Author's Notes:
Special Thanks to my illustrator and contributing author ale_nena for the beautiful cover art.
Setting: Misthaven non-magical modern AU. The society and political system will be based on a combination of modern countries, with a probable bias toward the American system as I am an American. However, all characters are fictional and resemblance to real people or events is purely coincidence.
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"So explain to me, again, how this masquerade ball works?" Robin said as he stopped at a traffic light.
Taking a sip of her coffee, Regina laughed, "Don't you celebrate Spirit Night in Sherwood?"
"Well, sure," he answered, lifting the glittery white and gold mask she'd just picked up from the costume designer, "but I never wore anything like this."
"No?" she joked, "Pity. You'd look cute in it."
He rolled his eyes good naturedly, setting the mask back in the bag as the light turned green.
"So what do you do for Spirit Night in Sherwood?" she asked curiously.
"Oh, you know, the children dress up and get candy. The adults dress up and drink. Bonfires, of course. Those who take the holiday more seriously than just an excuse to party, or who've recently lost someone, visit the graves of relatives to leave flowers and treats. The really observant might go to temple as well...the normal measures that are supposed to keep spirits appeased," he answered.
"Well, this ball is pretty much the same," Regina answered, "In the end it is just a Spirit Night party, only fancier."
"I see," he laughed.
"What are your plans for tonight? Are you on duty?"
"Until 8. After that I hadn't really given it much thought," he answered, turning into a gas station, "We're getting a little low, I think I'll fill up before we head back to the estate."
"Okay," she nodded, relaxing as Robin shut off the engine and got out. Glancing out the window she observed the clear blue sky with only a few fluffy clouds on the horizon. Today had been a warm fall day that promised to descend into a brisk, but not freezing, night, so it looked like they have good weather for the ball. Her mother would be pleased. This event wasn't officially a fundraiser, or any other sort of political event, but she was, of course, wanting to take as many opportunities as possible to please famous friends of theirs who might later make endorsements...
Her musings were cut off by deep a deep ring-tone that she didn't recognize as one from her phone. Looking around she saw it was coming from Robin's phone that was sitting in the cup holder. She saw the words 'Killian Jones' flashing across the screen in front of a picture of Killian with his arm around Robin's shoulders. Regina snickered, shaking her head at how bromance those two were.
She glanced up, noticing that Robin had his back turned from the car as he pumped gas. Biting her lip, she picked up the phone and swiped to answer.
"Sweeting, I told you not to call me at this number. What if Regina found out?" she said, deepening her voice and doing her best impression of Robin's accent.
There was silence on the other end of the line for a few moments before Killian said, "I don't know what's more disturbing, Love, whatever sort of impression you apparently have of me or that accent!"
Regina laughed, "How are you, Killian?"
"I'm well," he answered, "And you?"
"Oh not bad," she said, "Were you wanting to talk to Robin? He's not here right now."
"Oh that's alright," he answered, "I was just calling to tell the old sod Happy Birthday, even if he still insists on not celebrating it!"
Regina paused, her coffee cup halfway to her lips, "What?"
"Tell him his next drink at the Jolly Roger is on the house. His taste in beer is so cheap it won't cost me much anyway!' Killian joked.
"I..." she stuttered, "...his birthday?"
Killian answered slowly, "You didn't know that?"
"No! I mean, of course I knew, I just...well you know how Robin is about his birthday..." she said wincing internally.
"Oh aye," Jones said understandingly, "He's been like that ever since his folks died. Still, the gang here sends their love so let him know we'll be generous and drink for him tonight!"
She couldn't muster the energy to laugh at the joke, instead simply answering, "Okay, I'll be sure to let him know."
With that she hung up the phone and set it back down in the cup holder. She knew, of course, when his birthday was. They'd discussed it when they first got back together and she'd been pretty shocked to hear she'd missed it the previous year and he hadn't said a word. Back when they first got together she'd mentioned having to really think about what to get him for his birthday, since he'd given so much thought to her gift, but Robin had simply brushed off the idea saying that he didn't celebrate his birthday. It had been a long time out then, so she hadn't thought much of it, but after everything she'd forgotten!
Her musings were interrupted when Robin opened the door and got back inside. He started up the engine doing a double-take as he glanced at her.
"Are you alright?"
"Yeah," Regina said softly.
"Did you need to go anywhere else before we head back?" he asked as he buckled his seatbelt and pulled away from the gas-pump.
"No," she whispered as they merged into traffic.
The drive back to the estate was long due to an accident on the highway. During that time she nearly breached the subject of what she'd just learned on the phone several times, but chickened out in the end, and, before she knew it, they were pulling into the back parking lot at the estate.
As they walked in through the back door, Robin made his way around to the elevator, "I'm going to check in with Drake. Find out my post for tonight."
"Okay," she nodded absently, turning around as the elevator dinged open, "Robin!"
"Yes?" he looked back at her.
