Author's Note: Sorry its taken so long everyone! Been really busy lately. I know its been a little slow but stay tuned, the real fun is about to begin!
Returning Home
Alice bit her lip, hesitating. She wasn't sure why her nerves were getting the best of her.
Hatter waited with his arm held out expectantly, encouraging her with a smile. She took a deep breath and hooked arms with his, hoping again that there wouldn't be a large crowd awaiting her in Marmoreal. The thought of seeing Mirana however made her happy. Besides Margaret, she didn't have a lot of female companionship over the years.
As they ascended to the bottom floor, Alice could catch glimpses of the large white horses. But the extravagance of the mares was nothing compared to the great white coach they were roped to. It was plated in gold and seemed to shimmer, like it was made from crushed pearls, the windows were shaded by soft pink curtains, and the black painted detail wrapped all the way around to the horse's harnesses. Alice let out a low whistle as they stepped out into the yard.
"So much for making a quiet entrance", she mumbled, marveling at it's grandness.
The Hatter laughed, "I'm quite sure the Queen's intentions are purely focused on a comfortable journey for you and I", he opened the small door for her,
"Your carriage, my lady".
Alice smiled as an old memory popped into her head, "I think travel by hat may be the best form of travel there is, wouldn't you agree?"
He returned her knowing smile, "I think the Queen may disagree, let us not waste this gilded gift and risk hurting her feelings. There will be plenty of places to travel to by hat, in due time"
"I'll remember that promise", she said as he helped her into her seat.
Alice couldn't help but gasp a little at the inside of the vehicle, which was just as breathtaking as it's exterior. The walls were covered in white drapes, with crystals dangling like raindrops down the sides and across the ceilings. The seats were made of a soft fur, which felt similar to chinchilla. It felt wonderful against her skin. The floor of the carriage was made of black satin, and she felt almost guilty setting her boots on it.
The Hatter sat across from her and rapped on the roof twice, then the carriage came to life, lurching forward.
She looked confusedly out the window, "But I don't remember seeing a coachman".
"The horses know where to go", he said airily.
"Oh, er right", she said, feeling foolish.
She had been away too long, the idea of talking horses had been only a fairytale in her old world.
Alice moved the curtain to the side, enjoying the cool breeze fighting off the heat; the sun was blazing hot today. Tarrant removed a handkerchief from his pocket and wiped his brow, feeling the heat himself.
"Dreadfully hot in here", he said removing his waistcoat.
Alice couldn't help but watch as he laid aside his silk tie and unbuttoned the top three buttons of his shirt. His chest was smooth and white, like porcelain. She tried to stop from thinking what he would look like with his shirt completely unbuttoned…
Swallowing hard, Alice looked away as he began to speak again, "If I recall correctly, we haven't had a summer this warm in years. Alice, I do believe you have brought the sun back with you to Underland", he spoke while unbuttoning a fourth button.
"Oh, bloody hell"
She played with a loose string on her pant leg as she replied, trying to be coherent as possible, "I rather enjoy a warm summer, father used to take Margaret and I down to the river near our orchard, when mother was busy. We would always come back terribly wet and muddy, she would be furious." Alice smiled at the memory, "But we would chase her, begging for hugs, and we would laugh and run until our sides ached. She could never stay angry at us for more than a moment". Forgetting about his exposed chest, she raised her eyes. Tarrant was listening intently, head tilted to the side.
"Your childhood must've been a pleasant one", he said softly.
"Yes it was. Most of the time, until you lot kept haunting my dreams", she said, playfully winking.
"Now Alice, you only dream memories that your heart can't bare to forget," he said wagging his finger at her.
"And I never could…. Forget you I mean. I highly doubt anyone has broken my personal record of dreaming the same dream every night".
"I bet I would be close".
She looked back at him but he was already busying himself with the buttons on his shirt.
"That breeze is helpful".
She wanted to pout as his fingers closed the shirt up to his throat, but his comment had not been missed. Alice didn't think she could ever forgive herself for the misery she caused him, and how for how long too. She would make it up to him soon, somehow.
She leaned out the window as they rode through the lively forest. Closing her eyes she breathed in all the wonderful scents of the flowers and trees. Every now and then a horsefly would buzz around her head, whinnying in her ear. She noticed out of the corner of her eye that Tarrant was watching her with a pleasant smile.
"What is it?" she asked with a smile, sitting back into her seat.
"Nothing at all, nothing at all. Just enjoying the scenery myself".
