#Her epilogue was one of the best and wrapped up her character so wonderfully (WARNING: I WILL NOW SPOIL PART OF THE ENDING)

[poorly-drawn-mdzs]

Izutsumi character study

#dungeon meshi #izutsumi #One of my goals for this year was to spend more time doing art studies. #What better way to start than with my favourite danmeshi character (not seen: a whole page of figuring out her features) #I feel like she is by far one of the most poorly understood characters in the series. Partially due to her 'late party member' status. #'She's abrasive and mean' - 'she's a picky eater' - 'she's a catgirl who acts like an asshole cat ' YES and that is the point! #Everyone in dungeon meshi is traumatized and messy about it but izutsumi is just less polite in how she tries to cope. #Izutsumi is a extremely traumatized teenager who has utterly lacked autonomy her entire life. #She is the epitome of a “If I can just have X thing then all my problems will be solved!” character. And the X is 'Freedom'. #Her epilogue was one of the best and wrapped up her character so wonderfully (WARNING: I WILL NOW SPOIL PART OF THE ENDING) #Because she finally gets her freedom! She can go where she wants to and she doesn't need anybody! Yet...it doesn't fix her. #She is so focused on doing only what she wants that she forgets her own needs. Sometimes you have to eat the things you don't want. #And sometimes you have to face the hard truths that you need more than just one thing to make you happy. #Life is not all about only seeking pleasures and avoiding pain. You need to be balanced in order to grow. #Eat your vegetables (including the metaphorical ones: I am eating more art veggies this year by doing art studies!!!)

[b-else-writes]

The Great CLAMP Re-Read Part 6: Shirahime-Syo

Part 1 (RG Veda) | Part 2 (Man of Many Faces) | Part 3 (Tokyo Babylon) | Part 4 (Duklyon) | Part 5 (Clamp Detectives)

I feel like I'm constantly saying in this early era of CLAMP, "here's one of their most obscure works", but this really is CLAMP's most obscure work. It has no anime, no drama CDs, I daresay beyond Shirahime herself, none of the other characters who appear have been remembered by CLAMP or their fans. Not to say this work is bad - the opposite! It's simply beautifully self-contained (what a rarity).

This exists because a magazine that would soon go out of print requested a series from CLAMP. Published in 1992, Shirahime was finished in just 10 days and marked a departure from CLAMP's style and tone. A hardcover volume was published in English by Tokyopop in the 2000s, collecting the 3 chapters, prologue and epilogue. Happily, I was able to snag a copy of this evocative, atmospheric work. Finally, some good food after the CLAMP School downturn!

Synopsis: Legend tells that the falling snow is the tears of the snow princess, Shirahime. Across three interconnected stories in ancient Japan, CLAMP explores human grief and folly, isolation, and the anthropomorphism of nature.

The Story: This is a manga written in 10 days in the best way possible. There's a frame story to the whole manga, where a man unknowingly encounters Shirahime and gives us the legend of Shirahime, warning of the snow's dangers. The epilogue returns us here to wrap up the thematic elements. The three chapters are each self-contained stories centered around snow and despair, and they feel ephemeral in some ways. But this works beautifully with the entire theme of bleak melancholia of snow covered mountains. CLAMP admits there's no specific time period as they had no time to do adequate research, but we get enough sense of a pre-modern Japan. There's a very folktale feeling to the entire piece that lingers in the mind, giving just enough information to each vignette to convey themes and emotions. I was especially moved by the first story where a girl goes after a wolf she believes killed her father, only to grow attached to it. The girl's mother kills the wolf in the end, telling her that it would only kill her in the end. We're left wondering if this is true or not - can we escape our natures? Do we cause our own grief?

The Themes: Which ties beautifully into the themes of the story. Shirahime ends the book by telling the man that snow is not her tears but the tears of man's grief and suffering. While seemingly rather banal, even edgy, it works within a narrative that explores how different characters anthropomorphize nature and ascribe human characteristics to it in an effort to push aside their own pain or make sense of the universe. Is the wolf caring for the little girl out of guilt or is it just a wolf without human morality, and there is no rhyme or reason to its cruelty and mercy? Are two herons lovers, or are they just birds who must mate by their natures, just as our protagonist is drawn to war? Is it right to envy a frozen flower, or will it only lead to destruction? There's such an interesting concept here about trying to make sense of a cold and uncaring world through story, the human need to narrativize and personify, which is such galaxy-brained thinking for something literally made on the fly. It's so utterly early CLAMPian in its melancholia, and yet so poignant.

The Characters: As each story is self-contained, no characters reappear beyond Shirahime, who exists as a framing device (she is wonderfully mysterious and otherworldly). The thinly written, archetypal characters work in a folktale setting. We don't need to know beyond Fubuki, brave young girl, or Kaya, heartbroken lover.

The Art: Unlike their other works, CLAMP did this entire manga with a brush, using ink wash instead of their usual screentone. It's a very smart choice given the time limit they had, and it's clear they picked snowy barren landscapes so they could crunch those backgrounds fast. The result is hauntingly beautiful, with grays that feel cold, and visceral emotional moments reminiscent of ink paintings. That panel of Kaya frozen in the ice, or Inuki getting shot? Will live rent free with me forever. Shirahime's design is also gorgeous. While the paneling is definitely simpler, it works so well with the art that I can't complain. The art carries the stories so far that it is part of the narrative.

Questionable Elements: There is none. Put down the pitchforks.

Overall: A haunting atmospheric read. I knew I was going to enjoy the artwork because I love soft traditional brushwork pieces, but I didn't expect to really be moved by it, and I was. It gave me the sense of reading particularly haunting folklore that cuts to something true in humanity: that nature doesn't have a reason or morality, it just exists, but it is in our nature's to try to make sense of it, to tell story and create myth and legend. We are storytelling creatures, to our wonder and our doom. This is a theme that I am an absolute sucker for, a meta-textual story that reflects upon their own work in many ways and their own place as storytellers. It's a short read, and I do highly recommend it to non-fans, if nothing else for how beautiful it is.

#clamp #shirahime #shirahme syo

[monsterleadmehome]

Reylo Fic Rec Masterpost

Since I’ve been asked a couple times for fic recommendations, I decided to create a master list, which I’ll (hopefully) come back to and update. This is by no means comprehensive, but they are works I’ve thoroughly enjoyed and wanted to share. You can also always check out my bookmarks page on AO3.

I have updated these with ratings, but be warned they are mostly M or E. Smut not your thing? Check my smut-free recs here! Remember to mind the tags! 

*Indicates WIP

Let’s start with some little known fics. These are all under 100 kudos as of June 19, 2018. Make sure to leave a comment and/or give kudos if you read!

Ties That Bind* by @phoenixsolo -- Rated M. This fic is wonderfully written and jumps between multiple POVs. Also some great Poe and Wedge Antilles interaction which is fun. 

