Crimson Rose
Red wasn't the one to believe in love giving her past not receiving one from her own mother who will always say "Love will only make you weak." "Love will get you killed." "Love ain't it." But everything then changed when the day she met Chloe Charming the girl who was braved enough to talk to her the moment she made eye contact with her ignoring the glare she was given. The girl who still helped her knowing that Red sentenced her own mom for treason. The same girl who stood by her side the girl who helped her fix something in the past that gained her a loving mother that she will have and not the same mother who will let her live in the shadow of the mother who did not give a damn to her own daughter all of that changed because of her.
And Chloe will always understand her. On why she did it that got her mother to die in the alternative timeline, of course, she will understand the kind, loyal, charming, Chloe will always understand. Because she sees the reason why she did it. But wasn't expecting for herself to fall in love with the same person who understood her, forgiven her, and gave her the love that she never received before. And while this changed her whole perspective of love, it came with a prize.
A prize that was deadly.
Red who was just lying on her bed her thoughts swirling like a storm. Out of all people in Aurodan why Chloe? The very first person who dared to speak to her, who offered friendship between the two of them, not caring that she threatened to let a jabberwocky eat her, is the same person she fell in love with. It was kind of some twisted fate that she couldn't avoid. And Red was silently beating herself for it cursing her own heart for choosing a person who mattered too much to her. Then suddenly Red felt a sudden itch in her throat making her snap away from thought. She then stood from her bed to get herself a glass of water that was on her nightstand.
Even after drinking the water the itch in her throat was not going away, it was only making it worse. Then in a blink of an eye she was running to the bathroom she barely made it before leaning over the toilet then she started throwing up her body getting tired by the second. When she felt the need to not throw up anymore she wiped her mouth not noticing the little stain that covered her hand, then she looked in the toilet only to freeze. There in the bowl were rose petals - rosy red covered in her own blood.
Her fingers then touched her lips again, fingers getting stained with blood. Then she felt it again the need to throw up then she leaned over again to the toilet again vomiting until her throat started to burn. There lay more roses covered in her blood. Red knows what is this. Before all of the going back in time to save her and Chloe's mom. Her mother who was still the menacing Queen of Hearts had warned her. Warned her about Love. Told her love would only make her weaker which would eventually get her killed.
And now she lays on the cold floor of their shared bathroom her breathing getting heavier her lips stained with blood, and beside her in the toilet were roses covered in crimson blood like it came out of a nightmare but it felt like she was still in the nightmare.
But Red still doesn't move.
She stares blankly at the ceiling her body getting tired by the second, a voice echoing in her head, a version of a voice she doesn't wanna hear anymore. "Love is Dangerous."
She hated to admit it but that version of her mom's voice had been right all along.
Love will get her killed, and her name is Chloe Charming.
Despite the exhaustion that was weighing her body she forced herself to stand up her body silently protesting but she still managed to grab a handful of tissues to wipe all the blood that managed to smear all over the floor. She scrubbed it with shaky hands desperately trying to erase the evidence of what had happened the past hour.
Then someone knocked on the door.
A soft knocking followed by a voice that Red unfortunately knows all too well.
"Red are you in there?"
It was Chloe.
Panic went all over her body her hands starting to move faster to wipe away all the blood that smeared on the tiles "Just a sec!" Red called out forcing a fake casual tone ignoring her throat that burned when she spoke. She then gathered all of the tissues and threw them in the toilet then she flushed acting like it would erase the truth that she would unfortunately hide from Chloe. Before unlocking the door she quickly washed her face and the blood stain on her mouth her hands shaking while checking herself in the mirror, double checking to make sure that her face was clean then she took a deep breath trying to calm herself down before unlocking the door and there stood Chloe patiently waiting while smiling.
That smile horribly made her wanna vomit once more but she managed to swallow it down while giving Chloe a smile that didn't reach her eye like the one she gave Chloe all the time. Chloe the sunshine in the friendship and the most oblivious one not notice the way Red was how her eyes were tired and that her face was skinnier than usual. "So." Chloe beamed while trying not to bounce around the room. "Are you ready to watch me practice?"
