the cause | the chaos | the confession |
Definitely Something More
their casual intimacy has your feelings all out of wack, trying to understand their true intentions only lead to more complications…
squeaky and sqirmy smee | max hatter | hazel hook | felix facilier | gn!reader |
wc. 3.8k [ roughly 950 words each ] | slight fluff - mostly angst - suggestive content
a/n | this was a dousy to write let me tell you! i wanted to go for hurt/comfort but it would have been way too long so the next part will have all the love! sorry to leave you hurt :(
→ Felix Facillier
You've endured Felix for weeks now, and your heart simply can't take it anymore.
No matter what you wear, some part of your outfit seems to belong to him. The compliments you receive from everyone else certainly don't help. Neither do Felix's sweet remarks whenever he spots you wearing one of his borrowed rings, scarves, or shirts.
That boyish smile sets your heart ablaze.
You're beginning to fear the fire might consume you.
This has gone on for far too long. Enough is enough.
Tonight, Red is throwing an end-of-semester party.
You'll tell him there.
It's hardly the ideal place to confess your feelings, but surely you'll be able to steal a quiet moment together. This isn't something you've ever done before, and your nerves are painfully obvious.
At least, obvious enough for Chloe.
The princess approaches with a cup of punch and an understanding smile.
"Are you doing okay?"
"Is it really that obvious?"
"You haven't moved in fifteen minutes." She laughs. "I was starting to think someone had glued you to the floor."
A reluctant chuckle escapes you.
You honestly don't know why you're this nervous.
Maybe it's the fear of rejection. Maybe it's the possibility that you've imagined everything — that you've mistaken kindness for affection.
Or maybe, you're terrified he'll look at you like you're just another hopeless romantic.
"I guess I am nervous." You accept the punch with a grateful smile before taking a careful sip.
Across the dance floor, Felix looks completely in his element. He moves effortlessly with the music, laughing with everyone around him and somehow making every person feel included.
"Don't be." Chloe gently bumps your shoulder. "Felix is your friend."
She smiles.
"And if this is all one big misunderstanding..."
She shrugs.
"...which I honestly doubt — it won't change that."
You consider her words for a moment before nodding.
Maybe she's right.
Whatever happens tonight, at least you'll finally know.
"Thanks, Chloe."
You smile.
"You're the best."
"I know." She grins. "But enough moping."
She grabs your wrist.
"It's a party. Come on!"
The next few hours pass much easier than you expected.
You dance. You laugh. You even end up paired with Felix for one song. He misses a step halfway through.
You catch him before he falls, dipping him dramatically instead.
His laughter echoes across the dance floor.
"So graceful," he teases.
"Oh, absolutely," you deadpan.
By the end of the song, your confidence has finally returned.
Maybe this won't be so bad after all.
When you decide it's finally time, Chloe flashes you an encouraging thumbs-up from across the room.
You smile back before scanning the party. Felix is nowhere to be found. Someone mentions he'd gone outside for some fresh air near the tree line.
Perfect.
You thank them and head that way.
The cool night breeze is a welcome relief after hours of dancing. Leaves rustle softly overhead.
For a brief moment, everything feels peaceful.
Then you hear Felix's voice.
Your smile returns. You quicken your pace.
Until another voice joins his.
Max.
You stop behind one of the trees, hidden from sight. The two boys are skipping rocks across the nearby pond.
"So..." Max smirks. "...about your thing with... you know who."
Felix snorts.
"What thing? And who are you even talking about?"
Max clicks his tongue dramatically.
"You know exactly who."
Then he says your name.
Your heart skips. Felix laughs.
"Oh..." He shrugs. "They're cool."
Your smile disappears.
Cool? That's all?
You should leave. You know you should, instead, you stay rooted to the spot.
"Their style's pretty nice, too."
Felix scratches the back of his neck, awkward and dismissive in his next words.
"But they're more Hazel's friend. She’s the one always inviting them out with us, I’m just trying to be nice for her.”
He only spoke to you… for Hazel?
"There isn't really a thing."
He pauses.
"I think they still have a ring I've been looking for..."
Everything after that fades into meaningless noise. More Hazel's friend than mine. Not even his friend.
Just someone he happened to know.