Holonet Mail by MelodeeKS99 (not sure of tumblr) -- Rated T. This is the cutest You’ve Got Mail AU one-shot but still takes place in universe. Ben and Rey are both smugglers. Guys, it’s adorable.

A Veil of Smoke* by @binarysvnrise -- Rated M. ASOIAF AU that is just masterfully thought out and so well-written. NO LONGER ON HIATUS. 

come and knock on my door* by jadeddiva -- Rated T. This is a really cute modern AU where Ben is a programmer at a startup and Rey is his college student neighbor. They meet because both their roommates have kicked them out to have sex.

every inch between us becomes light years by @spookykingdomstarlight -- Rated M. A beautiful one-shot that is both super sexy and sad. It hurts, but in a good way.

Cloudbusting by @bratanimus -- Rated T. Beautifully written and short. Just read it.

In-Universe Fics:

Sword of the Jedi series by @kylorenvevo -- Part 1 Rated T, Part 2 Rated M. Are you even a real Reylo if you haven’t read this? J/K, but seriously this was one of the earliest fics I read when I fell into the Reylo trash bin, and it is a masterpiece. AU where Rey and Ben grew up together at the Jedi Academy. It reads like canon novels. Not kidding.

Crossroads series by @gizkasparadise -- Part 1 T, Part 2 E, Part 3 T. This is an emotional rollercoaster in 3 parts. It’s got angst, it’s got the pre-TLJ Force Bond, it’s got memory loss, and some really kickass supporting characters. I just love it so much.

You’ll Be the One to Turn by @postedbygaslight -- Rated M. This is THE post-TLJ fic you need to be reading. It’s still a WIP at this point, but it’s sure to be completed soon, and like I told Posted before, if EP IX winds up totally letting me down, this will be the only version of events I accept. It is insanely well-written, gripping, and emotional. Just read it. 

Infectious by @dvrkrey -- Rated E. Also known as the sick!fic. It’s a poignant hurt/comfort post-TLJ imagining with a beautiful first time love scene. This one has a special place in my heart.

In The Early Dawn of Happiness by @corseque -- Rated E. GAH! This is beautiful and touching and even though it’s a reylohardkinks fill, it’s so much more than that. It is profoundly sweet, and if we’re lucky, there will be another chapter. 

landscape with a blur of conquerors* by @kylorenvevo -- Rated E. I’m assuming if you haven’t heard of this fic, you’ve been trapped on Ahch-To with Luke for too long. The arranged marriage AU with plenty of Hapan couture fashion to keep poor Kylo occupied.

Across the Stars* by @nite0wl29 -- Rated E. A Beauty and the Beast AU set in-universe (on Chandrila!). Rey falls for Kylo without him ever taking the mask off, and I think that’s beautiful. It’s got all the best elements of TFA, TLJ, and BatB. This one also should be wrapping up soon.

Songs of Innocence, Songs of Wisdom* by @cosmo-gonika -- Rated E. Another post-TLJ fic that has been blowing my mind. It has some mystical Force elements and some steamy scenes with Rey and Kylo. It does a really great job of showing where our star-crossed lovers are still not on the same page (but hopefully they’ll be there by the end!). 

The Descent of Ishtar by @assortedfruitsnacks212 -- Rated M. This is a trippy post-TLJ fic that is super mystical and really intriguing. It’s so well-written, and I might have to light a fire under the author to get her to update this because I NEED MORE.

Id by @dreamsdescent -- Rated E. A smutty one-shot where Rey fulfills Ben’s darkest fantasy. It’s hot. Do yourself a favor and read it.

Mood Lighting by @raven-maiden -- Rated E. This is based on the closeup of the MF captain’s quarters in Solo. It is a beautiful one shot with humor, soul, and (yes!) smut. Can’t believe it’s her first fic! 

World In My Eyes by @mygrandmathinksimsassy -- Rated M. Apparently I had been sleeping on this post-TLJ gem? It’s 96k words and recently completed, so you can settle down with this on a rainy day. Beautifully written, really sexy, and has a happy ending! I loved it.

AU Fics:

Blades Crossed by @the-reylo-void -- Rated M. A really amazing figure skating modern AU a la The Cutting Edge.

Stranger Than Fiction by @daxwashere -- Rated E. Seriously? Probably my favorite modern AU ever. Ben Solo is an author who needs to give his main character a love interest; enter Rey, his muse. It deals with some pretty real shit while also being incredibly full of heart (and some hot smut!).

Left Handed Kisses by @ever-so-reylo -- Rated E. The fuck buddies to lovers AU I never knew I needed. Rey is an Assistant District Attorney and Ben is a criminal defense lawyer. It’s hot, it’s sweet, it’s got lots of emotional constipation - you won’t be disappointed.

In the Name of Magic series by @waterlilyrose -- Part 1 E, Part 2 E, Part 3 T. The Hogwarts AU of my dreams! Kylo is a Snape-ish professor in Slytherin and Rey is a Gryffindor professor (of course). It’s great because it incorporates everything you love about Hogwarts, but focuses on the teachers instead of the students. Luke is Headmaster and Leia is Minister for Magic and there’s a very special painting of a snarky muggle that steals quite a few scenes. I absolutely adore this fic.

Dark Horse by @womp-rat-fever -- Rated T. This was a gift to me that I won in a tumblr giveaway. It is the Outlaw!Ben / Sheriff!Rey AU you never knew you always wanted! It’s a one-shot but it’s packed with action and pretty hot, too. I also made a playlist for it here.

The Promise by @nerdherderette -- Rated E. Wow. This is the most enthralled I think I’ve been with a one-shot. It’s 13k words, but reads like a 500 page historical fiction novel. If you like The Count of Monte Cristo, this is the fic for you.

Bedroom Hymns* by @drnucleus -- Rated E. Modern AU where Rey is a psychologist and Ben is an architect. Healthy BDSM where Rey is the Dom and Ben is the sub (although they haven’t quite gotten that far in the relationship yet). This is just really smart and eloquent. I’m a fan.

Fire Away* by @reylolujah -- Not rated. Disclaimer: I’ve only read the first chapter of this, but it’s SO GOOD. Laser tag AU with a really funny and great set up. Excited to see where it’s going! (I have it on good authority that we’re getting a half-naked Ben in a forthcoming chapter.)

A/B/O Dynamics:

Yes, I finally needed to add a section just for a/b/o. Sorry not sorry because I love it now. These are all E, for obvious reasons.

Your Pretty Little Heart by @ever-so-reylo -- modern AU where Ben and Rey are both doctors. And both terrible at admitting their feelings. It’s hot and super-well written. A good starter a/b/o fic!

