"You know you want to kiss me!" Apple sings, her soft, pink lips hovering tantalizingly over Darling's gaping mouth.
Darling stares intently into Apple's wide cerulean eyes, her heavy gaze smoldering. Apple's heart leaps. Butterflies erupt within the depths of her stomach, their flapping wings creating a warm, pleasant tingling.
Even after being together with Darling for nearly three years, a single glance from the blonde warrior princess still manages to send Apple's heart racing frantically and her stomach fluttering dizzyingly. She can, with one look from her girlfriend, be instantly swept back to the early days of their relationship. The days where each moment spent together felt like embarking on a fresh new adventure. Where every hug was a journey they took to learn the insurmountable power that every simple, innocent touch sparked. Where every kiss was a quest, in which both girls were hungrily seeking the key. The key to each other's hearts that were so eager to be opened, but didn't understand how just yet. When wonderful months spent together gradually, happily transitioned into years, Apple slowly began to feel as if this metaphorical key had been discovered by both herself, as well as her chivalrous companion. She didn't know if they had both found it in the same exact moment, but somehow this key had ended up just where it needed to be at precisely the right time. Their hearts had opened up wide, shone light outwards that was so blissfully warm, so unwaveringly bright, condensed with such tender, genuine love.
Ever since this light had begun glowing, neither girl has been able to resist the magnetic pull that persistently but gently squeezes them tighter together with each passing day. Their bond evokes a seemingly perpetual and indescribably pleasant feeling of warm, reassuring comfort inside of her. It's as if Apple knows, deep within her core, that whatever happens, if Darling, her beautiful princess, her courageous knight, the person she wants to spend the rest of her life with, is by her side, she is capable of conquering any obstacle that stands in her way. Even if Darling is not physically there at the time, her strength and, most importantly, her love have embedded themselves so solidly within Apple, that she never feels truly alone.
Apple has always been a self-assured person, but being with Darling makes her the strong,confident woman she's always aspired to be, but never actually believed she could amount to.
Apple's mother, Queen Snow White, has always, for as long as she can remember, told her that she has the heart of a princess beating within her chest. A pure heart filled with such benevolence and love for all people that it simply can't contain its radiant light and will gladly shine its glow into the lives of others. Apple, as a young girl, had taken this compliment to heart more than Snow White probably expected she would. As determined as Apple was, she couldn't take her mother's words any less seriously than as a role she must, must fulfill.
Ever since she'd started spellementary school at the tender age of five and quickly started making friends with her fellow fairytale companions, she has made it her top priority to ensure that everybody around her is happy and safe at all times. She made a promise to herself to always maintain her cheerful demeanor no matter how unhappy she feels so that other people in her presence will continuously be uplifted. She wants to inspire those around her, to be a queen that people can look up to and always depend on. This expectation that Apple had created for herself as a little girl used to sometimes weigh her down, cause her to feel paranoid that she would somehow mess up and ruin everything she had worked hard for, that she would disappoint people, not be the ruler that they desired and needed. Most of all, she was terrified of letting her mother down.
Snow White had trained Apple from early childhood to be a perfectionist in all aspects of her life. She must be cheerful, outgoing, charming, courteous, hard-working, caring, intelligent, and most of all, popular. She had to be such a wonderful person in all possible ways that nobody would be able to resist loving her. As Snow White had once metaphorically explained to Apple, she needed to be a magnet that people couldn't help but be attracted to.
"But, mommy," the nine year-old had insisted. "Don't magnets pull things toward them really forcefully? Shouldn't I always be gentle in every way like you told me to be?"
The queen had smiled brightly, as she frequently did, and crouched down to look into Apple's blue eyes. She reached out, gently tucking a blonde lock of hair behind her daughter's ear.
"That's a very good point that you're making my sweet little Applepie," Snow White chirped. "When you're destined to be a ruler, though, charisma is an extremely important characteristic to have. Of course you never want to be harsh or too insistent when forming a friendship or acquaintance with somebody. You simply need to shine brightly like you do, my dear Apple dumpling, and nobody will feel forced to enjoy your presence. Your personality is positively too alluring to be easily overlooked by anybody. You're something special, and if you just keep being confident and kind, nobody will ever doubt it, alright sweetie?"
