A/N: WARNING: There is marijuana use in this chapter. It took me a long time to write, because I wasn't sure how it would be received. I am pro-legalization, but I feel the need to also warn that marijuana has shown to cause problems in brain development in adolescents, so I in NO WAY condone the use of illegal marijuana by underage people, or the irresponsible abuse of it by anyone. But, as I've said before, I'm not oblivious to what some high school kids do. So, again, MARIJUANA USE. If that is a trigger for you, I'll explain what happens in the chapter at the bottom of the page. Thanks for reading!

Months passed. Regina and her friends worked hard to maintain their grades and keep earning their paychecks, and soon talk of prom began to ring through the hallways.

Regina discovered that Neal had asked Emma to prom, and she had agreed. That alone sent money flying between the hands of their classmates as they'd taken that information as "Emma and Neal finally got together! Pay up!" when in reality, Regina knew that Emma still wasn't interested in Neal romantically. It was all for show. The knowledge didn't quell her jealousy, however. That was still flaring strong.

Regina had already informed her friends that she'd taken a shift at the boutique that night so that Lily and Belle could go to their last prom, being seniors and all. Lily and Graham had gotten together officially and the school was allowing him to accompany her even though he was no longer a student.

Belle was going with Ruby, as neither had dates of their own but didn't want to miss out on their senior prom. The two girls had grown close lately, and Regina had a sneaking suspicion that there was more going on there than a simple friendship, but she didn't pry. Belle had kept a huge secret for her, so Regina kept her nose out of Belle's business in return.

Emma at first was chagrined at the news that Regina wouldn't be attending. "I needed you there," she whined during one of their sleepover nights as they sat in front a chess board, playing an intense game. "With you there, I wouldn't have to dance with Neal much. And now…"

"Now, Belle and Ruby will be there to dance with. They're 'going stag together', after all."

"Oh please, you know that's a bunch of bullshit. They're crushing hard on each other."

"I'd assumed the same, but we don't know that."

"Trust me, Queenie. They're going to be an item before long."

Regina just laughed. "I'm sorry," she said then, moving one of her pawns to overtake one of Emma's. "Mother needs me to cover the shop that night. And since I don't have a date…nor an interest in one" -You liar, a little voice whispered in the back of her mind- "there's really no reason for me to go. If you didn't want to go with Neal, you could have just said no."

"Regina, it's prom," Emma whined, making her next move on the board, a terrible move that left her king wide open.

"You're a sloppy player, Swan." Regina chastised. "Checkmate."

"Maybe I just need a better teacher."

"I didn't even teach you, you already knew how to play…"

"But you're better than me, so you need to show me how to get that good!"

"All you have to do is ask, don't get your panties in a bunch."

"I don't wear panties, Regina."

"What?"

Realizing what she'd just said, Emma's entire face (and ears, Regina noticed) turned red. "I, uh…"

Emma didn't wear underwear? That knowledge made Regina's skin prickle and her stomach to drop. A warmth began in the pit of her belly.

"Come to prom," Emma said, still red in the face, leaning forward to reset the chess board. "Please?"

"I can't," Regina sighed, allowing her to steer the conversation away from dangerous territory. "I already promised Mother."

"Fine," Emma said, leaning back and crossing her arms. "Then you're coming to the after-party at Neal's house. His dad's going away on a business trip that weekend so Neal's going all out. Don't tell people, though. The only people who know are the people allowed to know."

"Oh, so after prom everyone is going to Neal's to, what, get drunk and have…intercourse?"

Emma rolled her eyes, looking agitated. "Sex," she said slowly, making Regina's entire body crackle with a feeling like electricity as the word escaped her mouth. "Say 'sex', Regina. You've said it before. 'Intercourse' makes you sound like you're forty."

"Sex, then, Emma," Regina breathed out, and she heard Emma make a strange little noise in her throat before coughing. "Better," she said through her coughing. "But no, it's not going to be like that. Yeah, there will be alcohol and yes, maybe some sex, but most of us are just going to hang and play video games, have a few beers and whatnot. Too good to get involved with the commoners after the ball, Queenie?"

"We shall see."

In the end, Regina found herself going prom shopping with her friends, helping them find their dresses, and thinking about how she was going to get out of going to the after party. She'd thought about going at first, but decided that an unsupervised party at someone's house was much more risky than a bonfire on a beach, and she felt herself dreading even the thought of going. But she hadn't given a definitive answer yet, so as not to disappoint Emma.

