Day 19: In Formal Wear – Jefferson

A/N: Jefferson only has a few episodes, so it's hard to define his character, but I tried.

With the curse broken, everyone recalled their fanciful lives in the Enchanted Forest. Despite many of Storybrooke's residents having beef with one another, they all agreed that the town could use a celebration. Regina was on the mend, trying to be a better person and make friends with Emma. Mr. Gold was still hard to trust, but Belle's faith in him gave the town hope. Everyone seemed to be doing better, and it was a consensus that the town deserved to relax for a night and have some fun.

They all thought back to how good times were celebrated back home, and everyone seemed to come to a similar conclusion. Cinderella recalled the royal ball she attended where she met Prince Thomas, and Snow White remembered some royal celebrations from when she was a child, including Regina's wedding to her father. Given their fairy tale backgrounds, the citizens of Storybrooke opted to organize a town-wide ball for all to attend. The dress code was formal, whether it be modern or traditional, and everyone was invited.

You were excited to go. As a cat, you didn't get to go to many parties. In Wonderland, your time was spent accompanying the March Hare and the Doormouse in afternoon tea, wondering when Jefferson or Alice would stop by to visit. Said visits were few and far between, and you missed your friends.

You accompanied Jefferson on one of his adventures, landing you in the Enchanted Forest. Before too long, you got separated. You had called out for him, but he never answered. You knew he wouldn't just leave you; something must have happened. Unfortunately, it happened just before the Evil Queen cast her curse upon the land, and you got swept up in it.

Now you went by (y/n), and you owned a china shop in town. Your specialty was antique tea sets, including saucers and spoons and sugar jars, but you sold other items, too.

After the curse was broken, you reconnected with Jefferson. He had known you all the time, but he couldn't think of a valid reason to become part of your life when you had no idea who he was. You didn't blame him for that. You simply felt sorry for him. He had to watch you and Grace live your lives without him. You knew that had to have hurt.

As soon as you heard about the ball, you ran to Jefferson's house. It was large and dark and looked as though it were about to fall over, but once you were inside, it was warm and safe.

You found Jefferson where you always found him – in his office, sitting at his desk, bent over the design of a new hat. He was making them for fun now, rather than for a purpose. You looked around the room in awe, taking in all of the different colors and styles he'd been experimenting with. For a while, it was all about his sleek, black top hat, the one that could open portals to other realms. But now that the curse was broken and he was reunited with you and Grace, he had no need for a magic portal, and could focus on making hats because he enjoyed it, not because he needed power.

"Jefferson," you greeted softly, careful not to startle him. He still had bandages on his fingers from poking himself with a pin the last time you'd caught him off guard.

He hummed in response, not looking up at you. His fingers worked of their own accord, pinning and cutting and sewing. Anyone casting a glance his way would assume he was exhausted and sleep deprived, the way his eyes were wide open and his mouth was slightly agape. But you knew better. He always looked this way when he was working.

"There's a ball in town tomorrow night," you announced. "A real ball, like the kind the royals held in the Enchanted Forest. The whole town is invited, and I thought… you might want to go… with me…"

Your excitement faltered when you realized that you were potentially asking him out on a date. That was your every intention, of course, but you had no idea how he felt about you, and you didn't want to push him. You knew his focus was Grace.

He finally looked up from his work, turning his head to catch your gaze. You could swear you saw a faint blush on his cheeks, but you brushed it off as him being overworked.

"A ball?" he repeated, still looking at you. You could see the hamster wheel in his mind turning, but you didn't know where it was going, or how fast.

You nodded excitedly. "I really want to go. You don't have to, of course, but I was hoping we'd go together. It'd be like old times, when we had parties with March and Mouse."

He smiled fondly at the memories. He had always hated Wonderland, but he would tolerate it to spend some time with you and your friends.

"What's the attire?" he inquired, turning his attention back to his hat. You happened to notice that the outside was a beautiful combination of your favorite colors, but you assumed it was a coincidence.

"Formal," you replied. "What you normally wear is fine, I'm sure. Everyone loves a waistcoat and a good hat."

He nodded, continuing to work. "What time does it start?"

You hesitated in surprise. You hadn't expected him to agree. "Eight, I believe."

"I'll pick you up at 7:45 and we'll walk there together," he decided.

Your eyes lit up and you bounced on the balls of your feet. "Really?"

He nodded again, and you saw the faint hint of a smile tugging at his mouth. You lurched forward and wrapped your arms around him in a hug, squeezing quickly before letting go and scampering away.

His increased heart rate and the blood rushing to his cheeks were enough to tell him that taking you to the ball would be a good idea.

You were ready to go at 7:45 when Jefferson arrived, like he said. You wore a light grey dress with short sleeves and a ruffled, layered skirt. Over your torso was a black corset that hugged your curves and accented your bust. You slipped on some simple black boots that Jefferson had bought you so you would stop going barefoot everywhere. Your hair was left down, exposing your pointed ears, and your striped tail stuck out from beneath the skirt of your dress.

When you opened your front door, the sight before you took your breath away.

There stood Jefferson, dressed in black as usual. But his regular attire had been modified. He wore a black dress shirt under your favorite black waist coat- you'd once told him it was your favorite of all of them- with black pants and shoes. Atop his head was his tall black top hat- again, your favorite- and his brown locks were neatly combed. He had one hand behind his back, clearly hiding something, and the hand that you could see was offering you a small bouquet of your favorite flowers. Grinning ear-to-ear, you took them and then accepted his arm and let him lead you away from your apartment.

As you neared the town hall where the ball was being held, your curiosity got the better of you. You kept trying to sneak a peek behind Jefferson's back, but he always caught you and turned so that you were facing his chest again.

"What are you hiding?" you finally asked as you stood outside of the town hall, off to the side so you wouldn't get in the way of the couples and groups making their way inside.

The brunet grinned at you, standing in front of you. "Close your eyes."

You raised a curious brow but complied, taking in a breath as your eyes fell closed. You felt something light but warm being placed atop your head, tickling your ears and settling just above your brow.

"Open."

You opened your eyes one at a time, noting that the weight was still on your head. Keeping your eye on Jefferson, who was grinning excitedly, you reached up with one hand to pluck the object from your head. Holding it in your hands to examine it, your eyes widened when you recognized the colors from earlier. It was the hat Jefferson had been working on when you interrupted him.

"What's this?" you inquired softly.

"A hat," he replied simply. "For you."

He plucked it from your hands and set it gingerly back on your head, smiling proudly.

"You've never made me a hat before," you breathed, looking up at him.

"I thought it was time," he replied. "I thought you deserved one."

Feeling confident, you stood up on your tip toes, resting your hands on his chest for balance. When he remained in the same spot, you closed the distance between you, pressing your lips to his. His hands found your waist, pulling your body flush against his, the brims of your hats hitting against each other as you tilted your head for a better angle.

A smile plastered itself on your lips as you pulled back to look up at him. His grin matched yours as he tilted his head down to peck your nose.

"Shall we?" he asked softly, offering you his arm and tilting his head towards the open town hall doors.

You nodded eagerly, wrapping your arm around his and hugging him close as he led you inside.