Again I apologize for the wait. Lost my muse for a bit there but I got it back! :) I hope you enjoy the update :) please leave a review! And happy Sunday! I hope the winter finale treats you all well! Lol!
David woke to movement beside him. Just a gentle tug of the blankets and a small dip pushing the mattress down beside him. Slowly he blinked his eyes open with a deep breath to fill his lungs to their fullest before letting it out his nose and focusing his drowsy gaze on the figure beside him. Somewhere in his mind he knew he should be a little more uneasy but he found he could only smile when he found Regina sleeping soundly next to him. She had rolled over closer to him and that motion had woken him and despite being unable to remember how or why or when she had gotten there, he felt entirely comfortable and relaxed and...sure. Like she would wake up and be happy to see him rather than try and leap out of bed yelling furiously at him.
He couldn't stop himself from reaching forward and carefully tucking her hair behind her ear. At the contact she began to stir but he only smiled a little more and trailed his fingers along the line of her jaw. When her eyes blinked open his own were quickly focused on those dark irises and when they were finally wide and awake he felt his heart skip in his chest just a little. He knew her eyes were dark but what he had failed to notice before were the brighter ridges and flecks of amber accenting the various dark shades of chocolate in the eyes that were now smiling at him in a way that warmed his chest.
His thumb moved softly and slowly over her bottom lip as she greeted him with a groggy whisper of 'good morning, shepherd' before he did the unthinkable. He kissed her.
Somewhere in his mind he was screaming at himself not to but it was promptly ignored and he moved his head forward so he could kiss her. She didn't stop him. Her pliant mouth happily accepted and returned his slow kiss as his fingers ran a little deeper in to her soft hair. He was encouraged when she remained so willing and content beside him and slowly his self restraint was wilting away.
When her hands moved up his chest he was then aware that he wore no shirt and when her smooth legs tangled with his he also became aware that he wore no pants either. And neither did she for that matter. When her fingers curled around the back of his neck he rolled them over so she was on her back and he was on top of her. She hummed in satisfaction against his mouth at the change and the sound had him nearly moaning in return. But he didn't make a sound and broke the kiss so he could look at her only to find her expression to have changed from when she had first woken up.
Gentle greeting to a lustful need. It had him grinning a little and her eyes flicked up from his mouth to his eyes, "good morning, your majesty," he greeted lowly and she gave a sly smile in return that was all teeth.
"Indeed."
And with that he breathed out half a laugh as he dropped his head and kissed her again. This time it was with a little more force as her fingers raked through his hair and she lifted her knees on either side of him while his hands moved down her sides.
...
He awoke alone. And as soon as he was fully conscious he wasn't surprised that he was alone but...he was rather disappointed. He laid on his side staring at the empty space beside him in his bed and had been doing so for a good long while. He wanted to wake up with her, he wanted her to be the one he talked with first every morning, he wanted to touch her, he wanted to hold her, he wanted her to take this empty space in his bed, he wanted to make her smile and laugh, he wanted to dance with her, he wanted her.
And only a few short months ago he wanted nothing more than to kill her and drain her body of all its blood.
Now he was finding it hard to have so much as a thought of ill will toward her.
With a long sigh he rolled on to his back and stared at the ceiling but it was only a few moments of that before he turned his head so he was again looking at the empty space in his bed. What had that dance meant? He had been about to kiss her of that he was certain. But then she left without a word, without so much as a glance in his direction for him to try and decipher. And then she had remained secluded the day after. He had not seen or heard her at all the day after that dance. Only Henry and the boy was not at all pleased with what had happened that night, that much David had come to conclusion to.
But Regina? He couldn't say. He hoped to see her today. Hoped to get close to her again, to see her smile. Perhaps even find out if she felt the same toward him. He would be so happy to know if her heart indeed did long for him the way his did for her.
...
He saw her walk across the hall he was wandering down but she was gone in the blink of an eye and he picked up a jog so he could catch up to her. When he rounded the corner she was closer than he expected her to be for she had stopped to speak to one of her guards but she was just finishing with him now and the man was turning and walking away with a nod. "Regina," he called and jogged forward a few more steps when she started to walk away. She stopped and turned at the call of her name and the very instant he laid eyes on her his throat went dry and his heart skipped a few beats before finding a quick and unsteady rhythm while he tried to remember how to breathe.
