Outlaw Queen Shorts

Heat Wave

Just something a friend wanted me to write.
Set in Storybrooke but not a specific time, so sort of AU.
Let me know what you think (:

Heat. Regina can think of nothing else as a thin sheen of sweat builds on the nape of her neck, curling the dark wisps that escape her ponytail. Her hair has gotten to the length where it's almost insufferable to be sat on her shoulders in the muggy office, but just short enough to warrant lifting a hand to brush back the loose piece of hair that just won't stay put every two minutes. And as the computer blows out a continuous stream of torturously hot air onto her legs, the decision to wear a thin summer dress rather than one of her more professional-looking outfits proves even more justified.

The stack of files which usually stand neatly in the corner are strewn open across her desk and she wonders just what about hot weather makes it impossible for her to stay organised. She huffs, leaning back against the chair with her palms flat on the glass.

"Tough day?" She knows the voice even before she looks up; the way his accent lilts forcing her to suppress a grin as she lifts her eyes to the door.

"You could say that," she keeps her tone light and stands to greet him, the tiles slightly cool against her bare feet (shoes had been discarded and left under the table somewhere after noon). "What are you doing here?"

Robin holds up a brown wicker basket with gingham cloth peeking out of the side, his eyes crinkling at the corners as he smiles, "I thought we could have lunch?" When she doesn't reply straight away he adds, "but only if you're not too busy."

The gesture has a small swell of warmth nestling in her stomach and she smiles back at him, unable to control the tug of her lips. "That sounds good. It's too hot to work in here anyway." her gaze floats down from his face and she scans his attire: a navy blue v-neck with loose grey shorts. Different, she thinks, but it suits him.

She looks back up to his eyes then and catches them as they flick back to hers. "You look lovely," he says and she can tell he means it. "Casual suits you, milady."

"This is casual?" Regina arches a brow in amusement and tugs at the hem of the light blue fabric.

"Well, not casual, just..." she lets him fumble for a second, waiting for the end of his sentence as he sweeps his eyes over her again. "Different. But good different." He looks uneasily at her and she laughs, enjoying how clearly nervous he was to ask in the first place.

"It's okay, I know what you meant," She's smiling again and so's he, brown eyes locked on blue as they stand together, content simply with each other's presence.

Regina picks up her shoes and turns back to the door where Robin is leaning against the white frame, a grin still plastered to his face as he drags his bottom lip in between his teeth.

"What?" She asks, tilting her head to the side and matching his gaze.

"Nothing, I'm just glad you're coming." He reaches out with his free hand and brushes the errant strand of hair behind her ear, knuckles grazing over her skin and leaving behind a trace she can feel even after he's lowered his touch.

They walk out of the office, Robin interlocking their fingers as they turn the corner, which they quickly realise in this heat isn't going to work. Regina untangles their hands and steps closer, linking her arm through his instead. He looks across at her, her head just above shoulder height now she's in flats, and places a kiss to her temple. She looks up at him, smiling, giving his bicep a gentle squeeze.

The park is full. Too full for Regina's liking, and the crowd of people milling around dampen her mood slightly. When Robin asks her where she'd like to sit she shrugs and scans the area, desperately looking for a patch of grass not teaming with people.

"What about there?" He points across the path and she nods, the large tree opposite them offering some well needed shade. Robin lifts the lid of his basket and pulls out a thin blanket which he unfolds onto the grass, half in and half out of the sun.

He places a hand on her back, his fingers brushing against the skin where the fabric dips down and she feels it again, that pull in the pit of her stomach. Whenever she's with him it just feels...right.

"Peanut butter?" She asks, flattered but not entirely surprised that he remembered the small detail she can't have told him more than once.

"You said it's your favourite." She shakes her head and laughs, reaching over to grab one of the sandwiches along with an apple.

"Thank you," she sits still for a moment, the sun tingling against her leg out of the shade, looking from the food to Robin. "Really."

"It's just lunch." He assures, pouring them both a glass of cloudy lemonade.

"I know," she reaches across and takes his hand, her fingers winding around his palm and tracing lazy circles. "I just never thought I'd have this."

Robin shifts his weight so he's leaning on his free hand and inches closer, pressing his lips to hers. It's slow, savouring. He lifts his hand from Regina's and cradles her face, thumb rubbing mindlessly along her cheekbone. She brings her own hand up and rests it on his forearm, closing the gap between them further, shifting forward on her knees.

He pulls back slightly, running the pad of his thumb along her jawline and across her bottom lip. She's looking at him with glossy eyes, illuminated by the afternoon sun, her lips curved up into a small smile.

"I think I'll make you a picnic more often." He says, his features dancing with amusement.

"I'm not complaining." She arches a brow before leaning back in to seal her mouth over his, soaking up every second. She can feel him chuckle against her lips and she smiles into the kiss too, unable to stop herself from falling deeper.

They lie back, Regina resting her head into Robin's shoulder and Robin slinking an arm round Regina's waist, closing their eyes to the distant sound of children running and parents chasing after them. She feels detached from it, like it's just her and Robin and everything else beyond their little blanket has fallen away. It feels safe.

It gets later, she's not sure how long they've been lying here but the sun has faded, leaving a pink smudge across the watery blue sky. Goosebumps raise on her arms and she shivers, scooting up and pressing closer to him. He lifts his hand to her arm and rubs up and down as he asks "Are you cold?"

"A little," She admits "but I don't want this to end." Robin shifts so he's facing her, looking into her eyes and slowly dragging his thumb in circles across her bare arm.

"It won't, " His face is close to hers and she can feel the heat of his words as he whispers "you have to believe that."

She can't help the force at which the corners of her mouth turn up. "I think I'm starting to." She bites down on her bottom lip, never tearing her eyes from his for a second.

"Good, because my arm has started to go slightly numb." She lets out a laugh then, and he smiles widely at her, his dimples indenting for miles. He stands and offers her a hand to pull her up.

They walk side by side and he laces his hand around her waist, bumping their hips as they walk. He grins at her and she grins back, both happy to act like teenagers for a night. Despite the scorching mid day sun earlier, there's a slight chill on the breeze, but Regina doesn't feel it. She only notices the way Robin's fingers gently squeeze her hip and the kisses he plants on her temple every few steps.

Regina can't let herself think that specific four-letter-word just yet, but she knows where this is headed. She doesn't know whether it makes her giddy or scared to death, but for now she'll settle for somewhere in the middle. And the way he looks across at her with his beautiful blue eyes gazing deep into her soul, she think that maybe, just maybe, he might be feeling the same.