Hello my dear friends !
First, as usual because I mean it so, so much : thank you all for your support, your love, feedback and reviews, I can't begin to explain how much they mean to me ! You're so precious and I wanted to thank you for that. 3
(And then... I'll talk very briefly about it because I feel like I'm talking about it all the time ( this is kind of obssessing, though). I fear we must all be prepared because they will kill Robin next week. I am pretty sure and have no hope left when it comes to what the writers can do to us. So, if they do that ( which a tiny part of me still refuse to believe) I'm sticking to my plan : denial. I won't watch OUAT anymore, I'm gonna pretend it never happened and bury myself in FF. I hope this is all just a big misunderstanding but I've seen promotional pictures and they're not looking good... Anyways, I won't say again how angry I am, because I think you know just how angry. How could they ? How dare they?)
Anyway, the actual show might be ruining OQ for us, but FF is there to make it up! So please, writers and readers of this amazing ship : NEVER STOP WRITING OR READING ! I'm begging you. :)
I LOVE YOU ALL !
Now... About this chapter... I did put a surprise in it... ;) Hope you will like it !
Chapter 7
-2005-
It's been months now since Robin and Regina started their relationship and Christmas was coming quickly.
"Did you get something for Regina?" asked John, Robin's roomate and the young man sighed.
"Not yet. But I do have an idea about what to get her."
"What?"
Robin chuckled.
"You're awfully curious, do you know that?"
"What can I say?" shrugged John. "You know I am a bit of a gossip."
Robin laughed and clasped his friend's shoulder.
"I'll ask her to spend Christmas with me." then said Robin and John's eyes widened.
"You're not coming back to England this year?"
"That's not quite what I said." smirked Robin and his friend's eyes widened even more.
"You mean..."
"I'll ask her to come with me in England for Christmas."
"Have you got plans for Christmas?" asked Mal, while she packed her things.
Regina sighed and laid down on her bed.
"You know I don't. I won't go see my mother, last year was enough of a terrible experience." she shivered, thinking about the way her mother had made sure she wouldn't forget last Christmas.
Mal frowned in sympathy and then stopped packing, looking at her bestfriend,
"You know you could always come with me."
"Mal..."
"My parents love you, Regina."
"I know they do." smiled softly the brunette, "And I am so grateful to you for that offer."
"But?"
"But I will feel as if I'm intruding."
"Regina." sighed the blond woman.
"I know I won't, your parents are such amazing people." Mal smiled at that, "But I think I'll stay here and see what Robin will do."
Mal frowned.
"Isn't he going back to England?"
Regina froze.
She had not thought about that.
How could she not think about that?
Robin was English, his whole family was still there...
How could she have forgotten that's where he would be likely to spend his holidays?
Robin was outside Regina's building, they weren't supposed to see each other, but he wanted to ask her now, before she planned differently. So the young man took his phone and dialed the number he knew by heart,
"Robin?" asked her soft voice and he couldn't help the smile that lit up his face.
"I am outside your building, lovely. Can we talk?"
"Sure." she said, "I'll be down in a minute. Is everything ok?" she asked, worried.
"Perfect." he smiled, and then added. "I just want to ask you something."
"I'm on my way, then." she said before closing the call.
Robin took a deep breath and then, his stomach started making nervous knots in his chest.
What if she laughed at him?
What if she refused?
What if it was too soon?
What if?
"Robin wants to talk to me." Regina only said, turning around where Madelyn was, frowning slightly.
"Now?"
The brunette nodded.
"He said he wanted to ask me something."
"Maybe to marry him?" smirked Madelyn and Regina threw a pillow at her while the blond woman laughed.
"Why am I nervous? There is no reason to be."
Madelyn got up and sneaked a look at Robin from the window.
"He is pacing." she said and Regina turned around, "Looks as nervous as you are." Regina frowned slightly but then her eyes widened when she heard what her bestfriend said next. "But good God is he hot! Lucky bitch." she said and Regina took another pillow and threw it at her again. Madelyn laughed even more.
"Don't oggle my boyfriend!" she laughed back.
