"Is that truly the way you feel, Miss Lucas?"
Ruby and Belle spun around to find the queen standing behind them. "Shit." Ruby muttered. "Um, Regina. What are you doing here?"
"I came to pick up a late order from Granny, I didn't feel like cooking. Don't change the subject."
Ruby gulped. "Um, what was the question again?"
"What you just said to Belle." Regina said, walking towards her. "Did you mean that?"
Ruby took a few steps back until she bumped into the table. Regina stopped directly in front of her, looking her in the eye.
"Um, I should probably go." Belle said, quickly gathering her things and leaving, but giving Ruby a look that said they would be discussing the outcome later, leaving the brunettes alone. Ruby half hoped that Granny would come out of the back or one of the other waitresses would come back. But there was nothing but silence.
"Miss Lucas, it is a yes or no question." Regina said, tilting her head.
"Yes." Ruby sighed. "Okay, yes. I am in love with you. Happy now?"
Regina took a step back. "I am quite pleased, yes. Why didn't you ever tell me?"
"Because I didn't even know you liked women until today. And I didn't think you'd really want to be with me." Ruby said. "I mean, you are this crazy attractive woman who was once a queen and I'm just...a waitress with a bad fur problem."
"Turning into a wolf is an impressive feat, dear. And you are not just a- wait, how did you find out I liked women?"
"When Ronno asked you about what you prefer-"
"That little bastard." Regina suddenly snapped. "He knew all along."
"Well yeah, he told me he knew me and Emma had a thing for you today."
"So she does have feelings for me?" Regina wanted to confirm.
"Yes."
Regina scratched the back of her ear in thought. This was quite a bit to take in, and she needed to assess how she wanted to deal with this. "Thank you for this information, Miss Lucas." Ruby frowned. "Thank you, Ruby. But I think I should go home and talk to my satyr son."
"Wait." Ruby reached out to touch her arm, momentarily distracted once again by how soft and smooth the queen's skin was. She pulled Regina back towards her, loving the way her hands seemed to fit perfectly on her waist, and looked into her eyes. "And how do you feel...about me?"
Regina smiled softly. "To be perfectly honest, Ruby, I have never seen you as more than a friend, a good friend. The same with Emma, although I have never wanted to murder you for stupidity as I have with her. But that's mostly because, I've never been...truly loved before. Now that I know, I can see it in your eyes, and that's frightening for me. I haven't loved anyone since Daniel. I did love Graham but it wasn't the same. And Robin obviously didn't really love me. Love is a difficult subject for me. I don't know how to love very well. The last thing I want to do is hurt you."
"So, what does that mean?" Ruby asked. Her feelings had been momentarily crushed when Regina referred to her as a friend, but thinking back on it, she completely understood where Regina was coming from. Regina had never had the best experiences in love, whether it was romantically or even with her son. Henry had at one point treated terribly because of her past. A past she was still trying to make up for. She deserved so much better. "I won't rush you. You know, take your time." Ruby said, releasing her and taking a step back. "Does that mean I could have a chance? I know you might have a thing for Emma too but-"
"I have yet to figure out how I feel." Regina said. "But of course you have a chance. I just need to…"
"I understand." Ruby nodded.
"Thank you." Regina smiled and disappeared in a cloud of purple smoke.
Ruby sat down and tried to calm her rapidly beating heart. Regina knew now. It was like a bucket of cold water being thrown over her and she was a little scared. She knew about Emma too, and that could mean the queen could choose the savior over her. The wolf in her grew enraged at the thought. She felt her eyes glow and the next thing she knew she was tearing apart the table she'd been cleaning. Immediately afterwards she felt even more angry that she'd let her wolf take control. Ever since Peter that was one thing that she'd swore she'd never do. She calmed herself down and ran her fingers through her hair. She loved Regina. She wouldn't interfere with her happiness. But there was going to be a war before she let Emma take her away. Sudden pain in the back of her leg made her whip around. "Granny." She hissed, wrenching out the arrow. "I was fine. I calmed down."
"I know, that was for destroying my table. Now fix it."
xxxxxxxx
Regina appeared in her kitchen with the food and walked into the living room. Emma was playing with Roland with Henry sitting next to her on the couch. Ronno was getting a fire started in the fireplace.
"Foods here." She said.
Emma immediately stood up, shoving them playfully back onto the couch before racing into the kitchen. Henry and Roland quickly got back up to chase her. Ronno stood up after getting the fire started.
"You. Stay."
He flattened his ears against his head, looking confused. "Did I do something wrong?"
