Bleed for me - Part Twenty Eight
Another small chapter for today! But I hope you will enjoy it anyway. I won't be able to post tomorrow, but I'll continue as soon as possible. Thanks again for your continuing support, your feedback is greatly appreciated.
"Regina, are you there?" the voice called out again, effectively snapping the brunette out of her haze.
She blinked several times, desperately trying to cool down her overheated, still humming body. Her eyes searching Emma, surprised to find her sitting on the floor, her blonde hair a tangled mess and yet still magnificent as it framed her startled face. She glanced at the door before shifting her gaze towards the blonde again.
How the hell did she end up there?!
They stared into each other's eyes for a moment, as reality slowly dawned upon them, unsure what to do. Both of them not even remotely ready for the unexpected and unwanted confrontation they were bound to have.
They gasped when the soft voice sounded again.
"Regina?"
The brunette scowled at the almost whining tone, making the small hairs on the back of her neck rise. She scrunched up her face in a look of disgust and caught the smirk tugging at the blonde's lips, her expression seemed almost amused.
Regina's eyebrow lifted challengingly and looked her straight in the eye, silently daring the blonde to make a smart comment. She couldn't hide her smile when Emma pouted a little, and shook her head. Chuckling softly when the woman rolled herself under the bed, hearing a muffled growl beneath her.
"You're such a child…" she teased, as she leaned down to look under the bed, grinning widely at the sight. "You're going to pay for that, Miss Swan.."
Emma wiggled her brows, smirking sheepishly, "Yes, please.."
Regina glared at the blonde, as she crawled even further under the bed, hoping for a place to escape. The brunette rolled her eyes and sighed dramatically, before she sat back up again. She found herself smiling despite her mixed up emotions and desires. She brushed her hands through her hair and smoothed her clothes, feeling her magic crackle at the tips of her fingers.
Her eyes snapped up when the door slowly cracked open. She heard some shuffling, before a woman's face popped up from behind the door. Her eyes locking on the features she once despised. She huffed out an irritated breath when an odd thought occurred to her. The fairest of all…
Well, Not.. Even.. Close..
In growing annoyance and irritation, she realized that in her opinion that very title belonged to the woman's offspring. She quickly buried any negative, unsettling thoughts concerning the stunning blonde she was falling head over heels in love with.
She could see Snow hesitate to enter the room, as if she wasn't sure what she was supposed to do. Or maybe she was just trying to avoid the angry glare Regina knew she was giving her.
"And what makes you think you were allowed to enter my house, without so much as a warning?" she said harshly, her brown eyes piercing.
Snow flinched and blinked, as she seemed genuinely taken aback. She clasped her hands before her, shoulders hunched and defensive, and looking mortified.
"I rang the doorbell…" she countered weakly, her shy eyes locking with the brunette's. "I'm sorry, but the door was unlocked.."
Regina looked into Snow's eyes and almost felt sorry for the woman she grew to tolerate, or maybe even more, as she noticed her increasing discomfort. Almost. But two of the most meaningful moments of her life had been spoiled by her intrusion, and she didn't intend to let that same woman ruin what might be her last chance to find true happiness.
For a moment she glared at her, frustrated. She watched how her former nemesis shifted her weight nervously, though her expression was filled with kindness, which frustrated Regina even more. The annoying amount of faith and belief in the goodness of mankind, ignoring her inner warnings to show her the exact opposite.
Snow's face faltered briefly, her eyes brushing the ground before she raised them back to the brunette's.
"And that gives you the right to come barging in like that?!" Regina hissed, pushing herself onto her feet. "Anyone who knocks at my door and enters without my permission…"
She cut herself off as she remembered Emma's presence, cringing inwardly, wondering what the blonde would think of her now. But she couldn't help herself, feeling the power burning out of control somewhere deep within her.
She clenched her fists tightly, digging her nails into her skin. She shook her head and averted her eyes, pacing around the room. She didn't even tried to hide the venom in her voice when she spoke again.
"Why am I even surprised… This isn't the first time you barged your way into my life and pry into my personal affairs.."
"Regina…" Snow gasped.
Her normal cheerful, rosy face looked pale and there was a pained expression in her eyes. She took a step toward the brunette, surprising them both.
"I was worried about you.." she said quietly, "I just wanted to check up on you and see if you were alright.."
Regina's features softened for a moment before anger returned. She looked at Snow and tried to speak calmly, as if she didn't madly relish the idea of throwing a fireball in her face.
"I don't need your concern, Snow. I think we both know what that has brought me before.." she snapped out angrily, her eyes shooting fire.
Snow's jaw dropped and brushed her hand through her short hair. The violence of the brunette's outburst threw her completely off balance. She could not even be sure she was hearing her correctly, so harshly were the things she was throwing at her. Her green eyes flashed and her body tensed, as she took a step away from Regina.
"I-I'm sorry, I didn't mean to bother you.." she gasped, her eyes wandering around. "I shouldn't have come.. I'm sorry.."
Regina's heart clenched as she noticed the unshed tears in Snow's eyes, knowing just how much she'd hurt her. She leaned forward, extended her hand and placed it lightly on Snow's forearm, stopping her from running out of the room.
"Snow.." she breathed, unsure what to say next.
She knew her behavior was inexcusable, but damn, there was no denying she had wanted to attack the woman who caused her so much pain. Torn between her past and present. Slowly, the adrenaline began to ebb away and her mind and thoughts cleared up. A sickening wave of guilt washed over her, once she realized her mistake.
She not only hurt the woman in front of her, but more importantly, she betrayed Emma's trust. How could she beg her to fight, to stay in control, to conquer the darkness, when she'd nearly lost it herself just moments ago?
"I thought we were past this.." Snow's voice snapped her back into reality.
Regina gasped and stared at her hand still resting on the woman's arm, before she looked up at her face.
"We are.." she whispered, offering her a tentative smile. "It's just.."
The brunette remained quiet for a moment, considering her words carefully, before she continued.
"You don't bother me, dear.. But your timing, however, does…"
Snow blinked in confusion and stared around the room. She frowned, as if some explanation would suddenly appear. She cleared her throat when Regina slowly retreated her hand.
"Were you asleep?" she asked softly, keeping her gaze firmly placed on the brunette.
"Asleep?" Regina chuckled, feeling her cheeks flush. "No, quite the opposite actually.."
Her breath hitched when she realized that she had spoken those words out loud. Silently cursing herself when an even more awkward silence followed. Her heart was racing while her voice failed her when she tried to say something, anything.
Snow was the first to speak, and Regina sighed in relief, glad that they were talking again and that her former nemesis wasn't just looking at her with those curious wide eyes.
Her voice held a hint of alarm when she asked, "Is everything alright?"
Regina nodded, although every fiber of her being screamed at her that she was not. She missed the knowing look in Snow's eyes, as she tried to keep her face neutral.
"It's okay to feel, Regina.." Snow said quietly, her hand tentatively touching the brunette's shoulder. When she realized that it was okay, she softly squeezed her muscle and added, "Because I know you do.."
TBC
