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Chloe can't help the way she watches Max Hatter.
It's stupid.
Silly.
Irresponsible even, maybe.
But the way he laughs.
The smirk that he wears.
The light in Max's eyes, especially in the afternoon when the sun's bright.
Chloe might be annoyed with him at all times because he lacks care towards classes, but he's a gorgeous view, especially under the shine of an afternoon sun.
"Hey, Chloe," Robbie steps into Chloe's line of sight with a flower in hand. "I have a question to ask you. If you have a second."
Her heart drops into her stomach at the sight of that flower.
"Uh, of course, Robs, you know I'm always available. Is it about an assignment?" asks Chloe as she mentally hopes that he's got a flower for someone else.
"Uh, kind of," He laughs nervously, cheeks burning. "I actually wanted to know if you'd help me out with something."
"Robs, what's going on?" Chloe's voice is calmer, noticing the way he keeps glancing over his shoulder.
"Well, I— I kind of— I need help asking Hazel out, and I know you two are kind of close. Can you help me?" He blurts it out all at once, like stumbling over the words was a hiccup that he needed to end.
"Oh?" Chloe's surprise echoes across the courtyard, and she laughs a bit at her ability to draw too much attention all at once. "I can definitely help with that! Are you wanting help now? What do you need from me? What's your plan?"
She's excited, okay?
It's not something she can help.
She wants to see her friends in love and happy.
Red and Luis are doing amazing, being all adorable and squishy together, plus the attentiveness is beautiful.
Pink is seeing Squeaky Smee.
Squirmy Smee has a boyfriend who is basically obsessed with him, and it's honestly the cutest thing.
Felix, to everyone's surprise, is actually in throuple.
For a minute there, everyone thought he was cheating on his girlfriend with the same guy that his girlfriend was constantly around. But that's because their boyfriend wasn't officially their boyfriend at the time. So, the rumours ran wild, but he told them to trust him.
Chloe did.
He has too much love and loyalty to ever betray his partner. So, she knew there was no chance the rumors were true. The only other person who believed him as much as her was Max.
Everyone else teased him about it, constantly questioned whether he was being honest about it, and it made things very tense until it was made official. Chloe and Max spent a lot of lunches sitting with Felix in the courtyard rather than the outside tables because of it.
"You are… way too excited about this. Not that I don't super appreciate it because I definitely do," Robbie rubs at the back of his head, the rose twisting in his grip. "But I just want to give her this rose and a note."
"Robs," sighs Chloe as she shakes her head. "You know Hazel will like both, but she won't like it if you aren't the one delivering it."
"I know, but if I have to watch her read it, I— I don't think I can do it," huffs Robbie as he brings his hand forward to cover his face, the rose dropping at his side.
"What if I distract Max? Give you two some time alone, Robs. You have to be brave about this, for Hazel and for yourself," Chloe's got her hands entwined in front of her, bottom lip on full pout.
"No, no, it'll be better if you two are both there. You can help me escape, and he can distract her to help me too," Robbie lets his head hang low, defeated by Chloe's persistence, and his own knowledge of what Hazel wants.
"Come on then! Let's go win over your girl," Chloe keeps her voice quiet despite the explosion of excitement decorating her veins. She stands, rounds the table without grabbing her things, and links arms with him. "Take a deep breath, Robbie. You've got this."
"I hope you're right because I don't feel like I've got this," grumbles Robbie under his breath as she leads them over to where Hazel and Max are leaning against the wall watching some of the students kick around a soccer ball.
It's when they're steps away that Chloe's heart jumps into her throat because Max sees them before Hazel, his lips curve into a half-smirk, and she realizes that she has to interact with him again.
Usually, she doesn't talk to him after their classes are done.
Not unless they're all dragged together by someone.
Or he shows up out of nowhere to pester her.
Or they end up in the same place.
Like the library, which still doesn't make sense because Max hates the library…
"Chloe Charming as I live and breathe," Max says it with amusement as he tips his hat to her like the jerk that he is. "Did you get tired of all that homework you were pouring your attention into over there and decide to try having fun for once?"
