THE PACT


Note: This story isn't meant to be fully understood. It's just a glimpse into one story. Not everything needs to make sense because I didn't write it to. Just take it as it is, and don't question it too much. I didn't write this OS to fit into a bigger picture. So, don't worry.

Also, english isn't my first langage, so if something feels off, you know why.


"Did you notice it's always Regina coming closer to Emma?"

The diner was empty, only but one customer. Ruby was out running errands. Granny was on her own.

Up until she asked this, silence was reigning in the diner. Charming looked up from his coffee and frowned.

"Huh?"

"Emma never tries to come close to Regina. Whenever they talk or stand next to each other, Emma never approaches her. Regina's always the one making the move. Not in a flirty way. Just in an attempt to be closer. No other reason. Did you notice it?"

Charming sat silent for a minute. He was wondering if he was hallucinating all of this since he had the biggest hangover he'd ever experienced. But then he thought about it.

"I didn't, actually."

"You should check it out for a few days. Then we'll talk about it."

A few days passed before Charming could catch a glimpse of what Granny was talking about. It was a Wednesday. Regina had to check something up with Emma and decided to come directly to the station to deal with it. Emma greeted her at the step of her office and they talked for a bit in the corridor.

And then, Charming saw it.

After Emma shook Regina's hand, she stood there and talked without stepping even an inch forward. Regina, on the other hand, took one step closer, then half a one. And there she was, standing just an arm distance. What little distance was left was promptly filled by her arms whenever she was the one talking.

Charming also understood what Granny meant by saying that Regina was stepping forward "just in an attempt to be closer". It wasn't flirty. It wasn't amical either. It was just natural.

That day, Charming laughed it off thinking that because it happened once didn't mean anything. But then, it happened again.

This time, it was in Regina's office. All the three of them were gathered discussing current budgets for the sheriff's office. Regina went to show Emma the budgetary plan estimated by the council. Initially, Emma was facing the office and Regina was sitting behind it. Emma could see perfectly from where she was standing. But, naturally, Regina stood up and went around her desk to be next to Emma and show her directly the file.

Charming witnessed it from a foot behind as he was checking on another file sitting on a sofa. The file still open in his hand, he couldn't help but laugh at the sight of what Granny had described. He tried to mask his laugh by coughing in his free hand but he wasn't really successful. Regina inquired him what was going on and Charming had a hard time thinking of an excuse on the spot.

He also noticed it when they were, Emma and him, doing a quick patrol around the lake and they stumbled upon Regina taking a walk. They talked for a few minutes and Regina decided to join them on their patrol. When Regina joined them, Emma didn't change her position; she stayed on the same side of Charming she stood before. But Regina instantly, and flawlessly, without making it obvious, found her way to the otherside of Emma.

The one time that stood out to him was at Granny's diner. It was a cold night so everyone was wearing their coat even with the heat on inside. Ruby was serving Charming a beer when Emma entered the diner.

She sat on one of the stools and ordered Granny a coffee to go. Emma was on duty that night and was trying to stay awake by this starless night. Regina was there, sitting just two stools away. Emma saw her and actually started the conversation. Only a minute in, Regina stood up and went on to sit on the stool that was standing between them.

Emma saw the empty stool. She started the conversation so she wasn't just trying to ignore her. But she still chose to sit on the second stool.

And even if Regina could've easily been irritated by the situation, she still chose to stand up and sit closer.

It was like Emma was forcing herself not to act exactly the way Regina was acting with her. Naturally.

When Emma and Regina both left the diner, Charming went up to the counter. He called out Granny and asked if she was in for a cig.

They went out the back of the diner, and he didn't waste any time.

"I noticed it."

"You did."

"I noticed it, but it doesn't mean I understand it. What's up with Emma?"

Granny didn't say a word for a few seconds. She seemed like she was fighting a battle only she knew the outcomes of. She just didn't know which side to pick. And then, she did.

"Do you wanna know a secret?"

"You know I live for those."

She laughed. Just a bit. Just so it would give her enough time to brace herself.

"A few years ago -and by few I mean like eight or nine years ago- we were closing and our only remaining customers were Emma and Regina. They were just finishing their drinks so we kinda closed around them. Ruby left before they did.
"As I was cleaning some cups behind the counter, I overheard a bit of their conversation. They were talking about some kind of a pact. They knew what Rumple was capable of. They said that if either one of them were to lose memory of the other, they had to promise to not try and make the other remember. If others, their family, their friends, wanted to try and make them remember, then so be it. But none of them were to try."

When Granny stopped explaining, a heavy silence fell over the alley. Charming took a few moments to register everything.

"That explains it all. Why Emma was so stiff around Regina. How I know she was dying to come closer but just didn't know how to act. 'Cause you just never know, right? Regina could get her memory back by triggering something in her mind… Like, holding out her hand for her when wanting to jump over a puddle."

"Weird image, but sharp thought." Joked Granny.

"But are you sure that Emma didn't break the pact?"

"I'm positive"

"How can you be so sure?"

"I was there that night. I saw them. They were serious, Charming. Emma would never go against that."

"Why would they make such a deal?"

"The idea was that if the one who forgot was happier without their memories, then they weren't to make them remember. If they weren't, if they were lost without their memories, or whatever, then they had to do everything possible to reconnect them to their past life.

"So, Emma thinks Regina is happier now?" Asked Charming.

"Apparently."

"That's not your opinion?"

"I can see that Regina's happy. It's just that… I'm sorry, but I just think their pact is pure bullshit. I simply can't grasp the fact they would make such a deal. Not that my opinion matters, but you know…"

"Well, after everything they've been through, we might not understand it. But see, that's the thing, we will never understand."