New Tricks chapter 15/15

Previous chapter 

I don’t own these characters; Disney/ABC does.

15: Positive Feelings

Regina and Maleficent sat in her living room, on the couch. It still felt the same, even smelled the same. She was not sure what she expected with everything, but it was good that it all seemed intact. It was all in the exact same place. It was impossible to tell something happened a couple of days ago by sight, but in Regina’s heart, nothing would ever be the same again. She would never be the same again.

Maleficent looked around, shook her head, and opened her mouth to say something, but did not. She did this a number of times and Regina knew she would have to break the silence or Maleficent would just let the confusion eat away at her.

“Duckling got the furniture back,” Regina said.

Maleficent nodded, but her face was so scrunched up. There had to be tons of questions in her head and she managed to get one out. “How?”

It was a good question and had Regina had the energy, she probably would have asked it when Duckling turned up at her door yesterday. Stop thinking of her as Duckling. Her name is Emma Swan and she’s not yours. She needed to get out of her head and probably answer the question. “I didn’t get the full story, but she knew who robbed me.”

Maleficent gave another nod, just as dazed. “Did she have a hand in it?”

“I don’t believe she did.” Yes, she accused Emma, but after meeting the suspect and talking more with Deputy Hua, it would seem this was an act to intimidate Emma. This Killian Jones was given bail a few days ago and was walking the streets. Hopefully, Duckling is somewhere safe. Meanwhile, Regina had a new security system installed and still was not sure if it would keep Killian Jones out should he decide to break into her home again.

“Then where is she?” Maleficent looked around once more.

Regina frowned. “It was best for her to move on.”

Maleficent nodded again, but she seemed like she was finally coming to grips with things. “Did she decide that or did you decide that?” Regina ground her teeth and Maleficent bobbed her head, as if she read Regina’s mind. “The news running rumors really bothered you that much?”

“No, this was just a dose of reality.” She had never thought about how the media would run with Duckling living in her home. Duckling had worried over it more than she did.

Maleficent arched an eyebrow. “Is that what we’re calling lies told by the media?”

“What the hell did I think I was doing with Duckling?” Regina rubbed the bridge of her nose. She had a headache, but the pain had been there since the house was burglarized. She thought it would get better, but no luck yet.

Maleficent tilted her head. “Being happy.”

Regina blinked. “Excuse me?”

“You were being happy.” Maleficent took her hand and patted it. “That’s what you were doing with Duckling. You were being happy. You could come into this space and put down the world on your shoulders and just enjoy being with Duckling. You liked taking care of her and you deserve to be happy.”

Regina turned to look fully at Maleficent and study her because this was weird. “Since when are you a cheerleader for Duckling?”

“Since I became a fan of your happiness. Yes, I was upset she was taking you away from our thing, but that just shows how much you liked her. She was good for you. I saw that when you had me watch her for your trip. She likes letting you spoil her and you like spoiling her. I think it was good for both of you. You were more relaxed.”

“You think so?”

“I think you would have worried way more about Gold and your mother if she wasn’t here. I think you would’ve lamented way moreover Robin going back to his wife if she wasn’t here.”

“He wouldn’t have gone back to her if I had more time for him.”

Maleficent scoffed. “Oh, please. We both know he was waiting for any sign Marian wanted him back. He was lucky she got cold feet with her other relationship.”

Regina sighed. This was very true. Not that Robin ignited any passion in her. The more she thought about it, the more she looked forward to seeing Roland than she looked forward to seeing Robin. He had been right about that. Maleficent had been right about him. She had to admit that to herself now. He was never her last chance at love. She was just unloveable. Daniel had been her only chance and he probably would have left her eventually if he had not died. I should’ve known Mother treated me that way for a reason. There’s always been something wrong with me.

“Did you… do you…?” Regina swallowed the question. She could not ask, too scared of the answer. Her stomach shook at the very thought.

“Regina, please, don’t. There’s nothing wrong with you and everything wrong with him.”

Regina frowned. “Yet I couldn’t make it work with you as well.”