Emma stopped in to see Regina at Queen of Hearts before the prom. And when Regina saw her, her mouth dropped open.

Emma's hair was in a braided crown around her head, and some pieces of her golden hair fell down loose. She wore a bright red, floor-length dress that hugged her form tightly, accentuating her curves and angles, before flaring out at the knees. She looked taller than usual, and Regina looked at her feet to see she was wearing six-inch sandal-strapped heels. "Oh, Emma," she breathed, coming out from where she had been arranging a clearance display. Emma blushed and approached her, folding her hands together at her waist nervously. "Do I look okay?" she asked shyly.

Emma had on more makeup than Regina had ever seen her in, but the look was breathtaking. Her eyes were smoky; dark colors surrounding green irises making the green stand out like never before. Red lipstick, the same shade as her dress, brought attention to her thin lips, making them look soft and completely kissable. The desire to do just that, to smear that red lipstick with her own mouth, to muss that hair and wrinkle that dress, was sudden and fierce and terrifying. Regina's blood rushed to her head, making her dizzy, and she had to swallow, close her eyes for a moment and clench her hands into fists, as though they might betray her and reach for Emma without her permission. "You-you are stunning," Regina said truthfully, her eyes locking with Emma's.

Emma grinned brilliantly at her. "You wouldn't believe how long it took to get ready," she giggled. "Ruby took Belle and me to the salon today. I'm never doing that again."

Regina laughed hollowly and automatically, her eyes still scanning the beautiful form under the dress.

"But maybe it was worth it, if even you are staring like that," Emma laughed, sounding a little tense. "Seriously, you okay?"

Before Regina could answer, Cora swept out of the back room. "Oh, darling!" she cried upon seeing Emma. "I thought I heard your voice!" She pulled Emma to her and kissed both of her cheeks. "You look like you belong on the red carpet! What an absolute showstopper you are. Where's Neal? I need to get a picture of you together."

"He's uh, he's already there," she admitted sheepishly. "We just decided to take separate cars, and there will be a chance to take pictures at the prom. I was just…stopping in to show Regina the finished product." she laughed again, casting another strange look at Regina.

"Well," Cora sighed, "I suppose I'll just have to take a picture of the two of you then. Regina's in one of my better suits from this year's spring line…it's practically a women's tuxedo! Doesn't she look lovely, too?" she nudged Emma with her elbow and winked.

Regina's suit was definitely a feminized tux, the suit jacket flaring out at the waist over high-waisted, slim-fitting black pants and a crisp white blouse, top three buttons unbuttoned to accentuate what little bust Regina had. On her feet were simple black closed-toed heels.

Emma gave Regina's look a once-over and her voice was lower than usual when she said, "Yes, she does."

Regina felt her face heating up and she cleared her throat. "Yes, well, tonight isn't about me, is it?" she smiled. "You'd best get going before you're late."

"I'm getting that picture first, you two," Cora reminded them. She pulled out her phone and said, "The cell phone camera will have to do, I didn't bring my good one with me to work. Smile!"

Emma wrapped her arm around Regina's waist and they smiled robotically for the picture, and waited for Cora to inspect the image. She hummed in approval before saying, "I've got to get back to the back, I'm going through the inventory again," Cora announced, rolling her eyes dramatically. "Have a wonderful night, Emma." With another kiss to Emma's cheek, Cora was gone as fast as she'd appeared.

"Regina," Emma began, stepping closer. "I…really wish you could come."

"There's always next year, Emma. Senior prom is the one to go to, is what I've heard. I'll go all out then. Go have fun. You look…wow, Emma," she laughed breathlessly, running a shaky hand through her hair.

Emma took a step closer, and Regina found herself being pulled into Emma's arms. She returned the embrace, trying not to pay attention to the soft press of Emma's breasts and hips against hers and failing miserably. "What's this for?"

"You just looked uncomfortable," Emma joked in her ear.

Regina pulled back immediately and swatted Emma on the arm. "Get out," she ordered playfully. Emma stuck her tongue out at her and said, "Don't forget, you're coming to the after party or I'm going to kidnap you myself."

"Fine, fine," Regina said, turning and waving over her shoulder nonchalantly, and then sighed and rubbed at her eyes when she heard the tinkling of the shop bell, indicating Emma had left.

