This one took a little longer than usual, but I have been getting some tips from a super amazing person! So I hope that its getting a little better!?

Hopper Character Sheet: sierra sweet . deviant art . c o m art/Hopper-336936459

So no spam, just a character sheet of my character, I put spaces so just remove them and it should take you to the page! :D

Thank you for reading! DA Word: Welcome

Chapter 5: The Welcoming

He was wearing a black short sleeved shirt with a red velvet vest that could use a good cleaning, half of his hair was shaved and the other half was shaggy and black, his hat was trying to cover up the mess.

"Now you know my name, you owe me yours." The Hatter asked quietly.

"Um, I'm Alice."

"Alice." He said in a whisper as though he was recalling a distant memory.

Flashback:

It was sunny and trees were scattered around us, the grass was bright purple, blue, green, and zig-zaged, it seemed very normal to me I was 8 after all. I looked up at the boy I was with, it was the Hatter in his youth. He was smiling at me, I was happy to be here, I wasn't worried about where I was or what I was doing here.

"Hatter? Where are we going today?" I asked.

"Wherever you want Alice."

"I don't care, every place here is enchanting and stunning."

"Well, it is wonderland after all, its your home."

Present:

My home? What was that? I'm sure I've never been here, but. . .

"Alice?" Hopper asked.

"Sorry." I shook myself out of it and looked at him. "Yes?"

"You look a little out of it."

"Well, I did just go running through the woods chasing after a white rabbit and its somehow dark even though my watch says its 2:36."

"Time means nothing here, do you have anywhere to stay the night?" He was looking up at me from his book, he had an almost hopeful look in his eyes.

"I'm afraid not, I'm hopelessly lost and don't know my way back home."

"You are home." I thought I heard the Hatter whisper.

"You could bunk with us if you want." Hopper was looking back at his book, trying to look as if he didn't care if I stayed or left.

"Really? You would allow me to stay the night?"

"The night! You can stay as long as you want. . ." Hatter started out excited then trailed off as though mid-sentence he had begun to think of something else.

"Yes you are welcome to stay." Hopper said much more calmly. He lead the way into the house, Hatter stayed outside still thinking. The doorway was purple and gray triangles and the door was red, Hopper opened the door and motioned for me to go in.

"Lady's first." He said with sarcasm.

"Thank you."

Inside was a normal bachelor pad, clothes were scattered everywhere and leftover food was on the coffee table.

"Sorry about the mess, we haven't had much company for awhile. . ."

"Its fine, my father was much worse! He never cleaned, he was just a messy person I guess?"

"Was?"

"Uh, ya, he left me and my mom when I was little."

"I'm sorry, but you must be close with your mom?" He seemed genuine

"No, I remind her of Dad, she doesn't even want to look a me anymore."

He didn't need to say anything I could see it in his eyes, he had been through hardship before and knew that there was nothing that he could say to make it better.

"You can sleep in my room, I'll take the couch, Hatter would never give up his room for someone. Not even someone as pretty you."

I blushed. "No, I'll take the couch, I can't take your room, you've been so very kind and I couldn't do that."

"Don't make me tell you twice, you are taking my bed!" He said playfully with a smirk on his lips. "Plus a lady such as yourself will need the privacy, I don't, so you can take it."

"Okay, but just for tonight?"

"For as long as you stay."

Just as he finished the last word Hatter came in the door. His fist was griped around the neck of a freshly dead sparrow, scarlet blood dripped from his lips and onto his vest. His crazed smile curved at the edges and it sent shivers throughout my body leaving me breathless. The Hatters eyes were as clouded over as the birds. The birds head was barely hanging on to the rest of its body, one bloody tendon held it in place.

"Hope I'm not interrupting things!" he said, sending flecks of blood flying.

"No, Hatter." Hopper said with a very blank look. "Go wash off. . . Its no wonder the no one ever visits." the last part was barely a whisper.

"But. . ." the haze faded from his eyes and he looked down at the bird in his hands. "Yes. . . I think that would be wise." and he rushed upstairs, the slamming door startled me.

Hopper turned and looked at me with sorrow filled eyes. "I'm sorry you had to see that, Alice. I thought we had more time."

"More time?"

"You know that little girl I was talking about earlier? Well when she left she took Hatters heart with her when she disappeared from Wonderland. Ever since she left he goes through episodes, he can't control himself. Hi last one was not to long ago, we usually have a week in between."

"Oh. What happened to the girl?"

"She just up and left, she told no one where she was going. It broke Hatter, but now that you are here he may just turn around."

"Why me?"

"Oh. . .um, you just remind me of her, that's all."

I felt like there was more but just nodded, this place was showing a side to it that I didn't like.

"My rooms down the hall and is the second door on the right."

"Thank you again, Hopper. I think I need a good rest, this has all been a lot to take in."

"Of course." he walked over to the couch and slumped down on it "Good night."

I walked past the kitchen, its walls were lined with odd knifes of all shapes and sizes, some were beyond me. Why would someone need that many knifes of so many kinds? I hurried and all but ran to Hopper's room. The knob was a silver teacup with a large clear gem laid into it, I would not be surprised if it were diamond. I turned the cold handle and opened the back door, inside was a normal room, a queen bed was in the right corner and opposite was a desk with all sorts of writings and drawings. I was amazed with his drawing skills, I didn't dare read the writings, that was his business and none of mine. I walked over to the bed and ran my hands down the black silken sheets, it was like petting the soft of a moths wing.

"You like it?" A voice from the doorway said.

I turned and saw Hatter but this time he looked very acceptable, he had washed the blood from his face and had fresh cloths on. "I'm sorry to intrude, but you left the door open and I-"

"You scared me." I interrupted him.

"I. . . yes, I'm truly sorry, my deepest apologizes. I don't know what came over me." He looked away from me and took a few steps back, but I walked over and came close to him, close enough to feel his breath on my skin and to see his chest move to the rhythm of his breathing. I looked into his eyes but he still looked away.

"Look at me Hatter." I pleaded.

"I. . ." He looked right at me, his bronze gaze stared into my soul. His eyes told me that he was sorry for what I had seen.

"I forgive you." A look of pleasure took over his face and he kissed me, his lips soft at first then passionate.

I pulled away. "Hatter. . ."

"Welcome back, Alice." he walked back out of the room and I was left alone, trying to take in all that had happened.