Chapter 12 – The Alternate Ending

-:-

Chad drifted towards coherence slowly, and almost immediately came to regret every part of that decision with the full body throb that followed, a sort of aching objection that was unfair considering the trials Chad had undergone in previous memory.

He groaned on reflex, then regretted that too as the act aggravated his throat and lungs and just- everything, and resolved to pass out again because being awake certainly was not worth it.

Unfortunately, life seemed to have other plans.

"Hey," a familiar voice said, the only warning Chad was allowed before a finger was prodding insistently into his cheek. "Hey asshole, wake up."

"Mal," another voice groaned, and Chad realized belatedly that the second voice belonged to a body that was draped across his legs because he was lying down, which was a pretty standard occurrence when one was unconscious. "Fairy Godmother said he'd get up when he's ready."

"Well, I'm ready now," Mal griped, the finger disappearing for a moment, only to return its efforts with renewed poking vigor. "We have been waiting for days and this is the closest to coherent he's gotten."

"It was a moan," Jay – because the other voice was Jay, Chad realized – pointed out. "That's it."

"It's enough," Mal declared with a sniff.

"You're just grumpy because Ben and Audrey are getting proper snuggles right now," Jay continued with a grumble of his own. "But we'll get there."

"I want to be there now-"

"Oh my god," Chad rasped, and were he in full control of his faculties, he was sure his brow would be twitching. "Let me die in peace, Mal."

"Motherfucker," Mal hissed, but when Chad managed the effort to blink his eyes open it was to find the young fae staring at him with a smile so wide it made his own cheeks hurt in sympathy, her eyes glinting with a suspicious moisture that Chad didn't have the mental capacity to properly analyze at this moment as she stared at him from the safety of what seemed to be a medical room visitor's chair, because apparently Chad was in a royal hospital – which was somewhat different from a regular hospital because they made the space seem more like a bedroom than a clinical area. "You are not dying," Mal declared. "Not anytime soon, at least."

"Mal said so," Jay reminded him, hugging onto Chad tighter as he buried his face into Chad's stomach. "So that's that."

"I'm pretty sure I remember dying," Chad said, slowly dragging himself closer towards full coherence. He couldn't really move his neck to investigate the rest of the room because he was just so tired - an exhaustion so immense he'd mistaken it for pain, or maybe there had been pain initially but now it had faded into a heaviness that made him regret many things but not actually being alive, if that was in fact what he was.

Mal seemed to think so, at least.

"That at least is somewhat true," Mal sniffed, scooting her chair even closer to his bedside as she sent out a rapid series of texts on her phone. "You were dying, but I thought that was stupid, so I worked to stop it, and then Jay helped-"

"I tried to help," Jay grumbled, sounding particularly sad. "But I wasn't succeeding."

"Yeah, neither of us were until Fairy Godmother stepped in," Mal allowed. "But then she took your stupid sacrifice yourself plan and threw it out the window because it was, again, stupid."

"I'm confused," Chad said, having acknowledged that he wasn't in fact dead, and that he was still somehow in the nice world he'd come to know and he guessed sort of love a whole lot. "I sacrificed my tether to this body."

"Nope," Mal hummed, seeming to finish her texting before shoving her phone into her pocket with a flourish, grinning wide before she crawled up on the bed beside him to shamelessly claim his other side. "You sacrificed your tether to that body," Mal explained, gesturing to the other side of the room that Chad actually hadn't looked at yet.

Which just went to show how tired he was because resting there with his own wide smile seemed to be a mirror image of Chad himself, although he had Ben splayed across his legs and Audrey cuddled into his other side, which broke the illusion of a potential mirror.

"Fairy Godmother made you a new one," Mal continued blithely, as though that explained anything (and Chad guessed it kind of did).

"...I'm confused," Chad repeated, because this was his second time of waking up after supposedly dying, which was frankly two times too many for that to happen to anyone.

"That's fair," the other Chad said, grinning widely. "I'm Kit, the one who summoned you to my body."

"You're- wait." Chad blinked, putting the pieces together.