Somehow… that hurts even more than outright rejection.
You don't remember walking back.
Only that, somehow, you end up bursting through the tree line with your chest so tight it hurts to breathe.
Chloe notices immediately.
She rushes over before you can say a word. The concerned whispers around the party barely register. Without asking questions, she quietly leads you back to your dorm.
The moment your bedroom door shuts, everything crashes down.
You scream into your pillow. Punch it. Again.
Again.
Again.
"Idiot." You bury your face into the blankets. "You absolute idiot."
Chloe says nothing. She simply waits. She lets you grieve.
Only when your breathing finally steadies does she sit beside you. A single tear slips down your cheek.
She gently squeezes your shoulder.
The story spills out between shaky breaths. She listens. Then quietly pulls you into a hug.
"I'm so sorry."
You don't know why she's apologizing. There is only one person you wanted to hear those words from.
You cling to her anyway.
Eventually, you pull away with a weak smile.
"Can you help me?"
She nods before you've even finished asking.
Sorting through your wardrobe is far more painful than you'd expected.
One pile is yours. The other is Felix's.
Scarves. Shirts. Belts. Vests. Rings. Hats.
The pile keeps growing.
Until Felix’s things outnumber your own.
The realization is humiliating. Chloe silently hands you one of your own shirts.
"At least this one's yours."
You force a laugh. It doesn't help. Even your own clothes smell faintly like him.
You can't escape him.
Eventually, everything is folded neatly inside a box.
The silver ring — the very first thing he'd ever lent you — rests on top.
You stare at it for a long time.
Maybe this is for the best.
A knock sounds at the door.
You don't move. Chloe answers instead.
Her voice instantly turns icy.
"Not now, Felix."
Silence. Then...
"What happened?" He sounds genuinely confused. "Hazel said you both left early."
"Are they okay?"
The concern in his voice only makes your chest ache more.
"Not." Chloe folds her arms. "Now. Felix."
"But I just— I just want to know if they're okay."
You stand, lift the box and walk to the door.
Chloe steps aside. You pull it open.
Felix barely catches the box when you put it in his hands.
His eyes flick between the neatly folded clothes and the ring.
"I..."
His confusion is obvious. You don't let him speak.
"I'm perfectly fine." You force a smile. “Thanks for checking but next time..."
Your voice cracks despite your best efforts.
"...ask Hazel. I'm just her friend, after all."
The ring slips from the box and lands on the floor.
You pick it up. Place it gently back on top.
"I heard you were looking for this."
Understanding slowly spreads across Felix's face.
His eyes widen. He opens his mouth.
You close the door before he gets the chance.
The slam echoes through the hallway.
You lean against it. Eyes closed.
So much...
...for your happily ever after.
→ Hazel Hook
You have no proof or any real reason to believe it.
And yet you're convinced Hazel has been sending you signals.
It's the only explanation your heart can come up with. The only one capable of quieting your weary mind.
Hazel must like you.
Maybe your crush isn't as one-sided as you thought. Maybe she's simply too nervous to make the first move. Maybe love is just as unfamiliar to her as it is to you.
You can figure it out together.
Yes — this could actually work.
You're positively giddy for the rest of the day.
Everyone seems to notice. Especially Hazel.
She catches your eye several times throughout the morning, offering the same small smile each time.
Every glance only fuels your confidence.
The signs are all there.
The sun is shining. The day feels perfect. Just like the beginning of every fairy tale.
You're going to confess.
Luis convinces everyone to go on a hike that afternoon. The perfect opportunity.
The sunlight is warm without being overbearing, and a cool breeze drifts through the trees. Despite all the groaning and playful complaints about Luis's endless enthusiasm, everyone seems to be enjoying themselves.
"Someone's in a good mood." Squeaky grins as you walk near the front of the group beside Luis.
You simply smile back.
Soon it'll be an even better one.
The scenery is breathtaking. Wildflowers blanket the hillsides. The river sparkles beneath the afternoon sun. Birds chirp happily overhead.
Now.
Now is the perfect time.
Gradually, you begin falling behind pretending to admire the scenery.
Stopping every now and then.
Exactly as planned.
One by one, the others continue up the trail. Most assume you'll catch up eventually. Only Hazel hangs back.
