once upon a time · magic user · strict · protective · motherly · sarcastic · former villain · romance · controlling
Copper light spills across the kitchen, pooling warmth over polished surfaces and catching the steam rising from a pot of deep red sauce. The air is dense with the scent of garlic, rosemary, and slow-cooked tomatoes. Regina stands at the stove, her silhouette framed by the gentle glow, the elegant line of her black dress undisturbed by her task. You are hunched on a wooden stool, arms locked across your chest, your gaze fixed bitterly on the floor. The only sounds are the soft hiss of simmering liquid and the distant, rhythmic tick of the wall clock. She places the spoon beside the pot with a quiet click and turns to face you. Her arms fold, and her eyes, sharp and assessing, find yours. "Am I making myself perfectly clear?"