#moonacreweek2022

She reached over the sofa and pushed open the window. The warming summer air fluttered in alongside with the sounds of singing birds. It was the only sound in the otherwise quiet city and it wasn’t due to the wee hours of the morning, but the ongoing pandemic that loomed over their heads.

Yet that wasn’t enough to dampen her spirits. For she now had more than she did before COVID, she had finally conquered Robin’s heart! Maria danced with joy. He was finally hers!

With a content sigh, she looked down at her half-packed luggage. They were originally supposed to return to Moonacre last week, but the recent change in their relationship meant they decided to stay a while longer and enjoy each other’s company—something they did very well.

However unfortunately for the two lovebirds, her family was practically begging them to return. They missed Maria dreadfully and no longer believed the many excuses she’d toss their way. Of course, it was Loveday who led this rebellion. She felt it in her gut that something was different between her brother and her husband’s niece, but neither subject was willing to give Loveday the satisfaction of knowing the truth about their relationship.

Clapping her hands together, Maria got to work packing her clothes into her suitcase. It was one of four. She wasn’t sure when she’d be back, so she wanted to take anything she’d need.

Once she finished, she mused over the small suitcase besides her. Since Robin only expected to stay a couple of days, he quickly ran out of clothes. This left her with the perfect opportunity to do some shopping for him (online of course) and add more variety to his wardrobe. At first, he protested, quoting ‘I’ll stop wearing black when they make a darker color,’ from Fall Out Boy. Yet, Maria simply ignored him, simply wondering how FOB was still relevant.

Obviously, Maria won in the end, and Robin quickly received a new set of clothes: A light-washed jean jacket, a pastel green and beige bowling shirt, a couple of oversized vintage long-sleeved shirts, a brown cardigan (Robin rolled his eyes when he saw it), and his least favorite item—high-waisted trousers. Robin practically hissed when he saw them. However, it didn’t take long for him to concede that her outfit choices did give him a new air and striking good look. Maria sniggered, she couldn’t wait to dress him up again.

“What’s so funny?” He muttered by her ear as his strong arms wrapped around her waist from behind.

“Oh nothing, just imagining Loveday’s reaction when you arrive in your new clothes.” She looked over her shoulder and kissed his lips. She turned in his arms and wrapped her arms around his neck to pull him closer.

“Keep imagining because it’s not happening,” he mumbled against her lips.

“What if I ask nicely?”

“Nope,” he tried to say with a note of finality, but he faltered as Maria nibbled his earlobe.

“Robin.... Just... once... please,” she said in between trailing kisses down his neck.

“I’ll give you a better reason to beg.” He lifted her and she wrapped her legs around his hips. Robin leaned in and pressed her back against the sofa. One hand tangled into her hair while the other traced up her leg and under her shirt. She shivered against the cool touch of his fingers as they cupped her breast. Maria nibbled on his bottom lip and raked her fingers down his hair and into his back, relishing the feel of his muscles working to please her. Her fingers snuck underneath the waistband of his knickers—then the phone rang.

Maria recognized Mr. De Noir's Phantom of the Opera ringtone.

"It's your fa—"

"—I know, ignore him," he continued kissing her. Crawling closer between her legs and pulling up her shirt—then the phone rang a second time.

"Robin you should—"

"—he can wait." He had to work a bit more to get Maria to focus on him again, but he was rewarded when she let out a soft moan as he—the phone rang a third time.

"For fucks sake!" Robin pulled away. His eyes threw daggers at his phone, wishing he could destroy it with just one glance.

Maria cupped his cheek and brought his eyes back to hers, “It might be an emergency, you should answer.”

Robin heaved a heavy sigh. "I'm sorry," he mumbled with a quick peck to her lips.

He looked at his phone and groaned. "Fuck, it’s a video call."

He walked to their room, readjusting his knickers along the way, and came back out pulling a shirt over his head.

He sat next to Maria, but she quickly scampered away. "Oh no, no, no! I am not the least bit presentable."

Robin noticed the growing bruises along her neck and had to agree. He sat on the other side and finally answered the phone.

"Ah, good morning, Robin! My boy… Er I hope I’m not bothering you?"

Robin frowned. "No," he grumbled a response.

"Good, good... er where's Maria?"

"She's packing her luggage, do you want me to call her?"

"No! No, it's alright… I think it's better for us to talk first. Yes. I think that’s best.” His father’s eyes trailed off into the distance. "Erm. When are you arriving again?"

Robin scowled. "In 3 days. We spoke about this last night. You called to schedule rehearsals."

"Ah, yes, yes..." his father looked off screen again, he seemed to be mouthing something to someone else.

He was put off by the nervousness in his father’s voice. His father was not a nervous man. Was this a hostage situation? "Are you alright?" Robin asked. “…Do you need help?”

"Oh- er, yes, yes I’m alright. No help needed.”

"Then, is someone sick?"

"No no... nothing like that."

"Are you sure? You called quite a bit, seemed like an emergency."

