Short A/N: I wrote this os based on a prompt (AU)
It was a beautiful and sunny day in Storybrooke. Regina Mills did a lot of good business wih her shop called Regina's coffeeshop. But she could've done better if the shop right in front of hers called Locksley coffee, wasn't there. They both were each others biggest rivals. They always fought about who had made the most money that week and that one of them should move away to another place. It wasn't any different today.
''So Locksley'' she said with a taunting voice. ''I am quite sure I made more money than you last week.''
''Ahhh, you think you did great business? I think we both know there were more customers in my shop the entire week.'' He replied with a just as taunting voice as Regina had used.
''Well, most of them have probably bought your cheapest product, the normal coffee, because all of your specials are disgusting.''
Robin was just about to say something, but he got interrupted by the ringtone of Regina's phone. She quickly told Robin ''Don't think we're done yet, I know that I gained more this week.'' And then she answered her call.
''Hello, you're talking to Miss. Mills''. And then a ''He's not at school? But he walked to school this morning, or he just skipped the classes. *sigh* I'll go try and call him, okay?'' Robin heard someone saying something and then Regina answered with a simple ''Bye'' and quickly dialed a number. Robin wasn't even sure why he was still standing there, probably because he wanted to prove Regina that he was right and had more profit than Regina had that week. But he woke up from his thoughts by a startled ''No'' of Regina. Then he saw that Regina was about to collapse, and his reflexes reacted really fast and grabbed her arms, so she wouldn't fall to the ground.
''What have you done to my son?!'' She asked in such an evil tone that even Robin had never heard before.
''Regina what's going on?'' He asked alarmed.
''I'll pay it okay, just don't- just don't hurt him.'' She was on the edge of crying now and Robin was even more worried than he already was. He saw her almost every day, but he had never seen her cry or about to cry ever before. He always thought it was because she had no soul according to him. Never being nice to him, always cold and rude. It already started since day one. The first day he opened his shop Regina came to tell him that she was the one who run the coffeshop in this town and nobody could replace her. He didn't listen to her and everytime she'd started insulting him, he'd just insult her back.
But this was different, he always said Regina had no soul, but he could always see how deeply she loved her son. He was a nice guy, Henry, Robin actually liked him. He was also friends with his son Roland.
Then he noticed she'd escaped his strong grasp and tried to tell him in a very cold tone, but failing a little, because her voice cracked a little. ''Don't ever touch me again Locksley''.
''A simple thank you would suffice. I just made sure you didn't fall to the ground. Because I'm sure that would've hurt.'' He answered with a smirk on his face.
''Well this also hurts, you smell like forest!'' She spat out and Robin just replied with ''Okay fine, the next time I'll just let you crumble to the ground''. He was about to walk away when he realized something. ''Umm, so what happened to Henry?'' He wasn't caring about her, but he did for her son.
''Nothing that concerns you''. She answered coldy.
''Something happened to Henry'' He stated. And he noticed that there were forming tears in her eyes again.
''Yes, but it'll all be fine.'' She wanted to say something but Robin's phone buzzed. He picked it up and said ''Yes, with Robin Locksley. And then a ''Uhuh, yes'' and then ended the call with a ''I'll go call him now, bye.''
Just a moment before Robin called Roland, they gazed into each other's eyes and worry met worry. Regina liked Roland and was afraid the same thing had happened to him as Henry; he had gotten kidnapped. Robin feared the exact same thing.
Then his call got answered with a creepy voice that said ''Hi Mr. Locksley.'' Robin froze for a moment but replied quickly with a ''DON'T HURT MY SON!''
''I won't, if you pay 10 000 dollars in 24 hours. You'll have to leave it in on the porch of house number 100 in Magicallane.''
''I will, but don't do anything to my son!''
''I promise, but remember, no police! Or else it'll be bye bye Roland.'' And with that, he hung up.
''He's got Roland as well, doesn't he?'' Regina tried to ask unemotional, but revealed a bit of fear.
''Yes he does, he's also asked you to bring him 10 000 dollar in 24 hours?'' He asked.
''Yes, yes he did.'' Robin could easily tell that she was really anxious, but he couldn't blame her, because so was he. She was cying now (not much, she''s not weak!).
He tried to comfort her a little by saying that if they'd just pay the price, everything would be alright, but it didn't work. It only seemed to work quite the opposite.
