Cheshire brushed past the intruder without so much as a glance. "I'm making myself tea and going back to bed. If you don't have anything worthwhile to say, then I suggest you leave," Cheshire said.

Jabberwocky moved to lean on the counter with a thoughtful expression. "You've gotten so boring," he said. "Usually you'd screaming and yelling by now."

Cheshire scowled. "I'm not a child," he said as he began filling the tea kettle with water.

"I can see that quite clearly," Jabberwocky said with a chuckle. He watched while Chesh turned the stove on, expression turning sly. "Is it because you have a cute little ward sleeping in the other room?"

Cheshire's hands stopped moving and he gripped the teacup he was holding tightly in his hand. "What do you know about him?" he asked.

"Enough," Jabberwocky said. "A little questioning here and there can be very helpful."

In a spark of anger, Cheshire slammed the teacup on the counter, smashing it to bits. He barely noticed pieces of the glass slicing into his hand as he turned to Jabberwocky with a glare. "What did you say to him?" Chesh growled.

The unwelcome guest smiled mischievously. "Nothing in particular. Though, now that I think about it, I suppose I should've worded it slightly different..." he said thoughtfully. Chesh stormed over and grabbed his collar, pushing him back into the counter furiously. Jabberwocky frowned in disgust. "You're getting blood on my shirt."

"What did you say?" Cheshire asked again.

Jabberwocky smirked. "He's that precious to you?" he asked. Shrugging, he pulled Cheshire's hands away. "Well, then. I guess you better think before you act."

"What's that supposed to mean?" Chesh asked.

The smile on Jabberwocky's face disappeared and he looked serious for the first time since his arrival. "To him, you're really important. You're the only one who can hurt him." Jabberwocky narrowed his eyes in warning. "And you know that."

Chesh clenched his fists and lowered his eyes to the floor. "So? What's it to you?" he asked.

"Let's just say I'd prefer to see this to the end. I may not choose sides in this war, but that doesn't mean I'm not interested." Jabberwocky's smile returned with a gleam in his eye. "Don't get in the way. Or I'll have to get rid of you."

Cheshire glared at him and his claws lengthened. "Just try it," he said. "I dare you."

Chuckling deviously, Jabberwocky took a few steps towards the living room. "Oh, I'd love to play cat and mouse with you, but I don't have time." He turned towards the door with a wave. "I must be on my way."

"Don't come back," Chesh said.

Jabberwocky walked to the door and opened it. "See you around, brother."

"I don't care what you call me, but don't refer to me as family," Cheshire growled. He narrowed his eyes. "It's disgusting."

Whether or not Jabberwocky heard him, Cheshire was unsure, but he immediately relaxed his claws and closed his eyes when the door was firmly shut. Slowly, he turned back to the counter and proceeded to pick up the pieces of broken the tea cup that scattered the countertop and floor. There was some blood too, and he wiped that up with a damn rag.

When he was finished, he turned the stove off. He was no longer in the mood for tea, and went to bandage my hand. Then I walked quietly back over to Alice's room. As I opened the door, I saw he was facing away, breathing easily as he slept. A small smile graced my lips as I leaned on the doorframe, my mood lifting back up when I saw him. He was such a good kid. I almost regretted having to force him to be here. He didn't deserve any of this.

Walking over to the bed, Cheshire sat down, moving a stray strand of hair aside so he could see Alice's face. He was going to see so much blood in his future. I hoped he wouldn't break under the weight of all that was to come. He was so fragile...

"Cheshire..."

To Cheshire's surprise, Alice's eyes opened a little and he turned towards him. "You're back...?" he asked sleepily.

Cheshire forced a smile. "I didn't go anywhere, silly. Go back to sleep," Chesh said, ruffling his hair.

Squinting past his bleary eyelashes, Alice took Cheshire's hand and brought it close to his face. "What happened...? You have a cut..." he said.

"I just broke a cup. It's fine," Cheshire said.

Alice gently ran his fingers over the bandaged hand. Then he kissed it lightly and hugged it to his chest. Chesh chuckled and laid down so Alice wouldn't have to hug his arm in such and awkward position. Alice kept his eyes closed as he happily nuzzled Cheshire's arm. Chesh couldn't help smiling and leaned over to kiss his forehead. "Get to sleep," he said.

