Y/N

_

I NEEDED TIME TO THINK.

Not because I didn't know what to choose, but because I wasn't sure how to break the news. I knew some people wouldn't agree, and others would, but it was just a big mess that I didn't want to touch at the moment.

In case my decision ended up being the wrong one, I wanted to revel in the peace for a second more. Battles done, wounds healing, scars faded.

So, I sat on the edge of the cliff, my legs dangling off the edge as I stared at the kingdom in front of me. It seemed brighter already—the sun shining, the birds singing, the colors more vibrant and less...red. The Queen of Hearts was gone for good.

A crunching of leaves attracted my attention, and I snapped my head around to see Louis pushing through the uneven branches of the trees behind me. He looked frazzled; like he'd been preparing a list of things to say, but forgot it as soon as he plopped down beside me.

"Hi," he said breathily.

"Hello," I said back.

There was a pause, where he focused his attention on his fingernails, picking at some of the black polish that was already starting to chip off. I waited for him to speak. And he did, but it took him a while to gather the words.

"I understand if you want to leave here," he said finally, although it sounded more like a sigh, "it's your choice, and I shouldn't interfere."

I cocked a brow. "What makes you think I chose to leave?"

"What makes you want to stay?"

"A lot of things," I smiled to myself, leaning onto the palms of my hands, "you."

Louis' eyes flickered, and he stayed silent, egging me on for an explanation. I wasn't sure why he needed one—he is technically my boyfriend now, although we never had much time to salvage the labels—but maybe he just wanted to hear me say it. As reassurance for my decision to leave my world behind for him.

"I've grown to find..." I started, staring into the darkening sky, "that the life I had before wasn't a life at all, and a life here with you is the perfect one."

He grinned. "Perfect?"

"For lack of a better word."

Exhaling in amusement, Louis didn't try to hide his admiration as he wrapped his arm around my shoulder, pulling me into a hug. I made my choice to stay. Officially. Not that I had any doubts about it in the first place, but it was still nerve racking to make such an important choice.

Kissing the top of my head, I felt him rest his chin there as he relaxed into the hug.

"I love you," he mumbled, "darling."

I smiled into his arms, "and I'd die for you."

"You almost did."

"I know."

"Thanks for ruining the mood with that," he chuckled, pulling away and ruffling his hand through my hair, "you're an idiot sometimes, you goof."

Grabbing his hand, I tugged him onto his feet, beginning to lead him back through the forest. I had to tell the others (and Alice, specifically) that I would not be going back up the Rabbit Hole ever again.

"I love you too, Louis Partridge," I grinned, squeezing his hand, "now let's go."

( I'm going to pretend like that wasn't cheesy :)

✯

When we eventually made it back to the field, we were greeting with the view of white horses and clothing spreading over the grass like dandelions. I recognized them as the five four familiar knights—Niall, Louis Tomlinson (not to be confused with Louis Partridge), Liam, and Zayn.

"Hey!" I grinned, letting go of my boyfriend's hand to run over to them, "I've missed you guys!"

They all exclaimed when they saw me, letting me crash into them as I wrapped them in a giant group hug. Even though it had only been two days, I felt like I hadn't seen them in forever.

"We've missed you too," Liam said, scratching his beard.

I bopped Louis T (I'll call him Lou-bear) on the head. "Why are you here?"

"The White Queen sent us to deliver this message," Zayn said, clearing his throat, "well, she told us to tell you that she knows you stole her prophecy book."

I widened my eyes. "Oh."

"She'd also like to let you know that she doesn't care, and you can keep it."

"Oh!"

Lou-bear turned towards his horse, shuffling through the contents of his satchel until he retrieved the prophecy book I left lying around somewhere by the cottage. They must have found it on their way to tell me the message from the White Queen.

Emma, Daniel, Harry, and the twins were all watching me converse with my friends, and Alice and Draco were hovering around slightly impatiently. That reminds me...

"I've made my decision," I announced, turning towards the whole group, "I'm staying in Wonderland."

It took a moment for it all to click, but they still seemed to have no reaction. I blinked, utterly confused. I'd think they'd be at least happy about it, or maybe even a little worried about my life on Earth, but they instead started to giggle.

"What?" I frowned, furrowing my brows, "what's so funny?"

Niall snatched the prophecy book out of Lou-bear's hands, flipping through the pages.

"We knew you'd decide to stay," he said, holding it out to me, "read here."

Taking it from his grip, I squinted my eyes at the familiar writing inscribed onto the fraying copy:

But still the one who steals the throne

And makes this wonderland her home

She'll make the crown of hearts her own

And steal the heart of her betrothed.

Wait.

I get the 'make the wonderland her home' part, but I didn't have any recollection of the crown part. Steal the the throne—done, I kicked Mary out. Make Wonderland home—also done, I made my decision. but the crown? There was only one thing that could mean...

"Oh," I said, my eyes widening, "are you telling me I'm supposed to become Queen?"

"Yep," they all said in unison.

Wow, how very blunt and confusing. I mean, don't get me wrong, that sounds awesome and all, but WHAT. How am I supposed to be shoved into a role of monarchy without the slightest bit of knowledge of how to be a ruler, and....?????? Woah, okay, this is stressing me out.

"But I thought the other Queen killed her husband," I said, flustered, "how am I supposed to steal his heart or anything? Not that I'd want him, anyways, but still—"

"It was never about the queen's husband, we misread it," Harry yawned, rolling onto his back.

I blinked. "Really?"

"Really."

"It simply means you'll be needing a King to rule beside you," James said, "someone who knows Wonderland the best."

"Someone who's a good leader," Oliver added.

"Someone who loves you," Alice piped in.

Holy heck.

I felt my face heat up, and I turned to look at the sheepish looking boy a few paces away. Louis seemed to have known it the entire time, and was just waiting for me to figure it out for myself. I didn't know whether to smack him over the head, or give him a big kiss for it.

"Are you saying that..." I began, before getting cut off.

"Yes, lady, we're telling you that you and Louis are going to be our new rulers," Emma snapped impatiently, "congrats."

As everyone started to laugh and converse again, I just stood there dumbfounded in shock. In the span of two days, I rescued my friends from prison, fought in a battle, nearly died, decided to stay, and was now about to be made Queen of Wonderland. On second thought, maybe I did die. This is all too crazy.

Louis slid over to where I was standing, a silly grin plastered all over his face as he grabbed my hand. Lifting it up to his face, he planted a soft kiss on the back of it.

"Your majesty," he said, a gleam in his eye.

I opened my mouth to respond, but I was cut off by Liam, who was already climbing back onto his horse. The rest of the nights joined him, and my friends were preparing to follow.

"Let's go," he said, "we've got a coronation to plan."