Chapter Text
Working out sucks. Regina is so damn out of shape it's embarrassing. She is drenched in sweat and shaky not even halfway through their centre work, and they haven't even jumped yet. There's no way she will be able to jump, not when her legs are this jello.
How the fuck do people take the summer off from dancing and go back to class without dying?
They do not get breaks in class, but Robin keeps pausing the music, letting her get water. This time when he does, she's panting so hard that she has to take a moment before she can even do that.
It is unfair how long it takes to build muscle and stamina versus how quickly it's lost. Sure her cardio was never the best, but she should not be this bad after not even two months off.
It doesn't help that it's hot today, or that to start he made them go for a jog, then they'd had to pile all her living room furniture in the corner (something she is not looking forward to putting back—she might collapse).
It felt good to use her muscles again in the beginning, even with feeling weak and shaky, but now they are protesting, everything is protesting and she doesn't want to do it anymore. Has to but doesn't want to.
This is the benefit of having Robin, she never would have made it this far on her own.
But then, she might not make it at all if they go on.
"Can we take five?" she asks, still embarrassingly out of breath. She flops down onto the floor which is a mistake. The idea of getting up is horrifying, and she's not even sure she could manage.
"We can, but we can also be done. I said I'd go easy on you."
He did say that, but he has, and she woke to coffee and a full breakfast that he let settle before their jog.
She thought she'd at least make it to lunch, but she'd overestimated her ability to push through. Par for the course these days, along with her physical strength, her mental is failing her as well. The old Regina Mills kept going until she couldn't, but now she gives up when the going gets tough. She needs to snap out of that, should finish centre work then call it a day.
But the thought of doing allegro now, of jumping over and over, when she doesn't think she can get up off of the floor, has her admitting defeat.
It must show on her face because Robin is smiling sweetly and telling her she did good when she most certainly did not.
Her performance today was shameful, and she has got to get it together. She cannot be like this when the season starts back up, Gold will fire her on the spot. She did not lose her relationship just to lose her dancing future, no way. There is so little time to get it all back, but she has to. Has to.
It takes her a few minutes to realize Robin is nowhere to be seen. Getting up to figure out where he went seems like far too much effort so she opts to call his name instead.
She hears a door open, the bathroom door she thinks, then Robin is rushing in. "Hey, are you okay?"
"You didn't need to come running. But now that you're here, want to help me up?"
Robin snickers, and offers a hand, laughing at how she groans as she stands up.
"Oh, is my misery funny to you?" she asks with an arched brow.
"No. Just tells me I made the right call drawing that bath. Thought I might end up needing to carry you to the bathroom."
"I can walk just fine, thank you," she snips, even as her legs ache with each step.
He follows her into the bathroom even though it doesn't really fit two, bending down to turn the taps off.
A bag of Epsom salts she did not buy sits beside the tub and she could cry over how thoughtful he is. The room smells lovely and inviting, a mix of lemon and orange with a hint of peppermint.
She tests the temperature with her hand and it's hot, but not too hot, perfect for her tired, overworked muscles.
"Well, I'll, uh, leave you to it then," Robin stammers, awkwardly backing out of the small room.
"Thank you, Robin. Really, this is…" She doesn't know how to finish the sentence, but he nods anyway.
"I was happy to, truly, now go enjoy your bath and try not to pass out and drown on me."
She snickers, "I make no guarantees."
He shakes his head and leaves the room, shutting the door behind him. With him gone, she goes to step one foot in before realizing she's still dressed.
She is on a roll today, that's for sure.
After shucking off her clothing she melts into the water, moaning, "Oh my god," as she relaxes into the perfect warmth.
"Let me know if you need help getting out," Robin calls from the other room.
"You just want to check out my naked body," she says without thinking, then blushes, happy he can't see her. Why did she say that? She cannot keep throwing herself at him, it's embarrassing.
"I can't say I wouldn't enjoy that perk, but I'll leave you to it. Holler if you need anything."
She doesn't stew in her embarrassment long, can't when she is so content in this bath. She can feel the tension leaving her body, can feel her exhausted muscles releasing. This was just what she needed.
She grabs her phone from the windowsill to play some music, noticing a message from Baron, one of the guys she has been messaging. He is the only one of her original matches that is still talking to her despite their not meeting up. He doesn't seem to be in any rush and it's nice to have the pressure off. They text regularly, and she should meet him at some point, if only to say thank you for all the support and entertainment.
But that is better left for another time, she can't imagine she will have the energy for anything in the few weeks. The clock is ticking, summer break is coming to an end, and she has a lot of work to do before September. She shudders at the thought, then pushes it from her mind as she relaxes back down into her bath.
Robin isn't sure how to approach this, Regina is up and dressed like they are going to rehearse today. He doesn't want to be the one to remind her what day it is but won't pretend he doesn't know that today is the fourteen year anniversary of her father's death. It's part of why he wanted to come now. She should not be alone for this day, has not been in years, if ever. She always sticks by and supports him on his mother's birth and death days, and he tries to do the same for her.
He has never been here before for this day, she was always with Daniel, but he always made sure to call, and to send flowers.
