Hatter had never really fully considered Alice to be a sexual creature.

Sure, he'd had a few uncomfortable, inappropriate Ideas when he'd first escaped to Marmoreal and seen her in her proper adult size…but he'd attributed those to the relief of still being alive, as everyone knows that facing your own death makes you wish to partake in those Activities that most celebrate life. He refused to think of her and those things together after that point.

Or if he did think of them, he refused to acknowledge it to himself.

Now, though, there was no denying it, even to himself. Alice was a young woman, fully grown, full of passion and muchness and power and obvious…appetites.

It was very likely she herself had no Idea what it she had done; the way her eyes had positively glowed as she'd plucked the fruit from his palm, and the brush of her fingers against the sensitive skin there. He'd involuntarily gasped at the contact, then forced himself to Banish the tempting Alice Thoughts that her innocent touch had risen.

He was very glad he had done so, for his gasp had brought her eyes to his once more. If he'd still be thinking those Thoughts and she'd been Touching him like that and she'd looked at him, he'd have fallen to the ground at her feet right there, and begged for mercy from her unconsciously sensual onslaught.

Relief was short-lived for the Hatter, however, as she then had the pear in her hand. She raised it to her lips, and he was certain that she'd simply take a bite, and then things would begin Moving at their normal speed again, instead of the seemingly slowed-motion dream-state Time had placed them in. She'd take a bite, the Moment would pass, and they could continue on their pleasant walk through the White Queen's gardens, no one the wiser as to his Inappropriate Urges.

Yet she didn't take that bite. Instead, she'd sniffed the pear, and nuzzled it against her mouth, her teeth grazing the outside of the skin. Her fluttering eyes and deep breaths called to mind a woman thoroughly seduced, and enjoying it quite well. He did not have the force of will to quash the Seduction Thought firmly enough before a strangled gasp escaped his throat, and he was certain that Alice's eyes would snap open, and she'd inquire as to what was wrong, and then what would he tell her? That the sight of her preparing to eat a piece of fruit was the most Erotic thing he'd ever clapped eyes on?

If she hadn't believed him Mad before that, she certainly would after.

Curious eyes did not open, and no inquires as to his health were made. Alice was too focused on the pear. She finally, finally took a bite, and it was small and hesitant, her teeth not quite using as much force as they needed to break the skin. Like a virgin lover's first touch, he mused, a bread-and-butterfly strength caress. The Thoughts he needed to be Not Thinking in Alice's presence were unstoppable now, and his stomach churned in anticipation of her next bite.

Ladylike restraint was thrown away violently as she began devouring the fruit. Hatter supposed her would have been startled at the sudden change in demeanor if he hadn't been so incredibly aroused by it instead. He felt himself hardening rapidly beneath his trousers as he watched her destroy the pear, and he forced himself to stay perfectly Still as her movements finally slowed down. A split seed, undoubtedly rent in her frenzy, sat on the outside corner of her mouth, and she lazily licked it away, swallowing it down before her eyes slid open, a satisfied haze heavy on her features.

She swallowed the seed down.

He knew he was gaping at her, but he couldn't change his expression, not for any reason. If he dared move at all, he would fall upon her like a ravening beast, and take her right there, objections of the trees be damned!

Juice dripped from her fingertips, and he wanted nothing more at that moment than for her to present that hand to him and offer him a Taste.

"Thank you for the pear, Hatter." she said, and she curtsied at him, (why oh why was she curtsying; had she seen his obvious lust and thought to distance herself from him using the Proper, formal behaviors of Above society? Horrible, horrible Thought!) Then she turned and ran, just as she had when the White Queen told her that she needed to be the one to decide, that she alone would be the one to fight on the field of battle.

Didn't she know that in this battle, he'd be there beside her? He watched the pear's core bounce along the ground, and he would have thought he'd dreamed up the whole incident, if not for the chewed evidence now at his feet.

"You are…most welcome, Alice," Hatter replied, (even Knowing she was no longer there to hear him) as he wondered what, exactly, had just happened.