trying to keep this inspiration going ;)
Regina walked down the corridor of her wing in the castle, reaching up to remove one of her earrings on the way. She was looking forward to taking a long, hot bath before dressing for dinner. Her feet ached from all of the walking she and John did around town, for she hadn't planned on being a tour guide when she slipped on stilettos that morning. She was glad it happened though as John had been a great distraction from a terrible start to the morning.
He was nice enough and the conversation was easy. If she didn't have so much inner turmoil about this mess with David she would've maybe even considered having a little fun with John. She tried to tell herself she still could but he seemed genuinely interested in her and she knew it wouldn't be right to lead him on. Still, she enjoyed his company and it was nice to have the attention when David had taken such a toll on her self confidence lately.
She'd managed to put David to the back of her mind and focus on the positives in her life for now. Work was keeping her busy and she had a family that adored her. Her counterpart had a new baby and her niece had an upcoming wedding to celebrate Just because things hadn't worked out for her and Charming didn't warrant her being sad or depressed. Especially when he had showed her just how little she meant to him several times now.
Much to her chagrin the subject of her thoughts came into view, sitting beside of her chamber door on the cold stone floor. His long legs were sprawled and he was sort of slouched, leaning his back against the wall as if he'd been there for a while. He didn't notice her at first until she got close enough that he could hear her heels, his head snapping up quickly.
"Regina," He scrambled to get up from the floor, his clothes wrinkled and hair disheveled. "Please let me explain-"
"Save it, David," Regina frowned, reaching out to open her bedroom door, "I don't want to hear it."
"But you don't understand-" He stuck his arm across the archway of the door to prevent her from opening it, "Just hear me out-"
"I'm tired," Regina looked up at him frankly, flicking her wrist and making the door come open despite his arm blocking the handle, "I had quite an adventurous afternoon with John," She added vindictively. "If you'll excuse me I'd like to get a bath and dress before he shows up for dinner."
The look on David's face would've made her laugh if she hadn't been so angry with him for earlier. She wasted no time, not letting him respond before she transported herself into her bed chamber. He spun around on his heels in the doorway as she waved a hand and made the door start to slam close as he was beginning to respond.
"Regina!" She heard him yell on the other side of the door when it shut forcefully in his face. He pounded on the heavy wood once or twice, loud enough to let her know he'd hit it quite hard. She sighed and shook her head before enacting a silence barrier over the door, knowing she had to if she was going to get any peace.
She wasn't sure how long he kept it up but she knew it wouldn't end here. If she was going to get David out of her head she was going to have to keep him at bay for a while. A sigh escaped her lips as she began to get undressed on her way towards the bath chamber, wondering just how she'd shut him out when she lived in the same castle as the man before muttering to herself. Stay strong, Regina.
"So I'm staring this silverback in the face," John held the entire dinner party's attention in the Great Hall, making David roll his eyes at the dramatic flair, "He's challenged me because he thinks I'm a deserter-" The man talked theatrically, using his arms and hands, clearly used to having an audience wherever he went. It was a bit too blatant for David's taste.
"Wot did you do then?" Alice's eyes were as wide as the plates on the table, she and Robin leaning together as they watched him across the table. John sat directly in front of them, just left of Regina with Neal at the corner in between them - much to David's chagrin.
Zelena and Killian were listening intently, as were Henry, Ella and Lucy. Neal and younger Henry were engrossed with the man's tale, nearly sitting on their knees at the table. Sure, the guy had charisma, and knew how to tell a story, but so what? David had slain beasts bigger than that back in his prime. He just didn't feel the need to brag about it. He had to remind himself that this guy was only around for a few weeks and his family was only fawning over him because he was new and slightly impressive. Well, impressive according to some people's standards. David wasn't impressed.
Once the newness wore off over Mr. Clayton's presence, the people at this table would realize that he wasn't any better than the rest of them and things would return to normal. David was secure in his own manhood and he could handle another alpha being around...for the most part. If it wasn't for the way Regina was watching him. It made anger coil in his gut despite the fake smile he plastered on himself to save face. He'd rather die than anyone know he was jealous of the attention she was giving Jungle Boy.
He hadn't had the chance to speak with her before dinner as she'd already been sitting beside his son and engrossed in conversation with John when he arrived in the Great Hall. Before that he'd given up banging on her door after about twenty minutes when he realized she'd probably silenced him and returned to his own room to dress for dinner. The aggravation was bubbling inside of him at not being able to discuss things with her and their guest's presence wasn't helping.
"...and it turned out to be my brother, Akut, who had become king of the apes..."
David suppressed another eye roll at the whole table gasping in unison during John's big reveal. He was only catching parts of the story, zoning in and out of his own bitter thoughts. Something about him fighting with his brother - or was it an ape? Regardless, it didn't sound like that great of a story.
