A/N: Merry Christmas everyone! I had so much fun writing this for the OQ Advent Calendar and I'm excited to share it with you all! Prepare yourselves for all the cute, fluffy feels.
The snow falls in thick flakes as he and Roland rush through the cold night, traipsing through the piles of snow on the sidewalk. Not even the salt that had been scattered over the walk doing much in the way of keeping it from accumulating. Robin scoops his boy up into his arms, smiling when his high pitch squeal of delight erupts from him. It's Christmas Eve and he should not be at the office. He and Roland are supposed to be at home, snuggled up in the living room with a fire and their multicolored and extravagantly decorated Christmas tree, reading stories and sipping on warm cider before he puts Roland to bed so Santa can visit. He is not supposed to be fighting his way through a snow storm with his son for a work emergency.
But he'd gotten a call from Gold, his boss, an hour ago regarding some problem with their biggest account and the possibility of it falling through. Robin's worked too hard on the project to take a chance of it blowing up. So here he is, son in tow. Hopefully he can sort things out relatively quick and they can be on their way.
"It's dark, Daddy." Roland comments once he's swiped his key card for late night access into the building and they stop to shake the snow off themselves in the lobby.
"I know, my boy. But look," Robin takes several steps further into the building and an overhead light immediately flickers on. "We just have to walk around some and they pop right on." Roland's delighted by the prospect, laughing as he takes off at a brisk trot down the hallway toward Robin's office and giggling each time he makes one of the lights turn on.
Chuckling, Robin follows him. By the time he reaches their little cluster of offices Roland is already sitting in his desk chair. Spinning merrily. That's when he notices the light on in her office. What is she doing here? He shouldn't be surprised. The woman is a damn workaholic and a perfectionist to boot. But it is the night before Christmas after all and he would have thought today, of all days at least, she would have somewhere better to be. If it weren't for this conference call he needs to make Robin certainly would not be here.
Leaving Roland to his own devices for a few more minutes he walks over to her office, stopping to lean casually against the jamb and taking her in. She's hunched over some file, reading intently, tapping her fingers irritatedly as she always does in staff meetings. She's dressed in her usual work attire, button down shirt and tight pencil skirt. The ones that drive Robin mad whether he likes to admit it to himself or not. But she's kicked off her shoes, stocking clad feet bare, one of which is tucked underneath her thigh and for some odd reason he finds that minor detail to be incredibly endearing.
"Working rather late on a holiday, aren't you?"
—
Regina's head snaps up, her eyes wide in surprise. "What the hell are you doing here?" She hadn't heard anyone come in, hadn't even noticed all the lights flickering on outside, though she takes note of them now and frowns. It's Christmas Eve. He shouldn't be here. Not this annoying man who she spends half of her days arguing and butting heads with. She'd wanted some peace and quiet to work, possibly get ahead on a few of her accounts. Now that all of her attention is no longer focused on the layouts in front of her, though, she notices it's gotten rather dark out, and a quick glance toward the clock positioned next to her computer shows her it's already after nine o'clock.
There's absolutely no reason for Robin Locksley to be in the office at this hour on this day in particular. Yet he just stands there, shoulder pressed against the frame of her door, arms crossed as he studies her in that irritatingly deep way of his. Like he's seeing more to her than what she allows people. She doesn't like it. Doesn't particularly like him either. Or so she's convinced herself. So his presence makes her edgy.
He's dressed casually in jeans and a forest green sweater. Clearly he wasn't intending to come into the office today. And not this late, surely. So Regina lifts an eyebrow expectantly and waits for him to answer her question.
"Gold called me. Apparently there's an issue with the Midas account that needs handled immediately."
"It's Christmas Eve." She retorts, and Robin simply gives her a smirk in response.
"Yes, well, apparently they don't much care about that either. Nor does Gold. And he expects me to handle it tonight. I didn't have much choice in the matter. Though I'm quite sure he's enjoying his evening at home."
Regina nods. That certainly sounds like their boss. And she doesn't doubt Robin's assumption that he's leaving him to do the dirty work while he relaxes at home with his wife.
"What's your excuse?"
"I got caught up in things." She lies. Whether Robin believes her or not, she'll never know, because a tiny boy with wild and unruly curls chooses that moment to barrel past Robin into the room.
"Whatcha doin', Daddy?"
Her heart stutters in her chest. Daddy? She knows Robin has a son, is sure he's mentioned it a time or two at least. But they aren't friends. Don't even really like each other when you get right down to it. So Regina knows nothing about his child. But when he turns his attention to her and those adorable dimples are winking in his chubby cheeks, just like his damn father's, her heart skips a beat.
"Who are you?"
Robin kneels down to the boys level and explains, "This is Regina. She works with me." He smiles at her and waves enthusiastically, exclaiming a proud, Hi, I'm Roland.
What is one supposed to do when faced with those adorable dimples and that bright exuberance? Her heart melts just a tad and Regina gives the boy a smile. "Lovely to meet you, Roland."
"Nice to meet you!" He exclaims sweetly and Regina can't help but be impressed by the polite manners in the young boy. It would seem Robin is doing something right. Then his focus shifts back to Robin, "I'm bored. I wanna color."
Robin nods, "Yes. That's an excellent idea. Why don't we go find some paper and markers for you and let's leave Regina alone." The pair are walking away before she even has a chance to continue the conversation and she huffs in annoyance. It's not like she'd wanted to continue talking with him anyway. He's annoying and insufferable. Adorable child or not.
She returns her gaze to the papers scattered in front of her on the desk, biting her lower lip between her teeth as she focuses on making the necessary adjustments. But her concentration waivers now, distracted by the noise father and son produce outside of the walls surrounding her.
Regina hears him on the phone ten minutes later, attempting to calm whatever fire has popped up, and Roland talking quietly to himself as he does whatever Robin's given him to keep the boy occupied while he takes care of business. Probably those markers. She should go. Why is she even still here? Granted, Regina has nothing worthwhile to go home to. Nothing but a quiet house and a glass of wine by the fire until she turns in. But it would be better than sitting here listening to them.
