So this is for OQ week, for the prompt fake relationship, but I've had this idea for their first meeting for months and needed a reason to write it up so why not now? Anyways, hope you guys like it

xXx

…

He's just here for a celebratory drink. He had finally gotten the job he wanted; a teacher at the school he grew up in. It's his way to make a difference, having been searching for that feeling since he had come back from serving in the First World War and his previous job at the woodwork factory left him rather unsatisfied. So now he finally had that, and he was damn well going to celebrate it.

The place he's at is a traditional bar, one of his favourites, and he had managed to influence the men he had served with in the First World War to fall in love with it too.

The Apple and Crown.

The original, dark wooden beams contrasted with the white ceilings, the narrow corridor between the door and the bar – decorated with historic paintings, wooden panels and with several open doorways leading to seating areas – gave the pub a traditional feel, and the staff working there were an extension of everyone's own family; the sweet yet promiscuous cousin Ruby and the gruff yet caring Granny.

Of course, he's no stranger to an adopted family; his comrades from the Army have become a family unit, appointing Robin as the leader - "You have more sense than all of us put together," George always says - and the rest of them acting as the crazy brothers that sometimes need reigning in.

He orders the round of drinks, seven pints for him and his comrades, and as it's a special occasion he's offered an extra pint for him on the house.

He's watching the barmaid as she fills one glass, then another, then another. A sweet, young thing called Ashley, who now has to stand further away from the bar than she used to in order to accommodate for the new life growing inside her.

Robin's attention is drawn away when there's a dainty hand on his arm, the person mumbling a quiet "excuse me," and he turns to see the most beautiful woman he's ever laid his eyes on.

He doesn't even get past the initial 'wow' before she's leaning in and kissing him, and oh, okay, that's not what he expected but he'll go along with it.

Her lips move softly against his, the hand on his bicep trailing over his arm before coming to rest on his shoulder, the toe of her shoe resting against the side of his boot before he shifts so his body faces hers. Unable to keep his hands to himself any longer, he places them on her hips, holding back from roaming anywhere else because he has no idea who this woman is…

Their kiss ends far too soon, and after the moment it takes him to open his eyes, he's met with the woman's apologetic expression and her teeth digging into her lower lip.

"Sorry," she starts, before explaining; "the guy in the corner was trying to flirt with me, and one more sleazy line and I was going to stab him with my fork."

Ah… Well that makes things a bit clearer. There's no mistaken identity or memory loss or whatever other reasons he can come up with; just a guy that didn't take no for an answer and a woman who had to resort to kissing a stranger to get him off of her back.

Still… as unacceptable as he finds the man's actions to be, he can't help but feel blessed that it was he who had caught her eye.

"Sorry," she mutters again, a little nervous laughter creeping up on her.

"No, it's fine," Robin assures her.

It was more than just 'fine'; it was wonderful, and it had made his day even better.

"I honestly don't go around kissing strangers in bars."

"I wouldn't judge you if you did, milady," he comments with a wink, before joking; "though I admit I'd feel a little less special."

"Well, we can't have that," she quips, her voice lowering as she leans towards him with a flirty smile.

Robin's hit with the overwhelming urge to kiss her again, his eyes drifting to those lips that have no doubt marked him for life.

It's not just her lips though; it's the eyes. The beautiful brown eyes that shine with all her emotions and have him wanting to lose himself in them forever. And it's the long, raven hair that's flowing in curls down her back and over one shoulder that makes him want to spend hours running his fingers through it.

This woman is something special, and somewhere in the back of his mind, Robin knows he'd do anything to make her smile.

Which is more than what could be said for the greaseball in the corner.

Talking of which…

"Is that man still here?" Robin asks, fighting the urge to turn around and punch the guy.

Under the pretence of sweeping all her hair over one shoulder, she tilts her head to the direction in which she came, her gaze flitting back to the bar a second later, as she informs Robin; "He's just leaving."

Seeing her eyes lose a little of the light he swears he's already falling for, Robin jokes; "Do you want to kiss me again, just to be sure?"

Her beautiful smile returns, and Robin counts that as a victory.

"I think it'll be fine," she says, before adding; "besides, any other kisses will be on dates."

Robin's brows raise, feeling hope surge in his heart as he asks; "Will they now?"

"Oh, I didn't mean with you; I just meant in general," she quickly explains, before her eyes meet his and continues with words tumbling out of her mouth; "not that I wouldn't… with you, but… I mean, I just-"

She breaks off with an awkward laugh, and her smile is officially one of the most beautiful things he has ever seen.

"What are you doing tomorrow evening?" Robin asks, taking note of her slightly startled expression before continuing; "Because I'm going to be here at 7:30, and some women may flirt with me. I'll likely need a hero to come to my rescue."

He holds his breath as he awaits her response, praying to God that he hadn't screwed up whatever this could be before it had even started.

She seems to enjoy teasing him, pursing her lips to one side and humming as if in deliberation, before declaring; "I think I can manage that."

Fighting down the urge to sigh in relief and turn his head skyward for a silent hallelujah, Robin merely smiles. "I'm glad."

"Thank you again, for…"

"Don't mention it," he assures, before leaning towards her and confessing; "I'll kiss you any time, milady."

She smirks, her gaze dropping to his lips before she meets his eyes again. "I may hold you to that."

"It'll be my pleasure."

Over her shoulder, Robin takes note of all the men waiting for their drinks staring at him, a couple of them talking between themselves before turning back to him and his mystery lady with frowns to match everyone else's.

With a heavy sigh and deflating a little on the exhale, Robin looks back towards the lady in front of him and gives her an apologetic smile.

"If you don't mind, I need to deliver these drinks to some friends of mine, and explain to them why the most beautiful woman in the world has just kissed me."

She laughs - something he'd like to hear every day for the rest of his life - and ducks her head in some kind of attempt to hide her blush that does not work in the slightest. He has no idea what he'll say to his men, something about it being his lucky day or that miracles exist or something equally as corny, but he cannot leave until he knows for sure that he'll see her again.

"So… I will definitely be seeing you tomorrow, Miss…?" Robin inquires, needing to know the name of this woman who was in the process of stealing his heart.

"Regina," she supplies, "just call me Regina."

"Well then," Robin starts, amending his previous question; "Will I definitely be seeing you tomorrow, Regina?"

"You will," she smiles, before raising her brows in a silent demand for his name too, that he's all too happy to give if only to hear how it sounds coming from her lips.

"Robin Locksley, milady."

"Well, Robin Locksley," It sounds heavenly. "I will be here at 7:30 to save you from all the women clinging to you, unless your men have tortured you to death for information about me first."

"Cute and funny," Robin quips, what a perfect woman.

He leans forward, exercises all the restraint he has in bypassing her mouth to reach her cheek and place a lingering kiss there, before moving a little more to whisper in her ear; "I look forward to meeting you again, Regina."

Robin pulls back, places money on the bar for Ashley to collect and gathers the two trays of drinks in his hands. He offers Regina a wink before walking back to his table, a smile on his face that he's sure will stay there for hours.