While the next one-shot(s) were supposed to be the sequel to "Truce," I came up with an idea for a fic that centered around Regina and Emma's friendship not too long ago. I became super excited about it, and the ideas flowed pretty easily. I hope y'all enjoy!
P.S. The title and the quote at the end are both inspired by my favorite movie, Anne of Green Gables.
With a determined air about her, Regina walked down the hall to Emma's apartment. When she arrived at her friend's door, she knocked a little more forcefully than she intended.
Emma opened the door with a half-eaten bear claw in her hand. She then spoke, "Hey, Regina. Everything okay?"
"Why would you automatically assume something was wrong?" Regina agitatedly questioned.
Her blonde friend only gave her a knowing look in response.
The brunette then sighed before she partially admitted, "Fine. The truth is that I need your help with something."
Knowing that Regina could be as tough to crack as she herself, Emma simply nodded before she stepped aside to let the brunette inside.
Both ladies then headed toward the living room, where Emma then turned off the TV from where she had been watchinga documentary on pirates.
"Really? Pirates of the Caribbean is one thing, but a documentary? You've clearly spent too much time with Captain Sarcasm," Regina quipped.
Emma rolled her eyes before she pointed out, "I spend about as much time with Killian now as I did before we were dating."
"That's exactly my point," Regina stated with crossed arms. The blonde rolled her eyes once more before she turned off the history channel and finished her bear claw.
After considering her words, the brunette uneasily apologized, "I'm sorry, Emma. I shouldn't say things like that about Killian."
Emma shrugged before she responded, "You've always done that – and it's not like he isn't just as snarky about you. It's sort of you guys' thing. Why apologize now?"
"Are you seriously asking that?" Regina questioned with genuine surprise in her voice.
The blonde tilted her head in question before it dawned on her. She took a deep breath before she assured her friend, "Look, Regina, you and Killian's, uh, sass battle thing has never bothered me. And that doesn't change now that he and I are dating. All that is important to me is that you two know that I care about the other."
"It's hard not to know. Everyone can see that you two are crazy about each other," Regina matter-of-factly commented. She then offered a small smile and added, "And that you two are perfect for each other."
Emma smiled brightly, as well as slightly blushed, in response. She then spoke, "Since I highly doubt that was your reason for coming over here, why don't you tell me what you needed."
Regina nodded before she simply stated, "I need to borrow a dress."
Confusion enveloped the blonde's features as she took in her friend's outfit, which was, in fact, a dress. The brunette noticed Emma's look and clarified, "I meant that I need a dress to go…out."
Realization gave way to a wide smile before Emma perceived, "Ah – does this have anything to do with Robin?" with a teasing tone of voice.
Regina rolled her eyes before she told her friend, "I came to you so I wouldn't have to deal with Mary Margaret's incessant enthusiasm. Regina rolled her eyes before she told her friend, "I came to you so I wouldn't have to deal with Mary Margaret's incessant enthusiasm. We're best friends, but I honestly don't understand how one person can be that optimistic."
Emma chuckled at that before she spoke, "That's Mary Margaret for you." She then told the brunette, "Let's head to my room and look at those dresses."
Regina nodded before she followed the blonde into the bedroom. Emma then went over to the closet and pulled out the five dresses that she owned.
Regina eyed the dresses before she incredulously asked, "Aren't those the same dresses you had before you moved to Boston?"
The blonde simply shrugged before she stated, "There hasn't been a need for me to get any new ones. All these still fit, and they're still in style…I think."
Regina shook her head before she began perusing through the dresses. She almost instantly hung three of the dresses back up – a light pink one, a bright red one, and a cream-colored one.
"Do you have some kind of prejudice against these dresses?" Emma questioned as she planted her hands on her hips.
"The last thing I want is to look like a daffodil on my date with Robin," Regina stated, as she surveyed the two dresses left.
Emma couldn't' help but grin before she spoke, "I highly doubt that daffodil comes to mind when Robin thinks of you. Or anyone for that matter."