"Hey." She walks over, holding out a water bottle. "You okay?"
You wave it off with a cheerful smile.
"Yeah, I'm great."
The group has wandered far enough ahead that their voices have faded into the distance. Hazel glances after them before looking out across the valley.
"They don't have places like this on the Isle."
There's a softness to her voice you've rarely heard before.
"It's the kind of thing you never really get used to."
You follow her gaze.
"It's breathtaking."
"Yeah." A smile tugs at Hazel's lips. "It really is."
She's talking about the view.
You're not.
The wind catches her curls. Sunlight warms her face. Her brown eyes shimmer when she finally looks back at you.
Hazel pauses. Then she steps closer.
Your heart nearly stops.
This is it.
You instinctively lean toward her. Eyes drifting shut.
Certain she's about to kiss you.
Instead she leans back.
A warm hand presses gently against your forehead. Her brows knit together in concern.
"What are you doing?"
Your eyes fly open.
You immediately stumble backward.
"I..." Your voice catches. "I thought..."
Your thoughts completely unravel.
"Weren't you trying to...?"
Hazel's eyes widen.
She quickly shakes her head.
"No!"
She waves both hands frantically.
"You looked dizzy. I thought maybe the heat was getting to you."
She blinks.
"...Wait." Her expression changes. "Did you just try to kiss me?"
Your stomach drops. You’d gotten it all wrong.
Every glance, every smile, every shared moment.
You imagined this ending over a hundred times, but you never thought it would go like this.
No.
No, no, no.
This wasn't how it was supposed to happen. Words tumble uselessly from your mouth.
"I..."
"I thought..."
"I just..."
Nothing comes out right.
"Hey!" Squirmy's voice echoes from farther up the trail. "You guys okay?"
You can't do this. Not now.
Not in front of everyone.
Your chest tightens. Every breath suddenly feels too small.
Hazel steps toward you again. Concern fills her eyes.
But all you can see is pity.
Without another word….
…you run.
Branches catch against your sleeves. Thorns scrape your arms. Your legs ache as you stumble down the trail.
You don't stop.
Not until you're back inside your dorm.
The door slams shut behind you.
You lock it, collapse onto your bed and pull a pillow tightly against your chest.
So much...
...for your fairy tale.
→ Max Hatter
You had thought what you had with Max was something special.
For the longest time, he'd only ever been physically affectionate with you. It had gotten to the point where you couldn't help wondering if there was something more between you...
But now you just feel foolish.
Lately, you've caught Max doing everything he'd once only done with you — with everyone else.
He has his arm slung around Robbie while chatting away in the common room. He grabs Chloe's hand to ask if she's coming to lunch with the group. At the last gala, he stayed glued to Hazel's side, whispering to her throughout the entire evening.
You have no right to feel jealous. No right to feel as hurt as you do. It's not like the two of you were ever dating.
Maybe all you'd done was help him become comfortable enough to act that way around everyone else.
It doesn't stop the ache in your chest though.
Just last week, it felt like he couldn't keep his hands off you. Now it feels like you were nothing more than a stepping stone.
Maybe this is a sign you're ready for something more in a relationship... but it clearly won't be with Max. Watching him treat everyone the way he'd treated you only hurts more.
So you do what anyone else would.
You move on. Or... at least you try.
That's how you end up getting to know someone from the library.
Patrick Pan.
Son of Peter Pan.
He's kind, endlessly cheerful, and always manages to make you laugh. Spending time with him slowly begins stitching together the pieces of your heart you thought were gone forever.
You start lingering in the library after class. You cancel plans. You take different routes to class. You spend less and less time with the group all together.
Some might call it excessive.
But in a world where princes turn into beasts and love potions are homework assignments...
Better safe than sorry.
Still, you can't avoid Max forever.
One afternoon, while waiting outside the library for Patrick, a familiar pair of strong arms suddenly wraps around you from behind.
You laugh instinctively, assuming it's Patrick surprising you.
"I missed that laugh."
The words freeze you in place.
Max.
Your entire body stiffens. You quickly slip from his arms.
Confusion flashes across Max's face, but before either of you can speak, the rest of the group wanders over.