She was a lost cause, seriously.

Regina knelt down to fold a few pairs of pants, and Cora came out again, carrying more items to place on the clearance rack. "I am sorry I asked you to work tonight," she said, and she really did sound regretful. Regina smiled sadly up at her and said, "Mother, it's fine. I didn't have a date anyway, and going stag just doesn't sound that much fun. I'd much rather earn some extra money and spend time with my wonderful mother." She grinned cheekily with those last words, and Cora harrumphed. "You don't have to butter me up, you know," she said, mock-glaring at Regina. "I already know you want to go to the after-prom party. I know what happens at these kinds of parties, and I-"

"I don't want to go," Regina interrupted quietly.

"Excuse me?" Cora asked, looking shocked. Regina huffed out a laugh at her reaction and repeated, "I don't want to go. A house party…it sounds a lot different than a beach party. There's rooms, and beds, and…I am not comfortable with it. Maybe next year, but not this year. So…can I tell Emma you said I can't go?" she glanced up at Cora hopefully.

Cora frowned and replied, "And make me look stuck up and mean to our dear Emma?" she sounded serious, but Regina noticed a twinkle in her eye and a twitch of her lips that meant she was fighting back laughter. "No, dear. If you don't want to go, you tell her yourself that you decided not to go." Regina looked back down at her work, feeling ashamed.

"However," Cora added, kneeling down and enveloping her daughter in a warm hug, "I'm so very proud of you. I was going to let you go to the party, and then spend all night worrying about you and if you would make good decisions. So, your very responsible choice to stay away makes me so proud. And a little unsure if you're my biological daughter," she joked then, smacking a quick kiss on Regina's cheek. "Now get back to work, looks like a few people are about to come in."

Sure enough, a car had parked outside and a well-dressed group of women were flocking to the door, giving Regina plenty to do over the next couple of hours.

Regina's shift finally ended at ten, because she and her mother had stayed late to finish inventory and update the sales on the website. When she got into her car to drive home, she sent Emma a quick text.

"I'm sorry, but I don't want to go to the party. Had a late night, just got off work."

She waited for a couple of minutes, but when she didn't receive a text, she just shrugged. Emma probably didn't have her phone on her. She was probably dancing the night away.

She went home, bade goodnight to her mother in the foyer, and made her way to her room where she took a leisurely shower.

When she was finished, she got out, dressed in a comfortable pair of sweatpants and a form-fitting tee, and she was drying her hair when she saw her phone light up with a message from Emma.

I didn't want to go either. I'm in the garden.

Regina turned off her blow dryer and piled her damp hair up into a messy bun, heart pounding with anticipation, and slipped on a pair of flats and a jacket before quietly making her way downstairs and out the back door.

Emma was sitting on the old bench swing, still in her prom dress but wearing a hoodie over it, rocking the swing back and forth.

"Hey," Regina said as she approached her, then carefully lowered herself onto the swing when Emma slowed it to a stop for her.

"Hey," Emma said in a low voice, pushing her toes into the ground to get the swing started again.

"How was prom?"

"It was super boring," Emma grouched, and that's when Regina noticed she was holding what looked like a really skinny cigar in her hand. "I'm sorry," Regina said, eyeing the skinny cigar warily. "I didn't know you smoked cigars…"

Emma laughed quietly and lifted the burning cigar to her mouth. "It's not a cigar, Queenie," she whispered conspiratorially. Regina furrowed her brow when the smell hit her. "No, it's definitely not," she realized. "Is that…marijuana?"

Emma nodded, exhaling the stinky smoke. "Yeah, yeah it is."

"Oh."

They sat there in silence for a few seconds, then Emma held the joint out to Regina. "Want some?"

"Oh, I don't think…I've never tried it," Regina stuttered nervously. "Zelena tried to make me eat a 'special brownie' once but I was too scared," she admitted.

Emma nodded and took another hit. "It's cool if you don't want to do it," she said. "I'm not going to force you. But I needed some tonight, I hope you don't mind."

Regina shook her head. "No, it's okay. Did…did something happen?"

Emma looked up through the trees and at the cloudy midnight sky. "Kinda," she said vaguely. "Let this stuff do its job for a minute and then I'll tell you about it."

They sat there silently for another few minutes as Emma puffed on her joint, and Regina watched as she relaxed visibly, her eyes going glassy and her mouth lifting up into a soft smile. "There we go," she breathed.

