•THIS IS STABLE QUEEN. NOT OUTLAW QUEEN•

Regina Mills. The product of an unhappy childhood, a mother who loved power more than her, and a father whom she thought hung the moon… but was always too afraid to stand up to her mother. A victim of circumstance, and poor choices she will fully admit. As she sat there looking at her reflection in her vanity, her fingertips poking through as she combed through her black hair, she thought of the past. Not every moment, obviously, just what she could recall. Good, bad, ugly, small moments that seem to not even matter- like the time she rolled rocks down the hallway as a child, bored out of her mind.

Nothing in particular seemed to stick, every memory like a paint cloud in water, disappearing as quickly as it came. Until… Daniel. Every time his face appeared, it was like every acrylic memory splashed through the waves and stuck to the insides of her eyelids and covered her insides in a warmness she hasn't felt since the last time she touched him.

She thought of the first time she saw him. It wasn't anything monumental or earth shattering. Just a stable boy falling over a feed bucket, drawing a deep chuckle from her chest. She was far enough away that he didn't hear her, but close enough to watch him laugh and dust himself off, turn to the black horse by his side and mumble something about how clumsy he is.

The next time she saw him was after a fight with her mother, a fairly common occurrence.

She always sought out comfort in the barn, in Rociante. The smell of the hay and the sound of the horses going about their days. She could sit there for hours, close her eyes and just exist.

It was during one of these moments that she realized she had company- and not of the equine race.

The barn doors slammed open, jolting her out of her peaceful trance. She could hear the mutterings of a disgruntled Mills employee- another regular occurrence.

"Who does she think she is? I have spend every day of my life around horses and she has the NERVE to tell me how to do my job?" Scoffing hardily,
"Chesta, I swear…" His attention now turned to the black horse she had seen him with days earlier. Regina watched him through the wooded slots of Rociante's stall.

"If I didn't fear her magic, Chesta we would be gone. She doesn't believe you are worth my time. She called you a beast… She does't see the beauty I do." His hand gracefully stroking the horse's face.

"She's just some stuck up, old witch who-"

"Careful what you say… barn hand. That is my mother, your mistress and a powerful sorceress you speak of." Coming around the corner, her chest broad and shoulders back.
"Well," Turning to face her, "It's about time you showed your face"
"You…" Looking around, surprised,
"If spending your life around horses teaches you one thing, its to be aware of your surroundings, always."
"Well… if you knew i was here why did you say all those things. I could get you fired, or even killed."
"But you won't."
"What arrogance you have. You don't even know me."
"I don't need to. I see how you are with Rociante. How you are with all the horses. They feel comfortable around you, and you around them. You can tell a lot about someone by how they treat animals. Especially horses."
"Oh… well then…" Gathering her things in one arm, "I should be going, mother will be looking for me." Avoiding his gaze, but not wanting to look away from his eyes.
Nodding as she walked by him,
"I'll be sure to put in a good word with Mother about Chesta for you."
"Careful, now. Don't want her knowing about your secret hide-away." A sly wink over his shoulder as he guided the horse back to his stall.

That was the first interaction of many. Now, instead of going to see the horses, she would go to see him. Go to escape, yes, but also go to seek the comfort in him.

She would listen to him talk about the horses, and learn all she could. He would take her hand in his and guide it along the body of the beast, and she could feel her heart flutter as his hand tightened ever so slightly around her fingers.

Each day she could get away she would, and every moment she would look at him with an ever growing sparkle that would shine brightest when his hand met hers.

She would always remember the firsts. The first time he held her hand. Their first kiss… her first kiss at all.

Daniel had just finished telling Regina of the wild stations he had come to tame, and the herds he had seen in the wild.

"Have you ever seen a unicorn up close?" Eyes gleaming like a child. He chuckled softly and sat next to her on a warm bale of hay beside Chesta.

