OUAT One-Shots

Jefferson x Reader

Don't Touch nor Take

A gentle tap with your foot provided enough evidence that the floorboards would not hold your weight without alerting the owner of the house. The white mansion you had been instructed to intrude belonged to one of the maddest people in all of Storybrooke. And not one person dared do what you've been told.

As you peer through a small crack in the door, the first thing your eyes land on is a man with slightly spiked hair, sharpening a pair of silver scissors. At first glance, he doesn't seem to have noticed you. Either that, or he knew you were looking in. The sound of metal on metal caused a shiver to trail down your spine.

However, you pressed on. Your mind pushing forward, thinking only of rescuing your sister from Rumpelstiltskin's capture.

Walking past yet another door, you spot what you'd been searching for. Creeping in, hands trembling, you took a hold of the outer rim. The soft material was soothing. Your eyes scanned the rest of the room and settled on several shelves, brightly lit with white light, occupied by multiple pieces of identical headwear. All the same shape, colour, size. Everything about them made you curious.

Focus, (Y/N), focus.

You sighed but stopped as soon as your eyes hit those belonging to a dark figure standing in the doorway. His lips were curled into a devilish grin, watching, challenging you to take the hat. One arm was resting, bent, on the wooden frame. The other holding the - now sharpened - scissors open, facing down.

"Looking for something?"

You swallow your fear. "Nope, just leaving."

You pushed the hat behind your back, out of sight, and began to walk toward him with your head held high. His eyes shift from yours and he releases his tension on the doorway, standing tall to tower over you, blocking your exit.

Everything from then on was a blur. You had managed to escape, hat still in your grasp. In exchange for the hat, you would be allowed to get your little sister back.

- - - - -

"I did what you asked! I got the hat!" you pressured. "You have what you wanted, now keep your end of the bargain!"

His eyes were wide, shocked at your sudden outburst. But his smirk remained. "You need to do one more thing for me."

"What?"

"Bring Hatter to me," he hissed.

You felt uneasy. How did he think you were going to do that?

"Then, and only then, will your precious sister see the light of day."

You growled. He should never have had the chance to take the three year old, let alone use her innocence against you.

"Fine." You lied.

- - - - -

The breeze caused the tree-tops to sway in sync. The sound of leaves rustling was relaxing, it helped to clear your mind.

  How am I supposed to get Kai back, if I can't get Hatter?

  Your mind spun a million times round as you trailed further and further into the forest.

  A noise jerked you from your thoughts. The crunch of old leaves and twigs snapping under pressure alarmed you. No one came this way. Certainly no one you knew, anyway. Who or whatever it was didn't seem to mind you being there so either they were there for you, or didn't realise your presence.