"My little Prince is all grown up," Regina cooed, looking equal parts ecstatic and murderous. She was clutching Henry's face and shaking her head, her throat was bobbing, and Emma could tell that the full blown tears were going to start in precisely ten seconds.
She stepped in to spare Henry the embarrassment before his first high school Spring Formal. "Erm, Regina, I think we had better let Henry go with his friends," Emma tapped her wrist and when she didn't stop stroking her thumb over Henry's cheek and gazing at him like she was watching his whole life play before her eyes, Emma had to be a little more forceful and pull her away so Henry could make his escape.
"Kid, don't forget the corsage for Paige," Emma tossed the plastic box containing a lavender colored carnation. "You pin it on carefully. Don't stab her."
"I will," Henry promised as he opened the door and looked worriedly between the two women as if he wanted to say something, but then he changed his mind.
"Darling, are you sure you can't convince her to come in for pictures?" Regina sniffed and started towards Henry again to undoubtedly fuss over his grey and white suit, smooth down his hair, or simply lock him down and cry over him some more.
"Come on Regina give the kid a few minutes alone with his date and his friends, we'll see him soon enough," Emma led Regina away from the window, where she was watching Henry walk down the path and get into the rented limousine.
"I suppose you're right," Regina murmured and turned away from Emma. "I just have to finish getting ready."
Emma and Regina had, at the behest of Mary Margaret, volunteered to help chaperone the spring formal, and Emma knew that Henry was going to be embarrassed enough with both his moms watching his every move all night. She wanted to spare him the trauma of pre-date pictures.
A few minutes later, Regina came back wearing a dress that was mostly made of black glitter, a perfectly coifed up do, and dramatic eye makeup. "How do I look?" Regina bit her lip as she fished for her compliment.
"Gorgeous and very Evil Queen-esque," Emma walked around her; suddenly feeling underdressed in her much simpler red Greek cut, flowy dress. The one Regina wore was form fitting to say the least, her booty was tightly encased in netting and glitter and looked very fine in Emma's opinion. She had a different opinion of her cleavage. There was a lot of it on display and Emma didn't know if it was an entirely appropriate look for the chaperone of high school dance.
Sure enough when the pair arrived at the school, boys- and some girls- started staring at Regina immediately. Though the look the kids were giving was one Regina seemed familiar and comfortable with, Emma would categorize it: 60 percent fear/40 percent lust. It was disconcerting to feel as though she were on the receiving end of some of the fear lust looks too.
Inside the gymnasium, the regular fluorescents were off, with only special effect lights casting bobbles and star shapes all over the floors and walls.
There were a few round tables next to the snack and beverages, but most of the gym served as a dance floor. The DJ was playing some upbeat dance songs and the students were starting to come out to enjoy themselves a bit, although most of them were standing on the sidelines watching, or further off into the shadows.
Emma was unduly nervous as this was her first big parenting event. All she had to do was stand around and make sure none of the kids got into any fights or any other forbidden activities. It wouldn't be hard, especially with Regina surveying the scene with a hardened jaw and regal look.
They stayed close together, standing near the back, watching the kids mill around and dance awkwardly. The DJ tried to liven it up by playing themed dances. When ladies choice came and went, Emma noticed that Henry wasn't dancing with any of the girls.
"Henry didn't get picked for ladies choice," Emma whispered to Regina, and she instantly knitted her eyebrows in concern. She was fidgeting with a napkin and practically shredding it in her hands.
"Where's his little trollop of a date anyway?" Regina craned her neck and scanned the gym for Paige.
"Okay, easy there, she's a nice girl…maybe try to dial back the hate just a couple notches," Emma said, but was secretly thinking the same thing about Henry's sweet looking date. It was always the innocent seeming ones who were getting into the most trouble.
Mary Margaret approached Emma and Regina, smiling falsely with pained eyes. "Are you two enjoying the dance so far?"
"Yes," Regina said and Emma tightened her jaw, it was never good when her friend went monosyllabic.
