Snow was up to something.
Even as an adult, her stepdaughter still was incapable of hiding something. The whispers with the serving staff that ended when Regina approached, the overly wide smile and shifty eyes all made Regina suspicious. So tracked the princess down, glaring at Snow. "What is going on?"
"I don't know what you're talking about," Snow said, not meeting Regina's eyes.
"You're still a horrible liar, Snow. It's all that heroic blood running through your veins." Regina leaned closer. "Just tell me and I'm sure you'll feel better."
Snow let out a dramatic sigh. "Fine. You'll probably find anyway. I'm setting up a special dinner."
"A special dinner? What for? And will I be required to attend?" The thought of an evening spent trying to pretend to tolerate half the idiots living in her palace already made Regina already feel fatigued.
"Oh no," Snow said, shaking her head. "It's a private dinner."
Regina's eyebrow went up but she smiled. "Are you trying to surprise Charming?"
"It's not for me and Charming. It's for...someone else."
"You're planning a private dinner for...For who? Why?"
Snow glanced around before leaning closer, forcing Regina to do the same. "You have to promise you won't tell anyone, but Roland asked me to plan this dinner for his father."
"For Robin?" Regina frowned, though not sure if she was upset over the fact Roland hadn't asked her...or that there was someone for Robin to have dinner with here at court. "Did Roland say with whom?"
"No, he didn't. He just said he wanted to set up a special dinner for his Papa and a lady his father is interested in. I agreed to help."
Regina's heart sped up. "Robin is courting a lady?"
"I don't know. I think he's a bit nervous about making the first step, which is why Roland wants to set up this dinner." Snow sighed. "But I think I've said too much. I need to go and finish making these arrangements for Roland. I'll see you later?"
"Yes, yes." Regina wasn't really paying attention as she tried to figure out who Robin was having dinner with.
Snow smiled as she walked away. After a few paces, she stopped and looked back at her stepmother. "The dinner is going to be in the courtyard, by the way. Just so you know it's occupied."
Regina paced in her chambers. This shouldn't be annoying her. Why should she care that the blasted thief was courting someone? He had been a widower for a long time-even longer than he remembered thanks to her mother's protection spell against her curse. It was enough time for him to move on.
And why shouldn't he? He was still young and had a long life ahead of him, as long as he didn't do something stupid on a mission. But given how he had managed to evade capture all those years, she doubted he would do that. He was determined each time to get home to his son and if he had a wife to go home to as well...Well, she imagined he'd have double the incentive to stay alive.
Who would be attracted to him? Yes, he was good looking-she wasn't blind. He had silky dark blond hair that matched the scruff that seemed to compliment his look rather than make him look a mess. And she found herself getting lost in those blue eyes a few times. She also spotted him shooting at targets, shirtless, and had spent far longer than she would ever admit watching his muscles as he shot arrow after arrow.
But it didn't outweigh the fact he smelled like the forest he lived in. Or that he was cocky and infuriating, unable to follow even the most basic rules of court etiquette. He was also a thief, albeit an honorable one who sought only to improve the lives of the people around him. He was a good and caring father as well as a loyal friend. And he was incredibly easy to talk to as she felt he was never judging her...
Regina stopped, closing her eyes. She had feelings for Robin Hood.
Now that she was being honest with herself, she had been fighting them since she met him. Snow had seen it then—how she was intrigued by him and had silently agreed with Snow that he was pretty cute. So was his son, who she soon saw he adored. Anyone who was that devoted a parent earned her respect.
The way he had of getting under skin was also because she cared for him more than she had wanted to admit. She was trying to keep him away but he insisted on getting closer to her, trying to get to know her. In some ways, she wondered if he had feelings for her that weren't the usual ones she experienced in others—disgust, fear, hatred.
But it had been in her head. He had feelings for another woman.
Anger and jealousy coursed through her. She had to see who had stolen the thief's heart. Not to hurt her but just...just to make sure she was worthy. (Regina had no doubt though that the woman was more worthy than her). Snow had told her where the dinner was going to take place, so she could stop by on the way to her own meal and just catch a glimpse of her. The fact she decided to wear her best form-fitting red velvet dress and leave her dark hair down had nothing to do with trying to lure Robin away.
Not at all.
She hid behind a column in the courtyard, watching the servants as they set up a table under Snow's watchful eyes. Two candles were added and lit, though it was still light out. Food was carried out and laid out on the square table as were two wine glasses. From what Regina could tell, her stepdaughter had tapped into the royal wine cellar and chosen one of Regina's best wines for Robin's dinner with his ladylove. She vowed to get Snow back for that.