"Feel better?" Regina asked awkwardly. Emma giggled. "Yeah, I do. Definitely feel ready to talk to someone, and I'd prefer it be you if you don't mind."

"Of course, Emma," Regina assured. "You can tell me anything."

Emma frowned then. "Are you sure? You won't judge me for anything, right?"

"Never."

Emma smiled again, then held out the joint once more. "You might want a hit of this before I start."

"Please, Emma, just tell me. Is it James again? Were you hurt? Did Neal do something?"

Emma put her hand on Regina's thigh. "No," she whispered. "It's nothing like that. Okay, here goes…Regina, I'm gay."

The words hit Regina like a freight train. Her mouth went dry and her heart began to pound in her chest. "Um. Can I try to take a…a hit?" She decided in a split second that she needed to be on whatever plane of existence Emma was on to process the information in a calm manner and not throw herself into Emma's arms with her own admissions.

Emma gave a dry laugh and handed it over, instructing Regina on how to do it. "Inhale as much as you can, and hold it as long as you can. You're probably going to cough. I have a bottle of water here beside the swing if you need it."

And boy, did Regina need it. The second the smoke hit her lungs, she choked up and began to cough forcefully. Emma quickly handed her the water bottle and she gulped some down before wiping away the tears that had been produced. "Oh, that's awful," she rasped. Emma nodded and said, "Yeah, the first time is always the worst. It should be easier if you want to try again."

And try again she did. This time, she managed to hold the smoke in for a few seconds before releasing it in another violent cough.

"One more ought to do it," Emma encouraged, and Regina took one more drag before handing it back to Emma, who snuffed it and put it in her hoodie pocket.

Regina took one more drink from the water bottle and noticed she was already feeling different. Her head felt…airy, and she became hyper-aware of the rustle of the leaves and grass in the night breeze. "Oh, wow," she said softly.

"Yeah," Emma smiled. "So…back to the whole 'me being gay' thing…"

"Yes," Regina said, her tongue feeling a bit thick in her mouth. "How…when…?" she couldn't seem to form an entire sentence, but Emma got the gist.

"So, I get to the prom, right? And Neal is there, and he looks really handsome in his suit. So I start thinking, 'Why the hell aren't we a couple? He's good-looking, smart, athletic, and he's been one of my best friends since I moved here. Why the hell am I not attracted to him?' And see, it's something that I had been pondering for awhile, but it hasn't been at the forefront of my mind, you know? Tonight, it was right there, and the only thing I could focus on."

Regina nodded and hummed, letting Emma know she was still listening. Emma sighed and tilted her head back again. "I really wish I could see the stars tonight," she mused. "Anyway, so I dance with some people and get some punch and food, and an hour later I needed to use the bathroom. So I walked into the ladies' room, where I witnessed Ruby pressing Belle to the wall in the last cubicle. They forgot to lock it or whatever. But I saw them, Gina…kissing, Ruby's hand under Belle's dress, they were breathing heavy…and it hit me."

"What hit you?" Regina asked, her mind already lost in the visual that Emma had just painted.

"I was…turned on. Seeing them. I know they're my friends or whatever but seeing that kind of…affection, between two girls, really shook me, you know? Well, you probably don't know," she laughed then. "But it was like something came alive inside me. I don't know how to describe it. And I realized, I've been feeling weird things for a long time now. Well, 'weird' isn't the word for it, but I've felt different. I see women as attractive. I don't get jealous of other girls, or want to look like them. I just…look at them. I've kind of known, for awhile now, but it's like it was confirmed tonight. I want to date a girl. I want to kiss a girl. Hell, I might even want to fuck a girl, Ruby sure makes it sound like it's the best thing ever. But yeah…I just wanted to get it out. It was like, filling me up inside and threatening to burst if I didn't tell someone. And now I'm rambling, I'm sorry. Are you okay, Gina? Did I weird you out?" Emma was concerned now, her glassy eyes on Regina's face as the brunette tried to process everything she'd just heard.

"Um, yes," Regina said distractedly, trying to get her brain to focus. "No! No, you didn't weird me out. I..I'm glad you told me, Em," she whispered, her mind swimming. "I was just shocked, that's all…I would never judge you for that, how could I? You're my best friend."

