(no subject)

[thiefwithhonor]

Robin had been thinking of doing something nice for Regina since she'd done so much for Roland and he earlier that month. It was hard, though, to plan such a thing in a place he did not know and with the ever present knowledge of the fact he certainly had to watch the coin - or paper bills, here - he spent. But he'd recently acquired work, and with it came a little extra to use as he wanted to, beyond the little he needed for necessities. It allowed him, finally, a bit of room he needed to do what he'd been wanting to do.

It took some asking around (the others who worked where he did had even offered some advice, based on their own experiences), but he eventually found someplace suitable to take her out for dinner. While it was certainly not extreme extravagance, he had heard more than once that it had a pleasant atmosphere and the promise of good food, which was exactly what he wanted. After that, it was the matter of tending to where Roland would be while they were out. He approached David after some consideration - he was honestly the only person he knew he could absolutely trust with the task - and requested the favor of watching his boy for the evening he planned to surprise her. He was thankfully fine with the idea, and it seemed like the pieces were in place.

What he had asked of Regina that day was if she wanted to spend a quiet night with Roland and him (she had agreed, of course - honestly, it was rare lately that she wasn't around at some point). What he actually did was drop Roland off early, dressed neatly, and showed up at her apartment early with a small array of red roses. He had settled on them after some time debating what he wanted to bring - in the end, he went with the bouquet that seemed simple yet elegant.

In the end, he only hoped he was doing things right. Properly. The city and time was all strange to him and it had been a long while since he'd attempted to court anyone, but he felt confident some tokens of affection never really changed. Still, as he stepped up to the door, he started to wonder if perhaps he should have told her ahead of time, even though he had made it a point to come early enough to give her time to get ready. He pushed through the nervous doubt by reminding himself it was certainly too late to change anything now.

He knocked on the door soon after.

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[gloriouscurse]

Regina, for her part, had certainly never been been courted before. Not since she was a teenager and the only thing Daniel could do was sneak her away with picnics of cheese and bread. She found herself smiling through the day, eager for time spent together, unaware that it would be only she and Robin this evening. Not that it would matter, except that she may have dressed differently.

As it was, when she was satisfied with her appearance, she was in a nice black skirt and toe-less heels sans nylons (it was too hot here for that), with a vibrant red blouse. The clothes were certainly less extravagant than she was used to, but she managed, and she knew Robin didn't care. For once it was her simple presence that made someone happy and not anything else. It was such a new feeling, one of warmth and light, and it filled every part of her.

At his knock, she smiled again and walked forward, answering and immediately letting out a shocked laugh at the roses. No, she certainly hadn't been spoiled this way in a long, long time. "Are these for me?" she asked with a wider smile at him, inviting him to step in.

[thiefwithhonor]

It was her reaction that dispelled any lingering worry. It made Robin feel foolish he was worried at all, honestly. He nodded his thanks and entered when she moved to allow him in.

"Well, I do believe you're the only one that lives here," he quipped with an amused grin at the question. Still, he had no intention to tease her for long. After she closed the door behind him and faced him again, he held them out to her. His expression softened as he continued, "Indeed, these are for you, m'lady. I hope you like them."

[gloriouscurse]

Taking the flowers, she brought them close to smell the bouquet before looking back up at him. Her expression was a mix of happiness and awe, her reaction to kiss him as the distance closed between them and she melted against him. "Thank you. They're beautiful," she murmured after pulling back. "Let me put them in water, and then we can go to the other apartment."

She still had no idea that they were going anywhere, and rummaged in the kitchen for something suitable as a vase.

[thiefwithhonor]

It was, of course, the exact reaction Robin hoped she'd have. As she parted from him to put them in water, he smiled to himself. He could only hope the rest of the evening went well. One could hope.

"There's been a slight shift in plans, actually," he said, once he followed after her into the small kitchen area. He leaned against the counter, watching her. "If you don't mind, of course."

[gloriouscurse]

Looking over her shoulder at him as she filled a tall glass with water, now a makeshift vase, she cast Robin a slightly worried glance. "Nothing cancelled, I hope," she said, drying her hands now on a dishtowel. "But I understand if so. Everything's alright with Roland?"

Regina brushed past him, purposely grazing him with her body as she carried the flowers to her dining room table, arranging them nicely.

[thiefwithhonor]

"He's perfectly fine," he replied, watching as she brushed past him. He followed soon after, watching her carefully arranging what he'd brought her. "He's with David right now, actually, for the evening."

