A/N: Thankfully, my class workload is pretty light because we're nearing the end of the semester so I found time to write this. The sheer amount of follows, reviews, and favorites also motivated me greatly so thank you!
Chapter 3
"Wanna dance?" Ruby gestured towards the dance floor, raising her brows in a suggestive manner. Emma craned her neck, glaring at the young brunette.
"But the floor is so crowded," Emma scoffed before turning her attention back to Regina, "Have you tried the new pizza place yet?"
"Emma," The older woman sighed, "You know I haven't. We're going to try it tomorrow with Henry, remember?"
"Oh, yeah, but we could go tonight and, you know, scope out the joint." Emma gripped the bar top until her knuckles turned white. Ruby sneered, flashing her brilliant teeth.
Regina felt the tension sweep over the trio, "Swan, we'll eat together tomorrow. Ruby and I are—"
"I get it." Emma snapped before sprinting out of the bar, slamming the door with unwarranted force causing the glass to shatter. Regina gasped harshly, covering her mouth with both hands. Ruby shook her head in disbelief as the bartender ran to inspect the damage.
"Son of a bitch. Who do I call when the Sheriff destroys my property?" The bartender, Quasimodo, scratched his head. Regina stood quickly and approached the hunchback.
"May I?" The sorceress pointed at the glass littering the floor. The man nodded and took several steps back. Regina lifted her hand slowly, allowing her magic to flow from her fingers. The glass floated upward and in a flash, tethered itself back together and into its proper place.
"Oh thank you, your majesty!" The hunchback smiled widely. Regina accepted his handshake.
"Please call me Regina. I am no longer a queen." Quasimodo nodded swiftly before leading her back to her seat.
"Order whatever you'd like ladies! It's on the house!" Ruby chuckled, tilting her head in order to inspect the former queen better. Regina humbly returned the laughter.
The diner was deserted. It was 9:00 am on a Monday and all the civilians were too busy to chow down on bear claws and cheap coffee. That was fine by Ruby. It gave her time to daydream about her… girlfriend? Regina and Ruby had gone out every night after the bar debacle, except for the night that Regina promised Henry pizza. It turned out that Emma didn't show up. She dropped Henry off and sped away.
The blonde was avoiding the two brunettes. She would come to the diner during Ruby's breaks and would exchange the teenager with Regina but avoid any and all conversation. It was pissing Ruby off. Not because Emma and her had been close but because Emma was Regina's best friend. The rejection was stinging the older brunette, even if she would attempt to hide it.
The bell chimed to reveal the beautiful mayor, "Hey! What're you doing here?"
"I finished my paperwork and had no meetings," Regina smirked, "So, I thought I give myself a little treat."
Regina leaned over the counter top and placed a sweet kiss onto Ruby's lips causing the release of a small moan. Ruby's eyebrows lifted as a smirk settled on her lips, "Just a little treat?"
Regina chuckled, smiling conspiratorially, "Where's Granny?"
"She stayed at the B&B, didn't feel well," The wolf smirked, "Why?"
"No reason," Regina snickered as she pulled Ruby from behind the counter by her apron straps, "Did you miss me, Pup?"
"You have no idea," Ruby ran her long fingers down Regina's back until she reached a round rump, squeezing roughly, and lifting the older woman slightly. Regina hissed seductively.
"Jesus, people eat here," The two brunettes yelped while jumping apart. Emma scrunched up her nose in disgust, "Can't you two keep it in your pants for five seconds? No one wants to see that shit."
"Your usual?" Ruby sighed, exasperated by Emma's attitude. Regina backed onto the stool at the counter top, her eyes never leaving the blondes.
"Yeah, nix the side of PDA please." Ruby rolled her eyes before practically sprinting to the kitchen. Regina looked away from the savior after a few moments, choosing to focus on the counter top pattern. She began tracing the imperfections with her finger. She had no idea what was wrong with the blonde. She was ignoring her and Regina couldn't figure it out. Was it the rejection of pizza that night? That couldn't be it. Although it was debatable, Emma wasn't that childish.
"So that's what get's your motor running, huh?" Emma asked coldly. The blonde's leg was bouncing causing the booth to squeak. The sound was irritatingly high pitched.
"I'm having a good time. She's been very good to me," She heard Emma scoff, "Okay, what's going on?"
"Nothing, I—"
"Emma, please, I'm not an idiot. What's going on? Are you uncomfortable with my relationship with Ruby?"
"Regina—"
"Because I can end it before anyone gets in too deep," Emma gaped at her friend, "Emma you are so important to me… and Henry! If you don't approve, I could find someone else. I understand that it's a bit strange for you because she's your godmother and she's Snow's best friend. Is that why you're avoiding me?"
Emma felt guilt building in her gut. She whispered, "No, that's not why I'm avoiding you."
"So you are? Avoiding me, that is?" Emma nodded slowly before making her way to the stool next to Regina.
"I need to tell you something but I'm terrified for so many damn reasons." Emma leaned her elbows onto the counter, rubbing her eyes with her palms.
"You can tell me," Regina let out an amused breath, "It can't be bigger than my last announcement."
"You'd be surprised—"
"Order up!" Ruby shouted from Emma's vacated booth before making a show of dumping the plate onto the tabletop. The door of the diner was ripped open suddenly, causing all three occupants to jump.
