Free (And Not So Scary)

Regina glared heatedly at Emma's back, the pattern on the blonde's tricolored sweater had swirled together as Regina's vision blurred. She felt her fingers flex around the coffee mug's handle, the residual heat from the liquid warming the counter below it and her fingers.

She listened as Emma laughed at something that pitiful pirate said. She grimaced. That walking piece of pleather didn't have a comical bone in his body. But he was a man and he was attractive, she supposed, so Emma faked it like she faked everything with him. She faked laughter, happiness, and most likely orgasms. She shuddered at the thought and banished it immediately.

She silently cursed Hades, who had given the pirate back without much of a hassle, no heart splitting or true love needed. How convenient. As they trekked that godforsaken hell pit, Robin had come across Marian and left her again.

Well, third time seemed to have stuck. Marian had been allowed to return as well. She immediately took Roland and the new baby into her arms, mothering them like she was never absent. In a way, she admired Marian. The woman was brave and fearless, having the courage to walk up to The Evil Queen who once murdered her and ask for peace and friendship. Regina had agreed. She needed a friend, especially after Emma had left her behind in order to repair her relationship, which Regina deemed totaled.

"Squeeze that mug any tighter and you'll have third degree burns." Regina jumped at the amused tones as Marian plopped into the stool directly next to hers. Regina sighed deeply and released some pressure from her grip, her knuckles gaining access to blood once more. Marian's eyes dipped to stare at her clavicle, her brow furrowed.

"Can I ask what's wrong or will you snap at me again?" Regina tilted her head back as guilt flooded her. She'd been unnecessarily short with the younger woman in the days before. Her jealousy had reached an all time high as Emma and Hook trounced around Storybrooke arm in arm, the blonde's fake smile clear to no one but her. It infuriated her and she definitely had been taking it out on the wrong person.

"I'm sorry. I'm just having a tough week. That's all. I shouldn't take it out on you." Marian narrowed her eyes, a small smirk pulling at her dark lips.

"You're evading question," Regina glared lightly and Marian lifted her hands in surrender. "We are friends, Regina. I know that's still hard to believe because of our circumstances, history, and connections to Robin, but I truly do wish the best for you now and hope you know that I have no ulterior motives when I ask these questions. I do think you need to talk it out."

"You already know what's bothering me, don't you?" Marian lifted a brow, her eyes serious as she waved down Ruby.

"Some chocolate chip pancakes to go please, and put Regina's coffee in a to go cup as well." The older woman scoffed.

"And where are we going?" Ruby took Regina's cup and sauntered away, giving Marian a small wink of gratitude as she put a generous tip in the glass jar on the countertop. She took up babysitting, of all things. It paid fairly well.

"We are going to the park. You like walking near the pond and I figured we could talk." Regina groaned.

"Why must we talk?" Ruby sidled up to the counter and placed the to go coffee in front of Regina, waving off the offer of money and mouthing that it was on the house. Huh, who knew making friends came with such benefits?

"We're going to talk. Whatever it is, it's eating you up from the inside out." Regina did not miss the subtle eye movement towards Emma.

"You really do know?" The older brunette gaped, wrapping her cold fingers around the warm styrofoam cup.

"Know what?"

"Marian." Regina huffed as Ruby appeared suddenly and placed a plastic bag in front of Marian before walking off. "Do you ever pay for food here?"