Summary/Teaser: What could have been going through Hatter's head before Alice showed up again in Underland? Maybe his thoughts went something like this.
A/N: This will be my first ever-finished fanfic, so regardless of whether you think it's good or bad, I am proud of myself. Feel free to do your worst when reviewing. Your flames shall keep me warm in the coming months. Also, I haven't decided yet if this is just going to be a one-off, or if I'll add chapters. We'll see.
Disclaimer: I do not own Alice in Wonderland in any way, except for the 2010 movie copy I bought legally. The original story belongs to Lewis Carroll, and the movie belongs to its respective owner(s) and affiliates.
Warnings: disjointed thoughts, general Hatter madness.
Tap.
Tap. Tap. Tap. Tap tap tap taptaptaptap.
Adjust hat. Tap tap tap. Sip cold tea from a chipped, dull yellow cup. Tap tap tap tap taptaptaptap. Check pocket watch. Still no change in the time. Still offended, poor thing.
Continue tapping. March Hare twitches and throws a few biscuits. He and Mally giggle about it. But not me. I'm waiting. Stare down the end of the tables and into the shadowed path leading into the forest.
Soon. But not yet. I can feel it. Like when you have water in your ear. Or when the back of your throat tingles.
Check watch no change. Sigh, and look up at the sky. Getting dark; tea time is long over. Say farewell to Marchy and Mallymkun as they leave to their homes nearby. Dump leftover tea. Throw out remaining foodstuffs. Maybe she'll be here tomorrow. Go inside and sleep.
Wake repeatedly due to nightmares. Eventually give up around midmorning. Today is the day. I'm sure of it.
Fix holes in suit jacket. Add a pin to your hat. No, the blue one. Yes, that's better. Blue. Like her. Check the time. Go outside, bring tea pots, and cups, and plates, and utensils back inside. Wash everything. Make tea. Lots of it.
More more more. Good. Now food. Scones, biscuits, cookies, little sandwiches. Done. Take everything outside, arrange them on the tables. It's already halfway through tea time. But that's okay, because today is the day.
Invite the March Hare over. Try to invite Mally, but she's not home. Oh, well. She'll show up sooner or later. Doze off in your chair for a little while. Wake up mid-evening. Way past tea time, but Mally and Marchy are still here. Having fun. Someone put some music on. Join their fun for a while, then get bored.
Late evening. Still nothing. Join the March Hare and the Dormouse in games lasting well into the night. Pass out in your chair until dawn. Thankfully no nightmares.
Come to suddenly, along with Mallymkun and Marchy. Movement at the edge of the woods. Blonde. Is it? Perk up; eyes wide. Lean forward.
Blue. It is. I knew it. Very, very late. But at last.
...
Alice.