"I am truly not." answered the blond woman, "You know how happy for you I am."
"I do." said softly Regina.
"And by a matter of facts, I do like Robin. He is a good guy." Regina smiled and was about to answer when Madelyn pushed her toward the door, "And he is still waiting for you so go!"
Robin was now trying to convince himself that it was indeed a good idea ( after all, they had been together for almost 6 months now and things were going perfectly) when he heard the door opened and she was there. Robin's mind was suddenly empty, just like each time he saw her and she smiled back shyly before walking to him.
"Hey." she breathed and he shook his head, taking her hand in order to bring her closer to him and she went willingly, chuckling.
"Hey, my love." he answered and then leant in, kissing her tenderly.
When they receded, they were both breathless by the intensity of the kiss and blue eyes were locked onto brown. Regina was the first to break the silence,
"Had we planned to see each other today?"
"Nope." he smirked. "I just missed you."
She chuckled and laid a kiss on his cheek.
"You're so sweet."
Robin smiled and then took a deep breath. He needed to ask her. But he could already feel his courage fizzling out...
"What did you want to ask me, handsome?" she asked and he smiled, cupped her cheek tenderly.
"I ... " his heart was beating so fast. This would be a huge step on their relationship, one he wasn't sure she was ready to take.
"Robin?"
"Do you have plans for Christmas?" he asked finally and she sighed sadly.
"I don't, actually. I told you what happened with my mother, I don't want to see her again after that, she will only take pleasure in humiliating me..." Robin stroked her cheek then and she leant into his hand. "But what are you doing?" she asked, "Any plans?"
"Well," Robin swallowed. "Like every year at Christmas, I'm going back to England to see my family and friends there."
"Oh."
Regina couldn't help but be disapointed.
They wouldn't be together for Christmas.
They wouldn't see each other for weeks.
Sure, there was phonecalls, texts, skype... But it wouldn't be the same.
"Enjoy your trip, then."
She heard Robin took a deep breath and then he tilted her head so their eyes met once again,
It was now or never.
"Actually, I was wondering... if you'd come with me." he ended in a whisper and Regina's heart stopped before beating way too fast, making her dizzy.
"In England?"
He nodded.
"With you?"
He nodded again and now she could see the slight blush on his cheeks.
"Regina, you don't have to come. I didn't mean to pressure you or-"
But he couldn't end his thoughts because she had jumped in his arms, kissing him passionately and Robin was surprised at first, but he kissed back just as passionately.
"I take it you'll come with me?" he smirked and she laughed, shaking her head.
"I'd love nothing more than to spend these holidays with you and meet your family."
Robin's smile was so bright he could have lit up the town.
-2015-
Robin couldn't sleep.
Not after what happened.
He was in his kitchen, making himself some tea in hope it would help settle his nerves after that awful night.
Madelyn was sleeping peacefully in Roland's room and Regina was buried in his covers on his bed. He knew because he went checking on the both of them before walking to the kitchen. This had been a hell of night, and he couldn't get Madelyn's words out of his mind.
"If you still love her, like I suspect you do. You should go for it. Go for it before it's too late, Robin."
Did he still love Regina?
Robin chuckled darkly and shook his head, brewing his tea.
Who was he kidding?
His actions spoke louder than words.
But he couldn't deal with that right now. First, he needed to be sure that Regina was ok, and that this disgusting man had not touched her more than he already did.
He could have killed him.
Robin had tried to forget that thought, but it was the truth. The way he had felt when he saw Regina looking so afraid against that wall... It had awaken a dark side in him he didn't know he had.
Then he heard something and froze before laying his cup down and running to where he knew the sound was coming.
Regina.
Robin opened the door and found her sobbing on the bed, looking so lost and lonely it broke his heart. But she also looked so beautiful, sat on his bed with one of his shirt ( he had lent Regina&Madelyn two of his shirts so they could get out of their dresses) and face bare of any makeup. Robin couldn't move for a second, breathless.
"Robin?" she breathed and that woke him up as he carefully walked closer to her.
But she wasn't in her usual state.
She looked so afraid.
