Why can't he find us something to do for three weeks rather than just sit here?
Emma outwardly scoffed as she flicked a piece of paper off the table. It had been boring sitting in the same spot she was the previous day with absolutely nothing to do. Mr. Gold had said that they should catch up on homework as they wait, but naturally, Emma didn't have any. She usually sped through any class work inside of class so she wouldn't have to bother taking any of it home. The other option was a book to read and, sure, that would have been no problem at all if the blonde hadn't finished the last pages in the first five minutes after her arrival.
Which had also reminded her, she needed to return the three books that she had borrowed from Regina and replace them with the next three books in the series.
She sighed and slumped down in her seat, sticking her hands in her sweater's pockets, letting her fingers idle. They grazed over the sleek surface of her cell phone, then soon passed over the plastic of her mechanical pencil and ended up fumbling with a piece of paper.
Paper?
Emma blinked and pulled that paper out of her pocket. It was a slightly crumpled up pass paper. She merely shrugged it off, believing that it was an old pass that a teacher never took, but upon further inspection, she had noticed that there was something written on it – and not the usual excuse words. It was a number.
It was Regina's number from when the brunette teacher had given it to her a couple weeks ago. For some reason, she had never thrown the scrap away. But that did give her an idea to pass the time.
Careful not to let anyone see, she quickly slipped the phone from her pocket and hid it slightly underneath the table. Jefferson and Victor were both too busy not doing what they were supposed to, so they never took notice. And Emma didn't want them to. They'd probably tell the principal who, at the moment, was in his office.
The blonde woke her phone and went straight to the contacts menu to find Regina's number, then selected the new message button.
Hey, I hope I'm not bothering you.
Emma quickly pressed send and stuffed her phone back into her pocket. As she waited for her phone to vibrate in response, she leaned back against the plastic chair once again and sighed. It was still rather boring sitting here, doing nothing. But at least she had something to look forward to now, as she waited for a response from her teacher.
She let her mind wander at the thought of the brunette woman and Boston. Emma had tried not to think about it all day, but whenever she wasn't occupied with work, her mind immediately went to that date they were supposed to have, and then her brain began to panic over the thought. Like, how was she going to come up with an adequate excuse to go to Boston when it was with her teacher – or so Mary Margaret would think – since Regina was her girlfriend?
There were many possibilities – most involved using one of her friends – for an excuse. Ruby would be working at the diner, or else Emma would have picked the brunette waitress. That would be a more excusable reason, seeing as to how she had her own car. But Mary Margaret frequented the diner and usually had dates with David there, especially when Emma was staying the night with a friend. So, that meant Ruby was not going to be a liable cover for this weekend.
There was Belle, but she didn't have a car, and everyone knew that her father wouldn't let the brunette teenager borrow his van and he sure as hell wouldn't take them to Boston. It would have been more plausible if Emma were to be going with both of her friends, since Ruby had her car and Belle would be able to tag along.
With those facts on the table, that had ruled both of her friends out as a cover to go to the large city. Unfortunately, that left the blonde with very few options and her date with Regina was looking quite grim. How was she going to tell Regina that she could not come up with an excuse to go to Boston with her?
Then her phone buzzed inside her pocket and a smile immediately spread across her lips. Even when her thoughts were going into a downward spiral, any peep from the brunette just lifted her spirits. But then the thought of Regina and Boston sent a rock to the pit of her stomach.
Hello, dear! I'm sorry I was unable to reply right away; I was grading a few papers. You aren't bothering me any. I honestly need a break. Are you having fun in… Aren't you in detention?
Yes, I am. Shh… I'm a bad girl, I know. ;)
Emma smirked and hit send. It wasn't long before she received a message back which had made an even larger smile break out on her face.
You sure are a naughty girl, aren't you?
You just might have to show me my wrongdoings.
Then you shall receive your punishment tomorrow night, Miss Swan.
Emma couldn't help but to gawk at the screen of her phone, the message never leaving the blonde's sight as she reread the words several times over. What the hell did that mean, exactly? Was she insinuating something sexual? Emma really needed to find a solution to her problem because she sure as hell wasn't going to pass something like that up.
About that, I don't have an excuse to tell MM so I can go to Boston.
She bit her lip and hit send. She knew that she could have continued the little charade as they had before, but really, there would be no game if she didn't try to work this out with Regina first. It was something that needed to be done, especially considering that she might just be leaving in a little over twenty-four hours.
