Just because you guys are so effin' cool (and, to be honest, I've got nothing better to do) here's another chapter! I might put up a fourth one, depending how long I can drag it out ;) I'm really getting into this one…

I CHANGED THE TITLE OF THE STORY! Lol, just so you know ;)

"Take a look at my body, look at my hands. There's so much here that I don't understand…"

The Heart's Savior

Mirana POV

I was still sitting on my bed by time supper rolled around. I stood slowly, trying to remember why I had ever trusted myself to love Alice the way she deserved. As I stood, I glanced in the mirror. I decided that I needed to change me dress, though there was nothing wrong with the one I had on. Maybe it was the fact that I still felt Alice's body on top of mine whenever my thoughts floated to the dress. Maybe it was the fact that I wore this dress while breaking Alice's heart.

I still changed the dress, for whatever reason there was.

I sighed deeply and wiped at my tears that I had no memory of crying. I pulled a comb through my tangled hair and re-applied any white face powder I needed to hide the purple markings around my eyes. I'd come to accept that they appeared when I was upset and I'd learned how to cover them. But it seemed that, today, no amount of make-up in all of Underland could cover these particular colors. They were more black than purple, but I thought nothing of it.

I opened my bedroom and door and started walking down the hall as slowly as I could. Maybe I could get away with just eating in the Kitchen tonight; or, maybe, skipping supper all together. But I knew that was not possible- McTwisp would catch me, force me into the Dining Room, and- if necessary- feed me himself. I was grateful for his protectiveness, but sometimes…I didn't deserve it. Like right now.

Right now, I probably deserved to be ejected from Alice's life. I deserved to go insane and be locked up by myself. I deserved to be alone…but then again, hadn't I always been alone anyway? I tried not to dwell on the thought as I entered the dining room. I was immediately shocked when I saw that Alice was the only one- human or creature- to be sitting in the room…and she was staring at me in great despair. I pulled a pocket-watch out of my dress' pocket and checked the time. I was, indeed, very early. I bit my lip, unsure of how to proceed.

But, then, I couldn't help but smile when I saw the white and blue flowers in her hair. Maybe there was hope after all.

Alice POV

As I trudged through the lovely garden, I couldn't stop my hand from reaching up to touch the flowers I'd placed in my hair. They felt so right being there. Could that mean that Mirana and I were right? Were we wrong? What were we, if anything? All these questions kept running through my mind as I watched the sun set- well, suns…there were two, much to my surprise.

Once the sun was nearly completely below the bumpy horizon, I made my way out of the maze as fast as I could. Once I reached the castle, I cleaned up my face and headed to the Dining Room for supper. There wasn't anyone sitting in the large room, so I took a seat near the middle of the table. I didn't want to avoid Mirana, but I didn't want to exactly be right next to her either. The door opened, and my head snapped up.

Speak of the devil, and the devil shall appear. I thought, though she was nowhere near being a devil. Right now, she looked more like an angel to me…a sad angel at that. Just as I realized I was staring, she smiled, her gaze directed at my flowers. I grinned back, but was disappointed when she went to sit at the head of the table. I scolded myself for being selfish. I'd wanted too much over the past week.

Supper was very, in the least, awkward. It was obvious that Mirana was trying not to talk to me. She had engaged the Hatter in a conversation about hats, to which she looked completely withdrawn and bored. But, I could also see that she was glancing over at me every once in a while.

When supper had ended, I was the first to stand and leave the room. Little to my surprise, but much to everyone else's, Mirana was the second to leave. I could hear her following me as I walked back towards that hidden garden. I was almost shocked when she didn't bother running up to me or calling out to stop me. She simply…followed. And, honestly, that was more than anyone had ever done for me.

Once I reached the center for a second time today, I sat on a bench that had probably not been there earlier. I kept my eyes on my hands while the woman I loved sat silently beside me. I waited for her to say something, and then, I remembered. It was not something I preferred to remember, but I couldn't help it.

