"Isn't it just amazing?" Iracebeth squealed, and it was more a statement than anything else. She held the dress robes up to his body, watching how the silk fell over his form effortlessly, drinking in the delicate seam work and the vibrant colors of it all. Her eyes were wide and excited, and Time had to hold back the groan that was vibrating in his throat.

She forced him to take the garment in his hands, skipping over to her vanity where she began applying makeup to her face. He watched her for a moment, stock still, the fabric bunched up in his fists, uncertain of what to do.

Spotting him in her mirror looking spooked and a little queasy, she turned, a scowl on her face as she regarded him, "Well? Stop wasting yourself, we're going to be late! And not even the fashionable-kind."

"Erm," he looked at the bright fabric in his hands again, and then to his dresser where five, immaculately clean and cut dress robes were hung. His dress robes – the ones he wore regularly, cycling through each one (including the sixth identical one he currently wore) on a basis where not one was more worn than the other. He sighed longingly – he would do anything to change into the third one (he was wearing the second one currently), but it seemed that unpredictability had won this day, and he would be wearing the turquoise-cyan-royal combination currently in his too-tight grasp.

He turned back to his sweet heart, who had an expectant smile on her face, her fists balled up under her chin in anticipation, "Oh, please please put it on! It goes so well with your eyes – makes them just pop, it does!"

He hesitated a moment longer before huffing in defeat, retreating to the bathing chambers to finish changing. The material itched his skin and he swore he looked like a giant balloon, but he was not the fashionable of the two and maybe this was Underland's latest fashion trend? He would not be surprised after meeting the hatter who wanted to turn his own regal hat into some kind of beside table.

He scratched the itch that was currently irritating his collar, grumbling as he made his way back into the bedroom. Iracebeth had finished with her makeup and her eyes lit up like the stars the moment she saw him. She gasped, as if in awe for a moment, and then she was on him, smoothing imaginary creases and adjusting hems and making sure everything was perfect.

"See? It looks magnificent – you look magnificent. Do you know-" she finally looked up into his face to see his no-doubt prominent scowl, accentuated by his eyebrows. She stopped her mumbling and simply gazed at him a moment, before her smile was back in place and she was talking about colors and sparkles and all other things glittery.

He could see the fakeness of it, the way it didn't reach her eyes, and he hoped he didn't cause it. He cupped her cheek in his hand, and she immediately stopped her chattering and flitting around. It still amazed him – the affect he had on this mercurial creature. She nuzzled into his hand, and her anxiety dissipated – if only for the moment.

She took his hand in hers, leading him out of the room, "Let's go then. I don't fancy wasting any more of you than necessary." At that, he smiled.

/

Marmoreal's court in the summer was beautiful, and Time had never seen such a diverse group of individuals in his span – not even from what he had seen in his faraway kingdom under the galaxies. Iracebeth clung to his arm as they made the rounds through the court, dancing occasionally (on Iracebeth's request, and he tried as hard as he could to be the sophisticated partner she no-doubt wanted), and eventually they sat near the edge of the court at a table that was not far off from Tarrant, who was doing something or other with a card and an empty tea pot.

Iracebeth fidgeted in her seat, a nervous ball of energy, and once he caught her eye she bit her lip, blinking coyly up at him, "You're outfit was quite smashing tonight. Even Ringworth complimented you – and she hasn't even complimented Mirana before, the Queen," she whispered conspiratorially, excited and expectant.

He scratched at the spot on his collar out of habit, although it stopped irritating him partway through the night. He wasn't sure if it was because he had gotten used to the irksome spot, or because it had magically just stopped itching.

"It makes your eyes just –" she stopped, trying to think of the most fitting word, her cheeks flushing, "They look perfect."

His own cheeks became heated, and Iracebeth turned away quickly, "'Course, I wouldn't be seen with anyone or anything less than perfect, so I guess it all worked out, didn't it?" It was another one of her statement-questions.

He turned her face back to him, his finger tilting her jaw until she was looking up at him (she was a short little thing), "Sweet, I-"

"Ah, I always knew I'd find the Time!" Mirana's sweet voice carried over to them, and she plopped herself down beside her now sulking sister, "I'm so happy you two came today. Wasn't it lovely?" her voice was soft like a fluffy cloud, and Iracebeth mumbled about how there should have been more red.

Time recognized that brooding look anywhere and quickly took Iracebeth's hand in his own, winking at her, and she hesitantly turned to her sister, smiling cautiously. Mirana's face lit up.

Her eyes flickered over briefly to him, and then down to the peacock-suit he was wearing, "Oh!" And then back to Iracebeth, "I'm so happy you gave him that suit you've been working so hard on. Do you know she's spent days holed up just making sure the blue matche –"

Mirana's speech was cut short by Iracebeth slamming her palm over her sister's mouth – her face was a bright red and her eyes looked like they were about to burst out of her head, "You weren't supposed to tell him," she harshly fake-whispered. Time couldn't understand why she would attempt to anyway – he could hear her perfectly – but his mind wasn't really functioning and for the first Time in a long Time, he was frozen.

He was surprised to see the dancers weren't trapped in their twirls and jumps and were still moving around with ease because he was certain the universe froze still for a moment. He felt an embarrassed flush come over his neck and face at the thought.

"And why not?" Mirana's voice wavered over to him, "You've worked so hard on it and I'm sure he would be delighted to know. It looks quite smashing as well, should I add," she nodded her head triumphantly and turned to Time, eyes sparkling, "Now I'll leave you both to it. I will see you for tea tomorrow, Sissy. Don't be late," she winked at Time and then was whirling off into the crowd once more.

Iracebeth avoided his gaze but he tilted his head down anyway, trying to catch her eye, "Why didn't you tell me you made this for me?" He asked, incredulous.

She had made this. With her own hands. Had spent hours of him to make this… for him.

Her lips drew together in a pout, and she dropped her chin in her hands, elbows resting on the table dramatically, "Because you don't like it and I know you don't like it so I didn't want to be embarrassed about it."

"I love it," his voice came out in a huff, part incredulous and part laughter. He took one of her hands in his own, "It is beautiful."

"No it's not," she scowled.

"Yes it is! Because you made it," he kissed her knuckles and she eyed him wearily.

"Don't lie to me, please," her voice was tight.

"Why would I lie to you?" He was genuinely confused. Had he said something wrong?

She stared at him and he felt the itchiness in his collar return, but he ignored it. He would wear this suit whenever he got the chance. Why was he so hesitant before? After a moment Iracebeth's body relaxed a smidge, and again she was looking at him with those eyes he couldn't quite read yet. But he would learn soon – they had plenty of Time.

"You're just saying that because you love me or whatever," she sulked, but her voice was softer and lighter, and he could see the resemblance the two sisters had to each other.

"Yes? And?" Now it was his turn to look at her with expecting eyes. She stared at him a moment, as if judging his worth, and then a wane smile graced her lips.

She laced her fingers through his.

A/N: Thank you for the favorites, the follow, and for the reviews Convenient Alias, BryannaB709, and spacetea!