Hatter's Revenge (rewriting - read at own risk)

Ch. 14: Going Back

Mad woke up because his back was on fire. A solid line of agony traced where the Jabberwock had scratched him and when he moved, he could feel the stitches Killian put in tugging at his skin.

Piled on top of that was the reminder that Mad hadn't had hard liquor in over five years.

After his falling out with Tamsus, Mad had thought it best to avoid alcohol or anything else that might dull his senses.

He'd made an exception yesterday and whatever Killian had given him was strong. Mad's mouth tasted awful and he had a dull headache pounding just behind his eyes. He sat up and groaned, then grabbed his head when the sound pierced his skull.

The bright morning sun wasn't helping and Mad would have killed for a cup of hot, black coffee. Or seven. But Wonderland didn't have coffee. All it had was tea. Tea, tea, incessantly tea. Mad hated tea.

Squinting, he found Killian looking over the edge of the cliff they had climbed yesterday. Killian turned when he heard Mad move and smirking said, "Morning sunshine."

Mad shushed him. "Not so loud."

"Lightweight," Killian laughed before turning back to the cliff and Mad considered just pushing him off. He dismissed the idea as too much work and looked up when Killian said, "I think I know where we are. It's about two days walk back to the settlement. But that's at a heavy pace."

Killian sat down and said, "Since you're wounded, it'll probably take a little longer." He motioned for Mad to turn so he could take a look at his handiwork.

While Killian prodded at his back, Mad smirked and said, "I think you're just afraid you won't be able to keep up with me."

Killian snorted but didn't say anything though he did tug at one of the stitches. Mad cursed and thought that had been unnecessary. He sighed and said, "Look, if you just put some of that numbing plant stuff on it, I'll make it. Two days I can manage. Just gotta hang tough."

Killian huffed out a laugh. "I figured you'd say that. I already got some more."

"Well then what are you waiting on? An invitation?" Mad looked over his shoulder, grimacing when the stitches pulled.

Killian pushed his shoulder and said, "If you pop these, I'll just let you bleed."

Mad turned back around, rolling his eyes though a smile was pulling at the corner of his mouth. "You got a drink?" he asked.

Killian said, "Nope. We used it all last night on you. Waste of good booze if you ask me."

"I wasn't asking you. But I meant of water." Mad twitched when Killian smeared the numbing gel on. He sighed when it immediately worked and put on what was left of his shirt. He looked up at the already blazing sun and wished for more protection than a torn up piece of cloth.

He stood and Killian tossed him a canteen. "Easy on that. I doubt it'll last the rest of the day."

Mad shook the canteen and estimated that it was less than three-quarters full. He took a small mouthful and rinsed the taste of hangover out of his mouth. He spit, then handed the canteen back to Killian who just stared at him.

Killian looked at the canteen and said, "Really? You couldn't just deal with it?"

Mad narrowed his eyes and said, "Don't make me reconsider pushing you off that cliff."

Killian raised an eyebrow. "When did you consider it the first time?" Then he smiled a little. "Come on. We should be moving."

Mad stood up, his head still pounding. He hadn't had a hangover like this since he'd been a kid having his first drink. His stomach heaved and he spit again, refusing to be sick. He couldn't afford to lose the fluids. Plus he didn't think it was something Killian would let him forget anytime soon.