SwanQueen Week Day 3: Time Travel
Trope and Cliche
Emma Swan is celebrating her 28th birthday alone with a cupcake, a candle and a wish. For SwanQueen week challenge.
No Beta, low M (Too bad there is no R-18 in ffnet)
Behind Brown Eyes
The door of the loft apartment shut close, its sole occupant trudged in with a small box of cupcake in hand. A single candle attached to the box via transparent tape. Earlier that evening, the woman – Emma Swan – had gone to an undercover date to apprehend a bail jumper. It wasn't really her style, to dress up in a red revealing dress and high heeled shoes, she's more comfortable in skin tight denim, tank top and jacket as she run after jumpers but this case was different. She had tried her way but the guy was just slippery.
Then she found out the jumper's weakness. Women, beautiful, blonde women.
She knows she sound bragging, but she knew she's not lacking in the 'pretty' department if she put her whole self into it, hence, the red dress and stiletto and the 'dress' did it's work. Sleezy bail jumper, apprehended with a bonus of bloodying his nose from his steering wheel... not bad.
So now it's time for her to celebrate. No, it wasn't a celebration for finally putting an end to this case, something usual isn't a cause for celebration. But today – or tonight – is her birthday. Her 28th, and the last time she celebrated, complete with cake, candle and wish was before she went to jail and found she was pregnant, some ten years ago. So she removed her shoes, put the box on the bar, took the cupcake out, pushed the single candle with a star shape decoration on, lit it, close her eyes and made a wish.
She had no idea what happened next, all she knew was that she still had her eyes close, she was making a heartfelt wish and then everything started moving... it's like as if everything around, including her were being sucked into a vortex.
When she opened her eyes... "What the fuck!"
-0-
"WHAT THE FUCK!"
"Whoa princess! Watch your language!"
Emma was waving her hand when she found herself a top a white horse when she opened her eyes. She looked at the one who actually reprimanded her. No one had done it since she runaway from her last foster parent. She frowned when she found a frowning man dressed in what she could describe as 'Shakespeare' era type. White with gold trim, high neck, high white socks or was it white stockings? Really? What the hell... did I hit my head and wake up around a bunch of stage fanatics? "Who the hell are you?!" she asked aghast.
The man standing beside her raised one brow, "Princess, I know that this sudden change of itinerary as per your father, the King's order has grated on your nerve, but I don't see any reason why you have to recourse to using foul language when speaking. You are the heir to the throne of the White Kingdom, you should drop that attitude immediately."
"What?" Emma's eyes widened, "What the fuck are you talking..." and she was sure she heard someone slapping the white horse she's riding, because whatever curse words she was hiding within her were revealed when the horse galloped forward... "I DON'T KNOW HOW TO RIDE A FUCKING HORSEEEEEE!"
"PRINCESS!"
"EMMA!"
"SISTER!"
-0-
Princess Regina had just finished her riding lesson, she was smiling at the the tall, handsome stable boy that's now taking care of her horse, a black stallion she named Rocinante. She had been harboring a deep crush on the man since he came and it was only last month that she learned that the boy have the same feelings about her, so behind her parent's back, the stable boy – Daniel – and her decided to see where their feelings will take them. In a month, both of them were convinced that they had found their 'true love' in each other. So they were at the clearing, away from the prying eyes. Her father Sir. Henry decided to spend the afternoon in the library reading, and her mother out on a sudden errand, Her and Daniel who just finished grooming her horse were standing close together, lips locked as they decided on a short picnic together, taking the most of it while her mother was out, but their plan was ruined when Regina had to disentangle herself when she heard the scream... it was of a woman who sounds like a banshee in heat, and was she hearing a lot of crude words?
But no matter how crude, a person in need is a person in need, so without thought, she took Rocinante's rein and easily rode the tall horse, and as she saw the white horse galloping towards the cliff, her mind went on automatic and she kicked her steed fast to catch up.
And in no time, she had her hand on the white horse's strap and had slowed down the spooked horse before she jumped and bumped the screaming banshee of her own causing both women to fell on the grassy land, safe but panting.
"Get the fuck off me!"
Regina stand up and raise one brow on the still panting, and seemingly livid... princess?
Oh my god... the Crowned Princess – I just saved the life of the crowned princess of Enchanted Forest!
-0-
"WHAT?"
"What?"
Blonde and brunette uttered the same word but in different tone. Princess Emma had her eyes wide, jaw slacked and her tone was demanding her father to retract his offer – an offer she was not agreeable and from how the offer was accepted not by the princess who saved her but by the mother, who to Emma seemed crazy, evil and manipulative which means the princess was not interested.
And by the holy god... are these crazy people really into this renaissance acting? Are they going to get something if they acted out well? Because if this is one crazy acting job, she sure as hell didn't sign up for it. She hates acting! Acting up tends to get her kicked out of any foster home and back to the system for her to be dropped to another uncaring one. This is enough, she's not buying it.
