"Arista."

"Mhm?"

"Are you trying to break my ribs?"

The blonde glared at the back of his head. "No?"

"Then I'm going to have to ask you to ease up on your grip," Jefferson told her with a hint of breathlessness. Shifting uncomfortably in the saddle, he tugged her hands away from his waist.

"Oh. My apologies." Arista grabbed him by the thighs. "Is this better?"

A very indignant squeak left his lips as he doubled over. The horn dug into his stomach, but Arista paid his dramatics no mind. Her nails dug into the flesh of his thighs, dangerously close to his dick, and his woolen pants did nothing to stop them. "No! No, not at all!"

The woman huffed, but refused to let go and refused to give him any space. With her front pressed tightly to his back, the mermaid thought she had been keeping her fear under control rather well. She wasn't crying, or screaming, or trying to leap from the saddle- all of which she had considered doing at various points during their trip. She had been quiet and composed and yes, a little grabby, but to be fair, they were really high up. There had never truly been heights in the ocean; rather depths that were the apex of the mermaid's fears. Heights were foreign and evil and the man in front of her was not helping with his casual mockery and distractingly firm back (she really liked his back).

Irritated, she dug her nails further into his leg as Jefferson tried to pry them away. "Well, where should I hold you then?"

"The waist is fine," The portal jumper told her with a grunt. Taking her by the wrist, he delicately wrapped it back around his middle. "Just stop trying to squeeze the life out of me."

Arista rolled her eyes behind him. "My apologies."

Jefferson pursed his lips at her snide tone. Side eying with a bit of irritation, he asked, "So... How was it you found your way to Camelot all by your lonesome?"

Eying the back of his head warily, she pouted. "What's that supposed to mean?"

"I mean, have you ever even read a map before?"

"Well, no." Embarrassed, the woman shifted on the edge of the saddle. "Some men helped me- and a woman!" She gushed with glee, practically bouncing in her seat- until she realized how high up they were and quickly stilled. Her voice, however, stayed bright. "Oh, Jefferson, she was beautiful!"

The man, however, was still stuck on something he deemed incredibly important to his masculinity. "Wait, what men?"

"Just some men in the forest," Arista replied dismissively. They had much more important matters to discuss. "Her name was Marian! And men bended to her whim. She was a just leader. Fearless of the beasts that roamed her grounds."

Jefferson glanced at the blonde. Her features were somber and proud and the Hatter blinked with a bit of worry before looking back at the road ahead. "I'm glad you had fun."

"I wouldn't call it fun. The entire ordeal was rather stressful, but it was nice to meet new people."

Arista tightened her hold just a touch on his waist. While meeting new people was fun, it didn't mean she valued the man in front of her any less. In fact, it kind of made Arista value him all the more. There were many men out there, but Jefferson was still by far her favorite (Mr. Rumplestiltskin not included). Resting her chin on his shoulder, she asked, "What business did you have in Camelot?"

"Oh, just business." He smirked at her displeased hum.

Holding him a bit tighter, the mermaid pouted. "What kind of business?"

"My business."

For a few moments they were silent. Arista sighed and dropped her temple to the back of his shoulder. Slumped over in the weird, uncomfortable seat, the woman simply took in the scenery. Forests, she was soon realizing, were incredibly dull. They all looked the same. Really, there had been no need for deceit on Rumplestiltskin's behalf. A faint smile pulled at her lips as a little bird fluttered passed them. It was bright red and chirping cheerfully and Arista held the man before her a bit tighter.

Cheek resting against his the back of his shoulder, she let her voice drop a touch, "You know, despite being rather quiet, the landscape is lovely here."

"Yes, Misthaven is known for its beauty." Jefferson winced. Adjusting the arms wrapped around his waist once more, he asked if she was comfortable.

Arista shrugged. "I suppose. This beast isn't as ornery as I was expecting."

"She's not a beast, she's a horse."

"I still don't like it." Cuddling into his back, the young woman shut her eyes. "How much longer?"

With a chuckle, the Hatter looked to the sky. The sun was slowly starting to dim, casting a warm orange light across the forest floor. "I suppose there would be no harming in stopping for the night…if you're so inclined, that is."