Her face grinning because Red promised her a few days ago that she would watch her practice and Chloe had been excitedly waiting patiently for the day to arrive.
"Of course, how could I forget the promise I made to you princess." Red replied with a forced smile while leaning against the doorframe to gain her posture when she started to feel lightheaded while ignoring the cough that was burning her throat.
Chloe smiled fell down the moment she noticed, the slight falter in her voice, and the way her shoulders were so tense. She noticed but not the way Red looked at her.
Yes, practice was important to Chloe, But Red's health? That was Chloe valued much more than Swords & Shields.
"What happened?" That question definitely caught Red off guard she didn't even managed to let out an answer before a strained cough escaped her mouth. In an instant, Chloe was by her side a worried face written all over while she then gently led her to her bed. "Careful." Chloe murmured while she gently made her sit down while rubbing circles on her back. Red was silently thankful that this time she didn't cough up more roses. A small relief that lasts long, not when she notices the way Chloe is looking at her. Her eyes clearly full of worries, and concerns like she knew what was wrong making Red silently pray that she didn't actually know.
"I just woke up feeling a bit sick princess." Red explained to her with a forced smile on her face trying to reassure Chloe. "But don't worry that pretty head of yours I will be fine enough to come watch you practice. " Red hoped it was enough to convince Chloe so she wouldn't find out immediately the real reason why she was sick, but this time unfortunately Chloe wasn't convinced. "Red.... " Chloe mumbled while moving closer to her. She then gently moved Red's hair which managed to cover her face behind her ears with such care in her voice. It makes Red's heart aching for her even though she knew it wasn't gonna happen. "Are you sure." Chloe asked Red so softly that it made her wanna throw up more roses but managed to hold it back. "You can just stay here and rest, you know, you don't have to force yourself to come."
Red could hear the sadness in her voice, it made her heart sting knowing she was causing this much sadness to Chloe, she silently beat herself for - if only she had hidden it better - if only she didn't cough that bad - then just maybe Chloe wouldn't be this sad blaming herself for something she didn't cause.
"But she did do something, didn't she?"
Red froze when she heard the voice echoing in her head - a voice she had been desperately trying to forget. A version of her Mother's voice. No, this will never be her mother anymore, this is the person who only cared for power and control she is The Queen of Hearts.
The Queen of Hearts had only changed because she and Chloe went back in time, and had rewritten the story where she got pranked by Uliana. If they hadn't, If Red hadn't stolen the Pocket Watch from Maddox, Red had no doubt the Queen would have not hesitated to Rule Aurodan - she never hesitates - and Red would be just a pawn in her game and not a daughter she had been since birth.
Red hated thinking about, hated this version of her mother so she pushed that voice to the back of her mind for now.
"Look, I can rest here a few minutes before going to watch you practice - does that sound okay to you, my dear princess?" Red asked while forcing a smile, praying that Chloe would agree.
She could use the few minutes to search on what will happen to her if the rose keeps coming - and more importantly how much time she has left to live.
Chloe's thoughts were swirling a storm trying to think of what might happen if she let Red continue to come watch her practice. Deep down, she knew Red would always find a way to show up anyway - with or without her permission - and with that thought in her mind she softly chuckled to herself.
"Fine, fine." Chloe eventually gave in making Red smile - a genuine smile this time, But it wasn't because she was still watching her practice- lie she is definitely most excited about that- it was now because she had more bit of time to search up on the roses she had been throwing up. And maybe, just maybe she could also try remembering the warning her mother - no The Queen of Hearts once gave her.
"But promise me." Chloe started to say with a soft tone, gently taking Red's hand to her own.
Red felt the familiar nausea start to rise, the urge to throw up wanting to escape her throat, but managed to force it down - just for a few more minutes. She desperately wanted to hold on to this moment, to look into those eyes, without falling apart, without letting the vines win so easily. Without letting Chloe notice that - every touch - every glance - is slowly killing her on the inside.