"I believe you referred to me as 'dumb Chad'," Kit continued cheerfully, something that made Ben tense in affront before Kit released a low string of gentle coos that made the brunette melt again, which was just sort of wild to see, because that was- that was a version of Chad that was just squishing Ben's cheeks like he was a little marshmallow. "Yeah, so I wasn't dead so much as um- in a coma, I guess?" He motioned towards the others. "I already let them know about the blood magic. Anyway, you used the magic that was maintaining the spell to heal Jay, which normally would have laid you to rest, so to speak, but grandma realized what happened and made you a body of your own so we could both exist!" Audrey was gracious enough to release his hand so Kit could twirl it in a sort of conversational flourish. "Ta-da, we both get a happy ending."

"Where I'm an abomination," Chad pointed out. "My very existence will threaten the ideals of the conservative elite – they'll probably want to kill or imprison me just to ensure that reality stays stable or something-"

"They wouldn't do that to our long-lost son!" a new voice cheered, forecasting the arrival of King Christopher and Queen Ella, who both seemed in high spirits. Queen Ella grinned at Chad, shooting him a mischievous wink that explained very much where Kit got his own playfulness from. "We had twins, you know," she said, turning towards Christopher who held her solemnly, the two of them adopting a look of pained sorrow. "But one was tragically kidnapped as a young babe."

"The tragedy!" King Christopher said, dipping his wife.

"The heartbreak!" Queen Ella moaned before her husband pulled her back up onto her feet. "We were so very sorrowful from this situation-"

"Understandably so," King Christopher added.

"-that we naturally kept it a secret, thinking our son was dead."

"But low and behold!" King Christopher cheered, sweeping his wife into his arms, the blond giggling all the while. "He was secretly trapped on the Isle-"

"And fortunately raised by my stepsisters Anastasia and Drizella," Queen Ella continued brightly. "Who are being rewarded for their hard efforts by being adopted into our royal family."

"Along with Anastasia's husband Baker, who is delightfully a baker," King Christopher added. "Fairy Godmother sensed this familial connection after the attack on the ball while she was healing Chad and very naturally summoned our second son over from the Isle."

"The drama!" Queen Ella said while her husband spun her. "The wonderful story of it all!"

"Truly a fabulous tale," King Christopher said as he set his wife back onto her own two feet. "And anyone who wants to argue the validity of this can take it up with Ella."

"I win all arguments!" Queen Ella proudly informed them. "With kindness."

"And perhaps a small number of threats," King Christopher whispered, looking on his wife with open awe.

"Wait." Chad blinked, trying to pull himself back together. "I- aren't you mad?"

That he lied to them? That they suddenly had to take care of another son?

Kit cleared his throat, pulling Chad's focus away from the other teen's parents. "I um- might have received a portion of your memories," Kit explained. "Not everything, just enough to know that things weren't great for you."

"To put it mildly," King Christopher said his expression dark. When he and Ella turned their focus on Chad though, there was only kindness in their gazes. "I'm so sorry you had to go through that. I'm sorry that my alternate self wasn't there for you the way a father should be, that his father would treat you so cruelly." King Christopher approached Chad's bed, falling into the visitor's chair that Mal had vacated with an earnest expression. "Your own grandfather, here, will be a bit awkward about that, but he's working so hard to make sure you'll have a good life – we all will. We want to be here for you and support you."

"I'm- I'm not your son," Chad said, choking up a little because as much as he'd wanted to pretend, to have a real family, the truth was that none of it was actually his.

But the king and queen only laughed.

"Didn't you just hear our story?" the queen asked, voice full of wonder as she leaned over to cover Chad's hand in her own. "Of course you're our son. No matter what world you're from, no matter what you have gone through – you are ours – and that's everything."

"I-" Chad's eyes got all hot, his throat thick because for so long, he'd known - had an unquestionable understanding that the only reason Chad earned any sort of fondness from these people was because they thought they were the son they'd lost, they'd thought he was sweet but just going through things, but they were staring at him, understanding his trauma and hardships, and they still wanted him. "I want- I love you," he managed, his voice small.

