Mayor Mills

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[pickyourpoisonflorist]

A Night to Regret - Killian, Fiona, Regina (and more?)

[regalxmills]

blackheartedfay:

Once Regina was seated in the car, Fiona pulled out onto the road, bee-lining straight for the Rabbit Hole. Hopefully they hadn’t wasted too much time, and her plan could still be acted out with the desired results.

She pulled her car into the best parking spot she could find, forgetting that the parking was tight and on gravel here. Well, she’d walked through worse in heels. It would do. Fiona gave her hair a good flip, getting the volume pumped up. She wasn’t the one who needed to look appealing, but if she was doing it then perhaps Regina would feel inclined to do the same.

However, if for whatever reason her plans required a little… assistance, then she was prepared for that as well. She pulled a pocket book from her purse, just enough money to pay for the evening, and that little something extra stowed away, just in case. Fiona doubted she would need it, but it was best to be prepared for anything.

“I think an appletini would be wonderful right about now, just to get the night started with something sweet. What do you think, Regina?” she asked as she walked through the doors and into the bar. There was a crowd now, as Fiona had expected. But she didn’t care for the burly men and surly looking women about the billiard tables. Fiona was more interested in whether or not a certain someone still remained at the bar. And noticing the familiar plaid still in the same seat, she was satisfied. The mission was a go.

The drive to the bar was short and quiet. Regina decided not to ask any questions about her friend’s sudden need in a night out. She wasn’t exactly complaining, there was something liberating in taking some much needed time-off and relax, but a part in her still screamed she should go back on her promise and go home. 

But no. She was there with one of the very few people who actually liked her in town to share a drink or two. What harm could be possibly done?

Once parked and out of the car, the two women headed for the Rabbit Hole. Regina let out a groan as she struggled to walk on this damn gravel and she made a mental note to make some phone calls tomorrow morning and finally set up a proper parking lot for the place.

The Rabbit Hole was crowded at this hour, but not too packed that Regina wouldn’t be able to tolerate so she quickly followed Fiona inside, smirking at her friend’s suggestion. “Appletini sounds just about what I need right now,” she agreed, walking through the crowd and towards to bar to get their drinks while making her best efforts not to bump into any drunken idiots.

[spencershastings]

Once Upon a Time Characters » Regina Mills / The Evil Queen

(snow) (emma) (regina) (david) (henry) (rumplestiltskin) (belle) (hook) (zelena) (robin) (ruby) (neal) + more [insp. + insp.]

[wickedwithatwist-deactivated202]

Sleepover: Farmhouse Edition

[regalxmills]

wickedwithatwist:

Lena gave a small precise nod of her head. “Chinese it is then. I’ll just.. um.. I’ll go place an order. Get a bunch of random menu items? Unless you want something in particular.”

A strange sort of anxiety bubbled up within the redhead again. It was as if she were hosting the Queen and not her simple little town’s mayor, who was already her friend. Gods it was a miracle she had even managed to convince the woman to be her friend if this was how ridiculous and awkward she was going to act in her company.

The anxiety dispersed as she concentrated on the brunette’s movement towards the child. A small smile tugged at her lips as she saw Robin look around her home with beautiful clear big eyes.

And then Lena shook herself out of it and turned sharply on her heel to go open that bottle of wine.

“Random is good,” she smiled and nodded at Lena before her friend went off to get them their wine and order the food. She’d have to trust her to pick them the best items on the menu, as Regina herself didn’t have much experience with Chinese restaurants. It’s been years since the last time she recalled eating at one.

When Regina was left alone in the room, she felt a tingle of familiarity, much stronger than just a deja-vu, even though she knew she had never set foot in the place. Robin, on her part, seemed to be pretty relaxed as well while taking in her environment. Her eyes were fixed on a certain point on the other side of the room and Regina curiously followed her gaze.

There was not much to see though, except for a window, since Lena had taken out pretty much every single piece of furniture in her mission to baby-proof the place, which made Regina wonder what managed to catch Robin’s attention.

Following behind her friend, Regina peeked inside the other room, standing at the doorway.

“Do you need a hand?”

Thinking about the offer, Regina realized how silly it sounded, considering she wasn’t quite useful with a baby in her lap. A hand was literally the best she could offer right now.

[broken-white-boi-no1]

Fall Out || Regina & Paige

[regalxmills]

hatterxtrick:

Paige wonders at first if this suggestion/request might give her boss (more friend than boss these days. If anything, her choice to run to Regina for comfort was a clear cut sign to the teenager that they were friends long before today) pause. She remains knelt beside Robbie and her little stroller. Precious as can be without a care in the world. That’s how it should be. There should be no complications. Just a mother who adores to her daughter. And if Robbie ever has any doubts, Paige will be right there to remind her just who not just gave her a chance, but loves her so dearly.

Regina though surprises the teenager by taking a position on the other side of Robbie. The baby’s tiny little hand in her mother’s. Paige freezes staring at the pair and can’t help but wonder which mother might’ve done this with her. But she doubts whoever her mother was ever lovingly dotted on her as such. So much is confusing to her at present she has no idea if whether the woman she had thought was her mother ever did this or if there was another woman who just gave her up without a second thought.

Blinking a few times as she feigns a embarrassed laugh. She tries not draw attention to the fact she’d just got lost in her own self pity. And without anymore delay the teenager puts on her best smile, extend her arm as far as it’ll stretch to get all three into view on the screen.

