Chapter 1 - Love Story
A/N: I do not own OUAT or any of the compositions of Taylor Swift. I just happen to think her music fits perfectly with SQ.
We were both young when I first saw you.
Emma Swan loved how Regina Mills made her stride with confidence wherever she went. Must've been those damn heels of hers. There was just something naturally sexy about the sound of clicking heels, and the fact that it was Regina wearing them, made Emma believe that it was a match made in Heaven.
The curious blonde pretended to be heavily invested in the menu when, like clockwork, at 7:30 AM, the brunette entered Granny's diner for her morning coffee and a cup of fruit to go.
Click. Click. Click. Click.
God, she loved hearing the powerful woman's heels resonate off the floor and across the room.
Pathetic.
While pretending to study the breakfast specials, she made little mental notes to herself, while studying her majesty. She made sure to flip the menu over consistently as to avoid being caught in her true goal.
She glanced up towards the front counter and noticed Regina's posture; back straight, chin up, yet patiently. The perfect picture of regality! She heard Regina clear her throat ever so slightly in an effort to get Granny's attention where she was checking tickets and verifying orders.
When Granny turned to greet the mayor, Regina gave her a small smile, and as she did, she subconsciously tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. Handing Regina her breakfast and coffee, Granny wished her a great day after the bill was paid.
As Regina headed out the door, they made eye contact. Emma watched in awe as the morning sunlight that trailed through the windows, highlighted the flecks of gold in Regina's chocolate brown eyes. She couldn't help it when she froze in place, and just admired this perfect human.
She's so beautiful…
She snapped back to reality, when she noticed Ruby waving a hand in front of her, trying to get her attention.
"Emma! Anybody home?"
Ruby's smile widened as she followed Emma's gaze.
"Ohh, go Emma!" The pretty waitress teased, raising her eyebrows suggestively.
"Aww come on Rubes!" The blonde took her beanie off in frustration.
"Oh Emma, I think your little crush is cute!" She said, taking a seat across from her.
Emma sighed while dusting cinnamon over her hot chocolate.
"The thing is, I don't know why this is happening. I've been in relationships, had one night stands, and I've never been affected like this before. Not even with Neal."
"I've noticed you've been a lot more tongue tied and nervous around her lately." She nodded. "Oh, and when you both locked eyes? Your heart skipped several beats, by the way."
"What? How do you-"
"The wolf thing, remember?"
Emma stared into her hot chocolate, and stirred it mindlessly. "But, I'm not obvious…am I?"
Ruby gave her a small, sad smile and grabbed her hand.
"Great!" Emma growled. "Not only am I like a teenager with her first crush, but everyone knows about it too." She pulled away and lay her head on the table in defeat.
For Emma, there was nothing more embarrassing than having her feelings on display for the whole world to see.
"This is completely hopeless!" She groaned.
"Hey! Enough of that! If it makes you feel any better, I don't think Regina knows."
"Really?" The sheriff winced.
Ruby watched as her friends eyes lit up with something akin to false hope, so she nodded in reassurance.
"The mayor might know everything that goes on in this sleepy little town, but she's completely oblivious when it comes to matters of the heart."
Just like the hot chocolate she was sipping on, Ruby's words provided her some comfort.
If she was being honest with herself though, she was torn between wanting the brunette to know of her feelings, but also afraid of what could happen if Regina didn't reciprocate.
I close my eyes, and the flashback starts. I'm standing there, on a balcony in summer air.
She and the mayor had become civil towards one another after the Peter Pan fiasco, for the sake of their son. But it was during their trek in Neverland that Emma had started to notice little things about the other woman. The way her eyes softened when Henry was mentioned, caused Emma to hold her breath, which Emma denied happening. Thank you very much.
When the blonde was roughly shaken awake by Regina one night within the confines of their shared sleeping bag, she half expected Pan's lost boys to have been attacking their camp, or for someone to be injured, but what she didn't expect however, was the mayor of Storybrooke and former Evil Queen to be absolutely terrified of huge, flying insects.
"Swan! Ms. Swan, wake up!" She whispered frantically. Her fingers curled around the blonde's arm as she shook her awake.
"Is the camp under attack?" Emma mumbled sleepily, not even opening her eyes.
"No, but-"
"Is the tent on fire?"
"No, the tent's not on fire!" Emma couldn't resist the small, sleepy smirk when she heard her camping companion huff indignantly.
However, when Regina's pleas went from bossy to frightened, the sheriff opened her eyes to see the fear in her camping companion's otherwise confident eyes.
She sat up to face Regina. "Then what the Hell is so important?" She noticed that she had come off more grumpy than she had intended.
Regina bit her bottom lip in embarrassment, and even with only the pale moonlight shining, Emma could tell that a faint blush had colored Regina's cheeks.
Emma just continued to stare at her imploringly, waiting on her answer until the slightly older woman caved.
"There'sareallyhugebugattheendofoursleepingbaganditflies-" She rushed to get the words out until
Emma cut her off.
"Wait, you woke me up because of an insect?" The sheriff asked, a hint of incredulity in her voice. She knew that she was supposed to be one of the good guys, but that didn't mean a positively evil idea wouldn't pop up in her mind from time to time.
