"I saved you." Emma said. "Now save me." She commanded.
"I didn't ask you to save me." Regina hissed. "You're the hero. You made your choice."
Emma scowled, taking a step back. "I saved your life. That darkness would've killed you."
"That may be, but I didn't ask for your help. That is all you and your parents are worth: calling yourselves heroes, calling stupid acts heroic deeds and expecting the world to fall at your feet. Why would I help you when you and your wretched family have done nothing but destroy my happy ending after happy ending."
"Because Henry would want you to. That's what a hero would do. It's the right thing to do."
"Henry? You mean the son I haven't seen in two months?!" Regina roared. She could hear her voice ringing around the forest that had suddenly gone silent. "Henry doesn't care about me! He's made that perfectly clear, so now you can't use his name as a weapon to get me to comply to your wishes." Something was sparking within her. Her magic had been unstable since her defeat of Zelena, and now it was coming to life, and she couldn't control it, not when she was so angry. And in this moment, she was infuriated by the fact that Emma was commanding her to do anything.
"Don't turn your back on me, Regina. Why do you think I saved you?" Emma asked, getting riled up as well.
"Why do you think I care? I really don't. Now just leave me alone." Regina hissed, turning to leave. It was a waste of time as usual. Emma had only been the Dark One a day and already she was making demands as though she ran the town.
"It's because I love you, Regina." Emma appeared in front of her. "All of that stuff with Neal was mostly for Henry's benefit. I was just trying to make him happy."
Regina sighed. "Well that's all fine and dandy Miss Swan, except it's been two months since daddy dearest returned, more than enough time for you to explain your feelings. But it's okay, I am the Evil Queen after all. And who gives a damn about her?"
"I do. I am the Dark One right now because I care about you."
"That would be so romantic, except the feeling isn't mutual!" Regina screamed.
"Why are you such a bitch?! I love you! I care about you! Why can't you see that?!" Emma screamed back, walking towards the irate brunette.
"Go to hell, Miss Swan. Have fun with my son. I'll send you some adoption papers, then he can be all yours. It's what everyone wants!"
"You don't mean that."
"Oh I do! Henry doesn't care about me. Don't lie to me and say he does. Now leave me alone. Save yourself." Regina turned to leave again and Emma launched a burst of magic at her head, narrowly missing it and hitting a tree nearby. Regina scowled and turned around, unleashing all of her magic out of both of her hands. Emma fired hers as well and all of the magic met in midair.
"Emma! Regina!" The Charmings were coming, but Regina could hardly care. Her power felt different somehow, wild and unstable, but so good it was almost orgasmic. She'd been trying to keep her promise to Henry, to not use magic, and after the defeat of Zelena and her using light magic, the dark and light magic had been warring inside her body, causing her to have excruciating seizures multiple times a day. But since no one cared, she was forced to endure them alone. Now though, once the magic was being released, it was pure pleasure and exhilaration. Her and Emma's magic, even with her being the Savior and the Dark One, were evenly matched. But even she could see that they were charging a ticking bomb. She released her flow of magic and dodged Emma's. There was an explosion, then everything went silent. She looked around and her eyes fell upon Emma, convulsing on the ground as the darkness left her body in a swirling mass of blackness.
"Emma?!" Regina yelled, even though she couldn't even hear herself. Pain exploded in her stomach, attacking every nerve in her body as another seizure began. "Emma!" She fought through the pain and tried to crawl her way to the unconscious blonde. The darkness coiled into as she made her way to Emma. Emma's eyes opened half way and she reached for Regina's hand. "Don't die, Emma. Don't you dare."
"You lied." Emma said weakly with a small smirk. "You do care."
Regina scowled and slapped her. Now they both were going to die. All because the Savior wanted to be a hero. The darkness was surrounding them now and Regina could feel her consciousness ebbing as the seizure intensified in her stomach. Her muscles started to cramp and blackness curled around the edges of her vision. Then she heard the howl. A great dark shape leaped into the center of the darkness and began attacking it, but it was no use.
