A/N: Inspired by this week's Bachelorette episode.

….

Cheating was cheating no matter which way they looked at it. Their relationship was quite the surprise. Looking back, it would be easy to say that it had just happened, but the truth is there were signs along the way: sacrifices were made, and they just got closer.

It's strange to go from not caring about another person to caring so much that it squeezes your heart and consumes your mind. They vowed to protect each other with a fierceness and loyalty that would last until the end of time. This was real, and it was true and there was no power on earth that could change their feelings: not fairy dust, or tattoos or even an 'I love you' that would come between them.

All the time that they spent together never added up to enough. The smiles brought forth by scalding teases. Sometimes they would take moonlit walks together through the streets of Storybrooke late at night when the moon shone bright. It was easy to forget the people they were hurting by being together. That's what pained them most that they couldn't just be with one another.

It hung like a dark cloud of shame over their love, and they hoped someday they could just be together as a family, and without secrets. The passion was unexpected. They had always thrown dark glances at each other when no one else was looking, but the emotional intimacy they shared electrified the physical aspect of the relationship.

For a long time, neither of them was able to get too carried away on the wings of their lust. They'd cuddle together in private when their respective other halves were off on an adventure or fulfilling their own responsibilities for an evening here and there.

Netflix was one of their favorite activities since they tended to watch it in bed on a small tablet. Though the movie was playing the drama and action on screen had nothing compared to the sensual awakening and quickened hearts happening within the audience.

They fell asleep together, one dark head resting gentle and secure, cradled beneath the chin of the other. In the morning, when they first awoke they scattered away from one another in a panic. They could scarcely meet each other's gaze, and they parted quickly, sneaking away and praying not to be caught in a walk of shame.

They stayed apart, mumbling and justifying their reasons, but it didn't last for long. A week later, they found themselves once again free of their partners and in each other's company. They didn't talk about it. They naturally slipped into bed and huddled shoulder to shoulder around the computer. The heart beat would increase, the breath would quicken and one of them dared to touch a toned bare arm, running a shaky finger down the length of it.

It wasn't long before a white tank top was shed, and a leather blazer was cast aside. The need to touch, feel and experience one another was overwhelming. At a certain point, the rational parts of their brains switched off and all that mattered was the moment and their current erotic actions.

After the first time, they had whispered promises to each other in between sweet kisses. That's when they knew what they had was real and it was going to be a problem. How could they break the hearts of their strong companions? Alas, after keeping the affair secret for many weeks, the deceptions, lies and close calls from being caught finally threatened to tear them apart.

But they couldn't stop, and so there was only one option left. They decided to do it at the diner together.

So as they sat staring at the two confused, uncomfortable faces across from them, they sighed together and nervously broke the news.

Emma and Regina stared dumbfounded across the table at Hook and Hood. The two men smiled and kissed each other deeply. They could finally share their forbidden love freely. They could explore the seas, forests, and each other's bodies in bed while Netflix accompanied the heated sounds of their sensual lovemaking.