- him I knew so well -
there in a place where no one appeared.
Regina was already getting Roland ready when Robin came over and swung the boy around, and then he gave her a kiss. "Good morning."
"Good morning indeed," she kissed him again. "If it got any better I'd need a cigarette."
Robin frowned. She laughed, "Nevermind."
"Nevermind," he shook his head. "No. I'll get you back for that."
"In a good way?"
"Sure!" and he kissed her, taking her breath away.
It was fun, this.
"Let's get ready, Robin," Regina laughed when they broke away. "Another long day ahead."
"Happily, the last leg we'll be riding."
"Riding?"
"Yes." Regina looked down, "You do know how to ride?" he asked.
"Of course I do!"
"But?"
He would know that there was more.
"I don't like to," Regina admitted. "I haven't since the curse hit."
"There's no riding in Storybrooke?" Robin asked.
"Oh, there is. I just haven't," she fell into step with the rest of the group. "There it's for fun, but riding isn't fun for me. Brings back bad memories."
A small pause. Great. Ruined the fun.
"You can ride with me, if you want," Robin suggested.
Aha! Stepped right into that!
Regina's eyebrows lifted saucily. He shook his head and without a word walked ahead for his watch.
Later, Robin doubled back to walk with her and Roland, "Why not do the opposite of what you want?"
"No, thank you very much. I'll stick with my original plan," Regina looked ahead.
"What? And run alongside us?"
"No!" Regina, playfully slapped at him. He dodged her with a laugh. "I'll ride with you." They were falling behind. "Uh, your Merry Men seem to be letting us alone," she noted. "They ok with this?"
"This?" Robin asked.
"Us."
"Oh. They're fine," he said, but he reddened.
Reddened.
"Oh my gods. They think you're a friggin' hero, don't they? Getting some Evil Queen?"
"Better than them wanting to shoot you," he pointed out.
"And you!" Regina accused.
"I defend you!" Robin insisted, and then quickly mumbled, "In a way they'll understand."
"Ugh." Well, she had decided to play? She who dances must pay the fiddler.
She'd just pretend they didn't exist.
Hours later they finished the walk for the evening, and as the bedtime routine continued, Regina found herself getting more and more annoyed.
She sat by Robin at the fire with a curt snap.
"Fabulous," he remarked. "You going to sulk about this?"
"Yes!"
"You really want me to tell you?"
"Maybe," Regina muttered.
"Ok. All I did was tell them to quit being so jealous and get a beautiful woman of their own."
Oh. That wasn't so bad. "You think I'm beautiful?"
Robin scoffed lightheartedly, "You know you are."
"Yes. But you think I am."
"Of course."
"Say it," Regina demanded.
"Rather testy tonight." She arched an eyebrow. "Ok." Robin looked at her, "You're beautiful."
She kissed him.
"I might have said it a little more earthily than that," he said quickly and dodged another slap.
And then…
"Hey," Robin touched her chin, "what is it?"
"Nothing."
"If it were nothing…"
"I wouldn't be reacting, I know." Regina sighed, "It's going to be hard, that's all."
"What will?" he asked.
"All's fun and games until a woman casts a spell and is never seen again."
"Cheery, Regina," Robin remarked. "Can we just enjoy what we have left?"
"Carpe Diem?" she asked.
"Yes."
She stood, "I'm tired. Let's turn in."
And as they did, he wrapped his arms around her, kissing her head.
"You're a good cuddler," Regina commented.
"I think I'm hurt!"
She rolled her eyes.
"Regina," Robin whispered in her ear, "think of this, I'm taking you riding tomorrow."
"That is not going to cheer me up!"
He continued, "Face it head on?"
Regina snuggled into him, "Let's not talk of it."
Not talk of it now.