Emma sucked at the salt on the rim of her glass, letting the coarse grains bite at her taste buds until she couldn't take it and washed them down with a gulp of her margarita, the smoky tequila and lime's sweetness amplified by the brine on her tongue. The drink was good, if she said so herself since it was her own recipe. The secret to the perfect margarita was fresh-squeezed orange juice.
Mary Margret and Ruby laughed at something that happened on the screen and the blonde realized she had been staring at her cup again. Emma tried to redirect her attention to the television that was currently playing The Princess Bride. It had been one of the only movies all three women could agree on from Mary Margret's dated collection, which was also predominantly rated PG and under. She contained a sigh.
It wasn't that the hanging out with her two friends wasn't fun per se. Before they started the movie they giggled over pizza and then Emma introduced them to her margaritas. Her roommate might be a better cook than her but she knew her way around alcohol better than most having worked plenty of bartending jobs over the years. Both the schoolteacher and the waitress quickly became buzzed and giddy on her concoction. They were in wonder of the fiery liquor blossoming in their stomachs, spreading pleasantly all the way to their fingertips, and making them feel as though they were floating on air. Sometimes Emma felt as though she stepped back in time here. It went beyond the fact that everything seemed like it hadn't been updated since the 80's from the products that lined the shelves at the grocery to her computer at work to Mary Margret's rotary phone. It was like everyone had been frozen and forgotten how to live their lives. She could see why Henry created his delusion that she needed to bring happy endings back to the town.
Mary Margret remembered herself first, realizing that she was rapidly losing control of her facilities and tomorrow was still a school day. With a few hiccups and teetering about, she eventually got them settled in front of the television to watch the film after a bit of good-natured arguing. Emma had previously only seen her roommate drink a glass of white wine or two before bed, and usually woken up with a headache. The sheriff cringed to think what three margaritas would do to her the next morning. She glanced around Ruby, who was wolfing down the popcorn, to inspect the shorthaired woman. Her eyes were glassy with unshed tears, it would figure she would be an emotional drunk, and she mouthed along with the dialogue as Wesley and Princess Buttercup professed their undying love for one another. Comically Mary Margaret's mouth tried to find her straw, missing a few times before she could slurp up her drink.
Emma thankfully recognized the movie was almost over. She found a new patch of salt to suck upon in attempts to distract herself from where her thoughts really wanted to wander. Instead she thought about her meeting with Mr. Tillman. Already running a little late, she rushed over in her cruiser to a quaint ranch style house in the modest area of town. The home was small and a bit shabby but it was mostly clean. Michael had even put in the extra effort to put on a wrinkled dress shirt and shaved based on the fresh knick she spotted in his face. Ava and Nick were staying in a room together that had apparently been some sort of entertainment room for the single bachelor. Sports pendants hung on the walls and the miniature basketball hoop, nice but vintage speaker set, and lazy-boy armchair were pushed into a corner to make room for a couple twin sized beds with mismatched blankets. The occupants in the residence were still awkward and new with each other, the children standing tightly together and their estranged dad hovering at his distance from the pair. But Emma could see they were trying so hard to make it work.
The kids were striving to be well-behaved and agreeable, opposite of the thieving, ornery children she'd first met. The father was quick and apologetic to fix things she noticed were amiss. When she asked where the kids' toothbrushes were, noticing only one in the bathroom, they shrugged and shuffled their feet, telling her they'd just been using their fingers and paste. Michael turned bright red and horrified at the essential item he had missed, nearly running out to the pharmacy that second to rectify it. She had assured him, telling him it was all right, and they could survive another few hours with the brushes. She knew it would take time for them to start communicating their needs and wants to each other when for the time being they were just trying to get along.
It was a tentative start but Emma could see the makings of a family under the low-slung roof. She'd seen it in foster care. Her playmates would slowly but surely start connecting with a family, the shy smiles and uncertain laughter turning into the real thing. At first, she wondered when it would be her turn, but as the years added up she came to realize she couldn't trust anyone and closed herself off completely. If she'd had a chance, somewhere along the line she had missed it, but not the Tillman's. They had this precious fresh start with one another, and they cherished in it. Sure, she knew there would be times of yelling and tension but also the laughter and hopefully love that would follow. She left them together and relieved with her seal of approval but also scheduled another visit to see how they progressed further in the future.
She had spent longer there than she intended so by the time she got home Mary Margaret was already sitting up at the breakfast bar and chirping at her about pizza toppings. Emma had nearly groaned in frustration as it threw a wrench in her plans. She'd hoped that she would be able to get some alone time in the apartment to take care of herself to put in gently. The issue that she tried so carefully to avoid came flooding to the forefront in the way of images of Regina specifically from the unprecedented, indulgent afternoon they spent together.
