way. A quick glance at Miss Swan reminded Regina that patience would be central to this endeavor, and patience did not come easily. "Is there an application I can fill out, Mrs. Lopez?"

place." Even as the odd selection of word tumbled from her lips, Regina felt herself cringe internally. Leave it to the insipid Charmings to invade ever thoughts even miles from their reach.

"I could see myself here." What she really meant was she could see Henry visiting, if she had her >

life. Bitterness crept in and threatened to drown her entirely, but Regina knew this old companion well. Instead of succumbing, she defiantly stood her ground and refused to relinquish her control in this moment. Perhaps this could be a chance to make things right with her son.

"It's a charming >

the counter at Henry sitting perched upon one of the stools focused on one of his favorite books. Maybe that infernal collection of their own fairytale stories. For several minutes, Regina found herself consumed by images of her son and questions about his life. Pan robbed her of a year of Henry's >

This floor plan mirrored Henry's home. As Regina traversed the open plan living space, it was hard not to imagine Henry curled up on a sofa placed right about there, possibly with a pair of sneakers carelessly kicked aside. In the kitchen preparing all of his favorite dishes, she would peer across >

Dark eyes poured over every inch of the spartment, carefully drinking in what might be her new home for quite a while, at least until she was able to bring Henry home with his full memories intact. What absorbed her wasn't the space itself but Emma's remark about the mirror image of her apartment. >

some...magic with this refreshed design."

Regina's inner strength to suppress her feelings and stay present for the conversation. Therefore, she fell back on her regal demeanor, using politeness to frame what sounded like a questionable man.

"And you, Mrs. Lopez, with the sage advice of young Henry, have truly worked >

creature hope served to delude the most vulnerable in their hour of need. To give in now, to believe that Henry might remember his past—only misery lay down that path.

And yet, a tiny, microscopic part of Regina hoped.

"He sounds like quite the character." It took every ounce of >

memories of his old life? With her?

Hope was a terrible foe, and not simply because that drivel was what Snow and her beloved prince thrived upon. More than that hope held the dangerous allure of an imagined better life. From Regina's experience, this manipulative >

concocting fanciful scenes of fireside tales didn't concern her in the least. The addition of the very specific, very real Neverland to Henry's decorating vision caused Regina's heart to beat a more insistent cadence. Could it be? Was it possible buried deep within his subconscious Henry carried >

A baffled Regina stood beside Emma, losing all ability to participate in the sweet conversation about Henry and his foray into interior design. Alarm rippled through Regina's mind at the mere mention of Neverland and magic. Magic was a broad subject in children's literature, so Henry >

⋆𐙚₊˚⊹♡
Just wanna get to know you
Guess I didn't quite think it through (nah-uh, girl)
Fell in love with the thought of you
Now I'm choked up, face down, burnt out
Baby, why don't you come over? Red wine supernova, falling into me
♡₊˚ 🦢・₊✧

@fracturedfate.bsky.social

down the hallway.

“Well, you did a beautiful job, Mrs. Lopez.” Not many earned Regina’s genuine praise, but it was evident how much care and thought went into her design decisions.

but before she could inquire further, the host in question bustled back into the room carrying a set of keys.

“We’ve recently renovated.” Mrs. Lopez launched into an explanation of the updated lobby and her vision for the building as a modern haven as the trio exited her apartment and proceeded >

or at least what she presumed to be the Lopez family. A pair of dark-haired young men flanked Mrs. Lopez in one. With Miss Swan’s warning, Regina wondered whether it was the man on the left or right she needed to watch out for.

“She’s a very gracious host.” Regina’s words were directed at Emma, >