I'm in one of those everything-I-write-is-complete-and-utter-crap-and-I-should-just-stop-trying moods so I switched to a bit of OQ fluff in hopes it would loosen up the muse. Post Sisters

Robin stood when the familiar purple smoke began spiraling a few paces to his left. She's moving before the smoke has a chance to clear. "Emma told me what happened. Are you okay?" He hears her before he clearly sees her and before he can answer Regina has one arm around his neck and the other around the child cradled in is arm.

"We're both fine, love. David and Killian showed up just in time." He runs his free arm up and down her back, leans his head down until his cheek is pressed to hers. "We're fine," he assures her again when he feels her hand clutching at the back of his jacket.

She finally nods against him and lessens her grip, simply leaning against him and stroking the head of the sleeping baby in his arms. "I can't believe how much she changes in just a few days," she says gently swirling the curl poking out from her pink hat. "I don't think Henry was ever this small." The baby squirms under her fingers, small pink lips pursing and both parents know she was winding up for a proper wail.

"Right on schedule," Robin chuckles. "You could set your watch by the times that this girl wants to eat."

"May I?" she reaches for the baby and Robin places her in her arms without hesitation before going to fetch the bottle.

"You never have to ask, you know," he tells her as he settles in to her side, passing over the bottle just before the fit erupts from the infant she'd be pacifying with her fingertip. Regina lifts an eyebrow to him as she slips the nipple between eager lips. "To hold her," he clarifies, "to do anything with her. You don't have to ask."

"Thank you," she cranes her neck to peck at his lips. Regina knew he trusted her, he'd told and showed her time and time again and she thinks that she just might be ready to believe him. They sit in comfortable silence; the only sounds the crackle of the fire and the grunting and suckling of the baby in her arms. He has an arm draped over her shoulders, tracing lazy patters along her bicep. He watches her as she watches his daughter; falling more in love with each every moment that passes. "You seem to be fairing quite well out here on your own," she smiles at him, but there's a sadness in her eyes that breaks his heart.

"I am," he admits, if reluctantly. "I've lived in the forests the majority of my life; it's always been home to me." He squeezes her arm when he feels her tense subtly against him, drops a kiss to the top of her head as she removes the now empty bottle from the sleeping baby. "But I miss you," he tucks her hair behind her ear, kissing her cheek. "I miss you terribly," his lips pepper her jaw, nose, chin, until she can't stifle the laughter and pushes him away before she wakes the baby in her arms.

.

.

.

The night grows impossibly darker under the starless sky. With the baby fed, changed, and tucked in for the next few hours they settle in next to the fire. It's only in the glowing light that he notices the tear tracks on her cheeks. "You've been crying," he states without question, pulling her closer. She shifts so that she's practically laying over him, torso flush to his side and legs tangled. "Do you want to talk about it?"

"Not tonight," she insists, trailing her hand until it rests over his heart. "Let's just say that my sister and I learned a lesson from our past."

"Alright…" he's measuring her response and seems satisfied with the fact that she's practically boneless against him… "if a bit cryptic. You're sure you're alright?"

"I am," she nods against him. "And I promise to give you all the details once I process them."

"Very well then," his hands rake through her hair. It's a hypnotic magic he possesses over her; simple stroking through her locks that has her eyes heavily closing and she's all but purring against him. "Stay tonight," he whispers, lips moving against the top of her head.

And she hadn't intended to, even knowing that Zelena was with Hades and this was probably the safest night they would ever spend in this hellish place, and Henry had plenty of supervision (especially since Snow had left and David hardly left his side), and Emma had given her that look when she announced where she was going and told her she'd see her in the morning. She hadn't intended to stay in his makeshift camp in the middle of the woods, but she can't for the life of her remember why that was. So she murmurs "of course" and nestles in further, snakes her arms under his jacket. She's not cold, not really, but being wrapped up in him is much better than not.

They stay just like that until the fire dies down and the shiver that runs through her is more from the cold than his touch. He sits them up and shudders when the majority of his body that she covered is exposed to the night air. "Welcome to my humble home, mi'lady" he smiles as he pulls back the flap of the tent. It's small: cozy but efficient and she feels a bit intrusive as she crawls toward the pile of blankets that have been his nest. He's positioned for a quick escape; baby and weapons both within easy grasp. She takes a moment to appreciate the efficiency of his living arrangements before he's unfastening her coat, unzipping her boots, and urging her toward the pile of blankets. She sinks down willingly and he's pressed against her back in seconds, an arm bent under her head. He's warm and safe and pulling the blankets around them both as he nuzzles against her neck, kissing "missed you" into her hair.

"You mentioned that," she laughs softly, sleep already pulling her under.

"It warrants repeating," his arm grows heavier slung over her waist, fingers that still managed to find the ends of her hair go lax. His breath of "Love you" is the last thing Regina hears before she lost in the first real sleep she's had since they arrived.

thank you for reading:)