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Raven’s cool palm pressed against the stone bench. Her long nails curled around its edge, slightly twitching. With each brisk breath her nails pressed tighter against the bench like claws desperately gripping the edge of a cliff. In out in out.
When she was younger, Raven liked to have long nails. Her mom would paint her nails as mommy daughter bonding time. Living with her mother however, left Raven as a deeply disturbed child. Oftentimes whenever Raven would get anxiety or PTSD she would unintentionally curl her fists so tight or dig her nails into her leg that she would cut herself.
After her dad found this out, she promptly lost nail privileges. Each week The Good King would help Raven file her nails. She always did like daddy daughter bonding time better.
Raven hadn’t bothered to grow them out until then, her senior year. Cedar had painted each nail individually in shades of purple.
But now, it was as if she was that young powerless girl again, applying the same self detriment-tactics to distract herself from her internal turmoil.
That day marked a year since Raven sent her mom back into mirror prison. A mirror prison which is now more highly guarded than ever before.
Realistically Raven knew it was what had to happen. Hex, she fought tooth and nail for it to happen. And yet Raven couldn’t help but feel that sending her mother back destroyed her last chance of reconciliation. The Evil Queen was a bad person and a bad mother, but wasn’t she a product of her environment? Was it so far off to think that Raven would have turned out the same?
Raven had skipped all her classes that day. It wasn’t a common attribute of hers to blow off school and her friends but faking another smile or narration forbid being coerced to talking about her feelings was not something Raven was up for.
Plus she didn’t have muse-ic on Wednesday’s so it wasn’t as if she was missing anything important.
Breath just breath… clearly breathing exercises had never worked well for Raven.
She gazed out at the school grounds below, the view from the lower balcony breathtaking. Classes must have just ended, as Raven watched students begin to trickle into her line of sight. One thing that always helped Raven focus was the noticing game, a wonderland game Maddie had introduced to her. It was a simple exercise: notice the things you’ve never noticed before.
Having spent countless hours on that balcony, Raven knew the scenery like the back of her hand. She knew each bush, every tree, and the winding paths that led to Bookend. But today, it wasn’t the familiar landscape that caught her attention. Instead, it was the people—their movements, the way they meandered through the courtyard, their voices distant and separate from Raven.
Raven’s gaze followed them as they wandered, noticing the subtle details in the way they interacted with the world around them. Two figures that stood out to her were Lizzie Hearts and Daring Charming. About thirty feet below, Lizzie was speaking animatedly, her hands thrown up in excitement. Daring, who stood nearly a foot taller than the princess, responded with a teasing remark. To Raven's surprise and amusement, Lizzie burst into genuine unstrained laughter. Raven had never seen Lizzie laugh so hard, her bright green eyes crinkling in delight.
Once upon a time, out of book romance had been strictly forbidden. But now, things were different… Thanks to Raven. Three months ago, in December, Daring and Rosabella had broken up, amicably, as far as Raven knew. Raven had never imagined Daring and Lizzie together, but the two looked so happy.
Raven's attention shifted as a familiar pair made their way past, Sparrow and Duchess strolling toward Bookend. She couldn't shake the feeling that they were always up to something malicious. Raven had never stopped holding animosity for the two who bullied her throughout Spellementary school. As they walked past, Raven’s eyes narrowed in distaste, and she quickly turned away when the two of them shared a kiss.
Her thoughts turned cold as she recalled what her mother had told her she should do when Raven had come back home crying from her kindergarten class. She told Raven she knew how to stop bullies, specifically Duchess. She brought Raven down to where she kept all her enchanted creatures and took a vicious looking owl out of its cage. Raven flinched. “I never had class with the Von Rothbart. He was a few years my senior, but the Odette girl was a year younger and was always crying around owls. Send this to attack her pompous little daughter.”
Her father had been the one to comfort her during those painful moments, holding her close and telling her stories to ease her heart. He told Raven about Duchess’s mother’s story and Duchess’s own fate. He reminded her that people acted out of their own pain, but that didn’t mean Raven had to forgive them.
The Evil Queen’s take away, when Raven asked her however, was that Duchess’s mother eats insects in a lake and Raven’s mother was the greatest evil ever known and Duchess was simply jealous.
