The Burial
The sky was gray and heavy, as if it shared the pain of the people of Wonderland. The funerals for the victims of the battle were held in solemn silence, each face marked by pain and loss. Red, surrounded by the Charming family and her friends, had not spoken a word for several days. The loss of Maddox had plunged her into an abyss of sadness from which she could not escape.
The coffins of Maddox, Eamon, and other soldiers, including young recruits, were lined up, ready to be buried. Red had insisted that her mother also be buried with honors. Despite everything she had done, she was still her mother, and Red wanted to pay her one last respect.
Chloe, who had miraculously survived, also stood next to Red, feeling the intensity of her pain, and clutching her hand in hers. She wanted so much to comfort her, but she felt helpless. No matter how much she wanted to, she couldn't give Red back what she had lost. Chloe's sadness was palpable, and she felt torn between her own grief and her desire to support Red.
The heavy silence was suddenly broken by Red's trembling voice. "Today... is my birthday. I'm 17."
The news fell like a bomb, surprising everyone. Chloe turned to Red, her eyes wide with surprise and sadness. "Red..."
Red nodded, tears streaming down her cheeks. With the war and all these emotions, she didn't even think about it anymore. "I should be celebrating my birthday, not burying the ones I love."
Chloe hugged Red, tears in her eyes. "I'm so sorry, Red."
Red took a deep breath, gathering her courage to give a speech. She stood up, her legs shaking, and walked over to the coffins.
“Maddox was more than a friend to me,” she began, her voice cracking with emotion. “He was my brother, my confidant, my support. His sacrifice will never be forgotten. He gave his life so that we could live free, and I will be eternally grateful.” She wanted to say more, Maddox deserved more… but she could already feel her mental strength failing.
She paused, struggling to contain her sobs. “Eamon was a courageous leader, a man of conviction and determination. He led the resistance with incredible strength, and his spirit will live on through each of us.”
Red turned to her mother’s coffin, tears streaming down her cheeks. "Mother... despite all you've done, know that I love you... and I forgive you... I know you thought you were acting to protect our kingdom, but your methods were cruel. I hope you find peace in the afterlife."
Silence fell over the assembly, each person feeling the depth of Red's pain. The coffins were slowly lowered into the graves, and each person placed a handful of earth in farewell.
**********
That evening, Red and Chloe found themselves alone in Red's old room at the palace. The room was filled with memories, and Red couldn't help but recall a special moment with Maddox.
Flashback
It was a sunny day, and Red and Maddox were sitting on the bed, laughing and discussing their dreams and hopes for the future. Maddox had always known how to make her smile, even in the darkest of times.
"You know, Red," he had smiled, "no matter what happens, I'll always be there for you."
Red had smiled back, feeling a comforting warmth fill her heart. "Thank you, Maddox. I don't know what I'd do without you."
End Flashback
Red came back to reality, overwhelmed by her emotions. At the dawn of her 17th birthday, she had lost those she loved, and she had just buried them… on her birthday… she felt terribly alone. No one could fill that void, no one except Chloe.
In her despair, Red felt the violent need to cling to the last person she had left. She turned to Chloe, tears in her eyes, and kissed her passionately without warning. She clung to Chloe's clothes, her tears mixing with the kiss.
Chloe, surprised but understanding, returned the kiss with tenderness. She could feel Red’s pain and despair, and she wanted to offer her whatever comfort she could. Red pushed Chloe back into the room, until she fell onto the bed. She came over her, and began to kiss her again. Their kisses deepened, each movement filled with devastating emotional intensity.
“Please, let me touch you,” Red begged, her voice shaking with desire and pain.
Chloe nodded, tears in her eyes. “Do what you want with me, Red. I’m here for you.”
Red began to gently caress Chloe’s body under her clothes, each movement filled with love and desperation. She wanted to reassure herself, to convince herself that all was not lost, that there was still something, or someone, left for her to cherish.
Chloe felt love in every touch, but she also felt something else: a deep ache, a desperate need to hold on to something tangible. She responded to Red's gestures with tenderness, trying to offer him whatever comfort she could.
Their bodies grew closer, each kiss becoming more intense, each caress deeper. Red let herself be carried away by her emotions, her tears flowing freely as she explored Chloe's body with a consuming passion.
Their breaths mingled, their bodies coming together in a passionate and heartbreaking exchange. Each gesture, each kiss was a declaration of their love, but also a desperate attempt to fill the void left by the loss of Maddox and the others.
Red, overcome by her emotions, whispered words of love into Chloe's ear, her tears mixing with their kisses. "I love you, Chloe. I love you so much... my princess. »
Chloe replied tenderly, her own tears flowing freely. "I love you too, Red… My angel."
Clothes flew across the room quickly, and their bodies moved in harmony, each gesture filled with devastating emotional intensity. Red let herself be carried away by the passion. She clung to Chloe, her hands roaming her body with desperate urgency. She sought reassurance, to convince herself that all was not lost, that the love she shared with Chloe could still bring her some peace and comfort.
Their kisses grew deeper, their bodies pressing together in a passionate, desperate dance. Red let his hands roam Chloe's body, each caress an attempt to hold on to reality, to convince himself that she wasn't alone.
Their breaths quickened, their movements becoming more urgent, more pressing. Red sought to fill the void left by the losses she had suffered, each caress from Chloe offering her some comfort and peace. She let herself be carried away by the passion, her tears mingling with their kisses.
Chloe, feeling Red's love and pain, responded with infinite tenderness. She wanted to be there for Red, to offer him all the support she needed. She could feel Red's distress in every gesture, and she wanted to bring him some comfort... even if it was only for a moment.