This is a combined Outlaw Queen and Snowing story. It'll equally focus on both of their relationships, as well as the familial ties

A few years back I wrote a genderbent OUAT where Robin was the Evil King and David's step-father. From there, my wonderful girlfriend made a few verses (modern and otherwise) where he was also his step-father. In this verse, Robin is David's legal father, having adopted both him and James. OQ are both 45, Snowing are 25, Henry is 14 and Roland is 8.

This fic is loosely based on 911 Lonestar and really, the only thing I've taken from that is stufff from the pilot. Such as why TK and Owen moved, along with the reasoning behind TK's relapse. This brings me to, this story will focus heavily on addiction to opioids, along with mentions of alcoholism.

The pan sizzles as Robin throws some butter into it. He squints at the pages of the cookbook. It won't be much longer that he can pretend he doesn't need glasses. David makes fun of him becoming more of an old man every day. He's 45. Hardly old. David's only 20 years younger than him and acts as if Robin is ready to apply for AARP. He gets the sass from his mother.

As Robin chops the peppers, he gets a glance of the stainless-steel fridge. After a month in Storybrooke, they're finally unpacked. They left the smaller details last, such as their magnet collection and the family photos. A donut holds up one of James and Belle on their wedding day. Another of the twins aged 10 and Robin at the station is pinned down by a model of the Grand Canyon. Like everything else, their smiles were matching and infectious. A few other random ones from over years like the twins' graduation or simple milestones are littered about with magnets from their yearly family vacations. The one that gives him pause is a candid polaroid of Ruth. Her dark curls flying as she laughed at someone off camera. It's blurry and slightly off balanced, taken by David when he was only 5.

They say there are five stages of grief. What no one tells you is that you may shift between those stages for years to come. Robin has long since accepted his wife's death but that doesn't mean there's not still some anger or sadness. Even though it's been 19 years, there's still that dull ache every time he thinks of Ruth. Dr. Ericson back in Detroit told him that's normal. What matters is he's no longer pretending to be okay. He is okay.

It took him a long time to truly reach the stage of acceptance. So much of him and Ruth had been words left unsaid. They were in the same friend group in high school, growing closer as the years progressed. Ruth later admitted she had developed a crush on him the first moment she saw him. But he was dating someone else. By the time he and Penelope broke up, Ruth was dating Robert. Robin realized his feelings just a bit too late. Despite everyone telling her what a jerk he was, Ruth married her high school sweetheart and stayed in Michigan. Robin headed back to England for university. With airfare being expensive and social media nonexistent, their contact was limited for the next 4 years.

When Robin returned, he found Ruth working at the gardening center of Home Depot when he went to buy ivy. A quick conversation lead to plans for drinks. When he showed up at her apartment, 2-year-old identical blonde boys with deep blue eyes followed behind her. Ruth's mother rushed them out the door and it took an hour for Ruth to tell the full story. Robert took off when she got pregnant. Ruth was a single mom, doing her best. Robin was a single guy, looking for work. It just started with hanging out, meeting the boys. Realizing he loved them just as much as he loved her.

It took a year for them to finally get to their senses and start dating. They moved in together earlier than they wanted, only 8 months in, after Ruth lost her apartment. Watching the now 4-year-old twins run around his two-bedroom rental, Robin wrapped his arm around Ruth. They had briefly discussed marriage, but ultimately decided there was no rush. Robin had recently decided to give up the corporate job he loathed to join the fire department. Ruth was going to finally go back to school. The boys were getting older, growing like weeds. It'd be impractical for their money to go to a big white wedding. The piece of paper wasn't important. They loved each other. The boys called him "Daddy". Ruth and Robin just wanted to focus on being happy.

"We've got the rest of our lives for all of that paperwork," she had said. "I want to enjoy the now."

So, they did. For another year they juggled rookie fireman shifts and college courses. Finding the best kindergarten for David and James. Reading bedtime stories, finding time to go on dates and trying to figure out what detergent would get grass stains out of soccer uniforms.

