Outlaw Queen missing year 6: "Oh look at that! I almost cared!"
On the Balcony (Missing Year Trilogy #2)
There was no air in the council room, not with the fire roaring in the hearth while several candles illuminated the room. It seemed the flames sucked all the oxygen as they put forth more and more heat into the room.
It seemed though that Regina was the only one effected by the heat. Probably because she was the only one in heavy clothing, wearing a dress with a black leather corset and black velvet skirts as well as sleeves. It only made her more uncomfortable. She wished Charming would hurry up so she could escape to her rooms and lighter clothing.
"We need allies in this fight against Zelena." Charming looked at Regina. "Certainly there were kingdoms not affected by your curse?"
Regina rolled her eyes. "The Dark Curse only effected Misthaven. Everyone else is fine."
"They may not want to help us. Not after what happened to Phillip and Aurora." Snow's eyes showed the horror of watching the two turn into flying monkeys still haunted her.
"Someone must be willing to stand up to the Witch," Robin said. "Or else their lands will be next."
Regina shook her head. "She just wants to destroy me. For some reason she blames me for whatever happened in her life."
"I guess it runs in the family," Grumpy said.
She glared at him as Snow gasped. "Grumpy!" the princess scolded.
"What?" Grumpy feigned innocence. "It's the truth."
Regina stood, slamming her hands on the table. "I can tell when I'm not wanted. If you'll excuse me."
She strode from the council room, ignoring Snow's calls for her to come back. Pushing the door open, Regina stepped into the much cooler hallway. It still wasn't good enough, though, so she kept walking until she ended up outside on a balcony.
Leaning against the stone railing, Regina surveyed the palace grounds. It was dark though and the only thing she could make out was the Merry Men's camp thanks to their fire. She couldn't see the men but she knew they were sitting around the fire, exchanging stories and jokes. Perhaps they were even singing. What did it feel to be a welcomed part of a group?
"Milady? Are you well?"
She closed her eyes as Robin's voice came from behind her. He shouldn't have been able to sneak up on her, master thief or not. But there was something about him that eluded her usual defenses. She had to be careful around him.
"You didn't have to follow me, Thief."
He chuckled. "You can call me Robin."
"I can," she agreed. "But I won't."
"Of course not. That might actually make me human, right?"
She shot him a glare. "Did you come out here to argue with me?"
"No. I did come out here to check on you. It got a bit tense in there."
"Grumpy only spoke the truth." Regina sighed. "I did spend a long time focused only on destroying Snow White. I guess this what you would call karma."
Robin stepped up to the banister, his shoulder brushing hers. "I don't care what you call. We're not going to let the Wicked Witch win."
"Of course not. But I'm not going to pretend for a moment that it's because you all want to protect me. I know what everyone thinks of me in there."
"You don't know that."
She let out a wry laugh. "Don't even try to pretend that anyone in there cares if the Wicked Witch gets me or not. They are just trying to save Snow's baby."
"That's not true. At least, for Snow. She seems to genuinely care for you. I think you care for her as well."
"I'm sorry. Are you a thief or a psychologist?"
Robin frowned. "Milady?"
"Never mind. It's something from my world." Regina walked down the balcony, hoping he would leave her alone.
He didn't; she heard his footsteps behind her. "So you don't think of this as your world?"
"No. The other one was more of a home than this one could ever be. But I can never go back there."
Robin was silent and she thought for a moment that he had left, going back inside. But when she turned around, she found herself nose-to-nose with the outlaw. She was drawn into his bright blue eyes, his warm breath tickling her skin. Regina was reminded of the time in the snow a few weeks prior, where they were so close they could…
"Do you like invading my personal space?" She sidestepped him and walked away.
He laughed. "I can assure you it's not on purpose."
"Really? Because it seems every time I turn around, you're right there. Watching me, taunting me. And you're telling me that every time is just coincidence? That it's all an accident?" Regina stepped closer, her Evil Queen façade at full power. "Do you think I'm an idiot?"
Robin didn't say anything right away and Regina snarled a bit as she spun on her heels. "Your silence says it all. Best you leave than stay in the company of someone you don't believe to be intelligent."
"I didn't say that." Robin's voice was firm, authoritative. For a moment, Regina recognized him as someone who led others.
It was fleeting though. She crossed her arms. "You didn't have to. Good night."
"Regina, wait."
She glanced back over at him. "What?"
"I don't think you're stupid. Far from it." He stepped closer. "You've proven yourself to be one of the most intelligent women I have ever met."
Regina didn't know how to respond. She could handle banter and taunts. Genuine sentiments threw her for a loop.
He closed the gap between him. "You're also right that it's no coincidence or accident that I'm constantly around you."
"So you admit to stalking me?"
"I'm not stalking you."
"Then what would you call it?"
His eyes were unguarded and Regina felt she was staring into his soul. "A connection. I don't know why, Regina, but I feel drawn to you. No matter how often you snipe at me, belittle me, push me away or hurl me into snow banks…"
"I didn't hurl you into that snow bank!"
"I still feel the need to watch over you. To see if I can chase away some of the grief you don't think I can see in your eyes. Your desire to destroy the witch isn't enough to keep you from missing Henry. So I try to help."
"I don't need your help."
"Yes, you do," Robin said. "Everyone needs help sometimes, Regina. That doesn't make us weak. It makes us stronger. If we help each other, I can make you stronger and you can make me stronger. What do you say?"
For a moment, Regina wanted to believe him. For a moment, she wanted to let down her walls and let him. For a moment, she wanted to tell him they could be stronger together. For a moment, she wanted to fall into his arms and let him hold her.
For a moment.
"Oh, look. I almost cared." Regina's walls were firm and she pushed Robin away. "I'm going to my room. Do not dare follow me."
"As her majesty commands."
Regina stalked away, facing him one more time to close the doors to the balcony. He kept watching her, his end of the conversation not yet concluded: "You can't keep everyone out forever, Regina."
She wished she could say she felt some satisfaction in slamming the door on him.