Chapter 24:
-2008
Madelyn was with Regina, who was crying and crying again.
"What happened, sweetie?" she said, stroking her hair.
Regina was crying her heart out and tried to breath but couldn't.
She had not stopped crying for hours.
She was starting to think she would never stop.
"He... He left."
"Just like that?" Mal frowned, this was so not like Robin.
"Just like that."
A loud sob escaped her and Madelyn's heart broke.
"Oh Regina... I knew things were a bit rocky between you lately but-"
"It started after he had his meeting with Marian."
Madelyn froze.
"What? You didn't tell me about that."
Regina shook her head and blew her nose loudly.
"She came, he saw her, promised me nothing would change, made me think he would..." her voice broke and she wiped her cheeks. "Promised me he would marry me..." she cried again.
"He did that?"
Regina nodded,
"Yes. And then he came back and he was so distant. So I let him space but I asked him to be honest with me and he left."
"But-"
"He didn't even tell me why."
Regina's heartbreak was so obvious Madelyn wanted to cry.
"He won't get away with it so easily." she muttered then got up, kissed Regina's hair, took her keys and left. "I'll be back in a few hours."
"Madelyn?" she heard her best friend called after her but too late.
She was going.
And Robin wasn't ready for what was about to hit him.
"What happened, man?" tried again John but once again, Robin looked like he couldn't speak.
He shrugged, then opened the mouth and closed it.
It was too hard.
Where could he begin?
"I had to do it." he settled for, voice breaking.
John frowned.
Robin was pale, his eyes were red from crying too much and his voice hoarse from the same reasons.
Something didn't add up.
He looked and sounded like he was the one who had been dumped and not the other way around.
"It was the only way, John." he said again, for the thousand time.
"And for whom was it the only way, exactly?" John asked.
Robin didn't answer.
Truth was,
He wasn't even sure he had an answer anymore.
But then John talked again, cutting him from his dark thoughts.
"Robin, I have something to ask you and I need yo to be honest with me, no matter what." he looked up, "Did you at least end things correctly with Regina?"
Robin couldn't hold his best friend's stare.
So he looked down.
And that was all the answer John needed.
"Oh bloody hell, Rob'..."
"I know. I've been such a coward." his voice broke again. "But I had no choice, John. You have to believe me when I say that I had no choice."
A silence.
"We always have a choice." he settled for. And then, because being a friend also meant telling when one was wrong. "I am so disapointed in you, Robin." The other man looked up, eyes wide and hurt. "Such an epic love story deserved a better end than this. It deserved to end in dignity. You guys were together for three years, had been in love for three years and I suspect that you both expected to be together forever, your relationship deserved some regards. It deserved better than that."
Another silence.
"I know."
"You'll hate yourself for this. Probably forever."
"I know that, too."
John sighed and then he knew what he had to do.
So without a word more, he took his car keys and left the appartment ready to go where she knew Regina was.
After all,
She was his friend, too.
-2015
Zelena had spent the night looking for informations about Robin and Regina and she had found nothing on their so-called relationship.
Which was strange.
She had found out that Robin was divorced, that he had a son and where he was working.
She knew where Regina was working, that she had never been married and had no children.
So strange...
When you claim to be so in love, why wouldn't it exist proof?
Something was wrong.
They had not lived in the same place, had not seen the same people, did not work together.
Something was wrong.
From what she could see, they had both lived very separate lives.
Something was wrong.
The woman scratched her arm again and looked down at her skin, more red than ever.
Shit.
Then her husband walked in and she closed her tab hurriedly.
"Are you alright, my love?" he asked, walking to her and massaging her shoulders.
She groaned and leant into him.
He was a safe space.
Calm and peaceful.
Always.
"I'm working." she only answered, closing her eyes and enjoying the feeling of hapiness he was the only one able to give her.
"I'll leave you to it, then." he kissed her hair and left.
And for one moment,
Zelena wondered if she shouldn't just drop Robin and Regina, and focus on what she actually had and had no price...
Then she started searching again.
Still scratching her arm.
Regina was at work, working on a file with Madelyn when her phone biped.
She took it and smiled.
RL - Thinking about you.
She bit her bottom lip and typed an answer before letting her phone down.
RM - Really?
-Bip!
RL - Really.
-Bip!
RL - Most of the time, actually.
She smiled again.
-Bip!
RL - I think it is starting to get in the way of anything else I might actually do if I wasn't always busy thinking about you.
She laughed.
RM - Well, we'll have to remedy to that...
-Bip!
RL - How so, m'lady?
RM - Well, for starters I say we see each other more.
-Bip!
RL - That I agree with.
