At a ball, a woman waits for her crush to ask her to dance. They disappear, but when the party's ended, they meet the woman in the empty ballroom for a last dance.
Snow and Charming were throwing another ball to celebrate the birth of their new born son. Everyone from every kingdom was invited to celebrate Prince Neal, it was to be the biggest celebration the Enchanted Forest and the rest of the realms had ever seen, since the birth of Princess Emma that is. Emma was particularly excited for this ball as her childhood playmate was going to be in attendance. She had last seen her childhood friend nearly a decade ago when Regina was 15 and Emma was 12. She had fond memories of their childhood together, they were good friends and at times a bit more. While technically they were 3 years apart, there were 4 months out of the year where it seemed Regina was only 2 years older. It was once during these times that Regina was Emma's first kiss. They were 12 and 10 when the kiss was initiated, and it was merely a dare from Princess Kathryn but Emma never got over it. She had always had a crush on the older girl after that very kiss. She would follow her around for years, like a lovesick puppy dog, until one day Regina never came back…
Emma remembered thinking that maybe she had done something in the last 3 years to make Regina feel uncomfortable, perhaps she was too infatuated with the older girl. She asked her parents if they knew why, but they were as puzzled as she. The Mills kingdom had cut off all forms of communication with everyone, unless said communication consisted of some sort of resource trade. It wasn't until Regina's 18th birthday, Emma was only 15, that the realms learned Queen Cora and King Henry had passed away 3 years earlier. The kingdom had to shut its borders to everything but necessary trade so that their Princess, Regina, could train to take the throne upon her 18th birthday. Emma had meant to talk to her at her coronation, but she was unable to attend as she contracted something requiring isolation in the palace. They had corresponded formally through letters to give condolences, requests, etc, but in the past decade, never made the time to physically see the other. From their last exchange of letters Queen Regina had every intention to attend the birth celebration for Prince Neal.
Emma was hopeful that perhaps Regina had reciprocated her feelings from long ago. She had never married in her time as queen and part of her always hoped that maybe Regina was single because she did might feel the same way about her. But then again Regina always did have high standards, even as a kid, maybe there was just no one out there worthy enough to be with Regina Mills. Nevertheless Emma loved that they would be reunited once more soon, even if it was just to celebrate the birth of her baby brother.
…
"Are you having a good time honey," Snow asked her daughter as she rocked Neal to keep him from fussing.
"Yes mom, you know I love a good ball. I just haven't seen-"
"Regina," her parents both answered knowingly as they waved to other royals, nobles, and subjects.
Emma blushed, "That obvious?"
"Yeah for years," Charming quipped as he tickled Neal, "And your eyes haven't stopped scanning the room, but maybe if you just slowed down," he said as he took her chin in between his fingers and slowly turned her head to one side of the room, "you would see what's right in front of you."
Emma let her gaze follow the path her father had guided her to, and sure enough there was the raven haired girl she had fell for all those years ago. She might've been 22 at the moment, but her insides felt like she was 12 all over again.
"Wow…" She said in a trance.
Her parents exchanged looks before chuckling and nudging their daughter away from them.
"Go get her tiger," her dad said with a wink.
Neal seemed to dribble something incomprehensible in agreement.
"See even little man agrees, go get yourself a queen honey," Snow replied.
Emma bowed to her parents before eagerly running off towards Regina. She attempted to weave her way through the crowd but kept getting caught up in conversations with people, and it would be improper to deny. In the middle of a conversation with the king of the neighboring kingdom when she had managed to lock eyes with Regina. Again her insides turned to mush as Regina gave the princess a small smile and a slow (dare she say flirty wave). Emma waved back, mindlessly, making King Maurice look behind him.
"Oh, Queen Regina! Hello!" He said waving to her as well.
Regina face grimaced in embarrassment as a blush creeped on to her face and she hesitantly waved back to him.
"I should really make my way over to your parents, meet the new prince," King Maurice said excusing himself from the conversation.
Emma sighed in relief as she made her way over to Regina. She saw that Regina had ended her conversation too and was walking towards her as well. But someone interjected Regina and started up a new convo right before Red started talking to Emma.
"Emmaaa," Red teased as she gave her a hug, "Long time no see. You still hung up over little old Regina Mills or you ready for a canine companion," she said flashing her pearly whites.
Emma chuckled, "Is this how Regina has felt all these years?"
"If you mean being the target of someone's love and admiration than absolutely my blonde beauty."
"Red, honey, you know I love you. Probably one of my best friends, but I just don't see us like that," Princess Emma tried to explain.
