Inspired from a pic, written after 5.14.

Visions are seldom all they seem

- Regina takes a nap in the Underworld.

Robin had gotten used to Regina's nightmares. During all the year together in the Enchanted Forest, her screams in the middle of the night were a recurring motive. Even if, when he dared to enter her rooms, she would usually command him to get the hell out, thief, because she was fine. And when they had started living together, during the six weeks in Camelot and after their return, he had noticed that his presence seemed to help. Being held was soothing for his love, her breaths were slower, and he couldn't feel more honored to be the one who got to embrace her at night.

But in the Underworld, it was an entirely different story.

That place was all wrong.

The sun was pale, as if it was covered by a veil. He couldn't understand why, until after a few hours. That… reddish light, was eternal. There was no night, no day, just an eternal middle.

He was in the loft with David and Henry – cleaning, Gold had said – and they had managed to remove some rubble from the floor, freeing the couch and the beds upstairs. Henry had climbed the stairs to his old room, and David too. If they had to wait for Emma and Hook, they could get some rest in the meantime.

He had sat on the couch, but without lying down. He was waiting.

The door opened, and Snow entered, Regina after her. A relieved breath escaped him – he knew she had only gone outside to find a grave, but anyway, he didn't like to split up in that place.

"Where's David? Is Emma back?" asked Snow, and he shook his head, motioning towards upstairs. Snow nodded, and she climbed the stairs too.

Regina came to sit next to him – he passed an arm behind her shoulders.

"So? Did you find him?"

She was silent, but nodded.

"And?"

"And he's in the better place," she said. He tilted his head, and looked at her.

"It's a good thing, isn't it?" he said, and she nodded again.

"Then what's the matter?"

She bit her lower lip, a pensive frown he couldn't decipher. "I guess… I would have liked… to talk with him," she admitted.

He sighed then, it was perfectly understandable. "I know," he said. "I'm sorry"

"But I'm happy for him," she added, smiling. He leaned on and kissed her temple, rubbing her shoulder. "Why don't you lay down for a bit?" he proposed.

Regina nodded, and she kissed his cheek, then shifted on the couch to place her head on his lap. He smiled, as she closed her eyes, and feeling her breaths slow down. He thought of how many times he had watched her fall asleep in Camelot. She looked so much younger… he wondered if she was dreaming.

The silvery laughter of a child resounded in the field – the sky was bright, and the sun warm on her skin, as Regina slowed down her horse. She slipped to the ground when Rocinante stopped, her long braid bouncing on her back.

"Mama!" the high-pitched cry came from behind her, and she turned, opening her arms – her son flew into her embrace, and she hugged him, and closed her eyes, inhaling the scent of honey and lavender from his hair.

"Hello there, little Henry," she laughed, and he pulled back with a wide smile – she tapped his nose playfully. The golden spikes of the field were waving in the wind, and she felt strong arms circle her waist – she turned her head to kiss her husband, and he pulled her closer, Henry still settled on her hip.

"How was the ride, Mrs Colter?" Daniel asked, and she laughed. She moved closer to kiss his smile, holding her son, and everything was perfectly fine, that day in the field.

Something wasn't quite right with Regina, he could tell. Her breath had changed its rhythm, and he lowered his gaze to look at her – a tear was rolling down her cheek, and she let out a hiccup. Her hand moved in a sudden spasm of…fear?

He recognized all the signs. Apparently, the Underworld wasn't a right place to find peace in her sleep. He squeezed gently her shoulder, and she opened her eyes with a gasp.

She blinked once or twice, and she turned towards him.

"R-Robin?"

"Sorry," he said, "I thought you were having a nightmare"

She sobbed, then, and shook her head. She placed a hand on his leg and pushed to get up from her position – her feet on the ground again, and she motioned closer, to snuggle against his chest.

"It was a good dream," she said, wiping away a tear.

"Then why were you crying?"

"Because I didn't want it to finish," she whispered, and he brought her closer to place his lips on her hair.

"I'm sorry," he muttered, and she squeezed his hand.

"Don't be, don't worry," she told him. "I'll be okay," she said, and for some reason, he believed her. He kept holding her, until they heard Henry jumping down the stairs.

"So, shall we start planning Operation Firebird, Madam Savior?" he said, and Regina laughed, and he thanked the gods for Henry and for letting him be at her side in that blasted mission.