It's late when Alice and Robin begin their walk back through the Enchanted Forest. A dense fog had crept in after Alice released the troll and it was only getting worse. It had been a very long day and they both were tired, but that didn't stop their conversation. Robin couldn't believe all of the places Alice had been. In fact, it seemed she had been almost everywhere but Storybrooke. Alice kept apologizing for telling all of her stories and not giving Robin a chance to say hers, but she didn't care. It was a breath of fresh air to hear about lands outside of her small town of Storybrooke, USA.
They finally came to a tiny cabin that sat on the edge of a small opening in the woods. It wasn't much to look at. Robin had almost thought it was abandoned until Alice spoke up.
"Well this is home." They came to stop outside, just short of the stairs leading to the porch.
"This is where you live?" Robin asked curiously.
Alice smiled shyly and replied "Yeah. It's not much but with traveling everywhere I never really stayed long enough to care. It never quite felt like home anyway."
Robin could see by Alice's expression that she never really felt happy here, longing for a house and not just a home. Alice quickly put on a small smile and her optimism came through as she continued, "But it's got a bed and fireplace and I can leave any time I want." She ended with a proud smirk.
Robin couldn't help but smile back. She didn't want to leave her new friend. This is the first time in a very long time that she has felt like she did something good. Alice expected nothing of her. She didn't care if Robin was "cool". She didn't care what clothes Robin wore or anything superficial. She could just be herself and that was enough.
"Ok well I better go. My mom is probably wondering where I am."
Alice looked concerned "You're walking home now? But it's so dark out."
The archer smiled at the care in her new friend's voice. "I'll be ok. I actually don't live too far away." This seemed to calm the blonde adventurer so she nodded her head in affirmation.
Robin began walking backwards and with a sly grin she said her goodbyes.
"See ya around tower girl."
"Yeah. See you Nobin", replied Alice, matching her grin.
Alice watches the hooded figure walk off into the foggy darkness of the night. When she disappears into the tree line, Alice turns to head indoors. Once she gets inside her cabin she closes the door and leans back against it with a smile permanently imprinted on her face. She can't remember the last time she didn't feel alone, but tonight...tonight she wasn't. Tonight, on her birthday, she was with Robin. She looks around at her bare surroundings. It won't be like this for long. This is where she wants to make her home. She heads to bed with hopes of seeing her Nobin again soon.
Robin walks up to the small abode she shares with her mother in the forest. She sees a small light illuminating from a tiny window in the front. Taking a deep breath, she prepares for the onslaught of questions from Zelena. She slowly opens the front door. Walking in, she sees a lone candle lit on the wooden table she helped make when her and her mother left Storybrooke for a simpler life. Looking around she doesn't see Zelena. With a small smile, thinking she got away with breaking curfew, she silently closes the door. As soon as the door shuts she's startled.
"Little late isn't it Robin?"
Robin immediately turns around to see Zelena standing with her arms crossed, deep green eyes glaring at her from across the room. Robin grabs her chest and tries to calm her now racing heart as she rests with her back against the door. "Geez mom! You scared the crap out of me."
"Serves you right. Where have you been? I've been up worried all night."
Robin takes her coat off and hangs it on a handmade rack by the front door. "I was helping a friend. Nook's kid, Alice."
Zelena calmed knowing Robin wasn't out getting into trouble to anything too dangerous. She didn't need to know Robin was hell bent on troll hunting.
"I still need to know you're ok."
"Yes, mother", replied Robin, understanding her mother's concern.
"How is she?"
"She's good. I'm tired though. I'm gonna head to bed." Robin gave her mom a quick kiss on the cheek and headed to her room. Zelena didn't miss the smirk Robin tried to hide. She felt a happiness come over. Her daughter deserved to find true love. Robin had been so focused on fulfilling her father's legacy she was worried her daughter would go her whole life avoiding love. Zelena blew out the candle and retired to her own bed for the night.
Robin lied awake just a little longer. There was something about Alice. An acceptance. An innocence. A fighting spirit for those who need it. She had to see her again. For tonight, though, she would get some sleep and hope to see those blue eyes in her dreams.