He waited until she was facing him to continue. The mention of Roland not being with him, he was sure, would be something that'd draw her attention to him. With a small smile, he continued, "I confess I have been wanting to treat you to something pleasant - we really haven't had the opportunity to do much since we ended up in this strange realm. I wasn't really able to do so until recently, and now that I can, I'd like to take you someplace to eat. I've made the necessary arrangements already."

[gloriouscurse]

Regina looked at him with a bemused smile before standing right in front of him, her hands moving to his hips. "Are you saying that for tonight, it's not finger foods and apple juice?" she asked with a laugh, hands moving up his chest to rest there. "And that we have the entire evening?"

She didn't give him a chance to answer before kissing him softly, obviously glad, and obviously eager for the night out.

[thiefwithhonor]

Robin couldn't quite contain his laugh at the admitted truthful description of most of their evenings. He did not mind being silenced, though, as his hand came to rest on the curve of her hip. It would be a lie if the brief thought that perhaps it would be worth staying in didn't cross his mind.

He knew better, of course, that it was an opportunity they currently did not have

"I thought it might be a welcome change of pace," he said, once he broke away to speak. Even then, he lingered near her, smiling. "Unless you were very much looking forward to the original plans. I do want you to be happy."

[gloriouscurse]

There wouldn't have been an argument from her if he decided they should stay right where they were. However, they hadn't been out properly yet, just the two of them, and Regina found herself wanting that. A night out with him, doing whatever they wanted sounded wonderful.

Her nose grazed his, the closeness of him something she found herself craving after so many years of being starved out of intimate touches, of thinking allowing them would be a weakness. "I very much enjoy playing with Roland," she said sincerely, but her eyes met Robin's, the sparkle there undeniable. "But I'm looking forward to dinner. And whatever it is you happen to have your mind set on after," she said with a small smirk, her hands resting on his chest.

[thiefwithhonor]

"Excellent," he smiled, lifting his hand to cover hers, giving it a light squeeze as he held her gaze. Now all he had to do was hope the place was as good as he thought it was going to be, though he imagined her company would make it more than enough. "You still have some time to go ready yourself, if you wish. I know you were expecting something a bit less formal."

[gloriouscurse]

He knew her well it seemed, and she smiled, kissing him one more time. "Thank you. Ten minutes, I promise."

Behind her closed door though, she panicked a bit. She still had a limited wardrobe, even though she had means now, and she wondered if she shouldn't simply stay in what she had on. But she went to her closet anyway, shoving blouses aside until she found a dress that she'd bought on a whim. It was black, which was certainly a color she was comfortable with, but it was short, and it revealed more skin that she could ever remember baring. But it was something about Robin that made her feel daring, willing to go out on a limb even with something as simple as her wardrobe.

When she emerged again she cleared her throat, pushing hair behind her ear. "I'm ready," she said with a soft smile, making her way toward him again, resisting the urge to grab something to cover her shoulders.

[thiefwithhonor]

Even if she did make him wait longer, Robin didn't mind. He idly paced about the apartment as she got herself together. He was peering out the window at the view when he heard her speak. Turning around, he found it immediately hard not to just stare. It was really not only her looks that were attractive to him, but he certainly wasn't blind to how stunning she was.

"You look beautiful," he breathed out, though the word did not seem like it truly did her proper justice. Crossing the small distance between them, he smiled as he offered his hand with a slight bow of his head. "Shall we go, m'lady?"

[gloriouscurse]

With a faint blush that she would deny were she ever asked, Regina took his hand. "Thank you, and yes. I think I'm more than ready to begin this evening." He was the one who made her feel better than she ever had, and she would tell him that eventually. But for now, she simply squeezed his hand gently and let him lead her wherever they were going.

[thiefwithhonor]

Robin liked that they didn't have to rush. He knew there was transportation available if it came to that - though he was admittedly wary of it - but the amount of time they had allowed for them to walk. He knew the way

"It's not a far walk," he told her, as they left. The sun was starting to set by then, and the breeze of the ocean cooling things down considerably. It was pleasant in a way nights in the forest were, sometimes. He glanced over toward her as he added, "We can find means of arriving there without walking if you so wish, however."

He certainly did not want to make her walk when she didn't wish to.

[gloriouscurse]

She was used to walking in heels, and even running sometimes as of late in Storybrooke it seemed. Walking had one distinct advantage though, and she laced their fingers together. "Walking is just fine," she promised, kissing his shoulder as they began walking down the street.

"I had a very interesting conversation with a young woman named Rebekah," Regina began. "I think she's going to allow me to do some work for her." The words didn't come out easily, but she couldn't sit around not doing anything. She'd never had to work before, and being mayor hardly counted for a town she'd created - it wasn't as if she actually had to earn the money that converted from the gold she'd had as queen.

