Henry had tried. Using anything he could think of to try and cheer his mother up. Still nothing had really worked and he knew it, despite Regina's best efforts to try and make him believe he had achieved as such. He knew her better than anyone, and that she could not hide from him. Realising he wasn't going to manage to truly lift her spirits, he had ended up playing along, pretending that his work was done, just as much as she was pretending herself. Yet it broke his heart to fail as such.
He took himself off to his room after saying goodnight to both of his mothers. Regina tried her best to act normally as she followed standard routine of accepting a hug, and kiss on the cheek from her now grown up, baby boy. Emma exchanged with him a tight lip smile, sympathetically of course, as she too knew that Regina was off kilter.
"Night, kid." Emma called again as Henry silently slipped from the room.
"You can go if you'd like to Miss Swan." Regina stated formally with a sigh as she rose from the couch.
Emma looked at her. A little in disbelief that Regina just thought she would leave her to deal with all of that alone. She frowned a little and shook her head.
"Perhaps I should stay a while." Emma suggested. "Would you like to talk about it? I mean, I know you were pretending to be ok for Henry's sake; but I know you Regina. You're not ok - are you?"
Emma wasn't really asking the question. She didn't need to but confirmation that she was right about how Regina was feeling would be reassuring, before she put her foot in it. She so often did, she was quite wary.
Regina sighed dramatically and stopped in the living room doorway. She hated to admit it but Emma was right - she wasn't ok. To show she agreed with the blonde's statement, she nodded gently. Glancing back at the couch after, she saw Emma smiling gently. That same sympathetic, but loving smile on her face as she looked at Regina.
"You know what we should do?"
"What?" Regina asked in a huge sigh.
She really didn't want a hope speech from the savior right now.
Emma grinned a little, shuffling forward on the couch and sitting up a little perkier.
Regina rolled her eyes.
"Look, Emma, if you are about to give me some hope speech, and reassurance that you will bring me my happy ending again, because you are the saviour; then you are wasting not only my time but yours."
There was a hint of disdain in her voice that was noted. And, Emma felt a little deflated, like a balloon losing air rapidly after a puncture. She hadn't intended for a hope speech. After all, she wasn't her mother, and she was sure that too often than not, Regina forgot that.
"Well actually, I was gonna suggest a drink. Wine. Cider. Shots. Something to drown our, i'm mean your sorrows?"
Regina frowned gently. She clearly wasn't jumping at the idea. Emma tried again to sell it to her.
"Come on. Just, lets have a drink, or two, maybe more. Forget all this shit and just get drunk!"
Regina hummed. Warming to the idea of drinking to just forget, her lips slowly started to quirk at the edges in a smile, and she quickly dipped her head so that Emma couldn't see the bright smile she had for just a second. Then she returned to her composed self as she looked back up. That's when she saw Emma grinning.
"Alright, Miss Swan; what's your poison?"
"What? No offer of your delicious homemade cider." Emma teased.
"Yes, I suppose that it has the desired effect on you Miss Swan; but you suggested we get drunk, and for me; homemade cider will not have the same effect"
Regina smirked a little.
Emma looked unimpressed, but Regina was clearly pleased with herself. She decided to let her have that one, since it seemed to bring a smile of sorts to her face.
Regina disappeared to the kitchen. Whilst she waited, Emma found her heart to be beating faster, and her palms sweating. Was she nervous? She didn't really know. What she did know, was that her mind was preoccupied.
She still had so much to process about what they had overheard. The marking in that exact shape on her skin now of concern. Could it be true that she was the one prophesied to be Regina's true love? The prospect was both exciting and scary all at the same time.
"So, to true love."
Regina declared sadistically as she handed Emma a glass, clinked hers against it and proceeded to down the contents in a most unladylike fashion. Emma just sat and watched, eyes wide in astonishment.
"Drink up." Regina ordered with a grin.
Emma put her glass to her lips and sipped.
"You can do better than that, Emma." Regina purposely popped the 'a' and pronounced Emma in a daring, yet threatening tone.
