Tw: mentions of attempted suicide

"So I did a thing," Robin tells Regina casually as they work the bar on a busy Friday night, hoping that his timing makes it so she can't explode at him like she very well might.

She arches a brow and he can see she's already unimpressed. Clearly she knows what he's doing, so he cuts the crap.

"I broke into Facilier's earlier."

He woke up early after closing up shop with her, left her in their bed and took a ride across town. He'd made an appointment for a fictitious Will John (his mates would appreciate that shoutout if they knew) with Baron Samedi at the office, so he knew the coast would be clear at the house.

It was surprisingly easy to break-in, he expected such a rich fucker to have a better security system (or one at all), but all it had taken was a quick pick of the lock and he was in.

Regina's eyes flash and she hisses, "You had better be joking."

"Relax, love, I was careful."

She lets out a sigh that's really more of a growl, and glares daggers at him. He's sure he would have gotten some comment, but he gets flagged by a customer at the end of the bar, and so she tends to some others. But when he reaches the taps to pour the man's pint, Regina looks him dead in the eye and derides him. "Do not ever do that again."

He can't make that promise—she is not the boss of him and they don't know what will become necessary as they try to break the curse—but he can make a different one. He grasps her hand, taking it as a good sign that she doesn't pull away, and swears, "Not without talking to you first."

She rolls her eyes, taking her hand back so she can continue her work as she mutters, "You should have done that in the first place."

He delivers the pint and can't resist a cheeky, "What fun would that have been?" on his way back over.

Regina just shakes her head with a derisive, "You idiot," and he takes the lack of anger over his comment as a sign that all is forgiven.

He knows she worries about him, still carries guilt over his death, and thinks he's too careless with his life—but in time that will pass, she will realize that he is always careful. He's been away from his family for decades, and he's not going to risk ending up back there.

It's just… since he saw Roland he has this drive and this need to do something, anything. He thought it would be enough to have him here to be able to see him, but it's not, it's nowhere near enough. He needs his real son, they need to wake him up, or break this damn curse because that one surface contact was not enough, not after twenty years apart, and he may not see Roland again until this is over. Robin tried to befriend him, an odd thing to have to do with his son, but he was more than willing. He tried to build a relationship like Regina has with Henry, but Roland was uninterested.

That was… crushing. The realization that his son had zero interest in him, and that he may never have a relationship with him again if they can't get this sorted. It's what led to this need to contribute. He cannot sit back anymore.

He thought he could get some answers or find a solution by breaking in, that he could actually assist, not just sit around and wait for others. Instead, he found nothing. A useless expedition that accomplished nothing. Luckily, he seems to have escaped Regina's wrath, so he counts it as a win. Perhaps someday his skills can be put to use for a more fruitful mission. Maybe he will finally be able to do something to help and not just sit around as the sidekick.

She's annoyed with Robin, has been for two days but is trying to let go of it because it doesn't help. It's pointless to be irritated about something that already occurred without incident, but here she is. The only good thing is that her ire fuels her study and her search for magical items—not that either wielded any results, but she keeps trying, has to.

She thinks she may have finally figured out how to cure Henry, not that that does any good without magic, but it does give her some hope. It's experimental, use of a healing spell in a way that it's not quite designed for, but she's done it in a different way before so it should be possible. With this type of poison, the type that infects Henry, it can't just be pulled out and expelled into the air, it has to go somewhere. It has to have something to destroy in its new host, much like certain types of illnesses that can't be cured magically, but can be transferred.

Outside of the no magic, the other issue is that she's only ever transferred something like that to herself—back in the Enchanted Forest in a half baked attempt to end her own life that just ended up with her being bedridden and having to listen to Snow whine and cry over her for three weeks—she's never actually given it to someone else.

It's not the best plan, by far, because whoever she gives it to dies, but perhaps she can find someone, someone who is already dying and willing to take it. Willing is a key part, because they have to accept it into their body for it to work—assuming her logic tracks that is. It's a long shot, but it's all she has for now.