She was absolutely stunning and her dress was already driving him mad with the itch to tear it off her. It was different than anything he had seen her wear before. The bodice was laced tight around her slim figure and the top of the bodice was a straight cut across her breasts and the tops of the sleeves extended that straight line. She was known for her tendency to show off a plummeting neckline but this one was nowhere near her neck. Her shoulders were bare and strong and her collar bone was sharp and nearly the entire top halves of her breasts were left exposed by the tight bodice. The fabric was a deep dark red embroidered with an even darker red thread as well as accents of gold.
The gown's back was laced by a dark red satin ribbon and the sleeves were a loose cuff of sorts around the top but then became a long sleeve that seemed to be painted on her. The skirt was long with plenty of fabric that draped from her hips and hit the floor at her feet. Her lips were a dark bold red to go with her gown and yet she had left her eyes practically untouched, only drawn on with a black pencil to exaggerate them. But it was her hair that topped it all off. She had left it alone and only braided the strands back away from her face and behind her head to make what looked like a crown of hidden braids. He loved it when she wore it down and he wanted to bury his hands in those silky dark curls and pull her in to a kiss.
"Did you need something?" She asked plainly as she raised her eyebrows and he pushed a hand through his hair and she watched his fingers move through the short strands only to wish it were her hands pushing through the darker golden strands.
"No I uh...I just wanted to see if you were alright."
"Why wouldn't I be?"
"Well I just hadn't seen you at all yesterday and wanted to make sure you were alright."
"A woman can't have a day to herself?"
"No of course you can. I just," he took a breath as he shifted his weight a little and she kept her unblinking eyes focused on him, "you ran off during our dance the other night. Did I upset you? Did I cross a line?"
"No you didn't upset me," she shook her head with a smile that was meant to make him feel like a fool for asking such a thing. And her answer wasn't entirely a lie. She wasn't upset by him, she wanted more of him and that is what was driving her in to madness and confusion, "and whether or not you crossed a line is entirely up to you," she stated indifferently and turned and continued on her way.
David opened his mouth the answer but no words left as he cocked his head and furrowed his brow ever so slightly. What had that meant?
Regina's heart skipped a little when he caught up and fell in step beside her but she didn't let it show. Her lips were pressed lightly together in false displeasure and she kept her eyes focused in front of her rather than on the man who muddled her thoughts. What she wouldn't give to be back in his hold again like she had during that late night dance.
Unsure of what to say at all, David left his thoughts on it wander and he changed the subject even though he still hadn't an answer to why she had run off, "you are quite stunning today, Regina."
Her heart skipped once again at the compliment and her chest filled with warmth but she merely gave a small smirk and kept her eyes ahead of her, "I'm sure you think so."
David couldn't help the smirk that pulled at his lips as he kept his eyes forward as well, "well the cut certainly doesn't hurt," he grinned with a soft laugh and she breathed out a laugh of her own as she shook her head just a little.
...
"I am starting a new operation and I am calling it Operation Fox."
"Why?"
"Because we are going to be super clever and sneaky."
"Doing what?"
"I can't tell you until you are in and sworn to secrecy," he shook his head and Henry Senior breathed out an amused chuckle.
"Do I get a hint as to what this Operation Fox is regarding?"
"Nope."
"Oh just agree to the boy's terms," Ruth scolded with a laugh as she waved her hand at the older man, "he's excited and his plot is entirely harmless."
"You've joined in to this?" The older man laughed and raised his eyebrows.
"I have and I am actually rather excited to get started."
"See? It's a totally great operation and you're going to miss out," Henry nodded enthusiastically and the older Henry breathed out another laugh with a shake of his head, "plus you'll be super helpful!"
"Alright you have me convinced. Tell me what is this Operation Fox?"
"First we have to get you sworn in," Henry lifted a finger and Henry Senior nodded with a slow blink, "do you, Henry Mills, swear to never speak, write, or act out so much as a single word or plan spoken of during your time in Operation Fox to anyone outside its members?"
With a laugh under his breath, Henry Senior nodded and placed a hand over his heart, "I swear."
"Awesome. Alright so here's the deal. Just the other night something came to my attention. Something I did not intend to happen but something I think we should push further and that is what we will be doing and you've sworn in so you can't back out."
"And what is this thing that we will be pushing forward?"
"It appears your darling daughter has fallen quite hard for my son and David is beginning to feel the same in return," Ruth nodded once with a smile and the elder Henry smiled back at her before he turned his head and looked to the boy.