Ruth didn't tell him about the lump at first. She had it for a while but her doctor always told her that it was just something to monitor. Ruth was young, only 25 years old. No one thinks about someone in their mid-20s being diagnosed with breast cancer. She had to switch gynecologists for a reason Robin can't remember anymore but is entirely grateful for. This one took the lump more seriously and ordered some tests. Ruth only sat him down when she got the results: stage three breast cancer.

At first, they were given some hope. Ruth would have a mastectomy followed by radiation if necessary. They made it through the medical procedures with the help of Ruth's mother and Robin's crew. There were meal trains, babysitting schedules, everything they would need as Ruth entered probably the scariest phase of her life. Two weeks before the surgery, she rolled over in bed and tapped him on the arm. Robin can still remember the look in her beautiful brown eyes, filled with fear, sadness and desperate need of sleep.

"I need that piece of paper."

He wanted to argue that this wasn't the way. He was supposed to propose with the ring he bought prior to the diagnosis. They'd go to a nice dinner and then go for a walk. She'd leap into his arms and scream "Yes" a million times. Their wedding would be everything she crammed into those vison boards she thought he had no idea about. Big, obnoxious. Not exactly them, but a celebration for how long it took for them to get there.

That wasn't an opportunity anymore. They needed the piece of paper, for all the "just in case" scenarios. It was the only way they could guarantee James and David would never leave his care. With his best buddy from the station John getting ordained, they married in jeans in the middle of their living room. Only their sons and Ruth's mom was present. They started the formal petition for adoption not long before Ruth's surgery. And as she attended radiation, Robin worked with the attorney to legally adopt the twins. She finished the radiation a couple of months before it was final.

More tests were run and while the cancer in the breast was successfully removed, it had traveled to other parts of her body. Treatment options were fewer this time. All of them had the potential to make Ruth weaker. Despite the fact that Robin would spare no expense to save his wife, the cost would eat them alive and as the doctors pointed out, would be for a few more months together at the most. The best thing to do was let her die comfortably.

They chose not to tell the boys. Instead, they went on one last vacation as a family of four. A road trip, with everyone getting to pick a spot. They drove through Canada to see some of Ruth's family. Hit up the Muesem of Natural History in New York for David. Once in Pennsylvania, they took a drive up the beautiful Mount Washington and Robin got to cross that off his bucket list. To round out the trip, they visited Hershey Park for James. Filling the boys up on sugar and buying them tacky souvenirs, Robin pretended not to notice his wife growing weaker with each stop. She never complained and documented every last thing.

The trip took a lot out of her. Sometimes Robin wonders if she would've lived a few more months had he not insisted upon it. Realistically, he knows it was the best thing. Ruth had told him several times she wanted the boys to remember her smiling and having fun not resting in bed. She was gone by the end of the summer, just three weeks after they returned from their trip. She left behind her mother, a group of friends. More importantly, she abandoned her loving husband and twin boys who barely understood the concept of cancer.

Robin hated himself for going to university in England, for losing 4 years he could've had with Ruth. Sure, she was married but that didn't mean they still couldn't hang out as friends. He could've been there to help her when James and David were babies. Maybe they would've fallen in love sooner. Gotten married sooner. They could've built a life together not under the pretense of there not being much time left.

James changed after his mother's death. The once shy little bookworm now severely acted out. Robin was trying to process it all himself and knows that along the way, he screwed up. He allowed himself to excuse screaming at teachers or picking fights with the other students. The little boy had just lost his mother, of course he was going to go through a rough patch. Robin himself could barely keep his head above water between his own grief, figuring out babysitting during his 24 hour shifts at the station and dealing with David clinging to his side. It took 3 years for Ruth's mother Vidia to point out that James couldn't use this is as an excuse for the rest of his life. They all lost someone but managed to go through the day without being sent to the principal.

He shifted his focus to the older twin. David was doing better, hanging out with friends. Robin got James into anger management and therapy. They fought more as the easy-going Robin became the strict father, unwilling to let his son become a danger to himself or society. It was an uphill battle for years, trying to find different treatment programs and aides for school. He praised David for being the easy kid. He got good grades and stayed in good friend group. It was so much easier to think that David didn't need the same amount of attention that James did. And maybe if he hadn't been so oblivious, Robin would've seen that his other child began to secretly drown his senior year of high school.

