Chapter 21: Masked Confessions
There's a time when people will put their current life on pause, and let their thoughts take them into a deep reverie. Generally, the future envelops their mind. Whether it's about the person they want to spend the rest of their life with, kids, jobs, and the house with the white picket fence, almost anything to be honest. Emma was most certainly having that picture perfect moment. As she leant her hip against the counter Emma couldn't help but become mesmerised by the brunette before her. Regina was moving swiftly around the kitchen, preparing lunch for them. The blonde let a life with Regina encompass her mind; she had well and truly fallen for the Mayor. Whether those feelings were reciprocated or not, Emma didn't know and it left her feeling exposed beyond her comfort. In terms of lunch: They had definitely earned it after a full 3 hours of shopping for tonight's celebration. It turned out that Mr. Woods had made slight changes for tonight's event. It was now a masquerade ball in which everyone wore masks to conceal their identity. Emma was all for the idea, however, Regina was less than impressed at the late adjustment.
"Why doesn't McDonalds sell hotdogs?" Emma murmured thoughtfully.
Regina set the lasagna to cool on the counter before facing the blonde with a quirked eyebrow.
"I wouldn't have the slightest clue. I do not consume such processed foods, which is theoretically the recipe for a heart attack." She stated. "I suggest you indulge in some more wiser and healthier choices."
The blonde gave her a dull look. "Fine. I will order more pickles on my cheeseburger next time."
Regina rolled her eyes, "I meant incorporating more fruit into your diet, such as apples and tomatoes." She paused before continuing, already knowing the woman's question. "And yes, tomatoes are technically a fruit."
Emma froze and raised a stern finger; "Don't tell me a tomato is 'technically a fruit' unless you're willing to drink it in a milkshake." When the blonde was left with silence she smirked in satisfaction and moved closer towards Regina who simply shook her head, a small smile gracing her features.
"Let's eat, the foods getting cold." The Mayor inclined her head towards the already set-up dining table while simultaneously swiftly moving over to take her usual seat at the end.
"Oh, thank god! I'm so hungry I could eat a horse…and chase the rider." She said with a slight chuckle, earning a silent snort from the brunette who had become quite accustomed to the woman's sense of humour in the last month or so. In fact, in all, she was already familiarised with the blonde and her unique and sometimes uncanny ways. For the past couple of days Regina had been imagining what her life would be like with Emma in it, on a permanent basis that is. Her own feelings towards the blonde continued to surge everyday instead of dissipating like the dying embers in an extinguished flame – as she had once anticipated would occur. She could picture a life with Emma and of course Henry. There would be more candy stashed away in the cupboards, countless shoes scattered throughout the house and she would be without a doubt tripping over them at some point. The whole situation was already very domesticated. Regina would cook, Emma would wash, then Regina would dry and Emma would pack the plates and other silverware in their designated areas. But the moment her mind wondered back to her past and the curse that was still thoroughly in place; all images of a happy ending were shattered into a million pieces as she knew she still encased a black heart that rotted everyday much like a decaying corpse. She was the Evil Queen, and evil queens do not and were not welcomed to have a happy ending.
…
Time flew by quickly after lunch as the women sought to freshen up for this evenings event. Emma was particularly nervous about this celebration because of the waltz she and Regina would have to take part in; despite the copious amounts of practice, Emma still felt quite unsure with her ability to successfully complete the dance. The blonde glanced one last time in the mirror in the guest room. She decided to wear a cement-coloured satin one-shoulder dress that draped over her sculpted figure, with a pair of black stilettos. Emma's hair was in a loose ponytail due to the mask she had to wear; It's now or never She sighed and slipped her mask into her purse. Lucky for her and Regina, Augusta wasn't that far way and so they could return home after the event, instead of staying the night at a hotel.
"Regina, are you ready yet?" Emma yelled over her shoulder while making her way down the spiralled staircase. "That damn woman…" She mumbled under her breath, "She's probably plucking her eyebrows or something." Emma chuckled as she reached the bottom of the staircase.
A few minutes later Regina emerged at the top of the staircase. Emma was more than certain that she no longer had any oxygen circulating in her body, since she was left breathless by the sight of the stunning brunette. The mayor was wearing a black strapless dress that plunged slightly in the centre, offering a more than decent amount of cleavage. "You look..." Emma was at a loss for words while Regina soared down the stairs in an elegant manner, nothing short of a former queen. "Amazing." She finally completed, after wiping the drool from her chin.
