Silent tears were made audible as they dropped periodically into the lukewarm water of the bath, her bruised body shook violently as she finally allowed the pent up emotions out. The images of her son laying so still on the ground after handing over the most precious thing in the world, his heart, his beautiful trusting heart.
Her own had shattered then, had ripped itself apart in an attempt to stop the agony tearing through her. The lump in her throat had been relentless, these tears inevitable since their return home.
She'd attempted to keep her cries quiet but in all of her thoughts, her downward spiral into despair, it seemed that she had failed. The sound of slow footsteps filled the air as the bathroom door creaked open.
The feeling of the cold night air against her water slick back was in stark contrast to her heated skin. Another time she would have pulled herself together, would have sat herself straight up and adopted her infamous mask to cover her emotions yet she couldn't, she was so tired, so beat down and in need of this time that she merely continued as if no one else was there...but they were.
She didn't startle when soft fingertips brushed her hair away from her bowed head, she didn't make any sign of acknowledgement when soothing words began filling the steam filled air but she whimpered slightly with the sound of feet breaking through the water behind her, she choked back a sob when lean legs came to rest either side of her and she allowed her head to fall back against a strong shoulder when gentle hands managed to slide her backwards.
"I've got you..."
Trembling hands trailed the arms wrapped tightly around her waist before finding splayed hands, the spaces between fingers reminding her of where she was, home, safe, sound with her son sleeping peacefully only a few doors down. Yes they had almost lost him...but they hadn't.
Her tears calmed slightly as she allowed herself to listen to the steady heartbeat of the woman behind her, to feel the soothing circles she was rubbing against the back of her hands, to take in the love seeping into her from the gentle kisses placed against both her temple and her neck, it wasn't sexual in nature, it was an outlet for the feelings neither woman had spoken aloud yet it was long overdue.
Once her tears had slowed, Regina turned her head slowly to look at the saviour, her saviour. Her eyes trailing features hardened by all that they had seen yet green orbs remained kind, soft and full of something unmistakable.
The brunette couldn't help but smile as she moved a hand to caress the soft pale face next to her own. Closing her eyes, she inhaled deeply before letting out a slow breath. "I love you..." She breathed, "I love you, Emma Swan"
So exhausted she didn't hear the blondes reply, didn't catch the words repeated to her in a sort of wonder but she felt it, with the tightening, protective hold around her body, with the warm embrace around her, grounding her, she felt it and she revelled in it.