Chapter Text
At the age of 15 years old, people’s visions start rejecting colors except the one that’s heavily associated with their soulmate. Your colors return when you’ve successfully built a stable relationship with said soulmate.
Stupid concept, if you asked Red.
Ever since her 15th birthday, grayscales made up her world, no other color in sight. Her vibrant red clothes and red hair turned a dull shade of gray, and her face was paler than ever. The world became depressing.
Red was at least glad she couldn’t see the color of the blood splattered on the ground anymore.
For a long, long time, she thought she didn’t have any sort of soulmate, no color ever showing. That didn’t bother her, or so she thought.
Until one day, when she caught a glimpse of a crystal being carried by the royal guards. A blue crystal. It was so beautiful, deep blue and shining brightly in the grey environment as if it wanted to catch her attention. That night, her mind had been only on that crystal.
From then on, Red began to look out for that color, as pathetic as she felt for it. She looked out of the windows at the pale blue sky as much as her schedule let her, wondering just who completed her. She carelessly played with sharp blue glass in her gloved hands, thinking whether her soulmate would be just as harsh as the glass or as gentle as its color.
Later on, she started to implement it in her drawings, a blue moon hanging high during a starry night, and a blue sword resting against dark grass. She didn’t know what colors she used for the greys, but she hoped one day she could see them.
“If you continue down this path, I won’t always be there to save you,” Maddox told her one night after she vandalized the royal plaza, guards chasing her with spears and torches.
“Maddox Hatter, you know you can’t save me.” She laughed as her mentor crossed his arms angrily. “I’m a lost cause and a prisoner of Wonderland; no one can save me from this place.” She fell on his couch with a soft thud.
Red tossed her paint-soaked jacket to the floor, gloves thrown on top of it. She raised an eyebrow at the serious way Maddox was looking at her.
“You know who can,” He said, and her gaze immediately went to the blue feather on his hat. He put it there since she’s told him the color.
“It doesn’t matter,” She swallowed aimlessly. “It’s not like I actually care.”
“You do,” He sat next to her and fished something out of his interior coat pocket. “And this is your ticket out of here.”
A pristine letter was clutched tightly in his hand, white with light spirals and blue sparkles adorning it. Red imagined the spirals were golden.
“What is it?” Her question came in a whisper, reaching for the paper.
“This is a letter from Auradon. They want you to join their high school.” He explained, passing it to her. “It will guide you to the rabbit hole and then to Auradon.”
Red stared at it, feeling its magic pulsing underneath her fingertips. “My one chance at leaving, huh.”
She waited until most of the guards were off duty and left the castle. Maddox advised her to leave that night, saying that the queen would look for her the day after, and so she did. She bid him farewell and off she went, with the promise that they’d write to one another.
Hood over her head, Red snuck around Wonderland, the letter leading her. It lit up the path in hues of white and light gray.
With a bag slung over her shoulder, Red made her way to a building with an illuminated sign with “Auradon Prep.” on it. On the way there, she hadn’t seen any major differences between Auradon and Wonderland, only that everything was quieter. She’s sure she would’ve, if only for her gray vision.
“Hey! Who are you?” a hoarse voice with an accent called out to her. The redhead swiftly turned around and saw a short-haired man with a raised hook. She ran but quickly bumped into something.
“Whoa, easy there, kid,” a gentler yet still with an accent voice stopped her.
The woman in front of her had long teal dreadlocks and a matching worn-out jacket. She quickly put her hands on her shoulders to keep her from running off.
Red squirmed in her tight grip while the woman took one good look at her. “Princess Red of Wonderland?”
“Who’s asking?” Red gritted through her teeth, not especially content with the firm touch on her shoulders. She could feel it spiking through the leather.
Finally, the grip dissipated.
Letting out a relieved sigh, Red observed that the woman raised a hand for her to shake. “Uma, principal of Auradon Prep”
Dragging her feet from the principal’s office, Red firmly held a key in her hand. Room 323, it read. Apparently, she’d have a roommate. ‘Just what I need.’
Red had never been a people person. Sure, she liked the attention she received from being the only rebel in Wonderland, and she saw children looking at her in awe as she passed windows. But, she was never a sociable person. So, she hoped this roommate of hers would leave her alone.
Her hand gripped the tiny blue crystals in her pants pocket. Leave her and her crystals alone.
