A/N: This is for the prompt "Regina attends a con as an actress and Robin freaks out because of all the potential security issues." Written for day six of OQ Happy Ending Week for AU OQ.
She'd had no idea it would blow up the way it had when she'd taken the role. That the character would resonate with so many people, would incite passion and drive in the hearts of people old and young alike. Though she should have, Regina supposes. Henry is absolutely obsessed with the series (had, in fact, been over the moon when she'd told him what she'd be filming for the next few months), so she knew the popularity for it was there.
But the outpouring of letters (the good kind this time) she's received since it's release has been staggering. It's been a bit overwhelming if Regina is being frankly honest, but she's so incredibly grateful that her work's touched people.
There's nothing more she could ever ask for as an actress, no greater compliment than that.
When Mal had first suggested the idea of attending a convention, Regina hadn't known what to say. The whole idea was a concept so foreign to her she requested to take a few days to think it over, weigh the pros and cons in her mind, discuss it with her bodyguard (handily her fiancé as well).
On the one hand, it's great exposure and an opportunity for her to connect with her fans in a setting that's far more personable than anything she could ever achieve over social media. Something Regina definitely feels impassioned about. Not to mention the monetary value and connections that could be made through it. It would open up an entire new world. All of which Mal had pointed out to her before Regina had left her office.
But on the downside, Regina firmly believes in her privacy and keeping to herself for the most part unless it involves her work. After everything she's been through in her life, she is nothing if not cautious about putting herself and her family at risk. It's not something she wants to dive headfirst into.
So she'd spent the afternoon mulling it over in her mind, turning it around all evening as Henry and Robin had cooked hamburgers and dogs on the grill so they could have themselves a little springtime backyard barbecue. Dinner had been a bit of a distraction, with laughter and teasing all around. Roland had been with them for the weekend and had managed to drip ketchup all down the front of his shirt, inciting snickers from Henry and an admonishing look from Regina as she'd taken a wet paper towel and wiped him up the best she could.
Then there had been board games after dinner. Clue this time around rather than Henry's preferred Sorry! But the mystery game is Roland's favorite. Followed by the fun task of wrangling two energetic boys into the bath and settling them down for bed.
It's not until later that night that Regina even has an opportunity to bring it up with Robin.
"How did your meeting with Mal go earlier?" he asks as they are cuddled up in bed, only the dim lights from the bedside lamps illuminating his face when she tilts her chin up from where's she's resting her head on his shoulder, rearranging until she's sitting up in bed.
She's been reading through a script Gold had sent over just this morning, it's the first chance she's had to even glance at it, but he wants to know her interest by Monday morning. Robin's wading through some emails on his phone. It's nice though. When they can cuddle together like this, each of them focused on work while still spending time with each other. It's her favorite way to unwind after the day. Something she's become a bit spoiled by.
"It was… interesting," Regina answers with a bit of uncertainty, not sure what his response to the idea will be.
Her tone must catch his attention, along with her change in position, because Robin gives her a raised eyebrow and tosses his phone onto the nightstand, turning over on his side to rest his head on his fist as he studies her. "Interesting? How so?"
Bending the corner of the page she's reading down, Regina twists around and sets aside the script in her lap before laying back down and mirroring his position on the bed, scooting just a touch closer to him in the shuffle. "Well, Mal made a rather intriguing suggestion, or, well, professional opportunity for me to consider." Robin says nothing, patient as ever as he waits for her to elaborate further. "It seems Carol Danvers took off more than either of us realized she would and that people want me to attend some sort of comic type convention. Mal made quite the argument for the benefits of pursuing something like it."
Robin's brow furrows, and he questions softly, "You mean like that madness that happens for San Diego Comic Con every summer?" He's worked with enough people in security in this town to know that an event of that scale is nothing but a headache half the time. "Do you really think that's a good idea? After everything you've been through?" Everything they've both gone through, really, because his life had been just as affected by those horrific few months as her own.
"That's why I told her it was something I wanted to discuss with you before I committed to anything. I wanted your opinion about it, Robin, but I have to say that some of her points weren't all that unappealing. The opposite in fact." Her hand sneaks across the mattress, crawling over the wrinkled sheets until she can thread her fingers through his, playing with his hand as she waits for him to respond.
With a weary sigh, he points out, "The logistics of protecting you in that sort of environment would be a nightmare and there's no way to vet attendees really. You'd be susceptible to every crazy out there, Regina, and I have to say the idea makes me more than a little nervous."
Even though this was partly the reaction Regina had expected from him, the last bit of his argument can't help but amuse her, causing her lips to twitch as she questions, "You mean all those crazy nerds that are so dangerous?"
Huffing, Robin narrows his eyes at her, staring for a minute before chuckling a bit himself and bringing their joined hands up to his mouth to place a light kiss to her knuckles. "Yes. It's always the ones you least suspect." The mood turns somber for a minute, each of them remembering the anything but fun torment from Sidney Glass, but they've moved past that now. And neither of them wishes for it to affect them for the rest of their lives. "Is this really something you want to do, love?"
