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The news that Apple White, Raven Queen, and Darling Charming were all dating had hit Ever After High like a storm. Or something more than that. A hurricane, perhaps. It was as if the school had been transported to Wonderland and flipped on its head.
Blondie was quick to interview every single person she ran into.
Headmaster Grimm had to exit the premises with a royally horrible migraine.
The general population seemed to say the same. Some of the students, especially those who wanted to court any one of the three girls, had fainted out of heartbreak and pure, unadulterated shock.
Of course, those closer to the throuple had very different comments.
Daring had made a loud joke around Dexter about how their little sister took both of their girls, and poor Dexter could only laugh awkwardly, unsure of how to respond. Though, of course, he eventually expressed his very sincere congratulations, as well.
Maddie was over the moon, rambling about cute the throuple were everytime she saw them, because, of course, she was the first person Raven had told.
Briar had simply laughed, saying “About time.” as if she had also known for quite some time, before deciding to take another short nap.
Cupid had called it a wonderful day for love.
It was currently lunchtime at Ever After High, and it was one of the loudest lunchtimes ever after. Raven was currently being hounded from all sides by the rebels, most likely for stories of how this whole thing happened in the first place. Across the castleteria, the same thing was happening with Darling and the Wonderland kids as well as her two brothers.
It seemed, though, that the rest of the school population was also listening in, with other students, staff, and even teachers peeking in from the windows.
Raven and Darling both seemed, while overwhelmed, more than happy to talk about their relationship, and Ashlynn, who merely watched the chaos from the rebels’ lunch table with a knowing smile, could see the shy glances they shared every now and then everytime they talked about the other.
“I’m almost jealous,” Hunter jokes as he places a piece of broccoli into his mouth. “Ours definitely didn’t cause as much of a stir as this.”
“Because it’s Apple,” Ashlynn responds as if it’s obvious.
Apple White.
Formerly known as the greatest destiny ass kisser in the whole school dating two rebels.
Giggling at the thought, Ashlynn stands up. At Hunter’s confused look, Ashlynn waves him off. “Don’t worry about me. I’ll be back,” She states, leaving no room for any sort of discussion or protest before walking out of the castleteria.
Apple wasn’t anywhere to be found in the castleteria and Ashlynn, from years of friendship, assumed that she was overwhelmed from all of the attention. Anyone would be.
So, she decided to go to the room in the school that was most likely untouched.
The council meeting room.
Knock. Knock.
Uncharacteristically, it takes a while for someone to respond. When Apple does, as Ashlynn expects, she sounds almost cautious.
“Come in.”
“Room for one more?” Ashlynn questions as she carefully pushes the door open.
Apple almost melts in relief at the sight of her, nodding eagerly.
“Always!” She heaves a heavy sigh as Ashlynn takes her seat next to her. “Sorry about the delay, I thought Blondie had finally found me and was going to hound me for more details. I was already debating locking the council room door if ever she thought to check here.”
Apple looks so very clearly frazzled that Ashlynn feels a sense of sympathy for the girl. She’s always thought the same thing ever since she first met Apple White: this much spotlight cannot be healthy for such a young princess.
“Don’t worry about it,” Ashlynn assures, using her thumb to point towards the door. “I think she has more than enough content with your two girlfriends out there telling everyone everything.”
Ashlynn noticed how Apple turned shy when she mentioned the word ‘girlfriend,’ very clearly looking away as she smiled a little too wide. The sight makes Ashlynn laugh, which causes Apple to perk up. At Apple’s questioning stare, Ashlynn shakes her head.
“I’m sorry. It’s just…” Ashlynn snickers. “I just think it’s hilarious.”
Apple raises an eyebrow, looking strangely guarded.
“What is?”
The louder Ashlynn laughs, the more Apple panics.
“What is, Ashlynn?”
“Well…” Ashlynn narrows her eyes at Apple, pointing at her and repeatedly jamming her pointer finger into her chest.
With a higher pitched voice than usual, Ashlynn states, “But, you’re a royal…” She then points out the door. “And…and they’re rebels!” She makes sure to put as much force as possible on the ‘rebels’ part of her words.
The familiar saying has the tips of Apple’s ears burning bright red.
It takes everything in Ashlynn not to burst out laughing at the pure horror on her face.
“Oh, Grimm.” Apple groans, burying her face into her hands. Her next words come out slurred and muffled. “I’ve…matured from then.”
“Clearly.” Ashlynn hums absentmindedly, scrolling through her mirrorphone. “Considering you’ve apparently, according to Blondie, ‘had your tongue down the throats’ of two rebels.”
Apple squeaks like some insulted mouse, almost throwing herself over the table in the most clumsy, uncharacteristic way possible and swiping Ashlynn’s phone out of her hands much to the girl’s amusement. In a panic, she frantically scrolls through Blondie’s newest blog post.
“Blondie doesn’t even have any evidence of that!”
“So you have, but she just hasn’t caught it yet?” Ashlynn raises an eyebrow, smiling slyly as Apple’s face turns a bright pink. Having mercy on the poor girl, Ashlynn just laughs once more.
“A journalist has to get her clicks in some way.”
“Not by writing this preposterous description of us,” Apple cries.
“No, but seriously, two rebels is quite spelltastic, Apple.” Ashlynn snickers. “I only got myself one. It’s very hypocritical of you, you know?”
Apple tries to glare at Ashlynn, but the blush on her face doesn’t make her scary at all.
Finally, Apple relents with a sigh that seems to suck out all of the fight she had left in her body.
“I know…”
Feeling the atmosphere start to shift, Ashlynn’s smile turns softer. Less teasing.
“Thank you, Apple.”
Apple blinks slowly, lifting her face up from her cupped hands as she looks at Ashlynn confusedly.
