whoaaaa. can i just take a minute to mention that this story now has over 300 follows and favorites combined and almost 300 reviews?! I honestly didn't think this fic would be this long or anyone would take interest. thank you all for your continued feedback and appreciation! its so much more fun to write and makes me want to update more when i hear your feedback :) xoxo
David gave the reins a tug, slowing his horse down upon his and Killian's arrival on the outskirts of the nearest town. They'd been riding for a little over two hours before reaching a village that he himself had frequented years ago for supplies when he worked his family farm. Things were as he remembered, a mixture of cabins and roughly built establishments separated by dirt roads. Horse drawn carriages traveled through at snail speed, though the people bustled about much more swiftly. Women fussed after children and men spoke animatedly while exchanging goods.
The scene before them tugged at David's heart, making nostalgia creep up inside of him. It reminded him of a simpler time, when he was much younger and his mother was still alive. He never usually allowed himself to dwell on his past, never thought there was anything especially interesting about his. He wrote himself off as a simple shepard, but seeing the village again made him want to embrace his roots and share them. David even found himself envisioning showing Regina his family's land and wondered what she'd think of it.
"Not much to look at, is it mate?" Killian scrunched up his ruggish features, "I sure haven't missed the smells, either."
David rolled his eyes at the pirate squandering his peaceful thoughts, "Says the man who lived on a ship with 20 sweaty men for most of his life."
"Aye, and I'd still take that any day over this peasantry," His son-in-law goaded him with a half smirk as their horses shifted on their tired limbs, leaning down to nibble at the grass.
"Let's go in the tavern for a drink and let the horses rest for a while," David clicked his horse into motion, traveling slightly ahead of the captain, "There's no better place to get a feel for what's going on in the land than a tavern."
"I could use a good ale," Killian agreed, gently slapping the reins on his mare to follow, "Ye don't think when we're chattin' up people for information they won't recognize you're their former Prince?"
David chuckled under his breath, "You really think anyone would mistake us for royalty in these outfits?"
"Ye may have a point there, mate."
They watched the village before them buzz, people seeming to congregate with purpose to the sides of the dirt road. David could hear horns from a distance as he tapped his horse reigns to move a little faster and Killian followed. People began to cheer as they parted the crowds for a regal looking horse and carriage ensemble to come through.
"Looks like some kind of royal parade," Killian said as they led their horses to the stables nearby the tavern, swinging his leg from his saddle and stepping down.
"Good, people will be drinking and celebrating if there's some kind of event," David nodded as he dismounted, tying his horse to the tethering post over the water troughs, "Should be easy to find out who's ruling now and how dangerous it is for our ex-Queen here."
"Aye," Killian agreed with a raise of his eyebrow as they saw the immaculate carriage travel by and the people around them radiate excitement. The only glimpse of the new, revered leader was a large arm decorated in armor waving to the crowd through the small window.
David watched, remembering what it felt like to be the one in that carriage with people from all over the land cheering for him; Oddly, he didn't miss it. There were many pressures in ruling an entire realm that made life much more complicated and put his loved one's in danger. It was insane to think that the last time he was in a position of power, he was protecting his love then from his love now. Hopefully this new ruler of the Enchanted Forest was far removed from his and Regina's aristocratic legacy in this land.
"Lets go grab a seat at the bar before it gets too crowded in there," David nodded towards the tavern, "After this there's somewhere else I'd like to check out, so don't get too drunk."
"Hey," Emma looked up from her book, having stayed up to wait for Killian and David to return when Regina went to put the kids to bed. She noticed them shuffling their feet as they attempted to quietly make their way down the dimly lit hallway that led to the den where she was.
Her lips curled in amusement as she put her bookmark in the spell book before setting it next to her on the sofa. Leaning back in the cushions, she tilted her head to the side to get a better view of the hallway where they were gracelessly attempting to make their way in the dark.
She had to stifle a laugh when she heard a loud thud before Killian cursed under his breath, "Bloody hell," She watched him mumble as he made his way into the broader light of the den rubbing his head that had undoubtedly caught on a candle wall aubra.
"Hey," Her father followed Killian, trying to act more collected than her husband appeared, "Where's Regina?" He asked, propping an elbow on the fireplace mantle for support while trying to make it appear a casual move.