''Hey, why are you crying, it'll be alright opkay?'' He couldn't help but being nice with her at this moment. Truth be told, he saw her in an entirely different angle today. She still tried to be cold and mean, but her softness (or actually her ''human'' side if you'd ask Robin) shined through and he thought it was adorable actually. No, he couldn't think like that. She was his enemy and after this little incident, everything would be forgotten and everything would go back to normal again.
He got out of his thoughts by Regina saying sadly "It won't be alright''.
''Why not?'' He wondered. ''I get that you're scared they'll still try to hurt them but I can assure you, I won't let anything happen to both of them.''
''You don't get it Robin. She sighed. ''I can't pay that much money.'' She started sobbing now and Robin felt so awkard during this moment. But his mom had always taught him to comfort people if they're sad, so he just put her in a loosy embrace. He felt her embracing him too and couldn't help but smile at the fact she actually liked his comfort.
''But why not Regina?'' He asked, because he really didn't understand. ''You''ve earned more than enough from your shop.''
''I have to pay 75% of everything I earn to someone, because I owe it to him.'' She felt so disgusted she'd let herself be this vulnerable arround someone, but Robin was just so gentle with her at this moment and she started to feel guilty about always being so mean to him. But then she heard her mothers voice in her head. ''Love is weakness Regina.''
''Why do you owe that person so much of your money?''
''It doesn't matter.'' She just replied, it was clear as day; she'd lose her son. And with that she pulled away from his embrace.
''It does Regina, you always told me about your past being a rich person and all, and then starting this succesful coffeshop. I don't get who and why you owe that much.''
''It doesn't matter! It is just someone I have to pay a lot of money. I'll just go off and try to save my son myself.'' She was about to walk away but Robin grabbed her arm and said:
''No you don't. I'll pay for it now and you can pay me back later.'' He didn't want to come any harm at Henry so if that meant he had top for him now he didn't really care. He saw her eyes lighten up and if he was completely honest with himself, he also didn't want the woman to lose her son.
''But... only at one condition. You tell me who you owe that much and the reason why.'' He couldn't help but have a little smile plastered on his face. Just because he knew he got her and was curious about her spilling the tea about her past she actually had and not the made up one.
''It was a long time ago... My mother and me lived a poor life after my dad had passed away. We lived on his fortune at first, but that wasn't enough. So she decided to find a rich man who would pay a lot for a marriage with me.'' Robin could see that it was hard for her to tell this, because she looked sad and had to pause for a second.
''My mom found a man. He offered a lot of money for me so my mother accepted. I had no choice in the process at all.'' She sighed and Robin started to feel guilty about forcing her to bring up her past, but he was also wondering what happened next, so he stayed quiet and continued listening to her story.
''He wasn't exactly the nicest man. He would always yell at me and do ... other stuff.'' She swallowed and thinking about her past with him brought back horrible memories. But she had to contine, for her son.
''Then I got pregnant with Henry. He told me he didn't want a child and that it was all my fault. He also didn't stop beating me up, also at places that could be dangerous for the baby. I didn't want anything to happen to Henry so I asked for a divorce. He didn't want to at first, but he aslo didn't want a child in his house he eventually agreed. But only at one condition ... I had to pay back everything he gave to my mom for the marriage. Which was really a lot because it was enough for my mother to live with.''
Robins mouth almost fell open throughout the story. He was in shock. How could a man do this to a woman. What a coward, he thought. He understood etter why she didn't like him also having a coffeeshop in the exact same street right in front of each other.
If he would sell coffee, there would be less customers in her shop which meant it would take longer for her to pay everything back. He saw her in a complete different light after this. He used to see some kind of 'evil queen' figure (that's also what he called her sometimes), but now he could only see the broken person behind the mask; a human, just like him.
''I'm sorry you had to go trough that. Nobody deserves that.'' He felt like it was the least he could say after her opening up about her past like this.
''I's fine. Now go take 20 000 dollars and we'll get our sosn back in no time'' He saw she tried to smile, but he could see it was fake.
''Alright. I'll go get it while you wait here and then we'll get them together. So it looks like we both paid.'' He said not wanting to sound like he actually wanted to be with her.
When he got back, he opened the door of her shop and stepped inside.
''Hello Regina, I'm here with the money.'' She immediately came when she heard that.
''Okay, now let's go.''
Once they were on their way, Regina said something she never thought she'd say to him. ''Thank you, I really mean it Robin, thank you. I know we don''t like each other and you do this for my son, but you also could've just chosen to do nothing. And yes, I know I'll just have to pay you back later, but still.'' Robin smiled at her words. He'd just gotten a thank you from his biggest rival. Although, something in him told him they weren't that anymore.