Maleficent scoffed. “Wecouldn’t make it work.” She pointed between the two of them. “It was on both of us. Robin was never in this with you.”

“Well, I was never in it much either.” Regina had to admit that. She did not pay Robin near the amount of attention she paid to almost anyone.

“Because you were more interested in the concept than the man, just as he was more interested in a placeholder than a relationship. Neither of you were dating for the right reasons. It doesn’t mean there’s something wrong with you. If there was something wrong with you, would I still be here even after the relationship didn’t work out?” Maleficent asked.

Regina sighed, body dropping somewhat. “I don’t know.”

“You do know. I would never waste my time. Instead, I’m highly invested in you, your life, and your happiness. You deserve to be happy just like anyone else, especially when you’re not hurting anyone over it. What makes you happy is no one else’s business.”

Regina was not sure about that. She had never had a life away from the watchful eyes of someone else. Of course, she had barely been able to be happy. And I probably never will be.

“What are we going to do about the shop?” Regina asked. She was not ready to give up on that, especially since there was nothing in her way now.

“We should at least go see the property. Maybe we can salvage it. If not, the insurance money might help us start over. If we get insurance money, anyway. Do they still think you did it?” Maleficent countered.

Regina shrugged. “Yes.” This one really hurt her head considering the fact that again, her alibi was the fact that she was too busy with the police from being robbed to set the cafe on fire.

Maleficent chuckled a bit, earning a curious look from Regina. Maleficent held up her hands in surrender. “I’m sorry for laughing, but I’m just wondering how Gold is taking that. No one would vote for you in a primary if you got on the ballot thinking you burned down your own place.”

This made Regina laugh as well. “I don’t think he thought that far ahead. Probably too pissed at me from going off script. So, really he did me a favor. I won’t be able to be elected dog catcher in this town for a while.” She would love the excuse to never get involved in politics again.

“Then, let’s focus your energy.” Maleficent punched her fist into her palm. “Let’s salvage the hell out of that shop then. You can forget about everything and we can both get to cooking.”

Regina nodded. “Can’t let that bastard win.”

Maleficent smiled. “There’s my girl.” She grabbed Regina into a hug, as if she knew Regina needed just that.

Regina sighed, body relaxing in a way she had not done in days, and she leaned into Maleficent, returning the embrace. This was not the hug she wanted, but it was good enough for now. I should get used to it not being the hug I want.

-8-8-8-8-

Emma laid on the floor of Ruby’s room in Granny’s B&B. She had been there for a few days, not sure what to do with herself. She had barely eaten anything. She could not recall the last time she showered. Have I at least changed this shirt in the past couple of days? She did not bother to move to find out. What shirt am I even wearing?

Ruby came in and kicked Emma in the side. Not enough to hurt, just enough to tease. Emma hardly felt it. And, Ruby kept at it because she was annoying.

“Why are you kicking me?” Emma inquired with a grunt and moved enough to put her hand out to block Ruby’s stupid foot.

Ruby chuckled. “Why didn’t you tell me you were having an affair with the goddamn mayor?”

“Excuse me? I wasn’t having an affair.” She gave Ruby her meanest sneer and glared at Ruby.

Ruby continued laughing. “That’s not what the local papers are saying.” She dropped a newspaper on Emma’s head. The world went dark for a moment.

“They still make newspapers?” Emma picked the paper up just enough for her to see what in the world Ruby was going on about. There was a blurry picture of her standing on Regina’s porch and a smaller picture, just as blurry, of her working on her car. She snorted and dropped the paper without reading a damn thing. “You can barely tell that’s me. Who took this picture? A nosy neighbor with a shitty phone?”

“Obviously. Can’t tell it’s you unless I know you and I know you. The article suggests all sorts of steamy things about Mayor Mills being your sugar mama.” Ruby sat down next to her head. “So, you were the mayor’s pet?”

Emma had tried very hard not to think about Regina. That was probably why she could not remember if she changed her shirt. Not thinking about Regina had actually involved a lot of not thinking at all. If she thought about Regina, she would think about home and what was gone and her body would dissolve into toxic goo yet again. “I guess.”