"SHUT THE HELL UP!" the shout did shut the King, the young Princess Snow, the Princess Regina and Princess Cora.
"Oh my, have I -" The older brunette was interrupted,
"You shut up!" Emma said frowning and then fidgeting as she looked at her own self in a gown. "First of, who the hell goes riding on a gown? What fuck up crazy is this? And second," she looked at the old King, which she learned to be named Leopold, "You are just pretending to be my father, and you," she raise an eyebrow as she looked at the small, black haired girl, ribbon on her curly hair, lips red like blood and skin white as snow, "Snow White? Aren't you too young to be snow white? And where's your prince charming?!"
"Sister! I am only ten!"
"Emma!" King Leopold called her attention, giving his daughter a disapproving look. "This is not the time to act out. You owe your life to Princess Regina, it is just right that I at least give her a token of my appreciation."
The blonde frowned, "By making a woman as old as I am, no, she's most certainly is even younger than me, your daughter, to be your wife? Are you crazy? You think she'd want to be married to you? You're the same age as her mother! Who the hell wrote this fucking play? And I never signed up for this!" she looked around, "Where the hell are you?! Show yourself!" she shouted while looking around.
"My dear, I think her highness hit her head..." Cora tried to interrupt.
"I did not hit my head! And no, I'm not allowing you," she points a finger to her supposed father, "to marry her!" she said changing focus to the other princess who seemed relieved.
The King looked at the blonde, anger now on his face. "I will not allow this insanity any longer Emma! I am your father and I will..."
"You are not going to marry her, can't you see? She didn't accept your proposal, her damn mother did!" she shouted.
"I assure you Princess, my daughter wanted -"
"Wow, you're not only manipulative, you're also a liar. My lie detector is pinging loud in my ear! Your daughter doesn't want this!" she frowned when she saw the sudden look of fear on the other woman's face.
"This is enough Emma,"
"Emma..." Snow called, "What's happening to you, why are you being like this? Are you sure you didn't hit your head?"
"What's the matter to me? What's the matter to all of you? You are all acting as if you are real royalties entitled to anything!"
"Because we are!" The King shouted, "You will stop and leave now, I am the King and my decision is final!"
Emma gritted her teeth, stomped and turned around.
-0-
It take the whole day for Emma to understand that she is not in some kind of play. Everyone seemed like what they are. Snow as in her supposed younger sister is no other than fucking Snow White of the fairy tale story she used to read, and how did she found out? The girl was talking to birds and rats! How gross was that.
Which means something really weird happen to her, or maybe the damn cupcake given to her was poisoned that she is now in a coma and this is just a dream world. Well that would explain everything because if not, then the thought of her traveling back in time or being transported into a book as an answer when asked where she had been would guarantee her a one way trip to a different kind of prison with no hope for parole.
So all she had to do was sleep and she was sure she'll be back to normal once she wake up.
-0-
She wasn't sure what awoken her, the sudden brightness of her room (did she forget to close her blinds last night?) or the shake she's receiving and the gentle calling of her name. Without thinking much about either, she opened her eyes and was rewarded by the sight of a young girl, with the same eye color but now filled with tears.
"I didn't mean it," the girl said brokenheartedly.
She hurriedly sat and took inventory of herself. She was okay, she was alive and her body is solid... but if this girl is still here that means – She's not fucking DREAMING! - "What?"
"I... I like Regina and I thought it was nice to have her as our mother,"
"What? You can't be that brat to ask that! She's fucking almost your age!"
Snow White frowned, "Your language is becoming so crude over time sister, what would the princes of other kingdom say if they hear your talk like that?"
"Why should I care?"
"What do you mean why? You have to care, you're going to select a prince to marry you!"
Emma's eyes widened, "No fucking way!" she watched her 'sister' frown deepened, "So what is your problem?"
Snow made a dramatic sigh which made her roll her eyes. She can't believe she's actually in front and talking to Snow White and she should probably tell every kid she knew when gets back to her time or world that there is nothing sweet about the damn character. Snow White is a damn bratty little girl who gets everything that she wants. "It seemed Regina has found her true love, I saw her kissing with that stable boy and they were talking about running away together. You were right, she doesn't want to marry father!"
Emma raise one brow, "And now it is your fault she's being forced to wed our FATHER." she said with a huff.
"What am I going to do? She told me to keep it a secret -"
"And here you are telling me,"
"You're my sister... and... and,"
She looked at the girl intensely, "What did you do... or should I say, who else did you spill a supposed secret to?"
"Well, her mom seemed concern and she wanted to help them both..."
