I don't own these characters; Disney/ABC does.
Public Service Announcement: so, apparently, Home, Sweet Home was not the last installment of the Who We Are series. I'm back with more! This, in fact, is a side story in that universe. It's still Omegaverse, now starring omega!Zelena and alpha!Maleficent with supporting roles from alpha!Emma and omega!Regina. So, there is G!P, futa, or however you refer to it in this story. There's also a significant amount of sex in this story, involving G!P/futa. If any of those things aren't your thing, then this might not be the story for you.
A/N: I don't have a beta for this, so be ready for my usual flood of mistakes. I'm sorry. But, several people asked for this, so I hope you like it.
Trust In Me
1: Sick and Tired
Zelena did her best to hold her tongue. After all, she was in Regina's house, enjoying snacks provided by Regina, and Henry had done her the kindness of taking Robbie in the backyard to keep her entertained. It would be rude to say something, but, damn it, Regina was being so dramatic about her pregnancy! It was too much to take.
As if on cue, Regina groaned from her space on the sofa and rubbed her large stomach. She, Zelena, and Maleficent were supposed to be enjoying each other's company and complaining about how stupid the people of Storybrooke were. But, five minutes in, Regina could not sit up right, complained of a headache, a backache, and other ailments, which she often mentioned, and laid down on the couch as if she needed a nap. She did this often lately. It was annoying. It was like she wanted to draw attention to her pregnancy. Well, at five-plus months and the size of a house, everybody knew.
"Regina, you can come off of it, you know? You've been pregnant before. Stop acting like it's the end of the world," Zelena said with a sneer. She tried! She really tried, but Regina was being too extra even for them. Maleficent had the nerve to glare at her from the other arm chair.
"Excuse you?" Regina turned to glare at her. There was a sheen of sweat covering her face, giving her that pregnancy glow everyone commented on, or so Zelena assumed. She did not see any glow. If anything, Regina seemed paler than usual.
Zelena was far from put off by the expression. "You're not the first omega to be pregnant, you know?"
Regina scowled at her. "I don't believe I said I was."
"But, you're acting like it. It's not that serious."
"Because you know exactly how I feel at this very moment?" Regina glared at her even more, almost as if they were enemies again.
Zelena tried to ignore the tumble in her stomach. Regina might be upset with her, but they would never be enemies again. Regina loved her.
"I have been pregnant before," Zelena stated with her chin in the air.
Regina growled. "And every pregnancy is the same? Do you practice coming across this ignorant? I know Oz is the damn backwoods, but you're not this much of a country hick."
Zelena gasped. "Excuse you!" Okay, maybe it was a bit strong to say Regina loved her considering this personal attack on her homeland.
"What? You can dish it out, but you can't take it? If you're so offended, you can always leave." Regina pointed to the door. "I'm not holding anyone hostage here."
"You're overreacting right now." Something that was becoming quite common for Regina as well. She would get upset and throw everyone out.
"No, overreacting is telling you to get the hell out. Now, get the hell out!" Regina pointed to the door, lurching forward just a bit, as if she might fall off of the sofa.
Zelena had to hold in a flinch. Regina kicked people out almost daily at this point, but it never hurt less. It always felt personal, like Regina was trying to throw her away. It made Zelena just want to tell her off all the more. Because who the hell did Regina think she was?! Regina was the reason she gave this family thing a try, so there was no way Regina could just throw her away. Zelena opened her mouth, ready to let Regina have it, but Maleficent suddenly spoke.
"Come on, Zelena." Maleficent stood up, as if she had a say in any of this. "We'll be back at dinner for Robbie." Because these grand tantrums never included Robbie, which made them seem even more personal. Regina loved Robbie more than she loved Zelena.
"The hell we will!" Not that Zelena planned to take Robbie. She deserved time with her cousin, who delighted her and delighted in her presence. She just was not about to allow Regina to kick her out, not when she had done nothing wrong. Regina was the one being unreasonable! "We are not leaving!"
Of course, Regina waved her hand and Zelena was now on the porch with Maleficent. Zelena raised her hand, ready to go blow for blow with Regina, pregnant or not, but Maleficent grabbed her hand. She stared Maleficent down, but Maleficent looked bored.
"How dare you!" Zelena snatched her hand away. Yes, she and Maleficent were friends, but that did not give Maleficent the right to touch her or try to come between her and her sister.
