At the Bar

Chapter 10 Long

Five years Ago. 

"I'll take that," Regina pulls the cigarette from Killian's mouth, before he lights it. He puts another in its place and Regina smoothly takes the second one as well. "What are you doing? This is not fun," He said. "You're not smoking," she scolds. "Why the hell not? The bar is smoking in this section," he said. "Not anymore then," she smiles. "Oh what?" he asks, as Regina smoothly takes the 'Smoking' signs out of the area. 

"You aren't to touch a cigarette in this bar, it's no smoking now, besides you could be killed with those things," Regina said. "Didn't know you cared," he sasses. "I don't... you're useful-ish, right now," She smirks, and walks off. 

That night, outside, after closing, Killian puts a cigarette in his mouth. "What are you doing?" Regina scolds, shutting the door behind her. "What? I'm not smoking in there," He said. "Well I'm forbidding you," She said. "As what?" He asks. "Your boss," She smiles. He lifts his eyebrows up, "As my boss you think you can stop me smoking?" He asks. "Yes," she nods. He quirks his face at her with a playful smirk, "Goodnight, Killian," she smiles back and heads home. 

Next day, Killian has a lollipop in his mouth. "What are you 5? did you go to doctor and get a shot?" Regina teases. "Ruby gave it to me, says it helps to quit smoking," he said, tucking the pop in the side of his mouth. Regina stares at him, as he dances the lollipop back and forth, she can't help but look at his smooth mouth movement and his tongue. 

He moves his eyes upward to see her staring at him. "What? No lollipops now?" He asks. Smoothly, too smoothly, he takes the lollipop from his mouth. "Uhh.. No.. that's .. fine... don't you have gum?" Regina asks. "Lollipop is more active, has more taste," Killian said. "Yeah.... uhhh," Regina is at a stutter just staring at his mouth. 

That night the bar is closed up, the others gone home, Regina and Killian left alone. "Damn, why don't I have any more lollipops?" Killian whines. "That's so mature," Regina teases. "I'm 27, who says you have to grow up?" he asks. "What are you like a lost boy?" Regina mocks, "Yeah I'm Peter Pan," he smirks. "Well here," Regina tosses a starburst, "That will keep your mouth busy on your way home to avoid that poison stick," she says. "Hmm, you like these huh?" He asks. "Yeah, I like them, can unwrap it with my tongue," Regina said. "Impressive," he smiles, unwraps it and pops the cherry red candy into his mouth, "Night," he mumbles and heads out. 

Present Day 

Five years of Regina and Killian working together, working through nights, dealing with drunk patrons, fun patrons, through the years they had mostly seen it all. What they mainly saw though, was each other. While Ruby, and Graham were around since the beginning, Elliot came in the following year, then Lacey in the past year. 

Through playoff games, where Regina and Killian had matching jerseys all the time, cheering for the same team, friendly bets, an occasional shot, and of course Regina ending the evening popping a starburst, they were together for it all. 

As Killian and Regina part lips again, after a second deep kiss, "Well umm, that was kinda worth the wait," Killian said. "Yeah it was," Regina agrees. The pair look at each other unsure of what to do, "Umm, I would obviously offer you a drink, but this is your bar, so, I feel a little weird saying that," He said. She laughs softly, "It's late anyway, this will be probably through this circle quicker than anything, you know the other four are going to gloat?" Regina asks. 

"They ummm you know always thought there was something between us," Regina said. "Feelings you mean?" he asks. "Yeah," Regina nods. "Well, Ruby is the wolf, Elliot seems to know everything, but so they were a little right," Killian said. "And they'll gloat," Regina states. "Probably but frankly you tend to be so bossy, I don't see why that would worry you," Killian said. "So you just have feelings for me? Attraction?" She shrugs. "Uhh, I mean... what are you suggesting?" he asks. "I don't know, just wondering how deep this is?" She asks. 

The pair look at each other awkwardly. Neither one is going to admit that these feelings are a lot more than attraction, flirting, general affection. Both of them are in love with each other, and of course won't admit this right now. The pair part ways, with a sweet soft kiss. 

Regina sighs, satisfied, and not even remembering that it's her birthday the next day. She wakes up, and realizes it is, getting a text from Ruby first saying happy birthday. She heads into the bar, and the others have beat her, "Happy birthday Regina!" Ruby and Lacey rush to her, "Oh.. that's so sweet, I forgot," Regina said. She smiles sweetly at Ruby and Lacey handing her flowers. 

The guys greet her with smiles, "Glad to see your face is in one piece and his hand, no other man battles?" Regina asks, looking at Killian. "No, I'm a big boy," Killian said. "And we know you kissed, happy birthday to you, finally," Elliot smiles. Killian rolls his eyes. 

Through the evening, Regina wonders if Killian got her anything. "Did he give you a present? More than a kiss?" Ruby asks. "Will you stop that? We just had a kiss and it was after a fight," Regina said. "A fight about jealousy because you both are into each other," Ruby said. "Yes, and by the way, are you.. ? Ok with..what happened?" Regina asks. "Oh please, you know I don't claim Graham," Ruby said. 

As  the evening goes on, Regina tries not to focus on Killian as he starts to clean up behind the bar, "Umm, Goodnight," Killian approaches Regina, with their audience behind them, he kisses her cheek, "Happy birthday," He said. The others intently watch, like schoolchildren watching a fight, but this time it's soft and sweet. 

"I got you a gift, in your office," he said with a smirk, and heads out. The others look at her, "Be right back," Regina runs off quickly, of course the others follow. "Why did he just leave?" Lacey shrugs. Regina looks at the small package on the desk, and starts to open it, the others watch her and she opens the box to reveal a beautiful antique pin.

"Oh my god, I can't believe he remembered," Regina sighs. "Wow that must have cost him a fortune," Ruby looks at it. "We were walking into work one day years ago and I pointed at this and said it reminded me of my Grandmother, I can't believe he remembered," Regina sighs. "Love does that," Elliot shrugs. "What?" Regina asks. "Uhh..." Elliot sighs. 

Happy Birthday @regalxlana