Denial, Chapter 54: A Question of Trust
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Title: Denial, Chapter 54: A Question of Trust
Author: wastingyourgum
Characters/Pairings: Will/Djaq, Little John/Legrand, Robin
Mentions: Marian, King Richard
Rating: PG
Genre: Angst, Het, Hint of Slash
Words: 1041
Disclaimer: BBC & TA own; we just want to play in their universe
Notes: Takes place between 2x12 and 2x13. Beta'ed by robinfanatic and darkentwisted
Summary: Another series of vignettes on the boat before the gang arrives in the Holy Land. Companion piece to Chapter 49: A Question of Doubt.
A Question of Trust
by wastingyourgum
"Do you trust me?"
The small cabin is cramped and it smells of spice and passion. The evening sun sends a honey coloured shaft of light through the small porthole above them.
They relax together, naked, skin shining from the heat of the air and their love-making. They are grateful to their friends for giving them their privacy while they share crew quarters below.
"What kind of question is that? Of course I trust you. I love you." He softly kisses her hair.
She sighs and nestles further into his shoulder. She knows that once she tells him of the new life growing within her, that will become the primary, if not only, factor in all his decisions - whatever they may be. Despite her fears she cannot believe that he would choose to leave once he knows of his child - but would he stay for her alone?
"I am worried--"
"We're all worried," he reassures her, holding her tightly.
"No. I am worried that having returned to my home I will not wish to leave it again. I will be torn between the land I love and the man I love."
He says nothing. She can tell that the thought that to her this is home and not a foreign land has not truly hit him until now.
"Could you trust me to protect you in my land as you have protected me in yours?" she asks.
"Stay in the Holy Land? With you?"
She nods and as their eyes meet, she sees the answer already before his perfect lips form it. "I trust you with my heart and my life. I could no longer call England home without you in it. Whatever you choose - I will trust you."
>>>------------------------->
"Do you trust me?"
The forward cargo hold is dark save for the solitary oil lamp. It smells of pitch and oak and damp. The sun is setting above them but no natural light ever reaches this part of the ship.
The dark-haired man stands by the stair, looking into the dimly lit space, the light hanging from the ceiling behind him gently swinging with the motion of the ship. His breathing is fast, not used to the confined spaces below decks but still unnerved by the endless, open sky above.
"I'm here, aren't I?" It's a defensive growl. He's unwilling to admit anything out loud, always one to prove himself through actions not words. He takes an involuntary step backwards and crosses his arms as the other figure rises out of the shadows to stand just that bit too close in front of him.
"Do you trust me?" The voice is quiet but insistent, demanding an answer.
He can say no and leave, breathe the salt air and try to calm the churning in his stomach, pretend it is sea-sickness and not fear. Instead he draws in a deep, shivering breath, drops his arms to his sides and closes his eyes.
"Yes."
It's the slightest whisper but says so much.
He flinches at the sudden touch of a hand on his hip. Fingers comb gently through his hair then rest on his shoulder as a warm body presses against him in the lightest of embraces. There is a brief moment of panic as he feels soft lips brush against his forehead. He almost bolts for the exit but he knows he has no other way to prove himself except by giving himself. It is all he has.
"Open your eyes."
A large, calloused hand strokes the side of his beard as his deep brown eyes meet the grey-blue of his friend. He knows his fear must be evident from the other man's reaction but still he doesn't say anything.
"If you trust me, why are you afraid?" The voice is soothing now, not demanding.
He licks his lips nervously, heart pounding, breathing still too fast and his eyes widen in surprise as he realises the answer.
"I'm not." His breathing calms and pulse slows. "Not any more."
There is a deep, throaty chuckle that sets his heart racing again but for a different reason.
"Thank you. That was all I needed to hear. I should let you go now." His captor steps aside and gestures to the stairs leading up to fresh air and freedom.
"Maybe..." he pauses, knowing this will change everything. "Maybe I don't mind staying...for a bit."
Their eyes meet again and they both smile.
As the voice moves closer again it contains both the promise of heaven and the wickedness of the Devil himself. "You trust me?"
"Yes. I trust you."
>>>------------------------->
"Do you trust me?"
The deck is the coolest place to be and they stand in the twilight, watching foreign shores slip silently by under cover of darkness, enjoying the sea air. It carries unfamiliar scents of lands much hotter than their home. The last light of day is vanishing far behind the boat's stern.
"You know we do."
"I will take you to a friend of my Uncle's. His name is Bassam. He is a good man. He will help us find the English camp if your King is not in Acre."
"Thank you." He looks at them all gathered around him and his emerald eyes blaze with fierce conviction. "It's good to know you're with me - for him."
She shakes her head but it is the gruff voice of the eldest which surprises him. "No. We're here for Marian - and for you."
The lithe young man standing with his arms around the woman nods in agreement. "For Marian."
"I do not know your woman - I am here for the King." The tall, broad-shouldered blond admits his primary allegiance easily. "But I am also here for my comrades, both old and new." His gaze rests on each of them in turn, quickly glancing away as he meets the oldest eyes.
"Thank you, all of you. Get some rest; we're only a few days away now."
They say nothing but each lays a reassuring hand on his arm or shoulder as they depart. He looks out into the darkness of the horizon ahead then closes his eyes, picturing her face.
"I'm coming, my love. Trust me, I'm coming."