"Love!" Killian sauntered into the diner, immediately placing himself practically on top of Emma. He reeked of alcohol… at 9:30 am.
"Killian—" Emma placed her hand on his chest, attempting to push him away.
"Swan, you've barely said two words to me all week. I was starting to worry." Regina sighed, standing rapidly and making her way towards Ruby. She placed her hands on her muscular hips and a soft, lingering kiss onto the waitress's lips. She whispered her goodbye, stating that she had work to do, which Ruby knew was a lie.
"I'll see you later?" Ruby whispered softly, only for Regina's ears. The mayor nodded, giving the wolf a small smile before walking out. Ruby watched Killian wrap his arm around Emma's shoulder. She frowned. Is that why Regina ran out of the diner as if it were on fire? Did Regina like Emma too?
"Killian, I've been busy. I have a job and a teenager. Please understand." Emma sighed, subconsciously leaning away from the pirate.
"Aye, I understand but I'd like to state my concern anyway."
"Duly noted."
The white mansion looked grand and picturesque in the pink and orange evening sky, Ruby noted as she walked towards the building. She knew that she had to ask Regina about her theories. It was causing a nervous knot to rumble in her chest. She didn't want to impose or be nosy but if she was going to continue their relationship, she didn't want any secrets. She reached the front porch to see Regina already waiting for her.
"Hello, Pup," Regina sealed their lips together, releasing with a pop, "Come in. Dinner will be ready soon."
Ruby followed her into the study, taking the glass of apple cider offered, "Gina, come here."
The wolf patted the plush seat adjacent to hers. Regina smiled seductively before straddling Ruby's thighs. The mayor looked so exquisite in her tight, black dress and red heels. It almost made Ruby forget her inquiry.
"I need to ask you something, sweetness," Ruby stroked Regina's cheek lovingly. Regina grabbed her wrist; placing a sweet kiss onto her pulse point, "Do you like Emma?"
Regina smiled shyly, "Of course. She and I have come a long way. I consider her a great friend, even if we've hit a bit of a rough patch right now."
"No, sweetness," Ruby whispered, afraid that a fireball was going to be thrown in her direction and singe off her eyebrows, "Do you like Emma in a non-platonic way?"
Regina seemed breathless before chuckling sarcastically, "Of course n—"
"Don't lie to me… please." Ruby pleaded, caressing the woman's cheek with the pad of her thumb. Regina's eyes watered without her consent. Ruby's thumb caught each traitorous drop before it could ruin her counter parts makeup.
"How did you know?" Regina whispered sympathetically. Ruby lowered her eyes dejectedly.
"I heard everything… at the diner… and the way you automatically reacted to Killian's presence."
"I'm—"
"Don't apologize. You can't help it. Love is fucked up like that." Regina shook her head causing the soft waves to bounce.
"I've had feelings for her for a long time but I can't have her so I want to move on and, Ruby, believe me when I tell you that I like you a lot. I really do. We can be happy together. You make me happy."
"Sweetness, I think she may love you too," Regina gnawed her bottom lip, chuckling darkly, "I know you think it's impossible but I'm telling you because I've noticed things, okay? She's so jealous of me. She wants to be in my position."
"Pup, there's nothing there. She loves Killian." Ruby shook her head.
"Look, I don't wan to break up because you make me happy but I want you to see what I see. Look at her face when we're together. She used to be a friend, now she hates me. What's changed other than our relationship?"
"Ruby, I don't want to hurt you and I'm not going to use you to try to make Emma jealous, which is preposterous because Emma doesn't care for me in that way. I want to continue seeing you because I like you and enjoy spending time with you. I'll get over her and, in a blink, I'll be head over heels in love with you, you'll see!" Ruby passionately kissed her. It saddened her to see Regina seem so desperate. Who was she trying to convince: Ruby or herself?
Emma slammed the apartment door in Killian's face, not allowing him entry. The man was nipping at her heels like a Lost Boy. It was irritating her to no end. She knew she was being unfair. In the past, she encouraged his puppy dog routine but after realizing how deep her feelings for Regina went, everything he did aggravated her.
"Swan! What's going on?" Hook yelled through the door.
"Go home Killian!" Emma yelled back, pounding her palm against the wood. The reverberations burst through Killian's eardrum, which had been sitting on the door in order to catch any sound from the apartment.
"Ah, mate! Is it something I did?" Emma banged on the door repeatedly until, "All right! All right! Message received!"
"It's about fucking time!" Emma shouted. Snow appeared from her bedroom.
"Emma, what's going on? Was that Hook?"
"Unfortunately." Emma stormed into the kitchen, swiping an apple and taking a gigantic bite. Snow's eyes widened at her daughter's attitude and antics but decided not to question her further and turned back to baby Neal. Emma strolled to the couch, swiped the remote from the side table, and switched on the television. Snow checked the time.
"Sweetheart, shouldn't you be at the station? Regina was complaining about Charming's grammar and she said she wanted you to write out the reports." Emma shivered at her name.
"She's too picky. I'll deal with her later." Snow chuckled.
"No one simply deals with Regina Mills." Snow lifted the baby into her arms.
"I want to." Emma whispered, going unheard.