A/N: Chapter 3 fits Prompt N° 29 "Why did I agree to this trip?"
The sunset is everything they have dreamt of. They enjoy the view, seated at the table on their terrace, with respective glasses of champagne. And as soon as the colors on the sky fade away, they head to their bedroom.
Robin needs to freshen up and Regina wants to take a look to her baggage and check if she brought her favorite yoga pants and t-shirt to sleep with, and not her usual shorts and the tank top that reveal too much. Now that it appears they will share the bed, at least she wants to know in advance the sleepwear she will use.
Fuck. It seems she didn't bring those! There are nowhere to be found in her suitcase.
Suddenly, she remembers one of the few wise and useful things her mother taught her and begins to put some order, hanging her clothes in the wardrobe and placing others in the drawers. Her mother always said that when something is missing, rather than searching desperately, it's better to put some order and without noticing, the missing item will appear. And, it has worked for her several times.
But, it seems this time is different. Not only did she forget putting her usual pajamas, but also failed to bring any other item of clothing that would have worked as casual sleepwear.
She's mortified. She can't explain how this happened. She is thorough when she packs for a trip. She makes a list and goes through it several times with enough time in advance so that everything she brings fits properly, is clean, dry and ironed if required. She'll need to check a shop for this last minute shopping …well, at least this type of resorts have gift shops with nice souvenirs, and she thinks a t-shirt and shorts will do the job.
A knock on the door interrupts her thoughts.
She still can hear the water running and this means Robin is in the shower, so she heads to open the door. She looks surprised at the young boy in a uniform, smiling widely, and with his hands full holding two gift boxes as he says "Special delivery for Regina Mills and Robin Locksley. Please sign here."
"We didn't order anything. Are you sure this is for us?"
"Yes, ma'am. We received specific instructions to deliver these boxes the first day of your arrival, past 7:30 pm. Inside each box, there's a note."
She signs the paper and the bellboy makes his way out of the room, leaving behind a very intrigued Regina. Carefully, she opens the box that has her name on, and inside, wrapped in soft white tissue paper, is a piece of satin and lace clothing.
No! This can't be happening. Why did she agree to this trip?
She takes out a beautiful pearl negligée and looks at it opened mouthed. It's short, she thinks it would barely cover her ass and has lace all over the bust, so actually, it's see-through in that area. Below the paper, she finds a set of underwear of the same color as the negligée.
The water has stopped running, and this means Robin will be out of the bathroom anytime. She would be terribly embarrassed if he catches her looking at some undergarments like those on Victoria Secret's catalogs. So, she hides the box in the drawer but takes the envelope that was in it. She opens it only to find a note that says 'Don't be mad. You'll thank us later. Those shorts and tank top didn't seem appropriate.'
Shit. Emma, Mary Margaret, and Tink had planned all of this. It's a pity the internet signal is only available for some hours because certainly the three of them would receive a message that they wouldn't forget for a long time.
She puts Robin's box over the coffee table, waiting for him to get out of the bathroom.
He steps out minutes later, dressed casually for an evening at the beach and with his hair still wet.
She hands him the box with his name on and he begins opening it, but suddenly his expression changes from an expectant one to one that shows surprise first; then, discomfort; and, finally, annoyance. It's obvious the contents of the box doesn't please him, at all, and she wonders if it's something like the present she just received.
He closes the box quickly so that she can't peek inside and adds, "I guess I'll open it later. Why don't we go to explore a little and maybe have dinner in one of the restaurants?" She is about to answer, but she hears him say, "Would you honor me with your company, milady?"
They leave the room smiling at each other and forgetting, at least for a while, what remains inside those boxes.
"Well, Regina, I'm really curious about your thoughts on all this?" asks Robin. He has gathered his courage and has made up his mind to express his feelings. However, he doesn't know when yet. First, he needs to explore a little and be sure where he stands.
They are seated at a nice table in one of the restaurants with an ocean view. They have ordered some drinks and, truth be told, they are somewhat tipsy because they drank a whole bottle of champagne earlier. But, they don't have to drive or worry about children or work. They are completely isolated from the rest of the world, so the only things occupying their minds are each other.
And both have agreed that after the long day they've had and the situation they went through, the least they deserve is a drink ...or several.
Regina drinks from her glass, she needs time to think the best way to answer. She's not drunk enough to open herself up completely to him, so she tries to flip it to her advantage, and she shoots back, "I would rather prefer to know how do you feel about all of this?"
Robin almost chokes with his food, takes some seconds to swallow, then drinks ...and thinks that maybe this is it, the perfect chance to tell her what is consuming him from the inside for so long. But, at the same time, he thinks it's too soon. He doesn't even know how she feels about this.
