A/N: Many thanks to my precious friends and sisters lala-kate and miscreantrose. I love you both, thank you for being there to slap me when i say i cannot write.
This is my first attempt at a multi-chapter OQ story. i love them and they are running away with my muse.
Another down and another clinking of the bottles in front of him. He had not had this much to drink since his college days, but at the moment the liquid burn felt like his only friend. Choosing to ignore the judgment in the stewardess' eyes, he ordered another. To hell with it all, he thought.
"Try not to look surprised when she brings you water with that next bottle."
His eyes widened at the dry comment, the voice had come from his right. The woman in the aisle seat across from him, she was looking at him with amusement. "I might need it. I know how this will sound, but I can honestly say I do not do this sort of thing."
Her face turned impassive, "I wonder how many times that line has been used."
She had watched him since he had boarded the plane. It was hard to overlook the rumpled appearance and tired eyes. Whatever he was leaving behind, it was clear that it had taken everything out of him. She knew that feeling better than most, and her heart ached a little at the thought. She had slammed the lid on the unwanted and decided to ignore him for the duration of the flight. Then he spoke to order his drink. His voice reminded her of Daniel, it was the accent. Again, she slammed the lid on the box of memories as it rattled. Ignore him, she told herself. As the flight went on the more she noticed he drank, that she could not ignore.
His lips quirked at her response, "told you I knew how it would sound. You don't believe me."
"Whether I believe you or not doesn't matter. But, if something has you drinking that much then I can only assume it warrants it."
"Would a rather messy divorce be a good reason?"
"I've known people who have drunk themselves to a stupor for less. I would say a divorce is as good a reason as any. Marriage is difficult. The honeymoon doesn't last forever, eventually reality invades." She had not noticed the change in her tone to something darker, but he had.
He knew he had no right to ask, but he did anyway. "You must have gone through a divorce then?" he posed it more as a question rather than a statement.
"No. More like some life experience has made me perceptive." Her fingers clasped the ring on the chain around her neck. She saw his eyes follow her hand, saw the question in his eyes, and prayed he would not ask.
"Understood. I don't regret my marriage; I just regret the outcome and the one innocent person it affects." He had no idea why he was telling her any of this, but it felt good to have some other outlet besides the alcohol.
"So, you're a parent then?" she was thankful he had not asked about the ring, and she hoped he read the thanks in her eyes.
"A son. Roland, he just turned five in October." Fishing out his wallet, he passes her a recent photo.
Her fingers trace over the dimpled smile, and mop of curly hair. A smile, the first he has seen breaks across her face. "He is adorable. Five is a fun age."
"I take it you have a child as well." He sees the smile on her face grow bigger.
She pulls a photograph from her bag, and extends it toward him. "Henry. He'll be thirteen in a few months, I almost dread it."
He knows what she means. "One day you are changing their diapers and the next you are wondering where the time went. If I may ask, why isn't he traveling with you?"
She knows he means no harm, but the question still pains her. "He wanted to stay with his other mother while I took care of some business."
He can do nothing to stop the apology tumbling from his lips, "I'm sorry, I thought-"
She waves his apology off, "It's fine. Henry was adopted right after he was born. Things were rocky between the two of us about two years ago, and he decided to find his birth mom. I probably don't have to tell you how that went."
His hand touches hers for a brief second, and she is surprised she doesn't stiffen at the contact. "I imagine it was a shock."
"Understatement. But, we have all managed to be adults and work out something that makes everyone happy. Things are better than they have been in a long while."
Before he can respond the voice of the captain fills the cabin informing them they will be landing soon. The shock in her eyes must match his as they realize how much time has passed.
"I guess I didn't need that other drink at all, just a more attractive distraction. Thank you for the talk." He says with a smile as he refastens his safety belt.
Purposely ignoring the blush she can feel in her cheeks she answers, "glad I could be of some use then."
As they move towards baggage claim he stops her, "I never got your name."
"Regina." She had not expected him to ask.
"I'm Robin. Shall we fight our way to collect our luggage?"
"Just don't get in my way; I can be quite violent in these things." She quips with a wink.
He laughs and motions for her to lead the way. To their surprise they are able to collect their personal belongings with little trouble.
He stops her again before she can leave, "again, thank you for the distraction. It helped more than you know."
"It was no problem. You made a rather dull flight a little more enjoyable. Good-bye, Robin."
"Bye, Regina." He watches her leave with a smile on his face.
As she enters the darkness of her house she sends a text to Henry letting him know she made it home safely. She checks her jacket pockets as she removes it for washing; she finds a piece of paper that had not been there earlier. On it is distinct male handwriting, it had to be his:
If you ever need to talk, here is my number. I hope you use it. Thank you…again.
At first she doesn't know what to feel. No man had given her their number since Daniel, and she was frightened because for the first time since losing him she felt hope.
"Oh God. Daniel, what do I do?" she asked to the empty room around her.
disclaimer: i don't own OUAT. however, your thoughts on this would be lovely