This was written to express my appreciation to everyone that voted in the Zimbio March Madness poll and brought home the crown for our favorite pairing. Congratulations, Swen!
Regina's actions were for Henry, and Henry alone. At that moment, she had no inclination that her efforts would offer any personal benefit beyond earning her son's forgiveness and hopefully, with time, love. He had asked her to be better, stronger, to return to the person she had once been before her persona of The Evil Queen had consumed her. She was trying, desperately, to not disappoint him. She would do anything to bring her son happiness; it was not hyperbole to say that she would die for him. That was the reason she had backed down from eviscerating anyone that came through the portal that had opened at the wishing well. Saving Emma and Snow had purely been a consequence of that decision. It wasn't about who was spared, it was merely the act itself that was important. For, if Regina were honest, eliminating the pair or her mother from existence as they tried to return from the Enchanted Forest was enticing and fulfilled her vision of justice. Additionally, removing the infuriating blonde from the narrative would only serve her plans to recapture Henry's heart if his other mother wasn't around to compete for it.
Yes, at that time she had saved Emma's life for Henry. However, Regina was utterly unaware of how their lives, from now on, would be inexplicably intertwined.
After the Charming family was reunited, Storybrooke returned to its sedate equilibrium; Regina had done enough to convince the town she wasn't plotting a genocide, or something perhaps a little tamer, and there had been no further mystical disturbances. It remained that way throughout the fall, and during the winter that was now leaving the Eastern seaboard. In the lull, people had naturally fallen into their new lives, mixing their cursed selves with their fairy tale traits. The desire to return to the Enchanted Forest was resilient in some, mostly those separated from their families, while the majority accepted the benefits of this land and its familiarity. Like the townsfolk, Emma and Regina had settled into a form of co-parenting that mostly revolved around Henry's wishes. He lived with Emma and his grandparents in the cramped loft apartment and would rotate with Emma as to who slept on the fold-out couch and who got the comfort of a bed. Regina would see Henry multiple times in a week, and after staying with her over the Christmas holidays, he had started to reside at the mansion some weekends. It was a highly flexible arrangement, for both of his mothers had learned to not be possessive. The only thing that was set in stone was that Henry and Regina would spend every Saturday afternoon together. It was their time, and for both it was non-negotiable.
It was a slightly warmer Saturday afternoon as spring fought to quell winter's grasp when Regina drove Henry into town and noticed Emma's warmer weather weekly ritual for the first time. They had stopped at a red light, and as she drummed the beat of the song with her thumbs on the steering wheel, her eyes wandered to the movement at the local car wash. What she saw surprised her. No, it shocked her into a stoic state. It resulted in an erotically tingling physical response; Regina was unsettled. Yet, she couldn't look back at the road, back at the light, back to the world where she was sitting in a car with her son. Regina was transfixed in the fairy tale she was witnessing: Emma Swan, wearing skin-tight jeans and a slightly wet light fabric shirt that clung to her toned stomach, highlighting every contour her exercise routine had created. Emma's brow glistened following the exertion of lathering half her bug in suds, removing the buildup of grime with repetitive, rhythmic circles. Regina noticed the way the afternoon sun bounced off the bug's hood, illuminating Emma's features and emphasizing the blonde color of her hair. The Sheriff was oblivious to how her actions affected those in the vicinity, for she was lost in her world while she adorned a relaxed grin and hummed along to classic rock that was blasting from her car's interior. The rest of the world blurred into oblivion as Regina's eyes flickered furiously, as she attempted to memorize every detail of the scene. This included the way Emma bent over her bucket and coated her microfiber mitt in another dose of soapy water and how Emma's torso went parallel to the bug's hood, as she leaned over it before she worked her hand across the surface in a hypnotic fashion. Subconsciously, Regina's lips parted, a reaction to her admiration. She'd never seen the Sheriff like this; it was mesmerizing and breathtaking despite the conflicting emotions it provoked.
