A/N: Robin is reunited with Roland.
Day 8
He was sleeping when Robin finally found him. Tucked away under a thin blanket beneath a sturdy tent, eyes closed and arms wrapped around the monkey he'd yet to separate from since the missing year. He looks as though he hasn't changed. His curls are still thick and dark, cheeks still chubby, red and dimpled. And those his eyes have not opened Robin knows they are still the same dark brown color that his mother had carried as well. Physically, his son has changed much less than his daughter has. Internally, however, he knows the same cannot be true. In his absence his son had been forced to bury his father. As someone who'd once done the same Robin knows how that sits in a child's heart. He knows how much it changes a boy, even in the little ways that they're not yet aware of. And he's afraid to see how those feelings have manifested in his own son.
They're alone together in the tent now. Regina had offered to come but he'd wanted a minute just for Roland and himself. As it used to be so long ago.
He reaches out to gently brush a lock of hair from Roland's forehead. His son stirs but does not wake, and for that Robin is grateful. He has no idea what to say, or how to explain his sudden reappearance. He's still fearful of that conversation, it'd almost been enough to keep him away. But right now, watching his son sleep so peacefully under the stars he's glad that Henry convinced him to come. He's grateful that he's received this second chance. The chance to be with his son again, even if it's only for a short while. It won't be enough he knows that, but it is something. An opportunity. A chance to teach his son the things he wouldn't have been able to before, to help prepare him for the world a little more and, perhaps, ensure that he is ready for the moment he's no longer here again.
Eight days ago he and Roland no longer had a future together. Now they do, however short it may be.
He laid down by Roland's side, letting his arm rest across his middle and his nose to fall against his hair. He knows that it's midnight and he's lost another day but they still have 358 left.
And he intends to live them one at a time.
XXX
He lets himself drift into a light sleep. It's morning when he opens his eyes again and he finds them staring right into Roland's.
He's awake and staring at his father with a mixture of confusion, fear and hope.
"Roland…"
"Papa?"
Robin nods, blinking rapidly to stop the tears he can feel burning behind his eyes.
He sees Roland's chin begin to waver. "I thought you were gone."
"I know, darling, but I'm back now," Robin whispers.
He silently prepares himself for the onslaught of questions. The how's and the why's and the tears.
But they don't come.
All that comes is the weight of Roland's tiny body throwing his arms around his father's neck.
"I missed you Papa," he cries.
"I missed you too, son."
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