And here we are, the next update! This one's a bit of a filler, but I hope you enjoy! Thank you again for all of your wonderful comments! I enjoy reading each and every one of them!
Reya listens quietly from around the corner, heart hopeful that there's even the slightest possibility that something good could come out of this first encounter. She smiles as she finds both adults beginning to slowly warm to the idea of being in each other's presence (she's mainly thinking of Regina, whose stubbornness knows no limits). The young girl chuckles softly at the thought. After all, like mother like daughter. She will force Regina to be with Robin, even go as far as pushing them both out into the harbor by boat with neither an engine nor paddle, if that's what it takes to get her family back.
But for now, she will calmly listen, standing like a phantom in the shadow of the hallway. If she leans far enough, Reya can just catch sight of Regina's booted foot sticking out from where she sits. A little further, and she risks getting caught. And she dare not interrupt the moment. Because finally, they are talking. But then, Regina is voicing her concern over what Reya has told her. And the young girl's heart sinks in her chest, disheartened that her cursed mother still doesn't believe a word she says. However, she shouldn't be surprised. Though cursed, Regina still carries the same traits that of her true self: her immediate reluctance to believe for fear of being vulnerable in something she may deem to be foreign or out of her comfort zone. After all, it has taken the ex-Evil Queen quite some time to open up to the idea of loving again. But if she did it once, she can most certainly do it again. And that is what Reya is counting on the most. She knows her mother still has it in her. It's all a matter of finding it.
Reya's heart lightens quite a bit as Robin jumps in, saying that perhaps this all happened for a reason. In this one moment, she rejoices in the possibility that, though cursed, her father still retains that small flicker of hope deep within him. Whether he recognizes that or not is something he has to find out for himself. But this is a start. This is what will help him open up and possibly prompt Regina to do the same. The thought makes Reya smile brightly in the darkness of her hiding spot. Things are good. Very good.
Things are not good. Not good at all. Steve calls.
All previous feelings of joy die immediately the moment Regina picks up her damn cellphone. And as the older brunette speaks, little does she know that her daughter scowls in the darkness, all traces of her previous smile erased. Oh how Reya loathes that man. The minute she met him, and after that one swift conversation, she knew he would be a bad egg no matter how much he cuddles up to Regina. God, she can't even think of the two of them together. The idea is downright disgusting. It's not genuine. Nothing about it is.
Reya's mood plummets even further as Regina suddenly stands up to leave. Had Steve not called, her mother would have stayed even longer. The young brunette sulks in the hallway as Robin shows the older brunette to the door. Reya is far too annoyed to take notice of Robin calling Regina "milady". Although, such another detail would most certainly spark a little more hope in the now infuriated girl.
However, beyond being utterly pissed about Steve's interruption, Reya truly worries about his involvement with Regina. Obviously he is more of hindrance than an asset when it comes to getting her mother back on track to break the curse. The young girl just hopes with all her heart and soul that Regina will see past him and look to Robin, who in comparison, is far more profound a person than someone as superficial as Steve.
Reya sighs, shaking her head as she moves out into the openness of the hallway. In a sour mood, she makes her way back to her bedroom. Trudging through the doorway, the young brunette forcefully closes the door and goes to lie across her bed, face down on her pillow. She only moves when Robin comes by, rapping gently on the door with his knuckles.
"What?" Reya moans miserably.
Robin frowns, grabbing the handle and opening the door a crack. "I was just coming to check on how you settled in," he explains, "But is everything all right?" His look is one of slight concern.
"No," the young girl groans, shifting onto her back and staring up at the ceiling.
"What's wrong?" Robin asks gently, opening the door slightly wider.
"Nothing," Reya insists, "Nothing that you can help with right now."
"Are you sure about that?"
"Yeah, I'm sure. I guess I just have to wait and see what happens."
Robin shakes his head, confused about the young girl's strange attitude. But, having nothing better to offer, he decides it best to simply play along with it. "I suppose that's what we all do nowadays," he remarks with a half chuckle, "Just wait and see what happens."
