I don't own OUAT. Did I stay up too late writing this? Of course I F****** did . Oh well, totally worth it:P
OH AND HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE, I hope this year is chill and good and you guys get all that you deserve :)
Emma still dreams. She has once read that animals dream just like humans, so maybe it is because of that. Maybe it is not, because she cannot imagine animals having her dreams. Her dreams are nightmares sometimes, the whole population of Storybrooke trying to grab her, half on their knees and ordering her to 'help us! It is your destiny, your purpose, saviour " and the surroundings suddenly changing into ogres or beanstalks that are slippery or dragons. Once, she even dreamt of a giant-sized Cora who laughed as everything her burned(and it was so real that she actually had to check whether her heart was still there when she woke up)
The last times, her nightmares always started and began with Regina. Regina's corpse in her arms, the evil queen's somewhere behind her. Someone stupid not realizing what they're doing and two Regina's looking at her – one smiling like it is okay, like she can accept this and one scowling and looking ready to burn the world down- before collapsing. Thinking she is on time, muttering "I love you" , only for Regina to gasp and a sword suddenly-
That is not to say her family isn't there – she had one about Henry that had her bleed and collapse after forcing her magic to change her back over and over and over and never succeeding- but her subconscious tortures her with two Regina's hurting too often.
It might have made her never want to sleep again.. weren't it for the good dreams.
It seems to be a bad dream, or the prophecy not even leaving her at night at first: there is that cloaked figure, the clang! Of the swords hitting, the sweat on her back and someone who screams her name. She wants to scream back "LEAVE" because she knows the figure wants to hurt her family.
The second before Emma somehow knows the sword will impale her, it changes : at the same moment her sword falls, the cloaked figure is blasted backwards. Emma recognizes the magic before she sees the person. " Regina" she breaths and even though it is dark, Regina is clearly recognizable as she steps in front of her.
Emma immediately knows- the armour and crazy ponytail is kind of a dead giveaway- which Regina it is.
She feels like throwing up when the queen unshackles a sword and calmly walks over to the hooded figure. They are struggling to get to their feet again, their sword already raised.
" Regina, no!" she rushes forward , but there is a shield or something -magic at least- and no matter how her own magic immediately reacts with the strength of all her jumbled emotions, it shatters too late.
Regina can fight, can fight well enough that it normally shouldn't have be an issue. She has a fireball in one hand and steel in another. She is fast and -this part of her anyways- has no mercy.
And yet, somehow, even if she fight so well and is so strong- it is not enough this time. As Emma runs towards them, the figure steps forward and Regina immediately goes for the kill.
Emma hears an out choking noise as the figure slides his sword into Regina. The moon allows her to see the surprised O of Regina's lips, the annoyance in her eyes. Her magic reacts along with her mouth and legs: it cushions Regina's body as she falls.
And then she is next to her, cradling her head and nearly screaming "why isn't it working " when the magic is useless , the wound doesn't disappear, Regina's breathing doesn't stop sounding like the breathing of a lung patient.
" e-enchanted " Regina manages to choke out, then coughs up blood as she croaks " idiot"
Emma slides her arms beneath her and lifts her. "We will get you to the hospita-" she freezes with an ice-cold realization. " what happens to the other part of you? Our Regina?".
This part of Regina is different, but she has the same don't-be-stupid look that makes Emma stagger as she remembers – "what happens to me, happens to her – and " n-no" .
" LOOK FOR THE OTHER REGINA" she screams in the direction of her family- she wants to run to Henry most, whose disbelieving, crushed expression she can barely distinguish between stupid tears that are slipping- and her magic is taking them to the hospital.
Regina is deposited on a hospital bed, choking on blood and Emma's own knuckles are bloodied (she had to punch Whale to force him to help) and nurses are running around and then- oh fucking hell no – there are machines beeping and Regina is trying to speak but there is blood dripping from that mouth and she grabs her and order her to stay , Henry fucking needs you, you asshole
" Why did you even do that, I was supposed to die" she finally sobs
"Y-you idiot" Regina gasps
" W-we.. love.. you" she manage to wheeze
And then her head falls on the pillow and the lightbulb above them shatters, the earth begins the shake but Emma cannot stop her magic because no heartbeat no heartbeat no heartbeat
She wakes up and seriously embarrasses herself.
