Twelve
From behind the building Mary Margaret stood in the shadows of the trees an observed Robin and Regina's interaction.
Shame seemed to take a backseat to her curiosity. It seemed they were having an intense conversation.
Just based on Regina's body language and her aversion to look at him. Marg knew exactly how that could be. Regina was becoming very good at avoiding any type of connection.
First you'd think she was opening and then the door would shut in your face and she would shut down.
When Robin moved in and wrapped her in a hug, Marg held her breath. He swore that he wasn't looking to extend their relationship more than friends.
Yet, here she was watching him hug her and Regina looking shocked. When Marg saw her hug him back she knew what was coming.
Regina closed her eyes and Marg sighed. Hoping that this was not going to hurt either one of them she started to emerge.
As she was about to take a step they pulled apart and moments later Regina walked away. Feeling relieved she watched Robin.
He was standing in place watching her and looking confused. Marg walked out from the shadows and Robin turned towards her.
With a guilty expression on her face she moved to him, "I'm sorry. I didn't want to interrupt." Robin shrugged, "Nothing to interrupt. What are you doing here?"
Marg tried to decipher the look on his face, "I was coming to see Regina. Check up on her. I guess you beat me to it."
Robin put his hands in his pockets to stop them from shaking, "I couldn't stop thinking about what you said."
Marg cocked her head slightly, "What do you mean?" "You said you were worried about her. I starting thinking about how I used to do exactly what she's doing. I figured I could help."
Taking a step and lightly rubbing his upper arm in a comforting manner, she smiled. "Robin, that is so sweet of you. I think that you're just the right person to get through to her."
Robin kept his eyes on her, "But?" There it was, that ability to see through her politeness and to her concerns.
"You read me too well." Robin shrugged with a smile, "A gift. I told you, I'm good at reading people. You're worried. I understand."
Marg crossed her arms, "With good reason. I saw the way you hugged her." Averting his eyes, there was a pain underneath his eyes.
"It was just a hug, a friendly gesture." Marg shook her head, "No, there's more to it than that. Especially from the other side."
Turning to her, "What do you mean?" Smiling, "I saw her face and the comfort she seemed to feel with you."
Robin didn't feel that in her body language. In fact, he felt her tense and maybe relax for just a moment. "What did you see?"
Marg didn't want to get in the middle more than she already was, "I'm not touching that. I saw what I saw. All I can say is that I'm more worried now than I was before today."
Thoughts sparking, he sighed, "It's complicated." An awkward chuckle came surprising him, "You are telling me. Come on, I'll walk you home."
Looping her arm through his she walked with him in silence. There was a lot to think about and she planted something in him. He was more curious about Regina and who she was. What she wanted. He wondered what would make her happy.
So, as they walked he asked questions about Regina and their friendship. Prying into her life without having to ask her himself.
Marg thought it was sweet and a little cowardly to go through her, but she wasn't shy to give him simple answers to his questions.
.~.
Regina drove to Granny's to meet Henry trying to let her mind clear and miserably failing. Robin's words were true and she couldn't just forget them.
Plaguing her more than his words was that unexpected hug. She could still feel the warmness of his body on her.
Confusion and delight were her reactions, but an element of fear and shame were present too.
A dangerous wanting to be close to him physically had her also wanting to run for the hills. Daniel was still very much a part of her heart.
The only man that had touched her with love and been there for her when she needed him. The few men she'd indulged in physically, she kept them at a distance and never saw them twice.
Regina wasn't remotely ready for an emotional connection let alone a physical one, at least not now, the contact awakened something inside her.
It wasn't lust or a primal feeling, it was longing to be held. It was a longing to be connected to someone. A feeling she hadn't had in a long time.
Regina admitted long ago that she was lonely. Henry filled that void before but now he was drifting.
As he got older he seemed to venture to more interesting topics and more adventurous hobbies.
Killian was more fun to hang out with and Emma had a fresh outlook on the world. Why wouldn't he flock to that?
Regina had been so wrapped in herself to give him the attention he needed or wanted. It was something that ripped at her heart.
As she parked in front of Granny's she saw Henry bent down petting Pongo. He always seemed so interested in that dog.
Regina stepped on the sidewalk, "Hey honey." Henry stood and gave her a side hug. "Where have you been? I was waiting for you."
"I'm sorry, I got held up." It wasn't a complete lie, but telling him she went for a walk just seemed too complicated to explain.
"Mom, I know that face, what are you not telling me?" Busted. Henry knew when she was lying.
"I…had a visitor and we stopped to talk. Come on let's eat." Henry shrugged it off and joined her at their usual booth.
"So, Killian promised when the Marvel comes out on DVD he's going to buy it for me." Regina smiled, "That's nice. So, you liked it?"
"Are you kidding? It was awesome." Regina didn't share his interest in comics but she tried to at least keep up with who he was interested in.
"I'm glad. How was school?" Henry shrugged, "Fine." Regina was horrible at small talk. It seemed hard to converse about such things.
"Mom, can I ask you something?" Regina nodded, "Of course. You can talk to me about anything."
Henry hesitated after his plate was put in front of him. He dipped a fry in the mound of ketchup and bit more than half.
Regina took a bite of her food and waited for him to ask. Henry wasn't one to doddle about questions.
"What is it, Henry?" He took a sip of his soda and asked, "You know that new guy? Our neighbor?"
Regina didn't like that she felt uncomfortable at the mention of Robin. An uneasiness settled in the pit of her stomach.
"What about him?" Henry pried, "He seems to be hanging around a lot." Looking confused she sighed, "He does live next door."
Henry played with his food, "I know, but he seems to be talking to you a lot. Is he?"
Regina watched how her son seemed nervous to talk to her about this. "Is he what?" Henry looked at her and asked point blank, "Do you like him?"
Her mouth dropped open and the question knocked all sense out of her. "What? Why would you ask that?"
With a shrug, he explained, "It's just that you seem to like him. If you did, I'd be okay with it."
Feeling the heat rising on her neck and touch her cheeks, she hated that she was blushing. Reaching across the table and taking his hand she said, "Henry, Robin is just a friend. There's nothing going on. Okay?"
"Would you tell me if there was?" Regina felt slightly proud that he seemed to be so grown up to talk to her about such a subject.
"I would. There isn't anything going on. He just understands how I feel. He lost his wife and it's hard to express how that feels. To lose someone that way."
Henry squeezed her hand and the pulled away to chew on another fry. "I'm glad that you have someone to talk to. He makes you smile. I missed your smile."
Regina hadn't realized that she smiled at him, "I don't smile at him." Henry raised an eyebrow, "You do. I saw you. You look pretty when you smile."
Embarrassed, she chuckled, "Thank you, Henry. I'm trying to be better." Henry gazed at her, "I understand. I missed you. We talk more now. Maybe we can go see a movie this weekend?"
Regina looked shocked, "You'd want to go? With me?" Smiling now, he grinned, "Yeah. Why wouldn't I?"
Feeling her heart swell she grabbed his chin, "I love you, Henry." "I love you too, Mom."