A/N: Okay, I've been inspired by Comic Con and Lana's hints for season 5 so I'm going to continue with the prompts. Day 5 is best friend romance. Rated T. Fluffy.

"So I'm hanging off this tree branch trying to snatch that damn cat and Leroy, whose drunk as a skunk, is clawing at my ankles. Suddenly, Miss Ginger sprints from her front porch and whacks Leroy over the head with her bedazzled cane!" Emma laughs loudly as she pretends to hit Regina with the diner's ketchup bottle The brunette chuckles under her breath as Henry bellows loudly, loving his Ma's theatrics, "He falls like a sack of potatoes and the cat hops down into Ginger's arms. I should win some type of award for this shit."

"I'll work on that, Sheriff." Regina joked, smiling brightly at her now best friend. When Emma first arrived in Storybrooke, she was a massive threat to the life she had built. But as time passed, the two reached an understanding that they could relate to each other like no one else could. After Emma's sacrifice and her struggles with accepting her role as the Dark One, Regina allowed the blonde behind her walls and they reached a kinship that was unparalleled. Many said they were inseparable, which was slightly true. They had breakfast, lunch, and dinner together, they dropped in on each other during breaks, and Emma relaxed at the mansion until very late, only leaving when Snow called asking for her whereabouts.

But the citizens noticed much, much more. Emma always looked at the brunette with adoration and everyone was sure she would cut off a limb if it meant putting a permanent smile on Regina's face. The older woman acted like a spouse, constantly caring for Emma when she was sick, cooking for her, and supporting her in almost all endeavors. They were so affectionate, hugging, hand holding, and placing small pecks ridiculously close to the other's lips. Oh yeah, the people knew that Regina and Emma loved each other… a lot. So they came up with a scheme that involved many of the constituents and, of course, Henry and the Charming's. They called it Operation Swan Queen. Its sole goal was to push the two women together in any way possible. They got close several times but it literally frustrated everyone when the two ignored the signs and tried dating other people.

Emma had an on and off relationship with Hook for years before cutting him off completely. Regina almost married Robin but realized, at the alter, that the man didn't feel right to her and ran out of the church, only to be followed by none other than Emma. Everyone thought for sure that that would be the night Operation Swan Queen would be complete. But alas, Emma and Regina sat up all night eating ice cream and watching comedies, never acting on the intense chemistry and love between them, to the dismay of many.

"You better," Emma winked before jabbing her thumb toward her chest, "This law enforcer is going above and beyond for the Mayor."

Regina just smiled brightly. Ruby sighed from behind the counter, shaking her head at the display, the blindness. She knew that Regina and Emma realizing they're in love was inevitable and she felt like being subtle, as they had been, wasn't working. She had half a mind to just march over to the booth and smash their lips together. The waitress rolled her eyes as she watched Regina lean forward and wipe excess ketchup from Emma's cheek before waltzing to the booth.

"Refills!" She placed the filled cups on the table before quirking a brow at Henry, who had been mesmerized by his mother's blatant domestic actions. He wasn't a child anymore. He saw the attraction and he was baffled by their inability to see what was right in front of them. This wasn't about him. He had the family he always wanted with his grandparents and his mothers. He wanted his Mom and Ma to be together because they exuded a level of happiness when with one another that was never present with Hook, Robin, or any mediocre man they went on a date with.

"Thanks, Rubes." With a nod and knowing look aimed at the teen, the wolf sauntered away without looking back.

"What did those tomatoes do to you, Snow?" The pixie haired woman was hacking at the cutting board, practically emulsifying the vegetables. Charming eye's widened as his wife tossed the knife onto the counter carelessly. He pushed the sharp item away from the edge, in case Neal decided to leave his room and sneak into the kitchen.

"I'm so frustrated with this situation!" Snow whispered hurriedly, snatching a hand towel and wiping off excess juice from the well-beaten tomato, "Can you believe I was walking home and they were arm in arm, smiling at each other like no one else mattered or existed! This gentle approach is killing me, Charming. I just want to scream sometimes. How are they so blind?"

