Work Text:
It is 6:00 pm and House for Tea is full of liveliness and customers who have travelled from near and far have come to visit. It opens late into the evening but that is how it has always been. A cute and dainty shop filled with lacy rosy decors with waitresses and waiters dressing every so endearing. Tea was obviously the main attraction, hence the name of this place. In this tea house, you would find two men busying away with tea and coffee and all sorts of things in relation.
“Boo Seungkwan, you know you will never be able to sleep with all the coffee you are planning on drinking,” the man with the bed head stated as he sipped on a cup of Ceylon tea. He admired the notes of citrus and spice, adding in just a splash of milk to make it more pleasant. In front of the pair, finger sandwiches with cucumbers and avocadoes could be found alongside the warmth of various scones ranging from cheese to raisin to hibiscus rose.
The March Hare sighed as he mixed some honey into his mug, “I know but you know how it is with the Cheshire Cat. He has always been trying to chase me up the trees. It has been a long time since I have been running from him. One of these days he is just going to eat me up. Oh, Hansol Vernon Chwe, whatever shall I do?”
The Mad Hatter winked at his partner-in-crime and replied, “Don’t you worry. You will always have me by your side.” He took the time to gently rub Seungkwan’s arm in comfort as they sat side by side. A timid smile is what he got in response.
The pair kept sipping at their beverages as the chatters of their customers, the clinks of their cups and mugs and the munching of tarts surrounded them. The two men always had their favourite beverages that were suited for teatime. As long as the clock struck 6:00 pm, you will find them at a tea party of some sort. It did not matter what they were in the middle of but as soon as it struck, they would find themselves in the House of Tea.
Seungkwan began to munch on a tangerine cream sandwich as he glanced at the house making sure everyone was having a magnificent time. There were always new customers coming in to try out their spread but occasionally, they will see a few regular customers. The air was filled with amusement and babbles of faceless cards.
“We should have invited Jihoon here,” Seungkwan puffed as he now stared at his empty hand; clearly, he enjoyed that sandwich a little too much. The Mad Hatter clasped his fingers together and smirked, “He will never come and you know that. He hates me with a burning passion.”
“This is because you always try to one up him! Always trying to seem like you can do better than him! We are supposed to be friends. This is not a competition!” Seungkwan whined and accused him angrily. Vernon only shrugged, “Not my fault I am just so great. Have you not heard my singing?”
A sigh slipped through the mouth of the older one. “If only we could live a little,” he sighed as he now stared into his empty mug. “Excuse me! More coffee for me please! Can we try the house blend?” Seungkwan asked loudly hoping to catch a staff member’s attention.
Vernon could only roll his eyes and nagged, “Quit the coffee. It cannot be that good to drink copious amounts. You have been going through restless sleep. We can’t have you be so tired when we are having our tea parties all the time.”
The March Hare ignored him and cried, “Can’t we change our routine just a bit? I am so tired of tea and coffee all the time. It is always the same foods with our plates of sandwiches, light cakes and other tea party related desserts. Please I just want something different.”
“You know we can’t do that. We murdered time, remember? Our horrible singing did the trick. We should be glad we got to escape death even if it meant living life with one condition. That is teatime,” Vernon explained gloomily.
Oh, if only he could turn back time. He never meant to murder time and drag his dear partner with him. If only he did not get drunk before making the request to sing in front of the Queen of Hearts. If only he did not sing so off tone and had everyone staring at him in horror. If only he could change back time. Then maybe his love would be smiling more and living life to its fullest.
Then it was as if his prayers were heard. The doors to House of Tea chimed and Seungkwan stared so hard; his eyes were bulging. Her hair had luscious blonde locks with blue eyes pairing them. Her outfit consisted of a sky blue and white frilly dress with black flats with precious bows. A sapphiric hair pin could be found holding her hair in place.
