A/N: Apologies for the delayed chapter. I've been experiencing moments of doubt and I felt that my writing isn't all that good. I don't know if this is good enough or even worth the read - but I'm posting and writing, even if it isn't (ya know, keeps me sane - an escape, if you will) Thank you to the readers who give me feedback - it motivates me on bad days. All the love x
Side note: I have curated a playlist for SWEN on Spotify. So, if I mention songs, you can find it here:
https/open./playlist/3GeAjatjeqKHUq3fcxPSSi?si=Gt6acHC9QA2cDfwh819HWg
xxx
Henry sat in the corner of the library, trying to make sense of his science class notes from the previous day. As he turned the page, he saw a pair of shoes in front of him. Pulling his attention away from the book, Henry looked up.
"Hey," the kid playfully kicked him. "We still on for tonight?"
Henry closed his book and placed it into his backpack. He stood as he zipped the bag then slung it over his shoulder. "Yeah, I've just gotta get Miss Lucas to budge." He rolled his eyes. He agreement was that Ruby would watch him over the weekend, but his friends convinced him to throw a wild party and there's no way that would happen if there's parental guidance.
"Come on, dude! You haven't spoken to her yet? The party's tonight - Ruin my reputation and I'll ruin you," he got closer to Henry, now pointing a finger directly into the boy's face.
Henry could've sworn he felt himself pee a little. "It won't be difficult; all I have to do is tell her I'm gonna spend the night with my grandparents-"
"Yeah. Yeah. Don't care how you do it." He shoved past Henry and walked out of the library.
"Everything okay? Who was that?" Belle asked. She noticed Henry looking slightly startled by the presence of the boy and decided not to intrude until she had a chance to.
"Everything's fine. That's my new friend at school, Rodney."
"Rodney, hm? Heard stories about him, it's best you stay away," She gave him one of her signature warm smiles and a gentle pat on the shoulder.
Henry looked down, he knew the boy was trouble, but he needed friends and the only way to do that was to become friends with the most popular guy in school - Rodney Fickle.
xxx
"Are you sure you're don't want me to drop you off at Mary Margarets?" Ruby asked one last time. Henry reassured her that it would be fine for him to walk, "I'm a growing kid, need the exercise."
"Okay well, don't forget to lock up and call me if you need anything," She blew him a kiss and drove off.
The minute he saw her car turn around the corner, he dialled Rodney.
"Hey man. It's on, Miss Lucas just left."
xxx
Emma was a light sleeper - most times. Back at the orphanages, she was an easy target as far as pranks went. She felt the felt the bed dip beside her and opened her eyes, she turned to find Regina had moved, "How long were we out for?"
Regina bundled up her short hair into a ponytail and walked to the mini fridge in their hotel room. "Probably about an hour," she shrugged. The woman couldn't nap for longer than that, her internal clock shook her out of the dream state and into a 'maybe I should have a cider' mood. Regina scanned through the contents of the fridge. "Beer, cider, scotch or wine?" She offered up the options, peering over her shoulder to look at Emma.
Emma brushed the hair out of her face with her fingers. "Beer, please." She dozed off to sleep, again.
Regina kicked herself internally, of course the blonde would choose a beer over everything presented. She opened the overhead cupboard and took out two glasses. She poured herself a scotch. She remembered Emma's preference and placed the second glass back into the cupboard, then moved to the can. The sound of the beer can opening echoed through the room, bringing Emma out of her slumber and into the present moment. She walked to Emma's side of the bed and sat, handing the can over.
Emma took a sip, "Wanna go out for drinks tonight?"
"I have a few budget proposals to look over."
Emma's irritation began to show, "We're on a break. You can't seriously have paperwork in that suitcase."
Regina eyed her suitcase, a slight pang of guilt settling in.
"You're no fun, Miss Mills." Emma shook her head, looking up at Regina as she took another sip.