Emma tilted her head with a questionable look on her face. She wasn't entirely sure if Regina was being serious, or just taunting her. She tried to read her expression for clues, without any luck. Shaking her head she raised her glass again and took a few gulps, hearing Regina laugh as she downed the contents, and spluttered, almost choking as it burned her throat.
"Ugh. That was awful. Regina if you want to down drinks in quick succession, can we at least do something more manageable? Like shots."
Emma bright, greeny gray eyes were pleading.
Regina smirked.
"Please." Emma begged.
"Oh all right." Regina waved her hand, a plume of deep, rich purple smoke appearing over the coffee table.
As it disappeared, in its place, Emma saw a bottle of vodka and two shot glasses.
Regina sat down beside her. Placing her cut crystal tumbler on the table, she then took Emma's from her hand and did the same with hers.
Reaching for the bottle, she twisted the cap, the unscrewing sound painfully loud in the silent room. The clear liquid glugged out from the bottle as it was poured into the small glasses; Regina filling them to the rim. She placed the bottle back down, still open, and handed one of the shots to Emma.
"Cheers!" she declared as she knocked hers back without any warning.
Emma quickly followed suit and placed her glass back beside Regina's.
"To lion tattoos" Regina declared as she poured out another shot.
"Marking." Emma corrected as she was handed her glass again.
Regina's eyes narrowed slightly. She held her glass and clinked it against Emma's.
"To lion tattoos, markings, myths; whatever" Regina drawled, downing her second shot without warning again, and ease.
Only an hour, and one too many shots later, Regina and Emma found themselves satisfyingly intoxicated to the point everything was a bit of a blur.
They were giggling over something so trivial and stupid that after what felt like an eternity, neither of them remembered exactly what had caused such amusement. They met one another gaze slowly as their school girl giggles began to subside. Staring at each other they allowed a silence to blanket them before Regina suddenly broke it with a deep, meaningful sigh.
"How did I get it so wrong, Emma?" Regina fiddled with the tiny glass she still held in her. "Why did I ever think I would have true love."
Her question was rhetorical, and for Emma impossible to answer anyway. She gave Regina a sympathetic smile, with a shrug of her shoulders. If she knew, she would of course tell her.
"I got it so wrong with Robin. Hell, Tink even got it wrong about him." Regina's frustration at that fact was shining through. "Why did I listen?" she shook her head.
"I knew I should have just ignored her. Given up on the idea as I had previously." she sighed. "I'm so stupid."
Regina scoffed and shook her head. It was obvious she was upset. Emma tried again to reassure her, hesitantly reaching out to see if Regina would shy away from any contact - and she did.
"You know, this kind of hopefulness is what I expect from your family; not myself." she strained, frustration fully gripping her now.
It was sobering.
"Hey!" Emma reacted in protest.
Regina's comments were unfair. Hope was for everyone, and it wasn't stupid to wish better for yourself. She wouldn't stand by and have Regina think as such, especially with the way she felt about her.
"Oh come on, Miss Swan" Regina's tone was abrasive. "You seriously want to tell me you believe in true love?"
Regina barked out a single, sadistic cackle and then took her eyes off of the blonde. The idea of such a thing, with exception of the Charmings - she supposed, was just ludicrous. She also knew Emma felt the same way.
"Well, I think -" Emma began, deriving her answer from her current feeling for the woman sat in front of her.
Regina interrupted.
"After the Pirate? Captain Guyliner. You're seriously going to deliberate the likelihood of true love being a reality for you?!"
Emma scowled.
Regina was clearly never going to take this subject seriously.
Emma edged closer, making a move to grab and clasp Regina's hand before she could stop her. This was way out of hand. Her heart beat uncontrollably as she held Regina's hand tight in her own. She summed up some courage, not a lot though, and she avoided making eye contact with Regina on account of how wide, and intimidating her eyes were at the touch.
Then, Emma felt Regina's breath against her lips, and without warning she felt Regina's lips gently pressed against her own. The kiss was light but affectionate. Emma closed her eyes to revel in it. She hoped it would never end, but Regina pulled away.
Emma's eyes fluttered open. She was smiling, barely, and blushing to the point her cheeks felt as if they were on fire. As she looked at Regina, she was sure she wasn't the only one in shock.