The brunette only hummed in response before she settled on a dress and walked to the restroom.
A few minutes later, she re-entered the bedroom in a strapless maroon dress. The sweetheart bodice gave way to a layered skirt, with the top layer being chiffon. A beautiful bow accentuated the front left side of the waist.
"You look so great, Regina," Emma complimented with a wide smile.
Regina looked down at the dress as she nervously ran her hands over it. She was silent for a few moments before she spoke, "Thank you, Emma. This is a nice dress," with a smile that didn't quite reach her eyes.
Emma noticed and perceived, "We both know that you do look amazing in the dress and that Robin would think so, too. But he's part of the problem, isn't he?"
Regina scoffed before she refuted, "You're overthinking this, Emma. Clearly, all those crime shows have gotten to your head – I don't have a problem."
The blonde sighed before she responded, "We're a lot like, Regina. It can be hard for us to open up about…well, anything. Especially our feelings. That's why I know something is bothering you about the date. You don't have to tell me what it is, but at least tell me that something is wrong so I can back off."
The brunette exhaled deeply as she sank down on the bed. She then admitted, "Fine. I am nervous about the date. Happy now?" She then crossed her arms and set her gaze to the wall.
"Well, Regina," Emma began, causing her friend to look back at her. The blonde then assured, "It is normal to be nervous about a date."
She then went over to the bed and grabbed the other dress. As she was hanging it back up in the closet, she heard Regina scoff once more.
When she had turned back around, Emma curiously asked, "What is it?"
"You are dating the guy who's been your best friend for years. You two have nothing to be nervous about – it's easy for you," Regina stated, a bit defensively.
Emma tried her hardest not to laugh, but she couldn't help the chuckle that escaped. Her brunette friend then accusingly asked, "What the hell is so funny?"
When the blonde had sobered, she began to explain: "I'm sorry, Regina – I just thought that Mary Margaret would have told you."
"Told me what?" Regina practically barked, her patience wearing thin.
Emma clarified, "The first part of my date with Killian was a complete disaster," with the corners of her mouth upturned in a smile.
"Based on that ridiculous smile, I'm guessing you two worked it out?" Regina observed, though she was no less impatient.
"Yeah, we did. It only took Killian spilling a glass of water on me to make us see that we were being, well, ridiculous," Emma responded, her smile growing. At Regina's confused expression and raised eyebrow, the blonde continued, "We barely talked to one another from the time he picked me up until said water incident. And when we did talk, it was incredibly boring and monotonous."
"Really?" Regina spoke with a tone that was one part disbelieving and one part intrigued.
Emma nodded before she continued, "I was honestly beginning to question the whole dating thing, and it made feel disheartened. I mean, I loved Killian, but how were we going to work as a couple if we couldn't even make it through a date?" pausing for the unexpected emotions that began bubbling up.
She then felt Regina comfortingly squeeze her arm before she took a deep breath and finished, "After the water had spilled, Killian was going on about ruining a perfect date before admitting that it was far from perfect. And that was problem – we were trying to live up to some bogus expectation of romance instead of just being ourselves. Suffice to say, the rest of date was amazing."
Regina smiled at her friend's words before she took a series of deep breaths and admitted, "You know I haven't been with anyone since Daniel, and I'm just nervous about dating again. Robin is a great guy, and you know he wanted to wait and be certain about us before he told Roland, and we went on an "official" date. I stress less over cases than I have over this date."
"Then don't stress," Emma responded as though it was the simplest thing to do. At her friend's eye roll, she elaborated, "Just think about all the reasons he makes you happy and why you were interested in him in the first place, and you'll be fine."
Regina ruminated over the words before she admitted, "That is surprisingly sound advice."
It was Emma this time who rolled her eyes before she defended, "I am capable of giving advice, you know."
"Maybe, but you're mostly incapable of taking it," Regina pointed out.
Emma narrowed her eyes at the brunette before she conceded, "Touché."
Regina offered a smug and satisfied smile before she spoke, "I really do want to borrow this dress. It is actually beautiful," with a bit of surprise in her voice.
