Hi guys! Thank you so much for still reading this story even though I haven't updated in a while! All of your love and support means so much to me, and I hope you guys don't give up on my work. There are so much more things to come, and i can't wait to share them with you! It's going to be a great experience, and i'm so thankful for each and every one of you!

Shout out to Andrea Nike! You're seriously the best! 3

Chapter 8

"What?" Robin asked, his mouth hanging open, and Cora rolled her eyes. Of course he would react like that. He wasn't totally in love with her daughter or anything like that. No, he's too far to call it that.

"Break. Them. Up." Cora repeated slowly, letting it sink in.

Robin's head was spinning. What the hell was going on? A few years ago, Cora didn't even want to look at him. Now, she wanted him to ruin Regina's relationship?

"I'm afraid I don't completely understand. You want me," Robin pointed his index finger towards him, "to ruin Regina's relationship?" Cora nodded her head, and Robin couldn't believe he was actually talking to Cora Mills.

"What? You aren't up to it?" Cora dared, and Robin stared at her like she was joking.

"I just don't believe it. Like, at all," Robin crossed his arms, wondering what could possibly be going through his best friend's mom's head.

"Robin, you already know I don't like him, and I know you don't either. You are the only person Regina will listen to," Cora said, trying to make it sound reasonable. After all, she was asking Robin to break her daughter's relationship.

"What am I supposed to say? 'Oh, hey, Regina, just wanted to tell you I hate your boyfriend and you should dump him as soon as possible'?" Robin asked, and Cora smirked. Robin really shouldn't challenge her.

"Well, I wouldn't be so blunt about it," Robin rolled his eyes, put a hand on the back of his neck, trying to understand what Cora was asking of him. It was crazy. Absolutely, utterly stupid and crazy… But, Robin really couldn't stand Graham…..

"Cora, even if I wanted to do it, how would I even talk to her without Regina being suspicious?" Cora rolled her eyes, and this time she was the one to cross her arms in front of her body with an overdramatic huff.

"You don't need to tell Regina, just, you know, do it. Break them up," Cora shrugged as if it was simple, but Robin still had no idea how he was supposed to accomplish this impossible mission.

Sure, he had Operation Mosquito, but he hadn't started planning anything out yet. He didn't part all of the pieces together, and now he needed to.

"How would I even do that?" Robin asked, growing more and more frustrated and annoyed as the conversation between the two went on.

"God, has anyone ever told you that you are so clueless sometimes?" Cora commented, and Robin tried to hide a smile. The only other person to tell him that was the beautiful brunette he's been dying to see for months. The person he was madly in love with, but screwed everything up because of what some damn old man told him back when they were in eighth grade.

Robin couldn't help but think what would have happened if he had asked Regina to their school dance back then. Would they have been together by now? He wished they were together now, but only one person stood in the way.

Damn Mosquito.

"Robin, Regina loves you," Cora announced, and when Robin heard that life altering statement, he completely froze.

"No she doesn't," Robin recovered quickly, hoping Cora couldn't hear the disappointment in his voice. Cora looked at Robin and knew he hoped what she said was true, and if only he would believe her.

"You can believe what you want, but all honesty, the way Regina looks at Graham is nothing compared to the way she looks at you… You might not be able to see it, but everyone else does, and I don't think you'll have a problem convincing Regina to leave Graham… You might even get lucky," Cora smirked as she walked out of the room, leaving a stunned Robin behind, mouth hanging open.

….

"You ready to lose, Milady?" Robin asked, and Regina hoped he couldn't see her blush. That shouldn't do things to her. Him calling her that. But, damn, it did. And Graham never made her feel that way.

"In your dreams, Locksley," Regina smirked, both of them walking out to the backyard, ready to play the annual Locksley-Mills football game they held every Thanksgiving.

Usually, the teams were Robin, Helen, and Robert against Regina, Henry, and Cora, but now that Graham was thrown into the mix, it was four against three.

