OQ One Shots (#OQPromptParty)

Day 1 - Bandit OQ Happy Ending

Regina

The sweet smell of pine and chilly forest rain fill my nostrils as I trek down a path, Robin's comforting footsteps following closely as we make our way towards a tavern. A glistening lake shone behind the straw building, making me jump for excitement on the inside, turning to face Robin who was already smirking, getting a head start as he dashed over towards the water, leaving me and his gang of merry men in the dust. I chuckled lightly and began to run towards the bandit who was waiting for me with arms outstretched, I found my way into them just in time to wiggle out and undo my fur vest, tossing it to the side of the creek before stripping hastily, the cold air nipping at my skin, causing me to rethink this idea of swimming naked.

"Come on you!" He chuckled as firm hands gripped my waist and pulled me in, making me shriek and kick before playfully smacking his bicep. The icy water ran across my skin causing goosebumps to form all over, my cheeks reddening as the wind whipped us, freezing our blood inside of our veins. I could see my fingers losing their color so the chivalrous thief carefully enveloped me into his arms, careful to ensure that nobody around could witness the great bandit Regina get embraced by the notorious Robin Hood.

I waited a moment as well before laying my head on his shoulder, taking a moment to rest my body from the long and grueling robberies that we had done over the past few days, leaving us and the rest of the group completely exhausted. The slamming of the tavern door told us that soon there would be onlookers, and both of us would prefer if they witnessed their fearless leaders with some clothes on, and less doe eyes towards each other.

I waved him over and climbed out of the side of the creek, my clothes in hand as I raced as fast as possible to the nearest tree, using it's thick branches to cover me as I began to pull my warm trousers on, followed by my thick soled boots. I felt a calloused hand run over my scar that ran from the hollow of my stomach underneath my left breast, all the way to my right hip, making me shudder and pull away, the pink, tender skin still sensitive to touch.

"Sorry, it's just..." He began, but I simply exhaled and pulled my long sleeved blouse over my head, hastily cinching my vest before knotting my hair into a messy braid at my collar bone. "I was pretty badass, don't get all emotional over it again." I requested, making him scoff and smirk at me as he pulled his tunic over his head, dressing himself as well before nudging me out of the way. "Yeah, badass until you started to cry and wanted me to stay with you and hold your hand, you can play the mask game all you want Regina, but I know how scared the big bad bandit was." He joked, making me roll my eyes at him before sauntering towards the tavern, allowing him to link his hand into mine as we approached the door.

"Oh god, I totally forgot my gloves by the river, I'll be right back." I groaned once I looked down at my belt that was void of my vital protection from the harsh elements and rough wood that easily splintered. "Let me fetch them for you milady." Robin offered, but I shook my head at him and insisted that I perform such a mundane and trivial task.

I rounded the corner of the building and saw the beige leather sitting on a rock out in the cold elements, I began to rush to grab them when a scream from the thicket caused me to jump and immediately draw my arrow, aiming towards the source of the sound that began to grow louder from across the pond. I drew my quiver back and watched as a woman stumbled into view, something bundled in her arms as the setting sun shone it's light on her ashen complexion.

Terror filled her eyes and I could tell that her once golden brown skin was now draining of blood quickly from the deep gash in her side where blood was seeping through. A royal guard burst through the bushes with his bloodied sword, his gaze landing on her as he raced in her direction. She looked over helplessly and cried out one more time, making me release my arrow and sink it into the guard's carotid artery, blood spewing as he instantly bled out across the river on the bank in front of the gasping woman.