Hunger* by @benperor-ren -- a canonverse a/b/o that picks up after Crait but with Rey in heat and Kylo coming to her aid, *wink wink nod nod*

Algorithms* by @grey-orchids -- the only first person POV fic I’ve ever enjoyed. This one is done so well it almost subverts the trope? Rey is a feminist and an IT person at a tech company run by Kylo. She goes into heat and things get interesting. *waggles eyebrows*

Summer Heat* by @isharan -- slow burn a/b/o you say? Yeah, and it hella works. Rey goes to spend the summer at her granfather’s cabin in Canada and is drawn to the outcast alpha Ben. It’s soooo good.

the thick of it* by @dvrkrey -- so steamy. It’s got hunter!Rey and lead alpha of the pack Kylo and Dothraki vibes for sure. Just check it out, you’ll like it. ;)

No One But You* by @faequeentitania -- a canonverse a/b/o started for Reylo week that started as mostly smut and now has plot! It’s really engaging and I’m excited for the last few chapters!

Hawthorne House by @strawberrycupcakehuckleberrypie -- I recently binged this and it is sweet/hot/amazing. Rey works at a B&B in Savannah, Ben Solo is a guest during a hurricane.

Oh and since people have also mentioned it, I will link to my works here at the bottom:

Dawn of the Rebellion series -- Rated T parts 1 & 2. This started as a one-shot I couldn’t get out of my head, then got a multi-chapter second part added on by popular demand. It’s my EP IX imaginings and it’s full of soft Reylo. There is a smutty epilogue in the works.

Truth Be Told* -- Rated M. The Alias AU I started for the RFFA exchange and am now taking too long to finish. If you like espionage and UST, I’ve got you covered!

smutty one-shots (all E): Chariot (modern AU) | Training Day (canon-verse) | Code 288 (Brooklyn 99 inspired) | Careless Whisper (80′s AU)

That’s about it for now, but I’ve got about 5 pages of “marked for later” fics I need to dig into, so keep an eye out for this list to be updated!

#reylo fic rec masterpost #reylo fanfic rec #reylo fanfiction #reylo fanfic #reylo fic

[ericdeggans]

After a Percolating Season Finale, Showtime’s #Billions Ranks as One of TV’s Finest Dramas

Fair warning: Spoilers abound from the final episodes of this season.

If the truest measure of a TV show’s season finale is its ability to leave you wanting more, then Sunday’s wrap up of Showtime’s drama Billions was one for the ages — a taut, slow burn that brought the urge to binge the next season’s episodes the moment the credits rolled.

For a while, I assumed my love for this series about an in-your-face hedge fund billionaire and the U.S. attorney obsessed with taking him down was a guilty pleasure. In a TV world filled with more showy, obviously cerebral dramas, the pissing match between a ruthless, law breaking self-made business titan and his prosecutor rival — weaned on the old money and storied influence of a well-established New York family — seemed, somehow a little less groundbreaking.

But then last week’s episode, “Golden Frog Time,” exploded onto the screen (check out my talk with Here & Now on this episode by clicking here). Through a complex and expertly-crafted story filled with flashbacks and asides, we saw billionaire “hedgie" Bobby Axelrod (Damian Lewis) use illegal means to secretly crush a stock offering backed by the father of U.S. Attorney Chuck Rhoades Jr. (Paul Giamatti) and his best friend. Both men lost millions — including all of Chuck Jr’s trust fund.

Viewers didn’t learn until the the episode’s final scenes that Chuck Jr. had engineered the entire thing — without his father and best friend’s knowledge — to push Axelrod into committing an illegal activity while investigators were watching. The last scene, in which Giamatti’s character is laughing and crying at the same time, ranks as one of the best performances in a single scene I’ve seen on television this year.

Then came Sunday’s episode, “Ball In Hand,” which essentially told the story of the day leading to Axelrod’s arrest. Like a lot of season finales these days, it felt more like a epilogue after the frenetic and surprising events of the penultimate episode — a few years ago, an episode like “Golden Frog Time” would have been the cliffhanger which ended a season. But last night we saw battle lines for the next season drawn, along with the fissures in Axlerod’s and Chuck Jr’s families which will only get worse as the prosecution grinds on.

As Axelrod spends the day getting documents destroyed and keeping under the radar to avoid arrest as long as possible, we see Chuck Jr. tell his best friend and his father that he engineered the play by Axelrod which cost them their fortunes. In an instant, we see a crucial friendship and the devotion of a father shattered. Since the season began, we’ve watched as Jeffrey DeMunn’s patriarch Charles Rhodes Sr. stayed in his son’s corner, even as Chuck Jr. displayed a thinly-veiled contempt for his father’s methods and goals.

It’s one of the show’s many delicious, intentional ironies that, as Chuck Jr. is finally maneuvering himself into the political career his father always wanted for him — angling to parlay the Axelrod prosecution into a shot at the New York governor’s mansion — he has done so in a way that finally causes Chuck Sr. to declare “I am done with you.”  This seems to be the ultimate message of the show; that the antipathy between these two men produces an obsession which crowds everything else out of their lives.

(i-r, Malin Akerman, Damian Lewis, Maggie Siff and Paul Giamatti)

In the course of Sunday’s episode, Chuck Jr. learns his wife Wendy slept with another man while they were estranged and didn’t tell him, and that her curious connection to Axelrod continues, when tapping her cellphone finally reveals the billionaire’s location. Axelrod learns his wife won’t stand by him if he leaves the country, as he chooses to spend his last moments before arrest with Wendy rather than his wife and kids.

Billions achieved a lot this year. The introduction of superstar Axe Capital analyst Taylor Mason, TV’s first non-binary, gender neutral character, has created a unique protege for Axelrod and given great exposure to non-binary performer Asia Kate Dillon. “Golden Frog Time” — a reference to hurting your intended target by hurting someone near to them — was an exponential boost of the show’s storytelling. The crumbs laid throughout the season, including a long, tortuous metaphor comparing Chuck Jr’s lessons about turning an enemy’s strengths against them while taking jujitsu lessons, finally paid off.

We even got a wonderfully bittersweet scene between Axelrod and Wendy at the 9/11 memorial in Manhattan, as a poignant love letter to New York City and a nod to both characters’ shared history.

There’s lots of delicious questions left. Will Wendy’s impetuous move to make money shorting the stock Axelrod tanked become Chuck Jr.’s achilles heel? Will both men have to choose between self-preservation and protecting her? How will Wendy react when she learns the true scope of Chuck Jr.’s actions? And will both men wind up walking the road the foreshadowed in their last, delicious scene together this season, implying the only way their fight will end is when they both destroy each other?

It may sound a bit like a soap opera fueled by the powerful politics and big money of New York’s financial, legal and political establishments, because it is.  And I remain a little troubled by the show’s focus on its two Great Men as guys innately smarter than anyone else in the room, despite the presence of so many sharp women and a few quality characters of color.