"You knew. About Emma and Ruby."
He straightened his ears and sighed. "Finally figured it out?" He grinned.
"How did you know when even I didn't?"
"Well, whenever they talked to you, I was free to watch them. I don't really see how you could've missed it unless you were ignoring it."
"And today. Asking me about what I preferred?"
"I wanted to see Ruby's reaction."
"And asking me if I noticed?"
"I thought you would've."
Regina folded her arms. "So what did you go back to tell Ruby today?"
He shrugged. "Just about a plant called Ivina. I was sincerely trying to help at that point."
Regina sighed. "She's in heat? Why didn't she just tell me that?"
"Because she's a possessive alpha werewolf who's in love with you. It would make sense since that you are the one her wolf would like nothing more than to mate with."
Regina narrowed her eyes, replaying all of this slowly. She wondered why she hadn't noticed all of the apparently obvious signs. Then again, it didn't surprise her that the boy was more emotionally intelligent than she was. "I'm not sure whether to kiss you or kick you."
"Kiss." He said immediately with a grin.
"Come here." She grabbed him and kissed his forehead. "No more deviousness."
"I cannot promise that."
She smiled. "Come on." She pushed him towards the kitchen. Emma passed out the food and they all sat down to eat. Regina couldn't help but smile at the way Emma seemed to fit right in to the family fold. Ronno seemed to get along with her well enough. She wondered for the first time if it was possible for them to be a family. A true family.
Xxxxxxxxx
Emma found Ruby later that evening sitting on a log, staring out over the lake. She tucked her hands into her jacket and sat down next to her. "So...Regina knows?"
"Yep." Ruby sighed. "She poofed in a few hours ago and heard me talking to Belle." She replied, still staring at the water.
"I'm sorry, Ruby, for the things I said about Peter."
"It's alright."
"It's not. That was uncalled for and you didn't deserve that. I was arrogant and stupid and-"
"It's okay, Emma." Ruby smiled. "All's fair in love and war, right?"
"I guess I was jealous, seeing the way she was so concerned about you in the diner."
"Emma, you have no reason to be jealous." Ruby scoffed, turning to look at her. "You have a son with her, a child. That in itself would be enough to earn you a place at her side."
"Henry's not her only son anymore and I'm already sure Ronno likes you better." Emma countered. They both sighed and turned back to the water. "I'm just surprised that she might even give me the time of day after I screwed up her happy ending with Robin, and caused so many problems when I first got here."
"I thought she would've killed you once she got her magic back for you cutting off a piece of her tree." Ruby chuckled. Emma smiled. "Her heart isn't like that though." She paused. "Do you love her?"
"Yes."
"Would you fight for her? You know you won't get a lot of love for dating Regina." Ruby said. "And your parents are already assholes enough to her."
"I'd fight for her. The love of this town is not what I want. It's hers. And my parents will deal with it. I do truly care about Regina, Ruby. And I know that you do too."
"Well then, I suppose we need to talk to her then." Ruby sighed. "That's going to be fun."
"Or we can give her some time to think it over."
"You're probably right." Ruby nodded.
xxxxxxx
Regina laughed when they walked into the library and Ronno's jaw dropped.
"I've never seen so many books." He said in a breathless whisper.
"Well, you've come to the right place if you like to read." Belle said as she walked over. She dipped her head respectfully to Regina. "Hello Regina."
"Belle. This is my son, Ronno."
Ronno looked up and smiled, offered his hand and bowed deeply.
"My, what a gentleman." Belle purred in her distinct accent.
Ronno smiled. "Can I really check out any books I want?"
"Of course." Said the librarian.
"As many as I want?"
"Yes."
He grinned and took off into the library, excitedly looking over the spines of the books.
"He seems like a good young man." Belle commented to the queen.
"He is far more." Regina said softly, watching with amusement as he carefully put a book back and turned to a new one. "He is my...savior."
Belle tilted her head as she looked at the queen in momentary fascination. "I have never seen you so bright. Not even with Henry."
"Well, I have a new light." Regina responded fondly. She walked forward and sat down as Ronno ran around collecting books. Her thoughts started to wander to her current predicament with Emma and Ruby. She purposefully hadn't been around either one of them since Henry and Roland went home and neither had tried to contact her. There was so much she needed to think through, and she needed to assess her feelings for both of the women.
"You want to talk, Regina?" Ronno asked, completing one stack of books and starting on another.
"Talk?" She asked, focusing on him.