"Unicorns… though anatomically similar are much different than horses."
"How so?" Leaning in closer to this man who knew all there seemed to be known, who had seen so much of the world.
"Well, Horses are heard animals. Unicorns, prefer to roam alone."
"Why?" The innocence in her voice almost unbearable.
"Some creatures aren't meant to be with others their whole life." A look washed across his face she knew all too well.
"People…" swallowing hard, working up the nerve, "people are heard animals. Sort of…" Looking down in embarrassment. Why, why word it like that.

"I guess you're right." Laughing and rubbing the back of his head.

"I just mean that they don't roam around alone. Not all the time anyways. I know some people prefer to be alone," looking him in the eye, "but that's not for life… That's temporary. Eventually, they settle down. Right? They find someone worth not being alone anymore for?"
"I suppose. That probably happens."

"And suppose, someone who likes being alone… finds someone else who also likes being alone, well they could possibly, be alone… together, couldn't they?"
"I'm not sure it works that way, Regina."
"No, it doesn't. You're right that was dumb."
"NO! Don't ever say that about yourself. You are so smart, Regina. You are the smartest woman I have ever met."
No one had ever in her whole life said anything like this to her. Compliments rolled in about her hair or her eyes or her lips, her clothing or her manners but never compliments about her smarts, about her brains.
"I just meant that some people are alone by choice, and for others, its forced upon them."
"I…"
"I know how your mother is, Regina."
"No, I-I didn't mean-"
"It's ok." His hand cradled the side of her face, his callouses rubbing against her neck.

"I feel it too. If I could, Regina, I would be alone with you forever."
"You would?" Her voice so soft that she herself could barely hear it.
"I would." Cradling her face with now both hands,
"Regina,"
"Yes…"
"I would very much like to kiss you now, if that's alright."
"Y-yes. That's um, that's… Yes." A smile on her lips, "but, I'm afraid I won't be much good at it."
"That's ok. I might not either. Just, close your eyes."
Quickly she did as he said, having more blind faith in him than she did herself.

Warm breath clouded just inches in front of her, and she swore her heart was going to beat out of it's chest. She felt his hands grip the back of her skull and pull her in. Her hands were awkwardly resting in the air to her sides, her lips were trembling and her fingers slightly numb.

Then it happened. The warm softness of her lips pressed agains this, and it was the most awkward, perfect, kind of terrible but mostly good thing she had ever done or felt. Their lips didn't line up perfectly the first time but that was ok. A small giggle rose up from inside of her before she could stop it.
"Yeah, I said it might not be perfect…"
"That's ok," a sudden burst of confidence overcame her, "We can practice."

A smile on her lips she had never felt before crept up on her, and it made his eyes go a shade darker. She knows now that it was seduction but then it was just her natural response.

As she applied the lotion on her face, she began to allow herself to remember more of him. How he made her feel, how he loved her, their first time making love.

Many people had this crude curiosity about The Evil Queen and her virginity, though why, she'll never understand. Everyone always assumed it was lost to that old ogre of a king, but in truth it was not lost. It was given. Given to the stable boy that stole her heart.

Cora had left for a ball, or some formal event to one of the more distant palaces. The trip was at least a three day journey there and back. Regina and Daniel had been sneaking kisses and a few wandering hands for months now, but with Cora always around it was nearly impossible to do anything without fear of getting caught. Daniel had placed his hands on her breasts, and laced kisses along her neck, Regina reciprocating the actions shyly. Now that she knew she had alone time, her father allowing her all the space in the world as he himself knew how it felt to be suffocated by Cora's watchful eye, she knew that this trip would be the perfect time.

"Daniel?" Carrying her voice the tallest beam of the barn.
"Daniel, where are you?"

