I've combined a couple of prompts in this chapter with a few slight changes, I hope ya'll don't mind.
butterflykisses0 kindly sent "Regina has a nightmare and she seeks out Robin" and mysterious-song asked for something to make her smile so hard her face hurts, I'm not sure if this qualifies my dear, but it's decidedly fluffier than the last chapter…
She is always cold. It's one of the first things he noticed about her, even before they fully started their relationship. She lives life in a series of layers; no matter how mild the weather may be outside she always seems to be encased in a protective coating of additional, unnecessary fabric; petticoats, heavy capes and lined velvet coats in the Enchanted Forest and delicate scarves, tailored jackets, and leather gloves that cling like a second skin in Storybrooke. The constant barrier of fabric was a source of perpetual frustration at the beginning of their courtship when he wanted nothing more than an opportunity to feel the softness of her skin beneath his fingertips at every possible moment.
Over time, however, he has come to appreciate the persistent chill his queen endures. While his hand still itches to touch bare skin when they stroll along together down the streets or to sneak his fingertips along a gap of fabric between the waist of her trousers and the soft silk of her blouse (desires all irritatingly blocked by textile obstacles), he knows that as soon as they are behind closed doors in the privacy of their home the layers will be cast aside, trading the additional warmth of cashmere, wool, and leather for snuggly blankets, fireplaces, and body heat. It's those private moments he has come to treasure the most in their relationship, when she sheds every protective layer and melts into his heat, cocooning herself further into his embrace as every inch of icy skin dissolves into the comfortable warmth and security of his arms. He has grown accustomed to falling asleep wrapped around her, limbs tangled beneath heavy down blankets and heads resting on the same pillow, breathing in the lavender scent of her hair and the heady cinnamon vanilla aroma of her skin before finally drifting off to sleep. So accustomed, in fact, that when he wakes in the middle of the night and reaches his arms out to pull her closer and he grasps nothing but the cooling Egyptian cotton of her sheets he immediately knows something is wrong.
Quickly sliding out of bed he tugs on a pair of cotton pajama pants and pads down the hallway in search of his love. Nightmares are a common occurrence for the both of them, but no matter how many times he's encouraged her to wake him when she is startled from slumber by her less than pleasant dreams she prefers to let him sleep and sort things out on her own. He can't count the number of times he's awoken alone in the dark only to find her downstairs absently stirring a pot of hot chocolate on the stove, staring into the emptiness of the kitchen back-splash as she tries to will her troubled mind back into the numbness of sleep.
That is where he expects to find her now, but just as he turns to head into the quiet blackness downstairs he notices a sliver of moonlight on the carpet from around the slightly ajar door of Henry's room. Creeping down the hallway, careful to avoid creaking floor boards, he silently pushes the door open enough to peek his head inside the room. It only takes him a moment to spot her across the room, curled up in the windowsill basked in the silvery glow of the moon. Her cheek is pressed to the top of her bent knees and she stares intently at the two boys haphazardly draped across each other snoring softly in the bed opposite her, with a look so full of love and wonder written in her eyes that it takes his breath away.
Finally, she looks up from her moonlit vigil and notices him in the doorway. Raising a finger to her lips signaling for him to remain silent where he is, she soundlessly leaves her spot in the window and pads across the room careful not to wake their slumbering children. Sliding her fingers into his she takes one last look at their boys before tugging him into the hallway with her and gingerly closing the door.
Without hesitation he folds her into his arms, protectively tucking his chin on the top of her head the moment the door is closed. He rubs his arms soothingly up and down her back and revels in the way the tension in her shoulders evaporates under his touch and the cold tingle of her fingertips slowly warms against the skin of his back as she sinks further into his embrace, practically molding her body into his. When he feels her release a sigh against his neck he pulls back slightly so he can tip her chin up and look into her eyes.
"Another nightmare?" he whispers into the silence of the hallway, gently running his thumb along the apple of her cheek.
"Um hmm," she nods, leaning into his hand, "but nothing worth waking you over."
"Milady, you should never be concerned with waking me. There is nothing I would love more than to hold you and remind you that you are safe, that's what I'm here for my love." Her eyes suddenly fill with moisture and she tries to turn her eyes away to hide it from him, but he lightly tucks his hand into the loose hair at the base of her neck, tangling his fingers into her ebony locks before tilting her head up to look at him.
"I love you Regina, in sickness and in health, through laughter and tears, late nights and early mornings, past mistakes, present worries, future dreams, nightmares, cold feet and all. I love everything about you, who you are and who we are together." Tears are lightly spilling out the corners of her eyes now and he catches each one with a tender swipe of his thumb before he leans down and presses a reassuring kiss to her lips.
When they break apart she leans her forehead against his and murmurs, "I love you too," against his lips before catching his lips in another quick kiss that breaks with a smile.
"Do you feel like you will be able to sleep again now?" He asks, as she nods, delicately covering a yawn with her hand. Chuckling at the adorable gesture he leans down and scoops her into his arms and carries her down the hallway toward their bedroom. She immediately curls into his chest, draping an arm around his shoulder and tucking her head into the crook of his neck, warm breath ghosting across his skin and he tightens his arms around her small frame to bring her closer. With a contented sigh he lays her in the bed before climbing in and tucking himself behind her enjoying the way she automatically snuggles into his chest and drifts off to sleep surrounded by his warmth.