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Regina Mills does not believe in ghosts.
And Robin supposes her (loud) skepticism has worked out in their favor over the past year, but that doesn’t make it any less exhausting. Especially when she takes every opportunity she can to mock him for his believing.
“I think this is the most scared I’ve ever seen you,” Regina teases.
“A healthy fear,” Robin defends tiredly, toying with the lens of his camera. It’s a conversation they’ve had so many times that his response is almost muscle memory, and he no longer puts up as big a fight as he used to when they first started this ghost hunting charade.
However, glancing up at the house, he can’t help adding, “You know, there’s a reason our whole crew is abandoning us in this house before sundown.” A big reason as a matter of fact, one that he’s trying very hard to keep detached from less he hop back in the car and call tonight’s plans off.
Regina rolls her eyes. “Yeah, and it’s that they’re not obligated to have a sleepover in some old, musty house in a weird town when they can stay at the cozy bed and breakfast instead.” She grabs her overnight bag as if to emphasize her point as she adds, “Unlike us.”
Robin sighs as he reaches for his own backpack. He takes another look at the house they’re standing in front of, and a bit of the nervousness he’s trying so hard to keep at bay seeps through to the forefront of his mind.
“Relax,” he hears Regina say. He turns away from the house to see her… well, still smirking at his discomfort, but her gaze no longer seems so mocking.
She continues, “We’ll explore, we’ll sleep, we’ll have breakfast at that B&B and then get the hell out of here.” Her smirk softens to a smile Robin rarely gets to see, and she assures him in an odd moment of compassion, “Nothing we haven’t done before.”
Warmth fills Robin’s chest despite himself.
He’d really hoped some time over the past year he’s spent working with Regina that he’d get over the initial crush that had bloomed upon their first meeting. She had been a bit of a standout, overdressed in the casual atmosphere of their media company office as Kathryn Nolan gave her a tour of the place. And upon first sight Robin had found himself walking towards them — towards her — without any thought other than to meet her.
He’d felt lighter than air when he found out she was his intended partner for his new web channel; and though that feeling has since mellowed in the wake of her not-so-nice demeanor and lack of shared interests, it still has a habit of sprouting up in full at worst times. As much as he’d like to, Robin just can’t help it —somehow, they just click.
There’s a reason they’ve garnered a significant number of followers (many wondering when their new favorite ghost hunters are finally gonna come out and say they’re dating).
“Let’s go take a look inside,” Regina says, beginning her walk up to the old, weathered porch.
A chill runs down Robin’s spine against his wishes. He stalls, taking in the view of the old house again as he tries to settle his nerves.
It was said to be one of the most haunted houses in the country. The house can’t hold an owner for more than a month before they’re desperately trying to sell it. No one lives in it currently, giving Robin and Regina an opportunity to do what they do best — explore, hunt for any lost souls. And apparently, have a sleepover with them.
It’s not the first time they’ve slept over in a haunted space (and Robin’s adamant that the few bits of evidence he got from said places speak volumes), but something about this house gives Robin an odd discomfort he’s never felt before during the past year of ghost hunting. And he knows better than to write it off.
This is nuts. This is insane. This is —
“This is a joke,” he hears Regina yell from inside.
His anxiety gives way to exasperation for a moment, and Robin rolls his eyes as he shifts his backpack over his shoulder and heads up to the door. Letting himself in, he closes the door and makes his way to find his friends. And doesn’t hear the lock turn behind him.