Okay this is really really really short but I now have 1,300 followers on tumblr and this was a tiny present but since it's like fucking 2 am and i have to be at school at 9 this is only like 600 words. I did wanted to post it here though!

also major thanks for all the people responding to 'waiting for time to start'. You people rock!

x

Emma walks into the cabin where they both sleep. It's late, but she knows that Regina will still be awake. They might have Henry back but it will take a while before their night will be peaceful again.

"Can we talk?"

It's dark but she hears movement.

"About what?" Regina's voice sounds a little hoarse, like she's been quite for hours. Emma doesn't mention it.

"About what you said earlier, about me having everything."

Regina uses her magic to light a candle and suddenly a warm light fills the room. Emma slowly walks over and sits next to Regina on the bed.

"You do have everything."

Emma sighs and her eyes cast downward. "I know I have more than I could ever dream of. I have two parents who love me, I have an amazing kid, I have two … people who seem to have an interest in me. I have all the ingredients of happiness."

Regina nods.

"But I'm not happy."

The brunette frowns and her confusion seems honest.

"What do you mean?" She doesn't want to yell at Emma, telling her that she's acting like a little princess, because if Regina had something even a bit close to what Emma has, she's sure she would be overwhelmed with happiness.

"How can you be happy when you have no one to share it with?"

Another frown. Where is she going with this? Before Regina can ask though, Emma continues.

"See, the thing is, I have my family which means my parents and Neal I guess but they don't feel like family."

"How can they not?"

Emma's surprised that Regina's is being so willing to listen to her. Maybe it's her lucky day, maybe Regina's just tired or maybe..

"I know I should forgive them, and in a way I have, but I can't help but look at them and immediately feel abandoned again. Like their faces are a constant reminder of my loneliness."

Regina's head falls and her voice almost breaks when she speaks up. " That's my fault. You should look at me and feel that."

Emma feels bold then and takes Regina's hand, squeezing it in her own.

"Yeah but the thing is, I don't feel that when I look at you. When we were hugging Henry today I finally felt like I was part of a family. I felt like I wasn't alone, that there were people out there who would never let go of me. I know that you're probably the last person I should feel this with and it's okay if you never want to look at me again after this, but I needed you to know, Regina, that with you I don't feel so alone anymore."

She takes a deep shuddering breath and feels a tear run down her face even though she tried to hold it back. "You are my family Regina and no matter what happens I won't let anything happen to my family. I won't let anyone hurt you or Henry."

She immediately lets go of the brunette's hand then and stands, ready to flee the room like's she's done so many times before in her life. Run when things get hard.

She's stopped, however, by a hand around her arm. "Emma." Regina says and she almost can't hear it.

Regina uses that hand to turn her around. She just has enough seconds to take in how beautiful Regina looks in this dark room filled with only soft candle light, before soft lips are pressed against hers. It's only brief, but it's everything to her.

"You are my family too."

thanks!