The Jester, The Warden, and The Outsider

I'm Here

So, this is my first no kuni no Alice fanfic. Constructive criticism is welcome! Main Pairing: Black Joker and Alice. 

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Alice ran, not caring where she was going. She just had to get away from this place, where once she had felt safe. 

Not anymore. 

She finally made it outside, only to see that the time period had changed and it was night. A small whimper escaped her. She would either have to risk stumbling around in the dark and being attacked or go back and wait this time period out. Neither option appealed to her. 

She forced her legs forward, shivering slightly in the cool night breeze. Alice wandered around, her mind and entire body beginning to feel numb. Whether it was because she had been out here for longer than she realized or it was just her mind trying to soothe itself, she gladly welcomed it. Better than replaying those moments over and over again and just adding to her pain. She wondered if this was how Ace felt when he got lost. 

Alice stumbled over something, breaking her out of her daze. She managed to regain her balance before she could fall, but the pain in her foot, shooting up her leg, had broken her mind out of its hazy fog and the memories rushed to the front of her mind. Every terrible moment, replayed so vividly that Alice felt as if she were living through it all over again. Sobbing, she sank to her knees, covering her face with her hands. 

'Home,' she thought desperately. 'I just want to go home.' 

Oddly, when she thought that, she did not think of her sister or of the garden where she used to read and nap. Alice thought of a certain red headed man, with an eyepatch and a foul mouth. 

"Joker," she whispered to the night air, "take me home. Please." 

"No need to be so dramatic, brat. You could have just asked," came a drawling male voice, instantly familiar to Alice. She tilted her head back to see Black Joker standing behind her with his hands on his hips. He seemed angry, and she worried for a moment that he was angry at her until he gently wiped away one of her tears. 

He considered her for a moment, before asking quietly, "What did he say to you?" His voice was soft, almost gentle, but Alice could hear the promise of violence in it. 

Alice knew she would have to tell him sooner or later, but it didn't stop her hands from shaking while she told him every hateful word that had been said to her. She looked down at the ground while she spoke, so she couldn't see his reaction. 

When she was done, she felt a bit better after telling someone else what had happened. But she also felt so, so tired. The kind of tired that goes soul deep. 

Joker knelt in front of Alice, and tilted her chin up, forcing her to meet his gaze. Alice knew that he could see how tired she was. But all he said was, "I'm here now." And he leaned in and gave her the most gentle and sweetest kiss ever. 

Gentleness was not something anyone would associate with Black Joker, the short tempered prison warden, and yet he was being so very careful with her. It warmed a tiny piece of Alice's heart to be on the receiving end of Joker's affections. 

Alice closed her eyes and returned the kiss, stroking his cheek with her thumb. "Let's go home," he murmured against her lips. 

She nodded, and he pulled away. Joker took off his jacket and put it around her shoulders. Alice began to object, but he gave her a look that allowed for no arguing. "You're freezing, toots, and I don't want to have to drag around an Alice shaped icicle." And that was that. 

Joker picked her up, carrying her bridal style, and Alice snuggled closer. Everyone seemed so frightened of the warden, but when Alice looked at him, she saw someone who would not hesitate to protect her. She saw someone who was capable of both kindness and cruelty, and who tried to hide that kindness so he wouldn't get hurt. It endeared him to Alice. 

'I'm here now.' His words echoed in her head. 

Joker had found her. It was enough. 

Alice fell asleep to the sound of Joker's clockwork heart ticking in her ear. 

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And done! I'm sorry if this confused anyone. I sort of left who hurt Alice vague because I want to see what you, the lovely readers, would come up with. Oh, and Joker and Alice were already dating—or lovers—or whatever you want to call it before the story took place. Leave a comment if you're still confused, and I'll get to you ASAP. 

Until next chapter!