"You will not antagonize your pregnant sister," Maleficent said as if it was a solid fact.
"Pregnancy is not an excuse," Zelena replied.
"No, your constant rudeness and dismissiveness of how poorly she feels is the excuse."
Zelena was about to snap back, but Maleficent waved her hand and now they were in Maleficent's living room. "You two are going to stop fucking teleporting me without my consent!"
"Why are you so upset? You teleport people all the time like this. You're now upset because it's happening to you?" Maleficent asked as if she was bored. The nerve!
"I'm upset because you're both acting like I'm being irrational." Zelena stomped her foot. What was wrong with these witches? She was not the one who was wrong for once!
Maleficent arched an eyebrow and folded her arms across her ash grey, knitted jumper. "Maybe because you are being irrational. You're screaming for no reason and you antagonized your sister for no reason."
Zelena sucked her teeth. "She's being overly dramatic and everyone is just catering to her tantrums."
"Instead of catering to yours?" Maleficent smirked.
"I don't have tantrums." She got rightly upset at the proper moments and in the proper amounts, especially when people were trying to disrespect her.
Maleficent continued to maintain eye contact, as if she was somehow right. "Isn't that what this whole thing is?" She motioned to Zelena with both hands.
"This is about us treating Regina like she's the first omega on Earth to have a baby. We walk on eggshells around her and pamper her."
Maleficent sighed and pinched the bridge of her nose. "I feel like there's a lot to unpack there. More than I can do standing up." She turned away. "Do you want a drink?"
Zelena gnashed her teeth, even though Maleficent did not see. "There's nothing to unpack." She was sick of people trying to psychoanalyze her. She stomped over to the couch and flopped down, arms folded. The sofa felt criminally good. "So, that drink?"
Maleficent turned to her and made a show of rolling her eyes. "You're so entitled."
Zelena scoffed. "I'm nothing of the sort." She had to fight for everything. Nothing had been handed to her, would be handed to her, even if she deserved it.
"Right, that's why you expect everything you want to just be handed to you." Maleficent moved toward her mini bar in the corner of the living room.
"I fight for everything I want. I have to make things go my way." Why was Maleficent acting like she was the problem? Because Regina's everyone's darling and you're just a cast off. But, that was not true. She was more than aware of how hard Regina's life was. So, why are you acting this way?
She was acting "this way" because everyone else was being insane. Regina was pregnant, not dying. There was no reason to tiptoe around her. There was no reason for Regina to act so sick all the time. She had been fine until a couple of weeks ago and now all of a sudden she seemed to be near death every other moment of the day. It had to be an act.
-8-8-8-8-
Maleficent watched Zelena trying to make sense of herself. She took her time making drinks, needing Zelena to be more open to discussing what was wrong. It might be a lot, but they had to start somewhere and Regina was in no shape to try right now. I can't let these two lose each other, but especially Zelena. She needs her family more than she ever knows.
"Do you want to order some food?" Maleficent asked as she sat Zelena's drink in front of her, conjuring up a coaster for it. If she kept Zelena calm, they might be able to uncover what truly bothered Zelena. She did not want to watch Zelena self-destruct.
Zelena frowned. "You don't think she'll let us back in for dinner?" There was a touch of hurt in her voice, which Maleficent knew was part of the problem. Each and every time Regina ordered them to leave, it hit Zelena like a physical blow, like Regina had rejected her.
"Dinner is several hours away," Maleficent pointed out. It was not likely that Regina would cook. Since the pregnancy started making her physically ill, she cooked less and less, especially dinner. She seemed to always feel worse during the night. The last time she made dinner, she then spent the rest of the night vomiting in the bathroom and had to go to bed early, not before Emma managed to get her to eat something. It was a mess and probably going to get worse before it got better. Zelena needed to get with the program.
Zelena glared at the floor. "True." She tapped her glass with her index fingers and then picked up her drink.
"Lily's been showing me how to use all of the different apps on the phone. The takeout ones seem like they'll come in handy while Regina's so cranky." Maleficent took out her phone. She was getting better with it and Lily was so patient, walking her through each new app with care she knew most people would be shocked a daughter had with her mother.
Zelena scoffed. "Cranky." She sipped her drink.