Still, Billions was my favorite show on TV so far this year, for its potent mix of sophisticated drama, high-end soap opera and vision of how personal animus can affect the most storied institutions in American life.

My biggest challenge now: Enduring the many months until the next season starts.  

[gray-autumn-sky]

From the Missing Pages- Epilogue

A couple of glimpses into Robin and Regina’s life after running away together.

For @glindalovesshoes, who prompted “karma”and “did you really think this would work?” for this verse. Also, for @x-wishesonfallenstars-x, @rcgalbeliever. @emmaswanchoosesyou and @stick-to-the-lasagna-lady who were all wonderfully supportive through the ups and downs of this verse.

Trigger Warning: There is a character death in this chapter. And, it’s a bit graphic. The death comes in the second scene, should you want to skip it.

And as always, you can find the previous chapters HERE.

A smile draws onto Robin’s lips as he comes out of the back room and Regina catches his eye. She’s standing at the bar, wiping it down as she talks to one of the bar maids—smiling and laughing at their conversation as her free hand rubs absently over the swell of her stomach. Her hair is swept back with a ribbon and loose curls fall over her shoulder; and her cheeks are slightly pink and flushed—in the candlelit room, she looks so beautiful. He can’t say that he’s ever taken her for granted, but still, there are moments when it strikes him how lucky he is to have her—to love her and be loved by her, to have the chance to build a life with her.

“You don’t have to do that,” he murmurs, coming up behind her and pressing a quick kiss to her jaw as his arms form around her as the bar maid turns to take a drink order at a nearby table. “In fact, I’d prefer you not...”

“I need to earn my keep,” she tells him as a grin tugs onto her lips.

“You hardly need to earn it.”

“Fine,” she sighs, leaning back into him. “Then, can you just accept that I want to do it?”

“You’re pregnant.”

“Yes,” she nods, “Which is not the same thing as being incapacitated.”

“I’m just… a little uncomfortable with my pregnant girlfriend doing physical labor. You should be resting.”

“It’s not like I’m on my hands and knees scrubbing the floor,” she tells him in a very matter-of-fact tone. “Besides, it keeps my boredom at bay.”  

“Still,” he sighs. “You’re due in…”

“A little more than a month,” she says, turning out of his arms and reaching for a tray of empty glasses. “It’s fine. And, if you can’t accept that I want to help, then accept that it keeps my mind off of the fact that this baby has been doing somersaults for the last hour and a half, and it’s making me vaguely nauseous.”

He chuckles softly, again leaning in—but as his lips brush over hers, there’s a loud sigh from the bar maid she’d been talking to and a chuckle from Little John. “Honestly, Robin, when are you going to marry her?”

“I don’t think that’s anyone’s business.”

“You’re crazy in love with her, she’s carrying your baby and… my god, just look at the two of you, why wouldn’t you marry her?”

Little John laughs and shakes his head. “She’s only saying that because she was dumped. Again.”

The bar maid’s eyes roll and Little John’s laugh grows louder as Regina offers Robin a little wink, turning away from him as she carries the tray back to the bar. “Aren’t you supposed to be on a date with your fairy?”  

“Later,” Little John replies, a grin tugging onto her lips. “And Tink and I will be staying in for our date.”

Robin laughs as his eyes again fall to Regina from where she stands behind the bar. For months, they’ve been going through a similar routine—spending their early afternoons at the tavern during the mid-day rush and into the lull that follows it. The first few times he brought her to the tavern, they’d worried about someone recognizing her—but no one had. The type of people who frequented his tavern in the middle of the day weren’t the sort who spent time at court; and even then, appearances of Leopold’s queen had always been far and few between. In her days as queen, she’d mostly been confined to the castle walls and royal grounds; she hadn’t lived a life in the spot light. When people did see her, it was usually from a distance or from a carriage—and then, she’d been done up in elaborate dresses and hairstyles, adorned with jewelry and a tiara, looking so different than she did now. The only patrons who stood a chance of noticing the former queen, were the knights who came in late and long after sundown—and by then, he and Regina were nestled away in their cottage mile or so down the road, away from prying eyes. Though they knew hiding in plain sight would be dangerous, leaving her at the cottage was never an option, so they did the best they could and hoped it would work out.

And, for the most part, it did.

In the daylight hours, she hid her fears well—but at night, she was set on edge by the sound of the wind, flinching at every little noise. Robin would wrap his arms around her and pull her close, reminding her again and again that she was safe and he’d protect her and the child she was carrying. She’d nod and cuddle closer as her eyes sunk closed, willing herself to believe him, but not quite able to.

“I think it’s time for us to get out of here,” he says, looking out at the dusky sky and grinning in her direction. “Unless we want to stay and watch Little John make a fool of himself, fawning all over Tink.”

“I think he’ll be just fine,” Regina says, shaking her head as she laughs a little. “And… I am getting a little tired.”

Reaching for her hand, he tugs her to him and his arm slides around her waist. They say their goodbyes, and she grabs her bag on the way out—making a joke about how it’d taken her five months to make a pair of booties, and if she lost track of her bag of yarn now, their child would be celebrating his second birthday before she was able to finish knitting him another pair.

“You keep doing that,” he says as her fingers lace down through his. “Calling the baby him.”

“I know,” she says a soft chuckle behind her words. “I’m pretty convinced I’m carrying a boy.”

“And why’s that?”

“I don’t know,” she says, shrugging her shoulders. “It’s just a feeling.”

“Ah, mother’s intuition?”

“Maybe.”  

“Perhaps then, we should start talking about names…”

Regina sighs. “It would be nice to call him something other than it, I suppose.”

“Or call her something other than it.”

“I’m having a boy.”

“You can’t be sure of it—intuition or not.”

A smile pulls onto her lips as they wind down the wooded path to the cottage. “Do you… want it to be a girl?”

Robin shrugs his shoulders, but a grin edges onto his lips. “I wouldn’t mind either.”

“But you want a girl just a little bit more.”

“No…”

“Then why do you keep insisting the baby’s a girl?”

He laughs out and shakes his head, “Why do you keep insisting it’s a boy?”

“Because it is a boy.”

Robin sighs and shakes his head, and he tugs her into his side. “I suppose only time will tell and… we can always try again for that boy you want so desperately.”

Regina laughs as her head falls to his arm as they walk the rest of the way, tossing out possible baby names—and nixing each suggestion the other makes on the account that the name is for the opposite sex of the child. When they get to the cottage, he unlocks the door, pushing it open and allowing her in first. She offers a content sigh as she lights a few candles to brighten the room—and he watches as she moves toward the wardrobe, selecting her night dress.

She changes quickly then eases herself back onto the bed, smiling over at him as he sits down beside her. “You should nap,” he says, looking at her. “I’ll start heating dinner while you do.”

