"Alice, what are you doing here?" Mathula complained, rolling his eyes as he flopped onto his grand throne.

"Oh, you know, just thought I'd drop in," Alice replied cheerily, sliding onto a armrest of his throne.

"Well, drop out," Mathula retorted, unsuccessfully trying to hide a smirk.

Alice only laughed, her eyes sparkling with amusement. "Oh, sure, I'll just go then."

"As if," Mathula drawled, his eyes sparkling with his own amusement.

One day, Mathula was seriously injured, the usually snarky villain reduced to a limping figure.

Alice found him in his castle, wincing as he tried to move. "What happened to you?" she asked, concern in her voice.

"None of your business," Mathula shot back, though his voice lacked its usual venom.

"Oh, it's my business alright," Alice retorted, moving closer to help him.

"Just... stop fussing," Mathula grumbled, but he didn't push her away.

"I'm not fussing, I'm helping," Alice replied, her voice soft in the quietude of the castle.

For once, Mathula didn't respond with another barb. He simply watched her with an unfathomable expression.

Days passed and Mathula's injuries slowly healed under Alice's care, their sniping replaced by comfortable silence.

"Why did you help me?" Mathula asked one day, breaking the peace.

Alice sighed, turning to face him. "Because, Mathula, despite everything, I care about you."

"I..." Mathula started, but cut himself off, looking away.

Alice just smiled softly, moving closer. "It's okay, Mathula. I know."

Mathula looked at her then, his expression giving away more than he intended. "Just... don't tell anyone."

Alice laughed softly. "Your secret's safe with me, Mathula."

"It better be," Mathula threatened but there was no heat in his words.

"Oh, I'm terrified," Alice teased, her smile spreading.

"I'll keep that in mind," Mathula retorted, a small smile tugging at his lips.

"And I'm looking forward to it," Alice shot back, her eyes shining.

"As am I," Mathula admitted, his tone softer than usual.

And so they fell back into their usual routine, their unspoken affection becoming a part of their prickly dance.

They were friends. Not that Mathula would ever say it out loud...but Alice heard it nonetheless in his soft smiles and softened barbs.

They may have started as a villain and a hero's companion, but they had become so much more, a bond forged in a castle's solitude.

And as Mathula watched Alice laugh at his latest barb, he realized, he wouldn't have it any other way.

Neither would Alice, as she tossed another laugh in the villain's direction. After all, it was their dance. And they wouldn't miss a step.