Hope everyone's doing well. I apologize for the delay but school has started, I've also got work and hopefully I will be joining a fitness competition this year... Not to mention I'm getting a double major. So that is the reason for the delay, I wish I had all the time in the world to write this story.. However I leave the house at 6 am everyday only to return at 11pm.. I really do apologize. Thanks to those of you who still read it.
Many thanks to Zoe for the beta!
He let out a laugh, though he did not know why.
Outside, the snow had turned into rain; the slushy kind that would constantly flicker between pouring rain and drizzling snow. Beyond the windows, it seemed so very cold and that was precisely what made the inside feel extra warm.
It was either that or the wine that Robin was once again reaching for -having lost track of how many glasses he had downed.
The TV still insisted on providing them with mindless sound which they kept in the background. Some music channel was switched on, playing a song Robin had heard here and there. Was it playing the day they had their first date in that small coffee shop? Or was he confusing that with the sound of rain which got heavier each passing second. The droplets hit the glass and it made him instinctively slide closer to her on the couch.
He let out another laugh but this time he recognized the reason. He was laughing at her laughing at him. Every time her lips curled upwards and she giggled, it made him mirror her actions; joy spreading within him each time. The room that seemed cold and dead to him just hours ago was now cozy and warm, it made his jeans feel tight and despite the fact that he was shirtless, he still refused to feel cold.
Oh… He was shirtless.
Regina had made him take it off a few rounds earlier, making him play the entire game with his chest bared to her which she ogled shamelessly from time to time. She still had her shirt and leggings on and she seemed comfortable enough to sit with crossed legs, holding the wine glass in one hand and the cards in the other.
"Feel like losing yet?" Suddenly came her rich, feminine voice that sounded even deeper that particular night. Was it the alcohol or the change in their environment? He did not know.
"Coming from the woman who was lying face-down-ass-up across my lap a few minutes ago." He snarked, eyeing his hand. His King of Spades stared proudly back at him and he smiled.
"Still won't forget, huh?" She answered with a proud smirk and took a sip. "I'll raise you… another dollar."
"No, I'm afraid I'll be thinking about it for a long while." He sat up straight, not allowing his body to slump even a little bit when he was sitting half naked right in front of her. "Call."
He tossed a bill to the pot and looked back up to her. She had a certain flush in her cheeks that he knew was not from make-up. Regina chose to wear darker shades of blush, whereas this time, her complexion had a slight pink tint to it. It suited her, brought out the young woman in her. He briefly wondered what young Regina had been like.
"What happens when you lose?" She supported her elbow on the back of the couch and threw him a flirty look. "Ever thought of that?"
"Only every second since this game started." He shrugged. "But that doesn't mean I don't have remarkable plans for you." He stretched out the word and winked at her right after, and the fact that she let out a quick gasp before instantly focusing back on her cards did not go unnoticed. A smug smile formed on his lips.
"Ready?" she muttered, before taking another sip. Was this their second or third bottle?
"Whenever you are, m'lady."
Both of them lowered their cards until they were sitting in front them, unguarded. Regina had a three of a kind. Too bad for her, he had a flush.
"How…" she muttered, eyebrows raised in surprise. She was losing second time in a row. "Are you counting or something?"
"The cards, no." he chuckled and bit his lip before throwing her a playful look. "Number of times you lose before smash that bottle on my head, yes."
She eyed the bottle. He saw it and gently reached over to remove it from within her reach. She threw him a clever look.
"Alright, thief," she tossed the cards towards him in a defeated state. She took a sip from her wine before placing it back on the coffee table. "What do you want?"
"Thief?" He let out a chuckle. "Now, that's new."
"You stole the hand!" Regina stated matter of factly. Robin pretended not to notice how her eyes shifted to his chest every once in a while. It seemed as though she couldn't help herself.
"Just the hand? Or can I also add your heart to my prized possessions?" He wiggled his eyebrows at her and was glad to see her scoff before letting out a giggle.