She shook her head, "Nothing."
He gave her a confused look, but let the elevator doors slide closed. With a heavy sigh, Regina set her handbag, as well as the bag containing her costume for that night, on a side table in the foyer. Making her way over to the east wing, she opened the door onto the terrace to look out to where the tent that would house tables and a dance floor was being set up. Beyond that a large bonfire had already been piled up to be lit at sundown.
She heard footsteps approaching behind her, but didn't bother to turn to see who it was.
"Should be good party tonight," Henry commented, "Looks like we'll have pleasant weather."
"Hm," she grunted.
Her father glanced at her out the corner of his eye, "Everything alright?"
She turned to face her father, squeezing her index finger hesitantly, "Well…"
"Regina, what is it?" he stepped closer, looking concerned, "Tell me."
She sighed, "Today's Robin's birthday."
"Oh...that's nice," Henry said, though his tone of voice was somewhat hesitant as he was afraid she might be about to ask him to help her get out of going to the ball tonight, and he knew his wife would never go for that.
"I forgot."
"What's that?" he asked.
"I forgot," she repeated, "It totally slipped my mind!"
"Oh," he reached out to gently squeeze her arm, "What happened?"
"Well nothing."
"Was he upset?"
"Honestly, I don't think so. He never even let on. I only found out because one of his friends called!" she answered.
"Then what's wrong?" Henry asked.
"Well, that I only found out because one of his friends called!" Regina said, "I mean technically we've been together over a year now, and I forgot his birthday! What does that say about he?"
"What do you mean?"
"Am I just a completely selfish person?" she wondered aloud.
"Of course you aren't, Sweetheart!"
"Daddy, you don't need to say that just to make me feel better," she sighed.
"I'm not!" Henry insisted, "You're a very loving and generous person, Regina. I've always been proud of you for that. These things just happen sometimes."
"Yeah, to self-involved people," she muttered bitterly,
"Alright, stop it!" Henry ordered, "You made a mistake, but if you apologize I'm sure he'll forgive you. Robin's not spiteful, and he loves you."
She pursed her lips ruefully, "I love him too, but maybe I'm not so good at that."
He sighed, "Listen...I might be able to tell your mother that you've taken ill tonight."
Regina looked at him doubtfully, "I appreciate the thought, Daddy, but Mother would never buy that! I'll just have to try to make up to him tomorrow."
Henry patted her shoulder, "It'll be alright, you'll see."
"Thanks," Regina sighed, staring back out at the east lawn as the tall wood stack went up in flames.
"Ah, there you two are," Cora's voice drifted out through the doors as she came outside to join them, "I see the bonfire is lit. Regina, did you pick up your outfit for tonight?"
"Yes, Mother," she answered.
"Excellent," Cora said in approval, "Well I suppose we'd better start getting ready, shouldn't we Henry?"
"That sounds like a good idea, Dear," Henry agreed, guiding her back toward the house with a light touch on her back.
"See you tonight, Regina," she said over her shoulder.
With a sad sigh, Regina nodded.
* 0 * 0 * 0 * 0 * 0 * 0 *
By 9PM most of the guests had arrived and the party was in full swing. Regina tried to be dutiful and mingle as much as she could, but found herself still distracted.
Checking her watch, she noted the time and began making her way to the main stage. The band was just finishing up a song. At the end of it, her parents walked together up the small platform to the microphone, and she joined them, standing just to the back.
"Hello everyone," Cora said into the microphone. The hum of conversation slowly died down as people turned to listen to their hosts speak, "Henry and I would like to thank everyone for coming tonight. We are truly honored to celebrate this sacred night with all of our friends."
The crowd clapped courteously at the words.
"And if I may offer a toast, to continued friendship and future endeavors," Cora said, raising a glass of champagne. Regina was glad to for the mask she was wearing to hide her eyeroll. Her mother was barely even bothering to be subtle anymore!
The crowd, however, followed her example, those who had them raising a glass. Regina clapped delicately nodding to the guests to make clear it was for them, Henry and Cora both joining in with wide smiles.
"We have an excellent evening planned, so please enjoy yourselves," Henry said into the microphone as the band started back up, and the three of them made their way off the platform.
Regina let out a sigh of relief at blending back into the crowd.
"Masterful as always, Cora," a woman wearing a green ruffled dress and a scalloped mask with a dragon head breathing fire on the temple said.
Cora smiled, "Mal, I see our little get-together was tempting enough lure you away from the Federal District."
Mal laughed, "You know me. I make time for those things that I'm certain are worth my time."
Her mother gave the other woman a nod of genuine respect, something rare for Cora. After she turned to Regina, "Regina, dear, could you check with the dance troupe and make sure everything is alright for this evening's entertainment?"
