Chapter Text
“Chloe?” The Blue haired girl turned around as Red slowly entered her bedroom. “Why are you hiding up here?” Chloe smiled, leaning back in her chair.
“Just thinking,” She said as Red flopped into the girl's bed.
“Your house is so cool, like it definitely fits your vibe. And your room is so fun.” Red laughed, rolling around in the girls bed.
“Hey, I just made up my bed,” Chloe scoffed, walking over towards the girl. Red laughed sitting up and pulling Chloe towards her, wrapping her legs around the girl.
“Happy Birthday Chloe, I love you,” She whispered, planting a loving kiss on Chloe’s neck. Chloe giggles at the touch, bending down and kissing Red.
“Ah, there are my two lovebirds.” Ella smirked, waltzing in.
“Hey Ella,” Red waved, using her free hand to keep Chloe set in place despite her attempts to swat the Red haired girl away. Ella rolled her eyes, as Chloe finally broke free.
“Hi mom,” she squeaked while red rolled over on her stomach, kicking up her legs in an, “I’m completely innocent,” pose.
“Red darling, do you mind if me and Chloe have a moment,” Red gave a quick salute, hoping to her feet. She pressed a long kiss to Chloe’s cheek, twirling a blue curl, letting it slip out of her hand as she exited the room. “Your gawking darling,” Ella raised an eyebrow as Chloe turned around, completely dazed.
“Oh, um right. Are you okay mom,” Ella pulled out a newspaper, tapping the top article.
“The search for Uliana is put to an End” Chloe tensed her lips.
“They never found her did they,”
“No love, they are assuming she's dead,” Chloe shook her head. She felt guilty. Perhaps it was her inability to help red before The sea witch hurt her. She thought back to the slight scar on Reds lip, usually covered up using lipstick. Or the fact that Red had to potentially kill the witch in order to save Chloe. Maybe it was the fact that they had changed the future. Was it their fault for messing with time? Ella gently stroked Chloe’s hair. “You've grown up so much, I can't believe you're seventeen.”
“Give it another year and I’m an adult.” Chloe smirked.
“Don't push it,” Ella gave an amused look, “Speaking of, what have I told you about keeping your room door open when red is here,” Chloe blinked.
“Ya know, I think i'm gonna head downstairs,” She muttered, sneaking out of her room. Ella rolled her eyes, following her daughter out of the room.
“Hey pumpkin,” Chloe looked up, just to be crushed with a big bear hug from her father.
“Hi dad,” She smiled, pressing a kiss on his cheek. “Where is Chad?”
“Oh he’s with Red right now in the family room,” Chloe's eyes widened.
“Shit,” She muttered. Chad was not the nicest person to be around. In fact he could be a jerk sometimes. Nevertheless she loved him, but she was also afraid that if left alone in a room with Red, one of the two may end up dead. She rushed off as her father quickly scolded her over her language. As Chloe sped down the hall, she heard a bit of music coming from inside the room. Peaking in she saw Red and Chad next to each other, the game, “Just waltz” playing on the TV.
“What the hell are you two doing,” Chloe scoffed.
“We are slaying my dear sister,” Chad exclaimed, still very much focused on the dance.
“I'm taking a video and sending this to your girlfriend,”
“Do it! Women love a man that can dance,” Chad replied, striking a pose. In response, Red did a small spin, falling to the floor in a split, striking a pose. “That's cheating! Your like, a professional that's not fair,”
“Your just jealous that the ladies love me,”
“Oh please, says who,”
“Says your sister,” A cushion flew into Red's face earning a screech. Red stood up, jumping onto Chads back, sending them both to the floor.
“Be careful!” Bridget scolded, walking into the room next to Ella and her husband, “You kids are going to kill each other,”
“She’s being mean,”
“He’s being a sore loser.”
“Chloe get your girlfriend,” Eventually, after an evil eye from Ella, both teenagers settled down, allowing the group to settle around the room.
“Oh Chloe, It’s time to open your represents starting with mine,” Chad declared, placing a box into the girl's lap. Chloe laughed, opening it gingery. Inside was a t shirt with the words, “I love my awesome straight brother” plastered across it. He quickly pulled open his button up shirt the reveal a matching one stating, “I love my awesome lesbian sister,”
“Tada!” He smiled widely, earning a laugh from their family.
“I am not wearing this,” Chloe cringed.
“But you have to,” Red said standing up, revealing a matching shirt reading, “I love my girlfriend (And her straight brother is cool too).
“I have to get a picture,” Ella declared as Chad and Red forced Chloe into the shirt. After a few disgruntled pictures. A few more gifts were given. From Bridget, a fancy tea set, made in Wonderland itself. Her parents gifted her a set of Jewelry, and a few books Chloe had been that had been on her list of must reads. Finally, it was Red’s turn.
“Gotta save the best for last, " she joked,handing a neatly packaged box, with a silver bow at the top. Chloe glanced up towards the girl before opening the box. She stops, lips quivering.
“Red,” She whispered as the girl carefully took the box, pulling out the shoes. The room went silent as she slipped off the boots Chloe was currently wearing. She kept Eye contact with the Blue haired girl, gently slipping on the glass shoes one by one.
“Fit for a princess,” Red whispered, a loving smile gracing her lips, “For my princess.” Chloe leaned in, taking Red's face in her hands and planting a soft kiss. She pulled away resting her forehead against Red’s.
