A/N: Hi. sorry for the delay. Here is some more Emma/Regina fluff. chapter contains brief mentions of Killian but he does not make an appearance, raw meat eating? that's it, I think. sorry for mistakes. enjoy.
Chapter Four
Regina returned dressed in her pajamas which comprised shorts and a long-sleeved shirt. She felt much more comfortable in that. Judging how Emma sat up straight and stared at her curiously, the mermaid had never seen a pair of bare human legs up close. Intrigued by this and just as curious, Regina walked over to the tub and sat beside Emma. The mermaid's eyes were wide as she stared at her. Regina stretched her legs out as she leaned up against the side of the tub.
"Hey." She said with a smile. Emma looked at her before she peeked over the side of the tub and observed her legs with interest. Regina lifted one leg so Emma could get a better view.
Emma reached out a webbed hand and carefully touched Regina's smooth skin. It wasn't dry as Emma had suspected but it was warm and so smooth. She liked it. Emma ran her fingers up Regina's leg then stroked down to her ankle. She wrapped a hand around the girl's ankle and curiously squeezed. That made Regina chuckle, and she found Emma's fascination in something that was just a part of her adorable. Emma's hand continued downward, and she took Regina's foot into her hand and then her other hand came out. She gently pinched each of Regina's toes.
"What do you think?" Regina asked with a laugh. Emma looked up at her, there was pure excitement on her face.
"Feet?" She asked. Regina chuckled softly.
"Yes." She pointed at her toes that Emma was playing with. "Toes."
Emma smiled. "C-cute."
Regina's brows rose, and she threw her head back as she laughed. "Thank you. That's a huge compliment for humans. I'm glad you think my feet and toes are cute."
Emma grinned at Regina's laughter. Once she finished with that, she let her hand travel up Regina's leg to her knee. She squeezed again interested in the joint she found there. Regina bent her knee a bit, demonstrating how it worked. Emma's eyes grew with fascination. Once she satisfied her curiosity with Regina's knee, her hand inched up higher to her thigh, Regina's body responded automatically when Emma's thumb brushed the inside of it and she blushed. She chalked it up to being hormonal and never being touched in such a way. She composed herself and gently redirected Emma's hand back downward. The mermaid happily moved down, just satisfied with finally getting to touch one of the most interesting parts of her human. Regina kept her eyes on Emma as she explored her.
"Killian and Smee's party is still going," Zelena muttered, interrupting Regina's moment with Emma. Regina couldn't care less about that stupid party. "Everyone is there except us."
Regina reached out and pushed some of Emma's hair over her shoulder and out of her face. The mermaid glanced up at being touched then. Regina just stared back at her and pulled her bottom lip between her teeth. "I don't care." She told her sister without tearing her eyes away from Emma.
"Killian seems to care," Zelena said. Regina glanced over her shoulder. Zelena smirked, realizing that she lured her little sister into a trap. "He's been messaging me asking if you were okay and why you hung up on him."
"What did you tell him?" She asked, turning back to Emma who had finally finished exploring her leg. Regina lowered it and gave Emma a smile.
"That we got busy with things around the lighthouse," Zelena replied. That wasn't exactly a lie.
"And what did he say?"
Zelena smirked. "He said he hopes you guys can talk before bed."
Regina just scoffed. "That's not happening."
"Why not?"
"I'm busy." Regina motioned to Emma.
"I'm sure Emma doesn't mind." Zelena laughed. Regina knew good and well that Zelena did not want her to call Killian. She assumed this was a test. "Emma, do you deal with jerky pervy boys?"
Emma looked confused.
"Wait, do you have males?" Zelena asked and Regina rolled her eyes. Seriously. How did she think they made more of them?
Emma nodded. She seemed to understand. "Yes. Father. Brothers. Friends."
This intrigued Regina. "You mentioned your family. Do you have a lot of siblings?"
Emma nodded. "Many… brothers, many sisters."
Regina smiled. "Interesting. Can I meet them?"
Emma made that sound that Regina understood was a laugh. "Deep." She pointed to the floor but Regina understood. She was trying to explain that they lived deep in the ocean.
"They don't come up?" Regina asked.
Emma shook her head. "No. Only me be... cause you."
Regina smiled. "Yeah? Why me?"
Emma fell silent, refusing to speak.
Regina laughed. "Okay fine." She threw her hands up in surrender. "I will stop putting you on the spot."
Emma nodded in agreement. She then opened her mouth in a silent yawn. Regina could see her mouth fully then. She found sharp fangs on the top and bottom. She knew that should have alarmed her but it didn't. All it did was interest her.
"Whoa! that was a big one." Regina chuckled. "Tired?"
Emma nodded. "Sleep... time?"
"I believe so," Regina answered. She was unaware of what time it was but it was dark out and all three of them had already had dinner. Also, they had a very eventful day. "Where do you sleep at home?"
"Cave," Emma answered. "All."
"Your whole family?"
