This is my first Swan Queen fanfic; this is just the start to this new journey.

Prologue

"No one can blame you for walking away
But too much rejection..."

There were never any apologies when people bumped into her on a daily basis. There was never an acknowledgement when someone "accidentally" pushed their way through her, and all her work fell, scattering to the ground. No one ever stopped to help, or assist her either.

But that was all fine with Emma. It had been for a long time now; because that meant that there wouldn't be any need for her to try to speak to them at all, to in return be the one who apologized instead.

The sidewalk was crowded as she made her path through the streets. Her messenger bag an almost dead weight across her shoulder; filled with acrylic tubes and oil paints, rolled up matte paper and some sketch pads, graphite pencils and scattered brushes, erasers and sharpies, as well as two plastic bottles filled to the top with color stained water waiting to be cleaned out into some fresh one once she got home later. She was also sure that there was an apple somewhere within the bag, but in her hurry to have reached the park, she hadn't double checked before running out of the small studio apartment she shared with her brother, David.

Her long, blonde locks were pulled back into a high ponytail, and smaller sized, black Ray-bans adorned her face as she scrunched up her eyes to look at the walking signal. Dark skinny jeans enveloped her legs as she made her way across the street once the signal changed. The hem of her charcoal blouse swirled softly from the force of the wind, but her hooded leather jacket mostly kept it from brushing farther than her fingertips.

She'd gone to the café earlier in the morning, and there she had grabbed some coffee and breakfast while she began working on one of her newer projects.

For the past couple of months since she had discovered the corner establishment downtown, Emma had felt comfortable within its quiet walls, and the soft murmuring of the people who came in every day.

She was a regular now, and so were they.

It was like her second Granny's Diner.

She didn't even need to pull out her sticky notes here anymore because the waitress already knew what she wanted, and sometimes Emma, when feeling more adventurous would even let the older woman surprise her with new treats instead.

Her brother even knew were the place was, and that was a plus.

"Emma!" the young blonde all of a sudden heard as she reached the open gate of the city park, and turned on her feet to look who it was.

A smile instantly graced her lips as she saw one of her best friends quickly approaching her.

Ruby's dark, long hair was tucked aside to one shoulder as she came up to Emma and embraced her in a big hug.

"I rushed over here once Alice told me you had already left," she told the shorter woman as she let her go, and gazed down at her.

Emma just nodded at her, and kept her smile. Ruby smirked.

"Could you not have waited for me?"

She received a grin as her answer as Emma went to reach for her sticky notes, and pulled a pen from the left pocket of her leather jacket. Hurriedly, she scribbled something on the thin, square sheet before handing it to Ruby, and shrugging.

You took too long, it read in a rushed cursive.

"Really?!" she exclaimed once she had read it, and pulled the blonde into her as she began to tickle her sides while a playful frown settled upon her brow.

Emma laughed, but no sound really came from out of her mouth.

Ruby was used to it. They had all gotten used to it this past ten years.

The only sounds that ever came from Emma nowadays were the ones they all tried to keep her away from emitting. But the younger woman always managed to release her cries in the silence of her bedroom once she thought she was alone.

When their gentle banter had finally died down, Ruby threw her arm softly around Emma's shoulders as they began to walk together to a nearby tree halfway through the park, and let themselves fall to fresh cut grass.

Ruby slipped back the sticky note to Emma, and stretching out her legs in front of her, glanced over at her friend.

Where's Mary Margaret? Emma wrote before sticking the neon green note onto the brunette's arm.

"Mmhm," Ruby began as she leant back on her elbows, and raised her head towards the sun; letting the soft sunlight grace her face, "She's on her way."

The younger blonde gave her a sideways glance before laying down on the grass behind her, using the other woman as a shield from the sun.

She released a soft hum of contentment, which would have been missed by anyone else, but Ruby was already used to the soundless blonde and her almost silent responses.

"Em,I know we haven't been spending much…"

"Red! Emma!" came the cheerful cries of M&M as she ran over to both women, tackling Ruby further into the ground; Emma barely moving out of the way with enough time to miss getting squished.

As soon as Mary Margaret landed on her, Ruby lips sought hers out in a small kiss, her arms wrapping around the woman straddling her.

"Hey you," she grinned down at the taller brunette laying beneath her, not giving her time to respond. She moved over to Emma, and gave her a hug before laying a chaste kiss on her temple, which the blonde just accepted as she wrapped her own arms around the kind woman.