They have been friends for years, so it's not like this would be the first time they express their thoughts about what's bothering one of them. However, this is their first date, even if it was not by choice, but because of the circumstances they face.
He takes another drink, he needs a little push from the alcohol and begins talking "Well, I won't lie, Regina. In the beginning, I was surprised. I wasn't expecting any of this, and ...uhm …I would say I was …I am nervous at the same time, and, well, definitely angry with my mates for tricking me..."
Suddenly, Regina interrupts him. She wants him to know it was the same for her, "Yeah, I felt the same. Why did they have to lie to us? I'm still angry with them. And ...uhm …I am nervous because we have been friends for so long, Robin ...and I don't want this to change the way we feel towards the other one."
Friends. The exact word that terrifies him. It appears she just friend-zoned him, and his answer will not come in the best way.
"I agree with you, Regina. Maybe we should set some boundaries for these days and try to enjoy the best way we can. At least we are in good company, we know each other well and are good friends."
Boundaries. Friends. Shit. Two words Regina doesn't like. But, she was the first one to define their relationship as friends, so she doesn't get to complain.
"It seems we are stuck with each other for ten days, so yes this is a good idea. Do you want to begin?" replies Regina, trying to hide the fact that actually she's disappointed by his words.
Stuck. Another word Robin doesn't like. It feels like an obligation, and he wants her to know this isn't how he feels, so he begins explaining "Well, I wouldn't use the word stuck, Regina. Even if this wasn't my choice, or yours, I'm more than happy to get to share these days in your company, and I will do my best to make you feel comfortable. That's why I brought up the boundaries issues. Only because of you."
Err...did he say he was happy with this? So, these boundaries are not to avoid something more with her, but, on the contrary, to make her feel comfortable? Okay, this changes in some way how she was reading Robin's words.
"Because of me?" asks Regina, trying to take away her eyes from him because she doesn't want to give away her excitement.
"Absolutely, Regina. I want you to feel relaxed, happy …and, if we made it all the way here, I want to be sure that both of us take advantage of everything this place has to offer us."
Regina smiles, and from that moment on it seems the ice broke and everything begins running smooth.
They talk openly about the sleeping arrangements, since there's only one place to sleep ...well, that is if none of them wants to sleep on the terrace, and actually that's out of the question: it's breezy and being so close to the ocean there might be some bugs and wildlife species out there.
Regina surprises Robin when she tells him that technically they have already slept together. She reminds him that time after Daniel's death when Robin practically moved into Regina's house and each night for months he tucked her in bed, and stayed with her until she fell asleep, sometimes sleeping by her side and taking care of her when she woke up from a nightmare.
She also tells him how she doesn't forget when every single night during that time, he turned off each phone at Regina's house: her cell phone and his, and those in the kitchen and in her bedroom. He had realized the ring of a phone startled her, made her jump and feel anxious. For months it had been the reaction she had each time she heard a phone ringing because it reminded her of the one call she received that one afternoon with news that changed her life. So, Robin at least had tried to avoid this situation at night and that's the way he found.
That's the kind of friendship they have had. Profound love and care towards the other one, and that's exactly the reason why neither of them wants to risk their relationship.
Regina won't be the one taking a step further. Robin is the one that has decided to voice his feelings and needs to identify the best time for it and to make clear that if Regina doesn't feel the same way they need to find a way to remain as friends.
By dessert they are relaxed, they talk openly, laugh and give each other slight touches. If it is because of the alcohol or because they are more comfortable, it's a mystery. It just flows naturally.
...
They leave the restaurant, and when they are about to walk to their room, Regina tells Robin she needs to do a last minute shopping, so they head to the souvenir shop. She needs some proper sleepwear for the night, one more appropriate than the one her friends have arranged for her. But when they arrive at the shop, the only thing they find is a CLOSED sign hanging on the door.
Shit.
She'll think of something later. Robin has had way too much to drink, yet he's not wasted. And if Regina is lucky, he'll pass out in bed and not notice much of her choice of clothing. Or maybe Robin has a t-shirt that would do the job. She just crosses her fingers, as they continue walking.
As they get closer to their cabin, the breeze becomes chilly and Regina begins feeling cold. She still has that little dress that leaves her arms and legs exposed, and she has nothing to cover her arms with. Robin notes how she crosses her arms across her chest in a futile attempt to shelter herself.
"Hey, you're cold. Come here," says Robin as he extends an arm to her. Regina doesn't doubt a second, and soon she is surrounded by Robin's strong arm that covers both her shoulders. From time to time he caresses her arm, and she gets lost under his gentle touch.
