Jefferson led you back to his house, through the woods and along the dirt path.

"Why do you live up here?" You asked.

"Because it's away." He answered quietly.

"Away?"

"Away from it all."

You nodded, choosing not to poke that sleeping bear.

It was a brisk night, the wind blowing a cool breeze, the moon illuminating the path. It was quite beautiful, but it was still cold. You shivered and put your arms around yourself.

Jefferson took notice and took off his scarf for you to borrow, since he lacked a jacket. You thanked him and used it as a shawl, draping it on your shoulders.

On closer inspection, you saw a puffy scar across his neck. What had done that? Wouldn't he have died?

"Take a picture." He said, a smirk on his face. You snapped your eyes way and blushed.

"S-Sorry. I didn't mean to stare." You apologized. "Do you mind my asking where you managed to get that?" You were feet away from the porch steps.

Jefferson turned back to you and chuckled, continuing up the steps. You followed, slightly annoyed, as he pulled out his house key.

As his door opened, he turned back and whispered, "Off with his head." Then disappeared into the mansion.

You stood in the doorway, confused beyond belief, before finally stepping inside, taking in the decor. Everything reminded you of patchwork, like a poor man's clothes. It was cute, actually, and slightly eerie, how it felt like wonderland.

"Back here, (Y/N)." Jefferson said, leading you back to a room. He told you to wait outside the door as he went inside. You obeyed, tightening the scarf around your shoulders.

Jefferson reappeared with a top hat, velvet cloth black as night. You hesitantly took it in your hands, examining it.

"It looks like a... hat." You concluded.

"Great observation." He said sarcastically.

"I don't know! What's it supposed to do?"

"You spin it on the ground, a portal appears, you use the portal. Simple."

"Right," you rolled your eyes, "very simple. You have a living room?"

He nodded and led you to a white couch, an assortment of pillows piled on it. You sat and continued to examine the top hat, looking for a type of trigger, or lever, that could make it work.

You were like that until dawn, moving and playing around with the hat, sewing new fabric on it, replacing the frame, until you were asleep on his couch, thread and fabric strewn around you.

You weren't sure if you believed him. But you wanted to beleive something. Something was not right about Storybrooke, and you wanted to figure it out.

Jefferson sat with you the entire time, bouncing his foot impatiently or burying his nose in a book. You didn't realize his presence much, too absorbed in your work.

Now the both of you were asleep, you hanging off the side of the couch, him somehow ending up on the floor in front of you.

Jefferson woke suddenly, shaken from a nightmare. His eyes darted around, then relaxed when he recognized his home. He lifted himself up, stopping when he felt your hand on his back. He slowly shifted away so he wouldn't wake you, holding back a smile.

He looked at your sleeping form, draped awkwardly across the couch, your heels across the room, your lips parted slightly. He couldn't hold back the smile anymore.

"Goodnight, my princess." He whispered and brushed your hair out of your face before leaving a lingering kiss on your cheek.

He stood and left the room to shower.

You woke up a few minutes later, groggy and tired from your work the night before.

"Jefferson?" You called, but had no reply. "Jefferson, are you there?" Still nothing.

You sighed and stood, starting a search through the house.

You looked in the hallway, and turned to leave before hearing a faint noise.

"...My funny valentine..." the voice sang. It was beautiful, you had to admit, and you began to creep towards it.

"You make me smile,"

You put your ear against a tall door, hearing running water and Jefferson's voice.

"So don't change your hair for me, not if you care for me. Stay, funny valentine, stay."

Your jaw dropped to the ground. His voice... it was truly amazing.

The shower stopped running and you began freaking out. You quickly jumped away from the door, and managed to knock over a glass vase while you were at it, sending it to the floor with a crash.

"Stupid-flipping-scared-the-living-crap..." You muttered, trying to hold in your swears. The door swung open, Jefferson standing in the doorway with a towel around his waist. His muscular chest and abs were glistening, his hair messed up on the top of his head, his blue eyes showing concern.

"Are you okay?" He asked, panicking.

"I-I... uh... I'm fine." You said, regaining your composure and clearing your throat.

"Um, don't move." He said, closing the door for a few minutes, then reappearing in pants and a tee shirt.

"I've got it. Just be careful of the glass." He said, holding out his hand for you. You took it and used it for balance as you stepped around the bits of glass, almost falling a couple times.

"I'm sorry." You said. He didn't let go of your hand, even when you were away from the glass.

"What were you doing?" He said, a smirk on his face.

"Uh, nothing." You said quickly.

"Of course."

"It's true!"

"I know, darling."

"You'd better." You huffed, turning your cheek to him. He chuckled and leaned forward, placing a kiss there (for the second time, unbeknownst to you), making your cheeks turn scarlet.

"Why are you blushing, dear?" He teased.

"Keep your lips to yourself, Jefferson." You said, keeping your head turned. He chuckled and was about to kiss your cheek again, just to irk you, when you turned to snap at him, causing your lips to collide together.

You both jumped away as soon as it happened, staring wide-eyed at each other.

"I'm sorry." He whispered. You didn't know what to do, either kiss the the handsome, crazy man in front of you, or turn and storm away.

Of course you chose the first one.

"Don't be." You said, taking his face and bringing his lips to yours. He put his hands on your lower back, his palms flat against your back. You wrapped your arms around his neck, bringing him closer.

It was a long, passionate kiss. His lips were soft and gentle, and tasted slightly of tea. Your hands played with his damp hair, the smell of his lavender shampoo reaching your senses.

He was the one to pull away, breathing heavily. He rested his forehead on yours, a smile dancing on his lips.

"But you don't remember." He said breathlessly.

"I don't need to."

A/N

I (tried) to draw Sebastian...

:D

M.A.100