"I have plenty of fun without you annoying me, Max Hatter," Chloe rolls her eyes before turning to Hazel who meets her glance with a smile. "Hazel, how has your day been? Drool over anyone in particular today?"
Her cheeks burn, and Chloe smirks when Hazel sticks her tongue out at her. But then Hazel's lips curve, "I'm always drooling over my someone specific. Have you stopped staring from afar long enough to prepare for the test tomorrow, or should I warn Red that we're in for another Charming Test Panic in the morning?"
"Shove off, Hook," huffs Chloe as she narrows her eyes at her.
"Woah, woah, woah, did you really drag me over here knowing she's interested in someone else? How am I supposed to give these to her now?!" yelps Robbie as he turns to Chloe with hurt in his eyes.
"Robbie, would I ever lead you astray like that?" asks Chloe seriously as she turns those narrowed eyes on him.
"No," Robbie's cheeks are starting to turn pink.
"So, don't be silly and get a move on since you outed yourself," replies Chloe with a knowing smile.
Robbie turns to Hazel who's looking between them with wide eyes, and he says, "Hazel, I— I wrote you this, and I know you like pink roses. It took some time, but I finally found the perfect bloom for you. Read the note and give me your answer?"
He holds them out to her, and Hazel looks at Chloe with panicked eyes as she takes them.
"Oh Isles, just read the letter and say yes already," snorts Max as he elbows Hazel to drag her out of this stunned persona. "Honestly, you two are ridiculous."
"Don't even start, Hatter," Robbie says it while pointing his finger at Max who turns to him with brows raised, eyes holding a challenge. "You hate the library, but you sure seem to be in there a lot lately. Care to explain that? Or should I help you out?"
"You wouldn't, Hood," those hazel eyes narrow, but Robbie's smirking.
"I think you should reconsider that statement, Hatter," Robbie's smirk doesn't fade, but Max's eyes loses the challenge.
They actually seem to hold pride.
"Yes," Hazel sounds breathless when the word falls into the space between them, shattering whatever is happening between the guys. "Robbie, my answer is yes. I can't believe you thought it would be a no."
"I didn't know if you seen me like that," Robbie's nerves have him scratching at his neck, shy smile curving his lips. "But I'm really glad you said yes."
"How could I not see you like that?" Hazel arches a brow as she steps forward and wraps her arms around Robbie's shoulders. "This was the sweetest way you could've done this, and I really adore it."
"I'm glad to hear it," Robbie murmurs as he lets his hands rest in the curve of her waist tentatively.
For a moment, Chloe watches them being lost in each other, her lips curved into a soft smile.
Yet again, one of her friend's happiness grows because of love.
She turns, not wanting to break their moment, but as she twists, her foot coming down in a step, there's a call, "Be careful! Soccer ball on the loose!"
Her foot meets the ball because that's always her luck, and she stumbles back, trying to force her body to twist, to protect herself.
But she ends up dipped as a firm arm curls around her waist.
"Thank you," the gratitude dies on her lips as her eyes meet Max Hatter's.
His eyes are wide, like he's not entirely sure what just happened, but they soften as she just looks at him.
Mesmerized.
This is too close.
They're too close.
"Falling for me, Charming? I'm flattered," Max's tone is light, airy as his lips curve into a cheeky smirk.
"Ugh, and I thanked you," groans Chloe as she rolls her eyes. "Lift me up, please."
"Sure, Charming," Max winks as he brings her up, and Chloe's hands find his jacket, latching in the material as she finds her footing. "Be more careful next time, yeah?"
"Shuddup, Hatter," grumbles Chloe as she stands firmly in place, letting go of his jacket.
"I don't see why that's necessary," huffs Max as he narrows his eyes at her. "I didn't even say anything wrong this time."
"You always say something wrong," Chloe says it indignantly.
"Charming," groans Max as he drops his head back, hand raising to catch his hat from falling with the movement. It takes him a second to look at her again, and she gets distracted by the way he swallows. Until he tips his head forward again, their eyes meeting again. "Seriously, are you okay?"