Apple sat, dumbfounded, for a moment following her mother's passionately given speech, before shaking her head slightly and giving the queen her dazzling smile.
"Alright, mommy. Thank you."
She pulled her mother into an embrace that the queen quickly reciprocated, wrapping her arms tightly around her daughter.
"You're welcome, my little Apple," Snow White murmured into the young girl's apple-scented hair. "You're very welcome."
Ever since that conversation, which Apple so vividly remembers over a decade later, she has never lacked confidence. Still, there was always an underlying fear of failure inside of her. This feeling had caused Apple to often work unnecessarily hard to compensate for the self-doubt that she felt.
Since senior year, however, when she had started dating Darling, the anxiety and doubt that she felt had gradually begun to melt until eventually it plagued her no more. Darling made her believe in her own self-worth. She didn't necessarily make Apple appear more confident and poised, but she made Apple feel stronger. Maybe nobody else could tell the difference in the young princess, but Darling's love has drastically changed Apple's view of herself. She doesn't feel that burning urge inside of her to always be the perfect example for everybody else, the flawless royal leader. She still always tries her best, of course, but she doesn't so intensely fear messing up. Mistakes teach you how to be a better leader, an overall greater person.
Apple had always strived for perfection, but she has accepted that it wasn't possible. She now focuses on being the best version of herself, always trying her hardest to listen to others, gain as much knowledge as she can, be a compassionate friend and lover, as well as a dedicated scholar. And if there comes a time when she messes up, isn't the greatest example of royalty that day, she knows it isn't the end of the world. The earth will continue moving, the sun will keep shining, and so will she.
Gone are the days of panic attacks, fatigue from overworking, the general feeling she had long carried of working hard but still never quite being good enough. Darling has helped her become a more comfortable version of herself, an apple that isn't always perfectly shiny, but nobody could possibly care because the taste is just too exquisite.
The ordeal in junior year with the release of the Evil Queen had been a wake-up-call for Apple. She could still hear Raven's angry accusation echo in her mind, stinging her heart like arrows, but each word holding truth.
"Because you don't listen! What kind of a friend refuses to listen?!"
Apple had sworn to herself that she would never refuse to listen to anybody again.
Now, in her junior year of college, she still hasn't broken that promise. She is best friends with Raven. She has the best girlfriend anybody could ever ask for. She's earning her degree in Kingdom Management. She spends her time at school, studying, ruling her kingdom at her parents' side, and spending time with her friends. She is more happy and fulfilled than she's ever been. Each day, she wakes up excited, yearning to experience the joys of the coming day, even more than she had in high school. Life is good.
Apple is pulled back to the present by Darling's hot breath, warm against her cheeks. Apple holds her breath as gazes into her girlfriend's eyes. She loses herself in the glittering expanse of ice blue water.
The next thing Apple registers is a soft sensation fluttering across her lips. Her eyes, which she hadn't even been aware were closed, shoot open. She finds lips brushing lightly against hers, gentle and warm. The taste of Darling's vanilla lip balm fills her mouth. Darling's hands reach up, fingers tangling in Apple's curly tresses.
Darling has barely let out a moan when "What Makes You Charming" begins to play. Darling groans as Apple pushes herself up to her knees.
"What did you do that for?" Darling grumbles, licking the taste of apples that cling to her lips.
Apple exhales. Her hair is matted to her face.
"Sorry," she mumbles, picking her phone up from the bedside table. "It's Raven."
She thinks she sees Darling roll her eyes as she brings the phone to her ear.
"Hi Raven," she says cheerfully.
"Apple!" Raven cries hysterically.
Apple's heart plummets.
"What is it, Raven?!" she nearly yells. "Are you hurt?!"
Barely contained hysteria trembles in her voice.