"Mom?" Henry called impatiently after noticing the car hadn't moved when the light had changed to green. "What are you looking at?" He asked, confused. Regina still hadn't averted her eyes from the alluring view.
"Oh, I just noticed Emma. I, um, I need to ask her about some reports that she didn't complete this week," Regina reasoned, successfully keeping her voice even enough that she didn't indicate to her son the physical toll his birth mother's actions had caused. Regina's mouth had become dry, and she was now felt a little short of breath as her heart rate climbed while she continued to admire the blonde's movements. Her tone had perfectly disguised that she was imagining an entirely different interaction with Emma that was not a discussion over paperwork.
"It's Saturday, Mom. Let her wash her car in peace," Henry exclaimed, hoping to avoid a hostile exchange between his parents, though admittingly, their interactions had been more than amicable recently. Henry rolled his eyes when Regina didn't re-engage or show any sign that she was listening to his pleas. He sighed and chose to stare out of his window, mirroring his mother. Regina, now oblivious to Henry's words, became fully emerged in her mind's version of existence. She wished to remain within it for as long as possible.
However, long after the light had turned green, the car behind them grew impatient and became unconcerned that it was the Mayor holding up the traffic and honked their horn to alert Regina into a forward motion. It flustered the brunette out of her reprieve, while the interruption to the quiet backdrop of the town caused Emma to break her concentration and look directly at her. It was a reflex from both women, the tiny smile they shared when their eyes met. Instinct caused Emma to give a little, almost shy, wave, in the direction of the still stationary Mercedes. Regina felt Henry shift beside her and wondered if the gesture had been toward him, rather than her, yet both occupants waved back at the blonde. In response to this, Emma's smile grew, pushing her cheeks high, forcing her lips to part, and her teeth to be displayed. It was a sight Regina wanted to admire for decades. That smile. The way it made Emma's eyes twinkle and crinkle. The glow. The warmth it brought Regina just to look at it from afar. Forever, Regina then concluded, wouldn't be long enough for this moment to be fully appreciated.
Reluctantly, Regina stepped on the gas pedal and moved the car in the direction of Main Street toward their destination of the ice cream parlor. Regretfully, she feigned participation in conversation with the chatting Henry as she couldn't force herself to not look in her mirrors to watch Emma continue her task that dictated the pace of her thundering heart. Something had been awoken. A feeling of attraction and desire that she hadn't experienced in years. An itch she'd used Graham for too long to scratch. How was it possible that this woman had entered her psyche in this way? Emma wasn't only present, she was at the forefront. Regina's thought processes spun with everything she and Emma could do if they were alone and the blonde was willing. The orgasms she could provide. The sensations that she would feel. The moments they could have. Overwhelmingly though, Regina had an ever-occurring thought: she wanted to taste Miss Swan. Not just her lips, her tongue, or the sweat that covered her skin. No, Regina wanted to taste everything.
The seed that was planted that afternoon at the carwash had germinated in Regina's brain throughout the week. Foolishly, the Mayor assumed the intoxication she felt from Emma would subside, that its presence would be fleeting, and her normal emotions of resentment and displeasure would return, shifting her attitude toward Emma back to that of tolerant indifference. Except, while waiting for this process to occur on Sunday, Regina realized she hadn't felt this way about Emma in several months. The harshness their interactions had taken previously had dwindled, replaced with a sarcasm and scrutiny that was always underwritten with a sense of playful banter. Was it possible, without noticing, that through co-parenting they had, in fact, become friends? This concept consumed Regina's mind long after Monday had dawned as she attempted to focus on the town's affairs. Although she swore to never admit it, Regina had decided after much debate while choosing to overlook several fundamental flaws, that she rather liked Emma Swan.