"Ruby?"
Ruby disappeared beneath the mass of black tendrils. Regina raised her hand, trying to summon her magic to help her, but she couldn't even find the strength. Everything went dark.
That was 2 weeks ago… And Ruby hadn't been seen since.
xxxxxxxxx
The darkness was so cool and inviting, wrapping Ruby in his clutches, enveloping her deeper into its black grip. But her wolf was not one to be controlled. She wasn't sure how long she lay in her makeshift, drifting in and out of consciousness, watching a battle rage within as her wolf beat the darkness into submission, as it gained control once again and another battle began for her to retake control of her own body. She felt like she were going crazy, like the world was spinning too fast. Everything burned like her blood had turned to fire and she couldn't hear her own screams. Then it stopped...just as suddenly as it had come, the pain was gone and the battle was over. When Ruby opened her eyes, she could feel them glowing.
The moon was high in the sky, sending down rays of pale light across the landscape. Ruby got to her feet, tripping several times as fatigue worked its wonderful magic on her. A smile found its way across her lips. She'd survived, she'd beaten the darkness! "Whoo! Yeah!" She had to find Granny. She was probably worried sick. When she shifted, everything seemed to attack her senses all at once, as though they'd become stronger. It took a while for her to sort everything out, but thankfully, she was experienced enough to do it. Walking proved a challenge to her exhausted body. Her wolf form was also nearly three times as big than it usually was and she tripped over nearly everything in her path. Despite the complications, Ruby felt stronger than she'd ever felt before, invincible and powerful. The darkness was still inside her and her wolf was not pleased at losing the battle against her, but for now, nothing could stop her. Except...that delicious smell. Her paws turned on their own accord and the next thing she knew, she was racing through the forest, bounding as though wings were attached to her feet and came upon the large deer as it was grazing. It didn't even have time to run before she latched onto its neck, but she didn't rip out its throat. She laid on the ground and let the blood pool in her mouth, tasting the salty, metallic life force of the animal drain away. But she didn't wait too long before going around and tearing open the stomach of the beast and feasting. The warm flesh filled her with energy that she desperately needed. The wolf had been fed and she felt better than ever before. She had the power of the Dark One now. Well, the Dark Wolf. Just thinking about it made a purr escape her. Now it was time go see her grandmother.
xxxxxxx
The seizure hadn't lasted long this time, thankfully. Regina curled up into a ball on her kitchen floor until the pain in her stomach subsided. It was the third one of the day, and after every time, she was left feeling drained and weak. Dark and light magic was battling it out inside her body, using her flesh and bone as a war zone and leaving her to deal with the pain and fatigue it wrought. She was exhausted beyond words from them, but thankfully they weren't too bad and didn't seem to be life threatening. She picked herself up off the floor and leaned against the counter, looking at the dinner that she'd ruined when she blacked out and knocked all of it to the floor. She magically cleaned it up and teleported to the bedroom. She climbed into bed and fell asleep immediately, aching beyond belief.
When she awoke a few hours later, Robin was lying in her bed, filling the air with the scent of Marian's perfume. It made her sick to her stomach. The Evil Queen, sleeping with a married man. He was supposed to be her Happy Ending, her soulmate, the one person that could give her the love she always wanted. But that was hardly the case. He was married, with a child. Robin came in late at night and left early in the morning to be with Marian. Regina was only given the scraps. He swore he loved her, that he wanted to be with her, but he couldn't break his vows. And Regina swallowed the lie, but she was the one who was really lying. To herself. This was not the life she wanted. Alone, even when she wasn't.
She couldn't even remember the last time she'd seen Henry. The heroes, especially daddy dearest, had made it their personal mission to make sure that she didn't get to see him. It had been almost 2 months. Oh but they always checked up on her, made sure she was still being sweet and docile. Regina actually hadn't left the house since the last time she'd seen Henry. It was if she had no identity anymore. Just a lapdog following commands and begging for meager scraps of affection. What life was she living? Why couldn't she have her happy ending?
