5. Obsession
The sun didn't beat down on the circus duo as much as Alice was used to as they trailed fatigued- more so Alice than her partner- through town. Which territory it belonged to, though, Alice was unsure. Dark clouds rolled overhead, threatening rain. Where had the sun gone? What about the seasons? When did they disappear?
"It looks like it's going to storm soon." Alice noted worriedly, nervously glancing between the brick path and the looming darkness overhead. "I didn't know Wonderland even had rain."
"It doesn't." White said at her side, also raising an eyebrow at the clouds. "Only during this time."
"This time?" the foreigner faced the jester now, tilting her head in confusion.
"During this game- The Game of Fools." Joker explained, glancing briefly to the girl on his left before continuing. "Everything is upside down- not how it's supposed to be. The rain proves that."
"Oh." Alice replied, returning her attention to the sky. She frowned. "Does it ever stop?"
"Not once." White answered honestly. Noting Alice's worried gaze, he smiled, gently slinging an arm around her shoulders. "But you have nothing to worry about, princess. I won't let you be harmed."
Alice's eyebrows pinned together unsurely, feeling a little uncomfortable under his touch. "T-Thank you."
"My pleasure." the jester said with a kind smile before gazing ahead, glancing around. "Hmm… Where do you think that key could have gone?"
"I'm not sure." Alice replied, too nervous to glance at Joker so instead speaking to the ground. "I thought we should retrace my steps, but to be honest I'm not sure where we are right now…"
White sighed. "So we're lost. That won't help us in the slightest. I suppose we'll need to pick up some materials for camping."
"Camping?" the brunette blinked at the man, a little baffled.
"It's certainly not my first choice, but it's sure to rain soon, and we wouldn't want the foreigner catching a cold, now would we? The search would be very prolonged if that were to happen…" White mused, smirking at the girl. Alice took a shaky step backwards, nodding once.
"N-No, we don't want that." the brunette said, not enjoying the look White gave her. It didn't matter if he was a woman or not; the jester still had a certain edge to him that send chills down her spine. Yet he was so kind… She hardly knew what to believe of him anymore.
"Then let's go." White's smile was pure and gentle as he lead the woman into a nearby supplies store, but Alice's lips pressed together in a firm line, following behind. She just wasn't sure anymore. Why was she so hesitant to trust him? She lived with the man for God's sake! There was no reason not to trust him! But still…
Staring up at the man as he carelessly picked out a red tent and sleeping bags, she just didn't know.
Well, White was right. The rain did start, and surprisingly fast. By the time the couple had exited the store, water was already pourning in buckets from above, and thunder roared like a lion on the prowl. It wasn't until lightning flashed on their way to Clover Tower that they decided it was time to hide in the trees and build their campsite.
Alice now stood under a rather large tree; attempting to keep herself safe from the on slaughter of rain around them. She could just barely make out the jester's form only a few feet away as he set up the tent inside and out. Sometimes he would disappear completely- more so with the blinding lightning that seemed too close for comfort.
"White!" she called, only to have her voice drowned out with the crashing thunder. Wind swirled around her rashly, sending her skirts flying in different directions. Attempting to hold it down, she called again, "WHITE!"
The jester tilted his head briefly in her direction- at least, she thought he did. It was so hard to tell with this damned rain and wind! "Hmm?"
"Is the tent almost done?" she shouted over the thunder, cupping her hands around her mouth as if it would make her louder.
"What was that?" White called, unable to hear the foreigner.
Raising her voice, Alice cried, "IS THE TENT ALMOST DONE YET? !"
She saw a small glimpse of red hair bob in aknowledgement. "Yes, but be careful."
The brunette, squinted warily, afraid to step out under the safe environment of the tree and into this mad jungle of rain. However, when through this storm she caught a small glimpse of the tent, the maiden stumbled forward uneasily, almost tripping over herself.
Clumsily slipping on the mud-soaked ground, the foreigner let out a little yelp as she fell forward; luckily being caught by the jester during her fall so she didn't land face-first into the dirt.
"I told you to be careful, didn't I?" White said, though his words were barely heard through the howling wind. Knowing she wouldn't reply, the jester helped the maiden to her feet and shuffled her inside; zipping up the tent tightly so the wind could be drowned out… a little.