Boots clunk heavily against the gravel as Regina swiftly makes her way to her abode. There have only been a handful of times when she has either been late or forgotten a commitment to Steve, but enough to certainly know that the man does not do well with those kinds of mistakes. The minute she steps through the threshold of her home, the man is rushing up to her, taking her face in his hands, and pressing a long and fervent kiss to her lips.
"Regina," he chastises softly, pulling back to look into her eyes.
The brunette shakes her head, sighing softly. "I'm sorry, Steve," she apologizes, "I really was only going to drop Reya off, but I got invited to stay for dinner and I lost track of time."
"But you said that I'd see you tonight," Steve replies with a shake of his head. He gives her a wounded look. "You know I don't like it when you tell me one thing and then do another."
"But I'm here with you now." Regina pulls away and brushes past him to make her way into the living room and settle her belongings on the couch.
"But still, a lot later than I expected," Steve retorts, following her at a distance.
Regina shakes her head, moving to sit down on the couch. She stares at him from across the room. Both their dark eyes meet, locking in their gaze; Steve's is a gaze both reprimanding and disappointed while Regina's is that of weariness and contrition. "Let it go, Steve," she sighs, "I'm here now. That's all that matters."
"But—"
"Steve," Regina interrupts more forcefully, her gaze piercing his adamantly. She sits back, crossing her arms at the man across from her. A small yet inviting smirk tugs on her lips as she begins to eye him seductively. "You aren't going to stand there sulking all night, are you?" she asks with a slight pout. "Wouldn't you rather do what you came here to do?"
Steve shakes his head, shifting his jaw from side to side in slight frustration. Damn this brunette who can easily change way just by a look in her eye. "Regina," he warns, however taking a step closer to her. "I know what you're trying to do."
"Do you?" Regina asks, shifting on the couch.
"I do," Steve says, "And as much as I'd love to. I'm still angry with you."
"Oh, you can't be that angry with me," Regina answers as she takes the ends of her dark locks and twists them around her finger.
Steve shakes his head, taking another step towards her. "Yes, Regina," he replies assertively, "I can." He raises his brows, giving her a pointed stare.
"Please, don't be angry with me, Steve," Regina purrs, standing to approach him with the gait of a feline. She sighs softly for effect, approaching him before pressing both her palms to her boyfriend's chest; fingers splaying out against his carved pectorals. The brunette looks up into his eyes, chuckling lowly before pressing an arousing kiss to his lips. "Mmm," she hums. When she pulls back, she shoots him a mischievous smirk. Her eyes flash with anticipation.
The game she plays on him is one that Steve enjoys more than he'd wish to confess. His previous frown slowly begins to turn upward into something that of a simper. Broad hands rest on Regina's hips, squeezing her sides firmly as he lets her kiss him heatedly.
"So what do you say, hmm?" the brunette asks with a pursing of her lips and a tilting her head. "Can we drop this and get on to more…pleasurable things?"
Steve's lips curl into a wide and tantalizing smile. He looks down at her, eyes sparkling with amusement. "I don't know, Regina," he continues to play, "Perhaps…"
Regina pouts blatantly at his impish remark. "Fine then," she says, stepping away from him. She crosses her arms over her chest, scowling melodramatically. "If that's how you want it, then leave."
"Oh come on, Regina," Steve says, stepping towards and enveloping her in his arms. "You know I always want you." He presses a kiss into her hair. "Even when you piss me off at times."
The moment he takes her into his arms, Regina's scowl turns upside down and she giggles like a schoolgirl in his embrace. "I know," she says, looking up at him, "And the same goes for me with you."
"I'm glad to hear it," Steve says, leaning down to capture her lips in a searing kiss; his hands beginning to wander her body as he slowly begins to back her up in the direction of the couch. Regina hums into his lips, her temperature already rising; finally relieved that she can now claim the prize after all of that tiresome banter. And his words are like the cherry on top, sealing the deal for yet another pleasurable night.
