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Max had never been to a tea party before, and he would never tell Hazel this, but he had always been curious about them. From the early days when his father was… his father and not obsessed to the watch with all his time, he could remember him talking about the one’s his own dad would have.
Loud, silly, colorful, things that his father would say with a long sigh. Mainly because he’d dealt with so many and mainly drank tea growing up he got sick of it. Still hearing about all the ones his grandfather would run, it made Max want to be a part of one so much.
(Maybe he could connect Grandpa Hatter… He had cut everything about his father out of his life for so long he hadn't even thought about the man. He wonders if he’d be happy to see him… if he even knew Max existed. It makes him excited and terrified at the thought of meeting more family)
Being able to attend this one felt like a dream. The last few days had felt like a dream honestly.
Well, more like a dream that was twisted and morphed into a bitter and cold nightmare that filled him with hurt and fear. Only for a hopeful glow appear like the sun bringing everything back to a much softer and better sleep.
Now it ended in something happy happy and bright, it was better than anything Max is sure he could ever imagine. Though some things were not as perfect as he wanted.
His father… was still his father, and now currently held in Chandelier prison. Max didn’t miss the way his father watched him from time to time during the party. He didn’t miss the surprising…. guilt and sadness in his eyes. The shame… it almost gives Max hope that Princess Red truly could keep her promise.
Speaking of Princesses, there was another that he needed to speak to. One to truly help fix at least another thing that was affecting this from being a great day.
He glanced over to see Chloe talking with Pink. There was smiles on their faces as they spoke, eyes shining with the most joy and laughter he’s seen… well ever in them. It was nice to see… especially when she had looked utterly miserable and so hurt the past few days.
He almost didn’t want to pull her from it, but he knew the longer he waited the worst the apology would come off.
So with a deep breath, Max strode over to the two girls. He tried to keep the confidence he always pushed when he walked amongst the crowds. The crowds of judging eyes and glares, the whispers and mutters of him being a villain. A terrible person he-
He shook his head. This wasn’t about him, this was about Chloe. He made that mistake once trying to connect with her before. It was no wonder she stormed off not wanting to hear him pity himself when she had nearly being used as plant food for a vicious flower.
(A part of him was still shaken Red would do such a thing. There was thinking like a villain and then there was… that. Though maybe that truly was a villainous way to think, because Max hadn't thought much of it until he had seen Chloe standing there… Arms wrapped around herself as if to give herself an embrace while she stared up at her best friend with tears and hurt in her eyes. It made him sick… it made him realize how much he wanted this trip to be done.)
“H-Hi…” he started, cursing himself as it came out in a stutter.
Both girls paused and looked up at him in surprise. Max took off his hat in a way he knew was more polite. He remembered all of Fair Godmother’s lessons after all, even if it was frustrating to get them specifically taught to him.
“Um… Chloe would it be alright it I… can I talk to you for a moment?”
Chloe stiffened and he could see the conflict in her eyes. She didn’t, she clearly didn’t and he winced.
He had caused that… The one person that may have truly known how he felt and he hurt them too…
“You don’t have to if you don’t…” He quickly offered in a softer voice. He wasn’t about to push her. Not again, he had done that before and… and that hadn’t been him. He had never been someone who pushed and manipulated but at that moment… it had.
And he was ashamed…
Pink, closer to his side, softened and looked back to Chloe. “Maybe just… hear him out.” She offered softly.
Max looked at her in surprise. Just two nights ago she had been accusing him of being part of kidnapping her mother and now she was urging Chloe to trust him?
Pink glanced back at him, a sad smile on her face. ‘I’m sorry…’ Those eyes told him. That and more, and Max couldn’t help but reflect that very same smile back. He had always had a rather soft spot for Pink. Even if she had been wary and judged him like the others she always still went out of her way to treat him with kindness. It was why he always made sure Hazel didn’t mess with her, along with the rest of their crew.
Their beef had been with Red and Chloe, not Pink.
(For him even more so, he just never realized how deep it had been…)
Chloe still looked unsure, but she when Pink gave her another encouraging smile she sighed and nodded. “Okay.” She muttered, standing and motioning for him to follow her.
She wanted control of the situation. Given everything that’s happened he didn’t blame her. He followed her obediently as they walked off to the corner. Where had once been filled with dancing and laughter now an empty space.
They were within everyone’s sights, not exactly private but again, he didn’t blame her.
“Well…?” Chloe asked with a long sigh. Wary, but willing…
Max took a breath and slowly let it out. “Chloe I… I want to… I…”
Gosh can an apology even make up for what he did? He took advantage of her he used her… When she had needed a friend, when Max had needed a friend.