“Damn. Is she as hot in person as she is at press conferences?” Ruby gave her a lopsided grin meant to make her feel better, but it just made her stomach churn. Regina was so much more than “hot.” Regina was warmth. Regina was kindness. Regina was everything.

Emma shrugged as she struggled not to throw up. “Never saw her at a press conference, but that woman is fucking fire personified. Hot as hell. Like, I would drink her bath water.” She really would, but it had nothing to do with Regina’s appearance. She never felt like this about anyone, especially being away from someone. She mourned losing Regina in a way she never mourned losing someone. She was used to the pain being about betrayal and the future, but this was just about Regina. She wanted Regina, not some possible future with her or just the situation Emma had with her.

“Damn.” Ruby leaned over, so she could see Ruby’s face. She could not really make out Ruby’s expression since she was upside down to Emma. “Do you think she did it?”

Emma’s brow wrinkled. “Did what?”

Ruby arched an eyebrow. “Dude, you really don’t keep up with the news. You should’ve read the article. Do you think she burned down that building?”

“What freaking building?”

“Some building she owned. They’re saying it was insurance fraud or something.”

“You mean her cafe? It burned down?” Oh, no. That explained why Regina seemed so broken when she saw her, why Regina would not accept her back, why Regina outright rejected her. She had done more than putting Regina in Hook’s path and apparently ruined her reputation, but her poor luck also cost Regina her dream.

“Yeah, about a week ago.”

Emma sighed. Regina might never even look in her direction after this. How could I fuck up her life just as much as she helped me with mine?

“There’s no way she would burn that place down,” Emma said.

Ruby stared at her. “You sure about that? A few papers are pushing that she did it, but there have been a couple of articles saying it was impossible for that. Apparently, her house got broken into as well at around the same time and she was talking to police when the cafe caught fire. Sounds like she had a crazy day.”

Emma’s chest was tight. This was insane. Regina’s life practically crashed in on itself. Who is even there for her right now? Energy shot through Emma. She had to do something.

“Do you know where it is?” Emma asked.

Ruby’s forehead furrowed. “Huh?”

“I want to go see.”

“Uh… okay. You wanna go now?” Ruby pointed to the door.

Emma nodded. “Yeah.”

“You gonna take a shower first? You really need it.”

Ruby was not wrong there, so Emma did them both a favor and went to shower. She almost had to peel her clothes off, so it had definitely been a while since she put this outfit on. She put the water on as hot as possible, believing that would help clean her more thoroughly. She scrubbed hard, but fast and hopped out of the shower in less than ten minutes. She dressed and went back into the living room to find Ruby waiting for her.

“Ready to go?” Emma asked.

“Whenever you are. Hopefully, this helps you,” Ruby replied.

Emma was not sure if it would help her, but she wanted it to inspire her in how she might help Regina. They hopped into the bug and Ruby directed her to the scene of the fire. Emma stood in front of the burned out corner property. She could see the skeleton of a cafe and the ghost of a bakery. Charred tables and chairs, the blackened countertop, and warped display case. This was Regina’s dream, soot and ashes now. She stepped inside, walked around, and her stomach twisted as her heart pounded against her ribs.

“Emma, you okay?” Ruby asked. “You’re really pale.”

Emma turned to her friend and had to swallow down a lump in her throat before she could answer. “This is my first time here.” Her voice was low and cracked, like her heart.

Ruby shrugged. She did not get it. “Yeah, well, it wasn’t open.”

“I know, but this isn’t supposed to be my first time here.” Emma took a deep breath, trying to soothe her insides. Her mouth trembled and she just wanted to sob. She stood in the ruins of Regina’s life and it was all her fault. “I was supposed to come here and beg Regina for a free cupcake. Maybe bum some money off of someone, so I can get a piece of cake. Maybe bug Mal into giving me a discount on some stew and bread. I was supposed to drag you guys here, so you can learn your favorites and you could worry about how Granny would react to find out you were supporting an up and coming rival. It would’ve been so nice.” This was such a disappointment. She could not even have that small interaction with Regina. It was like Regina was ripped from her life.