"My heart?" she asked incredulously. "Do they teach you to be cheesy in grad school or does it just come naturally?"
"I don't see you denying it."
She brushed her hair back and shifted in her seat with a gentle smile playing on her lips. "I said, what do you want?"
"Well…" He tossed the cards aside, mirroring her earlier actions, then he lowered his gaze to his own bare chest, glad to see her following suit. He gestured to his partial nudity with his hand. "Do you see this?"
"It's difficult not to," she quipped, biting her lip.
"I want payback."
She lowered her gaze to eye her own clothes then she widened her eyes in surprise. "You can't repeat the punishments."
"I know," he swallowed and threw her a challenging look. "That's why I want what's inside."
"Inside what?"
He smirked before moving closer to her on the couch. His jean clad knee touched her upper leg and she took in a sharp breath. The only thing between them now was the pot filled with coins and a few one dollar bills. His fingers gently took a hold of the edge of her shirt.
"This."
Her parted lips curled into a devious smile and she leaned forward, just enough to whisper her next sentence. "Since we're acting like 16 year olds, are you gonna spin that bottle over there and ask me to kiss you next?"
"Kissing me wouldn't be a punishment, it would be a reward." When she didn't move his hand, he let his fingers shift inside her shirt and trail over to her bare back. She drew in another breath.
"You think too highly of yourself."
"Shouldn't I?" His hand found the clasp of her bra. Their lips were inches apart and he could smell the wine and arousal on her. He was now beginning to understand why she liked games this much.
She let herself lean forward. Was it, he thought, was it actually possible to hear her heart beat? Or was that just his?
"You should go ahead and do what you're about to do."
With one quick move, her bra was unclasped. He could feel her shiver. With a smile, he pulled back and let her take care of the rest of the business while he reached for his glass.
"Free the sisters!" He yelled mockingly.
"I'm gonna pretend you did not just say that." She rolled her eyes as she carefully maneuvered her bra under her shirt before taking it off and throwing it at him.
The piece of garment hit him square in the chest and he caught it before it had a chance to land on the couch. He held it between his fingers as he set his glass down and examined the nude colored modest looking material.
"That's very… teacher-like." Then his hands shifted around it. It was a push-up. He smiled.
"That's cause I am a teacher." She responded matter of factly.
"Can I keep this?" He joked. Then he happened to finally look up and face the unforgettable sight of Regina wearing a thin t-shirt without a bra on. Yes, getting rid of it had been a good idea and now her chest seemed, though a little flatter, provocative with the shirt loosely clinging to the curves of her breasts, just enough of a tantalizing glimpse to get him curious.
"Go ahead, a little souvenir from me." She winked at him before reaching for the cards. "I'll deal."
"Na-ah!" He grabbed the deck before she could touch it. Frowning, she threw him a confused look. "You're not done."
"What do you mean?"
Their eyes met; his carried a hint of mischief and hers were just puzzled. He had her just where he wanted her, and he just knew that this night was going to be one of those where he'd look back to a few years from now and still remember every detail of it -whether she was by his side or not. He just hoped for the former.
His gaze moved slowly downward and it came to a halt at her crotch. Milliseconds later, he was looking back up at her with a hungry gaze.
"Oh…" She raised her eyebrows and breathed out as if she just figured out some important secret about him. Then she shook her head as thought she was actually impressed by him. "I guess you're better at this game than I thought you'd be."
"Underestimating me has become a habit of yours."
"Well, can you blame me? You're incapable of handing over attendance lists in time."
"Two entirely different fields." He reached over to his glass and took a sip.
"What? Department management and sex?"
He choked on his drink. Guess, he was still not used to her articulating that word.
"The guy who just asked me to take my panties off gets flustered by the word 'sex'. How adorable." She chuckled before uncrossing her legs and raising herself on her knees so she was towering over him with an amused smile.
