Title: Only when you sleep

Author: thingsabout

Fandom: Once Upon a Time

Pairing: Swan Queen (Emma Swan/Regina Mills)

Rating: T


Emma had dinner with them last night, Henry was really happy she was there. During dinner, Emma noticed he was fidgeting with his food quite a bit.

"Hey kid, what's up?" She asked, taking advantage of Regina's presence in the kitchen.

He looked a bit at his plate before answering. "It's nothing, really."

"Henry?" She drawled his name a bit, making him look at her. "You're making mashed peas on one side, ground beef on the other. What's wrong?"

He let out a small sigh. "Do you remember Paige?"

"That girl from your class? Yes, why?"

"She gave me her number."

"Oh, did she?" Emma cockily smiled at him. He flustered a little.

"Yes. I wanted to send her a text, but I don't have a mobile. Mom doesn't want."

"Oh I see… Listen, I can't lend you mine because it's directly connected to the sheriff's office but… what if your mom is distracted and you can go and get her phone and text Paige?"

His face beamed instantly. "Really, Emma? You think it'll work?"

"Not until we try." Emma smiled. They heard the heels clicking sound approaching in the distance and resumed their conversation, but not without exchanging accomplice looks. Regina noted the atmosphere, as she was placing the dessert on the table, but said nothing.

"So Henry, tell me again why is no one likes Aquaman?" She changed the subject. Regina followed, while serving them both some apple pie.

"Have you seen his powers?" Henry retorted. "He's lame."

"Can't be that lame. He has powers. Most people don't, that's lame. But hey, why don't you show me that comic you were talking about yesterday?"

"What comic?" He was puzzled.

"That comic, the one you have in your room. With other comics?" Emma's cue for Henry might have gone unnoticed the first time.

"Oh right! Can I be excused for just a little, Mom? I'll be right back." Henry asked Regina, who was savouring her dessert as well.

"Of course, dear." The saccharine tone was not, however, unnoticed by Emma when Regina looked at her.

Henry left the table and headed upstairs.

"What are you two plotting this time, Miss Swan?" Regina asked as soon as Henry was out of sight.

"Plotting, us?" Emma mocked some indignation. "Why, Madam Mayor, you do really have us in such consideration?" She grinned.

Regina paused for a bit, resting her arm slightly on the table, gesturing minimally while still holding her fork. "I know a plot when I see one."

Emma grinned again. "Is that so?" She reached across with her arm, grazing her fingers over Regina's exposed arm ever so lightly. "I'm plotting right now, Madam Mayor. Can you perhaps disclose, in your fair estimation and knowledge about plots, what am I thinking about?" Her fingers were still tracing random patterns on Regina's skin, her tone was sultry and playful at the same time. She'd swore she felt a small shiver on Regina's side.

Regina merely raised an eyebrow and smirked, withdrawing her arm from its position, only to indulge herself another bite of her apple pie. Emma had a smug grin on her face. She knew she'd hit a button somewhere.

"Miss Swan… I can tell you it is not a plot." Regina countered.

"And you say that based on…"

"You're not devising a secret plan or scheme to accomplish a hostile or an unlawful purpose, are you?" Regina said, nonchalantly.

"Well… I'd say you're pretty much a legitimate cause for some unlawful purpose, purposes… Madam Mayor." Emma cheekily added, not waving her gaze away from Regina.

Regina inhaled softly, giving Emma one soft, yet defying look. "How's your dessert, Sheriff?"

"Oh, just appletastic, Madam Mayor." Emma took another bite to her mouth, lingeringly pulling the silverware from her mouth. "Can't say I have tasted anything better so far."

"I'm glad you enjoy it." Regina rose from the table, grabbing her plate as well as her glass and paused, turning to Emma. "Just so you know… I don't think I'd mind…"

At that point, Henry returns, sitting to finish his pie. "I'm back."

"You are!" Emma acknowledged. "Where's the comic?"

"Oh I was looking for it, but I left it in my room!" He ate some pie.

"Henry, finish your dinner. Do you have any homework pending?" Regina asked, while returning to the table.

"No Mom… Mom! Can Emma stay for a bit? I'd like to show her my comics." Emma downed her last sip of wine, as her eyes went from Henry to Regina. Regina looked at them, both looking at her with puppy eyes. Who could say no to that?

"Alright. Emma can stay." The reaction she got from the two in front of her was worth some giving in, on her part. Right then, two of the most beautiful smiles were hers to keep.


"Is he asleep?" Regina offered, as she was sat on the sofa, near the fireplace and saw Emma enter the living room.

"Yes, all tucked in." Emma cut the distance between them and sat on the sofa as well, some inches apart. Regina followed her with her eyes almost until she was sat.

"You know… I was wondering if you, Madam Mayor, were also in need of some tucking in."

"Sheri.."

"Nuh uh." Emma waved her finger 'no', while grinning mischievously. "Emma."

Regina mentally rolled her eyes. "Emma. But Henry…"

"He'll never notice. I promise. I'll leave before he wakes."

Regina turned on the sofa, looking at the younger woman, taking in all her beautiful features before leaning closer, gently cupping her chin in her hand and pulling her into a tentative, silken kiss. Emma quickly surrendered and smiled into the kiss.


Henry Mills, despite being a Sunday, woke up at his usual time, as if it was a school day. He promptly got out of bed and was headed downstairs, meaning to sneak past his mother's room, in order to put her phone back in her office or even, in her bag. He hoped she didn't notice its absence because he forgot to put it back the night before, right after texting Paige. He came to a halt, right at Regina's door. It was slightly ajar and he peeked in, just to make sure his mother was asleep.

He had to cover his mouth to prevent the chuckle that was about to escape his lips. Emma was nearly out of bed, her arm dangling from the bed, sleeping ever so relaxed. Regina on the other hand, was curled, arms crossed around her chest. Henry got a little closer, on his tiptoes and still holding the mobile. He noticed Regina was muttering something under her breath and squirming softly, her facial expression seemed heavy. As if it was on cue, Emma's arm encircled her and pulled her close to her, nearly burying her face on the crook of Regina's neck, inhaling and exhaling.

Regina calmed instantly and both seemed very much asleep at this point. Not to mention happy.

Henry didn't think twice. He looked up the menu, a mischievous, but genuine smile crept across his face as he read 'camera' on the small screen.