"Well that was….err…" Emma stammered, tripping on her own words as she tried to speak.
Regina didn't give her a chance to finish. She leaned in again, and kissed Emma as she had before. It was for longer this time. Regina's lips were so soft, Emma imagined they could be likened to a cloud.
When she broke naturally, and somewhat reluctantly pulled herself back just far enough to see the blonde's face again, Regina smiled. A light shade of pink tinted her cheeks, probably embarrassment Emma assumed. After all, she knew she looked the same way. She smiled at Regina, swallowing down a small lump in her throat before clearing it to try and speak again.
"Well, that…."
"Just, shut up, Emma!" Regina groaned, leaning in and silencing her with yet another kiss.
Emma's head began to swim with confusion. She returned Regina's passionate, and affectionate kisses until she found herself being pulled up off of the couch. Regina grasped her hand just that little bit tighter as she broke the kiss, then turned, pulling her slowly out of the room.
They paused in the hall, Regina spinning back to face her. Her expression was demure. Emma found herself growing increasingly nervous, for which she blamed her intoxication. Perhaps it was that same intoxication that was making Regina act more forward towards her that evening.
"Oh, Emma, shut up!" Regina smirked as she took a hold on her leather jacket lapels.
"But I - I didn't say anything." Emma stammered.
Her expression a priceless one. Contorted with confusion at Regina's barked order when she hadn't said anything.
Regina smirked, her dark hair falling flawlessly forward, covering part of her face as she momentarily lost her balance and tipped her head forward to hide her blush. Stumbling against Emma, she tried to hide her clumsy movements in rewarding her with another kiss. It was all very overwhelming for Emma. She enjoyed the kiss, then found her mind spinning again, as Regina pulled her close and just let her hold her momentarily.
Emma closed her eyes, screwing them up tightly as her head continued to swim. She didn't know if she was grateful for the still moment of their embrace, or if it was making it worse. The notion of standing still for what seemed like an eternity now, was making the room spin. She shifted slightly on the spot, hoping Regina would move so she could to the same. Unfortunately Regina took the hint a little too literally.
She went flying forward as Regina suddenly jerked towards the front door. As she allowed herself to be lead blindly along, much like a lamb to the slaughter she supposed even though she had no idea where they, or perhaps just she, was going. Emma caught the tips of her boots on the floorboards, wincing upon impact, even though she didn't feel any pain. Which appeared to amuse Regina, from the drunken titter she could hear from her.
"Slow down, Regina" Emma drawled as she tripped on their very last step.
Her boots scraped the few steps leading down to the door, scuffing as she struggled to not trip behind the insatiable brunette. Regina swung the door open and pulled Regina out into the night.
"Where are we going?" Emma asked, the fresh air hitting her and causing her speech to slightly stir.
Regina pulled her close into an embrace, an almost evil smirk on her face as she flicked her hand towards the door. It shut so quietly, the sound was barely audible. Yet a seond later when Regina suddenly pushed her up against it, the thud was deafening.
"You're going to wake Henry up."
"No, I'm not, Miss Swan." Regina chuckled lightly. "We're going to your place."
Emma hadn't a chance to protest, not that she was thinking clearly enough to even if she had wanted to, before they disappeared in a cloud of purple.
Regina had never been into Emma's bedroom, yet she just popped right in with ease. Giving Emma a moment to settle after their magical travels, she took the time to gaze around. Emma's bedroom was nothing like she had expected. There were no dirty clothes lying on the floor, no scattered socks, however it was much of a mismatch.
Decorated in pale pastel colours, the room alluded to a place of peace, purity even, which Regina immediately found ironic given Emma's savior status. The bed was covered in cheap cotton linen. Regina would miss her silk sheets for what she had in mind, but at least they wouldn't be dirtied with their intended sin. Atop the cheap sheets, was a large knitted patchwork throw which screamed Mary Margaret's name, of that Regina was certain. Still the room had a nice homely feel to it.
Regina turned slowly, with fluid movement, so elegant to face Emma. She had an almost wicked grin on her. Slowly she drew her arm up, twisting it so she could beckon Emma closer with the simple movement of her index finger. She grinned.