"No! Dexter is!" Raven sobs. "H-he h-hh-ee-"
The connection crackles as she bursts into tears. Apple closes her eyes, taking a deep breath. She needs to be the calm one here. Darling grasps Apple's hand, her eyes wide. Apple puts the phone on speaker.
"Raven." She addresses the other girl calmly. "What happened to Dexter?"
Raven sniffles, her breath hitching.
"D-dragon a-accident," she chokes out.
Darling gasps. Apple squeezes her hand.
"H-hunter s-said h-he w-was p-passed o-out a-and h-his h-head w-was b-bleeding a-a-an-and…"
She breaks down, hoarse sobs echoing over the line.
"Raven, where are you?" Apple asks urgently. She breathes deeply. "Are you at the hospital?"
"Y-yeah." Raven's voice cracks. "St. J-John's M-Medical C-Center. P-please g-get h-here!"
Darling's hand trembles in hers.
"We will," Apple promises, her voice soothing. "We'll be there in fifteen minutes. Just hold tight, okay?"
"O-okay," Raven gasps.
"Okay. Bye, Raven."
"B-bye."
Apple faces Darling. The girl's eyes are glazed over. She breathes heavily. Apple presses her lips to the girl's temple.
"Everything will be okay," she murmurs. "Let's go."
Darling slowly nods. Apple helps her to her feet.
The two girls race down the hospital hallway, the white walls blurring past them as they run. Darling flings the waiting room door open, and they hurry in. Apple can see Raven curled in on herself in a chair, her body quaking with sobs. She runs forward, Darling at her heels. She drops to her knees in front of the girl, touching her shoulder.
"Raven," she says gently.
Raven lifts her face from her arms, reaching them outward. Apple pulls the girl into her arms. Raven buries her face in Apple's shoulder. Apple holds her close, rubbing circles over her back.
"Shhh. I'm right here. It's going to be okay."
Darling sits next to them, twisting her fingers together in her lap. Apple glances over at her. She has to comfort Raven right now, she tells herself. Raven is in a much more dire state.
Eventually, Raven's sobs are reduced to hiccups and sniffles and she pulls herself up by fistfuls of Apple's shirt. Apple reaches out, stroking her thumb across her tear streaked cheeks. She brushes the hair away from her face. She settles in a chair between Raven and Darling.
"Raven," she says softly, "have you heard anything from a doctor?"
Raven shakes her head.
"N-no," she hiccups.
"Okay," Apple says, taking her hand. "Just hold tight."
She turns to Darling who is staring ahead, stiff and silent.
"Are you alright?" she murmurs.
"Yeah," Darling replies, her voice tight with fear.
Apple nods, turning her attention back to Raven. The girls are different. Darling often needs space rather than affection when she's upset. Raven needs comfort and attention. Apple wraps her arm around Raven. Raven puts her head on Apple's shoulder. She closes her eyes, sniffling.
Apple, for the first time, takes notice of their surroundings. Other occupants of the waiting room look at them, some with sympathy, others with annoyance. Some don't even seem to notice them, their minds occupied by their own predicament. Apple sighs, closing her eyes. She strokes her fingers through Raven's thick, dark locks.
Minutes of relative silence pass before the waiting room door opens. Ashlynn Ella walks in, her toddler, Willow, resting on her hip. Her strawberry blonde hair is in a high ponytail. Her emerald eyes are determined as she walks quickly over to the girls.
"Have you heard anything?" she asks when she approaches them, breathing heavily.
Willow looks at her mother with wide green eyes. Her long strawberry blonde hair is in pigtails with pink bows. Her chubby cheeks are rosy.
"No," Apple replies. "We're just waiting."
Ashlynn nods. She turns to Darling.
"Hey, sweetie. How are you holding up?"
Darling shrugs listlessly.
"I'm okay," she says, her voice weary.
"Well, I'm here to help with whatever you need," Ashlynn says. "Can you please hold Willow for a few minutes? I'm going to go check on Hunter."
For the first time that afternoon, Apple's attention is turned to Hunter who is sitting on the other side of the room, slouched, his face in his hands. She's been so fixated on Raven that she forgot all about him. She shakes her head at her own ignorance.