“I love you,”
“Did- Did she just indirectly propose to my sister?” Chad asked, arms crossed as Bridget shot a quick picture. The girls laughed, as everyone settled in the room, agreeing to put on a movie and relax the rest of the afternoon. Chloe had settled down next to Red, leaning her head into her shoulder.
“I have one more surprise, but later.” Chloe looked up blinking. “Meet me tonight at midnight, in our spot,” Chloe nodded, burying her head into Red's chest. A few hours passed and Chloe found herself sneaking out of the house. Pulling over a blanket, she made her way towards the back of her house, towards the woods. Despite the darkness she was able to make out a narrow path, carefully following every carefully placed stone. Suddenly, a flicker of light caught her attention. Following the light, she was led to a small campfire, Red, who was in a jacket and pajamas crouched over it, soaking in the heat. The Red haired girl turned, listening herself up to greet her girlfriend.
“Hey princess,” She said as they exchanged a quick kiss.
“So are we having a camp out?” Chloe joked, Red tensed her lips. She was serious. She signaled to the girl to take a seat.
“When I was with Principal Uma,” Red started, “I accidentally admitted to her about us,”
“Us?” Chloe asked.
“The time traveling,” Chloe tensed.
“Oh,” She muttered. Red hung her head. It was just a simple slip up while being questioned, enough for Uma to pull Red out of the room and into her Office.
“Red,” Uma sighs, rubbing her temple, “I'm trying to make sure this is as non-stressful as possible but I can't do that when you keep changing your story.” Red huffed, crossing her arms.
“ I told you, She has something against my mom, from like high school,”
“Oh I know you said that, after slipping up and saying she has some sorta beef with you.” Red sank into her chair, her heart racing. “Have you been sneaking into the isle of the lost?”
“No,”
“It’s dangerous Red,”
“I'm not sneaking in there,”
“Then what is it?” Uma pleaded, taking a seat at her desk. Red whatever it is I wont get mad, I want to help you,” Red took a deep breath, her hands shaking. She wasn't sure why, but suddenly the whole story, of their pocket watch, of her old life. Her moms evil plot and their adventure traveling back in time. Stopping the prank and more until finally she finished, eyes towards the floor.” Uma nodded slowly before responding.
“Damn girl, was not expecting that.” Red couldn't help but laugh at that response, earning a grin from the principal herself. “Look,” Uma started, “You guys already messed with time, and honestly it's too dangerous to try and fix it,” She said with little air quotes. “I hate to be that bitch, but I think it's best if I confiscate the time machine, if you still have it.” Red nodded slowly.
“It’s in my dorm, I can get it to you tomorrow morning,” Uma gave an approving grunt.
“You guys are gonna have to deal with the consequences, luckily for you some good came out of your adventure. That's not always the case.” Red nodded. “Look, we're gonna go in there. Uliana, has a grudge against your mom, and also against you because you are her daughter, understood?”
“Clearly,” Red responded.
“Good, let's take a second, and then we're back in there. I’ll even give em a little talk about scaring you,” Uma smirked, pulling out her sword and stroking it carefully. Chloe nodded, taking in the whole story.
“That’s a lot,'' she muttered.
“I know,” Red agreed, “That's why I wanted you to come here.” She said, pulling out a small book. So I've been doing some research, and looking into, um well, a councilor actually…” She paused waiting for Chloe’s reaction. She smiled, rubbing the red haired girl's shoulder.
“I'm so proud of you,” She whispered, before Red continued. “So while doing some of that i came across this little symbolic thing where write down what's weighing on you, and burn it as a way of letting go,”
“Oh?” Chloe tilted her head.
“Ya like, I already wrote one.” She explained holding up a paper that Red, I will not let the past hurt my Mom, Chloe, or myself. “You kinda have to write it like a command,”
“Why is there a circle around our names,”
“Protection, burning names isn't a good thing apparently,” Chloe chuckled, taking a paper and pen. After a minute she wrote, I will not love and support Red and my family, instead of blaming myself for Uliana’s revenge. She carefully put a circle around Red, and Family for good measure.
“What now,”
“Now we fold them,” Red said, folding her paper, while Chloe followed, “And let em burn,” They both lifted their arms, dropping the papers at the same time. There was a burst of sparks followed by glowing butterflies, emerging from the fire, making their way up into the starry night. Chloe gasped softly, watching as her worries fluttered out of existence.
“Wonderland tricks,” Red smiled widely, gazing into the sky.
“Thank you Red, for everything ” She murmured, taking the girl's hand and pulling her close.
“You deserve it, You deserve all good things,” She wrapped her arms around Chloe, eyes glued to the stars. For the first time in a long time, She felt at peace. Like the whole world had stopped, giving Chloe a moment to simply soak in life. It wasn't perfect, no amount of time travel could ever make it so. Perhaps there would be more to come, more consequences to face. Chloe looked over at Red, her beautiful Red, eyes glued to the night sky, a genuine smile plastered on her face, and for a moment, she could close her eyes and pretend that this was her happily ever after. Yes, that's indeed what this moment was. Her fairy tale ending to a small chapter of her life.
Oh, you thought this story was over? It's only just begun.
This is simply the end, to the beginning.
There is always more to come…