E: Hey, you up yet? What are you doing today?
Regina read the message and smiled. She'd not long woken up and was happy to know that Emma had thought about her so early in the morning. It made her feel wanted and right now, she would take any and all offers presented to her from Emma. It was a Saturday and Henry was off at Violet's for the day. She hadn't even got out of bed yet.
R: Yes, I'm awake. What would you like to do today?
E: Venues?
R: Not keen on Granny's I take it?
E: I'd be happy with the jukebox and a grilled cheese but don't think we can fit the whole town in there. Can I pick you up now?
R: Now? Give me at least an hour.
E: Thought you said you were up? Liar!
Regina rolled her eyes.
R: I am up!
Suddenly, a cloud of white magic filled her room and a very smug blonde appeared at the foot of Regina's bed.
"You are a terrible liar, Regina!"
"And you have no etiquette! Didn't anyone ever tell you to knock?" Regina scolded weakly, pulling the covers back up over herself.
Emma jumped on the bed and bounced around a bit.
"Exactly! That's why I need your help! Now, get up or I'll poof you there myself and trust me, etiquette won't count for shit if you appear out of thin air in your pjs!" She added as she pulled the covers off Regina, noting her choice of night wear. "Wow! On second thoughts.."
Regina grabbed Emma's hands. "You wouldn't dare!" The pair were giggling and acting like complete children. Emma broke one hand free and started tickling the brunette.
"Wanna test that theory!" She screeched as she almost managed to pin Regina down. Before she knew what was happening, she was being pulled backwards, up off the bed until she felt a hard wall against her back. Regina had done her infamous wallpaper magic and she was giggling slightly evilly as Emma struggled against the restraints.
"Hey! No fair! You can't just use magic to get the upper hand!" Emma complained as Regina got up from the bed and transformed her night dress into her normal daytime attire.
Regina raised an eyebrow at her and hummed to herself, still trying to catch her breath from their exhertion. "I believe you were the one who about to transport me to God knows where in my pyjamas." She flicked her wrist and Emma was gently lowered to the ground.
Emma rubbed her wrists. It hadn't been tight at all but she wanted to exaggerate. "God, Regina! Remind me never to make a joke around you again!"
Regina looked at Emma tending to her wrists and her heart fell. She rushed over to examine the damage. "Did I hurt you Emma? I'm sorry, I didn't mean to.." before she could finish what she was saying she was in hysterics. Emma was tickling her again.
"Gotcha! Huh! Hehe! I win!" She taunted.
"Emma.. haha.. please stop.. I.. haha.. I'm gonna.. ahh hahaha!"
She stopped finally and Emma just chuckled. "Sorry! I just never pinned you for being ticklish! You giggle like a little girl!"
Regina was blushing furiously at being put in such a vunerable position. Nobody had ever tickled her. Only Henry when he was a lot younger and that was just the once. She caught her breath and looked Emma in the eye with such vunerablility and said pleadingly, "Please, don't do that again." In her mind she added or I might do something I regret.
Emma bit her lip realising she may have been a bit too hands on. She was embarrassed that she'd behaved the way she did and couldn't really understand where this spontaneousness had suddenly come from. This wasn't how you behaved with friends. This was something else and it unsettled her. She cleared her throat and realised she was still staring into Regina's eyes. "Sorry. I should let you get ready. I'll wait downstairs in the kitchen if that's ok. Want me to make coffee?"
Regina swallowed hard. Something had shifted in Emma for a moment. They had been up in each other's personal space. She stepped back realising their proximity. "Ahem, sure. Coffee would be good. I'll be down in a moment."
Emma rushed out the room and Regina could hear her heavy footsteps bounding down the stairs. She let out the breath she hadn't realised she'd been holding and steadied herself against the wall. Had Emma seen her pleading for what it was? She went to the bathroom, splashed cold water on her face and brushed her teeth, trying not to pay too much attention to the gnawing feeling in her stomach. She magicked on her make-up and composed herself with a mental reminder. Just friends. Just very good friends.
#####
In the kitchen, Emma was having a similar crisis. What the hell was that Emma? You don't behave like that with friends. I don't even have that with Hook and I'm about to marry the guy! She berated herself remembering the last person she had acted so freely with. Neal. It seemed like such a long time ago since those carefree days of punching each other in the arm and tickle fights. It was something she had loved about their relationship. She was seventeen and in love. It was goofy and lighthearted, uncomplicated and easy.
She was lost in thought and hadn't noticed Regina walk into the kitchen.
"You have been stirring that coffee for almost 2 minutes. I think it's good." Regina snarked making Emma jump.
"Jeez you scared me!"
Regina ignored the comment, took a mug from the cupboard and filled it with the black, steaming liquid. She didn't dare to look at Emma just yet but asked in her general direction, "So where exactly is it that we're going today?"
Emma sat down at the opposite end of the counter leaving two empty stools between them as buffers. "It's a surprise. I think you're gonna love it though! I have to say, I'm quite impressed with myself for finding it in the first place. It's a bit of a drive though which is why I want to leave early."
Regina smiled and finally looked up from her coffee. "I'm sure it will be wonderful." Like you.