"Regina?" Robin grumbled as she sat up in the bed. He rolled to face her and tried to pull her closer. "What's wrong?"
Regina chuckled darkly. "Everything."
"What?"
"Why are we doing this?" She asked. "Do you love me?"
"Of course!" He said, sitting up, wiping sleep from his eyes. "Of course. Why do you think differently? I'm here."
"But you won't be in a couple hours. You'll go back to your wife every time and I'll be left alone. This isn't right."
"We are soulmates, Regina. You said it yourself."
"And do you really believe that if this is how we have to live?" Regina asked. Robin had no answer, so she got off the bed and walked into the bathroom, closed the door and sat down. She felt so drained, so tired of everything. When would she be allowed to live? Why did she have to wear a mask to hide her heart? She could fool the world into believing it, but she couldn't conceal how she felt to herself. She felt a sudden pain ignite in her stomach as another seizure began. It was like fire and electricity attacking every nerve in her body. The pain was excruciating, but only lasted for a few seconds before she passed out.
When she awoke again, it was still dark out and Robin was still in bed. She took a shower to wash away her ordeal and put on a pair of old blue jeans and and a gray sweater and decided to go for a walk in the woods. The forest had always been a favorite place of hers to think. In the simple serenity of nature, she was not the Evil Queen, or the former madame mayor. She could pull off her mask and bask in the feeling of being who she was, away from hypocritical eyes that tried to darken her day and keep her spiritless. Away from the pain of watching her son live his life as though she'd never existed. As though she hadn't been the one to raise him, as though she hadn't been there for the sick days, and scary thunderstorms, and nightmares. As though she hadn't endured every tantrum and spent countless nights chasing away monsters from the closet and laying with him to make sure none came in at night while he slept. The white knight, the Savior had taken her place and she was shoved to the side as though she had left no impression whatsoever on the boy she'd cared for for a decade. The only thing that people saw when they looked at her was darkness, as though it were a second skin, as though it were draped around her shoulders like a cloak that she could not remove. She was evil, and that was all she would ever be.
The night felt like silk gliding over her skin as she walked. The moon showered her in its pale light, holding the darkness at bay. The forest was alive with nocturnal wildlife. The sounds were soothing, like soft whispers, each one telling a story. She found a small creek and sat down on a rock to listen.
"Regina?"
Regina turned her head as a figure stepped out of the dark. It was Ruby Lucas. The werewolf hadn't been seen by anyone for over 6 months, preferring to stay in her wolf form out in the forest after she was nearly staked because of King George. And she'd only been glimpsed after she rescued Emma and Regina from the darkness. She was wearing jean shorts and a black sports bra that showed off a toned stomach. Her hair was wild, but not messy. and now nearly reached her waist. But there was something different about her. Her eyes were glowing and she moved like a predator at rest. She radiated with power, a trait that Regina had always found alluring. Ruby however felt as though her wolf was sitting just beneath her skin, like the beast had completely integrated itself into her very flesh. Not to mention that feeling of darkness hanging over her. But it was only augmented because of her wolf. "It's me." Ruby sat down in front of her, smiling, revealing elongated canines. The darkness had clearly made her wolf more pronounced in her appearance and in her mannerisms. "How are you alive? The darkness-"
"Cannot tame a wolf." Ruby grinned. She looked so feral, so...sexy. "Wolves don't fear darkness. We embrace it like a cloak. It shields us from the prying eyes of our prey."
"So, you tamed the darkness? How is that possible?" Regina asked.
"I don't know. I just know that I am...in control...for the first time in my life. My wolf and i are one, and I have never felt better." She smiled again. "But, what are you doing out here? All alone? You could be snatched up by any old animal in the woods."
"Not that anyone would care or anything."
"I would." Ruby said, feigning hurt. "I would be very hurt if my queen were to suddenly disappear, stolen by another animal when all knows...she is rightfully mine."
