Work Text:
A nightmare has Regina reflect on her feelings for Robin.
A canon divergence from the end of season 3.
Regina could not remember the last time she had felt like this - so completely and blissfully happy. There was a difference, she realized now, between what she thought was happiness and what is true happiness. The feeling that overcame her as the first curse took hold of their land and the feeling when she woke up in Storybrooke was accomplishment and victory, she had won...but she was not happy. There was still that emptiness inside of her. Henry filled most of it when he came into her life but there was still something missing.
Now it seemed she had finally found it. Her twisted half-sister was successfully defeated, the curse was broken and Henry remembered her, she was in a place with Snow White that she'd never thought she'd be in - one of peace and understanding - and the newest of all was sitting across from her in their booth at Granny's watching her with warm eyes and a bright smile.
Robin Hood. The man that got on her every last nerve during their year in the Enchanted Forest. The man that was not afraid to stand up to her, to call her out, and secretly impressed her by it. The man who shot an arrow at her, flirted with her over whiskey, stole the letter right out of her pocket, unusually captured her trust so fast the only person she wanted to watch her heart was him. The man she didn't get upset with when he handed it over to Rumplestiltskin for the sake of his child's life. The man who didn't stop apologizing for letting her down. The man with the Lion Tattoo - the man who was her soul mate, the man who was her second chance.
She never thought it would be possible for her to feel like this again...like everything was right in her world.
"To us." Robin said with a smile, raising the glass of whiskey off the table.
Regina returned an equal smile and raised hers, clinking their glasses together. "To us." She echoed.
He took a drink and so did she and then he grinned at her. "We make a pretty good team, wouldn't you say, Majesty?"
Her lips curled into a smirk. "I would indeed, thief. Perhaps the best."
He winked at her and heat rose to her cheeks and she took another drink.
He then reached across the table, opening his hand to her and she more than willingly slipped her hand into his. His fingers curled around hers and gave a gentle squeeze and then he let out a little sigh. "What do we do now?"
She smiled back at him with a little shrug. "Anything we want to." She glanced down for a moment at their conjoined hands and then her eyes flickered back up to him, a smirk on her lips. "I'm sure we could come up with a few ideas."
His brow lifted and then a smirk of his own crossed his lips and it was her turn to wink at him.
"You waste no time, do you Regina?" He laughed and she shook her head slowly, answering honestly.
"I have wasted enough time - I am not going to waste any more."
His face softened and he smiled warmly, squeezing her hand again. "I have the same sentiment." He leaned forward slightly and brought their hands to his lips, brushing over her knuckles with a soft kiss.
"Shall we, then?" He smirked as his eyes flickered to the door and a full fledged grin broke across her lips.
"Indeed we shall." She let go of his hand and they both moved to get out from the booth but just as they did the lights flickered threateningly.
They both paused and glanced at each other in intrigue, just a little bit of worry tugging at the corners of their eyes, but then Regina shrugged it off with a scoff. "This place is extremely faulty - I will have to talk to Granny about this."
He nodded back at her with a small, unconvincing smile and she reached for his hand, trying to ignore the sinking feeling that was coming over her as well.
He gladly accepted her hand and their fingers twined together. Just as they took another step the lights flickered again and then they shattered, sending the diner into darkness as the door swung open with a loud crack. A small gasp rose in her throat and she immediately felt Robin behind her, his hand resting protectively on her lower back, his other hand tightening around hers.
She swallowed thickly as a thick cloud of violet colored smoke bubbled in through the door.
"What in heaven's name..." Robin muttered at her ear and she uncurled her other hand, preparing herself for any threat that would walk through that door.
There were a few moments of agonizing silence when nothing but that smoke filtered in through the door and then a figure slowly came into view. A figure that had Regina suddenly frozen to her spot, her heart plummeting and her face paling. Robin immediately must have sensed her sudden change because he inched that much closer, his hand sliding around her hip.
"No." Her voice shook quietly. "This is...impossible..." She instinctively took a step back right into Robin's chest. "You're dead."
In front of them Cora stood with a hint of a smirk on her lips but a cold glare in her eyes. "Hello Regina dear."
"Mother." She whispered out of shock and horror and behind her she felt Robin tense and his head turned to her in shock and then he looked back to Cora.
Cora's eyes narrowed as her eyes flickered to the man standing behind her daughter, his arm protectively wrapped around her, a dangerous look in his eyes.
She studied him for a long moment and then a realization washed over her face and Regina felt her heart drop further. She knew that look well. Her mother realized who he was and she did not approve.
"A thief, Regina?" Cora hissed as she took a few steps toward her. Regina's eyes narrowed and she inhaled sharply, her fingers twitching letting the magic build up.
The older woman scoffed as she stared directly at Robin. "That's worse than the stable boy."
