A/N- Here's the latest chapter! I don't think I can wait until September after that finale; I'm just going to fill the time by writing! Enjoy!
Regina and Robin couldn't believe their eyes. The red rose in Robins hand had to be a trick, there was no way they could be soul mates. They had both suffered great loss and the colourless world was how they were punished. Robin turned and stared at Regina, but she was too busy being mystified by the rose.
"Do you see-" Robin began to ask before he was cut off.
"Yes." Regina whispered, the word barely leaving her lips.
The pair both fell back into silence, looking at the rose, the sound of Snow and Roland playing keeping them grounded.
"It's red," Robin finally whispered. Regina finally looked away from the rose and deeply into his eyes. "What um," Robin began, struggling for words. He could see in her eyes that she was equally as puzzled as he was. "What do we do about this?"
"I don't know."
"Oh."
"Robin." Regina said as she tore her eyes off his and looked around the field, her body frozen. "This can't be happening". Robin looked up and gazed at the roses around him- all red. They both looked back to each other and saw red on their lips. "This can't be happening," Regina worried, again, standing up. The pain in her arm from the wound was still there but that was on the back of her mind. Robin stood up too, a tight grip on her waist just in case she collapsed again. The field was a plethora of red; red roses of different shades, crimson lips of Regina and light red lips of Robin, the red flowers that were embroidered on Snow's dress and the dark red of the blood that was flowing out of the dead bodies of the bandits. It was all beautiful. It was all wrong. Regina loved Daniel, and Robin loved Marian so why were they both seeing colour?
"I. I don't know what to say, Regina," Robin whispered. He had to admit, Regina was stunning, and one of the most beautiful women he laid ever eyes on. He had heard stories of the child bride's beauty but no words could describe her physique in the flesh. Robin didn't realise how close they were; Robin stood behind Regina, his arms encompassing her thin waste. If Regina was to turn her head towards him, their lips would be millimetres apart. Regina gasped and held her breath at the close proximity they were in. The tensions were high. Robin had just saved her life and now they were seeing red and everything else in the world seemed irrelevant. This man, whose lips were inches from hers, had made her see colour and this meant that they were meant to be. Regina cleared her throat and stepped away as she heard Snow shout her name.
"It's Queen Regina. I'm married. To the King," Regina said, trying to be stern but failing miserably.
"You're right," Robin sighed. "This, us, couldn't work, right?"
"No absolutely not." Regina and Robin were both deeply upset by it. Whatever force or magic brought them together should be listened to. The pair both loathed the fact that they would have colour in their lives and not be able to share it with each-other, even if they had only known each-other for little under five minutes.
Snow shouted Regina again, to which Roland joined in by shouting his papa.
"What do you want, Snow?" Regina shouted with a hint of annoyance in her tone, which Robin picked up on.
"I'm hungry," she called back.
"Me too," shouted Roland, as he began to pout. Regina laughed at the sight of Roland and went to her bag which was on her horse. Except her horse was nowhere to be seen. Regina looked around the red field for the horse and began to panic.
"Shit," she whispered under her breath. She rarely cussed, but it was times like these when she couldn't help it. Snow's black horse was by the river but Rocinante was gone. "Rocinante?" She shouted worryingly. "Rocinante!" She yelled, louder. Snow noticed that the horse was missing too and began to shout too.
"Regina, what's wrong?" Robin asked, touching her elbow gently.
"It's my horse, she's disappeared ," she replied in distress. "Rocinante?"
"What does she look like?"
"Brown. When I got her she was brown with a white stripe down her nose. Obviously she's dark grey now but you understand, right? " Regina was getting more concerned by the second.