"The teams are uneven," Cora sighed, and Robin and Regina looked at each other, trying not to laugh.

"I have a feeling we'll be fine," Robin smirked at Regina, and she smiled, looking down, hoping Graham didn't notice. Because he was absolutely horrible at sports. Cora noticed, smirking herself, mentally reminding herself to congratulate Robin on his start of their plan.

And the game started. For half an hour, they ran around the backyard dropping and catching the ball millions of times, until it was a tie. Fourteen to fourteen. And there was no way they were ending it there.

It was up to Robin and Regina. All Regina had to do was catch the ball by the the old tree house, where some of the best and worst memories were held. Henry threw the ball high in the air, hoping his daughter would score a touchdown, but instead, Robin jumped higher than her, tipping the ball away to no man's land, and both fell on the ground, Regina on top of Robin, his body pressed hard into the ground.

"Hi," Robin laughed, and Regina laughed too, looking into his eyes. He looked…..happy. And she realized that she was too. She was still happy with him. After everything they went through.

"Hi," Regina sighed, smiling at him like he was the one she brought home….. And on that thought, she shook her head, getting off of him, helping Robin up too. Hopefully, no one noticed their little moment, and if anyone did, no one mentioned it.

"Well, I guess it's a tie," Cora sighed, all too satisfied with Regina and Robin's moment. She didn't show it, but she was glowing. She couldn't wait for Robin to be the one Regina would bring home one day.

"Damn it," Regina muttered, and Robin smirked at her as she rolled her eyes.

"Good game, Mills," Robin held out his hand to shake hers, and Regina reluctantly shook his, smiling at him like old times.

"Until next time, Locksley," Regina smiled, tucking pieces of stubborn hair behind her ear, which Robin found the most adorable thing he's ever seen.

And maybe, just maybe, when all of this boyfriend shit was taken care of, he would take matters into his own hands. He would ask Regina out the proper way, and all he could do was hope for the best.

….

Dinner had gone well, and later into the night, just before midnight, Regina and Graham had went into their guest bedroom, but for some damn reason, Regina just couldn't fall asleep. While Graham's loud snores filled her old room, she crept out of the room, and downstairs. But the sight she was met with completely stunned her.

There was her childhood best friend, sitting on the couch in front of the fireplace, watching the fire crackle. Regina walked to the door frame, leaning against it, wondering why Robin was still here.

"Last time I checked, this wasn't your house," Regina smirked, catching Robin's attention, and when he saw her smiling down on him, he grinned, spreading his arms out, shrugging.

"You never know. I could've been here for years and you never noticed," Regina rolled her eyes, her smile still glued to her face, as she walked to the couch, sitting next to him, fitting perfectly in his arms. He wrapped his arm around her, a natural reaction, and Regina didn't even try to hide her silly smile.

"What are you doing here?" Regina asked seriously, and Robin sighed, using his free hand to rub the back of his neck, becoming stiff from staying in his place for so long.

"Cora and Henry said I could stay here tonight…. They practically forced me," Robin and Regina both chuckled softly, knowing that was exactly what he parents would do. Regina smiled, laying her head on his shoulder, breathing out a breath she didn't know she had been holding.

"Why don't you stay in one of the guest rooms instead of on the couch?" Regina asked, wanting Robin to be comfortable, but he smirked at her.

"Who says this couch isn't comfy?" Robin asked, and Regina sighed. Fine, thief. It's your funeral.

"Can't sleep?" Robin asked, and he could feel Regina's nod on his shoulder.

"Yeah….. I'm dying for some sleep, but as always, my body is working against itself," Robin rolled his eyes, pulling her closer to him, Regina moving willingly. She would never admit it to anyone, but these moments were her favorite. When it was just her and Robin, him holding her close, even if she didn't know their exact label.

"Well, it's good to know nothing has changed," Robin teased, and Regina giggled, muffling the noise with her hand, careful to make sure they didn't wake anyone up.