But as she just before she presses the button to capture the picture, she teasingly reaches with her other arm behind Regina. Her two fingers in a V shape creating bunny ears behind the woman.

As Paige takes a moment to adjust the camera to fit them all into the frame, Regina silently coos at Robin to keep her occupied and wide awake for the shot. Adorable as it is, it will be a real shame to have this perfect moment to capture only to end up with a photo of a sleeping baby.

Regina keeps an eye out on the phone’s screen and when Paige finds the right angle, she turns to look at the camera, holding Robin’s hand up and waves it, still cooing as she reaches out to tickle the baby’s belly. But just as the girl presses the button, Regina realizes Paige’s fingers peeked from behind her head in a V shape.

It is Paige though, and she is probably the only one apart from her own daughter who can get away with anything like that without awakening Regina’s wrath. Her fun and mischievous spirit was one of the many reasons she liked the girl.

Snorting with laughter, she reaches for the phone. “I saw that,” she mumbles, standing up again. “Come on, one more shot of you girls,” Regina smirks and lets Paige adjust herself for the photo. Her heart melts as she sees Robin glancing at Paige with so much love and admiration in her eyes. And for the millionth time, Regina is thankful for the opportunity to have the teen around.

[pickyourpoisonflorist]

A Night to Regret - Killian, Fiona, Regina (and more?)

[regalxmills]

blackheartedfay:

hatterxtrick:

The door opens and Paige immediately notices the particular difference in the way Regina is dressed. The girl had always witnessed her business attire and nothing quite this sassy… Sassy was a better way to describe her friend than sexy because that was all kinds of weird to the teen.

She steps inside to realize Regina wasn’t alone, “Hey,” the teen offers a weak wave of her gloved hand, then turns her attention back to Gina. “Yeah, sure. You should have fun,” she says with a shrug. That’s what adults didn’t I mingle and socialize. Something she herself was looking forward to when she was old enough.

“Robbie is never any trouble anyway, so don’t rush back on my account. This is practically my home away from home.”

Eh, who was she kidding, this was by far more of a home and Paige just didn’t want to seem so desperate to escape her parents while there was another unfamiliar adult present.

@blackheartedfay @regalxmills

Fiona watched Paige briefly, curious if there were any signs of her father having affected her at all. Home away from home, she said? She would need to get Paige alone to have a little chat with her once her spell was finally enacted. Until then, however… She would simply have to keep an eye on her. From a distance.

“All settled then?” she asked with a smile. “Well then let’s not dawdle. Drinks await us!”

Fiona didn’t wait for Regina, moving her way past the teen and through the door. If she hurried, perhaps Regina would as well. The sooner they arrived at the bar, the sooner her plan could be enacted. And oh, it would be a wonderful little scheme, she knew it.

“I’ll drive!” she announced as she made her way towards her car. Best she do that anyway, for she fully intended on returning alone after the evening’s events.

Having Paige was truly a blessing, Regina thought more often than not, and tonight was one of those many times. The girl didn’t say those words just to try and appease her boss, Regina knew she meant it---it really was Paige’s home away from home, even more than that at times. And even though her heart ached knowing she felt the need to escape her own home, Regina was more than happy to provide it to her.

And she didn’t seem to take her night out the wrong way, thankfully.

“Thank you, you are a life-saver,” she replied, walking towards Paige to give her a quick hug before her attention was brought back to her friend.

Well, someone was keen to get going and Fiona certainly didn’t want to waste another minute before making her grand exist, leaving Regina and Paige alone.

She gave the teenager a sheepish and apologetic smile. “Yes, she is always that dramatic,” she whispered. “Call me if you need anything, alright?” she added as Fiona called out to announce she’d be the one to drive. 

With an eyeroll she could no longer contain and one last apologetic glance at Paige, Regina headed out to join her friend.

[reignmills]

favorite ouat scenes (2/?)

— regina and her father in 5.12

[ofhoodlvms]

These Walls || Regina

[regalxmills]

ofhoodlvms:

It seemed his plan was working, if one could call it a plan. In truth, Robin was winging it. The unintended benefit of actually interacting with Regina was, of course, that he now had some leverage over Roland that he hadn’t had before. Be good and he could go visit his little sister, an option neither of them had before. Some might say it was wrong to be seeking leverage over a child in his care, but Robin hadn’t been lying about Roland being a handful - he felt very unequipped for the life of being a father and was falling back onto his more roguish habits, which included blackmail. The thought did leave distaste in his mouth, but… Ugh, he’d figure it out later, when Roland stopped clinging to his leg and he was able to think in peace.

Roland, for his part, did complete one part of that wish for Robin - he stepped away from his sort-of-father and beamed up at Regina as she crouched down. He waited until she was level with him and stepped forward to wrap her in a hug too. She didn’t remember him, but that was okay. She was still the same old Regina, just with less magic and probably less ice cream (boo). “Hi, Regina,” he said as he stepped back, wishing he had his monkey with him on this particular outing. Maybe if she’d seen his monkey, she’d remember saving him and giving it to him? He’d have to bring it next time.