James does better now. He went to college in Texas, fell in love with a library science major and barely looked back. James would later admit that it was too hard to live in Detroit with all the memories. It only took Robin a few more years to realize the same was true for both him and especially, David. The only way to save his son's life was to get him out of the city. His old captain had retired to Florida and told him of a buddy of his in Maine who was also about to make the career jump. The Storybrooke Fire Department would need a new captain. Robin had risen through the ranks of his own unit, but the odds of becoming captain on such a large crew were slim to none. Especially after his work took a hit when Ruth died. It was a career opportunity of a lifetime.

"Do they have any other openings for someone of a lower rank?"

Now, he and David were apart of the Storybrooke team. It's a much smaller town than their used to. There's less fire calls and more for the smaller emergencies. And yet, Robin doesn't hate it. The crew is competent and willing to accept more to their "family".

Robin moves the vegetables into the pan. It's the second day of his 72-hour off period. He typically spends the first catching up on sleep and running errands. Back in Detroit, he'd spend the rest with the boys or occasionally go out with friends. Since arriving in Maine, he's tried connecting with his crew and meeting new people, but his off time is typically spent with David. Call it an abuse of power, but he's made sure that his son is on the same shifts as him. At least for now. Back in Detroit, it was nearly the opposite. Sometimes they'd work together but mostly had varying off points.

It's nearly why Robin hadn't found him in time. He's not going to let that happen again.

Robin turns to his cut-up, seasoned chicken, ready to add that to the mix as well. Just as he's dumping the plate, heavy footsteps ascend the stairs. Robin doesn't have to even look up to know that his son is digging through the pantry.

"Dinner is in an hour," he tells him.

"I'm probably going to be late." That gets Robin to turn around. David's in a long-sleeved black t-shirt and a pair of red basketball shorts. "Going to the gym."

Robin nods, his mouth opening to say something but then he closes it. He allows himself to smile. "I'm glad you're getting back into it, but are you sure you want to do it alone?"

"I won't do weight lifting." David grabs a pack of almonds from the pantry and turns to the fridge to fill up his navy-blue hydro flask. A rush of ice clinks inside before he switches to the water. "Besides, I think it's time I walked around town without you six inches away from me."

The words sit at the top of Robin's lips. He wishes he didn't have to feel like he needed to follow David anywhere. He wishes that he could treat him like the adult that he is. But every time his son leaves his sight, he's brought back to the memory of his son unresponsive of his cluttered apartment.

David could've said no to moving. He could've stayed back in Detroit, got his own place again. Robin knows he also didn't give him much of a choice. He told him about the job opportunities and said they were going. David stared at him with the same weary look that Ruth used to give him for a few minutes, before finally shrugging. Relief seeped through Robin's bones. He got so incredibly lucky there.

Instead, he just nods. "You've got your phone, right?" David pats his pocket. "And your water, snacks…" He nods in the direction of his son's supplies. "What about your inhaler?"

David rolls his eyes. "Robin."

"David." He fixes him with a Look.

"Yes, I have it. Geez." David rummages through his pocket and produces a pair of headphones. He jams them into the of his phone. "You don't have to hold dinner for me."

Both of them knows, Robin will.

David grunts as the pull-up bar falls back into place. He runs a white towel across his sweaty brows and glances towards the phone lit up beneath his pocket. Lin Manuel Miranda belts out Hamilton's final thoughts before his untimely death. Ever since the show came out, David obsessed over this final duel. Did Hamilton throw away his shot? Or was it just a case of bad luck.

He thinks of the tattoo inked to his thigh. The one he got just two weeks after leaving rehab. One of his favorite lines from the entire show.

Dying is easy, young man. Living is harder.

