Chapter Text
“Okay.. Open your eyes!”
“Luis, you're covering my eyes.”
“Oh. Right, sorry bebé.”
Max sighed at his boyfriend’s actions, once he felt the weight lift from his eyes he opened them. Eyes widening at the sight set up in front of him.
They both stood at the enchanted lake, a blanket and a picnic basket lying on the concrete, and a few bright marigold flowers decorated the area. And the cherry on top was the way the sun’s golden light seemed to brighten the setting even more, it looked like something straight out of a fairytale.
It was dorky, it was such a cliche, silly even, it was—
“Beautiful…” Max mumbled, stepping forward slowly, a small laugh left his lips. He turned around facing Luis, a wide grin on his face. “It’s beautiful.”
A shy smile spread on Luis’s face, “I’m glad you think so,” He says, grabbing onto Max’s hands pulling him closer. He leaned down pressing soft kisses onto Max’s cheek, the Hatter smiled, enjoying the affection as Luis’s lips traveled from his face to his neck.
“Ugh, you’re so clingy.”
Max could feel Luis’s grin against his neck, he felt him kiss his neck once more before ending it with another on his cheek.
“You love it.”
That was true.
Max lightly punched Luis on the shoulder, the two boys making their way over to the blanket and sat down. Luis dug through the picnic basket, taking out a few fruits that he knew Max enjoyed setting them down on the soft material. He couldn’t stop the grin on his face as he caught Max’s eager hands reaching for the raspberries.
Once he finished setting the food up, he paused for a minute, taking in the features of Max. His eyes seemed to have little golden flecks in them, his hair soft and fluffy with its dyed colors, his signature hat proudly resting upon his head. He really was a dream come true.
“You’re staring.”
Luis snapped out of his trance, blinking once, twice, responding with a simple. “Huh?” Max chuckled.
“Am I really that good-looking to get your brain so wired up?”
“Don’t get your ego tight in a notch, Hatter.”
“I’ll take that as a yes.” Max said, he settled down comfortably next to Luis lying on his stomach. The sun basking them in a warm embrace, in the distance a few birds chirped and the trees’s leaves swayed in the air. It was peaceful.
Max never thought that he would ever get an opportunity like this, having a relationship and it actually working out. Months ago he would’ve most definitely punched you square in the face if you had told him he would have been dating Luis Madrigal and going on cheesy dates with him. It was weirder than the mysteries in Wonderland.
Now it was Max Hatter’s reality.
Sometimes he does wonder what would’ve happened if he didn’t give up on the pocket watch. Max frowned, he never liked thinking about his close call spiral to madness. The fear of being his dad nearly came true, if he did use it, where would he be? When would he be was the real question.
Max wouldn’t have been lying down outside with Luis, not joking with him or kissing him. He wouldn’t have been experiencing the glory of Wonderland again or spending time with Hazel and the Hat Trix playing a few minor pranks and their usual scare on the HKs.
The weekly visits with his mentally-insane deadbeat of a dad, the weekly tea parties with Pink for their gossip session and very much needed therapeutic support from Red about having shitty parents.
Sometimes he wondered what would’ve happened.
But that would be a problem for a different timeline of him, if there was another Max Hatter out there.. For now, he could relax, finally.
Max looked up at Luis from his spot. There was literally a golden aura around the muscled teen, his tan skin was practically glowing, his dark brown curls perfect as always, he stared out at the Enchanted Lake in peace. Calmly. A small smile crept onto his face. Yeah.. he definitely doesn’t regret giving up on the stupid watch.
“You’re staring,” Luis mocked with a sly grin. Max groaned at his tone, slapping Luis’s hand from his shoulder.
“And you’re annoying.” He sassed back.
“Are you going to tell me what your pretty little head was thinking about?”
How much I love you.
“Pfft, hell no.” Luis pouted at Max’s denial, which was adorable to him, but he’d never admit that. Max did ponder a bit on another thought that has been floating around in his head for a while now.
His dad.
Max has been given a pass by the Queen of Hearts to visit his father in Wonderland after he started to slowly gain the Queen’s trust once more.
The past few visits have been… interesting, to say the very least.
It isn’t as bad as the first few weeks when Max visited him. But still. He didn’t like seeing his dad in such a state, regardless of how shitty he was.
Sometimes Maddox is in a good mood, jumping around when Max visits, eagerly asking questions about his school life and projects. Rarely he’s quiet, sometimes it’s awkward, then there are times where his dad is angry and starts to throw objects around the house.
Nowadays Maddox seemed to be slightly calmer, still mad, but not in the angry way, just… a clever type of mad. It’s become less of a chance of having scraps of metal being thrown at Max’s head, so, that’s good right?
