{.o2} {Hope : ღ: Peter White}

"One. Two. Three. One. Two. Three. One. Two. Three..."

Three simple numbers were counted out in repetitive succession as two figures twirled on the dance floor. One of them was a simple soldier, holding his faceless dance partner at a respectable arms-distance away.

Peter White stood off to the side, eyes narrowed as he analyzed their movements, the slightest shift in arms and the precise footwork.

Only one maid stood off beside, bestowed the task to help explain these steps and the rabbit image train for the upcoming ball.

It surprised the maid and her faceless companions when the Prime Minister requested them to help him learn how to dance. All three were clearly aware of his disinclinations to come into contact with any other germ-infected creature and usually ignored his escort for the entirety of the ball.

The little maid was harshly reminded herself that was before Alice arrived to Wonderland.

Dismissing the tightness of her throat, the demure girl spoke up quietly, reminding, "Remember you are the leader in this dance. You have to guide your partner through the three bars of music. You perform the choreography and timing of movement. Your partner trusts you and follows your movements without question. Understand?"

Peter answered with a slight nod of his head, crouching down to analyze the footwork. It all started on the first beat: forward right foot, side left, right foot closes to left foot and changes weight then a one-quarter turn.

The two dancers paused for a one moment, their breaths heavy and erratic. "L... Lord White... We will be taking a break. We'll continue your lesson after we get some water, is that alright?"

Peter didn't respond, rising to his feet and swiping his pants clean. The two Heart servants took his silence as approval and quickly headed out of the doorway.

That had left the two figures alone, both captured by an unyielding silence. The maid glanced over, watching as Peter slowly shuffled his feet, humming quietly to himself. His arms were held out into open air, grasping an invisible dance partner, one that he dreamed of dancing with at the ball... if he could learn how to dance properly.

"Right forward, side right... No, no. Side left, then turn? No that's not it!" Peter groaned in frustration, furiously moving his feet and adjusting his glasses to the bridge of his nose.

The maid stood helplessly to the side, fighting this urgent need to help him. It hurt her heart to know that she couldn't touch him or help him personally. He would much rather shoot her dead then be infected by her germs.

She just couldn't stand this frustrated look on his face, the growing sense of despair ravaging his ruby eyes. He had this one wish, this one hope that she tried not to let harm her poor heart.

He just hoped to dance with the one he loves - Alice.

The young maid silently sat herself down into the chair, unsure how much more she could be of assistance. Then she noticed something was seated right beside her. The faceless girl regarded the curious object, staring straight into its synthetic green eyes. It was an oversized Teddy bear, its fur a fuzzy, pristine brown. She then absently recalled how Ace had previously walked in here. He had informed her that he found curious animal lying abandoned in the halls and left down it with them. She didn't mind, but did find the discovery rather odd.

Soon an idea struck. She glanced over to the struggling Prime Minister then to the giant bear.

Without thinking the young maid stood up and raised the bear directly in the his face. The White Rabbit immediately leapt back, disgust evident on his face. "J... Just what is that?"

"You're new dance partner," she replied glibly. "It seemed you were having a bit of trouble so I thought it would help if you had something there to help you practice."

"There is no way I will be dancing with such a disgusting animal. I don't even know where it's been," refuted Peter, taking a step away from the bear. "I'll do just fine without it."

"Oh... Alright. I just thought you wanted to dance with Alice. Pretending this bear was her would make good practice," the maid said airily, slowly pulling the bear to her chest. "Alright, I guess you'll be able to admire her from afar, wondering what could have been while she dances with the other men..."

"Give me that." The maid felt the bear roughly escape her hands. Peter held the oversized animal at arm's distance, nose crinkling in mild distaste. "Alright. What now?"

"Well you can't dance holding it like that. Imagine it's Alice. Hold the bear like you would hold her." The maid took hold of the animal's waist as he adjusted his hands to it's stuffed paw and upper body. "Now dance. Forward right, side left."

The rabbit obeyed, performing the movements awkwardly and hesitantly. The young maid did not waver. She followed his steps without any question, offering instruction when the time called for it.

Soon the pace picked up, his movements more fluid and smooth. He twirled her and the bear with more gusto and confidence. Before they knew it, they were dancing.

"H... Hey. I think I'm actually getting it!" Peter said joyously, feeling a wide smile rise at the corners of his lips.

The maid released the bear, allowing him to dance to his heart's content, allow him to fall into his lovely little fantasy.

Despite the ache in her clock heart, she smiled as well. 'That's probably as close I will ever get to him...'

Deep within her heart was a secret, a unspoken hope that she dreamed of coming true.

She dreamed of Peter of looking at her the same way he does Alice, hoped of dancing with him as he hoped to dance with Alice.

But this was enough for her.

'Alice sure is a lucky girl,' she thought absently, watching as hearts glowed in his bright red eyes, a euphoric pink flush splatter against his cheeks.

Little did either of them realize that such euphoria would be short-lived.

Before either of them could react, a hand smacked Peter right across the face, knocking him down to the ground.

"How dare you take this from Us," Vivaldi growled, hugging the bear close to her chest. "That would teach you, you despicable hare! You are lucky that nothing was wrong with this. If there was so much as a smudge, We would make sure We get your head!"

With a loud harrumph, Vivaldi stormed out of the room with her bear in hand.

I don't know why, but abusing Peter is so much fun. It makes me feel like a little sadist that I couldn't resist writing the ending. Well I decided to post some drabbles to cure my lack of writing activity. Not much, but it's something. :3

By the way this is another sequel to Wonders of the Heart: the Anything drabble.

Anyways, thanks for reading!