"I am here." he breathed and she closed her eyes, but didn't stop crying. "You're alright, Regina."
A minute passed.
"I just don't want to sleep alone, tonight." she finally admitted and his heart broke in thousands of part in his chest.
It took him barely one second to take his decision.
(He'd probably regret that in the morning when she would be back to herself)
"You won't." answered Robin and brown eyes settled on him.
The next thing he knew he had hoped into the bed and was holding her so tight against him. Regina let out a small whimper and cuddled against his chest. He closed his eyes and brought her even closer to him before they both laid down on the bed again, Regina buried her face in his neck and Robin felt a shiver ran through him from head to toes as he brought her ever closer to him.
"Robin?" she whispered but she sounded so sleepy already,
"What is it?"
"I've missed you."
Robin froze and tears pricked at the back of his eyes.
He waited a minute.
Two.
"I've missed you, too." he finally admitted, closing his eyes and a tear escaped it.
But Regina's breath was even, cuddled against his chest.
She was already asleep.
Robin also felt exhausted after all the emotions of the day and little by little, he felt his eyes closed despite of himself.
He would have wanted to stay awake.
To stay awake and enjoy the feeling of having Regina back in his arms one more time.
But a few minutes later...
He was fast asleep.
It was 10pm.
Madelyn was walking in the corridors, rubbing her eyes and searching for Robin. She had the biggest headache of all and wanted to ask him for some aspirin. She went in the living room but didn't see him on the couch, even though his cover and cushion were there. Mal frowned and walked to the kitchen. No one apart from a mug full of tea. She walked closer and touched the mug, noticed it was cold before frowning even more.
"What the hell..." she whispered, looking around.
This wasn't a huge place. If Robin wasn't in his son's bedroom, if he wasn't in the kitchen, nor the living room, nor the bathroom, then that only left...
Her eyes widened when she realized.
Regina's room.
Making sure not to make any noises, she walked toward the main room and carefully opened the door before a small gasp escaped her.
Because buried under the cover, she could clearly see her bestfriend.
But she wasn't alone.
Regina was asleep and Robin was spooning her, his face on the crook of her neck and their hands joined on the woman's middle. This seemed so casual that it had tears shining in Madelyn's eyes.
This was such a waste.
They could have been so much more.
Mal used to think that they would get married one day, have children, a dog and several cats ; a house full of love and laughters. She always thought Robin was the only one who could make Regina happy.
(She still thought that)
But now, she knew he was also the only one who had been able to break her bestfriend.
Her mother never managed to and God knows she tried.
But Regina was one of the strongest person Madelyn had ever known, she had never even bent.
Until Robin happened.
Regina stirred slightly and Madelyn jumped, before hurrying to leave the corridor.
This wouldn't end well.
Regina stirred and frowned slightly when the headache hit her.
But then she froze.
She wasn't alone in bed.
Oh God.
She looked down and saw that her fingers were intertwined with others and there was a presence behind her and a face tucked against her neck.
She knew who was there with her.
First, she'd remember that scent anywhere along with that warm and comforting body. Then, she did remember something about her crying , him coming to soothe her and her asking him not to leave.
He had agreed.
Why did he agreed?
She was drunk.
What was his excuse?
She felt him stirr slightly and froze but he only brought her even closer to him, laying a ghost of a kiss on her neck and God, she should just wake him and leave his embrace.
But she did feel safe.
And if she closed her eyes...
She could pretend they were back to where they were, ten years ago.
Tears pricked at the back of her eyes.
She was so tired and so hangovered.
She couldn't think rationally right now.
Her mind was screaming at her to leave.
Her heart though, was screaming to stay.
She just couldn't be strong right now.
She would relish in his presence for a little more time.
After that, it would be over forever.
This was goodbye.
Robin was dreaming.
A wonderful dream that had him smiling in his sleep as he brought the woman in his arms closer to him.
"Daddy!" screamed a voice and he smiled, turning around to catch the little girl running toward him.
"There you are!" he smiled and tickled her, making the girl yelled in glee. "Where is your mommy?"