Emma's smile could have lit up the sky all on its own. "I'm your best friend?" Emma asked coyly. Regina nudged her with her elbow. "Of course," she confirmed. "It doesn't bother me that you're a lesbian, Emma. I like you for who you are, not who you're attracted to."

Ugh, you idiot, a little voice in Regina's head whispered. Just tell her you're probably gay too.

Shut up, Regina thought in response to the little voice. You're under the influence. Now is Emma's time to come out, not mine.

"I didn't think you would be, because I know how much you love Ruby. I thought of telling her first, because…well, obvious reasons. She's a lesbian, and she would understand. But then I thought maybe she'd think I was hitting on her, or maybe she wouldn't take me seriously…I needed to tell you. I'm glad I made the right choice."

Regina pulled Emma into a hug, trying to ignore the fact that her limbs felt awkward and heavy. She felt like a sloth. She tried to ignore it, but the more she tried, the more she thought about it.

"You okay there, Gina?" Emma asked from the crook of Regina's neck. Regina could feel her smile against her skin and tried to ignore the jolt of arousal that caused. Again, tried to ignore but ended up only being able to focus on Emma's mouth on her neck.

"I, uh, feel like a sloth," came the asinine thought she hadn't meant to let escape right out of her mouth.

Emma pulled away, laughing. "Yeah, you're really high. It's okay, I am too."

"It doesn't feel at all how I expected," Regina said thoughtfully. "Everyone talks about it as some horrible drug, but I just feel…heavy. Relaxed. Happy."

"Yep," Emma grinned. "It's only bad if you abuse it. Like, don't get super high and drive. I've been around my alcoholic foster dad for two years now, and I've drank some, and if that stuff can be legal then I think weed should be. Legalized and taxed just like alcohol and tobacco, and just watch the liquor and cigarette sales decline. And then everyone is chill, there's world peace, the works."

Regina snorted with amusement. "Marijuana will bring world peace, huh?" she giggled. "If only it was that simple…" She trailed off, suddenly really concerned about world peace. Could it happen? Was weed the key? Human greed was a horrible thing, could world peace even be a possibility while there were greedy people on the planet still?

"Yo, Gina, don't go down that rabbit hole or you won't come up for hours," Emma said, snapping her fingers in front of Regina's face, making her blink and distracting her from her thoughts. What were her thoughts?

"I don't remember what we were talking about," Regina admitted, feeling kind of hazy.

"We were talking about how I'm hungry and I really want to get out of this dress."

Somehow, Regina was sure that hadn't been the topic of conversation before now. "Oh, um…do you want to come in? You can borrow some pajamas and we can see what's in the fridge."

"Nah, it's okay. I can go home."

"It's really no problem," Regina assured her. "Come on in. It's getting cold."

Ten minutes later, Emma had changed into a pair of Regina's pajamas and the two girls were staring at the refrigerator blankly. "Why am I so hungry?" Regina asked as she stared at the fully stocked compartment.

"It's a side effect. Ooh, Eleanor bought strawberries! Think there's any whipped cream in here?"

"Yeah," Regina said, trying to focus her eyes. "It's in the door, there, behind the jam."

"Oh, I see it," Emma asked, then turned around and closed the door to the fridge with her foot, holding a container of strawberries and a can of Cool-Whip. "We're going to have a feast," she whispered excitedly, placing the items on the table before helping herself to a strawberry, covering it in a ridiculously large amount of whipped cream before shoving it into her mouth. "Mmm," she moaned happily.

That moan resonated in Regina and she couldn't help but notice how erotic the scene before her was. No. Bad!

She averted her eyes before grabbing her own strawberry and spreading some of the cream on it. When she took a bite, the flavor was intense and washed over her taste buds pleasantly. "Oh," she exclaimed softly. "That's so good. Why is it better than usual?"

"Another side effect," Emma whispered through a wide grin.

The girls polished off the strawberries and whipped cream in record time, made their way back upstairs and climbed into bed. Regina scooted close to Emma and started pulling the pins from her hair, and when Emma realized what she was doing, she faced away from her, a clear signal to continue.

Regina worked the pins and ties out of Emma's intricate hairdo, and when she was about halfway finished, Emma whispered, "Please don't tell anyone else, okay? About me…liking girls."

"I would never," Regina whispered back, running her fingers through Emma's hair to make sure she'd gotten everything out. "It's not my place," she continued, parroting what Belle had told her when this issue had been discussed.

