Hotel verse: Robin is starting to have flashbacks from his former life.
Chapter 12: Dreams or Memories?
Trees.
He was surrounded by trees, the sunlight filtering through the leaves and creating shadows on the forest floor. It was quiet, not even the birds were singing. Robin just stood there, taking in the tranquility and peace of nature.
It was broken by shouts and the sounds of hooves pounding the ground. Someone called out to him, beckoning him deeper into the forest and he followed.
A large, rotund man who resembled his friend Ian greeted him with a look of relief. "There you are, Rob! Cutting it a bit close, aren't you? The sheriff's men almost got you."
"Thought I would take pity on them," Bobby heard himself say, his voice full of confidence and cockiness he wasn't quite familiar with. "Make them think they have a chance of catching me even though they don't."
Ian chuckled. "And I bet you waited to see the look on old Nottingham's face when he realized you once again slipped from his grasp."
"I might've," Bobby said, though it felt more like some puppet master said it for him. "I just love how he looks when he's frustrated."
Another man slapped his back. "It don't matter. Old Nottingham is no match to our Robin here."
"Here, here!" several more men cheered.
"Come, men," Bobby told them, holding up a bag. "It's time to redistribute these riches back where they belong!"
The men cheered again and they headed deeper into the woods, singing as they went.
"Bobby?" a familiar female voice broke through the singing. "Bobby, wake up."
The trees started to disappear and Bobby frowned as darkness took over. He tried to open his eyes but was unable to do so. Consciousness pulled at him but he wasn't fully ready to give into it yet, even as he felt his body start to shake.
"Bobby, you're going to be late," the voice he now recognized as Regina chided him.
He finally opened his eyes, frowning as he looked up at his girlfriend. She stood next to the bed, leaning over him. Regina was already dressed in a black dress paired with a red jacket and her hair was straightened, just as she always did no matter how many times he pleaded for her to proudly display her beautiful curls.
"Late for what?" he asked, sitting up as his brain tried to fight the haze of sleep that still engulfed it.
She sighed. "The start of the Miner's Day festivities. Remember?"
"Right," he said, feeling foolish for forgetting the annual celebration. "Okay, I'll get up and get dressed. Are the boys ready?"
"Not yet. I was hoping you would help me with them," she said, walking away from the bed.
He nodded, rubbing his neck as he worked out a few kinks that had developed why he slept. "Sure. I'll be right there."
"Thank you," she said, looking at him with gratitude in her eyes. "And I'm treating at Granny's."
"Then we should get moving!" he joked, kissing her cheek as he passed her on his way to the bathroom. "Thank you, sweetheart."
He entered the bathroom, closing the door behind him. Pressing his back to it, Bobby closed his eyes and took a deep breath. When he released it, he let the strange dream go with it. After all, it was just some weird vision conjured up by his brain as he slept. It meant nothing.
Then why did it feel so real?
Miner's Day was a long but fun day. Bobby watched as Regina welcomed everyone to the annual festivities, grinning proudly at her as he held their boys' hands. Once she stepped aside to let everyone have their fun, he approached her and kissed her cheek. "So, are you off-duty now?"
"I'm never really off-duty, especially at an event like this," she said before taking his hand. "But I am more Regina Mills than Mayor Mills, if that is what you want to know."
"I just want to stroll through the fair holding your hand," he replied, kissing their entwined fingers before smiling.
She smiled, leaning against him. "I can do that."
"Mom, can we go play some of the games?" Henry asked as Roland bounced on the balls of his feet beside him.
"Yes, you may," she said, pulling out some money from her wallet. She split it between the two boys. "Try not to win anything too big. Remember, it has to fit in the car."
They nodded before heading off to play some games. Bobby frowned. "You also need to stay where we can see you," he called after them.
Both slowed down and decided on the nearby ring toss as their parents stood back from them. They watched as Henry tried to get rings on three different bottles, wincing when he only got one. "That's okay. I'm sure he'll find a game that he's good at," Bobby said.
"I know," she said. "I just hate seeing him disappointed."
"I would feel the same if it were Roland," he assured her, rubbing her arm. An idea then came to him and he squeezed her arm gently. "If he doesn't win anything by the time we're ready to go home, I'll win him something."
Her eyes softened and she gave him a loving smile he knew was only reserved for Henry, Roland and him. She kissed his cheek. "You're the best, you know that?"
"Well, you're the best," he insisted, grinning at her. "I'm just trying to keep up."
Her smile dimmed and she shook her head. She looked away as she tucked some hair behind her ear. "I'm not that great. I wish you wouldn't put me on a pedestal."
