A/N: Based on the following prompt: Hotel verse: Regina is upset Henry is distancing himself from her and (Robin) comforts her. Bonus if it turns smutty.
Looks like I won't get those bonus points but I hope you all enjoy this!
-Mac
"Pulling Away"
Regina heard the front door unlock and then open. As it shut again, she pulled a plate out of the refrigerator and placed it in the oven. She straightened up just as her tired husband wandered into the kitchen, loosening the tie he wore. The sleeves of his shirt were already rolled up to his elbows and he plopped down in a chair with a weary sigh. "Who knew accountants would party so hard?" he asked.
She chuckled, walking over to him and massaging his shoulders. "Long night, huh?"
"Yeah," he said, leaning into her touch. "I had to shut down the open bar. It did not go over well."
"Wow," she said, kissing the top of his head. "Well, it's all over now. And I'm just heating up your dinner as I'm sure you didn't get a chance to really eat."
He looked up, smiling at her. "You're the best."
"Thank you," she replied, her spirits deflating a bit rather than getting a boost. "But I don't feel like I'm the best right now."
"Why?" he asked, watching as she moved back toward the oven. "What's wrong, Regina?"
She shook her head, setting the plate of food down in front of him. "Don't worry about it. You've had such a long day and don't need to be burdened by my concerns."
Robin gently gripped her wrist, looking up at her with a frown. "You know that's not how our marriage works. We support each other, remember?"
"I do," she said, sitting down next to him.
He nodded, leaning closer to her. "So what's bothering you?"
She sighed as he took her hand, rubbing the back of it with his thumb. "It's Henry," she admitted.
"What about him?" he asked, sounding even more concerned.
"I don't know. He's been sullen all day and won't give me anything more than one syllable answers," she told him, thinking about how hard she tried to understand what was wrong. He just wouldn't tell her anything.
Robin frowned. "Did you ask Roland? Those two have always been thick as thieves. If Henry confided in anyone…"
"It would be him," Regina agreed, nodding. The same thought had occurred to her earlier as well. She shook her head. "He hasn't said anything to Roland and he's concerned as well. I think he may try but…"
She paused, her words getting stuck in her throat as lump formed there. Tears filled her eyes as she swallowed. "But I don't think he's going to have much luck either," she finally finished.
"Maybe he just needs a day and then he'll come talk to us," Robin suggested. "It's happened before."
"True," she admitted, recalling when he had failed math and had been scared to tell them about it. He had avoided them for almost two days, giving them short answers and disappearing into his room whenever he could. Finally, he had crept into their bedroom and confessed everything to them. They had assured him that it was okay and that it wasn't something to be embarrassed about before getting him a tutor so he could the extra attention he needed to help pass his class.
This time, though, felt different. He didn't seem to be embarrassed as much as angry. It made him cold and aloof, even from the brother who had always been his best friend. Neither she nor Roland could understand why.
Robin ate a few bites of his food before asking: "Do you think I should try talking to him?"
"It probably wouldn't hurt," she said. "He most likely won't talk to you either but you have a gift when it comes to reading people. You may be able to figure it out."
He nodded. "Alright. I'll go check on him once I'm done with dinner."
"Thank you," she said, leaning closer to kiss his cheek. He reached over and squeezed her hand. For a moment, she felt that everything was going to be fine.
It a fleeting moment but she cherished it nonetheless.
Confused and concerned, Robin padded into the master bedroom and closed the door behind him. He glanced over at his wife, who sat up in their bed watching him with expectant eyes. "Well?" she asked.
He shook his head. "You were right. He refused to talk to me. He wouldn't even look at me."
Regina deflated a bit, sighing. "What could be wrong?"
"I don't know," Robin said, sitting on the bed. "And Roland didn't have any ideas?"
She shook her head. "He seemed just as confused as us."
He laid down next to her, shaking his head. "I hate this."
"I know," she said, curling against him. "I just want to make him feel better but I can't if I don't know what's bothering him."
"Exactly," he agreed, blowing out. He had been driven by a desire to help people and to make their lives better for so long and he still felt it in Storybrooke, especially since waking from the curse. So he hated it that he couldn't find a way to help his stepson – his son – with whatever it was that was making him sad.
But he had also learned during his time as a bandit that he couldn't help those who didn't want the help. So he had to wait until Henry wanted the help, no matter how much it pained him and Regina.
He had to trust his son.
"What do we do now?" Regina asked, as if reading his mind as she clung to him. She sounded so lost and he knew he was the only person she trusted to show this vulnerable side of her. Regina hated to not be in control and so he knew she was in as much pain as he was.
And that compounded his pain because he knew he couldn't take it away from her, no matter how much he wanted to.
"I guess we just wait," he told her. "And hope he'll tell us in good time."
She sighed. "I was afraid you were going to say that."
He rubbed her back. "Is there anything else I can do?"
"Can you just keep holding me and telling me everything will be okay?" she asked, sounding small and broken. "It's probably going to take a while to sink in."
"I can do that," he told her, kissing the top of her head. "I'll hold you as long as you need me to."
She then looked up at him. "Do you want to change first, though?"
"My pajamas would probably be more comfortable than my suit for both of us, huh?" he asked, hoping to lift her mood for a bit.
It worked as she chuckled. "Probably," she agreed.
"Though it does mean you have to let me go," he told her.
She sighed but didn't move away from him. "Can I watch you change?" she asked.
"Of course." He kissed the top of her head before sliding off the bed to change into his pajamas.
Robin pulled out a fresh t-shirt and clean pajama pants, placing them on the edge of the bed. He stood there, watching Regina as he unbuttoned his shirt. "Do you want me to do this slow…?"
"Not this time," she replied. "I'll still get a good look at you and then we can cuddle."
"Alright," he said, shedding the shirt and placing it in the hamper. He then pulled off his pants and put them there as well as his socks. Robin padded back over to the bed and placed his hands on his hips, posing. "Well?"
Regina leaned back against their pillows, biting her lip as her brown eyes swept over his body with hunger and love in her eyes. "Yum," she said.
He laughed before grabbing his pajamas. Once they were on, he climbed back into bed and pushed back the sheets. Robin motioned to Regina. "Come on over here," he said.
"Yes, sir," she replied teasingly, curling against him again. He then pulled the blankets over them as she wrapped her arms around him. Robin held her close, rubbing her back as he turned off the lights and plunged the room into darkness.
