Eeek, yeah it's been a while. I had the first half of this chapter sitting unfinished in a word document for probably a year but I just found the inspiration to finish it.

Regina woke up the following morning to find Mal sat on the lounge chair across the room with her headphones on as she scribbled in some kind of book. She rubbed her eyes tiredly, fighting the temptation to turn around and go back to sleep, she knew that wasn't really an option and that she probably needed to be getting up. "Good morning," she stated, clearing her throat as her movement caught the attention of the other girl in the room.

"Hey, how'd you sleep, sleeping beauty?" Mal grinned, removing her headphones and chucking them onto her desk, her book soon following suit and landing haphazardly on the surface. "I thought you were going to stay in bed all day. Robin is already awake; think he might be downstairs with some of his mates."

"I see," she groaned, laying her head back down on her pillow, going back to sleep was sounding more and more appealing. She was nervous to meet Robin's friends, not that they were even together, it didn't even matter what they thought of her, she didn't care about shit like that, at least that was what she was telling herself. "As for how I slept, it wasn't too bad."

"You snore by the way," the blonde smirked as she collected the clothes, she obviously planned on changing into for the day.

"I do not!" Regina protested, sitting back up and almost knocking herself out on the ceiling, it had somewhat slipped her mind that she was on a top bunk and the roof was closer than it should have been.

"You do just a little, but it's cute, I like it. Come on, are you going to get up and face the day or stay in this cave with me? I mean you're more than welcome to, but I think Robin might get a little jealous if you did," she winked before heading out of the bedroom to what Regina assumed was the bathroom.

She sat there for a moment longer before plucking up the courage to climb down the ladder and grab her clothes from her suitcase which had been placed in the corner of the room. She opted for a cream sweater and a dark pair of skinny jeans, changing quickly before Mal reappeared. Once she was dressed, she scouted out the spare bathroom she'd showered in the night before so that she could take care of everything she needed to do before showing her face downstairs.

Regina was just coming out of the bathroom when she bumped into the man she had only met for a couple of minutes the day before. He grinned at her and rested a hand on the door, leaning in front of her, almost blocking her from getting past, "morning."

"Good morning," she nodded, clearing her throat as she tucked some hair behind her ear, "were you wanting to use the bathroom? I'm done now so it's free."

"Great, thanks, see you around." Killian ran his tongue over his bottom lip before winking at her and heading into the bathroom, closing the door behind him.

Regina huffed to herself before carrying on in the direction she was going, slowly descending the stairs in pursuit of her friend. She could hear people talking in the kitchen and took a deep breath, she just needed to suck it up and go in there, start up a conversation, introduce herself, anything other than just stand there awkwardly wishing she could disappear.

She peered around the door, seeing Robin sat around the table with three other guys and a girl who was perched on the table. They were all laughing at something he said as he talked animatedly, she could tell that he had been life and soul of the party when he had lived at home, his friends clearly loved him and were happy that he was back, even if it was just for the week.

"Who we spying on?"

Regina jumped out of her skin, turning to see Will stood right behind her with a massive grin playing on his face.

"You ass."

"Didn't mean to scare you, but clearly you were so busy watching Robin to even notice me come in."

"Shut up, I'm just waiting for the right moment."

"Are you nervous?" he asked, with his eyebrows raised. She knew that she normally came off as a confident person, so she wasn't about to admit to Will that she was worried about meeting their friends and about making a good impression.

"Of course not, they are talking and I didn't want to be rude by just walking in there and interrupting them."

"I don't think Robin would see it that way, in fact, he's probably wondering where the hell you are, it's almost eleven. I think he'd be glad for you to walk in there."

"I think I'll just wait until they've stopped… Will!" she squealed as he scooped her up in a fireman's lift before heading into the dining room with her slung over his shoulder, "put me down right now! Will!" He did as she asked, dropping her directly onto the dining table all Robin's friends were sat around. She looked up at him, her eyes blazing with anger at his actions, he had clearly seen that she was nervous about going inside and he'd blatantly forced her against her will.

"Hey, you asked me to put you down, I was just following orders," he shrugged.