"This looks good," Snow said, nodding. "Let's go and get ready for the regular dinner."
The servants bowed or bobbed curtsies before hurrying ahead of the princess. Snow looked around, nodded once more and then followed them. Regina resisted the urge to ruin the meal and stayed behind the column, waiting to see who showed up next-Robin or his dining companion.
"Come on, Papa!" Roland's voice echoed around her. "It's this way!"
Robin's familiar, deep chuckle reached Regina's ears, sending her heart fluttering. "Slow down, my boy. There's no need to rush."
"We don't want to keep her waiting!"
"Who?"
"Your date!" Roland announced, coming into view. He stopped short, frowning as his brown eyes took in the courtyard. "She's not here."
Robin chuckled again, picking up his son and setting him on his hip. "Maybe we're early, Roland. You did rush me here."
"This is when the princess told me to be here!" Roland crossed his arms. "She's supposed to be here."
"Who? Princess Snow?"
Roland shook his head. "Your dinner date."
"And who is that?" Robin asked. Regina wondered that too, noting that there was no one else within the vicinity of the courtyard. Certainly whoever had snagged Robin's affections would've been here, ready to begin what was no doubt going to be a beautiful relationship she was going to have to watch develop from the sidelines, knowing it could've been her but that she had once again been too afraid, too angry, to seize her chance.
"It's a surprise," Roland replied.
Robin raised an eyebrow. "I don't even get to know who I'm supposed to be dining with tonight?"
As Roland shook his head, Regina's brows knitted in confusion. How did Robin not know who his dinner companion was? How did he not guess? Unless this was a blind date, setting Robin up with someone Roland and Snow assumed he had feelings for and who they assumed had feelings for him. But who was it?
Her eyes widened as the realization hit her.
She was his dinner guest.
Robin was interested in her.
And she had played right into her stepdaughter's hands. Sometimes Regina forgot how clever Snow could be when she wanted to be.
Smoothing out her skirts, Regina stepped from behind the column and walked into the courtyard. Roland's face lit up and he wriggled out of his father's arms to run to her. She crouched down and gathered him into a tight hug. "What took you so long?" he whispered.
"So sorry," she whispered back. Releasing him, she stood and approached Robin. He had a soft smile and his eyes twinkled, so she didn't think he was disappointed that she was having dinner with him. "Hello, Thief."
"Milady." Robin bowed to her though his eyes remained on hers. "I take it you are joining us for dinner?"
"Yes," Regina replied, "though I don't think Roland is."
At his father's questioning look, Roland shook his head. "You and Her Majesty are on a date!" he exclaimed.
He wriggled out of Regina's grasp. As his little feet hit the courtyard ground, he told them to enjoy and ran off back inside the palace. Robin and Regina watched him before turning to each other.
Robin cleared his throat, breaking the silence first. "I do believe we got set up by a five years old."
"He had some help," Regina replied. "Snow is behind this as well."
He nodded before glancing over at the table. "So, what do you want to do now?"
"Well, I guess it would be a shame to let the food go to waste." She let her eyes rake over him before shrugging. "And I guess you aren't the worst dinner companion."
"I'll take that as a compliment," Robin replied wryly as he followed her to the table. He reached around her and pulled out her chair. "Milady?"
She sat down and waited for him to take his seat. As she did, she berated herself for being her usual cold self to him. Regina had come to terms with the extent of her feelings for the man but she guessed she wasn't ready yet to act on them. Hopefully she could get through this meal without either making a fool of herself or damaging her chances with Robin once she could gather her courage to pursue something with him.
Robin took his seat and held up his goblet. "A toast," he said.
Impressed, Regina raised her goblet as well. "To what?"
"To us, I guess?"
"That seems a bit narcissistic."
Robin laughed. "I guess so. Will it seem less so if I toast to you and you toast to me?"
"What makes you think I want to toast you?" At his raised eyebrow, she chuckled. "Fine. To you, Thief."
"And you, milady." They took sips, neither breaking eye contact until they turned their attention to the meal laid out before them.