"I am glad I have you," she whispered. "I don't know what I would do if I had to go through this by myself."
His mind flashed to an image of her sitting outside Henry's door, waiting for her son to open it and talk to her while a quiet house settled around them. It broke his heart and he kissed the top of her head, glad he was there for her. "Well, you don't. We're going through this together," he assured her.
"Together," she replied. "I like that."
"Let's get some rest. Maybe things will be clearer in the morning," he said, closing his eyes. "Goodnight, sweetheart."
He felt her breathing even out and as he drifted off to sleep, he continued to hold her until they woke in the morning.
Two days later, it was not much better and Regina thought she was going to go mad from her worry.
Henry continued to be sullen and refused to talk to anyone in their family, even Roland. When he came home from school, he would just go straight to his bedroom and stay there until dinner. That meal became a tense affair as at first they tried to engage Henry in conversation and then they tried to ignore him all together. Nothing seemed to faze him as he just ate his meal and then would leave the table without being excused. Whenever Robin or Regina tried to talk to him, it was like trying to have a conversation with a brick wall and they had to give up before they ended up doing something or saying something they would regret.
"Maybe we could ask Ian to take Henry out to the archery range," Regina suggested, pacing their bedroom. "He has a good relationship with Ian. Maybe he'll open up to him?"
Sitting on the bed, Robin nodded. "I'll talk to John. I can't imagine he would say no. But if that doesn't work, we may have to consider bringing in the big guns."
That stopped Regina and she looked at him, frowning. "Who are the big guns?"
"Archie," Robin replied.
"No," she said. "He's sullen but he's not crazy."
Robin stood and approached her, gently rubbing her arms. "Of course he's not crazy. Therapy isn't just for crazy people. It's to help you process feelings and thoughts you can't understand by yourself. And that sounds like what Henry is going through."
She sighed, leaning into his arms and letting him hold her. "I guess you're right. I just don't know if it'll make things better or worse."
"That's the chance we're going to have to take," he said, rubbing her back. "But we need to do everything we can for him, right?"
"Yeah," she replied, knowing he had a point. "I'm still going to pray Ian can figure it out first."
He kissed the top of her head. "Me too."
She rested her head against his chest, listening to his heartbeat. "I hate not being able to comfort my own child."
"I know," he said, rocking her now. "I hate it too. I love Henry as my own."
"Do you think maybe he's feeling neglected?" she asked, thinking back over the past couple months. "We have been unusually busy lately."
He hummed. "Maybe. But he would've said something. He has in the past."
"Do you think this is just a precursor to his teen years?" Regina asked, thinking of the period of his life she most dreaded.
"Gods, I hope not," he replied. "I'm prepared for rebellion, growing out hair, trying to get alcohol parts of adolescent. Not this sullen, won't talk to anyone part."
She frowned looking up at him. "You made all of your expectations sound like they are no big deal. Underage drinking is a big deal, Robin."
"I know," he assured her. "But also remember that when I was a teenager, I became a thief."
"And I became queen," Regina replied softly, trying hard not to think of her harrowing years as the king's wife.
She felt him nod. "Look, I don't think we're going to be able to predict what Henry or Roland will be like in a few years when they are teenagers. But maybe it's good we're going through this phase with Henry now. Maybe it will help prepare us for whatever is coming."
"You think this is just a phase?" Regina asked, worried that it was just start of something that could cost her everything – though she wasn't sure why.
He shrugged. "I don't know. I'm hoping it's a phase. Because that means it will end."
She nodded. "Me too then. And I wish it would end sooner rather than later."
"I know," he said with a sigh. "Parenting is tough, isn't it?"
"It is," she agreed.
Robin pulled away from her and took her hand. "Come on. We're not going to solve this tonight. So let's go to bed."
"I don't know if I'm going to get much sleep," she admitted. "I've been sleeping in fits."
He frowned as he pulled back the covers of their bed. "Do you need something to help you sleep?"
"Yes," she replied. "To know what's wrong with my son."
"Fair enough," he said. "But is there anything else?"
She shrugged. "I don't want to be dependent on pills."
"There are natural remedies for falling asleep," he said, sighing as he climbed into bed. "If he remembered who he was, Friar Tuck would've known some good tricks."
Guilt gnawed at Regina, wondering if Robin ever resented her for keeping his friends from him. She knelt next to him, biting her lip. "I'm sorry," she said.
He frowned, tucking his hand under his arm. "For what?"
"I'm sorry that you can't be with your friends," she told him. "That they don't remember who you all really are. It must be so difficult."
"It can be hard but I still have them in my life. We're still friends in some way," he told her. "John was still my best man at our wedding, even if he was Ian and swore my name was Bobby not Robin."
She still hesitated before asking: "Do you ever hate me?"
He frowned, sitting up now. "Of course not. I love you, Regina. Why would you even think otherwise? Have I done something to make you think that?"
"Because I cast this curse and it's keeping you from your friends," she replied. "You have to hide yourself and pretend to be Bobby."
"Being Bobby isn't so bad. He's not much different than who I really am," Robin argued, reaching out and taking her hand. "Is it tough to not call my friends by their real names? Yes. Does it hurt when I want to share a memory but then remember they won't remember? Yes. But I could never hate you for that."
He pulled her toward him and wrapped his arm around her, holding her close. She rested her head on his chest as she admitted: "I hate myself for it."
"Oh, Regina," he sighed, kissing the top of her head. "I wish I knew the magical words that would make you feel better."
"I've learned magic can't make anything better. It only makes things worse," she replied, cheek now pressed against his chest.
He ran his fingers through her hair. "You know, I once felt that way too."
"And now you don't anymore?" she asked, lifting her head as she frowned in confusion. She met his eyes, waiting to hear his response.
"No," he replied, brushing some hair from her face. "You know how I said Marian was very sick while she carried Roland?"
She nodded, recalling that story. "Yes. You were afraid of losing both of them several times before she gave birth."
"I almost did," he replied. "Marian was on the verge of death and no healer was able to help her. So I broke into the Dark One's manor and tried to steal a wand I heard could help."
"I didn't know that," she said, curling up against him. She knew Rumple would have been upset to find a thief trying to steal from him and wondered what he did to Robin. "I'm guessing he caught you?"
Robin sighed. "Unfortunately. One of the few times I got caught. He hung me in his dungeon and used some magic to punish me. You know those few scars on my chest I'm always cagey about?"