"I predict one kiss and they're totally done for," Henry grinned wildly and pushed one finger forward.
"I am very happy to be a part of this Operation Fox," the older man smiled and the boy laughed excitedly.
"There is only one rule. Nether Regina or David can know what we are doing. Agreed?"
"Agreed."
"Awesome. Now, we need to go find the huntsman."
-Storybrooke-
"You're going down."
"You can't touch me."
"Oh you underestimate me."
"You overestimate yourself."
"Those are fighting words."
"Indeed they are, your majesty."
"Oh the formalities come out and everything. You know it won't make me gloat any less when I drop these."
"Well in that case fuck the formalities and drop them so we can end this with me on top."
"I like the way you think. Only things always end better when I'm on top," she grinned and laughed lowly through her teeth.
"You've never played with me, you wouldn't know," he grinned back and she laughed some more through that white grin. And then she dropped the dice, "no fucking way!"
"Yes!"
"No!"
"Aha!" She pointed and then gave a rich laugh as she clapped her hands together.
"You cheated!"
"I did not, you cocky bastard!" She laughed and he groaned a laugh in defeat.
"I didn't even see that!"
"I just kicked your sorry ass in Monopoly," she laughed and he shook his head as he laughed.
"No! There will be no record of this!" He declared and then swept his arm across the board on the floor.
"Oh I promise you will never forget," she grinned as she leaned forward.
"It is now my mission in life to find a board game that you cannot win."
"I wish you luck. There are very few things that I am not good at."
"I am starting to realize that now," David nodded as he laughed and began helping her clean up the game, "I still think you cheated though."
Regina laughed with a shake of her head at his teasing tone as she quickly sorted the coloured money in to its appropriate slots. "So what does Snow really think of you spending all this time here?"
"As hard as it is for you to believe she is quite thrilled about it," he nodded with a smile and Regina tapped the pink bills in to a neat stack before putting them away, "she practically throws me out the door."
"If only she knew what we really did when we were alone together," she teased and David laughed which had her laughing quietly with him.
"Very funny."
"Imagine how much fun strip Monopoly would be," she teased further and David shook his head as he folded the board up, "really any activity you come up with would be more fun without clothing and would lead to much more satisfying games."
"And yet somehow I think you're all talk," he smiled up at her with his head cocked just a little and she smiled with a soft hum and dropped her eyes.
"Only because I enjoy you more than enough the way things are now," she replied gently and slid the little metal car back and forth on the floor beneath her finger.
David smiled a little more at her words and felt his chest warm with affection and a little bit of pride in himself for earning such words from her. He certainly didn't take those words for granted. "Well I am happy to hear that," he nodded with a smile and her eyes remained down on the floor.
"Thank you, David. I'll never admit it again but I did need someone to help me through this. Someone as equally stubborn as myself but more...kind...so thank you."
Silently he reached forward and gently placed his hand over her's and his smile grew a little more when her fingers intertwined with his, "you're very welcome, Regina."
-Enchanted Forest-
"You want me to what?"
"Kiss the queen."
"...why?"
"To make David jealous and see what he's missing out on," Henry shrugged and the huntsman stared down at him with his brow furrowed in confusion.
"...why?"
"Because they're both being stubborn and I don't have time for them to do this whole lengthy courting and denial and maybe stuff. We've got to cut straight to the point so that I can go back home to my world."
"I don't-"
"Don't be so weird about it it's not like you haven't kissed her before," Henry motioned at him and the huntsman opened his mouth to speak but Henry cut him off, "you've done a whole lot more than kiss her and I'm pretty sure that even you have noticed that her attention has been focused elsewhere. And now if you pay really close attention you'll see that it's David. So will you kiss her or do I have to find something else that will work?"
...
He hadn't wanted to leave her side but despite how perfectly content he was in her company he had noticed that she was growing irritated and wary of his constant and easy presence. So he excused himself with the claim of discussing something with his mother when really he had just been wandering aimlessly through the halls of the castle with only his thoughts on the fiery brunette. Only a little over an hour had passed but it felt like much much longer than that and he found himself now hoping to run in to her with every corner he rounded.
He wanted her. Everything about her. He was amazed by her and it caught him by surprise. How could a person be so feared and powerful and deadly and cruel and then turn around and be so kind and generous and adored just depending on whose company she was in. It truly fascinated him and he could not help but long to know who she would allow herself to be if she were to let herself relax while alone with him.