"I'm fine," Chloe's tone is sharper than she means it to be, but Max smirks. Her eyes roll as she pulls away from him, completely. "I need to go study."
"Weren't you pretending to read while staring at Max when I came over?" Robbie says it like he's confused by her words.
Except, she sees the grin.
"Robbie, are you sure you want to go there with me right now?" asks Chloe as she takes half a step forward.
"What can you do about it now, Chloe?" Robbie's grin deepens, curving that bit harder while becoming noticeable.
"Oh, I don't know," Chloe lets her words trail away as her lips curve into something dangerous. "I could tell Hazel about the stuffed—"
A hand covers her mouth, muffling the rest of the sentence as Robbie stares at her with wide eyes.
"Woah there, Chloe, that's a bit much, don't you think? For something that small, you went after the bedroom secrets?" Robbie sounds incredulous as he looks at him.
Chloe moves his hand away while ducking back and replies, "You went low, I went to the underworld. Don't test me again, Robs."
"Cold," huffs Robbie as he shakes his head.
"Are we just going to move past the fact that Robbie has a bedroom related secret that's definitely something adorable?" Hazel is pouting when Chloe turns to look at her, and she has to snort. "Don't you do that. You have answers, and I want them."
"I don't give answers unless I have permission, or Robs goes too far," replies Chloe with a cheeky grin. "Good luck with that, my friend. I have studying to do."
"I'll come with you," the offer shocks the entire group as everyone turns to stare at him like he's grown two heads because that's the only logical reason for Max to offer to sit with Chloe while she studies. His hands come up as his brows furrow. "What? She's been staring from afar. I might as well give her the best view I can by sitting right in front of her."
"That makes more sense," Chloe's eyes roll before she truly processes what he said. "Hey, hold on. I wasn't staring at you!"
"You went to the underworld against Robbie," Max points it out with that infuriating smirk. "That means he was telling the truth. You. Were. Staring."
"Hatter, nobody was staring at you," Chloe's eyes narrow at him, arms crossing against her chest.
"It's okay to admit it, Charming. I knew without Robbie's little attempt to act dumb. I made sure to look good just for your viewing pleasure," Max winks with all the confidence in the world, and Chloe's mind swirls with an idea.
If Max already knows, whether he truly knows or is just taking Robbie's word as a chance to tease her, Chloe can play into it.
Her face smooths out, lips curving into a shy smile as she steps towards him, arms falling so her hands lace together in front of her.
"It was a pretty good view," the words are honest as they fall from her lips, and she has to fight the urge to hide in embarrassment. It's worth it to watch heat curl across Max's cheeks as his eyes widen. "You definitely looked good, Max."
The compliment, plus his name, seems to send him into shock as his lips part, surprise widening his feature.
"Wha— You— What?" The words are a stuttered whisper when they fall, and Chloe steps forward again, closer.
Her face is burning.
Her mind is screaming red error signs at her.
But this— the way Max is reacting— is so worth it.
"Do you want me to repeat it? Go into more detail?" Chloe throws the offer out as her head tips to the side, smile growing a bit more bold.
"You're fucking with me," Max's eyes narrow, like he's read something on her face now that she's so close. "You definitely mean the words, your cheeks are burning too much not to, but you're doing this to fuck with me."
"You said you knew, Max," Chloe lets her eyes widen, her bottom lip trembling like she's hurt. "You said you made sure to look good for my viewing pleasure, and I'm telling you that you did… Do you not like it?"
"Chloe, come on, don't do this to me," Max groans as he reaches out a hand to brush his thumb across her cheek, fingers not quite touching the skin under her ear.
"Do what?" her voice is small as it comes out, though she feels bad about the way he seems to be panicking.
"I know this is a joke, but seeing you look upset is actually killing me," Max mutters the words under his breath, and if it weren't for their closeness, Chloe wouldn't have heard them. "Chloe, I definitely like it. But it's not you."
