"Evil isn't born, it's made."

as some of you may know, i have decided to go back to college. meaning that this blog will be on a semi-hiatus until further notice. it has been a hot minute since i’ve been in school, so i’m gonna need some time to settle in. and considering that i am quite prone to procrastinating, i need to ease off the rping for a bit.

now i’m not planning to drop any threads and i do hope that i’ll manage to fit this into my schedule somehow but in the meantime, please just bear with me? i would really appreciate that. that said, i might be more selective with my threads but that doesn’t mean that you’re not allowed to poke me to ask for things or that i won’t start new threads if the occasion arises. it might just take me a while to get to them.

thank you for your patience, i hope you’ll stick with me!

An internal struggle began over the statement of supper and the urge to flee. Sitting at a table full of selfish royals would only aid in the sickening feeling currently festering in the pits of his belly. Too much time had been spent conversing with the couple and their child already. Though everyone knew this child did not belong to the young Queen but the former. It was peculiar how the King did not step in aid of his new bride but not unfounded. Most did not marry for love but to move up the political ladder while providing a sense of confidence with the younger the bride. The young child had been out of harms way when the steed broke loose which altered all men who watched the King did not value the Queen as he should. It was despicable at best.

Anger rolled in the mouth tasting of metallic almost souring the outlaw’s expression. This was a time to remain stoic. The sarcastic reply of the very Queen he saved only further solidified she didn’t wish to be pulled from harms way. There were far better ways to escape the crown! No debt was to be owed or paid for the rescue. The act was one of kindness and concern not of duty. No hand out was needed or wanted. “You owe me nothing.” There was no amount of gold or thanks worthy of the woman’s life. She was much more than those.

The babbling princess was a breath of fresh air. The tension growing between the King and Queen was thick enough to cut with a butter knife. Robin’s mouth twitched to a smirk before melting into a lopsided grin. “I’m quite certain those you dine with have heard much more thrilling tales.” True gentle laughter followed. “I’m sure you will tell it much better than I could.” The girl seemed to be very spirited.

The King made his way back to the stalled carriage with little acknowledgement until the clothing worn was scrutinized. This ignited a desire to make the King feel a fool. Robin had many attires fitting for royal events for varying reasons. Showing up dressed like the prince he once was would undoubtedly make the King realize the judgment was unkind and too quick. “I thank you for your invitation but I’m afraid I have duties to attend to before the sun takes it’s rest.” The men would descend upon the forrest if Robin was not to join them soon. If the noble truly wished the outlaw to break bread a few things would need done first. “I can join you later if your invitation is sincere.” Blue eyes gazed towards the Queen who still stood quiet. The dynamic between husband and wife was mystifying only surging forth a want to know the inner dynamics. Perhaps this woman could be of assistance to the outlaw and his cause, if she was bitter enough.

“oh, please join us!” snow continued with the conviction of someone who was rarely told no, much more taken with the man than her father it seemed. robin hood — a hero like the ones in her books. tall, brave and handsome. of course she wanted to spend more time in his presence. and much to regina’s displeasure, his demeanor towards the princess wasn’t exactly discouraging either. for who could not love snow white. though she couldn’t help but wonder how snow would react if her hero did, indeed, turn out to be a criminal.

surprised to find the man almost refusing the king’s offer, her gaze remained locked onto him. if anything she would have expected him not to turn up but this... this was an interesting change of events. one that became even more curious when his attention was turned to her. and perhaps snow had already wrapped him around her little finger but regina was desperate for company that wasn’t the king’s and she couldn’t remember the last time someone other than snow had cared to ask her opinion. taking quick inventory of his muddied clothes, brown eyes locked onto blue again, the ghost of a smile on her lips. “please do.”

ushered into the carriage like a disobedient child rather than a queen, regina lost sight of robin and was met with snow’s beaming face and bubbly personality only moments later. other than directions to the earl’s castle, she could scarcely hear what leopold was saying to him over her step-daughter’s ignorant blathering.

There was truth in what Regina said. He could have drug Glinda into the hall to have a conversation about boundaries but his mind hadn’t gone that direction. The first person he thought of dragging anywhere was Regina. Though he doubted his attempts to deter Glinda would have worked. Being the only single father in the entire grade seemed to make him a magnet for all attentions. He was nice and friendly with the women but never hinted at anything more. Not with Glinda or the rest of the gaggle at least.