Regina raised an eyebrow at the guttural growl coming the werewolf as she verbally claimed Regina. She hadn't even realized that Ruby had any feelings for her because she was sure they had spent no amount of time together whatsoever over the years.
"You've been gone for a while." Regina said cautiously.
"I didn't think anyone had noticed, what with all the happy endings going around." Ruby said, leaning back on her hands.
"Really? I must've missed them." Regina replied, pulling her knees up to her chin and wrapping her arms around them.
"I've heard what happened to you." Ruby tilted her head. "I would say I'm sorry, but I'm really not."
"It's not my fault Emma decided to bring Mommy back from the dead." Regina hissed angrily. "They always ruin everything. Like mother like daughter."
"True." Ruby agreed, nodding her head. "However, you have the power to change the life you live. No one can do it for you."
"Save the advice for someone who cares." Regina rolled her eyes.
"It's not really advice if you already know it. You just refuse to do it because you're still on this fantasy that your happy ending is Robin. Anyone who truly looked at you could see you are wasting away." The wolf said boldly. Regina looked up at her, but said nothing. Ruby sighed and leaned her head back, looking up at the stars peeking through the leaves and branches overhead. "Do you think it's bad to like darkness?" She asked absently. Regina again didn't respond, so she kept talking. "People think of being dark as bad, but I don't see it that way. At one point I would've, but not anymore. Darkness is...sweet, inviting, cool. It's mysterious and powerful. My wolf loves the feel of it. It's like a comforting blanket."
"Darkness is evil and corrupting." Regina murmured.
"Maybe. I have spent the last 6 months in wolf form, and never have I felt more free than running beneath the cover of darkness. You know, I never learned to embrace my wolf. I've tried to control it, fear it, tolerate it, fight it. I never tried to embrace it, to be what I truly am."
"Why are you telling me this?" Regina asked.
"Well it has been 6 months since I talked to anyone. I don't really count the 5 minute conversations with Granny." She shrugged.
Regina watched her closely as she closed her eyes and leaned her head back. There was a content feeling to her. "Are you happy out here?"
"Let's see. No monsters, no heroes, no worries, no working and no rent. Couldn't be better." She grinned, white teeth glinting in the darkness. "Of course I still have my stuff. I saved up enough money over the years so Granny keeps it covered. Figured I would have to rejoin the world sooner or later. A few waitresses quit so she needs me to come in."
"I'm sorry you have to leave your sanctuary." Regina smirked.
"I don't have to. The day may be covered, but the night belongs to me." She sighed peacefully and closed her eyes.
Regina tried copying the action to see what would happen, why she kept doing it. Nothing really changed, and she felt pretty stupid for doing it. She opened her eyes and found that Ruby was watching her.
"You want to do something fun?" She asked.
"Such as?"
"Run with me. As a wolf. You can change forms, can't you?"
Regina was silent as she considered the offer. It would certainly be better than returning to an empty house. Robin was technically there, but all he wanted was sex. The sex was good, but it held no meaning. She did love Robin, but clearly he had another definition of love. She made her decision and rose to her feet. She waved her hands and purple smoke engulfed her. There was a moment of panic as she emerged from it in the form of a large black wolf. Ruby grinned and quickly shifted forms. Regina cast a quick mental spell that would allow them to communicate.
"You are quite beautiful, your majesty." Ruby purred. "Every inch."
Regina faltered for a moment when she realized the werewolf was hitting on her. Pretty hard, as a matter of fact. "I bet you would love to touch every inch of me." She taunted, strutting around the chocolate brown she-wolf.
"Touch? No. Lick? Maybe." Ruby growled.
In this form, a whole new world opened up to the queen. Everything was brighter, sharper and louder. A multitude of sounds and smells assaulting her senses. In this form, she could almost taste the lust and power swirling off of Ruby.
"May I?" Ruby asked with a wolfish grin.
"Catch me first." Regina took off into the trees, feeling nothing but elation as she was buffeted by wind and branches that clipped her ears. The earth was soft under her paws, and she hardly made a sound. Ruby caught up to her and ran at her side, letting their pelts brush. "This is amazing, Ruby!"
