Prompt 3 .. Love .. When Jefferson attacks Emma, will she forgive him?
"I'm crazy." He whispers fearfully. "It's happened. I'm actually crazy."
Jefferson sits and stares at Emma, who is clutching at her throat, a fearful look in her eyes. She blinks, moisture building as the pain around her throat continuously throbs into life.
"Emma... I'm sorry." He breathes, dropping to his knees.
She watches him quietly, her heart still hammering wildly in her chest, her pulse tasting bitter at the back of her throat. "Jefferson..." She rasps.
He buries his face in his hands, his body heaving. He's disgusted with himself. He lost control. He hurt Emma. The only one who trusts him, who treats him sane.
His head jerks up and he wobbles over to her, collapsing at her feet. He stares up at her, eyes wide and wet, slightly rimmed with red. "Emma, I'm so sorry. Oh god."
Her face softens, the ache around her neck dulling as she kneels in front of him.
"Jefferson. Look at me." She says softly, but firmly.
He looks at her, horror-stricken at the damage he's inflicted upon her neck. "I didn't mean to... Emma..."
She wraps her arms around him, pulls him close, making soft soothing noises in an attempt to calm him down. "Jefferson, it was just a dream. Just another nightmare. I forgive you."
He tilts his head upwards slightly, brushing a kiss along the bruising skin across her throat. She closes her eyes, the sensation of his warm lips making her slightly weak. Her pain forgotten, she leans down and kisses him. His lips are right, fitting perfectly against hers. She closes her eyes, the salty taste of his tears on the tip of her tongue.
She pulls back breathlessly and offers a meek smile. "Let's go back to bed and this time, try not to attack me in your sleep."
His lips pull downwards as he stands, gently pulling her up. "I love you Emma Swan."
She pauses and leans in, presses a chaste kiss to his lips. "And I love you, my Mad Hatter."