-Bip!
RL - Once a week is not enough.
RM - I agree. I can't wait to be on Saturday so I can see you again.
-Bip!
RL - God lovely, I feel the same.
She smiled and decided to tease him a little.
RM - You know, I am thinking about what to wear for that special event... ;)
-Bip!
His answer was immediate and she could have read it immediately but hearing this another bip made Madelyn go crazy and she groaned loudly, making Regina jump slightly, blushing.
"I know you've forgotten that I am here but I swear if this thing bipe even one more time, I'm throwing it by the window. I don't care if your precious boyfriend awaits for your answer!"
A silence.
And Regina chuckled,
"I am so sorry, Mal. I guess I got caught up in the moment."
Madelyn softened up and tilted her head.
"Don't get me wrong, I am so so happy that you're happy." Regina smiled. "But please, your phone in silent mode?"
"Agreed." smiled the brunette,
"Thanks. Now you can go back to sexting that hot boyfriend of yours and I won't have to know about it!"
Regina blushed.
"I am not doing that!"
Madelyn laughed and busied herself in her files again.
"Whatever you say, whatever you say."
"Madelyn!"
The blond laughed again and then Regina turned her phone silent before opening Robin's last text.
RL - Can I get a preview?
RM - Where would be the fun in that?
RL - I know what I would want you to wear...
She blushed and chanced a look a Madelyn who was smirking at her, she stuck her tongue out and her friend laughed, taking her file and getting up.
"I think I'll leave before I see or hear something I'd rather not." she winked and left under Regina loud cry of protest.
But then she was back to her texts.
RM - And what would that be?
RL - Nothing.
She blushed furiously.
RM - So you would be okay with everyone seeing so much of me?
His answer was immediate.
RL - Change of plan, then. You're not wearing a thing and we're not going to that damn barbecue.
This time, she laughed.
RM - Not yet. Have a bit more patience... ;)
Then, she added.
RM - I know waiting is no fun, Robin. I do apologize for that. But I believe in taking things slow this time if we want to make it work.
RM - And I do want to make it work.
RL - I was kidding, lovely. You have no idea how much I want this relationship to work. I'd do anything to keep you in my arms and life for as long as possible.
RL - Forever?
Her heart warmed.
And she couldn't help it.
RM - I like that... forever.
Robin then sent her a red heart emoji and she didn't hesitate, felt like a teenager and sent one back.
It was way too soon...
But God she loved him.
The week went on...
And then before they knew it, it was time for the barbecue at John's.
Regina had driven to Robin's place and when she rang, the door opened and somebody crashed into her legs, almost making her fall.
She chuckled and ran her hands through his curls.
"Hi, Roland."
"I am so happy to see you, Regina!"
She knelt and hugged him quickly,
"I am, too." then she receded, "How are you, today?"
"I am happy!" he said loudly and she laughed again. "Happy to see you, happy to go to my favourite Uncle John, he is the best!"
She laughed again in front of so much enthusiasm and leant in, kissing his cheek.
"I'm happy you're happy, then."
Roland laughed and then she got up and he looked at her,
"You look really beautiful, Gina." She smiled and he added, "I'm sure Daddy will find you beautiful, too."
"That he does, my son."
Regina jumped and looked up, finding Robin eating her with his eyes a few steps away.
She had not even seen him arrive.
The young woman blushed in front of his stare and put a strand of hair behind her ear, suddenly very aware of his presence.
And very aware he was looking at her like he could eat her whole.
And God, she loved that look on him.
"You're absolutely stunning." Robin said again, voice low and sincere.
"Thank you."
"Did you want to look beautiful for Daddy?" asked Roland and Regina smiled.
"Partly, yes."
She saw Robin smile in front of her admission, all dimples in showing.
"Did you do it because you're in love with him, then?"
Regina opened the mouth then closed it.
Okay, she was not yet ready for that.
(It was true, though. She did love him. It scared her how much she did.)
Robin came to her rescue.
"Don't feel uncomfortable, my love." he said, walking to her and ruffling his son's hair in doing so. Then, Robin took her hand and squeezed it. "Roland and I got into talking about love after I told him you were my girlfriend and he didn't really know what that meant."
She smiled,
This she could deal with.
"Well yes, Roland. This is what you do for your boyfriend."
She squeezed Robin's hand.
Then, Roland seemed satisfied about her answer for he nodded happily and ran out screaming he had to go search for his monkey.
Alone, Robin walked even closer to her and circled her waist before he kissed her with so much passion she felt like she could pass out.