The group had gone quiet and Regina slid off the table, she was contemplating running for the door and locking herself away in Mal's room until it was time to head back to Oxford. She was so embarrassed and Will hadn't helped matters, even if he thought he had been doing.

"Good morning you. Guys this is Regina," Robin laughed, he couldn't believe that Will had just done that, he could imagine that Regina was very unhappy with him for it. "Gina, these are my friends. John, Graham, August and Fiona."

"Hello," she smiled, offering them a little wave before clearing her throat and glancing back at Robin.

"Breakfast, you must be hungry," he quipped, standing up from his seat and heading into the main area of the kitchen. She followed him, leaving Will talking to the people she had just met. Robin could tell that she had been uncomfortable in that situation and wanted to get her out of it, make sure that she was feeling as though she were the one in control again. "Sorry about that, I know that probably wasn't how you wanted to be introduced to everyone."

"I know what Will is like by now, it was just unexpected."

"How did you sleep?"

"Well, your sister was at home."

His eyes widened, he had no idea that she would be back, he was pretty sure that his mother said that she was staying at her girlfriend's house that night just as she always did. "What? Really? God sorry about that, you could have come back and bunked with me if you had let me know."

"Don't worry about it, I didn't mind it, she's nice."

"You like Millie?"

"Her names Mal, and yes, actually I do."

"Well you're probably the only one of my friends that actually does, in fact, she normally scares people off." He knew how his other friends felt about his sister, she could be a little frightening when she wanted to be.

"We had a nice talk last night and we hit it off, so no, she didn't scare me off."

"Good I'm glad, she must have liked you if she didn't kick you out of her room straight away. How does toast sound to you?"

"Toast is fine."

"Cool, I'll make you some," he grinned, putting some bread into the toaster before grabbing a jar of jam from the fridge.

"Thank you."

She awkwardly stood there watching him, chewing on her bottom lip as she did, it was a nervous habit and she had a feeling that by the end of the week it would be swollen and gross. She couldn't help it though; it was what she did to help relieve stress. She didn't know what to do with herself and was aware that Robin's friends kept looking over their way.

"My mum is out getting some last bits for Christmas day tomorrow; she's doing the food shop. She's forced dad to go as well so it was quite funny in here this morning." Robin smirked as he buttered the toast before spreading the jam. "Raspberry is your favourite, right?"

"Yeah," she nodded, "thanks." She couldn't believe that he remembered what flavour of jam was her favourite, it wasn't even as though he'd really made her breakfast before, sure they'd gone out for breakfast but she didn't recall telling him. She took a bite from the toast and hummed at the taste before taking a seat at the breakfast bar.

"You don't want to come over and talk with the guys?" he asked, clearing away all the things he'd used to create her breakfast.

Social anxiety was a bitch.

"I'll just finish this and then I'll come over."

"Okay," Robin nodded, running a hand through his hair as he looked around the kitchen, he wondered briefly if he should sit with her whilst she ate but instead opted to head back into the dining room where his friends were.

Once he was gone and the door was closed, she sat back in the chair and sighed.

"Well, that was pitiful."

Regina rolled her eyes as the blonde walked into the kitchen wearing all black with headphones slung around her neck. She went straight to the fridge and began rifling through it for something to eat. "What are you talking about?"

"They won't bite, even if they are a bunch of dickheads," she quipped, a strong Yorkshire accent clear in her voice that Regina hadn't really noticed before.

She grinned at her before shaking her head, "Robin told me that you didn't like his friends."

"As I said, they're a…"

"Bunch of dickheads, I got it."

"Also, it's them who don't like me, not the other way around. They don't get me."

"What's not to get?" Regina shrugged, taking another bite from her toast as the girl came over to the table and leant over it, looking her up and down before snatching a piece from her plate. "Hey, thief! You're nearly as bad as your brother."

"Oh, you wanted this? I thought it was going spare," she smirked, licking her lips as she waved the toast in front of the brunette.

"You really are a piece of work."

"I think you like it."

"Maybe I do."

"But you like my brother more."

