* Archive

[splitqueen]

This blog is now an ARCHIVE.

After years of writing Regina, going on Hiatus, and then coming back, I realised that I had lost the edge to write a character this angry anymore. I have not watched the series in many years and have admittedly forgotten all her quirks which makes my portrayal a bit unrealistic.

Regina will live on with other writers and in the source material, but I am happy to shut down this blog with its companion @fragilevanity.

Thank you for writing with me all these years, I am very grateful for the #memories.

[supersources]

#033:  CLASSIC THING.   an original and free icon border.   credit not necessary but appreciated.   if you’d like to support me,  you can donate through payhip or buy the premium version on deviantart,  or you can buy me a coffee.    psd included.    fonts used:  georgia and perfect moment.   :     𝙳𝙰   /   𝙿𝙷  /   𝙰𝙻𝚃.  

[splitqueen]

Charged  with  the  young  man,  Regina  folds  her  arms  across  her  chest   &  stares.  She  had  been  summoned  out  of  the  White  Tower  by  the  Amyrlin  Seat  to  babysit⸻and  not  for  the  reasons  any  Red  would  take  pleasure  in.  The  stench  of  the  One  Power  circling  the  poor  fool  is  enough  to  choke  her,  but  Regina  holds  her  gag   &  allows  her  Yellow  sister  to  tend  to  wounds  earned  through  a  stolen  dagger.  Idiot.

When  the  room  is  emptied   &  silence  descends,  Regina  is  left  with  only  the  burning  desire  to  gentle  @luckhissoul.  But,  she  must  resist.  Distract  herself.  Her  thoughts  flitter  to  unsavoury  avenues,  where  the  body  trembles   &  writhes,   &  the  mind  is  blissfully  absent.  Any  threat  that  may  befall  her  charge  now  would  not  come  from  the  outside,  but  rather  from  his  own  actions.   &  if  Regina  thinks  on  it  long  enough,  on  how  he  has  been  permitted  to  live  with  this  ability  only  meant  for  women,  then  not  even  thoughts  of  pleasure  can  contain  her  rage.

She  thinks  she  hears  him  cough,  maybe.  Or  sneeze.  Regina  hasn’t  been  paying  attention,  but  now  she  is.  Threadbare  clothing,  dishevelled  hair,   &  a  beard  that  hasn’t  seen  a  razor  in  days.  The  type  of  man  someone  of  her  station  would  scorn  at,  but  poverty  is  a  curiosity Regina  hasn’t  had  the  pleasure  of  being  this  close  to.    ❛  Why  the  dagger  ?  ❜    Because  she  wants  to  know,  because  the  younger  version  of  her  trapped  beneath  cynicism  wonders  if  there  is  some  way  she  can  help.   

[splitqueen]

♕ starter for @lightcreators

Mother  speaks,  Lucius  laughs  good-naturedly.  They  raise  their  glasses  in  a  toast ;  crystal  clinking  together  to  solidify  a  friendship.  The  Mills  Estate  is  large,  sprawling  across  fertile  lands  that  houses  the  infamous  Honeycrisp  orchard   &  a  stable  filled  with  race  horses  that  make  them  richer  than  Regina’s  father  has  ever  been ⸻   &  he  was  a  Prince.  But  not  for  Cora,  not  for  Regina’s  mother  who  craves  power  as  much  as  Regina  craves  freedom.  This  is  why  a  piece  of  that  wealth  is  being  carved  out,  rented  to  a  Mr.  Malfoy,  his  wife,  and  surly  son  who  sits  with  posture  as  ramrod  straight  as  Regina’s.  

She  has  no  idea  where  they  have  come  from,  what  relationship  they  might  possess  with  her  mother  beyond  this  newly  minted  landlord   &  tenant.  Regina  shifts  uneasily,  forgetting  she  is  to  remain  invisible  tonight.  To  be  nothing  more  than  a  statue.  Cora’s  gaze  finds  her,  rests  on  her  as  heavily  as  her  disappointment  does.    ❛  Be  a  dear,  Regina,  ❜  Cora  says,  a  twitch  in  her  jaw  betraying  the  adoring  smile  she  has  put  on  for  her  guests.  ❛  Show  young  Mr.  Malfoy  around  the  estate  whilst  the  adults  finish  up  talk  of  business.  ❜      Regina swallows,  then  nods.  Her  chair  is  pushed  back  soundlessly,  her  curtsy  deep    &  respectful,   &  then  she  gestures  for  the  boy  ( who  looks  as  if  his  soul  was  sucked  out  of  him  by  a  Dementor) to  follow  her  out  the  door.  

