Hello! This is my very first try at doing a series of one-shots. They will all be centered on Outlaw Queen so feel free to send me prompts!

I hope you enjoy, this is completely un-beta'd so all mistakes are mine.

Disclaimer: I don't own anything, that privilege belongs to A&E! ;)

Force of Habit

He quietly slipped into the corridor, being careful not to disturb anyone who may be asleep behind the thick stone walls. It's become a force of habit to come here on nights when his mind is unable to shut off, filled with uneasiness about their current situation. He used to frequently have nightmares about his son, his sweet innocent Roland being taken away by the green witch and her wretched beasts. Lately however, his mind had become occupied with something or rather someone else – the Queen, Regina. From the moment he laid eyes on her he knew there was more to her than just the Evil Queen persona she put on. When he helped her break into her castle he had learned of her son that had become lost to her, stuck in another realm with no recollection of his mother. In that moment he understood her just a little bit more, he was a father, that was true but he was also no stranger to loss. It was then that he promised himself he would look after her and prove to her that she had a reason to live, that there were people who cared about her here – maybe even a little more than they'd care to admit.

That's why he was standing outside of her chambers with his bow in hand in the middle of the night. He needed to know that she was safe, not only for her well-being but to simply appease his mind. To know that she was safe would put him at rest and if that meant going to her chambers when he couldn't sleep to listen for her breath then so be it. He rested his back against the wall next to her door, sighing in relief. Roland had insisted on playing "fly fly bridie" the previous afternoon, which consisted of him holding his boy over his head and making him fly. One round had turned into 2 which inevitably had turned into 6 and now his back was paying for it. He let his eyes close, just for a second he told himself but then he slid down the wall. Sleep finally washing over him…

"Thief? Wake up you outlaw. Come on, Robin up!" He could hear someone calling him, still in his dreamland until something poked him in the leg jolting him awake. He was still disoriented from his dream until a familiar a figure came into view and he found himself looking into a pair of familiar rich chocolate brown eyes.

Shit.

He had fallen asleep outside of her chambers last night. That was just lovely. Oh what she must think of him now! This was not going to be pretty. He yawned and stretched, getting himself together. "My apologies, your majesty." He murmured, still rubbing sleep out of his eyes as he quickly rose to his feet.

"What the hell do you think you are doing! " She snapped, before noticing a certain weapon on the floor. "Is that your bow?"

"I…yes m'lady." He fumbled, not knowing what to say. She would not take the truth well, that he knows. So he recomposes himself before replying, "I'm sorry. I couldn't sleep last night and my boy he's grown very fond you. If anything were to happen to… I wouldn't be able to live with myself." It was low, using his son as a cop out but he knew how she cared for his boy, for his boy liked her just as much.

She raised an eyebrow at him, "Really, you couldn't sleep and your response was to guard my chambers?"

"For Roland," He clarified, "He's grown quite attached to you, you know."

"Oh, I know." She smirked; her eyes darting to the floor then back up at him. "But what does that have to with your inept ability to sleep?"

"I suppose it clears my mind, being on watch. You need to be alert to keep the mind sharp." He replies, picking his bow off the ground as he continues to speak, "Although it seems I found the floor outside your chambers quite comfortable. Since I did you know, fall asleep."

"I suppose you did. Just don't you dare make a habit out of this – I don't need protection, especially from you, you insufferable thief." She snapped.

He'd been expecting that, she was too strong and stubborn to accept help from anyone but it wasn't going to keep him from trying. For he never breaks his promises, even ones he made to himself. So he bows his head, "As you wish, m'lady, but should you ever find yourself in need of a partner…you know where to find me." He pauses, admiring her beauty for a moment before heading on his way.

Her face doesn't falter, her lips remain in a scowl and he doesn't expect anything less. After all she's perfected wearing the mask of an evil queen, the one she still thinks he can't see through. But alas it's slipping; he knows this for her lips may be in a scowl but the look in her eyes is entirely gratitude. His heart warms at the thought and so he gives her a smile before continuing on his way, chuckling when she calls out after him:

"It's your majesty!"

But as he walks away the Queen's mouth slightly curves into a tender smile, if only for a moment, before it's replaced once again with her usual scowl. For she had been on her way to the dining hall before her morning had been rudely interrupted by a certain sleeping thief.