A/N: This is dedicated to and inspired by and all my outlaw queen love on a plate to my friend Nina who brainstormed this with me and I hope I do it all justice :c xxo
These feelings won't go away
They've been knockin' me sideways
They've been knockin' me out lately
Whenever you come around me
Why she'd gone to this ridiculous party in the first place…she couldn't bring herself to admit it now. A foolish heart will always be foolish, trusting beyond reason once you let someone in — and worse yet, when her heart was returned it felt all the more drawn to this man, this thief who jumped out of trees to steal people's money — who stood there and stole her heart when it wasn't even in her chest.
It was Snow's fault. Planning this party, insisting that the town should celebrate now that Zelena was gone, her baby was safe and everything was just plain peachy. Had it not been for his telling her he wouldn't miss it for the world, she wouldn't have gone at all.
She was tired. So much fighting and despite the Charming's treating her like she was no longer a threat to their and Henry's safety at any moment — he still didn't remember her. They may have broken one of Zelena's curses, but Henry's memories of her were still adrift on the wind. But at least she had the chance to be in his life in some capacity, that was better than nothing. If only she really believed that…
Now she stood just near an exit in Town Hall, waiting for her chance to slip out unnoticed. She couldn't bear to be questioned about her leaving, or that she'd had a little more to drink than she'd intended. She shifted from foot to foot, her sky high heels having a little more affect on her than she was used to.
She felt ridiculous. Standing here in this dress, that could only be compared to something a princess might wear. A fitted, strapless bodice that went down into a fuller skirt, one that hit about mid-calf. If it wasn't for the intensely dark blue color or the towering height of her shoes she would have looked like Snow herself had picked it out. Her hair was curled slightly, and her makeup was light by comparison to how she would normally attend a party; her lips were the strongest part and even they were left a much lighter red than usual. And all of this for a man who never even showed.
When she saw her opportunity she took it, with Snow and David's backs being turned she pushed the exit door open briskly, stepping out into the night air before anyone was the wiser. It was a bit cool out, but nothing she couldn't handle. It was probably best she didn't drive in this state, even she had lost track of how many glasses of wine she had, all while scanning the room for her…for Robin.
She glanced down at the ground for a moment, and then digressed with a roll of her eyes, stepping out of her shoes and setting her bare feet down on the pavement. It wasn't a long walk, but even though the warmth of a bath was calling her she decided to take a stroll around to her apple tree instead. Her home was still horribly silent, the quiet here didn't seem half as lonely as it was behind closed doors. And what harm would it really do, the townspeople knew not to go into her garden, it was unlikely anyone would even know she was there.
Rounding the corner of the big yellow building, her heels dangling on her fore and middle fingers, a small, sad smile graced Regina's lips as she approached her tree. There had been a time it was the only company she was allowed. And now suddenly didn't feel so different. So she focused on the feeling of the rich grass beneath her feet, and tried to will away the pervading smell of forest that seemed to stay with her despite not setting foot in it in weeks. And maybe if she hadn't been so focused on these things, she would have heard someone approaching just behind her.