Day 13 of OQ Prompt Party

#147: Robin and Henry bonding, #218: First time Robin says "I love you" to Henry & #278: Moving in together

Robin's always hated moving. When he came to America, they had downsized and he hated having to pick what was most important. He had no one to help him when he moved into his college dorm. The entire way from New York to Maine, he and Marian had bickered. Then there were mas more arguments over where things would go in their new home. Not even two years later and he was moving out of that nice house near the woods for the one he currently resided in. A home where his son would only live with him half the time. It took so long for him to truly enjoy his new house.

Now, Regina and Henry are finally moving in. Despite the chaos of boxes, the moving van and Roland getting into absolutely everything, a smile is stuck on Robin's face. They had debated a bit where they would live, but ultimately Regina's place was too small for the four of them. There were a few extra rooms at Robin's, and one was now going to be Henry's.

While Regina was busy on the phone with Killian, who was helping her get rid of her old furniture, Robin made sure all of the boxes were being placed in the proper rooms. Despite agreeing that they'd keep all of Robin's stuff and Regina would downsize, there's more than he expected. He brushes past Roland, running his fingers through his son's curls before he disappears into the living room. It's only then Robin realizes that it's been a minute since he last saw his girlfriend's son.

Robin checks Henry's room along with Roland's but comes up empty. Eventually, he wanders into the play room. Henry's digging through a smaller box labeled "Toys" with a frown on his face. Robin slowly approaches him. Normally, the little boy is full of energy and happiness. Ever since he stepped out of Regina's SUV this morning, Robin's noticed an air of sadness.

"Whatchya looking for, bud?" Robin asks.

Henry looks up from the box, his frown slowly turning into a pout. "My cars. Mommy said they were in this box."

"Ah."

"Where's Mommy?"

"She's on the phone with your uncle Killian. I could help you if you like."

Henry hesitates before nodding. Robin drops down beside him and begins digging through the box. Beneath an Etch-a-Sketch and a few board games, Robin locates two Tupperware bins filled with Hot Wheels. He produces the box and Henry's face only marginally lights up.

"Thanks," he mumbles as he accepts the boxes.

"What's going on, bud. You seem sad."

"I wanna go home."

Robin nods, moving so he's sitting down and on Henry's level. "You didn't want to move?"

"I liked our house. My room was blue, not green."

"We can paint your room any color you want."

"And we saw Aunt Mary Margaret and Uncle David a lot."

"Just because they're not down the street doesn't mean you won't still see them a lot."

Henry still doesn't look convinced. Robin gestures for him to sit down and he obliges. A part of him wonders if he should get his girlfriend for this conversation, but he also knows that this is their life now. He's been in Henry's life for over a year and doesn't plan on going anywhere. There's been a lot of discussion on how things will go and Robin's going to be a parental figure towards Henry, almost a dad. Maybe someday he'll even see him as one.

"Change isn't easy," Robin says. "I was a little older than you when my parents and I moved here from England."

"Where's that?"

Robin only groans a little as he pushes himself to his feet and retrieves the toy globe from one of the bookshelves. He settles back down besides Henry and spins it a bit until they reach Europe. He points out the smaller country.

"Here." He spins it again to show America. "And that's where we are."

Henry's eyes widen a bit. "That's really far."

"It is. I was scared. I didn't know if I'd make friends or if I'd like the food." Robin softly smiles. "But then I realized that even if everything was so new, I still had my mom and dad." Henry just stares at him. "This place is new, but you're still going to have your mom. And you'll still see your aunts and uncles all the time."

Henry spins the globe a little bit. "And you're living here?"

Robin nods. "Yup. Roland too, when he's not with his mommy."

"It's so big."

"I know it's a little bigger than your old house, but you've been here lots of times. Roland's shown you where I hide the candy and there's a cool treehouse out back. Plus, your mommy and I's room is right down the hall from yours."

Henry tilts his head, that adorable pout remaining on his face. "It is?"

"Aye. It's probably going to be scary at first buddy, but in time I hope you see this as your home. I love you, and I love your mommy so much." The words slip off his lips so easily. "I'll do whatever it takes to keep you safe."

A tiny smile pokes through the pout. Robin sighs in relief and places an arm around him.

"I've never had a daddy before," Henry says. "Just uncles."

"I know. And I can be whatever you want me to be."

"Okay." Henry blinks a couple of times. "Can I go find Roland and play?"

Robin chuckles. "Of course you can, bud."

Henry drops the bins with the cars and races out of the room. Robin picks them up and carries them over to the track Roland's already set up. He places the cars throughout it, combining a little of the old with the new.