"Right here!" Jumping behind her, wrapping this arms around her waist from behind,
"DANIEL COTER!" Slapping him while laughter burst from her belly, "Do not do that! You know I hate being startled!"
"You know, it's hard to convey sincere hatred while laughter drips from your upward curved lips…"
"Shut up." Pounding his shoulder with a thump.
"I got your note, you summoned me here?" Wondering why he called for her so late in the evening,
"Mother has just barely left in her carriage towards Hathor's kingdom."
Pulling her closer to his chest,

"I just couldn't wait to see you." Pressing his lips against hers.
"And," Motioning towards the back of the barn,
"I planned supper."
"Supper? Daniel its 3 hours past sun down! Supper happened hours ago."
Walking slowly towards the dancing candle light.
"Ok, then a post supper meal."
"A midnight snack? Really?"
"It's not midnight yet!"

"Then this meal has no name. It's just a meal."
"Well I'd hope it'd be more special than that."
"It is special Daniel, I was only kidding." Smiling as she sat down by the basket with chocolate and-
"Wine? Daniel this is red wine where did you get this."
"I traded a merchant for it. It's nothing, really."
"Daniel…"

"I wanted tonight to be special."
"Why? What's so special about tonight."
"It's the first night we're truly free. You don't have to run off, you're not going to be beckoned away from me. We can actually sit here, and spend time with each other. Talk, as long as we want. This is our night."
"Well then," holding up the glass of wine he had just poured for her,
"Here's to us. To our night."
The night went on, and there were laughs and wine, and chocolate, and more wine.

"I feel a little funny" Giggling like a fool,

"You're a bit buzzed my love, have you not consumed much alcohol in your life?"
"I have!"
"Shh, theres no need to yell" Laughing as he took the glass from her.
"Sorry." Whispering.
"I have had plenty. Just not usually this…"
"Strong?"

"Rich." Laughing.

"I'm not drunk. I just feel… free."
"That's your lack of inhibition. It can feel quite liberating."
"I like it."
"I'm glad" Stroking her cheek with his palm.
"And I like YOU!" Booping his nose with her finger.
"You know what else?"
"Yes, Regina."
"I even love you." Her eyes got wide, and her mouth covered her hand,
"I-I'm so sorry. I shouldn't have said that. I don't know why I said that I-"
"I love you too." Cradling her face in his hands.
"You do?"
"Yes, Regina. I do."
"Why? Why me? I'm so…"
"Beautiful? Yes you are. Caring, and smart. And you love horses and animals. You think for yourself, and you have strong opinions. Your eyes are like chocolate, and your lips… red and perfect," running his thumb along them.
"You're in love with me."
"I am very in love with you Regina."
Regina wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him, deeply.

His hands wrapped in her hair, and around her back.

Hands began to roam freely and Regina began to unclad her clasps on her dress.
"Regina, wait."
"No, Daniel, I want you to make love to me."
"Regina,"
"Please?" Her eyes longing for him, for his hands and his touch.
"Only if you're sure…"
"I have not been more sure of anything ever in my entire lifetime."
Slowly Daniel moved all the food out of the way, placing the wine glasses on a bale of hay, spreading the blanket out wider to cover more hay covered ground.
"You're sure" He asked once more, standing in the middle of the blanket.
"I'm sure. I want you Daniel. I want you to make love to me."
His hands wound into her hair, pulling gently making her moan ever so quietly.
"I'm sorry, it just came out of me…"
"Regina, I plan to give you pleasure tonight. Making noise is normal, and I love it. Just do what comes naturally, okay?"
Nodding in agreement until his lips met hers again.
Daniels calloused hands ran along her arms, as he untied the back of her dress, and unhooked a few of the clasps. In a short time, she stood before him in her laced garments, simple white and beautiful. Her body was illuminated by candlelight and so was his, their shadows dancing on the walls of the barn. Cupping her breast, his hands gently began massaging her, while her small hands worked on getting him out of his own trousers. Fumbling fingers and nervous hands shook with uncertainty.

"Regina, would you like help?"
Nodding her head,
"Here, let me" Hastily he got himself down to nothing but his briefs and his under shirt.
"There, much better." Guiding her to the ground, on the blanket where they had laughed just minutes ago.