"I'll show you something amazing. Follow me...and try to keep up your majesty." She wagged her tail and put on a sudden burst of speed. Regina was already getting tired, however she was determined not to be left behind. She forced her legs faster and harder. Ruby lead her deep into the forest, into the more uncharted wilderness that she'd added around the perimeter of Storybrooke. She hadn't realized just how much of it there was. They ran full speed for at least 10 minutes before Regina could feel the ground sloping upwards. They were climbing a mountain. She pushed on to keep up with the more seasoned wolf ahead of her. Ruby didn't even look tired, and didn't slow her pace for Regina. For some reason that made her feel good. Ruby didn't see her as weak and didn't treat her as such. They broke through a line of trees and came upon a group of mangrove trees sitting on top of crystal blue water. The water covering the forest floor barely came up to their chests and Ruby splashed around as much as possible before continuing on their way. The mangroves ended abruptly, the water broken by a belt of white sand. On the other side was a set of three waterfalls that cascaded down into a large gorgeous secluded lagoon. The entire landscape was cloaked in moonlight that shone upon them from above.
"Beautiful, isn't it?" Ruby asked.
"It's amazing." Regina laughed. "Come on." She dove head first into the water and looked up at Ruby with her tail wagging in the air. "Come on!" Ruby howled and plowed into the water with a huge splash. They chased each other and played happily until the first light of dawn were streaking across the sky. Regina collapsed down on the sand belt. Ruby sat down softly next to her.
"I should get you home for your outlaw's goodbye." She teased, laying across Regina's back. She wagged her tail playfully and licked her ears.
"I...don't really want to go home." Regina said softly. The very thought of returning to the dark empty house made her stomach turn.
"Well, you could come home with me. I don't go into work today. We could get some food, watch a movie, take a nap." Ruby said. "That is, if you want to."
Regina shrugged her off and stood up. A familiar pain suddenly lanced through her stomach and she was forced back into her human form.
"Regina!"
Xxxxxx
When Regina opened her eyes, she was in a hospital bed looking up at a ceiling that was blaring a white light into her face. Every muscle in her body ached like hell.
"How are you feeling, your majesty? Did I work you too hard on the first night?"
She looked up and smiled as Ruby came into view. "Did I have another seizure?"
"Another one?!" Emma suddenly said loudly, as she came into the room. "This is the second time this has happened?"
Regina rolled her eyes. "I've been having them ever since we defeated Zelena. It's the dark and light magic inside of me."
"You should've told me." The blonde snapped.
"As if you care." Regina scoffed. She looked at Ruby and smiled. "You brought me here?"
"Of course. Carried you all the way here. I think I deserve some sort of reward for that." She grinned cheekily.
"I agree." Regina's voice deepened when she said the words and Ruby's eyes glowed in response.
"We can talk about my price later. First, you should rest."
"I'll rest when I get home." Regina said, sitting up.
"What are you doing? You're going to hurt yourself." Emma said.
"So what? Pain is nothing new to me, Miss Swan." She said, panting slightly just at the effort having to be exerted to get into a sitting position.
"Have you been using magic?" Emma asked, coming to her side to help, but Regina pushed her away. Ruby made no move to take her place, instead choosing to watch carefully as Regina stood up on her own and leaned against the bed for support.
"Is that why you're here?" Regina hissed. "Doing the bidding of your parents and the idiots of this town? In case you haven't noticed, my magic is exactly what's killing me."
"That's not what I meant, Regina-"
"No, it is. All you heroes want is to make sure I stay on my leash. Be a good girl." She was sick of this. The heroes didn't even care that she'd practically lived in near complete isolation for the past few months, unable to even see her son because of them. She was in hell, caused by her own doing. She'd just accepted that this was how her life was going to be...but no more. Queens didn't roll over for anyone. Regina didn't roll over for anyone. A happy ending would have to be made, not given.