This  cannot  be  a  matchmaking  attempt, she thinks.  Regina  eyes  her  companion  with  barely  concealed  disdain,  taking  in  the  expensive,  but  rumpled  clothing.  The  shinny,  unkempt  hair ;  the  dark  circles  under  light  eyes.  He  is  younger  than  he  looks.  Younger  than  Regina  by  a  handful  of  years  ( not  many,  but  enough ),  yet…  haunted  by  the  same  demons,  perhaps.  Did  his  first  love  die  at  the  hands  of  his  mother ?  Did  his  engagement  to  a  Lord end  painfully  short  after  the  man  thrice  his  age  died  from  a  heart  attack  during  their wedding  vows ?  She’d  like  to  think  not.  She  hopes  not.  Regina  cannot  have  someone  flouncing  around  the  estate  who  has  license  to  be  angrier  than  she.

Regina  hates  him,  she  decides.  ❛  What  would  you  like  to  see  first ?  ❜    She  flicks  her  eyes  over  his  form  purposely,  ignoring  all  manner  or  sense  of  etiquette.  ❛  The  bath,  perhaps ?  ❜

[caracarnn]

The world around him was sick and choking. The plants had been alive and the oppressive heat around him seemed to be reaching for him, spindly fingers wanting to rip him apart. He was glad to be out of the middle of the Blight, glad to be away from the cold feeling of The Eye. It was cold, that hollow that sank into the core of him. He knew what he was now and the feeling of it made fear crawl up along his spine. A dark feeling hovered over him as he made silent vows to himself about keeping those he loved safe. He was certain that Moiraine would keep his secret after what they had faced together.

He froze when he heard someone call out. Someone was out here and there was no one out there that he knew. His brows furrowed as he nearly climbed out of The Blight, staring in the direction of the voice. A lone woman, an Aes Sedai no doubt. Who else besides Aes Sedai or Borderlanders would risk trekking so close to The Blight? "And we wouldn't want that, would we?" He questioned, steeling himself as he looked at her, authority spilling across his features. At least he hoped that was authority. "What are you doing out here?"

[splitqueen]

A boy recently turned man. Hair as red as an Aiel's, jaw set as stiffly as any Aes Sedai. Regina eyes him warily, watches as he pulls himself out of the blight and treats her with disregard. Something in her is amused, but the bits of her scrubbed raw from this war is offended. A sneer curls over her lips before she can help herself, anger blooming to the surface as quickly as if she had never tasted the Mistress of Novice's belt. ❛ No, we wouldn't want me angrier than I already am. ❜ Her words are delivered in a hiss, a threat she doesn't bother to hide.

❛ I should be asking you the same question. ❜ Because there is cause for an Aes Sedai to be wherever she wants to be, but not for a young man who would never dare enter the Blight on his own. Not without the protection of other men, or the One Power. Is he... a channeler ? She barely comes up to his neck, but Regina doesn't view her lack of height as weakness. They stand close, close enough that she can see the stubble he hasn't shaved, the sweat beading along his temples. ❛ What business did you have in the Blight ? ❜

[pivotalmarka]

she certainly does feel like food being pushed about the plate. she's not unfamiliar with being toyed with ; pushed aside. her voice had always been a bit stifled as a princess ---- it makes sense that it would be nearly mute as a captive. so she purses her lips &* tries to level her gaze , not wanting to falter under such an obvious ploy of cat &* mouse. captive or not , SHE'S STILL A PRINCESS. harming her meant a whole kingdom coming down on regina's head , plus any of their allies that liked belle --- which , thankfully , were plenty ; especially with her ending the ogre war.

so she rounds her shoulders , a soft 'hmm' leaving her. her gaze shifts to the huntsman , a small frown tugging at her lips if only at the state he appears in -------- he's so . . . BROKEN. is that her fate ? could she help him ? or is he so fully under regina's nail that she'd be walking into a dastardly trap ? more information is needed &* its certainly not the kind of info regina is just going to hand her. there's only way to get information ; when books failed , you turned to people.