Their sons being best friends was not the only thing going on between them. Since their initial meeting an easy connection formed and had grown since. “That’s bloody bullshit and you know it.” Though desires and wants had not been acted upon the attraction was known. “Because you have a boyfriend who I’m sure would love your time! It was selfish of me to wish for you to stay with me. I still wanted you here. I want you here but I don’t want to guilt you into it if you would rather be with Graham.” Then it hit him. Bloody hell! A step back was taken as reality sunk in. This was Regina’s way of letting Robin know she wasn’t interested. He was her Glinda. Fuck.

The answer to his question was befuddling. One moment she made it clear nothing was between them and the next she sounded jealous. It was impossible to decipher what the brunette truly felt. But dammit if his heart wasn’t racing, eyes wide and breathing all but stopped. What did it matter who he was with if there was nothing between them. It mattered. It mattered because she damn well knew they were more. Their bodies met with a few strides pushing Regina’s back against lockers with a loud clang. Fingers curled around hips forcing her to remain still as he quietly growled. “Stop denying it.” Hands grasped Regina’s jaw to tilt her face up for a bruising passionate kiss.

“do i? i’m sorry the invitation to this imaginary world of yours must’ve gotten lost in the mail somehow.” she wasn’t being fair. this was anything but fair. regina did not usually get along with people right from the get-go but somehow that had not been the case with robin. which had been convenient, considering how tedious it was to schedule playdates and sleepovers when the other child’s parents were a nuisance to talk to. only ‘convenient’ hadn’t lasted. because robin had challenged her. he had made her laugh and cry. and regina had cursed his bloody existence for making her feel so alive.

and then there was graham. who was steady and kind and who loved henry. who made jokes over dinner and remembered to show up to all the important events. their relationship should have been perfect. only it wasn’t. they barely spoke when henry wasn’t around, disagreements were taken to the bedroom and then never resolved. when she was with him, regina didn’t feel anything and she had a hunch that she wasn’t doing much for graham either. but as twisted as it seemed, therein lay the comfort of her relationship with him. there was no breaking what was already broken. no losing what had never been found. it was safe. but robin... robin on the other hand, terrified her.

backed against the opposite row of lockers, regina’s breath quickened then hitched as robin pinned her beneath him, her eyes inevitably drawn to his lips. and had he not closed the distance between them then, she probably would have. one arm trapped between their bodies, the other snaked around robin’s neck to draw him closer as regina returned the kiss in kind. he tasted like sugar cookies and coffee and kissing him made her feel like her heart was about to beat right out of her chest. but finally coming to her senses, regina pushed against his sternum to break the kiss, starring up at him, brows drawn in exasperation. “what are you doing?”

thread continued from here with @madamxmayor

(yank) - for your muse to yank mine out of the way of danger

Word of King Leopold’s journey to King John’s territory was spreading through villages like wildfire. Some people intended to line the roads as they passed through villages to show their support of those who wore the crown. It was despicable and disgusting. These people had little care for those beneath them. The very reason the Merry Men existed was to take back the taxes taken from those who need it most to provide a stable environment. People who needed to feed children and clothe themselves. Robin Hood and his band of Merry Men gathered around to organize the heist. No one was to be hurt unless in self defense and it should last no longer than a handful of moments. The plan was foolproof. Place a tree in the path, drop from the trees, hold the guards while one takes the gold then disappear into the thick brush. It was straightforward. No speaking to the nobility and no staying behind to see they got off safely. They couldn’t get caught… too many suffering counted on them.

Everything was going as planned until a child rushed from the carriage. Men became frazzled, shouting ensued and before Robin knew what was happening a loose steed was headed steadfast towards a woman who didn’t seem to care. “RUN!” The men were ordered away after gathering what they could but Robin couldn’t leave the woman standing there. No one was to be hurt! With a heavy huff, quick feet and nimble moves, arms wrapped the woman to pull her to safety. The thanks received was an elbow to the ribs which was fair all things considered.

He had every intention of following the men as soon as the noble woman was pulled to safety but the wind was stolen from lungs. Shit. Several of their rules were broken this day already and it appeared one more was about to be.

