Words of Wisdom
He had wanted so badly to break the awkwardness that hung around them, choking him in it's entirety. To break the silence and tell her all he had wanted. But, instead, he laughed, rambled on, took the coat back that he had given her, and watched as she was lead away and pushed back through the Looking Glass. Back to her own world. Her own time, her own life...without him.
"You know," a familiar voice said behind him, "I never thought you could be more of an idiot." Hatter turned to face a smirking Jack. "I guess I was wrong."
"Yeah? What would you know about it, your Majesty?" He spit the words so venomously that Jack almost flinched. Almost.
"You're in love with her, yes?" For a moment, Hatter thought about denying it, saving himself any humiliation, but after a moment of thought, he knew if he denied it, he would be betraying his heart. He nodded.
"And you are too. What of it?" Jack grinned and shook his head.
"I took a shot and she shot me down, Hatter. Now why do you suppose that is? Why do you suppose any woman would shoot me down? I'm sharp, handsome and , oh yes, King of Wonderland. So, why, Hatter, would our dear Alice shoot down a man she traveled through the Looking Glass to save?" Hatter met Jack's eyes for an instant and saw there what he had only hoped was acceptance.
"She wouldn't." Jack shook his head. "Unless she had, along the way, fallen for someone else."
Hatter swallowed hard and shot a glance at the Looking Glass.
"And, let me tell you, that man, who ever he is, must be quite…well, astonishing to win her."
"Is that a compliment?" Hatter grinned back.
"Depends." Jack shrugged.
"On?"
Jack leaned in as if to impart some form of amazing wisdom and whispered, "Whether you're smart enough to go after her."
Hatter, shocked for an instant, just looked at Jack who nodded his encouragement. A smile broke out across Hatter's features and before either of them knew it, he was making a mad dash for the Looking Glass.
"Thanks Heart! I owe you one!"