“Mal?” Ruby echoed, as that was a new name for her.

“She’s Regina’s best friend.” Emma moved around the space. “She knew about me being Regina’s pet and we kinda bonded. She makes very good stew. Like, they’re whole thing here was going to be a breakfast and lunch thing. I think it would’ve been nice. They would’ve loved it.”

“Maybe they can save it. Provided Regina doesn’t go to jail for burning it down.”

Emma shook her head. “That doesn’t even make any sense. She was looking forward to this place.”

Ruby put her hand on Emma’s shoulder. “I’m sorry about all of this. You know, David might be able to fix this place up. He’s pretty handy.”

Emma looked around and pointed to the broken, burned furniture. “I don’t know if he’s this handy.” She was not sure how anyone could clean this up.

Ruby blew out a breath. “Probably not. Maybe we could at least offer to help Regina clean up.”

“And who are you to offer?” A voice that sounded suspiciously like Regina’s said from behind them.

Emma turned and gasped to see Regina and Maleficent standing in the doorway. Emma gritted her teeth to keep from having her insides collapse in on themselves. She wanted to fall to Regina’s side and plead with her to come home, but it was probably for the best that Regina kicked her out. She had to move on, do better, and let it go. Regina had to worry about herself, focus on herself. Emma had to be easy.

Emma took a deep breath. “I want to help you clean this up. I’ve got good friends who would help. Not like the asshole that robbed you. Actually good friends, real friends.”

Regina glanced at Maleficent, who nodded. She focused back on Emma. “That’s acceptable. We plan to start on Saturday morning.”

Emma looked at Ruby. She smiled and that was enough for Emma. “We’ll be here.”

For a moment, they all stood there in silence, but Emma focused on Regina. She looked better than ever. Makeup done. Clothes, fresh, crisp, and pressed. Was it a front? She had a lot on her plate, so did she put on more armor than usual? Her spine was rigid and her body was tense. Emma was sure if a car hit Regina right now, the car would be totaled.

“How did you know we were here?” Emma asked.

“Since the fire, people around keep watch. They called us,” Regina replied.

Emma nodded. “Good you have people looking out for you.” She licked her lips, hoping to keep them from trembling. She needed to say something more. She needed to say everything. She needed to tell Regina everything inside of her.

Regina held up a hand. “Not now, please. Not now.”

Emma nodded, and her heart leaped with hope. While Regina had dismissed her, there was a promise of something changing in the future. Hope bloomed in her chest like a warm light. Maybe she could go home soon. I just wanna go home. She had never had such a feeling before and she did not know how to handle it. She was just pressed by the thought of going home.

-8-8-8-8-

Regina and Maleficent got to the burned out husk of their cafe and Regina found it was a good representation of what her soul felt like. A burnt out husk with cracks and crumbling bits of reminders of what life could have been. For a long moment, they just stared around. So much hard work was gone in a few moments. Maleficent tapped her on the shoulder.

“It’s not your fault,” Maleficent said.

“Isn’t it? I knew he’d do something and arson is a favorite. I wasn’t ready for this,” Regina replied. How could I not have been ready for this? I knew he knew about this place. She had been blinded by the feeling of freedom, so close she could taste it, and now it was a lump of peeled embers.

“How do you get ready for this? We can only move forward and look who showed up to help.” Maleficent pointed to the front of the shop and there was Duckling and her “good friends.” The one from the other day, a tall blond man, and…

“You know Mary Margaret Blanchett?” Regina could not fathom how Duckling and that brat moved in the same circles.

Duckling blinked. “You know M&M?” She jabbed her thumb at her best friend.

Mary Margaret gasped. “Emma, you’ve been staying with the mayor this whole time?” She looked between Emma and Regina.

Maleficent chuckled behind them. “What an awkward situation.”

“Let’s just get started on cleaning,” Regina said before Maleficent, or worse, Mary Margaret started up. She did not need more of a headache for the day.