The king approached with a thankful demeanor. It was a sigh of relief they did not know he was part of the attack. This land wasn’t one the men camped in providing him a chance of no one knowing his face. In fact this had been the first carriage stolen outside of the Sherwood territory. No tree held his face and no person knew his name. It was customary to bow to a king but Robin refused to do such a thing. This man was draped in rich fabrics eating feasts while his people suffered on the streets. A small grin was offered in greeting along with a nod of his head. “Robin, sir. Robin Hood.” Of Locksley was on the tip of his tongue. It had been sometime since the title had been spoken from his lips but it still lingered when nobility was near.

Attention was turned from the King to the woman who was determined to punish him for her rescue. Eyes did a quick appraisal of her form for any visible injuries before softening as they met her own. “Are you alright, your majesty? I’m afraid if I had been a moment later the outcome would be much different.” It almost seemed as if she wished for it to end differently which was sad. Unfortunately many women married to royalty or nobility were done so against their will leading to dark thoughts and desires often leading to their deaths, imprisonment or beheading. There had been a time Robin was betrothed to a woman who wished to marry someone else. However, his sudden departure from the court lifted a weight from her shoulders. He understand what it was like. He knew the horrors she must go through being married to a King. An older king who had a daughter who didn’t appear to be much younger than the Queen. A moment of venerability flashed in blue eyes as he thought about the predicament they found themselves in. Death was final. “I’m certain the world would be a bit duller without your beauty.” It wasn’t meant to be a flirt or trail of indiscretions but a compliment to a Queen who deserved happiness. A sentiment the King should agree with him on. 

ignoring the lack of a formal greeting, the king nodded his head. “what a fortunate coincidence that you were here to aid us in such unfortunate times. you shall join us for supper tonight.” it wasn’t even a question, regina noted. but the king rarely asked and if he did, the answer was expected to be ‘yes’ regardless. unless you were snow white of course. and what a coincidence indeed, that this man would show up just in time to save her when they hadn’t come across any travelers for miles. personally, regina didn’t believe in coincidences.

“today must be my lucky day then,” she replied, forcing a smile to cover the hint of sarcasm clinging to those words, “i owe you my life.” though regina wasn’t quite sure why she even bothered. it wasn’t like anyone ever noticed. she was a queen in a castle, she had to be happy. the king was good and kind and gentle. it showed in how deeply he cared for his daughter. all that power and wealth. it was perfect. her life was perfect.

face turned towards the leaf-covered ground at his comment, regina awarded the stranger a small but genuine smile. flattery no longer held any meaning to her. her beauty had become both, a weapon for her to use and a convenience for the king to enjoy. but even though this robin hood lacked the words to express it under the current circumstances, it seemed to regina that he had a better grasp of what had just transpired than any of the royals or noblemen surrounding the scene. and not simply because he was in all likelihood part of the very band of thieves who had ambushed their carriage.

The growl didn’t bother Robin in the least. Regina Mills was fire and ice rolled together. It was infuriating at times but more-so intriguing. There was no wondering where you stood with the woman which was a breath of fresh air. “What do you want me to do? Reject her in front of a group of students and parents? I may not have an interest in kindling a relationship with the woman but I don’t wish to embarrass her either.” Glinda didn’t deserve that. The woman may be annoyingly persistent but also kind.

Fingers curled in when the arm was ripped from his grasp. It was more surprising Regina allowed him to hold it as long as he had than when she tore it away. Blood pressure rose lurching his heart into overdrive and flesh to warm. “To your knowledge?” The humorless chuckle ignited a fire within. Frustration bristles nerves and darkened hues as he took a step towards her. “You damn well know it wouldn’t be a LIE.” His own words holding a bite he rarely used. “I bloody asked you to stay for me so don’t pull that shit, Regina.” A finger pointed at the ground beneath their feet as if to remind her of the very place he wished her to stay. Robin meant every word said. It had been unfair to ask Regina to stay when there was a man waiting for her attention and affections. Graham.

