What is it that you desire most?
Your mother smiling. A book held tightly in your small hand as you read every word, completely enraptured. Your mother telling you how to properly read all the words, ever patient when you make mistakes. The tears on your face already dry. You laughing in complete ease. Acceptance. Peace.
Love.
You walk on the tattered side road leading out of your village in silence, trudging forward slowly as the small bag on your back bounces against you. The wind whistles in your ears, but you can barely hear it. You feel like your head is heavy with thoughts, burdened by so many worries and fears you couldn't begin to count them all, while at the same time it feels empty, like you couldn't find a single thought if you wanted to.
You want to look back, but you know it would only cause you more pain.
You can only continue on, and hope you find a brighter future than the past you're leaving behind.
You step into the forest, the sound of leaves rustling as you continue walking along the dirt path. You're about to round the corner when you hear something strange. You pause, looking around, and stay still until you hear the angry grunt of pain once more. Cautiously, you step forward, walking down a smaller path which branches off the one you were on.
Your eyes fall on him almost immediately.
A man, long, black hair framing his dirty, sweat-stained face, which still doesn't hide his undeniable beauty. He's tall, even for a man, with long limbs, and his bare arms show obvious muscle, although he seems to have a thin frame. On his side, you can see his shirt is ripped—as well as the skin underneath. Blood pours out furiously, staining the ground a muddy red. His eyes, squeezed shut at first, open and glance down at the wound.
His eyes are blue, and for a moment you feel like you're staring into a deep, tropical sea. You let out a breath you didn't even realise you were holding.
Then his eyes narrow, the rage and pain in them obvious as they fix on the blood escaping him, and you're quickly brought back to reality.
Not even giving it a second thought, you rush forward, getting to your knees beside him.
"Are you—" You stop yourself from automatically asking if he was okay, as it so very obvious he wasn't, and change your question. "Please, may I help you!?"
Blue eyes widen in shock as they stare up at you, pale lips opening slightly, moving as if to speak even as no sound comes out of them.
"Please let me help." You plead. You don't wait for an answer this time, and start rooting through your bag for something to press against his wound and stem the bleeding. A small piece of cloth, one of the few things you have left because it hadn't been worth enough to sell. You take it out and move it towards his wound, when a large hand grasps yours, long fingers gently but firmly holding you.
"That is unnecessary." He says smoothly, giving you a confused, but kind look. "Please, do not trouble yourself."
"But—"
"I will be fine."
You press your lips together tightly, looking down at his wound before your gaze moves back to his face. He tilts his head, watching you curiously. You open your mouth to protest, begging him to throw away whatever is stopping him from accepting your help, when a loud crash sounds from behind you.
You turn to see a large group of men stumble into the clearing from the forest and brush they just tore through.
"There he is!" The leader cries out. He's a huge man, covered in hair and dirt and blood. His right eye is closed, swollen shut from a large slash cut deep into his flesh. Red flows down his face and over the furious sneer he levels at you.
"Thought you could get away, eh?" The man growls, taking another step forward. The sword gripped in his hand is stained with blood as well, and you have a strong feeling that was the weapon that injured the man before you.
"You won't escape a second time." The leader states, this time the gang behind him following suit as he steps forward once more.
"Ahh…what a bother." The man beside you sighs dramatically, and you turn to him in surprise. He looks bored, maybe mildly annoyed, by the arrival of men who were obviously hear to finish killing him. It was like he didn't care…
Unless—he had already given up hope?!
The thought made your heart feel heavy, as you felt a strong empathy with him. Once again, you give no thought before you act, and stand up. You turn to face the men, spreading out your arms in a protective gesture as you glare at them, standing directly between the group and the man lying below you.
"This man is injured! You cannot hurt him." You say sternly. "To attack an unarmed and wounded man is—is dishonourable!"
There's a long silence as the men before you stare back at you in disbelief. You can even feel the eyes of the very man you're defending staring at your back.
Then, the men laugh, holding their stomachs as they double over in their mirth. You blink, your eyes narrowing in fury at their obvious disrespect, when you hear a voice behind you.
"That's a bit…naïve." The man says, and you can hear him chuckling. You turn your head over your shoulder, staring at him in bewilderment. He's smiling gently, although he gives you an apologetic look.
"I'm sorry, but…really?" He snorts, shaking his head.
You glare at him, more than a little annoyed and surprised he's making fun of the person protecting him, before you turn back to the men, who've finally calmed down.
That's when the air changes completely.
The men look at you with mocking, hungry eyes. Those not already wielding swords unsheathe theirs, snickering darkly.
The man behind you speaks up suddenly, his voice swiftly taking a serious tone.
"…This has been nice, but you should go now."