casual - chloe charming x princess red

I

Chloe found Red standing near the back of the courtyard after the ceremony, shoving her face with the endless pastries available on the dessert table. The princess of Wonderland seemed so childlike and innocent eating macaroons almost as if they hadn't gone back in time together and saved both of their mother's from a certain fate.

"Enjoying that macaroon, Red?" said Chloe as she approached the table and laughed as she proceeded to eat another one. "You can calm down, they're not going anywhere."

Red rolled her eyes. "It's not my fault time traveling could make a person so hungry."

"I think famished is the word you're going for since... you've nearly eaten the entire plate." Chloe corrected her.

"Ok, yeah whatever, princess."

There was a long silence between the two as they watched their mothers converse from afar. The Queen of Hearts embraced Cinderella so firmly as if they hadn't seen each other in years. They laughed and talked like they were lifelong friends. Maybe it was true; neither of them were sure how they changed the timeline other than the fact that Red's mom was a completely different person.

Although Red had finally gotten what she had wanted – a loving mother – she wasn't sure why the sinking feeling in her stomach didn't go away, no matter how many macaroons she ate. Maddox Hatter's words still remained in her head: changing the timeline could affect everything as she knows it. But, for now, it was good enough for her to see her mother the way she had seen her in high school: a kind person.

Red could only hope that it would stay this way.

"So, our mission here is officially over," Red breaks the silence at last. "This was a great way to start off the new school year."

"Couldn't agree more with you," Chloe responds and turns to face Red. "You know, this doesn't have to be the end."

Red tilts her head in confusion. "What do you mean?"

"Like, we can be friends," she slowly says, her tone sounding cautious as if to not anger the other princess, "If you wanted to be."

Before Red could answer her, or even process the offer Chloe just made, their mothers called out to them, striding to their daughters arm in arm then breaking off once they reached their girls. Bridget plants a kiss on Red's cheek and Cinderella strokes Chloe's hair, a smile on both of the queen's faces.

"We were going to introduce you girls formally, but it seems like you two have already met," the Queen of Hearts said, looking between the two girls. They smile awkwardly at each other for a moment before looking away. "Red, this is my good friend, Ella – well, her majesty, her royal highness, I suppose. We went to high school together right here at Auradon Prep, or Merlin Academy as it was known for us."

"Bridget, stop it. When it comes to you, there is no need for formalities," Ella laughs. "It is so lovely to meet you at last, Princess Red. Your mother and I used to send letters back and forth just talking about our daughters when you both were babies."

"Oh, really? I never knew that..." she says through gritted teeth.

"Yes, and now it gives me so much pleasure to introduce my daughter, Chloe, to you, Bridget. Formally and not written." The queen's laugh together for a brief moment.

Chloe holds out her hand to the red queen for her to shake. "Your highness, it is so lovely to meet you and your daughter."

Red never really thought about it before, but Chloe was the spitting image of her mother: curly blue hair, big dark brown eyes, and quite charming, indeed, not to be ironic or anything. She mimicked Cinderella in every mannerism and every action, like a future queen.