Bobby frowned, never liking it when she put herself down. He wished he knew where that came from, but Regina was very closed off when it came to her past. That told him that while it no doubt explained her esteem issues, it was also painful and something she clearly didn't wish to discuss. He respected her wishes and hoped he could help her one day see herself the same way Henry, Roland and he did.
"Oh, they're moving," she said, changing the subject. She pointed to the boys, who had indeed gone over to a target game in hopes of Henry winning something for himself.
He guided over to where they were, still rubbing her arm. "Do you want me to grab us something while they are playing games? Food, drinks, alcohol?" he asked.
She glared at him for the last one before saying: "I could go for something to eat and maybe something to drink."
"Good," he said, kissing her forehead. "And since it's the fair, is it okay if not everything is healthy?"
"Fine," she relented, though she didn't appear too happy about it.
He gave her hand a squeeze. "Don't worry. At least one item will be healthy. I promise."
"That sounds like a good compromise," she said, smiling. "I can live with that."
Bobby kissed her hand one more time before heading off to where the food stands were all set up. He spotted his friend Ian, waving at the portly man. "What do you recommend?" he called out to him.
"Everything," Ian replied, laughing as Bobby caught up. "It's all good."
"That's what I was afraid of." Bobby gave an exaggerated sigh. He had hoped there would be one item they all had to try but it seemed he was just going to end up at Granny's booth, probably getting them all burgers. He would also stop by the fruit stand to pick up the healthy snacks he promised Regina as well.
Ian clapped him on the shoulder. "Good luck. I have to go man one of the booths. Will I see you later?"
"Depends. What booth are you manning?" Bobby asked.
"The archery one," his friend replied. "We have a few targets set up and people win a prize if they manage to hit the target at all, a big prize if they land the bullseye."
An idea came to Bobby and he grinned. "Then we'll definitely stop by. I think the boys will love it."
They ended up eating burgers and fries from Granny's with some watermelon for dessert. Henry and Roland stood off to the side and had a contest to see who could spit the watermelon seeds the farthest as Bobby and Regina watched them, amused. While Henry could get some good distance with his seeds, Roland was able to project a bit more. "Good job, Henry," Bobby praised him when the boys joined them again. "You did a great job."
"I can't beat Roland at anything," Henry sighed, resting his chin on his crossed arms.
Bobby rubbed his back. "There's lots you're better at than Roland. You both have your own strengths and weaknesses. That doesn't make one better than the other. You're both special boys."
"That's such a grown-up thing to say," Henry grumbled. "I just want to win a prize on my own."
"You will," Bobby promised him, recalling that Ian was working the archery booth. "In fact, why don't we clean up and head over to a game I think you can definitely win?"
Henry perked up. "Okay."
"Good. Grab your garbage. You too, Roland," Bobby told his son. "And then follow me."
They all did as he instructed. Bobby then took Henry's hand, leading him toward the archery booth as Regina followed. When he glanced over his shoulder, Bobby smiled at the sight of her holding Roland's hand as his son bounced with each step. They swung their arms between them and both had matching smiles on their faces. If a stranger had seen them, they would've thought they were mother and son.
She caught him looking and smiled at him. It made his heart skip a beat and he winked at her before looking straight ahead again. He still didn't know what he had done to deserve someone as wonderful as her but he was very grateful that she wanted him as much as he wanted her.
He spotted Ian and smiled, guiding Henry toward him. "Here we are! The archery booth!"
"Oh," Henry said, hesitating. He looked up at Bobby. "I...I don't think I can win at this."
Bobby dropped to a knee to look him in the eyes. "Do you trust me?"
"Yes," Henry said, looking confused.
"Good," he replied, gently grabbing his shoulders. "Then trust that you are going to win at this. Okay?"
Though he still looked hesitant, Henry nodded. "Okay."
Bobby squeezed his shoulder before standing up, taking his hand. "Come on. Let's go win something!"
They approached the booth and Ian beamed, greeting them warmly. He leaned over to look at Henry and Roland. "You two here to try to hit a bullseye?"
"Yep!" Roland said excitedly while Henry's was only half-hearted.
Ian frowned, leaning over the booth's counter to look Henry in the eyes. "That didn't seem too enthusiastic. What's going on?"
"I haven't won a single game all day," Henry complained. "And though Bobby says I'll win here, I don't think I'll be able to beat Roland. Not at archery."
"Well, if Bobby thinks you'll win, then you'll win," Ian replied, winking at them. "So step on up and give it your best shot."