"Okay, thank you," Emma said on a sigh. "I just…my foster parents can't find out. They're…well, he is very vocal about his contempt for Ruby and all gay people. I'd be kicked out or worse if he found out."

"I won't, I promise," Regina whispered, then giggled. "So, Ruby and Belle, huh? Guess we were right."

"Oh man," Emma barked out a laugh. "Ruby was on her like a wolf on a deer, Gina. It would have been comical if it hadn't been so impacting."

"Did they see you when you walked into the bathroom?"

"No, they were lost in their own little world. I stared at them for like, ten whole seconds. Just watching Ruby's hand move, and the two of them kissing and making those noises…." she trailed off, and Regina felt her body grow warm with the description she'd provided. "Well," she said after clearing her throat, "I'm glad Ruby found someone else. Belle is definitely a better choice than Lily, in my opinion."

"Lily isn't really that bad," Emma said softly, sadly. "She made a mistake, a bad one, but I knew she always had a thing for Graham. I think Ruby did too. Lily was just…I don't know, experimenting? We're in high school, that's what we do. I can't defend how she hurt Ruby, but…"

"I know," Regina said. "You're her friend too. And I liked her before that night. But I like Ruby more and I couldn't stand to see her heartbroken. Do you….do you think it's just a phase, for you?"

Emma leaned her head back as Regina continued to run her fingers through her hair, completely absently at this point. She thought for a moment, then said, "I don't know. I don't think so. But I've never even kissed a girl, so really, what do I even know?"

"Would you like to kiss a girl?" The words were out before Regina could stop them, and her fingers got snagged in a particularly nasty tangle as the words came out.

"Ow, Gina," Emma said, pulling her hair away from Regina's fingers. "Buy me dinner before you pull my hair, okay?" Emma laughed, turning around to see that her friend was as red as a tomato. "Yeah, I wanna kiss a girl. Why do you ask?"

Too late to turn back now, Regina whispered, "You could kiss me. Just to see what it's like."

"Are you gay, too? Is this a coming-out party?" Emma grinned wickedly, moving closer. Regina felt her face heat up even more and she shook her head violently. "No, no," she said quickly, "I just want to help you, you know? Help you figure some stuff out. As your friend."

"Well, sure, then," Emma said, licking her lips. "Do we just…"

"Yeah, I mean…"

"Okay, then I'm just gonna…"

"Do we close our eyes?"

"I don't know, isn't it weird to keep your eyes open?"

"You could just…"

"We're going to make this awkward if we don't shut up,"

Emma's face was centimeters from Regina's now, and Regina could smell her familiar scent and the strawberries and cream still on her breath. "Then shut up," Regina said boldly.

"Yes, Your Majesty," Emma breathed as she closed the gap between their lips.

And oh, Robin's kiss had nothing on this. Fireworks exploded behind Regina's eyelids and spread down her body, lighting every nerve ending on fire. The firm press of Emma's lips against her own made her head spin and her belly pool with arousal. The kiss was over before they knew it, and they both stared at each other for a second before Emma lunged in again, grabbing Regina's face in her hands and pulling their lips back together.

They kissed harder this time, and Regina gasped when she felt Emma's tongue probing at her lips, which opened her mouth and granted Emma access inside. When their tongues met for the first time, Regina was positive she was going to spontaneously combust. Emma tasted of strawberries, cream, and something else that was uniquely Emma, and Regina couldn't stop the moan that bubbled up out of her throat.

Emma's arms were around her neck now, and she was pushing her back into her headboard, kissing her long and deep and Regina had never been this turned on before. The press of Emma's body against hers, the taste and feel of her mouth, the passion with which she was kissing her…Regina was aching. So bad she was quivering. When Emma's tongue swiped hers again, she felt her hips lift off the bed automatically, arching up against her friend as her arms wrapped around her neck, pulling her closer. She needed more, she needed to feel Emma completely against her, she needed…

A knock sounded on Regina's door then, causing the girls to practically jump apart.

"Regina? Is Emma in here? I heard voices," came Henry's voice through the door before he opened it.

Emma and Regina were sitting so far away from each other that they were practically falling off either side of the bed, their hair mussed and their faces red, but if Henry noticed, he didn't say a word. "Ah, there's my other girl," he smiled at Emma, walking into the room. "How was prom, my dear?"