"So….. Is there any blue-eyed blonde you have your eyes on?" Regina teased, and Robin smiled. God, if only she knew who he really wanted.

"Nah, blondes aren't really my type…. But, there is this girl," Robin smiled, thinking of Regina, but her smile disappeared. Why did she even bring this up? She should have known Robin would bring other girls home, just like she had brought Graham home. But that was different…. Right?

"Tell me about her," Regina smiled shyly, and Robin's grin grew. He thought about all the lovely things to say, and hoped Regina wouldn't find out it was truly her that he saw a future with.

"She beautiful. The most beautiful woman I've ever seen. And her smile…. It's truly the best thing I will ever see in my entire life. And don't forget about her laugh. God, I could listen to her for days and never get tired of it," Robin explained, and Regina tried to be happy for her best friend, she really did, but at the end of the day, she knew the truth. She was still in love with her best friend. Madly so. And he, he wasn't.

"She sounds amazing," Regina mustered, forcing herself to say something, and she nearly broke when she saw Robin's love-sick face.

"She is. She really is,"

"Robin, can you promise me something?" Regina asked, and Robin nodded his head, ready to give her the world.

Regina didn't understand it. When Robin spoke to her, he looked at her with the same look in his eyes he had when he was talking about his mystery girl. How could that be? How could he do that? Didn't he know he was messing with her heart?

"Promise me that we'll always be friends, no matter what," Regina whispered, taking them both down to memory lane when she and Robin were just teenagers, gazing at the stars, making promises like they really knew what their lives would be. Robin sighed in confusion, playing with the ends of Regina's hair.

"Haven't we already?" Robin asked, and Regina sighed, too frustrated to do anything.

"Robin, we were kids. All we knew was Storybrooke and each other. But now….. Just, just promise me," Regina stuttered, her cheeks growing red from embarrassment, and Robin wished he could tell her she looked absolutely adorable in the moment.

Robin held Regina's hand, looking straight into her mesmerizing brown eyes, as Robin whispered, "Regina, I promise you we will always be friends, no matter what…." Regina smiled, hoping Robin couldn't see her unshed tears in the low light from the fireplace.

"Good… Because I expect to be the first one invited to your wedding, Locksley…. And whoever this mystery girl is, she's lucky to have you," Regina whispered, and Robin smiled.

"And whoever you end up with is lucky to have you, Regina. You're one of the best women I know," Regina smiled, trying to hide her blush by looking down, her eyes staring at their tangled fingers. God, to think that in her dreams, this could be real. Because she wanted it to be real. Her and Robin, just like this. Together. For real.

"You're one of the best guys I will ever know, Robin….. I hope you never forget that," Regina sighed, closing her eyes for a moment. She could feel Robin's hand playing with her hair, and she would be lying if she said it wasn't one of the best feelings she's ever felt. Little did she know, Robin felt the same way.

"I will always love you, Milady. I hope you never forget that," Robin whispered, and Regina's mind went completely blank. Oh my god. Holy shit. He actually did it. Robin told me he loved me. That he will always love me. What the hell am I supposed to do now?!

"I love you too," Regina whispered back, hoping she read into things the right way, wanting to avoid everything they went through as teenagers, and if Robin pulling her closer meant anything, she knew they would be okay.

Regina yawned quietly, and she felt Robin's smile on her hair. She smiled too. When she came back home, she was never expecting this, but she would never complain, either.

"Seems like someone is tired," Robin smirked, and Regina rolled her eyes with a smile Robin put on her face.

"It's been a long day, thief," Regina smirked back. Robin chuckled softly.

"That it has been, your majesty," They both looked up at each other, and Regina had no idea what came to her. But all she knew was that Robin loved her. She's been waiting her whole life to hear that. And those three little words meant so much more to her than anything else.

