#recsheartsways

[beatthe0dds]

You know it's a Heartsways fic when you can feel that somewhat achingly painful tug from your heart down to your fingertips before you're done reading the first two sentences.

There are great talented writers who write Emma and Regina with such precision in both characterization and dynamic. 

And then there's Heartsways who does just that, then sets the bar higher and makes the entire reading experience a heartwrenching masterpiece. 

[beatthe0dds]

Anon: In your head!canon, how romantic is Regina and how much romance does she enjoy in return?

reposting from heartsways since I couldn't reblog for some reason --

Emma had fallen asleep as soon as she’d climbed into bed after a long day and an even longer evening of paperwork.  She’d come home with a red rose by means of apology and shuffled into the house holding it out in front of her as though it could ward off what she was certain would be Regina’s wrath.

The Mayor had taken the flower from her without a single word and informed her that there was dinner for her, if she was hungry.

It wasn’t late when she opened her eyes, and the bedside light was still on, casting a yellow glow around the room.  Blinking, Emma rubbed at her face, struggling up onto her elbows and frowning across the room.

Regina was folding her clothes into neat squares: jeans, tank top, the sweater she’d worn over it.  One by one, they were placed into an empty drawer that Regina stood over.  Pushing the drawer shut, the Mayor turned and jumped a little when she saw Emma watching her with a suspicious gaze.

“What are you doing?” Emma said curiously.

“Tidying up after you, for a change,” Regina remarked with a rueful expression.  “You’re so messy, dear.”

“You put my clothes in a drawer,” Emma said.

“Yes.”

“In an empty drawer.”

“I did,” Regina said, looking away somewhat hesitantly.

“I’m…not sure I understand.”  Emma did understand.  She understood only too well.  But she wanted Regina to tell her.  It was how they worked, after all, one backing the other into a corner until a confession was the only likely means of escape.

Regina let out a frustrated sigh and glared at Emma from beneath her lashes.  Then she walked over to the bed and sat down on the edge, near Emma’s legs.

“I thought…” she said, then stopped, clamping her lips together in a firm line of displeasure.  Another sigh.  Another glare.  Emma resisted the urge to laugh.  It would be too cruel, she thought, especially as Regina was on the cusp of actually sharing something.

“I made a space for you,” Regina finally said, looking at Emma.  In the muted light of the room, her cheeks seemed to glow for a moment, her eyes softening to a more fearful hue.

“I see,” Emma said, the corners of her mouth turning upwards.

“I mean,” Regina shifted a little closer and put her hand onto Emma’s leg.  “I’ve made a space for you.  Here.”

She stared down at the bedclothes until Emma’s hand crept over her own and fingers entwined with hers.

“Thanks,” Emma said softly, as Regina’s eyes met hers.

Taking a short breath, Regina shrugged dismissively.  “Of course, if you wish to continue leaving your clothes on the floor as usual, then please feel free to - “

“Regina,” Emma cut in, pulling the other woman towards her and planting a firm kiss on Regina’s lips.  “Shut up,” she murmured with a faint chuckle. 

Regina let out a laugh that was almost self-conscious and demurred slightly, hopping up onto the bed and settling down against the warm body of the Sheriff.  Emma looked over at the chest of drawers and something caught her eye.

“The rose,” she said in a surprised tone.  “You kept it.”

The item in question had been placed in a silver vase, standing tall, a singular reminder of Emma’s awkward apology.

“Of course I did,” Regina’s tone was stern and Emma couldn’t help smiling again.  Perhaps romance wasn’t dead after all.  In fact, she thought as Regina’s arm slid around her waist, it felt like it was putting up a pretty good fight.

[beatthe0dds]

Rec | The Best Angst in SQ Fics

So many fics now in the Swan Queen verse. Every single one a gift, really. I don't think I will ever tire of reading them.

And then, there are lines, exchanges, scenes in these fics that just speak to you, stick with you, some words on repeat in your head, and some that leave the prickly aching pain.

