Interlude V
Not very fluffy. Something I see playing out when the show returns.
Regina was cranky.
She knew about the little "council" meeting if for no other reason that Robin was serving on it. And she knew exactly what would be on the agenda.
When Robin came in very late, and he didn't speak at first, she knew she was precisely correct.
She sat down on the couch next to him where he was rubbing his temples.
"So?"
"So?"
"Oh come on. I know exactly what's going on!"
He nodded. "Yes, you do."
"Should I say it?" Regina asked.
"If you wish."
"Ok. The Council thinks that I am a pariah. The one they barely tolerate. The one that sits in the back at every function, the one everybody is always just looking for an excuse to say, 'You see! That's who she really is!'"
Robin didn't say anything. Inviting her to say more.
Of course.
"And then there will come a time when something happens, when a new 'villain' appears and then it will be 'Oh, Regina, I know we've never seen eye-to-eye, but we really need you for THIS! We don't like your magic, don't even like you, but just this one time, will you help us?'"
Robin kissed her hand, "You understand."
Oh, yes she did!
"And I don't like it!"
"Neither do I."
"That's sweet of you, Robin," she said after a moment. "For whatever reason you love me, and somehow will stay loyal to me. I get it."
"I was talking about myself."
What?
"You?"
"I'm a hero. That is almost as terrible as being a villain," he told her simply.
He was stroking her hand.
And she saw.
Of course it was.
"Being so 'good and selfless' means nobody has to say 'thank you,'" Regina said. "They just expect it."
He pulled her hand to her cheek.
"I don't know what to say," Regina admitted.
"Say nothing," Robin replied. "But perhaps this is maybe part of the reason that I fell in love with you."
He took her hand again, just stroking it.
Her Beloved. He was in the darkness as much as she.
He kissed her hand again.
"Uh, Robin?"
"Yes."
"You have a thing with hands too, don't you?"
He smiled against her palm, "And ankles." His eyes glanced up, "I am rather medieval, as you are so found of reminding me."
Wow.
Regina slipped her foot out of a shoe, and lifted it up to his lap. He laughed, and kissed the top of it.
"Yes," he said, "and feet."
Her foot slipped back down, and she kissed him. Kissed him. Kissed him.
She sighed, "I'll do what they ask when the time comes."
For wasn't that what she always did?
"They'll use me….and you," she continued.
"Count on it," Robin assured her.
Yes.
"The perfect pair?" he asked.
Yes. Just about perfect.
The witch and the selfless outlaw.
Just about perfect.