The mermaid hummed, but didn't move. "Well, technically Mr. Rumplestiltskin never gave me a time frame in which I'm to return…Is there still a ways to go?"

"Well, the nearest town is only a few minutes away, but we're still a good night's ride from the castle." Jefferson smirked. "We could check out a tavern and get something to eat before finding an inn for the night."

She smiled behind his back. The idea of spending more time outside the castle walls (and away from Rumplestiltskin) excited her and the idea of spending it with the lone man who had been kind to her made her downright giddy. "I'd like that."

The elation lasted until she was faced with the process of getting off the beast. Arista glared down at the man below her, her hands clenched around the horn of the saddle as he crooked his fingers at her.

"Come on, Ris, we haven't got all night."

The sun had just barely set and while she looked beautiful in the moonlight, Jefferson did not want to get jumped by any of the gangs that roamed the nearby woods. The nearby tavern was loud and dimly lit, and most likely filled with criminals- but at least they were the friendly, drunken kind and not the kind who might stab him and carry off his woman.

"Arista, please."

"No."

With his hands curled into fists, he clenched his jaw. Glaring at her, Jefferson took a deep breath and stepped back. "Fine! Stay up there, see if I care."

"Very well."

"Arista, you cannot stay up there!" The Hatter screamed, stomping his foot and moving to yank her off the damn saddle. A withering glance stopped him in his tracks. Scowling at her, he adjusted his ascot and shook his head. "I won't be pulled into your little mind games, Arista. You can just stay up there and rot!"

The mermaid turned her chin up at him and shrugged her delicate shoulders. The bottom of her dress caught the moonlight, making it sparkle and gleam, as she crossed her ankles. "Fine, I will."

"Fine!"

"Fine." Arista chanced a glance at him as he turned to walk away. Voice airy, she waited until he had turned his back on her to speak. "I'm sure another man will be happy to wait for me."

That stopped him. A wide, devious smile flitted over her mouth, but she suppressed it as he spun on his heel. As Jefferson faced her once more, she held her hands out in an innocent, fragile manner that made him sigh. Scowling, he approached her once more. When he noticed the pleased glint in her eyes, he slid his hands over her waist, and promptly and unapologetically swung her over her shoulder.

"Hey!"

"You're not in the ocean, anymore, girlie," Jefferson teased with a chuckle. "Shouldn't have been so difficult."

The mermaid slapped his rump and screamed, "You are such an unbelievable angler!"

He jostled her on his shoulder. Her legs kicked and she continued to hit and slap at him with more force than he thought her capable, but the Hatter held firm. With one arm clamped over her waist and his other hand planted on the back of her thighs, he cackled as she began to laugh.

It had been a long time since someone manhandled her so freely; not since she had left the ocean. She had missed being touched, even if it was terribly indignant. "You've made you're point, Hatter!"

"Have I?" Jefferson asked, hiking her up a bit more. He watched her bare feet kick up and moved to grab her boots from the saddle bag. "I don't think I have."

"Put me down!"

The portal jumper hummed as if considering and pulled a pair of his woolen socks out of the same bag. "Why would I do something like that?"

There was a brief pause, before she offered, "I'll bite you?"

"Are you asking me or telling me?"

"I'm warning you." The maiden squirmed. "Don't make me bite you, Jefferson. I am a hairsbreadth away from being a Wild One."

"You are not." Jefferson had no idea what a Wild One was, but doubted she could ever be labelled something so aggressive. "And you would never bite me. It would be unladylike."

She could actually hear the smirk in his insolent tone. Torn between a sigh and a laugh, Arista pinched the back of his thigh. "There's nothing ladylike about being upside down!"

Well, he couldn't argue with that. Still, he carried her over to the lone bench outside the tavern and gently placed her upon it. Arista scowled up at him; her hair a mess of curls and cheeks flushed with blood, and he barely managed to dodge the smack she sent his way. With an impish grin, he kissed one of her blushing cheeks before he fell into the seat beside her.

Arista sniffed at him and snatched the offered socks from his hands. She eyed them warily and, still frowning, asked, "What's this?"

"Socks," he explained, motioning to her bare toes as he set her boots beside them. "They go on your feet."