"Hey, I don't, I-"
But she was already leaving the couch and tiptoeing out the room, leaving contagious giggles behind her. He leaned back into the couch with a pleasant smile and realized he was still smiling even after she was gone. Suddenly silence fell around him and he sat, transfixed at the TV before him, still showing some forgotten music channel. His head was buzzing and anticipation was building up in him with each passing second.
She came back a minute later, hiding something behind her back. Coming to stop in front of him with a devious smile, she raised her eyebrows at him.
"Do you have something for me?" Robin chuckled. She looked especially stunning from that angle. He was seconds away from reaching out with one hand to bring her down to his lap.
"Merry Christmas." She giggled and revealed a pair of matching panties, again with the color of nude. They landed on his lap and he grabbed them with the excitement of a kid getting presents, Merry Christmas indeed.
"Thank you, m'lady." He examined the thong in his hand before turning over to her. "Now, I have the matching collection."
"I'm sure it'll look great on you," she quipped, and in a childish display of immaturity Robin stuck out his tongue. "If you do that again I'll bite it."
Robin smirked. "I'll remember that for later."
"I wonder what I'm getting in return for this…" she mused with a sigh before claiming her seat back on the couch next to him. Her hand reached for the deck of cards.
"Good company and exquisite wine?" he replied and she scoffed. Then his gaze shifted over to her body as he licked his lips. "So, how does it feel?"
She paused and looked up at him to catch his gaze wandering over her body. Then her lips curled into a sultry smile and she leaned back, before stretching her legs onto the coffee table like a cat enjoying the few moments of peace right after waking up. Except, of course, it was his gaze that she was enjoying.
"Good, better." Both sets of eyes went to her toned legs stretched out in front of them. Her black leggings made them look even slimmer. "Makes it all sensitive down there."
His eyes were watching her, he couldn't help it. His mind refused to stop thinking about how she was sitting right in front of him… sans underwear. Every time she moved, he imagined what it felt like for her to rub against the material of her leggings, or how did it feel for her to be sitting right next to him like that.
She did not seem shy at all instead it felt as though she was enjoying the spotlight, enjoying how his hungry gaze travelled over her body to finally land on her chocolate colored eyes. He saw fire in them and sparks between their bodies. His gaze flickered back to her body one last time. Then swallowing hard, he reached for his glass to distract himself and force his head to get back in their little poker game.
There was lipstick stain around the rim of her glass. He didn't recall seeing her with make up on His eyes went to her lips. She was wearing a nude color.
"Ready?" she asked.
"For you, always."
#
"What time is it?"
"A little after eleven," Regina answered before pouring him another glass of white wine. His eyes watched her slender fingers dance around the bottle as she let the clear liquid drop seductively into the glass before pushing it gently towards him. She didn't forget to pour one for herself.
They had been playing this game for a long time now and Robin realized he only remembered to ask the time because outside the sky was pitch black and her windows rattled every time a particular strong wind hit the neighborhood. Spring was showing its face late as if an old and forgotten relative's arrival to a party. And what made this winter especially unforgettable was how cold the weather would get as soon as sun hid behind the mountains.
"Are you planning on winning anytime soon?" Robin asked, reaching for the cards.
She leaned back with a sigh before eyeing his wine glass. "Drink your drink, darling."
How is it, he thought, how is it that she managed to look even more stunning as the night progressed? There was not a single drop of exhaustion present in her features and she seemed to laugh more with each passing second. Happiness was radiating from her and he was ready and willing to suck it all in.
He dealt the cards, but she didn't bother to pick them up. Instead, she pulled one leg closer to her body on the sofa as the other danged freely from the side as she gave him a seductive, almost mysterious look as though she already knew what was in her hand.
A royal flush would suit her, He thought, then he smiled at the idea. She was nothing less than royal. He wondered if she would do well as a Queen of an unforgotten land.
