A/N : Okay, I apologize again for the wait, it took me a while to overcome my writer's block for this fic. But, it's finally over, I'm one chapter to finishing writing this fic, so the updates should arrive more frequently, promise! Unless there's a last minute change, and without counting this update, there's 5 chapters and a epilogue left. I hope you're ready!
As always, thank you to my betas, and to anyone who review this story!
He closes his hand over hers, squeezes her fingers reassuringly, but Robin knows that there's very little he can do to appease her anxiety today.
Regina is strong. The strongest person he's met. But this is a lot. Despite the recent support she received, the knowledge that she will be surrounded by people who love her and care about her during this ordeal, despite their declaration to each other that has strengthened their relationship, she'd been extremely nervous as they got closer to her stepfather's trial.
Every night for the last week, she woke up trembling and sweating, eyes full of fear when they looked at him. She didn't cry. Not once. But she was terrorized, paralyzed by her fear. Each night, it took him a long time to reassure her -talks, soft touches, reassuring words whispered just between them- reassuring himself as well.
She didn't need to, but she admitted it to him. The reason why she was still afraid.
"He sees me as a bug he should crush with his foot. I'm sure he must regret not killing me when he discovered I was pregnant."
Robin closes his eyes, remembering her trembling voice that day. And is brought back to reality when he feels her hand tremble in his hold. He leans towards her, and murmurs in her ear, "Remember, he can't hurt you. You're the one in power here."
She looks at him and shyly nods. "I know."
She tries to be brave, tries to put the mask back on, and Robin is confident that, despite the anguish plaguing her right now, when the time comes to walk to the witness stand and testify, she will impress them all.
They climb the steps leading to the court, and enter the building. Saying that the place is crowded is an understatement. The number of people who came to assist to the famous Mr. Gold's trial is impressive. Robin ignores if this is purely misplaced curiosity, or a genuine desire to see the man locked up. Probably both. Luckily, their bodyguard and police officers are shielding them from everyone else until they reach the courtroom door.
When they stop, Regina relaxes slightly, but stays snuggled against him, head down, half buried in his neck, her anxiety radiating from her. Daniel is next to her, a hand rubbing her back gently.
"I'll try to find Ms. Ozburn. She should already be here." He faces Regina, catches her face between his hands, making her look up at him. "I'll be right back, alright?" She nods at him, and he presses a kiss to her brow, cupping her chin gently before walking away.
They stay where they are, standing awkwardly next to a wall, uncomfortable, them and his parents. Regina leans against him, and Robin instinctively wraps an arm around her shoulders, keeping her close.
"It's a blip," he whispers in her ear. "But after that, it will finally be over. You'll be rid of him for good."
"If he's found guilty," Regina replies with a shudder.
"He will be," he assures, giving her shoulder a squeeze. "He will be."
She freezes in his hold then, and Robin glances down at her, confused, only to see that her gaze is fixed upon a group of people in front of her, and they have spotted her, too. They seem hesitant to come closer, but when Regina takes a step in their direction, they get the message, and join her.
Arthur and the two officers block their way, but Regina places a hand on the bodyguard's shoulder, saying softly. "It's okay. I know them."
That's when Robin recognizes the man next to the two women: Her driver. The one that used to drop off and pick her up in front of the school. The one she told him wanted to help, but had his hands tied.
"Miss Regina," one of the girls greets her shyly. "It's good to see you."
"It's good to see you too, Ashley. Moe. Anya." Regina greets them back with a slight duck of her head.
Robin catches his parents' questioning look, and he whispers for them, as he recognizes the women's names that she mentioned to him once or twice. "Her former driver and maids."
His parents nod in acknowledgment, and Robin looks back at Regina as she wraps her arms around Moe's neck, surprising him, but he carefully hugs her back, clearly appreciating the gesture. Robin observes the group as Regina takes Ashley, then Anya in her arms, and suddenly he's struck by a simple truth: they love her. They love Regina, and the years they spent at her service, never once were they allowed such tender gesture towards her. That's how he knows that they're here for her. That they will do everything they couldn't do before, so this time, her stepfather never lays a hand on her, ever again. The thought warms his heart. The closer they get to this trial, the more support she receives. He's glad. No one deserves this more than she does.
Regina pulls back from Anya's arms, smiling warmly and biting her bottom lip.
"Thank you for being here."
"That's the least we could do, Miss Regina," Ashley replies.