"When you can't go please don't force yourself to go okay?" Chloe pleaded with a soft but firm tone, knowing how stubborn Red can be.
Red sighed quietly, knowing she would still go no matter what Chloe said to make her stay, she would go, even when her body started falling apart. "I promise princess." Red gave her a genuine smile this time.
And it was enough for Chloe, to smile back warmly before leaning into Red's forehead while whispering a gentle, "See you later." against her skin.
And that was the last straw.
The moment Chloe eventually left, Red hurriedly rushed herself back into the bathroom, barely making it to the toilet before vomiting once more harder this time, and there lay more roses covered in her blood but the dangerous thing was that there were more roses than before and Red definitely feels like this is a warning.
She was gonna die soon.
"Oh fuck." Red mumbled to herself, her voice barely hearable.
With her shaky hands, she reached for her phone, nearly dropping it while trying to unlock it with her hands. She then opened Google, her fingers clumsily trying to type the symptoms she had been experiencing and two words popped up that sent a chill down all over her body.
Hanahaki Disease.
After scrolling through all of the articles that felt endless, she could find useful but not that useful because she already knew some of the information then she groaned to herself.
Almost all of the articles said at least the same two solutions - confess your feelings - or the surgery that will remove all the vines that are growing in her chest and her lungs, vines that will eventually overgrow and will choke the life out of her.
But it came with a prize - a prize that Red didn't want - it would erase all of her romantic feelings for Chloe - and there was a chance she might forget about Chloe entirely - Red knew if she chose the surgery she would always feels an emptiness where her love once was.
Some of those articles offered a bit of comfort, those who get the Hanahaki Disease some people could live for a few months or more but it will be painful until the vines completely overtook them completely.
Some who got it unfortunately are not so lucky some could die in days, maybe even hours, depending on how fast the vines had already spread inside them.
If those feelings you feel are so strong and it is not shared back, death will come faster. If you have no deep connection with that person, they will have more time, though it will be painful with the vines still growing inside them but slowly.
And that terrifies Red - not because she might just die in a few hours or days, it is thought if she chose the surgery, it would erase every bit of love she felt for Chloe, and there is a slight chance that every bit of memory of Chloe in her mind might get erased.
While she was getting lost in her thoughts, a memory of a different version of her mom suddenly came up into her mind.
(Timeline: Before Red and Chloe met and Bridgette is still a tyrant)
"Red do you know why I always say Love will only make you weak?" Bridgette asked her tone cold and steady as always while her daughter was standing right in front of her after being summoned by her without a warning.
"Because you always say that love will only make me weak....... and that it will eventually get me killed." Red answered with a steady voice but it had a hint of confusion.
"Correct, my darling." Bridgette said, her lips turning into a cocky smile. "but you see that's not the only way that love will get you killed."
Red looked at her mother in confusion thinking about what she could possibly mean. "What do you mean mother?"
Bridgette chuckled at her daughter darkly which sent a chill down Red's body. Her daughter's confused face remind her of a certain dark blue-haired girl she once knew - a girl that the Queen of Hearts once loved.
"There is a sickness." Bridgette started to say while stepping closer to her daughter. " It's called the Hanahaki Disease. Those who get it will suffer and will slowly choke to death, with flower vines slowly or rapidly growing in their throat. If they manage to confess to the person they love and those feelings are returned, they will live. If not, the disease will rapidly worsen, and they will die. If they choose to have magically or surgically remove those vines in their throat.
The Queen of Hearts then snapped her fingers, mimicking an explosion. " Poof .... All those precious romantic feelings you once had? Gone."
Red stared at her mother in horror, her eyes widening. She couldn't stop herself from asking even though a part of her was telling her not to. "Mother.... did you ever have it?"
If you blinked you wouldn't be able to see it but, Red swore she saw a sadness flicker in her mother's eye - before it completely vanished replaced with a clear cold anger.
