Note: This is the last chapter and ignores the events of season 7 although some of its characters are utilized. OC introduced.
"Heads up!"
The warning was shouted out a moment before a soccer ball was hurled across the garden, narrowly missing the table furnished with glasses and plates overflowing with food, then smashing against the mansion's wall.
"Levi! What did I say about keeping the ball on the ground?"
"Sorry Ma."
Maleficent shook her head softly, her ice cold gaze following her son as he collected the ball and resumed the game, dashing across the lawn with a strength and stamina that could only be attributed to his part dragon heritage. Next to her, the Evil Queen chuckled.
"Come one, give him a break Mal, that game is only fun if you break a few windows."
"I'd rather that did not happen thank you very much. It's my property your son would be destroying."
Regina stepped into the back yard carrying a tray of drinks and was followed at close quarters by Emma and the Charmings who shielded their eyes against the sun, looking for Neal. The young man was readying himself to deviate Levi's throw and stuck out his tongue in concentration, giving himself a rather amusing expression.
"Ho please, even if they break something we can fix it with magic."
Regina rolled her eyes and sat down next to Emma. Their hands were laced together beneath the table and the newfound intimacy between the two didn't escape The Evil Queen, who cast a knowing glance towards Maleficent. The blonde owned her a new item of jewelry. The bet had been on for years now and both had been wondering when the two women would finally get together. The three couples watched the game playing out with interest and truth to be told, a little apprehension. If Robin (who bless her was the only girl in that squadron of boys and had to put up with all the banter, childish humor and mock fighting that went on) was calm and played by the rules, the same couldn't be said for Neal, Henry and Levi who between dangerous tackles and only half-playful banter, were constantly on the verge of getting hurt.
"Robin is really good at this."
"Of course she is, a woman has to know how to handle herself if she is to survive amongst men"
There was pride in Zelena's voice and the hint of a satisfied smile tugged at the corner of her lips.
"Yes God, bless her, she has the patience of a saint"
the blonde girl had slithered in between Neal and Levi who were clearly arguing over technicalities.
"I think it's time to break this up and go eat."
Regina nodded her agreement and called the teenagers who abandoned the game and reached the table in the blink of an eye, each one reaching out for his parents.
"Go get cleaned up, you're filthy"
The Evil Queen's lips curled in a disgusted expression (mimicked a few seconds later by Regina who upon seeing the state Henry was in had the same reaction) as Levi came to stand next to her, resting a had on the back her chair. The teenager's hair was plastered to his forehead with sweat and she brushed it out of his face, prompting him to lean down to press a kiss to her cheek before obeying and leaving to wards the bathroom.
"Gross"
Maleficent couldn't stifle a light chuckle as her wife pressed a napkin to her cheek in an attempt to rid herself of the thin layer of sweat Levi's kiss had left behind.
"You know I always thought that hating germs, dirt and all that kind of stuff was a mayor Regina kind of thing, turn out its not."
Emma was just as amused. It was interesting to see the differences between the two Regina and in the years that had passed since the split, she had collected an impressive catalogue of similarities and differences. Their wardrobe was an obvious one, Regina's was formal and clean cut, always on point in every occasion whilst the Queen's elaborate dressed and leather trousers provided her with an aura of danger and aggressive sensuality that her counterpart lacked (not that Regina wasn't sexy, she was, just in a different way). But clothing aside, their behavior was interestingly different even after Regina had mingled the contents of their heart.
"It's a Regina thing full stop. You should have seen her when Henry was small, she looked disgusted every time he made a mess and it was the same thing when I was a kid in the enchanted forest. She couldn't stand me being disorganized, or sick for all that mattered."
Recalling how their relationship had been in the Enchanted Forest seemed to come easy to Snow. Both herself and the two Reginas had made amends years before and the friendship they had developed was a thing of beauty, though sassy remarks remained the norm (particularly on the Evil Queen's behalf).