She doesn't answer for a minute, considering. The whole idea has been turning over in her mind for hours now, but with Robin gazing intently at her, the truth of what she feels about it is simple. Regina's eyes meet Robin's as she admits, "I think it could be fun. And I would love to have the chance to meet fans, to hear what the character meant to them or why they loved it enough just to come see me. I've never had an opportunity like that before. It would be nice to experience how something I've done has influenced someone."
Well, he can't fault her for that can he? It'll be difficult, but it's certainly not impossible. Robin supposes he's just a tad over protective of her to begin with as well, but there's no real reason that should keep her from doing what she wants. He'll just have to deal with his own emotions over it and do everything in his power to keep her safe. Just like always.
Drawing in a deep breath, he shifts to his back, pulling her into his arms and wrapping her up in his embrace. Regina listens to the steady beat of his heart beneath her ear for a minute, content to lay with him like this as long as she can.
"I guess we're going to comic con then."
-:-
Once she gives Mallory the go ahead, it's easy sailing. At least for Regina. Her fire-breathing agent takes care of all the details. She's gonna start her off small, just a local comic con in Atlanta. Nothing major, and as the blonde points out, it's an event that has minimal security risks, something to appease Robin surely.
Not that it really does anything for his stress levels over it all. It's actually rather adorable, the way he worries over her. He's lucky he's cute or she'd find it infinitely irritating, but Regina won't fault him for wanting to ensure her safety. That's what she'd intitaly hired him for after all and look how well that had turned out for her?
It's a weekend late in August, just before Henry goes back to school so the three of them are making a bit of a vacation out of it, planning on exploring all the wonderful places the city has to offer the week before the convention as a last hurrah of summer. Though her son is absolutely ecstatic to attend the con itself. There's quite the guest list it would seem, and several of the actors from his favorite comic movies and shows are going to be in attendance.
All of it amuses Regina to no end, makes her even more grateful that she'd agreed to go in the first place. So she's rather excited for the whole experience when it finally arrives a month later.
The three of them spend their week visiting the aquarium and Piedmont Park, riding the Ferris wheel downtown and exploring all the many restaurants and sights Midtown has to offer. They'd also spent a day hiking Stone Mountain as well as another at Sweetwater Park with each of their amazing views (one thing Robin had been greatly looking forward to) before Saturday had arrived and Regina had been forced to focus on work again.
Of course, that means an early morning for the three of them. She's got to be at the convention center by 9AM and goes almost immediately into photo ops from there and then is expected to spend the majority of her day at the table they've set up for her. Robin is insistent upon arriving as early as possible, checking the perimeter and doing a sweep of the main hall where Regina will spend most of her time.
If you ask her, it's a bit of overkill, but she lets him do his thing, doesn't argue about any of it. She understands after all, and Regina will indulge him to his heart's content when it comes to her and Henry's safety.
After about five hours of rather nothing happening, despite the steady line of people that have been queuing for her autograph and for a chance to actually speak and have a conversation with her, Robin has to admit that perhaps he overreacted to it all a tad.
They're in a bit of a lull, finally having gotten through the people waiting for her and with a chance for a breather while they wait. "So," Regina starts, grinning at Robin from his seat behind her, "not so bad right? No crazy stalkers here. Just cute teenagers who want to meet the person who brought their favorite character to life."
Robin's lips quirk and he has to concede that she might be right, that he'd been worried over nothing truly serious and it's not anything she can't handle. It's actually been quite adorable watching her throughout the day, and seeing her fans' reactions as well. It has provided endless amusement. "Fine. Maybe you were right, and it wasn't a big deal. But you can't blame me for being cautious, love."
She grins at him, the corner of her mouth quirking up in a smirk. "True, but you were also rather adorable about the whole thing." Her voice drops, growing husky as she leans over to him so no one else can hear, particularly her son, as she adds, "I have to admit I found it rather sexy."
Before he has a chance to respond to the suggestive comment with more than a raised arch of his brow and the beginnings of a smirk, Henry calls out to him, "Robin, look!" finally distracted from the comic he'd been flipping through by something he's seen across the room and pulling them both from the sudden underlying tension of the moment.
And she's so proud of him. He's been so patient all day, waiting around at her table or in the green room with Robin as she's done her job, but Regina knows he's itching to join the crowds around them. To explore the aisles and aisles of booths set up in the vendor area and stand in line to meet Wolverine and to geek out over his favorite superhero.
Robin's notice is drawn to where Henry is pointing (at the other end of the main convention hall and it seems the man of the hour has arrived if the echo of shouts and squeals coming from that end of the room are any indication). His attention shifts, immediately going into "dad mode" and focusing on her son's interests. Though at this point, Robin thinks of Henry as much his own as Roland.
"It's Wolverine!" Henry exclaims, practically bouncing in his seat next to Robin behind her, making Regina chuckle. It's so cute.
