#dragon peanut

From the moment he had first returned from New York, Mal had been a fixture in their lives.   Occasional dinners at Granny’s had turned into walks for dessert with Roland, into dinner parties where only Mal and Lily seemed to ever be invited.  It had been clear to Robin from early on that Regina thought of Mal as family.

Mal had initially been wary of him, but he wasn’t phased by her coldness.  Afterall, Marian’s family had reacted similarly when he first started dating her, and frankly, he quite liked the challenge of winning over those who seemed completely averse to him  (his courtship with Regina being evidence of that).

So he had accepted Maleficent in his life, put up with her little put-downs and snarked her back. They had traded insults, rolled eyes and pointed stares, but even a few weeks into his stay in Storybrooke, he was fairly certain she already liked him, deep down inside.

But whereas it had taken awhile for Mal to warm up to Robin, the dragon’s heart had opened for his children immediately.  

He's not surprised that she loved Roland.  Who could not?  Loving Roland is easy.  Roland is a happy boy, all dimpled, sweet goodness, with the endorsement of the likes of Snow White.  He’s pure, the product of good parents who loved one another.  In the eyes of everyone, he is a perfect, good little boy.

But Robin’s daughter is a whole other matter.  Even before she was born, there was talk of her curse, of a future that would be plagued with dark magic and an inability to love, of a corrupted heart and a dark soul.

But Maleficent paid no mind to the rumors and warnings.  In fact, every whispered comment or pointed stare she caught was met with fierce words. Mal was her biggest defender, even before she was born.

Of course he understands now, why Mal feels so strongly connected to the child, why the issue was so important to her.  Mal had lost her daughter because people feared her darkness, her potential for evil. And so perhaps a part of Mal sought to learn from that unfortunate lesson, and prevent history from repeating itself.

Mal offered her services to them, promised to protect the child at all cost from the “idiot villagers” who might threat her.

“Oh, that won’t be necessary,” Robin says immediately, “I’m sure no one would want to hurt a child.”

“You’d be surprised,” Mal drawls, “You’ve no idea what they are saying, and what they are capable of.  Fear drives people to do crazy things, to see a monster in the most innocent of children.”

Her eyes never leave Regina as she says that, and it makes the woman flush red, and she’s ducking and tucking a strand of hair behind her ear in a way that makes her look so young, so innocent.  

“What exactly are you proposing?” Regina asks.  There’s a small soft smile on her face that Robin hasn’t entirely seen before, and it intrigues him.

“I’m offering the child my protection.  I’ll always look out for her, if you let me in, I’ll always care for her.”

“Her?” Robin asks, skeptically, “we don’t even know—”

“Oh I know,” Mal waves, “I forgot you did not yet.  You are having a daughter.”

“How do you—?”

“It’s a dragon thing,” Regina answers.  It’s the first time he’s heard her answer like this (there will be many questions answered with these words in the future) and he's reminded that these two are connected in a special way, understand each other in a way few people do.

“I’m just asking for you two to let me in,” Mal says slowly, “I won’t intrude on family business, but I think if you let me know her, care for her, I could help, I could—”

“You want to be involved in her life.” Regina looks slyly at her.  

Mal nods, and follows with a curt “For her protection.”

“Could you... give us a moment to discuss this?” Regina asks.

Mal doesn’t hide emotions.  She feels it’s all wasted energy.  So she lets her face fall in disappointment before nodding and giving them space.

Regina walks Robin into the study, shutting the door tight.

“I realize you may have some… feelings about Maleficent being involved in the child’s life, especially given how difficult things already are and let me tell you—”

“Of the dragon who has burned villages and poisoned princesses?” He asks, unable to hide his smirk.  “Now why would I ever have qualms about her caring for my child? Especially when the woman I love once had a penchant for the same activities?”

Regina cannot fight the giggle that bubbles out of her. Perhaps it is a bit dark to joke about this, but between them, it just works.

“You don’t mind her involvement?” Regina asks.

“I like her,” Robin shrugs, “I know she may not like me—”

“She likes you,” Regina assures, “she likes you more than she will admit.”