David has seven other tattoos, started the collection not long after his 18th birthday. A few stalks of Queen Anne's Lace on his torso for his mother. The Gryffindor shield on his bicep, which he got the same day James got a Slytherin snake. In block numbers, April 7th, 1997 is inked to his right forearm. The day he went from being David Nolan to David Locksley. A couple tattoos done in his college roommate's cousin's basement of random cartoon characters are littered in various spots and he's lucky those didn't kill him. The crown a size of a quarter behind his ear comes from a flash sheet during a Friday the 13th special, Kristoff had gotten a moose on his shoulder. David's biggest piece came just a year later, A sketch he did himself of the t-rex from the museum of natural history takes up a good portion of his back.

Robin isn't a huge fan of his tattoos and David has to fight off the fact that he's a hypocrite. Outside the lion crest that sits on his forearm, he's littered with others throughout his body, including his own memorializing Ruth with their wedding anniversary on his other forearm. The lion one is what made David want to be inked so badly. His whole life he admired the impressive artwork. Which is why he convinced James to save for and get the matching Harry Potter tattoos on their 18th birthday. The last thing they did together before James went for Texas and rarely returned.

The Hamilton tattoo is a secret, one he's managed to keep hidden for a while. The last thing he needs is for Robin to get teary eyed or ask him questions about it. Not that they've really discussed what happened since David left rehab. Robin makes sure his suboxone script is up to date, but that's about it. The silence and kindness are the hardest part. He wants his father to yell at him, tell him how he really feels. Even if it'd hurt, David is tired of pretending he checked into rehab for the stale cookies.

It's pretty empty in the gym. The only other people run on treadmills and a couple lifts weights in the corner. He doesn't make the effort to move from the seat as he takes a long swig from the hydro flask. Philippa Soo melodically tells the tale of the last years of Eliza Schuyler Hamilton's life as he scrolls through Instagram. A couple of his old buddies from the station post pictures of the big meal. He misses John's turkey casserole and Tuck's famous "bug juice". The people on the crew here are nice, they also have huge dinners that they work on together. Will makes amazing spaghetti and meatballs. Merida introduced him to bangers and mash. They're all so welcoming but he finds himself declining their invitations to hang out on their off days. He wants to build a life here in Storybrooke but knows it's only a matter of time before they realize the true reason for the move.

He scrolls past his high school girlfriend's engagement shoot, which brings a small smile to his face. He hasn't spoken to Kathryn in years outside social media, but he's happy that she's reached her dreams. Finishing up law school, meeting a great new guy. She deserves it after all he put her through.

Just as he loses sight of Kathryn's huge grin, his fingers pause over a post filtered in Kelvin from "santasfavereindeer". Kristoff isn't pictured, but his wife is as she cradles a tiny baby that already has her hair. Anna wears a customized seafoam green maternity gown with light blue swirls. The baby is wrapped in a matching blanket.

Rebekka Ingrid. 6 pounds, 7 ounces. Mama and baby are doing awesome.

David stares at the picture for a few moments. He knew the baby was coming but he hadn't allowed it headspace since he left rehab. Kristoff was not worth the 5 years of sobriety that he cost David. Deep down, David knows it's not his fault. David is the one with an addiction. He's the one that chose to start using again. He just as easily could've started attending meetings and therapies again, but chose to steal from Tuck.

And still, David wonders every day about what would've happened if when he proposed to his boyfriend of 3 years, Kristoff hadn't blurted out that he had been cheating for the past year. He loved her. What if Kristoff had said he did want to spend forever with David and not some random girl he met while delivering to Anna's chocolate shop.

The biggest cliché in the book and perhaps the most harmful stereotype is that bisexuals cheat, that they can't make up their minds. But David is bi too and he knows it isn't that Kristoff is confused. He met another person, one he loved. It could've easily happened if they were a heterosexual couple.

Still doesn't make it hurt any less.

David had wanted kids. Kristoff always said he didn't. Now, here he is living out that fantasy with the wife he rushed into marrying after the condom broke. They'll have a happily ever after in the apartment with the cool brick walls that David once admired. He's stuck in Storybrooke, Maine. Sure, he has his father but he feels more lost than ever.