"I didn't realise it was a competition. I've known him longer."

"Everyone always likes Robin more, that's the way it is," Mal shrugged with a sigh as she took a bite out of the breakfast she'd stolen.

Regina looked at her, she seemed dejected and a bit down on herself. Not thinking about it, she stood up and rounded the breakfast bar before wrapping her arms around her, pulling her into a hug which was far more uncomfortable than she had been expecting, maybe because Mal suddenly went as rigid as a statue a bit like Regina normally did when people tried to make contact with her.

"What's going on right now?" Mal asked, not even raising her arms to hug back, just standing there awkwardly.

"Sorry, I just thought you looked like you might need… you know what, never mind, I was obviously mistaken, sorry." She was just about to pull away when the other girl melted into the embrace, hugging her back.

"Tell anyone about this and I kill you, okay?"

"Got it," Regina chuckled as they broke apart with a laugh. "How about we look out for each other this week?"

"Deal," Mal nodded, "I'll try and rescue you from as many tedious situations as possible, but I'm afraid right now Robin is expecting you to go and converse with his boring ass friends, even though you'd rather be chilling upstairs with your totally cool new mate."

"Very true."

"Mallory, you're home!" Caroline's voice called from the hallway.

"Urgh god, why can't anyone ever call me by my preferred name?" she huffed with an eye roll, "also this is your fault, my plan had been to sneak back up before they noticed me."

"Sorry," Regina chuckled, watching as the elder of the two hurried into the kitchen towards her daughter.

"How long have you been back?"

"I came back last night, mum."

"Why didn't you let me know? I thought you were at Esmerelda's last night."

"Yeah well, that's not happening anymore."

"You fell out?"

"I suppose that's one way of putting it. Anyway, I'm off back upstairs, shout if you need me to save you," she grinned, winking at Regina before scurrying away back to her room. Regina watched her go before looking at Caroline, the woman was laden with bags of shopping and Regina spotted Robin's father also hauling things through the front door.

"Would you care for some help, Mrs Locksley?"

"Oh don't bother yourself, dear, you're a guest here. What are you doing sitting here in the kitchen alone? How rude of my son."

"He's seeing his friends, I understand."

"Robin, come in here please," Caroline ordered before grabbing some shopping bags from where her husband had simply dropped them in the doorway before going to retrieve more. Robin emerged almost straight away looking from his mother to Regina. "Why on earth have you left this poor young girl in here alone?"

"I…"

"No Robin, you were the one who invited Regina into our home and I expect you to treat her right, not leave her sitting in the kitchen by herself."

He stood there feeling a little bewildered for a moment, guilt running through him, he shouldn't have just left her like that, he didn't know why he had. He had just felt a little awkward simply sitting there watching her eat, he didn't think she'd want that.

"I was talking to Mal, it was alright," Regina stated, "I also wanted a little alone time, Robin was doing as I asked that's all." She never wished that she was back home so much as she did at that moment. What she wouldn't give to be sat in her own kitchen with her friends instead of being here as the outcast. Though to be honest she hadn't given Robin's friends much of a chance, hadn't attempted to get to know them.

"I see," the woman quipped, her eyes narrowing a little, "well. Robin, I expect you'll be making sure Regina feels welcome here."

"Of course!" he insisted and Regina could tell that he felt guilty just from looking at him. He shouldn't, it had been her choice to stay there and eat and she couldn't blame him for wanting to spend time with his friends. "Would you like to come and meet everyone properly?"

"Okay," she nodded nervously. She didn't think she was a very likeable person so was a little worried about meeting them, she was surprised that Mal liked her, although, from what Mal said, the girl didn't think she was a very likeable person either.

It had been a little awkward meeting his friends, just as she had assumed it would be, they had been kind enough, less pretentious than she knew her friends back home would have been when meeting Robin. Most of them were uptight and thought they were above everyone else, that was the sort of people you met at private grammar schools and she was used to socialising with them. They were worlds away from Robin's friends with their broad Yorkshire accents which perfectly matched his.