It's something, more than the nothing she had before. It's progress, but if her progress keeps up at this abysmal rate she'll be dead before she can figure it all out.

She keeps at it for a few more hours, wading through piles of crap on the internet in hopes she'll find something useful. She keeps it up until she gets a text from Robin that they could use a hand if she isn't too busy, and she's not, so she heads down.

She helps with the rush, and when things start to slow down she thinks about going back upstairs, but circles around to ensure all the customers are okay, and that's when she sees him in the window—Rumple.

She's been calling him for weeks with no answer, finally called the main line of the station and was told he was on a leave and that they didn't know when he would be back. She even sweet talked his address out of Killian and went there three separate times before giving up. Rumple was nowhere to be found, didn't want to be found.

And now he's just walking into her bar like nothing happened, that asshole.

She walks toward the door, so she's right in his face when he opens it.

He acts like he can't see her fury, greets her with a casual, "Oh, hi, Roni," that makes her want to wring his neck.

"Where the fuck have you been?" she hisses as he slips in further, letting the door close behind him.

He's nice and close, a little too close, his proximity making her uncomfortable as he suggests, "Why don't we take this somewhere more private?"

That's a smart idea, what they need to discuss should not involve an audience, so she turns on her heel and leads him to the back room. She ensures the door is shut behind them, so no one can hear this conversation, leans herself up against a stack of crates and waits him out.

He looks around the room, taking in his surroundings, his gaze not on her even as he comments, "Not even going to offer me a beer. My, you really have changed, Regina."

That just makes her more irritated, and she scowls at him when he finally turns back to her. "Oh, so now you're awake."

She hasn't forgotten how he tried to bullshit her the last time they were together, and he's not getting away with it that easily.

He just shrugs, the jerk, and tells her, "I had an alliance with Belfry that precluded my being honest with you."

She had figured that out already, but Belfry's been dead for over two weeks and no one had seen him since.

Since he's stating the obvious she does too, "Victoria died. You know, in case you missed the memo when you lost your phone and all means of contact."

He shakes his head at her, in that way that used to (and still does a little) make her feel like a child being scolded. "Most people know how to take a hint. Now stop being so snippy. I'm here, aren't I?"

Her brows raise of their own accord. "Mmm, and why is that? Why now?"

"My dagger went missing, so forgive me for being a little… preoccupied."

Shit, shit! That's bad, that's really bad.

"Oh god, and you… do you have it back?"

"Yes, it turned out to be nothing. Alice had it—" That's unexpected, but she lets out a sigh of relief as she wonders what that means, but now isn't the time to interrupt because Rumple is still talking, "—she doesn't remember taking it, but she heard it calling to her, and gave herself quite a fright. It took me a while to realize that's what was wrong with her." Something in his expression changes, it goes… darker, maybe. Whatever it is, it brings a change of mood. "It was lucky for me the curse doesn't quite work on her because Facilier came the day after for my dagger."

That explains that, thank god Facilier didn't succeed. Though Rumple clearly already knows, she tells him anyway, "He wants your power."

"Is your relationship with him going to cause me problems again?"

She scoffs, then realizes Rumple's been gone and doesn't know about Robin and decides she'll let him see for himself that, "That won't be a problem."

Rumple narrows his eyes at her, "You say that now."

"Trust me, you have nothing to worry about."

"So what are we going to do about your boy?"

Oh no, Facilier is not hers, and she will not take Rumple referring to him as such. "He is not my boy."

Her ire must reinforce her point because Rumple lets it go—an unexpected but welcome change. "Any ideas how we take down Dr. Facilier?"

This she has thought about, long and hard, and there's really only one thing to be done because they are powerless. "We should wait and see what happens with him and Mother Gothel. Facilier is after her so he can get to Anastasia and her magic. If Gothel takes him out then we only have her to worry about, and vice versa."

