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The Rabbit Hole – somewhere Regina thought she would never go.
She was an ex-Queen. The only time she’d ever entered an establishment like this was when she was actively seeking out Snow White in the Enchanted Forest upwards of 30 years ago.
So stepping into a bar like this, with her girlfriend at her side was… enlightening.
Someone vomited into a bush as they walked over. It was only 10pm, and Regina was only slightly concerned for her citizens – was this really where they were spending their evenings? – and eventually decided that they weren’t worth her time right now.
She was trying to enjoy her night out with her girlfriend! Not worry about alcohol poisoning and the well-being of the people she was governing.
Emma was clutching her hand, swinging it slightly as they walked – she really did need to find another way to indulge her with sensory input when they were walking, her arms were killing her from the swinging. Alas, she said nothing, because she enjoyed holding her girlfriends hand, despite the muscle ache later.
“I’m happy you decided to come out with me tonight.” Emma hummed, smiling at Regina as she walked down the path towards the bar. She had been begging her girlfriend for weeks to come and get drinks with her at the Rabbit Hole for a while – it meant that she could have some other alcohol that wasn’t her normal beer, or occasional glass of red wine. She liked cocktails.
“Yes, darling, I know. I am slightly concerned for everyone here on purpose, but I suppose I’m not here to judge, am I?” she watched as her secretary walked past, pint in hand, hair down and hips swinging. She didn’t know Barbara had it in her, but hey – no judgement tonight. Or on Monday, when she inevitably had to work with her again.
“Now, my love, you promise not to get too drunk?” he asked the blonde, knowing full well that she would be getting heavily smashed – mainly because she knew Emma felt safe with her.
“Yes, mom.” the blonde huffed, but she smiled anyway, because she knew she was being teased.
“I promise.”
Emma was 4 drinks deep when she ordered another margarita from the bartender, who was actively smiling at the woman’s drunken self. She went to drink it, before she was stopped.
“Ah, ah, ah, you can have half, missy – you’re trashed.” Regina laughed, quickly drinking half of the cocktail her girlfriend was holding. Since she hadn’t drunk much, she didn’t really feel any effect – but she handed the rest of the drink to Emma, who was half slumped into her side, half looking up at her through dreamy eyes.
“You’re really pretty.” she slurred, happily accepting the drink she had been given back. Once she was finished with the glass, she left it on the table, and sighed softly.
“Are we all done? Because the light’s are giving me a headache, and I wanna go home.”
Regina laughs aloud at this, but then nods, and helps the blonde off of her barstool.
“Oh, the lights are the problem, huh? Not the two Bud Lights and the three margaritas?” she teased, but led the drunk woman out of the establishment anyways.
Regina hadn’t changed her mind on the bar – it was messy, understaffed, and smelled of stale chips and alcoholics. But any time spent with Emma, well, that was time well spent.