And it's not as if she's really getting any work done now anyway. She'd be much better off heading home, hopefully beating the worse of the snow that's coming down rapidly outside her office window now that she takes a moment to glance outside. The roads will probably be awful. Just another annoyance.
Regina's just begun packing up her things, closing the file she'd been working on and shutting down her computer, when Roland chooses that moment to come running back into her office, holding out a colorful piece of paper to her with a wide, proud smile. "What do you have there?" She asks him with a kind smile, curious, as she slips her feet back into her heels.
"A Christmas present!" He exclaims excitedly. "For you!"
She frowns slightly, little crinkle forming between her brows as she watches Roland wave the paper back and forth. Rising from her chair, Regina walks around her desk, moving to crouch in front of the boy and take the offered gift.
It's clearly the masterpiece of a child, with stick figures and messy lines, overlapping shapes of colors and a few errant streaks here and there. But the fact he's drawn her something at all, that he would even think to give her something, has Regina's heart falling for him just a bit. And there's such sweet simplicity in the gesture, a pure intention from the child, that she is unused to having in her life.
Her voice is a bit in awe when she asks, "You drew this for me?"
"Uh-huh," he exclaims, wiggling closer to her to point out what it is over her shoulder. His fresh, baby powder scent tugging at something she doesn't recognize deep in her gut. "This is you and the Christmas tree with all the presents." He stabs a finger at the large round man with a pointed red hat holding out a green square with a rather loopy bow and informs her, "And this is Santa bringing you your present! He's coming tonight! And he's gonna bring lots of toys because Daddy says I was a really good boy this year!"
The toddler's excitement over the prospect is infectious and Regina finds herself grinning at him, laughing at the proud way he says it. She chuckles, "I'm sure you have been. And thank you, Roland. This is a wonderful present."
She's admiring the drawing, trying to decide what is best to do with it. It would look odd for her to put it up anywhere in her office but Roland's hopeful face is beaming at her and she doesn't want to do anything to upset him. It's rather sweet. That he'd thought of her at all. She still can't quite get over it. She's distracted from her dilemma when Robin enters her office, stopping short inside the doorway and locking eyes with her. Regina can't quite decipher what the pained expression on his face is, though it becomes clear a moment later.
"Well, looks like we're snowed in for the night. The roads won't be clear until the morning." He says, wiggling the phone in his hand with a weather alert on the screen.
Regina stares at him for a long moment, straightening her knees to stand as she struggles to comprehend what he is telling her. No. She'd just been about to leave. A quick glance toward the window reveals that the snow has somehow picked up in the time she and Roland have been talking. She can barely see out the glass through the thick white swirls, a blanketed winter wonderland.
They're stuck. Here. In the office. On Christmas Eve. Before she has a chance to let that disturbing information sink in Roland is letting out a cry of distress between them, looking up at his father with wide and concerned eyes.
"We can't have Christmas?" His tiny voice sounds so disheartened, his eyes slowly welling up with tears that will surely turn unpleasant soon as he wails. "We can't stay here! What about Christmas? How will Santa find us?" The panicked tone tugs at that same something deep inside her, some long hidden maternal instinct she hadn't been aware of possessing because she wants to wrap him up in her arms and assure him that everything will be alright.
That's not her job however, so Regina merely watches as Robin gives his son a helpless grimace. "Well, my boy, it's Christmas no matter where we are. Santa knows where our house is. We've the tree all decorated at home, remember? I've no doubt presents will be waiting for you come morning."
Big, wet tears are rolling down Roland's face at this point as he whimpers, looking around the bare, decidedly non-festive office and cries, "But there's no Christmas here, no decorations. You can't have Christmas without a tree and lights and cookies and presents!"
And she can't take it. Can't let this precious little boy cry for one more minute. The words are out of her mouth before she has a chance to think them through. "We'll make Christmas here!"
Roland spins around to look at her, face hopeful, "Really?" It's a marked contrast to the puzzled expression his father is giving her, but Regina doesn't look at Robin, merely crouches back down to the boy's level so she can meet his eyes.
She swipes her thumbs over his cheeks, wiping away those tear tracks and gives him a sunny smile. "Of course."
"How?"
Shit.
Regina had not thought that far ahead, had only wanted to put that sweet smile back on his face. And now she has no idea how to make Christmas in an office with absolutely zero decorations anywhere. Their boss doesn't like it. There's not a speck of green or red anywhere within the walls of this office. And that is a problem at the moment. Her eyes dart back to Robin's, futility hoping he'll have an answer to his son's question. The jerk only shrugs his shoulders, palms lifted. She's on her own for this one, apparently.
Her eyes dart around her office, landing on the pad of post-it notes and dish of paperclips on her desk and inspiration strikes. Snagging the pad she holds it before Roland's face, smiling at him. "These. We can make Christmas with these." He looks doubtful, but beneath that is curiosity. "Office supplies and a little bit of imagination can go a long way. And you have plenty of that don't you, Roland?"
The boy nods eagerly. Tears forgotten at the prospect of still getting his holiday.
Regina grins at him and then her eyes lift to meet Robin's. He's looking at her in a way she can't quite interpret, a mixture of awe and confusion, she thinks, perhaps. It's no wonder. He's never seen her like this. She's always professional, put together, never a hair out of place. Now here she is, kneeling before his son and concocting up a plan to turn their office into a Christmas wonderland with post-its and paper clips.
She's lost her mind.
But she can't let Roland be disappointed, so Regina shifts her focus back to the boy and whispers conspiratorially, loud enough to reach Robin's ears, "What do you say we send Daddy on a trip to the supply closet and we get started on a tree?"
"Yeah!" He exclaims happily, tears forgotten.
Chuckling, Robin bows his head. "I am at your service. What shall I go retrieve?"
Regina hems and haws, taps her index finger to her chin as she grins at Roland, both buying herself time to come up with something for this impromptu plan of hers and to entertain the boy. "Let's see...we'll need more post-it's, and paper clips, some colorful push pins. There are some stacks of colored paper. Grab those." Another idea pops into her head and she adds, "Oh some twine if there is any."