Rumple frowns, clearly unhappy with her plan, and she waits for his suggestion, curious about what he thinks is the better move. If he has one, she'll take it, she's not naive enough to think she knows best when he has centuries of experience on her.

But instead, he asks a question, "Do you have any idea how long we will be waiting for that? I've been stuck here for far too long already and I have no shot of figuring out how to get back to Belle whilst I'm stuck here."

That's right, he may want this over even more than she does. "It shouldn't be too long. He wants your power and he's not exactly patient."

"Neither. am. I."

She sniggers, looking at him pointedly because, "You've always played a long game."

"And look where that got me. It took me over a century to get back to my son, only for him to die shortly thereafter." He sighs, leaning for a second against stacked kegs that shift slightly and make him jump back. She must not hide her amusement well enough because he shoots her a glare before continuing. "Anyway, it's not like I'm likely to figure out a way to die and end the dark one for good immediately after this curse breaks. I've been looking since Belle died, and I'm still no closer."

She feels herself frown as she asks, "What about the guardian? Didn't you…?"

"If I give the power to the guardian, it—it," Whatever this is, it isn't going to be good, it's rare that Rumple hesitates, she's only seen it twice before. "It makes them immortal and I know what a burden that is. I told myself if I just found the right person it wouldn't matter, but it does. Immorality is a curse, I can't pass that onto anyone. I have to find another way. As much as I'd like to take the selfish and easy way out, I can't do that if I want to get back to Belle. I have to find a different path."

This is so unlike the Rumple she's used to, a testament to how much he's changed. She understands what he means about it being a curse, better than most. She knows what it's like to live with great loss, can't imagine losing everyone and having to keep going on with no end in sight. In some of her hardest times what kept her going was that idea she could be reunited with Daniel, then with Robin, and immortality takes that away.

"Do you have anything here?" She meant books, things to study, but then she thinks of a better question. "Do you have any magic?"

"No." He shakes his head vehemently as if the statement wasn't enough. "That's why I sided with Victoria. The only person who has magic here is Anastasia, and Victoria was the key to her."

Rumple may think Regina is the sloppy seconds, but she's going to show him just how wrong he was for betting against her. "So now what, you tried to side with Gothel and she turned you down?"

He scoffs, "Please. I'm trying to get to Belle, not to Hell."

Maybe that was a little low, but it's so rare they are on the same side and he isn't betting against her or working some secret side agenda. "Sorry. But she has Anastasia so…"

"That she does, and is brainwashing her with each and every minute. That's why we had better get Facilier to act fast, before it's too late."

Then she bites the bullet, because she knows he's fishing for it anyway. They know each other too well to keep pretending. "I may have a way to make that happen."

His, "Oh?" is the picture of curiosity, like he doesn't know what she's about to say even though they both know that's not true.

"I made a deal with him."

The way Rumple doesn't even flinch, how he drops the act now annoys her, but she pushes it aside until he asks, "What exactly did you have to offer him?"

His tone makes clear what he thinks it was, and no, it is not that at all. Rumple will see, she'll make sure he sees Robin, that he knows just how offtrack he was. He doesn't quite know everything, now does he? "Facilier needs a repository, somewhere to store the magic he wants to take from her."

"And he thinks you have that."

She bristles at the tone because it's not that unreasonable of an assumption. "Well, I did have one."

"Yes, one. And one that Victoria stole and Gothel crushed once she'd used what was in it to kill her."

There was magic in it? In that necklace she let slip away. She could have used it, she could have—Fuck. No! Gothel must have gotten magic from somewhere, it couldn't have been in the necklace. "Where'd Gothel get the magic? Anastasia?"

The look Rumple gives her tells her all she needs to know, and his sarcastic, "Where else?" is not needed to get his point across, to show her how stupid he thinks she's being.

She can't control the snark she gives him back, "Lucy's belief, wishes, any of the many other ways magic manifests here."