Bobby glared at his friend. "Did you just?"
Ian shrugged as took the money from Regina. "Couldn't help myself."
"I appreciated it," she said, no doubt just to tease Bobby. The bright smile she gave him seemed to confirm it.
He rolled his eyes as he picked up the bow and turned to Henry. "Step on up and I'll get you ready," he told him.
"Okay," Henry said, picking up the bow.
Bobby knelt next to the boy, correcting his posture and placing his hands where they needed to be. "Use your mouth as an anchor," he instructed, lifting Henry's arm so his hand rested against the corner of his mouth.
"Take a deep breath in and when you let it out, release the arrow," he told him.
Henry did just as he said, filling his little lungs with air. As he let it out, he released the arrow as Bobby instructed. It landed in the small ring that surrounded the bullseye and Henry gasped, looking up at the older man with wide eyes. "Look how close I got!"
"I see!" Bobby replied, hugging him as pride coursed through him. "That was an excellent shot!"
"It was," Ian said, impressed. He grinned as he held out another arrow. "You have two more tries to get the bullseye."
Bobby took the arrow and helped Henry load it again. Pressing his hand to the boy's back, he said: "Just like last time. Okay?"
Henry nodded, anchoring his hand against his mouth as he pulled the arrow back. With a deep breath, he released it on the inhale. The arrow flew through the air and hit the bullseye, earning cheers from Ian, Regina and Roland.
"Congrats, lad!" Ian said, his voice booming. He motioned to the stuffed animals behind him. "Pick your prize."
As Henry scanned the prizes, Regina walked over to Bobby. She kissed his cheek as she leaned against his arm. "Thank you," she whispered.
"I want the horse!" Henry said, pointing to the black animal in the corner.
Ian picked it up and handed it to him. "Congratulations! Enjoy your prize."
"Thank you," Henry replied. He then turned around and held it out toward Regina. "Look, Mom! It's just like the horse in your office."
"Yes, it is," she said, hugging him. "I'm so proud of you."
Bobby thanked Ian before clapping his hands. "Why don't we go celebrate with some ice cream?"
The boys cheered and started to walk away, heading toward the ice cream booth. Bobby took Regina's hand and they followed their sons, happy. It was the perfect end to the perfect family outing.
"Robin!"
He opened his eyes and found he was surrounded by trees again. Sitting up, he brushed some leaves off as he noticed his rather medieval clothing had returned. What was going on? Why did he keep coming back to this place?
"Robin!" The man who looked like Ian burst into the clearing, approaching him. "She's here! In the village!"
Bobby jumped up as a little voice in his head told him who Ian-no, John-was talking about. The Evil Queen was in the village near where they had set up camp and she was no doubt threatening the people. Even though her guards would all be around and he would be in danger of getting caught, he knew he had to go protect them. So he nodded. "Lead the way."
He and John ran through the forest. They kept their footfalls as light as possible so as not to make any sound. When the first guard appeared ahead of them, they leapt up and climbed into the trees. With practiced ease, they jumped from tree to tree and stayed out of sight of the guards. When he reached the very edge of the village, he leaned as far over as he could without falling out of the tree. It gave him a bird's eye view of what was happening and he could still hear what was being said.
"She will not protect you," a woman shouted. "She will not save you. The only way to stay safe is to turn Snow White over to me."
People parted as a woman walked through the town. Robin finally saw the dreaded queen who had been tormenting her own people. She had a regal bearing and held her head high as she walked on, placing one high heeled boot in front of the other. Unlike other woman of her station, she wore pants but paired it with a corset and a long bright red coat that enhanced her femininity. Her dark hair was loose except for a few pieces pinned at the back of her head with a jeweled clasp. Brown eyes scanned the crowd, looking for her stepdaughter.
The queen stopped, frowning. "This is your last chance. Turn Snow White over to me and I will spare your village."
"She's not here!" An older man emerged from the crowd, his eyes wild with panic. "She's gone but I can tell you where she went."
"Quiet, you fool!" another man yelled as the crowd around them started to murmur in agreement. Robin understood the conundrum-the one man wanted to save his village, the others wanted to stand with the princess against Snow White.
He doubted either scenario would end well for them.
The Queen held up her hand, silencing the crowd. She approached the trembling man as he knelt before her in the streets. Leaning down, she asked: "Where is she?"
"She's heading to the village of Cork, to get help from some of the men there," he replied. "That's all I know."