Halfway to their cabin, Robin is still embracing Regina. It appears this closeness doesn't bother any of them, and instead, it feels natural and intimate in some way. Well, this is not the first time he holds her or that they touch. They've done this plenty of times before but this time it's different, and they know it because of the way they gaze into each other's eyes from time to time as they walk.
Robin's mind is elsewhere, at one point when she accepted so willingly this physical closeness, he thought this could be the proper time, but then backed out. Why would she let him touch her if she doesn't feel, at least, comfortable?
After they arrive at their cabin, Regina heads to the terrace and tells Robin she'll stay there for a while. She has nothing appropriate to wear to go to bed and wants to make time for Robin to sleep, so that she can sneak in bed without him noticing.
However, her plans change when Robin decides to make her company. He says he doesn't want to sleep, either. Well, in fact, he can't.
She sits in one of the chaise lounges and Robin asks her if he could share the same space with her. He wants to observe her reaction and determine if the closeness they shared earlier, maybe was just good luck or that she needed the warmth.
She nods, not being able to talk because she's, indeed, craving for his touch. Those caresses a few minutes ago, have left her wanting for more, and well he just offered to sit by her side, sharing a space that's meant for one people, so she'll get to be very, very close to him.
Regina is struggling with Robin being so close to her. It felt extremely odd that Robin asked to share the same space as she when a few feet away there was a seat available for him. Hence, this could only indicate one thing: he wanted to be close to her, and this frightens her.
They sit side by side, their hips touching. Since there's so little room Robin has one of his arms around Regina. He strokes her arm from time to time, just as he did on their way back from the restaurant a few minutes ago.
Regina doesn't move an inch; she just stays still at his touch. She doesn't know why, it's almost something instinctive, but she has the need to rest her head on Robin's chest and surround Robin's torso with her free arm. She closes her eyes, and her other senses become on full alert. She can feel Robin's heartbeat; she enjoys his scent, not only the woody perfume or aftershave he uses, but his scent; she senses his breath on one of her cheeks; she perceives his muscular constitution through his shirt, and dares to caress one of his arms. She feels cared and loved, and even being a tender moment, at the same time it's a sensual experience. She feels in heaven with him, and she knows this sensation is not one of friendship.
They don't dare to pronounce a word, each of them enjoying the experience in their own way.
Robin is perplexed by Regina's reaction. He takes a deep breath, looking at the dark waters of the ocean just in front of them, as he senses her delicate scent. He slightly moves his head down to take a look at her, and he finds she's gazing at him.
Shit.
If he's reading things right she feels the same as he. He knows this is the opportunity he has been waiting for years, and that there won't be a better chance than this one.
Robin's heart beats so fast he thinks Regina might hear it.
"Regina, I have wanted to talk to you for a while…" begins Robin. He stops, gazes at her and catches her biting the sides of her mouth, and he knows she's nervous because that's something she does when she's anxious.
Regina is now turned to one of her sides facing Robin.
Robin continues. It's now or never.
"... we've been friends for years and I do appreciate our friendship. It's the most precious thing to me, along with my son," continues Robin.
Regina doesn't allow him to continue, and before Robin can complete the idea she says, "It's the same for me, Robin. Your friendship and Henry are the most meaningful things in my life. I wouldn't have been able to get through Daniel's death without your support. You were always there for me."
"And I always will, Regina. Uhm ...and that's precisely why I need to tell you something, but I hope this doesn't change things between us."
Regina turns to look at Robin. She's afraid, nervous, and very much aware of what might come next and she's not sure she's ready. Not at that moment, anyway.
Robin identifies all those emotions in Regina's eyes, hesitates and gets cold feet. He doesn't want to ruin the perfect moment between them and only says "I …I'm really enjoying being here with you Regina. I couldn't have chosen a better company."
Regina knows this isn't what he wanted to share with her, but she feels relieved. "Me too, Robin," is her only answer as they continue in each other's arms.
Robin is certain he'll find another chance to tell her how he feels, one in which he doesn't see that fear in her eyes. Until that time comes he promises himself to enjoy every single moment with her.
An hour later, he steps into their bedroom, only to find the gift box he received earlier. He knows what's inside that box, and he does hope he gets to use one of those with Regina; however, and while this doesn't happen, he has to settle reading the note inside it.
'Hi, mate! A little something for an emergency situation (just in case you didn't bring any … and we bet you didn't!). It's better to have these and don't need them than to need one and don't have any. A package full of condoms is always useful ...and we do hope you're in need of one of those right now!'
Shit. Why did he agree to this trip?
To be continued ...
In the next chapter Robin and Regina get through their first night together ... and they will have to deal with an inconvenience, later.