"That's good….Emma would you and Regina mind leaving actually?" Mary Margaret whispered even though there wasn't anyone else around to hear them.
"What? Why? It just started and you're the one who asked us to come help out." Emma had not put on a dress and gotten all gussied up for nothing.
"I know," Mary Margaret said sympathetically, while averting her eyes from Regina's. "The thing is Henry spoke to me. He says none of the girls will ask him to dance with you here."
"That's ridiculous, Regina isn't going to fireball anyone-," Emma started, but then trailed off in understanding when she saw Mary Margaret's pitying look.
"You mean ME?" She blinked in shock.
"He said that Paige can't stop picturing you with a sword and after you did that scared straight lecture last month and threatened all the students after telling them about the pitfalls of your past…" Mary Margaret paused momentarily for breath and then rushed the words out, "They're terrified of you, Emma."
Regina was beaming and holding back her laughter as Emma jutted out her lip and pouted. "Seriously?"
"Come on, I'll escort you home. I know how it feels to be the pariah," Regina stroked Emma's hand, and tilted her head to gaze upon her with a look of pride that made Emma shiver a bit.
"Thanks for being so understanding," Mary Margaret said as Regina whisked Emma away from the high school dance.
After the initial shock of rejection wore off, and they arrived back at Regina's house, they were laughing about it. Emma kicked off her too high heels and accepted a strong drink from Regina as they headed into the study to unwind. The night was still young and they were both dressed to the nines. It was such a waste. Regina put on a Celine Dion record as some background music.
"Do you think that Henry just said that as a ploy to get us kicked out?" Emma asked in a hushed whisper of conspiracy.
"Does it matter?" Regina answered in a heavy tone as she took another drawl from her glass.
Emma let her eyes flicker over Regina's form as she sat with her legs crossed on the sofa. Now that she was looking casual and relaxed, she was even more stunning looking. After a moment of amicable silence, Emma brought up her nerve.
"You know I didn't even get one dance before we got kicked out."
"Let's clarify, you were one who got kicked out, I merely accompanied you out of the goodness of my heart," Regina pointed at Emma around her glass. Her eyes were already a bit glossed from the strength of the alcohol and Emma secretly found Regina to be adorable in this state.
"Right, thanks Regina," Emma mumbled, and sat her glass on the end table, and pushed her hands down on either side of her hips against the sofa to rock herself nervously back and forth. "That doesn't have anything to do with my point."
"Which is?" Regina asked leading the question.
"I didn't get to dance, and during ladies choice I didn't get to ask my… chosen one," Emma raised an eyebrow and smirked.
"Oh?" Regina perked up, smiling back and looking shy.
"I mean we're still dressed up and everything, it really would be a waste to not at least dance once…"
"Are you making excuses or asking me to dance, Sheriff?" Regina was blushing lightly. It could have been due to drink or annoyance, but Emma was sure it was due to her. She boldly stood and crossed over to stand in front of Regina. They were both barefoot and when Emma took Regina's hand and helped her to her feet, they were almost the same height.
She wrapped her hands around Regina's glittery waist and smiled as they awkwardly tried to get on the same rhythm and step. The lights were dim and romantic. The air was warm as was Regina's body, and Emma tightened her arms a bit, closing the distance between them, until Regina slid her hands under Emma's arms and wrapped around her too.
They both breathed out together, the rub of fabric between their chests and hips was pure yet erotic feeling, and Emma's head was buzzing from the intoxicating proximity to Regina. She could feel her every inhale and exhale, every sigh and coo as they swayed together.
It was more of a floor roaming hug than it was a slow dance, but both women preferred it that way. When Regina rested her head on Emma's shoulder and let out a contented sigh, Emma couldn't help but let her whole body sag in relaxation.
It felt so good to be held.
Celine's crooning voice and power ballads had them moving together slowly and taking their time with no one watching and no hurry or worry to focus on; they just had each other. It was a good night…
… until Henry broke curfew.