It felt like time had stopped, and was allowing them this moment, to just be together, finally after all the tortured years and broken hearts. Regina sighed into his mouth, unwilling to let go, and apparently either was Robin as his arm circled around her waist, the other carding through her hair as he tugged her a fraction closer. Her hand brushes over the stubble on his jaw line, as she clutches his shirt, soaking in every little detail she can from this moment.
Finally, finally – that's the only thing Robin can think as he continues to kiss the one woman who has reigned over his heart since the day he saw her by the lake. Years over years he loved her, from a distance, always waiting and wondering if some day, they would end up like they are now, barely able to contain their smiles as their lips mould to one another.
She can feel his heart beating below her shifted palm, heavy and strong, in tune with her own. He has a good heart, a pure heart, free from darkness unlike her own, not tainted by the evil that lurks. She hesitates, fractionally for a second, thinking about how this could be so so wrong, that he shouldn't love her like this, she doesn't deserve it, doesn't deserve him after the life she has lead.
"What's wrong?" Robin mumbles against her mouth before pulling back slightly to find her eyes, shining with a mixture of emotions. Emotions he understands far too well. She holds his blue eyes for a moment, before feeling suddenly ashamed of herself, ashamed for the fact she's wants to love him, wants to have his love in return…but the once Evil Queen doesn't deserve love, not after everything she had done. When her gaze drops from his, his heart clenches in his chest. She looks defeated, chewing on her lower lip, picking at the skin on her nails. It was a nervous habit of hers he knew from years ago, he would come into her room to find her fingers bleeding slightly.
The memory ached Robin, all her life she has been nervous, and he ventures silently to himself that even as the Evil Queen, it was probably the same way. Wanting for love and acceptance only to have it ripped away time and time again. But not now, not today when he has just gotten her back. No, he would prove she could have love, deserve love.
Reaching out gently, he tilted her chin up with two fingers, bowing his head a touch lower to find her eyes again. He felt her lean slightly into his palm that moved to cup her cheek as she closed her eyes, sighing heavily into the little bit of space in between them. Robin saw her thinking, could hear the thoughts running through her mind, he could read her like a book, knew exactly what she was about to say as her gaze flickered open, her ruby lips parting slightly, the thick swallow before licking her lips, readying herself to say something. He smirked internally, his heart glowing at the fact even now, he knew her.
"Robin, I—"
Nope, not going to happen – he chuckled to himself before crashing his lips to hers once more, inhaling the tight moan that escaped her. She is home for him, and he has no intention of moving, ever again. So he kisses her, refusing to relinquish his tender hold on her body, absolutely unwilling for even a second for her to think she is not worth this. He cemented himself to the fact that right now, he was going to kiss her until he couldn't breathe anymore, and then he'd kiss her again, and again and again. Moving every doubt from her mind.
Well that's at least what he intended to do until a gruff "Ahem", echoed into the bed chambers. He split off from Regina's lips, turning in time with her to find a very stern looking Milly Lucas staring back at them, arms crossed over her chest, one eyebrow cocked up high over the rim of her glasses.
"Looks like my glass of water isn't needed, what with all the saliva trading going on" She huffed, unable to contain the slight smirk pulling across her lips. Internally she was blooming, her heart pumping so furiously in her chest it threatened to explode. How long has it been since she had seen Regina smile like this. How long has it been since she saw the blush rise on Robin's neck as he chuckled into Regina's hair. All those decades ago, she watched as two halves of one whole fought desperately to stay together, finding some semblance of happiness in a dark world, only for it all to crash and burn. She had never heard from Robin since that day, never knew if he was alright or not, what had happened to him. But what she did see was the Queen, the shell she had become, the light that left her eyes and the smile that faded into a blank expression, one that before Granny left the castle to take care of Ruby had watched slowly morph into something darker, something deadlier.
But not a day had gone by, Enchanted Forest or Storybrooke that Granny wondered if she would ever see that girl again, the one that was smiling with bright eyes and a blush on her face.
"Well when the two of you are finished here, dinner is ready" the older woman gruffed out, turning to the doorway.
"Granny…" Regina's voice stopping the older woman. She turned, seeing the sudden uncertainty in the whiskey gaze of the Queen. Raising her hand she finally smiled "I won't say a thing, I promise".
"Thank You" Regina breathed out.
"And you!" Granny turned to give Robin a pointed look "She needs to eat and rest, no funny business until you both are 100%, got it!?"