No longer did he care if someone overheard or saw. They were two adults having a conversation about a predicament causing distress. Kids could talk. Adults could assume. Regina made her position clear when she spoke to Glinda the gossip so no one would believe anything beyond an argument was happening. It was befuddling why she assumed he blamed her for anything other than Glinda on his tail. Their conversation had put the actions into motion whether Regina wished for them or not. If she had gone home at least one of them would be having a good night. Whether the tale had been spun for her own amusement or because Robin had been misconstruing things had yet to been seen. Perhaps Regina really did wish for Robin to find interest in another. The thought evoked a need to find out. “Do you want to see me with Glinda?”

“maybe you should have dragged her out here then instead of me,” regina defended, arms crossed firmly in front of her body. that might’ve initially sent the wrong message but she was sure they could’ve cleared that misunderstanding up pretty quickly. “or i don’t know, perhaps next time, don’t wait until you’re stuck in a situation like this and make your intentions clear beforehand.” if glinda was a repeat offender, he had to have known that this was coming. the only reason why she had confronted regina in the first place was because regina had been talking to robin prior to making the decision to stay. and besides, had robin not ditched her the moment glinda had set her sights on them, she might not have asked her at all.

“oh no, you’re not putting this on me. the only thing going on here,” she motioned between them, “is that our sons are best friends.” regardless of how she felt about robin. regardless of how he felt about her. nothing had ever happened between them and she had no reason to believe anything ever would. “yes, and then you told me to go home to my boyfriend, remember? right before you mentioned glinda keeping you company until the kids fell asleep.” and if her reaction to that hadn’t told him anything, that was on robin and not on her. “so get off your fucking high horse.”

why they were even still having this conversation was beyond her. regina had told him what he wanted to know. she had not sent glinda after him and it was not her responsibility to discourage the other woman’s advances. and yet regina still couldn’t bring herself to walk away. because even arguing with robin felt like a relief. “no,” she snapped, momentarily caught off guard, only realizing her mistake a second too late. “i mean... you can do whatever you want. i’m not your boss.”

The amusement flashing across Regina’s face only fueled Robin’s discontentment. This wasn’t meant to be a night avoiding a determined woman for another’s entertainment. Something was said to set the blondes eyes on him this eve even if the brunette protested. Fingers pulsed around the elbow in their grasp as she too checked the hallway for any sign of unwanted ears. Rumors spread like wildfire during a windstorm in this town and Killian, John or Will would allow Robin to live this moment down if they got word. Affections were blatantly obvious to everyone but the two standing not even a foot apart.

“You said something.” They both knew whatever the conversation was fueled the blondes desires. “I have told her. Numerous times.” Having the conversation with Glinda again in the middle of a school lock-in was not high on the priority list. Glinda may be sickeningly sweet and exude rainbow and sunshine but when the clouds rolled in everyone could feel the electricity of the storm. Robin preferred to keep everything cordial when children were involved. “Yet here she is doing everything in her power to touch me.” The amount of bicep grasps, lower back touches and thigh brushes were to a point the other parents and facility would begin chattering.

Eyes narrowed in the darkened hallway and voices lowered to barely above a whisper as he softly demanded an answer. “So I will ask again. What did you say?”

“i didn’t,” regina growled back, quickly tiring of his accusations. how was it her problem that he couldn’t get miss sparkles and rainbows off his tail? “well, then it seems to me that you weren’t assertive enough. guess what? sometimes being nice doesn’t get you anywhere.” and if he feared glinda’s wrath, he sure as hell didn’t want regina’s.

at robin’s continued insistence, regina let out an exasperated breath, finally tearing her arm from his grasp, her voice a low simmer. “she asked if there was anything going on between us and i told her that, to my knowledge, there wasn’t.” checking the hallway once more to make sure they were still in the clear, she continued. “what would you have wanted me to do? lie to her?” a humorless chuckle drifted past her lips. “remember how you couldn’t care less if i stayed or left? because i do. so find someone else to blame for your problems.”

Standing next to a table full of sugar drew in little ones asking for a treat themselves. Attention was diverted from the blonde and brunette to small hands and wide puppy dog eyes. This was a party for them which meant sugar would be given in plenty. Cookies were distributed right as an unwanted hand brushed across his bicep. “Can I help you?” The tone used was not cold but made it clear the gesture was not appropriate. A bubbly babbling followed but at least the hand fell from his body. Talks of the children, classroom and outside activities were running thin as the clock ticked by. Words began to run together as Robin searched the room for the woman who sent Glinda his way. When he caught sight of Regina his eyes narrowed playfully before a smirk curled on lips. There would be a time this predicament would come with retaliation. One single word was mouthed perfectly for Ms. Mills to read. “Payback.”