The first time the redhead entered her room, she was overwhelmed by the blue. Blue bedsheets on the left bed, soft blue rug, blue clothes scattered in one closet, blue boots, and a blue girl in the middle of the room- Wait… blue girl?\
Red’s hand on the crystals tightened as she took the girl in. She wore baby blue sweatpants that clung loosely to her figure and a baggy light tank top. The thing that shocked Red the most was her bright blue hair, curls falling in glamorous layers, which framed her face perfectly.
The girl wore a wide smile on her face, pearly white against the grays of her world.
When their eyes met, Red swore she could see the other colors for a fraction. The light yellow of the lamp reflected on the girl, the rich brown of her sparkling eyes, and the red of her lips. It was just a fraction, passing as fast as it came.
It left her heart racing in anticipation.
“Hi, I’m Chloe Charming! It’s nice to meet you!” The blue-haired introduced herself as she bounced on her heels. ‘Clocks, even her voice is pretty-No!’ Red hardly fought off the blush as the thought came into her mind. Hoping the girl’s soulmate color wasn’t red, she raised an eyebrow.
“You must be Princess Red of Wonderland. You know, I’ve always wondered what it’s like over there.” Judging by the wink and the way she flashed her most charming smile, Chloe was either flirting with her or delivering a really bad pun.
Red didn’t have enough patience to figure out which it was, deciding to roll her eyes and throw her bag on the other bed before flopping dramatically on it. She heard the other girl let out a puzzled stutter.
“So, uhm, what brings you to Auradon?” Chloe asked, voice more unsure and a bit cautious, as if she were facing a stray animal.
“Wonderland isn’t as wonderful as you think, princess,” Red grumbled, shifting on the soft bed. “Needed a new start, ‘s all you need to know.”
The redhead imagined Chloe’s face twisting in confusion, hearing of something so out of everything she’s lived in until now. Not like she cared how the privileged princess felt. She cared more about the softness of the pillow under her head, honestly.
“Well, I hope we’ll get along.” Red’s mind blocked the girl’s hopeful voice and tried to get a blink of rest.
That’s where their conversation ended.
Loud ringing blared through the room, harshly waking the redhead. She scrambled through the sheets and eventually fell off the bed in rapid movements.
“What the hell is that?!” Red shouted, eyes still thick with sleep. She stared at the object as if it offended her, which it did.
“…hmm, an alarm?” Chloe hummed, turning the damn object off with a soft click.
“My clocks.” Detangling herself from the sheets, Red angrily walked off to the bathroom. She could feel Chloe’s eyes on her.
That was the last conversation they had for about 2 weeks. Red made it her mission to avoid anyone, and that included weirdly pretty blue princesses that couldn’t stop trying to be her friend.
The redhead didn’t have the motivation to start any sort of relationship, knowing how people can easily take advantage of you, no matter how much they cared for you. Her mother was the prime example of this.
And so, Red was stuck in the cycle of going to some classes, napping until Chloe came from practice, trying to do some schoolwork before she got frustrated, sleeping, waking from nightmares, then sleeping after Chloe’s alarm screamed through the room.
Her roommate had tried talking to her, but she earned only short answers. Still, she was stubborn and sometimes put a plate of lava cake or a cup of mint tea from the cafeteria on Red's bedside table. Red always feasted on those treats, even if she’d never admit it.
On most days, she’s also stuck staring at the color blue. The sky, her crystals, but those she’s already known before, so her mind was attracted to other, newer blue things.
Her roommate’s shiny sword’s sheath with light patterns. A head of baby blue curls that Red observed while passing through the hallways or in some of her classes. The lighter blue paint she’s been using on canvases in art class. Some of the flowers Chloe put on her desk instead of the dessert.
It’s as if before she grasped at any sight of blue, and now it was everywhere! Everything was blue.
“Watch out, freak!” A broad voice shrieked at her.
Another problem she had was bullying. Yup, big bad rebel Red was being bullied by a group of intimidated guys. She wasn’t sure what she did to frustrate them so much. Well, she did see one of their girlfriends looking at her, but-.
“Hey!” She heard before she was shoved into a locker. Red winced at the feeling of her backpack digging into her back. She’s gone through worse, though.
“I’m talking to you.” He sneered, and now Red recognized him. It was Frederick, Snow White’s son. Slicked back hair, a letterman jacket similar to Chloe’s on his shoulders, and piercing eyes that stared with pure hatred into hers. If Red had to guess a color for them, it would be the same gray she was seeing.
Next to him was a grinning Ramon, his brother, who was the same age as her. He was much lankier and weaker.
“Maybe you and your limp dick ain’t worth my time,” She hissed, and in the next second, she received a blow to the stomach. Red let out a choked breath, tears threatening to fall. ‘Fuck, that hurt.’