I started crying- no, sobbing- while I thought of Father, Mother, and Margaret. I should not have left at all. I'd never get to visit Daddy's grave, I wouldn't get to see Margaret's son grow up, and I wouldn't get to help Mother when she was old and withering away. I wouldn't get to say goodbye to any of them. These very thoughts alone made me cry so hard that my body was shaking.

And suddenly, it wasn't shaking anymore. Mirana had pulled me into her arms, resting my head on her shoulder as I wet her dress with tears. She whispered words that were supposed to be comforting in my ear, rubbing my back. This only made me cry harder, as it made me think of Father again. When would this torture end?

Mirana POV

As she sobbed into my shoulder, I couldn't help but think that this was my fault. Was she crying because I hadn't smiled at her before; that I hadn't confirmed my love for her? Or was she second-guessing coming back in the first place- again, probably my fault.

I pulled her off my shoulder and looked her in the eyes, curious to see her tears. I hadn't cried in heaven knows how long. I took one hand and wiped away one tear at a time, watching- intrigued- as a smiled lit up her features. She sort of hiccupped once, giving a short chuckle, and then growing somber again. I gulped down a breath of air after I realized I'd been holding it. I let my hands fall from her shoulders, still ashamed about earlier in the day.

"Mirana? Look at me; please…I want you to do something for me." When I looked up at her, she looked a bit nervous. "Look at my body. Look at my hands. Look at my face; look at my clothes. Tell me, do I look like I belong here? There's just so much I'm struggling to understand" she asked, a tone of sadness present.

"Honestly?" I asked. She nodded quickly. I saw, in her eyes, a bit of fear growing larger and larger. "Yes. You do belong here. At least, I believe that you do. I don't know about you, but I would die if you left here again. You see, Alice, I-" I stopped short, unsure about whether or not I should tell her. "I like you. You're strong; you've got a ton of muchness; you're a beautiful young woman and you've got so much potential. You belong here as much as I do- as much as the Hatter, McTwisp, Absolem, even Chessur!" She grinned. This time, it stayed in place. I happened to look at her flowers again, and got the strength to tell her. "And, you know, I love you. That helps it as well. I love you, I adore you, I think you're absolutely amazing, and-" Again, I was cut off.

"Shut your mouth, catch your breath, and then kiss me," she whispered, clamping a hand over my mouth. I smiled brightly, stopped talking, and leaned in to kiss her even more passionately than I had before. It was dark, so no one could see us.

Our breathing was short and ragged when we finally stopped, both of our faces flushed. We didn't especially want to return to the castle, so we layed out on the soft grass of the garden and looked at the stars. Somewhere in that time, we'd cuddled up next to each other, holding hands and running our hands through each other's hair.

"You know, I always thought that you were some kind of angel; my savior. Now, I know you're an angel. You saved me from going insane," I whispered, giving away my secret.

"And I could say the same," she smirked. I looked over at her and actually looked at the flowers behind her ear.

"Oh, Alice? Where did you find those flowers?" She pointed to a general area to out right and shrugged. I got up so that I was resting on one elbow, leaning over her. Looking at the flowers again, I got even more courage.

I leaned down and layed a gentle kiss on her forehead, then kissed down to her neck. The soft flesh was sweet and very Alice-like. She brought my face up to hers and kissed me once again. I broke it early, though, and told her about the flower. It was the oddest of times, but I needed to tell her.

"Alice? Those flowers are quite amazing, you know…especially since they are the only two of their existence. They began dieing off after the Horevendush Day. There was a frost hour, but I'd rather not talk about it," I said softly, shuddering at the memory. I stood up and took her hand, pulling her with me.

"What were they called?" she asked, all innocence, holding fast to my hand.

"They have none…Diligo est diligo: expertus per fortuna quod renuntio per virtus quod termination. Amor nos elegit." I whispered, caressing her cheek. She looked so confused, but going by my tone, I'm sure that she knew what I meant.

Mwaha! 'Tis not over yet!

What Mirana said—"Love is love: proven by fate and announced with courage and determination. Love chose us."

Yes, I used Latin. But yes, it was from a translator xD So, I really don't know how accurate it is :)