So, more disjointed ramblings from me... Okay, not really, but it is rather disjointed... And I never use anyone's names... But whatever; it was what both the commission and the muse wanted, so hear it is. XD The first of three Christmas (and two Tarelyn) one-shots for my BFF/cousin Koneko (aka go-ahead-and-try).
Disclaimer: Alice in Wonderland, 2010 does not belong to me; it belongs to Tim Burton and Lewis Carol. Evelyn doesn't belong to me, either; she belongs to Koneko.
Originally, she had intended simply to have supper with him. Originally, she hadn't intended to stay longer than that. In the end, however, it had begun to snow during their meal. She had protested staying, bur he had insisted. 'Please,' he had said, his eyes so round and innocent and green, 'it's so very cold, and the snow is so very deep… I could never forgive myself if you were to catch a cold… Or worse, if you were to take ill and die… Oh dear, that isn't something I could allow myself to cause…' He had been so sincere, so sweet about it. She knew he cared deeply for her, but she… didn't yet know if she could return those same feelings for him.
Even after a year back in Underland, even after the same length of time, finally clearing up her business in Aboveland… she still didn't know how she felt about him. It was childish, she knew, but she just couldn't bring herself to admit that the attraction was there – or, really, she supposed there wasn't an attraction, at least, not in a sexual manner, but she did care for him just as deeply… But, truthfully, was it really love? Oh, dear, there she went, sounding like she'd lost her head again… Well, she'd never really lost her head, but she was still somewhat questioning her sanity at times. Wait… everyone here was a touch mad, so why should she?
After all, sanity, she had found, was so over-rated… especially when one had someone else to share madness with. She blinked herself back to reality, finding that he had offered her a warm drink. She smiled and accepted it, murmuring that she wondered what was in the drink, as she had never tasted anything like this… She knew she really should be going, but it was so cold outside, and his arguments were beginning to become more compelling… She protested again, attempting to rise, saying that the Knave (a good friend of hers during the last year), if not the Queen herself would be worried sick if she didn't return to the palace soon. He returned that the snow was up to her knees; she simply requested a borrowed coat…
But, maybe, she could stay for another drink… Even if everyone at the palace would worry… And she just knew the court gossips would have a good deal to say about this once it reached them… But… maybe it wouldn't be so bad… to stay the night… Because it was oh so cold outside, and the snow was oh so deep… he held her hands so gently, so warmly, not complaining of her icy skin… Then he leaned close and kissed her softly, and she kissed him back… He murmured that her eyes were like stars, and she felt herself blushing as red as his hair…
And she found that she didn't mind the snow and the cold, suddenly, because he would always keep her warm. Always.