Authors Notes:
The idea of this story has been stuck in my head for months so I finally decided to jump on it in honor of prompt month. This is my first ever fic so please let me know your thoughts! The good, the bad, and the ugly... lay them all on me! I have loads of ideas floating around in my head for this specific story so I plan to make this a fairly lengthy piece. If you have any recommendations or prompts for an upcoming chapter, feel free to reach out. I hope you all enjoy this story as much as I do!
...
The day had started off like any other, with the shrill ringing of his alarm clock at promptly 6:45am. As he routinely did, a semi conscious Robin rolled over onto his stomach, reaching towards the black nightstand table that housed the device of the obnoxious roaring and pressed snooze, silencing it.
After collecting himself for a few moments, and adjusting to his new awakened state, Robin inwardly groaned to himself, removing the warm plush bedding and rolled off the edge of the bed, heading straight to the bathroom to get ready for the eventful day ahead of him.
Sighing doubtedly to himself after minutes had passed, Robin subconsciously cocked his head to the side, studying his appearance. For the fourth time that morning he was back in front of the full body mirror contemplating on whether or not his white Ralph Lauren sweater paired with a navy blue jacket and dress pants from Cole Haan was enough of a statement for today. After all, Marian had always said "you've only got one chance to make a first impression, so you'd sure as hell better make it memorable." He'd wholeheartedly taken her word for it, after she had imprinted on his heart after only the first date, making his first first impression of her timeless. God, he'd missed her terribly.
It had been three years since his beloved was taken from him and Roland. Three years of heartache and pain. The first year had been unbearable, sending Robin into a downward spiral of despair that he was convinced he would never recover from. Roland however, had been his saving grace. If it weren't for him, Robin would have never developed the courage to dig himself out of the dark hole he had fallen into. Comprehending that yes, he had lost love but more importantly, Roland had lost his mother. Something far too confusing for a child to fully grasp the understanding of. So even with his demons creeping up on him daily, Robin reminded himself that his future still held meaning so long as Roland remained in it. And with that, Robin vowed to himself that he would spend the rest of his days supplying Roland with nothing but hope and promise. And what better way to start fresh, than in a new town with a new journey.
They'd left the hardships and the pain in Boston two months ago, when they had packed up their previous life, wringing it out of the sorrow and loss, loading up the black BMW and heading straight for Maine . Of course, at times, waves of loss would hit him and he would think back on their life there; his family and his friends, his career. Though his department had been more than considerate to both himself and Roland through those challenging years, and had transferred Robin to a firehouse in Maine with no questions asked, when he had mentioned that a change of scenery would be best for Roland. Robin had been more than grateful for that. And though at times he had missed his life in Boston, the move to Maine had been the best decision that he had ever made for Roland and himself thus far.
The people they had crossed paths with had been so friendly. Already, Robin had thoroughly enjoyed his first few months at the firehouse and was indebted to the few men who instantly viewed Roland as one of their own, welcoming him and Robin into their families straight away. So far, his first impressions had been successful, he'd thought to himself. So why was he torturing himself over this specific first encounter? He had no idea. Indeed, Roland's first day of school was a big deal and he wanted to make a lasting impression for his sake and for Rolands, but most of the guys at the firehouse had reassured him that the students, families, and teachers at Storybrooke Elementary were the best in town, and that Roland was in good hands.
David, who had become a good friend of Robins within these last few months, and had a son around the same age as Roland, had filled Robin in on all of the basics during their latest shift; directions to the school, how to access the website, a handful of flyers that listed the times and places of the PTA meetings,, and lastly a few scarce details about Roland's 1st grade teacher, Ms. Mills.
However, he wasn't able to pick up on too much about her other than the fact that she was single, because at the mere mention of her name, a very rowdy voice from behind him blurted out, "You're up against some tough competition, Locklesly. All of the single dads are after that one."
Before even turning around to acknowledge the comment, Robin had already registered the person behind the voice. He should have known that Will, the chizzler and trickster would have something to say about Roland's 1st grade teacher… he had something to say about every single woman in that town.
He was however surprised to hear August follow with "single dads, single moms, hell even the married ones are after her." He'd made his way over to David and Robin, joining in on the playful banter.
Not wanting to be left out of the conversation, Killian made his way over to the table with a small smirk spreading across his lips, pulling out a chair and sitting as he added, "Yeah uptight teachers in pantsuits aren't really my type, but detention in her classroom would feel more like a privilege than a punishment" amusingly shooting the men a wink, which sent a handful of them roaring with laughter.
Robin, feeling his cheeks flush a bit at the mention of Roland's teacher in such a manner, had been thankful for the rescue when David cut it.
"Alright guys. Give the poor man a break, will you? He'd focused his attention back to Robin as added, " Ms. Mills is a very respected teacher in the community. Roland will get along just fine under her supervision."
His musings brought him back to his current state, still cemented in front of the full body mirror. Although Robin had refused to take the male banter from the guys at the firehouse seriously and reassured them that he was not looking for anything from anyone, especially Roland's 1st grade teacher, he couldn't stop the curious side of him wonder what it was about her that made half the men in town so taken with her.
cursing himself for being so worried over his appearance, and gazing at his watch, he decided that his chosen outfit suited him well enough, and he headed out of the bedroom and down the hall to Roland's room.