"In a sense..." his father trailed off, rolling his eyes at whoever was off-screen. Suddenly his father’s mic went mute, it looked like he was having an intense discussion.

"Dad? I can't hear you,” Robin called out, but his father was still muted. “Dad, you’re on mute. Hello?”

"Is everything alright?" Maria asked, watching from the kitchen. She was snacking on some crackers topped with cheese and tomato.  

"Dunno, he’s talking to someone off-screen. Seems agitated."

Finally, his father’s audio came back. "Sorry Robin, I had to clear some things. Yes-er- I called to talk to you about something. Something important. Something I've been meaning to tell you. I should have told you a long time ago, I just didn't know how to say it."

"Er... alright... what is it?"

"You know that dinner we're having when you return?"

"Yes..."

"It's an engagement dinner."

"Engagement? Whose?"

"Mine."

"Yours?" Robin laughed. "Who on earth are you engaged to. You’ve been single since mum's death. Said you’d never date again."

"Yes well, life took an unexpected turn.” His father sighed and looked at him, his face serious and grave. “You-you know the person."

"Who is she?" Robin asked incredulously. In all the time he’s known his father, he’s never shown an ounce of interest to another person.

His father sighed and looked once more off-screen, as though seeking encouragement. "He. I-it's a he…”

“Oh… alright… Who is he?”

His father scrunched his face before blurting, “It’s Dulac. I'm engaged to Dulac."

A plate shattered in the kitchen. Robin’s brain short circuited.

He stared at his phone screen, speechless. He heard what his father said, but his brain just couldn't comprehend it. Maria stumbled into his line of sight. Her mouth was wide open. She was as shocked as he was.

"D-Dulac?"

"Yes."

“Your big, scary, life-long friend?”

“Yes.”

“The man I’ve known my whole life?”

“Yes!” His father shouted, now a bright red. “Dulac, the man that’s been by my side your whole life. This man!” His father reached over and pulled Dulac into view. Though his face was grave and set, Dulac was as red as his father.

"How long have you both-- er- been engaged for?"

"About a year now."

"A year!” It was as though another rug had been pulled from under him. “And dating?"

"Not much longer."

“Huh.” Robin cocked his head. He furrowed his brow. He rested his chin on the palm of his hand.  You see, Robin’s brain was still processing. He thought long and hard on all his interactions with his father and Dulac, but he just couldn’t find it. He couldn’t pinpoint a time where the relationship between his father and Dulac had changed. He had just seen them only a week ago. Everything was as it always had been. Was he just that daft?

"We’re sorry,” Dulac interjected. His deep and gruff voice seemed to break Robin out of his stupor. “We’re sorry for keeping it a secret for so long. I insisted we tell you as soon as you arrived back to Moonacre, but your dad kept pushing it off."

Robin nodded his head in acknowledgement, but still, he remained silent.

Mr. De Noir’s agitation was growing. He looked between Dulac and Robin, before finally mustering the long-dreaded question, "A-are you mad? At me? At all…all… this?"

"What! No, no!” Robin adamantly shook his head. All his time working with his dad’s historical reenactment theater troupe allowed him to meet all sorts of people. In fact, he could count on two fingers the few times someone’s identity or sexuality threw him for a loop: the first was when his best-friend Richard revealed to be gender fluid; and the second—well this, his father!

“I'm just surprised. Processing is all… Does Loveday know?"

"She figured something was going on, but we just made it official to her as well."

Robin couldn’t wait to talk to his sister. "So, you're gay?"

“Er I believe so, maybe demisexual? I’m still figuring it out myself."

“Fair... I, t-thank you for confiding in me. I, I appreciate it.”

His father nodded. "I’m sorry it took so long for me to get the courage. Thank you for listening. Hopefully three days is enough to process this, but if you need more time, I’ll cancel everything. You and Loveday come first.” Dulac nodded in agreement.

“No, no, that’s not necessary.”

“Are you sure?”

Robin smiled, of course he was sure. His father would move mountains for his children. He had sacrificed so much after his mum’s death, and not once did he complain or make either of them feel like a burden.  “Yes, I’m sure.”

“Alright then, I’ll let you go…."

Robin looked over the phone. Maria was now back on the sofa, also seemingly back to herself. She give him a thumbs-up and wave of encouragement.

“Oh, hang on! Congratulations dad. You’ve always done so much for us. I-I want you to be happy. You deserve to be happy—you both do, and Dulac, welcome to our family—officially."

Their faces lit up. Robin was sure his father was getting teary as they hung up.

When the call ended, Robin dropped his phone and covered his face with his hands.

"Are you alright?"

"Yeah, yeah. Still processing." His hands slid down his face. "I'm going to have a stepdad… and it's Dulac. Dulac."

Maria nestled into his side. "Who would’ve known. The burliest, manliest men in all the world, together. I love that for them. Breaking stereotypes. I stan those two kings."

Robin chuckled, but there was still a far off look in his eyes.

Maria rubbed his back. “Are you sure you’re, ok?”

"I'm going to have a stepdad..."

