Swan Queen Week #5 ~ Best Friend Romance

Enjoy the reading!

"Emma, please. You're my best friend, and I know that you are not the kind of girl that goes to parties, but it's my birthday!" the brunette reminded her, crossing her arms and pouting. She was laying in the backyard, wearing a black and blue bikini, while the other did push ups next to her in her sports bra and shorts. "You can't miss it."

They had always been best friends, despite how different they were. When they were kids they had become friends after the blonde defended the other at lunch, and their friendship had grown stronger day after day. Emma had always been a girl who liked sports, always running behind a ball or working out, while the other enjoyed simply laying back and sunbathing. And so every day of their summer vacation they'd go for a job before spending the morning on the perfectly trimmed grass that surrounded Regina's large mansion, next to the pool.

"I know." Emma sighed, pursing her lips. "I just, Neal is gonna be there, and Killian, and I don't really want to have them fight again about who is taking me home when I'm drunk."

"That's kinda rape-y."

"It is. These two douches have always expected me to have sex with them, when I thought they were my best friends. Like, not best friends, but actually nice guys."

"Nice guys are usually the worst."

"Like that Robin guy…"

"Hey, Robin is nice."

"Gina, come on. You're his backup plan in case he and Marian don't work." Emma huffed, rolling her eyes and continuing with her workout, trying to hide the feeling that clouded her mind every time she and the brunette talked about guys. Sure, she had been in love with the other for a while now— years, actually. It had started during their freshman year, when Emma and Regina had kissed during a spin the bottle game. Emma had never been able to forget that kiss, it had been pure magic to her. And yet, she knew it meant nothing for Regina.

"You're just jealous." the other laughed, oblivious to Emma's feelings for her. "But none of them are coming to Harvard with me, remember?"

Emma laughed. They had just graduated high school, and while Regina had been admitted into Harvard Law, the other had got a soccer scholarship for almost all the Ivy League universities. She did not mind which one to choose, because she did not know what to study and she'd probably choose randomly. Her parents insisted on business school, but she was not sure. The only thing that made her want to go to college was the idea of being able to play soccer and living with Regina in the loft the girl's parents had bought her. The Mills family was quite wealthy, while Emma's wasn't that much— her parents were able to pay the bills and her education, but not much more.

"It is going to be so good, Regina." the eighteen-year-old girl smiled, finishing the series and then lying down. Her back was in full contact with the grass, but she didn't mind. Being with the other girl made it so perfect, she had no words to describe how Regina made her feel. "You and me, college, soccer, pizza nights while we study… Even studying sounds nice with you."

"Naw, Em!" the other giggled, blushing slightly but discarding her thoughts of the blonde having a slight crush on her. "You're a sweetheart. Now… Race you to the swimming pool!" she shouted, standing up and racing barefoot to the crystalline water. Emma frowned, but quickly stood up and did the same, pushing Regina from behind and into the water before jumping in herself. "I won!"

"No you didn't!" Emma said after resurfacing and pulling her wet hair back. Swimming to the other, she felt Regina place her arms around her from behind her and hug her, enjoying the closeness as she moved her arms to grip the other's legs, carrying her through the water. Most people would have said that the lack of personal space between them was something peculiar, but for them it was normal. Maybe that was why Emma had never read Regina's hugs or kisses on her cheeks as anything but displays of their friendship, when they were much more than that. "You did not warn me."

"I did warn you." the other laughed, resting her cheek against the other's shoulder. She admired the way Emma's body was so athletic, and loved the way her arms felt around her legs, holding her tight against her. Regina's crush on Emma hadn't lasted as long as the other's, just a few months. From the moment she had been asked if they were actually dating as some people said, she had wondered if she would like dating Emma. She actually wondered if they were actually dating, in some way. Emma had been saying no to all the guys that asked her out for years, and she had always chosen the other girl before any guy she had met. They had had hook ups, of course, Emma was no saint and she wasn't either. They had always said it was practice for when the right person arrived. What if Emma is my right person?

"When you were already running. That's cheating!" Emma laughed before inhaling deeply and submerging into the water, pulling Regina down with her. A few seconds later she felt Regina free her and take her head out of the water, then did the same. Turning around and laughing with the other, she watched Regina pull her black hair back and bit her lip, then grinned. "Payback."

"Oh, shut up, Swan."

"Make me."

She was flashing the other a grin, her words playful but actually innocent. Still, Regina did not seem to have that impression, and she seemed to have frozen in front of her. Her lips parted and eyes wide, she breathed out slowly. Well, it is now or never, Regina thought to herself as she took a step forward. Standing on her tiptoes, she inhaled deeply again and let her lips meet Emma's gently. Her hands were now placed on the other's arms, her fingertips grazing the wet skin. Emma did not move, too shocked to react as the older girl pulled back. Regina stared into her green eyes for a second, then slowly moved away from her.

"I'm sorry…" she apologized, biting down on her lip and looking down. Emma hadn't reacted, and it was obvious that she definitely did not have a crush on her. She turned around and started swimming away, easily reaching the opposite edge and getting out. She ran towards the spot they had been lying on and wrapped the towel around her body. "I'm so sorry, Em." she whispered again, walking to the pool and looking with embarrassment at the other. Emma was still in shock, it seemed. She looked down, hiding her face from Regina. "I'll be in my room, you know where the shower things are…" she stated before walking away.

