The breezy sunlit Easter afternoon contrasted heavily with the tense mood of Moonacre Valley. The valley had by now heard of the robbery at the De Noir Castle and Coeur's ongoing battle with death. The Old Parson, Mrs. Heliotrope, and Sir Benjamin did what they could in quelling the people's curiosity and keeping the sheriffs away, simply dismissing their concerns by stating it was Charles' pitiful attempt to regain power.

Inside his bedroom, Coeur was in a fitful sleep induced by one of Marmaduke's many remedies. Robin was by his side.

Whether in his father's bedroom or office, he was never far. Loveday had spent the last few days at the castle, but Robin sent her away that morning to join Easter Mass with the rest of her family. Now alone, the numbness within Robin's heart grew heavier. The fog in his brain seemed to thicken. Clouded over, the hours passed in a blur.

Robin rubbed his chin. He paused and scrunched his nose, surprised by the scraggly beard growing on his face. After a long sigh, he called for Dulac and asked him to stay by his father. Robin pushed himself through the door and slogged towards his own room.

Upon entering, he was blinded by the light streaming through his window. He pushed it open, letting the soft airflow into his room. Off in the distance, the forest gently swayed with the wind. Freshly fallen leaves skittered about the floor. Robin stayed there looking out into the woods.

He knew he should shower and shave. The Merryweathers were bound to arrive any minute. He was far from presentable.

Yet his eyes refused to leave the forest.

Robin walked briskly out of his room. Through the bleak castle, each step drummed in his ears, challenging the fog in his head. He pushed open the main doors with all his strength. Wind and light poured around him. He took off into a run. His bath could wait.

Robin ran through the forest until he found a large, gnarled tree. Its trunk was twisted and rose high into a lush green canopy. He sat at its base and leaned back against the trunk. Robin closed his eyes and took in a large breath of air as the breeze ruffled his hair. He forgot his hat.

The fog in his head faded away. His heart throbbed. Robin's eyes began to sting, and he closed them shut as he felt a hot tear seep out from the corner. He rubbed his eyes with the back of his hand and took in a shuddering breath. He knew he should be thankful it wasn't any worst. He knew his father would make it. There was no way a damned bullet could take that man down. Robin knew there was little chance he could've predicted what happened. He knew it wasn't his fault— it's what everyone else said as well... but none of that lessened the weight of guilt on his shoulders.

He let his head fall back with a thud against the tree. Robin lost himself in the sway of the canopy above him. His vision began to blur. As his vision tunneled, he noticed some orange specks... perhaps berries? But before he could make heads or tails of them, he fell asleep.

It was sometime later that a crunch alerted Robin awake. He sat up, eyes wide. Maria was standing across from him. She was dressed in her city attire. Wearing a sky-blue skirt with a white high-collared blouse, gloves, and a blue hat. Robin blinked, surely it was just his imagination. How on earth did she find him?

Maria offered a timid smile and a hesitant wave. Her eyes searched his bloodshot ones. "Are you alright? I didn't mean to startle you.".

Robin rose to his feet. "I-I'm fine." He shook himself. "When did you get here?"

"Not too long ago. You weren't at the castle."

"Right, let's head back. I've been gone for too long."

"Your father is well, Loveday's with him." Maria blocked his way. "You can rest."

"She's the one that should be resting, she's far into her pregnancy."

"It's nothing she can't handle. Besides, she wants to be with her father."

Robin was silent. He clenched and unclenched his fist before walking back towards the castle. Maria carefully studied him from the corner of her eyes. His shoulders hung. His curls were unfurled and listless. There were dark circles around his eyes, she was sure it wasn't from the charcoal.

"You're not sleeping. I'm sure you haven't eaten today either."

"I'm sleeping—"

"—Lying in bed doesn't count."

"No need to fuss. I'm doing just fine—" Robin yelped as he tripped over a raised root and landed on his knees.

"Hardly." Maria offered Robin a hand and pulled him up.

"I swear I'm alright. It was just a stupid branch— bollocks!" Robin took no more than 3 steps before he tripped once more, accidentally dragging Maria down with him. Robin took the burden of the fall by wrapping Maria in his arms and landing on his back. Robin laid there, his eyes shut tight and a grimace across his face.

"You were saying?" She asked with a raised brow as she crossed her arms across his chest.

Robin wanted to get mad. He wanted to yell out in frustration and throw care into the wind. Yet as he peeked through his lashes and saw Maria's smug expression, he couldn't help his embarrassed smile. "Fine, you're right. Let's just stay here then," he said laying back down on the forest floor.

"I doubt this is comfortable."

"Trust me, this pales in comparison to all the tossing and turning I've done every night..." Robin raised his head, "Perhaps I could visit you? Maybe through that new tunnel."

"I'm afraid that can't happen. My uncle boarded up the entrance to my room."

"He what?" Robin exclaimed as he raised himself onto his elbows.

"As you heard, he nailed the planks himself. Didn't even bother painting them. They clash terribly with my room. Oh, and the girls have been sleeping with me every night. They insist on knowing every little detail from our trip to France."