"Self-confident, I see." He remarked before putting the cards aside and picking up his hand. "Not even bothering to see what you have."
"I don't need to." But contrary to her words; she reached out her hand and peeked at the cards. "You're tipsy and I'm-
"Not tipsy?" Robin chuckled and eyed the abandoned empty bottles of wine on the coffee table.
"You're lousy at bluffing. I will win."
"Will you?" He then glanced down. Not even a pair… then he regretted his question.
"Watch me."
I have been. For a long time.
They raised the pot, respectfully. Robin could feel himself slowly but surely falling into one of her devious plans. He could tell from the way she looked at him and refused to pick her cards up. Her confidence was through the roof so much as she refused to tear her gaze away from his eyes. He felt himself warming up despite his state of undress.
"Three," he said, and exchanged the said amount of cards with the ones in the deck, in the hopes of getting something out of it, anything, he thought. But an ace of hearts, Queen of spades and a 3 of clubs stared at him right in the face. He barely kept himself from sighing in desperation. She was right; bluffing had never been his strongest suit.
They spent another round adding to the pot; Regina raising whenever she had the chance and Robin calling to whatever she offered. From the way she held his gaze and let her fingers dance around her kneecap, he knew that folding wasn't even an option. It was either that or…
"All in." Regina said before he had a chance to.
What other option he had besides calling?
In a rather sluggish pace, he pushed the rest of the cash into the pot with hesitation present in his eyes. He was like a man going to battle with the knowledge that his enemy's army outnumbered his. Except this was more dangerous; where in history had a general sent out his soldiers to die because he looked straight into his adversary's beautiful brown eyes?
"Scared?" Regina asked as she slurred her words.
"No." He lied. She laughed at it.
He gave her the pleasure of watching him reveal his cards first. Because he preferred to see the expression on her face whether she won or lost. She acted like the former, a small part of him wanted to believe in the latter.
His hand laid flat on the couch and he raised his eyebrows at her, gauging her reaction.
"Why didn't you fold?" Regina asked the second she saw his fallen hand.
"I couldn't dare to." Robin answered honestly.
She shrugged, a small gesture conveying that there was nothing she could do about it. After a scoff, she sighed and reached over to turn her cards around.
He watched intently as she revealed a straight flush, all composed of diamonds.
His heart skipped a beat. He couldn't even wait for her reaction, instead his mind instantly jumped to wonder what would her punishment be? Though unwilling to admit it, deep down curiosity filled him up. And as he was overwhelmed with anticipation, he threw her an expectant look.
Her eyes found the loot but he could tell it was the least of her worries. Her actual winnings lied in the punishment she was about to deal him.
Then she rose to her knees before leaning towards him.
"At least try to pretend you won't enjoy it." She spoke after a beat upon seeing his obvious excitement.
"Depends on what you're prepared to do."
"Something that…" She inched closer until a mere whisper was enough for him to hear her. "…you'll very much enjoy."
Then her hands found his belt.
Robin took in a deep breath the minute he felt her touch. His mind instantly darted back to that day in the movie theater. The look she had on her face now was very much alike to the one she wore in the dark then. However, before he had a chance to let his imagination wonder even further, she yanked his belt and started taking it off.
That's when he realized, she was more interested in the belt itself.
"Regina, you-" he started but she didn't let him finish. Instead, he got interrupted when her free hand found both his wrists and she brought them together before wrapping the belt around them.
"Oh…" Robin whispered. She opted on staying silent except for the occasional giggle which came out low and sultry.
When his wrists were pressed together and the belt was circled three times around them, holding both his limbs securely in place, she buckled it back up. He could feel the tightness and the material pressing on his skin. When she was done, she pulled back and gazed at her work.
"You seem proud." He noted before testing the bondage. No, it was impossible to pull his hands apart. He was tied up.
"I am." She sat back down on her knees with a smile she failed to contain. "You finally look… tamed."
