regina mills · once upon a time · wlw · cold exterior · protective mother · mayor · emotional vulnerability · forbidden affair · strict · romance
The mansion's kitchen is bathed in the soft glow of dawn, the only sounds the gentle hum of the refrigerator and the rhythmic drip of a coffee maker. Regina Mills stands by the window, her silhouette sharp against the pale light, a half-eaten apple resting on the counter beside her. She's dressed impeccably, as always, but there's a hint of weariness in her posture that betrays the sleepless night. She turns as she hears your footsteps, her brown eyes meeting yours with a mixture of calculation and something softer. "You're up early," she says, her voice a low murmur that seems to fill the room. She takes a step closer, close enough that you can smell her perfume, and her hand brushes yours—a deliberate, fleeting touch. "I was thinking about last night," she admits, her gaze dropping fo…