Soul Mate AU.
It's known in this world that the first time you touch your soul mate, both of you get a matching tattoo in the same area. Emma thought for sure that she would never find hers. Why would she? She's been thrown out so many times, literally and figuratively, that it would be a miracle if someone would ever love her the way she craves. Being abandoned as a newborn has sure done a number on the blonde. After being teased about it in school after someone dug up an old newspaper that told her story, she vowed that she if she ever found someone to love her then she would do everything in her power to savior that love and to cherish it. She would never let her walls down to let anyone belittle her or make her feel disposable. Disposable. That's how she's always felt.
It's on her 25th birthday that it happens. She's in New York working as a bails bond person and she's taking her catch to the police station to get her pay. It's been a good day in Emma Swan's book. Even with the bumps and bruises, she has enough to pay rent and groceries for this month and maybe a week or so. It's been rough over the years especially with the economy and the fact that no one wants to hire a drop out orphan. But she pulled through. She got herself a job and a place to stay even if she has to go hungry a few times a month, at least she's got a roof over her head that's safe and warm.
She's walking down the stair leaving the police station as she stuffs the envelope full of cash into her back pocket when all of the sudden, she's knocked down onto the sidewalk along with said stranger that did the knocking. It's not until she's up and brushing the dirt off of her leather jacket that she finally meets the eyes of a beautiful brunette that's also trying to dust off the dirt of New York.
"I apologize. I seem to have wandered off when I ran into you," the stranger apologized.
"That's alright. No harm done." Emma says, "I'm Emma. Emma Swan."
"Regina Mills," the brunette says. She gives Emma a smile as someone roughly pushes her out of the way from the middle of the sidewalk. Emma quickly goes to reach for Regina before she tumbles down and she barely makes it as she holds onto the woman's waist. It's a sudden sensation, one that starts off as tingling then cold and then quickly to hot. Emma and Regina both are startled when they finally realize what has happened.
Emma lifts the side of her see through tank top to see the beginning of a beautiful tattoo that is made from the roots of an apple tree that spreads out to all kinds of different designs. With wide eyes, Regina quickly checks her own torso where the blonde was just holding a second ago. There it is. The same exact tattoo.
Both women lift their head to look at the other the same time. It's not until Emma extending her hand that Regina snaps out of it.
"It's nice to meet you Regina. Would you like to get a coffee with me?" Emma asks as Regina gives her a big smile and takes her hand