Regina quickly looped her arms around Emma's neck when she felt the abrupt shift in the grip. They were half laying and half leaning on the kitchen island. As sneer of pain darted across the blonde's face when Regina's weight settled against her. Something isn't right. How didn't I fall? Where are her… Oh, my. Regina could feel her magic bubbling to the surface, it crackled underneath her fingertips like lightning strikes.
"Miss Swan…"
"I'm so sorry, I didn't see the-"
"Miss. Swan." The tight-lipped words brought Emma's attention upward.
"Are you okay, Regina? You didn't get hurt, did you? At least I managed to catch you."
"You certainly did."
You could blame it on the shock or the adrenaline of almost taking the mayor down with her, but Emma's mind didn't process the words nearly as fast as she should have. Instead, they stood there, craning their bodies in an uncomfortable position for several more moments. Regina set forth another attempt to notify the sheriff before something worse happened.
"Emma…" a modest voice began, "Your hands."
The clueless blonde let her eyes travel down Regina's body, stopping at where her hands were located. Oh my god. An involuntary contraction of her fingers evoked a moan of surprise from the woman above her. Fuck, now that's a sound a woman could get used to.
"There are a million things I should say in this situation but all I've got is that stupid song, I've Got the Whole World in My Hands," a sheepish smile curling her lips.
A boisterous laugh crackled out of the brunette, "You damn fool."
"Would now be a bad time to bring up the fact that you actually said my name?"
"I had to get your attention," Regina's laughter was replaced by a shy smile.
"You could literally sneeze from across town and have my attention, Regina."
"Yet, here we are and you have yet to release me," the octave drop was obvious.
Maybe I never want to let you go, My Queen. Emma was debating whether she should quickly release Regina or push her luck further. In the end, the latter won. Screw it, you only live once. Long fingers flexed along the tight fabric of black slacks, reveling in the feeling of muscles tensing.
"Emma…"
"I like hearing you say my name."
The soft fingers continued their agonizingly slow pattern over Regina's lower half, bleeding fantasy into reality with each stroke.
"What are you doing, Miss Swan?" The words were breathy and dripped off her lips darkly as magic slithered up her spine, begging to be used.
Emma leaned forward, grip strongly holding the brunette in place and whispered hotly into her ear.
"Anything you wish, Your Majesty."
Those 5 words burned through Regina's body like molten lava and finally settled between her thighs, just centimeters from where hands intimately grasped her. You're entering dangerous territory, Emma Swan. You wanted to see your queen? Well, here she is. Loosening an arm around the taunting Savior's neck, she dug nails into the base of Emma's skull, entangling fingers into the loose curls. Lowering her mouth down to Emma's ear, she sunk teeth into the earlobe and cooed with a matching whisper.
"What I want, Em-ma," there was a short pause as her tongue darted out at the lobe.
"Name it, anything," the sheriff was beginning to lose the ability to concentrate.
Regina nipped at the lobe again and took an unexpected step back, leaving Emma's hands hanging in the air in a statuesque pose. She bent down and reached for a bag that the contents had spilled out of during the almost tumble, leaving Emma stunned above her.
"Is for the two of us to finish putting these groceries away, before the ice cream resembles you."
The metaphorical wind was taken out of Emma's sails. Noticing her arms were still outstretched, attempting to seek purchase of the brunette's out of reach ass, she folded them across her chest. Did I do something wrong? Did I just imagine the whole Hellcat routine with the biting and clawing? No way.
"Regina?"
The occupied brunette still bent at the hips beside Emma, peered over her shoulder with a look that Emma recognized from Henry's story book.
"Yes?"
"We gonna address that or just skip forward on this disc?"
"Whatever could you mean, Miss Swan?"
The mayor stood fully and grazed blood-red nails over a toned stomach as she stepped around to approach the counter by the sink.
"Fucking, THAT."
Regina acted as though she didn't hear the blonde, concentrating on sorting the vegetables from the bag into piles. Emma wasn't having it. The queen didn't know it at the time, but she'd met her match and the savior was plenty happy to show her exactly what she was capable of. Unfortunately, the next sentence to come out Regina's mouth ruined her revenge plan.
