From the prompt: OQ + Don't be an ass (AU)
Voulez vous?
Knock, knock, knock.
Regina got up from the couch, placing her mug on the coffee table. She walked towards the door and opened it – and well, that was unexpected.
"Can I help you?"
The man, her neighbor, threw a look beyond her shoulder – she lifted an eyebrow, as he scanned the room, without even bothering to be subtle.
"So it's true," he stated, and she frowned in confusion.
"What are you talking about?"
He looked at her, a strange expression on his face. "You are alone at Christmas," he said as a matter of fact.
Regina crossed her arms, and sent him a deadly glare. "First, I don't even know your name," she spat out. "Second, I don't see how this is your business. And third, why do you even care?"
The man didn't even flinch at her anger, but smiled. "Right. We haven't introduced yet," he said. "I'm Robin, I live right in front of your door since one month"
She pulled out a hand towards him, and he shook it firmly. "I'm Regina," she said, in a hard tone. He chuckled, and she felt she was getting angrier and angrier.
"So, Regina," he smiled. "Why are you alone?"
"Again, why do you care?"
He titled his head, and made that strange look. "Because nobody should be alone at Christmas," he said simply.
"Well, I am," she replied coldly. "And if you came here to make fun of me or, worse, to pity me, you can easily return from where you came from!"
His eyes flickered towards the ceiling. "I didn't pity you," he said, exasperated. "I was just wondering…"
"You can wonder from your home, don't you think?"
He took a step towards her, but she didn't move. "Why are you so angry?"
Regina took a breath, and clenched her fist. "As you said, nobody should be alone today," she said slowly, trying not to yell at him. "Just so you know, I wasn't going to be – I was going to have my best friend, my sister, my godson, my dad, but thanks to that goddamned snow storm, they didn't make it here! And yes, if your purpose was to make me feel bad, because you think I am a bitter, lonely woman, congratulations! You did it!" she was on the edge of tears at this point, and he had opened his mouth to say something, but she didn't let him.
"And now, please, don't be an ass – or better, stop being an ass, and go back there, enjoy your party, and leave me alone!"
She neared the door to slam it on his face, but he quickly stopped it – an inch from his nose. "Regina, no," he said, and he slowly reopened it. She crossed her arms again, and sniffed – she couldn't let a single tear fall, she was stronger than that.
"I wasn't here to make fun of you," he said calmly. "I was here to invite you".
Oh.
Regina looked at him, puzzled. "What?"
"My son saw you this morning, and he told me that you were alone," he explained. "He told me, Daddy, do you think that pretty lady has someone with her today?" he smiled then, and she had to hold back a laugh, despite her still strong wish to cry.
"How old is he?"
"Five," answered Robin, and she smiled. "My godson is six" she told him. Then she bit her lip, and looked at him again, and finally nodded.
"Okay," she said.
"Okay what?"
"I'll come," she rolled her eyes, but didn't miss his triumphant smirk. "But only to thank your son," she added, and he laughed. He extended an arm and motioned towards his apartment. "After you," he said, and she turned to close her door, then preceded him.
She crossed the small corridor and pushed lightly the door – took a step inside, and felt his presence right behind her. "Welcome," he said kindly, and she looked around – a little boy was already speeding down from his chair to join them.
"You brought her, daddy!" he said gleefully, and she smiled at him. The boy was already clinging to his father's legs – and he left them, to hug hers. She stumbled a bit, surprised by that unexpected display of affection, but placed a hand on his curls. "Hello, there," she said sweetly.
"Roland, don't scare Regina – you could introduce her to our friends, instead,"
Roland left her legs and took her hand, without leaving her any chance to protest. She followed him, smiling, and she lifted her eyes towards the table.
"This is Uncle Will," he pointed, and a one man lifted his chin to greet her, his mouth full. He swallowed, and nearly choked himself. "And that is Auntie Ana," Roland continued, indicating a blonde woman who had started to pat Will's back. She smiled at Regina, "Hi," she greeted her, then turned towards the man, "now, if you die choking on the pie, darling, you'll miss the eggnog"
"That is Uncle John, Uncle Tuck, and Alice, and Cyrus," Roland listed. They all smiled at her, and Alice pulled out a chair for her – she met Robin's eyes, and he was smiling more than everyone.
He passed behind her to sit, and took the chair between her and Ana. Roland was tugging her sleeve to show her his gifts – but before turning towards the boy, she placed a hand on his arm and squeezed slightly.
"Thank you," she whispered.