"There you are!" Robbie says. "It's like you disappeared off the face of the earth. Where've you been?"
You avoid Max's eyes. All of their eyes, really.
"I've been... seeing someone."
The conversation dies instantly.
Then everyone begins talking at once.
"When?"
"Who?"
"You've got a partner?"
"Why didn't you tell us?"
Despite the overwhelming questions, everyone seems genuinely excited.
Everyone...
...except Max.
A quiet chuckle escapes him. Then another.
Soon he's laughing outright.
The group stares at him.
"This is a joke..." Max says, shaking his head. "Right?"
You narrow your eyes.
"No. It can't be."
"It is." He persists, which only makes you angrier.
"The whole reason I've been gone lately is because—"
"No." Max cuts you off again. "You're messing with me."
You blink.
"What?"
"You can't actually be dating someone." His voice is unusually firm.
Almost desperate.
You take a slow step toward him.
"Are you saying I'm lying?"
Max opens his mouth, then closes it again.
His eyes dart toward the library entrance as if he's silently hoping no one walks through those doors.
"You wouldn't..." he mutters.
"But..." His words falter. "If the shoe fits."
Before you can say anything else, Red gently steps between the two of you. Fortunately, the moment never gets the chance to escalate.
Patrick comes jogging out of the library.
"There you are!" He slips comfortably beside you, resting an arm around your waist.
Max's expression falls immediately.
You force yourself to smile.
"Everyone..." You glance directly at Max. "This is Patrick."
"My boyfriend."
Patrick waves cheerfully.
"Nice to finally meet everybody."
The group greets him warmly.
Max doesn't.
Instead, he looks Patrick up and down.
"This is your Prince Charming?"
Patrick laughs.
"Oh! No, not prince — Pan."
The joke lands on absolutely no one.
Patrick offers his hand. Max only stares at it.
You sigh.
"Patrick… I'll catch up." Patrick notices the tension immediately.
"You sure?"
You nod.
He smiles softly before kissing your knuckles.
"I'll save us the best seats."
As soon as he's gone, the group quietly exchanges uneasy glances. Then, one by one they leave too.
Soon it's just you and Max.
Silence stretches between you.
Finally—
"What is your problem?" you ask.
Max lets out a shaky laugh.
"My problem..." He takes his hat off, running a hand through his hair. "I thought I was being obvious."
Your brows knit together.
"What?"
"The hugs, the touching. The way I always found excuses to be close to you."
His voice grows quieter with every sentence.
"I don't do that with just anyone."
"You do now." The words leave your mouth before you can stop them.
"I've watched you hug Robbie, chase Chloe, all the things you did with me have meant nothing."
"I thought..." You laugh bitterly. "I thought I was special."
Max's eyes widen.
"...You noticed that?"
"How could I not?" You cross your arms.
His shoulders slowly slump.
"Oh..."
Realization washes over him all at once.
"I thought..." He laughs weakly at himself. "I thought I finally got brave enough."
You stare.
"When I got comfortable around everyone, I was copying what I'd already learned with you."
He smiles sadly.
"You were the first person who ever made physical affection feel... safe."
His eyes finally meet yours.
"So I guess… I never realized I stopped making it exclusive."
Your heart cracks all over again. Neither of you says anything. Max steps forward carefully.
"So… this is real?"
You nod.
"It's real."
His face crumples. Without thinking, he reaches for your hand.
"...Please." His voice is barely above a whisper. "Tell me there's still time."
You close your eyes. You wish there were.
You truly do.
Slowly, you pull your hand free.
"I'm sorry, Max." The words nearly break you.
His hand hangs suspended in the empty space between you.
You force yourself to turn away before he sees the tears gathering in your eyes.
Behind you, Max remains standing exactly where you left him.
Watching the person who taught him how to open his heart...
...walk away with it.
→ Smee Twin
At first, you tell yourself you're overreacting.
The food sharing is harmless. Just one small way the boys show kindness.
For the longest time, all they'd ever had was each other. Then they met Hazel.
Under her guidance, they slowly started opening up to other people.
They have their own little routines with everyone.
They wrestle with Luis. Bake with Pink. Lose spectacularly at cards with Felix.
What they share with you is probably no different.