"Ruby, rain check on the dinner? And do you mind if I go back to the falls?"
"Of course not. You are free to use them as you wish." Ruby grinned "Did you enjoy spending the night with me?"
"Immensely. We should do it again soon. Minus the seizure."
The werewolf smiled. "As you wish, your majesty." She practically purred the words before she turned to leave, casting a smirk over her shoulder.
"What was that about?" Emma asked.
Regina didn't bother to reply as she teleported herself back to the falls and looked around at the serene landscape once more. She was very tired, but she had to do this. She raised her hands and allowed pent up magic to fly free. The release was so wonderful it was almost orgasmic. It was sheer bliss. She conjured fireballs and spirit animals and teleported repeatedly, doing what she loved, rejoicing in her own freedom.
Xxxxxx
Ruby smiled as Storybrooke shook under the weight of Regina's magic. A massive storm was brewing in the distance. The embers had been stoked and a fire was reignited. The queen was back.
The night caressed her fur like a lover, gave wind to her silent paws as Ruby prowled through Storybrooke in wolf form, keeping to the shadows. There really was no need other than boredom. There was no creature that could harm her, no magic that could cause damage. She was untouchable, undefeatable. A power like no other now flowed through her veins and she felt like she'd undergone a transformation. More beast than human. Not that she minded. It gave her a freedom and confidence that she'd never felt before. It was a good feeling. But as of meeting Regina out in the forest, everything changed. She'd always been attracted to Regina, more as the Evil Queen because she was the queen, she had power, she was gorgeous and she lived her life according to her own rules. She was dominant, seductive, fierce, everything that drove Ruby and her wolf crazy. As the Mayor, Regina still had the power but acted more like she had a stick up her ass than anything. And now she'd reached an all time low right before Ruby's very eyes, trying to constantly please the people that didn't even care about her. Even her son. It was a tragic fall from grace for the queen, but Ruby knew deep down that Regina was a free spirit, a force to be reckoned with, a woman who just wanted to be loved. And thinking about her queen is what made her cross the street and head over to the queen's house. The storm and shaking had stopped, so she figured Regina was on her way home, and she would be waiting.
The wolf quickly made a detour to Granny's and picked up some treats for her queen and she even stole a rose from the florist to place on top of the basket of goodies before heading to the mansion. Regina had created a barrier garden around her entire backyard and moved her tree it would seem. Ruby was surprised to find the queen sitting under it. She was wearing black jeans and a gray sweater that hung off one shoulder and her face was completely devoid of any makeup. Large fiery balls of colorful fire swirled around the yard with a thin tail of color following them. Regina was smiling, gently directing the fiery essence with motions of her fingers. With the moon shining upon her, kissing everything it touched, Ruby could only stare at the look of sheer happiness on Regina's face. It looked almost strange on her, but still so beautiful.
The wolf let out a small bark as she approached with the basket, making sure to lower herself to the ground and to come directly in front of Regina or else she might scare her and end up getting fried.
"Ruby?" Regina smiled as she crawled forward. "What are you doing here?"
Ruby placed the basket in front of her and quickly moved backwards and laid down, placing her paws over her eyes. She heard Regina chuckle and the basket being lifted. "Ruby, you didn't need to bring me this. However, the rose was a nice touch." She moved her paws to let out a wolfish grin as Regina sniffed the rose before turning back to the other goodies. Ruby had really just grabbed some of everything: cookies, cakes, wrapped sandwiches, some fruit and even a small box of doughnuts. Regina bit into a cookie and smiled.
"Guess you haven't had one of those in a long time." Ruby said, settling down next to her. It was a bit difficult to talk in wolf form, but she used a bit of magic to enhance her speech to make sure the queen could understand.
Regina nodded. "I haven't. I don't usually eat sweets. Can you eat this in this form?"
Ruby nodded this time and promptly swiped the rest of Regina's cookie out of her hand with her long tongue. "See?"