While trying to accept the notion that she didn't hate the Sheriff on Tuesday morning, Emma bounced into Regina's office unexpectedly to present paperwork days ahead of schedule. The Mayor curtly accepted it while cautiously enquiring as to the reason for its promptness. However, she barely heard Emma's reply and explanation. Instead, Regina fixated on mentally undressing her visitor, whose body was inconveniently concealed by winter clothing. First, she would pull the beanie hat off her head before reaching for the zip of her thick black jacket. Regina wanted to grab the collar, to violently pull it from Emma's frame. She wondered what the woman was wearing below, what would restrict her next from seeing those arms before she crashed their lips together. She noticed that Emma then gave her an odd look, then sighed projecting an air of deflation, before she left the office without another word. The visit had lasted less than a minute, yet it had flooded Regina's senses with inappropriate thoughts; the incident at the car wash hadn't been an anomaly. What she was experiencing was an intense wave of lust. For the rest of the day, Regina tried desperately to quell these impulses, determined to not confuse an already overly complicated family dynamic.
The first thought Regina Mills had when she woke on Wednesday morning was Emma Swan. She had infiltrated her sleep with the kind of dreams you don't have about friends. The blonde had thoroughly ingrained herself into the Mayor's subconscious after they had met the night before when she dropped Henry off at the Charming's residence. Regina should have stayed in the car to cleanse her mind, but the pull of glimpsing the object of her affection was too powerful. When Emma answered the door, and her body leaned against the wooden frame, Regina couldn't prevent the cascade of desire that showered over her. Her eyes had scanned the blonde's body in a hungry manner that disregarded subtlety. If it hadn't been for their son standing next to them, Regina wasn't confident she wouldn't have acted immediately and devoured everything Emma had to offer on the kitchen table. Instead, the usually dignified brunette cleared her throat, awkwardly shifted in place before stumbling over her speech as she said goodbye. Regina had then raced home and drank several scotches in quick succession hoping that her brain would empty of Emma. It had no deleting effect. Regina dreamt about walking up to her in a bar and wordlessly kissing her as her hands weaved through the long curls. Regina woke abruptly, touching her lips in a reflex, convinced that she felt a trace of the Sheriff lingering on them. Once this moment of bliss had passed, the Mayor was left feeling frustrated that the dream hadn't lasted longer so that their physical interaction had progressed to a climax.
By lunchtime, Regina realized she had done little else that morning except enjoy her mind's concocted images and situations where she and Emma would add "with benefits" to their tentative friendship status. There was very little in this town to distract Regina's mind from these licentious desires, and it consumed immense energy as she tried to put them to back of her mind and progress with her day. Exhausted, she finally acknowledged that her tactics weren't working. Regina needed to regain focus for the afternoon meetings and decided to walk to the diner to break the cycle. Her plan was thwarted when she entered Granny's to pick up her salad, only to find Emma sitting alone in a booth, engrossed in her work, typing in a steady rhythm. The table was covered with neat stacks of files and a plate holding only crumbs next to a half-empty mug of coffee. Regina noticed Emma was working diligently on digitalizing archaic records, a menial task she'd requested months ago that the Sheriff had been working through at an impressive pace. Regina tried to avert her eyes, but they lingered longer and longer on the woman with each stolen glance. Without effort, Regina made every movement from Emma ripple with erotic overtones, especially the way the deep in thought blonde licked her lips before she held her bottom one between her teeth. Taking Emma in the booth, against the jukebox, or perhaps in the back hallway outside the restroom, were all scenarios that fired the Mayor's synapses. It was overwhelming, and Regina swiftly left the diner without her meal.
After deciding that avoidance wasn't working, Regina pondered if overexposure to Emma would be a better way to relieve her mind of its newly-created, cyclic, highly-sexualized reality. It was this perspective that made Regina itch for, rather than fear, the town hall meeting on Thursday night. Emma would be attending to present a new crime prevention initiative, and Regina felt a toxic mix of anxiety and excitement grow as the evening approached. She tried to process how it would feel to have that hour next to Emma, to be that close to her, to let the fantasy exponentially escalate. Regina though was relishing the challenge of needing to channel that level of self-control in a public setting. Pleasure and pain, it was one of the brunette's favorite mixes. Surprisingly, however, when the moment finally arrived, it didn't proceed as Regina had imagined.