Fuck no.
Now it seems like in order to focus on anything but the pocket-watch, Maddox has made it his goal to bombard his son with questions about his love life. “Oh Max, when will you bring someone home?”, “Maxamillion, I’m sure my genetics have not failed you yet, has anyone caught your interest?”.
He thought the scariest thing would be coming out to his dad. Maddox strongly believed him and Hazel would become an item, which was horrifying and hilarious to think about.
“Dad, I’m not going to date Hazel.”
“Why not? She’s your friend no? You’ll just be changing labels.” Maddox replied, holding his teacup in his hand. Max set his cup down, sighing to himself, here goes nothing.
“Hazel is my best friend, she’s basically my older sister. It’ll be weird and even then she isn’t my type.. I don’t think I’ll find any girl as my type,” Max started slowly, taking in a deep breath before staring straight into Maddox’s eyes, “Dad I’m never going to bring home a girlfriend ‘cause… I’m gay.”
That wasn’t too bad, just rip the bandaid off to get it over with, right?
Maddox’s eyes widened, soon his expression relaxed.. which was fine right? It was until Max saw his father’s lips stretch into a frown as his eyebrows furrowed…great reaction… I’m so dead, Max winced.
Maybe this was a bad idea, what was he even thinking?! Coming out to his dad, he hasn’t even come yet to terms about his crush on Luis! He shouldn’t have let Hazel convince him to go through with this plan, oh, he’s so going to kill her–
“Ah,” Maddox took one last sip of his tea, gently placing it aside on the table, his hands clasping together, “I see.”
Max gulped. Maddox stared at him as if sensing his discomfort.
“Well, I won’t get any two-legged grandchildren I see, but I’m sure pets will do.”
“Dad I–”
Wait what.
“What?”
Maddox ignored him, waving him off. “Regardless of what gender you’re into I really don’t care, it does not excuse why you haven’t seemed to find any boy to introduce me to. When I was your age…”
Max ended up hearing four different stories about Maddox’s love life and a one hour lecture about finding the “perfect boyfriend”.
And he did find one.
Now just came the whole parent-meeting thing.
“Amor?”
“Hm?” Max turned his head.
“You okay?” Luis asked. His voice laced with concern.
“Yeah I’m fine,” Max lifted himself up from his position, sitting down properly as he nuzzled close to Luis’s side, he smiled when he felt the family strong arm wrap around his shoulders holding him gently. “There is one thing I’ve been thinking about.”
“Which is?”
“My dad…” Max started, he could feel the tension in Luis’s muscles, the grip onto his shoulder tightened, “It’s nothing bad, relax.” He could feel his boyfriend’s chest rising up slowly, exhaling a deep breath.
“What about Maddox?”
“You know how I met your family two months ago?”
“Yeah.”
“Well.. I was thinking.. I know you aren’t like.. The hugest fan of my dad.. No one really is to be fair,” Max huffed lightly, shaking his head before continuing, “But I was hoping that I could introduce you to him properly as my boyfriend…?”
Luis frowned, about to reject the idea completely until taking one good look at Max’s face and immediately any idea of saying “no” to his boyfriend dissolved as he saw the hopeful expression in Max’s eyes. His heart swelled, god he loves this boy a lot.
It would only be fair.. He knew Max was nervous to meet his family as well.. with the whole having the current number one villain as your dad and dating a hero kid pressure, Luis wasn’t surprised to see his boyfriend spiral.
He reassured Max that he didn’t have to meet his family yet, even if Luis badly wanted him to, he was excited though once Max agreed to the idea.
And it worked out at the end of the day because his entire family and his mother loved Max. Yeah Luis might hate Maddox and may or may not wish to land a punch at him or two…
But, for his niño guapo, he’ll play nice and follow along Max’s wishes.
“Yeah,” Luis smiled softly at Max, “I wouldn’t mind meeting him.”
His heart swelled once he saw the familiar brightness that sparkled in Max’s eyes, his smile stretching widely, clapping his hands together.
“Really?” Luis nodded his head, “Oh! Trust me, my dad will love you! I think…” Max muttered the last bit to himself before brushing it off.
“You think so?” Luis asked.
“Positive.”
“I don’t want to meet him.”
Max narrowed his eyes, following Maddox around the house as he grabbed different gears from every counter.
“You agreed last week.”
“That was before you told me who your little boyfriend was.” Maddox said with a huff. Max groaned loudly, he couldn’t believe his dad! I mean– the switchup is insane! Just last week his dad was practically bouncing around the workshop with excitement at the news that Max was in a relationship and about to meet the boy, now he was acting like Luis was some sort of virus!
“Luis is a great boyfriend,” Max crossed his arms, “I think you’ll like him.”
