Disclaimer: I don't own OUAT or anything to do with it, sadly.
Summary: AU curse has broken and the town's continuing with life as it was, as well as they can. Henry is with Emma and the Charming's while Regina works on reformation.
"You know what I don't understand?" Emma asked rhetorically as she shoved another fry, dripping in tomato sauce, in her mouth effectively shutting her up. But only for a moment.
"Please forgive my gasp of shock as I wonder what could possibly confound you and your supreme intellect." Regina quipped, her words lathered in sarcasm that Emma chose to ignore, as the brunette didn't even bother acknowledging her with a glance.
"What I don't understand is-"
"Oh, please do continue." Regina mumbled under her breath. "I just relish your thought provoking conversation." Although much to her annoyance it seemed Emma Swan decided today of all days her hearing would be able to pick up Regina's words. Why she couldn't pick a day when they had to discuss something of importance Regina would never know. Such was the maddening enigma of Emma Swan.
"You- Forget it." Emma grumbled shoving more fries than necessary in her mouth and chewing aggressively.
"Forget what, dear?" Regina asked with feigned innocence, the amusement in her eyes deepening the blonde's scowl.
"Would it kill you to just listen for once?" Emma hissed decidedly unimpressed with the brunette's behaviour.
"Yes." Regina deadpanned as Emma groaned aloud.
"I wasn't gonna insult you!"
"And how was I supposed to know that?"
"By listening!" Emma snapped.
"Fine." Regina sighed. If reforming her image meant being forced to listen to the sheriffs asinine comments then she would. She just had look like she was listening after all, a skill she'd perfected during the numerous mundane town meetings.
"What was it that you failed to comprehend?" Regina managed to keep her eye roll in check but the look directed at her from the blonde told her that the tone was just as - if not more - demeaning.
"Well, I was gonna say that you're not so much 'evil' more 'cold-mayoral-stuck-up-bitch'." Emma snarked.
"And that's not insulting, how exactly?" Regina questioned with confused narrowed eyes. It seemed the sheriff's idiocy managed to surprise her yet again. Regina hated surprises.
"I did say you weren't evil!"
"Yes, but then proceeded to list qualities that have been used as synonyms for it nonetheless."
"Well... I... I had good intentions!"
"That seems to be your family motto. Good intentions, bad decisions."
"Henry's part of that family too." Emma pointed out softly, knowing the brunettes weakness for her son. Because no matter how hard Emma tried she just wasn't mom material. No matter how hard she tried, Henry's face falling when he thought she couldn't see spoke volumes on the subject.
"So is Rumpelstikskin." Regina noted darkly, still hating the fact that the imp had something to do with her son.
"Yeah... Fucked up isn't it?"
"Very." Regina stated turning back to her coffee and book she had been enjoying before the sheriff had appeared at her table and decided to join her. Without an invitation no less.
"You're a part if the family too, Regina." The derisive snort from the brunette was the only answer. "You are. You're more Henry's mom than I am."
"Is that what you came over here for? Parenting advice?" Regina glared, having had enough of the woman sitting at her table. It seemed peace was something she'd never have.
"No! I just..." Emma trailed off as she moved the debris of her burger and fries around her plate moodily. "I just wanted to talk."
Regina sighed in exasperation, "About what?"
"Does there have to be specifics? Can't we talk about the weather or something?"
"There are many things we don't do, Ms Swan. And one of those is make small talk. So what exactly provoked you to come over to the lions den?"
Emma mumbled something to her plate, her blonde hair falling around her face to hide whatever expression she was wearing. Regina was tempted to get up and leave the blonde woman to her own devices, but her pride refused to allow her to give in. She really needed to get that under control, it was what had lead them to Storybrooke in the first place.
"Do speak up, sheriff."
"I wanted to talk to someone who doesn't treat me like they do." Emma said heavily, risking a shy glance at the brunette to gather her reaction.
"And how do they treat you that you find so vulgar that you resorted to fraternizing with the enemy?" Regina's default setting of sarcasm was still in place and as sharp as ever, much to the blonde's dismay. Nothing was ever easy between them though, and if it was it wouldn't be as much fun.
"You're not my enemy, Regina. You're the only person who treats me like you used to."
"Happy family not cutting it, dear?"
"No. I mean- they're great and it's nice but it's-" Emma trailed off her hands miming pushing down before giving up and falling limp at her sides. "Smothering. It's really smothering."
Regina looked carefully at Emma, taking more care to note her appearance. There were bags under her eyes that she'd tried to cover up, her hair was more ragged than usual, and she seemed dead tired, barely able to keep her self up straight. Seemed Regina wasn't the only person in town that had trouble sleeping.
"All finally catching up with you?" She asked with a rare understanding smile.
"Yeah," Emma chuckled tiredly rubbing a hand over her face. "Yeah, it is." Silence reigned over the table while both women diligently avoided catching the others eye until Emma let out a weary sigh.
"I just don't know how to fit in with what they are."
Regina smirked derisively, "royalty?"
"A family." Emma declared her eyes cast down to the table before hesitantly glancing up at the brunette who was surprisingly quiet.
AN: This little ficlet wouldn't leave me be and I think we could all use some cheering up before tomorrow. There's more to come as well, it's not over yet...
Review, tell me what you think!