Just a quick note to say thank you all so much for all your kind comments - you guys really are awesome, and it really is much appreciated!
Anyway, on with the story! *Cue another short chapter of fluff!*
The rest of the night had been filled with laughter and cheeks flushed red from embarrassment and alcohol. Regina, usually never one to allow herself to be embarrassed, had offered herself up as a sacrifice for Emma. The blonde had shared some of her past with her, so she saw it only fair to return the favour, and Ruby did have a knack for storytelling. In return for her own sacrifice, however, she had made sure that Belle was given just as much dirt on Ruby. The quiet girl was now under no illusion that Ruby was the sweet little puppy dog that followed her around and nothing more, and had been working to sweetly kiss the pout from the brunette's lips all night.
As the fire dimmed down, only Emma and Regina remained around the fire pit.
"I still can't believe you had to drive home in your underwear," chuckled Emma, breaking the comfortable silence.
"I wouldn't have if Ruby hadn't driven off with my bag!" laughed Regina. "And that wasn't even the worst part. Having to sneak back into the house was! My mother would have killed me if she had caught me."
"She's really that strict?"
Regina sighed, nodding. "She wants everyone to conform to this perfect little image, and when they step even a little bit out line…" she trailed off, leaning back in her chair. "Let's not talk about my mother." Further discussion was sure to kill the mood between them. Over the course of the night, Regina had subtly dragged her chair closer to the log on which the blonde sat, so that they were now practically side by side. Emma, for her part, had taken to leaning towards Regina's chair, closing the gap between them further.
"What do you want to talk about?" asked the blonde, turning to look at the brunette, the fire casting a warm glow on her olive skin.
"What do you think of me?" asked Regina suddenly, shifting the in chair to face the blonde.
Emma's eyes widened, not having expected the question. "Err…I, um…" How honest was she allowed to be? "I think you're pretty great?"
"That sounded more like a question, Emma," chuckled Regina.
Emma repeated the line, her tone more sure this time. "A lot of people at school made comments to me about hanging around with you, but the more I get to know you, the more I realise how wrong they are. You're not someone to be afraid of."
"I'm glad you think so," smiled Regina.