Perhaps Regina would be more level-headed and able to come up with a better solution than Emma had that wouldn't end in total failure. As she waited for the reply, Emma looked around the room for a moment. That's when she noticed Jefferson staring at her with narrowed eyes and an angry scowl. Wonderful.
Emma offered him a sneer in return before turning her body to check her phone after it had buzzed to life once again with another message. Oh, good gods, did she hope that he wasn't watching her right now under suspicion because she really couldn't afford getting her phone taken away.
Don't you have a friend that lives up in Boston? Graham, is it?
Upon reading that message, the blonde wanted to hit herself. She very nearly forgot about Graham who lives in Boston.
You. Are. A. Fucking. Genius.
Emma refrained from ditching detention to run down the hallways to Regina's room whilst screaming "I love you!" at the top of her lungs.
Well, I certainly am flattered, dear. Thank you.
Don't thank me. You're the like the missing piece of my puzzle, because without you, my brain would be in shambles.
Emma grinned and chuckled at her cheesy line. Why the hell did she just say that? At least she hadn't gone the other route and made it much mushier: … because without you, my life would not be complete.
Her phone buzzed once again and she looked down, only to smile like an idiot at the device.
Without you, my dear adhesive, my heart would be in shambles.
It was simple yet dealt layers of meaning that Emma was trying to comprehend.
Have I really helped mend your heart? I know you've helped me…
Emma closed her eyes, her thumb hovering over the send button. Should she really send that? Should she risk whatever conversation that might ensue after sending such a message? Would their conversation become much deeper and serious than it had started? She decided to take the risk and hit send.
"Emma's got her phone out!" The blonde blinked and looked up to see Victor smirking at her as his friend stared into Mr. Gold's office after screaming that out.
"Shut the fuck up, you tattle tale." Emma snarled, shoving her phone into her pocket as Mr. Gold came out of his office, a brow quirked at the blonde trying to sit innocently in her spot. But, of course, that stare that he gave her made the teenager squirm in her seat.
"Is this true, Miss Nolan?" The short man limped over to her, his cane supporting his weight with each stride. "Did you have your cellphone out? I hope you do know that is not a part of the rules, dearie."
"Yeah…" Emma chose not to lie, knowing that it would only make the situation far worse. "I had nothing else to do."
"You know that I must take that away from you." His hand extended; his eyes were cold as he stared almost unseeing at the blonde.
"Sorry," she feebly mumbled, digging the phone out of her pocket, which so happened to vibrate with a new message from the brunette teacher.
She was relieved that she hadn't used Regina's name for the contact, instead she chose to go with a few smiley faces. It would remain anonymous if anyone were to happen upon her cell phone, even though Emma was usually quite adamant about keeping the device on her person. And she was cautious not to use Regina's name while texting her, because who would only know what would happen if the principal scrolled through her messages and saw what she was writing? Luckily, she had a lock on her phone, but that was beside the point.
"Thank you," he grumbled, taking the small device with eyes gracing over the lit-up screen. "You shall receive this back at four. Now, find something to occupy yourself with." And with that, he turned around to limp back to his office.
When Emma found her eyes sliding over to the boys, she held back an eyeroll. They were snickering to each other, of course. They were only petulant boys that got their entertainment out of something so stupid, she reminded herself, deciding not to bother giving them the satisfaction.
The blonde turned her gaze to the clock above her table and sighed with disbelief. She still had a half hour. Half an hour of doing absolutely nothing. And she knew that Regina had messaged her back with who knows what response. Oh, gods, she hoped that she wouldn't get mad at her for not being able to reply. Maybe she would still be there after detention was over with? She could go pay her favorite teacher a visit and apologize profusely for her own insolence.
Well, perhaps this would give her the time to think over her plan. She needed to find and practice her excuse to tell Mary Margaret.
At least the time hadn't gone by as agonizingly slow as Emma had originally anticipated. Mr. Gold was out of his office in no time with Emma's cell phone in hand and a cane in the other.
"Alright, you are all free to go. Do have a good weekend." His words were a little too forced.
It wasn't long before the principal hobbled over to the blonde with her phone extended in his hand. But before Emma could grab it, he lifted the device out of her reach. "And you, Miss Nolan, I certainly do hope that you plan to keep all electronic devices at home or in your bag. Next time I catch wind of a certain blonde with a cell phone, I will not hesitate to confiscate it. Am I making myself clear?"
"Yes." The blonde nodded, receiving her phone when he had finally handed it to her. "I won't use it again."
