The Love Game of Regina Mills

Welcome to another lovely tale! I promise that this story is going to be fluffier. All of you who stuck it out through the last fic are probably ready for it. Now, this fic is still going to be pretty angsty, so get ready for that.

Anything in italics is a flashback.

Trigger Warnings:

Self-harm, Drug use, addiction, noncon, violence, child abuse, character death (Cora)

There will also be mentions of DragonQueen, Swanfire, StableQueen, and whatever Lily/Emma's ship name is. Established CaptainCharming.

Chapter 1: Burnt Norton - Interlude

When a family member gets sick or dies, the rest of the family often shows their truest colors. The Long Island house, so often neglected, was full of guests this weekend. Regina, Snow, Henry, Emma, and Zelena sat at the table, hoping for another hour of peace as they got to know one another.

"So, you must be Henry." Zelena said, as warmly as she could manage. He sulked in his seat.

"And you're Mary Margaret, right?" She added. She smiled, but the whole table could tell it was forced.

"Yes, I am. I'm Regina's step-daughter by marriage." Snow said quietly. Zelena raised an eyebrow and shot a glance at her half-sister, whose hand was tangled in Emma's.

"Oh?" She asked. They were all grateful that she didn't inquire further.

"Where are you from?" Mary Margaret asked gently.

"Oh, I grew up in London." Zelena shared. Henry seemed to perk up at this.

"Like, in England?" He asked. Zelena nodded.

"We went and saw some shows there when I was ten." He explained. Zelena smiled.

"It is a lovely city." She said. Then a silence filled the room, perpetuated by Regina's mute tongue. She had no idea what to say, and she didn't have the energy to pretend that she was enjoying this. Emma, for better or worse, had offered to come for the weekend to support her, but she felt wildly out of place per usual. Then, they heard the sounds of stirring from down the hall and both Zelena and Regina visibly bristled.

"Take Henry and Snow out for lunch." Regina whispered to Emma. The blonde nodded and allowed the half-sisters to rise and make their way down the hall to their mother. This certainly wasn't the most ideal relationship, but Emma was here to help.

"Prepare yourself." Regina said, her voice tight with anxiety. Zelena regarded her for a moment.

"What do you mean?"

"Mother may not know who you are. She may not know who I am. It all depends on the day or the hour." Regina explained, as calmly as she could. Her enormous wellspring of anger was being contained for now. And oh, she was angry. She was angry with her mother for the lies and the omissions of truth. How could she have kept a sister from her for all these years? That, and the millions of other reasons. She knocked gently on the door.

"Mother?"

"Regina?" Cora answered. They entered. Cora was sitting at the vanity Regina had brought for her. She was fussing with her hair. Regina walked over to her and took the brush off of the table.

"Would you like me to brush your hair?" She asked gently. Cora shot her a look.

"I'm not an invalid." She snapped. Regina sighed. Great. She was already in a mood. Regina looked at Zelena. If you're here to help, then help. She passed the brush to her. Zelena accepted it and made a face.

"Why don't you let Zelena brush your hair, mother?" Regina offered. Cora smiled and nodded and a white hot flame erupted in Regina's heart. Zelena noticed, but said nothing. She brought the brush through Cora's hair.

"It's so nice to have you here, dear." Cora said kindly, "You know, I have another daughter named Regina. She's not as nice as you."

Regina seethed in the background, but refused to let her anger show too much. How quickly she was forgotten. She wondered whether or not Cora was doing this to spite her, but she stayed her temper. Zelena smiled and continued to run the brush through her mother's red hair.

"Why don't we go to the theatre later? You know how I love that." Cora said. Regina had always been the one to go to the theatre with her mother, but it seemed that none of that mattered now. Cora's condition had worsened in the past few weeks as they had weaned her off of her coke habit. Without the stimulant, Cora's mind seemed sluggish. She couldn't seem to recall basic information and she often preferred Zelena to Regina. It was odd, but who could be angry with her? Well, Regina could, of course, but it was fruitless to express it. Zelena was the golden child somehow. Abandoned by Cora as a baby, this perfect daughter had emerged with a sense of possibility. Cora only ever saw Regina as a failed attempt at becoming powerful. It was almost as if her marriage to Leopold had never happened. All the gaps in Cora's memory were quickly filled by lies she told herself.