Before Robin could speak, Roland did so for him. The little boy seemed to know how to push his buttons today, given his request. “Regina, can you and Robin come for ice cream with us?” His eyes were wide and pleading, a method the little urchin had tried on his not-father many a time. Robin, for his part, wasn’t going to fall for it, but he had a sneaking suspicion that Regina might not be quite so adept at dealing with it, given she didn’t remember dealing with her own son (and where would that young man be, the archer wondered).

“Please don’t feel obligated. He just thinks if he can get you to agree, I’ll go back on my word and let him have it, despite being told no,” the thief added, raising an eyebrow at the young boy.

“Oh,” Regina breathed, laughing as Roland wrapped her in a hug. The gesture was unexpected but not unwelcomed, so she held him close to her in return, tight, and let her eyes shut for just a moment.

She wasn’t lying when she told Robin she didn’t have any experience with children before her daughter, and yet it was oddly familiar to be wrapping her arms around the young child like that. Perhaps her motherly instincts had kicked in, the need to wrap the boy with some love and affection after losing his father; his mother as well, she mused, seeing as he was left alone with his uncle. He was so young and already had such a tragic baggage to carry, the poor child.

The loss of contact as Roland stepped back made Regina aware of the chilly air today but when the boy greeted her, warmth quickly spread over her body again and she couldn’t contain the smile on her face.

If she thought the hug was unexpected, the boy’s request was even more unexpected.

Oh God. Was she getting a taste of what it’d be like to parent Robin in a few years time? Having a little girl facing her with those big pleading eyes and pout, asking for an ice cream, a cookie, or anything else and she’d have to be strong enough to set rules and boundaries when necessary?

As an afterthought, it seemed as if any sensible part of her brain had stopped functioning and images of another child appeared instead. It was in another reality, one where her house was filled with child’s giggles, sugar rush and some mild scolding because she couldn’t be mad at this boy—and Regina watched those flashes of images as if she was watching a movie in front of her eyes.

She’d seen it before, she realized, when she met Harry, and those images made little sense to her now just as they did back then.

Robin’s voice brought her back to reality as her eyes searched for him. She was a little lost when she finally focused on the man again, not just mentally because of what she’d just seen but also verbally, since she couldn’t come up with a proper reply.

“Well, would you?” Regina asked carefully as she rose back to her feet, not wanting to give Roland any false hopes. “Go back on your word if I agree, I mean.” Why the hell should she agree, though? The uncle and nephew were still practically strangers to her, she shouldn’t feel obliged to do that, not at all—not for the boy and not for anyone else, but Regina quickly realized that she wanted to do that, if only just to spend more time with them.

[regalxmills]

It's a Kinda Magic || Paige, Harry & Regina

[regalxmills]

noholdsbaird:

hatterxtrick:

Harry’s words Hey, she wouldn’t ask you round if she didn’t want you here take root. He’s right. Regina didn’t have to keep inviting Paige over out of kindness or obligation. The two were close, she was sure she could trust Regina with some of her deepest problems and did so when there was nowhere to turn after the fall out and the Mayor welcomed her and comforted her.

The sentence keeps playing over in her mid as she is already grabbing the oven mitts and slipping it on over her hand allowing her to remove the dish of lasagna and the steam of the aroma and all the spices has her stomach growling all over again. Setting the dish on top the burner, Paige makes sure the over is turned off, which takes a moment to navigate the appliance.

Paige reaches for the extra oven mitt and slips that one on before lifting it off the stove top and heads straight to the dining room, her sock covered feet padding all the way. Eager to make sure that she wouldn’t delay their supper a moment longer.

Except as she enters the room, the slip of Regina calling Harry, Henry instead gives her pause. She can’t comment on it, as she’s been calling Regina, Gina all evening and it wasn’t the first time. So Paige just takes the dish to where the potholders have been placed and pretends she hasn’t heard it. A part of her can relate to often being called something other than her name. Both of them are her dear friends and the last thing she wishes is to make either one of them uncomfortable.

@noholdsbaird & @regalxmills

Henry.

That name was beginning to haunt him.

It wasn’t the first time someone in Storybrooke had called him the wrong name - even Paige’s dad hadn’t been the first person to call him that, but he didn’t entirely understand why it was so hard. They weren’t even that similar, not really, and yet he’d been called Henry more often than any other mistaken name. Even worse, it was beginning to feel familiar. He didn’t like that. He knew who he was, damn it.

(He had no idea how wrong he was.)

“It’s alright,” he replied after a few moments too long, the atmosphere feeling awkward as Paige joined them, lasagna in hand. Harry could feel the red creeping into his cheeks as he coughed, trying to save the situation. “I mean, it’s an easy mistake, right?” he asked, glancing over at Paige for backup. He wasn’t going to make the mayor uncomfortable in her own home. Realising his friend was holding what looked like a mildly heavy dish, he stepped closer and moved a chair for her so she could set the food down on the table. “Thanks again, for letting me stay for dinner. It smells amazing.” And it did, but he couldn’t help but wonder if the damage was already done.

Without any further ado, he sheepishly slunk into his chair, hoping someone, anyone, would say something to get the attention off his shoulders for once and for all. He felt like he did when he made a mistake in front of his parents - embarrassed, awaiting teasing from them. The Mayor herself wouldn’t do that, would she..?

@hatterxtrick & @regalxmills

There was a long pause before the boy replied, a long silence in which Regina embarrassingly shifted her eyes around the room before they eventually fell on Paige who brought the dish. Whether the girl was oblivious to Regina’s slip or simply chose not to comment on it as she entered the room, she couldn’t really tell.

