There’s magic in the enchanted forest, magic and personality. When the enchanted forest moves, it does so with purpose. Leading the walker where it wants, trapping them deep within. Only those of the first had any hope to move with it. Normally, that would not include a mermaid. Whether or not he has legs.
But Alex grew up in the enchanted forest. Trapped at the Academy for being Ariel, hated by the Academy for being male. The enchanted forest was the only place he felt like he could breath. Even James isn’t as close to the forest - and James is a big bad wolf, arguably the most ‘of the forest’ character there is.
It’s possible then, that James won’t find Alex. Even knowing exactly where he is, the forest might keep James away.
It doesn’t.
James slips in a familiar clearing almost as soon as he leaves the clubhouse and he has to wonder, was it Alex that wanted to be found? Or did the forest want James to find him? James supposes it doesn’t really matter.
The clearing is small. It’s not even a clearing, really. Just a section where the trees aren’t so dense. A part of the forest with just enough room for a treehouse, built by a couple of ten years and a lot of stolen wood. There’s even a swing.
Or there was. The swing is long gone now, just frayed and rotting rope. The treehouse doesn’t look far beyond, now more a rotting platform than anything.
“Alex?” James calls as he draws closer to the rotten remains of his childhood. A lump on the platform startles, a cursed foot slamming against rotten wood. Alex doesn’t even have time to wince before the platform is crumbling beneath him. “Alex!” James shouts it this time, racing forward in time to catch the falling teen. Alex is too light in his arms, his breath panicked.
“What were you doing up there?!” James asks, worried. “This place is falling apart!”
“Everything always is.” Alex mutters, regaining (most) of his calm quickly. “You can put me down.”
“You could have gotten hurt.” James reminds, not putting Alex down.
“I was fine until you showed up.” Alex huffs, glaring into the distance. “What are you even doing here?”
“Looking for you.” James says. “Everyone’s worried.”
“They shouldn’t be. I’m fine.” Alex claims.
“You’re hiding out in the middle of the forest.” James argues.
“I’m still showing up to class, aren’t I? Grimm hasn’t done anything.” Alex returns.
“That’s not…” James pauses, shaking his head and trying very hard not to shake Alex too. “We weren’t worried about Grimm doing something. We were worried about you.”
“There’s nothing to worry about.” Alex doubles down.
“Vi says you left the last meeting in a bad mood, and no one’s been able to talk to you since.” James says. “That’s something to worry about Alex.”
“What do you, of all people, care?” Alex snaps, finally turning his glare to James. “Just let go B.” Whatever James was going to say flies right out of his head, too surprised to hear the childhood nickname. From the look of his wide eyes, Alex is just as surprised.
“Been a while since you called me that.” James eventually mumbles, just to break the silence.
“I didn’t mean to.” Alex claims. “I’ve just been… thinking too much lately.” He adds, quietly.
“I’ve been thinking too.” James says. “About the past.”
“Why?” Alex asks, defenses already raising.
“Because I was an idiot.” James answers. “I… I fucked up A, when I pushed you away.”
“Yes, I’m sure Vivi really wants us to get along. I’m doing my best, your bullshit apology isn’t going to help.” Alex scoffs.
“It’s not bullshit.” James swears.
“Of course it’s bullshit.” Alex spits back. “What’s there to regret James? You got your friends, you didn’t end up dead like Remy, or high like Snow. Really, you won.”
“Snow and Remy are not your fault.” James stresses, frowning.
“Of course it’s my fault.” Alex says, so matter-of-factly that James has to hold him a little tighter. “I started the Curse Breakers, Remy got killed because of it. Vivi’s clear proof that when this club is done right, no one dies.”
“Or maybe we’re not fucking twelve anymore.” James argues. “We were kids in over our heads Alex, of course we were going to get caught.”
“If you knew then why tell me then!” Alex shouts.
“Of course I didn’t know back then! Hindsight is twenty-twenty Alex. Looking back of course we got caught, but that’s on Grimm not you. Don’t take the blame off of him.” James snaps.
“I’m not! It wouldn’t have happened if-” James doesn’t let him finish.
“It wouldn’t have happened if a lot of things!” He claims. “If we’d gone the night before, or the night after. If I was a little faster. If Grimm didn’t turn left. You know what else could have happened? We could have ended up dead too if you’d been a little slower. We could have stayed friends if I’d been a little braver. Then maybe we could have helped Snow, and each other, and a whole lot of things Alex. But we can’t change the past. Only change the now.” His words hang in the air when he’s done, out of breath and feeling more raw than he has in years.
“Just… let me go already.” Alex finally mumbles, voice tight and tears threatening to fall from his eyes.
“No.” James says, firmly. “Never again Alex. Let me prove that to you, please.” Alex shuts his eyes, turning his head.
“And what if you do anyway?” He all but whispers. “What am I meant to do then?”
“You’d have an entire club to back you up.” James says. “And probably beat me up.” That almost gets a smile. “Please Alex, let me prove that I’m sorry. That I’m better.”
“Okay.” Alex decides and for a moment, James stops breathing. “Okay.”
“Thank you.” James exclaims, sure that his tail is showing just as much joy as his face. That does get a smile, and a laugh.
“Now can you let me stand?” Alex asks, still not looking at James but not sounding as guarded as before. It’s something. It’s a start.
“Right, of course.” James nods, carefully helping Alex stand. He doesn’t miss the red-head’s wince as his feet touch the ground. “How bad is it?”
“Oh, you know. As bad as broken glass.” Alex mutters, shrugging one shoulder.
“I can give you a piggy-back ride to the club house?” James offers but Alex winces again.
“Should I even go back?” He asks. “Grimm knows I’m involved, he has to, and last time-” Once more, James cuts him off.
“We know the risks A, we all agreed to it. And I’m sure Peter wants to see for himself that you’re okay.” James pauses. “You are okay, right? Or feeling better at least?” Alex thinks about it for a moment before, hesitantly, nodding.
“Yeah, I’m okay.” He says. “I guess, I guess a piggy-back ride would work… thanks B.”
Comments (0)
See all