"What was that for?" she said breathless and he smiled, kissed her again tenderly and her hands got lost on his chest. "That wasn't an answer, Mr Locksley." she chuckled, removing some lipstick from his lips.
Robin smiled and bit his bottom lip,
"How can I resist you when you're doing everything you can to make me crazy about you?" he murmured and she felt her blood boil in her veins.
God.
They weren't alone.
She had to remind herself that they weren't alone.
' .
But that didn't mean she couldn't play with him a little...
Regina leant in and whispered in his ear,
"That too, is something women like to do for their boyfriend."
Robin groaned and brought her to him again, kissing her deeply before a cry of disgust broke them apart.
"Ew, no!"
They both blushed and turned around, finding a disgusted Roland looking at them like he was so done with adults.
"Can we go, now?"
They finally made it to John's house and left the car, walking to the door.
Regina couldn't help comparing this barbecue with the first she did with Robin, at the very beginning of their deal.
God, it couldn't be more different!
They had been so distant - she realized that, now.
And here she was, with Roland holding her hand on one side and Robin holding her so close to him on the other side.
The man seemed to be thinking the same thing, because he kissed her hair tenderly and she closed her eyes a few seconds, leaning a bit more into him.
They were together.
This was real.
This was true.
Finally, John opened the door and Roland jumped in his arms happily.
"Hi there, little man!"
"Uncle John!"
He kissed the boy's cheek, kissed Regina's cheek also and hugged Robin quickly before he let them in, all the while looking at her and Robin with a stare she could not read...
The afternoon went well.
Like, really well.
Robin's and Regina's chemistry was off the charts.
They didn't leave each other except to take care of Roland.
And if she was looking at Robin the way he was looking at her...
(And she was.)
Yes, it was love.
Plain and simple.
For all to see.
This was a lot.
She needed a glass of water.
"I'll just go fetch some fresh water in the kitchen." she breathed to Robin, who was still holding her.
"Are you alright?" he asked, and she could see he was a bit worried but smiled and pecked his lips tenderly.
"Perfect."
And she was.
She was perfect, just needed to breath and take a moment to actually convince herself this was real.
He let her go against his will and sighed loudly, and she chuckled, kissed him again.
"You're sappy." she chuckled and he laughed, brought her to him one last time and kissed her.
"Yes, but I'm your sappy." he smirked and she rolled her eyes playfully.
"That you are."
She left and didn't see John following her.
Regina went in the kitchen and poured herself a glass of fresh water, still looking at Robin and Roland by the window, smiling to herself.
This was her life, now.
And she still had a hard time realizing it was real.
But it was.
She was about to run back into Robin's arms when...
"Do you need something stronger?" asked a voice and she jumped, turned around and smiled when she saw John, still looking at her with that look she couldn't quite read.
"Why not." she smiled and he chuckled, walked to a cabinet and poured them two whiskeys.
"I'm happy Robin and you managed to move on together." he said and she tilted her head. "You do look a lot happier than you did on my first party." he took a sip. "A lot less distant, too. It's good to see you two comfortable again around each other, not pretending to be."
She frowned.
What?
And he had that light in his eyes...
And then her heart stopped.
He knew.
He knew!
Her eyes widened,
"You know!" she exclaimed and he laughed again.
"I suspected." he corrected, winking. "Now though, I do know."
"How long?" she asked, still so surprised.
John seemed to think, then.
"Since the beginning, I think."
"Did Robin tell you?"
He shook his head.
"He didn't need to. I've known that man since highschool and I know him like the back of my hand. Plus, I've seen you two before and this was nothing like it."
She looked down, blushing.
"We thought we fooled anyone." she chuckled weakly.
"Well, almost everyone." he winked again and she laughed. "I just know you too well for that. But let me tell you something."
"What?"
"I've known Robin for more than a decade, now. And this is the happiest I've ever seen him. Including when you were together before."
She beamed.
And beamed again.
Couldn't stop smiling.
Felt like she was glowing from hapiness.
(And maybe she was.)
-2008
John rang the bell and waited.
The door opened in seconds and he was speechless in front of the pain in his friend's eyes.
"John?" she asked surprised and he knew she was expecting Robin.
God, this was messed up.
"Can I come in?"
She nodded and once inside, he saw the dozens of tissues all over the house.
There was a cover on the couch and absolutely all of the phones she owned on the table, as if she was desperately waiting for a call - Robin's.
John's heart broke for her, and for his friend who he knew to be very much in love.
Nothing made sense.
Regina then turned around as if she had thought about something,
"Do you want a drink?" she asked, "I think there is some of Robin's whiskey left."
And as soon as she had uttered these words out of habit,
Her eyes filled with tears.