"I'm sorry we didn't do anything before," Moe says shamefully, looking down. "We could have spared you a lot of-"
Regina shushes him with a hand on his arm, and squeezes gently.
"You couldn't, Moe." Her gaze moves to the two women. "None of you could do anything without endangering your own lives. What matters is that you do something now."
"And we will!" Anya replies resolutely. "You can count on us, Miss Regina."
Regina doesn't reply, instead, she smiles wordlessly, and Robin can read in her eyes the gratefulness she's full of, the tenderness she feels for these people.
They walk away after a slight bow of their head, and Regina turns towards him, letting out a long sigh.
"You okay?" he questions, rubbing her shoulders.
She looks up, and nods, a small and relieved smile tugging at her lips. "I hadn't seen them since..." she trails off, because they both know what period of her life she's referring to. "I missed them. They are good people, but with Gold's threat hanging upon their heads, there was no way they could've helped me then. I'm glad they're here today."
He cups her cheek, and gives her a crooked smile, one to which she answers equally.
He's happy for her. Happy to see that so many people are standing up for her, resolute to help, to expose the truth of the hell she lived for 2 years, to participate in making the responsible pay for his actions. Happy that she can act the way she wants, without fear of the consequences.
"Regina, darling."
Robin looks up at his mother's voice, and he and Regina follow Edith's gaze when she points at the three people who just entered the hall.
Will, Neal, and Belle are standing there, eyes scanning the crowd, searching for them. Edith and Tom step towards them, calling their names, and they finally notice them, scurrying in their direction, the officers letting them closer when Tom asks them to.
"Hi!" Belle greets, removing her scarf and shaking Edith and Tom's hands. "When did you arrive?"
Robin releases Regina, who accepts Will, Neal, then Belle's hugs willingly, pulling back and looking at them with a small smile.
"About fifteen minutes ago," Tom replies.
"Are ya ready?" Will asks Regina, his hands on her shoulders.
The man's energy and confidence are doing Regina a lot of good, Robin can tell. His presence here, the fact that he came from across the world to support her, bringing a part of her past that is made of good memories, helped her tremendously. She told him so, and Robin saw the change by himself. Will's good temper and natural energy have given Regina the last strength she needed to face this ordeal. Watching him interact with her, and the way she laughs when she's with him, make Robin understand that he was one of the few people she could relax with when she was younger.
Regina lets out a deep, resolute breath, and nods firmly. "I am."
"Good!" Will squeezes her arms. "I have faith in you." Daniel joins them, greets Belle and Neal while Will finishes. "If you ever feel like it's too much and you're about to lose ground, just look at us." He waves at all of them, then resumes. "We're all here for you, Regina. You're not alone."
Nodding a couple of times, Regina's smile widens. "I know. Thank you, Will."
Daniel pats the man's back once he's finished. "It's about to start. Be ready."
And indeed, barely a minute later, an announcement is made out loud, and the large thick oak doors open, letting the crowd enter the courtroom. Robin, his parents, Regina, and Daniel take a seat to the front rows behind the prosecutor's desk, Ms. Ozburn greeting them with a polite smile and a nod.
Regina's hand finds his, and Robin closes his fingers over hers as he smiles reassuringly at her. The back door opens, and there he is: Mr. Gold. Wearing fine clothing, standing straight, chin high. Robin's only met him once, but the man gives him the creeps. The look he sends in Regina's direction... It makes him shudder. And given the way Regina clutches to his hand and how Daniel takes hold of her other hand, he's not the only one.
"All rise."
They get up, watching as a woman with red and curly hair tied in a bun and wearing a black gown with a lace flap at the neck enters the room, heading for the judge's seat.
"Court is now in session. Judge Merida Bera presiding. Please be seated."
"Good morning, ladies and gentlemen." the judge begins. "Calling the case of the People of the State of Maine versus Mr. Rupert Alastor Gold. Are both sides ready?"
The prosecutor nods. "Ready for the People, Your Honor."
"Ready for the defense, Your Honor," Gold's lawyer says.
"Will the clerk please swear in the jury?"
The clerk turns towards the jury. "Will the jury please stand and raise your right hand?" The man waits until they do so before resuming. "Do each of you swear that you will fairly try the case before this court, and that you will return a true verdict according to the evidence and the instructions of the court, so help you, God? Please say 'I do'."