[thiefwithhonor]

Robin gave her hand a squeeze as he nodded. Walking it was, then. He had been sure to know the best route in case she'd wanted to go that way. The city, admittedly, was still a bit confounding for him.

Glancing at her when she spoke, he realized he hadn't even know she was looking for work. It made sense, of course - his own lifestyle was certainly much different here as well. "What sort of work is it?"

[gloriouscurse]

"Consulting with her clients. I need to meet with her to discuss it in more detail, admittedly," she answered, looking back up at him. "I'm...just not comfortable not having my own income at my disposal." Granted, she had once thought to live a life much like Robin's, minus the thieving and plus an actual home instead of a tent. But that had been long, long ago.

"I like being able to do things for both you and Roland. I could do that in Storybrooke, easily. Here, not as much without a job," she said with a small smile.

[thiefwithhonor]

Robin understood, of course. It was why he was quick to find someplace he could gain some money to survive comfortably as well. What was given to him would not have stretched very far.

"I see. Well, whatever it is you decide to do, I hope you know you have my full support," he said. He was sure she could do anything she settled on wanting to do. It would just take some adjustment, in the end. What wasn't an adjustment here in this strange place?

[gloriouscurse]

"That's still something I'm getting used to," she noted idly, then realized she should clarify. "Support, I mean. Consistency. I've never had much of either. You make me look at some things a little differently."

Regina had never been one for discussing how she felt, certainly not in a way that would make her feel vulnerable. But Robin also made her feel safe, which was a security she hadn't had since Daniel by her own disallowance. It was dangerous, after all, letting someone see your weaknesses.

[thiefwithhonor]

"I'm glad I can provide that for you," he replied, honestly. She had made it fairly clear it was hard for her to trust. But she was making an effort, and he hoped she could continue to feel as though she could lean upon him for support. With a smile, he added, "Though I do suggest you get used to it, because I'm quite hard to get rid of, m'lady."

[gloriouscurse]

Regina laughed softly, squeezing his hand in hers. "Good. I'm not a fan of how easily people can come and go." There were times, not often, but occasionally, when she wondered if the other shoe would drop. She didn't think often anymore that he would be too disgusted with her past, but she knew she could lose him any other number of ways. Most of the time she was able to push away those thoughts, but sometimes they snuck in anyway; a voice in the back of her head telling her she didn't deserve this.

Choosing to ignore it for now, she brought his hand to her lips in a kiss before looking up at him. "What type of restaurant are we going to?"

[thiefwithhonor]

Robin knew he hadn't had to make the statement, but he had anyway. For as much as it was a tease, he wanted her to understand he spoke truly when he said it. And he would keep saying it, as much as he thought she needed to hear it.

"I believe it's Italian. I have it on good faith that such a food type is good and enjoyable to most people," he replied. Certainly such distinctions were lost on him, but he did not doubt it was a good spot to go. They were almost there, too. "I had to...ask around a bit before choosing. I didn't want to pick a place that wasn't suitable."

[gloriouscurse]

It was perhaps silly, but Regina enjoyed introducing things to Robin that he had no idea about. Roland was more easily adaptable as children were, but watching Robin learn different things amused her. She needed to remember to teach him how to use the cell phone and the camera within.

And it was cute that he'd asked.

Her thumb moved over the inside of his wrist as she smiled softly. "Italian food is food that comes a part of the land called Italy. It's mostly noodle dishes. Like my lasagna, that's an Italian dish." She'd made it once for he and Roland. "It's usually served with a lot of wine, but not always," she explained. "It's a good pick."

[thiefwithhonor]

"It's a relief to hear you say that. And ah, yes, I did see that on the list of food they prepared, now that you mention it," he said. He had enjoyed hers at least, so he liked to think he would be enjoying this meal too. "I was quite amazed at how many types of foods there are here."

As they turned the corner, they reached the familiar - to him, at least - front of the restaurant, which was carried the name Fezzini's. It seemed busy already inside just from a glance into the large window looking into the building, and he was glad - again - someone had told him to make 'reservations'.

"This is it," he announced, only then separating from her, so he could move toward the door and open it. "After you, m'lady."

[gloriouscurse]

"Thank you," she smiled, though before stepping through the door she gave him a chaste kiss. Once they were seated and Regina's napkin was in her lap, she let out a breath and looked around. "This is nice. I haven't...been to a restaurant that isn't Granny's in a long time. Certainly not with anyone like this."

Her eyes studied his features for a moment and then she laughed a little. "Robin, I think you very well may be my first date."