"Certainly, Mother," she agreed, making her way through the crowd, politely greeting those whom she personally knew along the way. She stepped out of the main tent, and up to one of the trailers parked along the side where the entertainment had set up. The door swung open as she reached for the handle, and a woman in a long, black robe, an imitation of traditional Spirit Night garb, and purple feathered mask stepped out.
"Excuse me," Regina said, sliding past her. Inside there were five other women dressed similarly, as well as the director holding a clip board and barking orders, and a few frazzled looking makeup artists and wardrobe designers.
"I beg your pardon," she caught the director's attention, "I'm Regina Mills, may I speak with you a moment?"
"Yes, Ms. Mills," he deferred with what she suspected was uncharacteristic obeisance, "What can I do for you?"
"I just wanted to check and make sure everything was alright for the performance?"
"Oh yes, Ma'am. Everything is running smoothly, and we will be ready to go in 20 minutes."
"Thank you," she nodded, "I'm glad to hear it."
"You're welcome," he said to her, turning to bark to the rest of the trailer, "Did everyone hear that? We go in 20 minutes so anyone not down by the bonfire, go! Now!"
At the order, the rest of the dancers scurried out of the trailer to make their way over to the bonfire.
Regina followed more sedately, going back into the main tent and picking up a glass of wine at the bar. She sipped it morosely, barely taking in her surroundings even as the side wall of the tent was abruptly flung open, surprising the guests, and the band switch to deep drums and flutes of tribal-style music that the robed dancers swayed and gyrated to as a group. Again, a modernized interpretation of traditional Spirit Night dances, along with some acrobatic flare in the form of lifts and tosses that had the crowd gasping in wonder.
It was a very good performance, but she was too distracted to enjoy it. Instead she found herself staring absently at the carved pumpkins decorating the buffet table.
She knew that the reason for her distraction was Robin. Her father had tried to reassure her, but she still felt guilty. He'd made sure to make her birthday special, and, although they had that horrible fight the next day, it had still been the first one she enjoyed in a long time. And he didn't settle for waiting until the next day either!
Glancing around she noted that the party was running very smoothly. After the performance it'd just be a lot of drinking, eating, and hob-nobbing. Maybe she could sneak off? Make some excuse if her mother noticed she was gone?
She sighed, but sneak off and do what? It was too late now to plan anything. She couldn't even get him a cake! Even if there were a bakery open this late that could make one at such short notice, it'd take 30 minutes, at least, to drive anywhere!
Of course, she considered, there was always what he'd done for her on her birthday. Perhaps it didn't require the most thought, but sex was seldom unappreciated! She could sneak back to the house and text him to come up to her room.
She frowned, though, thinking about how that was what they always did. If she could, she'd like to make this something special.
She slowly made her way out the tent, pacing absently as she thought. Glancing over to the trailers, she spotted a middle-aged blond woman leaning against the railing smoking a cigarette. Regina recalled seeing her inside earlier fussing with one of the dancer's robes.
Letting out a breath, she looked out again into the distance. This time the torch-lit path to the house was in her view. It would be nice if they were in a circumstance where she could surprise him, and if she texted him to sneak up to her room during the party he'd probably guess what she had planned. She couldn't very well sneak into this room, though! The staff quarters had security cameras in the hallways. Although, they might not notice Robin disappearing off the feed when he went up to her floor, the person monitoring the cameras would probably take note of her going into one of the security guard's bedrooms!
With an aggravated groan, she reached up and pulled her mask off. The glittery edges of the damned thing were scratching her face. For something so expensive, it sure was a piece of junk.
As she stared at the mask a crazy thought occurred to her. What if, even if someone noticed her on the cameras, they couldn't tell it was her?
Of course, she couldn't exactly count on the mask and gown she was wearing to accomplish that. Anyone could figure out what she'd worn to the party.
An extra loud drum swell caused her to jump out of her musings. Inside the tent, the crowd started clapping signaling the end of the performance.
Suddenly, Regina seemed to have an epiphany. Letting her mask dangle from her hand, she lifted the edge of her skirt and made her way over to the woman smoking by the trailer.
As she approached, the woman tensed, sighing heavily as she snubbed out her cigarette in a paper cup she'd set on the steps, "I'm sorry! I'm putting it out."
"It's alright, it's not that," Regina said, "I wanted to talk to you."
"Okay?" the woman asked warily.
"You do wardrobe for the dance company right?"
"Yes," she nodded, looking confused at the inquiry.
"How'd you like to make 200 gold coins?" Regina asked.
The older woman raised her eyebrows, setting the paper cup back down, "I'm listening…"
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Regina made her way across the east lawn clutching the paper bag the wardrobe lady had sold to her along with the dancer's robe and mask. As she hurried along, she was very glad that there was almost no breeze. The robe reached all the way to the ground and had long billowing sleeves, but the clasps in the front were fairly flimsy. Presumably because the dancers threw them off at the beginning of the performance. Unlike them, however, Regina wasn't wearing a bodysuit, or anything, underneath.