He popped out to the grocery store last night for the flowers, leaving them in the car so she wouldn't see them. Looking back, he's not sure why he wanted them to be a surprise since he has done this every year since he's known her.
This year is different though, he is actually here with her, in the cottage Henry Mills had loved so much. Her father's ashes are spread somewhere in the backwoods, a small monument only Regina visits. While he wants to accompany her, he will do whatever she wants to support her. He understands that she may want privacy and to keep that space to herself. He will make himself scarce all day if that's what she wants. Today is not about him.
But Regina's attire has thrown him for a loop. She scarfs down the breakfast he made without a word, then sighs as she finishes her coffee.
"Are we running today?" Regina asks, and his forehead wrinkles.
"I… didn't think we'd be working out today…"
Regina sighs again. "It's what he would have wanted; he loved to see me dance. I made it this far because of him. He supported me and believed in me, even when I couldn't."
Robin's throat goes tight knowing that feeling exactly, he nods rather than saying anything for fear his voice will come out tight and reedy.
Together they pile the living room furniture up in the corner. He has gotten used to Regina's gripping but it's quiet as they progress through their barre work. Just three days in, her stamina is much better, and they make it all the way through centre without complaint.
This is where they usually stop dancing, adding in some strength training or cardio, but Regina changes the music and he hears the music from their first Romeo and Juliet duet start up.
He nods at her though she didn't ask the question, and they find their places.
They are both a bit rusty, her more so than him, but they make a decent showing, at least he thinks so. By the end, she is crying.
He frantically scans her body for signs of injury as he asks, "Did you hurt yourself?"
She shakes her head as a sob wracks through her body. "It's just… he… he would have loved this, you know. I wish… he could have seen it. I wanted him to see it—"
He pulls her in for a hug and she buries her face in his chest as she sobs, her tears wetting the front of his shirt.
Eventually, her sobs subside, and she has the audacity to attempt to apologize as if there was something she should be apologizing for. Good god, he hates Cora Mills with a bloody passion for making Regina think that there is something wrong with showing your feelings and being vulnerable in front of another person. It makes the gift of her openness and vulnerability that much more precious to him, and he always tries to communicate his appreciation.
Regina eyes him nervously. "Would you want to…" her eyes drop down and she mutters something he thinks is a never mind.
"What is it? Whatever you need, love. If you need me to go, I'll go. If you need me to be your shoulder to cry on, I'm happy to. I will do anything to help make today easier. Anything."
She swallows, nods and finally looks back up at him. "Do you want to come to his memorial with me?"
His voice is tight but he manages to get out, "I'd be honoured," before he has to take a second.
They walk side by side down a trail until it narrows up a hill. From there, he follows behind her, the tall trees providing welcome shade from the blazing sun. He hadn't thought to put on sunscreen, but if it's all like this he should be okay. And if not, won't be the first time he's gotten a sunburn here. That first day after they'd ironed things out he had taken a long swim. It was delightful, but the parts of his body that had been out of the water and exposed did not thank him for it.
His calves are burning when they make it to the top of the hill, and he's about to ask how much father when he takes in the view. He knows this is it even without seeing the little marker and laminated photo. This spot opens up to a stunning view of the lake, well worth the climb. He can certainly understand why Henry wanted to be scattered here, it's paradise.
Regina sits down on the ground beside the marker and he watches as a few tears flow down her face. She starts to whisper something, and though he's loath to interrupt he asks, "Would you like some space?"
She turns toward him, biting her lip, then nods sheepishly, "I'm sorry."
"Don't be, I should be in the shade anyhow. I'll be down here if you need me."
"Thank you."
He settles partway down the hill just off the trail on an old stump. He's daydreaming when he hears a noise, on high alert for any sign Regina needs him, but it's just some rustling in the bushes.
He has a terrifying thought that he's about to come face to face with a bear, but thankfully it's a tiny flash of black. Probably a squirrel he muses as he laughs at himself. Regina wouldn't be leaving him alone if there were bears, at least he hopes not. Perhaps if she were still mad at him he would have cause for concern.
There's another sound, this time closer, and he turns his head to see an adorable black kitten staring at him.
"Oh hi," he whispers, and its eyes widen before it dashes back off into the woods.
He tries to call it back to him, but without success. He stays glued to his spot hoping it will come back to investigate, but it doesn't.
He hopes it's okay and has a home, but they are awfully far away from the cottages, and with all the wildlife that could be out here in the woods he's hoping no one would let their cat out here intentionally.
Regina comes down a little while later and he asks her about it. She confirms that no one lives nearby and that the kitten is likely feral. She doesn't seem too concerned about it, but she has other things on her mind.
It's only when they get back to the house that he remembers the flowers. Though they have been baking in the car all day, the yellow daffodils are only a little worse for wear.
Regina gives him a touching smile, setting them down inside before pulling him in for a long hug.
"Thank you," she breathes, "not just for those, for today, for being here, for just… thank you."
"Wild horses couldn't keep me away," he says as a hand cards through her hair before wiping a tear. "I just wish I could have met him."
She sniffles, "Me too. He would have loved you. Of that, I have no doubt."