“Aw, princess can’t a lil hit?” Frederick taunted in a condescending tone, stepping aside so his brother could have a crack at it as well. Before he could raise a fist, Red swiftly knocked him off his feet.
When she tried to flee from the scene, the older boy grabbed her by the throat and ground her skull against the metal
Her throat closed up.
Nails clawed at his hands.
Vision blurred.
Then-
“Get away from her,” A low voice said smoothly, accompanied by a shining sword against Frederick’s throat. He froze, his eyes widened, and immediately his hands fell.
“…captain,” He murmured, voice laced with fake regret.
Only then did Red look up to see who her defender was, and her breath caught.
There, stood Chloe with blue waves of curls around her furious face, eyebrows furrowed tightly as she took in the scene, and her delicate hand around the blade. The way she carried herself and how one glance from her caused the boys to tremble, made her look straight out of fairytales- ones with noble knights.
“Freddie, I don’t think you want Coach Lonnie to hear about this,” Chloe told him, then a sly smirk curled her lips. “Don’t forget this is why you’re not the captain anymore. You don’t want to be kicked out of the team, do you?”
Frederick’s head hung low in shame. “No, captain.”
“Good,” She elegantly put her sword back in its place, but her hand was still wrapped around it, ready to strike at any time. “You’re suspended from the next competition for this stunt you pulled today. Now, run along.”
Once they were gone, Chloe let her sword clatter to the ground and rapidly made her way to her friend.
“Gods, Red, are you okay?!” Red felt warm hands rapidly check her body for any bruises. She felt a feeling she would never name settling underneath her skin where hands wandered, silently aching for more.
Ultimately, Chloe’s fingers gently cupped her face, rubbing comforting circles as she waited for an answer. Red’s eyes finally lifted from the direction the boys ran, and she saw.
She saw colors.
Muted- but still colors.
She could make out the tan that covered Chloe’s face and the sunrays against it, the beautiful and concerned brown eyes of hers that analyzed Red gently, the freckles spread on her cheeks that darkened slowly, the pretty color on her lips that seemed so inviting-
Warmth, Red felt warmth. And she felt touch, she realized. Her body buzzed pleasantly, urging her to lean into the hand. She wanted more. And that thought sent a surge of panic through her.
Red quickly pulled away with a scoff, getting to her feet. “I don’t need your pity,” She spat out, something inside her heart clenching as she saw Chloe’s eyes flash with something akin to hurt and disappointment.
The grey returned. Colors no more.
The girl got up as well, and Red felt her concerned gaze on her. Guilt swirled deep in her gut, making her shoulders slump in defeat.
“I’m fine. You don’t need to worry, princess,” she muttered, sparing a glance enough to see Chloe’s eyes widening
From then on, Red started to tolerate her roommate and sometimes talked with her. They ate breakfast together, albeit in silence broken by Chloe, but still. Progress.
One thing Red noticed was that Chloe always wore a pair of blue pants- be it sports equipment, jeans, or suit pants- paired with different shirts.
Red wondered what the reason was for it, but she’s come to the conclusion that Chloe found comfort in them. Maybe they were the only thing she could tell the color of since she’s lost her colorful vision. Or maybe she just liked blue pants. It wasn’t Red’s business anyway.
At one point, Chloe invited her to her practice, but she always declined, saying she was too tired. Well, she took her offer one day. For no other reason than she was bored.
Currently, Red was sitting in the highest row in the gym while Swords and Shields practice unfolded. Grunts and swords clashing rang through the building, giving her the perfect amount of background noise as she drew.
She picked up this hobby since she was much younger, taking an interest in Maddox’s many sketches and plans for machines. He taught her various techniques using different mediums, and it was one of her most treasured activities.
Due to this fact, Red was used to drawing objects, not people. And so, she aspired to master drawing them a few years back. She’s come a long way, no longer the sharp lines or jagged edges of inventions showing in the soft faces of her subjects.
The nice thing about attending practice was that their uniforms were shades of blue, and it broke the greys she was used to. They moved like little paint droplets, blurring against one another as they dueled.
Only one stood out. Chloe.
The girl held her sword gently yet fiercely, thrusting it purposely against her opponent as she dodged his attacks. Her blue curls were tied back in a low bun, with only a few rebellious curls against her forehead.
Chloe had to rule the practice as well, so she had no time to take a breather. Her shoulders were tense, sword at her side acting as support.
Red was sitting in the perfect spot, close enough to see every detail, but far enough so no one noticed her.