Emma had known Mary Margaret since she was seven. She had been David's friend first, but once she had met little Emma, she'd taken to her quickly; she'd been like an older sister to her in a way, in a sort of motherly way. She'd always watched out for her in more ways than necessary, just like Ruby, but she was more firm than the taller brunette when it came to decisions concerning her safety and well-being.

"How's your day been so far?" the short haired brunette asked, twirling Emma's hair around her fingers.

Emma merely looked to Mary M. and made a "so so" gesture with her hands, and slowly pulled away to look at her, her head tilting to the side, a smile playing on her lips.

"Not so bad, then, huh?" M&M asked her, the humor evident in her voice as she pulled back, and rested herself against Ruby's chest, who was now sitting up against the tree trunk.

"So, Emma, I was maybe thinking you would like going with us to Granny's today," Rubes began as she wrapped her arms around her girlfriend's waist, "It's been a while since you've actually come down to see us, kid."

Already they could see Emma rolling her eyes at them, and they both chuckled at her before Mary M. reached forward to lightly swat her on the arm, which made her break into a full on grin. They clearly enjoyed the blonde's antics.

"So, what do you say?" Ruby inquired as she winked at her, "I'll even give you a ride."

The twenty year old blonde should have had a feeling that Ruby's offered means of transportation consisted of carrying her on her back all the way up to the diner while holding one of Mary Margaret's hands, and receiving rewarding pecks from her girlfriend the entire trip.

She could have sworn the tall, lithe brunette wasn't even struggling to carry her, since she only shifted once, and that was to take a better hold of her girl's hand before carrying one.

People would look at them curiously, but this was New York, and things weirder than this were always happening around the city; there wasn't really anything peculiar about three friends having fun together.

Finally reaching Granny's, Ruby unceremoniously dumped the blonde on one of the booths, making them all giggle as Mrs. Lucas stepped out from the back of the establishment, making sure it was just the girls and not a band of customers.

"Behave," the old woman stressed before walking once again to the back; she was probably finishing up someone's order.

They all nodded with smiles, Mary M. scooting next to Emma as Ruby's shift began first; she still had a half an hour break before she punched in.

With a soft huff, and a groan, Ruby walked away to get her apron, and tie her hair up. She received a soft whistle from her girlfriend that made her grin.

"Looking good, Lucas," Mary M. teased, and her lover merely wiggled her eyebrows suggestively at her before coming back to them.

In the meanwhile, Emma just looked at them with the occasional smile, and the amused raised eyebrow.

Her two best friends could never cease their flirtatious exchanges, even if they were, indeed, at work.

Granny approached them, and set down a plate full of freshly cut fruit, and Emma could've smiled even wider when she saw the hot cocoa sprinkled with cinnamon.

Casting an appreciative glance to Mrs. Lucas, Emma wrapped both hands around the warm cup and drank.

The doorbell sounded and before she realized what was happening, hands were settled on her shoulders, and she flinched violently almost hitting whoever is was.

But then she saw David, and he was laughing.

She scowled at him, and put her cocoa down.

Jerk, she'd mouthed to him before he came to hug the girls, and sat in front of them; Ruby rushing to go get some drinks and feel useful. Usually around this time, there weren't many customers. But give Granny's one more hour, and the place would filled with people craving lunch or an early meal.

Drinks were settled down on the table, and Ruby took her seat next to the blonde's brother.

"You didn't even get my order," David teased the brunette beside him once she was comfortable; Emma was pretty sure she was playing footsy underneath the table with the short haired girl beside her.

She rolled her eyes.

"Hey, Em!" she taller woman said, "Rolling eyes is my thing," she finished as she turned to David, "What will it be, Charming?" she asked him in a feigned annoyed voice; though, you could see the playfulness in her eyes.

"What? Not going to write it down? It's quite a big order…"

She smirked, and shook her head.

"Shoot, David!" she told him.

It took him five minutes to order; he hadn't been exactly kidding when he had said it be a handful to remember, but Ruby was kind of used to it by know, and just kept repeating the things he told her many times in her mind before she decided to get up, and write down his order for her grandma.

David was the one smirking now; he hoped she remembered everything, but at the same time…he also hoped she would forget something.

Emma felt a poke in her arm, and turned to Mary M. who was looking at her, a serious look on her face.

"How are you really, Emma?" she asked once again; her arms wrapping around the blonde's waist to pull her in for a hug.