“That’s not Mal, she doesn’t hide the way she feels, if she liked me, I’d know—”

“Mal doesn’t know she likes you yet,” Regina says with a sigh, “she’s not as guarded with me but there are some walls up.  And this is important to her.  She lost a child.  She wants to help prevent other children from being lost.  Including yours.  It’s important to her.  And I…” she looks so nervous, so unsure,  “I know this isn’t my daughter, and I have no right to ask…”

“You have every right to ask anything of me.”  It is too soon to say it out loud, but he already wanted to ask her to be the mother to the baby, to assume the role he knows Zelena could not.  

“I was wondering if you might consider making Mal a godparent,” Regina says, then laughs at the idea.  “I know, her history with godparents is… tricky.  But I think it would be good for her, they are protectors, and that’s the role she wants, and given her history, and—”

He cuts off her rambling with a kiss.

“A god-dragon.  I like it.”   And with that he takes her hand and leads her out of the study.

“Mal,” he says, still holding Regina’s hand.  “We have something to ask you.”

.::.

Regina isn’t one for ceremony.  She hates weddings (of course, it has something to do with her own being so traumatic).  She finds graduations far too full of frills and self-praise.  She doesn’t care for religious rituals (if there is a god, or gods, she questions whether they would require a lily white dress and snacking on crackers for their souls to be saved).  She believes in theatrics, sure, in making a grand entrance and a brilliant escape, but she’s never been much for following tradition.

So it surprises Mal at first, that she’s here, in town hall, in front of many people, having a little naming ceremony for their baby.  Regina, the beautiful little spitfire that she is, had insisted upon it, insisted that the daughter of the hero Robin Hood deserved recognition.  

But then Mal realizes that this is not about the ceremony but about the statement it makes about Regina’s relationship with Eliza.  She’s telling the town not to mess with her. She's letting the villagers know that she, the Evil Queen, loves this child, will protect this child, and will not stand idly by if she is mistreated.

Mal knows the whispered insults and rumors get back to Regina, and hell, they have to hurt. These people don’t know her at all. They don’t know who she truly is.  Because beyond the heavy mask of her past crimes and her frightening reputation is a timid girl who just wants a family who love her, and who she can love, without any of the mind games and manipulation that came with her own.  So of course she loves this baby, this innocent, new addition to Robin's life.

And so Regina's determination her own protective instincts, and strong, resilient heart bring them here, in the town hall, with a precious, fair-skinned, beautiful strawberry blonde infant.

The townspeople actually showed up.  Perhaps out of fear, or out of sheer curiosity.  Mal is sitting up there, on this ridiculous stage, amongst a group of people she isn’t quite sure she belongs to:  Regina and her family, all three Charmings, Emma and the pirate.  That ridiculous fat man who smells of sweat and wet earth is here too, and perhaps he's an odd man out too - but he’s Robin's very best friend, at least.  He's raised Roland from an infant.  But she and Lily… they just don't have the same ties to this family.

Zelena was afforded the option of attending (with magical cuffs and under the watchful eye of David, of course), but she declined.  She’s not a mother.  Mal can sense it.  She may change one day, but that part of a woman that longs for their child, longs to care and love and nurture, it’s not in her.  

Which is fine because it overflows in Regina.

“People of Storybrooke,” Regina calls out into the mic, as Robin stands next to her with his daughter, swaddled in pink blankets, held tightly in his arms.

The crowd dies down, loud shorts dying into low murmurs.  

Before Regina can continue, Robin is tilting the baby in her direction, handing her over, and Maleficent’s heart nearly stops beating.  Robin is a Locksley, a noble, who has no doubt been dragged to his fair share of naming ceremonies. Oh, he knew exactly what that simple gesture means, that change of hands of the baby.

It’s part of the ritual, of course.  The child is to change hands, from father to mother before the name is revealed.  

He just told the town, and Regina, all in one move, that he considers her to be the child’s mother.

Regina is taken aback, clearly, choked and at a loss for words.  Maleficent sees the way her eyes shine and water.  She can’t fault this idiotic man and his gigantic heart for much, but damn it, he probably should not have sprung the move on Regina like this. She doesn’t like to be emotional in front of others, she’s afraid to be vulnerable.  In fact, it’s her biggest fear, other than losing a loved one.  

But then perhaps….Mal tries for once to see things from this man’s perspective.  Regina is stubborn and filled with self-doubt.  She doesn’t see that she’s the best person for the job, and had Robin asked her to take on this role as mother before, Mal has no doubt that Regina would have argued, chased him away, denied and refused to hear him.  

