A/N: Don't know if anyone still reads this, but I finally found the time to add in a new chapter. Good heavens, terribly sorry about the wait, I was settling into my new life for the past year or so. Apologies and here we go: a short chapter.
Tarrant sat upon the room's cold wooden floor boards, his hands pulling on his red hair a little too roughly. He let out a long sigh, shaking his head, what happened? He narrowed his eyebrows, thinking; deep in thought. He just kissed that blonde girl- lip to cheek, cheek to lip.
What was he thinking? Falling in love with the enemy? He let out a frustrated cry, dragging his hands down the sides of his head.
And that Chessur! Tarrant curled his upper lip. The thought of that mangy cat, probably trying to poison Alice with his venomous lies, about the Hatter, made Tarrant's blood boil. He shook his head a few more times.
Get yourself together, Clockwork. He shut his eyes tight, Alice is nothing to you.
The imagery of Alice's heartbroken face just a few minutes ago made Tarrant's heart ache with pain. He whimpered out a sigh of defeat.
I can't do this. The Hatter glanced at his own hands, eyeing them with cautious disbelief. I'm supposed to be nothing but gears and insanity, but Alice…
He placed one of his hands on his heart, the mechanical clockwork heart, made up of gears and metal: it wasn't supposed to feel at all. He could feel the whirring of the machines, the soft movement of the gears keeping him moving and alive; but alive with emotion? It was cold and metal; no warmth – and he should keep it that way.
He must.
Tarrant felt his heart prick with uncertain longing for a girl whom touched his heart.
You're going to kill her in the end, Tarrant Hightopp, the Hatter shuddered, the ache in his chest growing stronger.
Not that she will ever fall in love with a callous monster like you
Alice wrung her hands, looking paler than usual. She glanced up to her left, the cat watching her anxiously, his green eyes twinkling in worry. He had his hand (or paw-hand) on her shoulder, giving out soft purrs from his human throat that sounded rather soothing.
"Are you alright, Alice?" Chessur asked, running a hand down his blonde hair, cocking his head to one side curiously.
"What did that troublesome carrot haired clown do to you?" There came a low growl from the Cheshire cat's throat, his eyes narrowed.
The girl shook her head. He kissed me. Tarrant kissed me. She glanced back up at Chessur; his face cringed in worry, looking rather dashing under the light.
"It is nothing, just an – an unsettled arrangement of things." She murmured, patting the Cheshire cat's hair, "It is alright. I was just overreacting."
Chessur puffed up a little, his mouth in a frown.
"Well I say, I should go talk to that reject of a man and see –"
"See what?" Tarrant's voice interrupted Chessur.
Both Alice and the Cheshire cat whipped their heads behind to see the Hatter, standing at the kitchen door, a solemn cold look upon his pale face.
Alice's heart skipped a beat. Was he here to explain himself?
"Time is ticking, girl." He spoke icily, "I think it's time you followed some of my orders." He lifted his chin up haughtily.
Chessur let out a vicious growl. "Don't you dare order Alice like that, you despicable creature." He stood up, the sound of scraping chair on wooden ground loud and echoing through the kitchen.
Alice glanced sadly at Tarrant, his sombre emotionless face not fazed by Chessur's sudden ferocity, her heart sinking at the thought of him not acknowledging what happened just a few moments ago.
It was her fault for running off, maybe she shouldn't have.
"I'm giving an opinion I highly suggest she follows." Tarrant nodded at Chessur pompously, as if shooing the cat away. "Girl," He glared at Alice and she was taken aback by his sudden poisonous dagger stare.
"We are running out of time, the white queen is lost but you still have a chance." He gestured with his hands, "I know where the Jabberwock lives, far at the edge of Underland, the graves of the dead souls. We will go there and kill him."
"We?" Alice repeated, suddenly brightening up.
"You and your stupid cat." Tarrant hissed, glaring at Chessur, who glared back baring his teeth.
"Take heed, follow me this round and we will gather what we can do from there. Bring the two rabbits, they will offer help." The Hatter rolled his eyes and folded his arms, suddenly nonchalant, seemingly ignoring the incident that happened.
There was silence for a moment.
"Well?" Tarrant grunted, not glancing at Alice.
Alice let out a sigh. "Very well, I do not want to waste anymore time." She looked at Tarrant coldly, feeling a sudden dislike for the man. "We will head out now, but before that,"
She lifted her chin at him expectantly.
"Is there anything else you'd like to say to me, dear Hatter?"
She stared at him pointedly as Chessur started growling low from his throat again. The Hatter seemed to be in deep thought for a moment, a faraway look in his eyes.
He turned to Alice, locking his eyes with her.
"Hurry up."