When Harry spoke, Regina let out a quiet sigh of relief. She just told the boy to feel at home and then called him by the wrong name straight after. So much for feeling comfortable under her roof. “Right,” she breathed out in return when she realized Harry was glancing at Paige for backup. He didn’t seem to take it the wrong way, thank God, just as the honest mistake that it was (or was it, really? Because if she was being honest, Regina wasn’t exactly sure about that.)

She was as eager as Harry to put that little incident behind them, so when the boy let it drop and instead thanked her again for letting him stay before taking a seat, Regina was more than happy to cooperate.

But then, before she had the chance to say anything, her eyes were drawn to Robin sitting in her chair, flailing her small arms in a way Regina had never seen before, almost like she was trying to mark something with them. And if she thought it was even possible, Regina could swear she saw a few green sparks. Almost like—

A loud thud from behind made Regina flinch and she gasped before turning around to look for the source of the sound.

It was a book. A large book suddenly laid wide open on the floor, one that she knew for fact wasn’t there moments ago, while the nearest bookcase wasn’t even anywhere near it.

@hatterxtrick​ @noholdsbaird​

[finabrunet]

Regina Mills + Scrunching her nose {requested by Anonymous}.

[ofhoodlvms]

These Walls || Regina

[regalxmills]

ofhoodlvms:

The rebuke was noted, but Robin retained his calm and sold his sob story… and it seemed to work. Regina was nothing if not easy to read in this curse, it seemed; she wore her emotions in her eyes, and they flashed with sympathy and something deeper. Curious. For a moment, Robin couldn’t help but wonder if the queen who terrified so many was more awake than she realised, but it wasn’t something to investigate right now. It would lead to too many questions. No, it suited him if Regina remained cursed, at least for a while longer.

With a sympathetic smile, Robin shook his head. “Then we can both apologise and leave it at that. Start over with a fresh slate,” he replied. He gestured at the small child in the pushchair, more honeyed lies falling from his lips with an ease that surprised even himself. “You’re clearly doing a wonderful job with your daughter, Madame Mayor. Don’t let rumours and gossip of miserable busybodies get to you.”

Ah… Well, that was interesting. For a moment, he’d thought the former queen had meant his counterpart had been the best thing to happen to her. She’d certainly seemed to think so when she first picked him up from his own realm, a half hearted attempt to replace him (or perhaps she just couldn’t see him die in his own realm; for that much, he was grateful). It seemed Regina retained her name, as did the infant child. It made him laugh when he’d found out what his counterpart’s daughter had been named and he couldn’t help but think it an odd way to honour his legacy. The name Robin Hood seemed cursed, at least to him. Better to get rid of it before it brought her down too.

“Introductions may be easier, since I know your name already. Technically, you know mine too.” Not a lie, he mused. Those were always the best deceits. “While this Robin might not be the best thing to happen to you, I do hope I won’t be too much of a disappointment. And this is Roland, my nephew.” He reached over and finally pulled the small boy away, into what looked like a hug but was more an attempt to get them both out of there.

(Roland hugged his leg anyway. God damn it.)

Hearing him calling the citizens ‘miserable busybodies‘ cracked a smile on her face. “Yeah, well,” Regina muttered as she looked at her child laying in the stroller. It was easy to do a good job when her daughter was such a well behaved and a wonderful baby. She really shouldn’t care what anyone else in town thought about it. And having a man she’d barely just met telling her that caught her by surprise, and so were her next words. “Thank you,” she muttered again before meeting his eyes.

As much as she despised the stranger only moments ago, the idea of starting over with a fresh slate didn’t sound too bad. It wasn’t as if she magically just liked the man, but she felt for him, truly, and Regina thought she could possibly tolerate and live with him in peace. Not to mention his cute little boy that made her heart swell irrationally.

Regina frowned when he suggested she already knew his name. He knew hers, there was no wonder about that, but was it possible they’ve already met before...? She was pretty certain that the answer to this was a definite no, even though she had to admit there was something rather familiar about him.

But oh. He simply meant he shared her daughter’s name, huh? And that... made much more sense, of course. It was funny, really, because Regina felt something for the name, a connection she couldn’t explain. It was the reason she picked it for her daughter in the first place. And there was this little boy who just bumped into her in the middle of the street, seemingly sharing some sort of a bond with her daughter and his uncle was named Robin? It didn’t mean anything, did it...? It was all just a huge coincidence; simply her mind playing tricks on her (and damn, once again, it happened more often that she cared to admit lately.)

Looking over the child he just pulled into a hug as the boy was formally introduced to her, Regina crouched down next to the stroller, smiling at him. “Hello, Roland. It’s very nice to meet you, young man.”

[wickedwithatwist-deactivated202]

Sleepover: Farmhouse Edition

[regalxmills]

wickedwithatwist:

Lena felt her throat get tight as she listened to her only friend speak so kindly towards her. The whole scene was so very far removed from the redhead’s comfort level. Normally should anyone say anything remotely nice to her, she’d immediately scoff and demand to know what they were after.

So why did she believe Regina so easily? Why did she trust her without a second thought? Perhaps it was because of all of the things she’d heard the citizens of this dumb little town say about their mayor; Lena felt a kinship for they surely said similar things of her she had no doubt.

