Cursed Hearts

Picking up the Pieces

Waking up in the comfort of his own bed was almost a shock to him, much like his first wave of consciousness back in the Enchanted Forest. At first it didn't seem real to be back in such luxury, all the things he has grown used to in the decade he spent living in Storybrooke. As Robin began to wake, glancing over at his wife, the events that occurred during the previous night didn't seem real either. She looked peaceful, her hair catching rays of soft morning sunlight. Being able to wake up next to her was something he would never again take for granted.

Knowing that he would soon be plagued with worry about her, Robin instead got up quietly and ventured down the hallway, coming upon Caroline's bedroom. Inching the door ajar, he peered in to find his daughter sleeping soundly in her twin sized bed. The sight flooded him with peace- finally, she was safe and sound. Robin then continued to Roland's bedroom, making his movements slow and calculated since he was such a light sleeper. He was surprised to see his room as messy as it was- the fifteen year old had always kept everything in order. Still, despite the chaos around him, Roland was lightly snoring under the covers, his face free of any stress or worries. A makeshift bed for Henry had been made in the far side of his bedroom, yet the man's oldest son was nowhere to be found.

Traveling downstairs, Robin got the coffee started in the kitchen, his movements automatic in spite his month long absence. Normality still felt so strange to him, as if he weren't allowed such a tranquil lifestyle. He was impressed with how clean the house was despite how many guests they had welcomed over the day before. The only thing out of the ordinary was Henry sprawled out on the couch, slowly coming to his senses after catching the scent of coffee wafting in the air. Rubbing his eyes, the twenty two year old took a moment to rest his gaze on his father as he moved around the kitchen.

"I'll be honest, it's still weird seeing you here," he told him, sitting himself against the couch.

"It's still weird to be here," Robin responded, getting two mugs out from the cabinet. Pouring them both a cup, he sat down next to his son and took a breath, finding the silence comforting. "I'm sure Grace hates being stuck in Canada- you must miss her."

Though he was still half asleep, Henry took a few sips of coffee. "Medical school is really cutthroat, keeps her busy. She wishes she could've been there for Mom when it was just the three of us holding down the house."

Robin detected some resentment laced in his voice, a subtlety he was quite good at uncovering. Pausing for a moment, he pursued the question he had been dreading. "What exactly happened after Emma brought her back?"

Henry gave his dad a cautious glance. "Mom hasn't exactly been herself since the whole thing happened. Roland's been following her around as if she's going to break at any second. I know it must've been hard discovering her passed out like that, but he's acting like the whole world ended. I guess this is his first time dealing with intense stuff like this- the first one he remembers, anyway."

Letting his words sink in, Robin inner turmoil only intensified. "Where did she go?" He couldn't help but ask, "and what has she said about it?"

The fresh memory of her childhood estate remained clear in his head, making him unsure of what terrible place his wife could have returned to. There was still so many things left unsaid between them that he had yet to talk with her about.

"I think you should ask her that question," Henry said, "I don't want to get caught in the middle of all this."

Shaking his head, Robin shrugged off the uneasiness that filled the distance between them. "You're right- there's just so much I need to catch myself up on."

Sometimes it was hard to believe that the sweet and studious twelve year old the man had first met was now a young man trying to make a name for himself in the world.