We're All Mad Here (Jefferson x OC)

Chapter Seventeen

Three weeks later, Serena and Jefferson went to every realm at least once, making sure she saw everything. He never told her, but he was falling in love with her and it scared him. He wasn't supposed to feel anything for her.

She had opened up to him in ways he never thought she would. He was glad she let him see the playful side of her, the side she probably wasn't allowed to let out as a princess.

The feeling of someone watching him woke him up, but he kept his eyes closed. He heard Serena giggling before she jumped on top of him to wake him. She did this almost every morning. At that point, he was expecting it.

He groaned as she landed on his stomach, making him wince. She muttered an apology in between laughs, the same way she laughed every time. He chuckled as she sat up, the smile never leaving her face.

"Good morning to you, too." He said, faking being in pain. She laughed and playfully shoved him, rolling her eyes. "Where to today, princess?" He asked her as she let him stand up.

"I don't know. We've been everywhere already." She frowned, not wanting to leave. She was happy moving from realm to realm every few days and seeing places with Jefferson. "This has been so fun. I don't want it to end."

"I think we should start heading back to The Enchanted Forest." He sighed, knowing if he didn't take her back now, he wouldn't be able to let her go.

"What?"

"I think it's time to take you back." He turned to see her, tears forming in her eyes. "You've been with me for too long. Your sister's probably worried." She opened her mouth to speak, but decided against it. "Listen, Serena, I don't hate you. It's just that you've spent too much time with me."

"So? Why does that matter?"

"Because you need to go home."

"Why can't I stay here with you?" She asked, moving away from him. "I like being here, traveling the realms with you. This is the most freedom I've had in years."

"Serena, this life has no stability. You'll be moving from place to place, running from guards every week." He said, moving forward. "It's no way for a princess to live!" She stopped, her eyes going wide.

"That's all you see me as, isn't it?"

"What? What the hell are you talking about?"

"You only see me as a defenseless princess that needs saving." She shook her head as she cleared the tears from her eyes. "I can't believe after all this time, you still think that. Well, guess what? I don't need anyone to come to my rescue, okay?"

"I know you can defend yourself. I've known that since you beat up those three guys the morning after we got back from Wonderland."

"Then why do you keep treating me like I can't?" She questioned as he stopped in front of her. "Why don't you think I can't handle this life-style?"

"I know you can handle it. You just don't deserve to live the life of a thief!" Before she could say anything, he crashed his lips against hers, letting out weeks of bottled up feelings. One of his hands moved to her waist, while the other cupped her cheek.

She held his arms, keeping them in place. His lips moved roughly against hers, getting more intense by the minute. She finally pulled away, breathing heavily as her eyes stayed closed.

"I love you, princess." He said, cupping her face. "That's why I didn't want you to stay, because you deserve more than the life I can give you."

"Jefferson, I don't care what kind of life you give me." She let out a breath. "I just want to be with you. I don't want to live my life in a cage, isolated with the only friend being The Huntsman. I want to be here with you, traveling the realm and being able to meet new people."