“No…”

“No nap? You said yourself that you’re tired.”

“No,” she says again, this time turning her head toward him. “Lay with me for awhile.”

“Oh,” he murmurs, scooting down beside her on their bed. “I think that’s an offer I can’t refuse.” He rolls onto his side and his hand slides over her stomach. He watches the way her eyes fall to his hand and he watches the smile that tugs onto her lips, he takes a breath—and then laughs out as the baby kicks at his hand. Regina laughs out as he flinches. “I will never be used to how amazing that is.”

“Yeah,” she murmurs softly as a little elbow jabs at his hand. “It is pretty amazing, isn’t it?”

“It’s like you’re made of jelly.”

He laughs as her face scrunches. “That’s… a disturbing imagine,” she begins, looking back at him. “But I am partially convinced that this baby won’t come the traditional way. He’s simply going to kick and punch through me.”

“Her way…”

“Here we go again,” she says, rolling her eyes as he laughs again—and then, when he looks back at her, she’s suddenly serious. “Can I ask you something?”

“Of course you can.”

Nodding she takes a breath. “Does it bother you, the way people are always chiding you about us not being married?”

“No,” he answers without a beat. “I love you and you love me, and we’re happy… and… that’s enough.”

“Enough…”

“Regina,” he cuts in. “They don’t know the full story, and to be perfectly honest, I don’t think us being married would change anything between us.” A smile draws onto his lips.  “Are you happy?”

“I am.”

“I am, too,” he says, leaning in and pressing a soft kiss to her lips. “Now, close your eyes for a little while.” She smiles and nods, and he too closes his eyes. His hand rubs absently over her stomach, smiling every time the child kicks or turns, and the last thing he thinks before drifting off is how glad he is to have them…

_____

He’s vaguely aware of her breath catching and his eyes flutter open. She sits up as her eyes grow wide and she looks toward the open window, letting out a shaky breath. Pulling himself up his arm circles around her—and when she looks at him, her eyes are full of terror.

“Did you hear that?”

“It was just the…” And then he hears a horse neigh. Swallowing hard, he takes a breath, listening as the sound of hooves grows closer—and then he hears a shouting in the distance. He can’t make out the words but there are multiple voices accompanied by multiple horses, and his stomach sinks. Regina sucks in a breath as she turns to look at him, and leaning in, he presses a kiss to her forehead. “Stay here.”

“But…”

“Regina. Stay here,” he says, trying his best to keep his voice even. “I’ll be right back.”

She nods as her hand falls to her stomach, almost as if to protect it. He blows out the candles before opening the door and slipping outside as he grabs his bow and quiver. He blinks a few times, letting his eyes adjust to the darkness. He draws out an arrow, placing it in the bow, watching as the torches near—torches carried by knights on horseback bearing Leopold’s crest. He lets out a shallow breath, looking nervously back into the cottage and he takes a few steps forward as if to put more distance between Regina and the knights, wondering if it’s even possible for him to ward them off on his own.

From that point, everything happens so quickly—he shoots the arrow and he doesn’t miss, but before he can draw another his hands are bounded behind him. He’s shoves back despite knowing that he’s more than outnumbered—and then he sees the king’s carriage drawing closer. A chill runs down his spine as Leopold gets out—and no sooner than he does, four knights push him back against the side of the cottage. They bind his hands with a rope and the king smiles, almost sadly as he steps toward him, and still, Robin struggles against the knights.

Leopold’s eyes narrow as he stares him in face. “I trusted you,” the king says. “And this is how you repay my kindness? By stealing my queen?”

For a moment, he stops fighting and he looks Leopold in the eye. “I didn’t steal the queen,” he says, shaking his head. “She was never yours.” A small smile edges onto his lips as Leopold’s jaw tightens. “And she’s not mine, either. She’s her own person—her own beautiful, wonderful person.”

“She has you fooled.”

“No,” he says, his voice rising an octave. “You’re the god damned fool. You never deserved her.”

“And you think you do? How lowly you must think of yourself.”

Again Robin’s head shakes. “No, I don’t deserve her, but for reasons I don’t completely understand, she loves me and—I love her.” He feels his jaw tightening as his anger seethes—and he thinks of ever bruise and every tear the king caused. “Do what you want to me, but I swear to god, if you so much as touch her, I will come back and haunt you and make you wish you could burn in hell.”

At that, Leopold scoff indignantly. “And you, a practical peasant, are telling a king what he can and cannot do with what’s his?”

“I may be a poor man,” Robin begins, “But you—you are despicable excuse for a man. You’re spineless and a waste of space and…” He watches as Leopold nods to his knights and again, he’s shoved roughly against the side of the cottage—and then, he yells out as two of them disappear into the cottage. His heart aches as he hears Regina scream. Using his shoulders he manages to shove away two of the knights holding back as he hears the sound of glass breaking—and then a moment later, they return with Regina. Tears fill her eyes as she looks to him and he twists his wrists, trying to escape the as she calls his name.

“Regina, did you really think this would work? Did you really think you’d get away with this?” Leopold asks in an icy voice as his eyes fall to the curve of her stomach, and his breath catches. “You’re… pregnant.” She swallows hard as he steps toward her, reaching out and pressing his hand to her midsection. “With my child?”

“No,” she says in a firm voice. “It’s not yours.”

“You’re sure?”

“Positive,” she says, her eyes narrowing. “Do you actually think I’d have kept your child?”

“You whore,” Leopold breathes out coarsely as the back of his hand crashes against her cheek and she stumbles back with a gasp. Throwing his shoulder forward he tries to reach for her, but again he’s slammed back against the cottage, suddenly feeling nauseous.

“That’s enough!” A voice calls out and he watches as both Leopold and Regina turn their heads. “Stop, right now!”

“Daddy,” he hears Regina murmur as her father stalks forward and from the corner of his eye, he sees Leopold take a step back.

Henry strides forward, suddenly seeming so much taller and more powerful than he was ever described. Standing toe-to-toe with the king, Henry’s eyes narrow. “If you speak of her that way again, you won’t live to regret it.”

“Daddy?”

“I’m not afraid of you, anymore, old man,” Leopold says, his voice shaking and suggesting otherwise. “One nod from me and my knights will have you bound up and thrown into the dungeons alongside your slutty daughter’s lover.”

“Is that so?” And then, suddenly, a swirl of dense smoke encompasses him and when it fades away, Henry is no longer standing in front of the king. Robin’s brow furrows as Regina’s eyes widen and a small gasp escapes her. “Hello, Leopold. It’s been a long time.”

“Cora…”

“I warned you not to speak of her in that way,” she murmurs in soft and almost blasé voice as she pulls the Dark One’s dagger from its sheath.  “But you’ve never been very astute.”  