The jury proclaims in one voice. "I do."
"Ms. Ozburn, please proceeds," Judge Bera says.
The prosecutor gets up, walks around her desk, and turns slightly so she's half facing the judge, half facing the crowd.
"Your Honor and ladies and gentlemen of the jury, the defendant has been charged with assaults, aggravated sex trafficking, and attempted of murder on the person of Miss Regina Mills. I'd like to point out that Miss Mills is currently 17 years old. Therefore, she also was a minor at the time of the incidents. Incidents that took place during two years." She pauses, pacing slowly in the room. "Two years of abuse, for a young girl who never consent to what has been done to her."
Robin feels Regina's grip on his hand tighten, and he squeezes back, instinctively pressing a kiss to her cheek.
"Allow me to give you a little backstory: Regina Mills is a smart girl, the best of her class. She's discreet, and never got into any trouble."
Indeed... Robin remembers, several months ago, when he didn't yet dare talk to her, but couldn't take his eyes off of her. When she was oblivious of his existence, and he was watching her from afar, as she appeared so mysterious, always caught in a book, definitely the loneliest girl of high school.
"When she was 14, her father suddenly died of a heart attack. In the months that followed, she saw her mother, Mrs. Cora Mills, marry the defendant, therefore becoming Mrs. Gold. That's when Regina Mills' nightmare began. Miss Mills saw her freedom disappear. Whenever the defendant, now her stepfather, wasn't pleased with her, he beat her up. In addition to that, he forced her to work for him, in his casino, as a waitress, meant to entertain the gamblers."
The memory is still vivid in Robin's mind, the image of Regina at the casino, flirting with clients under her stepfather's approving gaze.
"But not only that. Because Mr. Gold used the poor girl in the vilest way. He forced her, for two years, to have sex with men against her will for money. In other words, -and I know I'll shock some of you by saying this- he forced her into prostitution. She never agreed to that. She never gave her consent. Which means, that what happened to this young girl who couldn't defend herself, was called a rape. She was raped," she repeats, all eyes on her, her voice strong and words firm.
"And although the defendant has never sexually abused her himself, it doesn't make his crimes any less cruel, nor him less guilty. In no way it excuses the horror in which he plunged this young girl, a young girl who was, let me remind you, barely fifteen years old at the time of the events." The prosecutor lets a couple of second pass, seconds during which Robin remembers every event he witnessed or was told about, forcing himself to stay strong, to keep his own fear inside, to focus on how much Regina needs him today.
Regina listens to the whole plea with hard eyes, those eyes that reminds him so much of the girl he met. He recognizes the mask she used to wear all the time, now only serves her to face events like this one. The mask she wore when he first confronted her about the truth, and she denied being hurt, denied being beaten, denied his help. When she was so scared for her life, that she refused to let him in.
Robin brings her hand to his lips, kissing its back, feeling her grip tighten in gratitude. It hurts so much. Thinking about what happened, about those moments, reminding him that he could have done something sooner, but she was too afraid to let him, and unfortunately rightfully so. He closes his eyes, breathing slowly. That hell is behind them now. Or at least, it will be. Soon. And the remnant of his own fear that's still present and tugging at his gut will finally disappear once and for all.
"How was the reality discovered?" Ms. Ozburn resumes. "A few months ago, Miss Mills, following these repeated rapes, got pregnant."
Regina looks down at the mention of her pregnancy, holding her breath. Daniel's arm wraps around her, and she lets her head fall on his shoulder, lets him comfort her for a moment. Robin fights the knot of anxiety in his belly, struggling to keep the images of her, lying on the ground, bleeding, pale as death, refusing his help, at bay.
"When the defendant discovered the unfortunate pregnancy, he beat her almost to death. This is no exaggeration, as she would have died from a hemorrhage, had the doctors not managed to stop the bleeding."
Robin glances at her, pain flashing in her brown eyes at the memory of the event. Despite her good face, her recovery, he knows she will forever be scarred by this event, by her near death, the loss of a child she never wanted, but couldn't help loving nonetheless.
"And as if that wasn't enough, when Miss Mills had managed to resume a resemblance of normal life, months after the defendant was arrested for the acts he is accused of today, he paid two police officers working for him to kill her."
Robin's grip instinctively tightens over her hand, Regina answering equally, her breath catching before she slowly exhales, her hand trembling in his hold for a moment.
Ms. Ozburn links her hands together, turning towards the jury.
