Hi!
I know what you're thinking. I've been gone for so long. I am sooooo sorry. Truth is, I forgot to mention on my last update that I was going to be in Virginia and would be unable to upload a chapter while there. So, so, terribly sorry about that. To make up for it, this chapter is relatively long, and it has a special appearance from a special character! I know I love this character in 'Once' so much, and I hope you do too!
On a completely different note: I saw 'Captain America 2' for the first time today, and it was totally fantastically amazing! I highly recommend it and I think it is the best movie in the Marvel series so far. And let's not forget that Sebastian Stan, our very own Jefferson/Mad Hatter, stars in it! Definitely go and see it.
Oh! And leave a comment telling me who your favorite Avenger is and what your favorite movie in that whole long list of Marvel movies is!
Love you guys, never forget that!
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He cursed underneath his breath. What had he been thinking, trying to kiss her? What had he hoped to gain by planting his thin crease of a mouth upon her full, untarnished lips? He had been so close to losing himself in their sweetness. He had nearly held her so close in his arms. She had just sat there. Sat there and allowed his forehead to inch closer and closer to hers.
Rumpelstiltskin blinked twice and sighed. That had to be just his imagination. She had just stayed there. Probably out of fear of what he would do to her if she refused him the kiss. But then, why had she seemed to come closer? Centimeter by tiny centimeter? Her nose had brushed his and she had not recoiled. Her hand had remained featherlight upon his chest and she did not pull away. She had been so warm and beautiful and radiant in the fire glow.
In a flash, the fiend felt the searing pain of burning flesh upon his hand and he bit back a shout. Looking down, he noticed that he had spilled the potion that he had not-so-carefully been handling. In a burst of both anger and pain, Rumpelstiltskin threw the vial against the wall and watched as the glass erupted into millions of tiny shards. That girl had weaved her way into his home. Weaved her way into his life. Perhaps even weaved her way into his heart. And now he couldn't even concentrate without his thoughts turning towards his lovely maid!
What would the whole world think if they knew that the almighty Dark One couldn't even create a simple elixir without succeeding in burning off his flesh?! He spat forth a spell from his lips and the skin upon his hand knit back together. But he was far from glad to see a minor pain eliminated. Why? Because that damned girl was still in his thoughts, and for the life of him, she wouldn't leave!
Rumpelstiltskin's ears perked up as he heard the loud bang of the door in the Great Hall. Someone was here. He rubbed his knuckles together with malicious glee. A trespasser in the Castle. What a delightfully perfect distraction from his troubling thoughts. In a puff of smoke he disappeared from his apothecary and reappeared seconds later in the center of the Great Hall.
He grinned wickedly as he readied himself for the fun to begin. And then, all his hope of pleasant distraction crumbled down about him. No, this was far from pleasant.
"Rumpelstiltskin, dear friend," a familiar voice purred, "Always having to make such dramatic entrances."
The imp grimaced at the newcomer, "How are things in the realm of the Evil Queen, Jefferson?"
"I am offended," Jefferson said mockingly, "Why would you ever assume I was in league with our dear Regina?"
Rumpelstiltskin grinned, showing his feral teeth, "Just a wild guess."
"Well you guessed wrong, my friend." The man took off his extravagantly large top hat and placed it on the recently polished oaken dining table. He likewise removed his trench coat and his gloves and placed them beside his hat. He was dressed all in black save for the purple scarf wrapped around his neck.
"And what gives you the right to assume that I am your friend?"
"Come, come, Rumple. We both know I am the closest thing to a friend that you have."
Rumpelstiltskin waved his hand around in his strange little way. "That would be true," he pointed a slender digit into the air, "If the Dark One had any friends." The fiend smiled largely. Perhaps having the annoying hatter wouldn't be so bad after all. His wit was amusing to watch and listen to. Already he was beginning to think less of that beautiful maid that floated about his castle floors. Wait. Thought to soon.
Just my luck, Rumpelstiltskin thought bitterly as he heard the door from the kitchen being opened and he heard the woman approaching. He had meant to avoid her as s long as possible, all day if able. Just like a coward, was his last thought before the beauty piped up.
"You didn't tell me you were having visitors today, Rumpelstiltskin," she said kindly as she looked from her master to the stranger. "In fact, I do believe that the whole time I have been here you have never had any guests."
"Well, that's because I don't like entertaining, dearie. You know that," Rumpelstiltskin muttered, as he forced himself to look right at her. There was no way he would cower right in front of her. No way on this earth or in the next.
Jefferson grinned like a Cheshire cat. "Rumple, you failed to mention you had a young lady in your company."
"You just arrived here, Jefferson," Rumpelstiltskin replied through clenched teeth.
