Hello there, my twitchy witchies! ^_^ I'm so SO SO SO VERY SORRY about the delay. But here it is, another wonderful chapter that I wrote with my cutie pie best friend. (It was an rp. She did Hatter and Molly's parts while I did Liddell's.) This one's sure to make your heart, red or black, vigorously pound inside of your chest! I'll have the next update out soon, review if you liked it! ^_^)


Molly looked at Liddell expectantly. Hatter, who was now taking a very long sip of tea, tried to seem as casually disinterested as possible. He glanced down so his eyes couldn't betray him. Molly scoffed lightly, "Cat got your tongue, Liddell?" She smirked devilishly.

"What kind of crap question is that?! Couldn't you ask something a bit more... Less..." She sighed. "We're friends!" She said, crossing her arms and looking away from the table.

"Thought so," Molly giggled, grabbing another tart. She glanced in her brother's direction. "It's your turn, Hatter." He gazed at the two girls calmly.

"Ah, yes," he began. "Liddell, truth or dare?"

She looked up at him, hoping he didn't see her blush, as she knew she was.

"Hmmm... Dare!" Despite her crimson cheeks, she was curious as to what he would make her do.

Hatter pondered a moment, struggling to focus on the game. Ideas didn't seem to form inside of his mind as thoughts of Liddell's reaction to the previous question flew through his head. Just friends? What could possibly be wrong with that? What more should he expect? Liddell was a fantastic witch, savior of the land, and... an acquaintance. Hatter concluded for the time being that it was a wonderful, acceptable arrangement. Before his thoughts could continue to form, he snapped back to the game.

"I dare you to," he began slowly, "Create a short poem about whatever you wish." He hoped it wasn't too odd a request, as he looks at the witch expectantly.

She giggled a bit at his decision.

"Wow, a poem? I thought you would make me do something ridiculous like pour tea over my head and jump off into the moonlight while doing my loue impression." She scratched the back of her head in thought.

"A poem? Hmm..." She thought for a few moments, and then said; " teacup, teacup, you're so cute, holding tea... Uhh... Contribute… Attribute... What rhymes with cute...?" She giggled.

"That's a hard one. Can you think of anything else?"

A small smile appeared on Hatter's face.

"Oh but of course. Since you mentioned it, seeing that Loue impression may be entertaining..." he mused.

"I dare you to do that instead," he offered, chuckling softly. Molly rolled her eyes. "This should be good."

Liddell giggled as she stood up.

"This'll be fun." She ripped out her pigtails and let her hair fall onto her shoulders. She then took some of it, and covered her eye. She then said, in the quietest whisper, leaning into hatter's ear;

"Tomato."

Hatter couldn't help but laugh at the spectacle Liddell was causing. When her brother began laughing, Molly couldn't help but join in.

After laughing a bit, Liddell straightened herself out, and stretched.

"Alright, who's next?"

Hatter was about to answer Liddell when the sound of angry grumbling interrupted him. They all turned to see a very irritated-looking figure approaching them.

"Damn," Molly muttered with a scowl. As the figure got closer to the light of the tea party, it was apparent that the March Hare and Dormouse were the intruders.

"Ah, Hare. Sir Dormouse. Care to take a seat?" Hatter asked, knowing fully why they were here.

"Thank you, Hatter, but I must decline. I have some business to attend with your sister," he said, enunciating the last word bitterly. Molly tried to put on her most innocent expression as the Hare turned to face her.

"How may I assist?" she asked, keeping a straight face. Hatter placed a teacup to his lips in an attempt to not laugh. Hare shot the girl a glare,

"Some of the tarts have gone missing and I'd daresay you are the culprit." Before Molly could defend herself, Hatter spoke.

"Turn and return, Hare. We all know who's guilty. Molly will help you bake the ones lost as repentance for her acts." The March Hare heaved the girl out of her seat and began leading her away, with the sound of Molly's oppositions and the Dormouse's sleepy chant of "Repent, repent~" echoing in the distance. Hatter turned back into his seat and tried to hold back a pleased smile. He was finally alone with Liddell. The witch covered her mouth and held back a giggle as Molly was found out by the hare. When they had returned to the house, she turned her gaze back to the hatter, and smiled.

"Truth or dare?"

He smiled gently.

"Truth," he said simply, waiting in anticipation for Liddell's question.

She smirked, eager to learn something. He was very mysterious, even when they had known each other for a while then. She thought for a moment, before questioning,

"What's the craziest thing you've ever done, ever?!"

Hatter pondered this for a moment, placing a hand over his chin.

