Outlaw Queen Shorts

Modern AU

(**Authors Note:
First of all, I can't believe this has over 3k reads! Thank you so much, I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I like writing it :)
Secondly, I've said this before but if anyone has any prompts or ideas for things you'd like me to write then send me a message or write it in the comments and I'll give it a go :D
I got this idea from a text post I saw on tumblr with one sentence prompts for AU ships and I had to write it!**)

Regina closed the door to her apartment and kicked off her shoes. She'd had the day from hell and the blisters beginning to form on her heels topped it all off. She padded across the room to the fridge, grabbing a bottle of water before turning and slumping over the kitchen counter. The cool liquid was refreshing as it glided over her tongue and down her throat. She rubbed her temple with her fingers, closing her eyes and taking in a deep breath before letting it out sharply. A headache was forming. Great. At least it was the end of the week and she could sit down with her feet up. She opened the cupboard and got out a glass ready to pour in the red wine she'd been saving since last weekend. Just as she unscrewed the lid, there was a knock on the door.

Regina sighed, setting the bottle down on the counter and stomping over to unhook the latch. She swung the door open and scrunched her brow. The new guy from across the hall stood in grey jeans and a loose fitting green t-shirt, an anxious expression clouding his features. He hadn't been living here long, two weeks at most, but she'd seen him around the building a couple of times.

"Sorry to disturb, I know it's late." His accent made the words seem soft, almost calming. The blue of his eyes was bright and threw her off guard, she hadn't noticed how strikingly good looking he was before. His hair fell in blondish-brown locks and his jaw was strong, covered in faint stubble of the same colour. He lent on the doorframe with his palm, the veins in his arm slightly protruding. It took her a moment to compose herself to speak.

"Can I help you..." Regina paused allowing the man to give his name.

"Robin. Robin Locksley." He flashed a lop-sided smile and held out his hand for her to shake. She took it, the calluses on his thumb brushing across her soft skin.

"Regina Mills." She returned the smile. "Not to be rude but why are you here?" The grin faded from his cheeks and he pulled his lips into a thin line showing the sharp definition of his jaw.

"Well it's a bit awkward," Robin shifted his weight from his left foot to his right and looked towards the ground. "Turns out, I'm quite scared of spiders."

"Spiders?" Regina tried to keep the amusement from her voice but couldn't stop the smirk slowly turning up the corners of her mouth.

"Yes," He didn't look up. "And there's a rather large one in my bath." The way he was wringing his hands made Regina chuckle slightly. He finally tore his gaze away from the white tiles and found her eyes, brown and shining, crinkling at the corners to accompany her smile.

"And you're here because?" She knew why he was here, she just wanted the satisfaction of him saying it.

"Could you, umm, get it?" He slouched his shoulders slightly and scratched the back of his neck.

Regina laughed, running a hand through her jet black hair. A nervous smile returned to Robin's lips as he looked at her, taking a moment to trail his eyes down her body.

"Sure," she said when she stopped laughing. Not wanting to put the treacherous heels back on, she slipped her feet into the soft leather boots at the side of the door. "Let's go, Robin." She smirked as his name passed through her lips, pushing past him to stand in the hallway.

He grinned back when she looked over her shoulder at him. "It's the third door." He said pointing to the left side. Regina strode over and stood by the entrance waiting for Robin to open it. He slid the key in the lock and turned the handle, motioning for Regina to follow him inside.

She looked around and admired the room. There were plants on the ledges and no clutter covering the white surfaces. The far wall was made entirely from glass panels, showing the New York City skyline. Her window faced a brick wall. She walked over and gently rested a hand on the glass, captivated by the view.

"This is incredible," her voice was softer than a minute ago, she sounded younger. "I didn't know this apartment had a view."

"It's what drew me to the place," Regina heard him walking up behind her. "Stunning, in every way." They both stood gazing out into the open in silence, soaking in the bright lights and ever flowing traffic.

"So where's this spider?" Regina turned on her heel to face Robin and his eyes darted away. For a second she thought he was looking at her, but she brushed away the idea. She'd only just met him.

"Yes, right," Robin fumbled on the spot and then faced the other way, striding to a dark wooden door which was shut. "In there."

"Is the door protecting you?" She teased, poking him in the arm playfully.

"Something like that."

Regina pushed the door open, searched for the light and flipped the switch, filling the room with a warm glow. The black insect sat in the bath, it's eight legs sprawling over the ceramic surface. She smirked again, picking up the cup from the side of the sink and asked Robin for a piece of paper. He returned holding a postcard and handed it to her. She bent down and caught the spider in the glass.

Robin stood back from the door, one hand across his chest and the other fisted under his chin. Regina emerged from the room and he backed away further, eyeing the glass cautiously. She shook her head, a smile creeping up across her cheeks.

"It's just a spider."

"That's precisely why I'm stood over here," he didn't move his eyes from the glass, watching intently as Regina opened the window and shook out the creature.

"Happy?" She turned to face him and handed him back the postcard followed by the glass. He was smiling again, a weight visibly lifted from him as he stood straighter, less tense.

"Thank you," he dragged a hand through his hair and stepped closer. "There's something about the legs..." Regina laughed, dipping her head, her dark hair cascading over her face.

She looked up, the smile still firmly set on her mouth. "Anytime."

Robin bit his lip and looked at her, the curve of her lip a perfect contrast to the sharp edge of her jaw. She turned to leave but stopped with her hand resting on the door handle.

"Do you--" her words faded, remembering that she only found out Robin's name five minutes ago.

"What?" He gazed at her from across the room, his eyes pleading with her to continue.

"I have some wine back at my apartment,"

"I'd love to, Regina." They both smiled at each other and Robin strode over to her, opening the door. Regina stepped out first and Robin followed, placing a hand on the small of her back. She tried to ignore the light pressure which made her stomach flip as she led him to her door.

"I'm glad you were in." Robin wiped his index finger and thumb across his forehead.

"Well I couldn't have left you with that spider." Regina glanced at him and pushed open the door. Maybe today wasn't that bad after all.