It was a chilly Tuesday evening. In fact they were just celebrating Henry's Birthday at Granny's and therefore everyone was gathered to be there.
Just a moment ago Regina had snuck out of the restaurant. She seemed a bit lost in thought this evening so David decided to go after her.
„Are you alright?", he asked after he had quietly followed her outside placing a hand on her shoulder.
They've had a bit to drink so far, but not too much, „I just need some fresh air", she said. And it was the truth.
She needed something to clear her mind. And his hand on her body was not helping with that so she turned around facing him knowing that he would take his hand away then.
Which he did just to place his fingers under her chin to make her look at him, „that's not really an answer to what I asked you, Gina", he said.
„I'm fine", she told him, „it's just that sometimes. Sometimes", she was struggleing to find the words, „do you remember that day when we put you under a sleeping curse?"
David nodded, his gaze still holding hers and his fingers not leaving her chin.
And then and there she caught all his understanding in his look.
Understanding for all the things that the others clearly didn't understand.
Neither him nor her wanted to be royal. They were both forced to reign. They had wanted nothing more than to be with their animals on the fields or at the stables. They both wanted to be free. Free.
In a way they both ended up being caged in a life they had never asked for nor dreamt of.
„When it was just Henry, you and me", she eventually said, „it was nice. It was-" and he cut her off there, „like you always dreamt it should be."
She nodded smiling at him, „I've always wanted the simple kind of life. A small family", she said and added, „ok, maybe a horse or two as well."
It made him laugh for a moment before he told her more seriously, „me too. Me too."
„I know."
He was just holding her in his arms then. There was nothing else to do or say.
Life had happened. Taking away their hopes and dreams trapping them in little corners of their minds. Corners that no one else would ever know about. Dreams they only talked about on these ah so very rare occassions.
Because life had happened. Was still happening and would continue to happen to them.