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[thiefwithhonor]

It was nearly perfect.

Robin knew that it was not exactly the home she perhaps once envisioned herself in long ago, admittedly. It was a shame no such place existed in the sphere that was Darrow, unless there was one so out of the way it would not be practical in this strange new world. But what it was was a place that was just out of the way enough to be peaceful in a place that wasn't so peaceful sometimes. It was a place that was not too far from everything, but far enough that the distance could be felt. Most importantly, though, the home felt like a home - far more than the apartments they were given ever felt.

It was cozy - two floors tall, with three bedrooms on the top floor and a spacious, open area on the first with an impressive open kitchen. The backyard was large enough for Roland to enjoy, with a fence around the area for privacy. The price was reasonable - apparently it was quite hard to sell land here, in a place most lived in the city - which felt like it just proved itself once again to be exactly what he wanted.

He did not buy the house, not until she saw it. For as much as he kept it hidden, he wanted to make sure she liked it before he placed his name upon the papers that would make it theirs. He set up a viewing with the seller, who was eager to allow it and perhaps set the sale in stone.

Then he told Regina they were to go on a small trip, the two of them, and had Roland being watched for the time they were going to be gone. The time was set for mid-morning, and he spent much of the time feeling some amount of trepidation. As much as he felt like it was something she wanted

Though they could easily get there via one of the bus lines, he had a cab waiting - quite an easy thing to summon, as it turned out - for them at the appropriate time. All he had to do was go to get her, which he did after what was more than a few moments of preparing himself for what was to come.

(All good things, he hoped.)

Knocking on her door, he waited for her to answer, knowing she would be expecting him.

Comments

[gloriouscurse]

It's not often that Regina suspects Robin of something but she does now. Nothing bad at all, but she has a feeling he's up to something. But still, she's humoring him and just putting in her last earring when he knocks. Opening the door, she's still heel-less, quite short without them, but they're right by the door.

"You know, Robin. One day you're going to just come inside or use your key, and it will be a truly surprising day," she teases, reaching out for his hand to balance as she steps into her shoes. Then, she pauses to kiss him hello. Since going back home (or at least having some sort of memory that she had), she's been more sure than ever that what they have is true. She's told him as much, but has been careful not to reveal anything - as much as she wants to warn him she knows two things: He will not remember it when (if) they ever leave here, and it will do not good to make him live in dread. All that she needs to know, is that their love is strong.

"Do I get a hint as to where we're going now?" she asks, closing the door behind her and locking up before looping her arm through his.

[thiefwithhonor]

"Hm. Perhaps one day, but not today," Robin replied with a quiet chuckle, his arm looping around her waist gently when she kissed him. For all his years as a thief, he found himself having quite a hard time not showing too much of his emotions. The fact her statement conjured what their future might hold soon did not help things.

Still, he wanted it to be a surprise. He truly did. And he certainly did not want to let his small bit of nerves show - he didn't want her to pick up on it and worry needlessly.

"You shall see soon enough," he replied with an easy grin, already beginning to lead her toward the stairs that would lead them down to the cab he knew was waiting for them. "I promise it won't be too long a wait."

[gloriouscurse]

Once they're settled in the cab, she takes his hand in hers, tangling their fingers together as she talks to him about the shop, how Roland has decorated her office with pictures and how Henry's magic lessons are coming along. But as they drive away from anywhere she would have guessed they'd go, she physically twists a bit to look at him, a bemused smile on her face.

"If you're taking me to the woods to camp..."

Well, she wouldn't hate that, but she wouldn't have worn heels.

[thiefwithhonor]

"As....completely entertaining as the idea sounds, unfortunately, I am not quite so cruel to spring that on you. As a surprise, at least," he replied, his head dipped a little as he held back a laugh. Yes, Robin could completely understand why she would be wary at the idea. "You'd be ill prepared to do so in that outfit. I would've at least told you that, I promise you. No, this is something a bit different."

They weren't even going out so far to hit the forest. Something she would see in the few minutes it would take to get there.

"A good different," he added, squeezing her hand and glancing at her as he said it.

[gloriouscurse]

Meeting his gaze, Regina can't read anything but happiness from Robin, so she's relaxed and leans in to kiss him softly. "Different hasn't always been good," she begins. "But it is with you."

Surprises and Regina have never been friends. Surprise, you're marrying the king. Surprise, I'm Henry's mother. Surprise, I'm your half-sister.

All stellar examples. But Robin's surprises, his standing by her, his want to know her and love her, those have been the best surprises she's ever had.

"The other day," she remembers, "I...referred to Roland as...ours." She looks up at him, and it's clear she's half apologetic, and half hopeful. She loves Roland so much, he's just as much a part of her heart now as Henry is. "I wasn't even thinking, it just come out."

[thiefwithhonor]

The admittance is a bit of a surprise, though he could not help but smile at it. He knew how his son reacted to her. He knew what it meant to him to have someone like her in his life.

Marian was gone, and little would change that. He liked to think she would approve of all Regina had done for their son, too.

"Well, I cannot speak for Roland, but I certainly have no problem with it. Regina, you have been so important to him - and me, as well. I think he knows that, too," he replied, hoping that was more than enough to silence her need to explain herself. "And I hope you know that as well."

If she didn't, he hoped what was to come today would make that abundantly clear.

[gloriouscurse]

Smiling softly, Regina leans forward to press her forehead to Robin's. "I love him, and I love you," she tells him quietly, with surety in her voice.