He paused to look up at her. "No one's here. Belle doesn't care, she's reading." He said gesturing to where the woman was sitting behind the desk, thoroughly engrossed in a book. "I'm all ears, and pretty wise for my age." He said with a smirk, flipping through a book before putting it back on the shelf.
"What do you know about matters of the heart?" She raised an eyebrow at him.
"Very little, I'll admit. But I did notice that they were in love with you before you did." He grinned.
She nodded, thinking it over. "You have a point. Fine." She sat forward and crossed her legs. "I don't know how to love very well. Anyone who has ever wanted a relationship has always wanted something in return. As much as I care both Emma and Ruby, I don't know if I could ever give them my heart."
"That's understandable, after everything you've been through. If they really loved you, they wouldn't care how long it would take. They'd just want what was best for you, even if it's not them." He said, glancing up at her. "You want me to talk to them? You know, check 'em out?"
"I have had enough of your devious little schemes for now." Regina smiled, but it ultimately faded. "Why would they love me?"
"You did not just ask that!" Ronno suddenly snapped, startling both Belle and Regina.
Regina shushed him. "You're in a library."
He waved his hand dismissively and turned back to his books until Belle went back to hers. "Why wouldn't they love you? Why wouldn't anyone love you? I have never met someone as awesome and kindhearted as you. I mean, you risked your life to save all of those idiots. I didn't hear a single thank you."
Regina scowled and reached into her chest and wrenched out her heart with a soft grunt. Ronno looked confused as he quickly walked to her side. She held up the heart. "Small heart. Dark heart. Blackened from a lifetime of despicable acts and consumed with vengeance. You see that hole? I put it there myself because I could not contain my hatred and anger. Is that someone you would want to love?" She met his eyes as her own sparkled with unshed tears.
Ronno placed his hands gently over the heart. "Small heart. Strong heart. Broken by the manipulations of countless people trying to force you to be something you're not. You had every right to be angry with Snow for telling your secret. It doesn't seem like much to them but I know the truth. On that night, you lost everything, your first love, your freedom and your innocence. That hole and this blackness is only a testament to show you how resilient you are, that you can love with all of this blackness and a hole in your heart." He chuckled and his voice cracked. "You don't even need it. You feel with your soul, not your heart. And yes, it is someone I would love. It's someone I do love. Very much. A star cannot shine without darkness." With a gentle push, he put her heart back and kissed her cheek as she pulled him into her arms and crushed him to her chest. She made them disappear and reappear in her living room. She wasn't interested in letting anyone see her in this state. Ronno said nothing as she sobbed uncontrollably.
Xxxxxxxx
Belle slowly put down her book and stood up, a bit overwhelmed by what she had just witnessed. She had never seen Regina break down like that, but her heart had been warmed by Ronno's actions. It was unexpected, but not unpleasantly so. She gathered up the huge stack of books that Ronno had placed on the table. They ranged from fantasy to science fiction to books about different cultures and countries. She checked them out under Regina's name and placed them in a bag and made her way to the mansion.
Ronno opened the door after a minute of knocking. "These are yours."
He slowly took the bag and looked at her in surprise. "Thank you. But you didn't have to-"
"It's alright. It's the least I could do. Tell Regina that I send my best wishes." Belle smiled. "I'm glad she has you now."
"I'm the one who's glad." He said with conviction. "But thank you. I'll make sure to tell her." She dipped her head and turned to leave. He closed the door and rejoined Regina in the living room. She was sitting regally on the chair, having cleaned herself up. "Are you alright?"
She nodded. "Thank you, Ronno."
"No problem. We won't have to have that discussion again, will we?" He asked with a smirk.
"No, I'm fine with it now." She smiled and pulled him in for another hug and kissed his forehead. "Now, what did you get?"
xxxxxxxxx
It was late evening by the time Emma and Ruby walked up to the Mills mansion and knocked on the door. Both of them were nervous out of their minds, not knowing what was to come. They wanted to tell Regina that they were willing to be fair about this but they did indeed want a relationship with her. No one answered the door. It was actually unlocked.
"That's weird." Emma said, hand reaching for her pistol.
Ruby tilted her head as she followed the blonde into the house and heard sounds of a struggle. There was a heavy thud and they both rushed into the living room.
"Say it!" Regina said, currently sitting on Ronno's back.
"Never!"
"Say it." Regina grinned.
"No!"
Regina sighed and leaned back before noticing the presence of the other two. "Hey guys." She smiled. Ronno tried to buck her off, but failed as she simply lifted herself up and sat back down heavily. "Can I help you?"
"Uh, we just wanted to talk to you, about everything." Emma said. "If that's alright."