The mayor smirked at the blonde's reaction. Her eyes wondered the woman's toned body layered with soft silk. She thought Emma was extremely beautiful in the dress, since it fit her like a glove. "I must say you clean up quite nicely, Miss Swan." She spoke slowly, her voice very sultry.
Emma brushed her own shoulders for effect, "I do try, Madame Mayor." She smirked.
Regina rolled her eyes in amusement before inclining her head towards the front door, "We better leave now, I don't want to be late."
Emma laughed, "And here I wanted to be fashionably late." She pouted slightly.
…
"If I knew we were going to Cinderella's ball I would have brought my own glass slippers and magical pumpkin." Emma murmured, her voice fading out as she gazed at the beautiful ornate palace which was covered with intricate carves and indentations. It had stairs leading up to the front door with perfectly trimmed trees adjacent to them. The blonde was truly mesmerised by the sight. Ever since she was in the system she had learned to appreciate everything, and this spectacular view was no exception.
"It's quite beautiful, isn't it?" Regina said, moving next to the stationary blonde; their elbows grazing slightly.
Emma nodded, "Almost as beautiful as you." She declared with a straight face, her eyes never shifting from the view, though still conveying her sincerity to the currently bewildered Mayor - who was obviously not expecting the comment. "Come on, let's head inside. I need food and plenty of it." The blonde smiled brightly while grasping Regina's hand, tugging it lightly. The brunette automatically followed without question, despite her mind being slightly hazy.
The pair cautiously made their way up the stairs, careful not to miss a step and risk the chance of tripping in front of fellow guests. Before they approached the grand entrance to the ballroom they elegantly slipped on their masks - both with their identities now concealed. Emma cleared her throat and laid her hand out in a dramatic manner.
"After you, m'lady." She smirked.
Regina rolled her eyes, and without a second thought moved inside with the blonde following closely behind.
"That's a huge mother-fucking chandelier." Emma blurted out, as they made their way down the grand staircase.
"Language, Miss Swan." The Mayor immediately reprimanded, obviously unimpressed. "I would appreciate if you would be able to heavily limit your use of profanities, especially at a place like this one." She stated in a monotone. This was no laughing matter.
Emma sighed and gently massaged her temples, "We had amazing sex last night and yet you're still so uptight." She murmured under her breath. However, to the escort's misfortune It seemed as though the Mayor heard, judging by her harsh facial expression clearly evident underneath the mask. Emma swore she witnessed steam shoot out from her ears. Oh, shit. Boy am I in trouble now. She winced internally as Regina seemed ready to blow a gasket. But the chance never arrived as the group of mayors approached them with cheerful smiles.
"Regina, Emma- so glad you could make it. You both look wonderful." Mr. Woods said in a smooth tone, a warm smile imprinted on his face.
Kyrah jumped in, "Yes, you both look smoking hot- especially you blonde." She winked salaciously at Emma, who instantly recognised the playful banter.
"Oh, stop It you." The blonde waved a hand dramatically with a slight chuckle. The other mayors joined in except Regina who death glared Kyrah like a dog guarding their bone. It was a very vicious gaze, but she failed to intimidate the mayor.
"Come on, Mayor Mills. I was just mucking around." The young brunette clarified, noticing Regina's less than impressed demeanour.
A deafening yet awkward silence slowly began to set in among the group. Emma had an uncomfortable urge to scratch her eyes out, since It was so awkward. Fuck me. After a few more minutes the undercover escort had gotten progressively disgruntled and decided enough was enough.
Emma cleared her throat, "So why the whole last minute masquerade theme?" She asked, hovering a finger around her mask, now slightly intrigued.
Everyones eyes were now on the middle-aged man, waiting for an answer. Mr. Woods seemed to be in a thoughtful state with the question swimming in his mind. He smiled lightly before parting his lips.
"When you have a mask on, like all of us do...you can be anything you want to be. Even if it's just for that one day or night. I know some people wear masks everyday, metaphorically speaking- they may be more vulnerable then they let on due to being heavily hurt by someone." He paused to push his glasses up underneath the mask before resuming. "But look around. Everyone here is the same, no ones getting judged or hurt. I know it's a false sense of security because people can't go around wearing masks everyday but it allows everyone to have that more freedom to be who they want to be. " Mr. Woods smiled brightly, a slight chuckle following after. "I mean take a look at this. You have us politicians at the high end of the scale and people who are..." He shook his head in thought. "...on the lower end like prostitutes and escorts. We're not that much different from them in terms of our place in society. Getting judged by people is probably the most common trait our professions share. But here, right now, we can be whoever we want to be."