"Good. Thank you." Mr. Gold's lips curled into an unpleasant smile before he turned to head back to the principal's office but stopped halfway there and spoke in a bone chilling tone. "I do recommend that you leave your device on silent. The constant vibrations threw my concentration. Thank you."
Wait, her phone had been going off? And possibly more than once considering the man's agitation. Without a second thought, Emma checked her phone as she stood, slinging her bag over her shoulder. She had planned on quickly dropping by Ms. Mills' room in hopes to apologize for not responding to the message.
The first message was in reply to the one that Emma had sent just before the phone was confiscated, and that had made the blonde just swoon.
Yes, you have, my dear, more than you will ever know. I never thought that I would be able to feel this way for another person, but you have brought so much out of me, Emma Swan. You say I have helped you, as well? Do you feel the same?
It was quite sweet what she had said, and it brought those bothersome tears to her eyes once more.
It's quite alright if you do not feel the same. I just… I had to get that off my chest.
I must apologize, Emma. Here I am rambling and you're in detention. I'll leave you to your own device and talk to you later.
The blonde had shoved her phone into her pocket without a response and chose to quickly guide her feet to the English teacher's classroom. She really wished that she hadn't been caught – or at least that Jefferson didn't snitch her out on it. Wasn't it enough payback by punching her?
Emma was by Regina's classroom in minutes, slightly panting from her haste. But much to her disdain, upon further inspection, she had noticed that Ms. Mills wasn't even in the room. It was completely dark inside and after trying the handle, Emma concluded that she wasn't enjoying the dark because the door was locked.
Emma sighed and pressed her back against the door as she pulled her phone from her pocket.
Would the brunette even respond to her? And would she if Emma were to call?
It was a chance that the blonde was willing to take, for she brought the cellular device up to her ear after dialing the older woman's number.
The other line immediately went to voicemail.
Emma frowned deeply at the sound of the automated system. Gods, did she hope that she hadn't screwed things up. What was she to do now? She really did need to communicate with the brunette, especially if there were to be something tomorrow. She hadn't spent an hour fretting over the subject just to let it go so quickly.
The only logical solution was to go to Regina's house. Sure, it was quite risky and not to mention odd, but she needed to, and she remembered where it was. Pushing herself away from the door, Emma marched down the halls to leave the school.
It wasn't long before she found the sidewalk and began trace the path to Regina's house. Unfortunately, it was freezing, and Emma was only wearing her hooded sweatshirt – which didn't necessarily protect her much from the bitter cold wind. She had been out here less than five minutes and she was already regretting the decision to walk.
The snow that seeped into Emma's shoes upon impact had chilled her already aching feet. Every part of her hurt from the frosty air the more she pressed forward. She would be lucky if she could speak upon her arrival, because she was sure that her entire body had turned into a human vibrator.
Emma could have wept when she saw the familiar manor come into view. She crossed one street and she was there, nearly sprinting to the door in relief. Snow flung itself around her feet as more matted into her blonde mane from the sky. She was about to sob when she saw that familiar black Benz parked outside, looking all shiny and spectacular. That had meant that she was home, and that Emma hadn't frozen her rump off for nothing.
Running as fast as her aching and frozen muscles could take her, Emma approached the door and knocked rapidly upon the white surface. Boy, did she hope that Regina would answer the door. Emma was about five seconds away from knocking it down and running into the fireplace to thaw out.
Then, the door tentatively inched open along with the appearance of Regina's face, a look of utter shock and surprise in those brown eyes as she saw the condition of the blonde on her front porch.
"Emma?" She whispered. "What are you- What are you doing here?"
"I-I… I c-came to ex-explain." The blonde managed to utter through chattering teeth.
It had only taken a few moments before Regina had realized Emma's state, and once she had, Emma was inside with her shoes and hoodie stripped, a pair of fuzzy socks on her feet and several thick blankets draped around her shoulders. The idea of Regina having a pair of such socks would have made Emma laugh if she wasn't too busy trying to fight hypothermia.
"Here's some hot cocoa, dear." The brunette teacher carefully handed over the black mug of steaming cocoa, a light smile on her face. "I had noticed that you ordered cinnamon with it at Granny's, so I took the liberty to add some for you. I hope you enjoy it."
"I-I will, very much. Th-thank you." Emma offered her a smile as she took the mug, nearly moaning at its warmth as it soaked into her hands. She quickly took a sip and closed her eyes. "That's good," she purred, enjoying the warmth spreading throughout her being.
"You're welcome, honey," the brunette whispered, occupying the spot next to her.