She raises the dagger to his throat, and with other hand, she flicks her wrist, freezing the knights in place—and the next thing he knows, his hands are free and he’s running toward Regina. Pulling her into his arms, he hugs her close and presses a kiss to her temple as his heart beats wildly. Cora takes a step forward as Leopold’s eyes widen, and he takes a step back, once more she steps forward, grinning menacingly as she pins him against the side of the cottage. She presses the dagger to his throat and he winces as slices the first layer of skin, and then, without warning, her fist plunges into his chest as she pulls out his heart. Holding it in her palm, she looks down at it and gives it a little squeeze. Leopold winces and the dagger sinks a little deeper—and then, a smile twists onto her lips. “You bastard,” she mutters as she squeezes the heart until it turns to dust and the king falls to the ground.

Again, Regina gasps as her eyes widen and Robin hugs her tighter as Cora turns to them. “Regina,” she breathes out as her demeanor changes. “Oh, Regina…”

“Stop,” Regina breathes out. “Don’t come any closer.”

“I wouldn’t hurt you.”

Regina nods and pushes herself from Robin’s hold. “Physically, no,” she stays as she stands in front of him. “But forgive me for not trusting that you wouldn’t hurt him.”

“Why would I hurt him?” Regina’s eyes widen as Cora nods, “Ah, because of Daniel.”

“Yes…”

“He’s a good man, Regina,” Cora says, looking to Robin. “I wasn’t sure at first, but… I have to say, I am happy for the two of you.” A small smile edges onto her lips. “I’ve thought that since he… cared for you the night you injured your foot.” She nods and her smile deepens. “And I knew it the night he cared for you the night the king so brutally forced himself on you.”

“What?”

“I’ve been watching,” Cora explains. “Your father summoned me. He was worried about your affair.” Taking a breath, Cora takes a step forward, her eyes staring into her daughter’s. “I’m so sorry, Regina. I should have never made you marry the king.”

Robin looks between them, watching as Regina’s jaw begins to tremble. “No, you… shouldn’t have.”

“I hope this… makes up for it in… some small way.”

“What are you going to do now?”

“Assume the throne,” Cora says as a smile pulls across her face. “I have power and you have love. We both have our happy endings.”

“And Snow?” Regina asks, her voice shaking as she reaches for Robin’s hand. “What happens to her?”

“I have no interest in the girl, but I… assume you’re going to ask me not to harm her.” Regina nods and Cora sighs. “Very well then. You have my word.” Then she laughs as she lifts the bloodied dagger. “And you also have my word that the Dark One won’t bother you again,” she says, twisting it between her fingers. “He’s under my command now… as is the rest of the kingdom.”

And then, she vanishes in a cloud of smoke.

_____

It’s a hot day in June and Regina is visibly uncomfortable in the earliest stages of labor. She’s lying on their bed wearing a thin muslin night dress that’s drawn up to her knees, Robin’s sitting beside her—and he feels utterly helpless. He drops a cloth into a bowl of water that sits beside the bed, then dabs the cloth to her skin in an effort to make her a little more comfortable.

He smiles slightly as he slides the cloth over her clavicle then to the crook of her neck, and she sighs with odd mixture of discomfort and relief. Pressing her head back into the pillow, her eyes flutter open and she swallows hard.

“I can’t even imagine how much worse this is going to get,” she murmurs.

“Hopefully, it’ll be a quick delivery. Granny Lucas will be here soon to check on you.” Stroking his fingers through the front of her hair he sighs, looking down at the way her night dress clings to her skin. “Do you think you’d be a little more comfortable without the night dress?”

“No,” she says flatly as she blinks up at him. “I don’t.”

“I thought it might be cooler…”

“It might be,” she concedes. “But I’d rather Granny not come in and see me… so ungraciously sprawled out, bearing everything for her to see.”

“I hate to point out the obvious, love,” he begins as his slides the dabs over her forehead. “She’s going to see much more of you when you’re in labor.”

“Yes, but I’ll be too delirious with pain to care.”

He chuckles softly and shakes his head. He considers pointing out that is early and it’s just the two of them, and she doesn’t need to worry about sprawling ungraciously or bearing too much, but he doesn’t want to argue. So, instead, he dips the cloth back into the water and changes the subject.

“We still haven’t settled on names, you know.”

“I know,” she says with a sigh. “It’s just so hard to know what a fitting name would be when we haven’t even met him.”

“You mean her…”

“No,” she says as a grin tugs onto her lips as they slip into a familiar banter. “I mean him.”

“You are wrong about this one,” he says with a soft chuckle as they fall into a familiar pattern. “And we’ll know soon enough.”

Regina laughs as she turns her head to look at him. “Yes, we’ll soon know that I’m right.”

“For the sake of argument,” he begins as he dabs the cloth just beneath the neckline of her nightdress, “We could talk about names for a boy and a girl.” A smile pulls across her lips and she nods. “I think we should revisit ‘Henry.’”

At that, her eyes open. “I… didn’t realize we’d visited that name, at all.”

“Not officially, but you did tell me that story… about when you were little.” She rolls her eyes in response. “What? It was a cute story,” he insists. “I can just picture you—completely adorable with big brown eyes, your little hands carefully swaddling a doll in your blanket…”

“And I named a doll after my father because I was four and…”

“Loved him.”

“Yes,” she nods. “And… life hadn’t happened yet.”

“You two were so close.”

“Yes,” she says, nodding again as her smile fades. “Then life happened.”

Taking a breath, Robin leans in and presses a kiss to her forehead. Somehow, it always surprises him how guarded she is about her feelings—unwilling to admit that misses a part of her life that she’d given up when they’d run away together. She won’t admit that she misses her father or that she often wonders about him, yet every now and then, he creeps up in conversation or she’ll share a memory. He supposes it’s for his benefit and her way of showing that she doesn’t have regrets—and he supposes it’s also a way for her to protect herself.  

Before anymore can be said, she hisses and grimaces as another contraction comes. He holds her hand, letting her squeeze as she pulls herself up—and when her eyes open and her breathing steadies, she looks at him and he wishes there was more he could do to help.

“I just think it’s a cute name,” he tells her.

Regina sighs and shakes her head. “I’m the one who has to push this baby out of my body, so I’m the one who gets to name him. And I’m saying no to Henry.”

“I guess it doesn’t matter,” Robin says with a soft laugh. “After all, we’re having a girl…”

Granny Lucas, the midwife, comes an hour or so later, and not long after arriving she tells that that their baby will definitely be born that day. Robin helps Regina up as the midwife spreads a layer of hay around a wooden birthing chair, explaining that it’ll help the mess—and he nods, eyeing it and thinking none of this looks very comfortable. He helps her onto the chair, rubbing soothing circles against her back as he kneels beside her. The contractions come quicker and last longer—and he tells her over and over again how brave and strong she is and how much he loves her—and he’s convinced none of it helps. He watches as Granny gets down in front of her, lifting and spreading her legs open as she tells her to start pushing.