"WHAT?!" and now, it seemed she's not only bratty, but she can't keep her mouth shut and is a failure in keeping secrets. "We better warn Regina!" she said as she hurriedly stood and open her closet... "What are these?!" she shrieked when she found all the gowns with blooming shoulders and blowing skirts, "Don't I have any jeans?!"
-0-
It was almost night and Emma still can't find Regina. When she went to the Mills Manor to talk to her, that was like four hours of riding a coach and seven bouts of puking, because she didn't know that she had coach related motion sickness (how she wished she'd included dramamine in her wish), she was told that the woman can't be interrupted in her lessons, when done, she found out she had riding lessons and now it's getting dark, she hasn't finished yet. She didn't realized that horse riding lessons take this much time...
Or... is it possible that she and the stable boy had already run away? Emma wished that Regina and that boy was successful in doing so. If her father decides to look for her, she'll do everything to stop him. The woman needs to be with the one she loves.
And Snow said those two were true loves.
Ah how refreshing, how nice that she gets to see people who believes in one. She herself once tried to believe, and then she met Neal and she was sure she found hers, but then he left her to go to jail in a crime he masterminded, and that's on top of him knocking her up. True Love was a bitch in her world, and its nice to be someone to protect it against the harshness of the world – dream or not.
To be sure, she trekked the way to the stable and she stood, unmoving when she heard the dialogues happening inside. It was close so she keep to the wall and listened. It seemed Regina's mother was there to help... maybe Snow was right in telling Princess Cora. She frowned, but if she wanted this for Regina, why accept her father's proposal for her daughter? Why didn't she let her own daughter voice out what she wanted?
This is a RUSE! She hurriedly stood and tried to open the door, but it was close. So she used all her might to open it but to no avail, so she closed her eyes and think of Regina. That beautiful princess who saved her life even without knowing who she was, the gentle smile on her face, the sadness, then the fear – and all of a sudden, she found herself thrown away a little by the opening of the door, she hurriedly stood to her feet only to be frozen shocked when she saw Princess Cora's hand in the stable boy's chest, and then she pulled a glowing heart out of him and crushed it in her hand.
The boy dropped dead and Regina dropped after, wailing for her lost love.
"No!" the blonde mumbled before she turned and run away from the stable. Her heart beating twice its normal speed and her brain was running like the galloping horse that almost killed her. She was met by the coach driver and she hurriedly went in and asked the driver to return to the castle.
-0-
If Princess Cora has that kind of magic, if she could kill anyone that would hinder her daughter to marry into power, then what's to stop her from killing her 'father' and then her, then Snow and then finally her own daughter to be the Queen of the kingdom?
And this time, Regina will really be tied to her father. Despite the king being a good ruler, her being married to an old man against her will is like 'her' being tied to a bed while an old man rapes her. She had been into situation that almost had her raped by a foster father, thank god to her wit and having a system that would help her when she reports lascivious actions from any fosters, she get out of it, not unscathed but at least she got out of it, but Regina and in this world? She had no way out!
Would her supposed father not touch Regina? Maybe, but he might be old but he is alive. She'd seen him eyed Regina the day he proposed marriage to the woman. So she had an idea and she could use her 'father's' love of her and Snow.
Snow believes in True Love. She is a kid, a sappy kid with romantic ideal...
-0-
The King was almost asleep when the door to his chamber opened and Princess Emma waltzed in. The King was mortified that his eldest entered his chamber unannounced and while he was not decent.
"For god's sake f – fa -" Emma sighed, "...father, I'm not scandalize by your lack of clothing, but really you are well dressed for someone who is just going to sleep, enough about that though, I need to talk to you."
The old man nodded, "I am happy that you come to me, is something bothering you my daughter?"
"Yes," she said with straight face, "I can't sleep and you're the only one who can help me," Act... make this believable!
The King grinned, "Then tell me, if it is in my power to give, then you don't have to ask twice."
"I -" she took a deep breath, "I'm in love, and I think this is TRUE love." she said enunciating the word true.
The old King's eyes widened and a wide smile pasted on his face, "Is this why you cannot sleep?"
"Yes... father,"
"Well, who is the lucky prince? I should ask him to come and meet you..."
"No, I... I mean, I am in love but it's not with a prince." she bit her lower lip.
"What..."
"I am in love with Princess Regina."
The king suddenly stood, now not worried about his supposed indecency. "But,"
"I know deep in my heart that she is my true love. If you really love me father..."
"I... it is not acceptable,"
"I am the crowned princess! I will be ruling this kingdom no matter if I marry a prince or a princess!"
"You cannot have an heir..."
"Snow can always give you an heir! It is Regina for me or nothing!" oh yeah, be as bratty as Snow if I have to get what I want.
"Emma dear," the old King stepped close to his daughter.
"I'm marrying no one but Regina. You cannot force me to marry any prince."