❛ YOURS. ❜ hands clasp in front of her dress as she returns her steady gaze to regina. ❛ hadn't expected such a . . . personal welcome. lucky me. ❜

[splitqueen]

Taken by surprise, Regina stops short. Her smile remains frozen on her face, her shoulders stiffen, and ⸻

She wants to SLAP the girl. Hurt her, make her afraid. Because a lack of fear means a lack of respect, and the absence of respect spreads like a disease in a castle run on nothing but threats. The Huntsman touches her arm. Gentle, to prevent Regina from lashing out at him. To dissuade her from turning that rage on the nearest possible thing that would stand there and take it. Regina considers hurting The Huntsman for a moment, tastes the satisfaction from potentially inflicting pain. But what good would it do ? All Regina would prove is that she can't touch the princess, that all she can afford is a glorified whipping boy.

Shoulders releasing, fingers unclenching. She stalks forward, towering over her guest. ❛ In my castle, ❜ she says in a low voice dripping with warning, ❛ we don't take kindly to attitude. You will find no kindness here, no friends. Only punishment where it must be met. ❜

If this girl behaves like a BRAT, then Regina will treat her as one. Attention-starved, begging to be heard, to be valued ⸻ that is what this display teaches her. Even if it is masked with indifference, smothered over with a royal upbringing that toes the line between outright rudeness and arrogance.

She's delicate, damn-near handling the princess with fragile care when Regina skims her fingers across a warm cheek, thumb hooking on a dimpled chin. ❛ Don't make me punish you. ❜ A whisper, a caress. A warning that sounds like Regina's mother ( affection and pain all rolled into one ) . She cannot be playful, cannot be impulsive. Regina must become something else, something sharp and cunning. Rumple's secrets, her trade with the West, they all hinge on the brat. The princess may be a prisoner, but she is still very much her kingdom's heir.

Retreating, Regina bumps into The Huntsman and presses her shoulder against his chest to keep him rooted. He will pay for his insubordination, but not in front of her. Then she calls, ❛ Escort the prisoner to my chambers. ❜ Two Knights appear, hands outstretched as if to guide the girl like a sheep.

[splitqueen]

♕ Starter for @caracarnn

The breaking of the world had come. Moiraine Aes Sedai had warned them, said The Dragon had been reborn, had matured, would be ready for a fight they never thought would come in their lifetime. She wishes now that the Red Ajah had believed her.

Regina sits at the edge of the Blight, laughter bubbling up in her throat. For all her years tracking down those who would misuse the One Power, searching for men who would let The Maddness in, she had never envisioned herself caught in a civil war between believers and non-believers. Their Ajah had been rifiled through, torn apart, and then haphazardly pieced together. Liandrin's pride had been their downfall, and Regina's anger at everything and everyone hadn't helped.

A CRACK ! The sound echoing along the silence of a war won and lost. Regina is no fool, does not let her guard down no matter the peace from a supposed victory she is meant to feel. ❛ I can hear you, ❜ she says. Her fingers flex, reaching for Saidar. Vision heightened, hearing enhanced, Regina focuses on the intruder who moves through the Blight. ❛ Show yourself or incur my wrath ! ❜ She hasn't the time to waste.

[pivotalmarka]

leaving her home was meant to be brave --- save her people at the exchange of having to serve that horrible man her whole life. &* yet , as she stares ahead at the raven haired woman before her , she can't determine if she's brave anymore. @splitqueen has given her no real reason to fear her directly , if you could just ignore the history books full of bloodshed &* treachery. BELLE'S OWN KINGDOM KEPT A WIDE BERTH FROM THE ENCHANTED FORREST THE MOMENT REGINA TOOK THE CROWN. &* just look at bella now ; a princess under lock &* key of the evil queen. ( would she have made the deal if she'd known she'd end up here ? she'd like to think she'd have done anything for her people. )

❛ you haven't said a word since i got here. ❜ it feels wrong , speaking before someone like regina. but belle's never been one to hold her tongue. ❛ are you done appraising me yet ? ❜ there's very little challenge to her tone ----- more . . . tiredness. ❛ if it's all the same to you , i'd like to be shown to whatever cell i'm sleeping in. ❜

[splitqueen]

A GIFT. That was all Rumple told her before this princess was deposited on her doorstep. A mockery is more like it; a way to cash in on a favour that had been exchanged between them years ago. It shouldn't chafe her now, to know that it may as well remain unpaid, no matter if she's been left to babysit. Besides, other than tying the girl to her bed, there is no use for her. No cleaning to be done, no conversation to be had, no entertainment to be won. Just...NOTHING.