It's a tense and frustrating time, and she shouldn't be taking it out on him, but damn does it feel good to snap back.

He just shoots her a reproachful look, eyes boring into hers for a moment before he responds, "And do you have something? Or any leads?"

That deflates her. "No, I don't, but I'm… looking."

The truth is she's hit a dead end. It's nearly impossible to try and find magical objects without magic. She'd hoped she'd be able to find something else in her stuff, something that had been hers and so she'd recognize it, but she's searched all of her things and found nothing. She doesn't even know if such a thing exists in this world or if that necklace of hers was the only one.

"What about your sister?" That's an odd question, what does Zelena have to do with this?

"What about her?"

Rumple smirks, evidently impressed with himself for figuring it out when she hadn't. "Her pendant. It's tethered to her, it would have come over in the curse, maybe not on her person, but it's connected to her, it has to be here somewhere."

Dammit, she should have known that, should have figured that out weeks ago. She could have called her sister and—but Robin, she can't, she couldn't—shit.

Things just got even messier.

"Have you spoken to her?" Rumple asks, and her answer is a terse No, which has him eyeing her. He wants to get to the source of her unease, and he will, in time.

"I think a call is warranted."

She can't deny that he's right, so she nods. She won't do it until she's talked to Robin—she's been hesitant to talk to him about her relationship with Zelena given what her sister did to him. She knows that he agreed Zelena should be in Robyn's life, but she very much doubts he'd have wanted Regina to be so close to her.

Her relationship with Zelena was always rife with conflicting emotions and that only amplified after Robin died. She should have stayed away, or should have just made it about Robyn but the truth is, she enjoys her sister. Regina has committed far worse sins, and Robin overlooks them, but she's under no illusions he would do the same for Zelena, and she wouldn't expect him to. It's a fucked up relationship she has with her sister, but it is a relationship and now that Robin's back, it's a clusterfuck of overlooked and pushed aside issues that have to be dealt with. But god, what she wouldn't give to be able to sweep them under the rug and let them lie undisturbed—but that's not what will happen.

"I should be going," Rumple tells her, as he turns and heads off toward the door. "Call me when you have an update."

"I trust you'll answer the phone this time."

His hand hovers on the doorknob and he looks over his shoulder, "I will."

There's one more thing she needs before he can leave. "Good, now why don't you grab a drink on your way out? On the house."

Rumple's eyes narrow and his lips purse, and she watches as he heads out, following behind him, so she doesn't miss when he freezes, staring at Robin for a moment, then straightening. He doesn't say a word as he walks out, but he doesn't need to, the fact that he knows is more than enough for her.

She expects she'll hear from Rumple soon, will have to answer his questions about how exactly Robin came back, but for now, she's going to go tend the bar with her love and figure out when and how to talk to him about Zelena. Robyn's arriving tomorrow night, and she doesn't want to put a damper on that reunion—even though it's not quite the reunion it should be. She hopes it won't be too hard for Robin, meeting Roland and realizing that he couldn't connect with his son at all was rough for him, and she doesn't want him to go through that again.

His daughter is hugging him. For the very first time. It's surreal, and he feels tears well in his eyes he cannot possibly let her see.

This is one of his first real interactions with Robyn (Margot here), his daughter, and he's overwhelmed, in the best of ways.

She's grown up, is an adult, and he knew that but it's such a contrast to the last time he was actually in her presence, when she was a mere few weeks old. She's never known him, but he knows her. He's watched her for years, watched her grow into an incredible young woman, one who is so brave, and so dedicated.

Her skill with a bow beats out even Roland (though they'd be close), and he wants to see that in person, has cheered her on time and again as she landed perfect shots.

He wanted to do just this that first time she hit the bullseye, was glad Regina was there with her, that she whooped, hollered and pulled Robyn in for a big celebratory hug. He longed to talk strategy with her, to give her pointers when she was struggling, to see her and her brother go head to head, or better yet see Roland pass down what he learned.

