You Comfy?

A/N: Based on a :17 clip of a deleted scene and how my mind took it from there. From Syfy's "Alice (2009)". I own nothing, just like to put characters in tense situations. ^_^

They had been riding through the Wonderland forest for hours on their way to the fabled Kingdom of the Knights. The sun filtered through the massive canopy of green above them. Far off in the distance they could hear the shrieking cries of strange birds. In front of them, Charlie cantered on Guinevere, singing that frightful "Hey Nonny-nonny" song and looking around like he was completely off his rocker. Hatter and Alice's horse, Pat, was responsible for dragging the cloaking device: a net with a thin bar on the end that, when dragged over tracks, not only made them disappear, but planted new grass behind them that immediately sprouted and grew.

Hatter felt Alice readjust herself for the third or so time behind him. Her slender knees slightly rubbed against the back of his thighs, causing him to shiver in satisfaction and his cheeks to flush. Clearing his throat and smiling slightly, he glanced backward.

"You comfy?" he asked, his tone light.

"No. Of course I'm not." She responded icily, uncomfortable with their current position. Trying to get rid of the awkwardness, Alice cleared her throat.

Hatter leaned back a little bit and in a hasty voice said, "Why don't you just lean forward and put your arms around my waist and let my body take the weight?"

"I'm good." Alice answered quickly, looking up into the trees as if suddenly finding something fascinating. Her face blushed a soft pink and Hatter turned back around, nudging the horse on. His face broke out in the cheekiest grin, the one with all his teeth and his dimples showing, obviously amused.

Suddenly, the horse had a much larger bounce than expected coming off a slope and Alice found herself instinctively grabbing the back of Hatter's leather coat and pressing her face in between his shoulder blades. Hatter tensed unexpectedly and relaxed when he realized she wasn't trying to karate flip him from his hold on the reins. Alice held on for more than a few moments, just breathing in the scent of him. It thrilled her more than she thought it would. His jacket smelled like warm leather and something very earthy, like tea leaves before they are boiled, and beneath that, was his very own smell. She could only label it "Hatter", because even though it was very much a strong male scent, it came with such spicy undertones she couldn't think of anything else it resembled.

As they rode on, she became aware that she hadn't let go of him yet. As Alice took her hands from his jacket, she dared to reach around and place them very lightly around his narrow waist. Even through the clothes, Alice could feel his muscles moving with the rhythm of the horse's movements. She leaned back so that their bodies were no longer touching, but her hands never left his sides, and as she moved, she could swear she felt Hatter grin again.

Please review if you liked it! (or if you didn't. I don't really know how you feel.) They feed my over-caffeinated brain. Thanks!