Outlaw Queen Shorts

Fake Relationship

Just friends? AU
(Day 2 of outlaw queen week)
As always, comments welcomed.

Regina hops up onto the work surface of the kitchen, picking up a handful of mini-pretzels from the dish next to her hip.

"If your mother catches you sat on there you'll be in for it." Robin stands leaning against the doorframe with his arms crossed over his chest and a smirk turning up the corners of his lips.

"Then it's a good job I don't give a damn." She pops another pretzel into her mouth, letting the salty taste attempt to wash away the whiskey burned trail down her throat. Robin shakes his head, a chuckle falling from his lips as he makes his way across the room. The door swings shut behind him, muffling the chatter emanating from the people in the other room.

Regina hates family gatherings, especially when it's her family. More specifically, her mother. So are you seeing anyone, dear? The dreaded question that she without fail asks every single time they speak. No, mother, I'm fine on my own. Is her typical response but when Cora had phoned last week to check if Regina was coming tonight, and of course ask about her relationship status, she lied. Told her that yes, she was seeing someone actually, and she'd be bringing him along. Hence why Robin, the closest thing she's ever had to a best friend, is here with her.

"How you holding up?" Robin dips his fingers into her palm and steals a pretzel. She glares at him for a second because the bowl is literally right there but she sighs and then shrugs.

"Okay I guess. Mother has been slightly less insufferable since you're here." Robin knows about Cora from the nights when Regina calls him up in tears after another battle in which the only weapons used are the barbed wire of tongues, but he's finally met her tonight and she seems...pleasant. He knows that's because she wouldn't want to damage her reputation. What she doesn't realise is, to him, she already has. "Thanks again for coming with me and having to put on this...show." She gestures to the space between them, rolling her eyes at the frankly ridiculous situation. Thank god for Robin Locksley.

"Regina, stop thanking me, spending time with you is not a chore." She smiles at that, but it's temporary, a single happy moment before...

"Regina?"

"Speak of the devil," Regina mutters at the call from behind the door, her face falling back to it's sullen state. Cora appears seconds later, a look on her face much like one associated with a parent telling off a small child.

"Get down from there! And come and say hello to people, don't just hide away in the kitchen." She scolds, her head tilting in a way that practically sings disappointment.

"I'm fine in here with Robin."

"Oh hello, dear." She looks at Robin then for the first time since she entered the kitchen. "Won't you talk some sense into her if she won't listen to me?"

"I think--"

"I'm coming," Regina cuts him off, shooting him a look which says both shut up and I'm sorry. Her ability to convey two emotions in a single glance always astounds him. She grabs his hand and pulls him behind her out of the kitchen.

Cora walks off, somewhat content now she's managed to get her own way, leaving Regina steaming with frustration.

"Hey, don't let her get to you." Robin tips her chin up with his thumb until she looks at him and he smiles warmly, willing her furrowed brow to smooth out.

"That's easy to say when she's not picking at everything you do." She doesn't mean to take it out on him, he knows that, so he simply bumps his hip into hers and grins, pulling her with him towards the living room.

"What are you doing?" Regina asks him as he plugs his phone into the speaker that sits above the fireplace. Music streams into the room, quiet at first before he turns the volume up and holds his hand out to Regina.

"Dance with me."

He's grinning and as Regina places her hand into his, so is she, both of them swaying and laughing, Robin twirling her round in circles. She knows they don't have long before Cora comes in and puts an end to this but Regina can't bring herself to care. Her whole life she's based her actions on whether or not mother would approve so tonight she's going to enjoy the moment, as short lived as she knows it will be.

"As far as fake dates go," she speaks loudly over the music. "This is a pretty good one."

He's looking at her and she's looking at him, both of them slowing their movements as their smiles fade. Robin reaches a hand forward to brush an errant strand of hair behind her ear, resting his palm on her cheek for the briefest of moments. Regina stops him from pulling away, places her own hand on top of his, brings their fingers back to her face. She begins to lift up on her toes, Robin dipping his neck in response, their lips barely a fraction apart --

"What in gods name is going on in here?!" Cora storms into the room, pulling the plug out of the socket so the music stops. The room is deadly silent.

"Mother, we were...umm, Robin was..."

"Apologies Mrs Mills, I just wanted to dance with Regina." He grabs Regina's hand and represses a smile when she interlocks their fingers.

"Well," her glare softens once she realises her daughter is not completely at fault. "There's music in the other room, I suggest you dance there." Her tone is clipped, lips pulled tight into a firm line.

Robin nods and brushes past her, pulling Regina along behind him. They reach the other side of the house and Regina lets out a breath she feels like she's been holding for five minutes. She starts to thank him, to tell him she's sorry about her mother and that she understands if he wants to leave now. But he simply slinks a hand round her hip and draws her closer, pressing the kiss to her lips which was just interrupted.

"As far as fake dates go..." He starts and Regina swats his arm, giggling, shaking her head at his lightheartedness. She knows it won't be the last she hears about this from mother, but Robin is swirling strands of her hair round his fingers and as she gazes into his blue eyes crinkling at the corners, his toothy grin covering his face, she finds herself not in the slightest bit bothered.