Cursed Hearts

Proving a Point

It didn't take long for Henry's return to turn into a series of laughs and screams from the front lawn. Snowballs where whizzing from every direction- every once in a while someone would attempt to run across the middle ground, shooting more snowballs towards the opposing team.

Naturally, it had been Caroline who had started the outside war. They were finished looking through Henry's college pictures, and needed something to do. Roland had suggested a movie. So, with Tansformers playing in the living room, the extended family all splayed across the floor, wrapped in blankets and sipping hot cocoa. It was nice at first, the excitement of her big brother being home with them still running through her system, but it didn't take long before the nine year old to become bored. She had no idea what was happening in the movie, nor did she care. Everyone else seemed to be fairly into it- Emma and Killian were both a few feet away from her, their backs against the couch, a bowl of popcorn between them. Snow had her head on Charmimg's shoulder, Ruby was half asleep on Will's chest, and occasionally, her father's hand would trace circles along her mother's back. Grace hadn't left Henry's side for practically the entire night.

Two months- that was how long Henry had been gone for. As relaxing it was to sit back and watch a movie (even if she had no idea what it was about), Caroline wanted to do more interactive things with her brother. Before he left, the two of them would spend hours outside playing random games, always competing with one another for the fun of it. Since Roland almost always refused to do anything with her, sometimes she got lonely.

So, sitting next to her father, the second most competitive man she knew, Caroline quickly struck an idea as she remembered how her conversation went with Zelena at Granny's two days prior.

"Dad," Caroline whispered, tapping his shoulder lightly, "can I ask you something?"

Robin eventually tore his eyes from the screen in front of them and glanced down at her. "Shoot."

A sly but cautious glance fell upon his daughter's face. "Did you really used to be an outlaw like it says in the books?"

The question took a second to register in his mind; but when it did, his first response was to take an offense.

"Well of course I was- you know the stories are true." Robin told her, slightly shocked she would ask such a thing. He was a man of honor; there was a time in history when every single person in his village knew his name. His bravery and skilled excellence with his bow had served him well for many years, before he met Regina. After the series of events that took the fragile family to get where they were currently, Robin was perfectly content on putting the days of thievery behind him and becoming what he was best at- being a dad.

Caroline simply shrugged. "Well I know... But I've never seen you do any of that stuff- not even shoot a bow."

The shock continued to linger on his face. She was right; that was completely unacceptable. There was no possible way his daughter- or any of his children- could carry his last name without knowing what all it was worth.

"Sorry lass," came the voice of Killian beside them, "but the only thing your father excels in is feeding the fish every day down at the store."

His intrusion on their seemingly private conversation caused Robin to scowl.

"I don't remember asking you, pirate," he replied sourly, "and we both know I'm the best archer in this town."

By then, he had attracted some unwanted attention from his guests.

"Come again?" Snow demanded, the movie still playing in front of them, "I didn't practice archery for years in the Enchanted Forest for nothing."

A series of groans emitted from everyone still trying to watch the movie.