With a shrug, the mermaid began to pull them on. The wool was slightly coarse against her blisters, but she saw no harm in trying the silly garments out. Vaguely, she wondered if what he had done to her face could be counted as a kiss. Human affection was so strange. In the ocean, everyone was upfront. Flirtations and such casual touches were reserved only for those in the throes of courtship and affection between those who weren't about to breed was downright discouraged- unless, of course, they were family. Then it was fine. What Jefferson offered her- what Jefferson just did was so unlike anything she had ever even seen before and it excited her.

As she yanked her boots on, Jefferson leaned back in the chair. With one leg cocked over his knee and his hand resting carefully on her back, he asked, "I haven't offended you, have I, lovely?"

"I told you not to call me such foolish things."

"Have I offended you, Arista?" He asked, voice airy and throat a bit tight. The man was fairly certain he hadn't (she had been smiling much too widely), but her sudden silence worried him.

"No." A cryptic smirk tugged at the corner of her mouth. "I was just thinking."

"Were you now?" A cocky grin crossed his lips as he leaned toward her. Batting his eyelashes, he asked, "About me?"

Arista didn't move. She let him be close and let him be coy and resisted the urge to brush their foreheads together; it was a much too intimate a gesture for a man she hardly knew, but the temptation was there. Voice soft, she replied with a simple, "Yes."

The Hatter blinked and blushed as he beamed at her. It made him look incredibly young and boyish. His blue eyes sparkled in the moonlight and all at once, she was struck by him. Jefferson was beautiful. A little obnoxious perhaps, but beautiful all the same.

The realization was almost jarring. Arista had never thought him ugly, but he certainly didn't fit the typical merperson's aesthetic. He was too skinny and his hair was too short and of course, he had legs, but well, for a human he was almost exceptionally pretty.

Swallowing, the maiden licked her lips and stood. Her feet still ached, but not terribly. The rest had apparently healed them some and the socks kept her bare skin from chaffing. As she undid her headband, she asked how she looked.

Jefferson smirked as she primped her flowing blonde curls with anxious fingers. Her hair was still mussed and wild from being upside down, but she was still stunning. Her wide cheekbones were exotic looking and brown eyes large, and he nodded his approval as she tied the tan leather band back around her forehead.

Nodding, the man stood. He offered her an arm and smiled when she took it. "You look lovely."

The woman wrinkled her nose at the word. "Stop calling me that."

"Beautiful, then."

Arista rolled her eyes. As he moved to lead her to the door, the maiden faltered. Fiddling with her fingertips, she glanced toward the tavern. "They won't think me odd, will they?"

Jefferson frowned. In truth, the little mermaid was an odd one- and others were sure to take note of it; to take note of her, with her bright personality and pretty face. The idea of sharing her attention (and maybe even her affection) with anyone else made him a bit hesitant…but she deserved to meet new people. So the Hatter offered her the sweetest smile he could manage and cupped her jaw with gentle hands. Her amber eyes searched his anxiously and he shrugged. "No more than I am, Ris."

At her pleased grin, he pressed her lips to her brow and held them there a moment. Her skin was soft and cool and he sighed as he pressed her brow to hers. Arista stiffened under his touch, but merely leaned into the gentle touch. After a few quiet moments, Jefferson offered her arm a gentle rub. When he pulled back, her eyes had closed and her expression was almost pained, but the Hatter said nothing. Just waited for her to speak, and when she did, she didn't disappoint.

Her voice surprisingly brittle, the young woman shook her head. Eyes tightly shut, she bit her lip before she spoke, "You have no idea what that means, do you?"

The portal jumper blinked. "What what means?"

The mermaid chuckled and wiped at her watery eyes. Forcing a smile, she went to enter the pub. "Nothing. It was foolish of me to think you'd understand."

"Understand what?" He frowned and reached for her arm as the mermaid turned away from him. "Arista!"

Offering him a wan smile, she shook her head. "It's my own fault. Come. Let's enjoy our night."

Stomach heavy with disappointment, Jefferson nodded and took the hand she offered.

A/N: Shout out to my wonderful beta, Unsightly Dreams! Sorry for the long wait. Hope it was worth it.