This chapter was hell to write because I had to rewrite it so many times, and rework things because I've decided that this is going have actual plot and the scene I thought I was building to is actually the beginning of the next chapter, and I had to write Regina in a situation that I'm not used to writing her in, and I apologize if there are mistakes, but I wanted to get this out now rather than wait another day. *long breath* But its finally finished!
Second reason it's late is because I played Outlast: Whistleblower about 2 nights ago and had to restart my brain because of how freaking terrifying it was and how badly it screwed me up. Literally ended one section - The Groom/Gluskin - nearly in tears and ready to curl up under my bed and hide. I have never been that terrified/horrified while playing a video game. Have any of you guys played it?
As always, I don't own OUAT. If you want to see me whining about writing this story/life/school, I am on Tumblr as Sammy431.
Regina went through her morning routine in a zombie like state, not noticing Emma's worried hovering and Henry's concerned glances. She had barely slept last night, her mind to busy replaying the events of bath time. She had come no closer to any conclusions regarding the moron taking up residence in her house, and now had unattractive black circles under her eyes.
She truly had no idea what was going on with her. With Emma incapable of purposely annoying her - instead the other woman seemed inclined to care for her as if she was something precious - Regina had been given the chance to notice something.
The blonde woman was actually quite attractive when not busy screaming in her face or defying her every wish, and Regina's body had decided to react accordingly.
It wasn't that they were both women. Regina was actually surprised that none of her former handmaids had sought her out after the curse broke. But what her mind could not comprehend was that it was Emma.
She had hated the woman, she had tried to put her under a sleeping curse, had been desperate for her to leave town. Even when they were allies, they argued constantly. How on earth could she be attracted to her?
*Ding-Dong*
"Do I never get a break?" Regina thought as she watched Emma's head shoot up, a snarl already forming in her throat. Sighing, Regina decided to shelve the events of last night to panic about later. Exhaustion was already clouding her mind and she had a feeling that whoever was at the door would not be welcome by Emma - which meant that she would be responsible for preventing any assault charges from being issued.
-SQ-
"Snow. Of course you would visit without giving me proper warning." Despite her scornful tone, Regina waved Snow in with one hand, the other one busy holding onto Emma's upper arm, who had recognized Snow and was struggling to get to her, her snarls reduced to angry huffs. "I'm assuming that you've invited yourself for lunch?"
"Well, I mean…"
"Don't bother. But if you end up covered in some sort of liquid, it's not my fault."
Regina decided to make an extremely quick meal of tacos, mostly because she had to stop Emma from grabbing a large plate three times in the space of five minutes since Snow was incapable of listening to simple directions. She kept approaching Emma - therefore approaching Regina - and Emma warned her off several times.
"Snow, are you familiar with the definition of insanity?"
"Wha-"
"It's doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results. You've been warned by your pauciloquent daughter multiple times, yet you continue to use the same approach." Regina didn't even bother to turn around as she reached behind her, grabbed Emma's wrist and dragged her rage filled form back to the counter top. "Go call your grandson - lunch is ready."
Snow walked off, grumbling insults under her breath. The brunette turned towards a much calmer Emma and idly remarked "Your mother is acting more childish than you are. How she and her insipid prince were ever triumphant will always confound me."
Lunch went about as well as could be expected. Regina got to watch Snow's face contort in disgust as her precious daughter's face and shirt became covered in salsa, ground beef and cheese as she mutilated her taco's.
"Snow, clean off your daughters face."
Regina enjoyed the panicked look the woman threw her as she walked out of the room, holding in a laugh. Waiting a few moments, she couldn't contain a wide grin as Emma's snarls and Snow's pleading grew louder. Waving a hand, she brought the blonde to her side in a plume of smoke and efficiently cleaned her off, studiously ignoring the ever present dopey grin. Pushing her back towards the dining room, she called out "Henry, come take your mother outside before it starts to rain so I can clean up."
After gathering the plates and silverware, she began to load the dishwasher in silence. She heard Snow's footsteps come closer and waited patiently for the brunette to speak her mind. She was sure that Snow had some criticism for how she handled her daughter. Might as well let her get it off her chest now, while Emma was occupied.
"You're good with her."
Well that was unexpected. Regina very slowly finished the dishes and turned to face Snow, her mayoral mask firmly in place. After standing in silence for a few moments, Regina simply raised an eyebrow.
Snow swallowed thickly, her eyes looking at everything that wasn't Regina. "Well I mean…" She began, then paused, the silence excruciatingly awkward. She began to fidget with the edge of her shirt, twisting it between two fingers. "You have more patience with her than I would. I'm still struggling with Neal most days - caring for people comes naturally to you."
"You do fine with Neal."
The awkward silence continued again as the two women struggled to figure out their relationship. The time for revenge and hatred had passed and an understanding had been reached, but things were never comfortable. There was too much pain in the past for things to be easy so quickly.
