This is a rewrite of my previous fic, Safe and Sound. I want to thank changingdestiny40 for supplying me with the idea of the storyline. I may stray from it quite a bit. Oh, and after thought, I'm changing the ship. The inner OutlawQueen in me broke through.
As originally it was supposed to be SwanQueen, and I cant be bothered to change the storyline, it may not always make complete sense. For example, Regina will discover Storybrooke, instead of being its Mayor.
I will definitely try to finish this, because this time, I have a storyline to follow! Let's see how it goes.
Disclaimer: I don't own any characters, they belong to ABC and OUAT
Trigger Warning: Abuse
Chapter 1
For Regina Mills, life was one of hiding away, of hiding the bruises, and the way his words were bullets fired from the gun that was his mouth. It was a haunting nightmare, only she was awake, experiencing every chilling moment that would leave her crying silently on the inside, scared that the tears would simply anger him more. And through this, she had become a master at pretending she was ok, that everything was fine, everything was as perfect as those stupid fairytale happy endings.
It wasn't.
Nothing was ok. Nothing was perfect. But as long as she kept Henry safe, as long as Daniel never lay a hand on him, then perhaps it would be slightly better. She was watching him now, colouring on the coffee table in the living room, oblivious to the bruises that lined his mother's wrists, or the dark circles that were beginning to appear under tired brown eyes. He was five. He wasn't supposed to notice them in his childhood vision, because he was supposed to be happy, and he was. She made sure of that.
Regina sighed, pushing herself off the doorway, making her way into the kitchen, and switching on the stove. Best to start dinner now, so that it would be ready when Daniel came through the door. At least that way, he wouldn't start on her. As the water for the pasta began to boil, she heard the front door open. No. It was too early. Regina frowned, checking the clock. How had time gone by that fast?
"Regina?"
The brunette bit her lip, mentally considering to ignore him, though she knew it would simply enrage him. And so, she made her way out to the hallway.
"Hey"
It was simple, it wasn't endearing, it wasn't loving. It was just a greeting, because she didn't feel anything towards him, not anymore. When the abuse started, a year after their marriage, she believed there was still the Daniel she knew lurking beneath. That he was the nineteen year old boy she had fallen head over heels for back in college, that he was just going through a rough patch. After they continued for another two years, she knew he wasn't there any longer. That the man she so desperately wanted, had faded into a hate filled monster, triggered by the smallest mistake. She had known him for nine years, had been married to him for seven, and loved him for five. She had been stuck in an unhappy marriage for four years. Four years.
"Is dinner ready?" Daniel asked, kicking his shoes off in the general direction of the cupboard. The question drew her out of thought, and she didn't hear him at first.
"Huh?" Regina tilted her head, focusing on him. "Oh, uh, not yet" She swallowed slowly, watching as his eyes narrowed slightly. But Daniel did nothing, instead moved past her with a small shove, and made his way to the couch. Regina released a breath she didn't know she'd been holding, resting her head against the wall. That had been a close call. though he probably wouldn't have done anything as Henry was only in the other room. The brunette went back into the kitchen, preparing dinner in silence, alert for anything that could happen.
~0~
Dinner passed without incident, both of them listening to Henry's babbles of excitement- though she kept a careful eye on Daniel, just in case. Once they had all finished, she collected the plates, placing them in the sink and starting the water to wash up. Right. Henry needed to go to bed early, he had school tomorrow. Whilst the water was heating, Regina walked put her son to bed, tucking the covers around him.
"Night night, my little Prince" She whispered, placing a gentle kiss to his forehead.
"Night night, Mama" Henry mumbled back, burrowing down under the duvet. She smiled, switching off the light and exiting. She walked back to the sink in the kitchen, running the water and watching as it filled the metal basin. The minute it was done, lilac sleeves were rolled up, and soft hands were dipped in the hot water. Regina began to scrub the dishes, knowing they had to be perfect. Just so long as he stayed out of the kitchen. Just as long as he left her alone tonight. Nearer the end, as she was ready to finish, sighing slightly in relief due to his presence not appearing, she stopped. A hand. A hand on her waist. His hand. Regina tensed, closing her eyes, trying to calm down. Another hand joined the first, on her other hip. A mouth was lowered to her neck. She shrugged him off.
"Not now" She knew it was a mistake from the second the words passed her lips. No one ever told Daniel no. Ever. Especially her. She knew what was coming by the way his grip tightened, fingertips digging in, the way he had straightened behind her.
"Excuse me?" It wasn't exactly a question. Daniel turned her to face him, mouth in something close to a growl. "Am I missing something? Since when do you make the orders?"
"Daniel.."
"Did I ask you to speak?!" He snapped, one hand moving to her wrist. Regina's voice was gone, and she opened her eyes to focus on him. Chocolate eyes were filled with a hidden fear, slightly wider than usual. Her unresponsive state only seemed to irritate him more, and Daniel raised his palm in the air. Regina flinched, turning her head as it collided with her cheek, shading it red.
"Answer me. Did I ask you to speak?"
"N-No"
"Then don't." And with that, he stormed out. Regina listened, hearing the familiar sound of the door slamming. She slid down the wall, allowing tears to roll down her cheeks. Her arms wrapped around her legs, burying her head on the top of her knees. The only sound in the apartment was the muffled, choked sobs that sounded from the trembling brunette.
