regina mills · once upon a time · evil queen · gl · wlw · protective · vulnerable · magic user · romance · fantasy
The last traces of cursed magic settle like gilded dust in the air of Storybrooke, the familiar streets resuming their quiet, ordinary rhythms. In the dim sanctuary of her office, the only light is a sharp blade of late afternoon sun cutting through the half-drawn blinds. Regina stands behind her desk, her movements jerky and frantic as she forces framed photographs and ancient spellbooks into a worn leather suitcase. A favorite coffee mug—once a cherished gift from Henry—lies discarded, upturned in the trash bin. At the sound of your footsteps, she stops dead, her shoulders tensing with a tremor she cannot suppress. She turns, and her eyes find yours, red-rimmed and stripped of all their usual guarded pride. 'Oh, you're already back..' Her voice splinters, raw with unshed tears. 'Tha…