The tension in the living room is strange and different than before. Henry notices when he emerges.
He sits in his usual spot across from his mothers.
"Did you guys fight while I was gone?"
"What makes you think that, Henry?" Reina asks, trying to sound like Regina.
"Well, for one, you're not drinking beer, and you always drink with pizza. Not to mention that your chairs are practically at opposite ends of the table."
Twenty minutes. It took him twenty minutes to figure it out. Reina worries.
"That is not your mother." Emma blurts out, her eyes focused on a particular spot on the wall behind Henry that needs repainting.
The boy looks over to his brunette mother and sees that her spine is not that straight. Her lips are not covered with red lipstick, which had never happened before.
"Aunt Reina?" He wonders out loud.
"Yes, Henry." Reina lowers her head.
"What happened? Where is Mom?" The boy turns to Emma.
"Well..." Email turns to the woman next to her.
"Regina is in her castle in the Enchanted Forest." Reina explains.
"Why?"
"The addition I had actually worked." Emma says, hoping that Henry will get the hint.
"So Mom is pregnant?"
"Yeah... And someone crossed over from the other world."
"We believe that they are after the baby." Reina adds.
"Why?" Henry looks dumbfounded and can utter only one word.
"Because there is something called Truest Love. Your mother and I are it. It is powerful and all..."
"So Mom got pregnant because of that?"
"Yes, Henry." Reina cuts in, after seeing that Emma is away again.
"But why it is dangerous for Mom?"
"Because she is carrying the product of the most powerful magic."
"Truest Love."
"Yes."
"But why it is different from the True Love?"
"It is bond between two souls. It is the ultimate love that comes once in a lifetime."
"And she is afraid that the intruder can hurt the baby." Henry concludes.
"That is why I am here. We have to find out who it is."
"How?" Emma cuts in.
"I will cast a tracking spell on the well." Reina says.
"You can't because Regina is banned from using hers." Emma reminds her.
"And you can't do it because it is not a direct threat to the family." Reina notes.
"Can't you do it late at night?"
"I can."
"Okay. So a little after midnight we will go to the well."
"I'm glad you called me, but did you have to send those dreadful guards of yours?" Maleficent rolls her eyes as she enters Regina's chambers, using her magic to open and close the door.
Regina is lying on the bed with her legs under her body.
Mal has never seen her so relaxed and... ordinary.
"I try not to use magic." Regina says, but her voice betrays her irritation.
"This isn't Storybrooke. You are not under a spell. Plus no one will notice." Mal sits on the edge of the bed, looking directly at her friend's brown eyes.
"I'm pregnant and I don't want to use magic."
"That's for smoking and drinking." Mal answers sarcastically.
"I know." Regina chuckles and then sighs. "I just want the pregnancy to be as normal as possible. Although it's already hard. I miss Emma like crazy, and it's just been a couple of hours."
"What happened to the Queen and what did you do to her?"
"She fell in love with her Truest Love."
"Can you get any cheesier?"
Both Regina and Maleficent laugh.
"I know, right? My life now involves around a blonde with an irritating nature that I happen to love, despite it all." Regina huffs and leans her head backwards.
"Then why did you leave her alone?" Mal raised an eyebrow at her friend.
"I didn't leave her alone. My sister is with her now." Regina explains.
"Now that is downright stupid. The woman is in love with her." Mal shoots.
"What?" Regina practically yells and her eyes widen. "How did you know?"
Mal winces at the sound. "When we got back from Henry's birthday, she said that she kissed Emma. At that time Emma didn't know it was her because your magic is basically the same, but Reina knew very well that she was practically taking advantage of Emma's state. She said that it was very wrong, but she is new to this having-feelings thing and she doesn't know how to control herself around Emma."
Regina falls silent for a while. She knows this might backfire, but she has no other choice. Or does she?
"I know, but she needs someone next to her." She finally says.
"And in her pants?"
That was a valid question, Regina reasons.
"I know that, but I believe in Emma. She won't cross that line." Of course it's more hope than knowledge, but it's all Regina has at the moment.
"Why did you let her be with Emma?" Mal truly doesn't get her friend's action.
"Because..." Regina's voice is higher now, like she is trying to convince herself. "Emma can't be alone right now. She needs someone to guide her. To prompt her about what to do."
"But your sister?"
"I know it's not my best decision, but it's for the best. That way if the intruder wants me, they will attack Reina without knowing she could fight back. Plus I believe Emma won't cross the line."
"She won't, but what if Reina tries something and Emma gives in?"
"That won't happen." Regina shakes her head.
Mal sighs.
Later, when the dinner is over, Reina climbs the stairs, her heart hammering against her chest. It doesn't help the fact that Emma is right behind her. She stops at the top of the stairs, wondering where she should sleep.
"Come with me." Emma senses her distress and beckons her to follow her. "I won't be able to sleep without Regina anyway. Might as well have company in my insomnia."
Emma continues walking ahead, giving Reina time and space.
Reina hesitates for a while. She knows she has to behave if she enters her sister's room. And frankly, going in without her permission is not something she is very fond of.
When Reina finally enters the bedroom, she has only a moment to look around before seeing Emma crying. She opens her mouth to speak but Emma is rushing over to her, licking her lips.
Time stands still as the blonde launches herself onto Reina. Reina's heartbeat races as she watches the woman. The rational part of her knows that Emma will just hug her, but her whole body heats up and pleads for something else. Her magic is all over the place, feeling Emma's trying to hold itself away. But she knows Emma is too weak and emotional to take control. So she has to do it.
When Emma wraps her arms around her and buries his face in her neck, Reina lets out a breath she doesn't know she is holding. It's relief, but hurt at the same time. And does nothing to help her with her self-control. On the contrary. Her body is on fire, her blood is pumping loudly in her ears, and her palms are sweaty.
The moment Emma wraps her hands around Reina, she realizes it was huge mistake. She smells the same. She feels the same. It is the same body. It is the same warm embrace. There are the same hands roaming over her back lovingly, soothing all her pain and chasing the insecurities away.
Not to mention this fucking magic. Emma sobs and tries to clear her mind. She needs to take control of the beast inside of her. She knows it is her untamed magic, much like Regina's at the beginning of her magical sobriety. But back then, Regina didn't have Emma's double to keep her out of troubles.
She feels herself and her magic getting aroused at the contact with Reina's body. It is way too much for her to handle. And those roaming hands... Thank God they stop at some point.
Reina is sure she is going to break any moment. She is hearing Emma's heartbeat in sync with hers. She feels their magic getting comfortable with each other and starting to mix.
Which is not good.
Not at all.
She curses and curses until her hands finally stop their roaming.
She uses all her willpower to pull back. But it is a mistake.
Looking at the crying Emma is too much for her heart. Damn, she loves that woman with all her heart and she wants to give her her all. She wants to make it all better. She wants to soothe her and make her smile.
Both women lick their lips, eyes never leaving each other.
So... *hides behind the chair* Ugh, these two and their damn magic.
Sorry fo the late update. I had writer's block. Now I'm sort of okay. I'm RP-ing now and it works great for me.