As she reached the back entrance, she slid in the doors and started making her way through the kitchen.
"Yes, Sir, I certainly agree that it's long past time to renegotiate Misthaven's trade agreement with Arendelle," her mother's voice echoed from the front area. Regina froze, but she was already a few steps inside.
"And can I tell the Prime Minister you said as much?" a man's voice asked. She recognized that voice. It was Wesley Sr., the CEO of Arendelle Bank.
"Not on the record," Cora answered, "...yet."
Regina made to step backward out of the door, but her heel clicked on the tile. The two heads shot toward her, her mother immediately fixing her with a hard look.
"I beg your pardon, this area is private property! You need to stay outside where your company is set up!" Cora ordered.
She paused in shock before quickly nodding and going back out the door, she hurried away from the house, hearing the doors it slam closed behind her. Pausing to catch her breath, Regina gathered her wits, hardly able to believe what had just happened.
She'd been face to face with her mother and hadn't been recognized! She laughed to herself incredulously. At least now she could be totally confident of the security cameras not being a problem.
Taking another breath to steady herself, she continued around the rest of the house to go in through the garage entrance.
She pressed the button for the elevator, but thought better of it, turning instead toward the stairwell. The employee quarters were only one floor down, and less likelihood she'd run into anyone.
Cautiously, she peeked out into the hall to make sure no one was there, and then made her way through the dormitories until she got to the one that said R. Locksley on the nameplate. She knocked on the door and waited, but there was no answer. Was he not there?
A few muffled voices echoed in the distance, driving home that she couldn't stay out in the open long without someone seeing her. Experimentally, she tried the doorknob and found that it opened right up.
She quickly stepped inside and shut the door behind her.
The room was a fairly standard dormitory, much like where she'd lived in college, only bigger and no cheap movie posters.
Robin wasn't there and she wasn't sure where he was.
She sat down on the bed, dug her phone out of the paper bag from amongst her clothes, and sent a simple 'hello' text to him. Almost immediately after hitting SEND she heard his phone buzz from on his desk. He'd left it behind, meaning he probably hadn't left the estate and wasn't planning to be gone long.
Smiling, she tossed her phone back in the bag and shoved it under Robin's desk. This could actually work to her advantage…
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Meanwhile, Robin was shutting off the shower in the staff locker-room. After toweling off and changing into his pajamas, he brushed his teeth at the sink and packed the rest of his things back into his shower caddy.
His sandals slapped against the floor as he made his way through the hallway back to his room.
"'Night, Locksley," Ali, one of the younger security team members said as he opened the door to his room.
"Goodnight," Robin waved as he did the same. Turning, he nearly dropped his shower caddy at the sight waiting for him. Specifically, Regina was laying on his bed without a scrap of clothing covering her other than a black and purple feathered half-mask across her eyes.
Snapping out of his shock, he quickly slammed the door shut.
"Regina, what on Earth are you doing here?"
"Well it's a special night," she said as she sat up and rose from the bed, "So I decided to wear your favorite outfit."
"But um..." he started, but trailed off as she began walking toward him, her hips swaying sensuously.
She smiled below the mask as she leaned up to kiss him long and hard, reaching one hand down to grab his and press it against her breast. The shower caddy dropped to the floor, toiletries spilling out. Robin, however, didn't care as he pulled her up against him, deepening the kiss.
He managed to step out of his sandals as he backed her up to the bed, sending both of them tumbling backward. His bed was small so he slid back onto his knees to avoid crushing her as they landed.
As he sat back, he took in the sight of her. The dark feathers at her temple beautifully complementing all of the smooth skin that was currently on display to him.
"Gods," he breathed, "You are so sexy, my love."
Smiling up at him, she worked her hands under his shirt gently raking her nails up to his chest, "I glad you think so. Now how about you do something about it?"
Grinning, he leaned over to devour her lips once more. She returned the kiss, working his shirt up over his head until they were force to break to take it off. She tossed it aside, running her fingers along his jawline.
Lowering his head, he kissed across her clavicle and down between her breasts. When he got to her stomach, she stopped him, jostling his shoulder to urge him to switch places with her, "I want to do that."
"Okay," Robin agreed absently as she pushed him down onto his back. In that moment, she could have told him to dance across broken glass and he probably would have agreed. Reaching up he pulled her down for another kiss, but she dodged her lips away.
"Un uh," she teased, pressing her finger against his lips before moving to tug down his sweatpants. After pushing them aside onto the floor, she slowly slid her body back up his. Her hands carassing up his chest, and her breasts just barely brushing across him from his thighs to his chest. The teasing touches maddeningly arousing.
"Oh, Regina," he moaned softly.
Tossing her hair aside, she dropped soft kisses up his neck, nipping at the skin just below where his beard started.
As she did so he ran his hands down her back to grip her hips and pull her upward, "Get up here."
The sudden movement threw off her balance, causing her to need to grab the wall to steady herself.