>>>------------------------->
On to Chapter 55...
Title: Denial, Chapter 54: A Question of Trust
Author: wastingyourgum
Characters/Pairings: Will/Djaq, Little John/Legrand, Robin
Mentions: Marian, King Richard
Rating: PG
Genre: Angst, Het, Hint of Slash
Words: 1041
Disclaimer: BBC & TA own; we just want to play in their universe
Notes: Takes place between 2x12 and 2x13. Beta'ed by robinfanatic and darkentwisted
Summary: Another series of vignettes on the boat before the gang arrives in the Holy Land. Companion piece to Chapter 49: A Question of Doubt.
A Question of Trust
by wastingyourgum
"Do you trust me?"
The small cabin is cramped and it smells of spice and passion. The evening sun sends a honey coloured shaft of light through the small porthole above them.
They relax together, naked, skin shining from the heat of the air and their love-making. They are grateful to their friends for giving them their privacy while they share crew quarters below.
"What kind of question is that? Of course I trust you. I love you." He softly kisses her hair.
She sighs and nestles further into his shoulder. She knows that once she tells him of the new life growing within her, that will become the primary, if not only, factor in all his decisions - whatever they may be. Despite her fears she cannot believe that he would choose to leave once he knows of his child - but would he stay for her alone?
"I am worried--"
"We're all worried," he reassures her, holding her tightly.
"No. I am worried that having returned to my home I will not wish to leave it again. I will be torn between the land I love and the man I love."
He says nothing. She can tell that the thought that to her this is home and not a foreign land has not truly hit him until now.
"Could you trust me to protect you in my land as you have protected me in yours?" she asks.
"Stay in the Holy Land? With you?"
She nods and as their eyes meet, she sees the answer already before his perfect lips form it. "I trust you with my heart and my life. I could no longer call England home without you in it. Whatever you choose - I will trust you."
>>>------------------------->
"Do you trust me?"
The forward cargo hold is dark save for the solitary oil lamp. It smells of pitch and oak and damp. The sun is setting above them but no natural light ever reaches this part of the ship.
The dark-haired man stands by the stair, looking into the dimly lit space, the light hanging from the ceiling behind him gently swinging with the motion of the ship. His breathing is fast, not used to the confined spaces below decks but still unnerved by the endless, open sky above.
"I'm here, aren't I?" It's a defensive growl. He's unwilling to admit anything out loud, always one to prove himself through actions not words. He takes an involuntary step backwards and crosses his arms as the other figure rises out of the shadows to stand just that bit too close in front of him.
"Do you trust me?" The voice is quiet but insistent, demanding an answer.
He can say no and leave, breathe the salt air and try to calm the churning in his stomach, pretend it is sea-sickness and not fear. Instead he draws in a deep, shivering breath, drops his arms to his sides and closes his eyes.
"Yes."
It's the slightest whisper but says so much.
He flinches at the sudden touch of a hand on his hip. Fingers comb gently through his hair then rest on his shoulder as a warm body presses against him in the lightest of embraces. There is a brief moment of panic as he feels soft lips brush against his forehead. He almost bolts for the exit but he knows he has no other way to prove himself except by giving himself. It is all he has.
"Open your eyes."
A large, calloused hand strokes the side of his beard as his deep brown eyes meet the grey-blue of his friend. He knows his fear must be evident from the other man's reaction but still he doesn't say anything.
"If you trust me, why are you afraid?" The voice is soothing now, not demanding.
He licks his lips nervously, heart pounding, breathing still too fast and his eyes widen in surprise as he realises the answer.
"I'm not." His breathing calms and pulse slows. "Not any more."
There is a deep, throaty chuckle that sets his heart racing again but for a different reason.
"Thank you. That was all I needed to hear. I should let you go now." His captor steps aside and gestures to the stairs leading up to fresh air and freedom.
"Maybe..." he pauses, knowing this will change everything. "Maybe I don't mind staying...for a bit."
Their eyes meet again and they both smile.
As the voice moves closer again it contains both the promise of heaven and the wickedness of the Devil himself. "You trust me?"
"Yes. I trust you."
>>>------------------------->
"Do you trust me?"
The deck is the coolest place to be and they stand in the twilight, watching foreign shores slip silently by under cover of darkness, enjoying the sea air. It carries unfamiliar scents of lands much hotter than their home. The last light of day is vanishing far behind the boat's stern.
"You know we do."
"I will take you to a friend of my Uncle's. His name is Bassam. He is a good man. He will help us find the English camp if your King is not in Acre."
"Thank you." He looks at them all gathered around him and his emerald eyes blaze with fierce conviction. "It's good to know you're with me - for him."
She shakes her head but it is the gruff voice of the eldest which surprises him. "No. We're here for Marian - and for you."
The lithe young man standing with his arms around the woman nods in agreement. "For Marian."
"I do not know your woman - I am here for the King." The tall, broad-shouldered blond admits his primary allegiance easily. "But I am also here for my comrades, both old and new." His gaze rests on each of them in turn, quickly glancing away as he meets the oldest eyes.
"Thank you, all of you. Get some rest; we're only a few days away now."
They say nothing but each lays a reassuring hand on his arm or shoulder as they depart. He looks out into the darkness of the horizon ahead then closes his eyes, picturing her face.
"I'm coming, my love. Trust me, I'm coming."
>>>------------------------->
On to Chapter 55...