The girl pointed at a point behind him and he turned around.
His heart stopped and then beat so fast he felt dizzy.
He saw her walk to him, brown hair wild and curly, brown eyes warm and trusting and belly round with their child. She was so close now, kissing his lips tenderly and he wanted to never come back from that kiss, but he knew he couldn't do that. So they receded and they eyes locked,
"Regina." he breathed and then his eyes opened, realizing he had spoken outloud in his sleep.
He was still in the bed, holding Regina against him and what the hell was he doing?!
He had not left her embrace the night before and he wasn't sure he could now. It felt safe, it fel incredibly right to be with her again this way. Her body was molding perfectly against his and he sighed, taking a deep breath in order to really enjoy her scent.
Robin knew he needed to get up before she woke up.
He knew it.
That didn't mean he wanted to do it.
Finally, he let a kiss on her neck, another on her hair and disentangled her from him, longing in his eyes as he walked away.
This could have been his.
And it was a truth so hard for him to admit.
His dream could have been true.
A tear escaped his eyes once again.
What he didn't know was that Regina was very much awake and she closed her eyes, trying to fight the thought that she felt so cold, now that he wasn't by her sides anymore.
She had heard him call her name a few seconds earlier.
Why?
Oh God.
What had she gotten herself into...
Robin was still lost in thoughts ( and lost in the intensity of his dream) when he came in his kitchen and then jumped when he saw someone was already there.
"Good morning, Robin." said Madelyn and she looked ... strange. A cup of coffee was in front of her and he frowned, before remembering that he had prepared coffee for the morning before going to sleep.
"Madelyn. Are you feeling better?"
"My head's killing me."
Robin nodded, smiling softly. Then he opened the cupboard and took a box of aspirin, holding it to her.
"Thanks." she said.
Then she studied him closely.
He didn't even seem to notice her. He seemed lost in thought as he took 2 cups, laid one on the table and filled another of coffee. Then Robin sat facing her, but he was frowning and Madelyn wanted to say something, but she didn't know what. Nor how. She couldn't forgive him for the way he had treated Regina years ago, she couldn't forgive him for all those days and nights her bestfriend cried until she had no tears left. But at the same time... He agreed to help Regina with this stupid deal, he came running when she was in trouble.
Madelyn was so lost.
She didn't know what to think.
She didn't know what to do.
She didn't know anymore what was best for Regina.
Should she ask him to leave Regina alone?
Should she, on the contrary, help them finding their way back to each other?
This was such a messy situation.
"Go on." breathed Robin and when she looked up, he was looking at her, weary suddenly.
"I've got nothing to say."
Robin chuckled bitterly.
"Tell me, please."
She swallowed.
"I don't know what to say." she said truthfully, "I can't forgive you for what you did to her. Robin." he looked down, "But you came for her last night, you looked for her and then you were so angry... I was worried for a minute you might kill this man."
"I would have." he breathed and she nodded.
"I saw you, this morning."
Robin froze and she could see him tense.
"Madelyn..."
"I am not judging you, Robin." their eyes met in a moment of genuine truth, "Just one thing, do not get involved in something you don't intend to finish." her voice broke, "Don't break her heart again. Please. I am asking you."
Robin could feel tears pricked at the back of his eyes.
"Regina doesn't feel this way about me, anymore."
Madelyn looked down and shook her head, when she looked up, her eyes were glassy.
"Robin, I have known her almost all of my life. Do you really think that if she felt nothing for you, she would have let you this close to her in a moment of weakness? Are you really that stupid? "
Robin was breathless.
He couldn't talk.
Everything was so messed up.
Regina had been very clear as to where she stood concerning him.
Last night was a moment of weakness.
He still knew her by heart, and he was sure that once she would have got up and by the time she came back to join them in the kitchen, the mask would be back on.
"Robin..." started Madelyn but at the same time, Regina entered the kitchen and Robin froze before his eyes drank her in. She had put back on her dress, had washed her face and was now looking so distant and regal. He smiled sadly to himself because he had been right, the mask was back on.