The night went on with games and activities to keep everyone busy. It was truly remarkable how short children attention spans could be. After just a few minutes they were racing to find something else to do, even if their first wasn’t finished. Since the earlier encounter Robin had managed to avoid Glinda. The normal smiles Glinda would give him in passing turned to something more. Something he wasn’t sure of. Whatever Regina said had clearly set Glinda on some kind of mission.

It didn’t take long to spot the very woman responsible for the odd glances and touches. Feet moved quiet but steadily across the gym floor until he could reach out to tug lightly on Regina’s elbow. The force was not enough to cause pain but prompted feet to move towards the quiet hallway. A mixture of anger, amusement and irritation pumped through veins when they were finally alone. “What did you say to Glinda?” The question came out a bit rough but not enough to startle. Eyes were glazed with the mixed emotions over the confounding change in atmosphere. A noise on the other side of the door alerted Robin to just how close they were to the others. Panic of Glinda finding them or a child starting an untrue rumor evoked a need for more privacy. “Come here.” Before Regina could answer his question he was pulling her to the adjacent darkened hallway. “Seriously, Regina. What did you say? She’s been all over me tonight!” 

letting herself get tugged over to the arts and crafts table by a wide-eyed brunette with pigtails, regina maneuvered herself onto one of the tiny chairs, wishing her split-second decision had come with a sensible pair of dress pants and not a knee-length skirt. of course, she could always call graham and ask him to bring her something more appropriate to wear but the thought of forced smiles and strained conversations was enough for her to scrape that idea entirely. coloring a tiger in gradients of blue and catching a lot of flak for it from the girl who had introduced herself as violet and her friend grace, regina continued to steal glances at robin and glinda. did she feel responsible for sending the blonde after him? not particularly. she had answered the other woman’s question truthfully and robin was well within his right to tell her that he wasn’t interested. but robin, it seemed, didn’t quite agree with that assessment. catching his warning from across the room, regina placed her hand over her heart and feigned a sympathetic pout only for it to dissolve into a gleeful smirk moments later.

after having been ostracized from the arts and crafts table for coloring a giraffe purple and twisting the rules of cootie catcher, regina spent her time steering henry and occasionally roland away from the assortment of cookies on the snack table and towards the healthier options, overseeing a sugar-fueled game of tag and pretending not to be confused by various made up games with constantly changing rules. it was exhausting but blissfully distracting at the same time. she had almost forgotten about robin’s promise of revenge by the time she felt a hand on her elbow, guiding her away from the group of kids and towards a quieter area.

brows lifting, a hint of amusement flashed across regina’s features at the man’s obvious distress. “nothing,” she told him, then checking the hallway to make sure they were indeed alone, she added, “you know it is perfectly alright to tell a woman you’re not interested.”

freed hand found its way to the back pocket of emma’s jeans. just not to fidget, feeling the nervousness slowly arising. she herself leaned against the other bunk, nodding slowly. but as far as she showed her willingness to just listen, the words flew passed her lips, “regina, i wasn’t–” emma stopped herself fast enough. as much as she wished to assure regina they wouldn’t ever come back to that, see this fear wash away from those dark orbs, she wasn’t going to step abroad. no, she was to listen everything the other woman had to say. the guilt still stirred at the pit of her stomach. guilt she had expressed aloud before. but even saying the i’m sorrys wasn’t enough.

the proposal took her by surprise. she wasn’t very good at hiding it; speechless for mare few seconds. “oh– i mean… this is actually,” emma paused trying to find the right word. “well, that would be really good for henry, for sure,” she said finally and smiled gently. “only if that’s what you want, of course… i was thinking a lot. about what’ll happen once we get henry back.” emma bit her lip and stepped forward before sitting down. green eyes traveled up to meet brown. “we are both his mothers. a shared custody would be the least to be certain. i don’t want to come back to all that was before, regina… you know that,” she whispered the last words.

the air around them often got thick; a bubble emma liked to call it. their special place. secret place. the shared things was there, yes. not only verbally, though. even if emma wasn’t sure how to describe it. as a connection perhaps? regina didn’t have to say it all for her to know. it was like a magic itself. and through it, emma learned they weren’t that different in the end. henry wasn’t the only thing that brought them together in the end. and now all emma knew was it was too precious to break it. she knew regina realised it too.