Regina leans back in her chair, fingering the loose thread that unravels further from the armrest. Did Rumple think her this lonely, to saddle her with a friend ? Or did he intend something more sinister ⸺ Vivian- no, Iris- no, WHATEVER the girl's name was⸻ Regina takes a deep breath. Her diplomatic ties to the West had been severed when Leopold died, perhaps this may be a way to rekindle the much-needed trade Regina had been moaning to Rumple about the other day. But, Regina reminds herself, Rumple never has good intentions for anyone but himself.

At the princess's voice, Regina levels her with a glare. Despite their titles, in which some formality may be dropped, the fact remains that they are nothing more than captor and captive now. And a prisoner does not point out that all their potential torturer has done is stare and stare and stare. Still, her legend must be lived up to, her name be given authenticity to the princess who thinks Regina a JOKE.

She stands from her chair, the velvet of her dress gliding with her like water. ❛ Oh, dear, ❜ Regina pouts. She's playing with her food. ❛ Has someone had a hard day ? ❜ The grin she adorns says she doesn't care. Her gaze drags across the woman's body with purpose this time, fully intent on making this situation as uncomfortable as possible. Regina still hasn't decided what to do with her, but the princess doesn't know that ( and she intends to use it to her advantage ).

Gesturing, The Huntsman appears by her side. He stands a head taller than her, his look severe and pained. ❛ Oh, I don't have a cell available, you see. ❜ Lies. ❛ But I do have a bed. ❜ Not that she wants to entertain anyone tonight, but her false civility is partially out of fear of Rumple ( one does not shun a gift from the Dark One ), and another is that maybe, perhaps, she can have some fun. ❛ His⸺ ❜ she licks her lips at the sight of him, then turns back to the brunette. ❛ Or mine ? ❜

[lcveisweakness]

emma had heard bits about what regina was like in the enchanted forest, she had even encountered the evil queen a few times herself. but this was different. this was a very tricky situation, there was no henry here, no memory of who emma was. this was the past and she was surely making a mess of the future.

she knew better not to utter a word at the fire line of questioning. her lips pursed as she took in what she secretly called 'full queen mode'. the final question almost made her chuckle- if her life hadn't depended on it maybe. she had to play this right, smart. emma already knew the queen was on to her. "no, your majesty." she lowered her eye and cleared her throat. "despite the.. things i have heard of your wrath, i simply admire you." first flattery, this is regina in any reality. "i could only wish to be as strong and great as you when i am one day crowned queen." second, acknowledgement of her power. "i know you can sense the magic surrounding me, i wish to be useful to you, learn from you, my queen." she added a little bow, the voice in her head wondering where the hell hook was with that rescue. she chanced a glance upwards and offered a small smile.

[splitqueen]

When the girl speaks, REGINA IS UNPREPARED.

She has had admirers before. Men who trip over themselves, who like to feel intimidated but are too cowardly to admit it. There are Kings who kiss her knuckles and wish they could go higher, but their wives eye her bitterly. They do not admire her because they respect her. They admire her because they are afraid, because they want to bed her.

This is different. This is⸻ ( She's flattered, thrown off guard, clutching onto a rapidly beating heart that threatens to make her believe she may be worthy of being beloved: in whatever crude form. )

She licks her lower lip, takes a step backward. There is a catch somewhere. There is always a catch. ❝ You wish to learn from me ? ❞ A question. ❝ You wish to be as powerful as me ? ❞ No, an interrogation. Regina laughs, loud and boisterous. She gestures at one of the Knights, a careless action that has him quickly retrieve a stuffed chair and place it directly in line of this Princess Leia. They understand her moods, can tell how dangerously close she is murder. This is playtime, this is a mercy she will allow because she is amused.

Taking a seat, her legs crossing over one another, Regina leans back into the comfortable cushion. ❝ And which Kingdom will you rule ? ❞ Which one should she worry about in the future ? ❝ And pray tell,❞ she holds out her palm, ❝ where your appeal of apprenticeship is ? ❞ After all, there is such a thing as diplomacy. Even if, true, there is POWER radiating from this girl.