Regina moved in closer to Robin slowly, every voice in the back of her head telling her this was a horrible idea, forgotten. Her hand moved to his leg, his cupping her face, and in seconds, they were inches apart from each other. If Regina just tilted her head up a bit….

"Regina," Robin whispered, and Regina shuddered, feeling his breath on her lips. God, this was bad. But if this was bad, then why did it feel so good?

Regina froze, remembering everything they've been through, the situation they were in, the situation she was in with her boyfriend sleeping upstairs, and she pulled away reluctantly, closing her eyes, wishing her dream would've came true.

"S-sorry," Regina stuttered, shaking her head, quickly removing herself from his hold. She got up from the couch, thinking of how much an idiot she was for letting herself fall that deep again, as she walked away from Robin, going back to her bedroom, leaving a very distraught Robin behind.

…..

She didn't get any sleep. Robin didn't, either. How could they? After their moment? Anyone was crazy if they thought that would be possible. Regina woke up around eight o'clock, seeing her boyfriend still snoring away, and she snuck out of the room, down to the downstairs bathroom.

When she walked out of the bathroom, she bumped into something rock solid, and the next thing she knew, very strong, muscular arms caught her body, saving her from falling to the hard ground.

Regina was pressed up against Robin, and her eyes widened. Because she didn't bump into something rock solid, but someone rock solid. Jesus, Regina thought, I didn't remember those from last time. When did he get a six pack?

"Good morning, Milady," Robin smiled sweetly, and Regina's cheeks flooded with red as she tried to hide her face from him this early in the morning. God, was he still thinking about last night? Or did he just forget about it? DId he forget about her?

"Hi…. Sorry for bumping into you," Regina apologized, in no rush to jump out of his arms. Robin smiled sweetly, looking at her like she was everything. Regina blushed even harder. Was she everything to him?

"No worries, Regina….." Robin breathed, almost as if he was hypnotized by her beauty. And he was. They both stood there, staring each other in the eyes, holding on to one another like their lives depended on it. And that's exactly what Regina's mother saw.

Cora walked down the hallway to the restroom when she saw her daughter in Robin's arms, both of them staring at each other with that look, the one when you knew you found your soulmate, and Cora smirked slightly.

"Good morning, you two," Cora announced, walking down the hallway towards them, and as soon as they heard her voice, the best friends separated immediately, Robin trying to look like nothing happened, Regina's head down, not even attempting anything.

"Morning," Regina mumbled, both of them moving out of Cora's way, walking down to the other end of the hallway. Nervously, Regina placed a few strands of stubborn hair back behind her hair, her eyes still glued to the floor.

"Robin-"

"Regina-"

They both breathed each other's names at the same time, which earned quiet chuckles from both of them. Regina finally gained the courage to look her best friend in the eyes, and when she did, she really wished she hadn't.

Because Robin was looking at her like he did the night before. With love in his eyes….. And Regina wasn't sure if she could take that.

"What happened last night," Regina started, and she could see Robin's shoulders drop a bit, which scared the hell out of her. Would he be disappointed about all of this, or just as confused as her?

"I just wanted to….. Apologize," Regina finally settled on a string of words, and after all these years, Robin should have known better than to think the twinkle in his eyes fading would pass her by. Regina could see that he was trying to hold something back, and she tried to figure out what.

"I think we just got caught up in the moment, you know?" Regina asked, and Robin smiled warmly, wanting Regina to call all the shots in their relationship, wherever they actually stood.

"Of course, Love. I understand," Regina blushed fiercely, trying to hide her face from Robin again this morning, and Robin smiled, knowing he caused that adorable look on her face.

God, Robin called her Love. She couldn't even remember the last time he called her that name. Damn it. Damn his very soul for making butterflies swarm secretly in her stomach and making her blush with just a single word. Damn him.

"But…." Robin veered off, knowing he was treading dangerous waters, but now, Regina was interested, and wanted to know what was on his mind.

