They had fallen asleep in the others arms, legs tangled into the blankets, heads resting together. Emma woke first. She watched Regina sleeping, replaying the night before in her mind. When she arrived in this world, she would never have expected things to end up this way. She hadn't been looking to find anyone other than her parents, she hadn't really understood what another world would be like. The Queen was like no-one she had ever met, and she had never felt this way about anyone before.
Regina looked so peaceful, almost like a different woman. Emma kissed her cheek, hoping she would continue to sleep but unable to hold herself back. She noticed Regina's bare shoulder and couldn't resist kissing her there too. There was something intoxicating about her and soon Emma was laying her lips along Regina's neck, up to the gentle curve of her ear.
She noticed Regina's eyes were open as red lips stretched into a smile. Moving slowly, Regina turned to face her. One hand came up to cup Emma's cheek and the blonde leaned down to kiss her lips.
"Did you sleep well?" Regina asked when they finally broke apart.
Emma nodded, "you?"
"Better than I have in a long time."
"So, what happens now?"
"Well I know what I would like but unfortunately being Queen means I have responsibilities."
Emma pouted and brought a hand over Regina's stomach, starting to trace random patterns over the soft skin, "I would have thought being Queen meant you could do whatever you wanted."
"I wish," Regina laughed, "we probably only have a few minutes before someone comes looking for me."
"Can't you order them to go away and use your magic to lock the doors?"
"I could…" Regina gasped as Emma's hand moved up her chest, brushing a thumb over a nipple.
"What if I asked nicely?"
"Emma…" Regina's voice lost its commanding tone as Emma placed kisses over her body. "We shouldn't…"
"Is that an order for me to stop, my Queen?" Emma's eyes lit up as if she was daring Regina to say no.
That was all it took for Regina to remember who she was. A Queen.
"Now you want to obey my orders?" she teased back, grabbing Emma's wrists and flipping them so she was on top.
Emma's eyes widened at the changed Regina. Last night had been slow and gentle, a different side from the Queen she usually saw. Now she was facing that familiar strong-willed woman and the sight of Regina naked and straddling her really turned her on.
"What would you have of me, your majesty?"
Regina leaned down to kiss her, pleased when Emma allowed her to control the kiss. Releasing Emma's hands and placing her own either side of the blonde's arms, Regina continued to kiss her until the need for air outweighed everything else.
With a wave of her hand, Regina placed a sign outside her doors, warning everyone that the Queen wasn't to be disturbed. Perhaps it was time for a day off. She could send Emma for food when they grew hungry and plead sickness if anyone dared mention her absence.
Two hours later, Emma snuck out of the Queen's chambers, checking the corridor for any guards or servants wandering around. Assuming it was all clear, she headed to the kitchens to collect them some breakfast.
Maleficent black-winged watcher waited until she was out of sight before heading back to his mistress. A few moments later and Maleficent knocked on Regina's door.
"Go away," Regina called out, her eyes closed, as she lay naked amongst the sheets on her bed.
"It's only me," Maleficent replied as she opened the door and stepped into the room, closing the door behind her.
Regina scrambled to cover herself, frowning at her friend, "didn't you see the sign?"
"Yes, but I was concerned. If you are ill, perhaps I can help?"
"I'm fine."
"You look a little flushed, I should check you don't have a fever."
"I am perfectly well."
Maleficent chuckled and threw up her hands, "I'm sorry, I can't keep a straight face any longer. I saw the blonde leaving your room and I had to come and see for myself. You slept with her."
"What?"
"You do work quickly, or was she the instigator?"
"That's none of your business."
Moving closer to Regina, Maleficent smiled, "I'm very happy for you."
Sighing when she realised she couldn't lie to her friend, Regina folded her arms, "she'll be back any minute, will you please go away."
"There's plenty of time. Now tell me everything. What happened last night, who said what."
"That's private," Regina exclaimed, sounding horrified at discussing the details of her night with Emma.
"Oh not the good bits, unless you really want to, I mean the talking first part. You did speak to her? Or were clothes removed before…"
Regina didn't know what she was doing until it was too late. She grabbed a pillow from beside her and threw it at Maleficent.
"Out."
Maleficent laughed again, but moved back towards the door, "I'm not leaving the castle until we have this talk Regina."
"You're welcome to stay in the guest room for as long as you like," Regina muttered once her friend had left the room.
Barely seconds later, the door opened again and Regina reached for another pillow. It was only Emma. She was carrying a large tray with drinks and food piled high. Regina magicked away the pillow on the floor before she could trip over it and smiled when Emma made it safely to the bed.
"Did anyone see you?" she asked.
"No, I don't think so," Emma placed the tray down. "Do you think this will be enough?"
"Is this supposed to be breakfast? There's probably enough food to last all day," Regina teased her.
"Good," Emma grinned at her, "then there's no excuse for either of us to leave this room until tomorrow."
She leaned forward and kissed Regina before she could think of a reason for that not to be true.
It was close to midnight. Emma was sound asleep and while Regina had closed her eyes and tried to join her, she remained wide-awake. It had been a wonderful day. They hadn't left the room. When Regina longed for fresh air, Emma opened the windows and stood by her side as they admired the view. The blonde managed to make conversation to help pass the time, and found other ways to entertain them. At some point they lay down on the bed and rested. Regina refused to call it a nap, saying she hadn't fallen asleep.
Now her mind was alert. She worried about the kingdom, and her guests. Hopefully Maleficent had been behaving herself. Dressing quietly, so as not to wake Emma, she slipped from the room and sought out the guard captain on duty for a report.
When he confirmed there were no major incidents, and nothing she needed to worry about until morning, Regina thanked him and began the long walk back to her room. She wasn't surprised when Maleficent stepped out of an alcove to join her and tried to ignore the smirk on the blonde's face.
"You've changed," Maleficent acknowledged.
"We both have."
"Your mother will not approve."
"Some people remain the same, no matter what."
"I can help you to protect Emma."
"From what? Or who? Did someone threaten to hurt her?"
Maleficent smiled, "you do care about her."
"I do," Regina admitted, knowing there was no point trying to hide it now.
"Then perhaps I should worry about protecting you."
"Why?"
"I know you, dear. Your heart is very special; it welcomes people close to you and stubbornly refuses to give up on them. It means you get hurt, whether they intend to harm you or not, and falling in love with one person can cause the greatest heartache of all."
"Is this because of Briar…"
"This is because I am your friend and I care about you," Maleficent quickly interrupted her, "so be very careful with this girl. Neither of us know very much about her – yes I have attempted a little research of my own. I want you to think very carefully about the dangers of falling in love with her, and to think about everything you have achieved here as Queen. Don't throw it away on someone unworthy…"
"Careful Mal, you're starting to sound like my mother," Regina warned her, "and Emma is worthy. She is good and kind, she has told me about her life before she came here – not that it is any of your business."
"I'm only looking out for you."
"I am fully capable of that myself."
Regina paused as she realised they had arrived at her bedroom door. Ignoring Maleficent, she opened it and went inside. She wished she could slam it to show her anger, but that might wake Emma and she didn't want that. Hopefully the blonde was still sleeping.