David just watched as his wife paced from one end of the counter to the other, practically burning a path onto the hardwood. He slipped past the counter and grabbed her shoulders, "You're starting to act a little obsessive and that worries me—"

"I am not—"

"We can't push them into something they aren't aware of," Snow glared harshly and he sighed, "Snow, they know how they feel but they don't know if it's reciprocated. That's scary, the possibility of rejection is scary."

"Maybe they just need some intervention from a caring third party," Snow shrugged excitedly, as if she wouldn't be meddling, "Not a push, just a little love tap in the right direction."

Charming shook his head, releasing his wife's shoulders, knowing he was going to lose this argument. Snow would end up doing whatever she wanted anyway but he added, "If someone told me forty years ago that we'd be on a mission to get our daughter to date Regina Mills, I would've cut off their tongue for the mere suggestion."

Snow waved her hands dismissively, "She's changed. Anyway, you see how happy Emma is when Regina's around."

"Of course I do and I want them to open their eyes and go for it but I'm not sure if our meddling, your meddling, will be appreciated." Snow picked up the discarded knife after tossing the debased vegetable away and grabbing a fresh one from the netted bag.

"They won't care. They'll be too busy reveling in their love," Snow suddenly waved the knife excitedly, making Charming step back quickly to avoid blood shed, "And then Emma can finally move out of here and they'll get married and maybe adopt more babies and—"

"Reel in the crazy, honey."

Snow placed a piece of chocolate covered cheesecake in front of Emma, beaming at her. Emma narrowed her eyes at the dessert before peering at her mother suspiciously, "What do you want, Mom?"

Snow still felt a warmth pass through her at the term passing through Emma's lips. Her daughter was not an emotional person, unless with Regina, so Snow took every once of affection and savored.

"Nothing!" The brunette presented a spoon, jiggling it enticingly in front of Emma's light eyes. The blonde's lips thinned and she hesitation for a moment before her stomach growled. Emma took the bait, seizing the spoon from her mother's hand. Emma plunged the utensil into the treat and brought the piece to her lips, moaning at the sweet chocolate melding with the creamy cheesecake. Snow smiled, her fingers tapping on the tabletop as she watched the blonde eat. Emma felt the eyes on her but ignore her, taking another bite from the small dessert.

"So sweetheart—"

"I knew it!" The blonde dropped the spoon onto the plate exasperatedly.

"It's n-nothing!" Snow stuttered, Emma's glare practically piercing her soul, "It's just… I may have set you up on a date…"

She had already bamboozled Regina into this con but she needed Emma to agree as well for her plan to move forward. If the blonde didn't agree… well maybe Snow could use jealously to push them together. Emma came close to confessing her love right before Regina's wedding but backed out, believing that Regina truly loved Robin and that springing such news would ruin everything.

"Mom, no! The last time you set me up, I got ass-grabbed by Whale!" Emma gripped the small dessert plate, picking up the spoon, and started munching as she walked to the couch.

Snow followed worriedly, "Emma, please! I promise that this will be the last one! I'll set everything up and all you'll have to worry about is making it to the restaurant!"

Emma groaned, glancing at Snow, who was smiling shyly. The blonde lowered her head, "Fine… but I'm done after this!"

Snow stood, feeling giddy, and strolled into the kitchen, "There won't be a next time."

"Damn you, Snow," Regina grumbled as she checked her hair for the hundredth time since being seated at the Italian restaurant. Her date was late, not extremely late, but late nonetheless. The brunette sniffed. She hated tardiness, except when Emma did it because the blonde's disheveled arrivals put a smile on her face. Although it seemed that everything Emma did put a smile on her face.

"What am I doing here?" She whispered to herself. A date with some mystery man wasn't what she wanted. She wanted Emma. Not that she would ever confess such thoughts aloud to the blonde. She knew that she would never love someone like she did Emma, but for years she tried anyway, each date a miserable failure because it always went back to Emma.