Cracked lips kissed salty curved and exposed skin, and rough hands began to rub the inside of her thighs.

The lace of her brazier rising and falling quickly, with heavy breaths not far behind. Using her nails, scraping his scalp ever so gently as his tongue traced the curve of her breasts.

On her thigh she could feel him grabbing at her flesh, pinching lightly sending pings of tingles up and down her spine.

This isn't monumental like in mothers novels…

She remembers thinking to herself. It was very… normal. But it was special, because she loved him. Butterflies fluttered in her stomach, but as soon as his fingers touched the lips between her legs, it all felt very… awkward. In the moment she felt terrible about it, wanted it to be magical and romantic. Now, she looks back and laughs at the wonderful memories.

The moment she saw him naked for the first time, and accidentally giggled, the first time she stroked him and his eyes didn't close in absolute euphoria.

How her insides felt when he pressed himself inside her. It didn't hurt, but it didn't feel amazing. From what she had read she thought her head should be spinning by now, but in reality it was far FAR from it. The sound of their breathing was the loudest noise she had ever heard, and all that could be heard other than the sound of the horses random huffs and puffs.

Still slightly tingly from the wine, her body did feel pleasure when his fingers found her clit, and when his tongue flicked across her nipple. But even with all of the pleasure, her body did not shake with ecstasy, and there was hay sticking to her back and other parts of her body.

It wasn't terrible. Finally forgiving herself in this situation she began to laugh.

"I know I don't know much… But I know this isn't going very well." Another belly laugh from deep within her.
"Well… I would have liked to make love to you for the first time somewhere other than the dirty floor of a barn with 15 horses looking on."
Both of them began to laugh, Regina instinctively covering her breasts and crossing her legs.
"I'm sorry. I know I wasn't very good."
"Regina, you were perfectly fine. This was… practice. We'll get better at it."
"You think so?"
"I know so." He smiled at her and kissed her tenderly.
"Could I, Regina could I try something?"
"I suppose…"
"I want something to be enjoyable for you."
"It was perfectly enjoyable."
"You're an awful liar."
Slowly he began kissing down her body. Licking her and blowing air over her, chilling the fresh trail he had just left.
"What are you- OH!" Her head hitting the barn floor a little too hard.
Licking at her gently at first, until he got the proof he needed that she was enjoying it on his tongue. Slowly her body began to wiggle and rock gently into his face, and his hands gripped her sides.

"Dan-Daniel… I feel… Stop."
Immediately obeying,
"What's wrong, it doesn't feel good?"
"No. It does I just feel like I…"
"It's ok Regina tell me."
"I feel like I have to pee." Covering her hands in embarrassment.
"Regina you don't" realizing…
"Regina have you never had an-"
"No I haven't. I've read about them and I've had wandering hands once or twice but… no."
"Ok, well, I'd like to keep going. Just let your body feel, okay? It'll be nice."
Nodding him on.
Before too long she felt that feeling again in her stomach again,
"I- uh" Now moaning, loudly, and breathing heavy, feeling a warmness in her belly,

"Oh my god," a mantra spilling from her lips over and over.
"Oh my god oh my god!" Grasping this hair with her hands pulling him into her harder until she felt the coil inside of her snap.
"OHHH" Sitting up quickly, arching her back slightly off the ground.

Holding still until her body stilled, then crawling up her body.

He cradled her close to his body, the both of them sweaty and gross, hay imprinted to their backs and other areas of their skin, their skin melding as one until they fell asleep.

Regina still remembers waking up the next morning to a basket of berries, in a nightgown she didn't remember putting on. That night, much like every other (except for one) memory she had of Daniel always brought a smile to her face. Only stirring from her memory as she heard Arrow crying in the other room. Smiling, finally able to recall memories from her past without guilt, and without the shadow of what once haunted her.