"We love you too," King Christopher – his father said, happy tears rolling down his cheeks. "We're very proud of you, sweetheart."

"I am too, by the way," Kit said, pulling their attention towards him. "Lonnie played your musical for me – it's awesome."

"Of course you think that," Ben grumbled, hiding his face against Kit's side.

"Dude, you would have thought that too if you hadn't perceived everything he did as an attack against you."

Chad winced, thinking back on- well, everything. "I'm sorry if I tanked your reputation."

"Eh, it was sort of already tanked," Kit informed him with a flap of his hand. "At this point, I've very much learned the value of not caring about other's opinions." He gave Chad a wink. "I learned that from you. And for the record, I'm happy you're here too. I think it'll be cool to have a brother."

"I won't mess up your inheritance or anything, will it?" Chad asked, seeming incapable of ignoring the political ramifications of just about anything, he guessed.

"About that..." Kit began, sharing a quick look with Audrey who only offered a supportive smile. "I was hoping you would step up as heir?" he said, hopeful. "As you can tell, politics aren't really my strength. I like stepping back and being a support for the people I love." He looked towards Ben and Audrey. "I want to help them. And maybe also start a fashion line." He made a face. "Did you have to get rid of all my fun clothes?"

"I saved them for you, my sweet, don't worry," Queen Ella – their mom – said before turning her gaze on Chad. "And I have plans for you, dear."

"Plans?" Chad echoed, but Jay and Mal only smiled at him.

"Your mom decided that you – much like us – deserve crafts and presents and nostalgic, sentimental things to fill our rooms with," Mal informed him. "We're going to make pinch pots for each other."

"And film impromptu movies in your ballroom," Jay continued. "We're going to create good memories for all of us."

"Because you deserve to have a proper childhood," the queen said, and thankfully Chad's imminent emotional breakdown was cut off by the arrival of some very boisterous visitors.

"You're grounded," Evie informed him as she cuddled into Mal's back. "And we want to hear everything about that other world. I want to know all the trials you went through."

"It wasn't much," Chad insisted- well, lied – as Carlos crawled on top of Jay, nuzzling into his shoulder. "It was just-"

"Hey!" a determined voice said, and Chad turned to regard a very annoyed Aziz who was pointing an accusatory finger towards him. "I literally – I literally brought up dark magic to you, asshole! I literally- with my own mouth-"

"Do you know how many assassination attempts I've gone through?" Chad snapped right back. "I have been grievously abused for much less. How was I supposed to know you wouldn't burn me at the stake for upsetting the natural order of things?"

"Aziz," Kit hummed before the Agraben could reply, and Aziz turned to find the other blond beckoning him over with a wide grin. "I love you too, buddy – get in here."

There was a pause, and then Aziz was abandoning them entirely.

"Don't ever fucking do that again," Aziz grumbled, worming his way in beside Ben who released a small growl that had Audrey batting at the back of his head in a light chastisement, something Ben took with a rumble that left Aziz snickering and in the meantime Lonnie was attempting to capture all of it on her phone.

"We have a lot to talk about," Kit said, a grin on his lips. "A lot of healing to do, but things are going to be good for you now, okay?" His smile broadened. "I'm proud of you."

"Asshole," Chad grumbled, ducking his head with a shy sniff. "Thanks for um- summoning me here."

"Thanks for being you," Kit said, which Chad would have thought was a little rude had the VKs and their parents not echoed this cheer a moment later, so Chad guessed he-

Maybe he could tear down his walls a little bit. Maybe he could allow himself to have this.

Maybe it didn't actually have to be hard.

-:-:-

"Sardinia's in shambles," Carlos groaned, lowering his head into his hands as they looked over the paperwork left behind by the now enigma that was Chadwick James – the vapid, bigotted jerk that had been an annoying pebble in their shoe for so many years.

Mal did not blame Carlos for his frustration. It was hard to adjust to the fact that the Chad they had known – hated – been annoyed by – and begrudgingly come to accept as a somewhat irritating sidekick – had turned out to be a political mastermind and one of her greatest allies from the shadows, who'd been waging such strong internal warfare in the lands of Sardinia while all of them had been oblivious.

