𝓦𝙖𝙩𝙘𝙝 𝓘𝙩 𝓑𝙪𝙧𝙣, 𝗔𝗡 𝗘𝗩𝗘𝗥 𝗔𝗙𝗧𝗘𝗥 𝗛𝗜𝗚𝗛 𝗔𝗣𝗣𝗟𝗬 𝗙𝗜𝗖

𝓒𝙝𝙖𝙥𝙩𝙚𝙧 𝓣𝙬𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙮

Maxwell Hearts' POV

"When I said I needed to prepare to see my mother again, I did not mean I needed you to become my personal makeup artist," Maxwell said as Dahlia rummaged through her makeup bag. Sitting in the Royal Waiting Room—yes, that was a thing in Wonderland—was nerve-wracking. The others had gone to wait in the Courtyard since it was a personal meeting between Maxwell and the Queen of Hearts, but Dahlia claimed she knew a way to calm his nerves.

"When life gives you lemons, you make lemonade, but put on makeup afterwards." Dahlia smiled brightly, dabbing a pink powder on his cheeks. What is that called again? Blush? They sat cross-legged on the chessboard-tiled floor in silence. Maxwell allowed Dahlia to do her work in peace to give himself a mental pep-talk.

It's only your mother, he tried to convince himself. Yet, their relationship was rather strained. Off with their heads! Maxwell always heard his mother's commanding voice everywhere he went, even in Ever After High sometimes. They hadn't seen each other in a while, what would she say? Would she scold him? Would she punish him?

"Okay, I'm not done, but ta-da!" She fished out a tiny hand mirror and flipped it around. Dahlia's makeup was subtle; enhancing Maxwell's cheeks and making him look less pale. "Hold still, I still need to finish touches." She smiled brightly, it was a million-dollar kind of smile.

What was that sudden feeling that Maxwell had? It was making his heart beat faster, his hands becoming clammy. Why was he suddenly so nervous? Especially around Dahlia out of all people? Ah, Max, my boy, you're in love! Dumbass...

"You're pretty good at this," he managed to say.

"Oh yeah, I wanted to be a cosmetic artist when I grew up and own a salon, you know? But that's not possible anymore, just wishful thinking," she replied, applying a golden powder on the tip of his nose. That's highlighter, Max.

"Why not? You're clearly good at it."

"Because of my fairytale, Apple White is my best friend forever after. She's a Royal, she wants to fulfill her destiny. You can't have Snow White and the Six Dwarfs, can you? Whatever, she wants... Well, I guess I want it too!" Dahlia smiled thinly. Is that really how Dahlia thinks? Maxwell wondered. "Besides, Apple is the main character, I'm just the dwarf that follows her. That's why I always let her take the lead on my ideas, you know? Being the future queen is a big deal and—"

"So you're toning yourself down for her?" he interrupted, holding up his hands.

Dahlia hesitated. "No, I wouldn't exactly say it like that."

Maxwell stared into her eyes. "Dahlia, let me give you a piece of advice, take it how you want it. You are Dahlia Dopey, not an extension of Apple White to make her seem better. You are your own individual person, you deserve your time in the sunlight too. Want to be a cosmetic artist? Go chase your dreams, you can worry about Apple later."

Then he saw it; a small, dying spark in Dahlia's eyes being rekindled. She stood up, looking as if she had a dozen thoughts all at once. "Thanks, Max!" She pressed a light kiss on his cheek out of excitement before dashing off to join the others in the Courtyard. Maxwell turned bright red, even without the blush Dahlia applied. Dahlia's lips left a little lipstick on his cheek, but before he could actually process the kiss, the doors to the Throne Room opened.

"Maxwell Hearts, you may enter."

His heart nearly leapt out of his chest as he numbly nodded, walking inside. His footsteps echoed as Maxwell's hands became clammy. Don't screw this up, he thought. Finally, he arrived at the golden throne. The Queen of Hearts sat there, her red heart-shaped lips pressed in a thin line. Mother raised her chin ever so slightly, gazing upon her child, her heir.