"What?" she questioned, looking down at him.
He tapped her knees, which were now up by his arms, and repeated, "Get up here."
Her eyes widened as she caught onto what he was suggesting, "Are you sure? I mean...this is supposed to be for you."
"Good, then get up here and let me taste you!" he growled, tugging at her legs insistently.
Balancing herself on the headboard, she lifted her knees one by one over his arms until she was straddling his head. He reached up to pull her down to his mouth, tongue laving over her folds, brushing over her sensitive clitoris, and opening her most intimate places.
She gripped the edge of the headboard tightly as he pushed his tongue deep inside her, moans escaping her throat, "Oh Gods, Robin!"
She couldn't help but roll her hips as he thrust his tongue in and out of her. Her clit bumping against his nose, drawing more gasps from her lips. She knew that if she kept that up she could come, and the thought made her breathless. The idea was so naughty.
Robin drew his tongue out of her and up over her clit, before thrusting back inside.
She keened, bracing herself against the wall as she angled her hips, grinding herself against his face. The action spurring him to groan against her pussy, the vibrations reverberating deep inside her as he gripped her ass tightly in his hands.
"Yes, yes!" she cried as she came apart, her release flooding his mouth. Groaning again, he lapped her fluids up eagerly.
Gasping, she pulled herself up, taking a moment to recover from the toe curling orgasm she'd just experienced.
Robin, however, didn't wait, grabbing ahold of her hips and tossing her backward so that she landed the opposite direction on the bed. Shoving himself over, he kissed her hard, making her taste herself on his lips.
She moaned, opening her mouth to his tongue.
For this part, Robin was gone. Being surrounded by the taste and smell of her had him hazy, fevered, and hard as a rock. Rational thought having long fled his mind, the only thing he could think was that he needed her right fucking now!
Tearing his mouth away from hers, he somehow had the presence of mind to throw open the nightstand to retrieve a condom. Putting in on was a little bit of a challenge, as his hands were slightly unsteady, but he managed to roll it to the base.
Settling back between her legs, he lifted Regina's knees up over his shoulders and guided himself inside her.
She gasped. Her sex was still swollen and oversensitized, causing a slight undertone of pain. She kept her breath steady, though, relaxing into the sensation of them joining together.
As she felt her body adjust to the thickness of him, Regina grabbed his back and kissed him, encouraging him to keep going.
He needed no further urging, hips snapping as he thrust in and out of her glorious body. She held onto him, the motion shifting her further down the mattress and causing the bedframe to creak under the rhythm.
Neither of them noticed, though, both too lost in the feeling of each other.
With his pubic bone brushing against her clit and each thrust hitting just the right spot inside her over and over, Regina realized that she was going to come again. Tossing her head back, she gasped. It felt somewhat greedy since she'd already gotten her pleasure once that night, but her legs were already shaking as it built up.
Her back bowed and she cried out as her second orgasm crashed over her.
Robin moaned into her neck at the feeling of her body quaking beneath his, and her internal muscles squeezing him rhythmically around him, overwhelming his senses.
Catching her breath, Regina continued to rock her hips to meet each thrust, reaching down to grip his ass and hold him inside her as she whispered hotly, "Yes, come for me, my love."
His hips stilled, breath hitching as he did so. He held her tightly against him until he let out a long breath, body slumping against hers.
She sighed, laying her head back to relax for a moment.
Robin only waited a moment, though, before pushing himself up, and carefully lowering her legs off his shoulders. She followed suit, sitting up and gently urging him to lay back.
He put up little resistance, breath still coming heavily. Her legs were shaky as she stood, but, thankfully, she didn't have to step far to retrieve a couple tissues from the box on his desk.
After gently removing the condom and disposing of it in the wastebasket, she climbed over him to lay between him and the wall, and lifted the covers up over them.
Before she could lay back down, Robin grasped the side of her face to pull off the mask. She sighed as cool air hit her face. Letting it fall to the floor, he brought her lips down to his own.
"I love you, I love you, I love you," he repeated in between kisses.
"I love you too," she smiled against his mouth.
He was still breathing heavily when he pulled away, laying down into his pillow. Licking dry lips, she snuggled down to rest her head on his chest.
"Gods, that was...how did you…" the question trailed off, and his arms relaxed around her.
She lifted her head to look at him, a little confused. "Robin?"
Beneath her fingers she felt his breathing even out, and realized he'd drifted off.
Her mouth dropped open in shock, and she quickly pressed one hand against it, not wanting to laugh out loud. Glancing back at him, she felt a smug smile cross her lips as she settled back down into the bed.
* 0 * 0 * 0 * 0 * 0 * 0 *
She was still dozing lazily against Robin's chest, listening to the steady rhythm of his heart, when his body jerked.
Glancing up, she saw him blinking awake.
She smiled, "Welcome back, Sleeping Beauty."
"What? What happened?"