"Really? That's the word you wanna use?"
She nodded gleefully before reaching for the cards.
"Wait," he stopped her.
"I'm listening." She reached for her glass.
"You don't actually expect me to play like this, do you?" He raised his hands as though reminding her of his current situation. As if she wasn't fully aware of his predicament…
"I'm afraid I do." She started dealing, showing no further signs that she intended to listen him complain.
"Oh.. you are cruel."
"Tell me something I don't know."
However, she would soon come to regret her words when Robin got a hold of his first cards and immediately noticed them to be of the same suit; all spades. He barely stopped himself from smiling. Yes, he might have been lousy at bluffing, but he figured he could at least show her his best poker face.
They both called to what was already in the pot, none of them daring to raise it any further. It was in Robin's best interest. God forbid she had a full house, then he didn't even want to imagine what she was prepared to do. Frankly, he didn't even know if he could handle it.
It was difficult enough to play poker with Regina, but now that his hands were all tied, it made it all the more more challenging. Whenever he had to hold his cards up, he had to use both his hands, and given that he was slightly tipsy, it made it even more difficult not to let her see his cards.
Luckily they didn't have to be at school the next day, so going to bed late was not even something that concerned them. But then he wondered if he was even going to go home that night. And his parents were curious people, there was a possibility of them calling at any moment.
"What time do you usually go to bed?" he asked, completely ignoring how he was sitting on his boss' couch, shirtless with his hands tied together with his own belt. No, it was not ridiculous at all.
"It changes." She cleared her throat and leaned back. "Why, do you want to go to bed?"
"That depends on the bed."
She didn't answer; instead, bit her lip before drawing two more cards from the deck.
Robin felt himself relaxing even more as the night progressed. His half naked body, practically laid bare to her hungry gaze was warmed up by the anticipation the night brought. Caught up in the game, he managed to draw another card from the deck. The once easy tasks were now hard with his hands tied together.
He barely managed to keep himself from smiling when he laid his eyes on his newly gained card, perfect for completing a set destined to bring her down.
Her face didn't mirror his overly enthusiastic one and that raised his hopes for her having a failing hand. Part of him expected her to fold but another part of him knew that she wasn't one to back down from a challenge, especially concerning her subordinates.
She muttered a few words, congratulating him on his efforts to bluff. He knew she was too smart to buy it. So in return, he congratulated her on her impeccable observation skills.
"Thank you," she said. "You're easy to read."
Her cards were set down willingly, as she was proud to display her hand to him. He leaned over hyperbolically to take a long, hard look, making her giggle in the process. Upon hearing the delicate sound, he raised his eyes to meet hers.
"Straight?" He remarked, looking back down at her hand composed only of cards that followed each other. It was not a bad hand, but it was also not the best.
She nodded and reached for her drink.
"Did you know," he started, and watched as she directed her attention from the glass to him. He got lost a little when he was faced with her beautiful eyes that took his breath away each time they met his, but he gathered his thoughts back again to continue with the story. "…that each one of the suits in a pack of cards represents the four major pillars of society back in Middle Ages."
"Oh?" she raised her eyebrows.
"Clubs represent the working class, the peasants; lower class who dealt with agriculture. Diamonds represent the merchants, the bourgeoisie." He watched her watch him and smiled. "Spades stand for military."
"And hearts?"
"Hearts… hearts represent the clergy and," he slowly laid his cards on the sofa, revealing a flush composed of the exact suit he was talking about, "…aristocracy."
Her eyes widened and her lips parted in surprise as she was faced with the hand that beat her. When she lifted her eyes to meet his, instead of a smug one, he was giving her a warm smile. Though she should have known deep down, it was the smile that represented the calm before storm.
"There is a motto written in old French on the early version of cards." He added with a sultry gaze.
"What is it?"
"Woman's heart deceives the world." Never once he tore his gaze away from her.