A laugh bubbled up and fought through the emotional blockage within her throat. They could all piss off indeed, she mused, shaking her head with another laugh.

“Of course,” she said, perking up and giving her hands a clap, taking a step back towards her kitchen but still facing the brunette. “Craving anything in particular? Chinese? Pizza? And I have both red and white wine, so pick your poison.”

Her little pep talk seemed to do the right trick. God, where did it even come from? When did she ever give anyone a pep talk before, aside from Paige? It wasn’t the time to sit and wonder about it, though, not as long as it worked and affected Lena in the most positive way. Besides, something told her she wasn’t the only one who was more than happy to be changing the subject then.

Pondering over her friend’s suggestions for dinner, Regina wasn’t particularly craving anything. Especially not the likes of Chinese or Italian.

But tonight was all about ‘girls night’, wasn’t it? Breaking her normal, everyday routine and doing something different out of her comfort zone. Having fun. Not that ordering some junk food fell under Regina’s definition of “fun” but it wouldn’t hurt to give it a go once, right?

“Chinese sounds quite tempting, actually,” she replied. More variety for sure, classy, and definitely less messy than pizza. Sounded just what they needed. “And I think I’ll take your red poison with it,” she added as Regina knelt down next to Robin, unbuckling her belt and picking her up, enjoying seeing her daughter’s curious eyes opening up in wonder, getting familiar with her new surrounding.

[broken-white-boi-no1]

Fall Out || Regina & Paige

[regalxmills]

hatterxtrick:

Paige’s head lowers from Regina’s gaze as the woman pushes dear Robbie’s stroller to the door where she was standing on the other side; face drenched in tears, makeup all a mess; and choking on her own words through thick sobs. It is funny how Regina was able to be the one to give the teenager a little hope when needed the most. All wasn’t lost and was there anything ice cream couldn’t cure?

Gulping in a deep breath, Paige follows Regina to the door and sheepishly adds with a mumble, “Guess it’s good I don’t care what if they do.” The girl loiters around the door till Regina guides them out the rest of the way, talking to Robbie outside the room in an emphatic voice about the baby’s first ice cream just to ensure a laugh or giggle.

“Oh,” Paige holds up her index, only to then grumble under her breath about where her phone was. Then, “There it is,” she begins. “We need to document this.” Paige gets the camera up on the screen and then crouches down beside the stroller waiting, looking up to Regina with a hopeful expression.

Regina cracks a smile hearing Paige’s words. It is good that she doesn’t care what anyone else is saying about her. She almost expected the girl to be completely terrified at the notion of working for her, and well, she supposes she was when Paige first met the Mayor, but any disquiet was quickly gone and the line between the authorial employer figure and her employee was blurred.

When Paige stops and grumbles something on their way out, she turns to the girl, who is trying to dig out her phone, it seems, and Regina realizes her intentions before Paige even says anything.

When it comes to technology, Regina has to admit she is pretty useless. She can handle her smartphone for communication purposes, of course, but that’s about it. Having Paige around, the Mayor had slowly learned other forms of texting (the teenager taught her all about emojis and abbreviations) and not to mention the girl’s love for photography meant Paige was taking lots of photos, as well (selfies---she even learned the term). Regina isn’t a fan of the camera unless she is at the other side of it, but nevertheless she ends up cooperating more often than not. For Paige.

And this is one of those times. Unable to resist her expression, Regina quickly finds herself replying, “We sure do,” before she crouches next to the other side of the stroller and leans close, cooing at Robin as she grabs her hand and tells her to smile for the camera.

[ofhoodlvms]

These Walls || Regina

[regalxmills]

ofhoodlvms:

Roland seemed relieved that the adult voices around him seemed to be calming down, returning his focus to his little sister as he made a cooing noise to try and make her giggle. The actions weren’t unnoticed by Robin, who felt a small sinking feeling in his heart. Now Roland had found the younger Hood, it was going to be a nightmare to keep them permanently separated… which meant he had to deal with Regina on a regular basis, if only to keep his faux-son in line.

Well, fuck.

“Yes, you have mentioned it, twice now in fact,” he replied, his tone still sharp and unimpressed with the meddling. “I’m doing the best I can with the tools I’m working with. When yours starts running around, flinging herself at strangers and places, I’m sure you’ll be well equipped to come back and criticize me again.” The not-so-former thief was going to leave it at that, to collect his wayward not-son and be on their less-than-merry way, but the pleading eyes suddenly cast on him from said child made him sigh internally.

They did say you caught more flies with honey, after all.

Rubbing his forehead, Robin closed his eyes for a moment, before offering Regina an apologetic glance. “I’m sorry. It’s been a trying time for us all. My twin passed away unexpectedly and I’ve been left with my nephew.” The lie was smooth from his tongue, memories of the loss of Marian welling up to hide any kind of deceit she might sense from him. No, she’d only get loss and sorrow if he could help it. “I used to travel a lot and I haven’t had much experience with children, either my own or his, so this is… An experience,” he admitted. He nodded towards the young boy and the infant, knowing the answer to his question before he could ask it. “You’ve had such experience, though?”

The giggling sounds coming from the stroller made Regina crack a smile, despite being completely irritated by the stranger. Looked like Robin found a new friend while she, on the other hand, just seemed to have made a new enemy of some sort. Or at least, yet another person in town who despised her. Not that Regina even cared. She wanted as little to do with him as possible.