[fclieadeuxx]

⎯⎯⎯⋆·˚ ༘ a fairly good way to put it ; there was certainly something. yet, most girls tended to channel before entering womanhood. the wisdom might have on cultivating listening to the wind, yet whatever power inside of her remained both unrealised & perhaps even blocked. it went without saying just what a dangerous of a combination that was. even if meek comparing to one causing moisture gliding her temples, whereas nothing but serenity painted his own face. she might have as well hold onto a wild lion's mane.

❝ no. ❞ the answer was simple. had she even got a chance in the first palce, it didn't seem like the wisdom would show any sign of will for her to get that close, indeed. ❝ you're welcome to try, sister. ❞ there was a tangle of playfulness lacing her tongue. yet, one could expect sister of various ajahs to come at this flesh blood like flies to a honey. the ever growing emptiness within the white tower would do that ; however distant moiraine's mind remained from those familiar halls. ❝ yet, i'm afraid she's not gonna take a shine to any of aes sedai. ❞ ⎯⎯⎯ ୧ .

[splitqueen]

Her eyes closing, Regina leans further into the chair. A soft sigh escapes her, the sound of relief found in the dark. Of feeling Saidar pulse through her, of the way it connects her to Moiraine who pulls from the same source. ❝ Perhaps, I will, ❞ she relinquishes, allowing Moiraine to think she has upper hand⸻ HONESTY has always been seen as WEAKNESS at the white tower, and no matter how many years Moiraine has been away from it, the lessons imbued in them from the Mistress of Novices' slipper must still stick. But Regina's honesty has never been her weakness, and she won't allow it to become one now.

The False Dragon shifts⸻ the weaves of air around him push and strain ( such a simple movement, such casual use of energy ); Regina grits her teeth in a smile and strengthens her weave. She opens her eyes carefully, the rush of colours and the sight of the One Power greeting her. She sees the False Dragon smirk; knows he was only testing their strength. ❝ Will you come with us…? ❞ Regina asks, pretending as if Moiraine’s answer won’t change anything, won’t leave the already drained Aes Sedai weak if this man decides to attack. And he will, after making sure his enemies are pitiful shells of themselves, securing a grand escape. ❝ To the White Tower. ❞ An amendment, a show of good faith that she understands if Moiraine may hesitate, may leave them stranded at the entrance of TAR VALON.

[fclieadeuxx]

⎯⎯⎯⋆·˚ ༘ on one moiraine couldn't help it — a tiny curl of her lips broke through a hard mask of tension. the healing had did it's wonders, yes. yet, even nearly twenty years in a saddle couldn't protect her from an exhaustion the constant travel provided. there was no time to rest, however. & there wouldn't be for a long time yet. this false dragon & his strangling strength merely one of the top concerns currently on her mind.

❝ only almost ? ❞ moiraine couldn't help but tease softly. blood & ashes. light one knew the trouble the young woman would provide for the mistress of novices, were she ever to stay in the tower. or the boost of untempered tongue once having earned the shawl. yes, she did know more than one thing about that. ❝ did you sense it ? ❞ she glanced at regina sedai, merely with the corner of her eye, not risking for her concentration to slip. there was no hiding it — the wisdom's spark. like an unblossomed flower. . . & regina was certainly one of the few reds she dared for some casual talk. ⎯⎯⎯ ୧ .

[splitqueen]

A shift in her seat, trying to ease the strain of her thighs on the worn-down cushion. Regina disguises her discomfort with a noncommittal hum — as if she considers the question she already knows the answer to. The time she takes to answer however, is to weigh Liandrin's anger over Moiraine's favour.

❝ She has something,❞ is what Regina settles for. A power, that should it be tapped into, would most definitely prove to be one of the strongest this new generation would see. And light knows they need the strength — the Red Ajah find themselves split between more false dragons than they can handle. Liandrin may think them capable enough, but the possibility of gaining a sister makes her wrath almost worth it.

❝ Have you tested her ? ❞ Direct. Regina's own intentions splayed between them. THE COST OF NEED. ❝ Although,❞ and she forgets to bite her tongue before she continues, ❝ she doesn't seem to take a shine to you. ❞

[splitqueen]

𓇼 starter for @lcveisweakness — Emma.

There is a woman on her knees claiming to be a princess. The slouch of her shoulders, the twist of her lips, the way her eyes flick to every valuable in the room as if she has never seen anything like it before. IT SCREAMS POVERTY.

