A/N I was waiting for MONTHS to finally post this. Hope you enjoy! :3
Halloween Morning, Outside Regina's Mansion
Emma had been cooking up her Halloween plan for ages, all to catch Regina Mills off guard and, maybe just once, get her to crack a smile over a cheesy pun. So, it began, as most of Emma's schemes did, in spectacularly dramatic fashion.
When Regina stepped out of her mansion that morning, already dressed in a fitted, elegant black coat, she was met with a sight that made her pause mid-step. Emma stood at the bottom of the stairs, wearing a bright white hoodie with a cartoon ghost on it and the words "BOO?" sprawled across the front in bold letters.
"Good morning, your Majesty!" Emma called out, throwing her arms open. "I have something very important to ask." She clapped her hands together, grinning in a way that promised trouble.
Regina took one look at her, lips pursed in that classic expression of mild exasperation. "Emma, don't you da—"
"Will you be my boo?" Emma interrupted with a wide grin, arms outstretched.
Regina's lips parted, and for a moment, it looked like she might genuinely lose her composure. But she quickly gathered herself, giving Emma a slow, almost pitying shake of her head. "Absolutely not," she said, voice dripping with mock disdain. "That is the worst pun I've ever heard."
Emma clutched her heart, feigning heartbreak as Regina walked briskly past. "It's only the beginning!" she called after her, earning a bemused look from Regina over her shoulder.
Later That Day, Granny's Diner
Emma, not one to be deterred, decided to step up her game. Regina had barely taken a seat at her usual table when Emma waltzed into Granny's, this time wearing a makeshift halo and a pair of comically large angel wings. She strolled right up to Regina's booth, put her hands on her hips, and grinned down at her.
"Sheriff," Regina said coolly, taking a sip of her coffee. "You seem to have sprouted wings. Should I be concerned?"
"Only if you're planning on rejecting me again," Emma said, leaning down so that her face was inches from Regina's. "Will you be my boo?" she asked, her voice soft but teasing, her lips curving up in a way that made it clear she was enjoying every second of this.
Regina took a measured sip of her coffee before responding. "Not a chance," she replied smoothly, eyes gleaming with something Emma couldn't quite place. "You'll have to try harder than that."
Emma's playful pout was rewarded with snickers from the other patrons. "Oh, she's making you work for it, Swan," Ruby called out, grinning from behind the counter.
Emma sighed with a dramatic flair. "It's all part of the plan," she mumbled, but the mischievous spark in her eyes remained.
Evening at Granny's
By nightfall, Emma's entire day had turned into a full-blown pun campaign, each one met with Regina's carefully restrained eye rolls and disdainful glances. But by the glint in Regina's eye, Emma could tell she wasn't entirely unaffected. As Emma nursed a drink at the bar, recounting her trials to Ruby, she couldn't shake the feeling that Regina had, in some way, been enjoying herself.
"You'd think after, like, the twelfth 'Will you be my boo?' she'd at least crack a smile and say yes," Emma said, slumping against the counter. "I thought it was cute."
Ruby chuckled, swirling her own drink. "It was cute the first time. After that, it was… well, persistent. Maybe she's just holding out to mess with you."
"I don't know, maybe I overdid it." Emma sighed, glancing at the door, secretly hoping Regina might walk in. "I mean, I tried everything. Even the pumpkin lineup!"
Just then, the diner door opened, and a hush fell over the place. Emma's eyes widened when she saw Regina stepping inside. She was dressed in a deep, elegant red dress that clung to her in all the right places, her dark cascaded in loose waves around her shoulders, and her dark, smoky eye makeup gave her an almost dangerous allure and her lips were painted a shade of red that matched the dress. Emma swallowed hard as Regina's gaze landed on her, a subtle smile curving her lips.
Emma's heart skipped a beat. She watched, transfixed, as Regina walked across the diner, her heels clicking softly on the floor, and sat down on the stool next to Emma. She crossed her legs, revealing a flash of smooth skin, and turned to her with a smile that was both warm and teasing.
"Good evening, Miss Swan," she said, her voice low and smooth. "You look like you've seen a ghost."
Ruby, who had been in the middle of taking a sip, nearly choked. She leaned back, her eyes wide as she watched the scene unfold. "Fuck, you're in trouble, Swan," she muttered, grinning as she quickly slipped away, muttering something about not wanting to witness whatever was about to happen.
Emma blinked, struggling to form a coherent response. "Regina, I—"
Regina's smile widened, a knowing, almost predatory gleam in her eyes. "Oh dear," she continued, her voice velvety and teasing, "after all that effort today… all those dramatic proclamations and terrible, terrible puns…" She leaned in a little closer, her lips barely an inch from Emma's ear. "And now you can't even find the words to greet me properly."