"Well excuse us for finding getting thrown up on or infected with germs and filth unappealing"
It was evident from the knowing glances the mayor and the queen shared, that there was a very specific story behind the words spoken but no one present thought it appropriate to ask, not when a delicious meal was awaiting. It wasn't long before the younger generation came back having washed away the sweat and streaks of dirt from their hands and faces. Finally, the meal could begin. The contrast between Robin and Levi's table manners and those of Neal and Henry was stark. The two youngest members of the family and Levi more so than Robin, ate with the poise and carefulness that only an old-fashioned, aristocratic education could enforce, as opposed to the two other boys whose mannerisms were less refined to say the least.
"So, Levi and Robin how's it going? We haven't seen you in ages!"
Henry travelled a lot, having chosen to explore other realms rather than going to university, but he came back regularly enough, or at the very least gave frequently news about his whereabouts. Robin and Levi on the other hand were off the charts unless some special occasion arose or when they took a summer trip to Storybrooke.
"It's good, you know the usual routine. And I'm hanging out with Gideon quite often."
The friendship between Maleficent's son and Rumplestiltskin's was a complex one (namely neither the Dragon nor the Queen wanted their son too close to the imp's family but then again, they trusted Levi not to fall victim to Rumple and his deals), but the two got along well and made one hell of a team when trouble arose.
"He's got a lady too."
The young man shot his blonde mother a killer look but she grinned in reply, clearly enjoying the embarrassment she put him in.
"Is that so?"
"Yes, and she's quite the catch isn't she Levi? Though I'm not sure how good of an influence she is."
The Evil Queen was quick to interject and her son's reply was just as rapid. The two were remarkably similar when it came to sass.
"Just because your first love was awfully vanilla doesn't mean mine has to be"
"Young man, I was strutting around in skin tight leather pants and low cut tops well before you were even conceived. I'd be careful putting me and vanilla in the same sentence."
"In fact, it was because your mother was strutting around in leather pants and low cut tops that you were conceived."
Maleficent delivered the final blow, putting an end to the teasing. Their son groaned and wrinkled his nose in disgust.
"Moms! I did not need to know that."
"Yeah, thanks for that you two, no one needed to hear that. Onto Robin"
Snow was going to have that image branded in her brain for weeks to come and judging by the matching smirks Maleficent and the Evil Queen were exhibiting, they had gotten exactly the reaction they had hoped for. What would family gatherings be without Regina's now-not-quite-so-evil half being her unfiltered self? The attention shifted to Robin.
"I'm okay, I'll be going to the academy soon."
"Wow, It's crazy how fast they're growing up."
All the adults nodded in approval. Timelines were different in the Enchanted Forest and Storybrooke and it was always a bit of a shock when the family reunited in its entirety. There was a sense of nostalgia and apprehension that hung in the background but was hardly ever spoken about.
The rest of the lunch went by pleasantly and it wasn't until later that afternoon that the group broke up, with the Charmings heading back to their home and Zelena doing the same. Regina was washing the dishes when the clinking of heels on marble halted her in her motion.
"Here is a sight I never thought I would witness. The Evil Queen washing the dishes."
Maleficent leaned against the doorframe but caught a glimpse of the amused smile the brunette sported.
"Well…theoretically I am not the Evil Queen. You of all people should now that. What are you here for? I expect It's not helping me."
There was a flick of Maleficent's wrist and a flimsy hint of smoky mist before the dishes appeared on the drying rack, shining with newfound cleanness.
"Levi will be leaving home soon."
"and you're worried."
The blonde shook her head. She looked just as composed after the long day as she had been that morning and Regina couldn't help but feel a familiar pull of attraction towards her. Some habits died hard and the fact that sorceress was married with her other half didn't make it any easier.
"I'm not. The Evil Queen though…I'm afraid she's not taking it as well as I had hoped."
"And you want me to talk to her."
The Dragon took a step forwards, resting her pale hands on the kitchen counter as she kept her gaze fixated on the brunette before her.
"If there is anyone she will listen to, it's you. I know there are things you never told me and she hasn't either. I don't want to push her into revealing things she isn't comfortable with."
It had always been that way with Maleficent. Regina still remembered the first time she had run away from the Palace and sought refuge in her friend's arms. It had been the day after her marriage anniversary, when talks of an heir to the throne had become the norm during the rare moments she shared with King Leopold. The man wasn't unkind to her, possessive perhaps, but neither abusive nor hostile and her dislike for him and his touch stemmed from the lack of love. Her mother had insisted that she would learn to love the King but if anything the had grown to despise him more over the years. She had broken down in tears and Maleficent had scooped her in her arms and held her, soothing her until the sobs ceased. She had never asked what had been wrong, sensing the young Queen didn't wish to speak about it. The Dragon listened, comforted but never dug deeper than Regina was comfortable with and it was a quality the young woman had always appreciated.