She sat up, frowning as she went to push up his shirt to see them again. "He did these? I could kill him," she growled.
"It's okay," he told her, almost soothing her as he pulled her hands from his shirt. "They don't hurt and serve as a reminder of what I am willing to do for the people I love."
Regina cupped his cheek, her anger slowly starting to dissipate. "I know what he is capable of and I hate the idea of you being in such pain."
"It's in the past," he assured her. "And in the end, I got the wand, saved Marian and Roland was born. So it was worth it to me."
"How did you get it?" she asked, curious. Her husband was a legendary thief but not even he could've stolen something from Rumple and lived.
He grinned. "I had a little help from a friend."
Belle, she figured before deciding to move on. "Okay. So I guess saving your wife and son could change your opinion on magic."
"Not entirely," he replied. "You did the rest."
"Me?" she asked, confused. "I don't really have magic here in Storybrooke. Everything I do have is more residual from the curse."
He nodded. "True, but I wasn't talking about something in particular you've done here in Storybrooke – though I am glad you got me out of that kindergarten loop. I meant the curse itself."
That surprised her. Regret for casting the curse grew every day, as she watched Henry and Roland have to make new friends every time they advanced a grade but their classmates didn't. Or when Robin had to catch himself before he used the wrong name around his friends. When she saw the longing and pain in his eyes that his friends didn't remember their lives together, she hated herself a little more. She had reached the lowest of lows in her evilness when she cast the curse, only caring about her happiness and no one else's.
Now, though, she did care about other's happiness – namely, her family's. And she knew that her curse was hurting Robin and Roland, who were denied being with the Merry Men completely. It hurt her in a way she hadn't felt in a long time and she regretted ever hurting them.
Robin tilted his head. "What's wrong?"
"The curse convinced you magic isn't bad?" she asked. "How? It erased your memories. It stopped your son from growing. It's keeping you from your friends."
"Okay," he replied. "It did erase my memories but the ones it gave me were not far off from my original ones. Yes, it did stop my son from growing but that gave me more time to enjoy his childhood. And while I can't be with my friends the same way as back in Sherwood, they're still my friends."
He then reached out to her, pulling her into his arms. "And it also brought me you and Henry. You both have made my life infinitely better."
She pressed her cheek to his chest, smiling. "You and Roland definitely made our lives better too."
"Glad to hear it," he said, kissing the top of her head. "So you see, the curse isn't bad at all."
"I'm not sure everyone else would agree with you if they knew," she replied.
He hummed. "Probably. But it's unlikely anyone else will know for a long, long time – if ever."
"Every curse can be broken," she reminded him. "Even the Dark Curse."
"How do you break the Dark Curse?" he asked.
She shrugged. "I'm not really sure. All I know is that Snow White's daughter is prophesied to break it."
"And where is she?"
"I don't know," Regina replied. "Charming put her in a magical wardrobe before I got to the palace. It was supposed to take her here to the Land Without Magic but who knows where?"
He hummed. "Then I guess we still have time."
"Yes," she agreed. "I can't try to fix what's going on with Henry while worrying that the curse will break and a mob with pitchforks and torches is coming for me."
"They wouldn't get too far past me and my bow," he assured her. "And we'll figure out what's wrong with Henry and work with him to make it better. We just need to be patient."
She sighed, laying back down and tucking her hand under her head. "You know that is not my strongest suit."
Robin turned off the lamp and laid down as well. "I think you have more patience than you realize."
"I think you give me more credit than I deserve," she countered, her eyes closing.
"And I think you don't give yourself the credit you do," he replied, kissing her forehead. "Goodnight, sweetheart."
She smiled, wondering how she got so lucky to have him in her life. With is arms around her and his familiar woodsy scent enveloping her, she drifted off to sleep.
"What's going on with you?"
Roland had had enough. Something had been bothering his brother for a while now but Henry refused to talk to anyone. Instead, he just sulked around and avoided them, spending almost all his time in his room. Roland couldn't stand being shut out like that anymore and he wanted answers, causing him to find confront his brother on their way home from school.
Henry frowned as he shrugged. "Nothing."
"Liar," Roland replied. "You've been locking yourself in your room almost every day and you've barely said one word to anyone. Something is bothering you."
"You wouldn't understand," Henry said.
Roland frowned. "Try me."
Henry looked around before leaning closer to Roland. "I'll tell you when we get home."
"Promise?" Roland asked, unsure if his brother was just trying to wiggle out of telling him or not.
"I promise," Henry said as they turned onto their block. Roland decided to trust him for now.
They arrived home and Henry pulled out his key, letting them inside. Both placed their backpacks by the front door before Roland turned to Henry. "Let's go see what Mom left us for a snack."
Henry hesitated. "I'm not hungry."
"Are you sure?" Roland asked, frowning. Usually, his brother couldn't wait to get their afternoon snack.
"Yeah," Henry said, inching toward the staircase. "I'm just gonna go up to my room."
Anger surged through Roland and he crossed his arms. "You promised you would talk to me when we got home."
"I am," Henry replied. "I just need to get something from my room. I'll be right down. Promise."
"Alright. But if you're not down in five minutes, I'm coming up," Roland told him.
Henry frowned. "Don't you trust me?"
"Right now, no," Roland said. "You've hurt a lot of people lately, Henry. Including me. And none of us know why, which hurts even more. So why should I trust you?"
"Because I promise I have a very good reason. Just let me go get something from my room and I'll be right down," Henry said, almost pleading. Roland sighed, nodding. He watched his brother head upstairs before heading into the kitchen.
Roland opened the fridge and smiled when he saw the two containers on the top shelf. One was labeled with his name and he took it out, pulling off the note attached to it. It was written in Mom's familiar handwriting and said that she hoped he had had a good day at school and that she loved him.
It filled him with warmth as he sat down at the table, opening the container. He found apple slices inside and he started munching on them while grabbing a little bottle of water to drink.
Henry entered the kitchen carrying a big brown book. Stopping at the table, he frowned. "What are you eating?"
"Apple slices," Roland said. "Mom left them for us."
"Don't eat those!" Henry replied, his eyes growing wide as he darted forward, trying to push the container away from Roland. "They could be dangerous!"
Roland wondered if his brother had lost his mind as he held onto the container. "They're apple slices," he repeated.
"Prepared by Regina," Henry said, surprising Roland. He had never heard his brother address their mother by her given name. And it had been years since Roland himself had called her that. To him, she was truly "Mom," even if she didn't give birth to him.
