#🐇 ◆◇◆ || ₒₕ₋ ᵢ’ᵥₑ ₕₐd ₛᵤcₕ ₐ cᵤᵣᵢₒᵤₛ dᵣₑₐₘ ! || { verse: Wake Up. }

[alicesought]

@thegirlwondcr || next page ! || { switching due to the new editor }

♡♠♢♣   ⁀  His always so expressive face betrays him,

reacting immediately to their objection with a wide eyed pout and a blink of his lashes, shrinking into himself slightly. But he doesn't relent, he tries again, now much more directing his efforts to the other rather than just quietly to himself. " Citrus, perhaps? " He raises to her each tin of fragrant dried tea blends, " Clove? Bergamot? Passionfruit? I-I can try the green tea cabinet... " He'll be fixated on this until its resolved, such was how the poor man's head worked.

He pushes around his tins in the floor-sitting cabinet, tucked into it so deep as if he might close the door on himself, until he stumbles upon the back of one labelled with one of his custom tags. Not particularly unusual. The ex-hatter was fond of making his own tea. But this one, this one he didn't remember-- and why was it hidden behind everything, and why was it labelled 'drink me', and why was his eyes and hands compelled to back away from it, put things back atop it, and pretend he didn't see?

That's precisely what he does. And the memory of it leaves him completely.

The doctor almost wished he really was naive enough to believe her. Perhaps a child would, he wondered-- perhaps they'd hear that confident, unworried tone and assume they must know better, that he must have simply misunderstood. But he isn't a child. And he has an intuition now, he recognizes it-- being ostracized. It made no difference if it was earned this time. In the end it was all just familiar... pain.

But he smiles. Weary but earnest for the young lady, " Yes.. Yes I'm sure it will be easier, of course. " However what they say next does garner a real chuckle to brighten that smile to a grin, scarred hands clasping. " Of course-- o-of course! " He says half-giggling. " It is, it really is so important to me, I must let you know! I-I spent so many years thinking that the bat and his birds... th-that you absolutely... reviled me! " His hand goes to his mouth. Has he ever said so to them before? But he goes on. " But-- But to know you really meant me no harm! That you would still make friends after everything... I... did? " The truth is... she must be half mad herself to believe it. And some part of him knew that. In fact he couldn't stop thinking it.

The kettle whistles. He's quick to stop it's reheating and laughs. " Thank you, is what I'm trying to say, my dear! "