Emma nodded. "And clan."
Regina smiled sadly. She figured Emma felt lonely. She understood this. She remembered her first night without her mother. She knew what it was like to try to sleep knowing you're left all alone. She didn't want Emma to endure that heartache. "Oh. Hey," she got an idea. "Maybe Zelena and I can be your clan for now and we'll stay with you until you fall asleep."
"Regina stay?" Emma asked hopefully.
Regina smiled. She's never slept in a bathroom but she supposed there was a first time for everything. "Yeah. Why not?"
Emma looked satisfied with that. She nodded. "Good. want... Regina stay."
"I will," Regina whispered. Zelena sighed and stood. She already knew that they roped her into this and there was no getting out of it.
"I'll get the pillows and blankets." She announced then stepped out of the room.
"Sister?" Emma asked.
Regina nodded. "Yeah, my sister. She's older."
Emma placed a hand on her chest. "Older of all."
"You're the oldest of all your siblings?"
Emma smiled. "Yes, and strongest."
Regina chuckled. "Big sister Emma." She said in a teasing tone that caused the mermaid to smile wider.
"Okay." Muttered Zelena reentering the room with pillows and blankets from Regina's bed gathered in her arms. She dropped them onto the floor.
Regina gave her a nasty look before picking up her pillow. She stood and bent over in front of Emma. The mermaid's eyes widened as Regina's shorts rode up, revealing even more flesh. Her hand twitched, and she was unsure if she was allowed to touch but she was curious. She wondered so much about Regina. She wondered for one, how did they reproduce and even relieved themselves.
Regina stood up and looked over her shoulder. Emma's eyes quickly snapped up to meet hers. The human girl looked confused than amused. "Emma, were you just checking out my ass?"
Emma furrowed her brow in confusion. "Huh?"
Regina laughed. "Don't play innocent with those big green eyes of yours. I know you were."
"Gina's used to it." Zelena pointed out. "I mean, it's hard not to stare. It stares right back."
Regina snorted and hit her sister with a pillow. "Shut up, oh my god."
Emma watched the girls in amusement. Apparently, they weren't so different. Emma also played with her siblings and teased them. She felt better about Regina's sister now. She seemed nicer than she remembered her. She knew that she would take care of Regina when she couldn't. That's important since nature limited to the ocean.
Zelena laughed. Regina smiled and shook her head.
There was a knock at the door. Regina froze and so did Zelena. Emma suddenly became worried and went still. The two human girls shared a look then Regina held a finger up to Emma before slipping out of the room.
She headed to her bedroom door and pulled it open. She peeked out. Her father stood there with a smile. Regina frowned. Had he heard them? "Yes?"
"Hey." The man said rubbing the back of his neck almost awkwardly. "You guys didn't come to say goodnight, so I came to you instead."
Regina suddenly felt guilty. Amidst all the excitement, she almost went to bed without saying goodnight to her only living parent. She stepped closer to him and hugged him tightly then kissed his cheek.
"Good night, daddy. I'm sorry. I wasn't thinking." She whispered as she pulled away. The man smiled softly.
He nodded. "It's all right. I know that storms..." he sighed. "I just couldn't go to sleep without telling you I love you. Good night, sweetheart."
"Goodnight, daddy! I love you." Zelena called from the bathroom.
"Good night, Zelena. I love you, too." He chuckled. He didn't question why she was in Regina's bathroom. The two girls sleeping in the same room and even the same bed wasn't unheard of.
"Sleep well." The man added with a dip of his head. He waved before turning and heading down the hall. The dog stayed there and tried to enter but Regina pushed him back out and shut the door. She could hear him whining but Regina ignored him as she headed back to the bathroom.
Zelena looked at her from where she was lying on the pallet they had made. She left space for Regina to lie beside Emma.
The mermaid looked as if she had been nervously awaiting her return.
"Max still out there?" Zelena asked. Regina rolled her eyes in a way of answering as she walked over the comforter and sat beside the bathtub.
"He's relentless," Regina grumbled and crossed her arms over her chest. Emma yawned again and blinked slowly. Regina laughed. She would admit that Emma had a certain innocence about her that was so adorable. "You should sleep."
"Sleep?" Emma asked. Regina nodded, knowing that Emma was asking if she would sleep with her.
She laid on her back, head rested on a pillow. She saw Emma lean over her, her green gaze lingering on her with wonder. Regina snorted. "What?"
"Sleep?" Emma inquired again.
Regina laughed. "Yes, Emma, sleep time."
"Bright," Emma said. Regina's brows rose.
"Too bright?" Regina asked.
"Yes," Emma answered with a dip of her head.
"You want the light off?" Regina asked. That was understandable. The ocean is dark so she could see why the light would keep her awake.
Emma nodded.
Zelena stood before Regina could. "I'll do it." She walked across the room. She passed the light switch though and stood in the doorway. "Flashlight?"
"Bedside table," Regina answered.
