"Do you remember what I said to you, not so long ago? You scare the hell out of me," Regina whispered, barely audible.
Emma shifted, still on her knees. She placed her hand over Regina's, which was cupped around her neck. "I know I do. And I have to tell you, that kind of scares me, because of all the shit you've been up against in your life, I'm like…a fleck of dust. An insignificant irritation," Emma said, smiling softly.
Regina did not move her hand. "You're not insignificant."
Emma sighed, dropping her head. "How can I prove to you that I know what I want, understand what I did was incredibly stupid, and that I won't run when things get messy?"
Rather than answer, Regina joined Emma on the floor, knees touching. She took both of her hands and clasped them tightly. "You can't prove it. There is no black or white here, Emma. There is no answer, and there is no proof. I have to have faith in you, trust that you know what you want and that you won't do those things. I wish I could put it on you, but the truth is, right now, it's on me."
Tentatively, Emma reached forward and embraced Regina fully, pulling her securely against her body. She could feel Regina melt into her, and as she felt a tsunami of relief wash over her, she let out a broken gasp. The smell of her, the feel of her, in a way that Emma never knew if she would experience again, provided a tangible peace. Emma held Regina tightly, caressing her back, her neck, her hair.
The moment only lasted a minute, but for those sixty seconds, the two women found themselves in an unprecedented haze of simplicity. Regina pulled back, meeting Emma's eyes with overwhelming emotion. She leaned forward again, brushing their lips, softly, almost asking permission. Emma moved both of her hands up to Regina's neck in confirmation, deepening the kiss. If climbing into each other was an option, they would have jumped on it.
Regina stood, lifting Emma along with her by her hands. She kissed her again, running her tongue slowly along the expanse of Emma's lips, creating friction that was barely a tickle. Emma sighed outwardly, unable to keep silent. Emma's arms fell to Regina's waist, her hands pressing in on the small of her back. Regina pulled away again, slightly, and lifted the hem of Emma's sweater. Emma quickly grasped her hands.
"We don't have to do this now," she said, her voice thick with passion. "Seriously, I am content to just sit here and hold you. I can't even begin to tell you how fulfilling this is for me." Emma brushed Regina's hair away from her face, and kissed her lightly on the lips.
"I want to. I need to, Emma. I need to feel you on top of me, underneath me, and inside of me," Regina husked, tears forming in her eyes.
Emma ran her thumb along the upper part of Regina's cheek. "Are you sure? I just want you to be–"
Regina grabbed Emma by the back of her head, interrupting her, and drew their lips together with force. No longer cautious, she pulled Emma's sweater off her in one swift motion. Her bra posed no issue either; it was gone before Emma even realized Regina's fingers were behind her.
Taking her cue, Emma was no longer hesitant. She made quick work of Regina's button-down, balling it and tossing it to the side. Her fingers deftly slipped into the waistband of Regina's pants, pushing just enough to slide them down the length of Regina's legs. Emma stopped for a moment to look at her, to confirm this was really happening. There was no tinge of humor this time; no informal ceremony of discovery. This was enflamed and fervent and an act of reckoning.
Regina stepped out of her slacks, and pulled Emma down on top of her. They were positioned on an area rug in her study, the fire still crackling. Regina spread her legs wide, so Emma could fit easily between them, allowing their chests, their stomachs, their sex to massage against each other in the ultimate display of closeness.
Emma stayed on top of Regina for a long time, claiming her lips again and again. She was desperate to prove she was Regina's, all of her; Regina was desperate to prove the same thing. Regina fumbled with Emma's button for about a second before giving up.
"Take these off," she heaved into Emma's ear, igniting even further what was already a firestorm. Emma complied, shedding her jeans and everything else in record time. Regina didn't bother to wait for the romantic reveal either; she removed all that remained of her clothing at the same time. The burning need for skin on skin obliterated any preconceived notions about the gestures that a reunion should possess.
Emma slithered her way back up Regina's body, moaning at the sensation that their wetness was creating. They were sliding against each other in a fluid motion, there was no restriction or limitation to their movement. Regina grasped Emma's shoulders, digging her fingernails into the soft flesh. She threw her head back, her vision becoming cloudy and her mind spinning. Emma ignored the pain, dipping her head into Regina's extended chest, swirling her tongue languidly over each breast, until her teeth found Regina's nipple. Regina gasped loudly, startling Emma by sitting up so rapidly, nearly pushing her off.
"Are you ok?" Emma asked breathlessly, pushing a sweaty strand of hair out of her face.
Regina nodded, pulling Emma close to her again, still sitting. Regina crooked her knees, pulling Emma's legs beneath her so they were sitting chest to chest. Regina gripped Emma's hair, tangling her fingers firmly in the blonde mass, and drew Emma to her. She crushed their lips together, her tongue dancing with Emma's, before she forcefully guided Emma's hand to her throbbing sex. Emma groaned at the movement, her finger effortlessly sliding into Regina. Regina whimpered against Emma's lips, croaking out the word "another" to which Emma obliged. Steadily moving in a pace which she knew would not afford her much time, Regina extended her arm so that her fingers grazed Emma's opening. Emma slid forward, closing a space that was non-existent, careful not to break the rhythm that was causing Regina such obvious shortness of breath. Regina's fingers slipped easily into Emma. Emma used her free hand to clutch Regina's neck, kissing and moaning and breathing all morphed into some unconscious carnal endeavor.
They rocked back and forth, glistening with sweat, the heady scent of sex filling the air around them. Regina inhaled a noisy intake of breath, biting out, "Come with me, Emma," in a guttural rasp that Emma could not disobey. Emma felt the sensation building in her abdomen, about to take over, when Regina cursed loudly and began kissing her feverishly, orgasm shuddering through every nerve. Before she could finish, Emma felt herself let go, coming and shaking and kissing Regina all at the same time, in some lurid fantasy that couldn't possibly be taking place in the real world. Every nerve ending was exploding in a firework of color, and Emma truly believed she may have merged entirely with Regina's physical form before finding herself somewhat grounded again.
When they were both spent, the kissing becoming more affectionate and softer, Regina fell back onto the plush rug. Emma snatched a red fleece blanket off the couch and covered them up. She hoisted herself onto one elbow, tenderly running her fingers over Regina's exposed arm.
"I love you so much," Emma told her, not taking her eyes off of Regina's.
Regina opened her mouth to speak, but instead burst into tears, her throat consumed with unfettered sobs.