As they ate, they found light topics of conversation and Regina found herself relaxing. Now that she had admitted her feelings for him (at least to herself), she could enjoy the qualities she had pretended hadn't existed in a bid to justify her continued dislike of the man. Robin was kind-hearted and intelligent, able to hold a conversation even better than half the courtiers she had had to suffer as Queen. His smile was contagious and Regina found herself returning it more often than not. She also noticed that though Roland was a big part of his life, Robin avoided talking about him or children in general. It was clear to her he didn't want to bring up the painful memories of Henry and she was grateful for that.
"So, milady, I've told you quite a bit of my adventures," Robin said, leaning forward. "Any you care to share?"
Her smile faltered. "I'm afraid most of my adventures end in mass murder. Not very good dinner conversation."
"I see." His own smile fell a bit. "Then what about your childhood? Any stories from your carefree days?"
Regina let out a snort. "If you met my mother, you'd understand I had no carefree days."
He fell silent and she looked away, not wanting to see the pity in his eyes. The thief knew too much now-about the son lost to her, her evil ways and now her less-than-stellar childhood at the hands of Cora Mills. And the evening had been going so well...
"You look beautiful tonight," Robin said suddenly. She looked up to meet his eyes, which were twinkling with mirth rather than brimming with pity. "Was it for me? Did you know you were my dinner date?"
"Don't flatter yourself, Thief. I was duped just like you."
He raised an eyebrow. "So you just chose to wear a nicer dress than usual? And walk by this courtyard?"
"I'll admit I was curious."
"Curious? Is that all?"
It was her turn to raise an eyebrow. "What are you trying to imply?"
"Maybe you were jealous," he said. "Maybe you wanted to lure me away from whatever woman Snow and Roland had set me up with."
Regina didn't want him to know how close to the truth he was, so she kept her mask in place. "You have quite the imagination, Robin Hood."
"Perhaps," he agreed, smirking. He stood then, walking over to her and holding out his hand. "Shall we dance?"
"There's no music," Regina replied, surprised by his gesture.
"No matter," he said. "We don't really need music to dance."
She tilted her head and slid her hand into his, curious to see where he was going with this. Robin led her away from the table, toward one of the openings that looked out at the gardens. He pulled her close, resting one hand on her waist while his other still clutched the hand she had given him. She placed her free hand on his shoulder and let him lead.
For a man who lived in the forest, Robin was able to dance. And courtly dances, at that, not the dances she believed the peasantry danced to around their fires. He executed each step for the waltz perfectly as if there was music filling the courtyard. Every so often, he would spin her out and twirl her back toward him. And at one point, he even dipped her, which drew a smile from her.
As the sun set and twilight fell, Robin continued dancing with her. Their waltzes gave way to what she considered Land Without Magic dancing—the two of them swaying together in each other's arms. She even let herself lean against his shoulder, enjoying the feel of him.
"I lied," she confessed, not looking him in the eyes. "I was jealous."
He paused, leaning back and smiling. "You were?"
"Yes. So I came to see the woman who had stolen your heart. But I guess your heart is safe."
Robin's eyes softened and he shook his head. "Hardly. Someone did run off with it."
"She did?" Regina's heart beat faster. "Who?"
"Regina..." He tucked his fingers under her chin and tilted her head up. Robin brushed his lips against hers as her heart stopped.
It was a quick, chaste peck but it fueled a fire that had been smoldering for weeks. Regina grabbed his tunic and pulled him in for a deeper, more passionate kiss. He didn't respond at first but after the shock wore away, she felt his arms wrap back around her and pull her closer to him. His tongue sought entrance and she let it, moaning softly as one of his hands tangled up in her hair.
They broke apart and he licked his lips. "That was...Well, who knew the Evil Queen was such a good kisser?"
"I detest that name," she said.
"Then I shall never call you it again," he vowed. "You shall just be my Queen."
Warmth spread through her chest at his words and she fought the smile trying to blossom from it. "Why me?"
"Because you are the most complex, infuriating, amazing woman I have ever known," he said. "One minute you can be lashing at everyone with sharp words, the next soft and sweet while telling Roland a bedtime story. And you get the most exquisite smile when you do. It makes me want to do whatever it takes to see it all the time."
She rewarded him with one of those smiles before studying him. "Are you real? Or did I manage to put myself under the sleeping curse and this is just an elaborate dream?"
"Does this feel like a dream?" Robin kissed her again, harder and with more passion. She clutched at his tunic again, enjoying the feel of his warmth next to her.
They pulled apart and Regina licked her lips. "Definitely not a dream. That was definitely real."
"Oh yes," he said, tightening his hold on her. "And now it's your turn. Why me?"