Quinn quickly reached into her purse and pulled out a couple of tissues to dab at her suddenly not-so-dry eyes. "That was quite beautiful, Mayor Woods." She said politely.
Kyrah interjected, "Yeah, man. That was some deep stuff." She nodded solemnly.
Emma and Regina both remained silent, speechless. Their fingers were still loosely tangled with one another's and neither had realised that the rest of the mayors had dispersed into the crowd until a waiter offered them a glass of champagne. Regina graciously accepted the offering while Emma didn't seem interested in the beverage at all.
"Do you have anything a little more stronger?" She blurted.
The waiter smiled politely, "How much stronger, m'am?"
"Like the oldest and darkest you can find that hasn't expired yet but will very soon." The blonde stated, her body in urgent need of alcohol. And plenty of it.
He nodded, "Right away, m'am."
Emma turned to face the brunette, "So what did you think of that little philosophical rant?" Her voice slightly intoned.
After a small sip, Regina scanned the room before resting her gaze on the blonde. She pulled her hand back from Emma's and began to fiddle with her glass, almost nervously. "It was quite eye opening, I must say. Apparently we're a like." She couldn't help but chuckle though not humour was intended. The Mayor cleared her throat, "But I suppose he is right about what was said. You can really be whoever you want to be at an event like this one." She said pensively.
Emma silently thanked the waiter and took a long drawled out sip from the canter. The whiskey sliding down her throat like merciless acid. She nodded, her eyes shifting between cliques of people around the room. They were laughing, singing, some were even chanting. So much for a formal event. Despite herself, she smiled. Without as much as another thought Emma placed her half-empty glass on the by-passing tray and kissed the brunette beside her in a full-on lip-lock. Although caught by surprise at first, it didn't take long for Regina's lips to start moving rhythmically and in sync with Emma's. She would never say it out aloud, but she craved the blonde's lips- as though they were meant solely for her. It took about a minute for Regina's mind to register exactly where they were before quickly pulling away from the flustered blonde.
"What do you think you're doing?" Regina sneered, her eyes glimpsing at the suddenly cheerful people around them.
Emma shrugged, "Uhh, kissing you." She answered as though it was the most obvious question in the world. "But to be fair, Mr. Woods said we could be whatever and whoever we wanted to be tonight. So I did." She shrugged nonchalantly.
The Mayor sighed dramatically, "And exactly who do you want to be? Casanova?" She smirked sarcastically.
Mildly impressed, Emma nudged her shoulder. "Look at you being all humorous. I thought you didn't have a funny bone in you!" She laughed. "But no, I wanted to actually be your..." The blonde suddenly paused mid-sentence, wondering whether she should disclose such petty yet profound information.
Regina's eye brows bunched together, "My what, Miss Swan?" She said, slightly confused.
Emma smiled, "Your other half. Like soulmate. Wife. Lover." She shrugged casually, her usual confidence exuding through her veins like a rushing stream. The mayor almost let the glass out of her grasp at the admission. Her eyes had widened exponentially and before she was able to even utter out a response, Emma was already distancing herself from the brunette with a smile printed on her face.
"Come on. I saw a guy earlier who looked like Zorro, I have to get a selfie with him. Oh, and apparently there's like a group of peeps hung up on flappy bird. Like wtf? " Emma beamed at the brunette who was still currently at loss for words. Regina continued to wonder how easily Emma had weaselled her way into her own life- which had for the last 10 years only consisted of her and Henry. There was never anyone else. And then came Emma. It amazed the mayor exactly how much their relationship had changed through the course of the past month. They had their up and downs and continually bickered like an old couple. Heck, they weren't even an officially established couple. However, Regina was more than certain that she knew Emma's feelings towards her were more than plutonic, and she knew she was in the same boat. But unlike Emma who was able to so freely express her feelings, she on the other hand could not. Regina knew it was pathetic but she was scared as hell. These feelings were stronger than those she had with Daniel. The whole ordeal for the past few weeks had drained her so much that it left her in an unconscious daze most of the time. She even made an error on one of her files for a development plan in Storybrooke. She had never made a single mistake since Storybrooke was devised, until now, that is. Despite all that she couldn't help but smile at the woman who had in all changed her life.