“Cool. We work for pizza, tacos, or chocolate. In that order,” Emma stated with a grin.

“Beer, too. We accept beer,” the other female friend added with a smile of her own.

“Are you lot even old enough to drink?” Maleficent twirled her finger in their direction.

“Old enough and hyped enough.” The man puffed out his chest and beat his fist against his heart.

“Well, we’ll get you all of that if we can get this place somewhat presentable by the end of the day,” Maleficent replied.

Regina could only nod in agreement and then somehow they were working. Throughout the cleanup, she learned Duckling’s friend was Ruby and the blond man was David. They seemed genuinely concerned for Duckling — Emma, she had to keep correcting — and cared about her. Duckling had these types of people around her, but she had stayed with Regina for four months. Why?

Why had Duckling stayed with her if she had good people around her? Emma did not have to take the abuse and disrespect Regina dished out with her being a pet. Why had Duckling begged to come back to her? Duckling did not need her at all. It did not make any sense.

Duckling — Emma — did not try to approach her or talk to her during the cleanup, but when pizza and tacos arrived, she slipped next to Regina. She did not say anything, but stood close enough for Regina to feel her warmth. It set so much at ease in Regina’s stiff body.

“Is it okay for us to be doing this?” David asked before shoving a slice of pepperoni pizza in his mouth.

“Why wouldn’t it be?” Emma made herself comfortable on the remains of a chair, which was possibly the back cushion. It was on the floor.

Regina shook her head. Duckling was so clueless sometimes. It was adorable, but also troubling. She needed to learn to pay more attention to the world around her if she was going to “be an adult” like she wanted.

“The investigators released the property to us. You’re not helping me contaminate the crime scene,” Regina replied drily.

David yelped and blushed. “I didn’t mean it like that.”

“It’s fine. I’m quite alibied for this crime. Others, not so much, but this one, they’ve finally admitted I couldn’t have done it,” Regina said. There were chuckles, but they disappeared quickly and the helpers focused on eating. Maleficent stepped out to make a call.

Regina took a moment to go to the back part of the property, just needing a moment alone, a moment to take this whole thing in. She sniffled as she stared around the empty space, chest tight as the air escaped her. As the charred area looked back at her, she was not sure she would ever breathe right again. Everything in there had been junked. This was where she would have done her baking, where she would have delighted in making treats. Some day. This was a speed bump, not a full stop. You can do this.

“You okay?” Emma asked, coming up behind her.

Regina rubbed her forehead. “I’m not sure if I ever was.” She liked to mark Daniel’s death as her loss of hope, but she had never had it before him, only while he was by her side. She had dared to dream, but this was what always happened — smoke and ashes.

“I’m sorry.”

Regina shook her head. “Don’t be. None of it was your fault. In fact, I was happy with you around.” It was time to admit it.

Emma grinned. “Does this mean I can come home?”

“Are you serious? You have a friend who could buy you a house and never feel it financially,” Regina said.

Emma tilted her head. “I’d never ask M&M for something like that, regardless of how much money she has. You know me, Regina.”

Regina nodded. “You can take care of yourself. You’re a feral cat.”

Emma chuckled and glanced at Regina with such warm eyes that she almost melted under Emma’s gaze. “Yeah, but I’m your feral cat. I want to be your feral cat. I get if you don’t want me in the house living there, but maybe I could come by every now and then?” There was a little uncomfortable laugh with an awkward shrug.

Regina frowned. “Would that satisfy you?” Emma called her house home. This young woman who had never had a home, did not know what a home was, thought that her house of all places was home. This filled her with a pride that even winning the election for mayor had not.

“No. But, it might be enough. I just…” Emma turned to face Regina. She seemed to be able to look deep into Regina and somehow she saw a nice person. Regina would never understand why, but she did not care about that right now. Emma’s mouth trembled and she had to take a deep breath before she continued. “I just don’t want you to throw me away. You said you were going to adopt me. You made me know what home was. I don’t want that to go away.”