Breathe, breathe, breathe.
A flicker of movement caught her eye from the northern grounds near the stables. Just beyond her line of sight, Daring’s younger sister, Darling, was leading her white horse across the field. Her long, silken blonde hair cascaded down her back, moving with her gentle steps as she spoke softly to the horse, her words inaudible to the dark-haired girl on the balcony. Raven noticed the intricate silver armour Darling wore, engraved with tiny, delicate chess pieces.
Raven’s gaze lingered on Darling’s movements, her eyes narrowing as she noticed the subtle limp in her step. Darling favoured her right foot, a slight hitch in her stride that Raven hadn’t noticed before. Had it always been there? Or was it a new injury? Raven found herself wondering, she continued to watch, the quiet afternoon stretching on before her.
Speeding past Raven were Cerise Hood and Ramona Badwolf, their athletic figures blurring as they sped towards the dark forest. The secret sisters undoubtedly in a race.
As they disappeared into the distance, the view in front of Raven had gradually cleared out. Most students either already having filtered their way to Bookend or stayed inside of the school. The once-bustling courtyard was now a quieter space, a few lone figures lingering here and there.
Among the dwindling figures, Raven caught sight of Briar Beauty with her intended opposite Faybelle Thorn. Raven’s breathing subsided into a steady rhythm as she watched the two. The tall brunette walked with self assured confidence as Faybelle flew beside her, laying down staring at Briar’s face letting her wings do the work.
Raven wondered how Faybelle managed to fly in that manner all while seeming at ease, talking breezily to Briar in words too far away for Raven to pick up.
Still in the corner of Raven’s she could see Darling. She was leaning against her horse and talking to Apple White. Apple had been Raven’s former roommate for two years, before finally in her senior year Raven got to room with Maddie. Apple had always been the picture of perfection, the embodiment of who was supposed to be Raven’s fairytale nemesis.
The two blondes walked out of Raven’s line of view, Darling guiding her horse while talking to Apple with a serene ease.
Raven’s breath halted. She didn’t have anything against Apple anymore but the girl did bring Raven a lot of anxiety. Apple never took accountability for any wrongdoing.
Raven had begun to slowly distance herself from Apple. Breathe, breathe, breathe, BREATHE.
Through Raven’s forced breath, the scent of cinnamon wafted through the crisp afternoon air. Raven turned her head to see Dexter walking onto the balcony, pausing a few feet away. The soft glow of the sun cast a golden outline around him as he scratched the back of his neck awkwardly.
“Hey Rave,” Dexter said to her, his blue eyes meeting her own.
Raven gave a half smile. “I thought you might find me here.”
That balcony had been their spot ever since Raven asked Dexter out on their first almost date. Many romantic evenings, heartfelt conversations and sunsets had been spent together on that terrace.
Dexter smiled for a second at that and then turned to fully face Raven, his blue eyes filled with care, “Are you… okay? You didn’t go to any of your classes today. Professor Rumplestiltskin assigned textbook work for page 338, and Maddie found your phone left in your room during lunch. Also…” He hesitated, tilting his head. “Have you eaten anything at all?”
Raven let out a guilty sigh. “No.” Then, at the ever-present whiff of sugar and spice, she asked, “Are those cinnamon buns?”
Dexter’s face brightened slightly. “I used Cook’s recipe. Hopefully, I did her justice.” He stepped closer, his boots lightly scuffing against the stone floor.
Raven raised an eyebrow, her expression teasingly expectant. “I could test them for you, if you’d like...”
Dexter smirked. “First you have to eat some real food.” his blue eyes crinkled and he held out a sandwich wrapped in saran wrap towards his girlfriend.
“Is it…?” Raven asked hesitantly.
“A princess pea-butter sandwich? Of course.” Dexter smiled. Raven smiled, taking the sandwich from him. As she was unwrapping it, Dexter sat down next to her on the bench, lightly brushing her right arm.
Once she had finished eating, Dexter leaned back slightly. “You don’t have to tell me, but I was wondering…” He hesitated. “Why did you skip class-ics today? It’s not like you.”
Raven sighed, staring down at the empty plastic in her hands. “A year ago today was when I sent my mom back to Mirror Prison.”