In her lap lay a sketchbook, on the paper a rough drawing of a figure holding a sword. A very familiar figure. A blue pencil was in her hand as her gaze flickered between her muse and the page.
Red gently traced her sketch with the pencil, giving it the soft curves and fierceness of its subject, blue lines gracing the gray background.
Her eyes lifted from the paper, ready to find Chloe barking orders at her teammates.
Instead, the girl was looking directly at her. Her eyebrows were lifted in utter surprise, and she rarely blinked, as if she was afraid Red would disappear from her sight. And Red would’ve, if it weren’t for the bright grin that crossed her face when their eyes met and the excited wave she gave.
A sigh leaving her, the wonder felt her own lips lift slightly in acknowledgment. She planned on staying only a few minutes, but it proved very difficult when she saw Chloe’s improved mood.
One night, when sleep wouldn’t overtake her like it hadn’t on many nights, Red put on her boots and prepared to flee from her room. There was just one problem-
“Where are you going?” Chloe asked from the desk, head buried in textbooks.
During her other outings, her roommate would be sound asleep and wouldn’t even budge at the sound of Red leaving the dorm. Now, the blue-haired was studying for some test she had next week, deciding to tire her eyes against the harsh lamp light instead of sleeping. Red, personally, would have chosen the bed.
“Outside”
“Outside?!” The chair spun around and revealed Chloe, a pen behind her ear, and curls put neatly into a bonnet. “It’s way past curfew, and it could be dangerous!” She argued, textbooks left behind momentarily.
Sighing, Red put on her jacket as she was weighing her options. She could either leave and get an earful from her roommate when she got back or… “Come with me if you’re so worried, princess.” The rebel threw a hoodie at her.
Chloe caught it, staring in complete disbelief at her before groaning. “Fine”
It was a bit colder than usual outside, so Red rapidly led the way, the other trailing after her. There was an isolated place hidden in the high school’s back garden. She often came there to clear her mind and do some things she was sure Chloe wouldn’t approve of.
“What’s this?” Her roommate asked, head turning in every possible direction in the darkness.
Red sat on a lonely wood trunk and kept the girl in the dark for some more just to watch her fret and huff angrily at her, because she wouldn’t let her leave the dorm.
She rubbed her fingers and soon enough, a familiar warmth came to her fingertips, and she flung a series of heart-shaped fireworks to make light by setting a few sticks on fire. It revealed an old brick wall covered in various graffiti works of hers, some a direct dig at her mother, some just made for the fun of it.
“Red…” Chloe muttered, eyes taking in the vibrant colors(or the color she saw, they were a bunch of greys to Red). The rebel was ready to hear anything: how she was damaging school property, how it was against the rules, how the pieces weren’t good enough-
“They’re beautiful, Red.”
‘What?’
Chloe’s little smile and her fascinating voice as she soaked in every carefully drawn detail made Red’s heart stutter. An interested glint in her eye, her hand fidgeting as if she were resisting touching the paint.
Red hadn’t…expected that, especially from her goody-goody roommate.
“What colors did you use?”
“Warm,” She said, and Chloe raised an eyebrow. “You know, yellow, orange, red.” Clarifying, she reached for the paint cans scattered everywhere. “Well, according to these anyway,” She pointed to the label that revealed their colors.
There was only one blue piece she made. A sharp sword against a baby blue background, wrapped in ribbons and crystals adorning it. Underneath it, written in the softest font she could write in was ‘Grace, wit, and charm.’
“Hey…” Chloe started, eyebrows furrowing. “Isn’t that my sword?” She pointed to that exact piece.
And it was Chloe’s sword.
“…I have no idea what you’re talking about”
When Chloe asked her to hang out, Red didn’t pay it much attention until there were about 2 hours until their meeting. And, well, she didn’t mean to be hopeful or anything, but she thought of it as a date.
And, on dates, you put effort. So, Red took apart her whole wardrobe as she searched for the perfect outfit. It wasn’t as though she had many clothes, since she had taken the smallest bag to travel from Wonderland to Auradon. A benefit from it was that she knew the colors of her things and didn’t risk wearing an atrocious color combination by accident.
Sighing, Red stared at the options she’d picked out. Two leather jackets, one black with spikes, one red with puffy short sleeves- underneath, she’d have a red mesh shirt either way. Also, she had to choose between a dark red skirt and black leather pants with red accents on the side.
‘Fuck it’
Momentarily giving up, she walked to the bathroom and stepped under the shower. Red let the warm water drip down her body in persistent rivers while her thoughts ran like the clear liquid.