"Regina, I-I need to talk to you." Emma shivered, pulling the blankets tighter against her. Perhaps it wasn't such a wise idea to walk over here in probably below zero temperatures. "About the text that you sent me. I wasn't able to look at it because Mr. Gold took my phone. I tried to call you, but it went to voicemail, and I thought… I thought you were angry at me."
"No, sweetie. I'm not angry with you. My phone died shortly before I left the school." Regina frowned and wrapped her arms tightly around Emma; the new source of heat felt wonderful on the blonde's still shivering form.
"Oh," the blonde murmured, a soft smile on her lips at the reassurance. "Jefferson told him, or else I would have been able to tell you that- that I feel the same. I think I probably told you at some point, you know… I don't know what I say and what I don't anymore."
Emma leaned into Regina, blinking slightly when the brunette tried to lift her up. Obliging to whatever silent request, Emma lifted her bottom off the couch and moved to where the older woman was guiding her, which had her ending up on the brunette teacher's lap with arms coiled tightly around her waist. The blonde smiled warmly and wrapped one arm around Regina's neck while the other still held her mug on her legs, then lay her head on the brunette's shoulder.
"Do you know how sweet you are, Regina?" Her words were a near-whisper as the hand draped around Regina played with her raven locks.
"Oh, honey, really, now. There's no need." The brunette turned her gaze to lock in with Emma's, brown eyes were wide and filled with an emotion that squeezed the blonde's heart.
"Of course, there is, Regina. That meant a lot to me. And, honestly, I don't know how to handle it." Emma shrunk against the brunette's small frame, her grip slightly tightening as she watched the tears start to glisten in Regina's chestnut eyes. "I mean, I can't promise anything, really. I can't promise that I won't screw up. I can't promise that I won't hurt you. I can't promise anything, but I hope that's not a turn-off for you, and if it is, I understand if you want to just turn away."
"Why on Earth would I want to do that, Emma?" Regina gently tucked a loose piece of hair behind Emma's ear, a watery smile on her full lips. "I believe that I had said this before, and I shall state it again, I will not give you up that easily. No one is perfect, darling, we all have our bad sides." She looked away; eyes focused on something across the room. "I do, too," she croaked after a moment of silence. "Will you back away?"
"No," was the blonde's immediate response. "I would never."
"I see," she said, and that was all she said for another extended period of silence. Emma watched as olive fingers played with honeyed locks, twisting and twirling the strands around each digit. "About tomorrow, my dear, have you thought of an adequate excuse?"
"Yeah, I think so." The blonde shifted slightly on the older woman's lap, trying to be as carefully as possible so she wouldn't hurt her. "I was just gonna say Graham wanted to show me around Boston as my late birthday present."
"Oh?" Regina blinked, a slow grin spreading on her lips. "That sounds good."
"It's wrong." Emma muttered. "But anything's worth hanging out with you."
"If you believe so, my dear." The teenager smirked when she saw a light pink dusting the teacher's cheeks a pretty hue.
"Of course, Regina." Emma shrugged and dared to press a bold kiss to the older woman's cheek. "Besides, a real date would be nice. We've technically been dating for, like, three weeks."
"You're the sweet one, Emma." Regina purred, tilting her head to return the kiss to the blonde's own cheek. But then her lips moved, trailing light pecks across the expanse of pale skin until they ended on the corner of Emma's mouth.
Emma, on the other hand, sat rigid on the brunette's lap. Her breath had become short as her heart seemed to skip a few beats when it sped up.
"I like you a lot, Emma." The brunette teacher breathlessly confided, her lips hovering mere inches above Emma's.
"I like you a lot, too, Regina," Emma softly replied.
Every thought dissipated when she felt soft lips press against her own.
Emma's eyes drifted shut as she let the world around her fade away and enjoyed the pleasant bumps breaking out over her skin. This woman could make Emma float on a cloud with just this simple, sweet kiss, and stir so much more inside of the blonde. Everything was perfect with her, even when they had pulled apart when the kiss had come to a natural end, a perfect end.
"Do you know how beautiful you are, Emma?" Regina smiled, licking her lips.
The blonde's eyebrows shot up to her hairline from the sudden compliment, but that didn't stop the blush that soon crept onto her pale cheeks. "You're really too sweet, Regina…"
"Sweetness has nothing to do with it. You deserve every wonderful compliment that I can give you." The brunette teacher's voice was a low hum as she tenderly ran her fingers through Emma's blonde locks. "Like how I love your hair. It reminds me of honey, for some reason. And it's soft and silky. I often find myself wanting to just bury my face in it."
