Disclaimer: Don't own Once.
AN: Please read, review, and follow :)
Sunlight gently traced her face, matching every contour as if in reflection. Her eyes were closed, and her breath was even. He was drawn into the silent game between the crinkle of her brow and the twitch of her nose. His fingertips were itching to follow the patterns of her skin, yet the fear of her waking made him pause. He laid his head down not two inches from her face, feeling her breath come out in short even puffs. His eyes bore into her eyelids, imagining he was staring deep into those chocolate browns. If she'd let him, and she probably would, he would stare into them forever.
Sadness began its overwhelming descent into the pit of his stomach as he thought of Marian and her unexpected return. He sighed and gently touched Regina's face. So beautiful. But he got angry, angry at himself for doing this, for not being true, honest. Marian may think that the last time they saw each other was only a few days ago, but to him it's been five years. Five very long years. He's learned to live his life without her; he's raised Roland without her.
He watches as his thumb creates small circles just beside Regina's eye, and down her cheek, and to her chin. By the time he stops this saddening descent, his hand is tingling with fire and need. But he doesn't give in, because he needs to talk with Marian. Explain everything. So he leans his forehead softly against Regina's, and inhales her sweet scent, letting it fill his lungs- then he exhales his selfishness, pulling away.
He easily slides out of Regina's bed, trying his best not to disturb her peaceful sleep. He hates doing this, sneaking off, but if he told Regina where he was about to go, she'd only postpone the inevitable. He can't put this off any longer. It's killing him. He looks around her room, picking up his scattered clothes, slipping on his worn boots.
He hears a sigh from the bed and freezes. Oh no. He spins around, preparing to see an awake Regina, only to find her shifting from one side to the other. He smiles, watching her readjust to the empty bed. Even in her sleep she misses him… He can't get enough of this woman.
Before he slips out of the room, he looks back at her, at the Queen, and whispers a quiet "I love you" , clicking the door shut.
-OutlawQueen-
The bell to Granny's diner chimes as he walks through the door. Red looks up from the bar, smiling at him. "Good morning, Robin!" She says in her usual sing-song voice. "What would you like today? Coffee's delicious!"
He smiles back at her, tilting his head in greeting. "'Morning, Red. And, uh, no thanks. Do you know where I could find Marian?" His first impulse was to come here since Marian didn't exactly know anyone in Storybrooke, so maybe she got a room.
"Sure! Yeah, she got a room here last night. She's in uh…" Red pauses, looking at the room chart, her eyes scanning the pages. "Mmm… Mari- Oh! Here it is! Room 42," she says, seemingly proud of herself.
He laughs, "Okay, thanks, Red."
He quickly sets off for the stairs, racing up the steps, figuring out how to start this unavoidable conversation. He knows he's not exactly the "bad guy" but he sure feels like one. You can't just forget five years, he keeps telling himself. But he still remembers the looks on Marian's face when she saw him, like no time had passed and they were still happily married. But they're not…she died. He's different now, changed, moved on.
He reaches room 42 and stares at the door. Sadness creeps onto his face, distorting his stoic features. He thinks of the beautiful woman he left still in bed, his soulmate, and of the woman on the other side of this wooden door, his stolen love.
He sucks in a breath. And he knocks. Three resounding knocks.
Not five seconds go by and the door opens. She smiles at him, the face of the ghost who haunts him at night, stealing his breath, breaking his heart all over again.