"Perfectly so." Regina grinned before looking down at Ronno's wagging tail and gave it a tug. He jumped. "Say it!"
"Alright!" He snapped. "Regina rules, the Queen rules, villains rule and everyone else sucks."
She stood up. "It's about time."
"You cheated."
"How did I cheat?"
He paused. "I don't know, but you did!"
Regina laughed and ruffled his hair. "Sure, I need to speak with our guests privately."
"Yeah, yeah, go upstairs, I know." He said. "See you, Emma and Ruby."
"Later kid." Emma said.
He raised an eyebrow at that, and the blonde smirked in response.
"See you Ronno." Ruby said, sitting down on the couch, lazily crossing her legs. She wasn't sure why her wolf felt so comfortable here. Regina's scent was heavy in the air and so soothing. The scent of her mate. Well, soon to be mate. She hoped. It would've been too much to stand while they were both in heat, but luckily she'd eaten about 20 Ivina blossoms before coming over here.
Ronno went upstairs and Regina offered them a glass of cider. It was rare that they were presented with such, so they were more than ready to agree. After a few sips and a comfortable silence, Regina was the first to speak.
"I don't know how to do...this." She admitted. "Other than Daniel and Robin, I've never had anyone who just wanted to be with me, for me. They've always wanted something in return. I don't know how to...date. I don't how to love the way you do."
"We understand that." Emma said.
"The only thing we want, Regina, is you." Ruby added. "That's it."
"That's still not an easy thing to give. You know my heart has been through a lot." Regina said softly, looking down at her glass.
"Then tell us how you feel." Emma suggested. "Right now, how you feel about us."
Regina sighed and leaned back in her recliner. "Well, I think the both of you are out of your minds." She paused. "And I've never considered a romantic relationship with either one of you, although...it was a pleasant surprise when you confessed your feelings."
"So you would consider dating, one of us?" Emma asked.
"Why not both?" Ruby said.
"What?" The blonde asked.
"Well, she has to realize that she likes me the best."
"As if." Emma gestured to herself. "How can she not love this?"
Regina suddenly burst out laughing, surprising them both. She smiled as she wiped a tear from her ears. "How about we take things a little slower?"
"That's perfectly fine." Emma said quickly. "Whatever you want to do, Regina."
"So if I wanted both of you to strip naked right now, you would do it?" Regina peeked at them as she turned her head.
"Only if you're getting naked too." Ruby replied, grinning wolfishly. She suddenly scowled. "Thanks Regina. I'm already in heat and you put those thoughts in my head. Thanks a lot."
"My pleasure." Regina smirked.
"Why don't we plan something for the weekend?" Emma asked.
"Such as?"
"Hike to the lake? Preferably next month, I'm off for like a week then." Ruby suggested.
Regina nodded. "That sounds excellent. But first, you have to pass the test."
"What test?" Both women immediately frowned.
"Ronno wants to test you. See if you're worthy." Regina grinned. "I have no idea what he's gonna do, so don't ask." She downed the last of her cider and stood up to pour herself another glass. She was very conscious of two pairs of eyes staring intently at her ass as she did so.
"Regina, let me be the first to tell you that are a vision of perfection. Absolutely stunning." Ruby said her eyes moving upwards as the queen turned around.
"Thanks dear, but you're actually not the first to tell me that."
"Then who did?" Emma said lowly. "Can I shoot them?"
"They're dead, dear." Regina answered, sipping her cider. "But anyways, will that be all?"
"Yeah. That's it I suppose." Ruby nodded, rising to her feet. "I should go...before the Ivina wears off and I end up tackling you and ripping your clothes off."
Regina smiled and crooked her finger, beckoning the werewolf closer. "Thank you for what you said in the diner."
"No problem, Regina." Ruby shrugged. She froze when Regina leaned forward to place a lingering kiss on her cheek. It wasn't anything special, but Ruby could've sworn her heart stopped for a moment before it began hammering like crazy and she became lightheaded.
Regina smiled, clearly pleased with the effect she had on the werewolf.
"What? Did you say something?" Ruby asked.
"No, I didn't. You should go before you shift, your eyes are glowing."
"What? Your mouth is moving but I can't hear anything." Ruby said, tilting her head. Damn, if this is what a simple kiss on the cheek could do, just imagine what would happen if she kissed Regina on the lips...or if they made love. "So yeah, see you Regina." She said quickly, turning to leave. She quickly exited the house and sighed as she shifted and took off, trying unsuccessfully to rid her mind of Regina being naked. She was going to have to Run all night.