"What?" Emma blinked. "You-"
"I'm sorry. Was that too much?"
"Not at all." The blonde shrugged and bit her lower lip, letting her fingers lightly graze across Regina's shoulder. "Just so long as I can tell you how much I love to touch you. Your skin, I mean. It's like velvet, you know? You must use some nice moisturizer, because I often find myself fantasizing over touching your skin."
"My skin?" Regina couldn't stop the blush on her cheeks. "I do use good moisturizer."
"I knew it." Emma chirped. "Promise I'm not Buffalo Bill."
The brunette chuckled softly. "At least it does not get the hose, again."
"I would never hose you," she said, earning another chuckle from her teacher before silence met the two.
"Hey, uh, Regina? I needed to ask you something. I know that it's kind of random." Emma shifted once again on the brunette woman's lap, her fingers anxiously playing with a stray lock of her hair.
"What is it, dear?"
"What did you- What did you want to do when we get to Boston? I mean, it would be kind of pointless to only go there for dinner so late at night, and especially when Mary Margaret would think I'd be visiting Graham. She'd probably think I'd at least stay the night or something. I mean, I'm not really trying to say anything. I-I was just curious." She elaborated, then added quietly, "And your text to me was a bit suggestive."
"Oh, right. You are correct, Emma." The brunette purred softly. "Perhaps we could rent a hotel room to stay in for the night and pick up brunch before we leave?"
"A hotel room?" Emma's eyes widened at the suggestion.
"Yes. I could get us one with two beds if you wish."
"Two?"
"If you are uncomfortable with sleeping in the same bed as me, I mean."
"O-one would be enough. I don't mind." Emma smiled shyly and, before Regina could see her face, she buried it in the older woman's hair. "Is it official, though? I would have to tell Mary Margaret about it."
"Yes. I can book a hotel room tonight." The brunette chuckled softly at the blonde's actions and playfully pinched her sides. "That is, if you feel inclined to come out of your hiding place before then."
"But I like it here," Emma mumbled against Regina's hair. "Your hair smells like apples. And it's soft." And to prove just that, she inhaled deeply and giggled.
"Well, I am certainly glad to hear that." The older woman smiled softly and squeezed the blonde tighter against her. "But you do know that you'll come out of there soon. You must tell your mother some time, yes?"
"Nah, I think I'll just let her continue believing I'm straight." Emma did, though, moving away from Regina's hair to gaze down at the brunette with a mirthful smile.
The bewildered look on Regina's face made the blonde laugh, and boy, laugh she did. Emma had ended up falling off the brunette's lap and hit the floor with a thud, but that hadn't fazed her as she continued to guffaw in memory of the face that was given in response to her statement.
"Emma! Are you alright, darling?" Emma heard rustling from above her, but she didn't give it any mind. She was in tears, unable to catch her breath. Why she thought it was so funny, she would never know. And the burning on her legs from the spilled hot chocolate went unnoticed.
That was, until Regina had pulled the blonde into a sitting position on the floor, in which amused green met with concerned brown. It had taken a few deep breaths and couple of suppressed giggles until Emma had finally calmed enough to realized where the hell she was and why the hell her legs felt as if they were on fire.
"Are you alright, Emma?" Regina repeated, her eyes wide and wild with worry. "You took a hard fall, and the cocoa didn't stay in the cup."
"That's because it's on my legs." Emma gestured to her jeans, which were dark with spilled hot cocoa. "My ass hurts a little bit, or else, I'm okay."
"Take your pants off."
"And here I thought you wanted to wait."
"Not like that." Regina quirked a brow and pushed herself up with the couch, which had her soon standing with an arm extended. "You need to get out of those since you've spilled sticky cocoa all over yourself."
"Am I gonna walk around in my underwear, then?" Emma smirked, taking the offered hand to stand up. "Because, you know, I don't wear those cute kinds or anything."
"I-"
"Sorry. I just, shouldn't open my mouth." The blonde muttered. She was really putting too much flirt into this conversation with her teacher, well girlfriend. It came way too easily to Emma when she spoke with Regina.
"It's fine, Emma." Regina offered her an amused smile. "I have a pair of pants that you may wear until yours are done washing."
"You're going to wash my pants?"
"You do still need to return home, don't you?"
"Yeah, I guess you're right." Emma made a face of displeasure. "I wish I could stay here longer."
"But you cannot, my dear." The brunette gave her a look that said she wished Emma could stay as well. "Why don't you stay down here while I grab something for you to wear?"