Her magic is acting crazy beneath her feathers, objects around the room reacting like there is a goddamn ghosts and she is pretty sure she is having a heart attack and she might be making noises but fucking Hell who cares-
Regina Regina
Then she sees the form on the bed and well- she momentarily loses her mind. She just jumps into the bed and worse- on top of Regina. She just wants to, like check Regina's heartbeat or something but of course Regina doesn't know that.
Still, the reaction is exaggerated.
First, there is a moment where Regina just stares at the swan on her chest (this lasts about two seconds), then she slowly moves her hand and- considering Regina has done the exact opposite of hurting her for ages – Emma just thinks she might actually be petted again- which okay super weird, but not the worst thi-
Then there is a fireball and magic throwing her off the bed, making her land ungracefully and Regina is screaming at her. " WHAT THE HELL DO YOU THINK YOU ARE DOING, YOU INFERNAL CREATURE ".
Emma tries to say " checking whether you're alive, did you really have to throw me that hard?". Regina wouldn't have listened anyways, probably: she slips out of the bed and paces as she scolds Emma( at which moment Emma wouldn't be able to talk regardless of the swan thing, because who the hell dresses for sleeping like a freaking Victoria's model)
"Honestly, there is no sane explanation for you being in my bed, whoever you are. If you want me to break this enchantment, there are better ways to stress the importance".
She takes a deep breath and Emma's mind works enough again that she figures it is to calm herself. " And you will have to have patience, because finding Emm- the saviour has precedence".
Emma just stares her, willing Regina to be smart like usually and think something like 'hey how fucking weird that this swan has the exact same eye colour as Emma" but she seems content to not connect the dots.
Oh well, at least the view is amazing.
" Where are you- " Regina rolls her eyes when she notes Emma staring. She stalks over to a robe, tugs it on angrily (Emma kind of want to protest, but really Regina still looks pretty awesome in that robe) . " I am going to take a shower and you will be gone when I get out" she commands, marches towards a door and yanks it open.
As soon as she is inside, Emma jumps back on the bed. It is still warm and soft and she stretches and watches the door lazily. No way that she is going to leave Regina , not when she keeps getting herself in situations where she almost dies (the room isn't even protected by magic, the queen could just come in here and Regina would not be prepared)
She is slumbering when Regina's footsteps make her eyes snap open. She closes them again, even if a part of her wants to keep looking at Regina's wet hair and face free of magic. She always likes Regina's face- make-up or not- but it is difficult to look at her when the bags are so clear.
She is vaguely aware of rustling, of footsteps and something being muttered but that is all fading as she slips into sleep. She is still tired, her night not having been the most restful one, and knowing that Regina is safe (and thankfully surrounded by people who love her) makes it so very easy to sink into the insane comfortable bed that smells like –
She flaps with her wings when the warm, soft bed suddenly disappears.
When she opens her eyes, it is to Regina's little smirk. She is using magic to make Emma float in the air – this is not fucking space Regina stop it- and even if she knows Regina won't just drop her, she really doesn't like to be away from the ground.
" I told you to be gone"
Emma flaps her wings more, trying to fight against the enchantment, which results in her questioning her life choices as it disappears and she starts falling. Right when she is starting to slightly panic, she is caught again and floating gently over to Regina.
Who is just about to say something when there is a door slamming somewhere in the house and Emma falls again. Right into Regina's arms. Who almost clumsily catches her, then automatically presses Emma against her chest
Thudthudthud Emma hears, she is so close. She expects to be shoved away, to fall on the floor perhaps but Regina instead keeps her in her arms. She can feel the warmth and the familiarity of Regina's magic, close to the surface – calling to her own, or that is what it feels like.
She hears and feels Regina gasp. " Was that- " she scrutinizes Emma. " Do you have magic?".
Well yeah. Now realize that I am Emma and change me back. For a moment, Emma thinks that it might happen because Regina has this thoughtful expression and is studying her eyes and –
" I know those eyes… "
Emma is just starting to think someone is finally going to know when someone knocks. And then the door immediately opens, which makes Regina roll her eyes again. "As I am sure I've told you before Snow, it is polite to wait until you've actually been granted permission before entering a room".