"Where is Henry?" Cora growled. Zelena looked to Regina for help.

"Mary Margaret and Henry went out to lunch." Regina supplied, leaving Emma out of it. She didn't want to fight this early in the day.

"Where are we, dear?" Cora asked Zelena.

"We're at your house in Long Island." She answered.

"Oh."

Elsewhere, at the only diner in the area, Mary Margaret, Henry, and Emma waited for the waitress to bring them their meals.

"So, Grandma can't remember anything?" Henry asked. Emma sighed, looking away. Man, this was awkward.

"Yes, Henry. She has Alzhemier's. Her short term memory is degenerating." Snow said quietly. Emma wrung her hands together.

"And Aunt Zelena is here to take care of her." Henry continued. Snow nodded and pulled Henry into a hug.

"I'm worried about Mom." He whispered. That was certainly understandable. They were all worried about Regina. They all knew the nature of Regina and Cora's relationship; that it was less than ideal. Even Henry knew to a certain extent. The fact that Regina was caring for her was a fascinating mystery. After all of the violence and pain, it was strange to see Regina being so tender to the old woman even if her demeanor was cold.

"Your mom is a tough lady." Emma said.

"And she's got you to help her." Henry said, smiling. Yeah, Emma supposed he was right. She supposed that what she was doing was helpful. She ran her hands through her hair and tried not to think about the drink she so sorely wanted. Later, when they returned to the house, Regina was sitting in the living room, alone.

"Mother and Zelena are out by the lake." Regina said quietly as the little party entered the room. She was sipping on a glass of wine. Emma's entire body was on alert. They had discussed her past with alcohol briefly and Emma hadn't asked her to keep it out of the house or anything. It was fine. Yes. This was fine. Mary Margaret took Henry's hand.

"Why don't we go watch TV." She said. Henry nodded and the couple were alone at last. Emma shuffled her feet.

"Is the wine bothering you?" Regina asked, her voice strained and lacking the concern she felt.

"No, it's fine. Are you ok?"

"Not really."

"That's fair." Emma said, joining her on the couch. She took her free hand, but it wasn't enough for Regina. She quickly placed the wine glass on the table and crashed her lips onto Emma's. She was all teeth and growls. This was how things had been since Cora had been diagnosed. Regina kicked off her heels and straddled Emma's lap. She ground her hips against the blonde, moaning. Her dress was riding up her thighs, begging to be ripped off. It was tough because Emma loved this. She loved how sexy and wanton Regina had been, but she knew that this was only masking the pain that was surging inside of her. They probably should have stopped and talked about her feelings, but they didn't. Regina dragged her lover to the bedroom instead. The door slammed behind them. Regina pushed Emma back, towards the bed, but Emma struggled.

"Regina." She said, slightly warning and slightly aroused. The brunette paused, her lips red from hurried kisses. They couldn't stop for long or else Regina might start processing her emotions and that was not on her agenda today. Their faces were inches away from each other, breath ragged and husky.

"What?" Regina asked. Emma kissed her gently on the cheek.

"Are you sure you don't want to talk?"

"Positive." Regina whispered, running her hands over Emma's sides. She gripped her ass, almost clawing at it. Then she leaned in close to whisper in her ear.

"Did you bring it?" She asked. Man, Regina was making it hard for Emma to want to be responsible. The hands moved from Emma's ass to the backs of her thighs, fingers rising to the apex in between them.

"Yeah." Emma whispered. The hands disappeared.

"Then go get it." Regina said, drifting to the bed. She slipped out of her clothes in a flash, leaving only her underwear on. Emma swallowed hard, and walked to her bad. Fine. If Regina wanted to fuck the pain away, then they would. She made a mental note to insist on talking next time, but that was next time or after. She couldn't quite think straight. Her core throbbed with need. She sifted through her duffel until she found the shiny new strap-on Regina had insisted that she bring. She undressed, slid into the harness, and turned around. The regal woman was laid out on the bed, her eyes dark with lust. No more worrying. No more thinking. Emma walked toward her, slow and teasing.