"Unfortunately." Bridgette mumbled bitterly. Then she leaned closer to her daughter her voice turning into a whisper. "That is why, my dear daughter, don't you even dare catch yourself falling for someone or else, I will forcefully remove those feelings with magic."
Red trembled with fear under her Mother's angry gaze, then she nodded quickly, understanding that if she even dared show a bit of disobedience she knew what it would cost her, a week in the castle dungeon with no food .
"Because Love ain't it ."
(Timeline: The Present)
"I guess like mother, like daughter." Red chuckled to herself bitterly.
She then eventually stood up to flush the toilet good thing no blood got smeared on the floor this time.
Or so she thought.
She then forcefully gets herself ready to go to Chloe's practice. Every movement she made while getting ready her body was protesting, exhaustion creeping in faster by the minute. But she chose to ignore it - she was stubborn okay? If the vines in her body were gonna get her killed in a few hours or days, she wanted her final moments to be seeing Chloe.
If this was gonna be her last day, she wanted the last thing she would ever be seeing is her.
After getting herself ready, she grabbed some tissues and stuffed them into her pocket - just in case. She knew if she ran to the bathroom while being there, Chloe would follow her in a second without a second thought, and Red wasn't ready for Chloe to start questioning again on what was really happening to her
Before leaving, she grabbed a paper and a pencil, slipping them into her hoodie pocket, If today was gonna be her last day, she refused to let Chloe blame herself on what was bound to happen.
"Here we go..."
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The moment she stepped into the room where the Swords & Shields usually take place to practice, she barely had time to react when a flash of blue was running toward her. She barely managed to as she felt herself getting pulled into a tight hug.
Red felt her throat tightening up painfully, but she couldn't bring herself to let go - she couldn't -she knew who caused it, but this might just be the last time Chloe hugged her. And Chloe doesn't know the truth and that thought just made Red cling on to her a little longer, just for a few minutes longer, please......
"Finally, you came!" Chloe said cheerfully with a wide grin, her face lighting up the moment Red walked into the room, she immediately abandoned her fencing partner - Hazel Hook - who just chuckled at her while shaking her head, when Chloe just dashed away when she just left her standing.
"She's so down bad for Red...... when will she realize it?" Hazel thought to herself while chuckling bitterly.
When Hazel finally looked at the two, while chuckling to herself, her smile quickly fell down. The moment when Hazel got a good look at Red, she noticed something was very wrong - shit, does she have? - Hazel covered her mouth to hide the gasp she let out, she wanted to help but she knew she couldn't - Chloe please realize it please.... - Hazel thought to herself begging while she moved herself to sit down still looking at them noticing how Red is just talking to Chloe like everything was normal acting like she wasn't dying on the inside but Hazel notice how she holds back, the way she forced herself to not cough in front of Chloe - Please Chloe notice it soon... - Hazel thought to herself while begging silently - I don't want Red to end up like me..... -
Flashbacks~
Hazel was in the bathroom, leaning over the toilet vomiting like her life depended on it - because in a cruel fate, it actually did. At first, Hazel ignored it thinking it was just a normal itchy throat not until she rushed toward the bathroom, ignoring her brother Harry's concerned voice calling out, asking her what was wrong.
When Hazel finally felt not the need to throw up, she slumped down onto the cold floor of the bathroom, her back weakly resting against the wall. Every breath she tried to take she felt herself struggling, her vision starting to blur. Her thoughts were swirling around in her chaotically - Why am I like this? - and like - Why can't I calm down?
While she sat on the cold floor trembling having a panic attack, her brother Harry was already outside while desperately trying to open the door. Harry didn't hesitate when the door knob won't turn he started slamming his body against the door, breaking the door down if he have to. "Hazel! What happening?" Harry shouted his voice getting worried by the second, getting desperate when he could his sister having a hard time breathing through the door.
"Fuck it." Harry muttered under his breath, then began to walk backward bracing himself, so he could slam himself against the door. "Hazel get away from the door!" Harry shouted warning Hazel about what was about to happen which she didn't even hear in her current state but good thing her spot where she was sitting was already far away from the door.
