When Worlds Collide | Mad Hatter OUAT x Reader |

Chapter 5 ✂ Familiar Face

Your limbs tensed as you heard the sound of a twig snap from outside your burrow. You assumed it was the younger girl when you realized she was fast asleep in your lap. You nearly leaped out of your skin when a pair of meaty hands seized the collar of your blouse and tossed you to the ground.

"Stay away from my daughter." An familiar voice bellowed as the blade of scissors met your throat.

You briefly looked away, huffing a light chuckle. You had expected a sword to decapitate you in the heat of the moment but scissors? You'd never even though of it. You looked at your overseer through your lashes when you were more than just surprised. It nearly made you feel giddy when you recognized that face. "Jefferson?"

You noticed the uncertain calculations flushing the man's features as he gathered memories. He seemed blithe the way the corner of his lips raised. "I never thought I'd see you again..."

"Coincidence? I think not." You snickered taking his hand to luring yourself to your feet.

"The Queen's knight- they're after you, aren't they?" Jefferson asked, pocketing away his scissors.

"Yep, I'm quite the eye catcher. They saw your daughter with me too. It's dangerous for her to be out till this is all fixed." You replied, brushing your attire.

"Papa..." The young girl whimpered, holding tightly to her father's coat.

"You're limping." You sternly said.

"Who?"

"Your daughter." You murmured, kneeling down to her height. You lifted her skirt up lightly to find a deep wound on her calf. You were amused by the fact she hadn't told you sooner but the remedy was simple no matter what the condition is.

"Grace! What happened?" Jefferson eagerly said, shoving past you to reach his daughter.

"Calm down. Touching the wound might cause it to worsen. Just let me handle it." You garbled as you hurriedly tore a strip of your attire. You tied it around the girl's leg trying you best to ignore the child's slight whimper and grip on your shoulder. "There. That should keep it fixed for now. Just cleanse it with water every once in a while."

"Thank you-" Jefferson said pausing a little to look at you properly as you stood. "For helping Grace and I. You should come along with us for the night. No one would suspect you there."

"I don't think you're going anywhere with her." You muttered with a smug grin growing upon your lips. "People know me all through this forest. There's no possible way I could be safe with villagers. I should go back home where I belong."

"Papa- we- we just can't leave her." Grace muttered.

"Grace..." Jefferson said sternly holding her arm.

"Papa-"

"You should get going, if the knights spot you, you won't even be able to dream of going home." You muttered turning you back against them, slightly hurt from rejection.

"Papa... Please?" Grace pled to her father. Jefferson's face softened in mercy to the girl's desires.

"Do you have spare rooms in your house?" He called out.

You stopped in your tracks and glanced back at the man. "Pardon?"

"Do you think we could stay for a night and leave in the morning when it's safe?" Jefferson repeated himself. You could help but let the gentle grin overtake your lips as you nodded to them. With both of them beaming with smiles, they followed you down the deep trails towards your house.

"I should remind you, I'm not as clean as woman should be." You murmured lightly shamed for admitting.

"That's nothing to worry about!" Grace cheered as she matched her footsteps with your own.