“Right… I’ll definitely like the pesky HK that helped defeat me,” Maddox mocked, “Wonderful choice of man, Maxamillion.”
"Not my name, by the way."
"A shame truly, it's so much more fun to say
Max rolled his eyes, frowning deeply as Maddox turned around back facing him, busying himself with his latest invention.
“I’d prefer if you had chosen the son of Facilier.” Max furrowed his eyebrows, “At least he would have been a better fit for you.”
“Felix?” Honestly, he gets why Maddox would think that.. After all he and Felix are roommates, and before they became roommates they were literally childhood-best friends since living on the Isle. Fate of ‘forced proximity’.. No.. was it ‘friends to lovers’...? Whatever fanfic terms Pink has yapped about to him before, Max can understand why. But he couldn’t see himself actually dating Felix.
“He also helped defeat you.” Max pointed out. Maddox waved him off.
“He’s not a hero, last I checked.”
“Technically we could count as heroes since we helped save Wonderland..” Max mumbled to himself before shaking his head. Okay.. one last try.
“Dad, I’d really appreciate it if you just gave Luis a chance,” He pleaded. Maddox hummed lowly to himself, he didn’t turn around, not even giving a single glance to Max. “He even agreed to meeting you without hesitation!”
“Sounds like he has a death-wish.” Maddox joked.. At least Max thinks it was a joke… honestly he still doesn’t know what’s going on inside of Maddox’s brain. Oh god..
“Dad,” Max said with a warning tone, “Don’t even think about whatever murder plan you’re making up in your head right now.”
“Now my boy, I have no idea what you even mean.” Even if Maddox wasn’t facing him, Max knew that the man was smiling to himself, probably a good thing that he can’t see it. No offense, but his dad’s smile kind of creeps him out.. Even if he can’t talk considering he’s been compared to him.
“I don’t know why you would even doubt me!”
“You tried to kill me.” Max bluntly answered. Silence fell over them for a few minutes. Maddox clicked his tongue.
“Touche.”
Max threw his hands up in the air in exasperation, he wasn’t even getting anywhere! It was hopeless! The Hatter was about to turn and walk away until he heard a reluctant sigh come from his father.
“Fine. I’ll meet muscle-boy,” Maddox leaned against the counter, twirling the wrench in his hand. “But, that doesn’t mean I automatically approve of him. I still think you could choose better.”
Okay.. ignoring that last bit..
Max’s face lit up, a small part of him was kind of worried about how quickly his dad folded, but honestly he was just more excited to hear Maddox agree to meeting Luis.
A wide grin stretched across his face, “Really?”
Maddox bit his bottom lip before speaking, “Yes…”
“Like.. Positive? No scheming or plans of finding the Jabberwocky?”
“Jabberwocky-free.” Maddox replied with a nod.
Max couldn’t help himself as he ran up to his dad, bringing him in for a hug, voice muffled against his father’s coat.
“Thank you! Trust me you’ll love him!” He exclaimed, looking up at Maddox who froze in his position, unsure of how to react at the sudden burst of affection. He awkwardly patted his son lightly on the back.
“Of course son,” Maddox said slowly before hesitantly wrapping his arms around Max, bringing him in closer to the hug his son had held him in. It was weird.. But it didn’t feel as bad as he thought it would.
Max’s eyes widened at the closeness, for a small second, he felt like time had taken a pause. His eyes were burning, embarrassingly feeling the tears building up, a quiet sniffle escaped him. Max had always dreamt about the day his dad would finally stop thinking about the pocketwatch and actually pay him any attention.
Just one hug.. Just one moment for the two of them, one “I love you son”, hell even a single stare would’ve been enough.
Now it was actually happening.
And now Max could feel the tears spilling out of him. Maddox’s body tensed, feeling the way Max was shaking.
“Max..? Are you… okay?”
Yeah he was not made for this.
Maddox is not good with children, doesn’t matter who the man he used to be in the other timeline was, in this one he sucks with kids. Don’t sue him.
With a shaky laugh, Max pulled away from Maddox, clearing his throat as he quickly wiped any tears that threatened to roll down his face.
“Of course I am,” Max stammered, “Why wouldn’t I be?”
Maddox raised an eyebrow, opening his mouth to point out the obvious until he was abruptly interrupted by what sounded like an animal at a slaughterhouse coming out of Max’s mouth.
“Scratch that, I’m just happy you agreed to meet Luis.” Max said, grabbing his backpack from the ground already heading towards the front door, “Tomorrow after school we’ll come down to Wonderland, be ready by then.” He waved at Maddox, shutting the door.
“This is going to be fun..” Maddox grumbled to himself. Sigh.. when did his Max grow up so fast?