AN: The only excuse I will give for this story's hiatus is that it resembles the summer hiatus until the next season. ;)
Disclaimer: Don't own Once.
The door slams, Robin rushing after his beloved… Her breath leaves her body, breaking open wide her already wounded heart; tears fill her eyes. Her once evil grin escapes from her face, leaving a shadow of the woman she used to be. The wrinkles begin to form on her forehead, her hands clenching into fists. The vague thought of her coffee looming in the back of her mind, her house walls foreboding. The silk bathrobe she donned earlier falls slightly from her shoulder sending chills through her bones. He was so different to her now. Ever since that woman came from the portal, ever since Emma, everything changed.
Regina smiles slightly, finding a fleeting place in her heart understanding why Emma did what she did. She might've even done the same. She looks around her empty house –it seemed to always be empty—mocking herself for thinking that she could find happiness after Daniel. A thought came into her head, and she turns around, making her way to her office. Once at her desk, she opens up the top drawer, picking up the familiar small box. Her fingers slide over the delicate engravings, easily opening it. She sighs, staring at the empty space inside, remembering throwing the ring into a hat in hopes to find that unreachable happiness.
Her head lifts when she hears her phone buzz on her desk. She raises an eyebrow, staring at the lighted screen with Emma Swan's name displayed in bold letters. All the text said was: We need to talk. She was never one to be polite or subtle, Regina grimly thought. It's only been a day since her own threat to the Savior was made, and though she should be infuriated at this moment, this morning has worn her out.
She picks up the phone, staring at Emma's text one last time, and shuts her phone off as a lone tear falls down her cheek.
-OutlawQueen-
Marian bursts into the diner, the bell dinging loud, causing Red to jump. "Marian! What can I do for you?"
The brunette huffs, catching her breath from the walk back from the docks. "Where is my son?"
Red quirks an eyebrow, pausing. "I think he's with the Merry Men."
"Of course he is." She's pissed and Red can tell. Marian isn't usually so easily tempered, but finding her husband with that witch makes her sick inside. "Do you know where they are?"
Red smiles, trying to lighten the mood. "I think they went hiking or something! Roland really wanted to. They should be back later, though!"
Marian glares at her. "Then I'll just wait here for them."
Red nods, faking another smile. "Okay! Would you like anything to drink?"
Marian waves her hand, "No, thanks." And finds herself a booth.
-OutlawQueen-
Robin goes back to Regina's. Doubt fills his mind, warning him that this probably isn't the best idea. But these past few days with her must've counted for something. That is, until Marian came back and complicated things. He still loves Regina. Maybe it isn't too late.
His fist lightly knocks on her door. "Regina?" He calls out. But nothing happens. He knocks again. And again. And again. "Regina, please. I need to talk to you." He thought he heard footsteps on the other side, but still the door remains closed. "Regina?" He whispers, leaning his head on the door. I'm sorry.
Suddenly the door opens, and he comes crashing down at her feet. He grunts, catching his fall with his elbows. "Yeah, ok, I deserved that." He hears her laugh quietly. He looks up and catches her eyes. Swollen and shallow, they stare back at him, tear marks still evident on her cheeks. If it's possible for him to feel more like an ass, then he's broken the record.
He stands up and moved quickly towards her, grabbing her shoulders. She tries to pull back, but he tightens his grip. "I'm sorry about earlier," he whispers. "I never planned this." She knows he's telling the truth but that doesn't make it any easier.
She relaxes in his grip, not really wanting to move away from him. Her hand lifts to his cheek, caressing the stubble that she's grown so used to. "It's impossible for me to find it, isn't it?"
He watches her, feeling as if she's not actually talking to him. "To find what?"
She smiles sadly. "Happiness." And drops her hand.
He frowns, "Regina…"
She pulls away from him, noting that he let her go. "Just forget it, Robin. You've really only been with me for, what, a week? It's childish to think that this would ever last. I suggest you leave," she says, moving even further away from him but never breaking eye contact.
There's silence for three excruciating seconds. One. Two. Three.
And he moves fast. He doesn't think, he doesn't ask questions, he only feels. Next thing he knows, she's in his arms and their lips collide in sweet passion. She should be pushing him away, but she doesn't. To think the last time they kissed was a few hours ago, but it feels like forever. His hands grip her hair, her arms wrapping around him. Their tongues battling for dominance and their breath becoming one, her walls crumble around her and she tastes salt tears in their kiss; hers or his, they don't know.