Maleficent scowled. She did not like this dismissive attitude from Zelena, especially since Regina had been visibly sick for a fortnight. She needed support, not to be admonished for her illness, as if it was her fault. Regina was already worried enough about the pregnancy as it was.
"She's sick from the pregnancy. Why can't you accept that?" Maleficent gave Zelena a glare before turning her attention back to her phone. She found one of the newer restaurants in town and ordered for both of them. Zelena was too deep in her sulk to make any choices without being snippy about it and Maleficent did not want to deal with a little meltdown while handling a big one.
"Because it's not a big deal! She's been pregnant before." The dark liquid in Zelena's glass swirled, almost going over the top, but she had already downed enough for that to not happen.
Maleficent sighed. "Every pregnancy is different." That was common knowledge as far as she was concerned.
Zelena sucked her teeth. "How would you know, alpha?" She sneered the last word.
Maleficent sighed and leaned back. "It's not about being an alpha or an omega. It's about listening. Regina's doctor has said her symptoms are much worse than anticipated and she's not quite sure why. Regina says she feels sick all the time. Regina was already anxious about this pregnancy because she took that potion, yet here she is conceiving somewhere magic exists. Why is that not enough for you?" Is she worried about Regina and just doesn't know how to express it or is this more of her insecurity about being an omega or just her insecurity about her relationship with Regina?
Zelena curled her lip, as if she wanted to be upset, but the way her leg bounced belied her anxiety. "Next you'll be telling me if the shoe were on the other foot, she'd dote on me."
We have to get Zelena to a point where she can positively express her anxiety rather than making matters worse. "Well, yes, but that doesn't help matters. I want to know why you're all out of sorts. There are so many different reasons this could bother you and I want to know." I need to see if she even knows why she's so upset.
Zelena scowled. "Why? So, you can tell Regina you tried to fix me?"
"I'm pretty sure Regina already 'fixed' you since you're not trying to erase your little sister from existence anymore. Everything after that has been about healing. We're all healing, Zelena. I assumed you recognized and wanted that, which is why you stick around in this family. Am I wrong?"
Zelena glanced away and gulped down half of her drink without as much as a twitch. "I honestly don't know if it's one thing or a load of things."
"Then let's start with the one you do know. What's bothering you?"
"So many things."
"Like?" Maleficent pressed. She was used to things being like pulling teeth with Zelena, but she was used to Regina doing the pulling and she just had to act as referee. Now, she had to make sure Zelena did not spiral out of control on her own. I guess this would be paying it forward since I couldn't help Regina all those years ago like she helped me.
Zelena ran her hand through her hair and her eyes glistened, sadness replacing outrage quite quickly. "I can't take care of her the same way she takes care of me. If our roles were reversed, hell if Regina had been there when I had Robbie, she would've done everything in her power to keep me comfortable and happy. I'm a terrible sister and I fail her at every turn and I don't know how to stop."
Maleficent was not expecting all of that. Yes, she knew it was possible Zelena was troubled about her relationship with Regina, but not this way. Zelena wanted to be a better sister and felt like she could not measure up. Well, at least she could think of something to say to that. "She doesn't expect you to be her. She expects you to be you and be her sister. She loves you for who you are."
Zelena snorted. "You think that makes it better? Regina restored my faith in family, proper family. Sometimes, I dream she grew up with me and my mother. She would've been happy and safe, like she wants for me. I would've protected her. I can't deliver that now."
"Zelena, you could level countries for Regina." Maleficent was certain Zelena would tear down the world for Regina before anyone else thought to act.
"It's not the same!" Zelena put her drink down and covered her face with her hands for a long moment. She then looked at Maleficent with an almost shattered expression, her eyes glistening. "You know that's a different level of safety compared to what I'm talking about. She has you and Emma for real safety."
Maleficent frowned. More unexpected information. "You still think I replaced you?" Gods, I thought we were past this. She did not want to deal with it again. Regina did not see her as a big sister and she did not see herself that way.
"No, not replaced. She didn't know I existed and she let you in to fill that role, but it's fine. I obviously never would've been able to fill it anyway." Zelena rubbed her eye, possibly keeping tears at bay.