Zelena nodded and walked out of the room. Regina heard the drawer open and shut. The older girl returned to the bathroom. She stopped and flicked the switch off, covering the room in darkness.
Regina glanced over at Emma and her eyes widened. She sat up and stared in awe. Emma's scales were glowing a luminous green. Her eyes were doing the same. The glow coming from the mermaid was so bright it illuminated the dark room like a lantern. Regina could not tear her eyes away and neither could Zelena who had almost dropped the flashlight. Emma looked confused. She tilted her head.
"You're glowing," Regina whispered.
"It's like one of those glow in the dark tetras," Zelena muttered.
Emma looked down at the fin on her wrist, then at her tail fin. There was a glow emanating from her. She was used to it. In fact, everyone in her clan did it. It was the norm. She did however like the way Regina was so fascinated with her.
Emma nodded. "Glowing." Repeated the new word she had learned.
"It's beautiful." Regina breathed.
Emma felt a soft touch. When she looked over. She found Regina trailing a finger from her hand, upward to her wrist where she took one of Emma's fins between her fingers. "You're so..." She trailed off. "I can't... even... you're stunning."
Emma felt a flutter in a stomach and the glow coming from her flashed. Regina giggled and bit her lip. "What was that?"
Emma just looked at her and shrugged. She's never had that happen before. In fact, she wasn't even sure what happened. She felt suddenly nervous and then the light flashed.
Regina's smile only grew. "You don't know, huh?"
"No." Was Emma's reply.
Regina smirked and laid back on her back, her hand falling away from Emma's wrist. Emma missed her warm touch almost instantly. Regina folded her hands over her stomach and turned her head to look at Emma.
"You, Emma, are the most beautiful creature I have ever had the pleasure of laying my eyes on." She mumbled.
The mermaid felt shy, and she didn't know how to respond so she gave the human a nervous smile. Regina chuckled. "Adorable."
"She is kinda cool," Zelena admitted as she laid down beside Regina. The flashlight flicked on. Zelena shined the light on Regina's face.
"Ah!" The dark-haired girl shrieked then laughed. "Stop Zelena!"
Zelena laughed. "Hey, remember when we used to camp out on the beach as kids?"
Regina gave her sister a side glance. "Yes, I do, unfortunately."
Zelena snorted. "Good times."
"Yeah, for you." Regina scoffed. "I would last all of two hours before you would scare me."
Zelena snickered. "You were so easy to scare. Like, the Loch Ness monster… seriously, Gina? I can't believe that story scared you."
"I believed in it. I had seen a mermaid." Regina hissed. "Anything is possible after that."
"True." Zelena laughed. "I loved to watch you run off crying to mom. I was such a little asshole."
"Was?" Regina asked with a side glance at her before looking back at Emma. The mermaid grinned as if understanding Regina's sass and enjoying it. Regina shook her head with a laugh. "Older sisters, huh?" Emma merely raised her brows in question then Regina snickered. "Oh yeah, big sister Emma."
Emma's nodded. The mention of her family made her homesick, and she yearned to be with them, free in the ocean but a part of her was content with Regina for now. Regina also promised to free her as soon as the storm broke. She trusted the human.
"Yes." She answered.
"I hope you're nice to them." Regina teased. Emma grinned. She was very protective of her family and clan. Although she had her moments when she teased or pushed them around.
"Yes."
"Good."
Zelena rolled her eyes. "Emma, what is it like? The ocean?"
Emma thought about that. She envisioned her home. The beautiful place, endless space, the calm. "Peaceful." She answered.
Regina smiled. "I can imagine. It's probably so beautiful, too, right?" She asked excitedly. "I would love to be down there and just experience life. A peaceful, untainted, existence."
Emma's eyebrows furrowed. "I... wish... you... home with... me." She drawled, placing a hand on her chest. " I... bring... home... to... you."
Regina looked confused then. "What do you mean?"
Emma smiled and slid down the side of the tub until she was submerged underwater. Regina chuckled, "I guess that's enough talking for her for one night."
Zelena laughed. "Can't blame her."
Regina snorted. "Yeah, well..." She understood that. She was also so tired.
Regina shut her eyes and willed her body to rest. It didn't last long because she then heard her sister whisper, "What the hell are we going to do with a mermaid for the rest of the storm?"
Regina simply shrugged. She was playing it by ear. It's not like she planned out sheltering an injured mermaid. That is certainly not how she imagined her evening going. Then again, this wasn't such a terrible turn of events. She was glad she had gotten to meet Emma formally. She wished that it was under better circumstances though but she couldn't change that. Eventually, she would return Emma to the sea and she will be okay. "Who knows?"
"Bloody Hell..." Zelena grumbled.
Regina snorted and after that, she fell silent for the rest of the evening until they both drifted off to sleep.
The howling of the wind awoke Regina as the rain smacked hard against the windows in her bedroom. A loud rumble from the sky caused her to tense and the clap of thunder made her jump. A light flashed through the open door from the lightning. Her heart nearly leaped out of her chest.
