#archerylessons

All in all, Ethan wasn't quite sure how he had gone from threatening to bruise a pretty girl's face to going on a date with said girl. Either he was one of the luckiest bastards in the universe or Brooklyn really though his ass was that good. In any other case he was sure the conversation would have finished with an upper cut to his jaw.

Still, he was more than happy to trade an evening out for a lesson in how to shoot a bow and arrow. Although it had come to him completely naturally, archery was his favorite weapon, and so he had put himself through every kind of variation that the sport offered. He was a master. No doubt the best in the world, and it was one of the reasons he had been so angry when the government had taken him away from his dream. Instead of competing in the Olympics with the best of the best, he was now confined to a simply shooting range that offered very little challenge for him. 

Title: A Royal Lesson

Words: 908

Rating: T (sexual innuendo and a few naughty words)

AN: Set during the missing year where Robin attempts to teach The Queen about archery. It doesn't go as planned. 

The Queen waved her hand and the arrow flew dead into the target. She rubbed her hands together and looked at Robin. “That was easy.”

Robin sighed. Why was he even surprised? “Your Majesty, there is a finesse and skill to shooting a bow and arrow. You can’t just fling it away and hope for the best. It’s an art and can be a very effective weapon.” He implored hoping she would take his offer of archery lessons seriously.

“I just shot, hit the bulls-eye and faster than you could with your bow.” She insisted giving him her usual look of disdain.

“What if you are without your magic?” Robin queried.

The Queen scoffed at him, “That is ridiculous. A world without magic could never…” She frowned when she saw him raise an eyebrow at her. “Well, there was that time.”

Smartass.

Robin smiled and bit his lip. “Here let me show you.” He moved behind her and placed his hand on her hip lining hers up with his. “That’s it.” He tentatively inched closer knowing he was invading her very, very personal space. Her soft breaths were all he could hear as he took her hand in his. He tried to avoid pressing any of his personal parts against hers but as he shifting the awkward bow he accidentally brushed himself against her. It was an enjoyable yet terrifying moment.

“Watch that arrow of yours Locksley. I don’t want it piecing anything it shouldn’t.” The Queen quipped. She had to admit she might enjoy this whole episode.

Goodness she was making this hard.

Very hard.

Bad choice of words.

Robin changed his strategy. “Why don’t we start with something easy?” He moved in front of her thinking an explanation of the weapon of choice might be a better place to start, “So, this is an arrow.” He held it up to her and she took it in her hands.

“Yes. I see that.” The Queen said sarcastically. He was treating her like a child and she decided she was going to make him squirm a little for it.

Robin smiled at her. Well at least she was showing some interest. “You see the long wooden part.”

The Queen caressed a finger firmly down the length of it keeping her eyes on him and Robin immediately knew he was in deep trouble. “I do and what might that be called Locksley?”

Robin swallowed hard. “The shaft. It’s called… the… shaft.” He tugged at his tunic. It seemed to be getting hotter even though they were in the shade.

“Fascinating,” She then fingered the end of the sturdy piece of bamboo. “This is the head, correct?” The Queen’s tongue flicked out between her lips as she said the words.

Robin’s mouth suddenly went dry so he just nodded. He started biting his lip excessively.

“And why are the feathers different colours here on the end?” She enquired knowing full well what she was doing to him.

He closed his eyes for a moment before answering, “Well, these are red hen feathers in the fletching with a solid white…” Robin stopped short not sure how to continue this description.

When did archery become such a sensual pursuit?

“Solid white what?” The Queen asked not so innocently.

“Cock, Milady. It is called a solid… white… cock feather.” Robin was going to definitely need a cold, cold shower after this lesson.

The Queen let out a hurried breath and gave him a wicked grin as she raised an eyebrow, “I do like how you say it Locksley and the nock is the slit in the rear-end where you place the…”

Robin was turning a deep red, “I think that’s enough lessons for today.”  Robin put his hands up to surrender. “I hope you’ve enjoyed tormenting me?”

Regina bit her lip to stop bursting out with laughter. “Yes, yes I have.” She tried but couldn’t hold it in any longer and laughed loudly.

For Robin it was like music to his ears. She was even more beautiful when she let go of her burdens from her past and present even if it was only for a brief moment.

“Have you always been this difficult?” Robin smiled teasing her, but saw shadows quickly cloud her eyes.

She shook her head, “Pretty much. Trust me; you wouldn’t have liked me then.”

Robin touched her arm gently, “Don’t say that. I like you just fine and all that matters is right now.”

Regina smiled sadly, “Give it time.” She looked at him her eyes flashing with a multitude of emotions.

He touched her cheek realizing how intimate a gesture it was but he did it anyway, “Nothing will change that. Believe me.”

Regina took a deep breath and changed the subject, “We should get back.”

Robin nodded and they turned to make their way back to the castle, walking closely, their arms occasionally touching. “Maybe you could teach me to throw a fireball?” Robin asked enthusiastically. “I’d like that.”

“Now how would you do that without magic?” Regina shook her head but pondered that it might be enjoyable to give it a try. The thief was definitely annoying but compared with the idiots holding control over her kingdom and castle, she realized that somewhere deep down in her dark hardened heart that maybe she didn’t mind his company and may even like him just a little, tiny bit.