Regina’s heart thumped. “I don’t want that to go away either.” She took a chance, took Emma’s hand, and held on to her fingertips. She wanted to hold onto Emma forever, feel this connection forever.

Emma adjusted their hands, so she could properly hold Regina’s hand. “So, I can come home?”

“Please. It’s not the same without you.” Regina’s life was not the same and it had nothing to do with everything else. Duckling made her happy and she just wanted to embrace it, hold onto it, cherish it as the precious thing it was, and experience it in a way she never got a chance to do.

Emma laughed, but tears came out of her eyes. She sniffled and wiped her eyes with her free hand. “Really? I can come home?”

“You may. When do you want to?” Regina caressed Emma’s cheek and brushed away fresh tears with her thumb.

“Now.” It was said as a sob mixed with a laugh.

Regina gasped at the eager response. “Now? Are you sure?”

“Do… do you not want me to?” Emma glanced away.

Regina cupped Emma’s chin and stared right in her eyes. “Of course I want you to. But, your friends…” She glanced over her shoulder.

Emma smiled, even as tears continued to fall. “They know where I belong. I’ve been sleeping on Ruby’s floor since…” She shook her head. “They’ll be happy to know I can go home. They know I’m better with you. Just being with you pushes me to do something with my life. You give me purpose.”

Regina nodded. “You make me better, too.” She needed to admit it or she would be miserable. Losing this place showed how fleeting a good thing could be. She needed to hold onto her happiness with both hands and never let go.

-8-8-8-8-

Emma took a breath as she stood outside of the door of Regina’s house. The mayor’s house. No, Regina. She would always just be Regina. With a slow exhale, Emma turned the doorknob. The door was open. She stepped inside and caught the sight of Regina putting out cookies on the coffee table.

“This is a nice welcome,” Emma said with a smile, hand clutching her book bag strap.

Regina looked up and her brow furrowed. “Is that all you have?” She nodded toward the back on Emma’s back.

“The rest is in my car. I’ll get it later. Is there hot chocolate with this?”

Regina nodded. “Yes. I thought it would be appropriate.”

Emma grinned, happy with whatever Regina decided as long as she got to stay home. She sat down on the couch while Regina vanished into the kitchen, grabbing a mug of hot chocolate with whipped cream and sprinkles. She sat the mug in front of Emma, who already had a whole shortbread cookie in her mouth. They were so good!

“So, I thought we should discuss what it means for you to live here again,” Regina said.

Emma nodded. “Whatever you want. I can be here however you want me to.” It did not matter to her. This was no longer about a game or blinking first. She just needed to stay with Regina.

Regina patted her knee. “Calm down, dear. I think we both need to face certain facts.”

Emma swallowed hard. She had to do this, admit things to Regina and see if she was still allowed to be here. “Like how I think you’re hot?”

“The feeling is mutual.”

Emma blinked. “Wait, what?”

“You’re not bad to look at.” Regina smirked at her, as if she was teasing Emma.

“Oh, wow. I mean, I know I thought you were looking, but I wasn’t sure you really, like, thought I was hot or anything. Um… that’s cool. I’m happy about it.”

Regina chuckled a little. “Okay.”

“Truthfully, I was hoping I could get better at, like, adulting and then maybe… uh… date you?” Emma had to hold in a grimace.

And now Regina laughed outright. The wince escaped. Emma wanted to die. Instead, she shoved a cookie in her mouth and hoped the sweet taste would soothe her wounded pride.

“Oh, Emma. You need to get better because it’s something you want to do, not because you want to date me. You’ve seen what I’m willing to date,” Regina said.

Emma swallowed the cookie and washed it down with a gulp of hot chocolate. “Yeah, I have. Maleficent is way better than I am.”

Regina snickered. “And you’re just going to pretend I didn’t date Robin.”

Emma grimaced. “I’m trying to be polite.”

“Since when?” Regina smiled.

“Well, I just want to put it out there that I want to date you. I like you, as more than a pet.” Emma held her breath, waiting for the reaction to that plain declaration.