"Come here." Regina tried to sound authoritative, yet her intoxication let her down.
A warm pink painted her cheeks, her head bowing to hide her embarrassment whilst she composed herself. It was a completely endearing sight. Emma was mesmerised and compelled to obey the instruction she had been given.
Regina's arms snaked around Emma's waist lightly. She lifted her head slowly, her lips meeting Emma's in another light and tender kiss. Lulling the blonde into a sense of security, Regina held her and kissed her, drinking in the very essence of her through their shared affections, before allowing herself to tumble backwards onto the bed.
She didn't need to pull Emma down with her. The blonde willing toppled on top of her. It was a wild move, fuelled by passion and hunger for Regina. Emma was drunk, not only on the alcohol. The very idea of being with Regina left her mind cloudy, senses heightened, and need for closeness intensified. Emma had had a little taste of the toxin, now she wanted more of her regal drug.
Regina writhed beneath her. Her hands clamped on Emma's cheeks, kissing her with an aggressive possessiveness. Emma's moan was guttural as she bucked her hips voluntarily down against Regina.
A race began. Who could get undressed the fastest, yet they tugged and ripped at one another's clothing not getting far. Regina damned her formal outfit choice for it's restrictions, and she damned Emma's belt buckle that no matter how hard her fumbling fingers tried, they just couldn't undo it.
"Damn it! Emma just, just get underdressed!" Regina barked in agitation, as she began work on undressing herself.
Emma smirked a little and wobbled as she pushed herself up. Sitting on her knees, she ripped off her jacket and tank top with ease. She fumbled herself with her belt, giggling as she too cursed it's difficulty, but eventually got it undone. She was just unzipping, and sliding down her jeans when she felt an almighty tug on them. The friction they caused as they were ripped away from her skin, made her shiver involuntarily.
The next thing Emma knew, Regina had pulled her down on top of her again and was kissing away at her lips fervently. Her hands snaked around Emma's waist. Her touch featherlight as she skimmed up and over her back, unhooking her bra with ease, which she then slipped off.
"Put your jacket back on Miss Swan." Regina insisted in a husky voice.
"M-my jacket?" Emma mumbled against the soft lips with which she now exchanged kisses.
Regina hummed.
Confused, Emma reached for her jacket, which lay beside them on the bed. Her hand touched the red leather hesitantly, when she felt Regina's hand clamp down upon her hand, and clutch it tightly. Emma's eyes flashed to meet with hers. A shade of darkest brown that she hadn't seen before, and a dash of delightful mischief played across them.
Without further delay, she grabbed the jacket with her own hand, and Emma's controlling every moment. She whipped the jacket up, throwing it carelessly over Emma's back.
The blonde was quick to obey Regina's commands. She felt the cool texture of the jacket's lining against her bare skin, as she pushed her arms through the sleeves, and wriggled into it comfortably. She gazed down at Regina again to find her grinning.
"Fuck; Emma." she whispered, her breath raspy.
Emma just stared down at her, waiting. She was completely caught up in the surreal moment that she was overcome by intoxication, and rendered herself utterly useless without Regina's commands. She swallowed hard as the brunette reached up tentatively; her hands grasping the zipper edges of Emma's jacket.
"This is sexy." Regina informed as she tugged on the jacket.
She had averted her gaze to Emma's bare, exposed chest, peeking out from between the leather that now covered her breasts.
"You are sexy." she mused.
One of Regina's hands dropped to the bare flesh on her chest, making her flinch. Regina's fingertips were so soft. Tips of her long nails lightly scratched as she ran her fingers down between Emma's perky breasts, trickling their way down her torso. Emma had to remind herself to breathe.
"So very sexy." Regina whispered.
Her lips were so very close to Emma's ear as she spoke. She had Emma in a most compromising situation. Although she was on all fours, hands and knees resting on the soft bed as she straddled Regina. The closeness between them was tipping her over the edge, and if Regina kept up such intimate actions, Emma was in danger of losing herself completely.
She wobbled. Her body lurching down towards Regina. She needed to taste her again. Their lips met once more. Emma kissed and kissed, until she was breathless. Her hands were on Regina now, their bodies pushed close together. Another kiss was passionately shared as Emma stroked down Regina's side.