“i know how hard it it to trust someone. and i know it’s perhaps too much to ask of you to trust me again. especially when i say that… i care about you.” emma almost felt stupid, trying to find the safest words to voice those things aloud for the first time. becoming emotionally attached to someone wasn’t ever easy. it was terrifying. they two of them, at that, had always stepped on thin ice. the thrill of it was very much addictive, through too. a fire and a gasoline. that’s what they were. perhaps a moth flying into flame. or perhaps not. perhaps it was something else entirely than meets the eye.

regina wouldn’t have asked, had she not believed there to be a - however small - chance that emma might agree to go along with her proposition. but hearing those words from the blonde’s mouth was still something else. she had fought so hard not to lose her son, had tried to hold onto him for dear life. and yet she had still felt him slipping from her grasp. they had spent so much time and energy fighting over who got to be henry’s mother. battling for his love and approval like it was a price to be won. and in the end, emma had always come out on top. even now regina was still hesitant to believe that this newfound peace would last. that things would be different upon their return to storybrooke. because hadn’t she been in this position before? one second they were grateful for her help and tolerated her presence, the next they cast her aside and blamed her for the newest atrocity committed. but having emma agree to let henry stay with her — having her agree to stay at the mansion herself — somehow made everything feel more tangible.

“i wouldn’t have offered, if i wasn’t okay with it..?” regina returned a little uncertainly. it was hard not to read into emma’s answer, considering what was at stake. was she against the whole thing after all? was this an attempt to get regina to back out so she wouldn’t have to? did she intend to cut her out of henry’s life once everything had settled down? some of her worst fears dancing on the tip of her tongue, regina fought to keep them inside as emma took a seat on one of the beds, waiting for her to continue. only what was being said, wasn’t what she had come to expect. “i... yes, i suppose that would make sense.” our son, the words continued to echo around her skull. what about his father, she wanted to ask, knowing fully well that henry would want to get to know him, but decided against it. there was still time to discuss that particular topic once henry and emma had moved in at mifflin. and it wasn’t just about henry anymore, was it? as desperate as regina was to be a part of his life, maybe... perhaps... she wanted to be a part of emma’s life as well.

feeling the air shift between them, regina found herself uncrossing and crossing her arms again as she waited for emma to get to the point. except she was still not quite sure what the blonde was trying to tell her even once emma had reached her conclusion, the ambiguity of the savior’s phrasing raising more questions than it gave answers to. she didn’t want to assume. didn’t dare to hope that emma felt the same way about her as she felt about emma. “you..,” regina started, trying to make sense of the other woman’s confession only to be interrupted by a sudden commotion on the other end of the hull. dark eyes, wide and fearful, locked onto emma’s. “henry,” regina uttered and ran from the room.

the stench of fish wafting over from the market was near unbearable but it was a worthwhile tradeoff, the illusion of freedom right at her fingertips. mother would hate for her to be here and this was as defiant as regina dared to get. it was not quite riding through the pastures atop rocinante at breakneck speed, wondering what would happen if she simply didn’t stop. but the idea of sneaking onto a ship and letting it carrie her away to far off lands had it’s own charm. and there were days when she wouldn’t even mind the waves taking her.

regina wasn’t naive enough to believe that most - or even any - of the sailors around her were free men. but born to a woman obsessed with power, regina wasn’t free either - hadn’t been since the day she had come into this world - and at least these men got to see some of it. a dangerous place teeming with rapists, thieves and murders. that’s what mother had called the docks, but the couple of merchants leering at her were no worse than any of the noblemen regina had encountered at fancy balls in grand castles. granted, the place likely painted an entirely different picture after nightfall but with the sun still high in the sky, she wasn’t particularly worried. and a little bit of danger went a long way when it came to feeling alive.

stopping next to one of the larger vessels, she watched as a young uniform-clad man, barely older than her, swept across the deck, unfastening and fastening ropes to manipulate the sails as though it was second nature to him. making the mundane task seem more like a practiced dance. like something that was entirely his.