"The facts are there, ladies and gentlemen. The evidence you will hear will prove to you that the defendant is guilty beyond a reasonable doubt."
Robin lets out a breath he didn't realize he was holding. Hearing the story brought back so many memories to the surface, reminded him of so many painful moments, that he feels nauseous.
However, he has no regrets. He doesn't regret Regina entering his life. He doesn't regret the secrets, the tears, the fights, the pain. He certainly won't regret all the smiles, hugs, amazing friendship and laughs they shared. And above all else, he won't regret waking up to her beautiful face every morning, telling her how much he loves her before kissing her senseless.
She's been through hell.
And he witnessed a glimpse of this hell.
But what they both have today, their blossoming love that is stronger than anything he ever knew, is worth all the pain they've been through.
Robin suffers the defense attorney's plea with iron will, suppressing his need to punch the man in the face, rolling his eyes several times in front of his arguments to defend Regina's stepfather. Until...
"The Prosecution may call its first witness."
There we are...
"The People call Miss Regina Mills."
Robin hears her breath catch, but Regina stands, gives his hand a last squeeze before dropping it, and walks towards the witness stand as the bailiff asks the other witnesses to leave the room.
"Please stand. Raise your right hand." Regina does as told. "Do you promise that the testimony you shall give in this case before the court shall be the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, so help you God?"
"I do."
"Please state your first and last name."
"Regina Mills."
"You may be seated."
Robin knows Regina prepared for her testimony, that Ms. Ozburn has worked with her so the defendant's attorney questions wouldn't throw her off or make her slip up. So technically, she's ready. But in real life, Robin knows that she's terrified. How couldn't she? This is it, the final confrontation with her step father, the one that might finally put a final end to her suffering, that could definitely free her from her old life. Or put her through hell again. He remembers what she told him the day before, as they were lying in bed together, and she was unable to find sleep...
He rakes his hand through her hair, trying to be soothing, but he knows that nothing he does will work. Her level of anxiety is high, and Regina's been tense all day, absent, unresponsive to their attempts at keeping her busy and focused on something else than tomorrow's event: her step father's trial.
She shivers, cuddles closer, wrapping a leg around his and fisting his shirt, shuddering. Robin instinctively kisses her head, tugs her tighter.
"I'm so scared," she murmurs against his chest.
"I know," he replies, rubbing her back. "Is there something I can do to help?"
Regina buries her face in his neck, presses a soft kiss there. "You're already doing a lot, Robin."
He pulls back slightly, cupping her cheek when she lifts her head from his chest. "But it's not enough."
She looks at him with a loving smile, the back of her finger brushing his cheek. "It's more than I thought I'd ever have."
She comes down and presses her lips to his for a soft kiss, but she doesn't pull back, instead nips at his bottom lip, urging him to open his mouth. He does, inviting her to deepen the kiss, sighing contently as she does, her hand wrapping around his neck as she moves on top of him. He helps her settle comfortably, his palms resting in her lower back, keeping her pressed against him, focusing on the feeling of her tongue against his own, of her breath melting with his, of the low moan escaping her lips. Robin's hands move up her back, one of them winding in her hair, settling at the back of her head, fisting her hair when Regina's hand slip under his shirt and runs against his chest, triggering goosebumps on his skin and making him jolt in her hold.
Regina pulls back, frowning down at him. "Did I hurt you?"
Robin takes a second, exhales shakily, trying to recover. "Hell no!" he murmurs, trying his best to keep his raspy voice under control. "Quite the contrary in fact." His hand covers her over his shirt, dragging her gaze there, and she understands what he means when he bites the edge of his bottom lip. "I'm not complaining in the slightest."
Regina chuckles, teases him by scraping her fingers against his chest playfully, and Robin can't hold back a small laugh, squirming under her and half rolling on the bed, making them face each other, each one on their side, still tangled up with each other, her hand sliding to his back.
"I love you, Robin," Regina murmurs against his lips once their laughter dies down.
They tell each other regularly now, but it never fails to make Robin smiles like an idiot every time. "I love you too."
Regina flashes him a grin, resting her forehead against his, her grip on him tightening for a second before she loosens it."I hope he'll go to jail," she adds, looking down between them as she pulls back a little, her face anxious again, her fear back.
Robin pulls a strand of hair behind her ear. "He will, Regina. No one will let him out after what he did."