He had Hazel and the rest of their group and he loved them, but Chloe was a different connection. Chloe truly seemed to know that hurt. That hurt he went through being betrayed by someone they trusted.
“You want to…?” Chloe repeated slowly and he stiffened. He could already feel her starting to distance herself, pull away from the conversation.
No not yet… Please not yet he wanted to fix this he had to fix this…
“I want to apologize!” He rushed out. She leaned back in shock, if not for the words then probably for the fact he nearly shouted the.
“Sorry…” He muttered in a softer tone. “I’m sorry about being loud and for giving you that bracelet and for using you and just… just everything.” Max whispered. “For my father attacking us, to me tricking you I… I always said I hated being treated like a villain. Being treated because my father was a villain…” He almost wondered if the sun was tricking him to being Chloe’s expression pinch with sadness and… guilt. It had to be the sun.
“But in that moment when I went to you… when I gave you that bracelet… I became a villain. I made that choice… and I’m so ashamed.” He clenched his eyes shut. “Ashamed that I did that, especially to someone I really did feel like understood me… If I… If you don’t ever forgive me I understand I just-“
“Max, Max…” Chloe’s voice was gentle as she cut him off. He looked up to see her gazing at him with a soft smile and eyes to match.
“Max… it’s okay.”
He blinked and slowly shook his head. “N-no it’s not okay I took advantage of you I-“
“Yes, you did.” Her words made him wince but she continued. “But… I also get it…” When he opened his mouth she shook her head. “I’m not excusing it!… but… After some time to think about it and understand… I can understand why you did it more.”
As his confused expression her expression pinched. “Max… You learned your entire life was changed in an instant, in a horrible terrible instant and you wanted to fix it. To change it back. If there’s anyone that would know that… to know how desperate and how you feel the need to get your hands dirty to do so… it’d be me.”
He stared at her in shock. He understood what she meant to a degree.
He had seen the Orichalcum, he had seen Chloe had gone through time as well but what in the world could have been so awful for her to say such a thing?
Chloe’s expression became pained, her eyes flicked over across the many tables. He followed her gaze to see the two Queens walking arm in arm back inside the castle. Laughing and chatting amongst themselves while he caught his father giving them a grumpy look. When he looked back towards him Max quickly looked away.
“My mom…” Chloe murmured. “I didn’t even know that watch would take us back but when it did… I wanted to save something too. To fix it before it was too late.”
Max frowned as he noticed tears in her eyes.
“M-my mom she… I-I…” Her voice became choked, aching as she held herself. “The Queen…”
“OFF WITH HER HEAD!”
The furious roaring of the Wonderland Queen echoed in his mind. The furious, vengeful expression on her face as she screamed it. A look and sound so foreign that Max at the time couldn't even process it being the same person as the sweet and bubbly Queen he had officially met today.
Her… she had said her… but did that mean…?
Max choked as suddenly it clicked into place, and from the utterly devastated expression on Chloe’s face it was clear he had come to the right conclusion. The awful, horrible, terrible conclusion…
Max swallowed thickly, staring at her in horror and sorrow unable to speak. Because… how could he speak? He had nearly made them go back and change time and… and Chloe wouldn't have had a mother anymore?
Max… as much as he had resented, as much as he had been so angry with his father… he had least still had his father. Even if he wasn't all there from time to time. He could still remember the brief moments when his dad could push through his madness and show him attention.
He could remember him urging him to stay inside, away from the other villains and those on the Isle. Locking them both away in that room for fear they could go after them. Nights where his father would attempt to sew the rips and tears of his clothes better. Nights where he would just… hug Max. Hold him tight and murmur things he couldn't understand.
(Apologies… they were apologies and promises. He was saying sorry but he never understood what. Promising something he couldn't see. Now he did, his father witnessed what they could have been, the life they could have had… only to live in the equivalent of a sewer because he had been banished there. Over that watch… that stupid watch…)
Max tried tot think about if he lost him… really truly lost him. He almost had in a moment.
For a brief moment when the Queen had roared that same order as she had in that vision of the other lifeline towards his father he had felt a sudden fear. He had felt like a child and had nearly screamed out like out when he saw the guards ready to take him away despite the Queen looking startled she had even given such an order.
Even his dad had looked scared and when a choked scream had ripped out of his throat he had seen the man look at him. Really look at him, with heartbroken pained eyes.
(Guilt… heartbroken… he realized he caused that. He had realized that Max had been scared for him and it broke something in him. Maybe it woke him up? He hoped so…)
If Red hadn’t been there… Max truly might have lost him. Truly may have lost the chance to have his father back from the obsession.