"Now," his whispering voice sends shivers down her spine. "No more talking…"
Regina paces the grand hall, the silky material of her gown swirling around six-inch heels that click angrily against the floor. This is one of her favorites. Dark royal blue made of the finest silk and satin, bejeweled around the scooping collar, the waist, and sleeves, she has worn this dress to impress him. Everything is perfect. The room is dim with minimal lighting provided by the candles on the table and the torches nearby to create a romantic and sensual atmosphere. The table, set for two, holds a feast for six upon it. Fresh greens, potatoes, rice, bread, oil, and a large roast (placed front and center) lie on display, looking absolutely scrumptious and ready to eat. Everything is perfect, just the way she wants it. Except for one thing.
A certain thief is late.
About ten minutes have gone by and neither a sound nor sight of the leather clad outlaw graces the grand hall. And his love is becoming rather peeved at his tardiness. For how dare he be late after going through all this hard work in preparing a nice meal for the both of them?
At the fifteen minute mark, Regina growls under her breath. Her eyes flash as her temper heats. She's almost about to sit down by herself and eat, and leave her insufferable thief to fend for himself, when suddenly she hears the sound of heavy boots making their way into the hall. Whirling around, the brunette queen turns to gaze into the sparkling blue eyes of her lover…and the wide, silly grin upon his lips. It causes her anger and frustration to heat even further.
"Wipe that stupid smile off your face, thief!" is her harsh command.
Immediately, the smile that had once stretched Robin's lips disappears the moment he catches on to her present vexed demeanor and abrupt instruction. He frowns, brows pulling towards the centerline of his features as he focuses on Regina's taut expression. "What is it, my love?" he asks, stepping towards her, "Is everything all right?"
"No. Everything is not all right," Regina huffs, crossing her arms at him as she gives him her best evil glare. "You're late."
Robin shakes his head. Only then does her realize the table in all its glory with the food and the candles. And his heartbeat quickens. "Regina," he breathes, closing his eyes and opening them again, "I'm so sorry. I didn't know…"
"Oh of course you didn't," Regina snaps with a roll of her eyes, "It was supposed to be a surprise! I told you to meet me in the grand hall at six thirty. It is now ten of seven. This was meant to be a lovely dinner for the both of us but you had to ruin it by being late, doing God knows what out in that forest all day."
Robin sighs, staring up at her meekly. "I guess I just lost track of time," he admits.
"Lost track of time doing what?" Regina demands, stepping towards him. She's so close that he can smell that faint scent of apples he so adores. Her eyes, dark and entrancing, bore into his.
Again, the man sighs, shaking his head. "I'm afraid I can't tell you," he confesses.
"What do you mean you can't tell me?!" Regina explodes.
"Well, it's a surprise, milady," Robin answers with a mere shrug before a small smile tugs at the corners of his lips. Unbeknownst to her, he reaches down and subtly pats his pants pocket. "You'll just have to find out."
Regina frowns, her rouged lips pursing as her brow lifts into a perfect and dramatic arch. "Should I be worried?" she questions lowly.
At her expression, Robin's smile grows larger, sly and secretive. His eyes sparkle with excitement and promise. "Certainly not, milady," he responds, "Quite the opposite, in fact." He steps even closer to her. "You should be excited."
"Excited?" Regina repeats, tilting her head.
"Indeed," Robin confirms, "Trust me."
"How can I trust you if you don't even come to dinner in time when I tell you?"
"I suppose you'll just have to rely on your gut." Robin says with a smirk. "You won't be disappointed."
"Well, my gut tells me that I'm hungry. And I am disappointed because the food is now cold," Regina retorts in a huff.
"For that, I am sorry," Robin says before tilting his head, gazing at his love with wide eyes. Again, it's that pleading puppy look that is so terribly hard to resist as Regina soon finds the corners of her lips twitching in response. "Will you forgive me?"