Harry then started slamming his body against the door, over and over again each attempt harder than the last. After several attempts, the door finally opened with a few cracks, and what he saw horrified him and made his blood run cold. His sister was sitting against the wall, her lips stained with blood clearly had previously been vomiting. And what he saw next truly horrified him, in the toilet were flowers - flowers covered in blood.
"Hazel!" Harry shouted, worried clearly in his voice. Without wasting more time, he quickly rushed to her side dropped down on his knees and placed down his hands firmly but at the same time gently on her shoulders. "Hey, hey, I'm here, try calming down, deep breaths." Harry tried calming down his sister at first which wasn't working. He then kept trying multiple times trying to calm his sister and bring her back to her senses, him refusing to give up. After more attempts Hazel's breathing eventually became steady, and her vision started to become more clear.
"Harry, call Fairy Godmother." Hazel said frantically her voice strained from the pain. The moment her words left her mouth, Harry's eyes widened, immediately understanding why his sister is asking for Fairy Godmother. "Please don't do this, you're willing to go all of that trouble..." Harry started to say his words stopping at his last words.
"For her?"
"Yes."
End of Flashback~
Hazel kept her focus on the two, watching closely to see if Red was gonna cough up flowers, when she finally saw Red sitting down on one of the benches while Chloe went out probably heading out to the bathroom.
Hazel knew she probably shouldn't get involved but she couldn't stop walking towards Red, - but she couldn't just stand watching Red slowly die not doing anything to stop it.
She knows Red wouldn't do anything to confess her feelings or even get the second option, she knew Red would rather die than do either of those options.
Red wouldn't want her throat getting operated on removing the vines while also her feelings for that person also being removed, Hazel knew that she especially didn't want that.
Hazel clenched her fist knowing damn well how painful it is to go down that path.
"Red..." Hazel spoke softly when she was finally in front of Red.
Red then glanced up when she heard her name being called out, she then set the paper and pen aside to give Hazel her full attention.
"What?" Red's voice was strained, that's the first thing Hazel picked up on.
"Don't go to the wrong path just like me, please..." Hazel's voice was full of desperation.
Red's eyes widened. "What are you talking about - I know you have the Hanahaki Disease." Hazel interrupted Red, Hazel knew that Red was running out of time.
That leaves Red speechless but she can't confess to Chloe she would rather die than lose their friendship.
"And I see that you have already written your goodbye letter." Hazel said, gesturing to the letter that Red quickly hid from her with trembling hands. "It's better to confess to her Red, it's better than dying like that, please." Hazel's voice cracked under the pressure to try and convince Red to choose an option other than dying. "But what if she doesn't like me back...." Red replied while looking at the letter she made that was in her hand.
Hazel then sat next to Red before sighing to herself quietly. "If you don't wanna do the other option at least give me the note so I can give it Chloe." Red looks at her with surprise flickering in her eyes when she hears Hazel but she just sadly smiles at her. "It's better than getting the letter lying next to your dead body." Red then glanced at the letter in her hand and then at Hazel before she handed it out to her. "Here, I might not even survive through the day." Red told Hazel who took it then Red moved the collar of her shirt revealing her bruised neck that was caused by the rapidly growing vine you could even see it if you looked closely enough.
"Red...." Hazel looked at the letter then her focus shifted to Red's neck which was all bruised up because of the rapidly growing vines in her throat. Hazel hesitated but then she spoke with a defeated tone in her voice. "Go to the Enchanted Forest."
Hazel chuckled bitterly her attention growing distant. "At the very least, you will die taking your last breath in a beautiful land of flowers."
Red nodded a soft chuckle escaping her as she fought back the tears that were stinging her eyes. "Thank you. " Red then stepped forward wrapping her arms around her to hug Hazel who hesitated for a bit but eventually gave in and hugged her back. "See you at our next life Red." Hazel's voice was muffled as she buried her face into Red's neck, and then she pulled back from the hug while wiping the tears that escaped her eyes.