Red smirked, "You say that now, but I'll get you eventually."
"Mhm I'm sure," Emma said with a playful eye roll.
"Emma?! Is that you?" A voice said interjecting their conversation.
Emma and Red turned to face the voice. Red cocked her head in curiosity while Emma smiled.
Emma and the new person hugged, "Mulan! It's good to see you again."
"And you too Princess Emma, how have you been?"
"Great, and not just cause of little brother over there. The kingdom has had quite a prosperous last few years since we last met," the blonde explained.
"Emma, introduce your old friend to your beautiful friend here," Red chimed in.
"Oh we moving on from me that fast? I don't know if I should be relieved or offended," Emma joked.
"Oh please, you've been waiting for this day forever, now introduce us," Red rushed.
Mulan laughed, "Hi, I'm Mulan."
"Very pretty name for a very pretty girl," Red tried to flirt.
Mulan blushed but Emma exploded into laughter.
Red pouted, "What?"
Emma held her stomach in her fit of laughter before wiping away a tear, "Oh God, sorry. It's just, that is the worst attempt at flirting you've ever used. And I should know."
"Ok, yeah wasn't my best. But you are stunning Mulan," Red explained.
"Thank you, and you aren't too bad yourself, Red was it?"
She grinned, "The one and only. Where are you from Mulan? I'm actually a inn keeper just down the round from her majesty here."
Mulan giggled as she rubbed the back of her neck, "Um that's a bit complicated to answer for me."
Red cocked her head in curiosity as Emma piped in, "My good friend Mulan here is a nomad warrior. She's helped saved countless kingdoms throughout the realms. She's actually the one who helped us capture you pre magic cloak."
Mulan slapped her forehead, "Oh so you're THEE Red?"
She nodded in confirmation, "And you must be the one who gave me this nasty scar that night," Red joked.
Mulan blushed, "Sorry about that."
"I'm gonna leave you two to get acquainted with each other," Emma said with a smile as she went to find Regina.
Only thing is Regina was nowhere to be seen. She wasn't where she had last seen her, and after scanning the room a few times she came to the conclusion that Regina had left.
Emma continued to make her rounds throughout the ball, as she was expected to, but it was running a lot longer than she had previously thought. When people FINALLY started to leave Emma let out a sigh of relief as she slouched down onto the steps leading up to the family thrones.
"Aww I know honey, it was a long one tonight. Go ahead and get some rest," David said as he and Snow approached.
The blonde yawned as she nodded her head, "Yeah I'll take Neal with me."
She looked around only to see a few stragglers but not anyone she wanted to see. She sighed as she took her little brother in her arms and started heading up the steps to the royal bed chambers, following en suite behind her parents. Just before they reached the top, someone from the bottom cleared their throat. The family turned their heads to be met with the figure of Queen Regina Mills. Emma couldn't help but have a smile form on her lips as Neal turned in her arms. Snow and David exchanged knowing glances as Snow took Neal from Emma.
"My apologies your majesties, for this very late introduction. You know how it is, everyone making formalities at balls. It seems to take longer than I remember," Regina expressed as she nodded curtly to the Nolan family, "Congratulations on the little Prince, King David & Queen Snow. A long and happy life to him."
The parents smiled. "Thank you Regina. And please, no need to be so formal. You spent quite a lot of time here year's ago. You are family and are always welcome here," Snow assured.
Regina smiled, "Thank you, it truly means a lot."
"Don't mention it, would you like to meet Prince Neal?"
"Absolutely, but it would seem the Prince has had a long day," Regina said motioning the young child who was now sleeping soundly in his mothers arms.
The Nolans looked at the sleeping child before sharing a glance. "It is about time we put him to bed. But please stay as long as you want," David told the young Queen. He and Snow gave Emma a knowing look as they left their daughter with Regina.
The blonde princess smiled shyly as she tucked a bit of her behind her hair. The Queen smiled back fondly, "It has been a long time Princess."
"Oh shut up with the formalities you old ass hat," Emma said as she pulled her old friend in for a hug. Regina reciprocated eagerly, "I'm only older than you by 3 years Em! Your old jokes are still old all these years later."
"Whatever old lady," she said as they separated.
Regina rolled her eyes as she lead Emma back down the stairs, "I missed you my little duckling."
Emma visibly gagged, "The only good thing about not seeing you all these years was not hearing that Gods forsaken nickname."
Regina smirked as she continued to drag the younger woman behind her, "Whatever, you love it."