A hand smacks down onto his shoulder. David jolts, pulling his earphones out. His eyes connect with Killian, who's smirking. David rolls his eyes, yanking away from him.

"You looked a little out of it, mate," he says. "Overdo it?"

Killian is nice. Sarcastic, a bit inappropriate but nice. He works as a detective at the local police department, their paths crossing a few times during work. David still isn't about to spill his entire life story.

"Nah, just got suckered into social media." He wraps his headphones around the device and shoves it back into his pocket. "Just starting?"

Killian shakes his head. "Was completing the last of my PT. First time doing it with the robot hand." He flexes the prosthetic. "Glad to finally have it over with."

"I hear that. I had to have PT my senior year when I broke my leg." He instantly flinches, realizing he compared a healed injury to Killian losing his hand. "I mean…it's not the same but…

Killian chuckles. "It's cool. Though I'm sure your therapist wasn't as big of a pain as Carla DeVil. I swear she's a sadist."

David makes a face. "I've been told to stay away from her and it's advice I'm going to follow."

"Good." Killian grins. "Say, a few of us were gonna grab some drinks at Aesop's. Wanna come?"

David hesitates. Alcohol was never his vice of choice. He still isn't sure if he has a problem with it. The first couple of times he sought treatment, he continued to drink socially. Then in rehab, Dr. Wallace pointed out that addictions are hereditary. Robert died of alcohol poisoning, after a long history of drinking and gambling. David already has an addictive personality. A part of him blames it on his ADHD. He'll find something new and fixate on it for hours. The other part he knows has to come from the man he never even met, but makes up half his gene pool. As a result, David gave up alcohol.

"I uh, don't drink," David offers lamely.

Much to his surprise, Killian nods understandingly. "I don't either." He gives a quick flash of his keychain, showing off a few AA chips. David tilts his head. He didn't take Killian for the type. After his own battle with addiction, he should know better than to assume. "They have beer and stuff, but they also are fully stocked with soft drinks and water. I get it if you can't handle it, though." His voice isn't judgmental at all.

"I'm uh, not an alcoholic," David quickly clarifies. "I just…try to be careful." Killian nods again. David gnaws on his lower lip for a minute before allowing himself to smile. "I'll come. Let me just shower first."

"I should probably hit them up as…"

Killian's cut off by loud coughing. Both of their heads snap up in that direction. David locks eyes with a shorter woman with dark hair pulled back in a ponytail, a light green sweatband pulled around her forehead. A black crop top advertising "Global Citizen Festival" hides under a hoodie that matches the band. Her eyebrows are drawn together, her piercing emerald eyes glaring at them. Storybrooke is a pretty small town but just when David think he's met everyone, he finds someone new. Despite the annoyance on her face, he's taken back by her beauty. She's just in sweats and a crop top, but damn…has anyone else ever looked this good?

"Are you done with the machine?"

David blinks a few times. It takes a second to realize her vitriol is aimed at him. "Um."

Her finger points to a sign behind him. "No loitering on the machinery."

Killian cuts in. "Chill, Mary Margaret. We were just talking."

"And not all of us have the luxury of 12 hour shifts. I need to be at work soon." She gestures back to David. "So, are you done?"

"Uh, yeah, of course."

He hops off the machine and quickly disinfects it with the local bottle, under the watchful eye of Mary Margaret. David gestures to the seat.

"Milady."

Mary Margaret rolls her eyes. "Thanks, you're a real Prince Charming."

David rolls his own eyes. He was just trying to be polite. He follows Killian over to the lockers. They grab their duffels and head towards the showers.

"What's her deal?" David asks once they're securely in the locker room.

"That's Mary Margaret Blanchard. She's in EMS."

David rustles through his bag, attempting to find his body wash. "I haven't seen her around."

"She just got back from some time off. Her mom passed away, so she had to handle things down south."

David frowns, his hand hovering over the Suave sport bottle. "That's too bad."