“Oh.” Dexter responded, his eyes filling with understanding.
“I just… I don’t know.” She hugged her arms around herself. “I didn’t want to deal with anything today.”
Dexter sat in thoughtful silence for a moment. Then, reaching into his back pocket, he pulled out her phone. “Do you want to call your dad? I brought your phone for you. I can stay with you, or I could leave. Would you like me to call him?”
“No,” Raven sighed laying her head down on his lap.
“Or,” Dexter offered gently, “we could call Cook. She is going to be your mom soon.”
Raven smiled at the thought. She had been shocked when her dad and Cook told her last year that they were dating. And now the two were engaged and would be married in the summer. Raven was exited to have Butternut and Pie as her younger brothers. And Cook had always filled the role of a mother figure in her life, since even before the Evil Queen was imprisoned.
“You know,” Raven mused, tilting her head slightly, “Cook’s breaking the mold for stepmothers everywhere.”
“I guess rebellion runs in the family,” Dexter teased, a slight grin forming showing his dimples.
“I’d hope so,” Raven laughed. “Since I already have an evil mother, I couldn’t handle an evil stepmother on top of that.”
They both laughed at that. Dexter turned to the edge of the bench away from Raven, leaving her head resting on the edge of his thigh. When he turned around, he had a cinnamon roll in hand.
“Would you like one?” He asked, “I made them after Kingdom Management and took them out of the oven just before I came here, so they're still warm.”
Raven sat up and accepted the bun, its warmness contrasting her cold hands. She smelled the sweet cinnamon smell.
She paused before taking a bite. “Did you know I was here all day?”
After a beat Dexter replied with. “I suspected.”
“Why didn’t you come until now?” she asked, tilting her head. Her long black hair falling behind her.
“I thought I’d let you come when you were ready.” He shrugged. “Cedar and Cerise were keeping an eye out for you. And Maddie said she was going to walk around the school until she heard the voices, which… I’m not really sure what that means.”
Raven chuckled at Maddie’s Wonderland antics. Even though they were nonsensical, they had a tendency to work out.
“Anyway,” Dexter continued, “after class-ic ended, I baked the cinnamon buns, made you a sandwich while they cooled, and then came here.”
Raven sighed smiling, “What did I do to deserve such a good boyfriend?”
Dexter’s cheeks tinged pink. “Well, it certainly took us long enough to start dating.”
Raven chuckled. Their Legacy Year had been a mess of almost-dates. The next year they started going on real dates but that year was … hectic to say the least. It wasn’t until the very end of the school year that they had finally, officially, gotten together.
Since then, both of their anxieties had lessened. Raven had found comfort in having a safe place with Dexter, and he had gained confidence, no longer second-guessing himself so much.
“I can’t believe I spent all of freshman year pining after you and didn’t say a single word,” Dexter admitted, shaking his head. “Daring was so shocked when we got together. He thought we never would.”
“Speaking of Daring…” Raven took another bite of her cinnamon bun, thinking. “Are he and Lizzie an item? I saw them walking together.”
“I think they are. I remember in our legacy year Daring was following her around like a lost puppy but I don’t think she reciprocated much.” Dexter shrugged.
Raven tilted her head thoughtfully. “She seemed really happy with him. And Daring, too. He never seemed unhappywith Rosabella, but I’ve never seen him with a real, genuine smile before that doesn’t look as if he practiced it in the mirror for hours.”
“I can confirm he did practice his smile for hours on end.” He laughed pushing back his brown hair. “When Dare and Rosabella broke up, I don’t think our parents were happy. I think they must have expected him to follow his destiny as the beast. They always did think one of us would be a part of that tale.”
Both Dexter and Darling had gone very low contact with their parents in their senior year. Daring was the only one who regularly talked to them as far as Raven knew, and yet he was still defying their wishes.
The last bite of the cinnamon bun was pure bliss. “Mmm,” Raven hummed, licking the lingering cinnamon from her lips. “Ten out of ten—give my compliments to the chef.” She said playfully.
Dexter hung his head bashfully. Raven tapped her fingers along his forearm, walking them up toward his cinnamon roll. In one swift motion, she swiped it.
Dexter sputtered in shock. “Hey that was mine!”