They were sitting on the couch, feet touching as they stared at the television. They both wore oversized soccer t-shirts, a gift from the blonde— she liked them better than friendship bracelets, and no pants to be more comfortable. Regina's parents would be outside until really late in the night, they always were. The day had been quite awkward, not knowing what to say after the kiss they had exchanged. Emma had not really talked much, deep in thought as she tried to know what had the kiss Regina had given her meant. So is she a lesbian? Or just curious? she wondered, not wanting to say much to the other in case she would get offended by her asking. But what if she likes me?

"Do you want pizza?" she asked, turning to the other girl. It was unusual that they were sitting so far apart from the other, but seeing how awkward the day had been they did not dare to sit cuddling as they used to. "The usual?"

"Okay." the brunette smiled shyly, then turned her to look at the television again. Emma swallowed hard and sighed, turning to walk to the phone and picking it up. A few minutes later she was done and hung up, a meat pizza for two on its way.

"It will be here in ten minutes."

"Okay."

Emma frowned. "Regina, for fuck's sake." she rolled her eyes, then walked to the other and sat right next to her. "You don't have to answer with just one word at a time, you know? Like, okay, you kissed me. I am not angry or anything, I'm actually kinda confused, but it is okay."

The other turned her face, frowning. "Why would you be confused?"

"Why?! You kissed me!"

"I know, and it is confusing to me!"

"It is just a kiss, Regina."

"Then why are you confused?!"

"Because I love you!"

"I love you too, Em, but I don't get what—"

"Not in the I love you as my best friend forever and ever way, Regina! In the I am in fucking love with you way!"

Tense. The silence that followed these words was a tense one, Regina's eyes wide and lips parted at the revelation. Emma, her best friend, the one she might have a crush on, was in love with her. It was not a platonic love, it was romantic love. Emma was in love with her. The brunette bit down on her lip, then smiled. A genuine, actually happy smile. "You love me?"

"Yes…?" Emma spoke with doubt, confused again— Why is she smiling? Does she think I'm joking or something? Oh, crap. Don't laugh at me, Regina. Please, it already hurts to be just your friend sometimes...

"Okay, uh, I don't know how to say this, but…" the older girl giggled and moved on the couch, sitting criss cross and taking Emma's hand in hers, playing with her fingers and caressing the soft skin with her fingertips. "I am not in love with you, but I kinda have a crush on you? Like, if it is love, it is pretty recent and I don't wanna rush things, but for a while I've been thinking that we could, uh, be together? Like, I might have had a few dreams where we kissed, and I have to admit you are pretty sexy sometimes when you're working out and all sweaty and— that's not the point. I think we should be girlfriends. Do you want to go out with me? Like, officially."

"Damn, Gina." Emma gasped, letting out a soft laugh and nodding. "You didn't need to rant that much, but yeah. I'll totally be your girlfriend."

"You realize that we'll be basically living together in three months, right?"

"And the wedding in a year? No, two. A year is not that much..."

"Almost two years." Regina corrected her with a grin. "I want a spring wedding, you know that."

"As you wish. Do you want some water?" Emma asked, standing up and walking to the kitchen. Opening the fridge, she took the bottle and drank from it, then closed it— Regina was right behind it. "Gina, shit!" she screamed, making Regina laugh. "Why did you do that?!"

"You forgot something."

"What?"

"To kiss me, idiot."

"Do you want me to kiss you?"

"Shit, Emma, we're not fifteen anymore. I want to have sex with you, but you suddenly stood up and walked away." Regina rolled her eyes and laughed, then took a step closer to Emma, hand going to the blonde's neck and fingertips caressing the soft skin. "So…"

"Damn, okay." Emma nodded and leant forward, hand moving to the back of the other's neck and a grin appearing on her face. "I warn you, I'm a really good kisser." she whispered before pressing her lips against Regina's. The other smiled, hands going to Emma's waist as she parted her lips. Her dearest, usually oblivious Emma quickly caught up with that detail and pushed her tongue gently inside her mouth, parting her lips to kiss her even deeper. Slowly their kisses gently became heavier, minutes spend in simple but passionate kissing, until Emma couldn't help it anymore and lifted Regina up in the counter, making her sit there. "I love you. You don't have to say it back, but…" she looked down and grabbed Regina's hand, intertwining their fingers. "I love you, even if you don't love me back yet."

"Yet?"

"Trust me, I will make you fall in love with me." Emma teased, then went back to kiss the other. This time it was not a gentle kiss, but an actually passionate one, her hands moving to Regina's thighs to make her wrap her legs around her waist. A moan escaped the other's lips, and as the older girl's hands moved to pull Emma's shirt up, the other pulled back abruptly. "Regina, shit, we need to stop."

"Uh?" the other opened her eyes and watched Emma pull back, leaving her frowning at first. Still her face quickly turned into "Why? Are you okay? Did I do something wrong?"

"The pizza is here, didn't you hear the doorbell?"

"No…"

"Damn, I am such a good kisser I even left you deaf."

I might turn it into a multichapter if you guys like it, so...
To be continued?