She had noticed that since he had arrived back home, his accent had changed somewhat, it was stronger, almost as though he had been masking it a little back in Oxford, she wondered why that might be? An accent didn't make any difference to her, it didn't alter the way she felt about him.

His friends had gone home after a couple of hours and she was finally left alone with Robin, all the anxiety of other people being around them slipped away and she was able to relax a little, Robin seemed to relax too, it was strange how they just slipped back into their usual roles once their audience was gone.

"So, do you want to go and check out the town? It's not very big and there isn't all that much to do, but there's a place that does amazing waffles and ice cream."

"That does sound nice," she nodded, a soft smile forming on her lips as she grabbed her blue coat with the fur trim from the rack in the hallway as Robin collected his own.

The air outside was crisp, but there was no sign of snow, she'd never had a white Christmas before, it was virtually impossible for it to snow it California. She pulled her coat a little tighter around her as she and Robin walked side by side down the pavement, heading in the direction of what she assumed was Robin's local town centre. There was small talk between them, Robin making the odd joke here and there, their hands brushing ever so lightly as they walked.

Regina admired her surroundings, old buildings and skinny roads clearly not built for cars but instead for the times when the only means of transportation was by horse. Robin led her down a cobbled brick lane and all of a sudden, they had gone from being in the middle of the countryside to a little bustling town. There were Christmas trees, lights, tinsel and everything Christmassy and she couldn't help the giddy feeling that rose inside her.

There was a group of people carolling in a little square, their voices ringing out, she grabbed Robin's arm, pulling him to a halt so that she could stop and watch for a moment. A soft smile was written on her face as she listened to the carol singers, they made her think of home, standing with her father at the carol concert that was held in town each year and holding their candles as they sang.

Robin watched her face light up as she watched, he couldn't help but smile too, seeing her happy was enough to make his day.

"So, this ice cream parlour you told me about, are we going to find it?"

"Come on then, what type of flavour are you feeling?"

"Chocolate all the way," she grinned.

"Snap."

The ice cream parlour was nothing like the ones back home in America, the flavours weren't extravagant, they were rather simple but she was certain that they would be delicious, they certainly looked it.

Robin and Regina both ordered the same thing, a Belgian waffle with chocolate ice cream, whipped cream and chocolate sauce. Robin insisted that he be the one to pay for their treats despite her argument that she should be the one repaying him for his kindness. They found a little table on the corner for them to tuck away in, she smiled at Robin a feeling of happiness washing over her at the fact he wanted her there with him, although her accommodation in Oxford was more than nice, she wouldn't want to spend Christmas alone, no one should have to do that.

"So how good are these waffles?" She asked, taking her gloves off and delicately putting them down on the empty seat beside her as she began to shuffle out of her coat, enjoying the warmth blasting from the heater behind her.

"Best I've ever had," he grinned, leaning back in his chair, his eyes focused on nothing but her. How was it that she was always so stunningly beautiful? She didn't even have to try and she took his breath away, he had to attempt to act casual around her and it wasn't easy. "Trust me you'll think so too."

"I'll hold you to that."

Regina licked her bottom lip as she sat back in her seat, her feet brushing against his lightly underneath the table. A light blush washed over her cheeks as she moved her fingers to push a strand of hair behind her ear, she was about to say something else when the waiter appeared with a tray, their waffles sitting proudly on top. Her eyes widened as she caught sight of their deserts, it was stacked high and she could imagine her mother's reaction if she saw her eating that, she would have a fit, that made her all the more eager to tuck in. "I think you're trying to send me into a sugar coma," Regina quipped, her eyes still fixed on the waffle that had now been placed in front of her.

"It's a likely possibility." He grabbed a fork and shoved some unceremoniously in his mouth, probably more than he could easily manage.

"Wow, couldn't have fit any more in there?" She asked, one eyebrow arched as she looked at him, feeling so tempted to try and make him laugh, she would if she wasn't worried about being showered in ice cream and waffle crumbs.

He tried to finish what was in his mouth before grinning at her, it was just as nice as it always was. "I could have tried. Now come on, try some."