"Alright, thank you," Emma mumbled with a smile as she watched the brunette teacher turn to leave the room.
This was happening, Emma thought as she tried to peel the material of her jeans away from her skin where the cocoa had spilled. Here she was now pants-less in Regina Mills' home. Never had she ever thought that would be a reality. Of course, the context didn't apply to where the rest of Emma's little fantasy would go. Everything about this situation was innocent, or so she thought. There was a possibility that Regina would come back wearing nothing but what she was born in, but of course, that was highly unlikely, no matter how much Emma wished that were to happen.
"There's a bath-... room..." The husky voice of the brunette teacher had Emma's attention to the door where Regina had entered with a pair of grey, silk pajama bottoms. But the way she paused halfway across the sitting room with wide eyes told Emma that she hadn't been expecting a pants-less blonde on her couch.
"Hi," Emma mewled sheepishly, the intense stare of the brunette had her shrinking against the couch and wishing to whatever higher deity that she was wearing pants.
"Your- You- Here." The brunette cleared her throat and tossed the bottoms over, in which Emma quickly slipped them on to sooth part of her embarrassment. The older woman's eyes were burning darker than before, which had alarmed Emma. Was this turning her on?
"Thanks," she mumbled, smoothing her hands over the sleek fabric, trying to forget that little fact. "They're really comfortable."
"That's why I purchase them."
Emma nodded, smiling up at the brunette as she picked up the jeans strewn over the couch. She folded the jeans neatly and, once again, moved to exit the room. Even though she hadn't said anything about her departure, Emma guessed she was going to wash them. That had made the blonde feel guilty, considering that they were her own and the mess was also her responsibility. She figured the least she could do was help, and so she did.
Emma jumped up from her spot and picked up the forgotten mug from the floor before quickly following behind the English teacher to wherever she was headed. With the mug held close, she let her eyes wander around the scene of Regina's home, noticing all the lavish and expensive items that decorated it. It took all of Emma's will to not stop and just gawk at everything that she passed by. How nice would it be to live here?
"Emma?" The brunette suddenly paused her movements and turned to look at the teenager behind her.
"Yeah?" She queried, taking the few steps distance between the two.
"What are you doing?"
"Following you." When Regina turned around, Emma smiled innocently. "Is there a problem with that?"
"Of course not." A smile broke across the older woman's face, and she reached out to gently take Emma's hand. "Want to take a trip to the laundry room?"
"That's what I planned." Emma replied stupidly. "I mean, that, I wanted to help. It would only be right if I were to. After all, they're my pants."
"You don't have to, honey. I can wash them." Regina shrugged and proceeded onward, dragging the blonde behind her. "Why don't you put that mug in the sink on our way, hm?"
Emma nodded as they crossed the foyer and went straight into the kitchen. She did as suggest and gently set the mug into the sink, but not after rinsing the rest of the contents out with a proud smirk. When she turned around, she was met with a quirked brow and pursed lips.
"Are you done?"
"I just don't feel right about making you clean up after me, is all," Emma said quietly, once again following behind Regina as the two made their way out of the kitchen and down a hall. The brunette opened the closest door, which had revealed a small room with a washer and dryer, as well as a small basket of clothes.
"Sweetheart, my home is your home, I want you to know that. But I do like to- I like to take care of people. Especially someone that I care greatly for." The brunette gave her a small smile before turning to toss the jeans into the washer. "Do you mind if I throw my own clothes in there as well? I know how finnicky people can feel about mixed laundry."
"I'm fine with it." Emma kept her eyes glued to the brunette as she then proceeded to neatly put each article of her own clothing into the washer. The blonde blushed when she saw several pairs of panties enter the machine that held her jeans.
"Are you alright, dear?" Regina smirked after setting the washer up to start and turned her body to face the blonde once again. "Are you embarrassed over something?"
"I-I don't want to… invade anything…"
"Trust me, you aren't. I wouldn't show my undergarments to just anybody." She purred, taking a few steps closer to the blonde. A soft, olive hand gently caressed Emma's cheek, resulting in a soft mewl. Her eyes closed as she nuzzled closer to the hand, quite enjoying the warmth and small jolts of electricity coursing underneath the touch. Emma's breath caught in her throat as one of Regina's fingers grazed tentatively over her lower lip.
"Am I considered one of the lucky bodies?" Green eyes opened; an innocent look on her face.
"Yes," Regina answered, her voice taking a huskier tone. "And you're the only one that has the privilege to have their clothes mixed with them."