The brunette shook her head, not in any mood to repeat herself or for Emma's games.
"Emma…"
"What?" Emma felt her lips tilting upwards in a smile. This was too good to be true. "Don't you have magic? Can't you just poof it somewhere or destroy it?"
Sure enough, at the foot of their sleeping bag on Regina's side rested a curious beetle of sorts. Emma wasn't up to date with her insect terminology.
"Can you just-" The beetle fluttered it's wings slightly, causing Regina to jump towards Emma, her olive toned arms wrapping around the sheriff in fear.
"Can I what?" Emma knew what she wanted, but she wanted to hear it from the mayor's lips.
"Emma, please-" she tightened her grip around Emma, absolutely terrified.
"Aww what's wrong your majesty?" The blonde teased, and she suddenly found herself enjoying the brunette's touch, her warm fingers had found skin along her waist from where Emma's tank top had ridden up ever so slightly.
Emma had never known that Regina could be so demanding, yet afraid at the same time. Her normally composed chocolate brown eyes were now filled with a mix of fire and fear.
"Aren't you supposed to be the all powerful Evil Queen? Don't tell me you're afraid of some insect?"
"Emma please, I-" Suddenly, the mayor of Storybrooke let out a small, high pitched scream as the bug began flying around them and landed on the ground, and off of the sleeping bag.
"Please what? You have to tell me what you want Regina."
Emma was enjoying this way too much.
Regina let out a breath of frustration. "Please kill the insect for me?" Her voice shook slightly, and a shiver traveled up Emma's spine when Regina's fingers subconsciously caressed the skin at Emma's waist.
The blonde gave an almost blinding smile. "See? That wasn't so bad now was it?"
Regina glared darkly at her as the blonde immediately jumped into action by grabbing her boot, hopping up, and promptly squashing the bug.
"There! Is your majesty pleased? Your knight in shining armor has returned from battle." She grinned as she maneuvered her way back into the sleeping bag, sitting up to match Regina's posture.
The mayor's arms were crossed until she suddenly smacked her savior's arm a few times in anger.
"Knight in shining armor my ass!"
Emma couldn't help the laugh that escaped her at that moment. Even though Regina was probably more embarrassed than angry, she couldn't help but find this little fear of hers…endearing.
"Oh relax Regina! You know I'm not laughing at your expense!" She continued to giggle as a tear formed at the corner of her eye.
"You're not?" Regina genuinely asked in confusion.
"Not at all. In fact, we can keep this little secret between us on two conditions." She scooted a little closer to further discuss their confidential information.
Her majesty rolled her eyes. "Of course, there would be stipulations."
"Naturally. First, I get to pick on you about it from now until all of eternity." As Regina was about to open her mouth to object, Emma added, "Only in private of course."
Even in the darkness, she could see the mayor's eyes flash in annoyance and she scoffed.
"And what's the second condition? You want a raise?"
"No, I want you to call me by my first name from now on. No more of this, 'Ms. Swan' business."
Regina looked at her in confusion. "Why?" She uncrossed her arms and turned her body to completely face the blonde.
"Why not?" The blonde shrugged. "Besides, I did just save your life and all." She joked, purposefully bumping her knee into Regina's and continued. "Plus, when you call me Ms. Swan, it just sounds too formal. Not a fan. I think it's only fair that we address each other on equal terms…as friends, even."
Regina raised an eyebrow at that. "You really want to be friends?"
"Only if you want to, Regina."
"And pray tell, why would the savior want to be friends with the evil queen?"
Emma ran a hand through her blonde locks. "You're not evil. Not anymore. You're changing for the better. Henry knows it…and so do I."
The brunette sat and listened to the blonde, trying to find any hint of deception or disbelief in her voice, and she found none.
"Hmm, well…I suppose I could concede this once." She pretended to deliberate. Does it truly get under your skin when I call you Ms. Swan?"
Now it was Emma's turn to be nervous. She gulped and stammered out quietly.
"Well..I uh…I guess I just like it better when you call me Emma." Her green eyes avoided Regina's gaze, and she chose to stare at her hands which had become infatuated with pulling at a string on their sleeping bag.
When Regina didn't respond, and only stared at her in shock, she panicked on the inside.
Fuck, I shouldn't have said that.
"I-I'm sorry, I'm just gonna go to sleep now."
And as the sheriff began to turn away, she felt Regina place a soft, warm hand on top of hers, freezing her in her tracks at the electricity that flowed through her at the contact. When Emma looked into Regina's eyes, she no longer saw anger or embarrassment. She saw that same soft gaze that she had reserved only for Henry and she couldn't bring herself to look away.
The spark that had been ignited between them set Emma's very being afire and she suddenly felt warm all over, her insides flipped, and her heart began to pound unforgivingly in her chest and…
What the fuck is happening?
She suddenly felt as if she had run a marathon, and the very breath had been stolen from her lungs.
"Thank you…Emma." The mayor's voice held the same kindness and warmth that was also only meant for their son. It took Emma's very breath away.