She had run.
Run like she had years ago but it hadn't been because she was afraid of being happy. She didn't have enough time to think that deeply. She more ran out of panic. Panic that the man with the lion tattoo still existed. That he was right in front of her and that he had been the first man since she was in her teens to actually unsettle her.
The first man since she had became the "Evil Queen" that didn't seem afraid of her but actually saw her… something more than just an evil queen.
Some part of her had convinced herself that when she ran away from the man with the lion tattoo the first time in that tavern that he hadn't survived the curse. That their moment had passed, that their paths would never cross.
So much for that theory.
She watched silently as he played with a small boy in the clearing. Her heart tugged a bit. Perhaps she hadn't ruined his life as Tink had suggested.
She allowed her boot to snap a twig and eyes immediately darted to her. In a gesture of good faith she held up her empty gloved hands as weapons began to be drawn against her. A part of her reminded her quickly that she could disarm them with one flick of a finger but… she was here for answers and destroying his men probably wouldn't get the answers she sought.
"Regina?" His voice seemed to carry through the clearing and she gulped a bit as she watched him place the small boy on the ground and walk with purpose towards her. "Weapons down men," he ordered smoothly and her hands dropped back to her side. He made it to her quickly and she had the guts at least to meet his gaze square on.
"Are you all right? I was afraid I had gravely offended you…"
His voice had gone a bit quieter even though they were out of ear shot of his men.
"No, you had not," she responded politely and he let out a breath studying her posture. She was more withdrawn then before yet she looked softer somehow. Almost as if something had shaken her to her core.
"Robin?" A voice called over his shoulder and Robin pressed his lips together, glancing that way to see many sets of curious and suspicious eyes staring at them.
"She is no foe to us," he called back confidently and Regina felt that statement hit her square in the chest. It was rare that people stood up for her. More so for someone to call her an ally. "Forgive my men, they are a bit protective," he apologized, his lips breaking into that signature grin of his and she shifted on her boots a bit. "Though I guess I couldn't ask for a better lot of Merry Men," he mused glancing back at them once more and Regina followed his gaze.
"I didn't realize they started so small," she mused and Robin's gaze immediately fell to the small four-year-old playing chase with one of his men.
"Yes, normally they do not," he responded turning back to her. "He is my son Roland," he informed with a proud breath and she felt the corners of her lips curl up understanding his tone perfectly.
"He is beautiful," she whispered and he took a step closer to her. His proximity suddenly awoke her to why she had traveled here in the first place.
"Thank you," he breathed, his pale gray eyes studying her studiously. "He has a lot of his mother in him," he grinned and she held her breath a moment. "She died when he was a few months old," his voice cracked a bit and she prevented herself from touching his arm in a form of comfort.
She wasn't the comforting type and starting now certainly seemed moot.
"I'm sorry for your loss," Regina stated with a small bow of her head and his gaze fell back to her.
"Are you ready to tell me why you ran from me earlier?" He questioned suddenly and she was immediately caught off guard. Why did he keep doing that?
"Um, well I guess this is sort of about that," she began and he motioned with his head for them to walk further away from the camp. For a few minutes the only sound was their boots crunching through the forest until finally she felt his eyes on her. "I have a few questions about your tattoo," she suddenly began and he stilled, his eyes showing confusion at the strange topic.
"My tattoo?" He offered pulling up his sleeve to expose the right wrist where a shield with a lion laid.
Seeing it again made her heart jump. She prevented herself from touching it but her fingers itched to and that bothered her.
"Is it common where you are from?" She questioned casually, her deep brown eyes rising to meet his. She watched the question seem to dance across his face as he tried to contemplate where this line of questioning was going. On why on earth this tattoo would be even meriting a conversation.
"No. It actually has quite a story to it," he mused looking down at it and she stuffed her hands into her coat pockets, her head tilting to the side expectantly waiting for him to continue. Upon noticing her expression his brow furrowed deeper into curiosity. "Well, it is my family crest. Afraid I was the last of a long line of Locksley's," he mused, staring at the reminder with a bit of fondness. "This is the only image left of my family's history and legacy," he confessed, a bit saddened by that.
"Are you the only one who would have something like this?" She questioned and his eyebrow rose at that one. She was hiding it well but he could tell she was very interested in this piece of ink on his arm. He closed the distance between them, a bit impressed she didn't take a step back at his intrusion into her personal space.
