10. Loveless?

The atmosphere was tense, with a heavy air that threatened to kill. Eyes of teal and blue connected, one set contained fear, the other displayed arrogance. She felt trapped in his gaze, her body unable to move. Man or woman, it didn't matter. Nothing made her stop in her tracks quite like a stare from the mafia boss.

Testing her voice, Alice was the first to speak; her mouth dry. "I-I don't know what you're talking about."

Blood's smirk intensified. "Of course you do, don't play dumb." The Mafioso raised his gaze to Joker. "Hmm. How surprising. After almost a year and you still have the Joker captured under your spell. I never would have guessed he would stay so long under your army of lovestrucks. Perhaps he's weaker than I thought."

"Hmm? Jealous, are we Hatter?" the ginger taunted, placing his hands on Alice's shoulders. The foreigner gave him an uneasy glance, but he ignored it.

"Tch. Jealous?" Dupre clicked his tongue, clutching his cane tightly, prepared to raise it into a transformation. "And why would I be jealous of a whore's pet?"

"I'm not a whore!" Alice quickly defended herself, gathering her courage up to glare at him. When his eyes met hers once more, however, she felt herself shrink back a little.

"That outfit says otherwise." Blood gestured with his cane towards her tacky raincoat. The foreigner flushed.

"I didn't choose this!" she argued, gripping the edge of the coat angrily. "You can blame Black for that one!"

"Hmph. So Joker dresses you as well?" Blood's smile was harsh. "I wonder what other things he does for you?"

Last night flashed into the foreigner's mind, and her cheeks grew a bright red, giving off the wrong impression. Joker watched her with a raised eyebrow while Blood smirked triumphantly.

"As I thought." the Hatter replied.

"N-No, you misunderstood! It was just when Black laid on me!" Alice blurted out, her eyes widening in realization of what she'd said. "W-Wait, that's not what I meant! We didn't do anything, he just undressed me! Wait, no, he didn't, that's not-!" The brunette panicked. "WE-WE DIDN'T DO ANYTHING, HE THOUGHT I WAS DRUNK BUT HE STOPPED- NOT THAT WE WOULD DO ANYTHING! I-I MEAN-! THAT IS TO SAY, WE NEVER DID ANYTHING! HE JUST SLEPT WITH ME! NO, WAIT, BAD WORDING! HE SLEPT NEXT TO ME! I SWEAR, WE DIDN'T DO IT! W-WE-! W-We…"The brunette hung her head, palming herself, her face burning in embarrassment.

Joker stared at her; stunned. Black watched with a raised eyebrow.

Taking a deep breath, the foreigner asked, "N-Nevermind… Just… Have you seen the key anywhere? Please tell me you have."

"If I had, don't you think I would have given it to you by now, slut?" Dupre insulted, glaring down at her. "I don't prefer this body in the slightest."

"Right…" Alice turned away. "Well, if you see it, you know where to find me."

"Under Joker, apparently."

She gritted her teeth. "Goodbye, Blood."

"Hmm. That was certainly an interesting visit." White noted, analyzing the foreigner's expressions as she led the way to Heart Castle. Her cheeks were burning red, despite the rain. She looked regretful.

"He makes me nervous." Alice confessed, frowning at the mud beneath her boots. "Most of the time he uses it against me. I don't mean to blurt out random things- he just provokes me into it."

"Hmm." Joker nodded. "So what did happen last night, precisely?" Alice flushed.

"E-Eh, it's a little complicated." the foreigner murmured, looking away. Truthfully, she just didn't want to admit to him that she liked his counterpart. What if he told Black and she was wrong about his feelings? She couldn't face such a humiliation!

"If you don't tell me, I suppose I'll just have to ask Joker~." White said with a fake sigh of disappointment. Alice quickly shook her head in denial.

"N-No, I'll tell you!" she squeaked. She couldn't have him asking Black! He was sure to change the situation so it benefited him! Taking a deep breath, she explained to the best of her ability, trying her best to leave out her reasons for the whole act. It was rather difficult, but she felt a little relieved to have told somebody.

Of course, he had to ask the question she'd rather avoid.

"But why do it all in the first place?"

The foreigner sighed, glancing up ahead. The castle was coming into view.

"W-Well… It's kind of a secret." she answered uncertainly, pressing her lips together in a firm line.

White whispered seductively in her ear, "I'm good at keeping secrets."

Alice jumped, whipping herself around to face him nervously. "W-Well…" The look he gave her hitched her nerves. It wasn't genuine curiosity, but more of a seductive, sly stare. There was something behind it though. Anger, perhaps? But what could make him angry?

"Er… Well…" The brunette sighed, closing her eyes tightly. "I…" In a small voice she murmured, "I like Black, and I wanted to know if he liked me back."

It was silent for what felt like a long time, but she didn't dare open her eyes. Was he mad? Was he bored? What emotions did he display? She was dying to know, but refused to look at him, for fear held her back.

Suddenly, something soft touched her lips.