“She has a face, “Seungkwan pointed with glee, “A face! A face!” It was rare to see someone with a face. The Mad Hatter stared at her in shock – Wonderland was filled with faceless cards; just a few residents had a face with purpose. The younger lad gulped, “She must have a role in this world. I wonder what it could be.”
The woman was led to a table that was close to the pair. Given a menu, she squinted hard hoping to find a particular drink. She flipped and skimmed through the pages, but she was unsatisfied with the options. She asked the waitress close by, “Do you not have bubble tea?” “Bubble tea, milady? Bubble tea? A tea made of bubbles? How hilarious!” the faceless card roared with laughter.
Bubble tea? Seungkwan thought curiously to himself. Is that a new invention? What could that be? It seems like something you could drink.
The lady straightened out her dress and heaved a long breath before going, “A cup of Earl Grey would be nice.” The card nodded and walked away, “Bubble tea? Who would make such a thing?” Snickering is all one could hear as the card made its way into the kitchen.
Vernon propped his arm on his table and loudly said, “Bubble tea? I believe that does not exist. Where can you find it?” in hopes of getting her attention. It did work as she proceeded to stare at him and then the March Hare. “Hmm how can I describe it? It is milk tea usually made with black, green or oolong as the base. Flavouring syrups or powders are typically used which determines the colours of the drink. It really is delicious and comes from back home, I guess.”
“Back home? Do you come from another country perhaps? Do you speak of the Countries of Spades and Clovers? We are in the Country of Hearts and we do not have that. What about the bubbles that come with this tea?” Seungkwan thoughtfully asked – known to be shy as a rabbit. He would never have dare to converse with others, but curiosity pestered at him. He was trying to sit on his chair with his best teatime behaviour but one of his feet had started to thump at the ground in anticipation.
“Haha, the bubbles are not actually bubbles. They are made of tapioca starch making it a chewy texture as you drink your beverage. Otherwise no, where I come from – it’s a different world. Everyone has a face there,” she stated as she crossed her legs under her table.
With interest in his eyes and hopes of a new friend, “What is your name?” Vernon asked remarkably. “Kind of rude to be asking for my name when you have yet to tell me yours,” the girl glared in response.
The Mad Hatter grinned, “I am the Mad Hatter but otherwise it’s Vernon. My hat is just at home right now so no hat for me today.” He then used his thumb to point at his beloved, “This here is Seungkwan, the March Hare!” The hare timidly raised his hand as a greeting.
“They call me Alice here but I swear I have a different name. I just can’t remember it right now. It is on the tip of my tongue,” she stated as her tea arrived. She placed one sugar cube in and began to stir. “Thank you,” she smiled at the card. “Right, enjoy your non-bubble tea,” the card mumbled as they walked away.
“Hey! It’s a beverage using tea, tapioca, sweeteners and milk!” huffed Alice loudly at the back of the staff member. She was not pleased with the service; how rude of him. So very rude, she thought.
Bringing Alice’s attention back to the pair, “You speak of this tapioca, but I do not think we have that,” Seungkwan uttered gently as he did not want to bring unnecessary attention to himself. She could only sigh as she thought that Wonderland was bizarre and peculiar. “Tiny little pearls that are meant for eating and they are very chewy. It’s an ingredient but to make the pearls, you would also have to combine sugar and water.”
The Mad Hatter and the March Hare looked at each other and proceeded to grin. “Perhaps you could teach us how to make bubble tea one day?” expressed Vernon with glee in his eyes. It could be a new beverage they could enjoy at teatime. And maybe, just maybe, Seungkwan will be much happier in his life. Even if it was just for a short period of time.
Alice nodded vigorously, “I would love to! All I ask is that you guys give me a tour of this country. I only got here not too long ago and the Timekeeper is just too busy to be guiding me around.”
If Seungkwan can become a happy hare, Vernon did not care if he had to go to the ends of the world just to do so. He agreed on this fair trade, “Any friend of the Timekeeper is a friend of ours.”
This is how the Mad Hatter and the March Hare became friends with the latest resident of Wonderland and got to discover their love for bubble tea.