"I'm fun!" Regina exclaimed, clutching her chest in mock offense. It's not that she wasn't fun—she simply didn't want to risk work piling up. A part of her also felt skeptical about drinking in bars outside of Storybrooke. She didn't know anyone here, and the thought of something going wrong made her uneasy.
"Prove it," Emma smirked, daring Regina.
Regina stared at her for a moment, considering her next move. She set her glass down, "Fine." Regina took Emma's beer can and set it next to her own on the bedside table. She straddled Emma, bringing herself closer to the blonde's lips. Before kissing her, Regina gripped her wrists and secured them beside Emma's hips.
Emma giggled. "Are you really using seduction and sex to prove that you're fun?"
Regina nodded, giving Emma a sweet smile, "Mm-hmm."
Emma gazed at Regina, her mind swirling, and with a smile, she asked, "Did I mention that you're gorgeous?"
Regina's eyes sparkled, a slight blush creeping on her cheeks. She leaned forward and circled Emma's earlobe with her tongue, earning a soft groan from the woman underneath her. Regina released her hold on Emma's hands and shifted a bit, allowing space for her own hands to plunge into Emma's shorts. She stroked the blonde's clit through her panties. "Still think I'm not fun?" She whispered, now taking Emma's earlobe between her teeth.
Emma shuddered. "I still think that using this to determine your level of fun-ness is unfair."
Regina pulled back from Emma's ear and stopped her ministrations on Emma's clit. She cocked her head to the side, "Fun-ness isn't a word, dear."
Emma raised her brow, "See what I mean."
Regina looked down at the woman, her mind suddenly becoming clear again. She reached out, grasping Emma's waist and pulled her closer. She traced a path along Emma's thigh, "You're soaked." It was more of a statement than a question. The blonde pushed Regina off, straddling her now. Emma pinned Regina to the bed. Her eyes bore into Regina's own as she trailed kisses from her chin to the neckline of her tank top.
Emma pulled at the top, looking up to meet Regina's gaze for a split second before licking along the fabric.
Regina groaned, "This isn't going to work on me, dear.''
"It's not intended to." Emma's voice was husky and full of confidence. She trailed her hands along Regina's thighs, starting from the hips and slowly making her way up. Her hands began to undress Regina, peeling her shorts off as she went. Regina fought the urge to squirm. She closed her eyes and relaxed into the bed, letting Emma do her thing. The blonde didn't disappoint. Emma's lips followed her hands, and her hands were followed by her fingers.
Regina's body began to twitch as she neared release. "Emma, oh god," she bit out.
Emma pulled her mouth away, smirking. "You're not allowed to come unless you agree to come out tonight," she spoke, licking her lips and looking up at Regina with hooded eyes.
Regina gulped, her thighs tensed, and her clit ached from being stimulated. She took in a deep breath, weighing her options.
"Come on," Emma pouted as she reached down to finger herself.
Regina's mind snapped. The image of Emma pleasuring herself made something inside of Regina snap. She sat up, grabbing Emma by the shoulders and tossing her onto the bed beside her.
She straddled Emma's hips, pinning her wrists down beside her head. "You don't want me to come but you're going to finger yourself in front of me?" She growled, "Are you fucking insane?"
Emma whimpered as she thrashed against Regina's hold on her wrists. She pulled her bottom lip between her teeth, looking up at her lover with a pout.
Regina let out a soft laugh. The blonde had no idea the control she held over Regina. She had no idea how much Regina yearned for the blonde's touch. She shifted her hips and Emma's eyes widened. The blonde's cheeks flushed, and she closed her eyes, focusing on her own breathing.
The only sound in the room was the soft hum of the air conditioning and Emma's pants. Regina rolled her hips again, circling around Emma's center.
The blonde's eyes fluttered open and met Regina's. She let out a muffled moan when Regina rolled her hips over her clit again.
The woman on top of Emma watched, entranced by the way the blonde's eyes were clouded with desire and lust. She rolled her hips once more, earning another moan from Emma. She smirked, "Fine. As long as it isn't one of your dingy Boston bars." Regina shifted and placed a kiss on Emma's lips before releasing her hands. She sat back, taking a seat beside Emma on the bed.