"It was…really boring," Emma laughed, running a hand through her hair nervously. "Sorry if we woke you up."

"You didn't, Emma. I was working late in the study. I heard Regina go outside and then I heard the two of you raid the fridge a bit ago. Did you leave any strawberries for the rest of us?"

Emma and Regina glanced guiltily at each other before Regina murmured, "I'll go buy some more in the morning, Daddy."

Henry began to laugh. "Oh, you two look like toddlers who got caught in the cookie jar! I'm just giving you a hard time, no harm done. I'm sorry you didn't enjoy your night Emma. Is that why you came here instead of going to an after party?"

"Yes, sir. I hope that was okay," Emma said. Henry nodded, still chuckling. "You're always welcome here, Emma, you know that. You're good for my Regina."

He crossed the room to kiss the top of Regina's head, then did the same to Emma. "You girls get some sleep, okay? I have something to discuss with you both in the morning, so it's good you're already here," he said cryptically. "Buenas noches, mis ninas." And with that, he left the room, pulling the door shut behind him.

"Holy shit," Emma breathed after a few seconds. Regina erupted into hysterical giggles and fell over into the mattress, burying her face in the duvet. "Do you think he smelled the…smoke on us?" she asked, her voice muffled.

"I don't know, maybe? Shit, the joint is still in my pocket. Yeah, he probably smelled it. And if he didn't, he made it clear he heard us in the kitchen, and I was talking about 'side effects'…"

"It's a good thing my dad was a hippie, then. I'll probably be in trouble tomorrow anyway for it."

"I'm more worried if he could tell what we were doing a bit ago," Emma whispered, "And speaking of which, I am so sorry. I took that further than you were probably comfortable with."

Oh, if only you knew the truth, Regina though sourly, sitting up to rub her eyes and soothe her aching cheek muscles from all the laughter. "You're fine. Did you figure it out?"

"Oh yeah. Um. Don't take this the wrong way, I'm not trying to hit on you or anything, but I am definitely gay. Thanks for, uh, helping me out with that."

"No problem, it was just practice, think of it as practicing for a big softball game," Regina said, and when their eyes met, they dissolved into giggles once again. Emma then wheezed, "Yeah, I gotta get better at pitching, for sure."

"Did you just make a lesbian sex joke?"

"Isn't that what I have to do now? Or is that tactless? Oh god, I know nothing about being a lesbian. Think Ruby would teach a class or something?"

"Stop, I can't breathe," Regina gasped, falling forward into her mattress again. Emma patted her softly on the back. "Oh shit, I think I broke you," she grinned. "Hang on to your heterosexuality, Queenie. Don't let me chase it away. I know I'm hot and everything, so I don't blame you, but…"

"Stop," Regina laughed, reaching over to blindly slap Emma on the knee. "Oxygen is a necessity and I'm not getting enough!"

They laughed for a few more seconds, and then Emma cleared her throat as Regina sat up again to wipe the tears from her eyes. "Look, in all seriousness," Emma said, all laughter gone, "Thank you. You didn't have to…kiss me. I don't want you to be weirded out, or anything…I mean, I'm still a little high so I know you are, and I don't want you to think I was like, taking advantage of you…"

Regina mustered up her courage and leaned forward, giving Emma a small peck on the lips. "I said, shut up," she whispered. "If I was uncomfortable, I wouldn't have offered."

It was as if Emma had been struck dumb by that small kiss. She sat there for a second, blinking rapidly, then smiled. "You're an awesome friend, Gina."

"I know. Let's go to bed."

"You know, the kiss was fine. You don't have to take it all the way to bed. I admire your dedication and everything-"

"Go to sleep," Regina said firmly as she turned off the light.

"Yes, Your Majesty."

A/N: If you chose to skip this chapter, I completely understand and I'm sorry that the subject matter wasn't tolerable for you. If you want to know what you missed, Emma came back from goint to prom and sat with Regina in the garden, admitted to Regina that she was pretty sure she was gay, and Regina chose to smoke some weed with her. They talked about it, Regina supported her but didn't admit her own feelings, they ate some food, then Regina offered to let Emma kiss her, to "practice" for when she finally kissed someone she was interested in. They kissed, it got a bit intense, some jokes were shared, and Henry interrupted but didn't catch them. And all is well and happy, which will change in a couple chapters lol.