"It should have been the first thing you mentioned," Jefferson bowed cordially to Belle and took her hand in a light grip, "How on earth did such a beautiful woman like yourself come into the presence of this old fossil?"
Belle grinned in greeting. "How else? It was my understanding that the Dark One is notorious for his deals."
"What need do you have of an angel like her?" Jefferson asked as he winked at Belle and then leaned forward to lay a plump kiss to her middle knuckle. Belle blushed at the attention as Jefferson kissed her hand much longer than necessary. He released her fingers and flashed a pearly white smile at her.
She turned to Rumpelstiltskin to see that the imp's cheeks had turned the faintest shade of red and he was gripping his hands together hard, until his fingers were turning white. A glint flashed across his eyes in an emotion that Belle did not recognize. She pulled farther a part from the newcomer, an action that was not lost on Jefferson. His eyes flickered between the monster and the beauty with curiosity not even concealed.
"I bargained my freedom for the safety of my people," Belle explained softly, the tinge of red on her cheeks turning to an even darker shade the longer she stood in the presence of the terribly charming man. "I am Rumpelstiltskin's maid now. I clean and care for the Dark Castle in all its finest glory."
Jefferson nodded and paraded his hand about the room. "It is indeed...unique," he finished, trying desperately to think of an adjective that would suit the strange dwellings of the Dark One. He looked about the room and smirked. "You have definitely worked wonders, milady. You should have gotten a maid a long time ago, Rumple. Never in all my years of knowing you were those curtains ever off their rods."
"Actually they were nailed to the wall," Belle put in with a slight laugh and Jefferson snorted good-naturedly in response.
"That's Rumple for you. So precise." Jefferson cast a wink at the irritated imp before raising an eyebrow at the woman. "But I have yet the privilege of knowing your name?"
"It's Belle," she replied sweetly as she dipped into a curtsy.
Jefferson bowed low, "And I am Jefferson at your service, but some just call me the Mad Hatter."
Belle laughed loud and clear. "Well, I doubt you are mad, surely not." She blushed as she caught Jefferson's blue eyes and noticed that he was still staring intently at her. She dipped her head to hide her blush and Rumpelstiltskin flitted his eyes back and forth between the incredibly flirtatious interaction. At least, flirtatious from the side of his 'dearly-beloved friend'. But Belle didn't seem to mind the attention at all.
A sensation was cutting through his heart with absolute precision. Dare he be jealous? He fought to control his composure as he cleared his throat. "Tea please, Belle," he said through barely clenched teeth. Belle nodded her head and exited the room.
"You sure were making a move upon my maid, Jefferson," Rumpelstiltskin observed in as light a voice as he could manage. He sat down in his usual seat at the end of his table and motioned for Jefferson to follow suit. The hatter sat to the right of the imp.
"Well, she is certainly a lovely thing." He chuckled as he looked squarely at his friend. "Oh come on, Rumple, don't tell me you've never noticed."
Rumpelstiltskin let out a high-pitched laugh to hide his discomfort. "I don't know what you are talking about, dearie."
"I saw the way you looked at her when I took her hand. I felt as if you were a dog breathing down my neck."
The fiend tittered slightly, "Been one too many times to Wonderland, I see."
"And if it's any consolation, she looked at you in a strange way too."
"Well, then, the rumors are clearly true. You are positively mad."
Jefferson beamed brightly, "Only in my mind. Not my soul. I know how to read the matters of the heart."
"And how came you to master such a unique trick?" Rumpelstiltskin flared a hand in the air and rolled his eyes.
"If you observe enough people, you learn a few things," Jefferson explained to Rumpelstiltskin who huffed in response, "Just like I was able to deduce that you like that girl. Don't you?"
Rumpelstiltskin's eyes flitted up to Jefferson's with haste. "What is that supposed to mean? I like the girl for what she accomplishes as a maid," he lied smoothly, "She does alright for one of noble blood."
"But you have feelings for her, don't you?" Jefferson pressed softly. Rumpelstiltskin did not respond, for just then Belle walked into the room bearing a silver-gilded tray with the tea set sitting royally upon it. She set the tray on the table and began to serve the tea.
"How do you take your tea, Jefferson, sir?" She asked politely.
"Believe me, dear, it is just 'Jefferson' to you," he replied kindly, "And I will take it with three lumps of sugar. No cream." Belle went to work fulfilling the order and the hatter continued to speak. "Have you ever heard of Wonderland tea, Belle?" He asked and she shook her head. "Well, it is delicious, to say the truth. It grows from these tiny seeds, and the tea leaves spring right up from the ground. They have these delicious red berries that you pick. It is those berries that actually become the tea. After you pluck them and dry them and bag them, they make the most delicious drink imaginable."
