The feeling had been brewing for some time, albeit subtly and unacknowledged. Alice, as she reflected upon her return to the real world, found herself sketching watercolors inspired by her memories of Wonderland. Each stroke of the brush, each splash of color, began to intertwine in her mind, revealing a tapestry of emotions and moments shared with Tarrant.
It wasn't just the bravery he displayed while fighting alongside her, nor the occasional glimpses of gentleness that peeked through his eccentric demeanor. It was the way he looked at her, with an almost reverent protectiveness, as if she were the most precious thing in his chaotic world. Each of these small incidents, like individual strokes on a canvas, gradually formed a clear and vivid portrait.
The bond between them had started to take shape even before she fully realized it. From the moment she first met Tarrant, the Mad Hatter, in Wonderland as a seven-year-old, there was an inexplicable familiarity that lingered in the air. His playful antics and quirky demeanor masked a deeper connection, one that neither of them could fully comprehend at the time.
As Alice grew older, her adventures in Wonderland became more frequent, and so did her encounters with Tarrant. Each visit deepened their bond, whether it was fighting off the Red Queen's schemes, navigating through the White Queen's complex guidance, or facing the Jabberwock together. Through it all, Tarrant was her constant companion, her rock of support, her guiding light in the chaotic world of Wonderland.
Yet, despite their close bond, Alice was always pulled back to the real world, where responsibilities and expectations awaited her. Each time she left, Tarrant's eyes reflected a mixture of sadness and longing, a pain that Alice could feel even from afar. But she had to go back, to fulfill her duties, to chase her dreams, even as a part of her heart remained forever in Wonderland.
It was during these moments of reflection, as she painted her memories, that Alice truly understood the depth of her feelings for Tarrant. The courage, the gentleness, the protection—they were all part of a larger picture, one that painted a portrait of love that transcended time and space.
And so, as Alice continued her adventures, both in the real world and in Wonderland, she carried with her the memory of Tarrant, the Mad Hatter who had become more than just a friend. Their bond was one that would never be broken, no matter how far apart they were or how many worlds they traversed.
For Alice, Wonderland was not just a place of fantastical creatures and magical adventures; it was a place where she found love, where she discovered a part of herself that she never knew existed. And Tarrant, with his quirky smile and ever-present hat, was the heart of that world, the one who made it all the more magical and unforgettable.
In the end, it didn't matter when the feelings had first sprouted or how they had grown. What mattered was that they were there, strong and enduring, a testament to the power of love and the magic of Wonderland. And as Alice sailed the seas, charting new courses and facing new challenges, she knew that she would always have a piece of Wonderland—and of Tarrant—with her, forever guiding her heart and soul——This passage reads:
An emotion she had never fully realized, a complex bond somewhere between friendship and love.
For a time, Alice's heart fluttered with memories. Perhaps, her connection with Tarrant was never just a simple relationship of comrades-in-arms or friends. It was a sentimental tie that transcended time, reality, and fantasy, deeply affecting her soul wherever she was. He was not only a part of Wonderland but also a significant pillar in her inner world.
"What does that feel like..." Alice whispered to herself, her gaze still fixed on Tarrant in the painting. Was it the moment when seven-year-old she accidentally stumbled into Wonderland and first met the Mad Hatter? Or was it when nineteen-year-old Tarrant desperately tried to make her remember everything? Or was it during those times when she accompanied him through darkness and helped him find his family?...
That feeling had deeply rooted in her heart, and even after returning to the real world, she couldn't escape its shackles. Tarrant's voice, his smile, and even his words intertwined with madness and rationality lingered in her memory. Whenever she was alone in the cabin, the urge to return to Wonderland, to be by his side, grew stronger.
Alice suddenly realized that her feelings for Tarrant were not just memories from the past but also a longing for the future. Her heart couldn't help but yearn to return to Wonderland, to see the man with the exaggerated hat once again.
Now, Mad Hatter Tarrant Hightopp and Wonderland Champion Alice Kingsley kissed each other on the palace terrace. When they slowly parted due to almost being unable to breathe, Alice opened her eyes and looked into Tarrant's eyes full of tenderness. Tears shimmered in Tarrant's eyes, but there was no trace of sadness. His hand gently touched Alice's face, his fingertips trembling slightly, as if confirming whether everything was real.
"You know, I'm never sure you'll come back," Tarrant said in a low voice, with a hint of tremor and unease. "But you're back. You always come back."
"Tarrant..." she began, her voice hesitant. She knew she had deep feelings for Tarrant, but she wasn't sure what those feelings were. Friendship? Love? Or a mixture of both? She had never experienced such a complex and profound emotion in the real world. "I know there has always been something special between us, but... I'm not sure what it is either." She paused, her gaze revealing confusion and longing.
"I have never experienced such a thing before. I always thought that as long as you were here, everything would have an answer. But now, I realize that some questions may never truly have answers," Tarrant said, his smile gentle yet tinged with sadness. Alice furrowed her brow, her heart filled with uncertainty as well. She knew Tarrant spoke from the heart, but she also understood that their feelings had far surpassed simple friendship. However, should they really cross the boundary into love? The differences between Wonderland and the real world, their vastly different destinies, seemed to hinder the clarification of these feelings.
"Perhaps..." Alice said softly, her voice hesitant. "Perhaps we don't need to find the answer now." She lifted her head and looked at Tarrant with a tender gaze. "Perhaps we can allow this emotion to exist without defining it."
Tarrant was silent for a moment, as if digesting Alice's words. Then, he flashed a slightly bitter smile. "You are always right, Alice," he said, his voice low but gentle. "We are always looking for answers to all problems, but sometimes the answers are not important. What's important is that we're together." He stroked her rosy cheek.
The world was silent at this moment, only their heartbeats resonating harmoniously in the darkness.