"She took the kids to bed a couple of hours ago," Emma rolled her eyes, pressing her lips into a line to avoid smiling, "We were both a little worried that you hadn't made it back by dark."
"You see, Swan, we traveled to town and well...there was a grand celebration and you know, I'm not one to turn down a good party," Killian scrunched up his face as he still massaged his head, falling down beside Emma.
"Sounds like you both had quite the day," Emma raised an eyebrow at the sound of their excursion being more for fun, "Did you find out what it's like now in this land? Is it safe for us?"
"Yeah, we did," David's mouth broke into a wide grin at the news he withheld and the ale he'd drank, "I'll let your pirate fill you in, I wanna catch Regina before she falls asleep."
Emma watched him shuffle his way sloppily through the den towards the staircase before turning her head to Killian who was sprawled beside her with one eye open, "All right pirate, spill."
David couldn't help but smile to himself as he attempted to take the stone staircase two steps at a time, gripping the handrail quickly when his inebriation threatened him to lose balance. He hadn't drank ale in while, especially the stout kind served at the tavern where he and Killian had just spent the evening.
He hadn't meant to spend so much time there or drink that much; in fact he'd had somewhere he would've liked to gone before they came home. However, they'd been so overcome with the good news that he'd been in the mood to celebrate and Killian had kept ordering drinks. It was easy to fall into the jovial, celebratory mood that the townspeople were in.
David crept down the hallway, trying to be quiet and not knock anything over. He wasn't so drunk that he was out of his wits, but just enough to be clumsy and in an obnoxiously good mood.
Reaching Henry's door, he stuck his head in to see the teenager sprawled over his bed with a map and books. The boy had been obsessed with the new realm and since he wasn't able to explore it, he'd instead been getting to know his surroundings by studying maps and reading history books on it.
David couldn't help but feel proud that his grandson took such an interest in his roots, knowing it was highly out of character for the typical teenager. Henry had never been a typical kid, though. He'd always been more mature than all of them; often speaking most logically when his mothers butted heads or the family disagreed.
He shut Henry's door gently, managing to clasp it without making too much noise. Turning to go towards his own room he stopped again just a door up on the opposite side to Neal's nursery, peeking in on his youngest son. A smile spread across his face at Neal laying on his tummy, his legs tucked underneath him and his bottom in the air. His head laid to the side, his face towards David as he had his arm wrapped around the stuffed animal that used to be Snow White's.
David bit his lip, turning to go out and walk towards his own room. He'd realized that the stuffed animal was Snow's one day while playing with his son, seeing her name embroidered on the paw of the bear. Regina hasn't mentioned it to him, but he knew she'd kept Snow's childhood toy for sentimental reasons.
A rush of love and adoration shot through him for the big hearted ex-evil Queen waiting for him in their bed. She was tough and fierce, but always kept him surprised with her depth. Little things like that silly stuffed animal meant so much to him; and she didn't even bring it to his attention.
She did things out of the goodness in her heart, the heart she claimed was tarnished and held darkness she would not speak of. Yet he saw constant examples of how much she cared, despite the sarcastic comments or well timed eye rolls. She was soft inside, but guarded her vulnerability to nearly everyone except him and their family.
God, he loved that woman. He couldn't wait to get to her and relay the good news, discovering some drunken agility as he walked faster towards their chamber. Pushing the door open just enough to slip in, he shut it again behind him.
She was asleep with her back towards the door, a small candle flickering on the nightstand, illuminating the curve of her hip and the slope of her slender shoulder. David made his way quietly over to the bassinet, seeing his precious baby girl swaddled and fast asleep.
His heart threatened to burst as came back over to the bed, pulling his shirt over his head and discarding the rest of the horribly uncomfortable garments Regina had clothed them in so they'd go unnoticed in town. At least she'd let him wear his own boxers, he mused as finally stripped down to them and crawled in the bed.
He fumbled as he did so, making the bed shift as he half fell down beside her. He glanced over at her apprehensively, hoping he hadn't woken her but then again wanting to share his day with her like they always did before bed.
"David?" Her voice was low and raspy from sleep.
"Sorry," He murmured, pressing his lips to her shoulder as he wrapped an arm around her waist and pulled her back against his front.
