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In the morning, Regina woke up to a headache and the smell of coffee. It took her a moment to realize where she was. Emma’s house. She started remembering how she ended up there. Henry was at another sleepover with a friend, and Regina had felt more lonely than usual in her big, but empty mansion without him. So, she and a certain blonde decided to spend the evening together at Emma’s place. Emma had recently moved out from the Charmings’ house, since Neal was already growing up.
She and Emma had been on good, actually, friendly terms for quite some time. They had left all the fights and arguments behind, and if Regina was honest with herself, they had been tiptoeing around something for a while now. Regina decided to drop by Emma’s place and have a drink or two. They talked for so long that they lost track of time, and both got quite drunk, so Emma suggested that Regina stay the night in the guest room.
Regina smiled at the memory of the pleasant evening and went to the bathroom to brush her teeth. When she stepped out of the room she heard soft singing. The voice was coming from the kitchen. When the brunette entered, Emma didn’t notice her right away. She was cooking breakfast; apparently for two. When the brunette had first found out Emma could cook, she had been surprised, but Emma had explained that while growing up in the system and in some “families,” she had often been made to take care of the younger kids, since in almost every case she was the oldest. And as it turned out, taking care of them also meant keeping them fed.
Regina leaned against the doorframe, watching her. Emma was still humming some tune under her breath, but after a while, feeling someone’s gaze on her, she stopped and turned to Regina. “Good morning. How did you sleep? Your coffee’s ready,” the blonde said, gesturing toward the cup on the table. “Morning. Thanks for the coffee.” Regina didn’t hurry to drink it and sat down on a chair. “What are you making?” the older woman asked. “Oatmeal for myself, but your breakfast is already done.” Regina was surprised when Emma pushed a plate toward her with a boiled egg whites, cheese, and some blueberries on the side.
“This is my breakfast,” Regina stated. Emma gave her a questioning look. “The one I make for myself every day at home,” Regina continued. “I know,” Emma said, looking her in the eyes. “This isn’t the first time we’ve had breakfast together,” the younger woman said, recalling all those “family breakfasts” with Regina and Henry. “I’m aware of that, but I didn’t think you noticed what I eat,” the brunette said, still surprised. “I notice things. Especially with you. I always notice,” Emma murmured almost inaudibly, lowering her head as if she was being shy. “Thank you,” Regina replied just as softly, because she couldn’t find anything else to say to that statement. Bringing the cup to her lips, she already knew the coffee would be on oat milk with Splenda. Regina would never admit it, but she hated black, strong coffee. Emma, of course, knew that.
By that time, Emma had joined Regina with her oatmeal and black coffee. The women ate in silence, each sipping their coffee. They sat so close that their knees brushed and bumped against each other under the table.
Every time it happened, Regina noticed the blush on Emma’s cheeks. They would occasionally glance at each other, but when their eyes met, both looked away, as if caught in something very personal. And Regina realised. This is it. The moment.
By the end of breakfast, when both women were finishing their coffee, Regina spoke. “I want to try your coffee.” Emma lifted her head and gave her a questioning look. “Wouldn’t it be bitter for you? I know you don’t like your coffee strong. But sure, go ahead.” The blonde slid her cup towards the older woman. “I want to try your coffee, but not from the cup, dear”, Regina continued as if finishing her thought, looking Emma straight in the eyes. And in that moment, she saw how everything in younger’s woman brain clicked. The brunette stood up from her chair and took a step toward Emma. For the first time, Regina was taller than Emma, even though the former Evil Queen usually wears heels, she’s always a bit shorter. The older woman leaned down and took the blonde’s face in her hands. “May I?” Regina asked. Emma placed her hands on Regina’s waist and pulled her down, settling the brunette onto her lap. “Anything for the queen” Neither knew who leaned in first, but their lips finally met.
Emma kissed softly, tenderly, as if Regina was made of something fragile. Regina’s hands rested around Emma’s neck, while the blonde wrapped her arms around the older woman, almost hugging her. When they finally pulled away to catch their breath, Emma whispered, “That was better than I’ve ever imagined”. “And how many times have you imagined it, Em-ma,” Regina purred. “Oh you have no idea, baby,” Emma said, kissing the older woman’s cheek.
Both women’s faces lit up with incredibly big, genuine smiles. It was, without a doubt, one of the best mornings of their lives. But only the first of many together.