Not a prompt, but it is a short one shot inspired by the stills of Regina + Rumple in the forest.

Rated G or T.

"Dearie." The familiar voice echoed through her thoughts, pulling her out of the reverie of which she had been using to think on her life thus far. Having intended on using the moment to clear her thoughts.

Looking up she saw him, the one person that had changed more than anyone who once was dark could have hoped for. Him having been the darkest of them all. And as she thought back to their last conversation, she felt a pang of relief flood through her in knowing he was okay. Having convinced herself that she would have been able to tell if anything had happened to him truly wasn't enough. Because in the back of her mind, each moment that passed that he wasn't in Storybrooke had worried her sick. Admitting that would be the last thing she would do though. Then again..they had changed enough so that if she did admit to it – he would probably chuckle and wave it off. "Where in the realms have you been?"

"Here, there." He settled on a vague answer, knowing all too well neither of them really preferred to delve into the truth of the matter. He was here, standing alone in front of her. Deep in the forest that felt like a stranger to them both. "And you?"

"Trading one fight for another. You know how it is."

"Evil never rests." He closed the space between them at that moment, the smile he had on his face at the sight of her not leaving his lips. "That is an outfit made for a warrior."

"You noticed." Instinctively she brought a hand to smooth it out, the leather and fabric warm from the sub belting down upon them. In truth, she had always wanted a compliment such as that. Having worn many outfits during the time in which she came to him for this or that. Always leaving without a word uttered in regards to her attire.

It wouldn't be like him to continue any further, instead he opted for; "This fight you spoke of.." He moved to the side, holding out his arm to her which she happily took with a soft smile creeping onto her lips.

"I'll tell you all about it." They began walking along the path in which she was headed, the wind causing the leaves on the trees to whisper hushed noises along the breeze. "..on one condition.."

"And what is that?" In truth he knew all too well what she would ask of him. Knowing the short amount of time that had passed for her felt more like an eternity to him, yet she somehow always knew when he needed to talk about something. Or when they truly needed one another. He wagered now would be no different.

"You tell me what brought you here. None of us called you. So there's something you're after."

"It will be one long talk." He answered truthfully, taking in a deep breath and reveling at the crisp air entering his lungs..

"That's a good thing. Because this path goes on for quite a bit. And then we'll need to make our way back to the camp also. We have more time than we need."

As if time had never stopped, the curse had never happened and they were but the mere people who once had their eyes set on a goal entirely different than the current ones. Now being more about redemption than revenge – they talked, sharing their adventures and heartache. Both knowing what it feels like to have their hearts broken and dreams shattered. In this they found comfort.