She looked over at Zelena. Her sister was still fast asleep. She could sleep through anything. Regina envied her and wished that she could sleep too but the sounds were too much and the storm felt like it was coming for her. It always did. She appreciated storms even if they affected her negatively. They cleansed the earth and made things anew. It was beautiful and powerful. She just didn't like the loud winds and she especially hated the loud thunder that came along with it. She looked up and just stared at the ceiling as she tried to calm her breathing.
Regina always responded this way towards storms, even when she was a child. Sometimes her mother would have to sit with her all night. She seemed to understand her and she would often become nervous and tense as well. The storms would keep Regina up but then her mother would hum or sing loudly over the storm, helping soothe her. There was always just something about her mother's voice that comforted her.
When her mother was no longer around, Regina had to learn to soothe herself. She would often sing her mother's melody to herself. Eventually, she would drift off to sleep and it was almost like her mother was there with her. She couldn't do that tonight because she wasn't alone and she didn't want to disturb Emma and Zelena. So she just laid there with the storm growling and howling at her, threatening to consume her and rip her away. She knew it was an irrational fear. A lighthouse is the safest place one could be during a storm. Its sturdy structure was built to hold out through anything. That didn't change the clenching Regina felt in her stomach as the waves crashed against the rocks they were perched upon or the way the wind banged on the windows and walls.
Regina exhaled and shook her head. She only wished she could sleep through it. That way she wouldn't have to deal with it.
Regina glanced over and gasped as she was met with a pair of glowing green eyes. Emma was watching her. She looked concerned.
"I can't sleep," Regina whispered. "The storm... it makes me uneasy."
Emma said nothing but sat quietly. She appeared to be listening. A loud thunderclap caused Regina to jump and gasp. Emma made a small sound akin to a coo then reached over the tub, offering Regina her hand. Regina stared at the glowing hand for a moment before slowly slipping her hand into it. Emma slowly closed her hand around hers. The surrounding glow intensified and Regina felt all of her fears fading away as her body and mind relaxed. It almost felt like when her mother used to hold her and sing to her.
She let out a long sigh then looked up at Emma again. The mermaid smiled softly, her kind eyes holding hers. Regina saw worry and protectiveness there. She knew that Emma was trying to take care of her and it was working. She had soothed Regina into a sense of safety. A safety she hadn't felt in years.
"Rest," Emma spoke quietly.
Regina nodded. She finally felt peaceful enough to try to sleep again. The sound of the powerful storm faded to the background. Emma's thumb rubbed across the back of her hand. She was no longer too afraid to shut her eyes.
She fell asleep with Emma's hand gently gripping hers.
They both slept through the rest of the night and Regina didn't awake until the morning. It was a Saturday morning so her internal clock didn't wake her at the crack of dawn as it usually did. Surprisingly, it allowed her to get enough rest. She didn't open her eyes right away. Instead, she laid there. She was also pleasantly surprised that her hand was still clutched in the mermaid's. That caused her to open her eyes and glance to her side. There she found the mermaid wide awake watching her sleep.
Regina rubbed her free hand over her face and laughed. She looked into the mermaid's eyes. "Good Morning. Been awake long?"
Emma shook her head with a wrinkle of her nose. "No."
Regina smiled. "Did you watch me sleep?"
Emma nodded. "Yes."
Regina snorted. "At least you're honest."
"I tried to tell her it was creepy," Zelena muttered from beside her. "She didn't listen."
Regina laughed and sat up. She released Emma's hand. The mermaid then reached out and touched her arm before quickly retracting her hand. Regina looked over at her and smirked. "You aren't creepy, Emma."
The mermaid looked confused but then she smiled. Regina ran her finger through her hair, untangling the curls. Emma seemed enthused by that and reached out a hand, she waited and when Regina nodded, giving her the okay, she combed her fingers through it. That caused Emma to smile even wider.
"Pretty." She breathed.
Regina laughed. "Thank you. My mom used to braid it all the time. She thought my hair was so lovely. It looks like hers, actually. I think I look like her."
Emma looked up from where she was admiring Regina's lovely dark hair. "Mother?"
Regina smiled. "She's gone. My mother passed away when I was twelve. Zelena was fourteen. It hurt very badly because we were connected." She confessed.
"Mama lost," Emma said, her voice tinged with sadness.
"Yes," Regina nodded. She thought the pain of losing her would have subsided by now. It was tolerable, but it was still there. "I lost my mama."
Emma nodded in understanding. "Okay. It's okay. She stay..." She pointed to Regina's chest but didn't touch. "There. Always."
Regina smiled and comfort came over her another time in Emma's presence. To think everyone around her had been looking for the right thing to say and Emma had done it with little to no words at all. Emma knew how to take care of someone. That was clear.
"I'm starving," Zelena said finally looking up from her phone and joining them.
"Me too." Regina agreed.
"Eggs and toast for us?" Zelena offered. Regina nodded. "For Emma?"
