Operation Baby Dragon
Healing
The sun is high in the sky when Regina opens her eyes again.
She probably slept for many, many hours. She isn't quite sure for how long exactly, but it must be midday.
Her head is a little floaty when she sits up in the bed. Bed?
Oh. She chuckles slightly. She's not lying on the forest floor anymore. She's lying in her old bedchamber in the castle. Mal must have brought them there after Regina fell asleep. Or passed out. That's a more accurate description.
She's not wearing her blue dress anymore either. Instead she's wearing a black nightgown. And a very short one too it would appear. Regina chuckles. Really, Maleficent? You couldn't find anything longer than that? Seriously, this nightgown is barely covering her thighs.
She rubs her head as she carefully puts one foot on the floor. Then the other. Now she's standing. On very shaky legs. It still feels as though her belly is filled to the brim with pleasant warmth.
She's being healed.
Regina smiles as she wobbles into the hallway on shaky legs. She can get pregnant now.
She might feel like she's in some sort of daze, but it's definitely worth it.
They will get their daughter. Maleficent's dreams will come true.
Regina supports herself with one hand on the wall as she searches for her Dragon. For once, Mal wasn't with her in the bed. Maybe she knew that Regina would be out cold for a long time.
She finds her Dragon in the library. Maleficent is sitting in an armchair by the fire with one of Regina's old books in her lap, but she doesn't appear to be reading. She appears to be listening.
"Hi." Regina says a bit sleepily to announce herself.
Maleficent's head snaps up from the book she's not-reading, and she smiles as she holds a hand out towards Regina. "Come here. Let me look at you."
"I don't think you'll be able to see a difference," Regina chuckles, but she never the less obeys and pads over to Maleficent, entwining their fingers in the process.
"No. But I do like looking at you," Maleficent says and then she raises Regina's too- short nightgown slightly.
Regina raises an eyebrow and is fully prepared to accuse Maleficent of being too blunt, but Maleficent draws Regina closer by putting her hands on her hips, and then the Dragon kisses her abdomen tenderly.
That elicits a new chuckle from Regina. "I'm not pregnant yet, Mal."
"No. But you will be." Maleficent says plainly and kisses Regina's abdomen again.
A shiver whispers down Regina's spine at that.
"How are you feeling?" Maleficent asks as she tugs at Regina until the brunette is sitting in her lap.
"A little... drunk," Regina says with a slight chuckle. That's the closest description of how she's feeling right now. She feels intoxicated in the most pleasant way possible.
"Drunk?" Maleficent repeats and snickers.
"Mmm," Regina says and drapes one arm around her Dragons neck.
Maleficent chuckles warmly. "Well, I suppose you look a little drunk, my dear. Your cheeks are all pink."
Regina snickers at that.
"You are not in pain, are you?" Maleficent asks worriedly and puts a hand on Regina's abdomen again. "There isn't anything that hurts, are there?"
"No," Regina assures. "I feel wonderful." that's true. She has never felt better in her entire life. All light and floaty.
"Good," Maleficent smiles. "You certainly look wonderful."
"You couldn't have found a longer nightgown?" Regina drawls and rolls her eyes.
"No. This one is the best."
Regina scoffs. "Of course you think that. It barely covers anything."
Maleficent's smile goes a bit more crooked as she puts a warm hand on Regina's rather exposed thigh.
"Mmm, how long have I been asleep?" Regina asks and hides a yawn.
"Twelve hours."
"Twelve hours?!"
"Mmm, I carried you all the way back."
"You did not." Regina says firmly. She refuses to believe that.
"You're right, I didn't," Maleficent cackles. "I transported us back after you fell asleep. And then I made sure your clothes was appropriate for sleeping."
"I'm fairly certain this nightgown isn't appropriate for anything," Regina mutters.
"Ah, but I find it very appropriate," Maleficent says, and that crooked smile is back. "I can for instance touch you like this." her hand journeys up to rest on Regina's inner thigh.
Another shiver runs through Regina's body.
"So, you see? This nightgown is appropriate for some things," Maleficent chuckles quietly and scratches her blunt fingernails lightly against Regina's thigh.
"Maybe we should go back to bed and work on that baby?" Regina suggests breathlessly. She isn't sure whether extreme lust is a side effect of drinking from Lake Nostos, but who knows, maybe it is.