“My daughter will not fling herself at strangers, you can be sure of that!” she snapped, that thought alone was enough to make her shudder. Regina was pretty sure no one would dare harming the mayor’s child but she didn’t want to ever put it to the test. Besides, her daughter would grow up to have the best manners a child could have.

It broke her heart to see the boy was still not ready to leave, because Regina was about to turn the stroller in the other direction and walk away, but then something changed--the look on the man’s face, followed by an apology and explanation.

Regina had to choke back tears once more. Hearing that his twin brother died and how he ended up with the child had a deep impact her, and she couldn’t tell why.

“This is still a new experience for me too,” her voice was softer when she spoke again, anger slowly wearing off. “Look,” she sighed, “I think I'm the one who owes you an apology. I shouldn’t have judged you so harshly. God knows I’ve been at the receiving end of the same criticism when I adopted her. People think I am unaware of the whispering behind my back but I'm not. They thought I’d be a terrible mother--well, they probably still do--and I had my moments of doubts in myself. It isn’t always easy but... it feels natural. Robin is the best thing that ever happened to me.”

It should have terrified her, the fact she’d just confessed such a sensitive matter to a stranger, but it didn’t. Regina didn’t know what possessed her to open up to him, or apologize, none of it ever came easy for her and yet there she was, unable to contain it once the words slipped out of her mouth.

[pickyourpoisonflorist]

A Night to Regret - Killian, Fiona, Regina (and more?)

[regalxmills]

blackheartedfay:

hatterxtrick:

Always up for a reason to leave home the house, receiving a text from Regina was like a miracle. Bogged down with homework and this was just the night her parents decides to start bickering from the time they got back from work and hadn’t stopped since. Paige had timed it at three hours, it wasn’t close to beating their record, but not shabby. One of her ways to tune them out was to slip in her ear buds and sort through her vast music library stored on her phone. This time it was ACDC. Then she got the alert from a text (she assumes it must be from either Harry or Gina - maybe Brie) and was delighted to see Regina’s number come up.

The teen’s eyes light up the instant she sees the request and quickly replying “def, c u soon” then it was all a rush to gather her textbooks of unfinished homework and hurriedly throws them and her notebooks into her messenger bag. That and she quickly grabs her phone’s charger because even during her babysitting jobs she was able to sometimes sit with Robbie in her room, do her own work and sometimes music. Not this time. The hour she’s called upon means Miss Robbie is sleeping soundly in her crib. She may want to sit in with her just because the sweet child is a comfort - well, so is Gina.

Books in her bag, phone in her back pocket, Paige rushes down the stairs, grabbing her coat on the way out the door and slips it on down the walkway as the girl runs in the direction of the Mayor’s home. She knows the route well, not exactly a smart move to go out on her own at night, but when did anything happen in Storybooke anyway?

Paige arrives in a timely manner and also a little out of breath, but she made it to the front porch didn’t let Regina down. Her fingers loop in the door knocker to knock a couple times waiting for Regina to answer.

Fiona smirked at Regina knowingly, making sure she stepped with exaggerated movements, just to further show what she expected Regina to wear as well. “You never know when you need to kill a man with a look, Regina.” And then she winked.

While Regina was upstairs changing, Fiona waved her hand across a mirror in the hallway, out of sight of the stairs, just in case. This was taking longer than she thought, and she had to make sure everything was still in place. An image of the bar shimmered across the mirror, showing her that yes everything was still exactly where they needed to be. Excellent. 

She heard footsteps on the stairs, and Fiona quickly waved her hand across the mirror once more to banish the image away. Her heels clacked against the marble of the floor as she met Regina at the foot of the stairs.

Regina was wearing a pretty little number, exactly what Fiona had hoped for. Whistling her approval, she smiled up at her ‘friend’. “Now that is going to kill someone.” And just then, there was a knock on the door. Was that the sitter? Someone was awfully eager. Fiona moved to grab her jacket and waited for Regina to get the door and do whatever she needed to feel comfortable leaving her child behind. It would do Fiona no good if Regina left the party early out of fear of having forgot something.

Regina slowly reached the bottom of the stairs, attempting to hide a small satisfied smirk at Fiona’s reaction. She had to admit, it felt good to be out of these professional pantsuits and into a dress that made her feel sexy. She hasn’t done that in a very long time, and it wasn’t all just because of her child. She’d let work take over her long before that.

But she didn’t want to seem too satisfied, so her hidden smirk was quickly followed by a roll of her eyes just as there was a knock on the door. 

“Well, if anyone dies tonight, I’m certainly pinning the blame on you,” Regina teased as she headed to answer it.

Killing anyone with that look--literally or figuratively--was the last thing on her mind. It was just a few drinks with a friend, and then she’d head home. If Fiona chose to prolong the evening, she’d have to do that on her own, even at the cost of being called old again.

She greeted the girl with a smile as she opened the door for Paige. “Hi sweetheart, sorry for the last minute call,” she apologized, stepping aside to let her in. "Robin is asleep, should be for at least a few more hours.”

God. She just realized what it must look like for the teenager. Regina really hoped Paige wouldn’t think badly of her for asking to babysit while she went out all dressed up like that.

“I--we’re just heading out for a few drinks,” she simply explained. “I will be back by then, I promise.”