Regina shrugged. She found that Emma enjoyed apples, but she didn't want to bore her. "Bananas and strawberries?" She suggested.
Zelena nodded. "Yeah," Zelena muttered. "Hey, you want to help me?"
Regina shrugged. "Yeah. Why not?" She turned back to Emma and gave her a smile. "We will be right back. We're going to make us some breakfast."
The mermaid looked worried but at the mention of food; she appeared to agree. "Okay."
Regina chuckled. "Okay? So we'll be right back."
Emma nodded. Regina returned it then got to her feet. Her sister headed out of the bathroom and she followed. When she stepped out into her bedroom, she looked towards the windows where she found the storm breaking. It was still cloudy though and the fog all around them was still quite heavy. The rain was falling against her window still but not as mercilessly as it was the night before. At this rate, it will clear up soon and they can return Emma to the ocean where she belongs.
Zelena pulled Regina's bedroom door open and she stepped out first. She apparently tripped over something and she stumbled. Even after seeing her sister trip and her brain not being fully awake, Regina followed the older girl and also stumbled out of the room. She looked down and glared at the gigantic mass of grey and white fur staring up at her.
Regina looked over at her sister who had already been looking at her. They both sighed.
Max had slept outside her door all night which is suspicious. They're lucky that their father sleeps on the bottom floor because if he slept upstairs and he found Max lying outside Regina's room, he would have been concerned.
The dog stood and then shook his coat out. He glanced back at the door and scratched at it again, growling lowly. Regina shook her head and headed down the hallway.
She and Zelena headed downstairs. The jingle of the dog's collar followed them. When they reached the bottom floor, they could smell food! Bacon and Pancakes. Regina and Zelena looked at each other and all but sprinted to the kitchen.
When they made it to the kitchen, they found their father standing at the stove plating another pancake.
"That smells amazing!" Zelena exclaimed. Their father chuckled as he looked over his shoulder at them.
"Good morning. Why don't you girls have a seat?'
Regina and Zelena didn't have to be told twice as they sprinted to the dining room. It wasn't a particularly large room. There was a round table with four chairs. One hadn't been used in years. A window, an archway that led to the kitchen and one that led out of the room to the main hallway. The lighthouse itself was huge but the living quarters were very small. Regina didn't particularly mind because their family was small. She had enough space to move around. At least she was by the sea. When she was away from the sea, she felt trapped and confined. There, in the lighthouse, she could actually breathe. It still never felt like home but it was all she knew.
Their father walked into the dining room carrying two plates stacked with pancakes and bacon. Zelena groaned and rubbed her hands together. Regina glanced at her sister and laughed. Their father sat the plates down in front of them and they both inhaled the delicious smell. Regina's stomach growled and then she blushed. Zelena nudged her and handed her the syrup.
Their father left and returned with his own plate. "There is more in the kitchen." He said as he took his seat.
Regina nodded. "Thank you, daddy."
He smiled. "It's nothing. You girls have been helping me with this lighthouse all these years. Some pancakes can't pay you back for that."
"We do it because we want to," Regina said. "And we kinda like it."
"Speak for yourself." Zelena teased. Their father laughed at that.
Regina nudged her. "Anyway... how's your morning, daddy?"
The man shrugged. "Pretty good. Can't complain. How did you sleep? Regina? I know how the storms bother you."
Regina thought of the night before and how Emma had comforted her back to sleep. She smiled. "It was okay."
The man smiled. "That is wonderful. I'm glad to hear it."
Regina smiled at him. She was glad too.
What do you girls have planned today?" He asked.
Regina and Zelena a shared a look. Oh, you know… caring for a mermaid.
"Homework." They said at the same time.
The man laughed. "Sounds about right. Look, I never thought I'd say this but don't work yourselves too hard."
Regina and Zelena smiled. "We won't."
When Regina and Zelena returned to the bedroom, Regina was carrying a white ceramic bowl with red seals painted on the side. It was her favorite bowl and she didn't mind sharing it with Emma. Max had abandoned his post in favor of eating bacon so they could just slip into her room without issue. Regina entered the bathroom and walked over to the bathtub. She knelt at the edge of it but Zelena walked over to the sink and dropped a bowl into it. She turned the faucet on and allowed water to fill the bowl. She then turned back to them and leaned up against the sink and folded her arms over her chest.
Regina handed over the bowl in her hands. "Bananas and strawberries," Regina explained pointing at one of each fruit. "I figured you'd like to try something different. If you don't like either, we can go with the apples again."
Emma liked how the food smelled. The scent was sweet but light. It made her hungrier. She opened her hand for Regina to give her the bowl. She found it interesting that humans ate out of those things, anyway. Mermaids didn't bother with such silly things. They just captured their food and ate it. Simple.
Regina handed it over and as Emma took it, her hand brushed Regina's. Emma felt the heat rise up from where her hand touched Regina's skin to her cheeks. Regina seemed unaware.