Just another habit. Another routine. Nothing more.
At least, that's what you keep telling yourself.
You want to believe it. You really do. But every time your heart pounds in your chest...
...you're reminded of the truth.
You love them. Both of them.
More than you probably should. But you're only one person.
They've always come as a pair — Practically attached at the hip. No force in Wonderland could ever separate them.
Two is simple.
Three...
...is something your heart doesn't know how to navigate.
The last thing you'd ever want is to come between them. The thought alone stops every confession before it can even leave your lips.
So you decide to do the only thing you can.
Create some distance. Unfortunately, the twins seem determined to erase every inch of it.
Movie nights at Luis's dorm are always crowded. Everyone squeezes together around the tiny television. You deliberately settle near the back with a book, hoping to disappear into the pages.
Normally, the twins would already be sprawled across the floor in front of the screen, balancing an absurdly large bowl of popcorn between them.
Tonight, they abandon their usual spot.
Instead, they squeeze in beside you.
One offers you popcorn. The other starts asking about your book. Neither of them pays much attention to the movie at all.
At lunch, you try sitting by yourself.
You barely make it five minutes.
Squirmy somehow spots you through the crowd. Before long, both twins are sitting across from you like they'd planned it all along.
No matter what you do you can't seem to escape them.
Until, everything comes crashing down one fateful evening.
It starts with something stupid.
As it usually does.
The group draws straws whenever you can't decide what to order for dinner. The twins always count as one vote. Whenever they win, they immediately agree on one thing or the other.
No discussion. No debate. No arguing.
Until tonight.
For some reason, both of them insist on choosing your favorite meal.
The problem is they each think your favorite is something different.
The playful bickering starts almost immediately.
You try ignoring it. Hazel notices your discomfort.
"It's fine." She waves a hand dismissively. "They're brothers."
"They'll get over it."
You want to believe her. You really do.
Then, their voices get louder.
"They don't even like that!" Squeaky points accusingly.
"It's way too greasy!"
"Oh, please." Squirmy rolls his eyes before flicking his brother squarely on the forehead.
Squeaky immediately shoves him. Hard.
Squirmy stumbles backward.
A heartbeat later, he tackles his brother to the floor.
"Okay." Hazel steps forward. "That's enough, boys."
Neither of them listens.
Punches are thrown. The room erupts into shouting. Your stomach twists painfully.
It isn't your fault. Not really, but none of this would've happened if they weren't trying to argue over you.
Red quietly places a reassuring hand on your shoulder.
The twins continue wrestling across the room.
Until—
Crash!
A nearby vase hits the floor.
Ceramic shatters in every direction. Something inside you finally snaps.
"I don't want any of it!" The room falls silent.
Both twins freeze. Every eye turns toward you.
Squeaky immediately scrambles to his feet. Squirmy follows close behind.
The two of them rush over.
"Are you okay?"
"We didn't mean it!"
"If you don't want that one, we can order pizza instead!"
Their voices overlap so quickly that you can't make sense of any of it.
"No!"
Your voice echoes louder than you intended.
The twins immediately stop talking.
"I said enough!"
Silence.
Finally.
"Don't you understand?" Your breathing shakes. "This..."
You gesture helplessly between the two of them.
"...is the last thing I wanted."
They exchange confused glances.
Neither of them understands. Not even a little.
"They're allergic?" Squirmy whispers to Squeaky. "Maybe we should order something else."
That does it.
"I don't want anything." Your voice cracks. "From either of you."
The words taste like poison.
"No more sweets. No more snacks. No more sharing." Your fists ball at your sides.
"No more anything."
Your eyes burn.
"I can't do this anymore. It feels like..." You swallow hard. "...Sometimes it feels like I'm just another snack you split between yourselves."
"A toy. A game. I'm more than that."
Maybe you're projecting. Maybe you've been carrying these feelings for months. Maybe you simply needed something to finally make them stop.
Whatever the reason, the words are out now.
The twins look devastated.
More devastated than you expected.
You can't bear to look at them.
Before your resolve can crumble, you turn and leave.
Behind you, two confused boys stand frozen in place.
Every love story has a villain.
If becoming yours means they stay together...
...then maybe that's a role you're willing to play