"I'm one lucky bitch, aren't I?" The blonde breathlessly inquired, pale fingers wrapping around the older woman's delicate wrist. "Because I certainly feel like it."
"I suppose you are, Emma. As am I." Arms soon engulfed Emma and her senses were filled with the scent of Regina's spicy perfume. The blonde couldn't help but to grin like an idiot and probably hug the teacher back a little too tightly, or so the small squeak the came from Regina told her so.
"Sorry… 'gina…" Emma mumbled with her face buried in Regina's neck and hair. The scent of apples was her new favorite thing, and she had the lovely Ms. Mills to thank for that.
"Gina?" Regina's voice was muffled, for her own face was hidden away in blonde curls.
"I meant Regina." She quickly mended.
"Oh…" She sounded slightly disappointed.
"Do you want me to… to call you Gina?" Emma asked tentatively. "I really wouldn't mind, and it can be our thing."
"No one has ever called me that before. Well… I wouldn't let them if they had." Regina bit her lip and moved away from the blonde curls to stare into emerald eyes. "But I like it coming from you."
"That settles it then?"
"I suppose it does, dear." The brunette smiled and leaned forward to press a quick kiss to Emma's lips, which had ultimately left her breathless.
"Gina. It suits you… well…" She couldn't help but let out an elated giggle. "When you look like that, it does."
"What do you mean? What do I look like?" Her eyes were wide and disbelieving.
"When you look at me with those big, brown eyes and they're just so sparkly. And your smile… looks so natural. You look, dare I say, adorable. Gina is adorable." The blonde offered her most innocent smile that she could, because she knew for a fact that Regina didn't like to be called adorable, considering that she didn't take too well the last time Emma had called her that very word.
"Gina is adorable, huh?" The brunette woman quirked her brow. "I think I would like to disagree."
"Nope. Gina is adorable and that is that." Emma nodded simply, squeezing Regina even tighter. Oh, good gods, did she hope that she wouldn't break the poor woman in half.
"You know, my dear Emma, I won't always be adorable."
"Yeah, because you're pretty damn sexy, too. I know for a- I-I mean-" Emma blushed vividly and chose to hide her florid face in fluffy brunette locks.
"I am not responding to that." Regina's voice sounded as if she were completely thrown off and Emma wouldn't doubt that she would because even the blonde, herself, was surprised by the sudden comment that flew from her mouth.
"I don't really expect you to. I am really, like really sorry. about my mouth." Emma mumbled against the older woman's neck. "I just- I really don't know how to stop."
"Don't worry, dear," the teacher whispered softly, pressing a kiss to the top of the blonde's head, "I don't either."
"You have a problem with verbal diarrhea, too? Man, we really need to find a doctor who specializes in fixing that." Emma chuckled softly, pulling slightly away to give her a wry smile.
"Why don't we make some popcorn and go watch a movie while we wait for the clothes to be finished?" Regina merely shook her head, lightly batting the blonde's arm before pulling fully away from the younger woman.
"Sounds like a plan." The blonde smirked at the older woman's actions, continuing to chuckle.
Both women headed to the sitting room and picked out one of the lighthearted romantic comedies, much to Emma's initial displeasure. Regina had reassured her that she would like it and should at least watch it before knocking it. They cuddled up under the blankets as they watched the film, with Regina holding Emma in her arms as the blonde pretended not to be interested in such a 'lame' movie, although she was thoroughly intrigued by it.
By the end of the movie, Emma was yearning to watch another of the silly rom coms, but Regina had pointed out that the clothes must have been dry by now and it was getting late. And by getting late, that meant that Emma needed to head home before Mary Margaret had a fit of not knowing where she was. So, with that, the two quickly made their way to the laundry room where Emma retrieved her pants and donned them.
Soon enough, Regina and Emma were out of the house and on their way to the blonde's apartment. The trip there was sat in companionable silence as the music on the radio sprang through the speakers.
It wasn't long, or so Emma thought, until they arrived outside the apartment. It always felt that the ride home was always too short.
"Until tomorrow, dear?" Regina turned to face the blonde, an elated smile on her face. "I'll pick you up around seven, if your mother allows you to go."
"She probably will." Emma shrugged. "But I'll text you when I get an answer, okay?"
"Alright," she said softly.
"Goodnight, Gina." Emma smiled shyly, looking at Regina through her lashes.
"Goodnight, Emma." The brunette's smile radiated, brightening up her entire face and, oh, did it make her look so breathtaking. Emma's face just lit up as well, the smile contagious, and their eyes met in a heated stare.