"Shouldn't you be picking Henry up shortly?"
Emma glanced at the clock and groused, "How is it already 4?"
Regina snickered, "Well, someone did cause a certain, aquatic scene, and delayed my shopping trip."
"Me?! You're the one splittin' your melons all over the damn place like some kinda fruit ninja!"
"Careful, Miss Swan," emphasizing the threat with a curl of her fingers in the air.
"Whatever, Mayor Melons." Bad choice of words, Swan. Retreat. RETREAT!
Emma was hauling ass out of the kitchen before Regina could get her back for the comment. She knew eventually she'd end up paying for it, but, hopefully, by then, she would have a plan to save her ass. Before she reached the front door, she heard the clicking of Regina heels approaching from the kitchen and almost didn't have time to fully close the door before scrambling to the bug. Where are my keys? Uh-oh. The front door opened and there stood the seductress herself, twirling Emma's car keys around a finger.
"Going somewhere, Sheriff?"
"Hey, you wanna toss me those so I can pick up our kid?"
"Why don't you come get them, Sheriff Swan?"
"Uh, I'm actually super good right here. Less chance of an ass kicking at this distance. Just toss them to me, please?"
Regina began to turn as if to go back inside the mansion, her backside on full display for the blonde.
"Damnit, fine!"
Emma closed the distance in a few long strides and was standing on the top step, but Regina hadn't turned around to hand her the keys.
"Seriously?"
"If you desire your keys, come get them." If you dare.
Emma knew the insinuation behind the challenge, but she didn't have any other choice and walked closer until she was almost flush against Regina.
"May I please have my keys, Madame Mayor?"
Regina held her hands up in mock surrender, except there weren't any keys in them. Emma grabbed her upper arms and searched around Regina's body, hoping to find a clue.
"What are you, Houdini?"
Regina let her head fall back onto Emma's shoulder, "Look harder."
"What are you talking about? There's no key-" My. Keys. Are. In. Her. Tits.
"Find what you were looking for, Sheriff? Or do you require a full search?"
Emma let out a whistle, "Not gonna make this easy for me, are you?"
"Did you really expect anything to come easily with a queen?" Regina purred.
Emma was weighing her options: reach into the blouse and be late picking her son up or go for a nice, long stroll and find a way to make new keys. Her decision-making was taking too long for Regina's liking and she let her know it.
"I won't say that I'm not offended, but if you truly do not wish to re-"
Regina's back was slammed against the closet door, arms restrained behind her.
"Shut up," an unrecognizable growl came from Emma's lips.
A mass of blonde curls descended upon Regina's chest and pale lips ghosted past her collarbone. Regina felt like she was experiencing hot flashes. Is that her tongue? Oh yes, yes it is… Emma licked a path to where her keys were nestled between olive-toned breasts. With skill and concentration, she raised her mouth to eye level and let Regina see the keys dangling from her tongue then dropped them into her hand.
"I'm not a vending machine, Miss Swan," the tone was playful and light.
"I prefer to think of it as bobbing for apples."
"I'm sending a child to pick up mine, how ironic."
Emma laughed and exited the mansion with a bounce in her step. Regina closed the door behind her and stood to watch through the window with careful consideration. Her expectations for the day had greatly differed from the reality. What was supposed to be a peaceful shopping trip had turned into continuous laughter, a backseat clothing change, and ended with an epiphany. Regina turned to walk back to the kitchen. This kitchen island will never be the same. Nothing will be the same ever again. After the sorting and unpacking were complete, she set off to begin dinner as the gravity of the day's events settled themselves deep inside her mind.
"Hey kid, where you at?" Emma slammed the front door shut and yelled into the apartment.
The faint sound of rock music trickled down from the spare bedroom, aka Henry's makeshift room. Emma climbed the stairs, but lingered outside the cracked door, a sense of pride washing over her as she listened to what Henry was humming along to.
