Zelena Explains it All

Hello! Welcome to another awesome fic. This time, Zelena is going to be our star. There aren't a lot of Zelena fics out there and I just really needed one. So, please enjoy this coffee shop AU starring Zelena, Swan Queen, Sea Devil, Red Beauty and a very sassy dragon.

Xoxo Q. M.

To say that Regina had everything was a serious understatement. She owned a chain of coffee shops, she had a house in every major city, and, of course, she had Emma Swan. Her perfect little life was pleasantly punctuated by Zelena's recent appearance. After being laid off from her job as an insurance claims adjuster, Zelena had taken a job at one of the chain's locations. Granted, she was the manager…and it only softened the sting so much.

"Goodmorning, Zelena." Belle said cheerfully. Always full of sunshine, that one. Zelena grumbled something that resembled a greeting. Belle sighed, but hurried about the bakery station, getting ready for the day. Her chipped tea cup was filled to the brim with a warm tea blend she had been working on. Something with chai or cinnamon or whatever. Zelena didn't care. The little bookworm's cheer only served to sour her mood further. It was another day of hell. Working for Regina, watching Belle and her wolfish girlfriend make eyes at each other, it was enough to make anyone green with envy, right?

"I think Regina called earlier." Belle called after her as she walked into her sad little office. Great.

"I wonder what the Queen wants this time." Zelena muttered. She placed her little lunch bag into the fridge and slumped into her chair. She looked at the photograph on her desk. It was her, Regina, their mother, and Emma from their wedding last year. They had all looked so happy, but oh what a lie it was. Zelena couldn't remember the last time she had actually been happy for more than about the time it takes to drink a fresh cup of coffee. At least she had that. She was surrounded by the one thing that could always make her smile…though it all belonged to Regina so there was that. Nothing seemed to be untainted by her younger sister's success. At least when she had been in claims adjustment, she had been autonomous. She sighed. The time for moping was over. She needed to get the day started. Zelena pulled out her phone and called her sweet sister.

"Good morning, Zelena." Regina said. Her voice was low and husky. Great. She was probably still in bed with that swan of hers.

"Good morning, sis. To what do I owe the pleasure?" Zelena said brightly. She just had to put on a good face.

"As you may remember, today is the grand opening of our first overseas location. So, I am going to be in Europe for the rest of the week. I need you to head the efforts to incorporate our new marketing campaign." Regina explained.

"What do you need me to do?" Zelena asked. For a moment, she imagined that her sister may truly need her for something important.

"Well, as you know, our mascot was a huge success. However, the Evil Queen needs a rival."

"Ok…And?"

"The focus groups came back and we need a Wicked Witch."

"You've got to be bloody kidding me." Zelena snapped.

"I'm not."

"And the reason you're not hiring someone is?"

"I think the face of my company should remain in the family. I thought you would be happy." Regina said. Zelena seethed. Happy? She was going to be dressed up and paraded around as a hag. Yeah, she was so thrilled.

"Alright, Regina. Anything you like." Zelena said, sighing. What choice did she have?

"Don't whine. I'm sending my finest photographer. She'll be giving you a call in the next day or so. So, chin up. You're about to be the second face of Queen's Cup." Regina said. Zelena could hear someone moving around in the background, probably Emma. She could hear Regina giggle, Emma humming, and it all made her sick. These little love birds and their lovey dovey antics…ugh.

"Can I go now, or are do you get off on making me listen to you fornicating with your lap dog?" Zelena sneered.

"Love you too, sis. Have fun at the shoot." Regina said, distracted by her lover's firm touch. The call ended. Zelena wanted to throw her phone. When would Regina get sick of tormenting her? She pinched the bridge of her nose. Time for work.

Queen's Cup was one of the most chic places in Chicago to get coffee. It was the most interesting place to get coffee in Boston. In LA, Queen's Cup was considered the one and only. The location Zelena managed was in Manhattan. There were always lines running out the door. There were always catering jobs to arrange. There was always much to be done and Regina's glowering gaze always watched over her as she worked. "The Queen" was the coffee shop's mascot, but all it really translated to was Regina's face being plastered all over every location. Oh joy.

"Did anyone clean out the espresso machine last night?" Zelena asked. God, these people made her so tired.

"I thought Belle was going to do it." Ruby called over her shoulder. She was washing the windows.

"Mulan said she would do it." Belle insisted. She was still fussing over the baked goods. Mulan hadn't come in yet.

"Well, it looks like no one did it." Zelena snapped. She took a deep breath and began to clean it. As she scrubbed, all she could think about was Regina laying on her back, letting that Emma woman try to break her pelvis, laughing at the ease of her life. Wouldn't it be nice to run off to Italy for the week? Wouldn't it be nice to have a strapping young blonde waiting in the wings at all hours of the day or night? It made her so angry she could just-

"Uh, Zelena? Someone's on the phone for you." Belle said gently. Indeed. Her cellphone was making an awful racket on the counter. Zelena huffed and went to answer it.

"Hello?"

"Hello there. Zelena, right?"

"Uh. Yeah. May I ask who is calling?"

"Ursula Cephar. I'm Regina's photographer." The woman said. Her voice was almost melodic, but it, like everything else, grated Zelena's nerves. After all, Regina was only having her do this shoot to humiliate her, right?

"Oh. Hello. How can I help you?"

"Eager. I like it. I wanted to let you know that the shoot will be taking place at my studio. Let's do it tomorrow at 3. Sound good?"

"Peachy." Zelena snarked. Ursula chuckled, then ended the call without further comment. Zelena stared at her phone for a moment and emitted a long sigh. Such was her life.

The rest of the day went on without much incident. Zelena worked on some of the marketing for their new "Wicked" campaign with Regina's little team, Tink and Nora. The little PR girls were always at odds, but they weren't as annoying as watching Belle and Ruby wink and smirk at each other all damn day. When closing time finally came, Zelena was more than happy to start heading home.

"Hey, Z. We're going for drinks. Come with us." Ruby called just as Zelena was reaching the door.

"As much as I loved playing third-wheel all day, I would much rather go home." Zelena answered without skipping a beat. Ruby actually seemed a little disappointed, but didn't say anything else. Why would anyone ever want to spend time with Zelena? She was spiteful, mean-spirited, and generally nasty on a good day, at least, she thought that was how people felt about her.

Home at last. Zelena's cat, Walsh greeted her at the door with his usual mewling.

"Hello, my little green bean." She purred, scratching his head. She walked past him to her room and fell onto the bed. She carefully climbed under the covers and just laid there for a little bit. She just needed to rest. She needed to stop being. She needed…well, she needed a lot of things. It burned Zelena up that Regina had the audacity to make her do this stupid photoshoot. Regina had everything and she called the shots…But what did it matter? She had to do the shoot. She had to play the game. Zelena let out a long sigh and knew she had to go make dinner.