"Mom," Roland stressed. "Mom left us these apple slices."
"We can't trust her," Henry replied. "She's not who she says she is."
That confused Roland. "What do you mean?"
"She's not our Mom," Henry said, sitting down now. "Remember when we were looking for decorations in the attic?"
"Yes," Roland replied, recalling how Henry had gotten weird after looking in a box. He glanced down at the book. "Did you find that there?"
Henry shook his head. "Miss Blanchard gave this to me a couple weeks ago. What I really found in the attic was adoption paperwork. I'm adopted, Ro."
"Oh," Roland said, surprised that Mom had never mentioned that before. "Have you talked to Mom and Dad about it?"
"No, they would only lie about it," Henry replied.
Roland frowned. While he didn't know why their parents had chosen not to reveal the fact he was adopted to Henry, Roland didn't think they were purposefully lying to either of them. After all, Mom and Dad often had difficult conversations with them and tried to tell them the truth. It made no sense that they would stop now. "Why would you think that?"
"Because of this," Henry said, opening the book. "And who Mom really is."
He set the book down in front of Roland and pointed to a page with a picture on it. "Look."
Surprise filled Roland as he took in the image. A woman who looked like their mother stood in a beautiful room dressed in a long black dress. Her dark hair was pulled into a high ponytail and was longer than Roland had ever seen Mom wear her hair. A jeweled headpiece rested over her forehead and she smirked, a cold look in her eyes. It chilled him but he knew that wasn't anything like their mother, who was always warm and loving around them.
"You know the story of Snow White?" Henry asked. "Mom is the Evil Queen."
"Snow White is a fairy tale," Roland replied, wondering if his brother had lost his mind. There was no way he could think fairy tales were real.
Henry shook his head. "No, they're real. And everyone in this book with the exception of me is in this book."
"Why aren't you in the book?" Roland asked, now really concerned for Henry and wishing his parents were home. They would know what to say and do.
"Because I was born here," Henry said. "In this world. The rest of you weren't."
Roland frowned. "You think I'm a fairy tale character?"
"You're the son of a legend," Henry replied, flipping the pages until he found the one he was looking for. He then turned the book back to Roland. "Dad is really Robin Hood."
"What?" Roland asked, looking down at the picture on the page. It showed a man who looked like their father dressed much like Robin Hood in a green coat over a white shirt and brown pants. He held a bow in his hand and there was a quiver strapped to his back. It looked very familiar to Roland, almost as if he had seen it in a dream.
No, he had seen it in a dream. Every so often, he had recurring dreams about living in the woods with his father and his father's friends. They all slept in tents and would move about the forest, trying to avoid being detected. And his father was usually dressed in an outfit similar to the one in the picture. But in the end, they were just dreams.
Right?
"You believe me, right?" Henry asked, sounding very hopeful as he looked at Roland with big eyes.
"I don't know, Henry," Roland said, trying not to hurt his brother's feelings. "It's a lot to take in and hard to believe."
Henry frowned. "But it all makes sense. How much Dad loves being out in the forest, how he loves camping and why he's so great at archery. And why he always wants to help people."
"A lot of people like those things," Roland replied. "It doesn't make them Robin Hood any more than it makes Dad Robin Hood."
"I've heard Mom call him Robin when she thinks no one else is listening," Henry continued. "And he responds."
Roland frowned. "I've never heard that."
"Well, it's happened," Henry replied, almost huffing as he answered.
"If you say so," Roland replied, shrugging. "But if I'm a fairy tale character, why don't I remember it?"
Henry went back to the page that showed Mom dressed all in black and looking very menacing. "Because the Evil Queen cast a curse that sent everyone to Storybrooke and gave them all new identities."
Roland frowned. "So my name isn't Roland and I may not be the son of Robin Hood?"
"You are," Henry assured him. "Your name wasn't changed and you stayed with your dad. From what I can tell, most families were kept together. Like Ruby and Granny – they really are granddaughter and grandmother."
"And you're not a fairy tale character?" Roland asked him.
Henry shook his head. "I was born in Phoenix, Arizona."
"Oh," Roland replied. He then made a face. "And you ended up in Maine? How?"
"I guess that's just how the adoption worked," Henry said. He then shook his head. "That's not important. What's important is that Mom is a villain who cursed everyone here."
Roland glanced back down at the picture, recognizing the woman he had called "Mom" for years in it less and less. He then flipped through the pages, looking at some of the pictures and frowning. "If she did curse everyone – and that's a big if – is that so bad?"
"What?" Henry asked, looking as if Roland had suddenly grown another head.
"It looks like I lived in a tent before coming to Storybrooke," Roland said. "Now I live in a house. Seems like an upgrade to me."
Henry paused, clearly thinking it over before asking: "But don't you want to know the truth?"
"I know the truth," Roland insisted, certain of that fact. "The truth is that we have a mom and dad who love us very much and have done a lot for us. And that we live in a great town and have a lot of friends. That's enough for me."
"But don't you want to know where you come from?" Henry asked, looking upset.
Roland frowned. "I know where I come from. If you have questions, why don't you just ask Mom and Dad?"
"They won't tell me the truth," Henry said. "They haven't yet."
"Well, have you asked them directly about being adopted?" Roland asked.
Henry hesitated before saying: "No, but shouldn't they have told me first?"
Roland shrugged. "I don't know. When do you tell someone that they've been adopted?"
"I don't know but I don't think Mom would've ever told me about it," Henry replied, sounding annoyed. "She would've just kept lying because that's what a villain does."
"Will you stop calling Mom a villain?" Roland asked, his anger growing each time Henry did so.
Henry scowled. "No. Because that's what she is."
"No, she isn't," Roland insisted hotly. "She's our mom."
"She isn't my mom or your mom. She didn't give birth to us," Henry insisted.
Roland clenched his fist as he grew even more angry. "That doesn't matter! A mom is so much more than that!
"You've always had a mom, even if you were adopted," he continued. "You've never known a time when you didn't have one. Well, I have. And let me tell you that even though Dad did his best to make it so I wasn't missing out, I definitely missed having a mom."
Henry didn't respond and Roland hoped that his brother was really listening to him. Pressing on, he hoped he got Henry to see things in a new perspective.