She gasped and he could see traces of a blush creeping up her cheeks. Then she bit back her smile and returned to the game. A loss awaited her.
She nodded slowly and he was glad to see that she was one to obey, especially when it came down to her own rules.
"It shouldn't be difficult for you to pick a punishment." She huffed and placed her elbow on the back of the couch, resting her head on her hand. She eyed him up and down, and he chuckled.
"You must think I'm so eager."
"Aren't you?"
"The game was your idea, m'lady." He mirrored her posture. "I am merely helping you enforce the rules… the rules you set I might add."
"I'm sorry, I'm just not used to seeing you do that at work," she countered.
"Well, at work I don't get to see you do this."
"What?" Regina asked cautiously.
He bit down on his lower lip, her eyes were instantly drawn to it. He then patted his knee. "Come here."
She did pause, but it wasn't hesitation in her eyes. From the way she pushed her chest forward and bit her lip, he knew it was excitement. His hungry gaze watched as she took one last sip from her wine, lips slightly catching on the rim of her glass before reaching over to slowly place her drink on the table. Her long limbs stretched out like a feline, and it wasn't long before her eyes were on him.
She raised herself on her knees before asking him the sexiest question of his life. "Across or on your lap?"
"The latter… unless you want to be spanked again." He swallowed and was glad to see her throw him a sly look.
"Some other time maybe," she drawled as she inched closer to him. "But right now, I want to know how this feels."
With that she placed her hands on his shoulders and straddled him.
It felt good, really good. Warmth enveloped him and he urged to put his hands on either side of her thighs but the belt around his wrists stopped him. So he had no choice but to let his tied hands get trapped between their bodies as she scooted closer to him on his lap. He was nestled between her thighs and that's when he swallowed hard and met her eyes. His hands in between her breasts reminded him that she was braless and the wetness between her thighs reminded him that she had taken off her panties.
He sighed. "Don't you think it's time for you to set me free?"
Her eyes went to his tied wrists in between her breasts which were now pressed up against his chest. Robin felt incredibly under control and he could tell she was amused.
"But where's the fun in that?" she purred and wrapped her arms around his neck.
"Untie me and I'll show you where the fun is." He looked up to her. She sat an inch higher than him on his lap.
"Is that a promise?"
"You bet." He growled. There were mere inches between their faces but Robin was focused more on feeling her than closing the gap.
She slowly brought her hands down from her neck and unbuckled the belt. The minute he felt his bond loosen around his wrists, he quickly pulled his hands apart and threw the belt carelessly on the ground before bringing his arms around her body. He pulled her to him and she came willingly before letting their chests finally collide.
"God…" Robin grunted once her wetness sat directly on his erection. Her head was bent towards him and he let their foreheads touch.
"That feels good…" she breathed out before once again wrapping her arms around his neck. The air was intoxicating around them. She was so close that every breath she exhaled, he inhaled it, wrapping them both in world that belonged only to them. He let himself forget everything else and become aware of her only. Her voice, her scent, her touch and her lips -which were hovering just inches away from his.
"Let me kiss you." Was it still begging if the woman he worshipped was ever so slowly grinding herself against him?
"Tell me where," she ordered, rubbing her nose to his. His lips grazed over hers and she breathed him in.
His hand left her thigh and went to her cheek. He let his fingers dance across her smirk which were already moist from a swipe of her tongue. "Your lips."
"Which ones?" She let out a giggle. It took the breath out of him.
He bit his lip before tearing his gaze away from her eyes to look past her. He stared at the coffee table. They had drained the bottles dry but there was still a little wine left in her glass. His eyes found hers again, about to ask permission for what he was about to do.
"Would you…" he murmured, letting his lips trail over her jaw. "Would you mind if I ruined your rug?"
She gasped and hummed under his touch. Her fingers danced around at the back of his neck, sending shivers down his spine as she managed. "I'm taking it to the cleaners tomorrow."