Ultimately, she picked the black pieces, deciding that it was a combination she hadn’t tried yet. Speaking of things she hadn’t tried, Red wanted to do something different with her hair, unlike her usual space buns or plain waves. She picked up a hair dryer and a brush, getting to work while glancing anxiously at the clock.
With only about 10 minutes until Chloe arrived, Red stepped in front of the mirror. She hadn’t expected to…like what she saw. Her hair stood in a fanned-out style, more voluminous and healthier as it spilled on her shoulders, while the clothes seemed to be the perfect combination of rebellious and charming.
A slight warmth spread in her chest as she admired herself, twirling and letting out a giggle. A wide smile spread on her lips before she touched up a bit on her lipstick.
A low knock on the door made her jump out from the mirror, reminding her of the chaos in the room. She rushed to put all the spare clothes into the closet as she heard another, louder knock.
With an exhale, a desperate attempt to calm her racing heart, she opened the door and- ‘Wow.’
“Hey, princess,” Red greeted casually, gaze fixed on the girl in front of her.
Chloe Charming came dressed in white pants and a light blue button-down shirt, on her figure perfectly, as Red could see the clearly defined arms underneath it. She briefly wondered how touching her bicep would feel. And it was brief, not lasting for more than a second. Definitely not.
A few blue strands touched her forehead- as the rest of her hair was in a half-up, half-down style- with curls coming like a sea around her neck. Her baby hairs were adorned with little gemstones, matching the ones resting on her eyelids. ‘She’s such a princess,’ Red couldn’t help but fondly think.
“Hi, Red,” Chloe breathed, a bit nervous, a bit out of breath. Red liked to think she was responsible for that. Then, she pulled out something from her back. A flower, a peony to be exact. It was pretty and fragile, and she twirled it around her fingers, careful not to damage it.
Throughout their walk to the mysterious place Chloe decided to take her, Red’s hand kept going to that flower. Sometimes caressing its petals, sometimes just holding it and admiring it. She didn’t know why she liked it so much; it wasn’t anything as spectacular as some species in Wonderland. It was simple, not anything grand that caught the eye.
The place that Chloe chose for their outing was the infamous Enchanted Lake, laying down a blanket and various food for them to feast on.
Red found the bold columns, the daring blue flowers growing on them, and the large blue lake, as a perfect candidate for her next painting. The scenery seemed taken out of a fairytale, shimmering with magic and whispers of happy ever after’s.
“How’s Wonderland?” Chloe asked, hands fidgeting as if she was afraid to question.
“I’m sure you know lots about Wonderland from those books you read,” Red replied, not quite wanting to delve into the subject. She admired the girl’s interest, though.
“Yes, well, I want to know your world, not the book’s.”
Oh.
Oh, that was something else entirely.
She didn’t think Chloe was that interested in her. She thought Chloe would be bored after a while, going out with her, maybe to pity her-even if the princess was nothing like that, her mind liked to play cruel tricks from time to time.
But, to want to know her world? All her hardships, battles she hadn’t won, and the paintings she never finished from the pain of her bruises?
Red felt her heart clench in utter delight, and her mind warn her about the vulnerable place it could put her in. But the Hearts family wasn’t known for listening to their minds.
And, so, Red started telling.
“At one point, Ace, Chester, and I decided to throw a party. The ultimate rebellion!” She exclaimed, a small smile tugging at her lips. “A real one, like the ones we heard were thrown here in Auradon.”
Chloe stared at her expectantly, eyes almost unbearably tender. “And what happened next?”
What happened next? Wasn’t that the question of the day…
“The queen found out, that’s what happened.” Sighing, Red grabbed a rock. Smooth texture against the worn-out leather of her glove. “But, before that, we danced, we celebrated, we were…happy.” She threw the rock in the lake, watching it sink slowly.
“And then my mother had to ruin it, and it’s my fault.” She picked up another one. “It’s my fault that she’s cruel.” The rock thumped harshly on the water, splashing them both. Her voice started to rise, “My fault that they’re gone-“
Her fingers curled on another rock, but a warm hand stopped her.
“It was never your fault, Red,” Chloe whispered, earnest and soft.
“But-“
“No,” She firmly said, caressing the leather. “You have nothing to do with your mother’s way of being, and it’s not your fault for wanting to be free, to live.”
Red was at a loss for words, stuck staring at the girl in front of her, at the honesty spread on her face. She wanted to believe her, she really did. And it was hard not to when shining, hopeful eyes gazed at her.
But there was something stronger than Chloe’s nature that kept her chained.
“Red!” A grim and all too familiar voice screeched her name.
