AN: Story takes place post Neverland, Wicked never happens. Here's a little fluff, don't worry it won't last. Things are never easy for SwanQueen.
Emma Swan was slumped over her signature cup of hot chocolate with whipped cream and cinnamon when Regina Mills charged into Granny's Diner. It was early, too early for real human interaction so Emma had been doing her best to avoid eye contact. She felt a tingling sensation in the base of her skull, causing her to turn around and look straight into rich chocolate brown eyes. She gifted the mayor with a small but sincere smile. Since their experience in Neverland, the women had come to secretly consider each other friends.
Regina made her way over to the counter where Emma had been saving her a seat on the sly. She casually draped her coat over the chair and placed her briefcase on the counter. "Good morning Sherriff Swan."
"I guess you could call it that" Emma said wryly. She brought the steaming mug to her mouth, darting her pink tongue out to get a taste of the whipped cream.
Regina found herself reluctantly transfixed by the glistening muscle coated in cream. Thankfully she was interrupted by Ruby coming to take her order. "What can I get you Madam Mayor?"
"Just the usual Ruby, but add a shot of espresso to my coffee please." The waitress had been pleasantly surprised by Regina's decreasing hostility since her return from Neverland. She couldn't help but suspect it had something to do with the blonde sheriff and they're increasingly obvious friendship. Ruby darted out back to fill the mayor's order.
"Rough night your highness?" Emma asked. The brunette huffed, and tried her best to look annoyed with her blunt companion. "If you must know princess" emphasis was put on the title knowing how much the blonde resented it, "I didn't sleep very well."
"Hmmm" Emma sighed, "me either. Couldn't get my brain to shut up."
"There a brain in that thick skull of yours?" Regina deadpanned.
The blonde snatched a lock of the dark queen's hair and tugged less than gently. "Hey! I've got plenty of brains. Your son inherited a good portion of them after all. It's not like he got his smarts from daddy dearest."
Regina couldn't help but snort in response. It was true that Henry's father was lacking a little in the intelligence department. At least he was handsome, in a scruffy sort of way, which he had managed to pass on to her son. However, one could very well give credit for Henry's good looks to his mother. Emma was a striking woman after all. Beautiful even, especially when she would let down her walls enough to truly smile.
Completely sidetracked by thoughts of the sheriffs beauty Regina was once again startled from her thoughts by their waitress. "Here you go Madam Mayor, veggie omelet with a large coffee and extra shot of espresso."
"Thank you dear. Good day Miss Swan. Try not to over tax that busy brain of yours today." Regina shot out over her shoulder as she left the diner. Emma swiveled in her chair to watch the brunette's departure. "Sad she had to leave, but love to watch her go," Ruby whispered in the blonde's ear. She nearly choked on her hot cocoa, "Ruby! I don't… I mean… UGH! You're so infuriating!"
"Only stating the obvious" the werewolf sing-songed. "Don't forget, wolfy senses here. I can see both of your eyes dilate and hear your increased heart rates around each other. I used to think it was fueled by hatred, but now I'm beginning to think the exact opposite." With that bomb dropped, Ruby picked up her coffee pot and went to give some much needed refills.
Emma sat at the counter drinking her lukewarm hot cocoa and staring at the door through which Regina had so recently passed.