“What for, Ashlynn? I don’t quite recall doing anything of note.”
“It’s just…” Ashlynn sighs. “I know you’ve always understood me, at the very least. You said so yourself at the end of True Heart’s Day, but seeing you with Raven and Darling…” Suddenly, Apple finds her arms wrapped tightly around Ashlynn, who had tackled the girl in a hug.
“I don’t know how to say it, but I feel like you know me now,” Ashlynn whispers, voice breaking towards the end with all of the overwhelming emotions she felt. “I feel safer with you, Apple. I feel like I have somebody I can confide in now, you know? And I think more royal-rebel couples, especially one with your level of fame, will help everyone feel more confident about being who they want to be.”
Before Apple could utter a response, Ashlynn hums to herself.
“I mean, I know Briar’s in love with Faybelle and whatever after, but that hasn’t gone hexactly anywhere to leave a mark—“
“Briar’s in love with Faybelle?” Apple’s eyes widen comically.
Ashlynn only gives her an unimpressed look.
“You cannot look so scandalized and go on and fall in love with the Evil Queen and the White Knight of Wonderland.” She snickers. “It just isn’t fair, Apple.”
Apple lets out an embarrassed, incoherent sound, almost melting into her throne.
“That’s not what I meant…”
“I know, Apple.” Ashlynn waves her off. Who knew how fun it was to tease Apple once she had finally gotten over all of those destiny things? “But yes, Briar is in love with the dark fairy. I’m in love with the Huntsman, and you’ve decided to score two of the most insane rebels.”
Ashlynn tries to smile as comfortingly as possible. “Who would’ve thought?”
But Apple isn’t laughing.
“Wow,” Apple says shortly. “I haven’t…” She trails off, her breath hitching. “I’m not as close to Briar as I used to be.”
That realization visibly breaks Apple’s heart, and she looks up at Ashlynn with the saddest eyes the girl thinks she’s ever seen from the future queen.
“Can we…” Apple whispers. “Can we sit together again? Us OG royals? I know you love sitting with Hunter, but I missed you, you know?”
Royals wasn’t exactly an accurate term anymore, but Ashlynn nods, anyways.
“Of course, Apple, I miss you too,” Ashlynn says, feeling a massive weight taken off her shoulder. “But don’t tell Raven or Darling you said that, okay? I do not want to deal with a sword and some dark magic, thank you very much.” She shivers. “Those two could kill me in an instant, and they could definitely beat Hunter too if he tried to help.”
“They’re not those kinds of girlfriends!” Apple is quick to exclaim, before blushing lightly. “At least, I think so.”
Ashlynn raised a curious eyebrow. “How long have you guys been together?”
“Just a few weeks after the first Dragon Games,” Apple mumbles, and it was almost baffling to see Apple White so shy when she’s usually so confident and sure of herself. Ashlynn almost wants to see the throuple together more often just to see Apple like this more. Being so happy and carefree…it suited the girl.
“So, it’s only been a few months, but I don’t think.” Apple cups her warm cheeks in her hands. “It hasn’t been long, and I thought my only relationship ever after would be Daring.” The thought makes both princesses shiver.
The thought of having to be stuck with Daring over Darling and Raven sounded extremely unappealing.
Even if Daring was currently improving himself day by day, he definitely was not the right one for Apple in the slightest if Rosabella had anything to say about it.
“So, yeah, I’m still royally unsure if I’m doing any of this right.” Apple groans. “They’re just so hextastic and unbelievably beautiful that honestly, I’m not sure what to do with myself.”
Ashlynn smiles at her sympathetically. She went through that phase with Hunter once too.
“Well, don’t worry, Apple,” She coos, comfortingly patting the blonde’s back. “Just take it one day at a time and let yourself love them without holding back.”
Without your mom holding you back. Without Grimm holding you back. Without destiny holding you back.
Apple caught the unsaid words with ease.
Then, Ashlynn adopts a more serious look.
“But, if they even dare to hurt you or make you cry, I swear! Even if they do have dark magic and a giant sword, Briar and I will pull up and, uh…” Ashlynn looks off to the side nervously. She seemed unsure. “…we will try our fairy best?”
“I do not think that will be fairy necessary, but thank you.” Apple giggles, pulling Ashlynn into one last hug.
Inhaling sharply, Apple continues, “Thank you, Ashlynn. For everything. For being so patient with me.” Her lip trembles, as her grip on the fabric of Ashlynn’s clothing tightens. “I haven’t been the fairest friend at all, and I’m sorry if you ever felt unsafe to tell me anything, but I love you forever after, and I’m trying my fairy best everyday to make it up to you and everybody else.”
Ashlynn smiles softly, leaning her head against Apple’s own as she rests her chin on the pale girl’s shoulder. “You’re trying, that’s more than enough.”
Creak.
“Woah, are we interrupting something?”
The familiar voice of one Raven Queen makes Ashlynn turns her head around.
Both Darling Charming and Raven Queen stood at the door, holding trays in their hands. They probably brought food for Apple knowing the girl would be overwhelmed.
How sweet.
Ashlynn pulls away from Apple before uncharacteristically waggling her eyebrows towards the girl, who turns redder.
“Don’t wanna get hit by a sword or some dark magic!” She sing-songs as she makes her way out of the council meeting room, pushing past Raven and Darling in the process. Both girls give her a fleeting, confused glance. When giving Apple a questioning look, the future queen merely shrugged and smiled happily. She seemed more relaxed than ever.
As Ashlynn walked through the hallways, she noticed how the reception of (most likely) the biggest relationship shock for the next few years seemed to be mostly positive. It would have never been like that years ago.
And as she sees Hunter waving at her excitedly from the rebels’ table, her heart fills with joy.
Yes, she thinks to herself with a satisfied hum, Ever After High will be okay.