Maleficent chuckles warmly. "That sounds wonderful, my love, but I think it has to wait until you've regained your strength."
"Is it gonna be that bad?" Regina teases lightly.
"No, not bad. Just intense," Maleficent corrects. "That was how it felt when you gave me Lily. And I doubt this will be any different."
Regina snickers. "That sounds a bit dangerous to me."
"It's not," Maleficent quickly says reassuringly. "It might be intense, but I can assure you, it's not dangerous."
"I was kidding," Regina chuckles.
"Oh."
Regina laughs quietly. "This is not something I have to be talked into, Maleficent."
"I know, I know."
"I'm not saying it's not gonna turn my entire world upside down," Regina continues and grins a little. "I mean, I'm gonna be pregnant."
"And how lovely you will look," Maleficent says.
"I'm not a dragon. I can't transform when I get heavy," Regina mock-warns. "You might be in for a shock, my love."
"Nonsense," Maleficent brushes her off. "You will look beautiful with a round belly, my darling."
Regina snickers. "I'll take your word for it."
"You should. I've seen it," Maleficent grinningly reminds her.
"Oh, right. You have."
"I had another dream about her," Maleficent says and puts her hand on Regina's abdomen again.
"Remind me again why we're not busy creating her right now."
"Because you're tired," Maleficent chuckles. "Don't forget that."
"I'm not," Regina denies. "I can do this right now."
"You can't," Maleficent laughs. "But I appreciate your enthusiasm."
Regina shakes her head a little and puts her hand over Mal's. "I can't believe it actually worked."
"I can," Maleficent replies and beams at her.
"I guess water doesn't judge," Regina muses more to herself than to Mal.
"You've redeemed yourself. And you deserve this," Maleficent says firmly.
"We deserve this," Regina gently corrects.
"We," Maleficent agrees with a nod as she takes Regina's hand and kisses it lightly.
Regina frowns slightly. "If I've been out for twelve hours, then why do I feel like taking another nap?"
"Because you're still healing, my love." Maleficent says gently and suddenly stands from the armchair.
Regina squeals when she's lifted.
"Perhaps I should carry you back to bed," Maleficent teases.
"You wouldn't dare," Regina says firmly. "And I need something to eat. Put me down."
"You never minded me carrying you to bed when you were younger," Maleficent mutters as she sets Regina on her feet.
Regina sighs and clicks her tongue, but she can't help but smile while she does it. Maleficent is definitely an old softie.
The Dragon looks almost threading when Regina tells her that. "Careful, little queen," she warns.
"Or what?" Regina teases with mirth in her voice.
"Or I'll take you across my knee right now."
Regina chuckles, because there's not an ounce of truth in Maleficent's voice.
"What would you like to eat?" Regina asks as Maleficent follows her into the grand dining room.
"You." Maleficent states plainly.
Regina clicks her tongue again. "I thought I was too bony? That's what you always say..."
"Perhaps I've changed my mind," Maleficent drawls and mock snarls at Regina while she bends her fingers into claws.
"Dangerous," Regina comments and mock shudders.
Maleficent narrows her blue eyes. "If you weren't still healing..."
"...You would do absolutely horrible things to me, yes, yes. Of course you would," Regina mutters a bit absentmindedly over her shoulder as she takes a look at the magically re-filling buffet. What does she want to eat?
"Horrible things you say?" Maleficent asks as her arms loops around Regina's waist and thoroughly hinters Regina's attempt at finding something to eat.
"Mmm," Regina says as she grabs a plate and fetches a few pieces of fruit. What's next? Bread. She'll need bread too. She grabs a slice of that too.
"I suppose that night with that lovely little silicone toy of yours was rather horrible," Maleficent murmurs into her neck.
"Still haven't forgotten about that, have you?" Regina replies and shakes her head a little. Maleficent is making it awfully hard to get breakfast.
"No. How could I forget my first meeting with your world's version of magic?"
"I've told you a million times, vibrators are not magical," Regina sighs.
"Yes, they are," Maleficent brushes her off, and adds plainly: "I'd like to try it again when we get back."
Regina can't help but chuckle at her life partner's bluntness. Sometimes that woman doesn't have a filter. But that's one of the many things she loves about Maleficent. She always says exactly what she means.
"I suppose that could be arranged," Regina says.
"Yes?"
"Yes. Now release me. I'm hungry."
Maleficent releases her, but only after she has squeezed Regina's rear slightly. "You look good in this nightgown, my darling."
