Prompted by anonymous on Tumblr: "It's not that easy." Snowqueen

Is it fair, or is it fate?

No one knows

The stars choose their lovers

Save my soul

It hurts just the same, ooh

And I can't tear myself away-The Other Side by Ruelle

Regina stands in the doorway of the living room, watching Snow-no-Mary Margaret rock her daughter-their daughter-in her arms. There's a soft glowing smile written across her wife's face as she looks down at Emma. It's one Regina finds herself getting every time she's looked down at the babe for nearly a year. Those soft green eyes that she inherited from her mother, the gummy grin that will one day perfectly match her father's. That last thought always drains the smile from Regina's face as she thinks of the man that lays in the coma ward of Storybrooke General.

For 8 months, 3 weeks and 2 days, Regina had no memory of the Enchanted Forest. And then her daughter learned to give kisses, pressing a slobbery wet one to her cheek while Regina played peek-a-boo. A headache of memories absorbed her body, erasing the mayor she had forced to become.

Zelena did this on purpose. She's not sure how her sister or Rumpelstiltskin discovered Regina's crush on Snow. Regina's not entirely sure how it began herself. After Snow forgave her while she mascaraed as Wilma, they became a family again. Snow returned to the castle and they ruled together, forming a beautiful friendship. But Snow was no longer a child. She was a woman, with filled out curves and luscious red lips. Regina knew she shouldn't stare when Snow undressed in front of her. She tried to avert her gaze whenever Snow wore a lower cut dress or tunic. They were family, friends. And then Snow had met David, anyway, married him and became pregnant with his child. At most, Regina was the maiden sister-in-law. The one who fought hard to protect them and their child.

The day Emma was born, she had been in the room. David attempted to take her to the wardrobe but was quickly taken down. Regina and Snow found the baby in Zelena's arms, ready to use her for the ultimate evil. At the last moment, Regina got her away, holding onto both her and Snow as the green smoke crashed in around them.

Now, Regina's married to Snow-no, Mary Margaret. Her cursed memories tell stories of using an anonymous sperm donor to get Mary Margaret pregnant. The reality is Regina was never a part of the equation. Snow never loved her. It was always him.

Regina's battled it for 2 months. Snow is cursed to love her. She hasn't consented to this relationship. If she had a choice, she'd pick David. Just like she did every other time. Regina isn't sure how to break the curse. Blue once said it would fall onto Emma, but Regina isn't sure if she believes her.

What she does know, is she can't do this anymore. She cannot live a lie. Snow has been through too much. She doesn't deserve to be forced to be married to Regina.

Regina's hand goes over the silver wedding band around her left ring finger, letting out a shaky breath. She clears her throat and Mary Margaret's gorgeous green eyes meet hers.

"Hey, Emma's just about asleep. Then we can watch whatever junk is on TV."

Regina swallows. "I um, we need to talk actually."

Snow frowns. "Sounds serious." She stands up and settles the baby into her swing.

"It is. I…" Regina shuts her eyes. She needs to do this. It's not fair to anyone. Regina looks to the former Evil Queen that still lives within her, of the ruthless mayor from her cursed persona. She opens her eyes, losing the softness from her voice. "I'm leaving."

"Do you have a business trip?"

"No, I mean I'm leaving."

It takes a moment for recognition to fill Snow's eyes. "What?"

"This isn't working," Regina lies. "It hasn't for a very long time."

"Are you serious?!" For a moment, Regina doesn't see Mary Margaret, Snow is jumping out of her. "Exactly what part of this doesn't work? Our family? Our daughter? Me?"

"Sn…Mary Margaret," Regina quickly catches herself. "I love you, both of you."

She glances over at Emma, who's finally fallen asleep. Her lips are slightly parted, little noises escaping. A tug takes over Regina's heart. She has fallen in love with this child. She's been there for every moment. First smile, first time rolling over, first crawl. Even her first word. Mama. Directed to Regina. Emma was babbling, but cursed Regina knew it was because that's what she was: Emma's mama.

