PROMPT: Whether Regina has magic or not, it won't stop Robin from trying to protect her.

It had been going on for a while, this, whatever this was, this need that he apparently had. It earned him a broken hand at the pub months back when he walked in to find her cornered by some drunk leaning in way to far. He could see the discomfort in her eyes through the mask she wore and that was it for him. She wasn't thrilled to be sitting in the hospital later but smiled gently at him as they waited, leaving a chaste thank you kiss on his lips. She thought it would be a one time thing, but it wasn't.

If anything his new need to protect her from everything flourished. The smallest nasty word thrown at her, he would step in, quickly firing back a harsh retort before she could say anything, his fingers lacing into hers before he would pull her away. To the time the pushed her out of the way in the middle of the street, letting the car hit him instead of her. She thought she lost him that time, the crunch of his body slamming into the vehicle, the broken ribs and blood that spilled from him. She screamed in a panic, flying over to him and letting her magic flow instantly to heal before he was gone. He spent near a week lying in bed recuperating, grimacing and groaning through the lingering aches she couldn't take away. She scoffed at him one of the nights, shaking her head in annoyance that he didn't just let her stop the car, she was certain she would have seen it in time. He had simply shrugged back, replying that he couldn't take that chance. She exhaled heavy, he was just as stubborn as she was, more so even sometimes, especially when it came to her and her happiness, but she wasn't happy with him lying bruised and battered.

It got worse when a knight of the round table decided to avenge his fallen brother who had attacked her back in Camelot. With a sword pulled in a second at her, pointed straight at her throat, a deathly glare in his eyes. She could have stopped the knight with a flick of her wrist after her moment of shock faded, it would have been easy and painless, if Robin hadn't gotten in her way.

Instead she stood there half helpless as her soulmate clashed swords with the attacker, exchanging heavy blows. She was finally able to render the knight incapacitated after he received a thick cut to the thigh from Robin. She froze him in his spot, letting the Charmings pull him away as she ran to her soulmate. Robin bled heavy from his shoulder, a deep gash ripped in his taut arm. Memories of Camelot flooded her as the blood poured out, to another time he had jumped in the way and nearly died when she couldn't save him with her magic.

Thankful she could at least heal him this time, the scar still remained, a reminder of how once again he had put her safety first, without regard for his own life. That night when they were lying in bed as she careful rubbing light circles into his chest she wanted to bring it up. Loving that he was trying to protect her but it really was only getting him hurt and that was something she was not okay with. She was fine if she was the one taking the blows, being on the receiving end of the damage, it had been like that her whole life, a path that she walked alone for years. The fact that he was fierce in her protection was something new, something unexpected and it left her with a warm sensation in her stomach, a comforting thought that he wanted to help her, whether she needed it or not. So she let it go once again, deciding that she'd rather sleep curled next to him. Even as his shoulder ached he still hugged her into him, pressing a kiss to her forehead leaving her dozing off with a whisper that he was so thankful she was alright.

But here she was once again, with a cold cloth pressed against his forehead, her stomach in knots over his labored breathing, rattling with each inhale. This time was different though and she admittedly was terrified for him. Bow and arrow drawn, he'd stepped in front of her once again as Dark Ones surrounded them, absorbing a black jet of magic that was directed at her. He fell to the ground, clutching his chest, writhing in pain. She fell beside him, not giving a second thought to the fact both she and her soulmate had just been branded to the Underworld, instead focusing on the dimming beat of his heart, grey ashy tone of his skin, clammy nature of his usually warm skin.

She held back tears as purple smoke engulfed them, transporting the pair back to the safety of the mansion and into her bed. Black lines emanated from his light skin, the dark magic etching it's way through his body. She laid there for hours pulling it from him, inch by inch. Sweat pooling on her brow as her hands glowed over him, the deadly magic smoking out in thick grey smoke. It took her to the point of exhaustion to bring him back, swallowing an absorbent amount of dark magic into her own body before she heard his breathing once again, labored as it was, it was still there.

The night passed as she laid beside him, her hands never leaving his chest, ensuring that his heart still beat. She dared not close her eyes, fearing that she would wake up and he would be gone. Dark magic was not kind to those who were unfamiliar to it's power, it could devastate a person within seconds. She curled into his body, listening to him breathe, her head rising and falling with each as she rested on his chest, her ear pressed to him, letting the thumping of his heart ease her panic.