"Then let's share." And they did. Regina seemed fascinated watching her eat in this form. She could eat a lot of things easily, but the apple that Regina tossed to her was bit difficult and she didn't finish it. Regina even tossed cupcakes into the air and she leaped up to catch them. Each time, Regina would smile that beautiful smile of hers and Ruby would just melt back to her belly because the sight of that smile made her feel weak. They finished most of the treats and Regina moved the basket aside before leaning against her tree with a sigh of contentment. Ruby moved forward and laid her head on her lap, purring when the queen started scratching her behind the ears.
"Ruby, what's it like being a full werewolf?"
"Fun, I suppose. Free to do whatever you want. Nothing can stop you."
"You don't sound very happy." Regina commented.
"Well i'm a lone wolf. Things are different for me." Ruby replied. "I don't have a pack. There's nothing like having your brothers and sisters running at your side. Being the only wolf in Storybrooke, I Run alone, hunt alone and sleep alone. It's a lonely life. Wolves aren't meant to be that way."
"I can certainly understand being lonely."
Ruby humphed and nuzzled Regina's stomach. "You are a wolf at heart, and wolves don't lose sleep over the opinion of sheep. Your constant attempts at approval and acceptance by the people of this town infuriates me. You don't need it. Stop trying."
"I know." came the sad reply. "I only did it for Henry, but he obviously doesn't care about me enough to appreciate it. I don't know what to do."
"You don't have to do anything." Ruby growled, raising her head. "You gave up magic for him, you went through a portal to Neverland to save him, you nearly sacrificed yourself to save him with the failsafe...what more could he possibly want that will prove you love him. You really shouldn't have to do anything to begin with for the little ass. He's arrogant and self centered and annoying since he's found out he's royalty. Snow and Neal enabling him isn't helping at all." She stood up and growled. Regina was obviously surprised by her passionate defense, but she said nothing as Ruby continued. "I could never get away with half the shit he does and says to you. Granny would probably shoot my leg off." Regina smirked at that. "Why are you still trying, Regina?"
"Because he's all that I have." Regina answered without hesitation.
"He's not." Ruby said with conviction. She turned her back before taking in Regina's expression. Her attention was momentarily caught by the little flying balls of fire and stepped forward to touch one. It split apart and reformed behind her. She wagged her tail and went around the yard, leaping and chasing them. A minute later Regina shifted and joined her in the game. She liked being with Regina. It was almost like something compelled her to always go to the queen. They were so comfortable together, and she was surprised at the change in Regina as she chased the balls of fire, letting out a barking laugh as she did so. It was a pleasant sound to Ruby's ears. Here in Regina's garden, surrounded by a scent that was uniquely hers, Ruby couldn't be happier.
After they tired, they both collapsed on their backs in the grass, looking up at the stars and changed back to human form.
"I want to be free, Ruby." Said Regina softly. "I don't want to follow the heroes rules. I want to be me. But I want to be loved too. I can't have both apparently."
"You are free when you choose to be. They're gonna keep restricting you out of fear, and you're gonna let them because you want to be accepted. But they're gonna keep pushing and pushing no matter what you do. And when they push you over that edge, they think you'll hit rock bottom. But that's not what's going to happen." Ruby smiled. "You're not going to fall, you're going to fly. You're going to get pissed and you're going to fight back. Then they'll call you evil, act like they didn't do anything. And everything you do to them, they'd rightfully deserve. You aren't evil, Regina, you're sick and tired of being someone else's bitch."
Read and review! A/N: I'm debating about making this purely RedQueen or adding in some RedBeauty and some WickedWolf so Ruby can sorta have her own little pack. If I make another few chapters, they'll probably be about how Ruby impacts Belle and Zelena while under the effects of the darkness and go into a little more detail on how she 'tamed' it and how she deals with it. If I decide to go that way. But please review and let me know what you think. For those waiting for updates for my other stories, they're coming. Don't worry. By the way, this will NOT be a SwanQueen story. Emma might try to win Regina over, but Regina's not interested. Not really an Outlaw one either. So yeah, please review and I love suggestions.