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Repayment
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*o0o*
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I thought of this while I was watching the movie for the millionth time.
When Stayne barges in and says Alice is under arrest for "unlawful seduction", the Hatter looks shocked for a moment before he tells Alice to leave. I'm sure I'm not the first to think of this sort of scenario, but I wondered if he might have asked about it, and how that might effect his relationship with Alice (I'm an Alice/Tarrant shipper).
So, I wrote this little one shot that I can continue if anyone is interested. Or if I can't help myself. Whichever happens first. ;) Hope you enjoy!
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*o0o*
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"Stayne!" The Knave paused, turning back to where he'd just locked the Hatter and Mallymkun in the dungeons of Salazen Grum. Tarrant hesitated, feeling Distress bind him and his tongue. "What did you mean, 'unlawful seduction'?" he lisped finally.
Sneering, the dark haired man returned, seeming to evaluate the expression on the Hatter's features. When he spoke, it was cruel and cold. "Well, surely you know. She asked me into her bed as means to gain my trust. Didn't she try the same on you, Hatter?" The imprisoned man's eyes darkened, and with a calculated look, Stayne went on. "She mentioned it to me, actually. Said she would be glad to be rid of you." With a laugh, Stayne turned and walked away.
Tarrant was silent, his eyes dark as his hands clenched the bars. They were dark as coals, the color of his irises leached out to pale gray as he stared blankly into nothingness, his memories replaying through his mind.
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"Why is it you're always too small, or too tall?" He was giddy as a Mad Schoolboy, watching a matching smile grace Alice's angelic features. She must have understood what he meant.
"I don't think I'd consider this too tall exactly," Alice said quietly. Suddenly she leaned forward, pressing her lips softly to his.
He had to agree. She was soft and smelled like Moonflowers, Vanilla, Allysum, Alice, oh, Alice, so very Alice-y indeed. In fact, now that he was kissing her, he thought, why stop there? He stepped forward to where she knelt before him, and then he was enveloped in soft cloth and warmth, and his tongue slipped out to taste her of it's own volition (how had that happened?) and her arms wrapped around him and oh, yes, this was heaven.
She tasted like Love, he thought. He'd never tasted Love before, but he was sure this was it. Hot. Wet. Sticky-sweet. She bound him to the Earth, settling the chaos in his head in a way nothing else could.
He broke the kiss abruptly, coming back to himself. "Oh, my dear, you must go! The Red Queen could be here any moment!" Despite his panic, he was pleased to see a flush on Alice's cheeks and stars in her eyes.
"No, Hatter, I won't leave unless you come with me," she said breathlessly, pulling him back towards her.
He lost himself again in this indulgence, a pleasant fog coming over him. His hands acted without his conscious consent, running from her large cheeks over her bare shoulders, across her collarbones, and down a bit further until -
"Tarrant!" she whispered against his lips, shock coloring her voice.
He looked down to find his hands cupping her upelkuchen-enlarged breasts through the frilly dress she was wearing. "Oh, my, how did that happen," he trilled, giggling. "My pardons, sweet Alice. Sometimes my hands do run away with themselves." And they still were, bandaged thumbs finding the hardening nubs under the cloth.
She let out a small moan, and he drew his appendages away as though burned. "Alice, stop distracting me, you naughty girl! You are the most important thing. Get the vorpal sword first, and then get to the White Queen." He kissed her lips lightly once more to ease his scolding. "Plenty of Time for... this... later, my dear."
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Doubt was swirling inside him. She had left after that, and returned to try to free him despite his insistence. He didn't want to believe it of his precious Alice; after all, why would she try to save him if she was only playing him for a fool? Stayne was a villain. How could she ever be interested in a villain?
By the same logic, how could she be interested in a Mad Old Hatter?
Tarrant slumped to his knees, rhythmically knocking his forehead against the cold iron of the bars before him as though it would help somehow.
"Hatter?" came the dormouse's quiet voice from high up in the darkness. "What is it?"
Thoughts were jumbling inside him, horrible, hateful, hurtful. "I thought she wanted me. Was it a lie, Mally?"
There was a small gasp, echoing. "You mean, you and Alice...?" Her voice trailed off.
"It was so nice before, but now it's all ruined, rended, wrecked, ravaged," he whispered. "My heart is gone, it ran away with Alice, and I'll never get it back. Never, never, never , never... Even if she doesn't really want it."
"You listen ta me," Mally said sternly. "That Knave is a liar! Alice never said any such thing. I still don't think she's the right Alice, but that girl would never be interested in the likes of Stayne. More like it was the other way around, 'im pushing 'imself on 'er."
Instantly, his irises flashed from dark gray to bright orange as an image of the Knave attempting to force himself on his delicate, golden Alice conjured itself up. "Tha' s nae any better," he growled dangerously, letting out a series of Outlandish curses.
Nothing Mallymkun could say would snap him out of it. Eventually, he fell silent, seated in the small light that was entering his cell. His back curved over, his posture defeated, and even his treasured hat was neglected. The two of them sat in the dark, quietly contemplating their fate the next day. Tarrant knew he'd never be able to get at Stayne, to avenge Alice's honor, or to avenge his own after the events of the Horvendush day, and he felt despair come over him.
That's when Chess arrived. "I've always admired that hat..."
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*o0o*
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To Be Continued? It could be a stand alone, but let me know if you're interested in seeing more of this piece. I've recently renewed my obsession with this movie.