Got a black magic woman
Got a black magic woman
I've got a black magic woman
Got me so blind I can't see
That she's a black magic woman
She's trying to make a devil out of me
Emma burst through the door, strutting in front of a stunned Henry, and dramatically danced and sang along with the music.
"Don't turn your back on me, baby. Don't turn your back on me, baby. Yes, don't turn your back on me, baby. Stop messing round with your tricks,"
Emma last line faded as Henry turned off the iPod and gave her an over exaggerated round of applause which she returned with an equally over-the-top bow.
"Thank you, thank you! I'll be here all week, unlike you. Did you pack your bag yet, kid?"
"Yeah, it's behind you," Henry pointed by the door.
"Oh, okay, cool. Wanna get this road the show? Your mom is probably cooking something delicious."
Henry hopped off his bed and made a beeline around Emma for the bag and all but flew down the stairs in the rush. Pausing before following after her son, she decided it would be better to change into dry clothes. Emma crossed the hall and nudged her bedroom door open with a boot and struggled to remove the leather jacket from the wet shirt. Wet clothes lay in a messy pile near the overflowing laundry basket and Emma walked over to her closet, an unimpressed look on her face. All of the pants she wanted to wear weren't clean and her choices were narrowed down to skirts she hadn't worn since Boston and a couple pairs of leather pants that she may need garden shears to remove them. When was the last time I shaved my legs? Last week? No. It had to be at least 2 weeks because I'm out of razors. Leather pants of doom it is!
"Emma, what's taking you so long?" A concerned Henry called up at his mother.
"I'm changing! Gimme a second!" The response was followed by a heavy thud.
"You've been up there for 15 minutes! Are you okay?"
"I'm fine!" Emma grunted and finished buttoning the pants, pleased that they still fit.
Emma squatted and stretched in the pants, testing the flexibility boundaries to avoid any embarrassing situations later. Oh! Need a jacket. She walked back over to the closet and pulled out a cardigan covered in candy skulls, a personal favorite. Checking her butt out in the full-length mirror behind the closet door, she decided the outfit was acceptable and exited the room with a million-watt smile.
"Alright, let's do this!"
"Are those my mom's pants?" Henry's face twisted up in distaste.
"Excuse you? They're mine and that was only one time, which was your fault. I think she's still pissed at me about it too."
"You're the one who spilled cocoa on yourself."
"You're like a Regina mini-me with that sass crap. Aren't you supposed to respect your elders?"
"You're not elderly."
"But I'm older than you, so I'm olderly," Emma mentally slapped herself for the word.
"That's not a word."
"Alright, let's go, human dictionary. Your other mother can't wait to see you."
Emma shoved Henry toward the door with little resistance and they raced each other to the bug. As Emma was about to flop into her seat, she double-back to the walkway and plucked up three irises from the blooming spread that lined the outside of the loft. Please let Regina not be allergic to these. Upon taking her seat, Henry looks up at her with mild intrigue.
"Are those for my mom?"
"I'd hope so, kid. You don't look like a flower dude, in my opinion." She chortled and turn the car on.
"Why are you giving her flowers?" Henry's head tilted to the side to inspect the flowers.
"Because it's the nice thing to do?" Emma's nerves came through her voice. Does he know?
"Uh-huh. Right."
Emma pulled away from the curb and let out a nervous sigh, "Look, kid, she's been trying really hard with the magic stuff and she misses you. Is it so bad to do something nice for her?"
"I guess not," Obvious hesitation in his voice.
"What wrong, kid? What aren't you telling me?"
"Nothing."
"Wrong answer, try again."
Henry turned in his seat, facing away from Emma, and his response was so muffled she had to strain to hear it over the bug's engine.
"Kid, I'm old, you gotta speak up a bit."
"I'm scared."
The confession took Emma by surprise and she carefully guided the car to a safe spot and clicked her hazards on.
"Why are you scared?"
"Stuff…"
"That's not going to cut it, kid. Why are you scared?"
