Rating: T for future fluff, may venture into M territory... we'll see.
Description: Alice longs for the day she can return to her Hatter. But what if his reaction isn't what she expected?
AN: Thanks for all the faves/alerts/reviews! I'm feelin the luv! Ok, so this chapter was a little harder to write; the plot bunny decided to sleep in, I guess. I'm planning on updating every day, or at least trying to update every day, lol. After all, like I said, I'm not entirely sure where this thing'll end up, even tho i have an idea, so I can't wait to see what happens next either! Anywho, some lovely fluff in this chapter, oh I love my fluff... hehe BTW please let me know how I'm doing with the characters, it's tough when you only have so much reference to go by.
Umino Akiko- here ya go, no beheading necessary!
dianaelfkin- are you SURE he's in denial? hmm? muahaha..... I'm evil, I know...
As always, I feed off attention, so the more you give, the more you get! Read/review/add! Much love!
Alice stood on the deck of Wonder, the ship that would soon bear her to far off lands, and gazed out towards the horizon. She felt a light touch on her shoulder, and looked down to see a brilliant blue butterfly. She was surprised, but only smiled sweetly at the fluttering creature.
"Hello, Absolem," she said quietly, watching as the tiny thing lifted and flew away slowly, trailing this way and that, dancing on the breeze. She watched it until it was out of sight, then decided to go sit for a while, as it would be some time still before they shoved off. She entered her quarters and looked around, apraising the room. It was smaller than she was used to, but she liked it. It had all the necessities; a bed, a dresser, a washing basin, and a mirror. Alice's steamer trunk sat in a corner, not yet unpacked. Alice went and laid down on the bed, not meaning to fall asleep, but the gentle rocking of the ship relaxed her so that she lightly drifted off.
A sharp rapping on her door startled Alice awake, and she sat straight up. The deckhand stepped back, apologizing for waking her, but telling her supper was ready. Alice took a moment to understand, her head foggy from napping, but finally smiled and said she'd be right there. She stood and shook her head a couple times, trying to clear it, before heading above deck.
The sight made her gasp. They were at sea, and the sun was just setting. The entire sky was painted bright colors, from soft pinks and purples to fiery orange and red. It was the most beautiful sight she'd ever seen, and she didn't feel the few tears until they dripped down her cheek. Laughing, Alice wiped her eyes gently. I wonder if the sunsets in Underland are as moving as this? she wondered. She closed her eyes, and imagined that she wasn't alone, that the man of her dreams (literally) was standing there, his arms around her. Oh, Hatter, how I wish I could share this with you. But soon, my sweet, we'l have all the sunsets and sunrises in the world to look forward to. Together.
Tarrant sighed as he almost unconsciously ducked out of the way of a flying teacup. It wasn't flying of its own accord, of course, that would be silly; the March Hare was throwing things again, trying unsuccessfully to get the Hatter's attention. Finally he rolled his eyes and gave up, chosing instead to throw a scone at Mellyumkin. Tarrant smiled slightly, not being as distracted as he let on. He just needed some time to think. It was getting easier, now that the voices in his head were quieting. It had been getting steadily better ever since the battle, when the Bloody Big Head had findally been defeated. Tarrant didn't lose his temper as much, and when he did, it was easier to bring him back from the edge. He was thoroughly enjoying all the free space upstairs, no longer feeling so claustrophobic. He had Alice to thank for that.
"I won't be here for tea tomorrow," the Hatter said suddenly, speaking loudly over the conversation already in progress. The Doormouse and Hare looked at him expectantly. "There is something I must do tomorrow, and I shall be gone all day. As a matter of fact, I believe I should be on my way now. Toodle-oo." Tarrant stood and turned away from the table, ignring the shocked silence behind him. This was something that needed to be done. On he walked through the forest, taking his time. He noticed that the trees and grass and flowers that had long been whithered and twisted on this path were beginning to rejuvenate. There were buds on the trees, and little green things sprouting all over. Another benefit of Alice's victory.
Hours passed, or at least they would have if Time had been paying attention. At any rate, the sun set, and the stars began to twinkle, reminding Tarrant of a song he'd used to sing. He came to a clearing, and sat on a tree stump, looking up at the night sky. It looked like a glorious velvet of midnight blue, with glitter sparkled all around. I wonder if Alice would enjoy this, he thought, smiling. He imagined showing her all the constellations, and telling her their stories. Slowly, his eyelids grew heavy, and his head sank to his chest, as he fell into a peaceful slumber.
Alice took a deep breath, loving the salty scent in the air. She was standing on the deck again, staring up at the stars, trying to remember the constellations. They had been at sea for two weeks now, and were nearly at their destination. A touch of fear gripped her heart, at all the work ahead of her, but she shook her head defiantly. She would not lose her "muchness" again. She had worked so hard to find it, with much help from the Hatter. In fact, she wouldn't have known she'd lost it at all if it hadn't been for him. Alice smiled as she headed back to her quarters. She wouldn't want him to be disappointed with her, when she returned. She would bring back tales of daring and adventure, and as much Muchness as she could muster. She would dazzle him with her Muchness.
As Alice settled in her bed, she allowed her mind to wander, down the rabbit hole, along the path, to a long table set for tea. Only, in her dreams the Hare and Doormouse were regrettably unable to attend. It was just her and her Hatter, alone together. A blush swept across her half-sleeping face, as she pictured the two of them sitting there, lost in innocent conversation, but sharing a very different, and much more intimate, conversation with their eyes. Alice pictured her Hatter sweeping her off her feet, and carrying her off to his room. She'd never seen it, but she imagined it would be much like himself; a seeming chaos, but beautiful in its own mad way. Alice half-sighed, half-moaned, lost in her fantasy.
The Hatter gently laid Alice down on the bed, kneeling beside her. He gently kissed her hand, as she stroked his cheek with her other. Their eyes locked, and something snapped. The Hatter descended upon her, their lips meeting hard. Alice wrapped her arms around the Hatter, her Hatter, and clung to him as if her life depended on it. Likewise, he held her tightly, his fingers winding in her hair, pulling back. Alice gasped, not out of pain, but out of pleasure, and surprise at said pleasure. A wicked gleam crossed the Hatter's face, and he slowly began placing soft, teasingly gentle kisses on her neck. Alice held on to him tightly, afraid he would disappear. He was on the bed beside her then, tracing intricate spirals across her skin with his tongue. Alice moaned softly, and louder as he gently tugged on her curls again. She tried to dig her nails into his back, and without meaning to, wrapped one of her legs around his. He stopped to grin at her, and she blushed even more. He rolled on top of her, and her eyes grew wide as she felt him pressing against every inch of her body through her thin nightgown. He claimed her lips again, before returning to her neck. He ground his body against her, lightly at first, but urged on by her moaning and gasping. One of his hands found its way to her chest, and he kneaded softly, enjoying the new level of sounds coming from the girl writhing in pleasure beneath him. He ground against her harder now, and Alice could feel something building up inside her. Her heart was racing, and her mind was a blur; there was nothing but her and her Hatter, and the unbelievable things he was doing to her. Whatever it was she was feeling, it was getting closer. Alice felt like she was about to shatter into a million pieces, and clung to the Hatter desperately. Finally, wave after wave crashed over her, and she screamed out his name.
"Hatter!" Alice shot up in her bed, her back ramrod straight, her face flush and beaded with sweat. A dizzy, lightheaded smile crept her lips as her eyelids fluttered closed, asleep again before she hit the pillow.