''It's fine Regina, really. And yes, I am mostly doing this for your son but I also realize that I wouldn't be able to live without Roland and I've seen how much you love Henry. I don't want anyone to go through losing the person they love most.''
''Not even me?'' She asked.
''Not even you.'' He replied. ''And do you know what Regina? Now that I know your backstory and all, I understand better why you were like this to me and I can see past that now. You were just trying to keep your son safe. I don't want us to be enemies anymore.'' He was relieved he'd admitted that to her.
''You really want to give me a chance after everything?'' She was really confused because she'd taunted him for years and so did he (but she had started with it in the first place).
''We all deserve a second chance Regina. You just have to open your eyes to see it. I can thorugh all of you coldness and see the woman you really are; a warm woman but just haunted by her past and scared of opening up to anybody, afraid that they'll hurt you, because that's what he did. But Regina, I hope you realize that that's exactly what he wants, you not being able to move on and be happy because that makes him feel like he's still controlling you and he is. But you deserve better Regina. Don't let him be the reason you're holding back. Live your life like you want.'' She was truly touched by his words. No one had ever been that nice to her except for her father and son.
''I've already screwed up. I am not good at making new friends and the one's I've had? They left me because I wasn't there for them anymore. Always busy with my own issues.''
''I can be your friend if you want me to?''
''You- you want to be my friend?'' She was stunned by his words, he wanted to be friends with her?!
''I now see a woman who is really nice and I'd like to hang out with actually. You've been rude to be since day one, we both know that, but I wasn't nice back. It's time we grow up. I want to get to know you Regina. The real Regina, the woman behind the mask.
''I think you're right. And I'm sorry I've been acting so silly to you all the time. I just never really saw a way out from my past. It still haunts me you know. I have never opened up about it to anyone, except for you.'' She felt stupid for letting herslef be so vulnerbale arround him, but it also felt good, someone who listens to you and doesn't seem to judge you for it.
''Does it feel good,finally having someone who knows your biggest secret and having someone to talk about it? Because Regina, If there is something haunting you, you can tell me.'' He told this from the bottom of his heart. It was funny how much he had still hated her in the morning and he actually finds her nice now. He had never really noticed how pretty she actually was, because he always looked up to her as an ugly person. But now that he truly observed her, he saw her perfect raven hair and her beautiful chocolate yes who you felt like you were born to gaze into.
''Yes, it does. I never could''ve thought that it would. I would always thought people would judge me for it, but for some reason, you don't feel like that at all. While we were the biggest enemies of each other back this morning.'' Somehow this man made her feel safe. And she actually wanted nothing more than having him as her friend. She never gave him a chance in the first place, while he could've been a really nice man. It's funny she thought, how fast tables can turn.
''I'm glad to hear that. I just want to make sure you know that you can always come to me if you feel like you need someone to talk to. He was touched by her words. Why was i never nicer to her. We could've been friends many years ago, he thought. But there is an opportunity now and I'll grab it.
''Thank you Robin. I want to apologize for my behavior. I always treated you like shit and suddenly you're there as if we've been friends for decades.'' She was truly touched by this man. She thought to herself; he is actually a really nice guy and even hot she added. No, she couldn't think like that. They were just friends.
''Apology accepted, I want to say I'm sorry as well. And my thoughts about you just changed because I saw you in a very different light today.'' She looked so small and fragile compared to him, while she was also a very fierce and strong woman. And hot he thought. Now that he thought about it, why did he never notice how good looking she actally was? He didn't even think he was lying when he said he had never met a prettier woman than Regina. She was truly stunning in every way.
''I'm just glad I made a new friend today. and you taught me today that I should let go of my past and take a second chance. And I want to grab that chance.''
''Best decision to make m'lady, he said in a taunting yet gentle voice that made her shiver
''Let's just forget about our bad memories together and make new beautiful ones.'' She said.
''Agreed. Also did you notice we've already arrived at the location? So, what do you say, ready to save our sons? And he gave her the most beautiful smile she had ever seen. Why hadn't she noticed his dimples before, they could lighten up the entire world if you'd ask her.
''I am most definitely ready.''
A/N: I hope y'all liked it. This is the longest os I've written yet lol.
Please leave a comment to tell what your thoughts are about this story, and feel free to leave a prompt in the comments!
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