Emma brought her hands up and covered her face, trying to hide her own embarrassment. "That was unfair." She spoke through her fingers.
Regina chuckled, "Maybe so, but take it as a win, sweet Emma, you get to choose a bar," she shrugged as she grabbed Emma's beer and handed it back to the blonde.
"You're evil," Emma said as she took her beer and swigged some back.
Regina leaned in and kissed Emma's cheek, "Don't worry. I'll make sure you get off later tonight," she winked.
Emma placed her hands on either side of Regina's head, tilting it forward to place a kiss on Regina's forehead, "Thanks, baby."
xxx
The bar wasn't too far from their hotel. Regina insisted on driving, but Emma won the coin toss. The elevator dinged quietly, indicating that they've reached the lower ground of the hotel. Emma stepped out with a sulking Regina beside her. "Hey, stop sulking. I won fair and square," Emma nudged the brunette. Regina caved and gave Emma a quick peck on her cheek.
Walking took around ten minutes. Emma turned the corner to a hole in the wall bar. It was beyond Regina's expectations. A sign that read 'The Saddle' was perched upon a wooden light pole indented to the wall, the entire thing looking like it came out of a barn itself.
Regina took in her surroundings as she entered. There were a few hay bales, for decorative purposes. Horseshoes were engraved on every coaster. The walls weren't covered in the usual bar-style decor, either, instead it had a wooden look to it. "I really wouldn't have pinned you as a country gal," Regina said to Emma.
"I'm not." Emma said.
She was the first to sit, earning a disapproving glare from Regina, "If we sit at the bar counter, we'll end the night with half a dozen new friends and I'm not looking forward to that," Regina complained, knowing that Emma becomes overly friendly when she's drunk.
Emma narrowed her eyes playfully at the brunette, "We can sit at a booth...On condition that we make out in the toilets," Emma bargained.
"Why is that at the top of your bucket list? You know how I feel about it, Miss Swan," Regina shivered, visibly showing her reluctance, then set her bag on the counter and sat beside Emma.
"Curt," Emma called out, "The usual for me. And for my lady?" She called out over the counter then asked Regina what she wanted.
"Gin and tonic."
Simon Curtis, owner of the Stable bar, was a short man. Some would compare him to Danny DeVito while others, who were generally his fans, would refer to him as 'Tens'. He got the nickname from being a jockey for most of his life, Tens being the name of his favourite horse - won every race. He is now 63, retired, with only a bar to his name.
"Swan. How long has it been? Two? Three years? How've you been, m'lady?" He reached out his closed fist to Emma.
Emma stretched out her fist to meet his, "A year," she huffed, shaking her head.
The band had been waiting until 9pm to start playing. Lights dimmed and there was a faint sound of rustling heard over the microphone. The lead singer introduced himself to the crowd, pulling Emma's attention away from Curt for a brief second.
Emma turned back to Curt, "Curt. I'd like you to meet my girlfriend."
Regina observed the interaction, taking in the familiarity between the two. It's the first time she's met someone from Emma's past. Regina smiled back at Curt, "Regina."
Curt couldn't hear her, the music being a bit too loud for an actual conversation. He moved his ear closer, cupping it with his hand and yelling out, "Sorry, love?"
The sound system gave out the exact moment Regina responded. "REGINA," she said, again. This time louder. The bar fell silent. Her timing was horrible.
Eyes were on the brunette and Emma didn't like it. She got off her stool, standing closer to her girlfriend. Emma gently pried Regina's thighs apart and stood between them, wrapping her arms around her lover.
"And now?" Regina raised an eyebrow. She was, of course, oblivious to the onlookers.
Emma just leaned into a half embrace and sighed contently, appreciating the woman before her. She pressed her lips against Regina's cheek.
