Wine and Fireballs

Emma walked her parents to their truck. The temperature had dropped substantially and she wrapped her arms around herself to keep from shivering. There may be no snow on the ground but it definitely felt like winter.

"We'll see you in the morning, we'll do breakfast or something," Snow felt her throat get tight and she threw her arms around her daughter's neck. "It will be ok, I know it will," she sniffed.

"Thanks, mom. I'll see you tomorrow, it's freezing out here." She let her go, gave them a quick wave and hightailed it back into the house.

Closing the front door behind her she looked around the expansive entryway. She felt a bit out of place for a moment with everyone gone. She couldn't recall being alone here with just the two of them. Even when she had brought Regina home from the hospital Henry had been their awaiting their arrival.

She headed to the kitchen and found Regina wasn't there. She wasn't in the dining room either. When she did track her down she found her on the study, stacking wood into the fireplace. On the polished wood coffee table there was the bottle of wine and two wine glasses, both already poured.

Regina leaned up from her task and wiped her hands on her black pants.

"It's cold. We need a fire, Swan. Have at it." she said, gesturing at the fireplace.

She shook her head, "Regina, I am not the fireball thrower here. I can barely make one."

"Nonsense. Give me one, come on."

She sighed, resigned. "If I burn this place down I'm telling everyone that you started it." She crouched down in front of the fireplace and held her hand out with her palm facing upwards. She thought back to their earlier conversation about Killian and the fireball came quickly enough. She tossed it forward quickly like it might burn out before it got to the wood. The wood crackled at the impact and burst out in flame.

"Perfect," Regina drawled, putting the screen back around the fireplace.

Emma stood up and saw Regina turn the lights off in the den, allowing the only illumination to come from the fire. Her breath hitched in her throat a little and she found herself getting nervous. She tried to casually wipe her sweaty palms on her pants as she walked over to the couch and sat down. She could feel Regina's eyes on her, they had a heat all of their own and she could feel it on her skin. She took one of the filled wineglasses and brought it to her lips.

Regina sat down on the couch next to her and followed suit.

"Are you...ok? After all that?" Emma bumbled, her eyes locked on the fire in front of them.

"Yes, I'm alright. You?"

She nodded. "I'm ok. I feel a little better actually." She took slow breaths to try to will her heart from racing. Crap, what was she going to do? Stay jammed into the corner of the couch? She was pretty certain Regina was looking at her like a lioness gazed upon a gazelle. She didn't have to see it to feel it. It had happened a lot more frequently lately, and Emma had flirted back with a bit of bravado but now here they were and there was a damn good chance something was going to go down and she was feeling just a bit scared.

"Emma, what's wrong?"

"What? Nothing." She gulped down a long swallow of wine and set the glass down. She looked over at Regina and practically tripped into those dark eyes that glimmered in the darkness. To be their sole object of attention and want sent her heart hammering in her chest all over again.

"I can literally see your pulse jumping in your neck." Regina put her wine glass down and gently took Emma's hand in her own.

"Emma. I love you. And I need you. After today," she tossed her head and gave a little laugh. "I really need you. So, we've had the wine, you lit the fire, the lights are down..."

Emma laughed nervously, "What are you saying, Mayor? Do you need the Sherriff to manhandle a suspect?"

Regina smiled. "I most certainly do."

They both moved forward at the same time, crashing into each other. Their magic glowed and spun around them but they failed to notice. Emma was pretty certain Regina's petite tongue was the greatest thing ever and it tasted wonderfully of wine. She felt herself being pushed back onto the couch and she pulled the brunette with her.

Their first round of lovemaking was a blur. They didn't manage to get further than the couch. Unbuttoned blouses still hung from their shoulders and pants were tossed to unknown locations. Once their immediate needs were sated they managed to get to the plush white rug under the coffee table, which Regina had conveniently magicked away.

With their remaining clothes now removed and nothing between their flesh Emma truly understood that she needed Regina, too. Not just in a sexual way but like in an everything way. They fit together so perfectly, she was almost annoyed that it had taken so long. She ran her hands down Regina's smooth back and nuzzled her neck.

"I love you, Regina," she whispered.

Regina lifted herself up so she could look down at Emma, her dark hair falling like a curtain to the side of her face. "I know."

"Oh really?" she asked, quirking an eyebrow.

"Tossing yourself into a dark cloud of swirling evil for me was a bit of a hint. But, I never thought you would pry yourself away from that greasy pirate."

"The less said about that the better."

"Agreed." Regina proceeded put her mouth to other uses rather than talking which left Emma writhing and gasping for air.

It took Emma longer to fall asleep that night than it should have. They finally made it to the bedroom. After the wine and their exertions she should have been exhausted but she couldn't get over the peaceful feeling that came with being wrapped around Regina. Every bit of tension left her body and the warmth made her feel secure like she never had felt in her life. She wanted to remember it, burn it into her memory. She fought sleep as much as she could until it finally claimed her.

Emma woke to the sounds of Regina talking softly to someone. She assumed she was on the phone since she couldn't hear the other side of the conversation. She scooted down a bit and rested her head on the brunette's abdomen and tried to stay in her slumber.

"No, I think that is a good idea. Yes, you will need to bring milk, are we really going to go over this again? And bring a change of clothes for Emma. Ok, and tell Henry for the last time he is not riding in the back of the truck, I don't care how short of a drive it is." She ended the call and put her phone back on the nightstand. "Good morning, beautiful. That was your mother, she's bringing the whole Charming brood and guest over for breakfast. Guess she didn't have as much room as she thought she did. How did you sleep?" she asked, lazily running her fingers through Emma's tousled blonde locks.

"Mmmmm," Emma hummed happily, "Good. You are an excellent cuddler by the way."

"Thank you. We better get cleaned up and dressed before they get here. I think a quick shower is in order, care to join me?"

"You don't have to ask me twice," Emma said, rolling over to get to her feet.