Maleficent took a deep breath. She had to tread carefully, even though she was somewhat annoyed by this. Zelena had such low self-esteem in areas she did not need it. Regina adored her as a sister and it was very clear. Why could Zelena not see it or accept it? Not to mention, why did Zelena think a person could only have one of something? Like she seemed to throw her adoptive mother away when she wanted the approval of her birth mother. Now, she seemed to think that if Regina did consider Maleficent a sister, then she could not have another sister, even though they talked about this before.
Maleficent sat down next to Zelena. She wanted to take Zelena into her arms and hold her, but with how raw she was at the moment, Zelena would definitely have a problem with that. Physical closeness would have to do.
"Zelena, I can't fill the role of you," Maleficent said in a soft voice. "Even if I was Regina's big sister, she still has, needs, and wants her other big sister. People have more than one sibling and they make it work."
Zelena blew out a breath. "I know. We've spoken about this enough for me to know this intellectually, but I still feel…" She wrung her hands together.
"Inferior. Like a throwaway." Maleficent would never understand this in the way Zelena needed. Zelena gave a small nod as confirmation. Maleficent had to sip her drink now. "Maybe you should talk to Emma."
Zelena blinked and then turned to look at her as if she had lost her mind. "Excuse me?"
"You like to think of yourself as close to Regina in terms of your struggle, but I think your kindred spirit might be Emma."
"Emma?" Zelena said the name like it was impossible for her to have anything in common with Emma, which was odd because Zelena did not seem to have any actual problem with Emma.
"It just seems you have a huge fear of not being enough and being abandoned. Emma will tell you those are her issues without prompting. Not to mention the way you keep mentioning Regina being an omega shows you're still uncomfortable with your status and at some point you have to make peace with it or it'll drive you mad. Emma could help with that since she's been there."
"I'm not—"
Maleficent held up a hand. "Spare me the denial. We both know. Have I ever treated you differently because of it?"
"No."
"Has anyone who matters treated Emma differently?"
"No, but she's the bloody savior."
Maleficent scoffed. "Does that matter to anyone who matters? No one who matters will treat you differently and anyone who dares to try will regret it. We're with you." Maleficent reached over and put a hand on Zelena's knee. It was a dangerous move, like touching a wild animal who was cornered, but it felt necessary now. Zelena needed to feel an actual connection.
Zelena looked down at the hand, but did not say anything. Casually touching was not part of their relationship, but it was nice. Actually, beyond the children, no one was really tactical with them, not even Regina. Maybe they were both touch starved.
"You think Emma will talk with me?" Zelena asked.
"I honestly believe Emma would jump at the chance. After all, you're her sister-in-law and I think she would love to be close to you. I mean, you see her with Robbie." Emma would babysit Robbie at the drop of the hat, no reason required. "But, you have to approach it seriously." That was something else Zelena and Emma had in common. They avoided issues, with outrageous behavior for Zelena and actual running for Emma.
Zelena sighed. "I'll try, but you've met Emma. It's hard to take anything seriously with her."
"Be nice."
Zelena groaned, like it would be some great hardship, but she probably wanted a real relationship with Emma. After all, the two most important people in Zelena's life loved Emma, Regina and Robbie.
The conversation died down and food arrived. Zelena pretended to be offended Maleficent ordered for her, but the food was good and she ate all of it. The rest of the afternoon was pleasant with Zelena not getting upset again.
-8-8-8-8-
Dinner was an Emma handled affair, which was becoming the norm. Regina was sick in the bathroom and Emma was unboxing fast food fried chicken. Zelena went into the kitchen to help without being asked. And Emma was so happy for the help that she just smiled at Zelena instead of saying something smart.
"How long has Regina been in the bathroom?" Zelena asked as she spooned mashed potatoes into a bowl. Regina might not complain about the fast food for dinner since she did sometimes have pregnancy cravings, especially for plain things like mashed potatoes, but there would definitely be Hell to pay if it was not placed in proper dishes.
"Almost a half hour. It's mostly dry heaving, which is making her feel worse because something wants to come up, but isn't," Emma replied as she dumped the chicken into a bowl.
"Does the doctor know how long she'll be like this?"
"Nope, but we have an appointment in a couple of days. So, hopefully, she'll be able to tell us something then. But, I'm sure it doesn't help when her sister is picking fights with her and basically accusing her of faking." Emma gave her a stern look. It was not an angry glare, but more reprimanding than anything else.
Zelena winced. "She told you about that, huh?"
