Chapter Text
Wonderland had never been a place that followed the rules.
The sky changing colour when it pleases, rivers flowing endlessly without a purpose, trees whispering secrets to the wind. Paths rearranging themselves, confusing anyone who dares to memorize it.
It was absurd.
It was beautiful.
It was home.
Morning sunlight spilt through lovely multicoloured trees, their branches curling up and down, similar to that of a cat’s tail. Butterflies with pristine wings drifting lazily throughout blossoms, bigger than one could ever imagine. While over in the distance flowers argue over something pointless as they do everyday.
“I’m gonna catch you!” A puff of purple smoke surrounds him.
“Hey that’s against the rules!”
“Who said there were rules?”
Too busy arguing, a young Max Hatter walks into a mushroom nearly the size of a tree.
“Agh..”
“Should’ve watched where you were going..” a young boy with light purple curls, pointed cat ears twitching through his messy hair, and a grin so unbelievably wide you’d believe it’d be stitched on.
Max looks up angrily with not real hatred in his eyes.
“I thought we said you wouldn’t use your powers while we’re playing it’s against the rules Chase!”
“Did we?” He says tilting his head. “I must’ve forgot!”
“You still cheated!”
“Hm I’d like to say I improvised.”
“You teleported.”
“I strategically moved around.”
“That’s still teleporting!” Max had gotten up at this point looking straight at his feline friend.
Chase dramatically placed a hand over his heart.
“Max Hatter! I cannot believe you would accuse me of something so..accurate!”
“Ugh..” Max groaned.
“You are impossible to deal with.”
“I’ve been told that once or twice..or maybe even hundreds of times...” He laughs.
The two boys stared at each other in silence for just a heartbeat before breaking into laughter.
Arguments were never truly serious with them.
Not when they’ve known each other this long.
“You still lose!” Chase declares.
“Wha- No I do not!”
Chase flicks his tail happily behind him as they both start walking down their path. Kicking rocks as they continue forward, occasionally hopping across roots that broke through the earth.
“You truly are unbearable.”
“Then why do you stick with me?” His ears flicker.
Max stays quiet, pulling his hat lower to his face to avoid giving a response.
The rest of the walk is quiet. The air in the forest smelt of sugar and tea.
There was never a dull moment in Wonderland.
Above them, teacups were hanging in leaves taking the place of fruit. A family of birds sitting atop the tree enjoying the fresh afternoon breeze.
Max reaches above him, picking up a flying cookie. Without thinking, he gives one half to his only friend.
“There’s no raisins in this right..?” Chase asks worriedly.
“Don’t worry they’re just simple sugar cookies.”
“Good. Last time I ate raisins I promised myself I’d never eat them again!” He stomps his foot.
“Come on..they’re just dried grapes..they can’t be that bad..”
“Yes they can! They disguise themselves as delicious chocolate chips..!”
Their conversation drifted into comfortable silence.
Not awkward.
It was never awkward with those two.
It was the kind of silence that only happens with people you have known for years.
Years of climbing trees.
Years of running endlessly throughout the forest.
Years of growth.
Max couldn’t remember a time before he’d met Chase.
Nor did he ever want to.
All everyone saw when looking at Chase was the future Cheshire heir.
The one who would cause chaos just for the fun of it.
But not him.
Max saw the boy that climbed trees, watching sunsets upside down.
The boy who’d secretly leave food for bunnies every winter.
The boy whose laugh radiated everything around him.
He might be mischievous.
He might be annoying.
But he’s Max’s best friend.
Chase breaks the silence.
“I had a lot of fun today Max.”
“You always say that..”
“Still..I just..” he stops.
Before Max could even question what he was talking about. Chase darted off the path.
“Last one there has to wear one of your ugly hats!”
“Hey! My hats are masterpieces!”
Chase giggles.
Max followed slowly after.
They both ran deeper into the forest.
Max moved around perfectly like he knew where every stump and rock lived.
Chase, farther up ahead laughed triumphantly. Disappearing and reappearing with his purple smoke.
“I’m winning!
Max determined to win ran faster than ever.
His stubbornness to lose made him move gracefully throughout any obstacle in his way.
Eventually the forest opened into a clearing.
The pristine water glistening against the rocky ground. Shimmering under the afternoon sun. Flowers covering the ground like a blanket. Some applauded, some moved out of the boys way, giving them a place to sit down.
Max dropped down first.
“I…” He pants.
“Hate..”
“Your…”
“Powers..”
He slows his breathing.
“You don’t mean that..” Chase smiles.
“No.” A pause.
“I don’t.”
They lay there for what feels like hours. Looking at the sky pointing out clouds that look like dragons, teapots and rabbits.
This peace felt hard to come by. The kind that only existed when no adults were present.
Eventually Chase spoke.
“Did your dad come home yesterday?”
Max smile dropped instantly.
“For a little while.”
“Oh.”
“He didn’t stay.”
“Oh.”
“He was busy.”
Chase didn’t ask with what. He already knew the answer.
Villains never had time for their children.
Never had time reading them bedtime stories.
Never had time to spend time with them.
“My dad wasn’t home again..” Chase started.
“I don’t know where he is, he’s been gone for I don’t even know how long..”
A heartbeat of silence bestowed upon them.
“It’s my birthday today.” Chase says quietly.
“I know.”
“And my dad isn’t even here to celebrate it.”
Max reaches into his pocket sewn into his jacket. He dug through loose buttons, marbles and playing cards till finally he found what he’s looking for.
A tiny wound up mouse.
Its paint was chipped, its ears were somewhat broken and it seemed like it lived a thousand lifetimes.
“I fixed it.” Max said softly.
“You..fixed it? For me?”
Max nodded.
“Happy Birthday!”
A genuine smile couldn’t help but slip out on Chase’s face.
“Thank you.”
For a long moment neither of them talked.
“Hey…Max?”
“Hm?”
“Do you ever wonder..”
He hesitated.
“If they’re right about us?”
The breeze shifted.
“They all look at me like i’m already him.”
“My dad..”
“They think because i’m a Cheshire..I’ll grow up cruel.”
Max looks at the ground.
“They say the same about me too.”
“He’s a Hatter.”
“Give it some time.”
“He’ll grow up to be just like his father.
Max looks at Chase.
“I don’t want to be like them.
“Neither do i..”
That was the first time either of them admitted it.
“Max..?”
“What is it?”
“No matter where we end up, no matter what people say about us, promise me we’ll choose who we become.”
“I promise.”
Their pinkies lock.
That was the moment that shaped their future.