Snow interrupts her thoughts. "Then why are you leaving?"

"It's not that easy. Love isn't always enough."

"Then what is it, Regina? What am I not giving you?"

"It's not you, it's…." Regina stops herself from saying that cliché, but Snow is already rolling her eyes.

"Don't," she holds out a finger. "Don't you dare use that line on me. This isn't a one-night stand. This is a marriage, a 5-year marriage at that! We have a child! And you're just going to leave, not even explain the why?"

But how does one explain any of it? A curse, magic, husbands in comas?

Snow clears her throat. "Is there someone else?"

Well, not in that way. "No, I would never cheat on you."

"Then what?" Snow throws her hands in the air. "What is worth throwing away everything we have, everything we've built together." Regina remains silent. "Tell me, Regina!"

"I…I can't. I'm sorry. You're just going to have to believe me that this is for the best."

Regina turns her back on Snow White, heading for the door where she's already put some suitcases. She wills the tears to stay out of her eyes. What she told Snow was right, this is for the best. One day, the curse will break for everyone and the only way to protect this family they've created is for Regina to take herself out of the picture.

She bends down to grab the Louis Vuitton luggage when a warm hand is placed on her shoulder. Regina turns to find Snow standing there, eyes watery. Snow takes Regina's calloused, cold hands into her own.

"There's something you're not telling me," Snow whispers. "And I'm not going to let you leave until you tell me what it is."

Regina stares down at her. "You'd never believe me."

"Try me."

Regina throws her head back, some of her dark locks falling over her face. She's already walking away, might as well go for broke. "We're not really married."

Snow tilts her head. "What? Of course we are, I have our marriage certificate…"

"It's fake. All of this." Regina pulls away to gesture around their home. "All of this is fake, a curse."

"A curse? Sounds like a fairytale."

"That's what we were. A story!"

"Regina, you're not making any sense."

Regina sighs. "Once upon a time, you weren't Mary Margaret, you were Snow White." Snow looks at her like she's crazy. "And you were married to a man…"

"Prince Charming?"

"Yes."

"Okay, say that's true. I'm a princess, a straight princess," Snow scoffs. "Then who are you in the story?"

Regina bites her lip. "The Evil Queen."

Snow's mouth drops open. "I've been dumped plenty in my life, but this is the weirdest fucking excuse!" she exclaims.

"It's not an excuse," Regina practically whines. "It's the truth!"

"No, I think you've eaten one of Ruby's pot brownies, because you sound like a crazy person!"

"I'm not lying to you, Snow. In this other reality, you love the prince. You married him. You never, ever loved me."

"That's insane. In what universe would I not love you?"

Regina stares at her for a moment. They've kissed several times in the past 10 months, a few since Regina woke up. Snow's remained asleep, stuck under the persona of Mary Margaret. They don't share true love, if they did, this curse would probably be broken by now.

Still, Regina must try.

"Snow, my love," she whispers, caressing her jaw with her fingers. "Come back to me."

Regina closes her eyes and kisses her. The room around them shakes, causing Regina to hold onto her wife's cardigan. When she opens her eyes, she looks into Snow's. The naivete, the docility, it's gone. Mary Margaret has vanished. Snow stands in her place.

"Regina," Snow whispers.

A single tear falls down Regina's face. "Snow."

Much to her surprise, Snow takes her hands into hers and kisses her once again. Regina deepens it, the taste of Mary Margaret's raspberry lip gloss overtaking her. Once they pull away, it's Snow's turn to put a hand on her cheek.

"I always loved you," she whispered.

Regina looks at her in disbelief. "But David…"

"I love him too. We both loved you. We wanted you. We tried to start the conversation so many times…" She trails off, shaking her head. "It doesn't matter right now. All that does is that we find him. We figure out what Zelena did to us…and then we'll focus on us. All three of us." Regina slowly nods, trying to take it all in. "Just promise you won't go."

"I promise." A few more tears fall down Regina's cheeks. "I'm not going anywhere."