He tried not to keep gazing at Regina from his seat in the middle of the long table but he couldn't help himself. Each time he heard her laugh or saw her smile from his peripheral vision he had to look, and each time it felt like salt in a stab in the chest to see her regarding this man so warmly. He supposed he deserved her ignoring him. He had screwed things up masterfully between the two of them. Still, it didn't make it any less maddening to watch.
"We came soaring at each other, giving our best battle cries-" John pounded his chest then and David's fist curled under the table when Neal giggled at the man. John smiled back at the boy before giving a glance to Regina at the head of the table to make sure she was still listening. The two of them locked eyes for a split second and she smiled, making David's blood pressure rise.
She looked beautiful, noticeably putting in more effort for her look tonight. Her hair was now long enough to sweep to one side, laying over her left shoulder. Her dress was shoulder-less and a simple dark red, similar the one he'd seen her wear in Camelot. She'd dressed up and it was eating David alive that it was for another man other than him. Granny was right, a woman like Regina wouldn't be alone forever, especially not when there was a man from another realm who didn't fear her like a lot of them here did. David wanted to kick himself for hesitating in his pursuit of her.
"Wait - so you didn't win?" Younger Henry piped in later during John's story, bringing David out of his thoughts again.
"Not exactly," John laughed and leaned back in his chair, looking at all of the eyes upon him, waiting for an explanation, "You see, despite growing up in the jungle with gorillas, I still wasn't one. I never really did fit in, but it never stopped me from trying," David watched Regina's expression soften at the man tugging on her heart strings with his story and his own jaw clenched. Did he have no shame?
"Did it bother you? Being different?" Regina's niece Robin asked at just the right time, as David was sure that was the question John wanted someone to ask so he could bring home the wholesome point to this whole story.
"It did for many years," John nodded wisely, "But ultimately I realized that what I thought was a disadvantage was really an advantage all along. Not being born like the others made me work harder to be better. I never gave up."
"So you think I can still be a knight someday?" Neal looked up at John from his own seat, suddenly looking so small beside the large man. David's heart nearly broke in two when he saw the earnestness in his son's eyes. "Even though I'm not real good ridin'my horse yet?"
"Of course you can," John smiled and reached out to rough up the boys hair and David's world seemed to come to a screeching halt. Here he was caught up in being jealous over Regina when his own son was looking up to another man for approval and guidance. He should be the one reassuring his young son that he can do anything he puts his mind to. He should be the one helping him learn to ride a horse better. In fact, Neal hadn't even really acknowledged his presence at the table and David had no one to blame but himself.
How had he become such a poor father? His chest felt heavy and residual guilt bloomed inside of him. He had been so caught up in whether it was right or wrong to move on with Regina and what his late wife would think but he'd barely considered his children. Snow would be furious if she knew the way he'd been overlooking them lately, especially Neal. He had to make this right more than anything. After all, what kind of man was he if he wasn't a good father?
"Thank you for the lovely dinner," John smiled at Regina when they came to a stop near the castle doors as she walked him out. The entire family had spent more time in the Great Hall tonight than the had in months, all talking among each other and enthralled by the stories of their new company. She was glad John had agreed to come for dinner, for more reasons than one.
"You're most welcome," Regina nodded with a gracious smile, noticing the way he was looking down at her. John was obviously interested in her and she had to admit it was flattering. She could almost see herself going along with it if Prince Charming didn't have her in such emotional chaos. Damn him.
"I was actually wondering," John clasped his hands behind his back and glanced to the side before looking back at her with a smile, "If you'd like to be my date for Alice and Robin's wedding? After all, we'll both be attending."
She smiled, marveling at how much of a gentleman he was. The man was seemingly perfect in every sense of the word. Tall, broad shouldered, physical perfection. Charming, good natured and great with children. He was the kind of man she would've considered a catch about a year ago. The trouble was she'd already become quite too attached to her own tall, broad-shouldered, usually good-natured Charming.
"John, I..." Regina tilted her head and paused, giving him a weak smile to which he simply nodded.
"Ah...I had a feeling," John smiled knowingly, "Things aren't as simple between you and David as you described them to be, are they?"
"No," She smiled apologetically, "How did you know?"
"Something in the way he's been staring daggers at me since I arrived," He chuckled and nodded again, "Not to mention he was near his wits end during our entire dinner tonight."
"I'm sorry if I led you on at all-" Regina began to apologize before John cut her off.
"You haven't, Regina," He shook his head and furrowed his brow slightly, "Just because you're not available does not mean I've wasted any time. I've quite enjoyed getting to know you. We can still be friends, I hope?"
"Of course," She let out a breath of relief at his understanding nature. "Thank you."
