A/N: Very mild hinted at mentions of abuse as well as nightmare induced hitting.
Prompt: Nightmares
The thrashing beside her was what pulled Regina from her peaceful slumber. She began to wake slowly but when a fist hit her, her eyes snapped instantly open and she found herself faced with a wildly thrashing Emma Swan. "Emma," she said softly at first, trying not to startle the blonde but this seemed to make the younger woman fight harder. Gently Regina reached out, grabbing onto Emma's fighting fists, not restraining them only cushioning the impact as they connected with her own body, "Em," she said gently once more while trying to move closer to the blonde.
"No, no, no, please, please don't hit me again," Emma whimpered in her sleep.
"Emma, darling," Regina mumbled as she finally wrapped her arms around the younger woman, "you're safe, baby," she whispered against Emma's ear. "You're safe, no one is going to hurt you."
A sob ripped free from the blonde's throat and Regina felt the grip on her shoulders tighten, Emma seeking comfort in the way she always did after nightmares, the position Regina had long ago deemed her koala grip. Emma's crying continued for longer than it did on usual nightmare nights, as Regina called them, before the blonde slowly let the tears ease away. When she pulled back after all the tears had ceased she looked over Regina and saw the bruise forming on the brunette's arm, "I'm sorry," she said, her fingers brushing over the spot gently.
Regina tilted her head up, "Its fine," she said firmly, "I just want to know if you're okay."
Emma met the brown eyes she so often got lost in, "I'm getting there," she said softly, "thanks to you I'm getting there."
Regina nodded and pulled the blonde back into her arms, the two of them snuggling together, "You're always going to be safe with me, darling," she said quietly, "I'm never going to let anyone hurt you like he did."
"I know," Emma murmured sleepily.