Robin and Madelyn stopped talking as Regina filled her cup with coffee before sitting down with them. Robin was looking at her closely but Regina was avoiding his eyes and Madelyn took that as a clue to leave the two of them alone.
"I'll... I'll go and get ready."
"We leave as soon as you're ready." hurried to say Regina and Robin tensed.
And then it was the two of them.
A small silence settled.
"Regina..." started Robin but she cut him.
"Thank you." she said coldly and blue eyes met brown. "Thank you for helping us last night, and thank you for welcoming us in your place."
"Regina-"
"But we have to go now."
"Regina, please-"
"And we-"
"So we're not even gonna talk about what happened!" he exclaimed, voice louder that he meant to and she jumped.
When she looked up, brown eyes were frantic and so, so scared.
But he wouldn't back down.
Not this time.
Not after his dream. Not after having her back in his arms. Not after this talk with Madelyn. Not after this night and the fear he had had. Not after getting so little sleep that his mind couldn't think clearly.
"Talk about what exactly, Robin? You came saving us and I said thank you. What more do you want from me?!"
"To talk about what happened between us!"
She froze and then took a deep breath. Then she got up and he got up, too;
"Nothing happened between us, Robin." she said, pointing a finger at him.
"You know that's not true."
"NOTHING HAPPENED!" she screamed and now, she was getting mad but so was he.
"It didn't seem like nothing when you were all snuggle against me this night!'
"I DID NO SUCH THINGS!"
"WILL YOU PLEASE STOP SHOUTING!"
"WHY?!" she screamed and now they were face to face, frantic brown eyes in glassy blue. "WHY WOULD I DO THAT?!"
"Because I want to talk."
"BUT I DON'T WANT TO TALK TO YOU!" she screamed, laughing bitterly and then running her hands through her hair. "I DON'T, ROBIN! YOU HAD TEN YEARS TO COME TALKING AND YOU NEVER DID!" he opened the mouth to talk but she cut him. "YOU NEVER DID!" she was breathless.
"Regina, this isn't about the mistake I did-"
"A MISTAKE?!" and she was so, so mad. All the feelings she had buried since she saw him were finally coming out. "A MISTAKE? REALLY? BREAKING MY HEART WAS MERELY A MISTAKE TO YOU?!"
"Regina..." he warned because he was getting mad, too. He did mistakes but why for God's sake was she screaming? He knew that he had messed up. And why the hell did she had to be so beautiful even when she was hysterical?
"NO YOU DON'T GET TO TALK IN THIS!"
"AND WHY NOT?"
"BECAUSE BREAKING MY FAVOURITE VASE, LOSING MY FAVOURITE NECKLACE, THAT WOULD HAVE BEEN A FUCKING MISTAKE ! WHAT YOU DID..."
"I KNOW!" he screamed back but she kept cutting him.
"NO YOU DON'T!"
"I DO AND FOR THE LOVE OF GOD, WILL YOU PLEASE STOP SHOUTING !"
"I SHOUT IF I WANT TO!" she screamed and then she walked closer to him. "I SHOULD HAVE SHOUTED AT YOU YEARS AGO!"
"THEN WHY DIDN'T YOU!?" he was so angry right now, but regretted his words as soon as they left his mouth because he saw a tear escaped her eyes. "Regina..."
"BECAUSE I WAS BROKEN!" she screamed and she punched his chest violently, he took a step back and warned again,
"Regina..."
"I THOUGHT YOU'D BE THE ONE FOR ME!" she screamed hitting him again, and he tried to catch her hand but she hit him again. "AND I THOUGHT I WAS THE RIGHT FOR YOU!"
"REGINA LET ME EXPLAIN, FOR GOD'S SAKE!" but she didn't seem to want to listen. All she kept doing was hit him and Robin was losing it. "STOP HITTING ME!"
"I SHOULD HAVE SLAPPED YOU LONG AGO!"
"REGINA-"
"YOU BASTARD !"
"REGINA!"
"THAT'S ALL THAT YOU DESERVE FROM ME!"
"REGINA. I WARN YOU..."
