A/N: Just an idea that came to mind in thinking ahead to this weekend's episode. I plan to explore a Regina/Zelena sisterly bond and an Emma/Zelena friendship with the development of the SwanQueen relationship. I feel like there hasn't been many stories out there like that, so I was interested in trying it out. There will also be Charming-Mills family bonding, some VioletBeliever (Henry/Violet).
Disclaimer: I do not own OUAT, its characters, or its storylines.
"Don't die on me." Those words forever changed Regina's relationship with Emma. Yet Emma was broken, and she was afraid to love again because of that seemingly inevitable end, the death of her loved ones. But Regina wasn't going to let her go. Not now, not ever. Post 5.21 "Last Rites" (brief mention of funeral scene), Slowburn SQ.
~In Need Of Healing~
Chapter One: Don't Die On Me
How many times could a heart be broken before it could never be mended again? How many times did love have to slip from your fingers before it just made more sense to never love again? How many times did Emma Swan's life have to be turned upside down because of the evil that seemed destined to disturb the little peace that Storybrooke ever received?
Why her?
She sacrificed everything for everyone around her. No one ever had to ask her otherwise. It wasn't because her title as the so-called Savoir of Storybrooke made her feel obligated to be the hero. Emma always put everyone else first because that's the kind of person she was. And Regina admired her for that.
She was currently sitting in her Mercedes, parked on the opposite side of the street from the docks. She watched Emma, who was sitting on bench just before the pier began. Her head hung low, and she could see the rise and fall of her shoulders as she wept the death of her beloved pirate. The intensity of the rain matched her sobs, as if the magic of the true love between the two was the very force controlling the weather. Regina glanced at her own reflection through the rearview mirror. The only difference between her emotions and the blonde's was that she no longer had any tears left. She had cried all of the tears she could possibly cry.
Robin had died. His funeral was today.
It had set Emma off. She had only made it minutes into the service before making a break for it. Despite her parents' efforts to pull her back, it was no use. The blonde was determined to run away from the very thing that brought back the painful memories of saying her last goodbye to Hook.
Regina wanted to run after her. Zelena even nudged her elbow to encourage her to follow. But she didn't make the slightest movement to turn away from the coffin. Her soul mate had died. The very person she was meant to spend the rest of her life with. How could she justify leaving? It would be dishonorable.
Henry had tried to go after her, but Charming stopped him.
"She needs time, Henry."
She needs me.
Regina had to bite her lip to keep the words from escaping her lips.
Hook and Robin weren't the only ones to die. Hades did too. Unlike Hook and Robin, he deserved his death.
Damn bastard he was.
Hades had tricked them, killing Robin to get back at Regina for taking everything from Zelena. His intentions were out of his love for her, and he was going to make Storybrooke her kingdom, the one that Regina had apparently robbed from her. He thought Zelena would be overcome with happiness at seeing her suffer. But her sister's reaction was quite the opposite.
"You do not hurt my sister like that!"
"She ruined your life."
"No. You ruined her life. And I will not let you harm any more of my family or friends."
Regina had smiled at her comment, but it was short lived as the scene played out.
More death. Zelena ended Hades' demise. Regina had witnessed her fall to the ground as his body went limb in her arms. She heard the choked up whisper ("I loved you, and you betrayed me. All of us."), tearing up as Zelena buried her head into his chest and sobbed uncontrollably. She came to her side, rubbing her back gently to comfort her.
Emma had been there. She ran away then, too.
The blonde couldn't handle death anymore.
At the conclusion of the funeral, Zelena approached Regina. And her discussion had nothing to do with Robin.
"You need to go talk to her."
"Me?"
"Yes, you."
Regina gripped the umbrella handle tighter and looked down at the ground.
"Honestly, Regina. She needs you, and you need her."
"How…?"
"Sisters know these things." She gave her a small smile. "I see how you look at her. How concerned you've been about her since coming back. I know that this loss… Well, it hurts, but it's hurting you more to see Emma so down. You were shedding tears for both Robin and her today."
That was what brought her here. Watching over Emma from a distance. She appreciated how much Zelena fought for her and her friends since they'd made up in the Underworld. It had only been a week since that eventful day happened, yet they had grown so close to one another.
Thank you, Mother, for bringing us together again.
Regina stepped out of the car and walked over to the bench. She didn't bother bringing an umbrella with her. She wanted the rain to seep into her clothes, wash away all the pain, and make her numb to her feelings. Despite losing Robin a few days ago, she only felt the slightest remorse for his death. Her heart hurt more seeing Emma so broken, and Zelena had pinpointed exactly that.
She knew how Regina felt for Emma.
"Emma."
The blonde turned her head to glance at her. Sad green eyes stared into her brown ones.
She came around the bench and sat next to her. Emma continued to stare at her.
"Talk to me, dear."
Her lips quivered, but no noise escaped them.
"Emma, it's going to be okay."
She shook her head.
"I know it really hurts now, but things will get better with time. I promise."
Emma still didn't say anything. Instead, she rested her head on her shoulder and began to cry again. Regina put an arm around her and pulled her close. She ran her hand through the blonde's hair, careful to be gentle when her fingertips hit tangled knots. They stayed like that for a few minutes before she finally said something, her voice barely audible as she spoke.
"I'm sorry, Regina. About Robin."
"It's… It's okay. I'm sorry too, dear. About Killian."
Emma reached for her hands and squeezed them. Regina could feel her hands trembling in her grip. She looked down at her in concern.
"I'm so scared, Regina. I'm so fucking scared."
"Why are you scared, Emma?"
"I… I can't tell you."
"Tell me."
"No. I can't."
"Why?"
"Because… I might lose you too."
"You won't lose me. I'm right here. I'm not letting go."
"You can't promise that."
"Yes, I can."
Emma let out an exasperated gasp.
"Emma, I promise. Please. Tell me what's on your mind."
She struggled several times to get the words out in between sobs. When she did, the words suffocated Regina, like someone had pulled out her heart and was in the process of crushing it.
"Don't die on me." She backed away from her and gave her a serious stare. "Do not die on me. You hear me, Regina Mills? I swear if you die on me, I won't be able to live anymore."
"Emma…"
"Please! I can't lose you."
Regina tucked a lock of blond hair behind her ear and brought her hand to her cheek. "I'm not going anywhere, Emma."
The corners of her lips turned upward, and the smallest, quickest of smiles appeared upon her face. She began to lean toward her, and Regina prepared herself for what she thought was going to happen. She stroked her thumb along Emma's cheek, and slowly, when she was just inches away from her lips, she let her eyes close.
The rain began to lessen.
Regina was convinced.
It wasn't the true love between Emma and Hook affecting the weather. It was them. All of the pent up emotions between her and the blonde that had been building up for four years.
Emotions.
Building.
It was…
One simple word that carried so much weight with it.
I have to tell her.
"Emma," she whispered softly, "I…"
"I can't do this."
Regina's eyes flashed open to the blonde's panic-stricken face. She let her hand fall to her side.
"I'm sorry, Regina. I just…" She stood up from the bench and took a few steps backward. "I can't."
And then Emma ran away from her, as if she had already become a dying figure in her mind.
It only took a matter of seconds before the rain picked up again. The moment inspired the tears to come rushing back.
I love you.
I love you, Emma Swan.
I love you with all my heart.
You saved me once. Now let me save you.
Let me be your Savior.
Let me heal your broken heart once and for all.
Regina gazed out at the ocean and shivered.
If only she knew of the long road she had ahead of her.
Should I continue? Leave a review and let me know what you think. :)