"I'll ignore that comment about my fashion sense," Emma began before Regina muttered, "The fashion sense that revolves around jeans and leather jackets."
The blonde then finished, "You are welcome to borrow it. You really do look amazing in it." Regina smiled in response before she got up and headed back in the bathroom to change.
When the brunette returned, she found that Emma had made her way to the living room. Regina then asked the blonde, "I am curious about something. How did Anna Elizabeth take the news of you two dating? If I had to guess, I'd say she was squealing with excitement."
Emma's cheeks turned slightly red before she explained, "Well, she was excited after she had seen us kiss."
Regina shook her head and rolled her eyes in response. She then spoke, "I honestly can't say I'm surprised. You two have always resembled smitten teenagers."
"Well, we're not the only ones with the yearning looks and doe-y eyes," Emma fired back with a mischievous grin.
"That is absolutely ridiculous," Regina argued with crossed arms.
"Hmm, why does that sound familiar?" Emma feigned confusion as she rested her finger on her chin.
The brunette rolled her eyes while her blonde friend simply giggled. Emma then sincerely began, "I really am so happy for you, Regina. Robin really is a great guy, and he's an amazing father - I know that he and Roland will add so much to your happiness."
Regina offered a wide and genuine smile as she spoke, "Thank you, Emma. I am happy with Robin - happier than I thought I could be in a relationship again."
Emma returned her friend's smile as she spoke, "Well, you deserve it." She then questioned, "When is your date, anyway?"
"Tomorrow night," Regina answered. At Emma's slightly confused expression, the brunette continued, "Most women plan ahead for a date - they don't wait until two hours before to pull out their dresses and freak out about which one to wear and how to do their hair and make-up."
Emma only shrugged before she spoke, "Well, since I'm clearly not like most women in that aspect, that's why the universe gave me Mary Margaret."
Regina shook her head before she stated, "I actually feel kind of bad for Captain Sarcasm for having to put up with you."
"Yeah, well, I feel bad for Robin for having to put up with the Queen of Sass," Emma replied with crossed arms.
A moment later, both women burst out laughing. The laughter continued until they were wiping their eyes.
Regina then genuinely spoke, "For what it's worth, Emma, I am really glad that we're friends. I know I don't say that, well, ever."
Emma smiled as she responded, "I'm glad that we're friends, too." She then took a breath and continued, "I don't think I've told you this, but I wasn't actually sure if I'd like you when we first met. But somewhere between all the sarcastic comments and sassy remarks, I found someone I knew I could count on - and it meant a lot to me. It still does, actually."
"Well, just like I did then, I'll always be there to stop you from doing something stupid," Regina remarked. She then smiled sincerely and continued, "Next to Mary Margaret, you are my closest friend, and I will always be here for you."
"And I'll be here for you," Emma conceded with a smile. Regina returned the blonde's smile before she nodded in response.
The brunette then spoke, "I need to relook over my notes for my court case tomorrow, so I'll see you later." Before she turned to leave, she added, "And thank you again for the dress."
"Of course. You'll have to tell me about your date," Emma told her.
Regina lightly scoffed before she sarcastically remarked, "I'll tell you all about it over our manis and pedis."
She then headed out the door, offering one final wave over her shoulder. As Emma shut the door behind her, the blonde couldn't help but laugh - both for her friend's personality and the situation in general.
It doesn't seem plausible that two incredibly headstrong and stubborn women would ever work as friends, but Emma and Regina had made it work all of these years.
With that thought in mind, the blonde grabbed a snack and bottled water from the kitchen before she plopped down on the couch.
As it sometimes still did, Emma's mind wandered to her years in foster care. She scarcely allowed herself to believe that she ever find she would find a family, let alone an amazing friend who could match her - although, outdo was a way more accurate description - tendency to be sassy or sarcastic at times and find a way to laugh about it.
As she took a sip of her water and began flipping through the TV channels, she smiled and thought about how she had found a kindred spirit where she hadn't quite expected it.