"At least wait for me, dear." Regina smirked, her strut more calculated and precise as she brushed past the border-line drooling blonde.
Emma shook her head slightly, "Stop staring at her ass. Stop staring at her ass." She repeated but then relented once the man dressed like Zorro approached the mayor and kissed her hand.
The blonde raised an eyebrow, "Uh-uh. That's my woman." She then proceeded to...take care of the situation.
...
"I can't believe you hit him! You could have broken his nose." Regina fumed.
Emma scoffed, "I can't believe he had a fake moustache. Who does that!?" She yelled quite outraged. The blonde pushed her mask off her head and laid it by the sink while Regina began attending to her bruised and bloodily hand.
The mayor winced at the cuts as she cleaned the wound before exhaling heavily in frustration. "Something always happens at this celebrations, have you noticed that, Emma?!" She growled out, severely unimpressed with the situation. "First there was your ex-girlfriend at the country club, then your stripper friends at the club who use to be your colleagues, then you go ahead and lose your wedding ring at the pool party and now this!" She huffed indignantly. "I don't even understand why you got so worked up over him. We were just talking." She said innocently.
Emma laughed sardonically, "Oh, please. Talking? Talking is when you discuss the weather and the Kardashians, not trips to Paris and personal shit like that. He was blatantly flirting with you!"
"So what if he was?" Regina shrugged, dabbing infect-ant on the cuts.
Emma's jaw dropped, "Are you kidding me, Regina!?" She almost pleaded. "You know what, just forget it." The blonde sighed tiredly. Her head was pounding, and her hand felt like someone had placed it in a newly-lit furnace. "You already know, anyway." She mumbled quietly as the brunette re-washed her hand and put some gauze on it.
Regina's gaze averted to meet the green pair before her, "What do I already know?" She questioned, very puzzled.
Emma gave her a sad smile, "You already know I want a relationship with you, a proper one."
Regina remained silent at the already known confession and re-checked Emma's hand one last time to make sure there was no chance of it becoming infected. She knew she wasn't ready or was she? Regina was lost at this point and instead decided to go the safer option and gently tell the woman that she couldn't. Not now, at least. However, before she had the chance Emma had already realised she was going to respond and stopped her.
Emma held a hand up in front of her, "I know you're not ready so you don't need to explain yourself." She said politely before continuing, "Let's just make a game plan tonight. You go chill with your other mayor colleagues, I will go find this secret place where people are apparently playing beer pong, we dance when necessary, say our bon voyages and head off. Kapeesh?" The escort beamed, an innocent expression encompassing her features. Regina believed that she was truly beautiful.
The mayor cleared her throat and nodded, "Okay. I will see you later then." She couldn't help but feel slightly down.
Emma gave her a thumbs up, "You can count on it, honey. And thanks for...you know." She waved her bandaged hand around. "I promise to stay away from Zorro, despite him not even having a real moustache." She chuckled, and so did Regina.
Then she was gone. Regina let out a breath she hadn't even known she was holding and leaned on the basin. Her hands gripped the sides tightly as though she were clinging on for dear life, her gaze reflecting in the mirror. It was mocking her, she was sure of it. Regina shook her head, her gaze averting away from her reflection. Inhale, exhale. She silently repeatedly to herself. It was all too much for her. The brunette shut her eyes tight and pinched the bridge of her nose. She sighed heavily, taking one more glance in the mirror before heading back into the hall.
...
The celebration had only gotten better throughout the evening. The alcohol was flowing nicely and everyone was getting along. The warm air drifted into the hall through the enormous glass stained double doors at the other end of the room, which only further enhanced the serene trance that everyone seemed to be stuck in. Regina sat quietly at a table with all the other fellow mayors around her. Every now and then her brown orbs would unconsciously scan the room, as though she were in search of something...or someone. Moments later a slow song began playing gently throughout the room and people began ascending to the middle of the dance floor to do the waltz. It was not until she heard a clearing of the throat did Regina know that Emma was now standing next to her, her arm stretched out.
Emma smiled, "May I have this dance?" She asked softly.
Regina fought a beaming grin that threatened to breakout through her lit up features. Without saying another word she slipped her hand into Emma's and allowed the woman to guide them to the middle of the room. The pair immediately slipped into their practised posture and began gently moving around the room with everyone in sync. It was much like a beautiful ending scene in a movie.
"When our arrangement is done, don't be alarmed but I might just end up stalking you for a while." Emma smirked at the beautiful brunette who rolled her eyes playfully at the admission.