Raven grinned mischievously. “Maybe I am wicked after all.” She took a triumphant bite of his bun.
“Oh, that’s how it is?” Dexter narrowed his eyes at her, leaning in.
“Well, if you want it back…” She trailed off, voice playful, the bun still between her teeth.
Dexter smirked before closing the gap, taking a bite of the roll straight from her mouth. The moment his lips brushed against hers, a thrill ran down Raven’s spine. She swallowed the last of the stolen treat, barely aware of the taste anymore, her focus entirely on the boy inches from her face studying his own.
His brown hair had grown out just enough to brush the rim of his glasses, a few strands falling over his forehead. Behind the lenses, his periwinkle-blue eyes twinkled with amusement. His lips curled slightly.
Raven’s gaze lingered on his lips, and like second nature, she leaned in.
The kiss started soft and tender. Using her opposite arm to hold herself up she let her right hand slide up, fingers threading into his thick brown hair, nails lightly grazing his scalp.
As the kiss deepened, she shifted her weight, pushing him backward onto the bench. Dexter let out a quiet, surprised laugh against her lips before his back met the stone bench. Raven followed, hands braced against his chest, her long black hair cascading around them. Strands of it fell over Dexter’s face, but he didn’t mind in the slightest.
Instead, his hands found their way to her waist, fingers pressing just enough to make her shiver. Raven could feel the slight definition of his arms beneath her touch, just ever so toned.
Dexter’s lips parted against hers, his kisses slow and deliberate, as if savoring every second. One of his hands drifted up, fingers tracing the curve of her back. Raven sighed into the kiss, feeling utterly weightless, like she could stay tangled up with him forever.
It was only when Dexter pulled away, just enough to catch his breath, that she realized how fast her heart was beating.
He smiled up at her, eyes half-lidded, looking completely at ease. She reached up, sliding his glasses off and setting them aside.
“Hey—” Dexter murmured in protest, blinking up at her.
Raven hummed, tilting her head. “Mmm.”
She studied his eyes now that nothing stood between them. They were soft and calm, like the sky over a quiet ocean just before dusk. A color that in Raven’s opinion was the most enchanting shade of blue, a shade that was only hers. They had fascinated her from the moment they started dating, and now, in the golden light of evening, they looked even more mesmerizing.
“I can’t see your face,” Dexter complained, voice laced with amusement.
“Well,” Raven smirked, “you can feel me instead.”
She crashed her lips into his again, and he responded instantly, one hand sliding up to cradle the back of her neck. This kiss was turned slower, more practiced, the product of having had many shared kisses and knowing the other. Their chemythstry was impeccable.
Raven’s hands explored on their own, one slipping into his thick hair, the other trailing down his chest. Dexter groaned softly against her lips, fingers gripping her waist a little tighter in response.
“What?” She questioned, flicking her eyes to his own.
“You…” Dexter trailed off. “Make it so hard to think. You’ve enthralled me from the first moment I saw you.”
Raven grinned. “Spells, you are charming.”
Another kiss. Another slow drag of lips, another shared breath. She could taste the faint sweetness of cinnamon still lingering between them, feel the warmth radiating from his skin. Everything about him, his touch, his presence, his very being, felt so safe.
Eventually, Dexter exhaled a deep breath and broke away, standing up from their bench.
He gave Raven a hand up, and she was once again reminded of just how much he’d grown. Back in their legacy year, she had been half an inch taller. Now, Dexter was almost six feet tall, and she had to tilt her head slightly to look up at him.
“We should probably go back inside…” Dexter started. Raven leaned up and kissed him again. This time, it was softer and lingering, but without urgency. No longer lustful, simply a comfortable embrace.
Dexter smiled against her lips before pulling away, brushing his nose lightly against hers. “I have more cinnamon rolls in the Cooking Class-ic.” He raised his eyebrows in an attempt at temptation.
An attempt which completely worked on her. Curse that boy. He knew her too well.
Raven laughed, shaking her head. “Alright then, Mr. Baker Boy.”
Hands intertwined, the two walked back into the castle together.
And Raven suddenly realized she hadn’t even had to think about breathing. She smiled and let her head rest on his shoulder as they walked together.