Echoes of Wonderland

All too well

Red's POV

I wake up before the sun, the barn still dark and silent around us. Chloe is curled up against me, her body nestled into mine as if she's trying to meld into me. My arm rests over her, holding her close, and I can feel the steady rise and fall of her chest against mine. For a moment, I panic. I don't know what to do, how to move without disturbing her. My heart races, unsure of whether to cherish the closeness or to slip away before she wakes.

But then, I realize—this is the moment I've been dreaming of for months. I've missed waking up with her like this, not knowing the last time was going to be the last time. My heart feels full, a blend of tenderness and a quiet joy that I haven't allowed myself to feel in so long.

I take a deep breath, trying to savor the warmth of Chloe's body pressed against mine. Slowly, I shift my other hand to her hair, letting my fingers graze through the damp strands. It's a small gesture, but it feels like a declaration of all the things I've been too scared to say.

I press my lips to her forehead and whisper,

- Chlo, wake up.

Chloe stirs, her eyelashes fluttering open. As she blinks up at me, a radiant smile spreads across her face. She tightens her grip around my waist, and my heart flutters at the intimacy of the gesture. Her touch is warm and reassuring, grounding me in the present.

- Thank you. - She murmurs, her voice still heavy with sleep.

I'm caught off guard by her words, my brow furrowing in confusion.

- What for? - I ask, my voice a soft whisper, barely daring to break the stillness.

Chloe lifts her head, her eyes meeting mine with that beautiful morning softness. Her face is a little puffy, her eyes still adjusting to the light, but she looks more perfect to me than ever. She leans in and presses a quick, tender kiss to my lips.

- Thank you for letting me be close. - She says, her voice filled with genuine gratitude.

I can't help but smile softly, my heart swelling with warmth.

- I'm just glad you're here. - I say quietly.

Chloe's smile widens, and she slowly untangles herself from me, stretching her limbs and easing into the waking day. She stands and makes her way to Celia and Dizzy, gently rousing them from their sleep. I watch her with a mix of admiration and affection as she goes about waking them up, her movements light and purposeful.

I get up slowly, careful not to disturb the peacefulness that seems to have settled over the barn. I start packing the wet clothes from last night's rain, folding them neatly and placing them into our bags. Auradon isn't far now, just a few hours away. We should make it by around four o'clock if all goes smoothly.

As I fold the last of the wet clothes, a nagging worry starts to creep back in. Returning to Auradon, the place I left behind, is not just a physical journey. It feels like stepping into a whirlwind of unresolved emotions and doubts. The excitement of being close to Chloe and the comfort of the morning are tempered by the reality of what lies ahead. What if they don't accept me back? What if the changes I've gone through are too much for them? My past mistakes, my fears—they all seem to loom over me, a shadow I can't quite shake off.

The morning light filters through the cracks in the barn, casting a soft glow over everything. It should be a beacon of hope, but instead, it feels like a reminder of how much has changed and how uncertain everything still is. I can't help but feel a twinge of anxiety about facing the people and the place that represent so much of my past. What if this journey leads to more heartbreak, more regret?