This is my prompt for Day 5. It's the next chapter of 365 based on prompt #164. Roland is afraid someone will take his papa away again.

Day 18

Roland has changed in his time away.

When he'd left for the Underworld his son had been a happy child, an independent one. Always smiling, always curious. Slow to sit still and quick to wander. Though it often led to worries it had reminded him so much of himself as a child. But his son had changed since his death.

He… clinged now. He offered his hand to be held instead of being told, attached himself to his father's pant leg more often than not. Getting him to sleep was more difficult; he refused to close his eyes until Robin was in his sight and he'd seek him out the minute they opened.

At first he'd barely even noticed he was just so happy to be around Roland again but after a few days he'd grown concerned. This behavior wasn't normal for his son, or at least it didn't used to be.

His eyes drift down to the numbers above his tattoo and he sighs. 348. Shifting in bed he turned to look at Regina. She was sitting up against the headboard with her nose in a spell book, just like she had been for the past seven nights.

"Roland's scared," he whispers.

He sees her grip on the book tighten as her back goes rigid. She bites her lip before nodding her head. "I know."

When she turns to look at him he sees his concern mirrored in her eyes. She closes her book. "We have to talk to him."

Again his eyes drop to the numbers etched on his arm. "What are we supposed to say?"

All he wants is to wrap his son in his arms and promise him that he'll never leave again… but he doesn't want to be a liar.

Regina shakes her head. "I don't know to do here Robin. But I know we can't let him go on like this. Being so… afraid. It's not good for him."

"I don't want to lie to him but… Henry said something to me before we went to get him." He pauses. "He said I could give him one more year."

He's silent for a moment. "If this time with him is all I have left… I don't want it to be a countdown for him. I don't want him to be petrified knowing that he's running out of time with me."

Regina's throat grows tight as she reaches out to take his hand. "He's your son Robin. Whatever you want to say to him I'm with you. Always."

xxxxxx

The next morning, they approach him together after breakfast. Henry's off to school and the baby is still sleeping. It's just the three of them in the study. They took him to the sofa and he sat between them, his hand on his father's knee as he'd looked up at her with wide, uncertain eyes.

Robin wanted to be the first to speak but found himself at a loss for words. Helpless, he looks into Regina's eyes and sees her nod her head understandingly.

She lightly runs her fingers through Roland's curls, clearing her throat. "Roland, your father and I wanted to have a little talk with you today."

"Am I in trouble?" he asks, in a small voice.

Regina smiles down at him as she shakes her head. "No sweetie. You're not in trouble."

She looks to Robin for guidance but can see that he's still unsure of what to say so she continues on.

"Honey, do you know what it means to feel secure?"

Roland shakes his head.

"Well feeling secure means that you feel safe," she explained. "And these past few days your father and I have gotten the feeling that you haven't been feeling very safe with us."

Roland goes silent, stares down at his shoes.

Finally, Robin finds his words.

"Son, if there's something that you're worried about you can tell us," he says, rubbing his back.

Roland's bottom lip trembles as he hesitates to speak. "I… I don't want to be left again."

Robin's heart clenches, and he sees in Regina's eyes that hers has done the same.

"You both left me," Roland softly cries, swiping at a tear falling from his eye. "Everybody left."

He sees her eyes well up with guilty tears. She opens her mouth to speak but he subtly shakes his head at her. Swallowing down his emotions he wraps his arm around his son.

"Roland, I know that what happened was awful and we're sorry that neither of us was there to help you through it but I promise no one is leaving you."

Regina nods her head. "We love you so much Roland and we are here now." She forces herself to smile as she adds, "And we always will be."

Roland sniffles as he regards her skeptically. "Really?"

Though his conscience tugs at his heart Robin nods. "Really. I know you're scared but no one is taking your papa away again. I promise."

"Okay," says Roland nodding his head.

He wraps his arms around his papa's middle for a hug. Regina joins in not a moment later. He sees her press a kiss to the back of Roland's head, feels her hand reach up to rest on his shoulder. They take a moment to envelope his son in love.

There's nothing Robin hates more than dishonesty. He hates to lie, especially to his son but if this is what it takes to make him feel secure… well, then at least he had a partner.

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