"I can already see how subtle you'll be." Regina replied sarcastically knowing in mind that the woman was never really subtle at anything she did. "Your definition of subtle would be walking right beside me." She retorted.
Emma quirked an eyebrow, "Well stalking is practically when two people go for a long romantic walk together but only one of them knows it." She chuckled as they continued moving gracefully around the room. The blonde's grip on Regina's hip tightened slightly as the end of the song was near.
The mayor beamed, "I actually feel quite flattered that you would stalk me."
Emma scoffed jokingly, "You should feel damn honoured that I would get out of the house for you because I can be such a selfish hermit."
Once the song came to a slow stop everyone began to return to their tables. Regina grasped hold of Emma's hand in her own and guided them through the large crowd to the large and secluded balcony that looked over the endless garden. Emma wriggled her fingers to lace the brunette's with her own and squeezed it gently. "Any particular reason why we are out on an isolated balcony?" She inspected their surrounding with slight caution. "You're not going to push me off it are you? Because I already face-planted into your stairs today and that hurt alone. I don't want to know what pain the concrete has to offer." Emma raised her eyebrows as she caught Regina's blatant expression.
"No. Although it would be easy." The mayor summed off-handedly. She shook her head slightly, almost forgetting why they were here in the first place. "I have a proposition that I believe you will find quite appropriate given our current...arrangements." The brunette removed her mask and relished in the warm air that blew onto her skin.
Emma was perplexed. "Yeah, I'm a little lost here." She scratched her head and emulated Regina's earlier action, placing her mask on the nearby table.
The mayor rolled her eyes while messaging her temples, "Of course you are." She muttered. "Okay, I am going to ask once and once only, Miss Swan." Regina held up her index finger, conveying her seriousness. Emma nodded and signalled for the woman to continue. The brunette palms instantly became clammy, along with her heart beating at an unrecordable pace. She swallowed heavily before parting her lips, "Miss Swan, I would like you to become my..." Regina paused shortly, in search of a word. 'Girlfriend' was too childish and 'Lover' was too strong. "...my partner." She finished, slightly anxious.
Emma waved a hand nonchalantly, "Regina, I'm already your partner. You're business partner, you're dance partner and you're partner in crime." She shrugged, obviously not understanding the extent to Regina's question.
The brunette exhaled quickly, her frustration seeping through. Her eyes locked onto the blonde's and she instantly relaxed. "I didn't mean those sort of partners, Emma." She spoke softly, her voice slightly pitching. Regina watched the myriad of expressions flutter across the blonde's features as she realised exactly what the brunette was implying in the first place.
Unmistakable tears immediately burned behind Emma's green orbs. "Are you serious?" She whispered quietly into the cooling air. Emma quickly moved over to the brunette and grasped both of her hands. Emma's grin only widened even more when Regina nodded in relation to her question. Almost instantaneously her lips came in contact with the brunette's, the passion and hunger prevalent in the kiss was long overdue. Emma pulled back slightly, an arm wrapped around the brunette's waist with her hand gliding softly over the her soft cheeks. "So you're like my official girlfriend now?" She asked with a broad beaming grin.
Despite herself, Regina let a smile tug on her lips at the rather childish word. "Yes, dear. I am now your girlfriend." She whispered against soft pink lips before devouring them with her own once again. Both woman evidently lost in one another were no longer aware of their surroundings...or the small crowd watching them from the balcony entrance.
...
"They should totes get hottest lesbian couple of the year..." Kyrah whispered downwards to the group whose heads were discreetly peaking around the corner.
Mr. Goodwin's jaw dropped, "Emma just grabbed her arse!" He pulled furiously at his collar because suddenly he was starting to become a little too hot.
"Oh, go have a cold shower, Adam." Mr. Von Rich-man chuckled to the man just below him.
"I feel like a pervert." Quinn confessed, her eyes still trained on the pair before her.
Kyrah scoffed, "We're not being perverts per se, we're just...admiring...from a distance." She smiled at her own explanation.
The sound of someone clearing their throat immediately startled the mayors who turned around to be met with an unimpressed Mr. Woods. "All of you, inside. Now." He raised an eyebrow at the shameful looking mayors who walked past him, all of them mumbling apologetically. The host chuckled once they had gone past and quickly closed the balcony doors, offering the two women some sort of privacy.
"Those two are like teenagers I tell you...teenagers."
A/N: :/ There you go. I hope you liked it.