As opposed to being consumed with a near uncontrollable arousal, Regina's body remained calm as she noticed things she hadn't before while Emma stood, walked to the podium, and gave her presentation. Emma's assertive gait, the inflection in her voice, and the pace at which she tapped her fingers as she spoke were all things Regina was now acutely aware of. Afterward, when Emma sat next to her, Regina could do nothing but analyze the way Emma's contacts sat in her eyes and then felt dazed at the beauty they covered. She was mesmerized, lost in their depth and how they managed to sparkle even under the harshness of the fluorescent overhead lighting. Regina became fascinated by her irises' colors; the way brown radiated out to blend with vibrant green-blue to create a unique pallet that proved that there was nothing about Emma was just one thing. Her eyes weren't green like Regina thought, they just seemed that way unless you paid attention. Emma, she determined, was like art: a glorious composite that created a masterpiece when observed as a whole.
It was a moment of calm that ended once Emma scrunched her face in confusion before handing Regina paperwork for the initiative that now needed Mayoral approval. Their fingers grazed as the brunette accepted them, and without warning, Regina's body reacted with a surprising intensity. There was no slow rise, it was immediate, dramatic, and exhilarating. Regina heard her heart pounding, her breathing sounded like she'd been exercising, and she felt like she was being touched in a place that had been neglected for so long. She looked forward and closed her eyes as she regained composure, crossing her legs to provide herself with relief and to prevent another bought of sensations from attacking her. She then glanced at Emma and searched the blonde's expression for traces of reciprocation, and found none. This was a one-sided infatuation. Emma hadn't even appeared to notice that Regina had acted unbecomingly or that she was slightly flushed and still breathing erratically. Instead, she was sitting next to her, writing notes based on the feedback the town had provided, completely oblivious. Regina subtly scanned Emma once more. Suddenly, a tiny pang of sorrow fluttered through her that Emma wasn't thinking about kissing her, holding her, or undressing her. Tonight, the Sheriff was all work and no play, and this displeased the Mayor greatly.
Even though the meeting ended with nothing more than standard platonic pleasantries, Regina's mind continued to be inundated by Emma throughout the night and far into Friday morning. She was furiously devising a plan that would give her a genuine excuse to "bump into" the striking blonde before the workday ended. With glee, Regina discovered one of David's expense reports was missing a signature, bringing with it a double-folded benefit. One, she now could rightfully intrude upon the Sheriff station and two, she would look kind and considerate that she was helping him get his reimbursement quicker. Additionally, she knew exactly when Emma would be at her desk while her father would be at a meeting. It was the perfect ruse that would get her close to and alone with Emma. She was determined to be in control, to relish the waves of pleasure the mere presence of Emma was continually bringing her. The shallowness of her intentions did not concern Regina. It was a crush, and she may as well enjoy it before it passed.
Later that afternoon, Regina trotted into the station, her demeanor successfully authoritative, to find David at his desk and the Sheriff absent. Enormous dissatisfaction conquered her mindset, and she made polite conversation with David before barking at him that things would move more efficiently if he did his job correctly. He threw back that Regina didn't need to personally come down there, though she masterfully sidestepped that by saying it was an excuse to see how things were running. Regina lingered for nearly half an hour, making David explain new procedures and an alteration to the online filing system, hoping that Emma would return. Frustrated is how Regina felt when her day ended without seeing Emma once. Without having gotten to see her body inside those tight jeans, or her chest move with every breath, or her neck extend as she tilted her head backward. The same could not be repeated tomorrow. She didn't care that it was the weekend. She'd find a way to make their paths cross. Then, she recalled Henry said Emma washed her car every week. Hastily, she checked the weather forecast on her phone. It was to be a dry, bright day. A wry smile crossed her features when she realized that the reality of what she would witness the following afternoon would be far superior to anything her imagination could produce.