"Right, then. Off I go." Robin replies, heading off for the closet down the hallway and smiling at the giggle from his son behind him. As unexpected as it may have been from her he's incredibly grateful she's come up with a way to put that smile back on his son's face. He'll go along with whatever she wants to achieve that. And it's not a bad idea, should turn out interestingly enough.
Flipping the light on he scans the shelves before him, snagging everything she's requested and looking to see if anything else catches his eye that could possibly be turned into a Christmas decoration. Robin grabs some shipping boxes. They can fold them open and wrap them up like presents. Notices a large bag of colorful rubber bands, and those could be useful, so he grabs them too.
Arms laden with supplies he heads back down to where he's left Roland and Regina. They've moved from her office out into the common area, are happily creating the shape of a tree on the board they use to post materials and examples for meetings, Roland peeling off the yellow squares and handing them to Regina for her to stick in the triangle pattern of a tree.
It makes him smile. He's never pictured her like this, never would have imagined that she would have a soft spot for children. Or that she would care enough about his son's happiness, when she's never met him before tonight, to come up with something like this.
Warmth spreads through Robin's belly watching them. The way Regina's eyes twinkle when she looks at Roland, the smile beaming across her face when he bounces excitedly with each pass of paper and chatters away at her. The sharp punch of desire in his gut takes him by surprise, but enough that he has to clear his throat discreetly as he sets down their loot on old Leroy's desk. It's a feeling he's going to have to explore later.
"Looking good so far." He comments, shifting the pairs attention to him.
"Daddy, look! It's a tree! R'gina made a tree!"
He chuckles, "Yes, I can see that, m'boy." Robin watches as they finish up the last of the tree, smiles at their handy work and then Regina is turning to eye the loot he's brought. He can practically see the wheels spinning in her head.
"What next, R'gina?" Roland asks excitedly.
She smiles at him, slips her fingers through his curls in a gesture she's not even aware of doing and tells him, "Grab those paper clips. We can make a string of garland for the tree." Roland nods and hops over to the desk, taking the box in question when Robin hands it to him and running back to Regina. "Robin, why don't you cut out a star for the tree. Use the highlighter to make it yellow."
"Yes, ma'am." He agrees with a smirk, chuckling at the eyeroll Regina gives in him response, and gets to work. That doesn't stop him from watching them out of the corner of his eye though. The way the two of them bend their heads together as Regina shows Roland how to loop the paperclips together, creating a long chain. Her slender fingers guide his tiny hands as they slip them over the edges of the post-its from one side to the other down their makeshift tree.
Regina swipes the box of push pins from the desk, giving Robin a slight smile when she sees him trimming the edges of the star he's drawn out with scissors, muttering, "Not bad, Locksley." before going back to where Roland stands. She kneels down and opens the container. "Alright, Roland, we can use these to make lights for the tree. See how they're colored just like regular lights would be?" He nods, expression turning serious when Regina adds, "But they're sharp so we have to be careful when we handle them ok?"
"Okay."
The two of them start sticking pins into the post-it's at random, a collage of colorful little circles that funnily enough actually do look like little multi-colored lights that a typical Christmas tree would possess. When they've stuck as many as they can manage into the board Regina turns to look at him. "You ready with that star?"
Robin nods, rising from the chair he'd been sitting in to bring it over. "I think Roland should do the honors, don't you agree?" And she nods, laughing when Roland whoops his enthusiasm and eagerly reaches for the paper star from his father. Robin scoops him up in his arms, lifting him up so he can reach the top of the post-it tree and Roland holds the cut out to the board as Regina pushes a few clear pins in to secure it. The three of them step back to admire their work and Robin can't help the grin that expands on his face. "Well, that looks mighty fine if I do say so myself. Well done, you two."
Roland's entire face lights up, "It really looks like a Christmas tree!"
"It does." Robin agrees, setting the boy back down on his feet. "Why don't you go grab those boxes and we can put them on the floor as presents." He agrees happily and Robin follows Regina over to the desk where she's perusing what's left of their supplies. "Any more brilliant decorating ideas in that head of yours?" He asks, tone laced with amusement.
She quirks her lips at him, picks up a pair of scissors lying on the desk and holds them out to him, "Snowflakes." At Robin's befuddled expression Regina laughs, the sound ringing merrily through the quiet office and it has Robin's heart fluttering in his chest. "Paper snowflakes. Surely you've made those before." At his shake of his head, Regina sighs. "Men. Alright. I'll make the snowflakes. You can cut that colored paper into strips for a holiday chain."
That, he can certainly manage, so Robin takes the offered scissors from her hand, sitting down in Leroy's desk chair as he replies, "Whatever you say, Your Majesty."
Regina rolls her eyes, but there's a smile tugging at the corners of her mouth that she can't quite hide as she takes a seat opposite him and begins folding paper into smaller squares. Roland dashes happily between them and the tree as he moves "presents" and then starts taping the pictures he'd drawn earlier around the office.
The two work in silence, snipping away until a few minutes later when Robin's tells her softly, "Thank you. You don't have to do all this you know."
Glancing up, Regina's eyes meet his and linger for a minute, a shy smile gracing her features as she bends her head back down to the small pile of paper snowflakes she's accumulating. Her hair falls down over her face before she's tilting her chin upward and pushing it behind her ear, and then meeting his gaze once more. Regina bites that lower lip Robin's suddenly become very aware of and says, "I know. But he was so upset." She pauses before admitting, "I couldn't bear to watch him cry like that on Christmas. Especially when we're stuck here."
Robin smiles back at her. This is a whole new side to her. One he never would have thought possible. And yet here she is, creating Christmas for his son out of essentially nothing. Going above and beyond when she could have holed herself up in her office and avoided them for the night. Only yesterday that's what Robin would have expected from her. It's a pleasant surprise though. Makes him wonder what other qualities she's been hiding beneath that tough façade.
He's about to speak, to say something to that effect, when Roland appears before them, papers clutched in his hand and eyeing them curiously. "Whatcha making?"