Robin chuckled, nodding his head "You have my word, I will be nothing but a gentleman"
Granny hmm's with a roll of her eyes and walked from the room, shutting the door tightly on the two adults behind who waited a beat before breaking out laughing at just being caught like teenagers. Regina fell back into the bed, choking on her breath, Robin following, slumping forward into the pillows beside her, chuckling heartedly.
..
...
Propping himself on a elbow, he leaned over Regina, anchoring one arm across her torso. He watched her breath still, cheeks flushed red, sparkling sweetly up at him, but still a hint of hesitation swirled behind them. Brushing back a long curl of hair, Robin smiled softly.
"Do you really forgive me?" Regina whispered out, tense and uncertain.
"Come with me" He stood up from the bed, interlacing their fingers as she arched a questioning eyebrow, but followed none the less. Robin lead them to the balcony, breathing in the fresh cool air of night. He felt Regina shiver beside him, in her thin black gown, providing no breaker to the light cold wind. He moved so she was situated in front of him, her hips gently pressing against the black guard rail as his arms wrapped around her, hugging her tight into his chest.
She hadn't felt this feeling in a long time, not since Daniel, not since she had sent Robin away, this warming sensation building in her stomach, warming her from the inside out. Leaning back, her head turned slightly to rest into the crook of his neck, breathing in the sweet oak and spice scent that clung to his skin. She smiled, hummed absently as Robin pressed a kiss into her temple.
"I forgave you years ago" he murmured into her ear "even through the confusion and anger I held, I forgave you"
Tear prickled her eyes as she listened to his words.
"Thank You" she barely managed to whisper back before turning in his arms, wrapping her arms around his torso tightly, his arms mimicking her own as he held her into him. They stood together, simply just together.
Her stomach grumbled in the silence, and Robin chuckled "Let's go get you some dinner, shall we?" He smiled, kissing her gently once more, before heading towards the door.
Regina froze, as he reached for the knob, her hand still laced into his.
"Regina? What's wrong?" he frowned back.
Everyone she loves is taken from her. Loving her makes them a target. It made Daniel one, Henry one, and now Robin and Roland. If people knew, they would take them away. She trembled slightly as Robin stepped back into her space, his blue eyes searching over her sudden terrified expression. He should have known. His heart sank as he reached his other hand up to cup her cheek, kissing her forehead before smiling.
"This is just us Regina. No one else needs to know until you are ready. I promise you"
The tear slipped before she could blink it away and his thumb caught it, smoothing the wetness away.
"I don't deserve you" She sniffed, leaning into his palm.
"That's where you are wrong Regina" Robin's tone stern but undercoated with love.
She stared into his eyes as he continued gently "You deserve everything that people have never given you"
Regina smiled stiffly "and what's that?"
"Love"
Her heart thundered in her chest, the simplest, sweetest look in his eyes melting her to the core.
"Come on, let's eat. I'm starving"
Robin turned, releasing her hand and she suddenly felt cold without him.
The door opened
"Wait!"
He turned, only to have his lips being crashed by her own, passionate and smooth in their movements. She tasted like cherries and wine, and he was getting drunk of her.
Regina parted slightly breathless with a dazzling smile.
..
...
...
Three weeks had passed, three beautiful blissful and secretive weeks in which Regina was reveling in. Small moments where she'd catch Robin's eyes staring at her from across the hall, the gently quick passes of his hand over the small of her back. She adored silently the rolling of his eyes to the insufferable Charmings, the quick sharp sarcastic retorts he'd whisper out to her when no one was looking. Their nights were spent wrapped in each other, snuggled together under the heavy blankets as they kissed till dawn broke.
He was becoming her entire world, Robin and his little boy. She loved Roland, to the point of pain. His dimpled smiles, unabashed affection he peppered her with, the way his tiny arms would cling to her as he fell asleep against her chest, slipping away into dreamland to the beating of her heart.
There were still moments when it was overwhelming, not having Henry. His loss a dark cloud that followed her everywhere. She cried alone, clinging to her abdomen, hoping to stifle the agony away. How was she supposed to move on when a piece of her heart wasn't there, lost to her forever, unable to complete the puzzle of her soul. Robin did his best, letting her have the needed moments alone before he would sit down beside her on the balcony, letting her last few tears drip onto his tunic. He couldn't imagine being separated from Roland. He saw the distant look in her eyes when Snow would talk about Emma and he desperately wished he could take her pain away.