[ofhoodlvms]

These Walls || Regina

[regalxmills]

ofhoodlvms:

“My kind of people?” Robin asked, incredulous. Could it be that the queen was awake after all? That she knew exactly who she was talking to? But even as she watched Roland, there was no recognition in her face. She didn’t know the little boy, and he’d seen her talk about him before - no, she was asleep, just like the rest of the so-called heroes in this goddamn town. No one but that maddening Hatter was aware of the danger around them, and she had the gall to be pissed off at him. “No, Ms. Mills, I don’t think you know anything worth discussing.”

He glanced down at Roland, hand held out (although he didn’t particularly want to hold the kid’s hand, if it was the only way to get him to leave then he would), but the child ignored him, clinging to his little sister’s hand even more tightly. The boy put his other hand around the baby’s, looking up at his not-father, eyes pleading in that horribly endearing way he’d realised could get the older man to crumble, at least slightly. A move that had worked on his mother but never his father, at least not after a certain age.

Robin huffed, rolling his eyes. Well, it seemed Regina wasn’t quite done with him, so he folded his arms and looked back at the dark-haired woman, eyebrows raised. “A game? No, definitely not. I enjoy games and raising a child unexpectedly? Not so much.” He wasn’t being nearly as careful, but Roland was more aware of the situation than Robin was himself, so he knew the boy wouldn’t feel hurt by it. They’d had the discussion before, and Roland seemed as content with his lot as he could be. “He’s never out of my sight, and do you think I’d let a child run up to anyone dangerous? You’re a well-known woman in this town with a stroller. I hardly think this situation merits your particular brand of do-gooding.”

That man had some nerves! How dare he say she didn't know anything worth discussing just because it didn’t suit him to talk about his nonexistent parenting skills? By all means, Regina was about to tell him exactly what was on her mind---and she truly would have, if it weren’t for the innocent little boy's gazes.

But the child was there, a blissfully content child whose eyes nearly begged the man not to leave their side, as he seemed to hold onto her daughter even tighter than before. He was terribly reluctant to leave with his father (was he even his father? She had no idea,) and Regina couldn’t tell if it was more heartwarming or worrisome---she was nothing more than a mere stranger with a child to this boy. Why was he so attached?

Something about him felt familiar though, almost as if they once shared some kind of connection, and it reminded Regina of a recent encounter with another young boy in town. Harry. That very same pull at her heartstrings when she looked at him; the need to protect and stay close at all cost... it was unexplainable. The overwhelming feeling that was quickly taking over brought tears to her eyes but Regina managed to efficiently cover them up.

The fact that the man just confessed to be raising a child unexpectedly surely explained a thing or two, but surprisingly enough, somewhere deep inside, she felt for him. He was a new father and Regina knew that having a new baby expectedly was a lot of work and responsibility. Surely, finding yourself raising a child at Roland’s age one day wasn’t any easier. It was a lot to take in, both for the young boy and his new father.

Not that it meant Regina would cut him some slack. (Well, he did just vaguely admit he didn’t think badly of her like the rest of her town did, but she had no intention to give him points for that.)

“I’m sorry that you’re finding it hard to cope with, but still. It’s not safe for him,” she stressed again. “And have I mentioned completely irresponsible on your part?”

[regalxmills]

It's a Kinda Magic || Paige, Harry & Regina

[regalxmills]

noholdsbaird:

hatterxtrick:

Paige throws a thanks Harry’s way as he collects the silverware, but pauses to meet him there hugging the plates one by one placed at each setting, “I do.” It’s a lot better than home. “Yeah, I accidentally slipped and called her that once and she was really cool about it.”

Now the almost mother/daughter like fondness was accepted and embraced by both sides. Regina always ready to mother Paige and that was fine with her. At least it was sincere and welcomed. Now it was second nature, not a day went by that she wasn’t texting Regina and slowly teaching her abbreviations and emoji language as well.

Worrying her bottom lip with Harry’s last inquiry. Probably more than expected from either one of them when her parents asked Regina to get Paige out of their hair.

“Well…” she stalls. “A lot actually.” Not sure why she’s feeling bashful about it. Was it supposed to be weird? It felt natural to her and she assumes for Regina too, then there’s Robbie who Paige treated more like the little sibling she never had. “I mean Gina doesn’t complain…” okay, she hopes Regina doesn’t mind.

Regina’s entrance with Robbie has the teen clam up. How much of that did Regina hear? Well, not exactly embarrassed by Regina hearing Paige sing her praises so much as how pathetic the teenager must look. But not wanting to focus too much on that, Regina’s request has Paige on her way to the kitchen to see the oven was still on and she turns it off, “Want me to get the dish and bring it in?” Her hand already on the bar across the over just in case.

Harry gave her a small smile. “Hey, I accidentally called a teacher ‘Mom’ once. That’s embarrassing. At least it’s her name and she doesn’t mind.” He wasn’t sure why that memory came to mind in the house of the mayor, but it was one he’d thought he’d suppressed ruthlessly. Apparently not. He thought briefly he might try to see if he could get away with it, too, but immediately thought better of it. Regina didn’t seem like a Gina, at least not from his own mouth. He wasn’t sure what he felt comfortable calling her, actually.

