"You need to focus!" They were only five minutes into her first lesson and Regina was already getting frustrated with her.
"I'm trying." She growled back. Since that night they exchanged stories Regina was easily irritated and Emma couldn't understand why. Regina was acting like everything was her fault. The rain, global warming, it was all her fault! Any progress she thought they had been making in their relationship had been put on pause and Regina was the one pressing rewind.
"Well try harder!" Regina huffed as she threw her hands into the air. "If you can't do this I don't know how you think you'll be able to immobilize someone"
"Wait..." She relaxed her stance and turned towards Regina. "I don't want to use magic as a weapon."
"Did I say that?" Regina tapped a finger to her chin in mock thought. "No. I don't think I did."
"Regina what is it with you today!"
Regina jerked back as if she had been physically slapped.
"Well Miss Swan." She hissed as she took a step forward. "I just love spending so much time with you. Later I was hoping we could have a slumber party and talk about boys!"
Back to Miss Swan again. She was just about done with Regina's mood swings today.
"Look I don't know what I did but you are clearly not capable of teaching me right now. So I'm going. I'll just ask Elsa for help!" Regina's eyes darkened angrily and she gripped her upper arm tightly, preventing her from making the exit she wanted.
"You will not go to twinkle toes," she warned. "I said I would teach you. I never go back on my word."
"Then stop being such a bitch!" Her words rang loudly through the dining room, bouncing off the walls and echoing in both their minds. Regina went quiet and the only thing Emma could hear were the deep angry breaths coming off of her. Shit she thought. I'm dead.
Then something weird happened, instead of lashing out Regina deflated. Her mask quickly fell away and now she saw how vulnerable Regina really was. This anger...it wasn't for her, it was just being directed towards her. Regina's grip loosened and she took a step back.
"I'm sorry...I'll try to relax but you need to as well."
"Okay." Emma rasped.
Regina's eyes regained that warmth she saw the first time they spoke heart to heart. It easily allowed for her to loosen up too.
"Concentrate on the feel of your magic. Sense its hum." Regina's hand lightly grabbed the back of her hand hanging by her side, and flipped it over in hers. "Feel each and every particle as it run through your body, up and out your finger tips."
Regina's voice was softer now. Less hostile and strangely lulling. As she spoke she ran her fingertips along the span of her palm, illustrating how the magic would travel through her. She felt something, a small spark as Regina's fingertips brushed against hers. It took her breath away and she wasn't sure if it was Regina or her magic.
"It will flow."
Regina cleared her throat and stepped back. She directed her to attempt to light the candle again but was suddenly avoiding any eye contact with her. It was odd but she tried to brush it off by focusing on the task at hand. That's what Regina was doing she could too.
However, the feel of Regina's fingers on her skin lingered. She imagined her magic moved in the same manner, and envisioned the candle coming to life. Her thoughts continued to stay on Regina, and how nice her touch had actually been. She wanted to feel it again. Instead of the candle lighting, Regina's hand flew right into her own bringing Regina along with it. The sheer unexpected force of their connection knocked them to the ground. Regina yelped from the jolt of surprise and groaned as they uncomfortably met the floor. Regina didn't realize it yet but her other hand was laying directly on her right breast. Emma felt it immediately and knew the reason her pulse was racing so much was because of that.
As soon as Regina regained some sense of reality, and her body's current position she blushed deeply and jumped off her.
"What was that?" She hissed.
"I..I don't know. I just..."
She was just as confused by it as her. "Your hands are soft..."
Regina gaped at her then broke out into rich laughter. The situation and her laughter were enough for her to join in, and god did it feel good.
"If you want," Regina said through her laughter. "I can take you through my moisturizing routine."
"Hardy har har..." When Regina finally stopped laughing her stomach flipped. Regina looked so...happy. It was becoming and made her look years younger. Not that she needed it.
Regina held her gaze, and she made sure to catalog the shine in her eye before it disappeared.
"Now light the candle. " She nodded at Regina and took up a stance of concentration. She didn't want to let Regina down and the thought seemed to be enough. The wick roared to life and she grinned madly.
"Good." Regina's reaction was short and clipped. What the hell? Why wasn't she more enthused?
"Keep practicing. I'll be back in a moment..." Regina looked like somebody just told her Henry would never love her.
What the fuck? She was torn between listening and following after her.
She stayed put not wanting to upset Regina further.
While Emma tried to focus on relighting the candle Regina was in the kitchen pouring herself a glass of water. Her emotions were all over the place today and she was starting to understand why. Emma was stirring something within her that she hadn't felt in a while. It frightened her but also made her sad. Emma would never share these feelings, she was too good, too pure. The water moved past her lips and the cool liquid soothed some of her nerves.
"Regina." She gripped the glass harder at the sound of Emma's voice and the tension was back at full force. She should have known Emma would follow.
"What is it Emma?" Her voice lacked the usual bite.