"Bottoms up," Curtis placed the drinks on the counter.
xxx
Emma was doing shots while Regina opted for a bottle of wine. By the time she realized that mixing Gin with wine wasn't a good idea, it was too late. Regina found herself sprinting to the restroom to throw up.
Emma was hot on her heels, Curtis giving her the 'I told you so' look before she left.
Emma found Regina in the last stall, puking. The blonde rushed in, immediately grabbing Regina's hair, and holding it out of the way. She kicked the stall door closed with the foot of her boot and hovered over Regina, rubbing soothing small circles on her back. "God Gina, I told you not to mix," She let out a groan. Regina looked up at her briefly, eyebrow raised. Her annoyance was cut short as she leaned over and threw up again.
Regina let out an annoyed huff as she pulled on what was left of the toilet paper roll. Emma opened the door and walked through to the other stalls, checking for toilet paper like her life depended on it. In that moment, it felt like her life did depend on it. After the comment she made, the least she could do to not be killed by Regina's eye rolls and eyebrow raises was to get the woman something, at least. She made a mental note to remind Curtis to restock the stalls.
Regina got off her knees and stumbled out of the stall. She leaned over the sink and rinsed her mouth.
Emma saw her looking for a tissue and she reached her arm forward, "Come here."
Noticing Emma pulling her jumper sleeve to reach over her fingers, Regina pouted, "But your sleeve would get wet."
Emma found that adorable. The mayor, strong independent woman, Former Queen, now hushed. Regina's voice alone ignited a part of Emma she wouldn't have imagined existed within her. She had the primal urge to push Regina into the stall and fuck her on the toilet.
Blinking away her thoughts, Emma stepped closer, "Do you have a choice?"
Regina shook her head.
Emma picked Regina's chin up with her finger and blotted away the wet spots, ending her care with a small and quick peck on Regina's lips.
Before Emma could retreat, Regina grabbed her by her collar. She pulled Emma's bottom lip between hers. Again, making Emma want to eat Regina out right there and then, on the vanity top.
Emma did just that, no longer holding it in as an urge. She bent to half Regina's height and gripped behind Regina's thighs, lifting her to sit beside the tap. "Off," Emma mumbled into the kiss as she pulled on Regina's blouse.
"Miss Swan, we're in public!" Regina gave her a devilish smile. Emma made no hesitation to lift Regina off the sink and carry her to the stall.
She pushed the door closed behind her then turned around to hold Regina against the door. Emma kissed Regina fiercely then set her down. She unbuttoned Regina's shirt and took it off. Before the shirt landed on the floor, Regina caught it swiftly, "Really? That is disgusting. Who knows what happens in these stalls," Regina raised an eyebrow. Emma knew what she meant, it is exactly what they were doing, anyway.
Emma groaned, flipped the lid of the toilet down and reached for the shirt. Regina shook her finger, "My shirt costs more than that toilet, Miss Swan."
"Right." Emma responded. She thought for a minute before pulling Regina out of the stall again. She took the shirt and left it next to the tap then dragged Regina to the entrance.
"Need I remind you that anyone could walk in at any time?" Regina folded her arms against herself.
"Hold the handle up like this," Emma said, not listening to what Regina had to say. She gripped the door handle, holding it up and Regina followed her instruction.
She grabbed Regina's other hand and placed it on the wall. "Now, hold still and be quiet." Emma went down on her knees and hiked Regina's skirt up. She pulled her panties down and trailed hot kisses along Regina's folds, not wanting to waste any more time.
Regina was weak to the touch; Emma's tongue sent a warm shudder down her spine. She could feel her tongue licking every part of her folds, leaving no skin untouched.
Emma looked up, seeing the face of her girlfriend. Regina's eyes were shut tight, her teeth bit down on the side of her bottom lip. Emma's eyes moved further down, watching intently at the rise and fall of Regina's chest.
