Run Down

The Walk

"Come on," He said as she put her head on his shoulder, "let's go for a walk." Regina sniffled, nodding against his arm, and they sauntered to the nearby park. They left the car where it was (Regina tried to not think about going back for it later) as Robin linked his fingers with Regina's, swinging their joined hands lightly between them.

"I'm sorry," she said, words small and whispered, muffled against the fabric of his jacket, "this doesn't even matter." Robin stopped them, gently grabbing her hands and turning her to face him.

"Regina, it matters." He said, absently tracing patterns on the back of her palm. His eyes were so concerned - but not pitying, she couldn't abide pity - gazing into hers, grounding her and she felt like he was reading her; thoughts on display like an open book.

Regina leant in, flicking her gaze to his mouth before looking back up, her eyes aligning with his. She pressed her lips to his, the taste of salt from the tears rolling down her cheeks mingling with something so brilliantly Robin on her tongue. He moved his thumb across her cheekbone, swiping away the still falling tears as he drew invisible lines back and forth.

Regina pulled back, slowly relinquishing the contact her lips had on his and they walked hand in hand, stepping further into the park.

"Your mother..." Robin began, not really knowing the right way to finish. He ran a hand through his hair as he fought for a coherent sentence.

"I know." Regina sighed and lifted her head from its place on Robin's shoulder. "She like to be in control. And putting people down, disregarding their feelings, that's just something she does to be in control." she sighed and looked straight ahead as they walked but she could feel Robin's eyes on her, wanting to say something. "She seemed to like you."

Robin chuckled a little nervously as he began, "I'm not so sure about that." She turned her head towards him and furrowed her brow, encouraging him to continue. "When you left, I told her she shouldn't have said that to you and she didn't look too impressed." Regina's eyes widened but Robin simply carried on, "I told her you looked beautiful."

Regina blushed at his compliment, couldn't help the heat rising from her neck to her cheeks, but she pushed her hair behind her ear and looked away from his blue eyes boring into hers as she muttered, "you didn't have to do that."

"I did." He said, lifting his index finger to her chin so she looked back at him. He smiled, a small, warm smile that sent a flare of attraction surging through her stomach and she smiled back. A watery smile that didn't quite reach her eyes, but a smile nonetheless. "Are you hungry?"

---

Regina lead the way to a small Italian restaurant she used to go to with her father when mother was out on a business trip or some other commitment that was far more important than her family. She swung the door open, aromas of garlic and oregano seeping into the air around them. An old man came from the back, white hair fluffy at the sides filtering down into an even whiter beard.

"Regina!" He called, hand outstretched to her as he neared them.

"How are you Gepeto?" She asked, smiling at the man as he pulled her into a hug.

"Good, good," he said, turning to Robin then and asking, "who's your friend?" with a smirk. She introduced the pair and he showed them to a table at the back of the restaurant which was showered in the flickering glow of candles.

"Someone's popular," said Robin with a grin as they sidled into their seats. Regina rolled her eyes as she explained Gepeto was an old family friend and Robin smiled at her all the while she spoke; he'd be happy to listen to her every minute of every day if he could.

They ordered food and chatted. Robin brought up the party but Regina went suddenly quiet, pushing a meatball around her plate as she sighed. "Let's talk about something else," he said and she was glad, nodding relievedly as he changed the topic.