"It is me," the words are a whisper that's too sincere, the act dropping, the joke over with. But her bottom lip still trembles, her fingers clenching together tightly as she looks into his eyes and takes the chance. "It's bolder than I would normally be, but it's me."
"I like the shy Chloe who pretends she isn't staring at me," Max keeps his voice low, quiet. "I like you bold, taking chances, being protective, ready to fight verbally or physically. But shy Chloe is the one I've known the longest, and I really like her."
"I was leaning into it because you said you knew, not because I didn't mean it. Tell me you know that, Max," murmurs Chloe genuinely as her fingers separate. Her hands raise to press into Max's shoulders. "Please, tell me you know that my words were sincere, even if the way I acted wasn't."
"I know that, Chloe," replies Max with a gentle chuckle.
"You like me," it's a statement when it falls from her lips.
"I do," Max says it firmly, quiet, but he doesn't flinch. "You like me too."
"I do," Chloe repeats his words back to him, her tone just as firm as her fingers clench in his jacket. "What do we do now?"
"Now?" Max seems just as lost as she does, but then something like determination pours through his eyes. "Now, we go back to your table. I hold your hand while you study. I pretend I'm not dying to kiss you, and when you're ready, I'll walk you to your room. Then we try to figure out how to have a first date without the idiots joining in. If you want to, that's what we do now."
Chloe looks at him, then she leans into his palm. Her voice is a whisper, "Kiss me first, then we do everything else."
His breath hitches in his throat as her eyes fall closed, and then there's a nose gently brushing hers as he asks, "Can I really?"
"Please," the words cracks in her throat, but he follows it up with his lips pressing to hers.
It's gentle, the way he presses into her but doesn't move, like he can't believe their lips are touching and isn't sure what to do about it. Chloe presses into his lips, her own move, slowly, uncertainly, and that's when he starts to kiss her too.
Her fingers release the fabric to slide up, tangling in the hairs sticking out from under his hat. His other hand finds her waist, fingers pressing into her love handle.
Chloe melts, her legs going weak, everything pinpointed down to his touch.
She'd heard Chad tell her about this.
A kiss that makes everything in your soul sing, that makes your entire body go limp because it's just right.
She didn't believe him.
Now… Now, she knows he wasn't lying.
This is that kiss.
This is her kiss.
The one that changes everything.
It's close-mouthed, but when Max pulls away, everything in her begs him to stay.
Her eyes don't open immediately as their foreheads press together.
But there's a cheer, even a hoot of, "Finally," and Chloe's laughter escapes in a huff.
"Merlin, Chloe, that's going to get addicting," Max sounds wrecked.
"That should probably be my line," murmurs Chloe as her eyelids flutter open, their eyes meeting immediately. "Because I already want you to kiss me again."
"Same," the amusement curls along the letters to form a single word that holds too much in the space between them. "But you're studying for the history pop quiz that we're not supposed to know is happening tomorrow. I know for a fact that if you don't get the exact amount of time devoted into that, dinner is going to be annoying."
"You— You noticed that?" Chloe almost gasps the words, disbelief coloring the way she looks at him.
"I notice everything about you, Chloe Charming. I have since we saved Wonderland, and I haven't been able to stop," it sounds like a confession, when it falls from his lips, and the heat that seems to grow across his cheeks and the bridge of his nose confirms that.
"You're dangerous," Chloe's tone tells everyone that the statement is a fact, and Max smirks about it. "But I haven't been able to stop watching you shine since Wonderland either. So, I guess that connection grew."
"I'm not mad about it," Max keeps his tone firm, like he's determined to make sure she knows that he means every single word. "Are you?"
"Not even for a second," replies Chloe as her lips curve into a soft smile. "But you're right… If I don't get this study sheet looked over, properly, I am going to be a nightmare during dinner and breakfast too."
"Yeah, I know," Max chuckles as he taps her cheek with his thumb. "Let's go, Charming."
"Let's go, Hatter," Chloe grins at him, stepping back while taking his hand in hers.