"Come here." Regina growled. Emma smirked and crawled onto the bed, but didn't go any further. She could feel the brunette tense with anticipation across the sheets. Making her wait was becoming one of Emma's favorite games.

"Miss Swan if you don't get over here right now-"

"You're impatient." Emma said, chuckling. Regina's eyes flashed and a scowl was forming on her scarred lip. Emma reached a hand out to her lover, finally touching her. She ran her fingers over the scar and then dipped them inside the warmth of Regina's mouth. Teeth nipped her and she pulled back. Regina smirked, her muscles coiling to pounce. This was the calm before the storm, and oh, what a storm it was going to be. A moment passed, then another, but Emma didn't move. Finally, the waiting game was over and Regina lunged, taking Emma's lips with a forceful kiss. Her hands flew over breasts and hips and cheeks, wild with desire, but messier than usual. Emma ripped free.

"Oh, is there something you want?" Emma whispered. Regina glared at her, hating and loving the teases in equal measure.

"Don't be coy, dear."

"Ask and ye shall receive, dear." Emma taunted.

"Emma-"

"Ask." Emma said plainly. Regina's eyes glittered with rage and lust and maybe something else that neither woman could place.

"Fuck me." Regina said quietly.

"I'm sorry, what was that?" Emma mocked. Regina pursed her lips and slid onto her knees. She then turned and leaned onto her forearms, ass in the air.

"Break me in half." She said, a little louder now. Emma smirked and pulled the black lace down and out of her way.

"All you had to do was ask." She said, getting into position.

"If you don't-" But Regina was cut off by the first thrust, hard and fast. Growls quickly became whimpers and moans. This was nothing like their first encounter on Emma's couch. They had been wary then, polite and trying to figure the other person out. This was raw and rough and exactly what they wanted. Mal had always been so lazy from the drugs and her own sense of entitlement, but Emma really worked at it. Each thrust was strong, her pacing consistent and fast. Then she slowed for a moment, teasing and giving Regina a small rest before slamming in again. Who knew the queen was such a glutton for punishment? Once Emma felt that she had done a thorough job of fucking the other woman into submission, she found herself smirking. Regina was lethargic with lust and the pleasure that had so thoroughly rocked through her. Emma pulled out and she moaned, ever so sensitive.

"Flip over." Emma said. She was obeyed quickly. Emma placed the toy against the other woman's clit and rocked gently. Regina writhed beneath her, whimpering and sighing. Finally, Emma entered her again, fucking her hard once more. The groans became harder, more disheveled. Some of them were coming from Emma too. The friction from the strap-on was absolute heaven. She was so close. Emma came first, gently but with satisfaction. Regina came soon after, hard and silent. Emma rolled off of her love and slipped out of the harness, enjoying the calm after the storm. Regina simply laid still, savoring every moment of calm, every aftershock. After a few minutes she pulled her panties back on, got up, and found her cigarettes. She lit one and walked to the window to smoke it. Peering through the blinds, she saw that her half-sister and mother were still down by the lake. This was still her life. She let out a long sigh.

"Come here." Emma said gently. Regina didn't move.

"I don't want to get ash on you."

"I don't care. Just come here." Emma insisted softly. Finally, Regina obliged her. She brought the ashtray on her nightstand into the bed and laid quietly. Emma draped an arm over her stomach, snuggling up to her and planting kisses on her hips.

"Are you sure you don't want to talk to me?" Emma asked gently. Regina's face was refreezing.

"What is there to talk about? My mother is losing her mind. I suddenly have a half-sister whom she adores. At least I have you and Henry...and Snow I guess."

"You do have us."

"I miss drugs, Emma." Regina confessed quietly.

"I know." The blonde said quietly, missing her own vice. They were quiet for a long time after that. What was there to say? Regina missed her drugs, but there was nothing to be done about it. She couldn't go back to them. She didn't want to slip into the darkness again, but oh how it beckoned. Emma felt it too.

"Maybe we can smoke a little later?" Regina said, sighing again. It wasn't going to be half as satisfying as her pills had been, but it was something. Emma chuckled.

"Pot makes you horny." Emma reminded her.

"That's why we're going to smoke it later, when everyone is asleep."

"Alright." Emma said, kissing her lover's stomach. It wasn't a drink, but it would do.