Regina did as she was told, cutting off a much smaller piece than him and placing it inside her parted lips. The taste of chocolate exploded on her tongue, the rich and sweet notes perfectly balanced to create the most sensational flavour. She couldn't help the moan that burst forth as she closed her eyes and savoured the delicacy.

"Oh my god," she groaned as she finished what was in her mouth, "you may very well have been correct."

"Told you so," he smirked, eating more of his ice cream from the plate, a proud as punch look washed over his face. They ate and talked, chatting about Uni and the latest book they were studying, for the first time actually agreeing on their opinions of the characters instead of battling one another in a debate.

Once their plates were empty and their bellies full, they stood up, collecting their things ready to leave. "Can I tempt you with a drink or something for on the go?"

"Hey you, stop trying to buy me stuff, I'm supposed to be treating you."

Regina shook her head and buttoned up her coat before darting away from him to the counter and ordering two hot chocolates, paying before he could stop her.

"Oi," he chuckled, nudging her playfully as he caught up, his blue scarf wrapped around his neck and hat securely on his head. He had been so tempted to wrap his arms around her waist but he didn't want to do anything that she might not be comfortable with. "That was sneaky."

"You should know me well enough by now to know that I am always sneaky."

The lady behind the counter passed their drinks to them and they thanked her before leaving the parlour and continuing their exploration of the little town. There wasn't too much to see but they saw all of what there was, it was mostly quaint shops that were only big enough to admit a couple of customers at a time. Bespoke galleries held handmade crafts and other gifts. Regina picked out a couple of pieces, presents she said would be for his family.

"I feel I should get your sister a present for her being so welcoming and allowing me to stay in her room," Regina quipped as they perused a tiny book shop which she knew was more up their street than Mal's.

"I wouldn't even know where to start with buying a present for her, she's her own kind of person," he chuckled, thanking the proprietor of the store as they left, walking side by side along the path.

Regina spotted a shop across the road and she had a feeling that there would be something for the other woman inside, something that she might like. "How about in there?"

"I've never actually been in there before; I think it must be new."

"Come on then," she took his hand for a moment as they crossed the road, not thinking much of it and letting go as they entered the store. She looked around, the strong scent of incense filling her nose, she had a good feeling that Mal would probably like most of the things in the shop. Robin followed behind her as she picked up several items, some crystals, candles and incense sticks.

"How do you know she likes this kind of stuff?" He felt a little guilty that he didn't know this kind of thing, he should know what his own sister liked without having to be told by his best friend who had only known her a day.

"Well, I spent more than ten minutes in her bedroom," Regina grinned, teasing him, she knew that he was a good brother but she guessed that most older brothers didn't go in their sibling's bedrooms. She was at the checkout when she spotted a deep violet coloured dreamcatcher, she added that to her purchase. They were about to leave when an elderly woman came out from a curtained-off section of the shop, a light veil covering her eyes.

"Would you be interested in a tarot reading?" she asked, her voice soft but sure, her words spoken in a way that made them hard to refuse.

"I've never had a card reading before."

"Let's do it then," Robin chuckled. He couldn't say he exactly believed in spiritual things such as card readings, but if Regina wanted to do it, then he would go along willingly, he just wanted to see her happy.

She gave him a small smile as the pair followed the woman into the other room, it was dimly lit, with scented candles scattered around and talismans. Regina reached for his hand yet again, her gloved fingers slipping into his bare ones as they sat down on the seats in front of the old lady.

"Is it you or the young man who would like the reading my dear?"

"Robin?" she asked, her gaze turning to him in question, she would really like a turn but if he wanted to, she wouldn't be opposed.

"Go for it," he grinned, shrugging his shoulders.

"Myself please."

The woman nodded and set to work, shuffling her cards before looking up at the pair, her eyes seeming to shift in colour in a way that unsettled Regina a little, her heart rate increasing. She was nervous, not that she was entirely sure why, there was only a small part of her that actually believed in this kind of thing, the rest of her was just doing it for the fun of it.

The lady's hands moved fast and the pair of them watched in awe as she placed five of the cards face down on the table in a straight line. Her red fingernails plucked the first card and flipped it over for them to see it.