Regina grins down at him with a smile Robin has never seen her give anyone besides his son. One that lights up her entire face when she looks at him and his youthful eagerness and curious nature. She's so beautiful. Truly stunning in every way, and it suckerpunches Robin in the gut.
Looking at the two of them his heart stutters and falls, just a tiny bit, an unexpected wave of emotion filling up within him. But it's enough to have him leaning back in his chair, taking a deep breath to try and calm the jittery feeling that's suddenly developed in his stomach.
"We…" Regina begins, flourishing the string of clipped paper between the stretch of her arms to show Roland, "are making snowflakes!" He laughs, steps closer to poke a tiny finger through the holes and Regina chuckles at him.
Then Roland is turning to Robin, looking at the pile of colorful strips he's been accumulating on the desk and asks, "What're are those for?"
Now is not the time for him to dwell on whatever recent revelation he's had, not the time for him to explore what feelings seeing this woman and his son together might have unmasked. Ones that very well may have been lurking beneath their biting exchanges previously. Instead, Robin picks up a red strip of paper, holding it out to his son and then curls it into a circle, tearing off a strip of tape to secure the ends together. He repeats the motion several more times until there is a decent sized chain gathering in his lap. "This, is a paper chain. We can string it up like the garland we have at home. Sound like a good plan?"
Roland nods enthusiastically and Robin thanks God for the fact that his son is still a toddler and easily appeased. Regina draws the boy's attention back to her, suggesting that he help her hang up the snowflakes while his Daddy finishes up the chain and he agrees easily. If the way he smiles at her is any indication, then his son might just be as taken with her as Robin has discovered he is.
With a bump of her finger against his nose, a light tap that makes Roland chuckle, the two of them are off, moving to hang the paper snowflakes from any and all available surfaces and anywhere they can reach. Their laughter reaches Robin's ears as he continues to thread paper through paper. Loop after loop. He does a couple of them, figures they can hang them several places and proudly holds up his chain when Regina and Roland return to Leroy's desk.
"Does it pass inspection?" He asks them, and Regina hesitates, studying the chain intently, appearing to mull over her answer. Roland hems and haws just like her and Robin has to bite back a grin at seeing the way he imitates her movements before Regina turns to look down at his son.
"What do you think, Roland? Does it look Christmasy enough?"
"Yeah!" He exclaims, "Can we hang it up now?"
Regina nods and reaches out a hand to take the paper chain from Robin, their fingers brushing briefly, Roland happily grabbing the section that trails after her as she goes to hang it on either side of the wall they've decorated with their post-it tree.
Roland feeds her the chain for awhile but he only makes it through one of them before he's turning back to his father and asking, "What next?" and bouncing on the balls of his feet.
Robin glances around at their handy work, fairly impressed. It actually looks rather festive. Not what you think of when you picture Christmas decorations but not too shabby for an impromptu office holiday either. "Well, what else do we need?" He asks his son.
"What about mistletoe?" Roland questions.
Both of them pause what they're doing, and Robin notices the way Regina's shoulders tense immediately. Though she does turn from where she's stringing paper garland along the walls to look at them, eyes wide. Robin frowns at his son, "Now where did you learn about mistletoe?" He asks him.
"It's in all the movies, Daddy! You gotta have it for Christmas. Like the tree." Roland informs him matter-of-factly.
"Yes...well...don't you think we already have enough decorations, Roland? And what would we make it out of?" Robin questions, hoping to distract him. But his son can be stubborn when he wants to be, a trait he's inherited from him most likely, and shakes head.
"No. We have to have some. To make it all the way Christmas. Pleeease, Daddy."
Robin's gaze lifts to Regina's, unsure what to say or do. But no one can resist those puppy dog eyes and tiny dimples when Roland sets his mind to getting his way and Regina gives him an entirely useless shrug of her shoulders. He glances back down to his son and sighs, "We don't have anything to make it with." Perhaps they can appease him some other way and Robin quickly racks his brain for something else to captures his boy's interest.
Unfortunately, Roland has quite the imagination and he's caught up in their little office holiday. He races over to the desk with the heap of supplies and grabs a fistful of the colorful rubber bands Robin had grabbed out of the storage closet, a generous number of green and red ones mixed in. "We can use these!"
Well, so much for that notion, Robin thinks.
The stifled chuckle behind him has Robin's head whipping around to see Regina attempting to hide a smile behind her fingers, biting that lower lip between her teeth and he laughs himself and turns back to Roland. "Alright, then. Let's make mistletoe."
He goes to sit in the desk chair, pulls Roland into his lap and tells him that he'll roll them into a ball and he can pick out all the green and red ones from the pile, to which the toddler happily agrees. Regina watches them for a few minutes, studies the way their heads are bent identically over their tasks and a deep ache develops in her chest.
What are they doing? What is she doing? Falling for this man and his child. It's reckless and stupid and the last thing she should be allowing herself to feel, but here she is, doing it all the same. Blinking away the sudden moisture that's gathered in her eyes, she turns back to finish hanging the last of the paper chains. By the time she's done Robin and Roland are finished as well and the boy proudly holds up the green and red rubber band ball meant to be mistletoe to Regina.
"What do you think, R'gina?"
"I think it looks great, sweetheart." She replies, smiling at him. Her lips fall when he then insists that she be the one to hang it up. "Oh I don't think I can reach it. Your father should probably do that."
"Daddy can help you. He'll lift you up. Right?" He says, turning his gaze to look at Robin. The two of them stare at each other for a long moment. They shouldn't be catering to the boy like this. But, well, it's Christmas Eve and they're stuck here for the night and the both of them only want to make the holiday special for Roland, despite their circumstances. So neither of them can really say no, can they? There's a silent communication between them as Robin lifts a brow in question and Regina jerks her shoulder in acceptance. They can play along. What's the harm?
Robin stands, passing the ball off to her. "Where should we hang it?" She asks, stroking the rubber beneath the pads of her fingers.
"It goes in the doorway!" He replies, as if he's the expert on this particular holiday tradition and the two of them laugh before walking over to the entrance to their office. The frame is a good three feet above her head, there's no way she could reach it on her own. Robin hesitates a moment, gives her a look that she's not quite sure how to decipher, and then she tilts her head to the side slightly, granting him permission.
