The Only Exception (Swan Queen)

Forgive me if I stumble and fall for I know not how to love too well I am clumsy and my words do not form as I wish so let me kiss you instead and let my lips paint for you all the pictures that my clumsy heart cannot. ~Atticus.

#

Regina had barely spoken to Emma since they saved Henry. Even though it's only been just over a day, she felt alone. She was surprised when Henry said that he wanted to stay with her the first night back and not Emma, but didn't do much complaining.

She stood in her kitchen, cradling a warm cup of tea wrapped in her hands, Henry peacefully asleep in his room. A knock on the door caused her to jump slightly. She put down her mug and walked to the door where she found Emma. Regina raised an eyebrow. "Is something the matter, Miss Swan?" she asked, standing to the side so the other woman could come in.

Emma let out an awkward cough as she made her way inside. "Nothing, I just-" she cut off.

Regina followed her over to the couch and sat down beside her. "What's bothering you, Emma?" she asked softly. At first, Regina thought it was to talk about Henry, but after a few seconds, she realized that wasn't the case.

"Neal asked me out. I left without giving him an answer," she confessed.

Regina shifted in her seat. "How come?" she asked, unsure of how to respond.

Emma sighed. "I can't go out with him," she stated simply.

Regina furrowed her eyebrows in confusion. She opened her mouth to speak when a soft set of lips pressed against her own. She couldn't respond before Emma pulled away. "I-I'm so sorry," she stuttered as she inched away from her.

Regina shook her head. "Don't be." She cupped Emma's face in her hands and bringing her lips back to meet hers again. She responded instantly. Their lips moved hesitantly against each other's for a moment as they each took in the feeling. Her lips were soft, for too long Regina had been trying to imagine what they would feel like pressed against her own. And now she knew.

Regina shifted as Emma wrapped her hands around her waist and pulled her onto her lap so that she was straddling her waist. After their brief hug in Neverland, Regina had convinced herself that she wasn't going to be able to get any closer to the blonde, but apparently, she was wrong.

Regina rested her forehead against Emma's for a moment when they pulled apart. "What was that for?" Emma gasped.

"Well, you took me a bit by surprise the first time." Regina chuckled.

Emma giggled as she kissed her again. This one was shorter than the previous kiss. She pulled away far sooner than Regina would have liked.

She pouted and Emma let out a soft chuckle. "Hm... Pouting doesn't look good on a Queen," she joked.

Regina playfully slapped her arm. "Everything looks good on me, dear."

Emma nodded and placed a small kiss on Regina's jawline just below her ear which caused her to shudder. "That I agree with," she husked.

Regina settled into her hold and cuddled comfortably into the crook of her neck. "What about Hook?"

"What about him?" she asked while playing with the ends of her raven hair.

"You kissed him in Neverland, right? It's also not hard to notice that he has feelings for you." There was also the fact of him confessing his love for her in the cave, but Regina couldn't bring herself to actually say it.

Emma ran her hands through Regina's hair, scratching gently at her scalp. Regina preened at the feeling, leaning into the touch. "I have no feelings for him, you have absolutely nothing to worry about," she whispered soothingly.

Regina let out a soft hum in contentment as she gently took the younger woman's earlobe between her teeth and lightly bit down on it causing a soft moan to fall from her lips.

"I don't think that's fair, your Majesty," she pouted but that soon switched to a smile as she pecked the other woman's lips. "I better get going, it's late."

Regina nodded and reluctantly climbed off her lap letting her stand up.

"I'll see you tomorrow, Swan," Regina said with a smile, leaning against the doorframe.

Emma leaning down and kissing her softly. Regina responded instantly wrapping her hands around the back of her neck. She pulled back after a moment. "I think we both know that if it goes for too long, we won't stop," she joked. Regina nodded in agreement and pecked her lips once again.

"Goodnight, Gina," she whispered as she tucked a strand of her hair behind her ear.

"Goodnight, Em," she mumbled, watching her walk down the path and towards the tin coffin she called a car.