"But if he-" she sighs, shakes her head, and looks at him with eyes brimming with tears. "If they do, then I'll never be safe again."
"We'll make you safe," he assures, squeezing her against him.
"He got to me while in jail. If he's out, he'll be unstoppable, and I-"
She stops abruptly, frowns, shakes her head again, letting a tear slip free, and Robin is trying to search for something comforting to say when she startles him with her next words.
"I won't stay in Storybrooke." He freezes at her words, but she continues, "Robin, if he's set free, I can't stay here, or he'll find me and kill me."
He sits up so abruptly that she falls backward, catching herself on her arms. "What?"
How can she say that? How can she possibly think of leaving, of abandoning them all? Of abandoning him?
"You're joking, right?"
But she stares at him with glassy eyes, shaking her head. "I'm not. Robin, he is the devil itself. He will stop at nothing to make me pay for what I did."
"And what about us?" he replies, fighting the anger boiling inside of him. "Did you think of that? Of what it would do to us to see you leave? Don't you think that we wouldn't fight for you? Protect you? Do anything necessary to keep you safe? Isn't it what we've tried to do over these last months?"
Regina stays silent, stunned in front of him, holding his gaze, but he can tell that she's struggling not to look down, because he's being hard on her and he knows it, but damn! She can't possibly believe that he, or his parents, or Daniel, would be okay with that. That he would let her go without a fight. Not now. Not after everything. Not when she's become his entire world, the oxygen he needs to breathe, the reason why his heart is beating in his chest.
He remembers the recent events, the one that brought them even closer, but that almost destroyed them. She never told him so, but she can't have lost all faith in him because of it. He hopes she didn't. She wouldn't have told him she loves him if she did. He can see it in her eyes. She trusts him, she loves him, he knows she does, yet he can't help but add.
"I know last month was a big mess, and I've failed you, but-"
"Robin, it wasn't you-" she starts, but he doesn't let her finish.
"We can't lose you. I can't lose you." He takes her hand, links their fingers and softly rubs the back of her hand with his thumb as he softens his tone. "And I can't do much about your stepfather beside having faith, but that's what you have to do, too. I know it's scary." He squeezes her hand, locks gaze with her again. "Believe me, I know. I'm freaked out too. And yes, there's still a small risk that they'd let him go, but please! Have faith! If you don't believe in the judge, or the cops, or the prosecutor, then fine. But believe in me." He places her hand on his heart, keeps it there. "In this," he says as she feels the beating of his heart in the crook of her palm. "I won't let you down, Regina. Never. If he's set free, we'll find a way. We'll even discuss leaving Storybrooke if you want. But together. Not you alone. Until then, I beg you to trust me when I tell you that everything is going to be okay." He pauses, lets out a long breath, exhausted, as if he'd just run a marathon. "Can you do that?"
Her eyes haven't left his, and only now Robin notices that they're filled with tears, one rolling down her cheek, and he can't help but brush it away. But before his thumb has wiped away the salty drop of water, she's wrapped an arm around his neck, and pressed her lips to his, kissing him with an eagerness he's rarely felt, some desperation, too. However, as he surrounds her with his arms and keeps her close, he feels her relax in his embrace, the fire of her kiss wavering until she pulls back just enough to press her forehead to his.
"Thank you."
He frowns at her, pulls away a few inches to be able to look her in the eyes, but keeping her close.
"For what?"
"For reminding me of everything I have. I was so panicked that I lost sight of it for a moment."
He smiles, brushes a strand of hair behind her ear. "At your service, Milady."
xxx
It drained her.
Spending practically the entire day on the stand, answering questions, being forced to relive the last two years, has taken up a lot of her energy. But Regina was outstanding. She faced the prosecutor, but also her stepfather's lawyer's questions with dignity, her voice perfectly calm, despite the defense attorney who, more than once, pushed her limits. Despite her stepfather's eyes that didn't leave her for the entire testimony. Robin knows that Regina was scared, but she hid it well, only revealed a glimpse of her wounds whenever it was necessary, just enough to show the judge and jury that she isn't unscarred by what happened.
He's proud of her.
When Robin welcomes her back to her seat after she's done, he kisses her cheek and hugs her tight, feeling her cling to him, her shaky breath and trembling body enough proof that she's kept everything inside, and will let it all out once she'll get the chance.