When he bends at the knees and his arms wrap around her thighs, lifting her up the distance needed to reach the top of the door, Regina tries not to think about the way it feels to be held like this, or how strong he must be to manage the move so effortlessly. Why has she never noticed how strong he is before? And why hadn't they just used a chair, rather than this?
She clips the ball in place and as Robin slowly lowers her back to the ground her entire body slides along the length of his, causing shivers to run through her she had not been prepared for. They pause, Robin's arms still loosely looped around her waist as they stare at each other. He's giving her that look again, a hint of fire behind his eyes that both surprises and thrills her.
"Look, Daddy! You and R'gina are under it now! You gotta kiss her!" Roland giggles, the amused childish laughter of someone who finds the idea positively silly.
And they walked right into that one, didn't they?
With his gaze on her face Robin sees the mild panic in her eyes at the suggestion. And why shouldn't she feel that way? She detests him, has never shown him any interest and is only doing this because they're trapped for the night and his son has charmed his way into her good graces. None of that extends to wanting to kiss him beneath a cluster of fake mistletoe made up of rubber bands.
"Oh I don't think so, my boy." He tells him, turning his head to look at his son and trying his best to get Regina off the hook. She's done enough and he won't force her into an uncomfortable situation after all the effort she's put in to make his son's Christmas special. Even if those plump red lips are deliciously tempting.
"You have to!" Roland whines, "You always have to kiss under the mistletoe. Like the movies." Robin closes his eyes, thinks perhaps he should monitor the holiday films his son's been watching a little more closely from now on.
He starts to protest some more when Regina's voice cuts him off, "Oh go on then."
Blue eyes meet brown again. The air is weighted between them, a sudden tension crackling around them that's never been there before. Or maybe it has and they've both chosen to ignore it. Hiding between nasty barbs and sharp retorts.
Roland claps merrily beside them, breaking the focus between them and Robin smiles sheepishly at her, arms tightening a fraction around her waist. Only a few inches of space separate them and his breathing catches at her proximity. "You're sure?" He questions, warm breath washing over her lips, and Regina has to fight the shiver her body experiences in response.
"Just kiss me and get it over with, Robin."
He grins, lowers his head, and then time seems to still for a moment when his mouth meets hers. His lips are soft and firm, fit perfectly over hers and her head spins, nerves humming pleasantly as her stomach jumps. It's perfectly chaste for all of five seconds, and then Robin sucks her lower lip gently, and Regina struggles to swallow down the moan that wants to break free. The tip of her tongue runs lightly along his upper lip, and then they part, eyelids fluttering open. Robin and Regina can only stare at each other for what feels like forever before Roland's voice cuts through the awkward silence.
"Ewwwww."
It breaks the spell that they seem to have been caught up in, an amused expression crossing Robin's face when he turns to look at his son and snickers. Reluctantly, he releases his hold on her, letting go of her waist and taking a step back. Regina misses the warmth of his body immediately. Turning to Roland he shakes his head, "Your idea, mister. No complaining."
The boy scrunches up his face in disgust but giggles when Robin bends down to drive a finger into his side to tickle him. And then his focus shifts, suddenly remembering something dire it would seem from the expression on his face. "What about the Christmas cookies, Daddy? We forgot about them!"
Robin opens his mouth to respond, but he's interrupted from saying anything when Regina volunteers, "Why don't I go check the kitchen. I'm sure we've something left over that will do." They've been receiving collections of treats from their clients for weeks now. Cookies and candies and chocolate to the point they've largely been operating on a sugar high around the office. There has to be something that will suffice.
Truthfully, she could use a few minutes to herself as well. Her stomach is still jumping from that kiss and five minutes without the double assault of those matching dimples and grins will do her some good. Help her regain her footing and reign in the sudden parade of hormones that have her wanting to sink her teeth into Robin's bottom lip and fuse her mouth to his.
"Yay!" Roland exclaims and Robin mouths a, thank you, over the top of his head.
Regina nods, swallows the thickness that has gripped her throat and ventures off to rummage through their office kitchen.
She's gone a bit longer than she had anticipated, taking a few extra minutes to regroup and collect herself, had only found a half eaten box of shortbread tucked away in the cabinet. Roland is finally winding down when she returns, those big brown, puppy dog eyes of his drooping as he tapes the last of his drawings to whatever available surface he can find. Office walls, computer monitors, desk chairs, the glass conference room door. He hurries over to her when she enters Robin's office, begs a cookie off her and wrinkles his nose at Robin's instructions of only one before he chomps merrily away at it.
A glance at the clock on Robin's desk informs him it's already after eleven and well past Roland's bed time. He does not need a sugar high at this hour. Honestly, he's surprised the boy has lasted this long. But he supposes the magic of Christmas— even an impromptu office Christmas— will do that to a young boy.
Still, he really should be getting some sleep. The question is where? The space isn't exactly designed for nightly comfort. Robin supposes Roland can sleep on his lap, or perhaps he can curl up in one of the extra chairs. He isn't sure he himself will be getting much shut eye tonight. Not here with her as well. Robin's gaze drifts to Regina, where she's begun meticulously measuring and ripping off strips of tape for Roland with a bemused grin on her face.
His son tacks his last drawing up on Leroy's monitor, a bright and happy snowman (something the grumpy man will surely find not a bit amusing come Monday morning), and turns to look at Robin. "All done, Daddy! What now?"
"Oh I think we've done more than enough, my boy. The office is now quite festive, don't you agree?" Roland looks around at their handy work, studying it with as critical of an eye as a five year old can manage and then grins happy, curls bouncing as he bobs his head. "Yup!"
"Why don't we settle down and I'll tell you a Christmas story? Just like we always do."
Roland nods keenly and hops over to plop down right against the wall of Robin's office. And oh. Well. That's not exactly the place Robin had had in mind but he guesses it will do. He moves to sit beside Roland who immediately cuddles into his side.
Before Robin can ask Roland what he would like to hear first, Regina is cutting in. "I'll just leave you two to it, then." She's standing awkwardly in the doorway, unsure what to do with herself, arms wrapped around her middle as she watches the pair cuddle on the floor.
