Timeless Legacy

typical night

Elina rushed outside to the front of the dorms, eager to meet up with Maddox. He was standing casually next to the entrance, his iconic hat perched on his purple hair and a small white baby rabbit cradled in his hand. Spotting Elina, he waved, a wide grin spreading across his face.

"I'm ready. Where are we going?" Elina asked, her curiosity evident as she approached him.

Maddox's grin widened as he joked, "Well, not near a fountain."

Elina laughed, remembering the mishap from earlier. Maddox began walking, and she fell into step beside him. They made their way toward the school, and Elina eyed the building with suspicion. "We're not going to study, right?" she asked skeptically, slowing her pace.

Maddox shook his head, still grinning. "You need some patience," he teased, leading her through the school's entrance and up a winding staircase.

As they climbed higher, Elina started to feel the burn in her legs and sighed dramatically. Finally, they reached the top, and she flopped down onto the last step, catching her breath. Maddox stood above her, looking down with a mix of amusement and affection.

"Not used to all these stairs, huh?" he teased lightly, leaning against the railing.

Elina glared at him playfully. "Not everyone's as energetic as you, Maddox. Where are you even taking me?"

Maddox reached out a hand to help her up. "Come on, just a little further. I promise it's worth it."

Elina took his hand, allowing him to pull her up. "This better be good," she muttered, but there was a smile on her face.

He led her down a corridor and through a hidden door that opened onto a rooftop garden, bathed in the golden light of the setting sun. The view of Auradon spread out before them, and the air was filled with the scent of blooming flowers. It was a peaceful, almost magical place, far removed from the hustle and bustle of the school below.

"Wow," Elina breathed, her earlier fatigue forgotten as she took in the scene.

Maddox leaned on the railing, watching her with a satisfied smile. "Told you it'd be worth it."

Elina walked to the edge, leaning on the railing beside him. "Okay, I admit it. This is amazing."

Maddox nodded, the rabbit still nestled in his arms. "I come up here when I need to think, or just get away from everything. I thought you might like it too."

Elina's expression softened at his thoughtful gesture. "Thank you, Maddox," she said quietly, her voice tinged with emotion. The thought of her mother's mission flickered in her mind, but here, in this serene moment, it felt distant.

They sat down at the edge of the rooftop, watching as the sun slowly dipped below the horizon. The silence between them was comfortable, the kind that didn't need to be filled with words. The rabbit hopped into Elina's lap, and she smiled, gently stroking its soft fur while Maddox watched her, a warm look in his eyes.

For the first time in a long while, Elina felt a sense of calm. She allowed herself to just be in the moment, letting the worries and pressures of her life fade into the background, if only for a little while.

"How is living in Wonderland?" Elina asked, breaking the comfortable silence between them. She turned to look at Maddox, her curiosity genuine.

Maddox gazed up at the moon that now illuminated the sky, a soft smile playing on his lips. "It's pretty nice, actually. Our Queen of Hearts has a softer side. We even have a cupcake holiday where we eat cupcakes all day."

Elina laughed at that, the idea of an entire day dedicated to sweets tickling her. "Wow, that sounds delicious," she chuckled.

Maddox nodded, laughing a little himself. "It is. The Queen also has a little daughter. She's about six years younger than me. A bit stubborn at times, but she's a real sweetheart."