Those are moments they will never get to have, but now with Robyn in his arms, it doesn't matter as much as it used to. He has other things to look forward to, a new role to play in her life, and he's going to do that.

His daughter says to him, "It's really nice to meet you, Robin," and he bites back a smirk and a comment about what a great name it is, because the joke won't land with Margot.

"You as well, Margot."

"Hope you didn't mind the hug, I just figured since we're going to be living together, might as well greet you as family."

That makes his whole body go warm and gooey. He couldn't believe it when Regina said Robyn would be staying with them, that she'd decided sleeping on their couch was worth the rent savings. A decision that makes a bit more sense when she babbles on about her trip, and how happy she is that they picked her up, because her credit card is maxed out, and she would have had to borrow to afford the cab ride.

Regina immediately offers her a job at the bar, something she wouldn't have been able to afford before, but he knows she would have done anyway. She has a big heart, even if she doesn't see it, she goes out of her way to help those she cares about, at great expense to herself, and never lets that show.

It's helping now that he's there, that he doesn't take a salary, and that he covers half of the household expenses so she doesn't have to pull so much from the bar—he would have covered more, he saved a pretty penny at his miserable old job he finally quit the other day, but she wouldn't have it, and he didn't feel like arguing.

Robyn keeps them entertained with stories of her travels the entire drive back. She's the first person he's seen that seems to have had a good time under the curse. Her world travels are not something she would have experienced without the curse and it really seems to have been a positive experience. Less so for her bank account, but she'll see in time that doesn't much matter.

He's touched when she starts to unpack her suitcase (they'd purchased a small dresser and shoved it in the corner for her) and gives him a gift.

It's some sort of silver bracelet, handcrafted in Bali and given to her by a friend.

He's blushing as he accepts it, in awe of how thoughtful she is. She knew nothing of him before she decided to come and Regina told her of his existence, yet she's treating him like she's known him forever, and it's a godsend. He doesn't know what he would do if she treated him like Roland, or worse, hated him.

He doesn't pay much attention to the gift she gives Regina, not until Regina gasps and he looks over to see an Emerald amulet in her hand.

It's one he's seen before, several times, around the neck of Zelena. Just the sight of it sends a cold flash down his spine, but Regina's eyeing it in wonder, and not in a way that's faking excitement. This is good, for some reason. He doesn't know why, but he's happy about the victorious smile that's gracing her face as she thanks Robyn for her gift.

While they hug, Regina mouths a, "Capsule," at him, pointing at the necklace in her hand—at least he thinks that's what she means, he can't be sure, was never good at figuring out this magic stuff, if it even is magic stuff.

He finds out from her later that the amulet can trap magic, which is what they need. Now they just need to get their hands on a source, Regina winces as she says that, and amends, "We need to find Anastasia. We have to get her away from Gothel."

The how they do that is something they sit in bed brainstorming over, happy for the jet lag that led Robyn to turn in early and pass out hard. This is not a conversation that would be easy to explain away.

They are making progress, real progress, finally. And when Regina tells him her plan of how to save Henry, he lets out a noise of excitement that probably shouldn't have been so loud, gathers her in his arms, and presses a kiss to her forehead as he marvels over how brilliant she is.

Her cheeks go red under his compliments, and she gives him that soft, shy smile she reserves for these moments, when he makes her feel cherished and appreciated. It's the one that he dreamed of constantly, wishing he could open his eyes and have it be real.

Now it's real, she's here with him, his daughter is just outside, and soon they will break the curse, and it will be their whole family together, like it should be.

Robyn is smitten, he can tell from across the room, watching as she talks with Alice. When Alice came in alone he seized the opportunity, gave Robyn her table and since they weren't busy, encouraged her to go chat up Alice since she was all alone.

Robyn had side-eyed him when he suggested it, she knew what he was doing, or thought she did, but she'd gone along with it.