"It's just us now." Emma said, standing up and walking towards the queen. "She's gone, now we make love passionately in front of the roaring fire." Regina smirked and placed a hand on her chest, stopping her from coming any closer. "Can't blame me for trying. Anyways, Regina, before I go, I just wanted to apologize."
"For?"
"A lot of stuff." Emma sighed, scratching the back of her head. Regina said nothing as she sipped her cider again. "There is a lot I need to make up for. I tried to take Henry from you, I ruined your happy ending with Robin, I was a real ass to you, and you didn't deserve that. Not when I didn't know you. So yeah, I'm sorry. Also, I apologize for cutting off a piece of your tree."
Regina frowned. She'd forgotten all about that. "Well, Henry is always a tough spot for me, as you know. I'm over Robin. And yes, you were an ass. So I reacted accordingly by being a bitch." Emma smiled. "As for my tree, now that you reminded me, I don't think I ...repaid you for that."
Emma's smile disappeared. "That will not be necessary, Regina. Didn't you throw me halfway down your walkway once? I think that was payment enough."
"Perhaps." Regina smirked after a moment. "But you should go. Your parents and Henry might be wondering where you are at such a late hour." She grinned to herself as she walked the blonde to the door.
Emma opened the door and stepped out onto the porch, pushing her open palms into her back pockets. Regina was momentarily distracted by how good she looked in those tight jeans. She hadn't really thought about either women in a sexual nature. However, once it was pointed out...She grinned, imagining herself ripping them off with magic, and Emma's shirt and bra, leaving her in nothing but that annoying red jacket. Then she thought of Ruby. The she-wolf had amazing legs. Her outfits from her cursed self left little to the imagination. Both were indeed sexy as hell, it made her extremely horny just thinking about it.
"Yo, Regina, you alright?" Emma waved her hand in front of the brunette's face.
Regina waited a moment before reacting, arching a perfect eyebrow. "Yes?"
"You uh, went off somewhere for a moment there."
"Oh sorry, I have... a lot on my mind." She said smoothly.
"I'm sure. I should go and let you get to bed." She smiled shyly. "Do I get a kiss like Ruby?"
"No."
Emma's face fell although she quickly tried to recover. "Oh...okay then."
Regina shook her head as she grabbed the blonde and kissed her cheek. "You are so gullible Miss Swan." She smiled as Emma turned red and smiled herself. "How about another? Perhaps...on the lips?" Regina asked, sincerely, looking uncertain.
Emma looked surprised, which she undoubtedly was. "Um, sure."
"Can you...close your eyes?"
"You never struck me as the shy type." Emma said, but obeyed.
Regina took a step back as Ronno released a water balloon from above, directly on top of the blonde's head. Emma squealed in shock and leaped backwards.
"Bullseye!" Ronno yelled as he swung himself down off the roof.
Regina only smiled as her son burst out laughing. "That is for my tree by the way."
Emma blinked water out of her eyes. "Is that right?"
"Yes, that's right."
Emma took a threatening step towards her. "You sure? I have magic too, Regina." She grinned evilly and lashed out with her hands and suddenly water came flooding out of the house, hitting all three of them and blasting them across the yard.
"Oh great job, Savior." Regina said, trying to be pissed about her house being ruined, but she shocked the other two by bursting out laughing, rolling across the wet grass while the laughter poured out.
"Regina! Stop it, you're scaring me!" Emma said, confused as hell by the guffawing brunette. She expected incineration or broken bones. Not that she wasn't upset by that, but she was confused.
Then Ronno started laughing and Regina sat up, grinning broadly. "That was pretty good Emma."
"Indeed." Regina grinned, before frowning. "Now fix my house."
The house was fixed and Emma magically dried herself off and hugged Regina again before driving home, feeling better than she had in a very long time. Regina was going to give her and Ruby a chance. That meant she needed to step up her game a bit. She really loved Regina. But she knew Ruby did too. It wasn't going to be easy winning the brunette over.
xxxxxxx
Regina finished blow drying her hair after a nice shower and wrapped herself in her robe and made her way to Ronno's room. She peeked in and found him sitting on the balcony that she'd added to his room. He was talking quietly to himself, looking up at the moon. She tapped lightly on the door before stepping out and sitting next to him on the small couch. "You okay?"
"Yeah." He nodded, filling the air with the scent of his shampoo and soap that he'd just used. "Um, when you said that if I wanted to talk, you know, about my past…"
"Yes."
"I think I'm ready to do that. But I don't know where to start."