"Yeah, she was very upset." Another pointed look, like Zelena should have known and maybe she did, but chose to ignore it.
"I didn't mean to upset her."
Emma laughed. "Yes, you did. You just didn't know it would hurt her the way it does."
Zelena sighed, stomach twisting a little. "I'm not very good at this family thing, am I?" She could not hold onto this. She was too messed up. Past the point of no return and eventually, everyone would get sick of her, right? They would throw her away or leave her, right? Oh, no, I am like Emma!
Emma shrugged as she moved onto putting the biscuits on a platter. "No worse than the rest of us in the beginning."
"But, it's not the beginning. I should be… better?" It came out as a question because she was not sure that was the word she wanted.
Emma paused to look directly at her. "I would say you are, but I guess that depends on what you mean by better. Wanna just tell me what's on your mind?"
"A lot. Most of it, I can't even make sense of." Zelena shook her head. There was so much swirling in her mind and it would probably be better to talk to Regina about it, but she would humor Maleficent's suggestion for the moment.
Emma nodded. "I always assumed your mind went a mile a minute and that's why you act the way you do."
"No, but today, I just realized if I switched places with Regina, she would be taking care of me and that never even crossed my mind with her. I should be a better sister. I mean, this is why she loves Robbie more than me."
"Dude, you know that's not true."
"Okay, yes, and don't call me dude. But, I should definitely be a better sister at this point."
Emma scoffed. "Regina loves you just the way you are and she expects you to be you. If you help out, that's an added bonus. And we all understand why you are the way you are and we're just waiting for you to realize it's okay to let us in. You're safe with us."
Zelena blinked. "Excuse me?"
"Zelena, you're not the only person in this family that's been waiting for the other shoe to drop. It's one of the reasons it took me and Regina so long to be together. It's hard to trust people when every person who was supposed to be there for you hurts you."
Zelena frowned. "How long have you been waiting to give this speech?" She wanted to feel insulted that Emma had a speech waiting for her, but it kind of warmed her. It showed that, yes, Emma did actually care, which underneath it all she knew and understood. She was just fighting the current. It made more sense to fight than accept. Accepting meant admitting defeat. But, that was the past. Accepting this is winning.
Emma smiled. "Regina worries about you and she talks to me."
"She worries about me?" Again, underneath it all, she knew that, but it was just so hard to accept.
"She doesn't want to do something that might make you run. You and I have that in common." Emma winked.
Zelena nodded. "Maleficent said we're alike. We feel like we're not enough and have abandonment issues."
"She's not wrong. You're scared Regina will abandon you because you don't take care of her the way she does you?"
"And Maleficent is a better sister to her. Hell, you're a better friend."
"I get that thinking, but Maleficent's not better than you. This is something I'm still learning thanks to having a real family, but it's not a competition. No one's keeping score. I know it's hard to believe, but it's true. You just have to be you and we accept you. And we know when you're mean, you're pushing to see at what point we'll throw you away. You're in this family, Zelena. We've got your back the way you'd have ours."
Zelena never expected to hear this from Emma. She and Emma were not close despite their relationships with Regina. Her eyes burned and she knew the second her tears fell. Emma stopped with the food and hugged her. Zelena yelped.
"I know we don't hug, but I've learned they help," Emma said.
Zelena nodded. "It feels nice." It really did. She might need more hugs.
Emma gave her a little squeeze. "Yeah, believe it or not, learned that from my dad. The way he hugs me makes me feel safe. It was new and hard to believe."
"Hard to believe your father's not completely useless." Zelena chuckled weakly.
Emma released her. "I'm just as surprised as you. Anyway, we're here for you, Zelena. I know it might not seem real or might seem overwhelming, but we're here and you're allowed to go at your own pace."
Zelena did not know how much she needed to hear that until a knot she had not been aware of loosened in her soul. She stood up a little taller and smiled. Emma smiled back.
"Now, help me with the rest of this food before I get in trouble," Emma said.
"Emma, this is from Little Chicken on Fourth. You'll be lucky if Regina doesn't divorce you," Zelena replied.
"Quite true. Help anyway." She did.
-8-8-8-8-
Maleficent went to check on Regina after her doctor's appointment. Things must have been all right because Regina was at work. And, Regina had to be in better spirits because she saw Maleficent, even though she had not made an appointment to see the mayor.
