Disclaimer: None of the characters or stuff from the show belongs to me. I just dabble with them from time to time.
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Dedication: To Izzy, because it really is weird having one of my best friends reading this.
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In Which There is Fluff
Alice's mom left shortly after that, when Hatter assured her that he was willing to carry her shopping bags back to her apartment when he walked Alice home for the night. It was nice to just be with Alice, not having to worry about schedules or deadlines. They sat at the table, just chatting. It was a pleasant escape from how hectic his day had been.
"I really do like this place." Alice said, looking around again. He was gratified by the fact that she couldn't seem to get enough of the view. "But there is something that I really want to do." He saw a mischievous twinkle in her eye.
He closed his eyes, really hoping that she was going to try to surprise him with a kiss. It would have been perfect.
But it wasn't to be. He heard two thumps and then the sound of Alice laughing happily. Hatter's eyes popped open. What was she up to?
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Grass tickled every inch of her skin that wasn't covered by clothing. Hatter would probably be annoyed that she was lying in his precious grass, but she hadn't been able to resist. At least she had taken off her shoes first.
Living in a city (even one with parks like New York had) Alice didn't get much opportunity to lie down in grass and just relax. She moved her arms, taking pleasure in the feel of the blades running across her skin.
"I hope you're enjoyin' ruining me grass. It's not like I didn't just spend a great deal having that put in." Even as he was scolding her, he sounded like he was laughing inside. That was part of the reason that Alice was drawn to him. Hatter was able to laugh at things that would have made other guys turn up their noses or tell her that she was being childish.
He stood over her, looking a lot taller from the angle that she was at. The perspective was all wrong with her on the floor and him standing over her.
"I'm enjoying it greatly. Now, get down here." Hatter grinned and Alice realized just how that comment could be taken.
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Hatter lay down on the grass; his feet pointed the opposite direction from Alice's. Their heads were side by side, since they couldn't lie right next to each other in the strip of grass. He placed his hat on his chest, watching as it moved up and down.
"Okay? So what exactly am I supposed to be doing?" He turned his head and looked into Alice's face, which from his angle was upside-down.
"Didn't you ever do this as a kid? My dad used to bring me to a park when I was little and read to me while I sprawled out on the grass." It touched Hatter that she felt like she could talk about her father. It must be hard for her, he realized, to have lost the man for ten years just to lose him again as soon as she found him.
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"My old man used to take me out on his boat." Hatter started, turning his head away from her. "It was the most fun thing in the world. All that speed… feelin' the wind trying to tug my hat off…" Alice imagined a very young version of Hatter sitting on the prow of a boat, wearing a miniature version of his favorite hat. "He taught me about smuggling on that boat." Hatter sounded wistful. Most men had memories of fishing trips with their fathers, but of course Hatter wasn't like most men, a father and son smuggling trip sounded a lot more like him.
"So, it was a family business?" She asked. This was the most he had ever told her about his past.
"More or less, Mum wasn't too fond of it. But she didn't really object to expensive baubles either." Silence stretched between them for a few moments.
"Will I get expensive baubles too?" asked Alice, half jokingly.
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Hatter sat up suddenly, causing his hat to tumble off his chest. He turned his body so that he could see Alice more clearly, noticing that she had started sitting up as well.
"Do you want them?" He asked nervously. Was this a hint that he was supposed to get her jewelry? He hadn't really thought about it before but he hadn't bought Alice any presents. Maybe he should ask Duchess's advice… he shuddered slightly, imagining the type of jewelry that Duchess would suggest.
Alice laughed.
"Not really. If you haven't noticed, I'm not big on jewelry." It was true. He hadn't seen her wear any jewelry since she had taken off the Stone of Wonderland. Hatter relaxed a little and retrieved his hat.
"You know, you really shouldn't scare a man like that." He brushed imaginary dust off the hat in his hands.
"Like what?" She asked, and once again her voice sounded far too innocent for the look on her face. He opened his mouth to reply, but instead found himself staring down at a small hand clasped around his tie. "Like this?" His eyes grew wide as dinner plates.
"Well, if you put it like that…" Hatter moved in for a kiss, making certain to move his hat out from between them.
This time when he closed his eyes, Alice's lips met his. She leaned closer to him, pushing his back against the ridge where the floor dropped into the grass. Sure it was hurt, but he wasn't going to mention that to her.
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"You know, I think we really are messing up the grass." Alice said in his ear, resisting the urge to bite at the lobe. That would not be helpful right now.
They both sat up, adjusting their clothes and blushing slightly. Alice felt like she had in high school whenever her mom caught her kissing someone. But that made no sense, they were alone and they were adults.
When their hands were full of shopping bags, Alice looked at him again. He seemed as flustered as she was.
"This might be a little fast, but I do think I'm in love with you." The words poured out of Alice's mouth.
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AN:
I bet you didn't expect that Alice would be the first one to say that.
Alice struck me as being serious during the show because she had something important to do. But I think she's a bit more relaxed when there isn't life of death matters on the line. I mean, who wouldn't be?
And yes, my version of Hatter was taught his devious ways as a child by a loving, if rather busy father. Making him some tragic orphan didn't seem right at all for his character.
Questions? Comments? I love hearing what people have to think about the story.