"I must say it was the time I stalked a young witch-to-be and her bratty escort, leaving odd riddles and confusion in my wake as she saved the world from imminent destruction," he concluded, laughing at his past encounters with Liddell. She laughed with him.

"If you asked me the same question, I'd say that too." She smiled, feeling a chill as a cold gust of wind blew over the table. He noticed the girl shiver slightly.

"Are you cold, Liddell?" he asked. Before she could answer, he began unbuckling his tailcoat with ease. The Hatter rose and walked over to Liddell. Removing the article of clothing, he draped it over her bare shoulders, his cool hands brushing her skin. He let the touch linger for a moment before dropping the coat and returning to his chair. His face was blank, unreadable. She watched him cross over to her and cover her with his tailcoat, without much response except for a scarlet blush. Her mind twirled and her stomach filled with butterflies as his hands brushed against her collarbone.

"T-thanks." She squeaked, trying not to make her emotions too obvious. She could smell his distinct scent on the coat, and feel the warmth of his body that had occupied it moments before... It was heaven. She looked up at him, her eyes turning orange from her strong emotion without her realisation.

"That's a lot better." She picked up her half empty teacup and pressed it to her lips.

He watched her with a curious stare. Liddell's eyes... Was he seeing things? Regardless, he realized with slight awe, she looked beautiful in the moonlight. The cold wind blew around them, lifting up tendrils of their hair, making everything around them seem even more real, more intense. Something inside of Hatter altered. She was beautiful, and he... Wanted her. Even he wasn't sure exactly what he meant by it but... In some strange way, Hatter wanted her to be his. To trust him, tell him things, be by his side, be... More than a friend? He pushed down the thought, reaching for a teapot.

"Care for another spot, mademoiselle?" He asked, hardly focusing on his words. He held the teapot slightly higher, asking with the slight gesture if she wanted more tea. Snapping out of her daydream, she set the teacup down, and looked towards the hatter curiously.

"Huh? oh, yeah! That'd be nice!" She smiled, gently pushing the teacup towards him.

Using Liddell's assent as his excuse, Hatter once again stood and walked over to the witch. Taking the seat next to her, he poured her a fresh cup.

"It is a cold night," he stated simply, hoping it was a good enough excuse for the move.

"Yeah," she said, looking up at the purple sky. "It's your turn."

"Oh," he began, remembering the game. "Truth or dare...?"

"Either one is fine," she said, sipping from her teacup, enjoying the hot liquid as it warmed her entire body. Hatter paused a moment. Regarding Molly's question, he pondered what he wanted to say. Was what Liddell said about them true? And likewise, he could dare Liddell to tell him her thoughts on the matter. Hatter stared down at the girl, cursing himself for his questions, wondering in vain what she would say. How would she react? Before he could register what he was doing, his lips were inches away from Liddell's. Liddell watched him think about what to ask, and suddenly froze when she realised that he was leaning in towards her. She did not move, but stared into his eyes in shock. A wave of panic shot through her, but at the same time, her heart was pounding at a violent pace and her stomach was twisting.

Closing the distance between them, he lightly placed his lips on hers. Her lips were soft and sweet against his. He made no attempt to further the kiss. After a few moments, hatter pulled away slightly, gauging Liddell's reaction so there was no risk of offense. She felt her heart stop and closed her eyes, feeling the light pressure of his lips against hers. Her dreams had indeed became a reality. As he pulled away, she wanted oh so badly to lean in so it would last a bit longer, but she stayed where she was, in fear of a negative reaction. She opened her eyes, staring into his.

"Well..." he began, a bit breathlessly. "That was..." Brilliant. Fantastic. Lovely. "Wonderful," he concluded.

She sat for a moment, just staring, until a smile exploded onto her face. She jumped out of the chair and wrapped her arms around his neck, cuddling into his face and laughing. "I agree!" She said through her laughter. She pulled back, and grinned widely.

"Can we do it again...?"

Hatter's eyes widened at the witch's reaction, and he too smiled ecstatically. He wanted to waste no more time. Once again, he let his lips meet hers, this time with a bit more force as he gently pulled her against him. The witch tried her hardest not to squeak as he kissed her again. When they broke it, she gasped for air and started giggling uncontrollably when she caught her breath. Hatter smiled, still holding Liddell's body to his own. As he caught his breath, his head was swimming with happiness. He had kissed Liddell, and she had returned it. And she was happy it had happened. He enveloped her in an embrace. Liddell sighed into his shoulder, and giggled.

"Please tell me I'm not dreaming." She said, enjoying the scent of his hair.

"I can assure you, it's not," he said, chuckling. "And if it was, I'd never want to wake up..." he mumbled. His heart began to race. This truly was reality!