"You smell like the floor of a tavern," She mumbled, turning in his arms to look up at him before frowning, "Is that where you and Killian went? To get drunk?"
"No no that's not what we set out to do," His eyes widened like a child who knew punishment was coming, seeing the need to explain written across her irritated expression, "When we got there there was this parade in town. We thought the tavern would be the best place to chat with the townsfolk and find out what was going on."
"How convenient," Her brow arched at his explanation, bending her arm up and propping her head on her hand to look at him.
She had to admit he had a charming way about him when he was trying to backtrack after he'd screwed up. It wasn't exactly that she was mad at him for drinking, it was that she'd been worried about him. Though he was too drunk to realize she wasn't really angry, so she'd let him sweat it for now.
"I swear," David nodded adamantly before a grin spread over his features, bringing out the boyish good looks again, "You'll never believe what we found out."
"What? Who can chug a pint the fastest?" Regina retorted, pressing her lips together to keep from smiling at his excitement.
"Nooo, we found out who the new ruler is and it couldn't have worked out better," David's expression grew more serious, running a hand over Regina's hair, "It's Lancelot."
"What?" Her lips parted slightly as she stared at him, her brows furrowing in thought, "Are you sure?"
"Yes, I guess the land has been distressed for quite a while. When Lancelot came back from Camelot, he started to form some leadership, pretty soon entire villages were looking to him for guidance," David nodded, "The people needed a leader and with the royal bloodlines gone, they decided to elect a fresh, new monarchy..."
Regina processed it all, troubling her bottom lip, "You found this all out at a tavern?" Her brow shifted in doubt again.
"Yes, actually. The parade had just happened and we got to talking to some guys there," David shrugged, "Said we'd been on our secluded land for months and wasn't aware of the changes taking place. But get this, one guy said he had been locked up for stealing during hard times here and Lancelot pardoned him."
"What does that have to do with anything?" She whispered with a shake of her head, looking at him rather confused.
"We know him, he can pardon you for your past crimes in this land," David searched her expression, begging her to see the logic, "That way it's safe for you here."
"David, you really think that a pardon is going to stop people from coming after me here?" She rolled her eyes, "You're drunker than I thought."
"Hear me out," He ran a hand over her hip soothingly, "I'm just saying...he's trusted and loved by the people here, if we have him vouch for you and the way you've changed...it could eventually be safe for us to travel back and forth and even be known here again..."
"Eventually..." Regina let out a breath, "To be honest I'm not sure if I want to be pardoned by the king for the things I've done here. My destruction was unforgivable."
David bit his lip, understanding how she felt but still hating that she carried that guilt. Her actions back then had stemmed from heartbreak and years of abuse at the hands of Cora and Leopold. The guilt should not weigh on her shoulders alone, though there was no convincing her of that.
"I understand...but if in the future we want to stay for another extended amount of time, we can call on Lancelot and establish some security," He suggested in a way he hoped would not make her feel pressured, but still plant the seed, "Plus you know how to rule a kingdom and you know this one inside and out. Before the Snow White stuff you were a good ruler and the people lived comfortably under your care. I'm sure you could give Lancelot some pointers."
"It would be a lot of work to convince people that I'm different now," Regina replied, admittedly mulling it over, "It could put us in danger."
"That's why we would have him issue the pardon, we'd be under his kingdoms protection," David nodded, "Look, it's just an idea for the future...it would take a lot of work, but I'd be here to help you. I know your past still haunts you and when I heard this tonight about Lancelot I got excited. I thought this could be a way you could right the wrongs you did back then, but safely," He pushed dark strands of hair from her face, seeing her watch him with those large, vulnerable brown eyes.
"Thank you," Regina managed to get out before swallowing the lump in her throat. No one had ever went to that extent for her peace of mind. The fact that he would offer to go to that length of trouble with her so she could deal with her demons amazed her.
"For what?" He gave her a curious and slightly confused smile, dissolving any irritation she had about him coming home so late in this condition.
"You're always trying to help me deal with my past...one that you were on the bad side of," She searched his expression as if she were still unsure as to why, "You saw what I did back then and it's one thing to forgive it, but you're trying to help me make it right, too."
"Because I know the real you," He looked at her more seriously, his brows furrowing at how she still didn't seem to understand how much he loved her, "I want everyone to know what a beautiful person you are."
