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Emma Swan was a woman that flourished in a lack of structure.
Growing up in crappy foster homes and occasionally homeless had given her a unique approach to most normal things. Sometimes, she still found herself hoarding extra food under her car seats ‘just in case’. Sometimes, she found herself having to remind herself that she had a stable job now, and a family who loved her, and a girlfriend whom she loved beyond belief – life was good now. Sometimes, she forgot she didn’t have to worry.
Things like her diet – people told her she ate like a child when she was left to her own devices, which was true, because at least now she got to pick what she ate and when she ate it. She even got to decide whether or not she wanted to eat something, which would have never been an option before. So what if she ate a grilled cheese every couple of days for her lunch? She had free will.
The first 28 years of her life were a constant up and down, and it reflected on her now, later on in life.
Until Regina. Regina, with her bi-weekly meal plan and strict budgeting lists. Regina, with her rules, and her ideas, and her input. She loved the woman, she really did, but Regina, as a princess/queen, had been the epitome of class and wealth from birth to 28 years old. She just didn’t see life like Emma did.
When Emma ran out of her favourite bottles of shampoo and conditioner, Regina had automatically picked up the bottles and binned them. Which was normal for her – if there’s nothing left in it, why keep it? It’s useless.
To Emma, however, it was a solid $1.50 that she hadn’t used – she hadn’t rinsed the bottle, even cut it open yet. And in Regina’s defence, she had stocked up, so she still had her favourite products, but there was something about how unafraid she was to get rid of the bottles. How easy it was for her to just throw away something that was of little value to her any more, so little value that she presumed it meant nothing to her girlfriend, too. It was terrifying – yet refreshing?
She tried to forget about it. It didn’t matter, not really.
Her and Regina were going out later - a picnic in the park. She was excited. It had been her idea, a nice date where they didn’t have to spend in excess. She and Regina had spent most of the previous evening making food and buying snacks for it. She was excited! A night out with her girlfriend. She couldn’t wait. She just needed to go and meet up with her at the park, as Regina had been working most of the day. It was 6pm now, and it was almost sunset. Time for her to leave, she supposed.
Regina had been waiting for a while. It was colder than she had expected. She had left her coat in the office – but she couldn’t do much about it now. She was already standing by the gates of the park, ready for her and Emma’s date.
That was when she saw the blonde walking towards her, a smile on her face. She was wrapped up in her big coat – lucky bastard – wearing one of her beanies, and carrying the picnic basket.
“Hi.” she laughed, gently moving the beanie so it was more centred, less lopsided.
“Hey. Sorry I’m late.” the other woman smiled, before showing her the basket that she had remembered.
“Yes, darling, well done. I’m proud of you for remembering.” she ruffled
Emma grinned at the praise – she was a sucker for it. She opened the gate to the park with a dramatic flourish, letting Regina through.
“My lady.” she teased.
Regina rolled her eyes, but walked through regardless.
So, they found a spot to put down their blankets, and they sat, and they ate food, and they watched the sunset, and it was bliss.
“You’re not allowed to throw away my shampoo bottles any more. Or I’ll fight back by chucking out your half full bottles of wine.” Emma murmurs softly into Regina’s hair, playful but tinged with seriousness.
“Not my wine!” Regina teased, but she nodded. She didn’t necessarily understand it, but whatever she needed, she supposed.