"R'gina you have to come listen, too." Roland objects, expression serious and tone matter-of-fact. Robin glances down at his son, back up to the woman who appears to be wrestling with what to say. Shockingly enough, Robin doesn't picture her to be the type to find sitting on the floor of their office to be acceptable. But then he never would have imagined her to be capable of coming up with what she had tonight either.
She's struggling with herself, Robin can see it written clearly across her face. But she's already proven unable to resist his son's wishes this evening and now is no different.
So she gives him a sheepish smile and then gradually lowers herself to Roland's other side. The smile Robin offers her at the gesture makes her pulse race a notch higher but then he's back to grinning at Roland, that lovely British accent beginning to tell the story of a boy desperately listening for the bells of Santa's sleigh.
Roland makes it through The Polar Express and How the Grinch Stole Christmas but his head as fallen to settle in Robin's lap, eyes closed and breathing slow and steady by the time he gets to The Night Before Christmas.
Nearly all the lights have gone out as they've sat here. Only the dim lamp burning on Robin's desk providing any sort of illumination. It casts a warm glow over the office, shadows flickering as they sit here. Roland curled up between their bodies. The excitement of decorating and the prospect of Santa, not to mention the late hour, nearly midnight now, too much for the little boy to handle.
Gradually, his voice trails off and the two of them sit there in silence for awhile, neither sure what they should say. They've never really been alone like this before. Normally, they spend a great deal of effort trying to ignore one another, in fact, but tonight has changed things. A subtle shift in how they view one another.
She can't get it out of her mind. That kiss. It had just been for show, to make Roland happy. They'd both just played along. But now that it's happened Regina can't seem to forget the feel of his lips on hers, that jolt of electricity that had shot through her the moment their mouths touched.
It seems Robin's on the same page, because a few minutes later his voice breaks through the quiet that's settled around them. "So about that kiss…" and Regina's gaze immediately shifts from where she's rubbing gently up and down Roland's back, a natural instinct she hadn't even realized she'd begun doing, to those deep blue eyes. Funny, how she's never noticed just how blue they are. Or the way they can stare at her like he can see right down to her soul. Has she been so intent on ignoring her attraction to him that she's missed it?
Clearing her throat, Regina nods and assures him, "We never have to talk about it again. It was only for Roland's benefit after all."
Robin's voice is quiet, contemplative when he replies, "What if I don't want to forget about it? What if I don't want to pretend it never happened?"
Well that...had not been the response Regina had been anticipating. However, oddly enough, she no longer finds the idea to be a repulsive one. If anyone had asked her yesterday, even this morning, if she would be considering what it would be like to kiss Robin Locksley, really kiss him, without the audience of a child, she would have burned them to a crisp on the spot. But now…
As for Robin, that revelation from earlier is still weighing on his mind and his heart, the memory of their kiss only muddling the confusing emotions that have sprouted inside him. But he wants to know if the reaction he'd had earlier was real. If the way everything had clicked into place when her lips had touched his had been a byproduct of whatever Christmas magic they'd managed to make tonight for Roland, or if it's something deeper.
It would seem he's managed to make the great and terrible Regina Mills speechless, and if he wasn't so nervous as to what he's about to do it might have made Robin laugh. But those deep brown eyes of hers are locked with his, emotions swirling beneath their depths, and his hand reaches out to cup her cheek, thumb caressing her soft skin before it slips over to run along her bottom lip and Regina's breath catches.
She's not sure how to react. Is frozen in place. The room is dark and intimate, and there's a desire in Robin's eyes that has her drawn to him, like a moth to a flame. Regina feels herself leaning closer into him, their faces only a few inches apart, Robin's fingers gently hooked beneath her chin.
What is she doing? This is madness. She can't be doing this. Thinking of kissing Robin. They work together. It's unprofessional. He's annoying. She doesn't even like him. A million thoughts race through her mind but her heart is knocking around inside her chest, and when his warm breath ghosts over her lips it's that feeling that finally wins out.
"Regina…" Robin breaths out quietly, barely above a whisper as his lips meet hers. And there it is. That same razor sharp tingling that had been there before, making her pulse quicken, blood pumping madly through her veins.
Instant heat flashes through her body and when Robin angles his head, deepening the kiss, she groans into his mouth, one hand falling to his jaw. His stubble is rough beneath her fingers, and she scratches her nails gently over his skin, holds him to her as they kiss. Tongues peek out to explore the other's mouth. He tastes of coffee and peppermint and Robin and it's a combination she could easily become addicted to. Already wants more, lets her teeth scrape over his bottom lip and thrills in the answering groan he lets out.
It feels right, like the most natural thing in the world. The way he sweeps his tongue through her mouth, how his nose bumps against her cheek as he draws out the kiss. His fingers rake through her hair, holding her to him while Regina's head spins from the wonderful combination of sensations.
Eventually they pull apart, Robin's forehead falling to rest against her own as they catch their breath. "Wow…" Is all she can manage. Could probably come up with something a bit more eloquent if she really tried. In a few minutes. When some of her brain cells have returned.
Robin chuckles, "Yeah. Who knew that was hiding in there all this time?"
An understatement if she's ever heard one. Regina takes a deep breath and opens her eyes, separating herself from him a bit, crease etched between her brows as she asks him, "Robin, what is this? What are we doing?"
Before he can answer her, the clock on his desk begins to chime, rhythmic melody sounding out to signal the hour of midnight and it startles them both. They glance to the source of the noise and then back at each other, and the smile on Robin's face is so warm and loving Regina's heart leaps in response.
His voice is barely above a whisper when he tells her, "Merry Christmas."
And she laughs, can't help it or the grin that spreads over her face as she replies in kind.
He leans forward to capture her lips with his once more, drawing her into another long and lingering kiss. Robin doesn't answer her question. Truthfully, he doesn't have an answer for her. Hasn't a clue what they are doing. All he knows is that he's discovered a new side to her tonight, one he wants to learn more of.
