Author Notes: Because really, that was rather rude.
Common Courtesy
"We could do pizza." Of all the things he could possibly think to say, Hatter wants to slap himself for that. The most awkward and pathetic line he's ever spoken in his entire life.
Except that Alice doesn't seem to mind. She seems to grasp his train of thought when she follows with "And lots of other things." It's all the encouragement he needs. He opens his mouth to speak, to tell her that he would love to follow up with her on these 'other things', that if she could just give him a few days, he would more than happy to follow her one whatever crazy adventure she wanted, when one of scientists approaches, his plastic lab coat squeaking as he walks. The man places a gloved hand on her arm.
"Alice, please?"
Hatter can hear his own confusion.
"Really? I was just..." But the moment is gone and so is Alice. She glances back at him, expectant but there isn't enough time. There never is.
He watches her fall through the looking glass, pushed by the same hand that had taken her away from him just moments ago. His jaw clenches as the man walks back towards the Oysters behind him. People don't just do that. Walk into the middle of a conversation without so much as an 'excuse me' or a 'pardon'. It was damned obvious that they were, in fact, in the middle of a conversation. And though Hatter fancies himself to be a reasonable man and not particularly prone to anger or violence, he can't seem to hold his tongue.
"You're a prick."