"Hey, It's ok we'll find her Regina," he said, pulling her in for a hug. Robin knew he shouldn't be doing it, but something about the woman drew him in. He wanted to find out more about her, to be close to her. He'd probably never see her again after today and so he wanted to savour every moment with her. Fuck, why was he so caught up on her? He'd just met the women. Sure, she may be his destined soul mate but she could be evil for all he knows. But the truth was he didn't care. He saw the same look he had on his own face on hers; pain. She had been hurt. And by the look of it, very badly. Regina may have riches and the grand title of Queen but he knew that it meant nothing to her. He watched what those bandits were about to do to her, and before he shot the first arrow he saw her give up. She was ready to give her dignity, her pride, even her life away and she didn't even care. She needed saving. Perhaps he could do that.
Robin withdrew from the hug, which Regina didn't decline, and sighed. "I didn't see her when I shot the arrows. She could be as far as the beach by now." He saw the panic in her eyes; he knew this horse meant a great deal to her. "Don't worry though; I'm sure she's safe. Look, you've had a rough morning to say the least, perhaps if I could walk you home? When I get back to my camp, my men and I will start searching for your horse and I will return her to you, you have my word."
Regina looked up at Robin. Shock was the first thing she felt; no one had ever been this kind to her. Not even her dear father. She loved him and he loved her too, but he was never strong enough to stand up to Cora. He let Leopold take advantage of her and never said a word.
"What do you want in return?" Regina replied as she stepped out of his warm embrace. Regina wasn't child anymore, she knew that nothing got you nothing and that everything had a price. Even if she was destined to be with him, she knew nothing about him except that he was Robin Hood, the famous thief. "Gold? Silver?" She said sternly.
"Nothing."
"Nothing? No, that can't be right-" Regina was cut off.
"I just want to help, that's all. Plus it gives Roland and I something to do," he smiled. "Roland? Princess Snow" he shouted before he gave Regina the chance to retaliate.
"Yes, Papa?" Roland replied as he ran over, a bouquet of roses in one hand, followed by Snow who looked concerned for the horse's safety.
"We're going to walk Queen Regina and Princess Snow back to the castle, and then we are going to look for Regina's horse with the merry men, is that ok?" he asked with a smile.
"Yes Papa!" Roland laughed as he took Regina's hand ready to go. Regina again was in shock as the boy's hand laced into hers. No child had ever wanted to do that. Regina's arm started to ache again from the arrow, but she endured and did not move as the boy looked happy. "Are you ready to go, my majesty?" Roland giggled.
"I will in a second, as soon as Princess Snow gets on her horse," Regina replied. Snow eagerly jumped on the horse with ease, somehow managing to avoid getting caught in her dress.
"Oh no! Regina!" Snow cried out. Regina turned around and grimaced at the Princess. "I have some mud on my dress! And I'm still hungry!" Regina looked down at her grey riding gear, now almost soaked red with blood, as a stern look appeared on her face. Robin saw Regina's reaction to the Princesses petty complaints and began laughing. "Robin of Locksley what is funny?" Snow demanded.
"Oh nothing, I just remembered something," he joked, capturing Regina's eye before laughing again. It was obvious that Regina loathed the Princess and seeing them interact was hilarious.
"Snow," Regina said, her voice had a hint of seriousness to it. "Would Roland be able to ride the horse with you? He is only small and we can stop off at the apple tree we passed on the way here so you can eat then," she fake smiled, her arm now aching with pain. Truth be told, as much as Regina wanted to hold the boy's precious hand, the pain in her arm was getting worse by the minute. Plus, Regina wanted to see the red of an apple again, and and the tree they'd stop at could show her just that. She so desperately wanted to see the same red she first saw with Daniel. She wanted to spend more time outdoors, specifically with Robin, but she wouldn't let anyone know that.
Snow contemplated her proposition and nodded her head. Roland smiled as he was lifted onto the horse by Robin.
"You two can race ahead if you want. There shouldn't be any bandits about seeing as I just killed them all, so could you both wait for us by the apple tree not far away?" Robin asked.
"You trust us?" Snow replied, happily.