She leaned back in the chair and curled her legs underneath her as he slid to the other end and turned to face her. "Why don't you start with your parents?" She suggested. "Unless they aren't good memories. I know how that can be." She pushed away memories of her abusive mother and her cowardly father. As much as she'd loved her father, he'd been too weak, too afraid to protect her from her mother's wrath.
He shrugged. "I suppose it doesn't really matter. Okay, here goes. I am not a full blooded satyr. My dad was the satyr, and my mom was a nymph."
"A nymph?" She said in confusion.
"Yes. Basically a very beautiful woman who lives in the seas, rivers, trees, etc. She lived in the woods though. She loved the wilderness." He said with a smile.
"That must mean you're going to be very handsome."
"Going to be?" He gestured to his face. "Hello? I think I'm already there."
She grinned. "True. Very true."
"You can buy me a milkshake at Granny's to make it up to me." He said smugly.
"Fine." Regina rolled her eyes. "Please continue."
"Okay, um, the beginning isn't really that interesting. My mom and dad met, fell in love, had me. I don't remember much from then, but I do remember a lot of arguing. Well, my dad argued. My mom just looked at him like he was stupid." He smiled. "Her facial expressions were almost as funny as yours. Anyways, things seemed okay for a year or two. We age differently than humans so... My dad decided to cheat on my mom with a faun."
"I thought fauns and satyrs were the same thing." She mused.
He shook his head. "Fauns are bigger, more nasty. They're the ones with the horse tails instead of goat tails. They're like...a different breed I suppose."
She nodded in understanding. "Your mom must not have been too happy about that."
"No, she didn't really seem to care. She did hit him over the head with a spear once, but then she seemed satisfied. After that, it was just me and her. The funny thing is, I never called her Mom or Mother."
"Then what did you address her with?" Regina asked. "Her name?" She wondered why he always addressed her with her name instead of Mom like Henry.
"No, but she never called me by my name either. Only when she was very serious." He looked up at the sky. "She always called me the moon of her life, or just Moon sometimes for short. I called her My Sun and Stars."
"That's why I always find you looking at the moon."
"I was...talking to her." He looked down, looking sheepish. "Telling her about you."
She smiled, touched by his actions. His mother sounded like a good woman, however she could only picture his dad as a colossal prick, even though she knew it was wrong to judge someone based on someone else's account. The fact that anyone could leave this boy at all astonished and enraged her.
"Anyways, my mom was my protector, my teacher. She showed me how to connect with the forest and stuff. That's how I controlled the vines in Neverland. She kept the other satyrs from trying to fight me. Even then I didn't know why they hated me, probably because I'm a half breed. But everything was perfect. Me and her...it was the way it was supposed to be." He paused, letting his gaze fall to her and raised an eyebrow. "Then it turned out I had a brother. Half-brother actually."
"Your father had a son with the faun."
"Unfortunately. He turned out to be just as much of an ass as my dad." He frowned, lip curling in disgust. "He was a bully, and he was bigger than me so he made full use of that. The faun lady left my brother with dad and took off, and I guess he assumed he would be welcomed back with me and mom. Very bad idea. She kicked him and my brother out, but they didn't stay out. There was some kind of attack. I don't who did it or why, but the whole village was set on fire. Our house was burning and there was so much smoke. She tried to get me out of the house, but the beams collapsed and she got trapped underneath." Regina straightened up then and looked at the boy intently. His voice didn't crack though, neither did he cry. "I tried to help, but I wasn't strong enough, and she told me to get out, to run, get as far away as possible. But I didn't want to leave her. She told me that she would always be with me. Every shift in the wind, every shake of a tree, every starry night. It would be her watching over me. I would forever be the moon of her life. Then she used the last of her magic to push me out of the house. But I tried to run back in and save her...and I saw them. My dad and my brother were pulling her out of the house. I thought they were trying to save her, but they weren't. She was screaming and trying to get away. She kicked my dad in the leg so hard, the bone snapped. But my brother started beating her and I-I tried to help. But I was too small and too weak. I couldn't do much. My dad knocked me out and when I woke up, they were gone. The village had been razed, most of the people were dead. I looked for her, my sun and stars. But I couldn't find her. When the village started to rebuild, everything changed."
"That's when they started treating you badly. Your mother couldn't protect you anymore." Regina said softly. She was internally crying for what the child had witnessed, had been forced to endure. He was only a child, and he'd seen so much darkness and death already.
"Yeah." He continued. "It was pretty bad. Without my mom, there was nothing to stop them. One day I was beaten within inches of my life. And I don't even know why."