A moan escaped from Emma as Regina lightly tugged on her thong. A heat, and ache throbbed in wanton lust between her thighs. This ride was taking way too long to reach its destination. She lightly dug her fingers into Regina's hip, clutching at her lace underwear as if she may rip her free of it any minute.
"Just rip them off!" Regina growled as she kissed over and over again, her hand tugging once again on the delicate undergarment keeping Emma's modesty hidden.
Regina was growing impatient. Her eyes raked over Emma's beautiful body. Scanning every bit of bare flesh available to the eye. That's when she noticed a shadowing on Emma's right side, large in size. Curiosity got the better of her. She reached up and slid her hand along Emma's smooth, pale skin and carefully pushed the jacket back.
"What the hell?" Regina suddenly cussed.
"What?" Emma flinched at the sudden declaration, and recoiled.
"That. What the hell is that, Miss Swan?"
Emma followed Regina's gaze to her side. Swallowing hard, she stared down at the birthmark upon her skin. Shaped like a lion. For a moment they were both silent, both looking at the strange marking before Regina erupted.
"You have a lion marking. A LION MARKING, EMMA! and you say nothing. NOTHING!" Regina's lip curled angrily, as she almost spat her words.
Emma's only reaction to the outburst was to blink. She had completely forgotten about her birthmark amidst their drunken stupor. The way Regina was now scowling at her, told her all she needed to know about her mood. Still, she was somewhat distracted from providing an answer, completely distracted by how Regina was even more mesmerising when angry and only partly dressed. Yet, despite her anger, Regina's puzzlement had kept her lying beneath Emma, and still at her mercy.
"Why didn't you say anything?!" Regina snapped. "You heard what Tinkerbell said!"
Emma stammered as she tried desperately to think of an excuse for her silence. She came up short.
"Miss Swan! I am waiting."
"I'm sorry. The moment seemed…" she paused.
Regina raised an eyebrow. Her breathing deep and steady as she tried her best to keep her anger under control. However, she wouldn't wait forever. She needed answers from the blonde, and she needed them now.
"The moment seemed inappropriate Regina." Emma quickly blurted.
She could feel the tension building between them. Especially as a result of Regina's clamped jaw as she tried desperately to bite her tongue. She didn't want any trouble with Regina. They were only just getting to a new level in their relationship, and she really didn't want that spoilt.
"I didn't. You were upset Regina. I didn't want to add to that when, well, when I wasn't sure how you felt about me."
Regina remained silent. Her gaze fixed on Emma as she watched her cheeks blush, and her gently swallowing. She really was adorable and cute, not that Regina would ever admit that out loud.
Emma ran her fingers through her long blonde hair, as the tip of her tongue slipped passed her lips, licking lightly. Still resting on her knees, she averted her gaze from Regina, and opted to glance around the unfamiliar room some more.
"And you don't think that mentioning you have the propherised marking was important?"
"Right." Emma answered automatically.
As soon as she had said it, the look on Regina's face made her regret it. She knew it was a trick question, of which she had walked right into the trap. She immediately cursed her idiocy with a very loud curse.
"Miss Swan!" Regina scolded.
"I'm sorry. For the swear; and the keeping the marking from you. I'm just sorry. Please calm down Regina. I didn't do it to hurt you."
Emma was rambling. Everything was happening so fast, and she didn't know how to properly explain herself, or stop it. Regina was moving to get off the bed. Emma moved forcefully from her straddling position as she forced herself up and off of the bed.
"Regina, please!" Emma pleaded pittyfully. "Please! I knew we had a connection. We've always had a connection, haven't we?"
Regina stopped just short of the closed bedroom door. Emma was right. Again, not that she would admit that out loud. She sighed heavily, replying instantly.
"Yes."
"Then you must honestly know I didn't keep this from you purposely to help you. I was trying to ease you any further heartache or pain. I thought I was doing the right thing."
Regina's shoulders slumped a little. She turned back to face Emma and nodded in acknowledgement of her little speech.
"Yes. Like your mother."