Emma's cheeks flushed, her mind a chaotic mess of thoughts, all of which seemed to center around how stunning Regina looked. "I… well, I mean, you're here, and I wasn't expecting…"
Regina let out a soft, almost pitying laugh, as if she was thoroughly enjoying Emma's flustered state. She pulled back slightly, just enough to look Emma in the eyes. "Such a shame. If only I could speak the language of horrible puns, maybe none of this would have happened, and you wouldn't be sitting here, all alone, moping about it to Miss Lucas." She lifted a hand, and with a small, elegant twist of her fingers, a single, perfectly bloomed red rose materialized, floating in the air between them. Regina plucked it from the air and twirled it slowly between her fingers, every movement deliberate and seductive.
Emma opened her mouth to protest, but no words came out. She could feel the stares of the few patrons scattered around the diner, most of them watching this with amused grins. Granny was pretending to polish a glass, but even she was sneaking glances over.
Regina twirled the rose one last time before sliding it across the counter toward Emma. "You know, Miss Swan," she said, her voice dropping to a whisper that sent a shiver down Emma's spine, "you've been very bold all day, but it seems I'm the only one brave enough to ask the question properly." She paused, letting the tension hang in the air for a moment longer, then raised an eyebrow, her lips curving into a slow, seductive smile.
"Will you be my boo, Miss Swan?"
Emma's jaw dropped, her heart hammering so loudly she was sure everyone in the diner could hear it. She blinked, trying to process the words, trying to grasp the fact that Regina—Regina—had just turned the tables on her so effortlessly, and in front of everyone. "I—y-yes," she finally stammered, still half in disbelief. "Yes, absolutely."
Regina's smile softened, but the teasing glint never left her eyes. She leaned in one more time, close enough for her lips to brush Emma's, but just barely, leaving her aching for more. "Good," she murmured. "I was beginning to think I'd have to endure more of your dreadful puns to get you to say yes."
With a soft, lingering kiss, she sealed the moment, pulling back just as Emma was beginning to melt into it. "Happy Halloween, Emma," she whispered, her breath warm against Emma's lips. "You've been quite a delightful ghost to chase today."
The room broke into scattered applause, a few whistles, and a lot of knowing laughter. Ruby, still at the end of the bar, shook her head with a grin. "Damn, Swan," she called, "I didn't think you could get played that hard."
Emma's cheeks burned, but she couldn't help grinning. "Yeah, well," she said, finally regaining a bit of her swagger, "at least I got my boo."
Regina just rolled her eyes, but this time, there was no mistaking the affection in her gaze. "And you still need to work on your puns," she said, but her voice was light, playful, and entirely too happy.
Granny's Diner - Halloween Night
The Halloween party at Granny's was in full swing, a whirlwind of costumes, laughter, and the faint scent of spiced cider wafting through the diner. In the corner, a cauldron-shaped punch bowl bubbled with Granny's signature concoction, and around it, townsfolk were mingling, exchanging stories about the day's festivities.
In the middle of it all, Emma found herself almost unaware of the crowd as she swayed in rhythm with Regina, their hands clasped, bodies close. Regina's hands rested lightly on Emma's waist, the fabric of Emma's leather jacket soft under her fingers, while Emma's fingers played along the back of Regina's dress, just above the curve of her hips. The flickering Halloween lights cast an ambient glow, accentuating the smooth line of Regina's jaw and the mischievous spark in her eye.
"You really know how to turn heads," Emma murmured, trying to regain some of her earlier swagger. "I mean, the dress, the hair… even that little magic trick with the rose. You just love showing off, don't you?"
Regina's lips quirked into a small, knowing smile, eyes narrowing slightly as if to tease her. "Show off?" she asked, arching a brow. "I merely wanted to make an impression. Someone in this room seems to have spent the entire day pursuing me with terrible puns. I thought I'd give her something worth remembering."
Emma chuckled, her heart fluttering at how effortlessly Regina seemed to hold her attention. "Yeah, well, mission accomplished." She leaned in, brushing her lips against Regina's ear, as if sharing a secret. "I'm still going to top that, you know."
"Oh, I'd like to see you try," Regina replied, her tone equal parts challenge and flirtation.
Regina's hands moved ever so slightly, one drifting up to cup Emma's cheek, a subtle shift that made Emma's breath catch. She could feel Regina's thumb brushing over her cheekbone, a gentle, grounding touch, as the beat of the music slowed, the atmosphere around them tightening.
The song continued, the slow rhythm making it easy for them to stay close, bodies gently swaying. Emma was about to respond, another playful remark on her tongue, when she noticed Regina's hands shift slightly. The change was subtle, but it made Emma's heart skip a beat, as if something important was about to happen.
And then, with all the casualness in the world, Regina spoke: "Marry me."
Emma blinked, sure she'd misheard, her mind stumbling over the words. "Wait… what?"
"Marry me, Emma," Regina repeated, her voice as smooth and measured as if she were offering her another drink. But her eyes, softened with a rare vulnerability, told Emma that there was nothing casual about this.
Emma's foot stumbled, her eyes widening as she looked at Regina in disbelief. "You're… serious?"
Regina's smile didn't waver, though her eyes glowed with an unmistakable sincerity. "Deadly serious," she said, tilting her head with a glint of humor. "Although, given the day, that may be an unfortunate choice of words."
