Operation: Mongoose. You'd gotten to work on it the moment Regina brought it up to you. If there was any way you could help her get her happy ending, you wanted in. Even if that meant tracking down the author of Henry's storybook himself. Regina had an idea of what her happy ending was. Or at least, she had thought she did. But the time she was spending with you had her thinking otherwise.

All this time, she had thought that her happy ending lay with Robin. Of course, not solely, but she loved him. But then she started seeing you differently. And Lord did she fall hard. She was starting to hope that she could tell the author what she really thought of you, otherwise all of her unprecedented thoughts wouldn't lead anywhere. But she was scared. Afraid that her narrative would bring you to the end. After all, what if you didn't feel the same way?

The two of you were in Regina's vault, currently, looking through her various books for anything that might help you with your goal. Regina couldn't help glancing up at you every once in a while. One of those times she caught you looking off into the distance, your brows furrowed, caught in self-reflection. Unbeknownst to her, you were fighting the intention to follow what was told. You, like her, had feelings you feared to share. Not that Regina was aware.

"Are you really that caught up in your thoughts?"

Her voice snapped you out of your daze, looking up at her. She chuckled as you gave her a sheepish grin.

"It's alright. I suppose we could use a break from all this anyway."

Regina mused, rubbing her temples to nurse a headache forming there. You'd both been at this for hours, and yet, you hadn't complained once. You'd remained patient with her, determined to find a way to get her happy ending. Her heart couldn't help but melt a little.