Title: "Collision"
Summary: Archie Hopper bumps into Regina Mills on the sidewalk.
Characters/Pairing: Archie Hopper/Regina Mills. Sort of Regal Cricket.
Disclaimer: I do not own any of this franchise. None. At all.
The Sun rose and stayed in the sky for a few hours. Before noon, the clouds formed and sunshine disappeared. Storybrooke looked calm, as it often was before storms. The sky blue and filled with clouds, how great a representation that was for the town.
Archie Hopper had taken time out of his day to take notice of this. It made him smile while everyone else seemed to groan and shake their fists to the sky. It wasn't like Archie enjoyed his pants getting soaked when Sheriff Graham drove by too fast—but rain sounded peaceful in his opinion.
The redhead sighed, near dreamily. He moved, crossing the street. Pongo walked along with him, without a care in the world. Archie kept his smile.
He headed to his work, smiling wide as humanly possible. Until he felt his body clash with another's. He gasped loudly, felt like the wind had just been knocked out of him.
"Oh-!" Regina Mills' voice entered his ears. Oh dear.
Archie's eyes widened some, "Forgive me, Madame Mayor, I didn't see you. It was completely my fault." He assured her.
His free hand brushed hers as Pongo had tangled them some.
Archie kept apologizing for the mess, for bumping into her so rudely, how it was his fault for not watching where he was going—all the things his mind told him to say. His heart was saying other things though as he finally looked at her face.
Regina stared at him with such a stare he feared he'd majorly ticked her off. Most likely she had been in a rush and felt being thrown off it would be worse than anything. That or she wasn't that fond of anyone besides Henry…and her apple trees.
"Dr. Hopper." Regina nearly frowned, but put on her smile "I am quite fine. It was a simple collision. It could've happened to anyone."
Regina moved to go past him but Archie being Archie followed. He wanted to make sure she really was okay. Regina often hid her true feelings inside herself. That wasn't good at all. Archie wondered if she ever talked to anyone about that.
"Are you sure?" He kept walking along side her "You seem a bit stressed. I hope I didn't add on to that."
Regina kept walking too, each step commanded others to look at her, which they did. He noticed Ruby walking with another, glancing over a few times. She'd probably be late again for work—
"I assure you once again, Dr. Hopper, I am fine. I am beyond fine. In fact today is a very good day." Well then! That was certainly…good?
Archie nodded some "I'm glad to hear that, Regina." There were times he let the name slip. Formalities would leave him, and he found out he rather liked saying her name. Regina. It was a very lovely name.
"Well, I know that you're a very busy woman-"
She came to a stop and faced him. Archie pressed his lips together, suddenly a bit uneasy. He hadn't meant to upset her, not at all. Regina still held the ruby golden smile of hers.
"Yes." Her tone sharper than needed "Dr. Hopper." He didn't want to know what that tone meant but he was familiar with it.
Most of Storybrooke knew not to challenge Madam Mayor, save for Mr. Gold. But Mr. Gold was…well, he was Mr. Gold. But there was Regina Mills staring right at him, and all Archie could do was blush while smiling at her. He must've been the goofiest guy in town to her.
"Once again, let me be clear." She smiled still "Unless this is to do with Henry. I am quite fine even after your sudden collision with me on the sidewalk. If you do not mind, I have to attend to more important matters."
Regina turned without a second glance, strutting away. Archie sighed, and watched her walk away from him, and Pongo too.
Maybe…one day, Regina Mills would talk to him.