Tomorrow, Regina knew, was going to be a mighty fine day in Storybrooke.
Since their unofficial visitation arrangement had been instigated upon Emma's return from the Enchanted Forest, Saturday afternoons had a familiar flow for the Mayor and her son. Firstly, Regina would pick Henry up from the loft, then they'd head to the diner for lunch. Depending on the weather, the pair would either then venture to the park, or they'd watch a movie at the tiny theater in town. Following which, Regina would take him to the comic book store. Their afternoons would always end at the ice cream parlor, regardless of which residence would be his final destination for the night. The structure had removed any trace of tension and had allowed them to focus on rebuilding their relationship. It was now stronger than ever before.
Meanwhile, Emma's afternoons were less structured. She would, however, frequently use this time for herself. In all honesty, she found suddenly parenting a pre-teen daunting, and that combined with living with her parents and her son in a tiny apartment made for a stressful domestic life. Emma had never explicitly expressed it, but she knew Regina was a good influence who cared immensely for Henry and any assistance from Regina was not only welcomed but needed. Thus, these few hours, away from her life, were tranquil. Emma had spent many of them watching the incessant rain and snow of winter through a window over the rim of a book. Now that such climate harshness was receding into memory, she could reliably plan an hour on Saturday's where she could wash her car. It was a simple, calming task. It was her break, and she was grateful for it.
Gone though, were the days that this would be a personal, private task. Secretly, Regina had noted when Emma had been at the car wash the week before and was now determined to drive by at around same time that Saturday afternoon, regardless of where she and Henry were in their routine. She loathed that her infatuation was interrupting this precious time with Henry, internally berating herself for losing sight of what these afternoons were about. However, Regina couldn't find the inner strength to not succumb to her all-consuming desires. She needed her fix and knew her mind wouldn't rest until she had it.
Luckily for Regina, she sensed her careful planning and minor manipulation would repay dividends as the afternoon with her son progressed. The weather offered a glorious warm covering to Storybrooke and Henry had opted for his mother's suggestion that they walk to the comic book store. They would then eat their ice creams as they wandered back to park where they had already enjoyed a stroll around the lake, as opposed to the norm of driving in and out of town. Regina chuckled at her fortune, as this itinerary meant two prolonged opportunities to pass the carwash, rather than a couple of quick drive-bys, which last week's experience had told her wasn't long enough. Excitement rose within Regina with each step they took toward town. She made sure that they were on the opposite side of the street to where Emma would be to give herself some semblance of dignity. If the visual of a partially wet Emma Swan elicited the reaction she had experienced in safety of her vehicle, she didn't want to contemplate what it might escalate to if they were only feet apart and she could hear the water and observe in minute detail how it decorated the Swan.
Regina's heart fluttered as they turned the corner, bringing the carwash into sight. As she subtlety searched for the vibrant vehicle, she felt only disappointment, frustration, and dissatisfaction fill her when she saw no sign of the bug as they continued toward Main Street. Masterfully, she shook off the searing loss and concentrated on Henry and his speculations as to what the next edition of his comics would reveal. He liked an elaborate discussion as to plot points, and it animated him. Regina was an ideal sparring partner for this, for she would, though reluctantly, give the villains' perspective. Their banter about the nemesis' being portrayed as inadequate fumbling idiots became passionate, humorous, and enjoyable, continuing for well over an hour. As a consequence, Regina had forgotten what she may pass during the return journey and hadn't ensured that they were on the opposite side of the street of the wax-o-rama, nor had placed her son between her and the establishment. Instead, Henry calling, "Hey!" was what broke her tirade of defending the honor of fictitious villains and she instantly became hyper-aware of her surroundings.