"Nine of Swords," the woman hummed, looking it over as both Robin and Regina stared at the picture that was depicted. It seemed to be a woman sat up in bed, the nine swords floating above her as she buried her head in her hands. It was upside down, facing the lady and Regina wondered what on earth it meant and couldn't stop herself from asking, even though she was sure the explanation was coming anyway. "What does it mean?"

"It is reversed, the card suggests that you have some kind of inner turmoil, a worry of fear of something."

Regina cleared her throat and tried to think about what it was she was worried about. There were several things she could think of, her father's health and how he had scared her earlier that year and also Robin, what their relationship might become. It was a strange thing to worry about really, but she couldn't stop herself from being concerned about it, she found herself liking him more and more each day and the worry that he didn't like her in that way had been getting to her more than she might like to admit recently.

She didn't have much time to dwell on it, because the woman was moving on, turning over the next card. "Knight of Wands. You are passionate and have a secret longing for adventure despite it not always coming to you. You yearn for something to pour your energy into."

The third card was turned over, the woman's eyes scanning it, reading the picture, thinking about it before speaking again.

"Strength, you have a fire within you, child! Courage to achieve your dreams, but I also see compassion, you're caring and like to help others. This will be both a blessing and a curse."

Regina said nothing, instead opting to continue listening to the woman read the cards. Robin couldn't help but agree with what she said, it was true, Regina was one of the bravest people he knew, coming to a strange country all alone, living by herself and managing despite missing her family back home.

"The moon. This card is reversed, suggesting that you will be released from some kind of fear, probably the one indicated in the first card, you're to let yourself relax despite your inner confusion. You seem to be struggling with something, but the answer is right in front of you."

Regina sat back in her chair, feeling a little bit of the tension that had been inside her since the first card ease at the woman's words, she could really do with putting her worries aside and allowing herself to just chill out.

"Finally, The lovers." A smirk came onto the elderly woman's face as she looked to Robin briefly before back to Regina again, "this suggests that you will have a new love in your future, one that brings you much happiness," she quipped.

The younger girl's eyes widened as she took in what was being said to her, the woman was suggesting that she would be getting into a relationship and from the way she had just looked at Robin, Regina didn't have to try hard to guess who it might be with. He looked just as shocked by the woman's words but if she could read him right, she was pretty sure he seemed excited as well.

From the moment the card had been turned around, Robin had felt butterflies in his stomach, he didn't know much about tarot cards, but he was pretty certain he knew what that one meant. Maybe that meant that there was a chance of them being more than friends in the future, he hoped so. He also prayed to God it didn't mean that she was going to find someone else, that would just about kill him.

"This brings an end to our reading," she smiled, collecting up the cards and depositing them back into her deck before standing up, "Merry Christmas to the both of you."

Robin and Regina also stood, thanking the lady before leaving the room and the shop, heading back outside, the chill from the crisp winter air washing over them, making Regina shudder.

"Well, that was interesting," Robin quipped, realising that his hand was still wrapped up in Regina's, she hadn't let it go the entire time and he couldn't help the warmth that swelled in his chest at the feeling.

"Hmm," she nodded, shuddering at the sudden temperature change and wishing she had brought her scarf with her. Cheekily, she snatched the end of Robin's scarf and pulled it so that it covered her neck also, it was warm from his body heat and she appreciated it immensely.

"Hey, where's your own scarf?" he chuckled, warming his hands in hers, he was pretty sure that it was much colder than it had been when they set off for their little afternoon out, that probably had something to do with it being dark out now, whilst they had been inside the shop, the sun had gone down, giving way to the early evening sky.

"I don't have one. I can't believe it got so dark." Regina looked around her, the string lights she had seen earlier were now lit, twinkling softly against the old bricks of the buildings they were strung from, golden hues cast all around.

"I know, we should probably be heading back, my mum will be thinking we got lost."

"Well, you've been away such a long time, is it any wonder."

"Shush you."