Regina rolls her eyes and takes a bite of her fruit.
"Remind me again why you have to wear those p-p-p..."
"Pencil skirts?" Regina says helpfully.
"Yes. Those. Why can't you just walk around like this all the time?"
Regina snickers. "Oh, you would like that, wouldn't you?"
"You should wear this all the time," Maleficent says plainly and reaches over Regina to snatch her own piece of fruit.
"I don't think so," Regina says with a headshake. "I have a son who frequently stops by. Don't forget that."
"Then how about when we're alone together?" Maleficent suggests sweetly.
Regina laughs. "We both have jobs, dear. Staying in bed all day is still out of the question."
"But when you become pregnant you'll be able to take maternity leave," Maleficent argues with a gleam in her eyes.
"And where did you learn that?" Regina asks and snickers again.
Maleficent shrugs. "I heard Snow White mention it. She said something about coming back to work after having Neal, and when I asked her, she told me about maternity leave."
"Wait, you talked to Snow White voluntarily?" Regina asks and raises an eyebrow.
"Yes, I'm learning," Maleficent smirks. "I'm a part of your family. So are they. That means I have to talk to her occasionally, right?"
"I'm proud of you," Regina says, and that's not just messing around. She really is proud of Maleficent.
"Thank you," Maleficent smiles as they sit down at the large table Regina so often dined at alone. "How are you feeling? Still alright?"
"My head is still rather floaty," Regina admits. "I could probably benefit from more sleep when I'm done eating."
"I better go with you and keep you warm then," Maleficent says and bares her teeth in a smile.
"That would be nice."
They finish their modest breakfast/lunch and then they head back to what once was Regina's bedchamber. Once again, they leave the door wide open, and Maleficent looks very pleased when Regina reminds her that she doesn't have to cast a protection spell.
"Nobody is coming in here," she reminds her mate for life.
"I know, but I can't quite get used to it," Maleficent admits. "It's a little strange to just... be here. Out in the open, I mean."
"It is," Regina agrees as she slips into bed again.
Maleficent flicks her wrist and changes into something lighter than her velvet gown and then she joins Regina in the bed. It doesn't take long before Regina is wrapped up in her very warm dragons' arms.
"What was it you called this?" Maleficent asks into her hair.
"Spooning."
"Ah yes. Spooning. That's the word," Maleficent half-chuckles.
Regina sighs contended in Maleficent's arms. She remembers denying Emma's claim of this being a honeymoon, but it's starting to feel strangely like a honeymoon.
Regina almost chuckles at the absurdity. Is honeymoon even common amongst dragons? She isn't entirely sure.
That pleasant warmth is still coursing through her belly, the healing is still happening, and Regina smiles at that.
"We should create her here," Regina says quietly.
"Beg your pardon?" Maleficent says. Apparently, she was on the brink of falling asleep.
"Odile." Regina says plainly. "The creation should happen here. We have so much history here."
"That's true. We do," Maleficent says into her hair. "But you're still..."
"Healing. I know. I didn't say it should be right now. Just that it should be done here. I think it would be right somehow."
"Or we could go back to the Forbidden Fortress?" Maleficent suggests silkily. "That's where it all began."
"Oh," Regina snickers. "I suppose that's an idea too."
"Why don't we talk more about it after you've slept?" Mal says gently. "I think you're tired."
"I know I'm tired," Regina quips. "Who knew being healed was this exhausting?"
Maleficent's soft, warm fingers threads gently through her hair. "That was a bad potion you drank back then, my love. It's only natural that the healing process takes a little while."
Regina nods. "You're right," she mutters. "That was a bad potion. A horrible one."
"But the effect of it is all gone now, my darling," Maleficent says and drops a kiss on her hair. "You're healing." She puts her warm hand on Regina's abdomen.
"Mmm," Regina nods again and puts her head down. She's definitely starting to nod off again.
"Sleep," Maleficent says gently. "I shall stay right here and hold you."
"You always did like holding me," Regina muses.
Maleficent snickers, and it's the last thing Regina hears before she falls asleep again. Completely contend and with that pleasant warmth still coursing through her belly. The healing process might take a little while, but that's completely alright. She doesn't mind that at all. Not when the healing process involves sleeping in Maleficent's arms.
There are definitely worse fates than being asleep in the arms of a dragon.
To Be Continued...
