For Ayla and for the magic couple Sarah+Alexia.


Up We Go

- from the prompt: I've heard you crying from downstairs and came to check on you but you were just watching a movie...

Maybe it's silly. Maybe he shouldn't do this. Maybe he's only being a fool, intruding like that, standing here outside of her door – but before he can give it another thought, before he can stop himself from a potentially stupid action – his hand decides to do it, and he hears two knocks resounding in the apartment.

Shit.

He briefly considers running away, but it's too late, because he can hear light steps coming, and the key turning in the locket, and – oh.

Oh.

Regina Mills, his beautiful neighbor-of-downstairs, owner of the-most-annoying-cat-ever, morning-waver and sometimes smiler, grower of sunflowers on the balcony and listener of Ella Fitzgerald and Rihanna – Regina Mills is standing right in front of him, and she has the puffy eyes of someone who has cried too much in a very short time. (And is in a crop-top and sweatpants, but that's entirely secondary to the matter.)

She stares at him for a split second, before realizing who he is. She sniffs – a wet sound, all nose and throat, and straightens her spine, trying to regain some composure.

"Yes?" she asks coldly, but she can't hide a hint of shaky-voice.

"I, aehm, –" he stumbles, because this is easily the first time he sees her like this, and not dressed up, in high heels and ready to conquer the world, eat her antagonists alive and still have time for some tequilas.

"Did you need something, Robin?"

Her words are cutting, sharp, and she is ready to slam the door on his face, and he somehow knows he has some seconds to answer. "I, I… I wanted to check on you, I guess," he says, scolding himself right after the last word has left his mouth. Really? Check on you? What an idiot…

"And what on earth has given you any indication I needed to be checked up, pray tell?"

He looks straight in her eyes, then. She can pretend all she wants, but shit, Regina Mills has feelings, and she's human, and this is an exceptional discovery. "I've heard you crying from upstairs, Regina."

She averts her eyes, somewhat sheepishly, and maybe he's a bigger idiot than he initially thought. Maybe she just wanted to be alone. But then, she scoffs at his concern. "I'm not crying."

"Yeah, and I'm Jon Snow," he says, exaggerating his tone, and believes to have caught a glimpse of smile before she narrows her eyes.

"You mean, you're a dork who knows nothing and, more specifically, doesn't hold back from bothering badass girls? Yes, you could easily be," she rolls her eyes, and he laughs, because crying or not, Regina always tells things to one's face, and that's exactly like her.

"I do know some things," he says, passing to his best flirting mode, which gains him another eye-roll. He places a hand on the doorframe. "You want to talk about it?"

She smiles, finally, shakes her head. "You'll think I'm silly."

He shrugs, because he thinks many things of her, but silly, he could never. He keeps on with the love-hate game, that's their way, bickering and professing attraction under insults. "Until today, I thought you were a heartless woman," he says. "You proved me wrong."

She raises her eyebrows, and crosses her arms. "Well then, come inside," she moves, to let him through. "Judge by yourself."

He walks in, a bit confused – if she doesn't tell him what's wrong, how could he understand? He searches for opened bottles of super alcoholics, for battered handkerchiefs, or smashed dishes, or any sign of heartbreak or loss. It's all so tidy, so neat, the only thing out of place is a bowl of popcorns in front of the TV – currently paused, black screen, and her cat sprawled on the couch.

"I am honestly clueless," he tells her. She has followed him, and sighs again, taking the remote. She presses play.

And the TV comes alive. And it's a Disney movie.

More specifically, it's UP, the movie he has watched at John's house one evening, because John's daughter, little Daisy, absolutely wanted to show Uncle Robin the movie with many many balloons and a doggie.

Regina is not looking at him, she has her gaze fixated on the ceiling, ignoring him, and thank god for that, because he manages to school his features into something serious before bursting into laughter. He clears his throat. "You… you were crying for this?" he says, and she turns.

"Any problems?"

"None of the sort," he assures. "I've watched it myself."

"If you must know, I've borrowed it from my godson," she tells him, haughty, arms still crossed. "And it just… poked me in a weak spot."

He nears her, then. He has paid enough attention, that evening, to be able to tell the movie is still at the beginning, and that she has cried during Carl and Ellie's story. (He was still awake, at that point.)

With a tentative hand, he rubs her forearm. "I'm sorry," he says earnestly. "You want to talk about it? Have a drink?" he offers, and she ponders for a moment.

"I don't want to talk about it," she murmurs. "But I could use a drink, yes."

She squeezes his hand on her arm, then turns, her back to him, and walks in the small kitchenette, and brings down a bottle of whiskey from a glassed cupboard. Pours two half-glasses, and if it's a bit early to drink, who cares. Once she returns, he has settled on the sofa, and she watches in disbelief. "What are you doing?"

"I'll watch the movie," he says, simply. "I'll even hold your tissues, if you want."

She shakes her head, and goes sit next to him – places the cat on a side, and he protests with a hiss. She passes him his drink, and takes the remote, but before she can press play, he lifts his glass, motioning a toast. "To Carl and Ellie," he announces, in a serious voice, and she smacks his arm, before clicking her glass with his.

"To Ellie and Carl."

His arms goes to circle her shoulders, and when she cries a little, at the end, he's more than ready to welcome her head on his chest.

"Regina?" he says quietly, as the end credits begin to skim.

"Mmm?"

"I didn't think you were heartless," he whispers, and she laughs between tears.

"You do know some things, then," she answers. He smiles, and holds her, and feels this funny feeling in his chest – like a little balloon, full of warm air, and it goes up.