Alice sighed in relief, her small frame shivering violently inside the pent-up fabric. She was soaked. She hadn't even been under the rain for five minutes, and her dress was drenched, and her hair slicked down on her face.
"You'll catch a cold if you stay like this." Joker said, earning the woman's attention as he knelt in front of her; a blanket suddenly draping itself around the foreigner from behind. She blinked, moving the hair from her eyes to look up at him.
"T-T-Thank y-y-you." she replied through chattering teeth, snuggling closer in the fleece. She looked at White now- really looked at him. He was worse than her! His skin looked pale, and his clothes were soaked and heavy. His skirt looked like it weight a ton, and his jester sat ran in waterfalls in the corner of the tent.
As White took his jacket off, he noticed the gaze of a concerned foreigner, and quirked an eyebrow. "Is something wrong?"
Alice frowned, carefully arising from her seat on the floor and crawling over to him, slinging her blanket around his shoulders as well. White blinked in confusion. "You're more frozen than me, standing out in the rain like that." she explained, scooting next to him so they could both have more warmth. "Try to stay warm. You don't want to catch a cold either."
White stared at her blankly a little, but gradually turned away, leaning his head lightly against hers. It was quiet between the duo; only the roar of a raging thunderstorm outside kept them awake. For once- once in her entire life- Alice felt… comfortable with White Joker. She didn't mind resting her head on his arm, or his head resting atop hers. It felt so strange, actually not having the feeling of danger vibrating of off him.
Glancing briefly at him again, she frowned. Now she remembered why she felt more at ease now. He was a woman; not a man. His gentle, feminine exterior had fooled her briefly, reminding her of a familiar time- a time when she and her sister could sit like this during a storm without worry. He didn't look like a predator, but she knew there was something inside of him she should stay away from.
"Alice." White suddenly spoke, and the female jumped, face flushing. Crap! Could he have somehow read her mind?
"Yes?" she asked, a little nervous and wary.
"Do you remember a while back? In February?" Alice blinked. February? "Yes…?" she answered uncertainly. What did he want to know about February?
"Do you remember when we kissed?" he asked. The foreigner gulped, her cheeks staining in a crimson red. How could she forget that? His tongue… her tongue… It was like a snake and its prey; that deadly look he gave her that shut her up and gave herself to him… It was a memory she'd rather forget.
Alice nodded, wishing she wouldn't have to speak aloud.
The jester smiled softly, this time turning towards the blushing maiden. "It was nice."
Alice was taken aback; stunned. She opened her mouth to speak, but nothing came out. She closed it. Open, close, open, close. She looked like a fish. White analyzed her face, a little put off and slightly amused by her speechlessness.
Finally, mustering up some words, the woman spoke, "E-Erm… I… I'm glad you liked it?" What else could she say? What was she supposed to say?
Words seemed at a loss for her once more, because White leaned forward, and all senses rushed back up to her body, screaming danger. A smirk drew itself across his thin lips, and a single rube eye stared at her desirably.
"You don't sound so sure." the jester taunted, a little cocky as he rested his hands on either side of her; looming over. "Perhaps we should give it another try."
"E-Excuse me?" Alice squeaked, panicked. Yes, definitely dangerous.
White leaned in closer, enjoying her discomfort. The smile on his face was kind, but she knew his intentions were another story. "Don't look so panicked, Alice. I promise not to bite." His smile twisted into a smirk, his eyes half-lidded. It looked so strange, but no less dangerous on him in such a womanly form. "That is, unless you truly want it."
"Absolutely not!" the maiden was quick to protest, shaking her head violently from side to hide; her cheeks flushed.
"You look nervous. Are you thinking naughty things?" White teased, caressing the side of her cheek. The woman's face turned beat red; teal eyes wide and frightened.
"N-No!" she squeaked, flinching.
There was a difference between her fear of White and Black; a big difference. She'd never really noticed the differences before until now. She felt a little stupid, really. After visiting these men for almost a year now- living with them for over a month- she should have known how their true personalities reacted with her.
But she never realized until now how truly terrifying it all was.
When Black molested her, she had no problem pushing him away. Hell, he was just doing it to piss her off half the time. She didn't have to always take him seriously. Sure, she was terrified he would go all the way one day- just take her without a second thought or care, make her his inside and out. That didn't mean she would give him the chance to make it a reality.
But with White things were entirely different.