"Yeah, but she's always a bit rough around the edges. I think she thinks she's better than all of us because her dad's the chief at Storybrooke General. I'm surprised she didn't go to med school, Daddy would for sure give her a job."

Killian slips away to get undressed and David heads into the other direction. He quickly pulls out his phone and sends a text to Robin, letting him know that he can seriously eat without him tonight as he's going out with Killian. It only takes a few seconds for Robin to respond.

Text me the address of where you're gonna be.

David sighs, doing a quick Google search to find where Aesop's is. 25 years old and he's being more monitored than he was as a teen.

He doesn't have a leg to stand on to argue, however. That trust is long gone.

Mary Margaret sinks onto her cot at the station. It's just after 2 AM and they've returned from a false alarm for a heart attack. They really should start charging Jack for getting high and getting paranoid that he's about to explode. As soon as they mention how much an ambulance would cost, he's suddenly better.

She should try to get some sleep. She's only 6 hours into her shift, with 18 to go. While in Memphis, she tried to keep up the same sleep schedule so it wouldn't be so bad when she returned but found it's harder to stay awake at night when you're not constantly busy. She had relatives in the house but they all went to bed at a decent hour. Mary Margaret was left with her own thoughts, sometimes a dangerous thing.

Regina walks into the room, plopping down beside Mary Margaret. The older woman scrubs her own face with her palms, letting out a small yawn.

"Check on the boys?" Mary Margaret asks.

Regina nods. "Luckily my dad was still awake. They're fine. Roland fought bed some but Henry told him to get his act together. Daddy says those were his exact words."

Mary Margaret chuckles quietly, trying to be mindful of those sleeping around them. "He's a good kid."

"He is." Regina bites her lip. "You know he's been offering to watch Roland after school and overnight so my dad doesn't have to come over as much?"

Mary Margaret shakes her head. "He's far too young."

"I know, I just hate that he felt that he had to offer. Sometimes I forget how much he grew up when Marian died."

Mary Margaret rubs her arm. "You're raising good kids. Henry is an old soul, so gentle and nurturing."

"Like his mama," Regina whispers.

Mary Margaret pulls her closer. She misses her friend's wife too. It's hard to believe it's already been 3 years. "He still has a childhood. You don't need to worry about that."

"I just wish I could be home more. I'm lucky I got to switch to 12 hour shifts but even that doesn't feel like enough these days."

"It is. You need to work and the boys get that. They're getting older now and they look up to you so damn much." She pauses. "You're not your mother, ya know? Cora didn't have to take all those trips. It's not the same as working."

"I know you're right," Regina sighs. "I just get that guilt."

Mary Margaret nods. She's not a mom, but she understands the first responder relationship guilt. She had been dating Herc when she first started her certification and it destroyed their relationship. Things with Victor had been marginally better as he was in med school and understood the insane hours. They had other issues outside of that. She and Ruby were also still trying to recover from their failed friends-to-lovers thing. Part of it was Ruby not being totally ready to settle down, the other their conflicting hours. Ruby would get done with work and Mary Margaret would have to head back from a shift.

She can only imagine adding kids to the mix. Mary Margaret wants to be a mom but sometimes she wonders if it'd be selfish to bring a baby into the world that she'd have to go 24 hours at a time without seeing. Her father's crazy hours at the hospital are what ruined his and her mother's marriage. They barely have a relationship. After watching Regina with her sons, however, Mary Margaret knows that was partially his own doing.

"We should get some sleep before another call comes in," Mary Margaret says.

Regina nods and walks to the cot besides Mary Margaret's. The two climb under the thin sheets and Mary Margaret rolls over, trying to get comfortable. Regina props herself up in bed, her chin landing on her hand.

"Did you hear about the new fire captain?"

Mary Margaret shrugs. "Kind of, why?"

"He has a son, apparently around your age."

She rolls her eyes. "Not another setup."

"You're always saying it's hard to find people that get the grind. He would, he works with his dad."

"I'll tell you what," Mary Margaret says. "I'll go on a date, when you do."

Regina narrows her eyes. "Not fair."

"Exactly. Goodnight, Regina."