Emma had not forgotten that today was her birthday, nor had it slipped her mind. That's why everyone was so touchy feeling about her today; of course, she always received love from them, but today, they would always overdue it a tad bit. They wanted to comfort her, and have her surrounded in case things got too heavy for her.

Grabbing a napkin, Emma pulled out her pen and began writing.

I guess I'm just a little off today, but you guys don't have to worry; I'm not going to throw myself in front an incoming taxi cab!

"That is not even funny, Emma!" Mary Margaret told her sternly, but the quiet girl couldn't help but grin at her, and went back to resting her head on her friend's chest; humming slightly.

"So, Emma," David began, rolling out the last syllable of his sister's name, "I got you something."

For a second, she visibly perked up at his announcement, then she gave him a suspicious look before stretching her hand out, and bringing her hot chocolate up to her lips.

He chuckled at her.

"Haven't you noticed I haven't been tailing you around for the past few weeks?" he asked her airily, a slight humorous tone to his voice—because they all knew he was always keeping an eye on her, even when he happened to be on duty, "What do you say we take a look outside…?" he finished, and she swore she could see an excited twinkle in his eyes.

They all knew she wasn't much of a gift person, but this interested her to some extent.

Lifting her head up from Mary Margaret's chest, she nodded before gently pushing away her cup, and sliding down, and out of the booth. Ruby was coming their way now, her eyes narrowing slightly as she witnessed her friends preparing to leave.

"Hey! Where the hell are you guys going?" she hissed at them, but coming out of Ruby, it seemed as if she was shouting instead.

"Come along, Red," M&M told her, and she seemed even more excited than Emma; which still seemed a bit expressionless at the moment, "David's brought Emma's gift."

"No kidding; seriously, outside?"

Her girlfriend just gave her a look that clearly stated: either follow the leader, or suit yourself. And the tall brunette couldn't help but fall into step with her lover as they went outside, casually strolling behind both siblings; David's arm around the petite blonde's shoulder.

When they ceased walking, it was to stop in front of a car; as a matter of fact, it was an old, yellow Volkswagen.

Emma's jaw visibly fell; her mouth gaping open as she looked at the vintage bug. Her eyes moved towards the older man as he pointed to it with a broad grin to later quickly return back to the car.

"Well?" he demanded enthusiastically, "What do you thin…"

But Emma had thrown herself into his arms, effectively detaining him from finishing his sentence.

"Emma! Oh, my God, David," Ruby was saying; M&M sliding a finger down the top of the car as if inspecting to see if it was even suitable for the young blonde to ride around.

The younger woman's arms were still around her brother's neck as he hugged her; her feet hanging off of the ground as she clung to him, almost motionless.

"I'm glad you like it, Em," he whispered to her.

She let go, and he put her back down.

Her eyes appeared glassy, but no tears fell; her smile undeniably radiated happiness.

Thank you, she mouthed to him as he pulled out the keys, and let them dangle in front of her face.

All he could do was kiss her forehead before she took them.

"Gosh, Charming," Mary Margaret breathed out, "You should have told us you were going to—we would have gotten better gifts," she said, feigning annoyance, but then winked at her high school friend.

Ruby was still looking closely at the bug as Granny quickly came outta of the diner; Killian brushing in past her in a rush.

"Ruby," she called out to her granddaughter, "Really, girl, just take the day off, both of you," she told her, "There really isn't any point for you to work today; you're even less focused," the older woman finished, rolling her eyes at the couple, and the other two.

The girls just high fived each other as the older woman huffed out a breath before talking to David.

"You're food is waiting for you," and not a second later, she was back inside; Killian could be seen setting the order on his table.

"You girls have fun, alright?"

"Oh," Ruby assured him, "We will, boy," and she went over to the blonde, and he couldn't hear what they were saying, but the taller brunette now had the keys in her hand, and was entering the driver's side as her girlfriend slipped into the back, and then Emma got into the passenger's seat (a huge smile on her lips).

She winked at him; her eyes twinkling as the engine roared, and she pulled out of the space.

"Rubes," he winced playfully, "Don't be reckless."

"What," she said as the girls giggled; her expression turning a bit offended, "I'm a great driver, really; I'll take good care of both of them."

And with that, she once again stepped on the gas, and the yellow beetle drove away.

David had yet to grinning as it disappeared down the street; his sister's smile still on his mind when he sat back down on the booth, and took a bite from his burger.

Maybe Emma could get better.

It's merely a prologue, heh.