"You can ask me anything, Robin," Regina whispered, walking a step closer to him, which made Robin go speechless. God, she was so beautiful. Breathtakingly so. If only he could tell her. If only it was his job to…..

"Did….. Did you mean what you said last night?" Robin asked, and for once, Regina could sense the vulnerability in his voice. His eyes were hopeful, and she could only imagine hers were too.

"Yes," Regina breathed, finding herself falling into Robin's deep blue eyes once again, something she seemed to do more and more often now days. Robin was stuck in the same situation, trapped by chocolate brown eyes that were pleading him the same. God, how had he turned down her several years back?

Sure, they were kids, but now, if he could go back in time, he would change what he did. He would have never pretended to be so hung up on the popular cheerleader, and he would have told Regina how he really felt. He would have never told David and Killian everything he said by the docks, and certainly, Regina wouldn't have ran off crying.

Because he was madly in love with Regina Mills, and has been for the longest time he could remember.

"Did you?" Regina asked, and Robin smiled a loving smile, which made Regina's insides melt.

"Of course….. I will always love you, Regina." Regina swore her heart had stopped beating. Did they really just admit that they love each other? Why was Robin looking at her like he wanted to kiss her? Why did she want him to kiss her?

Regina looked to the ground, thinking carefully about Robin's words. He said he would always love her. As in, forever. But, what about before?

"What about before?" Regina whispered, too afraid to look back into his blue eyes, her face down. When she felt his hand guiding her chin up to his, she couldn't describe the feeling coursing through her body. But that was nothing compared to the look in his eyes. The intensity he was looking at her with.

"Regina, I have loved you since the first moment I laid eyes on you," Robin cupped her cheek, and she leaned into him, tears in her eyes. God, he was going to make her cry. Robin was actually going to make her cry.

He loved her. He always has. But what about their past? That definitely didn't scream being in love forever….. But she didn't care about that right now. All she knew was that the man in front of her just admitted his true feelings while she was with some guy who didn't mean those three words. But Robin did. She knew he did.

"Robin-" Regina tried, but was interrupted when she heard someone walking down the steps, and once she noticed it was her damn boyfriend, she escaped Robin's hold, walking away from him as fast as she could, leaving Robin on the edge. What the hell was she going to say.

"Oh, there you are. I was starting to get worried," Graham teased, yawning sleepily, and Regina tried to smile, but all she could do was think of Robin at the moment. She looked over to where he was before, but to her surprise, he was no longer there. What the hell? Where was he?

"Hey, you okay?" Graham asked, crossing his arms, and Regina tried to put her focus on her boyfriend, but she couldn't. She just couldn't. Why did Robin leave? Where did he go?

"Yeah. I just…..will you give me a second?" Regina asked, and Graham smiled, mumbled a sure, and Regina almost ran to the door, and when she closed it, searching her front yard, she found Robin walking down the stone path, ready to leave.

"Robin!" Regina exclaimed, and as soon as he heard her voice, he stopped walking. Regina ran to him, stopping when she reached him, and she looked at him, about to ask him why he was leaving her, again, but instead, she did something she's wanted to do ever since she was a teenager.

Regina reached on her tiptoes to be closer to Robin's height, and just when she thought it was finally going to happen, she was finally brave enough to kiss Robin, he pulled away at the last second, leaving her lips untouched her heart completely broken. Regina froze in fear, wondering how she misread the signs this time. He told her he loved her... Was that just a lie?

Robin pulled away from Regina, looking at her like she was crazy, and he shook his head, walking away. Regina let out a breath she never knew she was holding as she watched Robin's figure disappear from her sight, and a single tear dropped down her cheek. Everything happened so fast, and she didn't even notice she was crying.

God, she was such an idiot. Because Robin loved her as a best friend. Not the way she still did after all these years. No. Robin felt the same way he did way back when he broke her heart the first time.

And she was so tired of getting hurt by him.

She was so done with it.

She was so done with him.