A/N: First Once Upon A Time fic, hope you all enjoy :)
To Hide a Heart
"Well, surely there must be something you can do?" Robin pushes, fidgeting on the log.
"Hmm," Regina snorts with a small laugh. "It's a witch fight, the strongest one prevails. It's that simple." She falls silent than, lips pursed as she scans the green scenery around them.
"What?" Robin questions hopefully at her inquisitive look.
"The only real question is, where to hide my heart," she throws out in response, standing from the log and stepping over, moving deeper into the woods.
"What?!" Robin calls in shock, eyebrows pulled together in confusion. Scrambling to get off the log he follows after her, moving easily on the uneven ground.
"Well I certainly can't bring it with me," Regina calls back scanning the land. "She'd take it."
"Right," Robin responds with a cringe, shaking his head. "So the forest than?"
"It's the last place she'd suspect," Regina continues stepping over rocks and fallen branches, her eyes lighting up when they land on the remains of a tree a few yards away. "Perfect."
"It will be a good marker," Robin agrees, lightly trailing after her.
Standing next to the large broken stump, Regina nods in agreement after checking it over up close. Robin comes to a stop several feet behind her visibly cringing when she suddenly drives her own hand into her chest, watching in slight horror as she rips her heart from her body. Regina remains unphased, squatting at the base of the large tree, digging a small hole at the roots. Placing the blackened heart in the ground she covers it thoroughly with dirt before placing a rock over it, using the tree for support.
"That should do it," Regina stands, wiping the dirt off her hands. "What?" she questions with a bite when Robin sighs and shifts uneasily.
"It's just—it seems…vulnerable." He supplies, looking unsatisfied.
"Ha," Regina laughs picking at the last of the dirt. "And what would you have me do, have someone stand watch?"
"Excellent idea!" Robin responds, his face lighting up as he moves around the tree, bringing the smell of the forest with him.
"You can't be serious?"
"Well it's better than just leaving it in a hole." Robin retorts, taking up his position. "Now go," he pushes, cutting off her reply as his eyes travel to the sky. "You're going to be late." Regina stares him down for a moment, left to concede when he holds firm and with no other choice she simply nods in response. Robin grins in return with victory, speaking just as she turns away, "And show that imp he was wrong."
With her back turned, he fails to catch the small smile his words ignite. Hands now buried in her pockets, she trusts her heart with a thief as she walks away.