"YOU BASTARD! I HATE YOU! DO YOU HEAR ME! I HATE-"
But Regina couldn't end her sentence.
Because Robin had had enough.
And there was only one thing he could think of right now that would shut her up.
So he cupped her cheeks and crashed his mouth to hers rashly.
Regina whimpered and tried to break away, but he was holding her firmly and he deepened the kiss with an angry groan.
And then Regina went limp into his arms.
Before kissing him back.
The kiss was raw and the exact opposite of tenderness. It was a battle, their tongues were fighting each other, their hands gropping and grasping. At one point, the need to breath was too strong and they had to break their embrace. Their breathings erratics as their eyes met. Robin opened the mouth to try and tell something but his mind was blank, dizzy by the intensity of the kiss. Regina seemed to feel the same, as she couldn't look away from his eyes, and she felt her heart beat way too fast in her chest.
There was only one thing she could do at that point.
She ran away.
Leaving a very distraught Robin behind, the ghost of her name on his lips.
-2005-
Robin was carrying Regina's things in his car as she said goodbye to her bestfriend.
"Drive safe." said Madelyn and Regina nodded.
"You know we will. Robin is driving."
"This is supposed to make me feel better?"
"I'll let you know I am an excellent driver." said a third voice, and Robin was smirking while circling Regina's waist with his arms and she leant into his hold. Madelyn rolled her eyes playfully and then the man kissed Regina's cheek. "We're ready to go, lovely."
Regina nodded and then broke their embrace before hugging her bestfriend.
"I'll see you soon, then?"
Mal nodded.
"You both spend happy holidays, ok?"
"You too, Mal. I'll call you when we land."
"Thanks."Regina chuckled and hugged her again before receded. Robin walked closer to Madelyn but she stopped him. "And you take care of her and bring her home safely, understood?"
Robin only laughed and then brought her in a quick hug.
"Merry Christmas to you too, Mal."
Then the couple hoped in the car and drift off.
Robin and Regina were sat on the plan which was about to fly off and Robin could sense Regina was tense.
"Is everything alright, my love?"
She swallowed and then shifted.
"Yes."
"Regina."
The woman sighed and then blue eyes met brown,
"It's just..." she sighed. "I hate take-offs." she admitted and a wide smile lit up his face. Regina frowned and hit his chest. "Don't make fun of me!"
"I wouldn't dream of it." he hurried to say and she rolled her eyes, annoyed, but then the plane shook slightly and she jumped, catching Robin's hand.
"Regina," he breathed softly. "You don't have to be afraid. You've got me."
She looked up and smiled at him lovingly, a warmth she had never felt rushing through her entire being.
After a few hours of flight, the plane was now landing in England. Regina was asleep on Robin's shoulder and the man smiled before kissing her forehead tenderly.
"Regina..." he breathed but she didn't wake up, so he raised the end and stroked her face tenderly. She scrunched up her nose and he chuckled, "Come on lovely, we're landing."
"Hm." she nuzzled her face into the crook of his neck and his smile widened.
"My love..." he said and could feel her laid a small kiss on his neck.
"Why won't you let me sleep?" she muttered and he chuckled, she felt it against her lips.
"Because we're landing."
That caught her interest and she instantly looked up,
"We are?"
"Yes." Robin smiled and then took her hand, kissing it reverently. "Don't you worry, my parents will love you."
Regina nodded slightly,
"I hope so."
Robin wanted to tell her.
He wanted to tell that he loved her and couldn't give a damn about what other people thought.
But now wasn't the time.
Not the perfect time, at least.
They took their luggages and walked out of the airport, hand in hand. Regina stopped when she saw the beauty of the landscapes and Robin smirked before laying his arm around her shoulder and bringing her closer to him so he could kiss her hair.
"Welcome in England, my love."
A/N : So? ;)
Did someone ask for a kiss? haha NoraMills I hope this will live to your expectations ! :)
I hope you all liked it ! I know I said they would have a real conversation in this chapter, but as I put a kiss in it, I decided to put the talk in the next chapter ! So next chapter is gonna be pretty emotional, be warned... ;)
LOVE YOU ALL !