Regina felt her heart clench at the mention of Daniel. He had asked her to love again and she was allowing herself to be with Robin but she never would get over the pain of his death.
"He's a good man." Regina growled back at her. "And it is none of your business."
"Of course it's my business." Cora hissed back. "You are always my business and that man is not right for you. You need to be with a prince, a king, not a common thief." She spat the word and as Robin tensed behind her, Regina felt the anger grow within her.
"I was married to a king, mother." Regina replied hotly. "And it ruined my life."
Cora sighed heavily, rolling her eyes. "Oh don't be so dramatic, Regina..."
Regina's eyes flashed angrily. "He was more than twice my age, I did not love him, how could I? You forced me into..."
"For your own good, Regina." Cora cut her off roughly. "Love is not important, Regina. What do I tell you, love is weakness. You had power, you were a Queen."
"I was unhappy." Regina shot back. "Power means nothing to me, Mother." She let out a heavy breath and took a protective step in front of Robin. "Robin makes me happy. Why isn't that good enough?"
"It is not what you deserve!"
"I don't deserve to be happy?"
"Not like this."
Regina scoffed. "My life is not yours to control - what you want is not what I want. Why can't you just leave it alone? Leave me alone?"
"It is my job as your mother-"
"Oh, don't you dare." Regina growled. "You are doing all of this for yourself, you always have."
Cora seethed back at her silently and mother and daughter stared darkly at one another for a long, tense minute before Cora's eyes flickered over to Robin. Her eyes narrowed maliciously and Regina instantly recognized that look and a furious terror rose up within her.
She growled as she let go of Robin's hand and then raised both her arms up, two small balls of flames rapidly growing in the palms of her hand. "You are not going to touch him."
Cora only smirked at her and before she could even blink, she disappeared from sight and only a second later did she hear a grunt from Robin.
Regina whirled around quickly, her eyes wide, her breath catching, her heart dropping as she saw her beloved thief wrapped in her mother's vice grip.
The flames still flickered in her hands but Robin was far too close to Cora to even think about using them.
He struggled against Cora's hold but the witch's grip wouldn't budge and he glared helplessly up at her.
"Let him go." Regina sneered, fear seeping into her voice. This couldn't happen again.
"When will you ever learn, Regina?" Cora snapped at her daughter and Regina watched in helpless horror as Cora's hand slipped over Robin's chest.
"Mother, please...." Suddenly she felt reverted back to that young girl in the stables. All her magic couldn't help her now and god, no, she couldn't lose him too.
Angry tears stung at the back of her eyes and the flames flickered out from her hands as she clenched her fists together, her eyes now locking onto Robin's. He appeared calm on the outside but his eyes were widened with fear.
"Love..."
Regina let out a small squeak of horror as Cora plunged her hand into Robin's chest and he cringed, his knees already starting to quiver.
"...is weakness." With a single swoop of her arm, Robin's heart was pulled out of his chest and he cried out as his knees hit the floor.
Tears suddenly blurred her vision and she wanted to rush to him, wanted to do something but she couldn't move.
Robin opened his eyes a moment later and looked up at her from where he sat crumpled at her mother's feet and a low whimper escaped her throat.
He cried out again, his eyes slamming closed as Cora gave his heart a squeeze and Regina finally snapped out of her shock. A rage, that rage so familiar bubbled up inside her as she glared hatefully at her mother.
She took a step, the flames once again rising to her palms, her hands rising to aim at her mother but Cora was quicker and where once Robin's bright red beating heart lay in her hand was now dust. Regina came to a sudden halt, watching in silent horror as the dust trickled out of her mother's hand, scattering to the floor beside Robin's now lifeless body.
All at once Regina felt her whole world crumble around her. White hot rage burned inside of her but was quickly overcome by overwhelming grief. She couldn't move, she couldn't breathe.
She was suddenly consumed by darkness, hearing nothing but the sound of her pounding heart, and her mother's dark chuckle.
This couldn't be happening again. She couldn't lose another one. Her world was spinning around her and she felt lost.
"Regina."
She stifled a sob at the sound of his voice - so close yet so far and one she may never hear again.
Her heart felt like it was being crushed inside of her chest and every second more was that much more painful.
"Regina..." His voice called to her again and she reached for him with every fiber of her being, needing to hold onto him for as long as she could.
"Regina, love, wake up."
His words swirled over and over again inside her head and once they registered, her eyes flew open and she found she was no longer in Granny's diner but in her darkened bedroom.
She blinked rapidly, her breathing heavy as she looked around, taking in her surroundings.
Then she felt a warm hand on top of hers and she turned quickly, her eyes falling on the man beside her. He was gazing back at her, his eyes shining in concern but full of love and full of life.
