I do not own the rights to the TV show, the characters, or the music. This is just me writing as a fan.

No copyright infringement intended. Pls don't sue me. :)

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"Midnight Changes"

The New Year's Eve party at Granny's was in full swing, fairy lights twinkling against the winter darkness and music spilling out onto the snow-dusted street. Emma stood by the counter, watching Regina across the room as she spoke with Archie, her laugh carrying over the noise of the crowd.

"You're staring again," Ruby said, sliding another hot chocolate across to Emma.

"I'm not staring," Emma protested automatically, even as her eyes tracked Regina's movement toward the jukebox. "I'm just... maintaining appropriate situational awareness."

"Uh-huh." Ruby's grin was knowing. "That's why you haven't noticed your mother trying to get your attention for the last five minutes."

Emma startled, turning to find Snow waving at her from a nearby booth. "I was just—"

"Maintaining situational awareness, right." Ruby patted her shoulder. "You know, for someone who finally got Regina to agree to give this a shot, you're spending an awful lot of time over here instead of, oh, I don't know, actually being with her?"

Emma fiddled with her mug. "We agreed to take it slow. Test the waters. See how people react."

"And that requires you to hide at the counter while making heart eyes at her from across the room?"

Before Emma could defend herself, Henry appeared between them. "Mum says if you don't stop lurking by the hot chocolate and come dance with her, she's going to let Leroy sing karaoke."

"She wouldn't," Emma gasped in mock horror, but she was already moving, drawn toward Regina like a magnet finding true north.

Regina was waiting by the jukebox, looking unfairly beautiful in a deep red sweater that Emma suspected might actually be cashmere. "Sending our son to deliver ultimatums? That's playing dirty, Madam Mayor."

"Well," Regina's lips curved into that smile that always made Emma's heart skip, "someone had to save the town from Leroy's rendition of 'Sweet Caroline.'"

"My hero," Emma grinned, stepping closer just as the music changed to something slow and sweet. "Dance with me?"

There was a moment of hesitation, barely perceptible, as Regina's eyes flicked to the other partygoers. They hadn't exactly announced anything, but dancing together at midnight on New Year's Eve wasn't exactly subtle either.

Emma started to step back, ready to give Regina the space she needed, but Regina's hand caught hers, pulling her close.

"Yes," Regina said softly, and somehow Emma knew she was answering more than just the request to dance.

They swayed together, and Emma was acutely aware of the way conversations around them had hushed slightly, of the not-so-subtle glances being cast their way. But then Regina's hand slid up to the nape of her neck, fingers playing with the soft hair there, and suddenly nothing else mattered.

"You know," Regina murmured, "when you asked me to try this, I didn't expect you to spend the evening hiding by the hot chocolate station."

Emma ducked her head, cheeks warming. "I wasn't hiding. I was just... giving you space. In case you changed your mind about the whole public thing."

Regina pulled back just enough to fix Emma with one of her patented 'you're being an idiot' looks, softened by the fondness in her eyes. "Emma, dear, do I strike you as someone who does anything she doesn't want to do?"

"Well, no, but—"

"Then trust that I knew exactly what I was agreeing to when I said yes to attending this party with you."

Around them, people had started the countdown to midnight. Emma could hear Henry's voice mixed with the others, could see Snow beaming at them from across the room while David pretended not to notice.

"Ten! Nine! Eight!"

"Regina," Emma started, suddenly nervous. "I know we said we'd take it slow, and if you don't want to—"

"Five! Four! Three!"

Regina's hand tightened on the back of her neck. "Emma?"

"Yeah?"

"Stop talking."

"Two! One!"

As cheers erupted around them and Leroy somehow managed to start singing "Auld Lang Syne" despite Granny's best efforts to stop him, Regina kissed her. It was soft and sweet and perfect, and Emma could feel Regina smiling against her lips.

When they broke apart, the diner had gone suspiciously quiet. Emma opened her eyes to find what felt like the entire town staring at them. She tensed, ready to step away, to make light of it, to do whatever Regina needed to feel comfortable.

Instead, Regina simply raised an eyebrow at their audience. "Yes?" she asked, in that tone that had probably terrified lesser nobles back in the Enchanted Forest.

It was Ruby who broke first, whooping loudly and starting a round of applause that quickly spread through the diner. Money started changing hands – apparently there had been several betting pools – and Snow looked like she might cry from happiness.

"Well," Regina said dryly, but her eyes were dancing with amusement, "I suppose that takes care of the big reveal."

"Sorry?" Emma offered, not feeling sorry at all with Regina still in her arms.

"Don't be," Regina surprised her by pressing another quick kiss to her lips. "Now everyone knows exactly what they'll be dealing with if they have any... concerns about this development."

Emma laughed, pulling Regina closer as the music started up again. "Did you just threaten the entire town to protect our relationship?"

"Merely a preemptive measure, dear." Regina's smile turned wicked. "Besides, I think Snow might actually fight anyone who objects at this point. She's been dropping hints about wedding colours for weeks."

Emma nearly choked. "She what?"

"Apparently, she's had a Pinterest board dedicated to our eventual nuptials since the first time she saw us fight."

"Oh god."

"I believe the theme is 'Enchanted Forest meets modern fairytale,'" Regina continued, clearly enjoying Emma's growing horror. "Though she's willing to compromise on the doves."

"Regina," Emma groaned, burying her face in Regina's neck. "Please tell me you're joking."

She felt Regina's laugh vibrate through her chest. "I suppose you'll just have to stick around to find out."

And really, Emma thought as she lifted her head to kiss Regina again, ignoring the wolf-whistles from Ruby's direction, that sounded like the perfect way to start the new year.

Henry appeared beside them, grinning. "Does this mean I can stop pretending I didn't know you've been dating for months?"

"What?" Snow's voice carried across the diner. "Months?"

Regina and Emma shared a look.

"Run?" Emma suggested.

"Oh no, dear," Regina smirked, taking her hand. "You got us into this. We're facing your mother together."