Regina's way of holding a cigarette makes Emma nervous; her dainty little fingers are too close to the butt, and she's dropping ashes everywhere. It's cold and Emma just wants to head inside, her thin charcoal hoodie doing absolutely nothing for warmth.
"You don't have to do this"
"Yes, I do." Her tone is absolute, and Emma knows that there is no turning back.
"Shit Regina it's cold, get on with it already."
The remark earns Emma a glare, affectively shutting her up, though it doesn't stop her from standing behind Regina and wrapping her arms around her on the curb, resting her head on a wool covered shoulder as a silent apology.
"You're gonna be my blanket."
"Emma"
"Regina," she drawls. "You're bluffing."
"Am not."
"Point proven."
Emma wishes that she hadn't entertained Regina's silly idea. She's not interested in letting Regina ruin her health just because she's too stubborn to quit smoking. But that's the deal. Regina knows that Emma won't quit on her own, so presenting her with incentive was the only option.
She brings the cigarette to her lips, breaths coming out in short puffs, her trembling fingers betraying outward confidence.
Emma lasts all of 5 seconds before she's slapping the stick out of Regina's hand, while the latter sighs in relief.
"Idiot."
"It worked."
"Whatever."
"So are you going to quit?"
"Whatever."
"I'm serious Emma. I won't be here to gripe at you. Promise me." She's basically pleading, and it is on rare occasion that Emma gets to hear Regina Mills beg. And in that moment Emma knows that she'd do anything for this woman, even the things she once believed to be impossible.
"I promise."
Emma pulls away and takes a seat on the curb, legs crossed at the ankles.
"Stop pouting."
"You've got your things packed and ready I'm assuming?"
Regina tilts her head, confused by the sudden change of conversation.
"Yes. It'd be ridiculous if I didn't. I leave in an hour."
Emma doesn't respond, and the air around them is suddenly a little too thick for Regina's liking.
"Nothing is going to change. You know that right? We'll still talk all the time, Emma. Emma look at me."
But she just shakes her head, sending blonde curls flying. Her hands are picking at the holes in her jeans, making them wider as a result of her anxiety. Finally she speaks, her voice a bit harsher than intended.
"Why? So that you can ground yourself while you break my heart? You are still trying to convince yourself Regina, and I won't take part in that. I won't give you the satisfaction."
"Fine. Point taken. But this is best. Being friends is easier. You'll see."
"You're shitting me." Emma sighs.
She'd been trying to avoid this conversation, but then again, she'd been thinking about it nonstop for months. It's getting darker outside, and Regina realizes that she should probably get going.
She prolonged her day as long as possible to spend it with Emma but time is dwindling, and her mother will be calling for her at any minute. She sits next to Emma on the curb, poking at her arm.
"I just want to see you like this. In the flesh." Another poke. " And if it's selfish," Poke. "For me to leave you here after drinking you in for the last time, then I'm sorry. It's hard for me too Em. Just promise me you'll pick up the phone."
Emma hates when Regina gets all adorable, because she gets away with everything then. Ruby calls her whipped, but Emma just finds it difficult to stay angry at someone so beautiful. So she kisses her, because that's the only way Emma knows how to communicate without feeling like her throat is going to collapse.
It's simple, sweet. There's no tongue, just lips, and Emma hopes that it would be enough. Enough to show Regina that Emma exists only to love her; that she would give up everything in this world and the next, if it meant that she could have the honor of kissing those lips for the rest of her life.
What can Emma say? She's in love. And she's gathered that love makes you think and say the most hammy things, but she doesn't give a shit because Regina Mills is nibbling on her bottom lip, and honestly, that is top priority.
1st chapter complete! This is my first fic, so please don't be afraid to unleash the fury as far as reviews go. I've never done this before, so I need all the feedback that I can get!