36 Days
***
Regina
Just over a month ago. Was that really all the time that had passed?
I ripped another page off the tiny block calendar and sighed, an action which had become all too familiar in these past 36 days. I wanted to call her, to explain, just to hear her voice.
Apparently, though, the only real friendship I’ve ever had where the other party knew me as Regina and not the Evil Queen, was wrecked. All because I was a complete idiot (how often had I called her that and now it applied to me?).
“Kissing the damn Savior, Regina. Seriously? Mother always said love is weakness. You should have listened. If you had, maybe you’d be on speaking terms with her.”
“Mom? What’s going on? Who are you talking to?”
Henry must have woken up and looking at the counter I realized why. I had been banging cups around - so hard I cracked one - in my frustration at myself.
“Henry!” Kissing the top of his head, I brushed aside his question. “Do you want pancakes or biscuits for breakfast?”
“What? Pancakes, always…but seriously Mom who were you talking to? Did something happen?” His face looked so perplexed and I knew he wondered why Emma hadn’t been around lately, why exchanges had only been him waiting for one of us at Granny’s, why no movie nights had happened.
“Oh…nobody Henry. Don’t worry about it.”
He rolled his eyes and I knew he didn’t believe me. After giving me a quick hug, he walked out the door for school, and I was left reminiscing about that night.
***
Emma
Beep…beep…beep…
“Agghhhh….”
I rolled over and flopped my hand around the nightstand, not bothering to open my eyes.
BEEP. BEEP. BEEP.
The volume just continued to increase and I was forced to let my irises see the light of day. Grabbing the ponytail holder from my bedside table I sat up and pulled my hair back. Leaving the alarm clock beeping helped me make myself actually stand up, where I slapped the clock with such force that it actually cracked.
“Great. One more thing I’ve broken.”
It was 36 days ago that Regina kissed me and I had dismissed her advances. It wasn’t that I wasn’t over the moon in love with her (I was, I am) but she was distraught, vulnerable. I didn’t want to hurt her.
“She doesn’t love you, Emma, get over yourself. You probably don’t even really love her.”
I rolled my eyes because even I didn’t believe my words.
****
Regina
Snow had just killed my mother and though I understood how abusive the relationship was, Cora was still…well, anyway, I wasn’t doing well.
For reasons still unknown to me, Emma had said she was going to come home with me and make sure I got to bed alright. In no state to argue, I simply poofed us back to the mansion; where I proceeded to shove off her attempts to help.
“I’m fine Swan.”
“Regina, my mother just murdered your mother. To save the Dark One’s life. You’re not fine.”
I rolled my eyes, a habit I had picked up from Henry and - annoyingly - her.
“Now, I’ll go grab us some cider and you go…I don’t know, take a shower or something.”
Though I wanted to scoff at Emma telling me what to do, I begrudgingly admitted that I did need to stand under some hot water. Frankly, a drink wasn’t something I was about to say no to either.
****
Emma
When Cora died, I was worried about Regina. Honestly. I wasn’t sure what came over me (I’m still not) but I made a firm statement that I’d be escorting her home.
Truthfully, I just wanted to make sure she actually went home instead of trying to enact revenge on Snow. But when she made no arguments and used magic to poof us back to her mansion, I knew I’d have to stay. I told her to go take a shower and then tried to understand what was going on.
“Emma Swan, the Savior, comforting the Evil Queen. Well it sure does sound like a twisted fairytale, doesn’t it?”
“Emma?”
I turned around and there she was, Regina, standing in front of me dressed in grey silk pajamas. Her hair was freshly washed and still had that slight shine from when it’s not quite all the way dry. I had to suck in a breath at how beautiful she looked. A small pinch to my arm reminded me that she may be gorgeous but she was Regina, she was the mayor, and she was anything but attracted to me.
And you’re not attracted to her either, Emma. She’s beautiful, yes, but it doesn’t matter.
Shaking my head to bring myself back to earth, I handed her a glass of cider.
“Regina. How…do you…are you…”
She didn’t respond and simply took a drink of the amber liquid.
I followed suit.
****
Regina
She kept asking if I was alright.
Of course I’m not alright, you idiot. I’m standing here in my pajamas, drinking cider, with the Savior after Snow White killed my mother.
I set down my glass and indicated to Emma that she should fill it again. How many had I drank? 5? 6? I’d lost count at this point. As I finished off another glass, she started talking.
“Regina? Regina, come on, stop this.”
I simply nodded to her, asking for more alcohol.
“I can’t give you more, we’re out.”
“Well then use your powers, make more.”
“No, Gina, you should go to bed. Seriously. Go get some sleep. I’ll stay over…guest room is across from yours, yeah?”
My ears pricked up at her calling me Gina. There was affection in the way she said the shortened version of my name.
It wasn’t worth fighting.
“I’ll go to bed, but you don’t need to stay.”
She just shook her head. Placing her hand on my back (and I had to ignore the shivers this sent down my spine) she pushed me in the direction of the stairs.
****
Emma
When Regina said I didn’t have to stay, I knew she was lying. I can always tell when she is. Her eyes practically begged me to stay, so I sent a text to Henry and told him to stay with his grandparents for the night.
She walked up the stairs and just as I was about to say goodnight, she shut the door.
****
Regina
She didn’t follow me when I closed the door. As soon as I was alone, my breathing tightened. The next thing I knew, Emma was in bed next to me.