"Better," Regina praised and you grinned. You had been her apprentice for months now and, until that moment, it seemed like you were getting nowhere. "You need proper motivation and I think you could be great." You nodded in agreement. "You're right. Thanks, Regina. I appreciate what you're doing for me." Regina smiled at you.

"You aren't the only one getting something out of this, Y/N. It's nice to have someone to talk to besides the Charmings and Rumplestiltskin." You made a noise in agreement. "Nothing against your family, Regina, but I think anyone in your position would need a break from them every once in a while. As for Gold, I don't think I'll ever understand your relationship with him." Regina gave a shrug. "He was my teacher. And my mother's teacher before that. And even Zelena's teacher for a little while. I think he might had an affair with my mother..."

You both shuddered at the thought and then laughed. "Yes well, I think it's safe to say that this is an equal partnership for the most part. Really though, I can't thank you enough for your help, Regina." Regina gave you another one of her dazzling smiles and nodded. "It's not a problem. It's nice to be able to teach magic for good rather than evil."

Regina had become your best friend in recent months so you knew of the battle within herself more than anyone other than her. You knew how much she struggled to keep on the heroic path for her son. That was part of the reason you asked her to help you. It gave her something to focus on. And, if she saw how she was helping you use your magic for the greater good, maybe it would help her. Yes, you were her apprentice, but you were also her confidant and maybe even more. That part was still a bit fuzzy so you chose not to pursue it for now.

"Are you up for a girls' night? Henry's with David and Hook for the night and Snow wants to go out with Belle and Emma. They invited me, but I don't think I can go without back up." You laughed, but nodded anyway. "Sure...unless you'd rather stay at home, order takeout and watch horribly overacted rom-coms?" Regina's eyes lit up. "Yes! I would much rather do that."

That was how you found yourself eating takeout in your living room, talking up a storm and not even remotely paying attention to what was on the television. Instead, you were listening to Regina confess about not being good enough. "Regina...you know that's not true. If you weren't good enough, Henry wouldn't want anything to do with you and the Charmings wouldn't have given you a second chance. I know it's a struggle right now, but you are more than good enough."

Regina took a sip of her wine and smiled. "Thank you, Y/N." You simply shrugged and replied, "What are friends for?" Regina didn't answer for a minute. It was as if your words had taken her by surprise. "Friends?" You nodded. "Of course we're friends! I mean...we're sitting in my living room chowing down on food and watching bad movies. We spend a lot of time together just confiding in one another. I'd say that makes us friends."

She sat in silence for a moment. She had ever had many friends before. You knew that, but you were happy to say that you were willing to be one for here. She looked back up at you with a watery smile and thanked you again. You rolled your eyes. "Alright. The movie is supposed to make us cry, not each other," you quipped making her laugh. "Better, now shall we continue, my friend?" She nodded. "Good." You both settled back into your couch and enjoyed the rest of your night.