Echoes of Wonderland

Glimpse of us

Chloe's POV

As Red starts to walk away, I can't tear my gaze from her. The pain and anger in her voice hit me like a punch to the gut, but I'm not letting her get away that easily.

Dizzy moves closer, her hand gently resting on my shoulder.

- We should go, Chlo.

I barely register her words. My focus is locked on Red, who's striding away, her back turned to me. A rush of determination floods my veins. I can't let her slip away again. Not after everything.

- No. - I say firmly, shaking off Dizzy's hand. - You want to make this hard, Red? Fine. Do it. But just know I'm not giving up. You can push me away, cut me with your words, do anything you want to try and drive me away. But I'm not leaving.

I move quickly to catch up with her, my heart pounding in my chest. Red halts, her shoulders stiff, but she doesn't turn around. I stop a few feet behind her, speaking with a conviction that I hope reaches her despite the distance she's trying to put between us.

- Every time you try to catch a fight, try and steal, every time you try to do some villain shit, I'll be there to stop you. To ruin your fun. Because I believe in you, Red. And I love you. I never stopped loving you, and I know you love me too, or you wouldn't be doing all of this.

My voice cracks, but I keep it steady. I'm not backing down. Not now. Red remains silent, her back still to me, but I can see her body trembling slightly. Maybe my words are getting through. Maybe she's listening.

- Why are you doing this? - I ask, my voice softer but still firm. - Why are you pushing me away so hard? I'm right here, Red. I'm not going anywhere.

Red's voice finally cuts through the quiet, strained and raw.

- Because you shouldn't be here, Chloe. You should be back in Auradon, living your life. You don't need this. You don't need me.

I take a step closer, my eyes never leaving her rigid form.

- You think I'm here because I have to be? I'm here because I want to be. Because I can't just walk away from you, no matter how much you push me.

Red's shoulders slump slightly, but she still doesn't turn around. I can sense her internal struggle, the conflict between the love she feels and the defenses she's built up around herself.

- You don't get it, Chloe. I'm not the same person I was before. I'm a mess. I'm dangerous.

- I know you're a mess. - I say, my voice breaking. - But that's exactly why I'm here. I don't care if you're dangerous or broken. I love you, Red, all of you. The good, the bad, and everything in between.

Red's body tenses, and she finally turns to face me. Her eyes are filled with a mix of pain and disbelief, and I can see the tears she's trying to hold back.

- You don't get it. You don't know what I've done.

- I don't care what you've done. - I insist, stepping closer. - What matters is what you're going to do from here on out. You can't push me away forever. I'm not going to let you.

- Why do you have to make this so hard? Why can't you just leave me alone? - Red's gaze softens, but her face is still set with stubborn defiance.

- Because I can't. - I reply, my voice thick with emotion. - Because you're the love of my life, and I'm not going to let you destroy yourself while I stand by and do nothing.

Red's voice trembles, revealing the cracks in her tough facade. Her words slice through the tension, raw and vulnerable.

- What do you want, Chloe? What am I supposed to do?