"Indeed, my Princess," Robin, kissing the Princesses hand. He then approached Regina, who looked stunned that Robin had so much faith. Snow smiled and raced ahead with Roland to the tree.
"And what was all that about, thief?" Regina smirked, as Robin came closer to her.
"I wanted them out of here," he said, seriously.
"Why?" Regina questioned, becoming slightly concerned.
"Regina, tell me you feel it."
"Feel what?"
"This. Regina, this strange feeling that I know we both know we haven't felt in a long time. I see the same look in your eye that I have," Robin said, as he stood in an incredibly close proximity to her.
"I don't know what you're on about," she lied. Oh, Regina felt it. She knew exactly what she felt: the colour red.
"Bullshit. When I picked up that rose on the grey and we both looked at it and saw red, everything changed. I saw it in you," Robin said as he lightly touched her cheek.
"Robin you know we cannot do this. It'll just be easier from the both of us if you took me home and we never saw each other again. I'm the Queen for fuck sake. You're a thief. This will only end in more pain and I can't go through it all again," Regina heartbreakingly said as she moved Robin's hand from her cheeky.
Robin stared at the stunning woman in front of him, taking in her beauty, as he began to shake his head.
"What?" Regina demanded.
"I've lost love before. For so long I felt empty, as if my life had no purpose. I was so close to giving up and I would have, but as soon as I saw you it all went away," he smiled. "It's like you're eyes were meant to gaze into mine, the more I get of you the stranger it feels. I may have only known you for a short time but there's no way I can live without seeing you again."
"Stop it," Regina demanded. She craved for him; they were soul mates for God's sake, but this love was forbidden. A Queen and a Thief falling in love. It would only end in tragedy.
"Stop what?" Robin smirked. "This?" he said as he wrapped his arms around her. Caressing her supple cheek, he lifted her chin; their noses almost touching. She could feel the warmth of his breath brushing the top of her lip. He gazed back into her soft grey eyes and moved up the last half inch so their lips could touch. Softly. Lovingly. They breathed their souls into each other in that kiss. That kiss; hard, but soft; fiery but cool; a split second but also forever. Their lips lingered on top of each other, eyes closed, both refusing to move an inch to end the moment. In that one kiss, they both understood the pain the other had felt, the love the other had to offer, and the beautiful heartbreak they had started.
Regina was the first to open her eyes and pull away. Her heart and mind in a raging war. Robin opened his eyes but refused to let go. He was perplexed as to why he was so attracted to her. God she was stunning in every way, but she was the Queen.
"We should, um," Regina struggled to find her words. "Roland and Snow," she whispered as she pulled out of his embrace, instantly missing the warmth.
"Yes," Robin frowned.
Regina began to walk forward towards the shaded, grey forest, leaving the red of the rose field behind. Robin walked beside her, keeping a bit of distance. Regina looked extremely conflicted and Robin didn't want to make the situation worse, the air between them expanding and filling up with the words they didn't say. Robin wavered on speaking but couldn't find the right words, so he simply grabbed her hand instead. Regina was brought out of her conflicted mind when she felt the heat of his hand touch the cold of hers but she didn't pull away. Robin smiled at Regina, warming her heart. As they carried on walking further out of the small forest, Robin spotted the apple tree down at the bottom off a tree, Snow and Roland both sat down munching on the apples. Regina let go of Robin's hand and began to race down the hill, nearly falling over fallen branches off the thick trees that encompassed them until she reached the apple tree at the bottom. Regina froze as her eyes fixated on the red apples around her. Just as beautiful as the ones she first saw with Daniel. Tears began to form in her eyes as she reached up and grabbed one from the tree. She held the apple in her hand and put it close to her chest, her eyes closing as the memory of the stable boy flooding in her mind.
"Regina? Are you ok?" Snow piped up.
"Yes, I'm fine dear," Regina replied, quietly, not opening her eyes.
"Well Roland and I have had plenty to eat so we're ready to go back home to my father now," Snow smiled, as she walked over to her horse.