"Scared- Not good- Doesn't want- Magic-"
Henry's words came out in a flurry and Emma was only able to catch a few key words. She placed her hands on her son's shoulders and urged him to slow down.
"Woah there, little dude. Slow it down. Start from the beginning and take your time."
"I'm scared that she hasn't changed. What if she hasn't and she does magic while I'm there? What if she doesn't want to change and it's because I'm not good enough? I don't want her to be the Evil Queen."
Tears that seemed entirely too large for such a petite, childish face cascaded down Henry's cheeks. Emma had known there were still doubts in him about Regina's intentions and progress but she'd hoped it was dwindling down.
Emma reach out to wipe his tears, "Why do you think she's still the Evil Queen?"
Henry sniffled, "I hear things. Gram and Gramps think I can't hear them when I'm in my room but I can. They don't think she's changed. They don't want me to go stay with her. Is she really trying?"
Keep your calm, Swan. "Kid… Your grandparents have a long history with your mom, and it's 90% fire and brimstone. It's really hard when you have that kind of history to actually believe someone is or wants to change. Take me, for example. I know we haven't talked about this since your mom kinda plastered it across the newspapers. I gave birth to you in prison and put you in the same foster system I grew up in. I made bad choices, treated people badly, and up until you found me, I was tracking down people and trying to make amends for the stupid crap I'd done. The road back from that isn't easy and I can understand why it's hard for your mom. You were able to forgive me and let me prove I could be a better person for you, for our family. Doesn't your mom deserve a shot at that?"
The two sat in silence for a long time, neither knew what more there was to say. Emma lifted Henry's chin up to face her; tears were drying on rosy, plump cheeks.
"You brought me here to bring back the happy endings, remember?"
"Yes," He murmured quietly.
"That means your mom deserves a happy ending too, and I'm going to make sure she gets one."
Underneath those words was a hidden meaning that spread warmth throughout Emma's body. She did intend to make sure Regina got her happy ending, but she was hoping she fit somewhere in that journey. With that thought, Emma turned the hazards off and put the car back into gear.
Back at the mansion, Regina was putting the finishing touches on dinner and enjoying a glass of apple cider, soft music playing in the background. She took a sip of her cider and stirred the sauce pot on the stove. The sweet aroma of broccoli and cheddar soup and the sound chicken crackling in a nearby pan filled the kitchen. Almost time to put on the pasta. She went over to the pantry and took out a container of penne pasta. The iPod that was playing on the counter shuffled to another song, the gentle instrumental intro of "Strangers in the Night" began to play around her.
Henry's mood improved once Emma switched on a mixed CD of 80s music. If there was one thing she had taught him in the short time of having him, it was how to recognize good music. They jammed out to Guns N' Roses and David Bowie until the bug pulled up in front of the grandiose mansion. She cut the engine and they stepped out of the car, Emma grunting as she hefted Henry's bag over her shoulder.
"Damn kid, what do you have in here, rocks?" She kicked her door closed.
"Books. A couple of encyclopedias."
"Are you shi- kidding me?" Emma was panting the entire walk to the front door.
"I'll get it!" Henry said in a chipper tone, using his house key to open the door.
"Thanks, kid."
Emma dropped the heavy bag at the bottom of the stairs and called out to Regina.
"Regina? We're here! Where are you?" She motioned for Henry to take off his shoes.
"In the kitchen!" A voice came from the other room.
"Hey kid, will you take your bag upstairs and get ready for dinner?"
"Okay!"
The sheriff turned her ears towards the kitchen, detecting the recognizable tune. She tugged the cardigan tight around her and followed the beautiful melody all the way to the kitchen.
Strangers in the night, two lonely people
Exchanging glances
Wondering in the night
What were the chances
We'd be sharing love
Before the night was through?
Regina was adding olive oil to the almost boiling pot of water for the pasta when Emma entered the kitchen.
"Good evening, My Majesty," Emma's words came out in a sultry lull.
A startled Regina spun around, almost knocking the chicken pan off the stove.
"Damnit, Miss Swan!" She let out a breath.