The sight before Regina was magnificent and she took in every aspect of the spectacle. The white tank top that was damp and slightly dirty from the abdomen down. The jeans that seemed impossibly tighter than the week before, clung to the toned flesh below, highlighting every muscle that shaped the woman. The blonde curls which were twisted up into a messy bun. The absence of makeup. The way that Emma hummed and bopped her head enthusiastically to some British rock band Regina didn't recognize. It was all breathtaking.
The effect on Regina was evident to anyone observing. Fortunately for her reputation, no one was. Her mouth parted slightly and, subconsciously, her tongue wetted her lips. She was frozen, staring, just as she had been in the car the week before. She felt the ice cream from her cone drip onto her fingers, which had the power to break her trance. Slowly, and cautiously, Regina licked the salted caramel from her digits, imagining that it was something entirely different that had coated them. Her mind played with the sensation, replacing the coolness of reality with a warmth she imagined. Gone too was the sweetness of the blended cream and sugar, as she focused on the smooth, salty flavors that exploded on her sensitive tongue.
Regina stood, barely breathing, as she focused on the trickle of water that traveled down Emma's arm. It meandered over her bicep to the fragile blonde hairs of her lower limb. Eventually, it fell to the ground, splashing, nearly imperceptively, to the puddle that had formed below. Reflexively, Regina closed her eyes before taking one long slow, forceful lick of the cone. She murmured in pleasure before she proceeded with a series of small, delicate licks that barely used the tip of her tongue. Regina could already feel it, the physical response her body had given to her actions, between her legs. She shifted to use the friction of her jeans to offer herself something as there was nothing else appropriate she could do in such a public setting. The contact from her clothing wasn't sufficient to ease any of her rising desires, and it forced her to end her illuminating work of fiction before it intensified further. Despite the frustration, when Regina stopped and opened her eyes, she smiled and offered a mellowed expression to the world.
Regina felt confident that her few moments of escapism had gone unnoticed when her vision focused back on her son and the blonde, who were giggling together as she ruffled his hair. During Regina's reverie, Henry had approached Emma in the hope he could put his new comic books in the car for her to take home and had begun a lively recount of his afternoon. Emma, however, had noticed the shuffling of the Mayor's feet, interpreting it as growing frustration at the length of time she was talking to Henry. Quickly, yet deftly, Emma ushered Henry back to his waiting mother, recognizing that her time with their son was limited and she could hear about his adventures at almost any other time. The Sheriff had expected a small expression of gratitude from the woman. Instead, she was met with an inquisitive look before Regina flicked her tongue across her cone while maintaining her focus on her and not their approaching son. Emma offered a curious nod in reply, which was volleyed with a mischievous glare. Subconsciously, the perplexed blonde started to move toward Regina, desperate to know what she had done to warrant such scrutiny.
"Mom, your ice cream is dripping!" Henry said when he returned to her side.
"Thank you, Henry," Regina stated slowly, still refusing to acknowledge the churned treat that was making its way to her fingers. Her focus was consumed by admiring the now approaching Emma.
"Really like that flavor, huh?" Emma remarked, her expression showing her contemplation as she tried to decipher the puzzle that was Regina Mills.
"I have come to appreciate the things that make us smile in life, despite their origin," Regina drawled before proceeding to take another elongated lick up her cone before the salted caramel teased her senses once more. She flinched in pleasure and detected the way Emma gave her the once-over. Regina was so extensively lost in her mind that she didn't care if Emma calculated the reason for her actions. The Sheriff would assume it was a mind trick, a game. A way to throw her off balance. Nothing was lost.
Emma retreated slowly before saying her goodbyes with another curious nod toward the Mayor, before lifting the soapy mitt and continuing to clean her car. Henry started conversing about something Regina didn't process. Her attention was firmly focused on the white cotton fabric that left her imagination nothing to create as to what it covered; the braless, unsupported breasts that Regina wanted to hold and then devour.
The brunette took in everything that she could see of Emma Swan one last time before she transferred what memories she could into her long-term fantasy bank. Reluctantly, she turned with her son and left the beautiful sight behind.