Red found herself in Auradon Prep’s plaza, except it was completely different. Dark sky hanging hauntingly, card soldiers everywhere with swords at citizens’ throats, and a gruesome liquid dripping toward her.
Turning around, she was faced with the antagonist of all her nightmares, be they real or imaginary-they were alike, either way.
Her mother- face twisted in anger and marching toward her rapidly.
Her heart raced in horror, and her legs tried to move, but they wouldn’t budge, seemingly bound to the ground by a pair of thorny vines. A crawling sensation rose to her throat the more her mother stepped closer.
“You thought you could leave me, Red?” The queen’s voice was torn between anguish and outrage. Red’s head tried to move in disapproval, not daring to do anything to upset her mother more, but her head just wouldn’t move. “You know everything I do is for you, Red, don’t you?” The Queen of Hearts lifted a hand and gently cupped her daughter’s cheek. Lovingly, adoringly, utterly fake.
“You thought you could abandon this kingdom?!” Bridget screamed at her before using the same hand and slapping her. Red barely reacted, even if her cheek stung like hell and tears were in the back of her eyes. She didn’t dare speak. “Answer me!” She didn’t dare speak.
The queen stared at her in pure disappointment, in disgust, as if she couldn’t bear the thought of them being of the same blood. “I see how it is.” Bitter, her mother harshly kicked her, and her legs unbuckled, sending her to the ground. A sharp pain sprained in her side as she landed on a thorn.
Red’s lungs contracted as the queen dug her heel into her chest. “Mother…” She choked out, spots in her blurred vision. “Stop, please.” A desperate plea against the piercing glare of her mother.
“If you speak only to beg, then you’re more pathetic than I thought,” Bridget said. “You can’t escape me, Red. You’ll always return to Wonderland, just you wait.”
Red closed her eyes and dared speak. “Never,” She squirmed under her mother’s heel, and her voice trembled.
Bridget hummed, narrowing her eyes. Then, she made a gesture with her hand, and a card soldier appeared at her side immediately. “Get rid of her,” The queen declared.
Red didn’t know what it meant and continued to move desperately. Her gaze darted to the soldier. An ace stood proudly on his armor, that horrific liquid dripping over the worn metal. What made her heart drop was his appearance. Messy jet-black hair, thick eyebrows, and soulless eyes stared back at her. Ace
“Mother, no!” She breathed out, reaching a hand soaked in the liquid that reached her. “Please, leave him alone.” She tried again. She had wanted friends; she had to protect them. She’d failed back then; she’d have to succeed this time. “I’ll…I’ll come with you to Wonderland!” She shouted, but the queen wasn’t having it, only nodding to Ace.
His axe rose slowly, as if he was still on her side, giving her a chance to leave.
The queen delivered her a gut-chilling grin before she shouted.
“Off with her head!”
And the axe swung.
Red woke in a cold sweat, hands coming quickly to the base of her neck. Intact, complete, still there. She should’ve been relieved, calmed down, but her mind wouldn’t stop. Wouldn’t stop replaying the liquid, the blood-curdling scream coming from her throat, Ace mindlessly obeying orders, her mother’s terrifying smile, and-
“Hey, you’re okay.” A soft voice spoke from beside her, breaking her spiral. Turning, she saw Chloe’s concerned face, eyes as soft as her voice.
Her arms were around her, gentle and grounding, and so, so new. Red resisted the urge to pull away or to fall in. She wasn’t certain.
She wanted to say something, tell Chloe to go back to sleep and not bother with her, beg her to forget about this interaction and never mention it again.
But her voice betrayed her. Her throat closed up, and the only thing that came out was a sob. A cry that wrecked her whole body and sprang tears into her eyes.
Her mind screamed at her to get away from her roommate, push her away as she had gotten too close to her. However, her heart was stronger and much more convincing in pushing her to stay in the embrace.
With another sob, Red threw herself at the girl, hands clawing at her sleepshirt to keep her as close as possible. She was afraid, so afraid it ran through her veins as she cried, either from her nightmare or from taking the risk of being vulnerable- she didn’t know.
“You’re safe here, Red,” Chloe promised, fingers smoothing out her tangled hair. “I swear to protect you.”
Red had never seen herself as a hopeless romantic, or romantic at that.
However, she imagined falling in love with Chloe was like falling in love with the sun. Comforting, basking in warmth, and utterly eternal. Then, waiting for her return when the night crept in.
And, well, that’s what she’s been doing for a few hours- waiting for Chloe to come from practice or the hundred clubs she was in.
Though her actions had nothing to do with her predicament. She wasn’t in love with Chloe.