"I can't imagine why anyone else would have it," he mused and he watched as she sucked in a deep breath. "My tattoo made you run?" He questioned and she reached up a bit nervously tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. "It isn't magical is it?" He asked and she grinned a bit with a shake of her head. His lips curled up. She was so beautiful.
"No, it is not magical. At least not that I can tell," she replied steadily and he nodded once taking another step towards her.
"Well, if it causes you to run away from me I'd say it definitely doesn't have the magical effect I'd want it to have," his voice dipped a bit and she felt her pulse beating in her ear.
Seriously? Did the man have no respect for personal boundaries? She was suddenly having a hard time breathing and nearly stopped all together when his fingers gently touched her cheek. She froze as his thumb caressed her pale skin.
"You must have not heard many stories of me as the Evil Queen," she mused dryly and he grinned a bit at her, pulling her head closer towards his own.
"Should I be afraid of you Regina?" He questioned and she gulped. Of course he should be afraid of her. Shouldn't he?
She opened her mouth to respond but his lips captured her own. She was too stunned to move for a second as his lips clasped onto her lower until he pulled her the final step into his arms and his lips captured hers fully.
It felt perfect. Like she had kissed him for years but was still their first kiss. Behind it there was a spark, a shock that seemed to travel through her whole system.
It was slow, not demanding but exploratory as if each taste required more from them. Finally she pulled away and took a step back, his eyes opening immediately to take her in.
She looked stunned, her lipstick was a bit worn and her lips a bit swollen from the contact.
"Excuse me," she muttered and turned on her heel heading back towards the way she had originally come.
"Regina," he called calmly as he quickly followed. He fell easily in line beside her and she avoided his gaze completely. "Are you headed out once more to find her?"
"This is my town, I am here to protect it," she spat quietly and he grabbed her arm stilling her, turning her frame towards him.
"Well, we are partners, I shall accompany you," he said jovially and she narrowed her eyes astounded at him. This man was impossible. Slowly she moved his fingers off of her arm.
"I did not ask for a partner or a kiss. I may not be as evil in this realm but perhaps you should still respect who I am and keep an appropriate distance. We are strangers after all," she chastised and Robin sucked in a deep breath, his gaze taking in her perfect features before him.
"Are we?" He questioned and she moved to retreat once more. She didn't have time for this. She was foolish to come here in the first place. She had a witch to hunt and she was wasting time on a fairy's happy ending for her.
Villians didn't get happy endings.
Her step faltered at that as a pain slammed into her heart. She felt his hand grab her elbow to steady her and she didn't have the energy to yank away.
She had given up on her happy ending of love when Daniel had died. Her only happy ending now was Henry… her son who didn't remember her. Pain flittered across her features and she suddenly felt herself enveloped in a warm set of strong arms.
"Please don't…" she tried quickly but his grip around her tightened as he gently led her head to rest upon his shoulder.
"I cannot stop myself," he breathed into her hair. "I somehow have the feeling you were something huge to me in that lost year," he whispered and she closed her eyes tightly not wanting to think of that. It was preposterous. "And if that is true then it makes me want to kill this witch more from taking you from me," his voice had a bit of an edge as his arms brought warmth to her entire frame.
With a sudden burst of strength she pulled herself from his embrace.
"I am no one's," Regina said strongly avoiding his concerned gaze. She turned from him and quickly continued her path out. "I've never been anyone's," she hissed, her hand wiping a traitorous tear from her cheek.
"See you soon then Regina!" Robin Hood called, his lips curling up a bit and she immediately stopped. She spun, her shocked gaze meeting his amused one.
"What? No. You won't see me soon. We aren't friends. Certainly not ever more," she spat taking a few steps back towards him. He quickly closed the distance, a grin on his handsome features.
"Maybe not now," he replied easily and she threw her hands up in the air with exasperation. She turned from him again and didn't look back.
"Insufferable, insolent man…" she muttered to herself, her brow furrowed with confusion at his words. He must have some head trauma… her mind quickly tried to formulate reasons for his behavior, keeping her busy so she wouldn't feel the tingles that still lingered on her lips from his kiss. The butterflies that still fluttered in her stomach from his breath wafting through her hair. The warmth that had filled her in his arms…
The man was definitely out of his mind.