"Yes, you are," Maria laughed.

“…and you, you’re going to have two fathers-in-law.”

Now it was Maria’s turn to freeze. She stared at Robin with wide eyes and watched as realization struck his. “W-well, t-that’s if y-you want too—”

“—I do—”

“—A-after you finish school of course—”

“—of course—”

“—S-so it’s settled then—”

“It is.” She brought her forehead to his and looked into his eyes. “But I still expect a proper proposal. A romantic, and proper, proposal. When the time comes, of course—”

“—Of course,” he smiled and kissed her lips, sinking into her sweet caress and resuming where they had left off.

Inside her room, high up in her tower, Maria’s heart was still heavy and numb. She watched the world outside her window through listless eyes. Anytime a smile threatened to cross her lips, she turned to Serena’s empty basket and felt a jab a pain, thinking of the many joyous mornings they would no longer share. Maria couldn’t dare feel any joy. She felt too much guilt.

Her door creaked open. From the corner of her eyes, she saw Robin walk in and heard Loveday quietly walk away.

“Morning, feeling any better?” His horse voice threatened the coldness of her heart.

Maria shrugged. “Should I feel better?” She asked without peeling her eyes from the window.

Robin came from behind and enveloped her in his arms. Maria leaned back and took in a deep breath. Her eyes began to sting again.

“Let’s take a walk outside,” he whispered in her ear.

“I don’t want to get dressed.”

“You don’t have to.” He draped her long coat over her nightgown and led Maria down her winding steps, out the manor, and into the garden.

The morning sun blinded her swollen eyes. She dropped her head; her limp curls shaded her face from the world. Still, Robin pulled her forwards. Under a large, and old oak tree, there was a blanket and breakfast set up. No doubt from Marmaduke. Spring flowers bloomed around them. They were beautiful. Maria could just about imagine Serena eating them to her hearts content. Maria crawled onto the blanket, laid on her back, and spread out her arms. She closed her eyes and let out a shivering breath.

“You should eat?”

“I’m not hungry.”

Birds chirped around them. The wind rustled the trees. She took in another breath. The sounds of nature carried Maria into a daze. From afar she heard Robin humming to himself, it was Loveday’s Waltz.

Then she felt a pang of hunger. She turned to look at the food but couldn’t bring herself to eat. Robin was chewing on a piece of grass as he braided some flowers.

“What are you doing?”

“A flower crown.”

“What for?”

Robin shrugged.

“You should eat.”

Robin stopped and looked at her. “I’m not hungry,” he responded smugly.

Maria rolled her eyes but finally sat up. Robin poured them some tea and Maria placed some biscuits on their plates. She forced herself to eat. Every bite feeling dryer and less appetizing than the previous one, but she knew it was all in her head. Marmaduke’s food had never disappointed her.  

“I should have saved her.”

“There was nothing to save her from. She is one of the lucky few to die from old age.”

Maria’s heart ached, “It was too soon.”

Robin gave her a sad smile, “You’ll never feel like you have enough time.”

“It’s not fair. If only I had noticed beforehand. If I... I just...” Maria sighed. She didn’t know what to say. She didn’t know how to express or rationalize what she was feeling. Deep down she knew Robin was right. Serena was old and had lived a long, and rather spoiled, life. Still, she felt a deep, throbbing, ache through her heart. An ache that traveled throughout her body and threatened to consume her.

“It’s alright,” Robin took her hand. “You can grieve for the sake of grieving. You don’t need some tragedy or reason to blame yourself. It’s not your fault, and you did everything you could. Blimey, I’ve never seen anyone do so much to keep their pet alive. I know Serena loved you every second of her life and knows how much you did for her.” He pulled her close until she was on his lap. “You miss her. She was your friend. You’ll morn for her absence. You’ll morn for the new memories you wish you could share with her. Its ok to morn, even when a loss was as peaceful as hers. In the arms of someone who loved her so much. Reckon the rest of us would be so lucky to have half as much!”

Maria leaned into his shoulder and the numbness from her morning began to ebb away. She allowed her tears to trickle down her cheeks as she nibbled on her food.

“I want to see her again.”

“Well doubt you’ll want to unbury her. Reckon it’s a ghastly sight.”

Maria smacked his shoulder. “You know what I mean.”

Robin laughed. “It’s a good thing you fought tooth and nail to include her and Wrolf in the family portrait. Though the painter may never forgive you for that.”

Maria chuckled, thinking about the poor painter who was about to lose his mind every time they had to reposition themselves. For some reason or another, either Wrolf, Serena, or her nephew would throw a fit and insist on removing themselves from the portrait. Including her beloved animal companions was difficult, and it was a choice that left her wondering if it had been worth the loss of the family painter. Yet now, she sent a small prayer to the heavens thankful to have that at least.

“Thank you, Robin.” She placed a damp kiss on his cheek.

“My pleasure, princess.”

He finished the flower down and placed it on her head. He studied her and frowned. “Bullocks. It’s too small.”

“I have a better use for it.”