So, yes, maybe Mal was too quick to think the worst of Robin, and this was in fact the best way to bestow upon Regina the duties of a mother.  

But now Regina can’t talk, she’s fighting tears and staring down at a baby while her lip quivers, Robin’s arm wrapping around her as he whispers things that thankfully a nearby mic does not pick up.

And Mal spots her first opportunity to protect her family.

She stands up, walking towards the mic when Henry stops her.  

“I’ve got this.”

He walks towards the mic, while smiling at his mother sweetly.  

“There’s a new addition to our family,” he says.  It catches Mal’s breath, the way he says our family.  

It sounds like he’s referring to everyone sitting up here, though that can’t be true.  Henry doesn’t see her as family yet.

“Her name is Eliza Cathryn Mills Locksley,” he says, looking back at his mom.  “Her name is a tribute to the fact she is blessed, and chosen by us, and innocent.”  

Mal watches as Henry looks over at his mom, who has regained some of her composure.  She walks back to the mic to finish the ceremony.

It's a bit screwy now. Typically this ceremony would not be administered by a parent.  But up until moments ago, Regina didn’t know she was a parent, so performing the ceremony did not seem all that odd.  

“With us today are Eliza’s godparents, sworn to protect, and love, and care for Eliza should  Rob— we be unavailable.”  Regina bites her lip, as she usually does when she tries to keep from crying.  It works (always does) and she finishes.  

“Maleficent, please rise.”

The town already knew, of course they did, but it still causes a commotion, nervous laughter and mumbled voices make her ears burn red.  She reminds herself she does not terrorize villagers anymore.  Now she’s got more important people to care for than herself.

“Do you promise to ensure that this child is never without love, and care, should...Rob— her parents not be available.”

“With all my heart,” Mal responds, her eyes never leaving the beautiful baby in the arms of the woman she loves.

“Do you promise to protect her, care for her, and be a resource for her all her life?”

“This child shall want for nothing.”  It’s part of the ceremony, but saying the words still make her misty-eyed.

Regina hands the baby to Mal, who takes her willingly, and plants a kiss on her forehead.

“I am forever yours, Eliza.”

Years later, Maleficent will cite this as the very moment she felt she joined Robin and Regina's family. And Regina will confess it is the first time she felt a true part of Robin’s family.

Maleficent cherishes that they became a family before she fell into bed with Robin and Regina, before drunken one night stands were repeated too often with too little alcohol.

It's special that they became a family together, outside of any romance.  They were united by their love of children, by their belief in second chances, by the way they embraced and accepted both darkness and light.

The back door slams and the plates stacked on the counter rattle as Regina kicks off her shoes and roughly tosses her purse down onto the counter. Robin’s eyebrow arches as she exhales a long breath, pressing her eyes closed as her fingers push back through her hair.

“Do I even want to know?” He asks, looking up from a saucepan as he stirs his hollandaise.  

“It’s my fault,” she spats. “I agreed to have lunch with her.”

“With who?”

“Snow,” she says, punctuating the name with a loud and frustrated sigh. “I haven’t seen her since the night we had her and David over for dinner, and stupidly, I thought I missed her company.”

“Because you did,” Robin tells her with a smirk, cowering back a little as her eyes widen with rage. “Or… maybe I just imagined that.”

“She’s insufferable.”

“Well… she’s…” Robin’s face scrunches as he tries to think of an adjective, knowing that either way he’ll be treading on thin ice. “She means well,” he says instead.

“After a month, do you know what she’s been thinking about? A month later, the thing that plagues her mind, the thing that keeps her up at night…”

“I… don’t think I want to.”

“We were having a perfectly nice time, eating out salads and drinking iced tea and then… she just… had to ask what we’d do if you Mal got pregnant,” she says as she throws up her hands in absolute exasperation, letting them fall atop her head. “Who just asks something like that?”

Clearing his throat, Robin blinks up at her. “Apparently Snow.”

“I would never ask her something like that…”

“And I would… never be in a position in which you’d have to,” Robin says, a light chuckle behind his words—something that quickly fades as Regina’s eyes widen. “I just mean that… I would never… I mean… not with Snow…”

Rolling her eyes, Regina’s head falls back, “Why is she my family?”