"You okay?" Zelena asked from where she was leaned up against the sink. Regina looked back at her then she pointed to Emma. "She's red. Look at her face."
It confused Emma and when Regina gave her a concerned look; she got a bit worried. "Are you okay, Emma?" The human asked.
Emma nodded. She was fine. Regina placed a hand on Emma's arm. The mermaid's eyes widened. She found that she liked Regina touching her.
"Seal," Emma said touching the bowl with her fingers.
Regina smiled and nodded. "Yes, those are my favorite animals. Well, aside from orcas."
"Orca…?"
"Oh," Regina then laughed softly. "They're those big black and white whales."
"Oh!" Emma understood. "Orca seal enemy. Orca eat seal."
Regina hummed in agreement. "They do but they eat to survive just as the seal eats penguins and penguins eat fish."
"Human kill all…" Emma declared. "Human kill so don't die?"
Regina's smile fell then. "I wish I could say yes." Her voice softened. "Sometimes, we kill to survive and in others, no we do not."
Emma didn't understand that. There was only one other reason to take a life. "No threat… sea.. no threat to human."
Regina nodded. "Humans are the threat." She placed her hand on Emma's shoulder. "That's why I want you to be careful around humans. Zelena and I would never harm you but I can't say that for all humans."
"I stay away," Emma said. "You only human."
Regina seemed to understand. "Okay good. I want you to always be safe and I can't protect you out there."
Emma nodded. "Okay." she felt the same about Regina. "You safe."
Regina hummed in agreement. "I will stay safe especially with a mermaid looking out for me."
Emma smiled. "Al… ways."
Regina smiled back. "Good."
"What am I chopped liver?" Zelena cut in, receiving a confused look from Emma and an amused one from Regina.
"Anyway," Regina said through a chuckle. "Well, it looks like the storm will break by nightfall. We should be able to get you back in the water tomorrow which is good because we have school on Monday and we can't leave you alone. Meh..."
"S... sc... school?" Emma asked slowly.
"School." Regina groaned. "It's basically like-"
"Hell..." Zelena answered for her.
Regina laughed. "Yeah, basically. The humans here... our children at a certain age have to attend this place called, "School". They teach us things there like math and English." She explained.
"And a bunch of other useless junk," Zelena added with an eye roll.
Regina snorted and proceeded to explain school to Emma. "There are three levels. Elementary, junior high school, and high school. High school is the highest level."
"Then there's an optional bonus level: College," Zelena said with a flair of her hand.
Regina chuckled. "Yeah, no. That's not for me."
"Same." Zelena chuckled. "That's why I'm the only senior not looking at colleges." She gasped. "Besides Killian and Smee. I mean."
Regina looked over her shoulder at Zelena. "Killian isn't going to college?"
Zelena shrugged. "Not that I know of." She gave her little sister a mischievous smile. "Is that a deal breaker?"
"I'm not going," Regina said dismissively. "I plan to run the lighthouse with daddy. Besides, I don't care what the giant baby does."
Zelena laughed. "Sure, you don't. That's why you're getting so testy. You should be glad because then your boyfriend will stay with you."
"He's not my boyfriend." Regina snapped. Emma's eyes widened. She had never heard Regina raise her voice before. She placed a hand over Regina's that was still settled on her arm.
"Okay." Said the mermaid softly. Regina's brows furrowed then her eyes landed on Emma's hand petting hers. She laughed then, the tension easing away.
"I'm okay, Emma," Regina said through her laugh. "Zelena was just being an annoying big sister."
Emma smiled softly. "Teas... ing."
Regina laughed. "Yes, and I got defensive."
Emma nodded. "Okay." She accepted that. As long as Regina was okay.
"He's not my boyfriend," Regina repeated more so to herself.
"Boy-friend?" Emma asked curiously.
Regina shook her head. Not wanting to explain the term to Emma. "How is your fruit? Do you like it?"
Emma understood that for what it was. A way to change the subject. She will ask again someday but not now. She understood that Regina did not want to talk about that. So instead she picked up one of the red fruits. She put it into her mouth and bit down. The sweet juice popped inside her mouth. It was very juicy and cool like the other fruit but softer. She liked this one just as much. "Mm..." She hummed.
Regina laughed. "You like the strawberries?"
Emma nodded and ate a piece of the other fruit. That one was also delicious and very soft. "Yum."
Regina had the biggest smile on her face and Emma really liked that. "Yummy?" She asked through a giggle. "I'm glad you like the banana too. We brought you some water too. I don't know if you-"
Emma furrowed her brow. She didn't really drink water. It wasn't needed. Could she? Yes, but her body absorbed the water she needed. "I'm okay."
Regina chuckled. "Alright then. So finish up your breakfast. We're going to shower and change."