"She's very protective over you." Regina startled, nearly dropping the glass of cider in her hand when Snow spoke.
She nodded. "Yes - She constantly hovers whenever I move. Did Robin mention what happened yesterday?" Snow shook her head, and Regina smirked. "He came over to get Henry and Emma sent him flying. Landed on his back out on the front walkway. Then your daughter continued her destruction of my house by using the arm chair to blockade the doorway."
Snow furrowed her eyebrows and glanced at Regina quizzically. "What did Robin do to anger Emma?"
Shrugging, Regina handed Snow a glass of cider, realizing that the woman intended to stay awhile. "Not sure. He was just speaking to me and I don't think Emma did well with being ignored. She warned him - grabbed him by his jacket and nearly dragged him off his feet to growl at him. He tried to speak to me again and Emma tackled him out the door." She shrugged again, wanting to move on. "He was unharmed for the most part and I didn't want Emma to flip out if I brought him inside again."
Snow was about to reply when the back door flew open and Emma rushed in. Crossing the kitchen, she quickly shuffled Regina into a corner. She went through her usual routine, checking Regina for injuries and trying to communicate something. "Yrrrrghhhh?" She kept looking over her shoulder at Snow and trying to stuff Regina even further into the corner.
Fighting off a blush at the thought of being seen like this, she forced herself to lock eyes with Snow and roll her eyes, gesturing towards Emma. "This is what I deal with." She managed to shove of Emma's hands and step out from the corner, grabbing Emma's wrist to bring her to heel. Snow looked slightly scandalized and Regina was torn between smirking and teleporting her way out of this situation.
A few seconds later Henry ran into the room, skidding to a stop and panting. "Sorry! I turned my back to grab a soccer ball and she disappeared." Taking a few deep breaths, he moved forward to grab Emma's hand and began dragging her out of the room. "Resume your adult conversation. I'll try to keep her busy for a little while longer."
As he went back out the door, Snow smirked and shook her head. "He gets more like you every day. Next thing we know, he'll be running for Mayor."
Regina smiled softly and nodded. "He's a good boy."
"She's protective of him as well." Regina opened her mouth to comment, but Snow pushed on. "But it's another level with you… I was watching as you made dinner. Emma is very physically aware of you. She was very careful to keep herself between the two of us at all times. It's fascinating to watch. She responds as if you were a magnet - adjusting accordingly each time you move." She paused and Regina found herself holding her breath in anticipation for her next words. "I'm glad it's just a side effect of the spell. If I didn't know any better, I would say that Emma was in love with you."
Snow returned to her drink, blissfully unaware of the panic that had just begun beside her. Regina stared down at her glass of cider, using all of her skills to keep her emotions off of her face.
Was that possible? Emma had done nothing to indicate that she had feelings for Regina of any kind. Sure, she had begun to spend more time with Regina, but the brunette had just assumed that Emma was sick of living at home with two lovesick idiots and their crying baby, and used magic lessons as a convenient excuse to avoid them. But now, Emma was reduced to basic instincts. She obviously recognized Henry as her son. And her first instinct seemed to be to protect Regina.
But if Snow was correct - and that was a very big if - then where did that leave them? If this wasn't just an effect of the curse, but a manifestation of Emma's true feelings, Regina wasn't sure if she could handle it.
Did she share Emma's feelings?
She couldn't tell anymore. Everything was jumbled in her head and her newly discovered physical attraction to Emma was only adding to her confusion.
Regina had been quiet for several minutes by now, but before Snow could ask her about it, Emma returned to the kitchen. This time, she was dripping water on the floor as it had begun to rain outside. Pausing at the doorway, she took a quick inventory of the situation. She almost immediately sensed Regina's panic and went into protective mode.
Quickly making a choice between getting rid of the danger and comforting her mate, she lunged forward and grabbed the short screeching woman by the arm and dragged her tiny form towards the front door. Yanking it open, she shoved the woman out, slightly disappointed when she didn't fall on her ass like the first man had. But her job was only half finished, so she slammed the door shut and ran back into the kitchen to comfort Regina.
Quickly grabbing Regina in a koala bear like hug, she didn't notice Regina's pale face and shaking hands. The brunette continued her silent panic, only vaguely aware that Snow was now gone.
Henry entered the kitchen, rubbing a towel over his wet hair. He looked around in confusion, taking in Regina wrapped in Emma's arms and the absence of their guest. "What happened? Where did Grandma go?"
Alright so now we are getting a bit more insight into Regina's mindset regarding Emma. Of course, nothing will happen anytime soon, since it is Regina. Snow will probably make a few more appearance - Reminder for prompts! - and maybe David as well. Next chapter is already started and hopefully it will go a lot smoother!
This chapter did not want to be written and I would really really love some reviews to make me feel better ;) Please?