She found herself leaning forward, an invisible force drawing her near the brunette, and it had seemed the same for Regina. That was, until Emma's phone rang to life with a speedy tune, indicating a call from her mother.
Regina jumped nearly ten feet in the air from the interruption and Emma the same. She cursed under her breath, pulling the device out to answer the call.
"Hello?" She greeted, trying her best to keep the agitation at bay.
"Emma? Where are you?"
"I'm outside. I'll be coming in a moment. Alright?"
"Alrighty, then. Make it quick."
"I will." The blonde huffed and ended the call. She quickly unbuckled her seatbelt and opened the door, but before she stepped out of the car, she turned to look at what appeared to be a shell-shocked Regina.
"You alright?"
"Wh- yeah." The brunette offered her a smile. "Goodnight, honey."
"Goodnight, Gina." Emma leaned forward and kissed her cheek before hoisting herself out, slamming the door behind her.
Gods did Mary Margaret sometimes make her angry. She always had to call at the most inopportune of times. Sighing with irritation, she made haste to get upstairs and enter the already unlocked apartment to be met with Mary Margaret staring at her.
"Where have you been, Emma?"
"I had a tutoring session with Ms. Mills again. I'm sorry. I thought I told you." Emma ran her fingers through her hair. "I would have told you, but I thought it would be rude to use my phone."
"You really need to tell me when you tutor, Emma." Mary Margaret sighed, extending a hand to tuck a piece of hair behind Emma's ear. "Alright, hon?"
"Yes. I'm sorry. I will, okay? I'll try to when I know she's free."
"Thank you." The brunette woman smiled softly. "Have you eaten?"
"No." She shook her head.
"Well, dinner's in the oven if you're hungry," Mary Margaret said. "It should be done soon." And with that, she started to walk towards the kitchen with Emma trailing behind. "Your father should be home soon."
"Mary Margaret?" Emma set her bag on one of the stools as she leaned against the island counter. "I have to ask you something."
"What is it, Emma?" Emma's mother asked as she inspected what was in the over.
"Tomorrow's my re-birthday, right?"
"Right."
"Well, I was wondering if I could go with Graham to Boston." Emma looked away from Mary Margaret's back, suddenly feeling terrible about lying to the woman's face. The words coming out of her mouth didn't even feel like her own. "He, uh, he asked me. He wanted to show me around Boston as a birthday present and take me to a few places up there since I'll be moving there after graduation."
"How do you plan on getting there?"
"He bought a car and he's gonna come pick me up."
"When would that be?" The brunette schoolteacher walked over to the island and leaned against it as well, her eyes on the blonde.
"Around seven."
"So late?"
"I don't think he gets off work until later and it's a long trip here." Emma shrugged. "And since he'd be coming so late, I thought I can crash at his place for the night, and we'd get up Sunday so he could finish showing me around."
"Wait, you'd be staying the night over at his place?" Mary Margaret looked skeptical at this fact and Emma swore she was going to finally say 'no' to her.
"We're just friends, Mary Margaret. We won't do anything. I think he has a girlfriend, anyways, and there's two rooms in that apartment he has. Remember that we planned on moving in together?" She certainly hoped that this would work and that her mother would say yes, or they were screwed out of a date.
"Emma…"
"Please, Mary Margaret." Emma did what she rarely ever did; she pleaded. "I promise I'll call you if anything goes wrong. And, if you want, I can check in periodically."
"You really want to go that bad, huh?"
Emma nodded and offered her a smile that she hoped looked too optimistic to pass up. "And we can still celebrate here since he won't be in until late."
Mary Margaret stared at the teenager in front of her, as if contemplating on her answer. Emma could even see the gears inside her head working together to formulate the response.
Then, she finally said it, "Fine."
"Really?" The blonde hopped up from her seat and threw her arms around her mother. "Oh, thank you! You don't know how much this means to me. You really don't!" She squealed.
Mary Margaret chuckled and hugged the blonde back. "Now, don't get into trouble, okay? I don't want to have to go up to Boston at some strange time at night to bail you out."
"I won't! I promise! You won't regret this!" Emma giggled with excitement. "I have to tell him!"
Then Emma hopped out of the kitchen with her backpack and headed upstairs to her room where she just could not stop bouncing about. She pulled her phone from her pocket and quickly searched for Regina's "name" to message her the answer. She could barely type up the message for her hands were shaking too much because Mary Margaret said yes.
Guess what, Gina? We're going on a date in Boston!