When their mouths part he finally responds with, "Let's not worry about it tonight, alright? We'll figure it out later." Robin glances down to Roland lying between them and smiles before looking back at her. "Thank you for making tonight so special for him. It meant the world to Roland. And to me."
Regina smiles, admits, "It was fun. I've never done anything like this. And he seemed to have a good night, despite the lack of Christmas."
"He did." Robin assures, that stupid grin still plastered on his face. And if she didn't find it so attractive, those damn dimples creasing his cheeks and making her heart flutter, she would mock him for it. "Plus, we managed to make plenty of Christmas. I don't think he ended up feeling like there was anything lacking. Which is rather impressive, if I do say so, Ms. Mills. I knew you were creative, but never to this degree." She laughs and shakes her head at him, absurdly pleased at his praise nonetheless.
Eventually they move Roland to the chair in the corner of Robin's office, letting him curl up there with Robin's jacket laid over him. He looks so precious in sleep. With his long eyelashes and gently rounded cheeks that reveal he's really still just a baby. Totally innocent. Regina wants to scoop him up and cuddle him to her.
Instead, she and Robin move back to the floor, doing their best to get as comfortable as they can. And they really should invest in some couches for the offices. Perhaps she'll bring it up with Gold in the new year. They're situated much closer than before, hips brushing and Regina's knee knocking into Robin's when she brings it up to tuck her feet beneath her. She's slipped out of her heels again and Robin's rolled up the sleeves of his sweater.
It's all very cozy, intimate. Feels like they should be snuggled up together in front of a fire with glasses of wine rather than here, trapped in their office building on Christmas.
Her hand is cradled in Robin's as he plays with her fingers, thumb stroking along the side of her hand as he smiles at her. It feels right, being here with him like this, seeing that warm glow in his eyes when he looks at her and Regina marvels at how they've eased into this. And a part of her worries that all of this that she's feeling, that they seem to be feeling is just a result of this forced intimacy. That come tomorrow they'll go back to arguing and hating each other.
No more gentle caresses or sweet kisses. No more butterflies in her stomach. With a jolt, Regina realizes that's not at all what she wants. She doesn't look at him the same way she had previously. Somehow, during the course of this bizarre and wonderful night she's started to fall for this man.
Robin, perceptive as he is, seems to sense the dark turn her thoughts have taken and leans forward, presses his forehead against hers and murmurs, "You're so beautiful." before capturing her lips in his. The kiss is just as wonderful as the other ones they've shared this evening, different, but it still has her melting against him, all of those doubts easing away.
When he pulls back Robin smiles at her, lifts her hand to his mouth and touches his lips to her knuckles before asking out of curiosity, "What would you be doing if we weren't trapped here?"
Regina tenses at the question, starts to pull away from him slightly but Robin halts her progress, tightening his grip on her hand and pulling it back to rest firmly in his lap between each of his.
"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to upset you."
She shakes her head, assures him, "No, it's alright." and settles back against the wall again. Regina is quiet for a few more moments as she contemplates how to respond. It's not something she usually talks about, but the holidays are a hard time of year for her. And she has a habit of throwing herself into her work as a distraction, hence the late night on Christmas Eve that had landed her in this position.
But Robin has shared his son with her tonight, opened himself up just a tiny bit to let her in, and it only feels right that she do the same for him.
With a deep inhale she admits, "Truthfully, I didn't have any plans. Would just have been at home alone. Probably would have spent the evening reading or perhaps turned on one of the endless and cheesy romantic Christmas movies they play non-stop. That's why I was in the office to begin with." Regina drops her gaze, focuses on her hand in his, the way their fingers are laced together, the calming effect the image has on her as she admits, "Christmas isn't really a great time of year for me."
Robin strokes his thumb along the side of her palm and asks quietly, "Why is that?"
Her heart grips painfully in her chest but Regina pushes through it, swallows the sudden lump that has formed in her throat as she fights the urge to cry. "My father died the beginning of December, three years ago. This period of the season always brings up those memories."
"Oh, Regina, I'm so sorry."
She shakes her head slightly, fighting back the tears that well up at the painful remembrance. "We were very close. And Daddy always went out of his way to make the holidays special and magical. When he was gone they lost some of that shine. I always miss him the most during the holidays."
Robin lifts a hand to push a lock of dark hair behind her ear. There's no pity in the look on his face, which she is grateful for. Regina hates talking about this. But for some reason she feels comfortable sharing this painful part of herself with him, almost safe.
He's almost hesitant to ask but curiosity wins out, "What about your mother?"
Letting out a sigh Regina shakes her head. "Mother and I have a very… difficult relationship. And she despises Christmas. Usually she ends up jetting off to some foreign country with her husband and all I get is a phone call on Christmas evening." Robin's hand is warm in hers, his shoulder brushing against her own and she is oh so tempted to let her head drop to rest against it.
She's not used to having someone to talk with. Someone who listens without judgement over her life and her relationships, unlike her mother. With a sigh she continues, "It's probably for the best. We would only fight if she were here. This way I don't have any of those uncomfortable family dinners to worry about. This evening was a surprisingly pleasant one with all the spirit of the holidays." Regina turns her head to meet Robin's gaze. "So thank you for giving me that. You and Roland helped make tonight a little less painful for me."
Robin is in awe of her. Hearing her story only makes what she's done for his son tonight all the more incredible. He can't help kissing her again, letting his fingers thread through her dark strands, drawing her body closer to his. They stay like that for several minutes. Making out in the dark, tasting each other, quiet moans echoing through the room. Regina lets her thigh slide over Robin's, his hand landing on her knee and rubbing circles with his thumb over it.
With a groan she pulls back, sucking in air and grinning like a fool, and Robin whispers, "You're incredible, Regina. And Roland and myself are thrilled to have brought a bit of happiness to you tonight."
Letting out a quiet chuckle, Regina shakes her head at him and Robin's heart flutters, beating rapidly at the beautiful smile that graces her lips. Her head drops to his shoulder, his own tilting to the side to rest against the top of hers. They stay like that for awhile, listening to each other's quiet breathing, Roland's soft snoring, until they both eventually drift off to sleep. Content in the fact that their stranded-in-their-office Christmas Eve has turned out surprisingly well and opened their hearts more than either of them could have ever anticipated.