The judge ends the session, and it's with clear relief that Regina grabs his hand, and drags him towards the exit. She buries her face in his neck the second she has the chance, and when his parents, Daniel, and Regina's friends join them, Robin is still holding her close, rubbing her back soothingly, murmuring sweet words in her ear, trying to appease her.
"Are you okay, sweetheart?"
Edith places her hands on Regina's shoulders, squeezing gently. Robin smiles at his mother, forever grateful for her kindness and love for Regina, and she mirrors his smile when one of her hands comes rubbing his shoulder.
Regina turns in his arms, resting her cheek on his collarbone, smiling back at Edith.
"Yeah. But I'm exhausted."
Edith weaves a hand through Regina's ebony hair tenderly. "Let's get you home."
They exit the overcrowded court, gather in front of their cars.
"You earned your rest, Regina," Neal says as he gathers her against him. "Your part in this trial is over, so focus on yourself now, alright?"
In agreement with the prosecutor and Daniel, Regina decided that she wouldn't attend the entire trial. Now that her testimony is over, she wants to go back to her life, and she'll only come back for the verdict. Ms. Ozburn entirely agreed with her decision, explained that it'd be pointless for her to endure the incessant tale of her story, to listen to the defense attorney try to clear her stepfather's name and minimize the harm he caused her. It'd be better for her to go back to her life, and come back to hear the jury's verdict, so she can definitely turn the page over this part of her life.
Regina nods. "I will, but..." she glances around her, gaze stopping on Tom and Edith, then back on Neal, Belle, and Will. "I was wondering if maybe you could have dinner with us? I'd like for us to spend some time together, and it'd keep me busy."
Tom doesn't even wait for Neal, Belle, and Will to answer. "Is everyone in for pizzas?"
The evening is filled with a tension that is only broken by the adults' persistence to cheer up the mood, and Robin couldn't be more grateful for them, their presence, their care, the fact that despite how overwhelming it had been for them too, they made sure him, and mostly Regina, could focus on something else for a few hours.
Neal, Belle and Will left an hour ago, and Regina and Robin have joined his room, ready for bed. Her head is resting in the crook of his neck, her fingers tracing lazy paths on his chest while he holds her close, a hand gently rubbing her shoulder. Her leg is wrapped around his, and she's pressed against his side, apparently relaxed.
Today was exhausting, and Robin can feel it, her tiredness, the way she collapses in his arms. Thankfully, the evening spent eating pizzas and playing games with everyone did wonders on Regina. It erased the stress of the day, at least in appearance.
It helped him, too. He's gotten to know Belle, Neal, and Will over the last two weeks, and tonight definitely proved to him how involved they were in Regina's life, how good they make her feel. Despite the events of the day, her smile never left her tonight, and she enjoyed every second of her evening, there's no doubt about it.
But the mask fell when everyone left and they decided to go to bed. She hid her feelings quite well, but he felt the tension between her shoulder blades immediately once the door closed behind everyone. Robin gave her time, cuddled her with soft kisses and warm embraces, and will keep doing so until she opens up. He knows she will, he read it in her eyes, the determination to let it out before going to bed, to put everything out of her head so she won't dream about it. Dr. Hopper told them both to do it, to avoid letting their fears eat them, so Robin agreed with Regina that they'd do it tonight, and every night after that if necessary, until this story is behind them for good.
"Do you think I managed to convince them?"
There we go...
Robin kisses her forehead tenderly. "I think none of them expected to hear a 17 year old girl speak the way you did."
Regina adjusts her head on his shoulder, her fingers gripping his shirt. "What do you mean?"
"You were mind-blowing," Robin says, his voice carrying the pride he felt when he listened to her testimony. "I don't know many people who could have spent a day on the stand being questioned about the abuse they suffered, and answer with the calmness and bravery you showed. If you didn't convince them, then I don't know who can."
"Is this supposed to reassure me?" she asks with a slightly doubtful voice.
Robin squeezes her against him for reassurance. "It is. You were perfect, better than I imagined. And trust me, knowing you, I already had very high expectations."
This time, his words have her chuckling softly, and she nuzzles his neck. "I'm not sure I'd have had the strength to do it if you hadn't been there."
"You know I'll always be here."
"I do, Robin. That's one of the reasons why I love you." Her fingers slide against his chest and neck until they grab his chin, and Regina guides his lips to hers, softly kissing him, the tip of her fingers tracing soft paths on his cheek. "Wasn't it too painful for you?" she asks when she pulls back. "To be reminded of everything that happened?"