"Snow, we're just going to stay here for a while," Robin said as he finally made it to the bottom of the hill. "Can't you see that Regina has had a hard day so far, let her rest for a moment, go play with Roland." Roland ran over to his papa with a cheeky grin, his mouth full with apples. He gave both him and Regina a hug before running back to play with Snow. "Now I can see why you hate her," Robin chuckled as he sat down.
Regina opened up here eyes and smiled, as she joined him on the dirty forest floor.
"Oh trust me; her insufferable personality is just the beginning of my hatred for her," Regina scowled, making Robin laugh even more. "What?" Regina smiled.
"Nothing," he cheekily replied, "It's just the name, Snow. A bit precious, don't you think?"
Regina chuckled. "Oh God tell me about it, why would anyone name their child after something so cold? Actually, that's quite fitting for her."
"What about the Kings name, Leopold? Now that's a name you don't hear so often!" Robin began, giggling, but once he saw Regina's perfect face drop when hearing his name, his heart sunk. "Regina I'm sorry, I didn't mean to-" He began.
"No it's fine," Regina replied, emotionless, looking down at the magnificent red apple in her hand.
"No it isn't. I should have been more sensitive, I-" Robin was lost for words. "Is he nothing like the people say he is?" He asked, timidly.
"He's kind to the people, treats them with respect and dignity." Regina's voice was barely a whisper. Robin moved closer to Regina and put one arm around her to comfort her. Snow and Roland were too busy playing pretend to notice his advances. "He loves his Kingdom and his daughter very much. But his wife? Sorry, his second wife, I'm nothing to him. He..." Regina stopped to think of the right way of phrasing the next utterance that came from her crimson lips. Robin knew what she was going to say and so he brought her into a tight hug. Regina placed her head on his shoulder. Robin was showing her kindness, something her life lacked. Tears began streaming down her cheek but she wiped them away before anyone noticed. She was taught better than to cry in public.
"You don't have to tell me anything if you don't want to, Milday," Robin whispered into her ear. Regina nodded, her head still resting on his shoulder.
"You smell like forest," Regina giggled, sitting up. Robin smiled at her comment.
"Why thank you, my Queen," Robin replied, smugly.
"That wasn't a compliment, Thief," she smirked, lightly punching his shoulder. As she did though, she felt her injured arm tense up with pain. "Shit," she whispered as she looked at the wound; dark red blood began seeping through her clothes.
"Fuck, we need to get you home soon," Robin said as he ripped off more cloth and began to wrap it around the wound again.
Once done, the pair got up and made their way to the children who were happily playing. Snow and Roland mounted the horse and they began to make the last part of the journey home. The four of them were laughing the whole way, Roland telling Jokes, Snow telling stories about how she embarrassed herself at her first ball, Robin telling stories about the pranks he played on his Merry Men. Regina couldn't join in, only laugh at their antics. Time passed, the four bonded, and they finally reached the Castle. Snow said goodbye and ran off to the castle, leaving Robin, Regina and Roland behind.
"Regina I need to see you again, alone," Robin said, bluntly.
"And I you, thief, but I can't leave the castle on my own," Regina sadly replied.
"You'll find a way. I believe in you. Tomorrow, meet me by the greying tower near the sea," he smiled, "Meet me before the sun rises so we can watch it together." He grabbed Regina's hand but she pulled away.
"Not here; Leopold has eyes everywhere. I'll be there," she whispered. Regina smiled at Roland and began to walk away, but stopped and turned around. "Thank you," She said, gleefully.
"Regina wait," Robin called, as he ran towards her. Regina looked puzzled as Robin reached into his pocket. "For you, Milady," Robin grinned as he pulled out the same red rose which they laid eyes upon earlier. Regina looked surprised as she took the rose in her hand. She looked deep into Robin's eyes.
"Tomorrow," She smiled as she turned around and ran off.
"Tomorrow."