Regina rolls her eyes. "You're a pain, thief, you know that?"
"Indeed." Robin shoots her a dazzling smile in response.
"Will you stop that?!" Regina exclaims, pushing her lover away with a gentle shove on his chest. Yet, she cannot help the endearing smile that somehow managed to push itself upon her lips. "I'm still angry at you!"
"Oh, you can't be that angry with me," Robin returns, "Now let us eat. Then, I'll show you exactly why you shouldn't be angry."
So dinner commences. And despite the more tepid food than preferred, all previous feelings of irritation dissipate into the air as conversation progresses. Having it only been a few days in their new home, Regina and Robin have settled in quite well. It was more of a smooth transition than expected, with little to no struggle. Apart from the minor setback of having to defeat the Dark Fairy's curse alongside the queen's other half, Regina and her lover have finally found peace, and even more so once having arisen victorious in the final battle. From that triumphant day, things have settled considerably as both now look towards a brighter future.
It's a future that Robin intends to seal this night. All throughout dinner, he listens quietly as his lover speaks of the promise of regaining the trust of the villagers who now seek refuge in the forest from previous curses. In her eyes, he can read so clearly the determination, the eagerness to restore the Enchanted Forest to its former glory. Robin couldn't be prouder. And tonight, he intends to act wholly on those feelings.
Robin may seem to be listening to Regina quietly, however in his mind, he is thinking of ideas in which to make this right, to make this perfect. The traditional way is far too basic for a couple like Regina and himself. He wants to make this personal, unique to the two of them and what they represent.
It takes until dinner draws to a close when Robin finally has his tactic, a different but perfect way in which to go about executing this special moment.
"Are you still angry with me?" Robin asks Regina, a light smirk plastered to his lips.
Regina raises her brow, staring the man up and down appraisingly. "Well, that simply depends on how well tonight goes," she husks lowly before brushing past him, leaving behind a whiff of that scent of apples he so loves.
Robin chuckles lowly, shaking his head fondly before following from the grand hall at a distance. However, instead of heading in the direction that Regina walks, towards the bedroom, he takes a detour down a different hallway and ends up in the castle's extensive library. With that smirk still planted on his lips, the thief immediately makes towards the desk to retrieve a scrap of parchment from one of the drawers. Upon taking a seat at the desk, the small strip of paper laid out in front of him, Robin pauses for a moment to contemplate what he should write. After but a moment, the idea comes and he dips a quill in ink before scrawling out exactly what he has in mind: that perfect question. It's not the best of penmanship, but it will do. Satisfied, Robin leaves the library, parchment in hand.
The next stop is the trophy room that lies located a few doors down. There, he grabs his bow and one of his precious arrows. With a smile, Robin takes a piece of string before reaching into his trouser pocket to pull out that one special item, the key to this special surprise. He then takes a seat on one of the large chests and gets to work. With the arrow held between his knees, Robin coils the parchment around the shaft, all the while holding the string and ring between his teeth. After feeding the string through the sparkling ring, the thief then fastens the parchment to the shaft, pulling the tie firmly so as not to easily come undone. When this quick, two minute setup is complete, Robin lifts the arrow, holding it at arms length to admire his handiwork.
"Robin!" Regina calls from their bedroom upstairs. "I'm waiting."
Robin chuckles softly to himself before answering, "I'm coming, my love." And with that, he is standing and making his way up the spiral staircase to their bedchamber, bringing his bow and newly adorned arrow in hand.
He approaches the entrance of their bedroom quietly, careful not to make a sound. She sits at her vanity, brushing out her long and silky locks. From the angle of the mirror, Robin can just catch a glimpse of her blissful smile. It warms his heart to the core as he watches her for a moment, taking in the sight of her. Even with her back to him, Regina is beautiful. And she is his, just as he is hers. With a silent nod to himself, Robin grips his bow and positions the arrow into place. Drawing the bow, he aims for the wooden frame of her vanity mirror. It's a tricky angle, but he is confident that his target will not be missed. He hopes that his lover will not be mad at him once again, perhaps for ruining the vanity's intricately carved wood. However, something tells him that his surprise shall be enough to distract.
