If Alice had to pick a time period she liked the best, it would have to be mornings. It was rare, as though a morning period only came around when she really, really needed one, but it was wonderful. It's rarity meant it threw all the role holders off their schedules; too late for that pesky hatter, just too early for the twins to be interested in bothering her, and Julius was buried in his duties still.

She had found a corner of the large rose gardens all to herself, close enough to a fountain to be comforted and she could sit quietly to savour some rare peace. No one shot, sliced, or rushed at her, and she appreciated the much needed peace.

It felt like so long since she had come to this wonderland, the Country of Hearts, and her home was a warm, half-remembered thing. She tried to remember more, remember what made her sad whenever she sat to really think about it, but she always found her mind drifting off instead. At least here on her quiet, stolen, sunny mornings, she could reflect back and feel such things without fear of remorse or fear of having her new friends so desperate to console her.

There was no one here to have to be polite or composed for.

"ALICE!"

The young woman in question nearly squealed as suddenly one of her quiet mornings was interrupted. She had never seen anyone, role or card, near here this early in the morning, and she hurried to try and rise before Peter overtook her. A shrub made an excellent shield, leaving them space, and she couldn't help how her hackles rose.

"Peter? You're not supposed to be up this early…" She couldn't contain her disapproval, playing round the bushes with the prime minister.

"But Alice," Peter whined, "why would I want to be anywhere else in the palace? Here, though our time will be gone too soon, we have the makings of a lovely afternoon!"

"Peter-" Alice blurted, stopping and throwing her hands forward to stop him. "you stand still! Stop chasing me!" She could hardly believe it, to be found out, and she scowled a little again. "I was enjoying quiet time until you came along. Don't you have work to do?"

"You're worried?" Peter practically swooned, throwing his arms around her. "How sweet! You should know by now that any time spent with you is a treat!" He had to squeeze her, making her huff and wriggle in his arms like a fussy cat, and she finally gave up as he rubbed his face into her hair a little. "Darling, my dear, I adore having you near."

"I know." Alice said, eyes closing in irritation. "Get off me, Peter. Now." She gave him a firm elbow, stern, and she had to scowl at him as he bent to hold his belly, still beaming. "And go away. I'm busy." She added, "I don't want to see you right now." She was happy to ignore him, especially when she could feel him practically quivering for more of her attention, and she gave his chest another firm push.

"My love, do not go." Peter sighed, hand so delicate as he petted her hair. "You know my heart, I love you so!" He didn't even need her prompting before he turned into his rabbit form, still clutching her, and his little hop feet hung uselessly at her sides. Her arms moved with the reluctant instinct to hold him up, his small body light, and she just sighed as he nuzzled her. "Alice, what is troubling you?" He asked softly, voice quivering. "What can this serious rabbit do? I won't break your heart or cause a fuss. Jus please, dear Alice, don't separate us."

Alice sighed.

"Be quiet." She said bluntly, feeling him stiffen and sit up a little straighter in her hold. "A morning time period means a lot of peace and quiet."

With his little nose quivering, legs bending to sit more comfortable in her hold, Peter's big bunny eyes peered up at her in an expression of awe for a moment- then fear.

"If morning time is for peace and quiet," He murmured, whiskers twitching. "is there time enough for a pitiful rabbit?" He begged with those big eyes, Alice already soft under all her resistance, and she sighed heavily. All he had to do was widen his eyes a little more and wiggle his little cotton-tailed rump.

"Only if you're quiet." Alice said, already crumbling and giving his little frame a squeeze. "Starting right now, until the time period changes, you need to play by the rules and be quiet. Otherwise I'll give you to Vivaldi and she'll make you work."

"I'll-" "Ah." Alice knew better than to let him talk too much. "Rules. Now shhh." She had to adjust her grip on him, getting settled again as she sat back down, but Alice had to settle and resettle to find that sunny morning peacefulness again.

Weight against her legs? No, not a white rabbit, just her skirts.
A little cotton tail tickling her? No, she had wild flowers.

Closing her eyes, she let Peter lean back to drape his little body across her folded legs and her mind wandered. Warm sun, a soft breeze, the fresh air; Alice took herself by surprise by setting her hand on his head and rubbing her thumb back and forth behind one ear. It was easy, considering how his presence made her want to fidget in the first place, and Alice took a few moments to fall into the pattern and relax properly. It was easier than she expected, much easier, and soon Alice was drifting through her foggy memory and giving her long eared companion his head scratches. Peter, though practically smothering himself to keep quiet, was in heaven with such willing and tender attention. Any more and his foot would start thumping appreciatively.

However, nose twitching, Peter's eyes shot open as he smelt salt in the air. He could feel her shift, breath just so, and he hurried to sit up and use his dainty (and well-groomed, thank you) paws to dry her cheeks. Not sanitary, had she been anyone else, but Peter was honored now to be the first. He'd beaten her own hands, which fluttered semi-helplessly as he dried her eyes for her, and his ears slowly unwound to relax. He could almost feel her eyes on them, like she wanted to pull them again.

That thought had them folding back, nervous, and suddenly their peaceful moment was gone. She stood, letting him tumble out of her lap, and Peter looked stunned as he transformed mid roll and had to brush his hair back to right himself. She was already halfway down the lane, past the fountain, and Peter swallowed hard as he looked down at his damp gloves.

Her warm tears.
Her soft touch.

Peter could hardly contain his concern, getting to his feet, and his ears curved to touch as glee had him blushing. In one of the rarest moments since she'd arrived, proclaiming him a pervert, stalker, and a wicked rabbit, she had touched him so gently. They had had their own Sunday afternoon, though she didn't know that either, and Peter was quick to commit this spot to memory.

So this was where she spent her mornings?
He would have to be here next time to join her, by her rules if need be.