When the cab finally seems to be slowing, Regina peeks out of the window and it doesn't register that they could be here to see a house, she assumes they're visiting someone. "Who do we know out here?"

[thiefwithhonor]

"As we love you," Robin replied, gently stroking her cheek for the moment she was close. If he was unsure of his decision and how she would react, it felt like this was one sign he had little to worry about.

A welcome one, too, as the vehicle rolled up in front of what potentially would be their future home. He simply smiled at the question, then turned to the driver to pay him his fare for driving them over.

Getting out and going around to the other side, he opened the door for her, offering a hand to help her out. "Come, we're here."

[gloriouscurse]

Stepping out of the taxi as she holds onto his hand, Regina keeps a hold of his hand.

"You're avoiding answering the question," she points out, though slowly it's starting to click into place, even if she hasn't completely figured it out in a way she thinks she should say out loud just yet. She could still be wrong, and wouldn't that be humiliating. So for now, she keeps quiet.

[thiefwithhonor]

"You noticed that, did you?" he inquired, biting back a smile as he helped her out. The cab zoomed off - he had the number to hail another when they were ready - and they were alone with the house. "Though allow me to ask a question of my own, first. Have you felt as cramped in such the small spaces of our separate apartments as I have?"

He imagined she would start to understand soon enough why he was asking, if she wasn't already wondering already.

[gloriouscurse]

Regina turns to face him. "I have, and moving back and forth on the weeks I have Henry versus the weeks I don't, well. I miss you when we're apart that way." But still, she wants Robin to say it rather than put emotions on the line.

"Having room for all of us, for everyone to be under one roof..." She trails off, holding her breath a little as she looks up at him.

[thiefwithhonor]

It was how he had felt as well. How he'd been feeling for a long time, and why the were standing before such a quiet, cozy home to begin with. He turned t

"Unfortunately I could not get a key to give to you now," he began, a small sliver of hope crossing his features. He could've signed by himself, but there'd been a reason he hadn't. "Only because I wished to allow you to see this place to make the final decision together. To sign the papers together."

He glanced toward the house "But it is ours, if we want it. And I've worked hard and will continue to do so to ensure we could live in it comfortably."

[gloriouscurse]

"You're buying a house?"

She asks the question with a surprised, slow blink, but the warmth blossoming in her chest means that she can't keep a smile from blossoming on her lips. She has someone who loves her, who wants to buy her, buy their family a house. How hard he works has never been a concern of hers, and now all that she can do is nod as she closes the distance between them and wraps her arms around his neck.

"I want it," she breathes out. "I want this." And then, pulling back, she wipes at stray tears even though she's smiling. "Can we look inside?"

[thiefwithhonor]

He let out a laugh when she pulled him into a hug, his own arms wrapping tightly around her. Despite being nearly certain she'd say yes, it would be a lie to say there hadn't still been some apprehension.

He was so happy to see her happy.

"I told the woman helping with the buying process we would be here today, so the door is open," he said, lifting a hand to gently wipe a tear away from her cheeks. "Shall we look?"

[gloriouscurse]

For just a moment, Regina needs to nuzzle in against him, breathing him in before she gives him a nod, at a loss for words. These are the things she's dreamed of but barely let herself think she could have. And now, amazingly she does.

Taking his hand, she turns so that he can lead her inside. "I can't wait to see the inside." But she already knows she wants it, no matter what she might find on the inside. She trusts Robin, completely.

[thiefwithhonor]

Robin easily began to walk down the small path that lead to the front patio and the stairway up to the door. He did hoped she liked it. Honestly, he had made it a point to make sure she had the final say, as he did not want her to think he was the type to make decisions alone for her. She certainly had enough of that in her lifetime for him to add to it.

Opening the white door to reveal the large, spacious first floor within, he motioned for her to go in first. While it was empty, he knew they could easily fill the space and make it feel like home soon enough.

"After you, m'lady," he said.

[gloriouscurse]

Smiling brightly, Regina walks inside and lets out a soft breath, stunned into silence. Well, at least for a moment.

"Robin, this is...this is beautiful..." She's taking everything in the best she can, wood floors, a beautiful kitchen with pretty counter tops.

"And it's really ours? This house can really be ours? Today, if we want?"

It strikes her then, how hard he has to have been working to buy a house for them, and her heart aches in the best way, closing her eyes for a moment before opening them again.

"I want it. I want this house." Regina hasn't even seen all of it yet, but she knows that this is it.

[thiefwithhonor]

Robin simply allowed her to go where she wished, following behind but taking his cues from her. He had seen this place enough that he felt like he had it memorized at that point, could practically see what it would all look like with things they picked out to bring it all together. It was all new to her.

"All it needs now is the remaining paperwork you needed to be present for. I set up the meeting tomorrow," he explained, watching her pause in her step. He found himself smiling nearly immediately at her statement. "Yes? So you like it?"

He had tried so hard to find something that'd fit them. That'd include Henry, too, when it was Regina's turn to spend time with him - the third room could easily be his and everyone would be comfortable.

[gloriouscurse]

Regina turns to him, taking his hands in hers and looking right into his eyes.

"Yes, Robin. It's...this is perfect." She looks at him as if he's just given her the moon, and then her arms wrap around his neck, face pressing to his neck, breathing him in. There's so much he doesn't know yet, things they'll go through she won't mention. But this is hope, this is what they'll have in Storybooke, she knows it. Her happy ending is this, her place in the world as a hero, with Robin as a part of that.