“Because you wanted her to be,” Robin supplies, “And because… as obnoxiously optimistic as she is, as nosy as she is, as conventional as she is… you love her.”

Sighing, Regina rolls her shoulders and takes a deep breath; and then turns back, looking around the kitchen as her brow creases. “Where… is everyone?”

A little grin forms over Robin’s lips. “Henry is helping Roland with his math homework—times tables that Roland doesn’t care enough to learn—and, given he’s been at it for more than an hour, he’s likely wanting to hurl himself into the fireplace; and Mal is upstairs with Esme. She was a little fussy…”

“Mal or Esme?”

“Esme,” Robin answers as his grin brightens.

“Oh…”

Regina’s lip catches between her teeth. “I could use a little snuggle time right now.”

“From Mal or Esme?”

She laughs a little as she leans against the counter, her fingers sliding over his forearm. “I meant Esme, but I wouldn’t complain if I got both of them,” she says. “Come up with me.”

“I have to…” His voice trails off as he looks to his saucepan, frowning as he notices the curdled hollandaise. “I… don’t have to do anything. I’ll just… melt some cheese over Roland’s vegetables.”

“To him, there will be no difference,” Regina says, as her hand slips into his as he quickly turns off the stove and lets her lead him toward the stairs, grinning as his fingers lace through hers as they climb.

“…together they would sail on a boat with billowed sail, and Jackie kept a look-out, perched on Puff’s gigantic tail…”

Robin and Regina exchanges glances and slow smiles pull onto their lips as they reach the top of the stairs.

“…Noble kings and princes would bow whenever they came; and pirate ships would lower their flags, when Puff roared out his name…”

Regina leaned against the frame of Esme’s bedroom door and Robin’s arm looped around her waist, his chin resting on her shoulder as they watched Mal holding Esme on her lap, rocking slowly as she held a pink stuffed dragon with shiny green wings above the little; and Esme’s eyes lit up as she sucked her thumb and reached for the dragon’s tail as Mal sang though the song’s chorus.”

“…Dragons live forever, but no so little boys; painted wings and giant rings make way for other toys,” Mal sings as she dips the stuffed dragon down and bopping it against Esme’s nose. “One gray night it happened, Jackie Paper came no more, and Puff that mighty dragon, ceased his fearless roar…” Regina feels her breath catch in her chest unexpectedly as Mal continues on. “His head was bent in sorrow, green scales fell like rain; Puff no longer went to play along the Cherry Lane…” Looking back over her shoulder, Regina’s eyes met Robin’s and found them soft and sad as he leaned in and pressed a light kiss to her temple.

“Without his lifelong friend,” Mal sings, her eyes shifting from Esme to the door where Robin and Regina stand, “Puff could not be brave; so, Puff, that mighty dragon, slipped into his cave…” Leaning in, Mal pauses, pressing her lips to the top of Esme’s wispy red hair as the girl finally captures the pink dragon and hugs it tightly to her chest. “Puff the Magic Dragon, lived by the sea; he frolicked through the autumn mist in a land called Honalee.”

Robin pushes her forward, but still they linger at a distance, allowing Mal the moment with Esme as she sings once more through the chorus—and Regina’s chest clenches as she watches a warm smile stretch over Mal’s lips as she looks down at Esme. “I bet you are wondering why I sang you such a sad song,” she tells her, her smile brightening as Esme looks up at her and bites down on the dragon’s wing. “Because I don’t think it’s a sad song,” she tells her. “I think there’s more to that story than we know.”

Esme makes a grunting noise as she chews on the dragon, her blue eyes watching Mal intently.

“You see, the song was right—dragons live forever—and as a dragon who has lived a very, very long time… time passes so quickly, and I think before Puff even knew it, little Jackie Paper grew up and had a family of his own and maybe he had a little girl just like you and he brought his little girl to play with Puff and they went on wonderful adventures together and… and he got a chance to be happy again,” Mal explains as she cuddles Esme and presses another quick kiss to the top of her head. “Just like you make me happy,” she whispers, looking up at Robin and Regina just a few feet away. “So, tell me, how long were the two of you standing there?”

“Awhile,” Robin answers, his voice hitching in the back of his throat.

“But not long enough,” Regina adds.