of ice packs and celebrations (part one of three)
(Anonymous: Swan Queen: Emma prompts Henry to join a school sports team (bonus if it's a violent!sport) and Regina is worried and peeved.)
Emma shuts the engine off before they actually reach the Mayor's house - Henry's orders, of course - and she smiles as Henry bounces out of his seat and pulls open the door for her.
"Hurry up! We might get in before she's home!"
Emma laughs. "Kid, I think she's gonna notice it anyway."
Henry shrugs and readjusts the ice pack dripping at his cheek, and takes Emma's hand with his free one. His easy gesture of affection fills her with warmth, and they round the corner onto the path leading to the house with their arms swinging happily between them - but freeze at the sight of the Mayor herself leaning against the doorframe.
"And what is it that I might notice?" Regina drawls - damn her and her superhuman hearing - and then her jaw drops. "Henry!" She marches towards the pair and wrenches Henry towards her, throwing a burning glare towards Emma. "What have you done to my son?"
Emma sighs and runs a hand through her hair. If only Henry hadn't turned to wave to her at precisely the wrong moment, this never would have happened.
"Mom, calm down, it's only a bruise!" Henry mutters, ducking his head down in embarrassment.
"I will not calm down," she hisses, eyes never leaving Emma's. "What the hell do you think you're doing? I am generous enough to give you one afternoon a week, and you can't even return him to me safely? I will not put the life of my son in the hands of such an irresponsible fool."
"Look, Regina, he was just playing basketball and he got a little distracted, that's all. Not exactly a matter of life and death."
Regina turns to Henry. "Am I to understand then, Henry, that this fresh-looking injury occurred at lunch break and had nothing to do with Miss Swan?"
"Uh..."
"Henry."
Emma groans and gives in, interrupting the interrogation. "No, Regina. It happened at his basketball training after school."
A strange expression passes over Regina's face as she pauses - a look that makes Emma feel guilty all of a sudden - but it disappears as quickly as the anger returns. "So this is how you've been spending your precious afternoons with her, Henry? Sneaking off to trainings for a stupid game without my permission?"
"I'm sorry Mom," Henry mumbles, his foot scuffing the grown while he pushes the slippery ice pack back up against his swollen cheek. "I thought it would be fun, but I knew you wouldn't let me sign up."
"And with good reason!" Regina scoffs, gesturing at his face. "Go inside and get that ice pack wrapped up before you drop it. Oh, and for your dishonesty, I forbid you to attend any more of these trainings."
"What?" Emma lets slip without even thinking, the disappointment on her face incomparable to the utter dejection on Henry's.
"Aw mom, that's so unfair!" he whines.
"Seriously, he's a 10 year old kid and it's just a game!"
Regina raises an eyebrow. "I don't believe I need parenting advice from you of all people, Miss Swan. Now please, before you cause any more damage; leave."
Emma gives Henry a last, defeated wave as she turns and walks back to her car, but she can't help mulling over Regina's words. I forbid you to attend any more of these trainings. Well, Emma realises, Regina doesn't have to know about the match on Saturday, does she? Emma decides that her and Henry have some planning to do that night - via walkie-talkie, of course.