"Perfect, I'll drive you," he replied quickly under his breath and barely saw her nod before he cupped her ass with one hand and pulled her closer to him. The table was close. So with her clinging to his body, he leaned over and hurled the empty bottles away, sending all of them to the ground with a loud crash before pushing her onto the coffee table. She yelped and let out a giggle, her hands already searching for him. He was knelt on the ground, positioning himself right between her knees.
"Comfortable, m'lady?" He looked up and was glad to see the natural pink flush on her cheeks. It looked better than make up.
She scooted closer to him on the table, leaning back a little and placing both palms on the surface to support herself. "Are you?"
He nodded and returned his gaze back to her thighs. "I thought we were supposed to be punishing you, not pleasuring."
"You seem to be more eager on the latter." Her voice was husky, rained down with the aura of the night.
"I would…" he breathed out against her inner thigh which was still covered with leggings. "…love to…" he inched closer to her core and placed a soft kiss on her leg, "watch you come."
"But first," She lowered her hand down to his arm before pulling him up. He was crouching between her knees and he went up willingly, supporting himself on his haunches. "Come here."
She leaned forward and bent her head to meet him halfway, not letting their lips reach their destination just yet. His fingers gripped her thighs in an urgent manner and she scooted down to the edge of the table until her lips just brushed against his.
Even the ghost of her touch radiated a kind of intoxication that Robin found himself being pulled into. Impatient, he urged forward to finally capture her lips with his, but she pulled away with a giggle. Not letting him touch her, but not quite letting him get away either. Stuck in this agonizing limbo, he growled against her, not even aware of how inhuman he sounded.
"Regina…"
"Robin," she countered.
"I want to…"
"Tell me…"
And there had never been a more unfortunate moment to have his phone ring….
They both jumped in surprise, Robin sighing in exasperation. He saw Regina shut her eyes in what seemed to be disappointment, and he quickly put a hand under her chin to lift her head. "Hey, I won't pick up."
"You should." She opened her eyes back up and the moment was gone. "It's midnight, could be important."
She did have a point; no one would be calling at this time of the night unless they had a good reason. However, that did not make leaving her embrace any easier. Robin gave her thighs one last squeeze before getting up and jogging over to the hallway where the coat hanger stood. His jacket was still a little damp from the rain outside, it'd probably just be dry by the time he went outside again. He fished out his phone from the right pocket before making his way back to the living room and sitting on the couch, right in front of Regina who was still seated on the coffee table. The sight pleased him.
"What is it, August?" Robin picked up his phone, throwing her a playful look. She smiled back at him, both of them more disappointed than they were willing to admit at the interruption.
"I'm sorry for calling this late, were you asleep?" Came the distressed voice from the other end of the line.
"No, it's fine.. I was just," his gaze went over to the forgotten belt thrown carelessly on the ground. "…a little tied up." He could hear Regina snickering. "What's up?"
"You would not believe where I am right now."
"Where?"
"At work."
Robin checked his watch and frowned. "It's midnight… Didn't know you loved working this much."
"Uhm…" At the other end of line, August tightened his coat around him and scratched his head. "We got a situation."
The older man was also not a big fan of leaving his warm bed to be dragged out to work in the middle of the night. And he wouldn't have lifted a finger if it wasn't an emergency. August, still on the phone, trailed his gaze over to the crime scene where Killian, a few of his friends that August knew did not go to this school, along with Archie and a security guard stood. He sighed and directed his attention back to his friend, knowing he was his only way out right now.
"It's Killian." The physics teacher spoke. "The security guard caught him and his friends smoking… illegal substances in school premises."
"He… what?" Robin instantly straightened up. He could tell that he had peeked Regina interest but he quickly put on his best poker face, knowing this time it was the real deal. God knew what would happen if the cold and stoic principal found out about this, who was ironically sitting on the coffee table with her legs spread apart. Robin swallowed.