"Sure," Darling replies, her voice soft.
She reaches her arms out as Willow is handed to her. Darling holds the baby close, gently kissing the top of her head. Apple smiles. Seeing Darling interact with kids always gives her a glimmer of happiness. She looks across the room as Ashlynn sits beside Hunter, enveloping him in a hug. Apple gives a small, sad smile. Even though Ashlynn and Hunter had broken up years ago, right around the time of Willow's birth, it's just in Ashlynn's nature to be nurturing. Apple turns to Raven who is still lying her head on her shoulder, shaking like a leaf. She wraps her arm around the girl tighter.
As the minutes pass, Darling gets up and begins to pace in circles in front of them. Suddenly, the waiting room door flies open, and in comes Lance and Marie Charming in all their glory. Lance walks, his head of blond hair held high. His arm is wrapped protectively around his wife whose long chestnut brown hair flows down her back. The couple strides forward. Darling plops back in the chair, her eyes wide with surprise and fear.
"Have you heard anything, Apple?" Marie demands.
She looks directly at Apple, averting her gaze from Darling, whose eyes roam over the floor. Angry heat rises in Apple's cheeks. She takes a deep, shaky breath, schooling her features into a neutral expression.
"We haven't heard anything, Your Majesty," she calmly replies. "All we can do right now is wait."
Marie flops into a chair three seats down from Darling, burying her face in her hands. Lance sighs, running his hands over his face. He approaches Darling, placing a large hand on her shoulder. Darling looks up at him, her eyes meeting his.
"Hello, dear," he says.
"Hi, Dad," Darling mutters.
"Everything will be fine," he assures her.
She nods, though her eyes remain dull. He sits next to his wife, hugging her as she sobs into his chest. Apple watches as Darling presses her fingers together in her lap, her eyes cast toward the blue carpeted floor. Apple reaches out with the arm that isn't wrapped around Raven, grabbing the girl's hands. Darling's eyes shoot up, startled. Apple smiles gently at her. Darling wanly smiles back as Apple strokes her knuckles.
A few minutes later, the waiting room door bursts open again, and Daring and Rosabella rush in. Daring is crying, tears dripping from his dark blue eyes. Rosabella is holding his hand. Her eyes shine with tears beneath the lenses of her glasses.
Apple uncurls her arms from around Raven. She takes Willow in her arms as Darling hands her over. Darling surges forwards, her arms outstretched, as the couple approaches. Daring rushes toward her, his arms wide. They meet in a hug in the middle of the room, their arms wrapping tightly around each other. They remain in the embrace as minutes pass, Daring's face buried in Darling's shoulder, crying silently.
They pull away after a few minutes, slowly walking back to the chairs. They sit down, holding each other close. Rosabella sits down in the chair beside Daring. Apple holds Willow with one arm, reaching across to rub Raven's shoulder with the other. She doesn't know when the girl had started crying again.
"Mommy," Willow whines. "I want Mommy."
Apple glances over at Ashlynn, who is still attempting to console Hunter.
"Do you want to read a book?" Apple asks, picking up Five Little Monkeys from the table beside her.
"Okay, I like monkeys!" Willow exclaims, taking the book."
Apple smiles, grateful that Willow, like Ashlynn, is very agreeable.
As Willow looks through the book, giggling and babbling, Apple puts her arm back around Raven. Her heart pounds as the minutes slink by. The desperation to know if Dexter is okay is writhing within her; and she knows Darling and Raven are feeling it even more intensely.
She starts as Ashlynn's gentle voice speaks.
"Hey," she says. "I'm going to the parking lot to help Briar. She got Starbucks for everybody. I'll take Willow. She could probably use a walk. Thanks so much for watching her."
"Of course," Apple replies.
She gives Willow a quick peck on the head.
"Come on, sweetie," Ashlynn says to Willow, grabbing her hand. "Let's go find Auntie Briar."
Apple glances over at Hunter whose hands are still clamped over his face. She turns to Raven who is still crying, gathering the girl into an embrace. She closes her eyes, breathing deeply. All they can do is wait.