That would be just stupid
“What’s your soulmate’s color?” Chloe inquired later that night as she sharpened her sword, and Red drew. The granite on the paper absentmindedly took the shape of the girl in front of her, and the redhead was carefully drawing her curls.
“What makes you think I’ll tell you?” Red murmured from the other side, gaze darting to her gentle movements on the metal; it was almost intimate. “Tell me yours first.” She countered.
Chloe chuckled, flashing her a small grin. “Guess!”
“Uhh…” Red momentarily paused her scratching and thought for a second. Chloe’s soulmate would be kind as she, gentle as a feather, and enchanting as a charming prince. Chloe didn’t deserve any less- she deserved the world and anything beyond it. So, definitely not her red. “Gold, pink, or blue?”
“Nope!” Chloe giggled softly before turning back to her sword. “Oh, how I wish I saw blue, though. Hint, one of my best friends wears it every day.”
That didn’t make sense. All of Chloe’s friends wore different colors every day (if the various tones of gray indicated anything), never quite sticking to one color. She did see them wearing scarves or hats, but they were colors she had already mentioned. Just what was her soulmate’s color?!
“Princess, you know I can’t stand your friends, nor do they stand me.”
“You know, if you tried getting along with them…”
“Absolutely not, blue.”
“…blue? How do you know my hair is blue?” Chloe asked in disbelief and turned to her with sparkling eyes.
“What do you mean, how I know-” Red’s pencil fell out of her hand as she observed those rich brown pools watching her closely, the dim golden light making them look divine and everything heavenly. She couldn’t tear her gaze away from them, words forgotten.
Chloe’s face was much prettier in color, much livelier. Her brown cheeks darkened, and pale red lips opened before setting in a small smile. Similar to her eyes, the golden hue made her a goddess, gentle edges lined with gold as if they just begged Red to caress the soft skin.
‘Wait, how am I seeing-‘
“If I didn’t know any better, I’d say I’ve left you at a loss for words,” The blue-haired smirked, voice low and utterly scandalous with what it caused to her racing heart.
“With what?”
“You tell me, pretty.”
Red stuttered before shutting her mouth. Feeling her cheeks warming up, she abruptly stood up from her bed, pencils scattered on the mattress.
“I think I’ll get some air,” She spared a glance at her roommate. Chloe’s eyes were guilt-filled, her hand absentmindedly reaching for her, then retreating. Her mouth opened as if to say something, but Red didn’t stick around for her words.
The wonder strolled around campus, rounding it a few times. The cold air bit at her cheeks, and her breath came out in silvery puffs. Her fingers turned a pale shade of blue, frozen to bits.
It was weird how colors seemed to spring into light only when she was around Chloe. ‘Why’ ran through her mind over and over, even if she knew the answer. She just loved denying it.
Red couldn’t be Chloe’s soulmate.
Chloe was all bright smiles and friendly waves at strangers, while Red was...well, Red- firecrackers thrown into the night, cut roses from her mother’s garden, thorns stuck in her palm.
Red didn’t deserve her. She didn’t deserve her kindness, her devotion, or…her love
Hell, she didn’t deserve anyone.
Her brief relationship with Ace ended with him being turned into a mindless soldier, forced to obey her mother until his dying breath.
She wasn’t good. She couldn’t be good.
Lukewarm tears slipped down her frozen face. Red quickly wiped them away and observed the world engulfed in darkness. Her feet guided her back to the dorm.
Somber dim light followed her until at her dorm’s door, debating on entering or not.
Suddenly, the door opened, and there stood Chloe. Disheveled curls around her face like an untamed storm, alert eyes a mess of emotions, and a hand slightly trembling on the knob.
“…Red.” Her name was soft on her lips, softer than she’s ever heard spoken. Like a promise, not a war declaration.
“Hey…sorry for, you know, running away.” She muttered, passing by Chloe and entering the room.
Red didn’t get far when a hand gripped hers, stopping her step. Chloe looked at her so…so tenderly and patiently, as if she had been waiting for this moment.
“…you feel it, too, don’t you?”
Her mouth opened, ready to spill denial after denial, but the words just… stood lodged in her throat. No matter how much she wanted to lie, her pounding heart, her body that ached for Chloe’s warmth, her hand that trembled and wished to interlock with her roommate’s, wouldn’t let her.
“I…don’t know what you’re talking about,” She managed to get out, ripping her hand from Chloe’s grip to walk further.