She guides him to the table, a smile curving her lips that she doesn't think will ever go away. He laces their fingers together properly when they reach the table, not even sitting correctly as he straddles the bench. His elbow presses firmly into the table, his cheek leaning against his fist as he watches her settle and immediately start focusing back where she'd left off.
Her attention is locked on the book and notebook in front of her, truly it is, but she can feel his eyes on the side of her face. His thumb is steadily brushing back and forth over hers too, drawing her attention to her peripherals to watch the movement with every forward stroke of his skin atop hers.
Distracting.
He's always distracting.
But this time…
It's more.
It's close.
And she wants to shove her books aside and curl into his attention, his warmth, and his care.
She's technically been studying for the pop quiz for twenty minutes, and she'd looked over the information during lunch earlier. So, she could probably save it for after dinner.
Right?
There's nothing wrong with that, is there?
"You look conflicted, Chloe," Max sounds as confused as she feels.
"I am," sighs Chloe as she pouts at her books. "I need to study for fifteen more minutes at least, then study for another fifteen before bed. But I don't really want to now because I'd rather be held and just relax with you."
"Well," Max hums as he straightens up, eyes sparkling thoughtfully. "You might be able to do both."
"How do you propose we do that?" Chloe's head tips to the side as she looks at him.
"Pack your things and come with me," Max keeps his voice gentle, a soft smile curling his lips. "I'll show you."
While she narrows her eyes in suspicion, Chloe packs up her things, quickly putting them in her satchel bag that Pink made for her a few weeks ago. It's blue and purple, meeting darkly in the middle and fading out to the edges almost similar to an ombre style.
"Okay, lead the way, Max," murmurs Chloe as she turns fully to him.
He grins at her as he stands and waits for her to twist around and stand as well, then he starts walking, guiding Chloe away from the courtyard. She follows willingly, adjusting the strap of her bag twice as their hands swing gently between them.
"Almost there," murmurs Max as he takes them around to the back courtyard, towards the maze.
"Are you taking me to the fountain?" asks Chloe in surprise as he guides her straight into the maze entrance.
This maze was designed by Carlos for Mal and Ben ages ago.
It's said to be enchanted only to allow ones with pure love for each other in.
Nobody dared to come near it, that she was aware of, but they've stepped inside with ease.
"This is probably one of my favorite spots honestly," Max says it with a softness that sends warmth through Chloe's veins.
"So, you come here often?" Chloe's voice goes quiet in surprise.
"Yeah, the enchantment is honestly really well done," replies Max as he gives her hand a squeeze, admiration pouring through his voice. "But there's a bit of a loophole for if you come alone. It tests your heart still, but it's more about the intent than it is about love."
"But I didn't even feel it when we passed through the entrance, so how do you—?" Chloe trails off, her brows furrowing as they take their first left turn.
"Well, you're not supposed to feel anything at the entrance. That's not the part that's enchanted," Max grins as they take a quick right almost as soon as they turned. "The enchantment is all about the fountain."
"Oh, so if you fail the requirements, you're just going to go through the maze and find yourself at the entrance and exit instead of the fountain?" Chloe smiles in a way that feels goofy to her, but the whole idea makes so much sense for the person that Carlos was known to be.
It fits too well with who they all are, especially Ben and Mal.
It's just exactly what she should've expected.
"Exactly," Max chuckles as he turns to Chloe. They stand still with only two paths to choose from for a moment, before he steps closer to her. "Which path do you think we should go down, Chloe?"
"You're leaving this up to me?" asks Chloe in a panicked voice as her eyes go wide. "I've never even been in this maze before. How am I supposed to turn the right way?"
"This is the last turn we make," his voice is gentle as he speaks, squeezing her hand lightly with reassurance that she didn't realize she needed until her breathing settles. "It either leads us straight to the fountain or towards another path that goes to the exit. It doesn't matter how well you know the maze, it all depends on the enchantment now."
"Wait, so you just know where to go to get to the final choice? Or does the maze change like in Wonderland?" asks Chloe as she tips her head to the side because she actually doesn't know.