Regina smirked, knowing that his mother had been pestering him about how long he had actually been gone without coming home. He'd not had a visit back since he'd arrived at Oxford in September and the woman had been missing him terribly. The thing was, he would have only been able to stay for the weekend and with the length of the journey to get there, it would hardly have been worth it.

"It's beautiful at night isn't it."

"I have to admit, at Christmas it is really nice here."

"Hmm, very nice," she nodded, squeezing his hand softly as they set back towards his house, more than ready to sit in the warmth and lounge around. Their hands remained joint the entire walk home.

When they arrived back at the house their supper was already made, waiting for them in the oven. They hadn't realised quite how late it had become, after finishing off their food, the most amazing cottage pie Regina had ever tasted, they retreated to Robin's bedroom to continue watching their series.

They took on the same positions they had been in the night before, with Robin on one side of the bed and Regina on the other, both too nervous to bridge the gap and make a connection between them. She thought about what the old woman had revealed with her cards and scoffed to herself, she was meant to have strength and courage, but she couldn't even bring herself to move closer to the guy she liked.

They had watched a couple of episodes before she decided that she couldn't stand it any longer, she needed to get out before she suffocated on the tension in the room. When the credits began to roll, she sat up and slipped off the edge of the bed, "I think I might head off to bed now."

"It's only eleven," Robin quipped, his eyes falling to the clock on his bedside table as he was filled with regret, he should have moved closer, made a move and bridged the gap between them but he hadn't wanted to make her feel uncomfortable, instead he worried that he might have made her feel that way by not doing, he felt awkward and damn right stupid.

"I know, but I need to shower and tomorrow is Christmas eve, I'm tired and I…" she had nothing else, she was rambling and could feel her cheeks heating up. She thought they had passed this stage, agreed not to feel awkward around each other, but clearly, right now she was not going along with that.

Robin looked at her for a moment, feeling a little worried that she was acting like this, she had been fine, everything had been good between them and then they'd gone to the tarot reading. She had been quiet ever since, quieter than normal and he was worried that it had scared her, what the woman had said, the cards, the whole thing, maybe it had scared her off. Or even worse, maybe she didn't actually like him the way he liked her.

Regina watched Robin as he watched her, guilt swimming through her, he clearly knew she had been making up excuses to leave and now she didn't know what to say to him. "I'll see you in the morning for breakfast?" she asked, a soft smile on her face.

"I'd like that," Robin nodded, standing also to walk her to Mal's room. When they reached the door, they stopped there for a moment, just looking at each other. Robin took a deep breath before leaning in and pressing a light kiss to her cheek, "I'll see you in the morning, Regina."

"Yes, sleep well Robin," she breathed, cupping her hand over her cheek, feeling the lingering wetness from his lips touching her palm. Her teeth worried her bottom lip as she watched until he was out of sight before slipping into Mal's room, with what she was sure was a stupid smile on her face.

"Okay, why are you actually back here when your face looks like that."

She was startled by Mal's voice drifting from that same chair she had been sat in when Regina woke up earlier that morning. "What?"

"Why didn't you just stay in his room tonight? I don't get it."

"Not everyone is as bold as you."

"Seriously?" the blonde scoffed, an unamused expression on her face, one that even verged upon boredom. "Regina, my brother is virtually desperate for you but he's too much of a gentleman to make the first move, he doesn't want to offend you or lose your friendship."

"How do you know he likes me like that?"

"Pretty sure I told you exactly how I know last night, but I have eyes and today I have seen just how much he cares for you, now are you going to get your ass back out there and go stay with him, maybe get a few snuggles. Or, are you going to stay in here with me staring at the stupid glow in the dark stars my dad stuck on my ceiling when I was five?"

Regina furrowed her eyebrows looking down at the floor for a moment before huffing to herself and meeting Mal's eyes, "do you think I should?"

"Why are you asking me?! Go!" Without any warning she opened the door and shoved Regina straight out, pushing her in the direction of her brother's room and closing the door on her.

Regina stared at the door for a moment before steeling herself and turning on her heels, confidence filling her as she headed back down the landing towards Robin's room, a determination swimming inside her as she knocked on his door and waited.