Zelena nodded and backed out of the room as Regina stood. Regina followed her sister out of the room but then she came back. She had a flat square box in her hands. She set it down on the toilet seat then lifted the lid. An image who Emma knew was little Regina in the arms of a bigger human who looked a lot like her flooded the screen. The child was smiling from ear to ear and the woman was beaming as well. The picture appeared to be taken right there on that beach. Emma could see the big Ferris wheel in the background. Regina looked so happy and her eyes were sparkling. Emma tilted her head as she observed the image of the lovely girl.
Regina noticed her curiosity. "That's my mom. She was the most beautiful, intelligent, creative, wonderful person I ever knew." She said softly. "She saw the world with her eyes wide open and was never afraid to believe in what others said was impossible. She believed me when I said I saw you. She would wait by the window hoping to get a glimpse of you. Even when she..." Regina trailed off. She then cleared her throat. "I wish she was here to see you. I know she would love you."
"She gone," Emma stated, remembering what Regina had told her.
"Her brain got sick, and she just started forgetting everything," Regina explained. "Except me. She never forgot me." She smiled. "After she died, everyone told me that her brain wasn't well, so that's why she believed in mermaids so, I shouldn't believe anything she said. But I know she wasn't sick then... She believed in you as I did." Regina said this firmly. "But I waited for you at the docks every day. Hoping you would show but you never did."
"I was there," Emma said clearer than she's said anything else. "Always there. Even when you can't see."
Regina looked up and smiled. "Thank you. That's comforting." She paused for a second. "Can I ask you something?"
"Anything," Emma answered.
"Will you come visit me again?"
Emma didn't hesitate. She told the truth. "Yes."
"Will you let me see you?"
Emma smiled again. "Yes. I visit."
Regina beamed at her. It amazed Emma how Regina's face lit up in such a way. "Good."
Emma smiled in return. Regina winked then turned back to the box. She tapped some keys on it then something flooded the screen. "Don't ask me why I have five seasons of SpongeBob SquarePants on here." Muttered the human girl. "I'm far too sophisticated for this." She chuckled. "Actually, I'm not. It's hilarious and takes place underwater. It's quite clever too, actually. You'll see what I mean." She tapped something else and a little odd music played. A pirate's head popped on the screen.
Emma's brows furrowed as he began singing.
Regina straightened up. "When I come back, we can all watch a movie together. What do you say?"
Emma nodded. She had no idea what she was talking about but she would do whatever Regina desired. The human nodded. "I will be right back."
Emma nodded. She watched Regina leave the room then turned back to the screen. There was a little yellow box talking in a high-pitched voice and a pink pointy thing standing beside him. She frowned. Is this what humans saw as entertainment? No wonder why they're the last to evolve. Emma blew out a breath and decided to watch it to pass the time until her human returned. She wished she knew more words so that she and her girl could have a little talk about her choice in entertainment but until then she just had to tolerate this.
When Regina and Zelena returned, they found Emma completely engrossed in the silly little cartoon. She expressed her confusion on how a squirrel was underwater. Regina just giggled and explained that the show was just a silly little thing and not to worry too much. Zelena then turned that off and switched to something a little more befitting, Finding Nemo. Emma seemed to like that much more and was fascinated by how realistic the sea looked. She even found the sharks amusing if not hissing and growling at them at first. Regina found that adorable, however. That one played through and they ended up on the sequel. Emma even laughed in certain scenes from that one and it was a new sound. Regina found that she quite enjoyed it. It reminded her that mermaids were similar to humans.
They spent the rest of the day introducing Emma to various films. They stuck to animation. She seemed to like that, and she didn't mind the singing. In fact, she liked it. They remembered to feed her lunch. As far as veggies go, Emma would eat baby carrots. She didn't particularly like them but she ate them because Regina offered them to her. Regina learned not to give her those again. She just hoped the steak that she and Zelena had snuck out of the kitchen would be defrosted by dinner.
The day went by pretty fast. Their father busied himself around the lighthouse so he didn't really check on them much, figuring they were just hanging out. Which they were... with a mermaid but still.
"Did you even do your homework?" Zelena asked. Regina tore her eyes from the movie.
"No." She said before thumping herself on the forehead. "I'm sure, I can get an extension. It's not like I always ask for them." She shrugged. It is what it is.
Regina was an excellent student. There was no reason why her teachers wouldn't excuse her this one time. If not, then she'll deal with it. Sure, she cared about school and her grades but the life of the mermaid in her care was a bit more important.
Zelena shrugged. "I mean, I didn't do mine either."
Regina snorted. "Well, then..."
The older girl snickered. They fell back into the movie and after a while, Zelena nudged her with her elbow and pointed to the mermaid. Regina looked over at Emma and saw the confused look on her face as she observed the mermaid on the screen. Emma looked at her own fin and she looked back at Ariel's, She looked at her own wrist then looked up at Ariel. She touched her face and her fangs. She wrinkled her nose.
Regina smiled at that. "Not very practical for underwater life, huh?" she asked, Emma looked at her then pointed to the screen. Regina laughed. "I know, right!"
Emma smiled. "Mermaid?"