"You feel asleep that's what," she answered, pushing herself up so that he could ease himself into a sitting position.
"Oh...sorry."
"No need to apologize. I don't mind knowing I can wear you out," she said naughtily.
He smiled sheepishly, pulling her closer and kissing the side of her head. She frowned as he did so, fingers stroking his chest absently, "I'm so sorry, Robin."
He looked at her in confusion, "What are you sorry for?"
Turning her eyes up to meet his, "For forgetting your birthday."
The answer took him by surprise, realization crossing his features as he asked, "Wait, was that what this was about?"
"Yes!" she responded, "What did you think I meant when I said it was a special night for you?"
"I don't know. I guess I figured you meant Spirit Night...honestly, I had other things on my mind," he admitted.
She laughed, rolling her eyes slightly, "Well, regardless, I'm sorry."
He sighed, "You don't need to apologize for that. It's not a big deal."
"Of course it is!" she argued, "Why didn't you say anything?"
"I told you before I don't care about celebrating my birthday," he told her.
"That's no excuse, Robin," she said crossly.
"You said the same thing on your birthday!" he pointed out.
"Yes, and remember how you felt about that?" she shot back, "You wanted me to have a good birthday even if I didn't care, and I want the same for you, but I'd never have known if Killian hadn't called!"
"When was that?"
"Earlier this afternoon at the gas station. I answered your phone," she confessed, "We're supposed to be in this together and not have secrets from each other, remember?"
He sighed, nodding guiltily.
"So why didn't you tell me it was your birthday?" she repeated, "Is it because of your parents?"
He clanced at her, an annoyed expression crossing his face as he muttered, "Killian's loud mouth."
"Robin, please tell me."
"Well," he answered, "I don't know. I suppose when they died is when I stopped celebrating it. That first year it didn't feel right without them, and then after that it just wasn't something I cared about anymore."
She frowned sadly, shaking her head, "I didn't want to bring up bad memories. It's just that you did so much to make my birthday special, I wanted you to have that too."
Looking into her eyes, he reached up to cup her cheek and bring her in for a gentle kiss, "I know, my love, and, well, I'm certainly not complaining about how you went about it."
She smacked his chest playfully, causing him to laugh.
"I'm serious, though, Regina. I do appreciate what you were trying to do," he told her, "That you care. I love you."
"I love you too," she answered, leaning down for another kiss. As they broke off, she glanced over at the clock on the wall with a sigh.
"What time is it?" he asked, not taking his eyes off her face.
"Almost midnight," she answered.
"You need to get back to the party?" he guessed.
She nodded, "I've been gone a while and guests will start leaving soon. I should at least make an appearance in the receiving line."
"Okay," he said with a sigh before slowly letting go of her so that she could get up and retrieve the black dancer's robe from where she'd hung it in his wardrobe.
He laughed as he rose from bed, "Where did you get that?"
She smirked at him, "Well I can't give away all my secrets, can I?"
Playing along with her humor, he picked his sweatpants up from the floor and shrugged them back on.
"Could you hand me my mask?" she asked as she also took her gown off one of the hangers where she'd put it so it wouldn't get creased, and lowered it back into the paper bag she'd carried it in earlier. Robin picked up the black and purple mask and held it out to her.
Sliding it back onto her face, she explained, "I need it to get around the security cameras."
He laughed, looking at her with an almost impressed expression, "You really are good at this sort of thing."
"Don't you forget it, Locksley!" she answered, prodding his chest.
With a smile he stepped past her, "Hang on, I'll check and make sure no one is around."
"Alright," she nodded as she shoved her feet back into her heels.
Robin opened the door to glance down either side of the hall, and quickly motioned her out. She squeezed past him into the hall turning back to whisper, "Goodnight."
"Wait, wait!" he grabbed her hand, pulling her back for one more kiss. She knew she should be getting out of there as quickly as possible, but she couldn't resist leaning into it, her free hand brushing the short hair at the back of his head. He leaned his forehead against hers as they broke apart, breathing across her lips, "Goodnight."
With a nod, she forced herself away striding quickly toward the stairwell that would take her back up to the garage to find a blind spot where she could change back into her original gown and mask.
* 0 * 0 * 0 * 0 * 0 * 0 *
The next morning Regina stepped out the front entrance to a bright but cold morning. The temperature had dropped several degrees compared to the previous day and stiff wind was blowing colorful autumn leaves across the drive.
She noted happily that Robin was standing at the bottom of the steps, his back to the house.
Making her way down she stepped up next to him and greeted, "Morning."
Quirking his lips he met her gaze, his deep blue eyes sparkling, "Morning."
She returned the coy smile before it fell into a frown when she noted that the car he was standing next to wasn't her silver mini, but her father's town-car.
"Where's my car?" she asked.
"I don't know," he answered, "Kronk was talking to Drake about something, but I assume he'll bring it up soon."