It was in those moments now he especially had a strong distaste for the Prince and Princess, completely unaware of the impact their words were taking on his love.
"Henry would have loved it here! All the adventure and magic" Snow bubbled out "I could have seen him riding horses, learning to fight with a sword, becoming a true knight like he was destined to be"
Regina frowned at that "destined to be a knight?"
Snow arched an eyebrow back incredulously "Well of course. Emma is a princess, it's only natural that Henry would have learned to be royalty here as well"
"I would never have wanted that for him" Regina scoffed back, staring off into the distance.
"Why?"
"I have higher hope for him than to rule a Kingdom" The Queen commented back coldly.
"My father would have taught him how to be kind and just" Snow retorted.
Robin curled his hands into his pants, his blood boiling at the mention of that wretched man. He watched Regina tense in her chair, and so wished he could be sitting beside her, reach out to grab her hand, let her know she wasn't alone, he was here.
"Yes, and probably would have taught Henry how to run a kingdom straight into the ground" Regina huffed back.
David scowled, grabbing Snow's hand as she recoiled at Regina's words. "Leopold was a fantastic king, Regina. Just because you didn't like him, doesn't give you the right to tear him down…especially when he isn't here to defend himself" The last words dripped from the Prince's mouth with disdain.
Breathe Robin….breathe….don't say something you will regret later….. His mind raging as he sent daggers at David who had leaned back in triumph at Regina's lack for words.
"I agree with Regina, truthfully"
The statement came from an unexpected source, none other than Granny who had sat silent as a statue at the table.
"What!? How can you say that?" Snow screeched.
The older woman, put down her knitting and dead panned the princess "It's hard to notice the despair in your people when you are the Princess who gets everything she asks for"
Regina nearly smiled, nearly. As Granny continued "Now I have lived through both your father's reign and Regina's. And while I do not agree with many of the things the Queen has done, as a town's member, this Kingdom did nothing but prosper under her guidance"
David's jaw dropped as he stared back at the older woman "That's not true! She was a tyrant, hell bent on revenge because of a secret a ten year old told. She ruined lives!"
"I'm not saying she didn't. But she also set in place programs for the poor to regain new jobs, build lives for their own families, pull themselves out of poverty. She staved off the attack from King Jonathan, lead the defence for nearly a year"
Regina's eyebrow arched at Granny, stunned that she was actually being defending. It was no secret how she ruled. It may have been ruthless, but she never let her people suffer when they had done nothing except aid Snow White. She took care of them, built ties and allies with other domains, rebuilt the Enchanted Forest into a competitor against others, grew the finances beyond what Leopold ever could have dreamed.
Silence echoed in the room as the group remained shocked.
"And I knew the King, not as the man who was your father, but the man who took a 17 year old girl as his bride, there is no justice in that"
"He made Regina a Queen. You think she would have been thankful, and not killed him in his sleep" David sniped back.
Robin couldn't hold back any longer, his anger making his hands tremble where they clutched his trousers.
"You honestly have Regina to thank for the two of you being together" He commented deadly.
"Yes, by all means. Thank you Regina for tearing Snow and I apart more times that I can count, how gracious of you"
Regina stared at Robin, barely hearing the jab the Prince leveled at her. Why would he say that…why was he defending her….
Robin bit down on his lower lip hard, before retorting back hotly "Tell me Charming, Do you truly think the King would have let his only heir to his throne marry a shepherd and not a Prince in some far off realm?"
"My father believed in love" Snow snapped back.
"No he didn't" Regina finally broke. "If he did, I never would have been stuck in this hell hole in the first place. He knew I didn't love him, and he did not love me"
"Because you never gave him a chance!" Snow screeched back.
She didn't want to have this conversation, not now and not ever with Snow, but this naive little girl needed to learn the place, needed to understand just what her actions of getting Daniel killed had cost Regina.
"You're right. Though I found it hard when he would grunt his dead wife's name out while he took advantage of me, night after night. Maybe I found it hard to love the man that beat me behind closed doors and then paraded me around like a trophy whilst my dresses hid the bite marks, the bruises, the scars he had placed on my body"
"My father never would have done that" Snow seethed.