Regina nodded. "Supposedly."
Emma made a face. "Human. Mermaid… tail. Human fish."
Regina understood her and laughed. Emma called Ariel a human with a mermaid tail. A human fish. "Emma!"
The mermaid looked at her and grinned because she knew exactly what she was doing. Regina shook her head with a fond smile. The mermaid chuckled then turned her attention back to the screen.
Emma stayed quiet for most of it. She got upset with Ariel's father for destroying her things. She appeared to like Prince Eric and his dog; She told Regina how much that dog looked like Regina's and Regina agreed. They even had the same name. She liked the singing as well and found Sebastian amusing. She smiled through most of it but when Ursula, Flotsam, and Jetsam came on screen, Emma bristled and hissed at them, Regina had to calm her down and when she finally got her to settle down, Emma was mostly growling and huffing then.
"Now, that's a real reaction to someone like Ursula." Zelena said, "Ariel was all gullible and listened to the sketchy character." She raised a hand. "Not only talking about her physical appearance because the tentacles are cool as hell but her vibes are like yuck."
Regina gave her sister a look. "If she would have reacted realistically she likely would have torn Ursula's head off and there would be no film."
"Eat ten... tacles." Emma interjected, "Best part, tentacles."
Zelena threw her head back and laughed. Regina tried not to laugh but couldn't help it. "Emma!" she gasped through her laughter. "Why are you like this?"
Emma shrugged a shoulder. "Emma human now," she said with a silly grin.
Zelena snorted and burst into laughter again. "She's hilarious. Can we keep her?"
"No," Regina told her sister before giving Emma a grin. "And you, Missy, you're going back to the sea,"
Emma snickered, "Emma stay."
"No!" Regina laughed. "You're being sassy,"
Emma chuckled. "Emma be good."
"Okay fine," Regina said shrugging a shoulder. "You can come back."
"I come back anyway. Regina mine," Emma declared before turning back to the movie, leaving Regina sitting there with her mouth hanging open.
Zelena's laughter finally died down. "I guess she told you."
Regina clamped her mouth shut and glared at her sister. "I hate you," she muttered to her sister. They went back to watching the movie. Once Ariel had gotten her legs, Regina stared at Emma, Emma furrowed her brow and leaned closer.
"Legs," Emma said happily. Regina chuckled.
"Yes, legs,"
"But young mermaid? How?" Emma asked curiously.
"Magic," Regina whispered and Emma's brows rose,
"Magic?"
"Yes, but it's not real."
"Magic real," Emma said firmly then turned back to the screen. Regina frowned. She wanted to know more, but she didn't want to interrupt Emma who was engrossed in the film.
Emma's reaction to most of the scenes in the film showed Regina that she wasn't only picking up on behavioral cues but truly following the storyline. Regina wasn't surprised. This mermaid was clearly intelligent and quite advanced compared to humans but she didn't expect her to understand films so well that wasn't even in her language. It was fascinating
She observed Emma watching the movie in opposed to watching it herself. She didn't even realize that it ended.
"Mermaid and human mate," Emma noted. "Good."
Regina nodded. "It was good. A happy ending."
Emma smiled. "Yes." she agreed. "I like."
"That was fun, huh, Emmie bear?" Zelena asked, and the mermaid nodded. "Want to see another one?" The mermaid nodded again. "Let's get you some food and we'll get changed then we can watch more."
Emma smiled and nodded again. Regina wanted to feed Emma before they left the room but there was only one problem.
"Emma, I know you don't eat mammals but beef is all we have that I think will fill you up," Regina explained. "I will make it up to you and buy you some jellyfish and octopus as a gift when I visit you at the beach,"
Emma nodded. "Okay," she obviously didn't know what beef was but she trusted Regina.
Regina smiled then stood and stepped to the sink, she grabbed the fishing knife from the edge of the sink. Emma watched curiously as Regina cut the packaging around the steak. The delicious smell hit Emma. The blood and the raw flesh. A rumble came from Emma and it wasn't aggressive like the growl but instead, it was gentle like a purr.
"Dude, she's purring," Zelena sister said. Regina looked back at Emma but the mermaid was watching her with wide eyes. Regina turned back to the steak and cut it into chunks. She then scooped it and put it into the seal bowl. She needed to remind herself to disinfect the bowl because of the raw meat. She then turned around and handed Emma the bowl. The mermaid quickly took it from her hand. She sniffed it and smiled. She then dug her hand into the bowl and shoveled some into her mouth. She didn't know what this was but it was delicious.
Regina and Zelena shared a look. They were just glad that Emma liked it. Regina washed her hands then headed over to Emma and bent over her, "I'll be right back." she whispered.
The mermaid looked at her with a mouth full of food and nodded, Regina chuckled. She then followed Zelena out of the room, leaving Emma to enjoy her meal.
Emma watched them go then turned back to the screen and watched the credits play while she ate. Regina would be back soon. She always came back.
Thanks for reading.