Regina rolled her eyes at hearing that Kronk was her security for the day and let out a heavy sigh.
Robin laughed at her obvious annoyance and said with gentle reproach, "He's not a bad guy, Regina."
"Didn't say he was. He's just thick as two boards."
"Maybe," Robin acknowledged, "But he means well. He wants to do a good job."
She sighed, "Alright, I get the hint. I'll be nice to him!"
She could practically hear him smiling. She met his eyes again, glancing out the corner of hers. They both smiled.
The moment was broken, though, when the front door opened and her father stepped out.
Straightening up, she said, "Morning, Daddy."
"Good morning," Henry walked down the steps, glancing in between them, "Everything alright here?"
"Everything's fine, Sir," Robin told him.
"Hm?" Henry turned to Regina for confirmation.
Knowing he was referring to their conversation from yesterday, she nodded with a smile, "Yes, other than Kronk running late, everything's fine."
"Alright," he seemed satisfied with that answer, turning to Robin, "Well we'd better get going. We have a long drive today."
Robin agreed, stepping over to unlock the door.
"Have a good day, Sweetheart," her father called as he slid into the car.
Regina waved to both of them as Robin made his way around to the driver's side and started up the engine.
The town-car was just pulling out of the drive, as her silver mini pulled in. Kronk jumped out, exuberantly jogging over to open the passenger's side for her, "Morning, Ms. Mills."
"Good morning, Kronk," she greeted in the effort she'd promised she'd make to be nice.
Once she and Kronk were both in the car, he asked, "So just going to the foundation today?"
"Yes," she nodded.
They'd barely made it six feet down the drive before the large man, predictably, felt the need to fill the silence, "So how was the party last night? Did it go well?"
"It was fine," she answered, non-committally.
"I watched from the house. Those dancers seemed quite talented. You I was actually a fairly talented dancer when I was a boy. Of course my father made me quit," he rambled. Regina glanced at him out the side of her eye as he took a gasping breath, "He never really approved of what I did."
She shifted uncomfortably, "I'm sorry to hear that, Kronk. That...can be rough."
"Yeah," he breathed, before perking back up as quickly as he'd gotten emotional, "Anyhow, I think your party was a big success!"
"Well, thank you," Regina answered, considering the man as he punched in the code to the gate and drove out onto the road. Kronk may not have been her favorite person, but she knew that he was generally well liked. Robin seemed to like him, and more than once she'd walked in on him in the kitchen discussing recipes with Mrs. Fa. Evidently, in spite of being rather a meathead, he was also a sentimental type.
Raising her eyebrows in thought, she casually remarked, "I'm surprised the staff didn't have a party of their own. From what I hear there was a lot to celebrate last night."
"Yeah," Kronk laughed, then paused, "Wait...what?"
She glanced over at him, "Well Spirit Night and, of course, the birthday."
"Birthday?" he asked, "Whose birthday was it?"
"Wasn't it Locksley's?" she asked innocently.
"It was?" he repeated, looking shocked, "He never said anything."
"Oh? Well maybe I'm thinking of someone else," she shrugged, opening up the email app on her phone to keep up her disinterested facade.
"No, I know everyone else's birthday on staff," Kronk shook his head.
"Hmm…" she hummed noncommittally.
"Did we really all forget Locksley's birthday?" he said, mostly to himself, "He always helped us out whenever we needed it."
She glanced up from her phone, but didn't comment. The man drove along, staring out the windshield uncomfortably.
"Kronk, you're about to miss the highway," she warned him.
"Oh!" he cried in alarm, swerving over to the on-ramp. Regina grabbed the above window handle, trying to hold down her annoyance.
She sighed as they merged into traffic.
"You know…" Kronk said craftily, "Mrs. Fa did mention a new sponge cake she wanted to try out…"
Regina glanced out the window with a smirk, thinking that was almost too easy.
* 0 * 0 * 0 * 0 * 0 * 0 *
Robin got back to the estate late that night. The day had consisted of driving Henry to a city about an hour away from U-City for a speech he was giving to a local women and children's charity. He'd, of course, ended up seeing it from the side of the room.
Not that he was an expert, but it seemed to have gone well. Henry had been will received, and seemed to genuinely care about the subject when he talked about the Mills Foundation's efforts in that area.
He dropped the older man at the front entrance where they exchanged friendly goodbyes, and drove his towncar around to the garage.
Riding the elevator down to the basement level, he hung Henry's keys back up on the storage board and made his way around to the staff quarters. He was about to turn toward his room when his phone buzzed. Checking the text log, he noted it was a message from Kronk asking to see him in the lounge.
Puzzled he turned toward the staff lounge, and was even more confused to find it completely dark inside.
As he flipped on the light the security staff, a few of the maids, and Mrs. Fa jumped up yelling "Surprise!"
He jumped, sighing as he realized what was going on.
"Shame on you!" Mrs. Fa scolded, "Thinking you could get away with hiding that it was your birthday!"