She stared at him for a few long seconds, just taking him in and then she inhaled sharply and her hands flew to his face. Her thumbs caressed his warm cheeks, she savored the feel of his scratchy beard against her palms and explored his bright blue eyes.
Then her hands drifted downward, trailing down his neck and came to rest on his bare chest. Beneath her palm, his heart beat strong, steady and just a little bit fast due to his concern for her and relief flooded through her.
Without another thought she leaned in and threw her arms around his neck, burying her face into his chest, leaning her cheek against his warm skin, hearing his every heart beat echo against her ear.
His strong arms instantly came around her and held her tight as he nuzzled into her hair.
She soon pulled back, cupped his face in her hands again and brought him in for a searing, desperate kiss.
His hands gripped at her waist and held her tightly as he returned her kiss with equal fervor, unsure of what was going on but knowing that for whatever reason she needed this.
Her fingers found their way to his hair and gripped tightly, needing to be as close to him as possible, needing to feel him.
"Regina." He muttered against her lips in between kisses and she was practically climbing into his lap before he finally broke them apart, looking at her in deep concern.
Her chest rose and fell heavily, her dark eyes yearning in desperation and whether she was aware of it or not, a few hot tears trickled down her cheeks.
One arm slipped around her to hold her as his other hand came to rest upon her cheek, swiping the tears away with his thumb. Her eyes fluttered and her body relaxed as she leaned into his gentle touch.
His thumb gently caressed the soft skin of her cheek and her eyes met his. "What happened?" He asked softly and immediately the fear rose up in her eyes and her fingers gripped his hair again.
He instantly leaned in, his forehead intimately resting against hers. "It's alright..." He whispered to her soothingly. "Whatever it is, it's alright now."
She swallowed and though the images of her nightmare were burning into her memory, she felt reassured and comforted by his words. He was there, he was alive and he was with her.
Silence fell around them as they held each other there and though she could feel his warm skin against her own, although his constant breath against her mouth was proof enough that he was alive, although she could feel him moving against her, the more they sat in silence the more her mind drifted back to her nightmare.
It was all too real. She had been there before with Daniel. She remembered watching his heart being ripped out of his chest and crushed before while she stood helpless to stop it. She remembered looking at his lifeless body and now it had all happened again with Robin.
A small gasp rose in her throat as she suddenly felt her head being lifted, pulling her out of her dreadful thoughts. She didn't even realize she had closed her eyes until his face suddenly popped into her view. One hand still rested on her cheek while the other rested under her chin, keeping their gazes locked.
"You're trembling." He whispered and the pure concern in his voice tugged at her heartstrings and suddenly she wanted to reassure him.
She forced a small smile to her lips and let out a slow shaky breath. "I'm fine."
His frown deepened and his eyes narrowed knowingly. "Regina."
Her smile instantly dropped and she flickered her eyes downward, sighing heavily. There was no use in trying to deny it. He knew her too well.
She could feel his eyes on her, and his thumb continued to rub gently across her cheek, awaiting her response but not pushing it.
Her hands finally dropped from his hair and one hand then reached to cover his resting on her cheek and she nuzzled into his palm before looking back up at him.
"It was my mother." She said quietly and his eyes widened slightly as his body tensed. Weeks ago when they were just getting to really know each other there was a long tearful night where they both talked about their past loves and what had happened to them. Robin was well aware of what Cora had done and what it had done to Regina.
Regina swallowed, her throat going thick with emotion as images of her nightmare flickered into her head again.
"We were at Granny's..." She continued slowly. "Me and you and she just...appeared and she-" Her voice broke as her eyes flew down to his chest and her other hand found its way there, finding comfort in his heart beat.
She didn't have to say anything else, her actions spoke for themselves and Robin understood what had happened and he brought their joined hands from her cheek to his chest, pressing them there.
She let out a breath as she looked up into his eyes, slowly shaking her head. "I can't lose you too." She whispered brokenly.
His eyes widened slightly. "Oh darling..." He breathed out as he leaned in, pressing his forehead against hers and giving her hands a reassuring squeeze. "You are not going to lose me."
"You don't know that." She protested quietly. "My mother may be gone but I have made quite a few enemies."
"As have I." He pulled back and met her eyes seriously. "But you and I...we'll protect each other, yeah? Just as always."
Her lips twitched upwards and she nodded slightly and when he smiled sweetly back at her, her heart fluttered.
"And as you said, your mother is gone. She no longer has a hold on you, Regina." He flattened her palm against his chest and held it there. "My heart is safe, we are safe...you are safe."