Robin closes his eyes. It was. It tugged at his heart, twisted his stomach, made him sick when Gold's lawyer minimized Regina's suffering and tried to convince them it was all fake. It made him want to get up, grab her and leave this damn town once and for all. It made him understand Regina's reasons for considering escaping Storybrooke in case her stepfather was set free. So yes, it was painful, and the memory of what they went through is still fresh and hurting. Except that he's spent all day trying to focus on all the good that came out of this horrible situation, and still does.
"It was," he admits, nuzzling her nose and letting his arms wander lazily on her back, keeping her close to him. "Hearing it again brought back all the memories about the months after we met, it reminded me of the fear, the pain I've read in your eyes so many times before I learned what your life was made of. I know everything was true, but it still feels so... unreal. I still can't understand it. How could he do that? How could anyone do that? Put someone through so much pain." Robin sighs, shakes his head and swallows back a sob that's bubbling up his throat. "You have no idea how grateful I am that you're out of his grip now." He closes his arms around her waist, and buries his face in her neck, breathing her in, calming his frantic heartbeat.
She's here, safe and sound in your arms. Stop being afraid, he tells himself.
"I wish he was dead," he whispers in her hair, a murmur she catches immediately, and she tenses, although she doesn't pull back.
Robin curses himself for letting this thought slip, he shouldn't have, it was too much, a line that wasn't his to cross.
"Me too."
He stills at first, unsure if he heard her right, but he has. He was afraid she would be shocked by his confession, but it seems that she feels the same. Knowing Regina, it can't be easy for her to live with that thought. At least, she knows that she's not the only one anymore, that if she wants to confide in him, he'll understand.
Robin presses a kiss in the crook of her neck, making Regina shiver and moan, cuddling closer to him. This proximity, this intimacy they're sharing, it's a blessing. It reminds him of how far they've come, where they came from, and Robin realizes that in their time as friends, they've been out several times together. However, since she became his girlfriend, it was never just the two of them. Their friends, his parents, the cops. Someone was always with them. He never actually took her out on a proper date. He could feel ashamed by his attitude, the fact that he failed at being the perfect boyfriend. But he doesn't. They're not perfect, they're not any kind of typical teenagers, and he knows for certain that Regina would never resent him for that. Not after everything that happened. Not after everything he did for her. But now that the thought has occurred to him, he should remedy to it. Actually, that might actually be exactly what they need right now. It'd take their minds out of the situation for a few hours. They've been to the restaurant with his parents and Daniel before, surely going back won't be an issue.
"What would you say..." he says in a hushed voice, his mouth dry and heart beating faster as he feels her move in his arms. "if I took you on a date this weekend?"
Regina freezes, before turning in his arms, resting half on top of him to face him. Robin squints when she turns on the light.
"A date?"
He's not certain if she's shocked or happy, but when he opens his eyes to face her beaming smile and shining eyes, he knows what her answer will be. Robin brings a hand to cup her cheek, smiling when she leans into his touch.
"Yes. I'm afraid I have to admit that I only now realize that I didn't fulfill my duty, as a boyfriend, to take my beautiful girlfriend out on a proper date. And I think this week would be the perfect time to remedy to it."
Regina laughs softly, a strand of hair falling from her ear and in front of her eyes, and Robin catches it immediately, putting it back in place. She looks at him with slightly blushing cheeks as she bites her lower lip.
"I'd love to go on a date with you," she whispers, leaning forward for a tender kiss, her fingers softly brushing his jaw. "What did I do to deserve someone who's so good to me?" she adds when she pulls back, settling comfortably on top of his chest.
Robin grins, pride and love blossoming in his belly. "I could give you a smug answer, but in all honesty, I strongly believe I'm the luckiest guy on Earth to be with such an amazing human being."
Regina chuckles, swapping his chest playfully. "I was the one complimenting you."
Robin grabs her at the waist, tickling her and making her laugh and squirm against him. She falls on the mattress next to him, still trying to avoid his ticklish hands when he stops, tugging her closer, chest to chest, faces barely an inch from each other. Regina smiles as she caresses his cheek with her hand.
That night, despite the draining day spent in court, they both fall asleep wearing the widest smile.
Title of the next chapter : Her memories
( , this one will be for you, I didn't forget your suggestions ;-) )