She's not nervous, nor is she anxious, the only thing that goes through her veins right that moment is fear.

Fear of the unknown.

And at the same time, fear of knowing.

Because once you know the truth, there is no turning back, no imagining how things are.

Instead you're filled by knowledge and either relief, or utter devastation.

It had happened when she first got here, devastation filling her to the brim the moment she found out her dad was here, the little girl in her always hoping, wishing that he'd be in a better place.

But he is now, she reminds herself. He is someplace better, had managed to resolve his unfinish business and found utter peace. But still, that doesn't ease the fear of knowing that her first lover, her beautiful Daniel, might not have been as lucky as her father was.

This time she's following him. Her soulmate, her lover. Following him around this never ending cemetery as he looks down at this map Cruella had given them.

And just like she did to him, he stops in front of a headstone and Regina's gaze flickers from his back towards the oddly colored sky, absolutely terrified of the fate of her first lover.

"Regina," Robin lets out softly when he turns around to look at her.

"I don't want to look," Regina whispers brokenly, eyes filling up with tears knowing that it is now or never. A sob breaks through her, and she bites her lower lip trying to calm herself down.

"Hey," Robin whispers, moving closer to her and squeezing her hand in reassurance, much like she did an hour before. "Regina, it's okay to look," he finishes with a bright smile and Regina meets his gaze and nods.

She closes her eyes and takes a deep breath before looking behind Robin to the unmistakably tipped stone with her first lover's name.

Daniel Colter

And Regina simply chuckles in relief, a small tear falling from her eye as she nods at Robin and walks closer to the stone. She feels Robin squeezing her hand in silent reassurance before he releases it and quietly walks back a few yards to give her the space she obviously needs.

Regina doesn't know how long she stays there, staring intently at the name, mind wafting back to young unadulterated love and stolen kisses during riding lessons.

"Daniel," she whispers, a small tear falling down her eye as she crouches down and touches the surface of his headstone.

She remembers a time when just seeing his name on a headstone would've made her desire to bring misery and pain to those who wronged her, and even those who didn't; just make someone suffer the same way she was doomed to.

But those days are behind her now. Instead, as she looks at his simple tipped stone, Regina cannot help but let out a relieved laugh.

"I'm so happy you're in a better place, Daniel." Regina says, tears still coming down in currents from the immense relief she feels.

"I'm also sorry I missed my chance to see you," she sighs, shakes her head and manages a small smile. "Daniel, I just want you to know that I'm good," she chuckles, her thoughts going to Henry and her new family. "I'm the happiest I've been in a long while." Regina smiles again, her hands coming up to brush her tears away as she sighs and slouches a little.

"It's absolutely crazy how life worked out for me, Daniel. One day I was alone in the world, and then the next I have Henry, Robin, Roland and even little Rose cooking dinner with me. Can you believe that? Regina Mills cooking dinner! Regina Mills baking edible pies, not like the ones I made you back then with too much salt and little sugar in them," she laughs freely at the memory, remembering how Daniel had tried to reassure her that they were fine. "Now I'm suddenly friends with Snow and everybody in town and it's absolutely insane... nothing prepared me for this," she lets out a breath, completely bewildered by how far she's come.

"But I guess, part of that, part of who I am today is thanks to that stable boy. The one who showed me what love was like. The one who pushed me to move on, urged me to love again. Daniel, sweet Daniel, if it hadn't been for you, I wouldn't be where I am today." She looks to her right, sees Robin eyeing the map he holds and the beat in her heart grows in frequency, small smile adorning her face and reddened cheeks as she looks back at the headstone. "I do love again, Daniel." Regina laughs as another set of tears fall down her face, her throat getting constricted by the emotion she's feeling.

Somehow admitting her love for Robin at such an emotive moment becomes too much for her, a new sense of relief filling her to the brim. She had felt it, the strong fire roaring inside her with every day passed by Robin's side, the utter sense of completeness and happiness she felt every time he offered a smile her way or a simple touch; she felt it.

And she feels it now again, with the knowledge that they've done this together for one another.

Regina takes a shaky breath, her lips going on a thin line before she whispers, "You were my first love, Daniel, and you'll always be in my heart."

Then, with a small smile Regina stands up.

"I love you Daniel."

..::..

He feels her before he sees her, and he immediately turns around.

"Hey, you alright?" Robin whispers, concern written in every movement as he walks closer to her, grabs both hands with his and softly caresses her inner wrist with his thumb.

"I'm fine," Regina replies with a small smile, brown orbs meeting blue ones before she leans in and wraps her arms around his middle and his do the same.

Robin doesn't know how long they stay that way, her cheek pressed to his chest, him caressing her back as he rocks them a little, offering her the reassurance and strength she needs.

"Thank you," Regina mutters against his chest, and Robin simply shakes his head and drops a kiss to the top of her head.

"This is something we both needed, you don't need to thank me for anything."

But Regina chuckles against his chest before she pulls back, her right hand slowly moving upwards until they land on his cheek and she caresses the stubble there.

"No Robin, you don't get it," she looks at him now, instead of her hands movements. "Thank you for believing in me, for believing in us even after everything we've been through."

And Robin just shakes his head not believing one bit in her words, mind going back to the pain he still believes he put her through, a pain and guilt that's still present in him no matter how many times Regina tries to reassure him that he's not at fault.

"Hey," she calls out softly, eyes searching for his again as his begin to cloud over with memories. She caresses his cheek, eyes unblinking as she begs with them for him to return to her, away from awful memories. "Robin," she murmurs, forehead touching his as blue eyes meet brown orbs for the umpteenth time that day. "I love you."

Robin stays still in place, eyes unbelieving, caresses on her back faltering as he just stares at her.

"Didn't you hear me?" Regina whispers on a laugh, eyes welling up with tears at the unbelievable look Robin gives her. "I love you Robin of Locksley," she smirks, her arms wrapping around his neck as she pulls him closer.

A beat passes, then Robin's lips turn upward, dimples appearing slowly before his goofy grin is on full display.

Robin whispers those three words in return, relief flooding him as this time he's able to express himself fully, no impending doom or separation between them.

And as they make their way down the cemetery, hand in hand, soft smiles on their faces, they send a prayer to their first lovers, grateful that they've both ended up someplace great, and reassuring them that so have they.

-Fin-

Hope you guys liked it! And I also hope you all spent a lovely Easter!