The same Chadwick James who hadn't hesitated to save Mal's life at the cost of his own, because while he had lived under a mask, he had died as a hero.

He was one of hers, Mal knew that now with each new file Carlos uncovered. Chad should have been hers, should have been loved, should have been treasured and celebrated and now he was gone.

He'd left behind presents, of course. Automated systems that had activated and released a deluge of incriminating evidence that dealt a fatal blow to the corruption of Sardinia once and for all. It was a clusterfuck of a situation and they were still working through it, but it felt like an appropriate send off to what was apparently one of their generation's most intelligent political minds.

"Captain Anozie just forwarded us a copy of Chad's will," was how Jane heralded her entrance, holding up a copy of the elusive document for all to see. "I haven't had a chance to read it yet-"

"Hand it over," Mal said, making grabbing hands at it before adding a belated, "Please."

Jane did not deny her, only too happy to retreat to Carlos' side.

"I hate this," Carlos announced as Mal started working her way through the dense legalese. "We should have caught this."

"We all missed it, Carlos," Jane soothed, giving his shoulders a fond squeeze. "It wasn't just you."

"I know," Carlos sighed. "But-"

"Huh," Mal said, and somehow that was enough to pull their focus towards her, but she was smiling, couldn't not, because Chad had-

He'd really gone out with a bang, hadn't he?

"What?" Jane asked, her curiosity overcoming her need to stay by Carlos' side.

Instead of answering, Mal simply read the portion of the will that was most relevant. "I, Chadwick James – current and legal heir of Sardinia – upon my death do transfer all rights of inheritance to the true founding family of Sardinia – Miss Jane Lightwood."

"What?" Jane gasped, her cheeks going hot, but Mal kept going.

"Sardinia was a land founded by Fae – a refuge to those with light magic who welcomed humans in their time of need. In the event that I pass before producing an heir, I think it only just that the wise and fair Jane Lightwood inherit the crown of Sardinia – such I decree with complete and absolute bias and favoritism."

Jane pushed her way closer, likely to see if Mal was making things up, and Mal motioned towards the handwritten section of the will – the part that Chad had left just for her.

'Jane' it read in a neat handwriting that was not at all like the self-indulgent looping lettering Chad normally adopted. 'While I know this is not a burden you are likely eager to accept, I can think of no one better to lead Sardinia into an age of prosperity. My death should have activated the fail safes that should leave you with a fair and just ruling council. Not to belabor my own contributions, but the hard part has been taken care of. From here on out, please lead Sardinia as you see fit and know, without question, that you are more than capable of defending her citizens. Make it a place of magic refuge the way it once was, have it be a political power player, welcome all the children of the Isle – whatever you do, I have complete and utter faith in your decisions.'

'I know we didn't ever really get a chance to talk honestly with each other,' Chad continued. 'This greatly saddens me. The real me isn't much of a peach, of course, but I would have loved to be allowed the chance to properly express my awe and respect for you and everything you've done. For how much you've grown.'

'In the end, I thank you for being you – your royal highness, Jane Lightwood – Princess of Sardinia.'

'PS,' he wrote at the bottom, each word seeming to be delivered with the utmost care.'You were always a princess to me.'

"Chad Charming," Jane said, her eyes filled with tears. "How dare you hide this from us."

"It was what he needed to do," Mal said, her own throat thick with emotion. "But his sacrifice will not be in vain. We'll make sure they know of his actual contributions far and wide – a hero lost before his time."

"We'll remember so they don't forget," Carlos said, moving to wrap himself around Jane's back. "We'll make the world he fought so hard for."

"Yes," Mal decided with a grin, things finally settling in her chest. "That seems like a just ending."

-:-:-

Endnotes:

Surprise Monday update! It's a surprise to everyone, including myself ;)

I don't usually touch back on stories after I've finished them, but this is all thanks to a lovely comment I received from Katcinlee who had a theory I liked so much I decided to go ahead and write it as an alternate ending.

I wrote and edited this today, so it's not superbly polished, but I thought you guys might enjoy what could have been :)

And that was all she wrote ^_^