Now she's flirting with the love of her life, Alice saying something that makes her cackle, holding her hand over her mouth as she tries to control herself.

It's a welcome sound, he's glad to see the two of them so happy. Their love is true, and it's shining through even now, when they don't actually know each other. That connection is pulling them together, and he will do everything he can to ensure it stays that way.

With any luck, they'll break the curse shortly, and his efforts won't have been needed, but he can't bear to let this opportunity go and have Robyn and Alcie spend any more time apart.

When Robyn circles back and asks if they can switch end times, he smiles knowingly and agrees in an instant. Regina's on tonight with him, so it's not like he would have had anything better to do, and even if he did, he would cancel to ensure Robyn and Alice got this time.

Whatever she has planned with Alice later, she doesn't share with him, but that's okay, he's just happy they are spending time together.

Later, he's even more glad he took the end of her shift, because he is working the bar by himself (Regina taking a quick break) when in walks Dr. Facilier. He knows who Facilier is, but he doubts the feeling is mutual, so he greets him carefully, ensuring not to show his recognition in his tone or demeanour, "Hi, what can I get for you, sir?"

Facilier is frowning as he takes Robin in, and Robin cannot figure out why. Does Facilier know who he is? The, "I was looking for Roni," Facilier shoots him does not help.

"She's just taking a quick break."

"And you are?"

Should he lie? Does Facilier know of him, will this trigger it? He goes for the truth, he could have used Archer, but with his luck, Regina would come out right then and say Robin, and they'd have to explain that. "I'm Robin."

"I haven't seen you around here before. Are you a friend of Roni's?" Facilier asks.

He knows for a fact Facilier doesn't normally come around so it's an odd question, but he answers with a, "Something like that," not wanting to disclose more than he has to.

When Regina comes out, her face goes white when she sees him and Facilier together, but she recovers quickly. Facilier was watching her though, and Robin is fairly certain he caught that reaction, which can't bode well.

"So Roni," Facilier starts, raking his gaze up and down her in this possessive sort of way that has discomfort flaring inside of Robin. He's used to people appreciating Regina's form, but this is different; there's something about it that rubs him all wrong. It's not because of Faciier's history with Regina, because that look would bug him coming from anyone, or at least he thinks it would. "Is there a place we can talk in private?"

Regina arches a brow, tells him, "Anything you have to say, you can say in front of Robin."

Facilier glowers, then states carefully, "I'm here to inquire about our little deal. I have my part, I need yours."

It takes him a second to realize what that means, he schools his face as his mind whirls. Facilier has won, he's either killed Gothel or taken Anastasia from her, and either way, that's not good.

Regina asks, "The girl or the woman," and he mentally applauds her for her quick thinking and smart wording.

He continues to feign obliviousness as Facilier answers, "The girl."

Gothel is still out there then, and Regina nods at Facilier, "I'm looking, but I haven't had any luck."

"Look harder," Facilier hisses so lowly Robin almost misses it.

"I will," Regina tells him sternly, and he nods, then stalks off.

Robin, still playing the part asks, "So, Roni, what was all that about?" until the door slams shut.

Facilier's reaction at the end was kind of concerning, but when he asks Regina about it, she doesn't seem too worried. She'd told him Facilier was an odd guy, he's seen some of that himself, so he pushes down the concern, but it doesn't leave him.

He confirms with her what that conversation meant, and nearly cries with relief when she confirms that Facilier has Anastasia, they just need to get the girl on their side and they can try out Regina's plan. It's incredible, how close they are to ending all of this, and when Regina tells him she thinks Facilier has Anastasia at his apartment, his heart soars even higher. After all, he broke into it earlier in the week without issue.

They just have one last thing to get in line, a person they are reluctant to have on their side, but should make things easier.

They are on their way to go enlist Anastasia's sister, Ivy, for their cause, then they'll wait until the perfect moment to break in and regain their lives.