In that moment, Robin closes his eyes, imagining a future with the woman who sits blithely oblivious. He imagines the forest, once quiet with only the cries of the birds but now filled with the laughter of his beloved queen as they ride swiftly through the trees. And, if even possible, he imagines a child; a beautiful little girl whose features match those of his stunning wife. She would be the perfect miniature version of his lovely queen for Robin to love, cherish, and protect for all eternity.
As Robin opens his eyes once again, the images of his hopes and dreams gently wane to reveal the image of his lover still sitting at her vanity. His heart beats against his ribcage, eager for what the future would behold should she say "yes". And he is certain she will, for he knows that she loves him profoundly, just as he loves her. He'd give his life for her.
And so, he steadies himself, drawing himself up straight, perfecting his aim. And after a countdown of "three, two, one" and a breath, he loosens the arrow.
"Mmm, that was nice," Regina sighs softly, lying her head on Steve's chest. She yawns sleepily, shifting slightly to get comfortable next to him.
Steve smiles down at her, gently combing his fingers through her locks. The action almost has her purring in appreciation.
"Are you still pissed?" the brunette asks, turning her head to look up into his eyes.
"No," Steve says with a sigh, shaking his head in reply, "No I'm not, Regina."
"Good," Regina murmurs, closing her eyes.
"But…" the man adds.
Regina exhales through her nose. "Hmm?" she hums lazily, keeping her eyes closed.
"I want to know who this 'friend' is," Steve states.
Dark brows furrow and Regina opens her eyes, lifting her head from her boyfriend's chest. "He's just a friend," she repeats in clarification.
"I know, Regina," Steve says, "But what's his name?"
Regina sighs deeply, shaking her head. "Robin. Robin Locksley."
At this, the man's brows lift. "Robin?" he repeats, "You mean the weird guy you told me about? The guy by the docks?"
"That's the one," Regina states.
"So all of a sudden, he's your friend?"
Regina simply shrugs. "I don't know. He's someone Reya apparently knows," she sighs softly, lying her head back down, "He's not a bad guy. I mean, he's not as weird as I thought. He's kinda…nice."
"I just hope he's not too nice," Steve mutters.
"What's that supposed to mean?" The brunette frowns.
Steve sighs, shaking his head. "Regina, I love you, and—"
Immediately, Regina's eyes widen and she sits up, looking the man directly in his eyes. "Steve, no," she breathes, "I'm not going to leave you. I love you too, with all my heart. Please don't get the wrong idea. Robin's just another guy. That's all. My heart is with you."
Her words seem to sufficiently calm Steve, at least for now. However the man, being the man he is, cannot simply shake off the bad feeling he has. Aside from his obvious worries, to him, when putting it all together, this whole situation is downright bizarre. A girl that he never even knew is related to Regina pops up out of nowhere. And all of a sudden, Regina is having dinner at the house whose owner is one at whom she'd never even thought to look twice. It worries him that things are about to change, and not for the better.
"I just want to be your man," he says softly, raising a hand to grasp gently at her cheek, "I want to be all yours, and you to be all mine. I want us to have a future."
"And we will," Regina insists. She shakes her head. "I promise."
"But if you do decide to leave me—"
"I won't," the brunette interrupts adamantly.
Steve sighs softly. "But if you do, I won't stop you."
Regina shakes her head. "Don't even think about it," she says, "That shouldn't be a thought in your mind. I know where I belong."
And there you have it! A little more to the story behind DarkOQ's signature proposal! If you want to read more on what happens after Robin shoots the arrow, check out my oneshot entitled simply A New Adventure and enjoy! Thanks for stopping by, and don't forget to review! Stay tuned for more to come!