A/N: DragonQueen- dark, painful, smutty and sweet.

Trigger warning: Mentions of marital rape

Regina sits in her bathtub. Her maid has left just moments ago almost fled to be honest. Regina can't blame her. It's not easy to look at her broken and bruised body. Leopold has a bad week and if her dear husband has one…well that usually means Regina does too.

He had summoned her to his bed chamber two hours ago. It hurt but it always does and Regina learnt years ago to just take it. Not to mention that tears only meant more pain so she keeps quiet. Tries to think of being somewhere else when he is on top of her tries to think of her happy place.

Sometimes it works.

Today it didn't. That's why she's still in her bathtub. The hot water sooths makes her feel less dirty less like a whore in overpriced dresses. Not that any of it makes it better but Regina learnt to adept, learnt how to survive. Still today she has trouble keeping her tears at bay has trouble to ignore the pain between her legs.

She sighs and closes her eyes dreaming of a life she would never had a life far away from this golden cage a life full of freedom.

"Hello little one," Regina almost jumps out of her skin at the soft voice right next to her. Her eyes pop open and dark orbs meet blue ones. Maleficent slowly comes closer but keeps her gaze on Regina face doesn't let it wander over her body like she usually does and Regina appreciates it. She isn't shy about her curves not anymore at least. Regina knows that she is beautiful and knows that the dragon is aware of that fact too.

Regina hugs herself hides herself from the blond woman. Tries to avoid her gaze but still tries to keep her head held up high.

Usually the dark haired girl doesn't mind Mal's eyes on her but not when she is so vulnerable so…exposed and she is glad that the blond sorcerers knows that too. "Mal. What are you doing here?" Regina asks trying to hide how glad she is to see her friend. And how much she hates it for Mal to see her like this…week, broken, pathetic.

"I had a feeling you are in need for some pleasant company tonight little one," the dragon replies softly keeping her distance. "I'm fine," Regina snaps.

Maleficent only whispers:" I know you are," and without any comment she waves her hand and suddenly the pain is gone. All her bruises disappear and Regina can't stop herself from sighing in relieve knowing that she should be stronger but when Maleficent kneels next to the bathtub and softly strokes (an unusual affectionate gesture) Regina's cheek wipes away a tear the young Queen leans into the touch.

Enjoys a touch that's meant to sooth not to hurt.

"How about we get out of here for a bit?" Maleficent asks pressing a tender kiss on Regina's forehead. The dragon has her trouble to stay calm has to urge to burn the King to a crisp can't get the images of the bruised little girl with the haunted eyes of her mind. She can't stop the King but she can't lessen the pain the young girl in front of her is.

At least she can try. Maleficent doesn't know how or why but Regina somehow has worn her way into her heart has accomplished something nobody could in decades and she would be damned if she doesn't find a way to cheer the young Queen up.

"Are we going flying?" Regina asks excitedly. She knows the freedom she feels on Mal's back is only temporary it's not real but it's beautiful nevertheless. For a moment she thinks she can breathe again she can smile again. And she takes every opportunity to get out of this castle.

Mal grins at her and slowly comes closer waiting for Regina's permission to kiss her.

At Regina silent nod Maleficent presses her lips softly onto Regina's and chuckles as he hears the soft moan of the younger woman. As they part Regina gets out of the water and dresses herself in a light blue dress. It is less constrictive than the other gowns Leopold makes her wear and its perfect for what's coming.

Within moments they are in the air Regina on Mal's back flying away fast and without looking back. As the cold air blows into her face she laughs shouts in glee. It's a beautiful night stars are all over the sky and for moment just a moment Regina can pretend that she is happy. Here on her friend's back high in the air away from everything.

Away from a husband who only sees her as a overpriced nanny and pretty girl to warm his bed, away from a spoiled brat who views her as her favourite toy away from the life she hates with every fibre of her being.

They fly till Maleficent exhausts herself and finally land in the dragon's castle. Regina beams at her friend as soon she is in her human form again and kisses her fiercely. "Thank you, "Regina whispers as they finally part to breathe again. "You're very welcome little one," Mal replies kissing her neck gently careful to never touch too rough to restrain her too much.

"Do you wanna talk about it?" Maleficent ask softly pulling the young girl onto her lap. Both know what the dragon is referring to but Regina finds herself shaking her head. "No I just wanna forget," Regina answers crashing her lips onto the blond woman's. "Are you sure Regina? We don't have to…" Mal ask concerned but Regina only whispers:" Make me forget Mal. Make love to me," with those words Regina shoves the sorceress onto her bed and kisses her again passionate.

Soon both women are naked and Maleficent fought her way on top of Regina keeping her touches soft. On other days the dragon prefers to be rough to take what she wants and more often than not that is what Regina wants to. But Mal knows that there a days, days when Leopold was especially rough with her the young woman underneath her needs to be reminded that sex was supposed to something pleasant that touches should feel good.

Those are days Mal takes her time with her is very careful and makes even surer that Regina is comfortable that every scream is on of pleasure that she never steps over the invisible line.

Mal doesn't know exactly what she feels for Regina only knows that she cares deeply and that she wants to protect her wants her to be happy. Maybe that's love neither of them is really sure what loves means anymore all they know is that they need each other.

Need each other when Regina screams as Mal mouths finds it way between her legs when she softly licks and sucks at her when her hands finds their way to the soft breasts of the Queen and start kneading. Regna moans in pleasure lets everything go knows that she is safe with Maleficent knows the dragon won't ever hurt her.

Let's go when Mal pushes two finger inside her and sucks her clit into her mouth let's go when the dragon picks up the pace can feel the orgasm approach can feel her walls tighting around Mal's fingers and within moments she screams.

But this time she screams because the pleasure rips through her almost makes her black out not because the pain is almost not bearable anymore. She works herself against Mal's hand who keeps feeding her orgasm and god does it feel good. Maleficent keeps going till Regina can't take it anymore and then presses her lips onto Regina's. The young Queen can taste herself on the other woman's lips which makes her moan loudly again.

Maleficent grins at her:" Good?" "Good," Regina replies and their lips find each other again and again.

It's way after midnight when Regina finally leaves after having more orgasm than she could count. Regina smiles when she gets under her covers smiles even more when Maleficent presses a final good night kiss on her forehead. She is half asleep as she hears the dragon's whispered:" Sleep well little one. I'm here you are safe."

And sleeping well was what Regina did. Always knowing that the dragon kept watch, that she was safe.