He had been surprised to see Roland awake and out of bed when he'd entered the room. Blankets askew, Toy Story pj's thrown onto the ground in the midst of the excitement, and Roland at his bathroom sink in the adjoining room, clad in the dark navy jeans and long sleeve light blue shirt that he had picked out the previous week, when they had gone shopping for new school clothes. His bottom lip was puckered out, as he very determinedly squeezed out the toothpaste onto his toothbrush, careful not to make a mess.
Roland had been concentrating so hard that he hadn't even noticed Robin enter the vicinity, until he had bid Roland an "excuse me young man, but i've just come to ask you if you've seen my boy Roland? He's around your age and your size but I can't seem to find him anywhere. He is usually in bed at this time."
The moment he'd heard Robin's voice, Roland had peaked up, discarding his toothpaste and toothbrush to leap off of the booster stool by the sink and run over to him for an embrace. Through the mop of curls, Robin could see a gleeful smile emanating Rolands lips as he blurted out "Daddy, it's me! Roland! I woke up and got dressed all by myself today." he'd said, excitement coursing through him.
At Roland's response, Robin got down on one knee so he could be more level with him as he began to study his small figure, confusion spreading over his face as he stated, "That just can't be. My Roland is never awake before the sun. Are you absolutely certain?"
"Daddy, I swear it's me, Roland! I can prove it" he'd remarked back, determination etching his features.
After a beat of overdramatic contemplation, Robin clapped his hands together in excitement as he said "There's only one way to be sure you really are Roland Locksley…" Roland waited, ready to prove to his dad that he was indeed the one and only Roland Locksley as Robin ended with "The tickle monster!"
Roland squealed as Robin stood, bringing him up in the air with him and devouring him with tickles.
"Dad!" Roland yelped as laughter overtook his small body. "It's really me! See!"
After a beat, Robin chuckled, putting him back down "I suppose that's true. That stinky mouth of yours could only belong to my Roland." He's said, attempting to smooth out his mop of curls as Roland giggled innocently covering his mouth.
"Now" Robin stated, turning from Roland and making his way to the bathroom door, " I have an excited little boy in need of some chocolate chip pancakes before his big day. So after you finish brushing your teeth, put on your jacket and pick out your shoes so we can head to Granny's before school."
Roland was ecstatic at that news "Really!? Chocolate chip pancakes on a monday?!" he nearly screamed.
Robin nodded "But only if those teeth are spotless"
At that Roland went to work brushing every last spec away.
...
Breakfast at Granny's had flown by. With all of Roland's excitement about his new school, it was hard for Robin to get a word in edgewise. So he had sat back and listened fondly while eating his omelet and sipping his coffee to Roland converse about how he wondered how his new friends would be, how he thought his first day was going to pan out, which teachers he thought would be his favorites, what his best subject would be, ect. His milk and half eaten chocolate chip pancakes, long forgotten.
Before Robin knew it, forty-five minutes had passed by and he was writing out the check, and telling Roland to gather up his belongings so they could make their way to school a few minutes early and familiarise themselves with the vicinity and the people.
In the midst of the eagerness on Roland's part, while running out ahead of Robin and nearly knocking out a few people on the way, Robin had halted him with an "ah ah ah! Slow down, my boy. We will get there in plenty of time. You need to be more considerate of the people around you."
Roland bowed his head, leaning back on the heels of his feet as he regretfully stated "Sorry dad. No running inside. I forgot" he puckered out his bottom lip in that adorable way that he did when he knew he was in the wrong.
As Robin caught up to him, he rustled his hair at Roland's apology. " It's okay. I know you're excited for your big day. You just have to be more careful of the people around you. Lots of people are carrying around hot food and drinks and we wouldn't want an accident to happen and for someone to get hurt, okay?"
At this, Roland nodded in understanding. The last thing he would want is for someone to get hurt if he accidentally ran into them. "Okay daddy. I promise to be more careful!"
Robin sent a smile his way, signaling to Roland that he accepted his promise. And with that, they were headed out of the door and down the steps to the car. However, this time with Roland at a much more reasonable pace in front of him.
After glancing up to keep an eye on Roland, Robin noted that through all of the commotion, Roland had forgotten to grab his backpack from where it had been resting on the booth next to him, inside.
He began fishing out his keys from his jacket pocket to unlock the door. Telling Roland to get into the car and buckle himself in, while he ran back to fetch the bookbag.
Roland complied, hopping up into the car and securing himself in the backseat as Robin turned to make his way back inside the diner.
Swiftly turning on his heel while chuckling to himself at the eagerness of his boy, Robin was momentarily distracted by his one mission in mind. So much so, that he had failed to notice the other person headed straight towards him.
It happened so fast. So spontaneously, that for a moment, Robin hadn't even registered what was going on. It had been no more than a few passing seconds when warm liquid began seeping through his sweater that he had realized what had happened.
Looking down at his white sweater, he found the source of the warm liquid, where dark brown was pooling around the threads and seeping onto his skin.
This imbecile… that was his first thought. The irony! After just having a talk with his six year old son about this exact situation. He huffed under his breath. How could someone be so foolish?
He was just about to give this person a piece of his mind. First off, for having to have this conversation yet again, with someone much older than a six year old. And secondly, for ruining the outfit that he had spent twenty minutes in front of the mirror, deciding on. He could feel his anger rising inside of him, as he huffed out a breath, ready for the impending argument that would no doubt take place once he'd opened up his mouth to retort.
But as soon as he caught his first glimpse of her, the words died in his throat.