He grimaced as he looked down from the balcony at Roland. His son was in the training arena watching the prince take on some of the new recruit. The adoration on his face was clear as day. It wasn't breaking his heart but he'd be lying if he said it didn't bring a few cracks.

He looked over when he felt Regina come stand next to him.

"Eyeing the new recruits," she asked softly.

Robin sighed as he saw Charming hand his son a wooden sword. "One could put it that way."

"Well Roland appears fascinated by them," she commented. The young boy was not an uncommon sight in the training arena these days. He could often be seen mimicking the training methods of the new soldiers.

"I'm sure it's just a phase," said Robin quickly.

At the swiftness of his words Regina turned to study him. His brow was knitted and she could see frown lines appearing on his face. Her eyes flickered down to his hands and she could see his grip tighten on his bow. His bow…

Her eyes widened as she gaped at him. "Wait a minute. Are you jealous?"

"I'm not jealous!" he replied instantly. It didn't escape her notice how his cheeks began to turn red.

"Oh my god you are!" she laughed. "You're jealous that Roland is spending time with the knights instead of the Merry Men. That's adorable."

"It's not adorable because it's not true," Robin insisted. "If my son wishes to spend time with the knights instead of the men who raised him then why should I be bothered?"

She sent him a sympathetic look. "Robin…"

He looked at her and sighed once he saw the concern in her eyes. "He's missed a couple of our archery sessions. I've started finding him here instead. Playing with swords."

"Well like you've said it's probably just a phase."

"One you're helping along I might add."

"Me?" she said incredulously. "What am I doing?"

"How you call him your 'little knight'," he said mockingly.

"It's just a nickname," said Regina.

"It's more than just the nickname," said Robin frustratedly. "It's this castle. It's these people."

She watched him with worried eyes as he ran his hands over his face.

"All his life I've told him that the knights and the kings were people he needed to run from. I've built our lives on that and now…"

"You're worried he'll leave the life you've built for this shinier one in front of him," Regina finished. She felt a piercing stab in her heart as she remembered the day Henry bought Emma home. The younger, tougher Savior mom. "I know the feeling."

"I've always told him that we were thieves with honor," said Robin looking down at his son. "What if he sees these honorable people and decides that we're just thieves. What am I supposed to do then?"

"Nothing," she replied.

Robin stared at her in surprise. "Nothing. I'm supposed to do nothing?"

"Yes," she said with a nod. "Robin the curse of raising strong-willed children is having strong-willed children. You can't fight the fact he might want to be in a world that's different from the one you've built up for him in your head. You'll only lose him. Trust me I know."

He watched her as she spoke and he saw a spark of pain flash behind her eyes.

She sighed before continuing. "Better yet trust him. You've raised a good son Robin. You're a hero in his eyes and everyone else. Trust that when the time comes he will see that and know where he belongs."

She surprisingly patted his hand before leaving. He watched her go with a frown on his face. One day he'd get the whole story from her. About her son and the land she'd left behind. But until then he'd settle for the pieces she threw his way.