"You heard me," August spoke. "I called you first cause no one knows how to deal with this kid better that you do and Archie's about to…"
"No, don't let him."
"He's about to call Ms. Mills." August completed his sentence, wincing as the words left his mouth.
"No!"
"Robin, what is it?" Regina frowned and sat up straight. Her eyes which were playful and carefree a second ago was now carried a hint of seriousness with a dash of panic. He could tell that she sensed something was wrong.
"Who's that?" August frowned. There was a distinct echo of a feminine voice at Robin's end of the call which sounded awfully familiar.
"August, don't let Archie do what he's about to do. I'm on my way." Robin warned his friend one last time. The optimist in him knew that he could take care of the situation quietly without alarming Regina and getting the poor boy expelled.
"The principal needs to be informed."
"The principal does not need to-"
"The principal what?" Regina asked in a tone of voice radiating terror.
"Is that Ms Mills?!" August said in a shouting whisper, now that Archie was walking up to him.
When the older man stood behind August, he was too enveloped in his conversation to notice him dial.
"I'm calling the principal." The Earth Science teacher spoke. There were bags under his eyes. He, too, was sleepless and August could swear it was the first time he had seen the man irritated.
"No, wait!" Now this time, August was the one to protest.
However it was too late. Regina's phone rang and it sent shivers down Robin's spine. Since when was her ringtone this loud? He could already see the events unfolding before they even took place. She was going to march into the school, expel their asses one by one and chaos would ensue. Who was left to protect the children from the principal's wrath? Regina's intense gaze found his again and Robin bit his lip.
"What's going on?" she asked.
"Is that her ringtone?!" August asked in a hurry. "Is she at your place? Are you two-"
"Not now, August." Robin cut him off and watched as Regina stood up and went to fetch her purse. He then directed his attention back to his friend. "Who are the students exactly?"
"Just Killian, his friends don't go to this school." The older man sighed in disappointment. Killian was a smart kid, why he kept on making decision that affected his future, he had no idea.
"So just Killian?" Robin inquired, desperately trying to keep his voice down. "We might be able to save his ass if, I don't know, David or Mary Margaret is involved but… just Killian? Are you sure? Look around."
"There are no straight A students hiding in the closet, Robin. It's just Killian."
"Yes, Mr. Hopper?" Regina answered her phone and he looked up to see her walk into the living room before sitting down on the couch next to him.
"Ms. Mills," Archie spoke on the other end of the line and upon hearing him, August thought how much of a kiss ass he was. Must he obey all the God damn rules in existence? "Sorry to bother you so late but we require your presence at school, immediately."
"What's the emergency?"
Even a damn tornado alarm was less of an emergency than this, Robin thought… At least then, they would be able to take refuge in one of the cellars and wait for it to be all over.
He watched as Regina listened to her employee and shock washed over her. Then her face changed from surprise to displeasure and finally she furrowed her brows, her hand curled up into a fist. Robin could see she was slowly filling up with absolute rage that he didn't know how to soothe.
"They did what?"
"Uh-oh, she found out, didn't she?" August spoke. Robin hummed in agreement, not tearing his gaze away from the woman in front of him.
"I'll go find some bullet proof vests for the kids…" August sighed.
"A bulletproof vest won't save them…" Robin swallowed as he watched Regina hang up the phone before standing up. His eyes watched her every move.
He expected yelling, he expected complaining, but hell, he didn't expect absolute and utter silence. Because the only sound that reached his ears belonged to August's steady breathing on the other end of the phone. Her house was deathly quiet.
Regina did not move. At first, her eyes went to the bottles on the floor. For a second, Robin thought she would throw him an irritated remark about ruining her carpet. But instead of opening her mouth, her gaze found him and she threw him one hard look before walking over to her purse again.
When she came back, she threw the car keys on his lap. Her fingers went up to straighten her shirt.
"You're driving."