"A mom doesn't just give birth to you. A mom knows all your favorite foods and how you like them. She knows what you are scared of and how to comfort you so you don't feel scared anymore. A mom is there when you're sick and knows what will make you feel better. She sleeps by your bed until you feel better and will run a bath in the middle of the night to wash throw up off you.
"Our mom does all of that and more," Roland continued. "She loves both of us so much, Henry. Can't you see it?"
Henry's lip started to tremble even though Roland could tell he was trying to remain emotionless. "But she lied, Ro."
"Did she ever say that you weren't adopted?" Roland asked again.
"Well, no," Henry replied.
Roland shrugged. "Then she didn't lie."
Henry frowned. "But she didn't tell the entire truth either. She left out some important details."
"I'm sure she would've told you sometime," he said. "Besides, you only found out because you went poking around someplace you weren't supposed to."
"Well, yes, but that's not the point!" Henry exclaimed. "Why are you determined to defend her?"
Roland frowned. "Because she's our mom! And she's a good one, so I don't understand why you're trying to turn her into this villain."
Henry pushed the book closer to him. "Because she is!"
"She is not!" Roland argued, pushing the book away. "I'm not going to listen to some stupid book of fairy tales! Mom is Mom! That's all that matters!"
Henry collected the book, clutching to his chest. A cold look filled his eyes. "It was a mistake to tell this to you. I have no mom, no dad or a brother. I have no real family!"
Before Roland could respond, Henry stormed off and stomped his way back upstairs. A few moments later, the slam of his bedroom door echoed around the house and felt like a punch to the gut to Roland.
Had he just pushed his brother away?
Sniffling, he reached over and grabbed the phone. He dialed a familiar number and hoped this constituted an emergency. "Hi, Mom, it's Roland. Can we talk?" he asked.
Robin came home to a quiet house. He frowned as he took off his shoes and coat, padding into the living room. As he peeked inside, his concern grew when he saw Regina holding a distraught Roland and rocking him.
"What's wrong?" Robin asked, approaching them.
"Henry and Roland had a fight," Regina explained, "and Roland is worried he pushed Henry away from us more."
Robin frowned, sitting down next to them and motioning for his son to come to him. "Why don't you tell me what happened?"
Sniffling, Roland moved from Regina's lap to press himself against Robin's side. He told his father how Henry had this book of fairy tales that had characters who looked like everyone in town. "And now he thinks that we're all fairy tale characters who are cursed to live here and that Mom is some Evil Queen who did it," he said.
Robin pressed his lips together and he looked up, meeting Regina's eyes. He saw fear in them and he understood why – her secret was close to coming out and it could change everything for all of them, not just her.
"What did you tell him?" Robin asked, keeping the focus on his son as well as trying to figure out what Roland was thinking after Henry's revelations.
"I told him that Mom was Mom," Roland replied. "And that he shouldn't let some book make him think she was some villain when all she's done is love us."
Robin glanced over at Regina, giving her a soft smile. His son, their son, was right – she was no longer the villain she had once been and he hoped she knew that.
"Do you know why Henry believes this book is real?" Robin asked. "Why he thinks Mom might be a villain?"
Roland hesitated for a moment before saying: "He found out he's adopted and he feels you and Mom have been lying to him."
"Oh," Robin said softly as Regina gasped. It seemed Roland hadn't told her that yet.
"I told him you didn't lie," Roland replied. His face then fell. "But he's pretty convinced you did."
Regina reached out and patted his knee. "Thank you, sweetheart. But I think this is now something Dad and I should handle."
"Did I make things worse?" Roland asked, tears filling his eyes. "I just got so mad hearing him talk about Mom like that. He doesn't understand what it's like not to have a mom and how great it is and I just…"
His voice broke and he nearly threw himself back into Regina's lap. She held him close, running her fingers through his hair as he cried against her shoulder. Robin watched her rub his back, assuring him that he didn't make anything worse and that it was okay.
Roland was right – Regina was Mom and that was the only title that mattered.
"I think this calls for some comfort food," Robin said, standing up. "I'm going to order from Granny's."
"Thank you," Regina replied, rocking Roland again. "I think we're going to sit here together for a bit longer."
He nodded, letting them have their moment as he headed to the kitchen. Robin's thoughts were all jumbled and he knew he would need to get them in order before they talked with Henry. At least they now knew what was bothering him and that had to be a good start.
Right?
"I've ruined everything."
Regina sat at the table late that night, her head in her hands as she tried not to cry. She had had a wonderful family and as always, she destroyed it herself. Henry refused to talk to anyone and didn't consider himself part of the family while Roland blamed himself for his brother's aloof attitude. They were just children – they did not deserve to feel any of that.
"You haven't ruined anything," Robin said, placing his hand on her back to try and comfort her. "We're just experiencing some growing pains."
"Growing pains? Really?" she asked, looking up at him incredulously.
He sighed, sitting down. "They are growing up, Regina. I think this is still just a preview of what's to come."
"You mean it's going to get worse?" she asked, not sure she could handle any more heartbreak.
"Not necessarily worse," he replied. "But I don't think it's going to get easier."
She sighed. "You're not doing this comforting thing well right now."
He nodded, looking contrite. "No, I'm not. Sorry."
"That's okay," she said, taking his hand.
She let out a soft chuckle before he pulled back from her. He cupped her cheek. "So what do you want to do now? Do you want to talk to Henry?"
"Right now?" she asked, looking upstairs. She shook her head. "Not yet. I think I should know what I want to say first."
He nodded. "Then we'll work it out together."
"This is really my mess…" she started but he stopped her, shaking his head.
"We agreed when we got married that you were now Roland's mother and I was now Henry's father," he reminded her. "We are a family and we will solve this as one."
She managed a little smile, feeling a little buoyed to know she didn't have to do this by herself. "Okay."
He gave her a little smile as well. "Good. Then let's figure this out and we can talk to him tomorrow. Deal?"
"Deal," she replied, leaning forward to kiss him. "Thank you."
"You're welcome." He leaned back and opened a notebook he had brought with him. "So shall we take notes?"
She nodded. "Sounds good."
"Okay, where do you want to start?" he asked, uncapping his pen.
"Well, I guess with the obvious," she replied. "That we love him very much and nothing is every going to change that."
He nodded, writing that down. Together, they were able to come up with some talking points that they hoped would start to heal whatever wounds they had inadvertently inflicted on Henry and bring their family together again.
"Bobby? You listening?"
