Chapter Text
Oh hello there dear reader. I suppose you've heard this story, but someone was missing during it. So little ol’ Chessy is here to help tell it again. As you well know, Princess Red went back in time to save her mom and Cinderella, but let's take a look at what life was like in Wonderland before she went back in time again shall we…
Briggs walked into the room to see Maddox looking at the security screens. “That damn girl can't just stay out of trouble can she?” Maddox mumbled as Briggs walked closer to him, placing a hand on his back.
“And what is our girl up to now?” Briggs asked with a slight smile.
“Your niece just defaced your sister's new portrait as well as smashed vases in the courtyard. Now she's being chased by the guards,” Maddox moved away from the screen to a control arm. “Don't worry I got her.” Briggs watched as Maddox maneuvered his giant claw to grab the back of Red’s jacket.
“I'll go make us some tea,” Briggs stated as he leaned down and placed a soft kiss on Maddox’s cheek. “Thank you my sweet.”
Briggs walked into the kitchen and filled the kettle before turning on the stove to heat up the water. He looked around at the messy kitchen. A mess he and Maddox would work together to clean once Red had been dealt with.
It wasn't long before his niece's voice began to float down the hall, an argument was brewing between Maddox and Red. Briggs swiftly got the tea made, placing the kettle as well as the tea cups, sugar bowl, cream pitcher, and a small plate of snacks on the tray before heading back towards his husband and niece.
“If you continue down this path I won't always be there to save you. You know that right?” Maddox stated as he repositioned his hat.
“Maddox Hatter you know you can't save me, I'm a prisoner of Wonderland. I'm a lost cause,” Red retorted as she slumped into the nearest chair.
“Red, we are all prisoners here, but you are not a lost cause,” Briggs chided as he placed the tray down on the table. He began to pour the tea into the three cups as Red and Maddox continued their conversation. Maddox sat in the chair next to Red’s.
“As your tutor I am in charge of preparing you for your future, and as your friend I want you to have one,” Maddox’s voice softened as he spoke. Briggs walked two cups over and handed one to each of them before going back to grab his own and walk back towards Maddox who gently pulled Briggs into his lap.
“What future Mads… I have the most controlling mom ever,” Red replied as she took her cup. Briggs couldn't stop the slight snort at that response. Having himself been cast out from the Castle for falling in love with the advisor. “She's never going to let me leave Wonderland.”
“I know it hasn't been easy, growing up with a mother that's so…” Maddox was trying to comfort Red, but struggling to find a good word. “Particular.” Briggs snorted again as he took a sip of his tea.
“That's one way to put it.” He stated getting a small laugh from Red.
“Not helping my beloved,” Maddox responded as he gently rubbed on Briggs’ back with the hand not holding his tea. “Your mother wasn't always this way.”
“It's true, she was actually kind at one point,” Briggs added.
“We're all products of our past.” Maddox continued. “And your mother's was certainly unfortunate.”
Briggs finished his cup of tea and stood up. “I'm going to go let Max know it's time for bed,” he stated as he bent down to give Maddox a kiss.
“Alright my dear, I'll be there soon.” Briggs nodded and walked out of the room…
And that's enough of that. Now you know what happened next, Red stole the pocket watch and went back in time, but she didn't account for how this could mess up others lives. Maddox went mad looking for his missing pocketwatch, knowing it had to be somewhere. So insane that he was banished to the Isle, but do you think the Queen of Hearts would ever let her brother go there? Of course not. No no. Instead Briggs attempted to free Maddox multiple times, believing his lover to be innocent.
He made the attempt so many times that Bridget felt there was no other answer than to put him on lockdown within the Castle. A room with soft walls and a soft bed. He could have anything he wanted, except for the one thing his heart desired. Then the news broke. Maddox had a child. On the Isle he had met someone. He had moved on, but Briggs still couldn't. So he begged his sister to be released, promising he would never try to free Maddox again. And he kept his word.
Even when Maddox came back, he never tried to reach him. Certain that the mad Hatter’s son would never be interested in seeing him again.
As for Maddox? He assumed the same. So consumed by his betrayal he knew that his beloved would have found someone else. Instead he stayed at his house, toiling away as he tried to figure out where that watch must have gone…