"Think about this through,"
"I already did."
"Emma..."
"Father..."
-0-
"You are beautiful," Cora said as she watch her daughter be fitted for her wedding. Her daughter will not be the King's future wife, because in some weird way, the crowned princess wanted her daughter and the King gave in. The news had become the talk of the whole kingdom, and despite a romantic relation between two women were not unknown, it is mostly frowned. So yes, her daughter may marry into power as she wanted but she'd never bore an heir to the throne that would continue her legacy. Regina doesn't have the hardness in her to rule the kingdom with iron fist. "But what is your beauty if it is wasted on a princess instead of the king?" she said rolling her eyes and not even hiding the distaste on her face.
"I didn't ask for this mother,"
Cora sighed, "Why can't you do anything right? You could have cried in front of the King and show him how you wanted him so much?"
Regina frowned, "All my tears had dried up mother when you... when Daniel died."
"Well, we can't help it now. Marry the princess... I'll do the rest." the princess closed her eyes to stop herself from screaming. Yes she might have escaped the King's clutch, but she landed on the daughter. Her reputation had dived but who cares about her reputation? She'd be a prisoner from now on, and to avoid more dissenters or more negative publicity to the King, she'd probably be kept from a tower unseen by anyone. She was still at this thought when she heard her mother's footfall walking away from her, and then the door to the fitting room opened and closed without her usual grace.
-0-
Her wedding day, she wasn't supposed to be nervous because this is nothing but a fake wedding. Well in her head it is a fake one since she was sure the time for her to go back to her time will come, soon or not, but while she is here, maybe it was great to save a drowning princess, and she can't think of anything right now to do but to pursue this. But as it is, she was still nervous... why not? She's marrying the woman rumored to be the 'fairest of them all' with an evil mother who might (or it may not be a 'might' but for sure) wanted all of them dead including her daughter to take all the power in the kingdom.
A dark witch and a crown, nice combination to take over the world! Well – their world.
So she was standing in front of the princess' door while she prepare for the wedding. She wasn't supposed to be seeing her before the wedding perse, but that was a 'cliché' in her world, not sure with this so she's breaking culture. She was almost to open the door when she heard the shouting fest inside. So she took her hand away from the knob and listened with her ears to the door. It was Regina and her mother, and from what she can tell... Regina was telling her mother to leave her alone.
She almost jumped out of her skin when her future wife suddenly screamed and then there was a commotion, a mirror breaking and that's when she hurriedly opened the door to the princess chamber to find her slumped on the floor, her hands on her face, jaw slacked -
"Regina..."
"I – I did it, I-" she turned and looked at the blonde one, "My mother -"
"What happened? Where is your mother?"
Emma frowned when Regina suddenly stood tall, her hands fell beside her and then she smiled. It was a sad smile that doesn't fit the woman's beautiful face. "She's gone – she – she's not going to hurt anyone anymore." was all she said and the she walked passed her. "It's our wedding dear, aren't you coming?"
The blonde shook her head. What happened? Why was the mirror shattered? Where is the witch? "Ah yes, I was about to ask you..."
"You were not supposed to see your bride before the wedding,"
Emma looked at the back of her future wife, "Oh that's a thing here too?" she smiled when the other woman looked back at her, face in bewilderment.
-0-
"What are you doing?" Emma asked as she jumped off her chair when the shadow of a person in her chamber was revealed. It was Regina in her night gown.
The smaller woman inclined her head, a bewildered expression on her face. "It is the night of our wedding. Aren't I supposed to grace your chamber with my presence princess? I am now your wife, your property -"
Emma raised one hand to stop her explanation, "Yes you are my wife, but it was never in my mind to claim you as my property. You are a person, not a thing." she sighed and returned to sitting at her chair, "Please sit,"
"Where?" This Regina sound flat, defeated.
"Anywhere you please?" That made the woman frown, probably can't believe what she's hearing. "Look, Regina..." the brunette turned her head to look at her, she have to sigh again, "I didn't marry you to take you, to claim you... well in a sense yes, I married you so I can claim you, but it's not to make you a prisoner in this marriage. I don't want you to be a prisoner, I want you to be free and the only way I know how is if I could marry you so that your mother cannot pawn you off to another man that could give her what she wants."
"Wha-"
"I may not look it Regina, but I notice. I see you. And the King maybe my father, he maybe a benevolent ruler, but if you've been married to him – I – I just cannot think of anything happening to you that you don't want to happen."
"Princess..."
"Emma, my name is Emma."
And there it was, the most beautiful smile she'd ever seen that graced the younger woman's face. And she'll be a fool not to want to see those smile again.
TBC
I thought I'd make a one shot, but it seemed the plot of this story may need more than one shot. I'm thinking the most this would have are three chapters. Or it may end on the next chapter...