Once Upon A Christmas: One Shots

Day 4: Calling Birds

OutlawQueen one shot

   The queen was walking in the forest for some air. A break from all the drama of her life. It was around Christmas time of the "Missing Year", they liked to call it. Regina was almost in a state of depression. She missed Henry so much. He was all she had. Sure she had Snow and Charming, but they were dealing with their pregnancy.

It was late out the forest had a thick midnight fog in it, quite spooky with strange noises. Regina was said to be fearless, she didn't show fear, but she certainly felt it.

The forest-smelling guy had walked off from his Merry Men and leisurely walked around. He kind of had a thing for this so called 'Evil Queen', something about her he just, really liked.

   Regina on the other hand, kind of disliked him, but also kind of liked him.  She wasn't sure how she felt, she just knew that if she tried to kiss him or something of that nature, fate would someone find a way for him to reject her.  She had saved his son's life and that exact moment blue eyes met brown he thought she was beautiful, certainly not evil. 

   Turns out Regina has always had a soft spot for children.  Evil or no evil she was still and excellent mother to Henry, besides the hole covering up the curse thing.  She was never really complimented on her parenting skills, or any skills of any kind for a long time.  Daniel had always called her a pretty, smart, and skillful girl.  Then she thought of Daniel and Henry again.  She had a nightmare the night before that the whole town turned on her and tortured her, telling her horrid things about her.  The one kept ringing in her ears "Let's set fire to that hateful ugly witch.  She never loved anyone and never will!  No one will ever love you!"  that was said by nightmare Snow and it hurt...a lot. 

   She started sobbing loudly and clasped to the dirty forest floor, not a care in the world.  I'm stupid, ugly, a witch, and no one loves me!  That horrible thought kept circling in her head driving her to the point of waterfalls out of her eyes. 

   The thief that smelled of forest heard faint sobs and was instantly concerned.  He cupped his ear to hone the sound, then he found the source, that poor queen.  He frowned upon her body shaking from intense crying.  He carefully walked up to her and placed a gentle hand on her back.  She did so much as flinch a bit.

   "M'lady what's wrong?"  He asked feeling bad for her.  She recognized the accent and wiped her tears away, still visible though. 

   "Excuse me...oh nothing I'm fine thief."  She said quickly and hid her face, standing up.  He grabbed her wrist and pulled her back.

   "M'lady please tell me.  I hate to see you so upset."  He still held onto her wrist, he was gently rubbing her wrist with his thumb. 

   She looked into eyes to find any sign of lies.  He was a thief after all, he can't be trusted.  All she saw was concern and sincerity, he was telling the truth.  Then it hit her, someone cared, someone actually cared, that caused the tears to roll down her face again.  She crashed into him, hugging him tightly for comfort.  He held her and rubbed her back to comfort her.

   "It's okay, let it out."  He whispered.

   She broke free from his embrace, but his arms were still holding onto her arms. 

   "I just miss him so much, my son."  She cried out, he frowned again.  "He's all I had-"

   "Have.  You still have him, he's never gone, he'll always be in your heart Regina,  and we'll find a way to get to him, but now, you have to have faith, faith that your maternal love is enough to find him."  He held her arms and shook the message into her.  She smiled at him, the tear still falling.  She sneaked her way closer to him,  she looked him up and down, which he noticed.

   Maybe this thief guy isn't so bad, I guess I can get over the forest smell.  He is certainly good looking and that accent is rather, dare I say it...sexy.  Her eyes fell to his thin lips and she took a deep breath. 

   She started to lean in, he soon realized her hands were on his face.  He wanted to kiss her, but didn't know how she'd react.  But, it looked like she wanted to kiss him.  Before another thought her lips captured his in a passionate and long-needed kiss.  After a few seconds they decided to put and end to the kiss.  Oddly enough 4 birds started chirping. 

   "You have no idea how long I've wanted that to happen."  He said and she blushed. 

   "You know, when I had my first kiss as a young boy, 4 birds of that exact kind chirped.  I call them First Kiss birds, they're nocturnal and well they chirped when we kissed." 

   She started laughing, she loved to laugh, it's a lot better than crying or being in a bad mood. 

   "My goodness, and you have a beautiful laugh to!"  He complimented her, receiving another laugh and blush. 

   "I've never heard of First Kiss birds."

   "Well I made the name up, I haven't seen them since well, my first kiss."  He looked up at the birds and smiled back at her.  "And just so you know M'lady, people do love you, and I'm one of them." 

   That rang through her head, her heart melted and it felt good, people love her.  People love me? 

   And just so you know M'lady, people do love you, and I'm one of them. 

   All of the sudden little snowflakes started to fall.  "Well would you look at that...snow."  She smiled at that pretty little snowflakes that fell slowly. 

12 Days of Christmas