"I wasn't hiding it Mrs. Fa-"
"Yeah, sure!" she humphed shooing him toward the table where a white-frosted cake was set up, "Go on! I spent all day making this cake!"
He sighed, taking a seat, "I'm sure it's wonderful, Mrs. Fa."
"You'd better think so!" she warned as she began cutting it, ordering to the rest of the staff, "Everyone get your plates ready!"
The staff milled around, tasting cake as it was dished out. Robin had to admit it was delicious. It had a nice vanilla flavor with a hint of orange.
"Well Happy Birthday, son," Mrs Fa said as she finished her cake, "My old bones need to be getting to bed, but enjoy your party. I need that platter back!"
He laughed, standing to embrace the diminutive woman, "Thank you Mrs. Fa."
She squeezed him back with surprising strength before making her way out of the lounge, her long white braid swaying behind her.
Glancing after her, one of the other security team, Iago, said uncharacteristically quietly, "Yeah, good party, Locksley, though not as good as the one you had last night, huh?"
Looking up from his cake Robin asked, "Pardon me?"
"Come on, don't play dumb! I was stationed in the camera room last night," he vociferous man said, "I saw that you had with one of the dancers!"
"I didn't see it but I definitely heard it!" Ali joked, glancing toward the other side of the room where the maids were gathered chatting with Kronk, "How did you manage to talk to them while you were on duty?"
"Um…" Robin hesitated.
"You know everyone loves Robin!" Iago said obnoxiously, "Not sure why. I thought Kronk was supposed to be the pretty-boy of the team!"
"Look, there's been a misunderstanding," he said.
From down the table, Miguel snickered, "A misunderstanding? Why so modest suddenly, Locksley? If I'd had a woman making those sounds, I wouldn't be shy about it!"
He bit his lip, heart racing at realizing they been overheard by a lot of people. No one seemed to suspect who he'd actually been with, though. Still, if Drake had overheard and decided to pound on the door to investigate...he should have known better than to take such a risk!
"Seriously," Ali whispered to him, "How do you do that?"
Miguel laughed again, "I think Ali wants to be you when he grows up!"
Robin frowned. Even if the men had no idea they were talking about Regina, he wasn't about to tell them intimate details about making love with her, so, instead he took the opportunity to change the subject, challenging, "How old do you think I am exactly?"
"I do not!" Ali blushed.
Razoul, who as usual had been mostly quiet up until now said, "Regardless of how old any of us are, I think, after last night, we all want to be Robin when we grow up."
The men laughed rancorously, causing Robin to roll his eyes in annoyance, "I think maybe you all should worry more about your own love lives."
With that he cut off another piece of the cake onto his plate and stood from the table.
"Well help a brother out there!" Miguel joked, "Does your little dancer lass have a friend?"
"Thanks for party," Robin sighed as he turned out of the lounge.
Laughter followed in his wake as he made his way down the hall to his room. Instead of going inside, though, he pushed open the stairwell door and made the familiar climb up to the third floor.
He let the stairwell door slam closed behind him, knowing that all the maids were still downstairs in the breakroom so he didn't need to worry about running into any of them.
At the door to Regina's suite he rapped gently with his knuckles. It took a few moments, but she answered peering out in confusion.
"Robin?" she moved aside to let him in, "What are you doing here?"
He held the plate out to her, "I thought you might try some of the cake. Since I'm sure it was your idea."
She shook her head, "Cake? What are you talking about?"
He looked at her doubtfully.
"Alright, fine!" she admitted, "Although it wasn't exactly my idea! I didn't tell anyone to do anything."
"But?" he prompted.
She shrugged, "I may have accidentally let it slip to Kronk this morning that yesterday was your birthday."
He sighed, setting the cake down on the coffee table and cupping her face between his hands, "That was sweet of you, my love. Unnecessary, but sweet."
She smiled, accepting a kiss from him. Looking over at the cake, she took his hand and picked it up, "This is actually perfect. I wanted to show you something…"
"What?" he asked as she lead him into her bedroom.
"Regina, what-"
"You'll see," she cut him off, guiding him over toward the large rounded window above her bed. Oh the sill was a lit candle and a white lily.
"I know Spirit Night is over but...I got this for your parents," she said, setting the plate of cake next to the candle.
He look at her in surprise, "Regina, you don't believe in spirituality."
She shook her head, "No, but you do."
"I never said that," he argued.
"Last year during Yule?" she reminded, "After the service at temple?"
"...all I said was that faith gives people hope, I didn't necessarily mean I was a believer."
She took his hand again, "Then that's what this can mean."
He stared at her in wonder, feeling his heart melting. How could he have ever thought this amazing, loving woman was selfish?
Pulling her close, he pressed a kiss to her forehead and held onto her, thinking to himself that if any magical forces were listening, he hoped they'd hear how grateful he was to have her in his life.