Echoes of Wonderland

You'll always find your way back home

Red's POV

The silence as we walk is comforting but unsettling at the same time. Chloe is right next to me, her presence grounding, though my thoughts are far from calm. It's strange being this close to her again. After all the time apart, after how things ended, I shouldn't feel this... at ease. But I do. It's weird, though, because everything in me is telling me I don't deserve it.

I glance at Chloe, stealing a look at her profile—the way her hair falls just right over her shoulder, the small smile tugging at her lips as she walks beside me. She's not hesitating. She knows how she feels, and it's like she's not second-guessing a thing. How does she do that? How does she just dive back in like I didn't hurt her? Like we didn't break each other the last time we were together?

I wish I could say I felt as sure as she does, but the truth is, I don't know if I'm enough for her. Not now. Maybe not ever. The last three months have been a mess, and I'm scared—scared I'm going to ruin things again. I've done things I regret, made decisions that weren't the best, and somehow, Chloe just... forgives me. She looks at me like I'm still worth something, like I'm still worth her time, her love. It's overwhelming.

We reach the outskirts of Auradon, and as the skyline comes into view, I freeze. My feet are glued to the ground, and I can't seem to make myself move forward. Auradon looms in the distance, its pristine streets and familiar buildings sending a wave of panic coursing through me. I freeze, unable to take another step. My heart pounds, every beat echoing in my ears like a warning, telling me this is the wrong choice. Coming back here, after everything... I'm not ready for this.

Chloe's hand slips into mine, her grip steady and warm. The second her fingers wrap around mine, I feel something shift—like maybe, just maybe, I'm not in this alone. She pulls me out of my thoughts, her voice soft but firm.

- It's gonna be okay. - She says, her eyes locking onto mine, grounding me in the moment.

I glance down at our hands, her touch soothing my trembling fingers. How can she be so sure? How does she know it'll be okay? My mind races, filling with doubt.

- My parents... - I whisper, my voice barely audible, as if saying the words out loud will make it worse. - How am I gonna face them, after all this time? What am I gonna tell them?

Chloe doesn't hesitate, doesn't let go of my hand. Her grip tightens, just enough to let me know she's not going anywhere.

- I'll be right next to you. - She says, her voice unwavering. - Just tell them the truth. That's all you need to do.

Celia and Dizzy, walking a few steps behind us, chime in with unexpected support.

- Yeah, it'll be fine. - Celia says, her tone reassuring, almost casual, like it's the simplest thing in the world. - They miss you. They won't care about the reasons you left, as long as you're back and safe.

I blink, taken aback by how easily they say it, as if facing my parents after all these months of silence isn't this monumental task weighing on my chest.

- Yeah. - Dizzy adds, nodding vigorously. - And, I heard your brother's back in town, so that should help, right?

Wait. My brother? I freeze again, confused. I turn to Chloe, my eyes wide with disbelief.

- Brother? - I ask, my voice almost a whisper.

Chloe's eyes widen too, as if she just realized I haven't had a chance to meet him yet.

- Yeah, your brother. - Chloe says, a bit awkwardly. - Harry Hook. He looks a lot like your dad, if you ask me. And he's got that Hook charm, like you do. - She smiles, trying to keep things light, but I catch the way her cheeks flush just a little.