Regina nodded. “I think I could learn to like you as more than a pet. I do like you as a person and you’re very attractive, but I’m very happy with you in your pet capacity. Would you mind…?”

“I kinda assumed you were welcoming me back as a pet.” Emma could not have everything she wanted, after all, and all of this was more than she expected anyway. “I’ll take it, but does it bother you that I want more?” she asked to be sure. She did not want this to come up later and get her kicked out. She could not lose home or Regina again.

“No, it doesn’t.” Regina patted her knee. “I think there is potential for us. You do need a chance to be yourself, too. I want to get you to know you. Home shouldn’t be about wearing a mask.”

“I never think about being your pet as wearing a mask. It’s kind of like role playing, but not completely. I just get to be playful and uninhibited with you. I think of it as a chance to be spoiled and pampered. Something I’ve never had in my life and I’ve learned that I like it. And Maleficent told me that you like to do it.”

“I do like pampering you. It’s the highlight of my day, but I think…” Regina’s brow wrinkled. “I like the role playing, but maybe we could try to be more. That relationship — you as my pet — is important to me, but I remember the fiery young woman who first came in here, I want to get to know her.”

Emma grinned. “To date me?” She wiggled her eyebrows just to be annoying.

Regina sucked her teeth. “To get to know you. I don’t think I’ll be dating for a while.”

Emma shrugged. “Okay, fine. So, how do we decide when I’m Emma and when I’m Duckling?”

“Maybe it should be something you decide. You have a collar. Wear it when you want to be treated as Duckling.”

“But, what if you need Duckling and I’m not Duckling?”

“It should still be your decision. I’ll let you know when I need Duckling. Maybe rubbing your scalp. You seem to like that.”

Emma shivered. “I love that. I love a lot about being Duckling.”

“Then, let’s focus on that and see where we go from there.”

“Okay. I think I like that. No pressure. That’s the other good thing about being Duckling. No pressure.” She never realized how much her life was pressed until being Duckling was taken away from her. No, she never had any real responsibilities, but there had always been the stress of just staying alive, surviving. It always felt like she was about to be crushed by life, society, and the universe itself.

Regina smiled. “Then let’s keep it like that for now.” She leaned over and kissed Emma’s forehead.

Emma sat up a little taller. “I like that, too.”

“There’ll be more of those then, Duckling.”

“Can I have one here, too?” Emma pointed to her lips.

Emma thought she was pressing her luck, but then Regina surprised her. She leaned in and gave Emma a soft kiss right on the mouth. It was short, but there was a charge there. Warm and electric. Emma melted at the contact and her body buzzed. This was so much better than she imagined and she wanted it to go on forever. But, all too soon, Regina eased away.

“How was that?” Regina asked.

“Uh… I’ll be getting more of those, right?” Emma would definitely need more of those.

Regina nodded. “I would definitely like that. I didn’t realize how long I’ve wanted to do that until I just did it. I want to hug and kiss you often.”

Emma’s eyes went wide. “Yes, please!” Sign me up for all of that!

Regina smiled and her eyes sparkled. “Now, do you want the guest room for when you’re not Duckling?”

Emma shook her head. “No. Even if I’m not being Duckling, I feel like that’s my space, the nest. And, I think for a while I’ll just be Duckling in the house anyway.”

“Okay. Then, welcome home, Duckling.” Regina smiled at her and patted her thigh once more. Emma grinned, puckering her lips for another kiss. Regina did not disappoint her, giving her another soft peck. Emma could not help sighing and feeling everything inside was at ease. She was home.

-8-8-8-8-

The End… for now.

A/N: it was about halfway through writing this story, I realized it was just a set up for the real story I wanted to write. I would love to do a slice of life story about Regina and Emma living together with Emma being her pet and them falling madly in love. Unfortunately, I didn’t have the idea for that story. I had the ideas for this story. All of that being said, if you would like to see a sequel to this that is a slice of life, pet play, slow burn, romance, tell me what you would like to see and I’ll start working on that story.

With that out of the way, thank you for reading. I hope you enjoyed the story.