Alice nodded and scooted closer until he was curled up against the warm side of Cheshire. As he fell back asleep, Cheshire's smile slowly faded. "What am I going to do with you...?" he murmured. "So much trouble..."

*******

"You need to be more careful," I said as I rewrapped the bandages on Cheshire's cut hand.

The cat rolled his eyes. "It's not that bad. I don't need a lecture," he said. I started to protest and he leaned over to peck my cheek. "Calm down. I promise to be more careful in the future," he said.

I blushed and yanked on the bandages with a jerk of my wrist. Cheshire yelped in pain and I gave him a look of contempt. "Don't try to shut me up by sweet talking me" I said.

Cheshire frowned and rested his chin in his palm. "You're difficult..." he mumbled.

"And you're careless," I retorted. I finished fixing his hand and stood up. "Now, I'm going to make tea this time and you're going to wait in the living room."

"I can help," Cheshire said, rising from his seat.

I shook my head. "No, you can't. You're injured. I'm not letting you do anything," I said. Cheshire pouted. "It's punishment for making me worry," I told him.

He still looked disappointed, but he obeyed and went into the living room to wait. I started going about preparing tea and muffins. After I pulled out all the ingredients, I was reaching up to get a bowl when Cheshire's hand appeared above mine and he got it down for me. I frowned at him. "Didn't I tell you to stay in the living room?" I asked.

"Yeah, well, I got bored," he said.

"You were out there for two minutes," I protested.

Cheshire slipped his arms around my waist and snuggled my neck. "I'm being a bad boy," he said. "Are you going to punish me?"

I tensed as his hands roamed up under my shirt, feeling around on my skin. "Cheshire... It's the middle of the day..." I said, trying to squirm away from him.

Chesh hummed lightly and began sucking on my neck. I tried to grab his hands, but ended up just knocking a spoon onto the floor, startling Cheshire and causing him to bite into my neck. I winced and braced myself against the counter. "Chesh-... It hurts."

He pulled away and licked at the blood on my neck. "Sorry, babe..." he whispered in my ear. I shivered reflexively.

When I felt his hands dropping lower and begin messing with my pants, I grabbed his arms and tried to stop him. "Wait, Cheshire. Please, I'm not ready-"

"Don't worry," Cheshire murmured. "I'll prepare you... thoroughly."

I trembled as his hands slipped into my pants and brush along my thighs, slow and tempting. I couldn't help noticing they were warmer than usual, probably from his cut. I tried to turn towards him and I felt something against my back. My face flushed with embarrassment. "Chesh, are you...?"

"Mhm..." Cheshire nodded into my shoulder, entirely to distracted for words.

I closed my eyes, unable to look. "Chesh, I really can't do this..." I said.

"Too bad... I'm not letting you go now..." he said softly.

Suddenly, we both jumped as the sound of the doorbell rang unexpectedly through the house. I blinked as I came back to reality and frowned. "Who's that?" I asked.

Cheshire groaned and muttered a swear word under his breath. "Why now, of all times?" he whined. He pulled away from me and glanced over at the door. "It's Rab and the rest of them. They must've set up an emergency meeting." The doorbell rang several more times and Chesh frowned. "Would you mind getting the door. I have to take care of myself."

I glanced down for a split second and my face darkened with a deep shade of red. "I'll get the door," I said.

He hurried into his room and I went to the door. "Sorry for the wait..." I said as I opened the door, keeping my eye on the floor as I pictured what I had just seen. While everyone walked in, Rab hesitated by the door. "Is something wrong?" I asked.

He stared at me for a second before he frowned and shook his head. "No. Sorry, I was just thinking," he said. As he passed me though, he put a hand on my shoulder and whispered, "Might want to clean up your neck."

I slapped a hand over the bite mark I'd received from Cheshire. "It's not that-"

"It's alright. You don't have to explain," Rab said. "Just go cover it before anyone else notices."

I nodded and hurried down the hall to my room. I passed Cheshire as I did so and he frowned. "What's wrong?" he asked. I shook my head and entered my room, only stopping long enough to tell him I'd be out in a minute.

*******

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