Emma rolled her eyes, "You're annoying, where are you taking me? A decade a part and I don't even get a proper conversation."
"How about that…" she answered as she brought them both to a halt in the middle of the ballroom and lit the candles around the room with her magic, "and a dance."
Regina bowed and extended her hand towards the princess. Emma cocked her head as she smiled at her friend questionably.
Regina peeked up at the woman in front of her and smirked, "What? You didn't think I'd let the night get away from us without a dance did you?"
Emma smiled and curtsied before she took Reginas hand in her own, "Then a dance we shall have."
With the snap of her fingers music filled the once dead ball room and the two women swayed back and forth to the sound of string instruments. After years apart it wasn't awkward or clumsy, but comfortable and safe. It was like Regina had never left, Cora & Henry had never died, the borders had never closed, they never lost contact. They were always together. She pulled Regina in closer to her, not wanting to ever lose her again. Not wanting this feeling of familiarity and love (platonic or romantic) to go. Although she felt like no time had passed between them, in the moment of their dance, she remembered the years of separation. The feeling like she had did something wrong, the feeling of loneliness, the feeling like she'd never see her again.
"Hey, hey. What's wrong you're squeezing me pretty tight there little duck," the brunette said softly as she rested her head against the blondes.
Emma nodded her head, "Yeah. I just don't want this to end. I've missed you so much Gina," she replied lowly.
A small smile formed on the Queen's face, "I missed you too Em. A lot..."
"Then why didn't you ever write? Those first few years, I know your parents passed, but- I just- I wrote you almost every week for a year before I stopped."
The two swayed back forth, letting the music drown out the silence, "I read every one. Every single one," Regina eventually replied, "I just couldn't reply. They wouldn't let me. They barely even let me read them. I had to threaten them with imprisonment upon my coronation to even let me do that. And to be honest… I was a wreck during the training. Mother and father were by far less than perfect but when they died, I couldn't handle anything. I was a wreck."
The conversation was getting heavy. Information that should've been divulged years ago, but all the while they continued their slow dance. Regina's hands had a firm, but comforting, hold onto Emma's waist. The Princess still had her arms draped across the older woman's shoulders with her fingertips tangled in the hair just above the brunette's neck, nails grazing her scalp in the process.
"I'm sorry you had to go through that by yourself, I wish I could've helped you."
"You did," Regina quipped, "You have no idea."
Emma's fingertips stopped their soothing motions, "What do you mean?"
"Emma," she teased knowingly, "You must know that I was infatuated with you from the moment we kissed. From that day on I had tunnel vision, and you were the ending."
Emma giggled a little before she stopped their dancing momentarily, "Wait, wait, wait, are you telling me that you had a crush on me?!" The blonde punched the Queen playfully, "You jerk you should've told me! You could not have hidden the fact anymore than you did."
Regina quirked her head, "What? I thought I made it pretty obvious."
"Obvious?! No I made it obvious. You were completely elusive."
"You had a crush on me?" Regina questioned as she shrugged and continued on with their dance, "I had no idea."
Emma scoffed, "With how obvious I was, that is just offensive."
The two shared a laugh as the music started to pick up.
"We were quite the pair as children, weren't we?" Regina reminisced. The Queen twirled the younger women to the music. As she twirled back inwards Regina encompassed her in her arms with her backside pressed against her chest & thighs, "Oh the wonders we could do now," she whispered as she proceeded to dip Emma.
A very bright blush creeped across Emma's face, "I'm sure only time will tell your majesty."
Regina smirked as she brought Emma back to her feet, "Oh we're going back to formalities now are we?"
"Well, we do have an audience now," Emma said as her eyes motioned towards the gaggle of servants in one corner and her parents not too far away from them.
Regina laughed, "Well lets give them a show."
Her fingers reached to the back of Emma's neck and pulled her in for years long awaited kiss. As their lips molded together the music slowly faded out and the two separated. Regina bowed and looked up to the princess in front of her, "I look forward to resuming correspondence with you Princess Emma. Hopefully we can explore the relationship we once shared as children."
Before standing up straight again she took Emma's hand in hers and raised it to her lips, "Goodnight Princess," she said with a gentle kiss to her knuckles.
As she stood straight up again Emma tackled her with a hug, "It's see you soon, not goodbye," Emma said quietly.
Regina smiled softly as she hugged her back, "See you soon little duckling."
The two separated and Emma stood in the middle of the ballroom with a wide smile on her face as Regina started her exit. Before walking through the castle doors, the Queen took another look at Princess Emma before making her way back to her carriage. Hopefully she would be back very soon…