She shifted in her seat, pressing her thighs together as the enticing throb between them went unattended. When Regina messaged her for one of their evening rendezvous, she instinctual wanted to text back with her usual affirmative response. But remembering her promise to have a girl's night with Mary Margaret and Ruby she was filled with disappointment she wouldn't be able to see the mayor. She sulked through her shift at the station, unable to think of anything besides missing out on the time she could have had with her. Then the idea struck her that she could easily swing by the mayor's office. Town hall had minimal staff, mostly because Regina was a control freak and partially because people were too intimidated to work for her. However, it left the building often vacant, perfect for her to sneak in unnoticed for the slightly nefarious scheme she was dreaming up.
The dutiful sheriff tried hard to dismiss the feeling that was pulling her towards the lovely brunette but in the end she couldn't resist. She breezed out of the station with a quick pit stop by her apartment to change her undergarments to complete the fantasy and god had it been fantastic.
Regina looked at her ravenously and the few skating touches she indulged in were light, near reverent that set her nerve ending on fire. Emma wasn't there to be simply observed though. She descended on the woman with conviction, drawing the pleasure out of her, and taking pleasure in it. Everything about Regina pulled her in, like a helpless moth to a flame she kept going back for more. The sounds she emitted, her infinite softness, and her taste float to the forefront of her mind. Her breathing hitched and she could feel her cheeks flush pink. She really needed to think of something else. She down the rest of her beverage hoping to drown out her thoughts. She couldn't be more relieved to see the credits begin to roll.
Mary Margaret predictably gave a romantic sigh, "I love a good happy ending."
"Me too." Ruby stretched her long limbs and read the time on her wristwatch. "Ugh, it's getting late. I should go. I've got to be up at 6:00 for the breakfast crowd."
"You don't have time for another one?" The teacher had apparently already forgotten she herself had to up in the morning for school as well.
"No, but let's do this again soon. I'll catch you ladies later."
"Alright, get home safe." Mary Margaret called after her.
"Night Ruby." Emma waved to her retreating form. The door clicked shut leaving the two roommates to themselves. The tipsy woman gave her a tequila-laced smile, climbing across the couch to be closer to her.
"So what did you think of the movie?"
"You know I've seen it before. It's been out for over twenty years." She laughed.
"I know that." The brunette gave her arm a playful swat. "I mean don't you just think it's so romantic."
"Yeah sure, but it's so unrealistic. Life just isn't like that. It doesn't tie up into a neat little package at the end."
"You don't think we all have that one special person out there?" She asked wistfully.
"Not really." She indifferently stirred her leftover ice cubes. When Mary Margaret didn't respond, she glanced over to see the woman looking positively anguished, her eyes misting over and lower lip practically trembling. Her stomach lurched at the sight.
"What's wrong?"
"Oh Emma… that's just so sad." Her head fell forward onto her shoulder and she sniffled pitifully. The blonde awkwardly patted her back.
"Er… It's alright." Emma soothed her unconvincingly. "I'm probably wrong. There might be love out there for everybody."
"No, I'm going to die alone." She wailed suddenly. "The man… the man I'm supposed to be with is already taken. How can that be? How can fate mess up that much?"
Instantly she knew they were talking about David, the coma patient turned amnesia patient and now reluctant husband to Kathryn Nolan. No matter how many times she cautioned the woman against getting emotionally attached to the married man, she seemed driven by some destructive force within her to sabotage her own happiness. Emma wanted to warn her again but she sighed feeling more sympathetic tonight. "You never know. Maybe it will all work out. And if not with David, I'm sure there is someone out there for you. You'll… find each other."
"You think so?" Her watery eyes blinked up at her.
"Yeah, I think so." She smiled kindly and Mary Margaret smiled back with bright optimism that Emma didn't think she could ever possess. She was glad when the brunette rested her head back on her shoulder so she wouldn't have to endure the blinding positivity any longer.
"I'm so glad we could hang out tonight. I feel like you haven't been around much lately." She slurred.
"Me too. I guess I'm still getting used to my new responsibilities at work." She offered the flimsy excuse. Her complicated relationship with Regina remained a secret between them for reasons that Emma had avoided to analyze. Her roomie hummed in recognition seemingly placated by the statement.
"That's great. So proud…" She trailed off and not a moment later she felt the woman start to twitch slightly a tell tale sign she was falling asleep. Emma chuckled ruefully suddenly finding herself a human body pillow and giving up on satisfying any of her needs for the evening. She decided to let her roommate drunkenly doze against her for a while longer; thinking of how tonight had been nice. It was hard to explain but Mary Margaret was the first person she felt really comfortable with since she got out of prison. She was just beginning to be able to admit that it felt something like family.
Still as nice as this was, her heart tugged in her chest, wishing she were next to Regina listening to her breathing evening out and feeling the heat radiating off her skin. Sometimes she pretended that she belonged there, that she wouldn't have to creep back into the chilled night and instead she could wrap herself around the woman and it would be safe and warm. It was a terrifying thought for someone who had given up on trying to find a place where she belonged.