Feel You (Jefferson OUAT x Enhanced!reader)

Part 1

Characters: reader, Jefferson, Grace, others mentioned.

Summary: You had seen him around the village and knew some of his story, but after coming upon an interaction with the man and his daughter in the market, you felt compelled to help him. However, he may not want anything to do with you. Will your hidden ability help or hurt your chances of making him see a different path?" (OUAT canon divergent)

Warnings: tiny bit of angst, but mostly none!

Word Count: 6.4k

Song Inspiration: "Meet Me in the Woods" by Lord Huron

A/N: It's here!! My first Jefferson story!! :D I'm so excited to share it with you. Thank you to all who have shown enthusiasm for this story and I hope you enjoy it as much as I have writing it! Special thanks to ​Becca for reading this over for me! Also, this story is canon divergent, meaning I've changed some of the events from the tv show. Please let me know your thoughts, I love to hear from you all! Thank you!! <3

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"This was a brilliant idea," you muttering sarcastically, untangling your skirt from yet another caught branch. "I'll just follow him home and tell him... and I'll just say..."

Actually, you had no idea what you'd say.

Huffing out a frustrated sigh, you rested a moment behind a tree, peeking out slightly to keep your target in sight. Luckily they were distracted by their own little game, his baritone chuckle and her tinkling giggle ringing through the forest. You considered abandoning your foolish task, but the ache in your chest urged you forward against your will. Taking another deep breath, you checked to see if the coast was clear before trekking onward through the brush and bramble.

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Once a week your mother sent you to market for necessary items like eggs or a fresh loaf of bread and each week you dreaded it. The bustling crowds were overwhelming and the experience left you emotionally drained for hours afterward. You begged your mother for her to go instead, but that was never received well. All that came of it was a lecture about responsibility and contributing to the family. Considering that you were already a disappointment as an unmarried young adult woman, in her eyes you were lucky to have a place to live at all.

Entering the market you steeled yourself and aimed to gather all your purchases as quickly as possible. Bread acquired, you now stood impatiently in a queue for eggs when you overheard a conversation a few stalls over.

"Would you take it for eight coppers? It's all I have," the man offered to the old woman. A young girl beside him held a soft, stuffed white rabbit in her hands with hope in her eyes.

"Oh, you are a good father. Your last coppers for your little girl's happiness, ah?" the woman replied, leaning forward with her crooked nose and blackened teeth.

"Thank you," he said, offering her the coins.

"Oh I did not say I accept," she rebutted, rudely taking the rabbit from the young girl's hands. "Alas, I cannot take less than one silver. The economy. You understand."

The crowd behind them began to murmur, urging the man to make a purchase or step aside. A tightness of concern grew within you.

Embarrassment. Shame.

"It's okay, papa. Come on. People are waiting," the young girl told her father, showing understanding beyond her years.

"I will not take 'no' for an answer," the man tried one last time, pleading in his voice.