Outlaw Queen Shorts

The Thief's Son

**Authors note: this is during the missing year in the enchanted forest, I decided to do something a bit different so let me know what you think of it (:**

The dimple-cheeked boy was sat on the stone bench again, swinging his legs back and forth, waiting for the thief or one of the other men to come and collect him. Regina looked out of the window, resting her gloved hands on the marble balcony, intrigued by him. He must be no older than five but carries himself with precision beyond his years. Usually he would have been picked up by now but today he's still there, looking up every now and then to the path which his father would walk down.

After another few minutes, his face becoming gradually more crumpled, she decided to walk down and check on him. As she walked past the mirror, she caught a glimpse of her reflection. The harsh make-up and scraped back hair now seemed a little much compared to the Regina of Storybrooke. Who isn't here she reminded herself.

She descended the stairs and headed towards the child whose name she hadn't bothered to remember. He caught sight of her and froze as if trying to blend into the background. She sat down at the opposite end of the bench and placed her hands on her knees.

"Hello." She tried to take the edge out of her voice to make him feel at ease but he still flinched slightly at the word. He turned round to look at her, not saying anything, and stared up into her eyes.

"I see you sitting here everyday," she said, unsure of where to go with the conversation. "It's a nice view of the gardens."

"It reminds me of our old camp with all the trees." He stood up on the bench and pointed over to the forest behind the grounds. His arm fell by his side and he plopped down a bit closer to Regina than he was before.

He looked up at her, curiosity radiating from his small features. "You're not mean." He said innocently, smiling so his dimples indented more into his cheeks.

"Roland!" So that's his name. Before she could reply, the thief appeared walking down the path.

"Papa!" Roland jumped from the bench and ran to make up the distance between them.

"Sorry your majesty, I hope he's not been bothering you?" His eyes became slightly wider as he saw her sat there, his pace quickening to pick up his son. Roland leaped into Robin's arms and wrapped his tiny legs around his side.

"Not at all," she said, standing up and flattening her dress. "And call me Regina, please." She turned on her heel and began to walk back to the castle. He thought she was mean? Intimidating yes, but not mean. She had saved his son the first time they met if he had forgotten. But at least Roland didn't think that anymore and for some reason she cared about his opinion.

"Bye Gina!" Regina looked over her shoulder and saw Roland waving with a grin spread across his face. She smiled but refrained from lifting her hand to wave back. This was a slippery slope.

"Bye." Robin's eyes were lighter now and he wore a grin to match his sons, dimples and all.