Regina averted her gaze, glancing down as her eyes filled with tears before she regained control. When she looked back up at him she could only act and leaned in to kiss him deeply, threading her hands through his hair. It was the only way she knew how to communicate how much he meant to her. She was no good at expressing herself with words; she had to show him.
David sighed into her mouth in a way that told her he was more than open to her form of expression. She moaned back into his mouth while pressing her knee against his hip to roll him onto his back and came with him. Her hips sat on his intimately, nothing separating them but his thin boxers as her shift rode up her thighs.
"Let me see you," He commanded with a voice slightly huskier than just moments ago, running his hands up her soft, olive legs. She obeyed immediately in her desire to please him, pulling the night dress over her head and discarding it over the side of their bed.
David's blood started pumping at the sight of her naked body straddling him, seeing her nipples tighten from the cool night air. He flattened his palm against her stomach, making her hips rock against his own instinctively in an attempt to feel his hand lower. His gaze traveled up her body slowly, seeing her looking back at him with a mixture of heat and adoration in her eyes.
One of his hands rested on her hip as he slid the other one on her abdomen up her front, cupping one breast. She bit her lip after a sudden intake of breath, her hips starting to grind on his through his thin cotton boxers as he played with her nipple. He had to stifle a groan when he felt her wetness begin to soak through. She was a sexual creature, always ready for him to satiate her appetite.
Regina moaned under her breath as she pressed a hand against his chest, the other snaking its way between them to free him of his boxers. She pushed the fabric down and allowed him to stand in all of his glory, making her practically salivate at the sight. He was impressively hard, the vee of his abdomen leading down to his member was taut and inviting, beckoning her hips.
"Regina," David groaned when she lifted her hips up, sliding herself along his shaft tantalizingly slow, coating him in her juices. He thought he may explode when she started to take him, feeling her tight heat envelope the head of his erection.
She watched his face as she lowered herself on his length, breathing heavily at the throbbing of her clit as it met his pelvic bone. She whimpered as she pressed down on it firmly while giving herself a moment to adjust to his stiffness. The burning inside of her only heightened as she gazed down at him laying underneath her. He was muscular and solid, his thick arms holding her in place as he gripped her hips. His struggle to regain control was apparent for a few moments before he reopened his eyes and smiled breathlessly at her.
He didn't think he'd ever experienced pleasure like he did with this woman on top of him; being inside of her was a high he'd never tire of. David gave her a nudge on the hips, starting the grinding rhythm that they'd come to perfect. His breath became labored at the sensation of her muscles tightening around him, heightening both of their pleasure.
"Mmm, David," She whimpered under her breath as she pressed her hands in the pillows on each side of his head, bending down over him as she ground her hips in a forward, circular motion. Her nipples grazed his chest as her heat contracted around him and relaxed with each movement, milking his erection while her slick arousal soaked them both.
David growled in response, moving one hand to grip her ass and push himself deeper as her hips continued the grinding motion. He tilted his chin forward to catch her bottom lip in his teeth, tugging it gently and scratching her with his stubble. She drew her lip back and smirked before attacking his own, kissing him fiercely. His free arm wrapped around her back in response, gripping her shoulder and pulling her chest down to his tightly as he began to thrust as well.
She mewled and whimpered at his added friction, pushing her face into his neck as she ground harder, feeling him deeply inside of her. Her control was rapidly fading, making her hip movements jerky and sloppy. David bent his knees, using his feet against the mattress as leverage to thrust himself up into her harder. He brought one hand up, gripping her hair tightly while his fee arm kept her body flush with his.
He felt her lips make an "o" against his neck as her muscles contracted, sending her body spiraling. Her back arched as she stiffened, letting out a silent scream into his skin as her orgasm hit her. The feeling of her coming so violently around him sent him following her immediately, pressing his face into her hair as he let out a low groan before spilling inside of her while she writhed.
Regina's body fell limp over his after the waves of her orgasm seceded and allowed her muscles to relax. Nothing but the sound of their labored breathing filled the room for a solid minute afterwards as their heightened senses came back to them again. Her mind swirled as her body hummed, making her feel half drunk herself.
...No, she wasn't good at talking about her emotions, but she felt confident she'd gotten her feelings across.