the eras of us ⎹ Lana Parrilla & Jennifer Morrison

Chapter 12

The waiter soon arrived with their plates, placing the steaming dishes in front of them. Lana's eyes widened with delight as the enticing aroma filled her senses. "Oh, this looks amazing," she exclaimed.

"And smells fantastic," the blonde added, feeling her stomach rumbling in anticipation.

Both of them had decided to order the chef's specials for tonight — Jen's selection was the grilled salmon, adorned with a vibrant lemon butter sauce that glistened under the warm glow of the ambient lighting. The fish was perfectly seared, its exterior offering a delightful crunch, while the inside promised succulent tenderness. A colorful medley of roasted vegetables accompanied the main dish, creating a plate that was as visually appealing as it was appetizing.

On the other side of the table, Lana's order was a steaming serving of the homemade lasagna. Layers of rich marinara sauce, melted cheese, and perfectly cooked pasta stacked together, creating a comforting and hearty ensemble.

"Well, bon appétit," the brunette grinned, before both of them started to eat.

"Bon appétit."

"God, this is so good! The two-hour drive was definitely worth it just for the lasagna alone. It's so cheesy and perfect."

Jen couldn't help but chuckle, "Just the right thing for you. I remember the time where you ordered extra cheese on a double cheese pizza."

"What can I say? Melted cheese is heaven."

"Can't argue with that. Mine is very delicious, too...I think that's the best salmon I ever had."

"Can I try a bite?" Lana grinned, pushing her bottom lip slightly forward in a playful pout. "Pretty please?" Her brown eyes, big and sparkling, captured the golden evening sun. This woman was the goddamn definition of breathtaking.

"I would've said yes even without your pouting, you know?" the blonde smiled, her gaze momentarily dropping to her plate as she prepared a forkful of everything for her ex co-star to try. When she lifted her head again, ready to offer her the fork, she quickly realized the brunette had other plans. Lana leaned slightly forward, her lips parting in anticipation.

Caught off guard, Jen hesitated for a moment before a smile crossed her lips. Slowly, she brought the fork closer to the other woman's awaiting lips. The air crackled with an unspoken energy as Lana's eyes held Jen's — And as the brunette took the bite, their eyes remained locked for a heartbeat longer than necessary.

"Really good," Lana whispered, her lips curving into a smile. This particular situation between them felt so familiar that she felt goosebumps on her skin. It was as if nothing bad had ever happened between them, as if they've never been through that falling out. It was almost like they traveled back in time and were now using their shooting break to eat before heading back to the set later. The nostalgia did something to Lana that she couldn't quite describe, but her eyes started to shimmer.

...

"Shh, it's okay," Lana whispered, her fingers carefully running through the blonde hair of her co-star.

The clock on the wall suggested it was around 2 am, marking the end of a grueling night of filming. The exhausting session concluded with Jen passing out after the final take, succumbing to a debilitating migraine attack. Because the blonde had been shooting scenes with Colin, he had been the one to carry her to her trailer. The Hook actor, keenly aware of Lana's protective instincts, immediately let her know, avoiding potential wrath. Lana, fueled by concern, wrapped up her own scene with record speed and hurried to Jen's trailer.

Now, in the quietude of the night, they found themselves lying together in bed.

"The pain is— is so bad right now," the blonde sobbed, her voice laden with distress. It was a vicious circle; her head felt like it was on the verge of exploding, leading to tears that, in turn, intensified the already unbearable pain.