Robin looked up to find Will – known as Reed here – standing in his doorway. Will approached him, frowning. "You seem distracted. I've called you three times already with no answer."
"Oh," Robin said, feeling guilty. "I'm sorry. I guess my mind is elsewhere."
"Is everything okay?" Will asked, sitting down and looking concerned. "You want to talk about it?"
Sighing, Robin rubbed the back of his neck. "We have to have a serious talk with Henry and I guess I'm just nervous."
"Are you having the BIG talk?" Will asked, eyes wide. "You know, about the birds and the bees?"
"No, not yet," Robin replied, knowing that was coming as well. "And we'd have that conversation with both Henry and Roland."
Will nodded. "That does make a lot of sense. So what's this conversation about?"
Robin hesitated. He and Regina had not discussed if they were going to tell others about the fact that Henry was adopted and he didn't want to make the situation worse. So he just said: "A family matter I don't feel comfortable discussing in detail just yet."
"Understandable," Will said. "But I'm sure it'll be fine. You and Regina are great parents and a wonderful team. You'll handle this, I have no doubt."
"Thanks," Robin replied. "I hope so."
His cell phone buzzed and he frowned when he saw his wife's name fill the screen. Looking up at Will, he said: "This is Regina. I have to take it."
Will nodded, standing. "I'll give you some privacy."
"Hello, sweetheart," Robin said, answering the phone as Will closed the door behind him. "What's wrong?"
"Henry's gone," Regina replied, panicked.
Robin's heart skipped a beat. "Gone? Since when?"
"Sometime after school," she said, sounding like she was near tears. "Roland called me. He got home from soccer practice and the house was empty, no sign of Henry. I've called around his usual haunts and no one's seen him."
Panic rose up in Robin and he tried to swallow it down. "Are you sure he just didn't go some place to clear his head? Someplace he usually doesn't go, like the docks?"
"I'm not sure," she admitted. "I've asked Graham to do a search for him to see if he can find him."
"Okay," Robin replied, grabbing his own keys. "I'll get in my car and start searching as well. I can call in a few friends to do the same. Why don't you head home in case he returns?"
She sniffed. "I'm on my way to the car now. I don't want Roland to be home alone either. He sounds really upset."
Robin's heart broke for his son, who was probably blaming himself. "I'll try to get home as soon as possible but assure Roland this is not his fault."
"I will," Regina replied. She hesitated before admitting: "I'm scared, Robin."
"I know. I am too but we need to stay calm and remain position. We will find him. I'll talk to you soon," he said before ending the call. Stepping out of his office, he called for Will and informed him of the situation. Will said he would make a few calls and would head out to start looking for Henry.
Robin then called John as he left the hotel. Memories or not, he was still Robin's right hand man and there was no one he trusted more. After a few rings, the man picked up and Robin slipped into the role the curse had given him. "Hey, Ian, it's Bobby. I need your help. Henry is gone…"
"Roland? Roland, where are you?" Regina called out, entering the house. Her heart was still lodged in her throat and she worried she was about to learn she had two missing children.
"Mom?" Roland emerged from the kitchen, tear tracks down his cheeks and his eyes red rimmed. He sniffed. "I'm sorry."
Her heart broke even more and she crossed the foyer to pull him into a hug. "None of this is your fault," she told him.
"It feels like it," he replied, his voice muffled as he pressed his face against her chest.
She swallowed down some of her own tears. "I know, sweetheart. Why don't I make you some hot chocolate?"
He sniffed before raising his head, nodding. "Okay."
"Come on," she said, guiding him into the kitchen. She was glad for a brief distraction from her worry about Henry. For now, her focus would be on Roland.
As the chocolate melted, she reached up and grabbed the cinnamon. Turning around, she did her best to smile. "Cinnamon?"
He just shrugged in response, still looking like he was going to cry. Regina sighed, setting the cinnamon down and leaning down to look at him. "Cinnamon isn't going to help this time, huh?" she asked.
"Probably not," he said, sounding like he was going to start crying again. It was taking all of Regina's strength not to break down into tears herself.
"Okay," she replied. "Well, I'm still going to put it on our hot chocolate and then we can talk, okay? Will that help?"
He shrugged again. "Maybe."
She turned back to the stove to check on the chocolate, pouring some milk into it and stirring it. Regina's heart broke more as she worried that she was about to lose her second son and that he was going to push her away like Henry had. And if he did that, how much longer would her marriage to Robin then last? If it came to her or his son, she knew he would choose his son – and he would be right to do so.
Maybe she was always meant to be alone.
After pouring the hot chocolate in two mugs, she added some whipped cream and shook cinnamon onto it. She turned to Roland and motioned to the door. "I think we'll be more comfortable in the living room," she said.
"Okay," Roland replied, sliding off his chair. He hesitated for a moment before throwing himself at her. She managed to brace herself in time as he wrapped his arms around her, burying his face in her chest again. Regina set the mugs down and held him close as he cried again.
"I'm sorry," he sobbed. "Please don't hate me."
That confused her and she crouched down to look him in the eyes. Gently gripping his chin, she said: "I could never hate you. Why would you think I would?"
"I chased Henry away!" he cried, sobbing harder now. "Because I didn't be-believe his storybook!"
Regina crouched down to look him in the eyes, brushing tears away from his cheeks and eyes. She shook her head. "Henry did not run away because you didn't believe his storybook. You did nothing to cause this. And even if you did, which you didn't, I would never hate you for it. I love you, Roland. You're my son just as much as Henry is."
"But you raised Henry from a baby," he said, sniffing.
"That doesn't mean I love you any less," she replied, "or him anymore. You're both my sons and I love you both so, so very much."
He sniffed again. "Really?"
She nodded, taking his hands. "Do you love your Papa more than me because he was the one who raised you from when you were a baby?"
"No," he replied, shaking his head. "I love you as much as I love Papa. You're my mom, even if you didn't give birth to me."
"And that's exactly how I feel about you," Regina replied, tapping his chest just above his heart.
He smiled for a moment before it fell again. "Why doesn't Henry feel that way about us? Why doesn't he think we're a real family?"
Regina paused, wishing she had the answer. She just shrugged. "I don't know but I hope we can figure it out so we can start healing."
"I'd like that," Roland said. He then gave her a small smile. "And I'd like to have that hot chocolate now. With a cuddle, please?"
She laughed, nodding as she stood. "That sounds perfect."