Tense silence fell around the group, Regina's eyes brimming with angry tears as she clenched her fists so tight her nails bit into the skin of her palms. Robin's eyes lingered on her, seeing the rage and pain cementing into her body. This was going to do her no good, being around the Charmings when they wouldn't even listen, naive and unwavering in their opinions.
"There are things you don't know, and things you should never have to find out Snow White. Now you either understand that there are painful memories that roam this castles for some, or you go on about your business, but I make myself clear when I say, I will not stand for either of you dismissing what I know to be the truth" Granny harped out grimly. "Now if you will excuse me, I need to go prepare dinner". The older woman stood with a huff, her chair screeching along the concrete floor as she stomped from view.
"Regina, Roland wanted to see if you would like to join myself and the merry men for dinner tonight by the lake" Robin smiled, though his anger was rushing through him.
She said nothing, merely nodded and stood from the table, holding her head high in all her dignity though her eyes betrayed her.
"Enjoy your evening" Robin gritted out to the last two people, before following Regina out the main doors. He caught up beside her, unknowing what she wanted in this moment, so he simply walked alongside her in silence. That is until her hand found his, and her fingers squeezed against his own tightly. He turned, only to see tears falling.
"Regina -"
"Not now okay. Lets just go" She sniffed, brushing away the wet trail on her cheeks.
"Whatever you wish" He whispered, clenching her hand quickly in comfort.
..
...
...
The evening was beautiful, and Regina was beyond thankful to get out of the palace. After the impromptu discussion about her previous life as Queen she wanted nothing more than to never step foot back in those stone walls again.
It was surprising to her just how much she was actually enjoying being around this group of men, who sang boisterously, drank heavily and yammered on about stories she wasn't sure could even be real with the theatrics behind them. More than once she caught herself laughing between sips of ale. It was freeing, just to be like this. Over the past month they had been here, the attitude of the Merry Men towards the Queen had shifted from cold and distasteful to absolutely enamoured with her. It was like having a family, they laughed at her, mainly about the choice of clothing she used to wear, laughed with her when she would grumbled about how uncomfortable corsets and high heels really were. It was peaceful.
Robin's' heart soared as he watched her, sitting on a log, sandwiched between Tuck and Little John as Roland ran around, handing her whatever flower he could find. She had a thick bouquet in her hand right now, chuckling as Roland stuffed another white daisy into the wild mix. This is what he had been missing all those years.
Her.
The sun had set long ago and the Merry Men began to drift off, snoring loudly in their respective tents. Robin sat down beside Regina who was rocking Roland back and forth gently. He kissed her temple, breathing in the rose honey smell of her hair as his arm wrapped around her hips. Yes, this was exactly what he had been waiting for his entire life. They sat together for a while, watching the fire burn out gently, before Robin motioned to grab Roland.
"I can do it" Regina smiled, hugging the tyke closer. Robin watched her walk away to put his son to bed, his heart aching at the sight of them together. Marian had died not two years after Roland was born, and it broke Robins heart knowing his son would grow up without a mother. And yet, in the twisted way of fate that life is, he felt lighter in the fact that his child and his love had attached themselves to each other so effortlessly.
He sat on the log, pushing around the dying embers until he felt Regina's lips press into the back of his shoulders, her arms wrapping around his neck as she nuzzled into this stubbled jaw.
"Shall I escort you home?"
"No, let's just stay here a little while longer"
He smiled, grabbing her hand and leading her to sit beside him.
..
...
The air suddenly went cold, too cold, dropping multiple degrees within a fraction of a second. It wasn't natural, and in the moment Robin sensed it, Regina did as well. Her eyes searching the dark forest for the source. She could feel it, thick and heavy, it's smell of putrid dry gin swarming around them. It wasn't an animal…..that they were both certain of.
Standing slowly, Robin grabbed his bow and arrow, anchoring his weapon as he scanned the absent forest that was hiding this dark presence. Regina stood beside him, a small flickering fire ball in her palm.
"I wouldn't do that if I were you"
A sharp crackling voice broke through the dead quiet. They spun around weapons ready to fire, only to be confronted by a redheaded woman with a devilish smile on her face.
"Who the hell are you?" Regina snarled, roaring her fireball a touch bigger.
"Relax, Regina. I'm not here for you. Not yet anyway"
The two women glared at each other, Regina's blood running hot as she tried to place this stranger she'd swear she had never met in her entire life.
"I won't ask again. Who are you?"