Red then stands up, her movement was heavy with the path she just took for herself, but before leaving she turns around to face Hazel one last time. "Please make sure she reads the letter in private."
"I will."
A few minutes later, when Chloe returned from the bathroom, her sight immediately started wandering to look for a certain red-haired girl. But the spot she last saw her was not occupied by her fencing partner - Hazel - and she was sitting alone. But what caught her attention was the piece of paper that was in Hazel's hand who was holding it like it was the most fragile thing at the moment. Curiosity got to her so she made her way toward her fencing partner.
"Hazel? Where's Red?" Chloe asked as soon as she was in front of her. But when she saw Hazel's face - her eyes glossy - her worry deepened for Red. "Hazel, where is she?"
Hazel stood up slowly, still holding the letter like it was made of glass. Without saying a word, she gently took Chloe's hand and placed the letter inside, her hand lingered for a few moments before letting go.
"Go back to your room, she wants you to read it in private." Hazel explained softly to Chloe who looked confused while looking at the letter that was placed on her hand. Chloe then looks at Hazel seeing the sadness in her eyes that describes that any words can, and that worries Chloe about what just happened to her princess.
Chloe looked at Hazel to see any signs if this was another of her and Red's pranks on her but no, not this time, it wasn't.
So as what Red wanted, she started walking quietly to their shared room to read the letter she clutched so she wouldn't drop it. Hazel didn't move, she remained just where she stood, she wanted to at least be close by when Chloe finally read the letter. But this belongs to the two people who can never be together in this lifetime.
When Chloe finally reached their room she opened the room silently hoping that Red was in there just fast asleep, but no she wasn't. Her eyes briefly landed on the bathroom door that was not closed all the but she paid no attention to it for now. Her full attention was on the letter that she was holding so fragile.
She sat herself on Red's bed even though she could just sat herself on her own bed but she felt like she needed to be on Red's bed at this moment. She then took a deep breath to calm herself a bit then she opened the letter.
Dear Chloe
If you are reading this, if it's today - or days from now. But the time you have read this doesn't really matter. What matters is what I want you to know. Something I want to tell you but never have the courage to do so.
I know you are probably wondering why instead of saying this to you when we just saw each other earlier. But I can't bring myself to look at you in the eyes and tell it to you - without breaking down on the inside. But you deserve to know even just through letters.
Do you know the Hanahaki Disease? If you do not know it bluey, it's a disease that people get when their feelings get unspoken back. Vines will slowly or rapidly grow inside their lungs making them cough up flowers that are covered up in their own blood. The flowers are beautiful yes. But being suffocated by them is not.
I wish I was lying but I'm not.
I have it, Bluey.
The person I fell for - the person who made me catch the Hanahaki Disease - the person who can't look at me the way I look at them - the person who I wish looked at me the way I want them to.
Is you.
You lived up to your name Chloe. You are charming in every way. The very reason I fell for you even though I realized it too late. It's the way you made me feel seen - made me feel wanted - might just be the reason I fell in love with you.
Heck, that just might be the reason I fell for you.
But I beg you, don't blame yourself . This isn't your fault but mine. You didn't ask for my heart. And I never expected you to hold my only heart despite being the princess of heart. I will never put the pressure on you to love me back if you don't share the same feelings as me.
By the time you finish reading this letter. I might already be gone. Resting in the Enchanted Forest, lying down in a field of flowers. I don't want you to blame yourself. I certainly don't want you to carry that guilt for a while.
I love you Chloe with my whole heart.
Please live your life, and every time you look up to the sky I will make it beautiful for you my love.
Maybe in this life or the next you might just love me back.
Take care of yourself, and remember I love you - always .
- Red
After reading the letter - Chloe felt frozen maybe even dead on the inside - her hand that was holding the letter was shaking. The world went quiet around Chloe - something inside her was broken it was beyond repair.
Red is dead.
Her light is now dead never beaming once more.
And it was because of her.
The guilt was now making its way through her head, forgetting the fact that Red said in the letter to not feel guilty, she was too late.
She never got to say that she does love her back.
But now she can never say it back.