"No need," John gave her a genuine smile as he pushed open one of the castle doors, "Care to show me around the castle grounds...or talk?" He motioned towards the courtyard that was lit up by the bright moon, the night air filtering in and allowing her to get perhaps what was her first deep breath all day.
She smiled and nodded, accepting his invitation as she stepped out in front of him, taking the arm he offered when they began down the stairs, "I don't know now why I find myself so compelled to confide in you," She chuckled, linking her arm around his as they began their stroll.
"Probably because I know what it's like to have to wear a mask," John nodded and let her set the pace for the walk, "When I returned back to modern civilization people only knew of my legend, they had expectations of who I was supposed to be and how I was supposed to act. It's exhausting, especially when you just want to be human, not legend."
Regina nodded with a half-hearted smile, looking ahead into the night as they took the stone path that trailed the parameter, "I have to say it's refreshing to know someone who truly understands that. People have expectations of me, even my own family - I know they love me but -"
"Sometimes it's easier to talk to a stranger," John finished her sentence, seeing she was struggling to find the right words, "Well, not entirely a stranger."
"I think we're all bound by our stories in a way," She said in agreement, letting out a breath as her shoulders seemed to shed some of the weight she carried at the knowledge she had a new friend that understood, "This new combined realm, it's meant to be a second chance and the storybook isn't supposed to matter anymore but we all still play our roles in a way...I still struggle with it. David really struggles with it - it was always he and his late wife, they were a team, and when she passed he didn't know his place anymore. He's still trying to find himself again."
"Is that what the problem is between the two of you?" Her friend inquired.
"What isn't the problem between us?" She gave a half-hearted laugh and shook her head, "He isn't ready. He keeps thinking he is - and I've pushed him into thinking that he may be. It's always backfired. I think he's still grieving, or working on putting himself back together. Whatever it is, he's made it clear that I'm not a part of it."
"Well, he certainly has feelings for you. Trust me, I felt the heat of his stare since I arrived in town," John laughed when she gave him a skeptical glance, "Men can tell when another man has staked his claim."
"He has not staked his-"
"I know, I know-" He raised a brow with a grin at her feisty nature, "It's a figure of speech. I'm simply saying that despite whatever he may or may not of done, don't doubt that he has feelings for you. That's clear to see, even for me."
Regina nodded before realizing just how much she'd spilled to John and just how short of a time she'd known him, "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to rattle about David-" She frowned at herself, hating when she let herself become overly vulnerable. She'd sensed a kindred spirit in John and she could tell he was a trustworthy listener. He was new and more unbiased in his opinions and observations than anyone she currently had to talk to. They'd all be too busy telling her what to do or plotting behind her back to do it for her instead of truly listening.
"Quit apologizing for being human, Regina," John shook his head as they came to a stop and he turned to her, putting a hand on her shoulder, "This is what friends are for...and speaking of which, friends can still go to a wedding together, can't they?" He gave her a charming smile before his brows furrowed, "Unless you-"
"No, no," Regina gave him a reassuring smile, "I would love to. I only hesitated earlier because I didn't want you to get the impression that this..."
"Was going somewhere?" He raised an eyebrow with a smirk, "I understand. I'm simply asking you as a friend. I think we deserve to to have some fun, don't you?"
David swallowed the knot in his throat as he watched the two of them in the courtyard from the balcony of his room where he sat with Neal. He tightened his arms around his son who was asleep in his lap, head of black hair resting on his shoulder and clutching the book he'd been helping him read. David had proposed reading Neal his nightly story at the end of dinner in an attempt to start making things right and his son had gladly agreed.
Apparently Regina and Neal had started the habit of reading by the moonlight during the warmer months, enjoying as much time outside as they could before she tucked him in to bed. His son had rattled on about it the entire way up the castle steps, asking him if they could do it and trying to convince David how much he'd enjoy it. He had of course indulged him, just happy that his son was still so forgiving at his young age. Here he was suddenly trying to be a father and Neal took it in stride without question or resentments.
His son had unfortunately nodded off around the time David spotted Regina and John making their way into the courtyard. He had nothing to distract him from watching the two of them, walking arm in arm around the path. They seemed to be having a deep conversation, infused with bits of laughter and even some light touches. Jealousy still bloomed inside of him but moreso he felt downtrodden. It seemed that no matter what good he did in one area of his life, another one suffered.
Right now his son had to be his priority, but he did not want to give up on Regina. He leaned his head back against the chair he sat in and pulled the blanket they'd brought out onto the veranda up over him and his son, tucking him in tighter. The woman he wanted for himself and the man he wanted to deck disappeared together back into the castle, leaving David to stare towards the moon instead. Tonight he would sulk, but tomorrow he would start over. He was going to prove himself worthy again to the kingdom...To his children...And to Regina.