anneelliotscat asked:

OUAT: #6 , and Rumbelle, #8!

Oh yay! Thank you for the ask ❤️

6) which is my favorite platonic or familial relationship in this world

Obsessions wax and wane and it’s been a minute since Once ruled my brain. The first answer that came to mind was Regina and Henry.

Regina is fascinating and given Once’s… erm shall we say less than consistent writing (and that’s generous) I find it amusing having read a ton of writing craft books this year, that Regina is textbook for emotional wound and then a thematic positive change arc. We know what tipped her into being a villain and we saw the struggle to change, and that change started in her vault when she took the memory potion.

Think about it Regina wanted revenge, but her need was for safety/safety drawn from control as she had never had control over her life totally. Even as the Evil Queen she was more afraid than anything. The dark curse gave her revenge and control but they were drawn from the thematic lie. Because it came from the lie, it was a hollow ‘victory’ which the show lampshaded as a “hole in her heart” (a magical thing) but just as a person it’s an emotional wound.

When Regina got Henry she was grasping. She knew she needed to make a change but wasn’t at all ready to give up the lie/start the positive change arc. She got Henry for what he could do for her. Learning he was the legacy of her appointed nemesis – that was basically an anvil hovering threatening the security of the lie (dark curse revenge/control) – she could have retreated to the pain/darkness but instead she chose Henry AND she gave up the control by losing her advantage of foreknowledge. She could have prepared/been vigilant but instead she allowed her future self to be blindsided as the love for Henry was stronger than her fear.

Stronger than her fear. I mean how incredible is that.

I have often said that I think love is the ultimate expression of trust. Now this is getting long and so I won’t say much more but it would be negligent of me not to mention the true loves kiss that broke the second curse. Regina’s heart wasn’t in her chest – she wasn’t supposed to be able to feel, to love – and yet she loved her son so much magic answered. She had so much baggage and she had her toxic moments but she tried, and she did the work. When she fell into her mothers example, she realised and let Henry go, she broke the cycle.

I don’t know I just have feelings. Regina was not the biological mum, and media historically doesn’t treat them well, but Once generally did. If I had to say that any relationship formed the backbone of the show it would either be this, Regina and Henry mother and son, or it would be Rumple and Bae/Neal, father and son. Driving forces really.

8) if I’m most interested in fics about them that focus on fluff, angst, humor, smut or actual plot?

Hmm it would be between fluff or actual plot. Rumbelle rarely got to be happy and if canon won’t give me that, then fic can. But I do also like to see their issues resolved, and so their happiness is… earned isn’t the right word. But there are consequences when stuff happens and Rumbelle on the show were either kept apart, or shoving everything under the metaphorical rug. So yeah actual plot can deal with things the show didn’t.