"Ah yes," Rumpelstiltskin grumbled, "Because everything in Wonderland is so wonderful."
Jefferson snorted. "Actually, Rumple, that is part of why I am here."
"Really?" The fiend retorted mockingly. "I thought this was just a social visit."
"I'm afraid it's never that easy, is it? Hidden motives and all," Jefferson took a sip of the hot tea handed him and smiled thankfully at Belle. "I have something you might want. Three mushrooms from Wonderland itself. You know the powers they are capable of."
"What do they do?" Belle interrupted before she could reign in her curiosity. She instantly bit her lip at her lack of submission but was met with a hearty laugh from Jefferson.
"A curious one, eh, Rumple? Well, my dear Belle, they allow a person the ability to either grow larger or smaller than they already are."
Rumpelstiltskin snickered, "And what makes you think I would want something like that?"
"I know you like to collect eccentric items for rainy days. Besides, you never journey to Wonderland."
The beast tented his fingers, hungry for a deal, "And what is it you want in return?"
The hatter smiled and leaned over the table, "A sleeping potion."
"Why ever would you want a sleeping elixir?" Rumpelstiltskin asked curiously.
"That is my own secret, friend," Jefferson retorted with a snort.
Belle sidled past Jefferson to the head of the table. Hot steam wafted forth from a chipped cup in the beauty's hands. A chipped cup, curious. The fact that she had not even asked what her master would like was not lost upon the hatter. Apparently, she knew him well.
Rumpelstiltskin reached out for the cup that she was offering and their fingers brushed just slightly in a barely-there touch. The beast's breath hitched quietly and Belle's neck became flushed. Rumpelstiltskin's eyes shot up to hers the moment he felt the electricity of her touch shock through his body. He licked his lips and whispered, "That will be all, Belle. You may go now." Belle nodded her head, retrieved the tea tray, and practically ran out of the room.
Jefferson watched the exchange in silence until the beauty left and then he chuckled slightly. "My dear, Rumple, don't even dare try and deny that you have feelings for her."
Rumpelstiltskin grimaced at the hatter before sighing and taking a sip of tea from his chipped cup. "Perhaps I do, hatter, but that doesn't mean she ever will."
Jefferson whistled loudly and took a large gulp from his cup. He sniffed once and looked over at the fiend who was staring intently at the door through which Belle had just gone. "Believe me, Rumple, she feels something."
"I am her captor and her master," Rumpelstiltskin turned suddenly to face the man to his right, "I am sure she feels something for me, but not love."
"I don't know," Jefferson shook his head good-naturedly, "She doesn't hate you or despise you, so what is it?"
"Friendship," Rumpelstiltskin replied through clenched teeth. He was becoming quite sick of this conversation.
Jefferson chuckled, "Ah, my dear friend, that is not the look a woman gives a man when she thinks of him as only a friend."
"Really?" The imp asked before he could catch himself. He cursed inwardly at his foolishness.
The hatter nodded, smiling slightly at the eagerness in his friend's voice, "I can't say how much, but she definitely has some feelings for you."
"Well, nothing will ever come of it anyway," he responded bitterly.
"Do you want something to come of it?"
Rumpelstiltskin shook his head. "I don't know anymore, Jefferson." He sounded more like a man than a strange beast of folklore. "I just don't know what I want anymore."
"If you want Belle, then you should pursue her," Jefferson advised simply.
"And how do you suppose I do that?" He snapped back. "I don't even know how the woman feels about me!"
Jefferson chuckled. "Love is a trifling thing," he mused softly, more to himself than Rumpelstiltskin, "But there is one sure sign to know whether she loves you or not."
"What is it?"
Jefferson's smile turned into a serious line. "I know it is a long shot, and you have to be willing to risk everything you ever had with the girl." He paused for a moment and then sighed. "You have to let her go."
"WHAT?!" Rumpelstiltskin nearly bellowed so loud the Great Hall almost shook.
Jefferson held up his hands in a defensive manner. "Easy, friend. You wouldn't want Belle to hear." The fiend desperately tried to calm himself and Jefferson nodded. "I know it sounds ridiculous but it is the only way to know for sure. If you love her, set her free. If she comes back to you, then she is yours. But if she doesn't, she never was in the first place." He clapped a gentle, reassuring hand on Rumpelstiltskin's shoulder. "Trust me, it is the only way. You just need to decide," the imp looked pale and nearly shook with worry, "Are you willing to give her her freedom for the sake of your loneliness?"
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So, I hope you all loved it! Please review. I had so much fun writing Jefferson. He was seriously one of my favorites in the series. So cool!