands up dead. Daphne, it's getting too risky. Take the post down and maybe the culprit will back down too." It was the safe choice to do.

"This is the thing I despise about you, Vanya. You're too scared and now you're playing it safe." Suddenly, Vanya's heart ached. She knew Daphne's words would surely mean nothing, but it did hurt a bit.

"Hey, this isn't the time to fight while Professor Red is fighting for her life in the other room," Holton said warningly. They glared at each other until Daphne shook her head.

"But then when is the right time? Because the thing you're forgetting, Vanya, is that if this person is willing to push Professor Red down the stairs, then they're willing to do far worse. I have my own people to worry about. This person is ruthless, they stop at nothing."

Vanya was conflicted now. She didn't want to admit it, but Daphne was somewhat right. Just then, Professor Rumpelstiltskin walked out of the room and greeted them. Since the official school nurses left since the Book's disappearance, Rumpelstiltskin was the next best thing as a doctor. "She's okay and alive," he said, sending waves of relief to Vanya. "But she needs to rest."

"Oh, c'mon, Rumpel, let the kids visit." Professor Red's voice sent a jolt of hope through Vanya's reins. They breezed past Rumpelstiltskin and into the patient room. Professor Red's appearance was slightly unsettling—half her face was bruised and there was a large bandage wrapped around her head. "Hi," she said weakly, smiling.

"How are you feeling?" Frederick asked as they approached the bed. Like there was on her desk, there was a teddy bear on her nightstand along with her glasses.

"Like I died and came back from the dead. The blood mainly came from the side of my head, I'm on painkillers." Professor Red's bright energy never faltered even when she nearly kicked the bucket. Major respect. "It's quite late, past curfew I must note." And even if she almost died, she's still a teacher at heart...

"Do you need any medical bills that need to be paid?" Ali asked before clearing his throat. "Not that anyone would pay for it."

"Actually, it was this that saved her." Rumpelstiltskin held up a small tonic bottle. Vanya recognized it; it was the same tonic that Daphne had given Holton. "In higher dosages, it can work miracles."

Holton squinted. "Oh, wait, that's Daphne's weird-tasting shit."

"No cussing," Professor Red scolded.

"Wait, my prototype actually worked?" Daphne asked.

"You gave me a prototype to drink?!" Holton was in disbelief. "Maybe you did poison me after all. "

"It worked, I told you it always works," Rumpelstiltskin said, pocketing the empty tonic bottle. "Of course, it didn't do all the work, but it sufficed. For now, Ms. Red is safe and stable, which reminds me to update Grimm on this." The short man shuffled out of the room as Vanya turned to Professor Red.

"We got you 'get-well' flowers, roses for the next Rose Red." Vanya placed the roses in a vase on the nightstand. "I was hoping if you could recollect any memories from what happened before the incident."

Professor Red sighed. "It was all so fast. I was on the phone and then... I felt someone push me back. I was slammed hard against the wall and then I fell down the stairs. The impact alone nearly killed me. A-And that awful laughter... Good Godmothers, I'll never forget it." So Daphne was right, it wasn't an accident.

It was attempted murder.

"You need to report this," Violet told her seriously, "and let the police do its job."

"What? Hex no! Look, I could have easily imagined things and the truth is, I don't want to conceive anyone. Everyone is already on their edge since the Storybook of Legends' disappearance, if I come forward with my story, then it will induce mass-hysteria."

"Who cares if people go hysterical or not? You almost died!" Holton protested.

"When you get older and mature a bit, you will realize you can not right every wrong. Even if it wasn't your wrong or yours to fix. Right now, Ever After High or Book End needs this horrible news. They will only panic and cause a bigger mess. Fate isn't kind, and it's possible that whoever did this will never come to light, but I survived. As of now, the only thing I want to do is to move on. I want to forget."

Forget?

"But..." Vanya pursued her lips. "What if this horrible person strikes again?"

Professor Red let out a sigh. "We can only pray they won't."

A/N: So the teacher survives for now! So I promised myself I would make Ali a side/background character, BUT BRO IS MADE TO BE A MAIN CHARACTER. Like, I find myself giving him more chapters than I should, but his personality is actually so funny and sad at the same time. It's okay, that means I get to write more about my pookie Daphne too and I love my mean characters <3 I know I'm yapping now, but fake-dating actually has rules? Like I had to Google it myself lmao.

I think it's a writer thing to get so attached to a character while planning to traumatize them at the same time.