❛ Do you think me a fool, girl ? ❜ she asks. Regina does not intend for THE STREET RAT to answer, and she doesn't give the girl an opportunity either. ❛ Princess or not— ❜ she pauses, sneering at the title. ❛ No noble would incur my wrath unless they had a death wish. ❜

Regina huffs, her head tilting to better survey her prisoner. ❛ Do you wish to die, Leia ? ❜ This time, she intends to have a response.

[splitqueen]

𓇼 starter for @fclieadeuxx — Moiraine

The chair had once been comfortable, before the strain of using SAIDAR made her bones ache. She's been at it for days, trying to contain the man who calls himself THE DRAGON — and the little reprieve they get is nothing more than torment when they must return to the task. Moiraine’s arrival has been a godsend, but Regina would never admit it out loud, even as they sit side by side.

❛ I see you brought company with you, ❜ she says in way of conversation ( anything to distract her from the pain. ) ❛ That little wisdom is almost as temperamental as you were. ❜ A little digging, a little backhanded compliment — politics at its best.

[splitqueen]

𓇼 starter for @timcsinfinity — Kara.

NATIONAL CITY— she had choked the name out of some peasant when she materialised here; And for her sins, a flying woman has come to confront her. Regina pouts. ❛ That's an unkind accusation, ❜ she says, flicking her fingers toward the man who still rubs his throat. ❛ He is just as much to blame for HIS INSULT. ❜

His insult being ignoring her.

A Queen is never ignored.

A delicate hand on her hip, a huff and roll of her eyes. ❛ Well ? ❜ she asks, fluttering her eyelashes. ❛ Are you going to punish him, or are you going to continue hovering in mid-air until everyone gets a glimpse of what's under your skirt ? ❜

[splitqueen]

𓇼 Starter for @venustrape

❛ Sheriff Swan. ❜ The name rings with a taste of bitterness Regina can never seem to get used to; yet she spits it out as elegantly as she can, saying ― see? I can take a loss and be gracious. But she knows she does a poor job of it. ( Sidney still suffers her wrath for his failure to win the election, but that is neither here nor there. )

❛ Henry has his therapy appointment at four― ❜ Regina pauses. Looks Emma up and down with MILD DISGUST. ❛ Make sure he gets there on time. ❜ Their son― she nearly chokes at the thought ― is all too happy to be shared between them, and he grins at Emma from where he stands with unrestrained excitement.

[splitqueen]

♛ ▋ ▎  OFGRAHAM

Her gaze does not lift from the table, staring at the tea before her. A new household, a new set of rules to follow. This could be an act of kindness or it could be a test. June opts to follow the “no nonsense” route for now. ❛ I pray the Lord makes me truly worthy. By His hand, I will be fruitful and bring His divine gift into your home. ❜ Losing another child, it wasn’t something she was looking forward too. The three years spent with the previous house, the blonde prayed night after night that no child would come. How lucky she had been that her prayers had been answered. Could she be granted that same luck here? She wasn’t hopeful. How could she bare to lose another after Hannah? Did she even remember her? A new baby certainly wouldn’t, not after this Wife erased all memory of her.

❛ I feel so blessed to be helping you in any way, Mrs. Mills. Praise be His bounty, may your garden be beautiful. ❜

Regina  is  capable  of  kindness.      There  have  been  moments  throughout  her  history  when  she  demonstrated  as  such———  to  her  marthas,    to  her  husband,    TO  THE  FIRST  HANDMAID.      But  life  is  like  that,    no  matter  the  best  of  intentions,    it  always  lets  you  down.      Makes  you  yearn  for  something  you  will  never  have;      and  so,    Regina  herself  has  put  up  guards,    learnt  to  expect  nothing,    give  nothing,    be  unkind.      ‘Do  something  different  with  this  one’.        Different,  how  ?

Should  Regina  open  herself  to  the  possibility  of  being  sent  to  the  colonies  ?    Should  she  shove  a  book  in  this  handmaid’s  hands  and  give  her  the  pleasure  of  skipping  ceremonies  ?    Should  Regina  reveal  how  she  runs  this  house  from  a  study  meant  for  Graham    (  one  he  must  knock  to  enter,  one  she  occassionally  fucks  him  in  when  they’re  both  desperate  enough  ).      Would  that  make  this  woman  loyal  to  her  ?      Would  that  give  her  a  child  ?