Suddenly, she was pushed against a wall, her roommate towering over her. Her breath caught as she met Chloe’s eyes. Dark, but so affectionate, and teary as she pleaded. “Red, please. “Her voice was almost desperate, but still low as if she was afraid to say it.
Red knew the feeling all too well.
“I’m not the one you want, Chlo.” Her lips curled in a bittersweet smile.
“You’re all I want,” The blue-haired confessed, backing from the wall to not corner her.
The declaration hung between them, settling slowly.
Her heart stuttered before it raced faster than she’d felt, and warmth spread through her whole being.
“No, Chloe, I’m not good for you,” she muttered, a sigh escaping her lips. “I lie, cheat, steal…I’m a lost cause.” Red fiddled with her gloves, the crystals in her pocket heavy. “I am my mother’s daughter.”
“You’re nothing like her, Red. You’re a good person,” She said, and Red found it hard to believe. Her, the rebel who’s been vandalizing the royal plaza nightly, the menace who caused destruction left and right, the one girl riot who ran away because she couldn’t face her feelings. Her a good person? Absolutely not.
“You do so much good, Red. I’m sorry everyone doesn’t see it.” Sadness tipped in her tone, then she lightly cupped her chin so the redhead would look at her. “And you don’t get to decide what’s good for me or not.”
The colors bled into the gray canvas, beautiful and powerful shades threatening to spill, and all she had to do was lean into Chloe. Fall…for her.
Chloe’s gaze lingered on every part of her face as she gathered her thoughts, and Red grew nervous. “You deserve the world and everything beyond it.”
Red would never believe her, but, oh, it was so hard not to when her eyes were shining with stars and softened when they looked at her as if the princess was seeing her for the first time. She, the problematic student who stood out against the others. Yet, it seemed that Chloe still liked what she saw.
A gorgeous smile graced her lips, and Red just couldn’t help but think she was lucky for it to be aimed at her
“…what was your soulmate’s color again, princess?” Red asked, hand planting on her broad shoulders.
“Your lips,” Chloe replied, all dead-serious eyes focused on her mouth and arm around her waist. A few seconds later, she realized her mistake and sputtered as her cheeks darkened
A surprised gasp escaped the redhead, then a chuckle overtook her. “What?!” Red wheezed out, falling into Chloe’s chest and still laughing.
Suddenly, Red was picked up by a pair of strong arms. “Chloe!” She shouted before resuming to laughter.
The knight gently laid her on the bed with a giggle. Without thinking much, Red immediately hooked her arms around her neck and pulled her in for a kiss. Spontaneously, without thinking about the consequences that could come after. For once in her life.
It was slow and sweet, and everything she ever wanted. She felt Chloe reciprocating, tugging at her mesh shirt desperately. And Red felt her body warming up to the feel of her hands there, but also screaming at her for more.
Pulling apart, Red grinned softly, and Chloe offered her a just as intimate smile. A beautiful golden hue spilled on Chloe’s brown skin, and deep brown eyes left her in a trance. Gorgeous colors finally appeared and seemed to last for more than a second.
She couldn’t dwell on the array of new and fascinating colors before Chloe pulled her into another kiss. A hungrier, yearning one that left her wanting for more.
Red’s stomach flipped as she felt Chloe trailing fire from her mouth to her neck. She started with little, almost unnoticeable, touches of lips against skin. Peppering little sparks on Red’s skin like little stars.
When Chloe bit just under her jaw, taken by surprise, Red let out a low moan. It seemed to spur her roommate as she spent quite some time there, making sure she had to cover up a hickey the next day.
“Mm, make that sound again,” She purred, hands now under her shirt and rubbing circles.
“Make me” Red challenged, but it lacked bite and came out breathless. Chloe nibbled on her pulse point next, and another devastating sound escaped her.
“Good girl,” She whispered in her ear, blowing hot air onto her skin. Red would lie if she said she didn’t feel dampness pooling from that. She would also lie if she said she didn’t whimper and felt like putty in her hands.
Chloe continued kissing her, but slower, more affectionately, as if she was memorizing every plane of skin and every mole or scar she encountered. Her hands resumed their motions and just held her, painfully soft.
With one last kiss on her cheek, the knight lay against her, limp.
“Tired?” Red inquired, breath still a bit heavy from the other girl’s attack on her neck. ‘She'd better help me cover these up.’
“Training was exhausting, okay.” Chloe hummed, closing her eyes.
And Red let her rest.
Her gaze wandered one last time around the room, observing each speck of color that wasn’t there an hour ago, every object she hadn’t noticed before as it blended with the other grays.
A hopeful part of her mind begged that the colors would finally stick and be there in the morning.
And they were.