The angst that they write so wonderfully, intricately and leaves us all a crying mess.

This a not a spoiler free post because, well, I'm quoting lines from the fics hun. So if you wish to be kept unspoiled, stop now, come back later. And i mean well in saying that. :)

Some spaces before my post. To the rest, get your tissues. “Would you find me,” Regina repeats quietly, .. “if I was lost, would you find me?” - Let It Cost What It Will ________________________________________

“Are you happy?” Regina meets Emma’s gaze wearily. “Happiest I’ve been in a long time.” Regina finally answers quietly, freeing herself from Emma’s grip. Emma nods to herself, arm dropping to her side. “That’s- I’m glad.” - I Could Give You My Apologies *gif by sinful-obsessions ________________________________________

“Dr. Whale, cover my son’s eyes, please.” She waited to move until he complied. It took all of five seconds to change the course of her existence on Earth, to dismantle any notion of pre-determined fate. 1: Slit Leroy’s throat instead of Emma’s. 2-3: Throw the blade at Mr. Gold, while he was still caught off guard. (Emma charged at Dr. Whale, throwing a wild punch at his head to knock him out) 4: Watch Mr. Gold pull out a gun from his pocket. 5: Leap towards Emma and Henry at the sound of a gunshot. By the sixth second, David, the Sheriff, and Mary Margaret barged in through the windows of the house, five whole seconds too late. She realized belatedly that the heat from her stomach was no longer from the fear of losing either Emma or Henry, but from the blood spilling out of her body. She was vaguely aware of Emma’s attempts to exert pressure on the wound, and Henry in hysterics, and Mary screaming into a phone for an ambulance. She was on the ground, but she wasn’t sure how she fell to the ground. Her vision was quickly tunneling into darkness, though she tried to fight against it. “Be good,” she ordered Henry when his teary face filled her line of vision. “And, keep Emma out of trouble..” - Forego the Parable / Seek the Light

________________________________________ The scream that tore from his mother was one that he would never forget. He could not look at his own mother’s face, screwing his eyes shut and covering his ears, muffling the loudest declaration of love she would ever make. He learned that day, in too many ways, what it truly meant to have a mother turn cold. - Carried In A Swarm of Bees ________________________________________

To the mother of my child, What do you say to the woman who is choosing to raise and love your child when you yourself are choosing to give him up? - Henry's Birthday ________________________________________ “Promise me,” Regina breathes, fear crawling over her irises as the ground beneath them shifts. “Promise me!”  “Regina, I can’t!” Emma pushes against the hands that are forcing her into the hollow carved into a tree. She’s been told that her parents had one made just like it once before. For her. “How will I find you again? And Henry…” She glances at the boy who stands at the threshold of yet another wooden gateway, wide-eyed and frightened.  “Mom?” he calls, addressing both of them with a trembling voice. “I don’t want to close the door.”  “If you don’t do this,” Regina tells them, “I will lose you.” She cups Emma’s face. “I won’t allow him to take you or Henry. This is the only way.”  “I’ll fight!” Emma protests.  “You’ll fight, but not here. You’ll do it in a world where he holds no power, where you can learn to fight and do it on your terms. Now, promise me!”  Emma pulls Regina to her, kissing her desperately. Henry can’t contain himself and runs to them. His tears stain both their cheeks.  “Mom, Emma,” he cries.  Already, Emma’s heart is breaking as she embraces them. “I’ll find you both. I promise. Be brave.” - Promises ________________________________________

  because i like remembering.

[beatthe0dds]

Fic Rec | Taken for a Ride

Title | Taken for a Ride

Author | Heartsways

Rating | T

Summary | Based on a prompt that wanted Regina on a horseback.

i like cuz | apart from the fact I always liked all of her fics, the setting of this fic is one I would love to see in OUAT but I know will never happen. Specifically, I love the last sentence of the fic. It captured how their relationship would likely be.