"You don't seem like yourself. Is everything okay?" Emma sounded worried.
"I'm fine. "
Emma stared at her for what felt like an eternity. It was clear the blonde wasn't buying her answer.
"Is this about...him?"
Him? Oh Leopold...
"No." It would have been easier for you if you just said yes!
"Is it-"
"Emma. Stop. I'm fine. Let's finish your lesson." She put the glass in the sink and brushed by her. Emma frowned but trailed after her.
"Light it three more times and I'll teach you something new." Emma beamed at her and quickly went to it.
To both of their surprise Emma did all three successfully in a row.
An hour later Emma learned to levitate objects and Regina called it a day.
"Hydrate. Magic is intensive. Your body isn't accustomed to such frequent use."
"Yes sensei."
"Its your majesty."
"Oh of course. My apologies your royal highness." Emma did a curtsy and she fought off an eyeroll. Perhaps at a different time Emma's antics would have angered her. After all she was going out of her way to help her and give her decent advice. The bow was completely unnecessary but made her heart flutter a little more, and she was always pleased at being addressed as your highness. Even if it was done mockingly because there was still a shred of sincerity behind it.
The small exchange brought back the feelings she was trying to suppress. How was she supposed to ignore them when every time Emma even looked at her she felt it. Magic, it had to be magic.
She was thankful her phone rang to provide a distraction.
"Mayor Mills...what?...no I said Monday...that idiot! Just fax it over to my office I'll deal with it tomorrow...yes... Yes of course. "
Emma shifted anxiously as she waited for the call to end. It felt like she was going to be awhile. "How much!?" Regina gave a huff of annoyance and ran a hand through her hair. It was hard for Emma not to be transfixed by a working Regina.
It was incredibly sexy. Wait did she just really think that? Shit when didn't this start. But she was...she watched Regina gesture with her arms the more and more worked up she got. What was wrong?
"Sydney. NO. I don't -...That's not what I said!"
Regina was practically hissing into the phone now. Damn could she get mad.
"Well talk about this later. Later!"
She pressed the end call button angrily.
When it was over she gave Regina a small smile.
"That sounded serious."
"The idiots in my office can't do anything right..." Regina pinched the bridge of her nose. "I need a drink."
"Oh I'll take one!"
Regina glared but didn't refuse her. She had a feeling that even if she did Emma would pour herself one anyway.
"Regina I just want to say thank you again...for all this I really appreciate it."
"Of course Emma." Her brow softened at the warming green eyes looking back at her.
"And I know you've done so much already, but I was wondering if I could maybe... Spend another night here? I don't want to face my parents yet. "
"You can stay as long as you need to."
"Really?!"
"Yes but you'll have to lend a hand around here. Henry is tidier than you and he leaves his shoes lying around on the stairs." That was such mom talk she thought comically to herself.
"Sure just tell me what I need to do."
"Well for starters make your bed."
"What? Why?" She sipped her drinking mentally laughing at the O.C.D side of Regina that was surfacing.
"Its a good habit, and is aesthetically pleasing."
"OK ...what else?"
"You can set the table and help with cleaning up."
"Anything else?"
Regina's eyes narrowed.
"Yes stop being so ... Annoying."
Regina tilted her glass to her lips and smirked at her.
"Fine." They finished off their drinks in silence. Emma wanted to let Regina relax and she was too busy with her own thoughts to really want to say anything. Only when a soft sigh escaped Regina did she realize how lost they each became in their own little worlds. It was nice.
"Mom." Henry walked into the room and she almost replied but bit it back. That would have been really awkward.
"What is it Henry?" Regina's shield was back up.
"Oh hey Emma !" He beamed at her and she smiled warmly not missing the small pang of hurt in Regina's eyes.
"Hey kid." He turned back to Regina.
"Could I go out tonight? Paige and a couple of other kids from school are going to the arcade. They said I could go too." He gave her puppy dog eyes.
"Just be back by 9. "
"Awe but its Saturday! Can't I stay out a little later?"
"9:01." He sighed but accepted it. At least he was going.
'Thanks mom." He stepped forward and gave her a small hug. Regina clung onto it like a flower craving water. She really loved the kid..."do you need any money?"
"Yes please!"
Regina left the room and came back with her purse.
"60 is more than enough. "
"Thanks! You rock!" He pocketed the money and ran off.
"Damn he's already got a girlfriend..."
"What? Paige is not his girlfriend I won't allow it. Her father-"
"Regina relax it was a joke!"
Regina's lips pressed together. Apparently she was not amused.
"Right well...I guess I'll stick to sarcasm."
"I'm going to start dinner..." Regina finished off her drink and glided out of the room.
She stayed in the living room finishing her own, pondering why she was suddenly so drawn to watching Regina calves as she walked away. With her new fascination... Dinner was definitely going to be interesting.
A/N: Been a while! Thanks for sticking around. Reviews are always appreciated.