Her tongue circled Regina's clit. She started by drawing large and slow circles, but as she progressed, the circles became smaller, harder, and faster. Regina reached behind herself with the hand that was pressed firmly against the wall, she undid her bra and freed her breasts. She started massaging herself, taking her nipple between her fingers and pinching them lightly.
Regina felt the handle of the door move but after a second, she assumed she had imagined it. Imagination or not, she chose to ignore whatever the outside world was. Right now, it was just her and Emma - Nothing else seemed to be of importance.
Emma's tongue slipped inside Regina. To say that the woman was in heaven would be an understatement, but just as she got close to the edge, the door handle moved. This time, it definitely was not in her head. Hard banging against the wood was the single thing that made Emma stop and pull back. Regina's eyes widened, both from the abrupt pull away from Emma and the fact that she was half naked.
Emma grabbed Regina's shirt and pushed it into her free hand. Regina gripped Emma's top, pulling her into a heated kiss. Emma bit down on Regina's lip, almost drawing blood from it. She then took Regina's place, holding the door closed, long enough for Regina to scurry into a stall, holding her bra and shirt close to her chest.
"Sorry, it was jammed." Emma opened the door. Curtis eyed her suspiciously, "Was the door jammed, or did you jam Regina?" He asked. Emma's face turned red, but she smiled and shook her head, "This is the last place we'd do it."
Regina stepped out of the stall. Yes, she remembered to fix her make up, but the job she did was not as great as she had hoped. Her hair was a mess, lipstick slightly smeared below her bottom lip and her lips were kiss swollen.
"Right." Curtis folded his arms, "Out."
Emma protested, "But Curt! There is literally only one person who wanted to get in."
"Ladies, there's a line outside. They've been trying to get in." He grumbled, "One month ban. You know the rules."
"A month? For your faulty door?" Regina butted in.
Two women pushed their way through to the toilets, breaking up whatever argument was about to start.
"Swan," Curtis shrugged, "Rules are rules. If we break them, the world would burn to ash."
Emma rolled her eyes. She interlocked her fingers into Regina's and walked over to the bar to retrieve their belongings.
Curtis followed closely behind, "It's on the house." He stated, feeling guilty for banning his favourite customer.
"Forget it. I'm out Curt," Emma said. She dug into her purse and placed a wad of cash on the bar counter.
"Come on, Swan. It's not like that. If I allow you, I've gotta allow everyone. Next thing you know, I'm running a brothel."
Emma's face softened in understanding. Curtis slid the cash back over to Emma and smiled, "I'm sorry."
xxx
"I can't believe you got us banned. I've never been banned from anywhere!" Regina stumbled along the sidewalk. Emma was holding her hand but decided it was best for the both of them if she held Regina closer. She removed herself from Regina's grasp and threaded her arm around Regina's.
"To be fair, you were limited to Storybrooke for most of your life here. How many times have you left? 4?" Emma countered.
Regina took the question too seriously for Emma's liking. She pondered for a long moment before losing her train of thought, "Please tell me you're not planning on sleeping once we get back? You have a debt to pay."
"If I recall correctly, so do you."
Emma's phone rang, bringing their conversation to an end.
"Go for Emma," She spoke.
"Hi, it's David."
"Yeah, dad. I have caller ID."
"I'm know you told me to call only if it was urgent..." he trailed off.
Emma could've sworn her heart stopped. Although she was pretty drunk, hearing that there may be an emergency - She felt the intoxication dissipate. Regina stood still, also waiting for something to be said.
"Henry threw a party at Regina's house. He fainted and is in hospital. Dr. Whale checked him out and said he can't tell me anything - he needs one of his parents present."
"Is he alright?" Emma asked, still frozen in place.
Regina started to worry after hearing the question, "What's going on? Is everything okay with Henry?" She asked, not giving Emma a chance to hear what David had to say.
David answered, "Tell Regina that he's fine. He just needs to be stabilized."
"We'll be there."
"Emma, you sound a bit intoxicated. Please be safe. Maybe try getting a lift and I'll pick up your car tomorrow," David's concern was evident, even through the phone.