A  test.      Pruning  stems,    planting  ferns,    pretending  all  she  has  is  the  garden.      (  She  loves  the  garden,    smiles  when  she  walks  into  her  greenhouse  and  sees  the  spendor  of  what  she  can  grow  ———  IF  NOT  CHILDREN,  THEN  PLANTS.  )      ❝    You  wll  meet  the  commander  tonight  when  he  has  returned  from  his  duties.      Until  then…  ❞    she  wants  to  send  this  red  blob  away,    an  eyesore  sitting  on  her  couch,    flaunting  her  fertility  like  it  means  nothing.    Instead,    Regina  takes  another  deep  breath  and  sets  her  empty  cup  down.      ❝  Have  some  tea.    And  when  you’re  ready,    Ruby  will  show  you  to  your  room.  ❞      When  Regina  stands  to  leave,    she  almost  wants  to  say:    ‘  see  ?    I  told  you  I  can  be  kind.  ’  

[splitqueen]

♛ ▋ ▎ EMMA

TO  BE  IN  THE  HANDS  OF  A  VILLAIN  IS  ONE  THING  ;  to  be  in  the  hands  of  a  woman  who  has  done  so  much  damage  to  the  savior  &  her  family  is  another  ;  but  to  know  those  same  hands   ——  the  ones  that  can  so  easily  slip  poison  &  rip  out  beating  hearts  &  cast  curses  that  destroy  lives  ——  also  belong  to  the  woman  who  holds  some  long  deserted  part  of  the  saviors  heart  ?         DANGER  DANGER  DANGER  !       irreparable  danger.          the  kind  that  either  leads  to  death  or  things  emma  can’t  even  begin  to  dream  up.           

A  LIFE  WITH  REGINA  MILLS.        the  evil  queen.           her  lover  ,  in  this  hypothetical  future.       what  would  that  look  like  ?           cuddling  on  the  sofa  while  henry  does  his  homework  on  the  ground  ;  cooking  dinner  together ,  sharing  recipes  &  tips  ;  slipping  into  a  bed  no  longer  kept  cold  on  one  side.         PEACEFUL.         loving.           so  far  out  of  reach.     

the  hand  wrapped  around  her  jaw  does  bring  some  rigidity  to  the  savior  ——–  but  there’s  also  TRUST  in  her  judgement  to  not dislodge  her.       if  regina  wanted  her  dead  ,  would  it  really  be  through  choking  her  out  on a  beach  ?            no  , no  ,  it  would  be  a  spectacle  of  torture.          this  was  a  show  of  intimacy.         in  regina’s  own  way  ,  at  least.        all  claws  &  fangs  hiding  the  girl  she’d  once  been.   

the  hand  goes  to  emma’s  throat  &  something  STIRS  in  her  ———  something  entirely  unholy.        fear  should  be  there  ,  but  emerald  eyes  can  do  nothing  but  look  upon  the  brunette  with  perhaps  a  bit  too  much  eagerness  ,  lips  parting  in  anticipation  for  the  cut  off  of  air.       her  gaze  dares  her  ———–  dig  your  claws  in  ;  who  really  needs  to  breathe  ?         

when  a  kiss  comes  instead  ,  emma’s  caught  off  guard.         she’s  not  unused  to  kisses  like  this  —–  the  were  possessive  &  demanding  &  clearly  a  fight  for  dominance.          not  the  fairy  sweet  ,  true  love  kisses  storybrooke  sang  about.          WHAT  WAS  THIS  EXACTLY  ?   

her  footing  is  quickly  regained  as  she  leans  into  the  witches  hand  ,  neutral lips moving easily with the pace the queen sets.          emma  goes  as  far  as  to  nibble  on  the  queens  lower  lip  &  pull  it  out  in  a  pout.     &  in  a  swift  movement  ,  she’s  rolled  herself  on  top  of  the  queen  as  they  both  fall  back  ,  thighs  straddling  her  waist.          sitting  up  ,  she  grins  , proud  of  herself  as  she  arranges  her  hair  over  one  shoulder  ;  then  just  swiftly  ,  shes  dipped down  ,  catching  regina’s  lips  in  a  deep  kiss.            to  remind  her  of  the  compromise  made  between  them  ,  she  finds  one  of  regina’s  hands  &  moves  to  pin  it  beside  regina’s  head  ,  emma’s fingers  intertwined  with  regina’s  so  she  can  hold  her  hand  tightly.              one hand  on  the  leash  ,  one  hand  free.         