Emma might actually think Regina is being too nice to Snow, with that fond exasperation that makes Snow smile and be oblivious to how she has just ruined something important. Okay, she would probably have been oblivious regardless but still. Really mom?
" We are having breakfast, so I thought I would come and get you".
" Stay out of my kitchen".
Mom just laughs and comes closer. She actually throws an arm around Regina, who scowls but doesn't try to shrug it off. " You can tell the boys that yourself".
And then Regina is being led downstairs by Snow, who is talking like usual ( but Emma feels like she has swallowed bricks when she realizes mom is forcing herself to be like usual and that she sometimes is on the verge of tears) and Emma still in her arms.
Downstairs, Regina pauses in the kitchen to just watch. Henry is pressing oranges while dad is baking eggs. There are pans everywhere, the cupboards are wide open and the counter is littered with ingredients and such. Still, Regina looks annoyed for only a second. It probably all has to do with Henry, who smiles and laughs and turns around and smiles even wider.
" Mom!" he exclaims, leaving his spot to kiss her on the cheek. He looks at Emma and grins.
" Not a word" Regina orders.
Henry laughs. " Do you want to help grandpa? I am kind of afraid he will hurt himself" He lowers his voice. " Again".
" I heard that! " David says, turning around with a fake affronted expression.
Regina gentle places Emma in Henry's arms and strokes her head ( I hate these stupid feathers) before going over to David and stealing the frying pan from him. She shoves him aside with her hip.
" Regina, I am not actually incompetent you know".
" Thank you for this. Can you go set the table?".
David smiles. " Already did".
" Are there already drinks on the table?".
David laughs. " Henry was busy with that".
Regina turns back to Henry, who is petting Emma while Snow is being creepy (according to Emma she is anyways). She gives him that smile. "You may go that new game that Emma got you sweetheart, we will finish here".
" You need multiple players". He sighs "Besides, I promised ma that I wouldn't play it without her. She really wants to finish the game together".
Regina doesn't manage to stifle a laugh. " Your mother is such a child".
" Yeah, it is pretty great" . Henry seems sad for a moment, but then seems to shake it off. " So what can I do to help?".
" You can finish pressing the oranges sweetheart".
" Kay".
Emma is placed gently on the ground( Henry went to place her on the counter but changed his mind when Regina send him a Henry-Daniel-Mills look) as Henry picks up an orange and continues his work.
" What about us Regina. How can we help? " Snow asks.
" I am not sure whether we need your help actually. It is really not that much work".
"I can make pancakes" David offers.
" He does make very tasty pancakes" Snow says, smiling at her husband before kissing him.
Regina sighs, the long suffering sigh of someone who spends a lot of time around her lovey-dovey parents. " Very well. You can prepare the pancakes. Snow?".
" Oh, I am fine with anything really. Just tell me what you'd like me to do ".
Regina turns with a little smirk. " It would be wonderful if someone wouldn't lecture me on my eating habits, for once".
Snow purses her lips. " You eat too little. Is it so horrible that I care?".
"No, but you could care.. a little quieter? And I do not appreciate being ordered to eat more".
Snow looks a little afro- no, not affronted but hurt. " Fine".
There is a very brief moment of tense silence before Snow smiles and comes over to Regina, briefly hugging her. Regina just raises her eyes to the heavens, as if to ask God 'really? Is my karma that bad" but Emma suspect she secretly almost enjoys it when Snow does things like this.
The next hour or so is actually amazing. Regina is her usual sarcastic, wry self (but it is far gentler than it used to be and Snow just reacts with strict looks or sometimes even eye rolls while David laughs. Henry is just as sarcastic and wry as Regina , so he mostly loves it) and Snow is – even if it seems a little forced at times- ta gushing about things and Dad doesn't say much but he has some good remarks and just smiles and Henry- well Henry is her amazing kid.
When the breakfast is ready, they all move to the table. It is then that Emma realizes her family must have been staying at Regina's for a while, because they have their own spots and look so very comfortable. It makes her want to grin as much as it makes her feel like Zelena(luckily, her skin can't turn green or..)