"I'll speak to her."
"Thank you."
The rumble of motorcycles leaving the driveway tore the evening apart as four helmeted figures disappeared down the main street. The Evil Queen sniffled softly, crossing her arms over her chest as she stared out of the window, stroking absentmindedly the photo in her hand. It had been taken fourteen years before at Christmas and portrayed Lily hugging a very young Levi; to this day, she thought of it as one of her most precious possessions. A light knock on the door startled her and she recomposed herself quickly, embarrassed at the idea of someone seeing her in such a melancholic state.
"Hey. Do you mind if I join you?"
Regina.
"If I say no you'll come anyway."
The older woman sat on the edge of the bed at a respectful distance from her alter ego. She understood herself better than anyone and if there was one thing she knew it was that the Queen needed enough space to leave if she wished to. Trapping her even if unintentionally was never a smart idea.
"So Levi is going away soon…"
"Mal sent you didn't she?"
"Yes. She's worried and so am I. We were never good at dealing with people leaving us."
The Evil Queen chuckled. It was a humorless laugh laced with bitterness and a throaty, almost animal growl that made even Regina shiver in fear. She had come such a long way from the angry, hatred-fuelled women with neither moral nor conscience that the mayor and split from so many years before and to see the familiar glint of darkness looming in the Queen's pupils made her heart ache.
"I don't like the idea of him coming here. I always thought he would stay in the enchanted forest. I can't help him if he isn't near."
Things never went as planned with children. Regina had always thought Henry would go to college, instead he was jumping between realms with no definite plan for his future. The Evil Queen had expected Levi to stay in the Enchanted Forest until he could take over the reins of the kingdom and yet here he was, on the verge of going to college in the land without magic. She would never understand his logic. Of course she was content with his interest in education, she just wished it didn't bring him to far away from her.
"You can't but I can. Just like you can help Henry when he's in trouble. That's what family is for. He's turned out into a wonderful young person, they all have. It's scary to see him leave but that's what he needs, just like Henry and Lily before him."
The Evil Queen lowered her head and her better half caught the glimpse of a tear falling to the ground. It took her by surprise. Loving deeply was their curse and made experiences much more fulfilling but also caused separations to be unbearable.
"Everyone leaves."
It was a whisper, a confession saturated with a pain that went deeper than anyone could understand.
"Maleficent won't. And Levi will come back. He's a lot like us, being separated from those he loved makes him suffer and he loves you to pieces. You might not see it, but the relationship you have with him is incredible."
A smile softened the Queen's expression and momentarily dried the tears. Maleficent complained their son loved his brunette mother more than he loved her and it was undeniable that the two were incredibly close. They were so alike that understanding one another came naturally, though it made what few fights there were harsher than ever.
"It's hard to let go ."
"I know. But he will fine. Henry managed and so will he."
The Evil Queen sat next to Regina accepting without hesitation the hand that came to rest on her own. It was odd to feel comforted by the woman she was once trying to kill but welcoming her came naturally.
They stood like that for a long time, staring out of the window at the now sleeping Storybrooke. Perhaps this wasn't an end, just a different beginning. A new book was about to be written and this time it belonged to the new generation: to Henry, Neal, Levi and Robin and whilst the prospect of not knowing how it would play out terrified both mothers, they knew that whatever life threw at their boys, they would overcome it. They weren't alone like their mothers (or was it mother? some times even they didn't know where they stood) had been and if there was one thing that both Reginas had learned, it was that family could overcome anything. It was stronger than any curse and neither distance nor magic could break the love they shared. The two women had come to Storybrooke in pieces. Henry and Levi had filled the gaping hole in their heart and made them whole once more. Their job was done and whilst they wished they could hold on to the boys a little longer, there was no doubt in their minds that there were other people out there, just as damaged as the mayor and the queen had been, that needed their help. It was up to them to be heroes now.