Emma's mouth opened and closed, her brain still trying to catch up. "I—are you messing with me?" she managed to stammer, her voice a mix of a laugh and a gasp. "Because, I mean, you just… you can't just drop a question like that on me out of nowhere."
Regina lifted a brow, her smirk growing as she tilted her head playfully. "Why not? I thought directness was something you valued." Her tone remained playful, but the warmth in her gaze left no doubt about her intent.
Emma glanced around the room, noticing the way people were starting to watch, some hiding smiles behind their hands, others openly grinning. "Regina, seriously—"
"Oh, I am very serious, Miss Swan," Regina said, cutting her off. And before Emma could process what was happening, with a level of elegance that took Emma's breath away, she lowered herself to one knee, a small velvet box appearing seemingly out of nowhere, nestled in her palm. The room fell into silence, all eyes on them.
With a practiced, effortless flick, Regina opened the box to reveal a stunning diamond ring that caught the light, sparkling in a way that made Emma's heart race. "Emma Swan, I know you've struggled to find your words tonight, so allow me to be direct for once," she said, her tone light but sincere. "Let's make our own happily ever after. I want to hear your mortifying, dreadful puns for the rest of my life. Will you marry me, Miss Swan?"
As Emma looked around, she noticed the smirks and nods from friends in the crowd. Ruby was at the bar, practically beaming with excitement, and even Granny seemed to be watching them with a fond smile. Emma's cheeks flushed a deeper shade as she realized just how many people were in on this. "Wait… did everyone know?" she stammered, looking back at Regina with wide eyes. "How long have you been planning this?"
Regina shrugged with an air of feigned innocence, but her eyes sparkled with that telltale mischief. "Long enough," she said, her lips twitching as she continued to hold Emma's gaze. "And it seems everyone has done their part beautifully."
Emma's breath caught in her throat, her mind reeling. "I… uh… this is… wow, okay, hold on," she stammered, running a hand through her hair as if it would help untangle her thoughts. "Regina, you… you didn't have to—"
"Oh, but I wanted to," Regina interrupted smoothly, her voice dropping to a whisper.
"And… and did everyone really know?" Emma's eyes darted around, seeing grins and nods from the crowd. Ruby was practically vibrating with excitement, and even Granny looked suspiciously pleased. "You're telling me I've been making a fool of myself all day, and you—"
"Yes," Regina said simply, cutting through Emma's rambling with that same amused calm. "That's precisely what I'm telling you."
The crowd started giggling, a few people outright laughing as Emma's cheeks flushed. She could feel the heat creeping up her neck. "This isn't fair," she said, trying to regain some of her composure. "I was supposed to—wait, did you tell Henry?"
"Of course I did," Regina said, still on one knee, still looking up at Emma with that maddeningly perfect poise. "He was quite helpful, actually. Now, Miss Swan, as much as I enjoy watching you attempt to process this… I'd appreciate an answer."
Emma's mouth opened, but she was still too stunned to find the right words. "I—"
Regina's eyes sparkled with a teasing light. "I know we haven't really practiced this," she said, her voice carrying just loud enough for the people around to hear, "but now is the moment where you should have said yes."
More laughter, this time louder, with Ruby grinning and calling out, "C'mon, Swan, don't screw this up!"
Emma's mouth twitched, torn between a laugh and a sob, her heart feeling so full she thought it might burst. "I—Regina, this is… but you're actually serious right now?" she asked again, still trying to find her footing.
Regina sighed, the kind of sigh that was equal parts amused and indulgent, and lifted the ring slightly, as if to remind Emma what was happening. "Yes, Emma, I am actually serious. And as much as I enjoy this little game of making you sweat… my legs are starting to hurt." She gave a dramatic little wince, earning another round of chuckles from the onlookers.
Emma finally let out a breathless laugh, her shock melting into a wide, beaming grin. "Yes," she said, the word tumbling out almost as a gasp. "Yes, Regina, I'll marry you. A thousand times yes."
Cheers erupted around them, the whole diner breaking into applause as Regina slipped the ring onto Emma's finger. As soon as the cool metal settled into place, Emma pulled Regina up, capturing her in a tight embrace before leaning in to kiss her, their laughter blending with the cheers of the onlookers.
When they finally broke apart, Regina's lips were still curled into a teasing smile. "You took long enough," she whispered, her fingers lightly brushing Emma's cheek.
Emma laughed, her forehead resting against Regina's. "Yeah, well… you surprised me," she said, still breathless. "You're really good at that, you know?"
Regina's eyes softened, her expression tender but still holding that mischievous edge. "It's one of my many talents," she murmured. "But now, you're officially stuck with me… and all the surprises to come."
Emma's grin widened, her heart swelling. "Good," she said, kissing Regina's nose. "Because I can't wait for every single one."
"Happy Halloween, Emma," Regina whispered again, her eyes gleaming. "You've finally caught your ghost."
Emma grinned, her hand slipping to Regina's back as the music swelled again, bringing them back into their dance. "And I'm never letting her go."