"David," Henry greeted plainly, snapping the man's glazed eyes back to the present from whatever thoughts he found himself wrapped up in.
"Oh hey Henry."
"You okay?"
"Yes I'm fine. Why?"
"Well you were thinking hard on something," Henry nodded and David nodded as he looked off to the side while they walked.
"Just have a lot on my mind is all."
Nodding in acceptance Henry looked ahead of him and then changed the subject, "so what do you think of my mom?"
"Hmm? I-wh-what about her?"
Biting back a small smirk, Henry shook his head in mock confusion, "what do you mean 'what about her'," he breathed out a small laugh as if to say 'what other way is there to think about her' when really he knew exactly what other way he was thinking of her, "you still think she's a psychopath that can't be saved? Or was I right and you can finally admit it."
David breathed out a rather relieved laugh and shrugged a shoulder, happy that Henry was not inquiring about any deeper feelings he was now feeling for the woman, "you were right. I apologize for being so stubborn."
"Apology accepted," Henry nodded with a smug smile and David shook his head with a quiet laugh, "and now that you've seen it we can make sure the rest of the Enchanted Forest sees it! And if we are lucky we can find her a True Love!" He grinned enthusiastically and David laughed and nodded but Henry was no fool. He was plotting and taking in to account every detail of David's reaction to this love thing and what Henry gathered was hesitance. Not hesitance to find Regina happiness but hesitance to share her with anyone.
But Henry couldn't let David in on his plans yet. It was much too soon. So he pretended he saw nothing and was a naive and oblivious child. And then they rounded one more corner and Henry watched as David's face lit up just a little when Regina was seen. Talking with the huntsman. And when David stopped so did Henry and the boy continuously looked between David and the huntsman with the queen so he could see David's reaction as the huntsman moved closer and closer to the queen.
David was confused at first as the guard moved closer to her but then anger and jealousy started to boil low in his gut when she smiled a chilling but playful smile at the man that inched closer as his words allowed him to. And then his hands were on her and David's skin crawled with his growing rage and jealousy. The man's fingers traced her collar bone which had David clenching his jaw and then the man ran his fingers along the fabric of her gown's neckline that cut straight across her breasts and it took all of David's restraint to not go over there and break all of his god damn fingers as Regina allowed him to pull her in to him with a hand on her waist.
She was smiling at him. That hungry lustful smile that David wanted for himself and not this guard of hers. He nearly flinched when the man pulled her in to a kiss and she eagerly returned it. A special kind of hate for this man grew from David's jealousy as he watched his fingers thread through her silky hair that he himself wished to bury his hands in.
"We could start with him," Henry stated simply as the huntsman pushed the queen backward until she hit a wall and the pair of them got a little more...passionate.
"What are you talking about?" David snapped out a little too harshly but Henry didn't seem to notice.
Henry did notice and chewed the inside of his cheek to keep himself from smiling in victory, "the huntsman. We called him Graham back in Storybrooke. He's actually a really nice guy and wants her to be happy here. He doesn't have a heart but we could ask her to give it back to him and then maybe they could fall in love with-"
"No."
"Why not?" Henry questioned and pretended not to be happy about David's burning jealousy and envy, "it could totally work!"
"I said no," David tried not to snarl out and Henry let out a frustrated breath out his nose but David didn't know it was fake frustration. Didn't even notice for he was far too enveloped in the way Regina was moving under this man's touch.
"Alright fine if you're not gonna see sense then we'll try and find someone else who is at least a little bit fond of her like Graham is," Henry grumbled and tried not to smile, "but in the mean time I'm gonna go find something else to do rather than be weird and stand here and watch him take her clothes off," he nodded at the queen and the huntsman after seeing her loll her head back so he could kiss her neck. He knew what was going to happen but he didn't need or want to see it. Especially because it was his mother. After turning his back to them all he let his full grin finally break free and tried to keep the skip in his step from coming. And after a few seconds he heard David follow him.
He was finding it easier now to accept the feelings growing between the pair of them now. Now that he had seen how miserable she was without him and how furious he became when she was with someone else. And then of course how perfectly content they were now when they occupied the same space. This plan was going to work.
Truth be told he was already wondering if he could do the same with his real mother and David in Storybrooke. Could David be the answer to the mayor's woes just as David was the answer here to the Evil Queen's? Henry supposed he would just have to find out when he got home.