"Blasted," Robin muttered. He sat up and pulled Maria onto his lap. Wrapping his arms around her waist, he nuzzled into her neck and took in a deep breath.

"It's going to be alright. Your father is getting better every day."

"I know."

"And it wasn't your fault. You did everything you could."

".... I know."

"Your father will be proud once he sees how well you've done without him."

Robin remained silent.

Maria sighed. She raised his face until his eyes met hers and cradled his prickly cheek. "He already is, I'm sure of it. Now if only I could say the same about your appearance... You're a downright mess."

"Thanks", Robin said with a snort. He rested his forehead on hers and looked into her eyes. "Haven't really been in the right mindset."

Maria's eyes fluttered shut as she closed the distance with a kiss and ran her fingers through his hair. He leaned in with a low groan, but before he could fall into her touch, Maria pulled away with a teasing smile and said, "Yet only a few moments ago you insisted to be fine."

"I'm doing much better now." He pulled her back and kissed her lips softly, savoring the lingering taste which he could now make out to be rhubarb. Robin's lips trailed to her ear and he whispered, "Besides, don't you like the rugged look? I bet I can make you reconsider." At the base of her ear, he sucked lightly while deftly untying her hat and unbuttoning the collar of her blouse to kiss down her neck. Maria gasped and pulled away. "Robin! You're getting ahead of yourself!"

"You didn't mind then."

Maria blushed bright red and tried to ignore the fluttering in her stomach. "That's not it at all! We're about to see family and-and," Maria's mind seemed to grow fuzzy as Robin continued to kiss the base of her neck ever so softly, his scruff delicately skimmed over her skin, sending shivers down her spine.

"Do you want me to stop?"

"No-maybe? Y-yes!" Maria pulled away with a pout.

Robin chuckled and released his hold, "I miss this."

Maria swallowed, well aware of the heat in the pit of her stomach. "Me too," she murmured as she began to button her collar. Robin quickly scanned her neck and was satisfied he left no trace. He planted one last kiss and tied her hat's ribbon into a bow underneath her chin.

"Let's head back now. I'm sure everyone is wondering what's taking so long."

They walked in silence, hand in hand. His countenance had improved but it bothered Maria to still see him so withdrawn. She could only hope he would come around to confiding in her. "I haven't had any nightmares recently. I think that's a good sign."

"Looks like it, though I still can't help but feel this will come back to haunt us."

"I have no doubt about that, but we have each other now," Maria squeezed his hand, "And we have our friends and family. We'll figure it out."

In the castle, the De Noir gang was entertaining Maria's friends and Albert in the great hall. They had just finished eating. Henry and David were playing a game of cards with the ladies and Albert was sitting on Richard's knees. Together they played with his wooden toy figurines, causing Jane to steal glances at the adorable sight and lose a turn.

The doors opened. David whistled loudly. "That was a long stroll mate. Food's almost gone," he called to them.

"I had a hard time finding him," Maria replied.

"Oh, I'm sure that's where the time went, right? It has nothing to do with the careless bow underneath your chin?" Cat remarked with a side glance.

"Or the leaves through Robin's hair?" Lizzy added.

"I fell," Robin deadpanned. Their friends burst into laughter. All Maria could do was scowl and shift her weight. Robin seemed unbothered. "Any news about my father?" he asked.

"Not much, he seems to be sleeping better," Henry responded.

"He's in and out of consciousness," Lizzy added, "but we expect he'll be awake in a few days."

"Sit down and eat. You already look awful; we can't have you growing thin as well," Richard said pointing at the empty plates beside him. "There's enough room for the future mistress of this castle to sit besides you."

Maria felt her face warm but chose to sit next to Lizzy instead. As Robin sat down, he elbowed Richard in the gut before promptly taking Albert away from him.

After supper, Robin excused himself to freshen up while the rest stepped out into the courtyard. The weather had cooled along with the sun that was now lower on the horizon. Albert ran ahead of the group towards Mrs. Heliotrope and Digweed. He was handed some candy which he excitedly ate.

"How is he?" Henry asked Maria.

"I think he's better than before. Well, at least he didn't push me away... Though he's still not opening up."

"That's promising," Jane interjected.

"I've been thinking," Lizzy began, "That key, was there anything special about it?"

"I can't recall."

"I think it's important. I'm wondering if it's related to your magic. You haven't told Regina or Minerva about it have you?"

"No, I haven't written to them at all. We can send them a letter first thing tomorrow before we leave for London."

Late into the night, Maria was awakened by knocking on her balcony. She smiled and groggily threw on her robes as she walked to her window. As she expected, it was Robin. She pulled him into a hug.

"Erm-sorry I know it's late but—"

"I'm glad you came."

She led him back to her bed. Robin trudged behind, almost as though he was nervous.

Exasperated and ready to go back to sleep, Maria pulled him in.

"I wish you didn't have to go."

Maria pecked his cheek. "I'll be back soon. Get some rest."

Robin wrapped his arms tight around her waist and pulled her close to his side. He inhaled her sweet aroma and felt comforted by her presence. Underneath the twinkling stars of her ceiling, and enveloped by Maria's warmth, sleep came easily that night to Robin.