My entry for Cherish the peanut week, Day 2: Daddy's Girl
Robin can't cook not really so he usually leaves this special task to Regina. He knows how to make basic meals nothing fancy and to be honest he doesn't actually tries. His beauty of a wife is magic in the kitchen so there is no need for him to make a fool of himself.
But there is one thing one dish Robin knows his way around-apple pancakes. Despite being something he only got introduced in this world he became rather good in making them. They are Regina's as well as Charlotte's favorite. Something Robin is sure their little girl picked up from her mother.
Charlotte loves them more than anything and since his 6 year old daughter is having a rough time lately Robin gets up this Sunday to make them. The whole house is silent everybody still asleep when Robin gets down to the kitchen to prepare everything.
The former thief walks towards the stove with a concerned frown. It's been only a week since Charlotte had got to know the truth…the truth about how she came into this world what pain her biological mother costed. They are on well let's say friendly terms with Zelena who is really trying to make amends. But it's complicated and painfully for every party involved but mostly for his little girl.
Charlotte has been rather silent since she knows everything even if everything can't really be understood by a six year old. Either way Robin would do anything to take the pain he now sees in his daughter big blue eyes away but he knows he can't. So he no they all do what they can to make sure Charlotte is aware how much she is loved despite the circumstances that she is their whole world (besides Roland and Henry of course).
Robin is deep in his thoughts kneeling on the floor trying to find where the bloody hell Regina put the pan that he doesn't hear little footsteps and startles as little hands come around his neck. His daughter's cheek is presses to his and for a moment all Robin sees are red curls.
"Morning Daddy," Charlotte grins at the father who pulls her into a tight hug:" Morning pumpkin"
Robin then sits down on the floor pulling his little girl into his lap. "What are you doing up already Charlotte?" Robin asks her gently tucking a strand of her red hair behind her ears. "I couldn't sleep Daddy," the little girl replies and Robin's heart becomes heavy. Those are the moments where a part of him still despises Zelena fiercely even though they have by now something like a peaceful co-existence. He just hated to see his daughter hurt.
"I was about to make apple pancakes. Do you want to help me?" Robin asks and chuckles the enthusiastic nod of the red haired girl.
"Yes Daddy can I? I love pancakes!" Charlotte jumps up and down on top of her father making him groan in pain. His little princess might've been still light as a feather but it still hurt when she used him as a trampoline.
"Of course Charlotte. Wait there is just one thing…"Robin replies waiting till his daughter looks expectantly at him before he grins and starts to tickle her. The little girl starts to laugh and shouts trying to get away from her father and his merciless fingers.
"Stop Daddy stop," Charlotte cries and as Robin has to fear she will wake the entire house he stops. "So how about pumpkin you get the bowl while I try to figure out where your mother hid the pan?" Charlotte nods and then jumps with the energy only a 6 year old has to get it.
After a few minutes of searching (how the bloody hell did that pan get in that corner in the first place?) Robin scoops his daughter up and carefully he explains what ingredient comes where and how much.
Charlotte's frowns in concertation the tip of her tongue out in a way Robin finds totally adorable. They work more or less in silence (cranky teenage boys get even crankier when they get to less of sleep) just speaking up when Robin has to explain how to do something. Charlotte is a carful listener always eager to learn. She has that from both of her parents.
That as well as being stubborn-as-a-mule. Robin has his trouble to convince the 6 year old that no she can't cut the apples and no the stove is too hot she should please stay away but Robin has years of training with Regina. He knows by now how to deal with his strong-minded girls and shoots a strict glare at this daughter who in the end does what he says (she is well raised after all).
After a few more moments of throwing together everything they need Robin goes to the dining room (still holding the pack of flour) to make sure Charlotte doesn't need help with setting the table (I'm a big girl Daddy I don't need help).
"Hey pumpkin how are you doing over there?" Robin asks just in time to see the plate slip from his daughter's grip. Ready to hear the cracking of porcelain likely loud enough to wake everyone but nothing happens. Robin watches full astonishment how the plate which should've been broken into million pieces floats his daughters arms in the air.
Charlotte's ability to use magic was still something new and more than a bit scary sometime but they are working on it. Regina as well as Maleficent and sometimes even Emma are trying to show the little girl the ropes. Magic is a part he tends to let Regina take control over since she is clearly more of an expert than he is.
Usually Charlotte is more fascinated than scared of her magic since she was growing up surrounded by it but her new knowledge about Zelena and her attempts to understand what makes somebody evil and what not she is troubled. Fearing that her gift makes her evil. Only their constant reassurance it doesn't that magic is something to celebrate rather than hate is slowly letting the fear disappear again.
At least that is what Robin thought till he sees said fear in Charlotte's blue eyes when she looks at him. Robin rushes to his little girl fast to reassure her again:" Good job pumpkin. You are almost as good in catching things like your mother is." He then takes the plate from her shaking hands and adds:" Even though I'm sure you got the amazing reflexes from me. Thieves have better ones than Queens."
Charlotte shyly looks up at her father and asks uncertain:" I did well?" "Of course sweetheart. Having magic is something great and you are getting really good, "Robin assures her stroking gently over her cheek. "It doesn't make me evil?" The question had been so quiet Robin almost didn't hear it. He then takes his daughter's hand into his and tips her chin up so she is looking at him blue eyes meeting each other.
"Charlotte Mary Locksley I want you to listen to me very carefully alright?" At Charlotte's nod Robin continued: "You are not evil you are good, you are wonderful and your mother and I love you from here to the moon. So do you brothers and everybody in your family." "But…"Charlotte tries to speak but Robin interrupts her:" No buts pumpkin. Do you remember what your mother told you?" Robin questioned her and Charlotte's answer was barely more of a whisper:" Evil isn't born it's made."
"Right Charlotte being evil is a choice and if you want to use your magic for good things you are good alright?" Just like you Mommy." Robin squeezes her hand softly. "Just like Mommy?" At Robin's nod Charlotte adds:" Ok I can do that Daddy." Robin watches his daughter thinks for a moment before a smile appears on her face and he knows her fears are gone…for now.
To lift the mood a bit Robin dips into the pack of flour he is still holding and puts some on Charlotte's nose. "Daddy what are you doing?" Charlotte cries but Robin only puts a bit more on both of her cheeks making the red head giggle. He then hands the pack over to his daughter who immediately takes an entire fist of flour and within seconds Robin in covered in baking ingredients.
"I won Daddy I won," Charlotte shouts looking proudly at her father who is still trying to get the flour out of his eyes. Robin doesn't answer still focuses on his task to get the white powder from his face as he sees his daughter reaching for the flour again. But before Charlotte can reach Robin picks her up and whirls her through the air earning a loud giggle.
He then puts her down muttering to her:" Let's go pumpkin we need to clean up before your mother comes and we are both in big trouble." His daughter follows him without protest (nobody wants to be the receiving end of Regina's who-the –hell-made-a-mess-out -of –my –house wrath) but before they can get to clean up Charlotte takes Robin's hand and says:
"I love you Daddy."
"I love you too pumpkin," Robin answers still amazed how much he truly loves this little girl how much he cares about his daughter.
That despite the pain of the past he could call this precious girl his, Daddy's little girl.
"I love you very much."