With his words it was like a sudden weight had been lifted. Though her mother had been dead for quite a while and she had thought she had said goodbye to her that night when she and Snow summoned her ghost but she was still holding onto her. Onto that fear that her mother would come and ruin everything good in her life. It was Robin, Robin and his soothing voice and genuine words that made her realize that he was actually free. Her mother was not trapped in Wonderland with the chance to come back. Her mother was dead, and Regina knew better than anyone that dead was dead and no memory of her was going to keep her from being happy any longer.
She smiled at him and leaned in to press a sweet kiss to his lips. They shared a smile once they parted a few seconds later and he gently nuzzled his nose against hers.
Then he released her and rested back against the pillow, opening up his arm for her. "Now come here."
Immediately she was moving to his side, her head resting against his chest, her arm sliding over his abdomen, taking such simple pleasure in the sound of his heart beating and the constant rise and fall of his chest with every breath.
His arm slipped around her back and his fingers started to trail up and down her upper arm and she smiled at the sensation.
He dropped a kiss to the top of her head and then rested his head on top of hers and the couple lay there in silent contentment.
As she lay there with him she began to think. She began to think of how happy he truly did make her and when she was with him she didn't feel the weight of the world on her shoulders and how she could get such joy out of the simple things.
She knew he was right, that her mother couldn't hurt him, or her anymore but there would always be a threat out there. She didn't really give much thought to it before, she was always so caught up with the joy of being with him, that she never thought of what it would be like to lose him.
She couldn't bear the thought of losing him and she knew right then that she had to tell him what she had been putting off for a while now. She knew that if she ever did lose him she would regret that she never told him especially because of her fear. She had pushed aside her fear with every other stage in their relationship yet something kept holding her back for these words.
But no more. He made her happy, he made her feel safe, not just physically because she was more than capable of protecting herself, but he made her heart feel safe. She knew she could trust him and that was always one of her biggest issues with letting people in.
People in her life had always let her down, always had broken her heart but Robin was always there to lift her up, to care for her and even through their arguments, and there had been many, he was always there with an apology and a promise to make it better if he was in the wrong. He was not afraid to stand up to her if she was about to do something questionable, yet he never judged her for it.
He saw the darkness in her heart and he accepted it and little by little she could feel that darkness chipping away from her life. She knew it would never go away, not completely, she had lived that way for far too long but there was light in her life again, a warmth in her heart that had not been there in a long time.
He was her missing piece and she could not go another day without letting him know how important he really was to her.
"Robin?" She called softly into the darkness, hoping he had not fallen asleep. She wasn't sure how long she had been lost in her thoughts but he had gone rather quiet.
"Yes, Milady?" He answered back and her lips twitched upwards. She did love when he called her that.
She fell silent again then, that fear once again tugging at her heart and closing up her throat. Her heartbeat rapidly against her chest and then she remembered why it was back safely in her chest to begin with and who had put it there.
She remembered that fight against Zelena and Robin fighting tooth and nail to make good on his promise and he did. The fight had been rough and left them all with bruises, but he came limping over to her, with that dimpled smile that made her melt, her heart safe and sound beating in his hand.
"Regina?" He prompted, his voice more serious after a few moments of her silence and she slowly sat up, turning to face him and looking into his eyes. There she saw such care and devotion and she knew all her fears were for naught.
A small smile tugged at her lips and her stomach flipped in nervous excitement.
"I love you." She finally whispered with all the sincerity she could possibly contain and then watched intently for his reaction.
He was silent but his eyes widened ever so slightly which did nothing for her nerves. She held her breath, waiting, watching for any sign from him and as more seconds ticked by that doubt once again began to pick at her.
"I'm s-" She began to say but before she could get the words out he sprang forward and captured her lips in a kiss.
"Don't you dare." He whispered once he parted, his hands cupping her cheeks as he looked into her eyes. "Don't you dare apologize for that."
"You didn't say anything..." She started hesitantly and he smiled at her softly.
"I was a little surprised. I wasn't expecting that."
She let out a sigh of relief and then her brow pressed together as she reached out to whack him lightly on the shoulder. "You scared me! I thought..."
"I apologize....that was not my intention." He smiled warmly as he moved his hand to brush the hair out of her face and she leaned into his touch. "I may have been surprised by your admittance of the words but I am not surprised by them. From the moment we met I knew we were going to be something special. Well, at least the second time…” he grinned as she laughed.
“It came upon us so fast but I know in my heart it's one of the strongest and most real things I have ever experienced. I've felt it for quite a while but didn't want to say anything to scare you off.”
Her brow lifted as her face softened and she lifted her hand to cover his.
“I love you, Regina.”
A smile slowly spread across her face until it hurt and he met her lips with a sweet kiss. A silent promise that he was hers and she was his and their love was real.
They fell softly back onto the bed, wrapped in each other’s arms. For the first time since Daniel, she felt secure knowing that someone loved her, truly loved her, and she loved him just as much.