"Why didn't you leave?" Regina asked. "Surely, any place would've been better than that one. You could've started over somewhere else."
"The village was all I'd ever known." He stated solemnly. "I was afraid. And...I thought one day my mom would come back looking for me. She didn't. Pan came. He offered them a deal. Give him a boy child, or he would destroy everything." He paused. "I was the first name to go out. They dragged me to Pan but he destroyed the place anyway. The rest is history. Up until you came , it was basically the same thing."
"I'm sorry." She said, unable to think of anything else to say.
"For what?" He asked, looking up at her. "You saved me. It's because of you that I have a second chance at life. I'm grateful. What doesn't kill you makes you stronger, right?"
She smiled. "Right." She pulled him into her arms and kissed his hair. "Your strength is amazing. I have never met such a strong boy."
"I love you, Regina." He said softly.
"I love you too, Ronno."
"You have no idea how much."
She smiled and hugged him tighter. "I bet you I love you more."
"Not possible." He scoffed.
"Thank you for telling me your story."
"You told me yours." He countered with a smile and kiss on her cheek.
She smiled. "Come on, let's get you to bed." She stood up and he hopped up to follow. They walked back into the bedroom, locking the door behind them and she looked up, noticing a map on the wall that she'd missed before. She lit the lamp with a flick of her wrist and looked at it. "What is this?" It was a world map, covering most of the wall with small red marks all over it.
"Oh that. Well, some of the books I checked out were about some of the places in this realm, and I thought when I got older that I would visit them some day." He said, coming to her side.
She tilted her head, looking at all the marks he'd made and hearing the excitement in his voice. It was an adventure worth having. She hadn't been out of Storybrooke that much, nowhere close to where he wanted to go. But it did sound interesting. "Why wait?"
"What?" He asked, looking up at her.
"Why wait until you're older?" She replied, meeting his gaze. "We could go this summer. It'll give us time to plan. What do you think?"
"You're serious? Us going around the world?" He asked breathlessly. She grinned at his wiggling tail.
"I would give you the world if I could, my son. Seeing it would be a good start, don't you think?"
He suddenly tackled her in a big bearhug, lifting her off her feet in a surprising show of strength. "Yes! That would be amazing! I have to go back to the library and get more books so I can pick more places." He released her. "There's so much of this world we have to see."
"Come here for a second." Regina said, leading him over to the bed. He sat down and she knelt in front of him, fighting off the near choking swell of happiness swirling through her being. She looked him in the eye. "You know, that although we have only known each other for a short time, but in that time, you have stolen my heart." She smiled, her heart threatening to burst with happiness. She could see him starting to shake in response to her words. "You are my son. My son. Not by blood, but by heart, by bond. In that department, we are one. I would give you everything you desired if it were within my power. With Henry, things were rocky. Still are." She sighed. "Hopefully we can mend that. As for you and me…"
"We are one." He said simply with a grin. "You have given me a new life, Regina. In a new world, and a new purpose. You are my world. I would give you everything you'd ever desire if I could. I want to make you proud, and make you happy. You are the greatest mom any kid could ever dream of. And I love you."
"I love you too." She smiled and kissed his forehead. "Look at us." She said, wiping her eyes and a few stray tears on his cheeks. "Crying like babies."
"Even when you cry, you're beautiful." Ronno said.
Her heart twisted painfully from so much love pouring off the boy. Never in her life would she have imagined that she would find so much of it, feel so much of it. Not after everything she'd been through and done. The Evil Queen could not love, could not be loved. But Ronno didn't seem to care about the Evil Queen, only Regina Mills.
"Thank you. Now, into bed. Oh yeah, how do you feel about a hike with Emma, Ruby and Henry?"
He crawled beneath the blankets and pulled them up to his chest. "Sounds cool. Is this mostly for you, Emma and Ruby?" He grinned cheekily and she yanked his pillow out from under his head and hit him with it.
"No. Maybe. I don't know, I guess." She gave him back the pillow. "But we'll have to wait and see, won't we?"
"The Savior vs the Werewolf. Round one."
She rolled her eyes with a smirk. "Good night, Ronno." She rose to leave.
"Good night, Mom."
Regina sighed as she closed the door behind her. She wasn't sure if her heart could take all this affection. First from Ronno, and then from both Ruby and Emma. She had been shocked after hearing Ruby's declaration to Belle. It surprised and confused her. It also angered her. She'd wanted to close herself off, tell them both to go to hell and leave her alone. But not only did she reveal a lot of herself and actually let them behind the powerful walls that she'd spent a lifetime building, she found that she actually wanted to pursue this, find out where it might lead. Both women were very similar, fun loving, beautiful, intelligent. Ruby was expectantly a bit more primal, but due to the wolf it was understandable. They both seemed to really want to be with her. It was a drastic change from being despised and hated. But a welcome one.
