After their first three dates things go back to how they were before. They were dating in everything but name and settle into their relationship easily.
That's not to say they haven't had their hurdles, they've had quite a few fights—she has a temper and so does he, and when you put that together it's explosive—but they always work through them.
The first time they fought it was shortly after they got together and she truly thought it was the end of them. She doesn't even really know how it started out, but one minute they were talking about the summer and the next they were screaming at each other. Him insisting she was upset about all the women he slept with and her biting back that she wasn't allowed to be, which just made him angrier, had him yelling that all he wanted was for her to be honest with him and how hiding her feelings is what got them into the whole mess. She antagonized him, goading him into admitting that their breakup and all that pain was all her fault.
He'd left to take a walk after that, and she'd broken down crying thinking that it was over, only for him to return twenty minutes later, a bit sweaty but no longer angry. He'd gone for a run, ran off all of his frustration and came back so they could talk it out without all the festering anger.
He needs breaks when things get heated, she knows that now, but it's still hard for her when he walks out like that. She knows he's coming back and that it will be okay, but there is still that small thread of lingering fear that she's determined to cut away.
She loves him, trusts him, is in it for the rest of her life if he'll have it—something that used to scare the shit out of her and still does at times, but the thought of a life without him is even scarier.
Everything is easier now, it's all out in the open, honest, real and freely expressed. Their friends have gotten used to them as a couple, teasing them that it's not all that different than before—which is true. They were basically dating, but it's different now, because they know it. No more hidden feelings and longing to be together; they are together, and it's incredible.
They've spent many moments together, are invited to things as a couple now, are a we instead of an I most of the time.
He survived meeting her mother, who doesn't like him, but her dad does, and that's all that matters. She was so nervous about Daddy meeting Robin, didn't know what she would do if he didn't like him, but she worried for nothing because her father loves Robin. He'd even gone as far as defending him when her mother was being especially cruel.
She's going to meet his parents next week, is spending Christmas with hers, then hopping on a plane so she can meet his mom and his dad in person for the first time. She's been introduced on Facetime, but it's not the same.
She's not worried though, his mother is lovely and she's voiced her approval more than once. Margaret Locksley is the mother she always wanted and she adores how Margaret has taken her under her wing.
She forgets sometimes about her condition, when all is virtual and you aren't seeing the every day it's easier to do so—and she knows this trip will illuminate that.
But she'll take the pain, it's more than worth it to have Robin's mom in her life. While it won't be forever, she's going to enjoy all the moments while they still can.
She loves his family almost as much as she loves him, something that truly surprised her. She loves him more than she ever could have anticipated, and has more love in her life now than ever before.
She tried to burn it all down but somehow enough foundation remained after the fire, allowing them to rebuild into something better and stronger. She couldn't burn them to the ground now if she tried; they are solid.
Things have changed, but all for the better. She's in a real, loving relationship that gives her so much, and none of their friends drink as much anymore, a change she hadn't realized was desperately needed.
Ever since Mal got sober and the girls did sober September, the way they all hang out has changed. They no longer attend every party, don't open wine just to have a chat. They still drink but it's not prevalent in social interactions the way it was before.
Tonight is a perfect example of that. It's the end of first semester exams, a night where before they'd be getting shitfaced—just look at how she spent it last year—but instead they are all sharing dinner at her place.
Some of them are going out tonight, are pregaming by having a beer or a glass of wine as they eat, but she, Robin and Mal are staying in.
She's always preferred a smaller, more intimate group, having actual conversations over small talk at parties, and to her delight, they do much more of that as a friend group now.
It was on this occasion last year, almost exactly one year ago, that she slept with Robin for the first time. She never imagined that they'd end up here, not then and especially not after their summer—but here she is three months into an incredible relationship. She loves him, deeply, more than she ever has, something she tells him often. Not as often as when they first started saying it, but enough that they get ribbed by their friends for it.
So much has changed over the last year but all for the better.
Now she is able to sit with her boyfriend, snuggle up to him whenever she wants—they are both touchy-feely, snuggly people, and he never resists her advances, is usually the one to initiate it. She hadn't known before him how much she craved physical affection, but now that she has an abundance of it she can never go back.
They get made fun of for it, constantly. John and Mal will cozy up together and pretend to be them, all faux lovey-dovey proclaiming ridiculous statements like how Mal's eyes are the sun and John's the greatest man to ever live. It annoyed her in the beginning, but now it's just amusing, especially because Mal and John have gotten more and more over the top with it as time goes on.
She sees the moment they decide to start up again, everyone is in her living room, all the dining chairs pulled in so there's enough room for the full group of her and Robin, John, Mal, Kathryn and her girlfriend Ruby, Zelena, and Killian. She's sharing the armchair with Robin, half on his lap as they eat. They ordered a bunch of take out from various places, and she's having Tortelli that's to die for, so she offers a piece to Robin, and when he nods yes, she feeds it to him.
Mal immediately shoves a piece of garlic bread in John's face as she coos, "Oh lovey, you have to try this."
John bites at the bread which has them all laughing as Mal glares at him and pulls it away, hissing, "Hey, that was mine."
John shrugs, "Don't put food in my face if you don't want me to eat it."
Robin took a sip at the wrong moment, and he's snickering as he tries to hold in a mouthful of water which has her laughing at his predicament.
He manages to swallow it down without choking, then whaps her on the thigh for laughing at him. She sticks her tongue out at him before nuzzling her nose against his and assuring him she'd save him if he were actually choking.
He gives her this bright, wide smile, the one he gives her when he's truly content, and she beams back at him. Not for the first time she thinks about how lucky she is.
A whole year has passed since that first time she was on Robin's lap, and they've been through hell and back—and though she once wanted to change what happened, she wouldn't go back. They are here now and this is true, their relationship stronger than ever. Since they weathered that storm, she knows they can face any obstacles that may come up in their path.
They are in for the long haul, and she can't wait to see what's next.
I just wanted to thank you all for sticking with this story through its ups and downs and periods of no updates for months. I appreciate all the love you guys have shown it, it meant so much to me, I never expected this story to be so loved and it's been incredibly motivating and humbling. I'm so grateful for all of you, and I hope you've enjoyed the journey.
This is the end of the main story but I've written a few future one-shots and there will be more. If you want to read them, they are all in Law Students Verse One Shots.