Teal eyes grew wide as her eyelids pulled back, staring in shock at the jester before her. His right hand ghosted against her cheek, his fingertips brushing her skin gently, caressing her. His lips, soft, locked with hers, moving in a way that made her weak at the knees.

Why was he doing this? Hadn't she just told him that she liked Black? What was he trying to do?

His tongue prodded against her lips, trying to receive an entrance. When Alice refused, he sighed, running a hand down her back. The foreigner trembled uneasily beneath him, taking in a staggering breath only to give him the opportunity he needed to invade her mouth.

She gasped, his tongue sliding across her mouth, taking everything in. He ran it against her own tongue, intertwining the two.

Subconsciously, she gripped his shirt, meaning to grab something to keep her from falling but instead pulling him closer, encouraging him.

Stop! she wanted to shout. Let go of me! But she didn't. Rather, a small, very small part of her enjoyed it.

I'm horrible. I'm a horrible person. Alice decided, her heart ramming inside of her chest at an unsteady beat. I love Black. Black! Not White! I'm giving him the wrong idea…

Her thoughts trailed off when Joker abruptly pulled away; hands gripping her shoulders, a serious look in his eye.

"You shouldn't waste your time on games that won't amount to anything." he said with a pleasant smile on his face. Alice stared at him cautiously, confused.

"Huh?"

"Joker isn't the type to fall in love. You've noticed it, I'm sure. He's so cold and rude towards you. Rarely displays any affection." As the ringmaster spoke he stepped behind the maiden, placing his hands delicately on her shoulders and whispering in her ear. "I'm sure you could do so much better."

"I… I don't want to do better." Alice objected, shaking her head. "I mean, I like Black. No… I love him. And… I know he can be mean…and rude, and inconsiderate, and-"

"And incompetent, lazy, irresponsible.." White chimed in.

"And a pervert." Alice agreed. She quickly shook her head afterwards. "But, that's not the point! I know he's funny, and sweet, and he has a good heart when he wants to use it." She smiled sweetly. "That's what I love about him."

"Ah, but what a wasted love it is, isn't it?" White sighed longingly, sliding his arm's around her waist from behind. Alice watched him questionably, feeling slightly uncomfortable. "Especially when there's so many other options…"

She blinked, her eyebrows knitting together. "…Options?"

"Other men that can care for you much more than he ever can. Think about it, Alice." She could feel him pressing his rather feminine body against her back, his lips reaching her neck. "There's always me."

"Y-You? !" the foreigner squeaked, preparing to whirl around only to be held firmly in place. Joker hummed against her skin, nodding.

"Because I love you, Alice."

Her heart skipped a beat. What…? What was he saying? Was he trying to make fun of her? Anger built up inside of her. How dare he! He had no right to tease her like this!

But… A part of her objected. What if he was telling the truth? What if he really did love her? That voice, that face, those words… It sent her head spinning. It felt like.. It felt like Black was saying it.

But it's not. she reminded herself, tears swelling up. What was she supposed to do? The right thing would be to turn down White gently, tell him she didn't feel the same… but it felt like a lie. Wait, what? Did she love him? Why did she feel guilty for either decision she could make? What was she going to do? !

"Hmm? Alice?" the jester breathed against her neck, reminding her of his presence. The foreigner's cheeks heated up and she quickly looked away, biting her lower lip.

"I…I-I don't know." the maiden quickly but gingerly shook his hands off, stepping away; her back facing him. "I mean…" She took a deep breath. "I need… time. To think."

Joker was silent for a moment, but a smirk curled deviously upon his lips as he wrapped an arm around the woman's shoulders, pulling her into his side. Alice looked up at him uncomfortably, wide teal eyes meeting his now pleasantly disguised expression.

"I have patience." the ginger assured her. "But don't wait too long. Joker doesn't like waiting forever."

With that, the redhead released her, walking ahead towards the castle. Alice watched him, a little frozen in place. Wait, she was supposed to be following him, wasn't she? Noticing his lack of a female companion, Joker gave an innocent look as he turned his head towards her, eyebrow raised. "Aren't you coming?"

"O-Oh! Er, yes." the maiden said, quickly scurrying to catch up with the man. That was right. This was no time to be worrying about her love life. She still had a key to find.

Hopefully, soon.

Short chapter, I apologize, but I really wanted to get this out. We only have about 5-7 chapters left! D8 A little sad, isn't it? Then there's one more Game of.. Story. After that is basically just Joker x Alice short stories/side multi-chapters, and then the fan babies' story. Otherwise, we don't have much left. *dabs eyes* How sad! T^T I really appreciate you guys reading this far. I'm glad you like this series, and I hope you enjoy the others when they come around! I really have to give a thanks to EarthRiddle. X'DD Without that girl, this story would probably still be rotting in my documents folder. I OWE THIS GIRL A FANBABY FIC, AND I SURE AS HELL WILL DELIVER! XD …After I'm done procrastinating. xD