"Regina, rest my love" his voice cracked through the silence of the room.

Her arms wrapped around his torso, her face settling into the junction of his neck, inhaling his forest scent. Robin's hugged her in tighter, palms rubbing her back over the smooth silk blouse.

"I can't" she whispered back, tears threatening against her lashes once more.

She felt him shuffling, his hands pulling her up as he moved down till they were nose to nose. She couldn't look at him without having the emotional dam explode so her eyes remained shut. His fingers traced along her cheekbone and threaded through her hair.

"Regina, I'm alright" he kissed her through his words, leaving a trail from her forehead to her eyelids, across her cheeks and landing on her lips.

She was angry, beautifully angry with him, this foolish amazing man. A traitorous tear slipped from her eyes, only to be quickly kissed away by the fool she loved with her entire being.

"Hey no need for tears, I'm here, we are okay" His lips whispered against hers as he tugged her into him closer, melding his body with hers.

Her heart clenched at his words, tears falling freely through her inability to stop them, his forest smell invading her, a scent she just about lost, her marker of home, safety net, it had just about been taken from her.

"You need to stop doing that" she finally broke out.

Confusion hit him as his brow furrowed "Doing what My Love?"

She sighed heavy against him, fingers lightly dragging across the smooth skin of his chest, scratching the stubble under his chin before moving up to card through his hair. "Stop trying to save me"

He pulled back from her and tilted her chin up to meet his eyes, his heart burned when he saw the tears that pooled in her chocolate gaze. Shaking his head lightly, he cupped the back of her neck, keeping her locked into his eyes. "Never Regina"

"Robin…." Her tone thick through her exhale "You nearly died, and it's not the first time….you're being reckless"

"Reckless? How is protecting you being reckless?" He questioned back in hurtful shock.

Another tear fell as her gaze fell from his, instead falling onto the black inking on his forearm. She squeezed the tattoo, tracing it's pattern with a finger. For years she wondered about the man with the lion tattoo, who he was, where he was, if he was happy…and now that she had him, the idea of losing him was unbearable.

"Protecting me is reckless in itself, I'm not worth it Robin"

It felt like the wind had been knocked out of him, a painful punch to the heart. He knew that she didn't hold her self-preservation high on her priority list, but it was at the very top of his. She was everything to him.

"Now you're being the one being reckless Regina." He stated bluntly.

Her eyes flickered up to him in uncertainty, eyebrows cinching together at his words.

"How am I being reckless?"

"With my heart" he whispered, blue eyes scanning her own confused look "You not thinking you are worth saving, is the same thing as tearing my heart out, reckless."

The small smile that parted across his face was enough to melt her, set her heart on fire for him. He leaned in, capturing her lips in a soft kiss, hoping she'd feel how much he loved her, how much he needed her. He lets her lips go with a soft pop, soaking in the light mint and raspberry flavor of her.

She sighed into him, resting her forehead against his, "Robin, I can protect myself, I don't need you to be jeopardizing your life when I have magic as my defense"

His hands ran up her back gently "Regina, I know you can take care of yourself. You've been doing it your entire life. But the difference is you no longer have to be alone, nor will you ever be"

She huffed out a small breath "I will be if you die trying to save me".

He tilted her face back up, once again locking eyes with her.

"It would be worth it, you are worth it"

"No I'm-" her rebuttal was cut off by his lips pressing hard against hers. A small moan escaped from the back of her throat as he pulled back from her, leaving their lips brushing against each other. His hand cradled the back of her head, thumb sweeping against her silk skin.

"You are worth it Regina, whether you think it or not. I refuse to not at least try and protect you and there isn't anything you can do to stop it from happening"

Her heart glowed, warmth spreading through her as she listened to him. Never had anyone wanted to save her, try to protect her, made her feel a tenth of what Robin was making her feel. Through her irritation and mainly her fear of losing him, she loved that he loved her like this. So fully it was near suffocating in the most beautiful way possible. She may not be able to stop him, and she knew deep down if he died it would shatter her completely, but maybe together they could protect each other.

"I could turn you into a toad" She smiled lightly as she bit down on her lower lip.

Robin laughed and caught her lips once again, feeling her body press back without hesitation this time. Though he knew he had a lot of close calls this past year, and maybe she could take care of herself, but he would be damned if she felt like alone in it.

Magic or not, he would walk through hell and back for her, and she knew it.