The fifth day in Storybrooke began with its usual quiet routine, though Nathan noticed how quickly it was all becoming familiar. Breakfast, Henry's bottle, Regina's neat composure as though nothing in her world could ever fall out of order.
Only today was different. Today, Regina intended to bring him into town properly.
By midmorning, Regina had buckled Henry into his carrier and was guiding Nathan to the car. "We'll run a few errands first," she said, smoothing a hand down her immaculate coat. Then, after a pause: "And afterward, we'll stop by Granny's Diner."
Nathan glanced up at her. Excitement lighten up his eyes. "Like for lunch?"
"Like for appearances" Regina replied smoothly. Her lips curved, a glimmer of satisfaction in her eyes. "The people of this town should see you. Also well be meeting the teacher there."
Nathan blinked at her phrasing but said nothing, slipping into the seat beside Henry. Still, a flicker of warmth touched his chest. An introduction not because she had to, but because she wanted to.
The town unfolded around them as they drove. Storybrooke looked ordinary enough: shop windows with neat displays, the clock tower frozen in time, townsfolk going about their routines. Yet Nathan can't help but feel the faint sense of how the town felt so....muted. Even tho he knew why but still, life here was too predictable, as everyone here knew their lines and not believing the meaning behind it.
Not that he cared since it wasn't going to be permanent. He leaned back, letting the hum of the car settle him, while Regina steered them toward their errands with her usual precision.
At the grocery store, Nathan walked at Regina's side, pushing the cart without complaint. Henry gurgled from his carrier, drawing the occasional glance but it wasn't Henry the townsfolk lingered on.
It was Nathan.
Whispers followed them through the aisles. A boy at the Mayor's side not Henry, whom everyone already mostly knew of, but another child, older, striking. His unusual hair, his radiant eyes, his quiet way of carrying himself it all made him stand out.
Regina noticed. And unlike other times, she didn't dismiss the stares with sharp looks or curt remarks. Instead, she let them linger, puffing out her chest a bit, her expression betraying the faintest trace of satisfaction.
By the time they reached the checkout, Nathan realized it, she was showing him off.
Granny's Diner was their last stop. The most iconic place in once a upon a time. The bell above the door chimed as they entered, drawing every head in the room toward them.
Ruby nearly tripped over herself carrying a tray, eyes going wide. "Madam Mayor! And oh my goodness." Her gaze landed on Nathan, and she gasped softly. "Who's this handsome boy?"
Granny looked up from behind the counter, surprised flashing in her eyes. "Miss Mills" she said, her voice slow, cautious. "You didn't mention anything about another child."
Regina's lips curved in that measured, deliberate way. "This is Nathan" she announced, straightened her back, tone carrying both pride and finality. "My son."
The words rippled through the diner like a stone across water. Whispers rose. Surprise flitted across faces.
Ruby, recovering first, leaned down with a bright grin. Almost close to crouching down and taking him herself. "He's adorable. Look at that hair, those eyes! Where've you been hiding him?"
Nathan flushed faintly, unsure what to say.
Regina's gaze cooled ever so slightly, though her voice remained silky. "He's not hidden. Simply… settling in. Until now."
They were shown to a booth by the window. Regina slid in gracefully, placing Henry's carrier beside her, while Nathan took the seat opposite. The menus came quickly, though Ruby lingered far longer than necessary, cooing over Nathan until Regina's sharp glance sent her scurrying back.
Nathan ducked his head, suppressing a laugh. "You enjoy this a lot right?" he murmured across the table.
Regina arched a brow. "Enjoy what?"
"The way they're all looking at you. At us."
Her lips twitched in a near smile. "Perception matters, Nathan. And today, perception is exactly what I want."
Lunch passed with quiet ease. Nathan's freshly made pancakes which was warm and comforting, far better than anything he remembered from the orphanage or anywhere with the famous hot chocolate that tasted so good. Regina's salad remained largely untouched, though she carried herself with practiced poise, as though the entire room were her stage. The bell above the door rung as someone new appeared.
Mary Margaret approached as soon as she found the mayor, her smile kind and genuine. "He's quite the handsome young man, Miss Mills. Truly." Her eyes softened as she looked at Nathan. "You must feel very lucky."
Regina's reply was smooth, but her gaze betrayed something warmer. "Yes. I do. Now should we discuss what Nathan needs and what I'm supposed to provide?"
"Of course it won't take up much of your time."
Nathan couldn't help but stare, this is Snow White in the show he didn't think she was that pretty but seeing her now it seems like she does have that naive beauty then what her actress had. Still not as beautiful as Regina tho.
(A/N [Not sure what A/N means, thinking it means author notes] A lot of my bias here as I never thought the actress who played snow White in the show was beautiful, pretty sure just not too my standards hopefully you guys don't hold the too me 😅)
The conversation didn't last long just enough telling Regina what to get for Nathan before he starts school as Mary Margaret didn't want to steal more of there time and left not to long after.
The System flickered faintly before Nathan's eyes:
[Affinity Update: Regina Mills – Bond Strengthened.]
Nathan hid a smile behind a sip of hot chocolate.
When they finally left the diner, the whispers followed them out. Nathan could feel it in the air eyes on them, on Regina, on the picture they made together.
Back at the mansion, the quiet of home replaced the buzz of town. Henry was settled into his crib, his soft breathing filling the room. Nathan curled on the sofa with a book, half distracted, when Regina entered the room with two cups of tea.
She set one down for him before taking her seat across the table. For a long moment, silence stretched between them, comfortable but charged.
"You carried yourself well today." she said at last.
Nathan blinked. "At the diner?"
Her lips curved, just slightly. "Everywhere. People notice composure, Nathan. And you had it."
Warmth spread through his chest, small but steady. "So… you're proud of me."
Regina tilted her head, her gaze softening. "I don't say things lightly but yes I am."
Nathan's smile was shy, but it reached his eyes. "Thanks Regina, means more than you think." Coming out softer, barely more than a whisper.
The words slipped out without a thought. For a heartbeat, Regina's composure faltered her eyes widening, her breath catching. Then, slowly, her expression softened into something rare, vulnerable, and achingly real.
For the first time in years, Nathan didn't feel like a burden or a temporary ward. He felt wanted.
And that made Storybrooke feel less like a strange little town… and more like home.
(A/N : If you find any mistakes please point them out I'm trying to get better at story telling. Also thanks for power stones from last week we jad over 130 🤯 I want too see if we can break that too get it much higher would give me a boast right now☺️)
(Also check author thoughts for my personal thanks for the top 20 in the fandom ranking 😊)