Despite the fact that she is still a swan , it is a pretty awesome morning. She gets to sit on her own chair (Henry insisted) and the kid sneaks her food and Regina's smile is small but genuine and even if there are little things like her family treating her absence like a freaking time bomb, the overall atmosphere is happy and comfortable.
It is the exact kind of thing she would've killed for when she was still in the system.
David is the first to push away from the table. ' It was delicious, but I really must go to the station".
Snow stands around the same time he does. " I will get Neal and go with you. Perhaps a caller will actually have a lead today".
Dad kisses her. She embraces him for a while, then sighs and pulls away. Emma isn't sure, but she thinks Neal might be in her parents' room ( and really, how insane is it that they have a room in Regina's house nowadays?) so that's where she probably goes.
Henry is already starting to clean the table, so is Regina. Dad looks around, then softly asks "Are you sur- ".
" David. As I have said the past two weeks , Henry and I are perfectly capable of cleaning the table together. You have your own chores".
He gives a small smile, grabs Regina's arm for two seconds as he passes her. " Thank you. Have a nice day! " .
And then he is gone as well, which leaves only Henry, Regina and Emma. She kind of wants to grab whatever is left, but she has a suspicion Regina wouldn't react well to that ( she had already not been particularly happy with Henry trying to sneak her food). So instead she just watches as Henry and Regina quickly clean the table.
She only leaves the chair when they're in the kitchen, following them. Regina is putting everything in the dishwasher, Henry having gone upstairs to get his stuff for school. A little while later, you hear 'bye mom, love you!' and the door shuts
It is exactly two minutes that the dishwasher closes with a loud thunk! and Regina curses under her breath. Emma tries to run to her when she realizes Regina is crying.
" Goddamn it Emma, where are you".
Here! I am right here, don't you see! Regina, it's okay, I am here!
Emma is making those honking-trumpet sounds she loathes again but she doesn't even care if that's the way to make Regina see her, to make the smart woman understand what has happened – and hopefully, to warn her.
" Will you please- just go? I j-just need some time alone" she mutters.
No, I am not going to let you cry in this kitchen all alone. I am here, damn it!
Emma flaps her wings repeatedly, close enough that she nearly hits Regina with them. She is making so much noise that Regina finally nudges her with her foot. " I comprehend that you want to return to your former state, but that will take time".
Emma frantically looks around her, there must be something that will make Regina realize who she is. Something she can write with- no she only has these useless wings, that's- or perhaps something –
Magic. I can use that.
She gets the idea when she sees the bottle of ketchup.
Two seconds later, it is floating towards them and then it's open. Emma's head is starting to feel like that time her case prevented her from eating, she had spent all day and half the night chasing this jerk and then she was also unexpectedly attacked by them.. but she persists.
By the time the kind of plp sound (like a fart, really, how mortifying) makes Regina's eyes snap open, Emma is feeling worse but also good because it is working!
Regina gasps and surges forward with that hellish fire in her eyes " My floo- " she pauses when she actually realizes that the floating ketchup bottle is clumsily spelling something.
She kneels down next to it, catching the bottle as Emma finally cannot make it float anymore. She curls in on herself, feeling like she has a triple concussion. She only barely manages to keep her eyes open to watch Regina struggle to decipher the letters (writing with ketchup that you have to control with your mind is The Worst)
And her voice actually shakes when she manages. "Emma Swan- "
And then Regina is reaching for her head and lifting it with trembling hands. She is crying again- or still- but there is also the beginning of a hardly-dare-to-hope smile. She holds Emma's head between her hands as she studies her eyes, scanning them over and over.
Her eyes go angry-happy-sad-angry-confused-angry-worried, but finally she just picks Emma up and holds her in her arms, not even looking back at her used-to-be-pristine floor or pausing to get herself a jacket (damn it Regina, what if you get a cold? ) as she slams open the door( s. Plural, first the front door, then the car door) with magic and nearly crashes her car into hedge as she stamps down on the accelerator.
It really sucks being a swan, because a human could tell Regina not to cause both their deaths.