emerald  eyes  meet  chocolate  ,  studying  her  there in  the  sand.         a  wry  smile  curves  her  lips.         she  won’t  hold  any  upper  ground  for  long.        ❛       you  look  nice  from  this  angle.     ❜          a  playful  grin  ,  nose  nudging  the  queen’s.           ❛       i  look  better  on  top.      ❜            to  accentuate  her  point  ,  she  sheds  her  jacket  ,  leaving  her  in  a  tank  top  and  jeans ;  her  muscular  arms  are  on  full  display  as  she  stretches  her  arms  above  her  head  to  crack  her  back.           one  they’re  back  down  ,  she  leans  back  over  the  queen  ,  one  hand  planting  in  the  sand  by  her  head  while  the  other  rests  ,  palm  down  ,  over  regina’s  heart.          ❛     THAT  OLD  THING  BACK  IN  THERE  YET  ?    ❜             she  leans  down  ,  pressing  her  ear  over  the  spot  instead.         

Regina  doesn’t  know  how  to  feel.    Emma  kisses  her  back,  makes  a  show  of  it.    Leaves  Regina  breathless,  powerless  ———  too  AFRAID  to  put  Emma  in  her  place,  to  tell  her  to:    stop,  THIS  IS  MY  SHOW.

But  she’s  not  the  evil  queen  here;    she’s  only  a  mother  trying  to  hold  onto  her  son,  kissing  a  woman  she  doesn’t  deserve.    That  conscious  again,  ticking  on  the  end  of  her  nerves,  making  her  remember  the  horrible  things  she’s  done,  the  way  the  cursed  scroll  had  crumbled  to  ash  in  her  hand  as  she  sacrificed    &    sacrificed    &    gave  everything  she  had.    Now  she’s  got  it  back—  one  stradling  her  waist  and  the  other  playing  video  games  in  Snow’s  loft,  but  it  doesn't  feel  right,  doesn't  feel  like  how  she  left  it.

Play  nice,  Regina  thinks.      Play  nice,  she  begs  herself  as  her  back  meets  the  ground,  her  perfectly  set  hair  mingling  with  loose  sand.    BE  NICE,  BE  OPEN,  BE  LOVING.    Be  anything  but  the  woman  who  wants  to  shove  Emma  Swan  off  her,  plunge  her  hand  in  that  hollow  chest  and  steal  that  pure  heart  away.    This  isn’t  who  Regina  sold  herself  to  be,  and  God  be  damned  she  won’t  be  returned  because  she’s  a  little  damaged  just  as  the  saviour  starts  kissing  her.

An  ear  to  her  chest,  her  heart  thumping  against  her  ribcage.    A  heart,  so  personal  and  tragic.    So  weak  when  it  wants  to  be.    ❝  It’s  there,  ❞    she  says.    Doesn’t  elaborate  on  when  she  took  it  out,  doesn’t  ask  when  Emma  came  to  know.    Regina  lies  there  in  the  sand,  her  lips  tingling,  a  weight  on  her  chest.    Something  within  her  stills,  BECOMES  MATERNAL.    Emma  smells  like  Henry  (  not  her  perfume,  not  her  shampoo,  not  the  sea  breeze  sticking  to  her  skin),    it’s  in  their  blood.    In  the  way  they  both  settle  atop  her,  seeking  somethng  more  than  she  can  give.

What  a  sobering,  pathetic  thought.    To  feel  more  comforable  mothering  the  saviour  than  kissing  her.    Regina  wraps  her  arms  around  Emma’s  back,  tugs  her  closer,  presses  their  bodies  so  tightly  together  that  Emma  wouldn’t  be  able  to  leave  if  she  wanted  to.    She’d  stay  here  in  the  sand,  embraced  by  Regina,  any  thought  of  New  York  squashed  between  them.    (  But  she  was  invited,  summonded  to  be  a  family.    And  how  much  power  would  she  lose  then  ?    How  much  of  Just  Regina  can  she  handle  before  everything  begins  to  fail  ?  )

❝  The  next  time  you  attempt  to  tackle  me  in  public,  the  consequences  will  be  so  dire,  Henry  will  have  only  one  parent.  ❞    Now  there’s  a  thought.    MURDER.    An  old  friend  ———  wake  me  up!    ———  Regina  releases  Emma,  pulls  her  hands  away  as  if  burnt.      ❝  Now  get.  off.  me.  ❞