(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.

Comments

[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."

[thiefwithhonor]

It felt like it had been a long time since Robin had been around such finery. Though it was the sort of life he was born into, it didn't quite feel like he'd ever fully belong. But once in a while to have this - he liked the idea, he thought. Certainly Regina seemed happy with it, too, and if she hadn't had been treated to such a night ever before - well. All the more reason to make sure they did this.

"Let us make it a nice night, then," he said with an easy smile, reaching across the table to cover hers briefly. "The first of many, I hope."

[gloriouscurse]

Regina twined their fingers together, and her thumb found the tattoo on his wrist, gliding across his skin smoothly. "Did this hurt?" she asked curiously? Certainly getting tattoos in a non-modern land had to be much worse than what she assumed they were here. It was a lot of black ink, and she found herself studying it, fingers playing against his skin in the dim lighting of the restaurant.

[thiefwithhonor]

Robin smiled as he watched her idly inspect his tattoo. It was strange to know it had been the first thing she'd seen of him, long before he had ever met her. He had wondered, once in a while, what might have happened if she had spoken to him. Things might have been very different.

But in the end, it really was all about timing, wasn't it?

"Quite a bit, at the time, but the pain didn't last terribly long. It's been a long time since I had it done," he explained. His gaze lifted to hers as he added, "Though I suppose it's good I got it, considering it turned out to be an important marking."

[gloriouscurse]

Meeting his eyes, Regina had the same thoughts - what if she had gone in? Would she have been able to escape the king? She had no way of knowing, but she and Robin were here now, when they were supposed to be.

"I was afraid to let myself be happy, then. To have any hope. I still was, back in the witch's house, when I saw your tattoo for the first time. That was why I ran. When good things are always taken from you, you tend to not want to let them happen anymore," she admitted, looking down again.

[thiefwithhonor]

"I had wondered quite a bit after you left about what I had done," Robin admitted. It was the sort of abrupt exit that only came when something happened, even if she had attempted to assure otherwise. It made sense now that she explained it. "It's of no matter now, of course. You did come to allow yourself to give me a chance - which I was glad you decided to do, even though I admittedly was very surprised you trusted me with what you did at the time."

[gloriouscurse]

Thinking about his words, Regina was quiet for a few moments, the moment she handed him her heart heavy on her mind.

"I tried to bury my heart in the Enchanted Forest, but Snow stopped me," she finally told him slowly, meeting his eyes. "I didn't want to feel anything when the only thing I could feel was pain." Regina sighed softly then, her features soft. "Zelena may have needed my heart because it was the most resilient, but all hearts have their limits. I gave you mine because I wanted to know that there was still someone who would take care of it."

[thiefwithhonor]

Robin had remembered what he had seen in the castle. How close she had been to putting herself in a curse that was, for all intents and purposes, impossible to get out of. Hearing she had tried to remove her heart before that wasn't a great surprise because of that, but it made the entire situation even worse.

He was quiet as he considered what she told him himself. In the end, the simple truth of the matter ended up being the best.

"I hope you know I would have gone to any lengths to get it back when it was taken," he responded, in case he hadn't made that abundantly clear at the time. From the moment it had been taken from him, it had been his sole focus, even before their relationship ever progressed. Even if it had never progressed. "There was never a moment I took it lightly."

And he did not take it lightly here, either.

[gloriouscurse]

His words made her breathless for a moment, and she felt her skin flush as she tried to keep tears at bay. Not of sadness at all, but the overwhelming knowledge that she was cared for. Protected. She had never had someone care so much and she wasn't sure how to react.

"Robin, I'm..." She let out a soft laugh and met his gaze. "I'm not worth great lengths," she finally said, knowing the words would be disputed as soon as they were out of her mouth, but unable to think otherwise. "Zelena could have hurt you. Roland."

[thiefwithhonor]

Robin did dislike hearing her speak about herself in such a way. Her actions in the past had been terrible, but she had been trying to become a better person. Trying and absolutely succeeding, even here.

"Do not place the blame of the risk put on my boy and I on yourself, because I certainly don't. Risk existed no matter what while the witch was still a threat," he began, wanting to make that perfectly clear. It had been his choice, and the only person he blamed was Zelena herself.

That wasn't the only thing he felt he needed to address, however. He was admittedly grateful for a few brief moments to collect his thoughts when their previously ordered food arrived. He remained quiet until the man serving them was gone, his gaze steady on her.

"If I may be honest, I was never surprised it was you who saved us all in the end," he added, quietly once they were alone. It was something he would never say if he didn't mean it, which he hoped she understood. "Not even for a moment. My only wish is you could see your worth yourself one day."

[gloriouscurse]

For a moment, Regina was speechless, a lump in her throat as his words took root. When she blinked, a tear rolled down her cheek and she wiped it away quickly, managing a wobbly smile at him.

"All I had for a long time was that letter. It was what made me feel like I really was worth something." It was pathetic, she knew, especially since it hadn't even been about her, and she looked down at her plate of chicken piccata. "The only person I've been worth anything to for the past...eleven years, was Henry." When she met his eyes again, her eyes never wavered again.

"This is taking getting used to. Being worth something to someone other than a child," she admitted.

[thiefwithhonor]

Robin did wish such things weren't surprising to her. He had a sneaking suspicion that it wasn't just him that held her in far better regard than they used to. It took time, as most things did.

"You don't need the letter or anyone else to know there's worth in you," he replied, offering her a small smile of his own when she looked upon him again. "Though I will be happy to remind you any time you need to hear it."

And, he hoped, to show her as well.

[gloriouscurse]

She couldn't quite lean over and kiss him, so she did what she could and brought his hand to her lips, kissing his knuckles tenderly.

"I happen to like it when you remind me," Regina smiled, and then she let go of his hand so that they could eat. There was a soft smile on her lips, one she was unable to make disappear through dinner. There had never been a time she'd had this but she was finding very quickly that she enjoyed it, this time to simply be with him.

[thiefwithhonor]

"I shall remember that," Robin chuckled quietly, smiling himself as she kissed his knuckles. She seemed content now, and he was glad. He was glad, too, that the meal itself had lived up to expectations. It far outdid the meals he was used to, even the ones here.

Placing his utensils on his emptied plate by the end of it, he glanced over at her, hoping she had been equally satisfied.

"Did you enjoy your meal?" he asked, curious and perhaps a bit hopeful.

[gloriouscurse]

She took a sip of her wine, looking at him over the rim of her glass, smile making her eyes turn up, crinkling a little on the sides.

"It was perfect. Do you have any food that you find yourself particularly fond of that we didn't have back in the Forest?" Regina asked, wiping at her mouth with her napkin delicately.

[thiefwithhonor]

Robin had, in fact, found himself trying quite a large amount of new foods as of late. Some were present already in Storybrooke.

"Though this...elegance here is certainly welcome," he began, hoping to not downplay the night. The food had been excellent, and one he very much enjoyed. He supposed he was always going to prefer simple. "The foods served along the wooden path near the boardwalk are interesting and quite different, though clearly not something that ought to be eaten often. Something I have to remind Roland of often."

He looked a little amused as he mentioned his son.

[gloriouscurse]

"Those foods are known as 'junk food.' Delicious, but usually not all that good for you. But Roland has the right idea, it's tempting to have a hotdog for every meal," Regina said with a little grin.

"There is something you should try though, something I've seen that would make for a good dessert tonight. Have you had the cotton candy yet?" She hadn't had such an indulgence since a school carnival of Henry's years ago, and now she could very nearly smell the sugar at the memory.