“Chloe… I-I… I’m so sorry…” Max rasped.
Chloe’s eyes widened. “Max you’re…” She reached out and while he flinched at first, he leaned into her touch as she gently wiped his cheeks. They suddenly felt wet.
Crying… he was crying… great. He hand’t cried since he was little…
He expects sneering, laughter and mocking. Most people would if they saw the evil Max Hatter cry... Even Hazel would tell him to toughen up in her own harsh but caring way.
Yet Chloe said nothing, letting her hands and actions to the talking. Gently wiping away his tears with such tenderness and care it made him feel equally better and worse.
"I'm... I'm so sorry..." He rasped.
"Shh..." Chloe shushed him. "It's okay... we're okay." She whispered. He wonders if she's trying to comfort herself as she says those words and his heart aches even more.
He moves his hands to hers on his face, cradling them as gently as he can. She doesn't flinch from his touch and he feels as if the barrier she had put around herself when near him had finally crumbled down.
It took him falling apart and crying like a little kid but he would happily take the victory of mending things between him and her. Especially if it meant the possibility of being able to truly call her... a friend.
"Feeling better...?" Chloe asked him gently. He nodded and sniffled.
"A-are you...?" He weakly murmured. She smiled at him kindly and nodded.
"I am... I really am..." She paused before smiling brighter. "It's... partly thanks to you coming over and doing that... Thank you Max." She frowned. "And... I'm sorry for pushing you away like I did at the board. I get you were trying to help I just-"
"You know what it's fine." Max chuckled weakly. "What I want, is for you and I to move on from what we've been through. To have a new better life and..." He paused. "Well, if you'd be okay with me being a part of yours too?"
Chloe blinked before smiling warmly and nodding. "I would."
Max smiled back just as warm and he felt the tightness in his chest loosen with joy and elation. It felt easier to breathe, easier to exist now than it had merely hours before.
He follows Chloe back unable to wipe the smile off his face. They walk past the tables and past a delighted Pink as Red surprises her with a hug from behind.
Even Red looked so much happier than she had before, and it surprised and made him proud that he was happy, not bitter to see it.
As they passed by the chandelier, he heard his father call out to him
"Max...!"
He froze at his voice but more than that. From the worry and sorrow in his voice, sounding much clearer than he had heard it in ages. It made him slowly turn to look at his father staring at him with concern and guilt.
"Are... are you alright?" The man rasped. He almost sounded scared to ask, as if he had no right to.
The fact that he did at all... the fact that he was finally looking at him now, really did make it feel alright.
"Yeah... I'm... I'm okay... Dad..." He nodded. Max paused, looking to Chloe apologetically. "I... I might stay with my Dad for a bit okay?"
Chloe blinked before smiling and nodding. As she walked off Max turned and didn't miss the small spark of surprise and joy in his Dad's face.
Maybe... his Dad really had missed him like Max had him. With the watch gone now things could finally mend. Finally become better. It would never be like how their lives may have been in the timeline before, but as long as Max had his father... as long as he knew he loved him and Max did him. Then he thinks he could live with it.
Besides... with all his new friends and new life Max thinks that things can finally look up for the Hatter family.
Max takes a breath and walks over to his father. "Hey Dad...?" He murmured once he was in front of him.
"Yes Max...?" The man murmured, voice soft. It almost sounded so close to how it did in the other timeline and an ache forms in his heart again, this time a happy one. That part of his father... was still there. It made it so much easier to speak these words from his heart without resentment and hurting.
"... I'm sorry I left you..." He murmured. "But I won't ever leave you again...I love you Dad..."
He looked up to see his father's eyes wide, expression in shock, before it crumbled. Those eyes glistened with tears and he curled into himself as sobs shook his body.
"I'm sorry... I'm so sorry..." The man wept. Max could hear the guilt, the multitude of apologies for everything that they lost. Everything they could have had...
Max stepped closer and pressed his head near his father's as the man mourned. A part of Max wished he could hold him and try to help him feel better. Another wished his dad could hug him because it's been so long and he missed it.
As his father calmed, Max heard a whispering croak that was quiet... but filled to the brim with only the love of a parent could give.
"I'm... so proud of you..." He feels his dad press closer to the bars to be closer to him. "... I'm love you so much son..."
"I love you too Dad..." Max murmured, feeling choked up. The same words, same tone from that memory. Things truly could change and become better...they'd truly be okay...
They can be happy... maybe even more so here and now. It would take time, but after everything they've gone through Max would take each and every day with all the thanks he could muster. From the shaky, happy sigh from his dad thanks to his words, he thinks the feeling is mutual.
This wasn't the end of their story... it was a new beginning....