A fic for the #OQweek the first prompt Masquerade Ball. Set during the missing year Robin wants to ask the Queen for a dance, but she isn't quite open to the idea. Mostly fluff with a bit of sass on the side.
Title: A Dance Perchance Milady
Tonight the castle was having an impromptu celebration. It was nothing like the opulent parties of the past, but the Charmings thought in the wake of the Wicked Witch’s attack thought it might pick up everyone’s spirits. In an attempt to make it more festive of an occasion it had somehow evolved into a masquerade ball.
In anticipation Robin scanned the room looking for her. He had no real desire to be here other than perhaps to talk to her or maybe even a dance if she might consider it. Even with everyone wearing masks he didn’t see her anywhere in the ballroom. He shook his head realizing his mistake and moved toward the balcony doors. Of course she wouldn’t be in here; she would be away from the crowds keeping to herself as usual.
He was right as he closed the heavy iron doors behind him. The night air was cool but not intolerable and his eyes went to where she was sitting on the stone bench. In the spirit of the evening she had donned a gold and black mask, so maybe she was feeling a bit of the festive sentiment. For a moment though he hesitated not wanting to disturb her, but in wanting to disturb her. After all it was why he was here. He took a breath of courage and made his way over to her. She turned and smirked when she saw him in his own ridiculous mask. It was green and brown and resembled some sort of forest dwelling creature.
Robin pulled up the mask slightly and grinned at her warmly. “It’s me. In case you were unsure.”
“I wasn’t.” She gave him a look of disdain and went back to staring out into the night. “Only you could wear some forest dwelling varmint and be proud of it.” The mask covering her face didn’t hide her sad eyes. She was still missing her son even though the Wicked Witch had given her something else to occupy her time and thoughts.
Robin chuckled softly and leaned on the stone wall not wanting to invade her space by sitting beside her. “Well you know what they say, you can take a man out of the forest but you can’t take the forest out of the man. You look lovely this evening.”
Her eyes flashed with anger. “We’re under attack and these two idiots decide to throw a party.” She shook her head and grimaced. “This kingdom would’ve crumbled long ago with them leading it.”
Robin wasn’t sure whether to agree with her points which he understood or to make a case for the idiots. “But you must have had many parties like this…” His words were decisively cut off.
“I loathed every celebration here. There are no joyous memories for me. Ten years of…” She stopped her words, but couldn’t hold back the quiver in her voice and her eyes blinking back tears she wanted no part of.
Robin cursed himself for his words. It didn’t take a genius to realize the unhappiness and trauma a young Regina endured between these walls being forced into a marriage she didn’t want to a man she didn’t love. It made his heart ache knowing that neither of her parents had done anything to protect her when she had needed it the most.
Robin chose his next words carefully. As much as he wanted to comfort her and get to know her
better, this was hardly the time for it and he knew she was not ready to open up about her past or emotional baggage. “I can only imagine how difficult it was.”
“It was.” She answered with tempered emotion.
There was a moment of silence, not awkward but restrained. He decided to change the subject. “Could I interest you in a dance?” He held out his hand hoping she might take it and find a sliver of enjoyment on this night.
“With you?” She said incredulously.
“Yes, me.” He smiled that smile of his.
“You must be mad?” Regina scoffed.
“No, quite sane.” Robin countered.
Regina narrowed her eyes. “Did you fall off your horse recently?”
“Not that I recall.” Robin mused.
“Maybe hit your head?” Regina continued.
“No, I’m quite well.” Robin inched closer to her.
“Shoot yourself accidentally with your own arrow?”
“Not likely. I’m pretty good.” He grinned that stupid grin of his.
“And very cocky.” She pursed her lips as she searched his face for ulterior motives. She found none that she could pinpoint.
Robin wasn’t giving up easily and his blue eyes were shining brightly even behind the dark green of his mask. They were full of something Regina barely remembered. It had been a long time since she’d seen anyone look at her like he was doing right now. The memories that rushed back to her were more bitter than sweet.
A tavern she didn’t go into. A meeting she never had. A loss that could never be undone. Ten years of anguish, betrayal and vengeance.
“I’d rather be alone.” She snapped at him. The vast cavern of the empty balcony echoed with her harsh words.
Robin’s smile faded and he swallowed hard. “Of course. I just thought…”
“Thinking is obviously not your strongest suit,” her tone was severe and cold.
“I just thought if that witch gets us, it wouldn’t be bad if my last memory was sharing a dance with you.” His voice was comforting and his eyes exuded warmth.
She raised her shoulders and said harshly. “I’d sooner tango with my dead husband than dance with the likes of you.” Regina regretted the words as soon as she said them, but it was too late. She had done her damage as she always did. No one was better at driving people out of her life than her.
Robin felt the sting of her words. He struggled for something to say, but was couldn’t find any catchy comeback that seemed fitting. “Of course.” His voice broke uncharacteristically. “I’ll not bother you further tonight.”
She was silent, but he could see the sorrow swimming in her dark eyes. She had carried it a long time and it would take as long or longer to dispatch even a few of her demons. Tonight would not be the night for that.
Laughter erupted from the ballroom. Regina heard them singing and carrying on. She stared out into the darkness and neither looked up at Robin or into the fervent ballroom. She felt her isolation closing in on her.
Robin clenched his jaw in disappointment and headed down the stone steps to the courtyard. Regina cast her eyes in his direction once he’d turned and wondered why he hadn’t returned to the party. He seemed like the merry drinking type who hated to miss something that included fast flowing ale.
As if she couldn’t control her words, she unexpectedly called after him before he disappeared from her sight, “You’re not going back in.”
His head popped back up at the top of the stairs and he answered, “I really only came down to see…” His words caught in his throat. He wasn’t sure she wanted to hear that he had come looking specifically for her. He whispered, “Good night” and was gone.
Regret instantly filled her. She felt like she had so often in her life like she’d made a wrong choice. Why couldn’t she just open up and enjoy one moment even if it was simply a dance? Had the past reared up again to push away someone who was simply being kind? Something struck her, she wasn’t sure why but she found herself going after him. It was as if she had no control over her actions. She just knew that in this moment her very life depended on seeing him again before the evening was done.
She found him down below in the courtyard sitting and staring out into the forest. His mask still donned and he turned when he heard her approaching.
“Did you take the wrong turn back to your chambers?” Robin asked trying to keep the smugness from his voice.
“No. I just…” Regina bit her lip as she struggled for the right words. Suddenly her dark eyes glimmered with a hint of mischief and Robin was worried about what she was going to say next. “I just can’t believe a thief could know any sort of proper dance steps.” She raised an eyebrow at him, her tone now a soft sassy one.
Robin bit his lip and smiled. “Oh I think I can stumble my way through a waltz or two if that’s what you desire?”
Regina took a deep breath and looked at him apologetically. “I do.”
Even though it was low, they could still hear the music from the ballroom. The band was continuing to play even though it must be close to midnight. Regina realized that all the years she’d spent in this castle she had never danced until morning in the arms of someone who wanted to dance with, who wanted to be with her for no other reason than to enjoy her company. She fought back her tears again.
“Are you all right?” Robin asked watching various emotions flash across her face.
Regina nodded and nervously added, “I was afraid I was too late and you were gone.”
Robin held out his hand and gently took hers. She was surprised how soft it was considering his many years on the run in the forest. He then slipped his other around her waist and let it come to rest on the small of her lower back. She hummed softly as she immediately felt the warmth from his touch radiate through her. They started to sway and move around the courtyard moving closer together as they flowed with the music. He looked down at her and whispered, “For you Regina, it’s never too late.”