Emma shook her head, then realizing that this was a phone call, "Give us some time. Will you wait with Henry until we get there?"
David, being the father of Emma anyway, nodded too, "Sure."
Emma ended the call and faced a worried Regina, "Henry threw a party, he's in hospital. Dr. Whale says he's stable, David's waiting with him until we get there," she gave her a quick run down.
xxx
Streetlights illuminated the bug as Regina and Emma made their way to Storybrooke. After every few minutes, Regina would sigh heavily and turn to face Emma. Knowing what the woman wanted, Emma rolled her eyes, "No, I'm not letting you drive, Gina."
"Please. We'll get there quicker."
Emma was the most sober between the two, her strategy was to drive as slow as possible while downing bottles of water. "Not a chance, you barely made it to put your suitcase in the boot. I'm not letting us die before we get to our son."
Regina knew Emma was right. She was just concerned that the trip to the hospital would end up being seven hours, instead of four.
Eventually, she gave up protesting and opened her purse.
"What are you doing?" Emma switched her attention between the road and Regina's bag, then the road again.
The brunette pulled out a flask. She leaned forward and stretched out her arm, holding the flask in whatever little light the streets offered. "Gin. Probably. Or whiskey? I don't know."
"Where'd you get that?" Emma eyed the object; she knew it looked familiar but didn't know how exactly.
"Swiped it from Curtis." Regina nonchalantly shrugged like theft was no big deal.
"God Gina, he's had that for years. That's his lucky flask."
"He will get it back after our ban is lifted."
And that's when it hit Emma. Regina hasn't really drank to the point of, well, tonight. All she's ever done is have a sip or two from her crystal decanter back at Storybrooke. When they did eventually drink while on their search for Graham, Emma was too drunk to notice it.
Regina morphs into a submissive when a certain level of drunkenness is reached.
Emma noticed her demeanor changing, which meant that the brunette was definitely sobering up.
Regina undid her progress by taking a sip from the flash, then scrunching her nose, "Whiskey. Definitely whiskey."
xxx
Hour three had Regina screaming at the top of her lungs to Emma's choice of music. To the blonde's surprise, Regina knew every word.
"So I'm touching myself to the photos that you used to send me. I should have deleted, but kept it a secret, is that crazy to do?" Regina eyed Emma, waiting for a response to her drunken and sung out question.
Emma didn't know how to respond to that, she recalled nights where she'd be waiting for Killian to get home. He would be out at the Rabbit Hole, with his crew, leaving Emma to drink alone at home. She thought about the entire Playlist she curated. Not relapsing that she's been subconsciously thinking of Regina since then, dedicating songs to her while drunk. And now? The woman she would think about while playing it was sitting next to her, singing too.
"Earth to Swan," Regina turned the volume down, "Hey what's on your mind?"
Emma let a tear slip, "I've been cheating on Killian long before we ended things."
Regina was intrigued. She moved her body to face Emma, "What do you mean?"
Regina becomes submissive while Emma gets emotional.
"This song was originally added to my Playlist because I couldn't stop thinking of you. Thinking of someone while with someone else? That's cheating." She mumbled out.
Regina took a moment to process it, only now thinking of each word. "I see."
Emma didn't say anything after that, the silence between them was almost suffocating.
"Miss Swan, if you want my opinion, it's not crazy to do," Regina put her hand over Emma's thigh to comfort her. "You cannot keep blaming yourself for doing things in that relationship. Cheating is wrong. Thinking of me while you were with him was wrong. Not to justify it, but this," Regina gestured between them, "This is a new relationship. Both of us need to learn from our past transgressions. I'm not going to lie and say that what either of you did was right. Whatever reason, it's wrong. I love you - nothing changes that. The past is in the past, okay?"
Emma nodded. She always despised people who would cheat, and it would be hypocritical of her to not hate herself for it. Although Regina did make a few compelling points. All that's left for her to do now is learn, grow and move past it.