"So many questions, with some very interesting answers" The redheaded witch stepped forward, but her eyes were glued to Robin. She looked angry, controlled rage that bubbled within her eyes as she closed the distance between them.
Robin drew his bow tight "Not another step" his tone dark and sharp.
The woman halted for a second, grinning venomously at him, her bright blue eyes sparkling with something sinister. And that is when Regina noticed…her eyes…they looked oddly familiar.
"I would have expected a nicer welcome from you" The woman snapped dryly at Robin.
"You don't seem the type I would generally welcome anywhere" He barbed back, moving a fraction in front of Regina.
If they weren't facing off with some random witch who apparently knew them, Regina almost would have found it sweet in the fact he was trying to protect her. No one ever protected her.
The redhead began walking again, and Robin fired a warning shot just past her shoulder. "Like I said, do not move". They stared at each other darkly, the cold wind swirling around them like ice. It made Regina shiver, not that she would let it show through her stone walled mask.
"It's a shame really. How you turned out" the witch sneered "and to think I almost had you killed off by my pets before we could meet again. Would have been real downer don't you think"
The way the woman was eyeing up Robin made Regina begin to panic, it was all too similar to how she used to stare at Snow White. A predator circling its prey, waiting to pounce. She let her fire ball go, just landing in front of the woman's feet who screamed as she fell back.
"I don't care who you are, but listen when I say I will destroy you if you take another step without telling us who you are and why you are here" Regina growled.
The witch glared at Regina, as she righted her long black skirt. "It is unnerving isn't it, Your Majesty. That I know all about you and him, and yet you haven't the idea who I could be"
Another fireball raged into Regina's palm "You're playing with fire here, literally".
"You're honestly going to tell me you don't remember who I am" The woman turned back to Robin who stood tense with his bow locked to fire once more.
"Not in the slightest" He barked.
"That's a pity" She smirked "Seeings how I am going to take everything from you"
"What have I done to gain such a bid for revenge?"
The woman stepped over the last burning embers of Regina's fire, and before either could react they were frozen to the spot by the woman's magic. She stepped into Regina's face, glowering down at the Queen with malice.
"You are a pretty thing aren't you, Regina" her long bony fingers trailed along Regina's cheek, her sharp nails leaving a red line behind. Robin struggled, trying to break out of the bonds before something could happen to her.
Regina didn't move, only stared back with as much dark hate as she could muster as she smiled "Are you jealous of me?"
The woman laughed bitterly, "Maybe"
It was a burning radiating pain that was sent into her body as the witch flared her magic into Regina's veins. She screamed but no sound came out as she writhed on the spot, falling to her knees.
"STOP! DON'T HURT HER PLEASE!" Robin hollered out.
The witch flicked her wrist with a shrug, leaving Regina to paint on the ground, as she clutched her heart, still frozen by the other womans magic.
"I knew that would get your attention" She grinned at Robin. "You like her don't you, this Queen".
Robin's eyes darted to Regina who trembled on the ground in agony.
"Wait….no. Let me rephrase that"
Regina screamed as another wave of electrocuting pain exploded into her body.
"You love her, don't you" The witch cackled , releasing Regina once more as Robin viciously struggled against the invisible bonds.
The pair stared at each other heatedly, blue eyes matching blue eyes.
"Well maybe this will jog that memory of yours" the redhead lifted up her sleeve, and Robin's heart sank horridly. A long scar, etched like an arrow on her cream skin. He knew that scar, knew it all to well. Nausea ripped through him as his vision blurred.
"See you soon Robbie"
The woman vanished in a cloud of green and black smoke, her magic binds bursting free as she disappeared.
Robin ran to Regina, frantically searching her body for blood as she whimpered.
"Are you alright?"
"I'm fine"
"Regina, are you sure?"
"Yes Robin. I'm okay. Not an overly pleasant feeling but it's fading, I promise"
He hugged her into his chest, his heart racing a mile a minute as she leaned into him for a moment. How was this even possible? How was she here, in this place, she was gone, he thought she'd ran off or died. It had been years upon years since he had seen her…and his memory burned with their past.
"Robin who was that" Regina finally questioned outstanding to her feet with his hand still firmly grasped in her own.
He didn't answer, only stared in disbelief and shock at the spot where she had vanished.
"Robin?...Robin!" Regina tugged his face back to hers, as the unnerving panic began to settle into her heart. "Who was that?"
He gaped at her for a moment, breathing heavily before shaking his head "My sister"