He can’t help but think that it’s odd the way time passes—so slowly yet so quickly. Regina’s eyes are teary and her screams are muffled from exhaustion when Granny instructs him to grab the receiving blanket, announcing with a wide smile that the baby’s head is crowning. Robin nods and gets up—and suddenly, he’s aware that it’s dark outside. His heart skips a beat as reaches for the blanket, and then returns to them, crouching down beside Granny.  

“You’re doing great, Regina,” the she says. “Just a few more pushes.” Regina screams out and he takes her hand, rubbing his thumb against the back of her wrist as she squeezes his hand—and he watches as the midwife cradles the baby’s head. “Almost here,” she says, looking up at Regina, then nodding to Robin for the blanket—and then a moment later, the baby’s cry fills the room.

Almost immediately, Robin feels tears welling in his eyes and his chest almost aches with anticipation as the midwife sets the baby into the blanket and snips the umbilical cord. He feels a rush of emotion as his tears spill down his cheeks as the baby is placed into his arms, and her turns to Regina. “You were right,” he says, stooping down beside her and tipping his arms so that she can see the baby. “We have a son.”

“It’s really a boy?” She asks as a bright smile stretches over her lips, her breath catching as she looks at him, examining every inch of him. Reaching out she rubs her fingers against the baby’s foot, and briefly her eyes cast up to Robin. “He’s so tiny,” she says as Robin transfers the baby into her arms. “He’s…”

“Perfect,” Robin says. “He’s perfect.”

At the midwife’s prompting, he helps her up from the birthing chair. The baby is cradled in her arms and she’s shaky on her feet, so he scoops her up and carries her over to the bed. He lies beside her, mesmerized by the little boy in her arms—and mesmerized by her. Granny cleans up and shows her how to feed the baby, and with promises to return the next morning to check on them all, she leaves—and finally their alone.

“You’re… still sure about this, right?” Regina asks in a hushed whisper as she looks over at him. “You still think you can…”

“Love him?” He asks, scoffing at the questions as smile tugs onto his lips. “Oh, Regina, I know I can. I already do… and more than I ever thought I could.”

She smiles and nods. “Just checking,” she murmurs as she looks down at the baby who staring up at her with wide hazel eyes. “You know… I can’t believe I’m about to say this, but… he kind of looks like a Henry.”

“You think?”

“Yeah,” she nods. “And he… has my father’s cheeks and… his bald head.”

Robin laughs and nods. “He has your chin.”

She smiles and nods. “He does.”

“Maybe… in a couple of months,” Robin begins in a tentative voice as his eyes cast up to hers. “We could take him to see his namesake.” For a moment, she doesn’t reply. Instead she looks from him to the baby, and focuses on adjusting the blanket around the small boy. He sighs as he presses a kiss to her temple. “It was just an idea…”

“I know,” she murmurs softly. “And I think I’d… like to do that.”

“Yeah?”

“Yeah…”

“I’m glad,” he replies, tears once more filling his eyes. “I’m more than glad today, actually… I… I feel like I could burst open at the seams.”

“I know the feeling,” she says, looking over at him almost sheepishly as she adds, “In fact, I did burst open at the seams.”

He laughs and nods, and kisses her again. “Thank you,” he says, almost abruptly and waiting for her eyes to turn upward before continuing. “I mean it—thank you for this, for giving me the chance to be his father.”

“I should be thanking you for wanting to be his father,” she murmurs, her voice catching in her throat. “When I think of… what his life could have been like, I…”

“Don’t think about that,” he interjects quickly. “Let’s just be grateful we have each other… grateful that we have him.” She nods as Henry begins to fuss, his little cry piercing through the quiet moment, and her attention turns to him. Robin watches as she rubs his tummy, her palm lightly pressing as her fingers trace circles onto his soft skin and she tells him over and over that he’s okay and he’s safe and that she loves him—and then, when Henry’s cry begins to fade, Regina looks up at him, smiling in happy triumph at her new success. Tears brim in his eyes as he presses a soft kiss to her forehead as his chest swells—and he finds himself falling in love with her all over again.

_____

“Alright, Henry,” Robin whispers as he lifts the chubby legged boy onto a tree stump and crouches down in front of him. “Are you clear on the plan?” Henry laughs and stomps his foot against the stoop, a little bubble of spit forming between his lips. “Okay,” Robin breathes out, his stomach fluttering nervously as he reaches for the boy’s hand. He grins as Henry looks down, watching as he ties a ribbon with a ring on it to the baby’s wrist. “Mama’s in the stable,” he whispers, lifting him up and kissing his cheek. “You know what to do… go find Mama.”

Robin sets Henry on the ground and turns him toward the little stable where Regina stands, brushing Rocinante. For a moment, Henry just stands there, looking back at him with wide eyes. Robin gently pushes him forward and he takes a few shaky steps. “Look,” Robin murmurs. “There’s Mama…” And this time, Regina catches Henry’s eye. Robin takes a breath, watching as Henry toddles toward her. He can’t help but smile and laugh as he follows behind him, watching the adorably awkward way the little boy toward his mother—much more a waddle than a run.

Leaning against the wooden frame of the tiny stable, Robin watches as Regina sweeps Henry up into her arms. She peppers his face with kisses and he laughs out—and Robin finds himself holding his breath as Henry lifts his hand to touch his mother’s cheek. Her eyes fall to the ribbon at his wrist.

“What’s this?” She asks in a sing-song voice, once more kissing the boy. “What do you have?”

Robin swallows as she draws up the ribbon and a little gasp escapes her as she looks up, immediately searching for him. A smile stretches across her lips and he steps toward her. “What do you think?” He asks as he reaches her, slowly pulling the silky ribbon from Henry’s wrist. “I know we said this didn’t matter but, what do you say we make things official?”  

“You’re just saying that because you’re tired of being scolded by bar maids and drunken old men,” she laughs as her bottom lip catches between her teeth. “So, if you want me to believe that you’re serious about this, you’re going to have to ask me properly.”

“Properly,” he repeats with a little chuckle and a nod before taking her hand and sinking down onto one knee. “Regina,” he begins, taking a breath as he wills the memorized speech he’d agonized over not to be forgotten. “When you came into my life, I didn’t even realize that I was lacking anything. And then, there you were—sitting on a stool across from me in my tavern, smiling and talking about true love and making me believe in fate. I didn’t know that I could love someone else so fiercely, I didn’t know that I’d be willing to risk everything for someone else, and I certainly didn’t know how rewarding that would be. Together we’ve faced it all, and more importantly, we’ve survived it all.  You’re everything to me, Regina—you’re my best friend and my lover, the mother to my son and… it’d be an honor if I could also say that you’re my wife.” He takes a breath, chuckling softly as Henry yells out, giggling at himself as he flops back and his little feet kick against Regina’s side. “Will you marry me, Regina?”  