Regina grabbed the mugs of hot chocolate and they settled onto the couch together. She wrapped her free arm around Roland, who leaned against her as he sipped his hot chocolate. "Henry's coming back, right?" he asked.
"Of course," she replied, unable to imagine a scenario where her other son did not come home. "Someone is going to find him and bring him home."
"Good," Roland said. "I hate this feeling."
She hugged him tighter, feeling as if someone was still squeezing her heart. "Me too, sweetheart. Me too."
They held onto each other as they watched Regina's phone, now resting on the coffee table in front of them. She knew both were praying someone would call soon with news that they had found Henry and were bringing him home. And when they did, she would hug him and kiss him and remind him that she loved him.
And then she was going to give him the lecture to end all lectures.
Robin searched every inch of Storybrooke but had barely made a dent in the forest surrounding the town as the sun began to set. Darkness swept through the area quickly and John placed his hand on his shoulder. "We have to go back or we'll get lost as well," he said.
"But Henry could be in there," Robin said, imagining his son was hurt or unconscious. He couldn't leave his helpless boy in there.
John squeezed his shoulders. "I know. But we won't be any help to him if we get lost too. We can go back and get some equipment that will better help find him."
"Alright," Robin agreed reluctantly. He glanced at the shadows weaving between the trees and knew that his friend was right. They would need lights and other equipment to find Henry if he was trapped in this darkness.
Will was waiting for them when they emerged from the woods. His expression was somber and Robin felt his heart sink into his chest. Different scenarios played out in his mind and each time, the news was grimmer and grimmer.
"You should go home," Will said. "Graham has something and wants to talk with you and Regina."
Robin's heart stopped and John grabbed his shoulder. "I'll drive you. You should not be behind the wheel right now."
"You're right," Robin said, knowing he would not be able to concentrate on the road as he worried about his son. "Thank you."
John guided him to his car and Robin climbed into the passenger seat. As they raced through Storybrooke to get to the home Robin shared with Regina and their children, he tried not to imagine what Graham was going to tell them – especially the worst news a parent could hear.
Robin swallowed, refusing to even entertain that thought. Henry was going to be okay.
They pulled up in front of the house and Robin jumped out of the car. He sprinted up his walk and entered the house, his heart pounding the entire time. "Regina? Where are you?" he called.
"In the dining room," she replied. He quickly hurried into the room, finding her sitting at the table with Graham. She had red-rimmed eyes and Robin's heart sank as he went to her side.
Regina took his hand as he sat down. "I sent Roland upstairs. He's already so worried and guilty that I didn't want him here for this."
"What happened?" Robin asked, starting to feel sick from worry. "What do we know?"
Graham leaned forward. "We got confirmation that Henry got on a bus to the town line. The driver confirmed that Henry got off near there and started walking to the town line. He then drove off to head back to the depot to finish his shift."
Anger surged through Robin as Regina voiced his thoughts, her voice full of fury. "He just let a ten-year-old boy get off by himself in the middle of nowhere and drove off?"
"I guess so," Graham replied, looking lost. Regina had created a utopia in Storybrooke and Robin had no doubt this was the most serious case the sheriff had ever encountered in the small town.
"Why was Henry heading to the town line?" Robin asked, concerned. "There's nothing out there."
Graham shrugged. "We're not entirely sure. Maybe he went out into the woods for some reason?"
Robin's anger grew stronger as he glared at the sheriff. "I was just out there! We could've continued searching but now we've wasted precious time!"
"Oh," Graham said, shrinking back. "I'm sorry, but it is getting late. We don't really know where Henry went…"
"I do," Roland said, appearing in the doorway. He clutched a piece of paper in his hands. "I found this in Henry's room."
Robin motioned for his son to come closer as Regina frowned. "I checked his room. Where did you find it?"
"He has a secret hiding spot," Roland told her. "I found it there."
"Can I see it, please?" Robin asked, holding out his hand. Roland placed the paper on it and he held it up, reading it. His heart stopped and he felt the color drain from his face as he realized it was a receipt for a bus ticket to Boston.
Henry had run away.
"I think I know why he wanted to go to the town line," he said, holding out the receipt to Regina. "He left Storybrooke."
"What?" she asked, her voice breaking. She took the receipt and tears welled in her eyes. "He must be going to find his birth mother. I adopted him in Boston."
Robin frowned. "Is his birth mother from Boston?"
"No," she replied. "Or at least I don't think so. All I know is that Henry was born in Phoenix."
"Well, at least we have an idea where he went," Graham said, sounding more confident. "I can get in touch with authorities in Boston. A missing kid gets everyone's attention."
He stood as did Robin and Regina. Robin held out his hand to the sheriff, knowing the man was doing his best to find Henry. Even if Robin didn't think his best was good enough, he still deserved some gratitude. "Thank you."
"You're welcome," Graham said, shaking his hand. He looked between Robin and Regina. "We're going to bring Henry home safe. I just know it."
Robin wrapped his arm around his wife and held her close before doing the same with Roland. He comforted them as Graham started toward the front door, carrying all their hopes with him. Now that they knew where Henry was, it took all of Robin's willpower not to jump in his car and drive to Boston himself. Crossing the town line, though, was a big risk for him and he didn't want to lose any of his memories again. So he needed to stay where he was and see what happened next.
Graham opened the door and paused, frowning. "Do you know anyone who drives a yellow Volkswagen bug?"
"No," Regina said as Robin tightened his hold on her and Roland. "Why?"
"Because one just pulled up to your house," he replied, his hand going to his gun. "Let me go investigate."
He left the house and Regina pulled away heading toward the door. Robin frowned before turning to Roland. "Stay here, okay?"
Roland nodded and Robin headed for the front door as well. He got there just as the front passenger door to the bug opened. Relief filled him as Henry stepped out of it and let out a sigh of relief, as did Regina.
"Henry!" she cried, running toward him with her arms wide open. Robin was quick to follow her, eager to hold his son close.
Henry, though, pulled away from Regina and him as he watched them with cold hazel eyes. Robin swallowed before saying: "You gave us a scare, Henry. What happened?"
"I found my real mom," he said. He looked right into Regina's eyes as he said: "And she's going to stop you and rescue everyone."
Without saying another word, he stormed away from them and into the house. Robin watched him until his form disappeared up the stairs. Even from outside, he was pretty sure he heard Henry slam his bedroom door.
"I'm sorry," a strange voice said.