His gaze chilled her blood cold and captured her precious eyes in a stare that she very rarely dared to look away from. His smile was never pure; she may have once thought it was, but there was always something hidden behind his grins. His true intentions were a mystery to her at times; she never knew what he wanted, most of all from her. He scared her- it really did. The way he touched her, the way he spoke to her… just his presence had diminished from comfortable and relaxed to nervous and edgy.
But what scared her the most was that part of her was okay with that.
During her silence, White leaned forward; his features softening slightly, his lips parted. She knew what he was going to do. She wanted to move- to slide away and run as far as she could from his tent, uncaring about the storm. She couldn't, though. She was numb; trapped before him, like a robin stuck in a cage.
He prowled closer, and Alice closed her eyes tightly, lips parted slightly as well; nervous breath hitching through uncertainly. She could feel him nearing; his breath fanning her face lightly. Brushing across her lips. She anticipated it, waiting for him to strike.
It never came.
She suddenly felt a cold breeze run across her, and the foreigner cautiously opened her eyes, blinking in confusion. White sat in front of her- a foot or so away- with a kind, gentle smile on his face; his head tilted, and wine red locks tilting with it.
"I was only joking, Alice. You needn't look so worried." he teased, poking her cheek playfully. Alice blinked again, sighing in relief before glaring at him. How… How dare he! He had her scared to death!
"That wasn't very funny." Alice huffed, intending for her voice to come out curt and uncomfortable, but instead it came out nervous and unsure. White smiled.
"You should be more careful… In case next time the one kissing you isn't joking." the jester ran his thumb gently across the foreigner's bottom lip. Alice shuddered, flinching away. White pulled his hand back, sighing.
"We should get to bed." the brunette murmured, already crawling over to one of the red sleeping bags set up in the tent, scooting it farthest wall away from him. This did not go unnoticed to the jester, but he smiled nonetheless, turning to his own bag.
"Goodnight, Alice." he said, unbuttoning his shirt a little- still keeping it high enough to cover his unmentionables- before slipping into the bag, prepared to fall asleep.
Alice frowned at the wall in front of her, closing her eyes. "Goodnight."
Hours passed. It couldn't be later than three, or earlier than twelve. He really wasn't sure, to be honest, and he really didn't care. All that mattered was her.
He sat on top of his sleeping bag, legs spread out in front of him; a single stare on the sleeping brunette just a few feet away; her face disguised by a few strands of silky hair and the safety of a pillow. She looked so peaceful asleep- so gentle, so innocent.
It confused him.
He hated her. At least, he was supposed to. She took his counterpart and changed him. She broke his cold, heartless exterior and made him into a disgusting marshmallow. Black was weak now- she manipulated him, and neither of them even knew it.
And yet, staring at her asleep at his feet, he was fascinated. How she could change Joker to such a degree… It was so frustrating, and yet so… captivating. She had a power to make believe- enchant everyone with words and give them a change in heart, or clock in this matter. He wanted to know more about this power; more about her special abilities.
He wanted her.
It was far from an obsession by now, he knew. He needed to have her- he had to have her. He craved her; she haunted his thoughts. To lock her up in a cell and keep her as his forever. It sounded like music to his ears. How was it fair his look alike was winning her heart? That cold, ruthless man winning the girl over- becoming the one allowed to hold her and learn her secrets? It was absurd. Was he not kinder, more welcoming to her from the very beginning? Had he not been patient and pleasant, waiting? How could Black get her instead?
Hmph. Life wasn't fair, he decided. So, he would just have to make it fair. He simply couldn't sit around and let her waltz out of his grasp. He had to do something about it if he were to take her as his and his alone.
The jester crawled forth out of his position, looming over the sleeping maiden. Carefully, he brushed her hair from her face, smiling down at her dreamy, sleeping form. Gingerly, he leaned forward, placing a kiss on the top of her head.
"I'll see you in the morning… Alice."
Hope you guys liked this chapter! :DDD White's getting a little on the possessive side, isn't he. ;3 Oh dear… This will be interesting. ;D
On a side note, EarthRiddle and I have started a HnKnA Roleplay on Facebook if anyone's interested. We have a few spaces open, so if anyone's interested just PM me and I'll send you a list of the characters that are available. :DD
Hmm… I guess that's it for now. Probably gonna work on RMR next, if not this or CoC again. I want these DONE already, and I'm sure you all do, too. X'DD