John couldn't help it then and walked to her, hugging her tightly.
"I am so sorry, Regina." he breathed as she sobbed against his chest.
She finally receded and tried to wipe her tears, gathering her courage.
"How is he?"
"Awful." he said the truth and saw the light of hope in her eyes suddenly and no, he couldn't make her hope for nothing. So he added, "But this is final, Regina. Even if he won't tell me why."
Regina paled.
And then broke down.
"I am so sorry." he said again. "For everything. Truly. Robin didn't have the courage to do so, but I apologize on his behalf. You deserve better than being treated this way, especially from Robin."
Regina was crying and crying.
And crying.
It was awful.
"I love him." she sobbed, trying to keep breathing. "He ... he is... the love of my ... life."
"I know." John said, tears pricking at the back of his eyes in front of her pain. "I know. I am sorry." he said again. "And if you need anything... you're my friend, too. You can call me."
Regina tried a smile but couldn't even force herself.
"That's so sweet, thank you." then another sob. "But you can't help me. You can't give me what I want."
John looked at her and looked.
She was his friend.
A good friend, at that.
But he knew they wouldn't be seeing each other again.
He was Robin's best friend in the whole world.
Had always been.
Would always be.
And she...
She was now Robin's ex-girlfriend.
Their paths were bound to separate.
No matter how much he didn't want that to happen.
He hugged her again,
"Everything will work out, Regina. You're strong. You'll get over this and I'm sure you'll have an amazing life. With or without Robin."
She hugged him back.
Because she wasn't stupid.
She knew as well as he did that this was the last time they saw each other in probably forever.
She would have really lost everything today.
"You're an amazing friend, John. I'm lucky I met you."
"I am so sorry." he said again.
"I know."
Madelyn knocked on John's door.
Knocked and knocked
And knocked again.
Until the door opened.
And then her anger fell right through at one look at Robin.
He looked like a mess.
Pale, blue eyes red from all the crying and very clearly heartbroken.
He was in the same state as Regina.
And then right away thinking about her best friend brought back her anger full time.
She pushed him violently and he didn't even move, let her do it and took a few steps back.
And no, that won't do.
"Why did you fucking do that?" she shouted.
"It's complicated." he breathed, voice so sad and weary.
No.
He didn't get to be sad.
"I don't fucking care if it's complicated!" she said again, "You broke Regina's heart, are you aware of that? Of how much she loves you and how hurt she is right now?"
A tear rolled down his cheek.
"Yes."
Her eyes widened.
"Are you fucking serious, right now? Do you even care?"
"I am sorry."
"I don't give a shit about your apologize! If you didn't love her anymore, why the hell did you make her think you would marry her?!"
Robin paled even more and she knew she had thouched a touchy subject.
Good.
He deserved to get hurt.
Nobody talked for a few seconds and she felt oddly betrayed by this man who was her friend.
Well, this man wasn't her friend.
This man was a coward.
Not the Robin she knew and appreciated.
"It is complicated, Madelyn." he said again. And then his voice broke before he added, "This is not about me not loving Regina anymore. Quite on the contrary. I probably will love her for the rest of my life, but-"
Madelyn lost it then.
And she slapped him.
Hard.
She had never slapped anyone.
Never.
She was passionate and hot-headed but always in words and never in contact.
But he had gone too far.
And she wouldn't apologize.
But the slap was so hard they were both surprised by the strenght of it and they stared at each other for a few seconds, Robin's hand covering his hot cheek.
Then, shaking with anger, she spoke again.
"Don't you ever dare say that ever again, Robin Locksley." she hissed and another tear rolled down his cheek. "You're a jerk, a nobody, a little shit for the way you treated the only woman who had ever loved you more than anything in the world, and would have done so until her last breath." He bit his lip and she knew he was trying to hold back a sob. "I hope you'll die alone and without having been happy." A tear rolled down her cheek, this time. She meant it, but it hurt to say it. He didn't answer, just tried to keep his tears to himself. She knew he lost it when she had talked about Regina. "I thought we were friends." she admitted,
"Mal-"
"I was wrong." she cut him, holding out her hand. "Never would I have given my friendship to such a little shit like you. You're not even a real human being and you don't deserve my anger. And most of all, you don't deserve Regina." he looked down a few seconds and she knew she had hit something so she kept on, aiming to hurt. "You don't deserve her attention, you don't deserve her heart, nor her love, nor her tears. Nothing." and then, before she left she added. "And let me tell you something ; Regina will be happy without you, Robin. I'll make sure of it myself even if this is the last thing I do. I hope this thought will haunt you all of your meaningless, lonely life like the monster that you are deserve."