"Actually, Some Cake Sounds Pretty Damned Good Right About Now"
(Sequel to "I don't Want Any Cake")
Emma felt astounded. Her heart clenched painfully as Regina continued to weep openly against her. Tears, cake and sticky icing all mingled together between them. Regina's body was hot, her weight heavy against Emma's body- molded and solid. She stroked her hair, rocked her body, but was unable to whisper verbal reassurances. There was nothing Emma could say to excuse Henry. There was nothing that would comfort Regina without it sounding empty and hollow.
What does one do with a broken and sobbing Evil Queen?
Fortunately, Emma was uniquely qualified to handle just such a situation –they didn't call her The Savior for nothing. Emma shook Regina lightly when she finally stilled, the sobs had ended but she was still breathing heavily against Emma's neck. Being this close and intimate with Regina was always to be avoided, as even in this circumstance, Emma felt an unholy stab of attraction and arousal for the woman despite everything.
Emma tamped those feelings down and focused on her own uncomfortable feelings. Emma's butt hurt from sitting on the cement, and her stomach and forearms throbbed dully from Regina's attack. Emma was also sure Regina's knees were scraped and sore, but that seemed to be the least of Regina's concern at the moment. There was no point in attempting to distance herself: what concerned Regina also concerned Emma, always.
"Hey, let me take you home, and get us cleaned up," Emma looked around in uneasiness, patting Regina's back as if she were a child. In this moment, she seemed to be: all cried out and half-asleep in Emma's arms. She was non-threatening and fragile. Which may have been what frightened Emma the most.
Stiffly, they stood up together. Emma kept her arms around Regina, who seemed to be in a far off catatonic-like state. She directed her to the passenger side of the car without so much as a single insult, barb or protest from Regina. Not a good sign. A healthy evil Queen is a bitchy evil Queen, and Emma missed her spark.
Snow came floundering rapidly out of Granny's, "Emma, where have you been? We just wrapped up the leftover cake."
"Oh, hey, do mind taking Henry…I need to drive Regina home," Emma stomped her foot, but took the leftover cake from Snow when she offered it.
"Oh my God, is she that drunk? Emma…oh no!" Snow spoke in a hushed and scandalized tone, and then gasped when she finally noticed the dirt and cake imbedded into Emma's clothes and skin. Snow peered over, through the window of the Benz to get a look at Regina, but Regina had her gaze averted as she stared numbly at the graffiti on the wall of the alley.
Emma's cheeks burned and she twisted physically to avoid explanation, "Just get Henry tucked in and I'll be back home after I make sure Regina is okay."
"Ok…happy birthday, Emma! I love you!" Snow chirped, but her lips curled into a frown as she watched Emma hop in the Benz and speed off with Regina… and the cake.
….
Emma was silently dismissed the second she pulled up to Regina's drive, "My keys."
Regina held out her hand, mustering up and shooting Emma a daring glare that said, "yes, you're going to walk your ass back to town, and I don't give a fuck about it, and if you tell anyone ever that I cried like a baby in your arms for what felt like an eternity I will kill you as you stand- don't think I won't!"
Emma shrugged and exited the car, balancing the cake in one hand, she easily found Regina's house key. She strode with purpose up the sidewalk and let herself inside.
Regina had no choice but to follow indignantly, "I am fine now. That was just a momentary lapse of…something we're not going to talk about. Kindly see yourself out!"
Emma took off her jacket, making herself comfortable as she focused singularly on a task unknown to Regina. Emma placed the cake pan on the dining room and took off the foil.
"Come here!" Emma ordered. The shifts and dynamics of their relationship never seemed to cease. Regina stalked closer a dark shadow crossed her puffy eyes and tear stained cheeks.
"Sit."
"What's this?" Regina grumbled but took her spot at the head of the table. Emma placed a single candle on the cake, pushing in through the icing. She found her lighter in her jacket pocket and lit it while Regina looked on in confusion.
"Last year, do you remember I told you about my birthday wish and you were a super bitch about it? But still, it came true. I wished that I wouldn't have to be alone on my birthday? Then Henry came knocking on my door. And you know the rest…" Emma felt emotional just recalling it. Lightness bloomed in her heart remembering the moment she had the irrevocable inkling that her wish really had come true. That she had been heard and answered. She leaned over Regina's shoulder, resting her chin there lightly. Since the woman just had a breakdown on top of her it actually seemed odd and unnatural to not be close to one another.
Regina stared at the flickering candle, and then turned her eyes on Emma's.
"Go on…I'm giving you my birthday wish. I was saving it, but I want you to have it. Wish for Henry to come back to you," Emma stood up behind her and placed her hands on Regina's back in a gesture of encouragement.
Tears filled Regina's eyes. Never in all her life had someone given her a wish. It was too great of a gift, and it was coming from Emma. Regina blinked rapidly before she took an inhale and recited the wish in her clearly in thoughts, and then she blew. She opened her eyes just as a thin trail of grey smoke curled from the burnt wick. Regina felt as though the wish was impossible, but she felt a strong tug of gratitude toward Emma. She relaxed into the soothing hands on her back.
"I'd think I'd like some cake now," Regina stated expectantly. Emma just smiled and moved around the table to cut her a huge corner piece with a red flower and extra icing.