Everyone assumed that the enchantment only counted for the entrance.
Nobody talked about this part.
"I actually haven't gotten that answer out of Fairy Godmother yet, but I am working on that part," Max scratches lightly at his neck, looking sheepish because he didn't have the answer yet. "All I know is that when you get to a T in the maze, it's the final decision made by the enchantment regardless of which way you turn."
"Okay, then… Let's try left," says Chloe as she turns towards the path behind him.
"Left it is, Princess," Max turns around, but this time, he lets her take the lead.
"Ugh, no, don't call me that," groans Chloe as she takes the lead, walking down the left path. "Pick a different name that will be sweet. That title is for official crap only."
"Okay, Doll," the way it falls from Max's tongue makes Chloe's veins burn with something she's never felt before. "Let's see if the enchantment will allow us to see the fountain."
"That— I don't know if I can handle that one," breathes Chloe as she forces her eyes to stay locked forward, even when she catches his grin in her peripherals. "How long does it usually take?"
"I think we're getting close, Doll," Max is amused by her reaction. She notices the way his lips curve into a sharp smirk when her breath catches. "Ah, we're here."
He stops them, tugging lightly on the hand in his as he nods at the view that greets them.
Even looking forward didn't prepare her for the view that is the fountain sitting in the center of the fairly large grassy space in the middle of the maze. Her breath leaves her in a rush that has her feeling a bit dizzy.
The fountain base is a deep, ocean blue with waves carved into it along the curve that she can see. The water comes from the dragon in the middle. It flows in a curved spout from the mouth of the dragon, the droplets slide down the wings that expand out almost the edge of the circular fountain. It's a steady waterfall, and Chloe feels completely breathless at the similarities to the description of Mal's dragon transformation.
But that's not the only beautiful part of all of this.
The flower choices.
There are roses, peonies, orchids, forget-me-nots, camellias, lilacs, even daisies.
All expressing some form of love, speaking to attractiveness, infatuation, a deep, longing kind of love, a feeling that sends your heart rabbiting in your chest.
The gardenias are the ones that surprise Chloe the most as she lets go of Max's hand and walks over to them.
Not because they don't fit, but because she's been receiving a pressed gardenia in her locker everyday.
Literally, every single day for the last three months.
There's always a new one pressed with a simple tan bookmark-shaped parchment.
"You've been the one leaving them," breathes Chloe as her fingers trace a white petal.
"Leaving— Oh," Max goes from confused to shy almost immediately.
Chloe turns to look at him, a soft smile curving her lips, and she watches heat curl across his cheeks slowly, almost unnoticeably at first.
"This is where you've been getting the flowers from then?" Chloe knows the answer as she poses the question, tugging a single flower out to hold.
"Yeah," Max says it softly, almost like he's not sure it's an answer that really matters. "I'm usually here early in the morning, so I pull a few to press. They're constantly regrown to fill the space that's vacated."
"That's actually the sweetest thing anyone's ever done for me," Chloe walks over to him, still smiling, twisting the flower's stem between her fingers as she closes the space.
"I'm just glad you didn't throw them away," Max scratches at his neck with a nervous chuckle.
"Thank you, Max," murmurs Chloe as she reaches out to slide one behind his ear, carefully balancing it under his hat's edge.
"Of course, Doll," replies Max as he catches her hand, tangling their fingers together. "But we've gotten derailed. You wanted cuddles and studying. Pick your spot, and we'll set up."
Chloe leans up to press a kiss to his cheek, then she turns and tugs him over to the fountain, dropping her bag on the grass. He takes off his trench coat and lays it out before sitting down, pressing his back to the fountain's base. She settles in between his spread legs, tugging out the notebook she needs, and she leans against him as he hugs her around her waist, fingers lacing against her stomach. Max presses a kiss to her cheek before settling and letting her focus while watching her fondly.
They'll get lost here, Chloe knows it, and she doesn't even care because right here, in his arms, she's at peace in this safety.