Robin nods, "So it is."
"Can we go see him?" the young boy begs, hands gripped together in the usual stance for getting what he wants. "Pleeeeeease, Robin? Mom?" His eyes dart between them, willing to take whoever says yes first. And they'd promised him that much at least. Frankly, she's surprised he'd held out as long as he had.
Looking toward Regina, Robin lifts a brow questioningly, to which she replies, "Go for it. Who am I to stop him? Off with you both!" Regina orders with a grin, distracted by the gaggle of girls just walking up to her table as she returns to work mode.
As the pair of them maneuver their way out of her booth, Henry's talking a mile a minute, jabbering on and on about what he wants to say and what to ask him once they finally get there. They pass all sorts of interesting characters along the way, cosplayers dressed up from Sailor Moon, characters to the Green Arrow and Batman (even a quintet of ladies sporting the classic outfits of the Spice Girls, something the Brit in Robin can't help but appreciate) and everything in between.
It's like nothing Robin's ever seen before. And he lives in a town where he's been witness to some pretty out there sights. But he has to admit that Henry's enthusiasm for it all is rather infectious, and as they wait in the queue that snakes up and down a wide expanse of the room, he starts to get into the whole thing himself.
Henry makes a friend with the pre-teen who appears to be just a few years older than him while Robin and the boy's father chat easily as they weave their way through the line. By the time they make it up to the front, they are in the middle of debating the differences between the screen and comic version of the characters, Henry insisting, "He's so much smarter in the comic strips. He knows like ten languages, Robin."
And perhaps it's a bit of an exaggeration, but Robin consents, "True. He's got a decent head on his shoulders. But I think they captured his personality overall fairly well. Don't you?"
The boy considers for a moment, chewing on his bottom lip in a manner so similar to the way his mother does occasionally that Robin's lips quirk, fighting a smile. Eventually, Henry agrees, "Yeah. And the fight scenes are waaaay cooler!" he exclaims, just as they're walking up, turning an adorable shade of red and uncharacteristically going mute when his idol smiles and thanks him.
Robin smiles and places a comforting hand on his shoulder, giving it a squeeze of encouragement as he turns to take care of the details with the handler as Henry and Hugh start chatting, the eleven year old having found his voice again while the man signs a glossy photo of one of the action scenes Henry so enjoys.
All in all, the interaction only lasts a few minutes and just before they're leaving, Robin snaps a photo of the two of them, to Henry's utter jubilation. The second they're back amongst the crowds walking around Henry exclaims, "That was the coolest thing ever! Thanks, Robin!" He grins, shaking his head and swinging an arm around Henry's shoulder as they meander their way back.
They get waylaid on the return trip to Regina's table, Henry talking Robin into taking a spin around the rows of vendors, insisting, Mom's fine! And Robin knows she is, truly. She doesn't need him right now, particularly not with her handler with her so he lets the boy lead him around, stopping at a booth of Pop! Figures and somehow leaving with several Captain America characters in a bag.
Along the way down the rows, they find several artists whose work is really quite remarkable and Henry's talked Robin into a few prints (and magnets and buttons and lord knows what else) before he's even realized it. He should tell him no, he doesn't need it all after all, but it's so obvious he's having so much fun that Robin merely hands over his credit card when Henry politely asks if he can get this and this every time. His own son is with his mother this week and next so he might as well spoil his honorary one. Eventually he has to put his foot down and insist they go back and check on his mother.
The two of them have been gone for over an hour before they finally return, but once he does, Henry is filled with stories. "Oh my gosh, Mom, he was so awesome! And so easy to talk to!"
Regina grins at her son's enthusiasm, pleased that he seems to have had such a good experience. She'll have to try and catch the other actor in the green room before he leaves to thank him. Glancing over to Robin as he settles back into the seat he's occupied all day, Regina notes the bags of goodies in hand to which she raises an eyebrow inquisitively.
Her fiancé merely shrugs a shoulder and admits a bit sheepishly, "We might have perused the vendor section."
She chuckles merrily, adding a playful, "Sucker," as she leans over and pecks a light kiss to Robin's lips. Henry's still telling her all about what it was like and then he starts digging through the bags and showing off all of his sweet new stuff and artwork until a few more people come up to speak with Regina and he's forced to hold off again.
He and Robin duck their heads together and the man alternates between admiring all of Henry's loot yet again and watching Regina work.
By the end of the day, Robin finds that he's actually quite enjoyed himself, despite his early reservations. And it's been a relatively painless process, a plus because he can already tell this is likely something they'll be doing again. He can see how much fun she's had, how much she's enjoyed herself and Henry's caught the con bug as well. He's spent the last hour making a list of all the people he now wants to meet.
As the three of them leave the Georgia World Congress Center, Henry swinging his bags as he runs ahead of them in the warm glow of the setting sun, Regina and Robin agree it's been a rather successful foray into this new world.