If the carnival didn't summon quite so many memories for Regina, she could still appreciate the sweetness of standing in the circle of his arms, warm while the early fall breeze rippled banners and ruffled her hair. As ever, being with him recalled the innocence of her first love, but without the cloying naivete of adults playing at being children.

So it wasn't precisely a surprise when he asked if she'd join him here for a date. It wouldn't be a gleeful secret, sneaking away from family and friends to be alone together, but a proper date set at the carnival because the carnival was here, in the same way they might have gone together to Miners Day in Storybrooke. And while her inner Evil sneered at the insipidity of it all, Regina was delighted by the idea.

"Date night, hm?" She smiled up at him. "No kids, just us. I like it. Next time, I'll do the recon and choose the place."