He listened with the same small smile on his face, although inside, he was warring with himself. Harry was feeling jealous, but he wasn’t entirely sure why or at who. Was it at the mayor for monopolising his new best friend’s time when he wanted to spend more with her, but she so often babysitted? Or was it at Paige, and if it was, why? He didn’t know the mayor that well - if anything, she scared him a little. Generally speaking, someone that high up in a town knowing a kid’s name meant he was a little shit, and he was already on the sheriff’s radar. He didn’t need to be on the mayor’s too. So what on earth did he have to be jealous about, especially when he kind of (sort of) had a pretty good relationship with his own mother.

“Hey, she wouldn’t ask you round if she didn’t want you here. She’s the mayor - she doesn’t have to be nice,” he teased, just as the older woman walked through the door again, hoping the woman hadn’t heard him. He wasn’t being intentionally rude, but it was true. She was in control of the town, why would she be unnecessarily nice to a couple of teenagers? Harry found himself suddenly alone with the mayor and the baby, Paige running off to sort out the dish, and he didn’t know what to do.

“Do you need help putting her in her seat?” he blurted nervously.

@regalxmills​ @hatterxtrick​

“Yes, please,” she replied to Paige’s question coming from the kitchen, couldn’t help but adding, “And don’t forget to put on the gloves!” just in case. Paige was a responsible girl but Regina’s instincts were stronger than that. She had to make sure she was safe and sound under her care.

Fumbling with Robin’s seat belt, she looked up at Harry. The poor boy clearly was nervous to find himself alone with her and as much as it pained her a little, who could blame him, really? It wasn’t every day that someone, a child, found themselves at the mayor’s house for the very first time.

Regina gave him a soft smile, a reassurance that his polite concern was appreciated indeed but not necessary. “Oh, it’s fine,” she pulled the strap around Robin to close it. “She’ll be set in a second, but thank you. Just make yourself at home, Henry.”

Henry.

Regina froze on the spot, in the middle of holding out the strap, and thank God her back was turned to the boy so he couldn’t see the expression on her face shifting. Regina’s jaw dropped and her eyes widened when she realized what she just called him. What brought her to call him by that name was something she couldn’t explain. She knew his name, Harry, but Henry felt so natural and familiar rolling off her tongue like that, almost as though she’d intentionally called the wrong name.

She swallowed, taking a moment to collect her thoughts and finally closing the belt around Robin’s belly before she straightened up and looked at the boy with a sheepish smile. “Harry,” Regina quickly corrected. “I–I’m sorry, it’s been a long day.”

@hatterxtrick​ @noholdsbaird​

[pickyourpoisonflorist]

A Night to Regret - Killian, Fiona, Regina (and more?)

[regalxmills]

blackheartedfay:

Just as predicted, the age comment had Regina eating out of her hand. She didn’t bother hiding the smug look on her face as she crossed her arms and watched Regina message her babysitter.

“Good, then you can get into something nice. And I’ll be just a tick…”

Fiona was wearing her business attire, having come from the office while she tracked down Mr. Jones to make sure he was exactly where she needed him to be. It was hardly appropriate for a night out, but that was fine. Winking at Regina, she grabbed her coat and threw it over her shoulders as she headed out to her car. Fiona was gone perhaps a minute before she returned with a dress bag over her arm. “Just something I keep in the trunk for emergencies,” she announced as she walked into the bathroom to change. 

Actually, she magicked the dress into existence while she was out at her car, but that wasn’t a detail Regina need know. If tonight was going to work the way she wanted it to, Regina needed to be presentable. And the best way to make sure Regina wore what Fiona needed her to was for Fiona to dress accordingly as well. That’s why she stepped out of the bathroom in a dress that hugged her every curve in a very intentional matter, and the skirt cut off in a very non-business appropriate way. And it was black, of course.

“There we are. Perfect.”

She should have been offended at her friend’s suggestion to change into something nice. As if she owned anything that wasn’t. It wasn’t like she was wearing her nightgown right now, for God’s sake! And yet, her eyes instinctively glanced down to take a look at herself.

Well... maybe Fiona did have a point, after all.

Regina was still wearing her white button up and black pantsuit--her personal favorite which completely highlighted and brought out the regal Mayor in her. But as much as she enjoyed the immediate power that such look had granted her, maybe Fiona was right. This wasn’t exactly a fit for a night out, even for the mayor.

She really should change.

Fiona was back in the house not even a minute later with a dress in her hand. She had to admit, if she didn’t know her that well, Regina might have thought Fiona had planned this whole act. But it wasn’t a surprise to find out the woman had kept a nice dress in her car. Just in case.

Checking up her daughter while her friend changed, she saw the infant was still fast asleep. She hated to admit it but part of her wished Robin would wake up squirming any second now and prevented her from going out. She loved hanging with Fiona, but tonight something still felt off.

When Fiona stepped out of the bathroom, Regina raised an eyebrow with a sly smile. She looked very good, not to mention hot, and Regina knew she’d expected her to dress accordingly. “Emergencies, huh?” she laughed. Well, her friend was certainly a very well equipped woman. She could only assume that dress wasn’t the only one stored in her car. “I’ll be right back,” she said before walking upstairs.

Regina returned a few minutes later wearing a look that wasn’t any less worthy of her friend’s: A black sleeveless sheath dress that hugged her body nicely, with a low cut at the back and another one at the skirt to match Fiona’s.