Xxxxxxxxx
The next morning she got up early to cook breakfast. She made blueberry pancakes and bacon before calling Ronno down to eat. She'd already set the table and fixed him a plate, but he still hadn't come down. Dressed in one of her usual pants suits, she walked back upstairs and peeked into his room, but he was nowhere to be found. "Ronno?"
"In here." He said.
Regina walked into his bathroom and found him standing in front of his full length mirror, looking at himself. It came to her attention how much he'd grown over the last couple months. He'd almost doubled in size and was finally at a good weight due to her trying her best to make sure he ate balanced meals. He was less of a hassle than Henry, who refused to eat anything healthy. Especially after Emma arrived with her greasy foods. He was quickly losing his baby fat and his face was becoming more sharp and chiseled, but he still remained on the short side, barely as tall as her stomach. She had no idea how old he really was, and he didn't either. There was no telling how many years he spent in Neverland. His hair was growing impossibly fast as well, despite her cutting it every few days or so.
"Are you alright, Ronno?" She asked gently.
"Yeah." He said, looking over his shoulder. "I was just thinking that maybe you could change my appearance."
"Why?" She sat down on the toilet and looked at him. "You sounded so positive you were handsome last night."
He made a face at her. "I just thought that a little change was good."
"Okay then. What do you want done?"
"A blue and green Mohawk, a ring in my nose and a chest tattoo."
"No." She said immediately.
He grinned. "Alright, fine. You're no fun. How about black hair instead of brown? Make it come to right here." He touched a part of his chest.
She nodded and snapped her fingers and his hair grew down to the point he wanted, and changed from brown to a glossy black. His hair took on a natural wave as it grew in length. The fur on his legs changed color to match. "How is that?"
"Perfect! What do you think?" He turned to look at her.
"Don't you know black is my color?" She Asked with a smirk. "It looks great. Now let's go eat."
"Okay." The happiness on his face was palpable as he raced ahead of her. "Blueberry pancakes!"
They ate in happy companionship before going into the living room to do Ronno's favorite pastime, which was watching movies. She'd picked up Percy Jackson and the Olympians and the Chronicles of Narnia, per Ruby's suggestion. Ronno laid on the floor on his stomach, his cute little tail waving wildly when the satyr came on screen.
"Can I get a vest like that?" He asked once the movie had finished.
"Of course." She smiled as she started the second movie. "Whatever you want, my prince."
They spent the entire day at home, simply enjoying the other's company. The rest of the month passed in a similar fashion. Regina could only smile at the way Ronno was so invested in reading and learning about different cultures and countries. He was at the library almost every day and became fast friends with Belle. If he wasn't reading, then he was watching some movie or tv show. He became fascinated with the Game of Thrones and the movie 300. The 300 movie alone quelled all the fears she'd had about him gaining a lot of weight since he didn't seem to be very active. He started a rigorous workout that would ensure he would get the body of a spartan. Sometimes she would even find him doing push-ups in front of an open book. His satyr blood seemed to help him build muscle faster as well. She made over a dozen vests similar to the one Grover wore in the movie in all different colors, although he loved to wear the blood red one the most. He even persuaded Regina to work out with him sometimes. That only ended with them laughing and rolling around on the floor.
Regina didn't spend much time with Henry in that time, although she did speak to him almost daily on the phone. Being at home with Ronno was like their own little cocoon. She did want Henry to be a part of that, but he didn't really seem to be interested and she didn't want to force him. Not after everything they went through before Neverland. Everything seemed to have been going pretty well until he started to pull away again. It wasn't as bad as the first time, but it still hurt nonetheless.
Very little time was spent with Ruby and Emma as well, other than when their paths crossed in the street. Regina was still a bit unsure of how to proceed, considering both of them were vying for her affection. She didn't care what anyone else thought, but she didn't want to hurt them. And that was something she didn't know how to do either.
"Cookies!" Ronno yelled, walking into the kitchen. He followed Regina like a hawk as she pulled the tray out of the oven and placed it on a cooling rack. "Only four?"
"One for me, one for you, and one for each of our dearest friends." She grinned.
"What are you up to?" Ronno asked suspiciously.
"Something fun."
Read and review please! I love suggestions and good feedback!