Regina sighed irritably, lifting her wrist to check the time once more, "Who the hell leaves a queen waiting?"

"Apparently I do…" Regina turned quickly and gasped when she saw Emma standing next to the hostess, wearing a beautiful dress that complimented her so well. The blonde felt her lips twitch, a smile wanting to overtake her entire face. Well, it seems her mother was right. And hopefully, that night would be the last first date she had.

"Emma? What're you doing here?" Regina felt a surge of jealously at the passing thought that the blonde was there for a date with some sleazy man, but that would be the pot calling the kettle black.

The hostess smiled conspiratorially, "She's your date."

Regina blinked rapidly as the shock of the short statement washed over her, "Snow… set me up with her daughter?"

Emma smiled, walking toward the table where Regina was sat primly. Before Emma could answer, the hostess chuckled, "Snow's been the worst of us all. We've been trying to push you two together for a long time."

Emma plopped into the seat, never tearing her gaze from Regina's, "What do you mean we?"

The red haired woman placed menus in front of them, "The whole town has been united through Operation Swan Queen, trying to get you two together. But Snow and Henry have been the true masterminds."

Emma snorted, receiving a chuckle from Regina. The two were astounded yet grateful for the sneaky scheming of their loved ones. The red head winked at them before walking off, leaving them alone.

Regina cleared her throat, a coy smile on her plump lips, "Well… I have to say that you're a step up from the horrendous image of this mystery date I had built up in my head."

Emma smiled, her eyes twinkling. She blew out an incredulous breath, "How did my mother know?"

"Dear, I'm getting the sense that we haven't been discreet with our feelings." Emma lowered the menu and reached across to interlace their fingers.

"What feelings?" Regina tilted her head, her annoyance palpable. Emma clarified, "I need to hear it. If you don't say it, I won't be able to either and I really, really don't want to waste more time."

The brunette nodded imperceptibly, "I don't know when it happened, Emma, but somewhere down the line, this became more than just a great friendship. I started missing you when you left after dinner. My blood began to boil when Hook touched you. I started to dream about us cooking dinner together, stealing kisses as we went. Then you became all I wanted and no one could ever take your place. I tried with Robin and I was miserable. I was and am so scared of losing you that I stayed silent. But you're right, we've wasted so much time."

Regina sucked in a shaky breath and Emma squeezed their intertwined fingers, "I want those dreams to be a reality, Emma. I want you to live with us and bother me as I cook. I want you to sleep next to me, even if you snore so loud you could guide ships through a fog—"

Regina felt a piece of breadstick hit her forehead before falling down her cleavage. They both released an unrestrained laugh; the genuine glee sparked the air. Regina chuckled lightly, "I want to laugh like that, with you, everyday, even at night. I don't want you to go to the apartment after dinner. And… I don't want to regret not telling you the intensity of my love for you."

Emma felt a surge of warmth spread through her chest, "Oh, Gina. I want all of that too. I love you."

Regina smiled warmly before a smirk appeared, "You do realize that we just confessed to loving each other and yet we've never even kissed."

"I think we can fix that." Emma stood from the chair, rounding it slowly, and cupped Regina's cheeks as she leaned in. Their lips connected and both moaned softly. Thundering applause startled them and when they peered around them, they saw that all eyes were on them. The customers were high-fiving, laughing, and smiling. They chuckled in response, especially when they turned and saw Snow clutching at her chest, crying in Charming's arms, and Henry whistling through a large smile.

Emma turned back to Regina, "We're never going to live this down."

Regina leaned in once more, cradling the back of Emma's head as they kissed passionately. They tuned out most of the celebration around them.

But they did manage to hear Granny's gruff voice mutter, "About damn time."

A/N: We'll see about the next one. I'm day-by-day at this point. But I'm genuinely so excited for season 5 so I may plow through here! What a time to be alive Swen.