She nodded, walking away. Robin, though, sensed something was wrong and remained on edge. He watched as the Queen stopped and snapped her fingers. Two black guards appeared, grabbing the man. He let out a shout but she didn't look back as she said: "Liar. We just came from Cork."
"No, no, please! I'm sorry!" the man pleaded as he was dragged off by the guards. Robin's heart broke for him and he hoped his men could rescue the man in time.
"Anyone else?" The queen clasped her hands behind her back as she leveled the other villagers with a cold gaze. "No? Then I guess I'll be moving on."
She walked back to her carriage but everyone, including Robin, continued to hold their breaths. It was highly unlikely that they would be spared her wrath and they waited to hear what she would to punish them. They all watched as she climbed into her carriage. Before the guard closed the door, she stopped him. She rose out of it for a moment before conjuring a ball of fire in her hand. Throwing it at the nearest house, she laughed as the fire consumed it. Her laughter echoed as she sat back down and let the guard close her carriage door. The horses raced off, taking the queen from the village she had doomed to destruction as her guards followed her.
Gasps, cries and wails rose up from the crowd as the fire spread easily from building from building. Robin leapt from the trees, his men following. They began organizing a bucket brigade but Robin knew they wouldn't save much of the village. Most of the people would be homeless before the hour was up and he would need to help them. As he joined the line, he cursed the queen and her cruelty. Why did so many have to suffer for her vendetta against Snow White?
Hatred filled him as he continued to do his best against what appeared to be a futile fight. Robin vowed to bring down the queen and save his people from her tyranny one way or the other.
No matter what.
"Bobby? Bobby, wake up." The queen's voice was clearer than before but it was also softer, kinder. He opened his eyes, surprised to find her standing next to him. Sitting up, he tried to move away from her as she jumped back as well.
Concern filled her brown eyes. "Bobby? Is something wrong?"
He blinked a few times as the fog cleared his mind. This wasn't some evil queen. It was his compassionate and kind girlfriend. And he was scaring her-he could see it in her eyes.
"Sorry," he said, voice scratchy. "I was having a weird dream. That's all."
"Well, when you're ready, I've made waffles for everyone. There's a mug of coffee also waiting for you," she said, leaning forward to kiss his cheek.
He nodded, watching her leave. Once the door closed, he let out a shaky breath and held his head in his hands. "It was just a dream," he told him. "Just a dream."
Yet it still bothered him that he would dream about his beloved girlfriend terrorizing innocent people and burning a village to the ground. That his dream persona, apparently Robin Hood, hated her so much he could still feel his body shake from it. Bobby worried about the message his subconscious was trying to send though the dream.
And under all those other fears was the distinct feeling that it wasn't a dream but a memory.
Bobby shook his head. It was just a dream. Nothing more. He shouldn't read too much into it or overthink it. Instead, he should just let it be forgotten like so many other dreams.
He climbed out of bed and found the slippers he kept at Regina's. Padding downstairs, he paused as he took in the scene before him. Music played from the radio and Regina danced around the kitchen when Roland as Henry clapped along from his chair. They all laughed as they enjoyed themselves, celebrating the new day together. Regina still wore her pajamas and had on her fluffy slippers. Sunshine created a halo behind her head, illuminating her messy black hair. Her brown eyes shone just as brightly as did her smile. She looked absolutely breathtaking and a far cry from the evil queen in his dreams.
"May I cut in?" he asked, entering the kitchen and approaching Regina and Roland. His son nodded and scurried back to the table, allowing Bobby to pull Regina into his arms. Taking one of her hands in his own, he wrapped his other arm around her waist and started to sway with her. "Good morning, love."
"Good morning. Are you feeling better?" she asked.
He nodded. "I told you, it was just a weird dream."
"I know, but you looked really affected by it," she replied, concerned.
"I was," he replied, "but I'm not anymore. And I just want to have an amazing morning with you and our boys."
Her smile returned and she leaned closer to him. "What do you have in mind?"
"First, eating the delicious breakfast you made," he said. "Then getting dressed and going to the park to have some fun in this beautiful fall weather."
The boys cheered. Henry perked up the most, asking: "Could you teach me archery some more? I really enjoyed it."
Bobby grinned, holding Regina close. "I'd love to teach you. But only if it's okay with your mother."
Henry looked up at his mother, pleading with his eyes as he clasped his hands together. "Please, Mom?"
"Okay," she relented, giving Bobby a squeeze. "But only if you do everything Bobby says. He'll keep you safe."
"Thanks, Mom!" Henry jumped up from the chair and raced across the room, hugging her. He then widened his arm to try to hug Bobby too.