Robin slowly turned to find a blonde woman standing next to the yellow bug. He guessed she was the driver and Henry's birth mother. She hunched over, her hands tucked into the pockets of her red leather jacket as her eyes darted between Robin and Regina, no doubt uncomfortable with the situation she had just been pulled into by Henry.
"Are you…" Regina paused, trying to keep her voice even as Robin rubbed her back. "Are you Henry's birth mother?"
The blonde woman nodded. She pulled one hand out of her pocket and held it out to them. "I'm Emma Swan."
"Nice to meet you," Regina replied, her voice strained as she shook Emma's hand. Robin then shook it next.
Emma retracted her hand and stuffed it back in her pocket. "I'm sorry about all of this. You two must've been worried sick about Henry."
"We were," Regina agreed.
"I didn't ask him to come," Emma continued. "I didn't know he had found me until he showed up at my apartment door."
Robin nodded, believing her. "We're sorry he disturbed you. We hadn't known he had found your name."
"It's okay," Emma replied. "I'm just glad he's home safe now."
"Thank you for bringing him home," Regina said. She motioned behind her. "Would you like to come in and have something to drink? It must've been a long drive from Boston."
Emma hesitated before shaking her head. "I think I just want to go find a hotel and crash for the night."
Robin's ears perked up and he smiled. "Well, I just so happen to own the hotel in town. I'll be happy to comp you a room for the night."
"Oh no," she replied, her eyes widening. "You don't have to do that for me."
"Nonsense. It's the least I can do after you drove our son back to Maine. You didn't have to do that," he replied, knowing she could've just as easily brought him to the police and let them return Henry.
Emma did look relieved as she nodded. "Alright. Thank you. I promise it's just for a night. I do have to get back to Boston."
"Of course," Regina said, sounding almost relieved to hear that. Robin had to admit it relieved him too, hoping it was easier to deal with Henry without his birth mother hanging around town.
"I'll head inside to give my night clerk the head's up," Robin said, motioning to the house. "Maybe the sheriff can show you where it is?"
Graham, who had been standing there just watching the whole scene unfold, seemed to snap back to attention. He stepped forward nodding. "You can follow me."
"Thank you," Emma said, giving him a small smile. She then looked over at Regina and Robin. "And once again, I'm sorry."
She climbed back into her yellow bug as Graham got into the sheriff's patrol car. He pulled away from the curb and she followed, the two driving down Mifflin Street. Robin and Regina watched until they turned off it and he sighed. "I should go make that call," he said.
"Yes," Regina agreed, "and I want to try to talk to Henry. And tuck Roland in."
They returned into the house and he closed the door, locking it for the night. Regina continued up to the second floor as he called his night clerk, informing her that someone named Emma Swan was coming in for a room and that he was comping it. His clerk took down the information and promised to give her a good room before ending the call.
Robin turned off all the lights on the first floor before heading upstairs. Henry's door was closed and he figured Regina had had no luck in getting their son to talk to her. Sighing, he then checked on Roland's room to find Regina saying goodnight to their other son, kissing his forehead. "Pleasant dreams, sweetheart."
"Night, Mom," Roland said, rolling over. "Love you."
She left the room and closed the door behind her, looking at Robin. He pointed to Henry's door and she confirmed his theory when she shook her head. Reaching out, he took her hand. "Come on. It's been a long day. Let's try to get some sleep."
"Did you eat?" she asked, frowning. "You should eat."
Robin shook his head. "I'm not very hungry. Have you eaten?"
"I'm not very hungry either," she replied, sighing. "I just wish I knew how to get out of this nightmare."
He pulled her in for a hug. "I know, sweetheart. Me too."
They held each other for a while before he pulled back, kissing her forehead. "So, what is it? Food or bed?"
"I guess some food wouldn't hurt," she admitted.
He nodded, taking her hand. "Come on. Let's go see what we have that'll be quick to eat."
They headed downstairs and he turned on the lights in the kitchen again. He motioned to their table. "Go sit. I've got this."
"Are you sure? You've had just a long and stressful day as me," she said, squeezing his hand. "I can always make us something."
He shook his head. "Let me take care of you, Regina. Please."
She relaxed and nodded, looking even more tired than before. "Alright."
"Good," he said, kissing her forehead. "Do you want something in particular?"
"Just something light. I'm not sure how much my stomach can handle after everything my nerves have been through tonight," she admitted, sitting down at the table.
He nodded, opening the cabinet and pulling down a can of condensed soup. "Soup it is then," he said.
"Soup sounds good," she replied, sounding weary. "Thank you."
Robin heated up the soup and poured it into two bowls. He handed one to Regina before sitting down himself. They ate in silence before cleaning up for the night. Without saying another word, Robin took her hand and led her back to the room so they could try to get some sleep after the long day they had.
Hopefully, things looked better in the morning.
Regina lay beside Robin as the night stretched on. He had somehow managed to fall asleep a few hours earlier but his arms was still around her. She snuggled against him, wishing sleep would come from her as well. But it seemed her mind was unable to stop spinning long enough for her to fall asleep.
Each time she closed her eyes, she saw Henry's cold glare as he pushed past her and then saw the woman he had rejected her for – Emma Swan. Something about her name and her appearance bothered Regina, though she couldn't figure out what it was. Maybe it was just because she was Henry's biological mother and he had runaway to her. Where had Regina gone wrong? She would do anything for her son but it was impossible when he wouldn't tell her what he needed.
Unless what he needed was Emma Swan.
If so, would she be able to let him go?
Robin shifted against her, wrapping his arm around her. She kissed under his jaw, glad she had him by her side. If she had to go through this by herself, she knew she would be an absolute wreck. He at least was holding her together.
She rolled over and Regina looked out the window, out on the town that she had created. As she laid in Robin's arms, she realized something felt different about Storybrooke. The air seemed charged and like something had changed. And as she continued to stare out the window, she saw something that had never happened before.
The hands of the clock tower moved.
Storybrooke was no longer frozen in time.
A chill swept through Regina as she knew deep down it was tied to Emma Swan's arrival in town. She wondered what Henry had started but she knew it would not end well for her. Pressing against Robin's sleeping form, she tugged one of his arms tighter around her. He sighed in his sleep, tightening his grip as he buried his face in her hair. Regina's heart beat faster as she hoped that he was not harmed in whatever happened next and that their family was still intact when it was over.
But there was one problem.
Villains don't get happy endings.