"My bad. I guess you couldn't hear me come in with the music so loud," Emma crossed the room and turned the music a couple levels. "Cookin' with Frankie tonight?"
"Yes, he's inspired many a meal in this home," she let out a light chuckle.
"I bet he's inspired a lot of things…" Emma mumbled under her breath.
"Pardon?" Regina turned down the heat on the chicken and soup.
Emma cleared her throat, "I was asking if I could pick a song?"
Regina turned her attention to the pasta, "Yes, of course."
Let's see if you remember, My Queen. She scrolled through the moderate list and made the selection with a sly grin on her face. Emma leaned patiently against the counter for the brunette's reaction though it didn't take long.
I've got you under my skin
I've got you deep in the heart of me
Oh no. Regina's hands suddenly stopped stirring and an undeniable rigidness took over her body. I can't be dreaming, it's too real. She needed something to distract herself.
"Would you please take down some plates, Miss Swan? They're in the cabinet behind you."
"You got it, toots!" Emma turned and opened the cabinet.
"I beg your pardon?"
Regina transferred the pot of pasta into the strainer in the sink and chanced a glance to her right. Emma was leaning against the counter, plates laid out ready, and a smug look on her face.
"Problem, Madame Mayor?"
"Not in the least, Sheriff Swan," she wiped condensation off her cheek from the pasta.
Emma stretched deliberately next to Regina, showing off the leather pants that were previously hidden by the cardigan. She heard Regina's breath hitch but was covered discreetly with a cough. You definitely remember. Time for some fun.
"Regina?"
Warm eyes turned, "Yes?"
Emma reached for Regina's hands and pulled the brunette towards her. There was no protest or hesitation. Regina's arms fell effortlessly over the blonde's shoulders and they swayed to the rhythm of the song. Please let this moment never end. The song was nearing its end but the two had no desire to separate their bodies. No, no, please. Please tell me I hit repeat. Sadly, she had not and the final seconds played out, to her dismay. In the quiet silence between songs, they stared at each other, a mixture of emotions flowing between them. Arousal. Comfortability. Excitement. A sense of calm that neither fully understood.
"Emma, I-"
Regina didn't have a chance to finish because they heard their son stomping down the stairs. Unhappily, they disengaged and finished plating dinner. The next two hours were spent eating and enjoying the ease at which the entire routine came. Henry gushed about how cool his project was going to be and what his other classmates had opted to do. The women quietly observed each other as Henry continued the conversation. The only break was when Regina ran out of cider and Emma offered to go to the study to refill her glass. Emma saw a notepad next to the cart where Regina kept her cider and an idea hit her. She jotted down a single sentence and tucked the paper into her pocket, saving it for later.
"Found it!" She announced as she re-entered the dining room.
"I was worried you'd gotten lost, Dear." Regina playfully joked.
"Is there where I insert my parents' famous line?"
"Don't you dare, Miss Swan." But there wasn't any anger behind the voice.
After dinner, Henry returned to his room to play video games before he had to get ready for bed, which left Emma and Regina to their own devices. They snuck glances at each other as the dishes were washed and put away. Each finding silly and unbelievable reasons to stand closer to each other.
"Regina, can I ask you something?" Emma dried the last dish.
"Yes?" Regina took the plate from her and put it in the cabinet behind Emma.
Emma took the opportunity of having Regina so close to wrap an arm around her, pulling her in closer. She cupped one of the brunette's rosy cheeks with her other hand and took a leap of faith.
"I'm not imagining this, am I?"
"And what do you think this is, Miss Swan?" Regina licked suddenly dry lips.
"Oh, My Queen, the lies we tell ourselves."
Emma brought her hand up from Regina's waist and threaded it through Regina's soft hair. Cognac eyes stared up into aquamarine, vulnerable and open. Regina tangled a fist into Emma's cardigan and tilted her lips upwards.
"Something you wish to say, Your Majesty?"
Regina nuzzled Emma's nose with hers and gently tugged on her the blonde's shirt to punctuate the words.
"I've got you… Under my skin…"