She shrugged. "I haven't figure it out yet, to be honest. I just came to terms with my own feelings."
"Fair enough," he said. "I shall ask you another day. When you've had time to figure it out."
"What if I never do?"
He smiled. "Then I guess I'll never leave."
"Would you leave me if I do?"
"No, Regina." He frowned, shaking his head. "That's not what I meant."
"Everyone leaves me in the end, though. Why wouldn't you be any different?" She stepped away from him, walking back to the table.
Robin followed though, staying close to her. "I'm not going to leave. I'm not like the others."
"You say that now," Regina said. "But it will get too much for you. I always chase people away. I chased Henry away."
"You had to send him away. To save him," Robin clarified.
She sighed. "After just getting him back. I had chased him away before that."
"How so?" Robin sat down again. He held one of her hands.
After taking another sip of wine, she told Robin everything. How Henry had discovered he had been adopted by accident and how she hadn't handled it well. She talked about how she got scared when he started to realize how odd everything in Storybrooke was-that no one aged and that nothing ever changed. How she tried to wipe out his imagination, how she made him think he was crazy. Then when he got the book and learned about her past, how she did everything possible to stop him from seeing her as the Evil Queen...by acting exactly like the Evil Queen she had been. "I chased him into Emma's arms and I blamed her for the longest time," she said.
"But he came back," Robin said. "You managed to change yourself and become the mother you once were to him."
"And now he's gone. Lost to me forever." Regina crumpled forward as sobs wracked her body.
Robin gathered her in his arms, cradling her as they sunk to the courtyard floor. He stroked her hair as he murmured something nonsensical to her. It didn't matter; his voice alone was soothing.
When her tears dried up and she collected herself, Regina took Robin's proffered handkerchief. "Thank you," she said, voice scratchy.
"You're welcome. I have a feeling that was a long time coming," he said. "Do you feel better?"
She nodded, resting against his chest. In the past, she never would've broken down in front of anyone like that. Nor would she have deigned to let herself be held while doing so. But Robin's arms felt safe. She felt like he would support her and let her express her emotions without any judgments, without thinking she was weak.
"I'm sorry I ruined our evening," she said.
"You haven't ruined anything," he replied. "And if you ever need to talk, come to me. I'll always listen."
Regina leaned back, studying his face. She saw sincerity, compassion and something else in his eyes. Something she was not ready to identify and admit to herself. Leaning forward again, she pressed a chaste kiss to his lips. "Thank you," she whispered.
"You're welcome." He helped her up, holding her hand. "As much as I'm loathed to end this evening, I fear we must. I have a son to wrestle into bed."
She nodded. "Of course. Roland comes first, I understand."
"That's another reason I'm drawn to you," he said. "You're also a parent and understand things like this. And you're very good with Roland."
"He's a sweet kid," Regina said with a smile. "Who I hope doesn't pick up Snow's devious side from this little stunt."
Robin chuckled before holding out his arm. "Well, before I go find my son, may I escort you back to your rooms?"
"Yes, you may." She looped her arm through his. "But don't think the fact I'm showing you where my rooms are means you're allowed to drop in for unexpected visits."
"Of course, milady. I do have an honor code."
Regina rolled her eyes. "Okay, it's just past this hallway and then..."
"A left toward the staircase at the end of the hall. Your room is right at top," Robin finished. "Your room is on my nightly patrols."
"Why do I have a feeling Snow is behind that?" Regina muttered.
He chuckled. "I'm not sure about that but I wouldn't be too surprised. Charming gave me the route."
"I wonder how long she's been trying to set us up."
"Probably since we got to the palace," Robin mused. "My patrols started to go past your chambers shortly after that."
Regina bit back a groan. "Snow is too meddlesome for her own good."
"What about our good?" Robin paused outside her door, taking her hands.
She watched as he rubbed his thumbs over her hands and shrugged. "I guess it worked out in our favor. So, are you going to give me a good night kiss?"
"If milady wishes," he replied with a cheeky smile. His warm lips covered her still tingling ones for another chaste but satisfying kiss. Pulling back, he rested his forehead against hers. "Until the morning."
"Until then." Regina pulled away, slipping into her rooms. She leaned against the door, a smile playing on her lips.
Things had just taken a very interesting turn. And she didn't mind one bit.
A/N: Thanks to C_OUAT for the prompt about Snow and Roland setting Regina and Robin up on a blind date. I'm sorry it took me a few months to fill it!
