(Special Thanks for Regal_Bekki for beta reading this and a friend for her art work for this. Thank you all who read, review, follow, fav this! Appreciate is so much.)
Day 3-Piercing
(Set in the missing year)
"Papa, Papa!" Roland yells as he runs into his father's room.
"What is it my boy?" Robin asks as he picks up his son.
"Uncle John is getting a thingy in his ear," Roland says.
"A what?" Robin asks.
"He's getting a thing like Regina wears in her ears," Roland explains.
"An earring? Little John is getting an earring?" Robin asks.
"Yes! Out in the courtyard," Roland says.
"Let's go see this, then," Robin says as together they head outside.
A crowd is gathered to watch Snow White piercing Little John's ear,"If you move your head, it's going to be messed up."
"I can't have that," Little John says.
"Okay now just take a deep breath," Snow says as she prepares to pierce his ear. Robin is standing there behind a few others as they watch. Roland is in his arms, with his hands over his eyes, but taking a sneak every now and then.
"People must be extremely bored," a voice says from behind him, a voice he recognizes.
"Regina!" Roland yells as he makes a move towards Regina's arms, she opens her arms and he gladly leaves his father's arms for Regina's.
"Hello, there, my little knight," Regina says as she holds him,"and what antics are you up to this day?"
"Watching Uncle John, getting his ear pierced like Uncle Will," Roland says.
"I hope you don't plan on getting yours as well," Regina says to Roland.
"No, I want my ears like Papa's," Roland says as Regina turns to look at his father. "He does have nice ears, doesn't he?"
Robin raises his eyebrows to watch her answer this question,"Yes, his ears are quite nice, when he's not being a nuisance." Robin smirks at her answer, he also looks at her, their gazes are locked with one another, having a small moment between them.
"Who pierced your ears, Regina?" Roland asks, breaking his father's concentration from Regina's face.
"A very, very old friend," Regina says as she remembers her old maid Grace who had pierced her ears. Grace had been dismissed by her mother, for doing it without Cora's permission.
"Did it hurt?" Roland asks as just then Little John let out a loud yell. The trio turns to look at him, he is holding his ear as he stands up and starts to yell at Snow for hurting his ear, Snow though is holding her own.
"I told you it would hurt, before I pierced it!" Snow says to Little John.
"You didn't tell me it would hurt like this!" Little John counters.
"Oh, quit being a big baby, this is nothing compared to giving birth," Snow says as some around them start to laugh at their antics.
"He has no chance of winning this," Regina says as she puts Roland on the ground.
"Regina will you come watch me practice?" Roland asks her.
"Of course," Regina says as Roland tugs her off towards the side of the castle to watch his archery lesson. Robin follows behind them, walking with his hands behind his back, smiling the whole way.
Once they arrive, Roland is getting his bow and arrow ready with his father as he helps him find the correct stance. Regina sits on a log on the side and watches the Hood boys having their lesson. Roland is a natural at archery, just like his father.
After a few minutes Robin walks over to Regina and sits down beside her,"I want to thank you for spending time with my boy, he loves spending time with you."
"He's a well mannered little boy, unlike other people," Regina says, causing Robin to chuckle.
"Unlike his handsome father, I presume?" Robin asks.
"I never said you were handsome, thief," Regina counters.
"You never said I wasn't," Robin says with a smirk.
"But yes, he is well mannered, unlike you and your groupies," Regina says as she motions towards his merry men.
"My groupies? Well they'll be thrilled with that new nickname from you, your majesty," Robin comments with laughter.
"Why are you over here anyways?" Regina asks.
"A gentleman can't spend time with such a 'charming' lady as yourself?" Robin asks with mockery.
"First off, don't use the word charming around me, it sickens me," Regina instructs, "and second, you're not a gentleman."
"Ah, yes indeed. Well then, how about a man who 'smells like forest"," Robin says.
Regina turns her head sharply at those fateful words,"You were listening."
"How could I miss that? You were not trying to be discreet about it," Robin counters. "Though, I have to agree with the Princess's comment about, he's kinda cute."
Regina rolls her eyes at him,"Only a thief like yourself would think that."
"And a certain princess," Robin counters again.
"Well that speaks volumes coming from her," Regina states.
"What is your disagreement with her?" Robin asks daringly.
"It's none of your business," Regina says.
"Some people say you're jealous of her beauty," Robin says and quickly has to defend himself from the look Regina is giving him. "Not that I agree."
"She couldn't keep a secret," Regina says.
"That's all?" Robin asks.
Regina's anger is getting to her, discussing this topic,"Because of her telling that secret, the love of my life was murdered before my eyes. How would you feel about watching your love being killed because of someone? Knowing that every time you close your eyes to go to sleep, you see their death over, and over."
Robin's thoughts go to Marian, how their line of work had helped contribute to her death,"I have known the sadness of loosing someone, but I can't imagine the pain of watching it. I'm sorry."
"I don't need your sympathy," Regina says harshly.
"Well you shall have it regardless," Robin says. Gods! The woman is so stubborn, too stubborn.
"I don't know why I waste my time," Regina says as she stands up.
"Because of my little boy," Robin says as Regina stops and sits back down. "I know you are spending time with him, because you are also missing your son."
"He's an adorable little boy," Regina says.
"He also loves his new toy monkey very much," Robin says. "He even named it after your son, Henry."
"He did?" Regina asks, as a hint of a smile starting on her face.
"Indeed," Robin confirms, as he too smiles at her. When she realizes she is smiling at the thief, she stops immediately. "I do have a question for you, milady."
"Yes, forest smell isn't pleasant," Regina says.
Robin laughs at her words,"No, that's not what I was going to ask, but I'll see what I can do about that fact. No, what I wanted to know was, could you pierce my ear?"
"You want me to pierce your ear? Why?" Regina asks.
"Why do I want you to pierce my ear or why do I want a pierced ear?" Robin asks.
"Both, but start at why you want a piercing?" Regina asks.
"Well, I am an outlaw, and I have to confess after seeing Will's awhile back, I have always wanted one as well," Robin admits.
Regina has to laugh as she considers this,"Fine, let's go to the library."
Robin calls to Tuck to watch Roland, while he follows Regina to the library. "Sit down, and hold this to your ear." She hands him a piece of ice, she pulls out a sharp pin from her hair and pours some alcohol over it.
"Now, let's see," Regina says as she touches his ear, running her fingers over his ear, slightly. She has no idea about the reaction she is causing to Robin. He is responding to her touch, however innocent it might be, his body is only well, human.
For Regina, this is really the first time she has touched him. His skin, what little she can feel of it, felt soft and silky beneath her fingers. She innocently lets her fingers linger, even touching his hair. Realizing what she is doing, she grips the pin, and readies it to pierce his ear. "Now, take a deep breath and concentrate on something else." Regina instructs him.
Robin takes a breath, and he innocently lets his eyes wander. But the position Regina is in near him, puts her cleavage in line with his eyes. "You ready?" Regina asks.
"Am I ever," Robin answers, a second later the piercing happens, but he never feels it. He is distracted by her cleavage, along with her intoxicating scent.
"There, that should do it," Regina says as she finishes. "Are you alright?"
"Fine, never better," Robin answers. "I guess its too late to ask, but what did you give me as an earring?"
"Oh, I think you'll enjoy this," Regina says as she hands Robin a mirror.
And when Robin looks at his ear, he has to let out a string of laughter, the Queen has marked him with an apple, being pierced by an apple. And to that, Robin only has one comeback he could think of...
"So you want me to pierce your apple?" Robin asks.