—
Come morning, they wake in the same position, though Regina has managed to cuddle closer to Robin's warmth during the night, tucked tightly against his side. He takes a few minutes to admire her in sleep. The way her lashes are dark and thick against her skin and the graceful line of her nose, round lips Robin would love to spend hours and hours exploring the feel and taste of.
He doesn't want this to end. Their little bubble has been surprisingly enjoyable, but the snow has finally stopped, and with a quick check on his phone he learns the road crews have managed to plow through the banks of snow left behind. Enough that they're free to leave. And they really should be getting home. He and Roland are hosting tonight after all, and Robin has no doubt his merry band of men will be over early to spend the holiday with them. It's tradition after all
Roland will have to open his presents from Santa, thank God John lives within walking distance from them and had stepped in to make sure the boy's hopes of presents under the tree when they get home are not dashed.
So with another long look at the woman resting against him, Robin bends his head down to buss his lips against hers lightly, murmuring a quiet, "Regina." when she stirs, scrunching her nose up in a way that's positively adorable, and her eyelids blink open.
She lets out a sigh, smiling at him and lifting her head, stretching out the kinks their position during the last few hours has created. "Morning."
"Good morning," he grins at her. "Sleep well?"
Chuckling, Regina nods. "And yourself?"
"Best sleep I've had in a long time." Robin replies cheekily, priding himself on the laugh and grin it pulls out of her.
"Right. I doubt that." Regina glances around the office, out the window to the bright morning light reflecting on the mounds of white, but there are no more flakes falling from the sky. "Seems the snow has stopped. I wonder if the roads are clear."
"They are." He informs her. "That's why I woke you. We should probably be going," there's an unmistakable note of disappointment in his tone as he says it, "and I need to wake Roland."
Regina nods, her gaze falling to rest on the little boy still curled up in the chair across the room. He's managed to wiggle out of Robin's coat, leaving it half covering his body and half falling toward the floor, and he's drooling slightly. But it's honestly one of the most adorable sights she's ever seen and she grins at him. "Well we wouldn't want him to miss Christmas morning, now would we?"
Robin's laugh is music to her ears. "Oh no, certainly not."
The two of them untangle themselves, Robin pushing himself to his feet, his bones cracking and popping and Regina chortles at him. "Alright there, old man?"
He frowns down at her playfully, "Ha ha, very funny." Still, he reaches out a hand, offering it to her as she gratefully takes it and the assist, standing to her feet. Her own muscles ache a bit, and perhaps spending the night on the floor hadn't been their brightest of ideas. Robin notices the wince on her face but merely smirks at her knowingly, and walks over to gently shake Roland awake while Regina slips back into her shoes.
Thankfully it's a rather painless process and the boy wakes with all the holiday spirit and excitement that is expected of a child on Christmas morning. It's precious, and Regina watches Robin bundle Roland back up in his coat, wrapping the green scarf around his neck and the tiny grey knit hat over those adorable curls, listening to him and his son discuss the likelihood that Santa has come and will there be presents at home and can he have hot chocolate with breakfast 'cause it's Christmas!
Regretfully, Regina heads back to her own office and retrieves her red pea coat and belongings, meeting the two of them back at the entrance to the building where she finds them waiting for her.
"You two all set?" She asks them, bright smile in place despite the fact she is dreading parting from them. And when had that happened? Within less than twenty-four hours they've managed to worm their way into her heart.
The pair nod in unison and then Robin is prompting, "What do you say to Regina, Roland?"
The boy grins, those dimples puckering in his cheeks as he rushes over to her, wrapping his tiny arms around her knees and looking up at her, exclaiming, "Thank you for making Christmas, R'gina!"
She chuckles, kneels down to Roland's level and graces him with a bright smile, her hand reaching out to tickle his belly. The ringing of his laughter warms Regina's heart as she tells him, "You are very welcome. Thank you for spending it with me."
Standing, Regina toys with the fringe on the edge of her scarf, twirling it around her finger nervously as she glances back and forth between Robin and his son. "Well, you two better be off. I wouldn't want to keep you from those presents any longer."
She's right. Robin isn't sure Roland can handle the anticipation for even the car ride home at this point, and they've been cooped up here long enough. The three of them step out of the building into the cold, December air, a gust of wind chilling them and then Robin stops just outside the door and turns to look at her with an expression that's a mixture between hope and nervousness.
"Why don't you spend Christmas with us?" He asks her just as they are about to part ways. Because he has to ask. The thought of her going home and spending this day alone too unbearable for him to think of. And he wants her with them. Wants to see her with Roland some more and that light in her eyes when she laughs and perhaps even to sneak a few more kisses under the mistletoe at home.
Regina's mouth gapes open, "Oh, I don't know—"
"Oh yes, R'gina! Please. You can see our Christmas decorations at home and the big tree! And my train! And if Santa brought me presents! And you can meet Tuck and John. He's always loud at Christmas and silly." He's nearly bubbling with excitement, Roland's little body practically vibrating and it's so adorable. Regina's eyes lift to Robin's deep blue, not sure what to make of the warm look in them. She thinks of their kisses the night before, the words that had gone with them, and suddenly she doesn't want to be alone on Christmas. Wants to share in the excitement of this adorable child and explore the foreign feeling his father gives her. Warm and full, like whiskey in her belly.
So Regina finds herself nodding, agreeing, "Alright. I would love to spend Christmas with you."
Roland's shout of joy has a grin spreading widely across her face as he races ahead through the mounds of snow on the sidewalk, jumping in until he's knee deep in some of them. The light in Robin's eye as he takes a few steps closer to her and pushes a stray lock of hair from her face has Regina's heart fluttering.
"Merry Christmas, Regina."
That elusive but satisfying smile erupts on her face and she replies, "Merry Christmas, Robin."
As they turn to follow after Roland, Robin's hand brushes against Regina's, lacing their fingers together as they stroll down the path, and her heart swells.
This just might turn out to be the best Christmas she's ever had.