Bobby leaned down and kissed the top of his head. "I think you'll be an excellent archer. Almost as good as me."
Henry's chest puffed out with pride. "Thanks, Bobby!"
"Yes," Regina said softly, kissing his cheek. "Thank you, Bobby."
"For now, we should keep our archery lessons to the target range. Why don't we play catch at the park instead?" he suggested, knowing she tried to give Henry as normal an upbringing as possible but worried that she was failing him in the sports department. He tried to help her as well and so knew how much both Millses were no doubt relieved Henry showed some aptitude for archery.
She grinned. "That sounds perfect. But first, we really need to eat breakfast."
"Agreed," he replied, guiding Henry back to the table. Bobby took his own seat, ready to dive into whatever delicious meal she had made them this time.
"Okay, boys," Regina called. "Time for lunch!"
Bobby caught the ball Henry tossed him and tucked his glove under his arm. He motioned for the boys to come on in and they raced toward the blanket Regina had set up under a tree. He followed them at a job, grinning as he approached them.
"Did you see me, Mom? I was able to catch and throw the ball! And it almost made it to Bobby!" Henry declared, bouncing up and down from excitement and pride.
"I saw!" she said, smiling widely as she pulled him in for a hug. "You were amazing!"
Roland knelt next to her, looking up at her with hopeful eyes. "What about me?"
"You were very good too," she praised, opening her arm so he could join the hug too. She held both boys, her eyes closing and a soft smile on her lips.
Bobby stood off to the side, admiring the scene before him. He loved watching Regina when she was in full on mother mode. She shone with love and happiness around both boys, treating Roland as her own just like he did with Henry. She was a far cry from the woman in his dreams.
No, he was not going to give any credence to the absurd visions of his subconscious. He knew who Regina really was.
The woman he loved.
"Bobby? Is something wrong?" Regina asked, the boys now sitting beside her as they ate their sandwiches. Her head was tilted and her eyes were filled with concern.
"Everything is fine," he assured her, falling to his knees on the picnic blanket. "I was just admiring the view."
Her cheeks turned pink. "Smooth."
"I try," he replied, kissing her cheek as he took the sandwich she had made. "Thank you, sweetheart."
"Enjoy," she said, taking a bite of her sandwich. He did the same as she leaned against him, a comfortable weight that smelled of vanilla and apples.
It was now his favorite scent.
"Papa, is something wrong with your sandwich?" Roland asked, looking at his father's uneaten meal.
"Not at all," Bobby assured him, picking it up and taking a bite. He chewed it before saying: "I'm just enjoying us all being together. I'm making memories."
"Why?" his son pressed, his own half-eaten sandwich now forgotten.
He leaned forward. "Because I love all of you and want to remember these moments forever."
Roland frowned. "Why? Do you think something would make you forget?"
"No," he said, though Regina tensed up beside him. He wondered if maybe one of her parents had suffered from dementia or Alzheimer's and decided to change the subject. "I just want to remember it. Now, how about you finish your sandwich so we can all play some more?"
"Okay, Papa!" Roland eagerly took a bite and chewed it as Henry continued to eat his sandwich.
Bobby scooted closer to Regina, who was still a little too quiet for his liking. "Everything okay?" he asked in a whisper.
Her head snapped up and he realized she had been deep in thought. She smiled as she replied: "Yes, why?"
"You seemed to have gotten tense there for a few minutes," he said, still keeping his voice down so as not to worry their boys.
"Oh," she replied, trying to keep her tone light. "Something just popped into my mind for work but I pushed it aside."
Something about her statement didn't feel right to him but he decided to let it be for now. He had to trust she would tell him what it really was on her own.
"Okay," he said softly, giving her a quick kiss as he patted her knee. She leaned against him and he wrapped an arm around her, holding her even closer.
He knew they were both troubled - him by the lingering feelings caused by his dream, her by whatever it was that had distracted her just then. But with her in his arms, he felt more at peace and he hoped he did the same for her. They would get passed their own angsts in good time.
Together.
A/N: Look what lives! I know it's been a long time since I've updated this story but while it's been on the backburner, it hasn't been forgotten.
And I hope that it doesn't take a long time to get the next part up. I do have a few more prompts for this verse but feel free to send in more!
There's an entire section that has been cut out because it is smut. So if you want to read that part, you'll need to head over to either AO3 or Wattpad.
I hope everyone is staying safe and following all regulations put out by your governments. We will get through this.
-Mac
PS: Thanks to Eva (glindalovesshoes) for the prompt!