She lets out a breath and laughs a little, and she nods as she sets Henry down. “Yes,” she says as Robin rises to his feet. “Of course, yes.”

He slides the ring onto his finger as he leans in—and before he can kiss her, Henry falls down at their feet and a little whimper escapes him. Robin laughs as he bends to scoop up the boy, tossing him into the air and catching him before cuddling him against his chest, making him laugh instead of cry—and then her lips come crashing down onto his.

“I don’t want to wait,” she murmurs against his lips—and he pulls back slightly, watching as a smile stretches onto her lips. “All we really need is someone to officiate and a witness, and… well, Henry, but that won’t be a problem.”

“No,” he says, shaking his head as his smile brightens at thought of just diving in—and it seems so perfectly fitting for them. “What about tomorrow?”

“Tomorrow,” she nods as she leans back in. “Tomorrow sounds perfect.”

And it is.

Robin looks around himself—it’s a warm spring day and the wildflowers are beginning to bloom. The sun is shining and it’s vaguely reminiscent of the summer days he and Regina spent together when their relationship first began, and at that time, he never thought they’d end up where they now are—and what wonderful surprise it had been that they did. He glances up at the tavern, smiling at a garland of yellow trilliums that hand over the open door. Taking a breath, he goes inside—yellow trilliums hang along the bar where there’s an aisle of flower petals lining a path toward the back of the tavern and, he can’t help but laugh as his eyes fall on Henry, sitting in the middle of the eating one of the flowers.

“You’re supposed to be spreading those around,” Little John says, sighing as he scoops up the boy. “Those are for the wedding, not lunch.” He offers a hearty laugh as he plucks away the flower. “It’s a good thing your mother didn’t catch you eating that, otherwise, I’d be burned to a crisp.”

“Yes,” Robin agrees with a laugh. “It’s a good thing his father caught it instead.” Little John looks up with wide eyes and grimaces. “I’ll take that,” Robin tells him, still laughing as he pulls Henry into his arms and cuddles him against his chest. “Thank you,” he says as his eyes shift back to Little John.

“For what?  Letting your kid eat a flower off of the floor?”

“No,” Robin says, his eyes rolling. “For setting all of this up on such a short notice. This place looks… incredible. And… for being such good friends to us.”

“You and Regina are pretty incredible, so… we’ve been glad to help.” Little John says, shrugging his shoulders. “Plus, Tink did most of the work here. This is… more her thing.”

“I bet it is,” Robin chuckles.

“Who’d have thought it though? You marrying the Queen.”

“The former queen,” Robin corrects. “And… it still amazes me how everything worked out for us the way it has. I… never expected this. I just thought we’d… go on with our affair, never really getting to be together.”

“Yeah…”

“Fate really was on our side.”

“Indeed it was,” Little John nods, looking around Robin as carriage pulls up to the front of the tavern. “And there’s the friar now.”

“The friar,” Robin breathes out, looking down to Henry as he shifts him up into the air and holds him up above his face, smiling as the little boy laughs out. “Do you hear that? That Friar’s here. The wedding’s about to begin!”

A few minutes later, he smiles at the small crowd of people in front of him—Little John and Tink sit side by side with Henry on her lap, and Granny Lucas’s and her granddaughter—and with them is Snow White, the girl who’d once been Regina’s stepdaughter and the girl she never mentions but constantly thinks about. When the Wedding March begins Regina steps down from the stairs—and his breath catches in his chest.

She’s wearing a cream colored dress that she’d owned in another life and there’s a green satin ribbon around her waist. Her hair is swept up and there’s a yellow trillium tucked into her hair, matching the bouquet she holds.

Leaning in, the Friar whispers to him, “Are you ready?”

“I’ve been ready for this moment since the day that I met her,” he murmurs, not able to take his eyes off her.

He takes her hands when she reaches him, clutching them as the Friar starts the ceremony. They’re practically giddy as they recite their vows—and when the Friar announces tells him that he can kiss his bride, his hand sweeps up over her cheek to the back of her neck, and he draws her in, pulling her against him as he kisses her in a way that’s soft and intense, and so full of gratitude.

They stay for awhile, mingling with the handful of friends who attended the ceremony. Regina introduces Henry to Snow, letting her hold him and smiling gently as Snow tells her how happy she looks in her new life—and Robin can’t help but notice the way her eyes shift to him and her cheeks flush as she confesses she didn’t know that she could be this happy.

When the sun sets, they reluctantly say goodbye to Henry as Granny takes him, assuring them that their boy will be alright for the night. She leans in, reminding them that they deserve a proper wedding night and a late morning together; and he watches, as Regina nods and kisses the boy’s cheek—and his heart clenches when Henry waves goodbye to them.

The cottage is aglow when they reach it. Regina’s brow furrows as she look to him—and a smile pulls onto his lips as he leads her inside. There’s a fire roaring, and there are candles and yellow trilliums everywhere—something he’d planned but was the handiwork of Tink’s magic.

“Robin…” she murmurs turning to him, as words fail her. He smiles as she shakes her head, crossing the room toward him. Her hands hold his face as she draws him down to her, kissing him. He kisses her back and his hands find her waist. He eases her back to the bed as he tugs at the ribbon around her waist—and her lip catches between her teeth as she shrugs the dress off of her shoulders. Taking a breath, he watches as the cream colored fabric pools at her feet—and as his eyes trail up her, all he think of his how stunningly beautiful she is and how lucky he is to have her.

They fall into bed together—trading heated kisses for probing fingers, making love until they’re lying breathlessly together as the sun begins to rise. She presses a kiss to his chest and her tired eyes turn up to look at him.

“I, um… have a little wedding present for you.”

“You do?”

“I do,” she nods, taking a short breath as a smile pulls onto her lips. “I’ve been… trying to find the perfect time to tell you and…” Her cheeks flush. “This seems pretty perfect.”

“It is perfect.”

Again, she nods as a small smile pulls onto her lips. “I’m pregnant.”

He feels his chest tighten as his heart swells and his lips part—and before he can even think of the words he wants to say, a smile stretches across his lips and his arms fold around her. He rolls her over, peppering kisses over cheeks and neck as his and slide up her sides as she laughs out.

“You’re happy, then?” She asks, reaching out and combing her fingers through his hair. “We haven’t really talked about a second child but…”

“I’m elated.”

“I’m glad,” she says, quietly as her lip catches between her teeth. “Because… I am too.” And then once more, his lips find hers and he eases her back against the pillows.

#oq ff #outlaw queen #oq fic #page 23 AU #missing pages verse #completed fic #ouat fanficiton #oq au #prompt list fics