"Please, I didn't mean to hurt you."
Regina sighed again. One hand rested on her hip, the other swept through her hair with exasperation. She knew Emma hadn't done it on purpose, same as she hadn't brought Marion back on purpose to destroy what she had then thought was her happiness.
"I apologise I lost my temper." Regina coughed. "And, I know you didn't mean to, to, well you know"
Regina didn't want to admit that Emma keeping such a thing from her had hurt her. She made her way back to the bed slowly. Climbing back upon the duvet she sat opposite Emma and stared at her, in all her glory.
"Do you think Tinkerbell was right?" Regina asked.
There was a look about her that alluded to her vulnerability.
"About the lion marking?"
Emma swallowed gently. She had no doubt that Tinkerbell was right. Nodding to confirm her answer, she looked down at her bare thighs and waited for Regina to say something further.
She didn't see Regina edge closer, but Emma lifted her head when she felt the warmth of her palm cupping her cheek. She gulped, her lips involuntarily moving ever so slightly it might be missed, yet Regina didn't. Regina leaned across and kissed her once more. Her hands wrapped around Emma's arms and she yanked her back down on top of her as she fell back into the bed.
Emma through her leg over Regina and straddled her once more. In the full on throws of passion their bodies quickly became entwined. They held one another close. Lips touching in light kisses in between sporadic bouts of kisses to shoulders, collarbones, necks and breasts, as eager hands explored every dip and curve of one another's bodies.
"Fuck." Regina cussed.
Her voice was raspy and hoarse, yet it only added to the seduction of the already authoritative tone Regina naturally had.
Emma's hand and dipped below her underwear, cupping her sex, as an expertly trained finger entertained her clit. Regina had never experienced such skill in all her years of bed partners, and was on the verge of being premature. She reached up, grabbing the leather jacket she had Emma clad in and smacked her lips against hers. If she didn't distract Emma from her task, she would be exhausted, and deeply disappointed in herself.
Emma moaned gutturally at the affection. Her tongue pushed gently against Regina's as they kissed. It was hot. Way hotter than she had ever imagined.
"FUCK!" Regina cussed again when her efforts failed, as Emma ran her finger through the wetness pooling between her legs.
A light dusting of pink tinted Regina's cheeks in embarrassment. Her back arched up into the blonde at the intrusion, and she was moaning beyond her control as the tension inside her built. She needed release soon, but this was all happening too quickly and she didn't want it to be over.
Regina gasped again when suddenly she was ripped once again from her thoughts. Emma had slipped a second finger now gently inside her, and as if by magic was still stimulating her clit with her thumb, as she rewarded Regina was sloppy, passionate kisses all over her neck and chest. For someone so clumsy, idiotic even by all accounts in Regina's opinion, there was clearly one area in Emma's life where that was not the case; the bedroom.
Emma's finger's curved inside Regina, touching in just all the right spots to be pleasurable. Regina had never been so turned on in her life. She kissed Emma tenderly as their lips came crashing back together. She couldn't stop herself, she just couldn't. Emma had the magic touch.
Regina exploded ceremoniously. Her body bucking and tensing as her release coursed through her body. It rippled across her sweat sheened skin, and then she panted as she finally flutter her screwed up eyelids open, and stared graciously up at Emma.
The blonde giggled through her own panting. It had been fun to watch the uptight Mayor unravel beneath her. She grinned as she collapsed down onto Regina with a heavy thud, and sigh of exhaustion. She was beat. She needed to sleep. To rest up and conserve her strength, because if Regina presented her with another opportunity to be intimate as they just had, Emma was willing and wanted to be ready.
Her eyelids dropped, and her weight became crushing on top of Regina, who was still in recovery from her thrilling ride. Her arms fell heavily around Emma, landing with a slap on top of then cold leather of her jacket. Never had she ever let a bed mate remain on top of her like this, but something with Emma was different. She held her there, closing her own eyes in an effort to relax.
Within minutes she was asleep, as was Emma, the welcome anchor keeping her now tethered to her bed. They stayed like that for hours. Just a tangled mess of pale, and olive skinned limbs, a little black lace, and a whole lot of red leather.