"I hope you're free for more than a moment," Maleficent said as they both greeted each other with air kisses to their cheeks.
"Just paperwork for today since I came in late from my appointment with Doctor Alexander. I wasn't sure how things would go, but I need to finish up as much as I can as Doctor Alexander suspects I'm going to get worse as the pregnancy continues on and probably end up on bedrest," Regina replied as she sat back down at her desk.
Maleficent sat across from her. "Has she nailed down what the issue is?"
"So, Emma wants to make this announcement at a family dinner, but there's no telling if I'll be up to it, but apparently we're having twins. One has been hiding behind the other, which explains why there were always two heartbeats, yet only one baby to be seen."
Oh, wow. "Congratulations."
"Yes, but they might end up being the death of me. Please, don't tell Zelena." Okay, so this was serious.
"Why would they be the death of you?"
Regina sighed. "Doctor Alexander suspects the reason I've been getting sick is because my potion is now fighting with the pregnancy. She's not quite sure how this could end. She does suspect I'll get sicker as the pregnancy continues because the potion will keep fighting, trying to take over, and get rid of the babies."
Maleficent frowned. "That makes a lot of sense. Did she have any suggestions on fighting this?"
"The best she could do was…" Regina groaned and rolled her eyes. "Prescribe plenty of kisses and cuddles from my mate since we're True Love and our love made this whole pregnancy happen. I hate how that makes sense, too."
Maleficent managed a chuckle. "Just when you thought loving Emma might be the death of you."
Regina rolled her eyes again. "I'm going to have to deal with so many damn Savior jokes through this whole ordeal."
"Ah, you love her."
"Well, obviously." Regina motioned to her belly, truly a sign of their love. "I hope you find love like this one day."
"Oh, please." Maleficent waved that off. "We both know I'll never trust anyone enough to love them like this again. But, I have my daughter and I have this family and that's good enough for me."
Regina smiled. "I get what you mean. Thank you for coming to check on me."
"I'll always check on you, you know that. I wish I had something better to tell your sister, though. She's so worried about you."
"I know. I get it, even though I fight with her. She'll be all right, eventually. I just hope she makes it through this. I mean, if I'm going to possibly get sicker, then my temperament will not improve and she'll be offended each and every time I do something. I don't want her to leave."
It was Maleficent's turn to smile. "I don't think you have to worry about that. This just gives her a chance to lean on other members of this family and learn that you're not the only here for her or that we don't all tolerate her for you."
Regina's expression dropped. "Does she really think that?"
"She hasn't said so outright, but her self-esteem is quite shot. I mean, if she had a deluded version of the sleeping curse, she might be taking it." Maleficent would never forget her lowest point and this infuriating waif who picked her back up. While Regina had treated her terribly since becoming the Evil Queen, that uplifting moment and the company after would always top everything else.
Regina rubbed her palms together. "She's been taking this so personally. I mean, yes, I get that I'm sensitive to a lot of things right now and that's definitely going to get worse, but how can I get her to understand it's not directed at her?"
Maleficent sighed. "Regina, you can't get her to do anything. You've done your part. It's all on her now. Trust her to be able to grow without you holding her hand."
Regina arched an eyebrow. "You're telling me about trust?"
"Yes, which makes this twice as bad." Maleficent wagged her index finger at Regina. "I have faith Zelena will come into her own soon enough." The fact that she actually helped with dinner and talked to Emma a couple of days ago showed that Zelena had made a choice and she chose family. Eventually, Regina had to stop holding her hand.
"Are you sure?"
"I think as you're sick, she'll be forced to interact with the rest of us more often, which will give her a sense of security, which is what she really needs. She'll understand we all like her just fine. Stop worrying about her. Worry about yourself, those twins, and the fact that you'll eventually have to tell Snow White and David about this."
Regina groaned and curled her lip. "I think I'm going to be sick just from you mentioning that. In fact, I might use the excuse of being sick to avoid telling them."
"No, because Emma will use you being sick as an excuse to avoid telling them on her own and they won't be told. So, you might as well just get it out of the way."
"Don't you ever get tired of being right?"
Maleficent's smile could only be smug. "Of course, I don't. After all, it's how I'm supportive."
-8-8-8-8-
Next time: Zelena is forced to interact with other people beyond Regina.