The heat in the carriage seemed to have returned, and felt suddenly smaller as she noticed they're knees bumping into one another. But she held her gaze, not wanting to break the spell. Tarrant stared back at her with a soft expression. He hadn't even so much as mentioned the kiss from last night.
As they looked at one another she contemplated whether or not he would try again. Oh, she wished he would. That kiss had felt too tender not to mean something, but she was still plagued by his abrupt exit. Her heart would break if it was all just a misunderstanding, but there was no other way to be sure. God give her strength, she knew that their time alone was limited. She couldn't find the words quite yet, so she would try and show him exactly how deeply she cared for him.
Alice moved so she was sitting beside him. Staring at her mouth, Tarrant gave a nervous giggle.
"You know Hatter, I never had the opportunity to return your goodnight kiss you gave me", she had not meant to sound seductive, she only wanted to let him know her intentions, in case she was about to make an utter fool of herself, but her voice came out husky and low.
She saw his eyes begin to turn darker and it made her heart thunder against her rib cage.
Looking up at her, he responded in his growling, Scottish brogue, "Aye lass, this I know", she started a little at his sudden shift in accent. His eyes were a deep burgundy now and his stare made her shiver slightly. She was suddenly frozen, unsure of what to do next.
"So…yes, well", she stuttered as he leaned in closer to her.
"Good Lord Alice, you sound like a fool", she was searching her brain for her next move, becoming disoriented by the feel of his hot breath on her face, her cheeks going red.
"Your blush is so very appealin'", his words came out as a purr, slow and lusty, she almost fainted on the spot.
"No", she thought, "Not this time, I will not allow myself to ruin the moment, again"
She mustered up all the courage she could gather and laid her hands on his shoulders, moving her body closer. His response was exactly what she had hoped for.
"You're playin' with fire woman", but his voice held no threat, it was inviting as he grabbed her by the waist, pulling her closer still. Her confidence soared; did he actually feel the same? Could he, in fact, taste the same burning desire she did?
Alice had always prayed he still held feelings for her. The way he had looked at her upon her departure made Alice's heart break, she was afraid that she'd lost all chances of ever being more than just a friend to him. Her senses had told her that he wanted more than friendship, but she was too caught up in saving Underland to acknowledge it, as she wanted to. Leaving Tarrant behind was the hardest thing she'd ever had to do, but it was a decision that led her down the right path, and back to him. And now they were together again, closer than ever, quite literally.
"Then if you won't object to it, I think it only proper to return the same kindness", she was beginning to feel bolder, more in control. That is until he ran his hand from her arm, up the side of her neck, causing her vision to become hazy.
"No objections, lass", he said, grabbing her chin and brushing his lips against hers. Not being able to help herself, she let out a quiet sigh, closing her eyes. Alice knew that she was losing the ability to think straight; she couldn't keep up the game much longer. She took her hand and slowly removed his hat, his eyes were growing darker with every second, and they sent chills down her spine.
"Alice"
The sound of his rough voice saying her name was all it took. Closing the remaining space between them, she kissed him, quickly, but softly. She could feel his hands shaking as he grabbed her face. He tasted like tea and smelled wonderfully, like summer time. She wrapped her arms around his neck. The kisses were growing more passionate by the second, years of emotion rolling forth from the both of them. In one swift motion he laid her on her back, pressing himself against her. She sighed in delight, but when she looked up his eyes were back to their bright green and he lifted himself off her.
"Oh, I'm terribly sorry Alice, I…oh dear", he was leaning over her, looking apologetic. She was confused, what was he apologizing for?
"Hatter, what's wrong?" she was concerned; he was beginning to look utterly terrified.
"I…Well I…I'm afraid I…lost some control" he trailed off mumbling, looking away from her.
Realization dawning on her, she laughed and grabbed his face, forcing him to look at her.
"Tarrant, you did nothing wrong. You only acted a second quicker than I did, if I wasn't so slow, it would be you on your back, not I" she grinned up at him.
He still did not look convinced, guilt etched across his features. Alice gently pulled him back down to her, and kissed him softly, trying to convey the message that she wasn't quite finished. When they broke apart he finally looked at ease, smiling again.
"Alice, I-
Just then the door to the carriage flew open, the sunlight blinding them. The coach had stopped without them realizing, and all Alice could do was look upside down, mortified, at the sight of the Queen staring wide-eyed into the carriage.
R&R PLEASE!
