Disclaimer: I don't own Robin Hood BBC
"Hey Pipsqueak!"
Richard kept walking. Maybe If I ignore them they'll go away.. It was never that easy though was it?
A strong hand landed on Richards shoulder and spun him around. He stood there facing the two village boys. They always had to pick on him didn't they? He had always been the smallest, and the weakest. Of course he would try to stand up to them, but it would only result in a black eye and a bloody nose.
"Don't walk away from us when we're talking to you!" He heard the cold voice of the older boy say, as a fist collided with his face.
"Ahh!" Richard fell onto the ground, blood dripping from his nose.
The boys started kicking him, and throwing thing at him. His whole body started going numb from the pain. The world loved being cruel to him didn't it?
Richard tried to call out for help, but when he opened his mouth nothing would come out but a whimper, a groan, a whine. Nobody could hear him.
"HEY!" A voice called out.
Richard heard the sound of footsteps running towards him.
"Leave the kid alone!" The blond haired boy said, anger clearly evident in his voice.
The kicking stopped.
"This is none of your business!" One of the bullies said as he shoved the boy.
"Yes, it is." The boy punched the bully hard in the face knocking him over.
"You little.." The bully got up a swung at the boy's face, giving him a bloody nose.
It amazed Richard that the boy seemed unfazed by the blow to the face. Why was he standing up for him? He wasn't worth getting punched in the face for. Was he?
The mystery boy kneed one of them in the stomach, and punched the other in the side.
"Fine, save the kid. He's not worth the trouble." The two bullies ran off
The boy wiped the blood away from his nose. He kneeled down next to Richard. "You alrigh', mate?"
Richard nodded weakly "Why did you help me?"
"I wasn't very well gonna let 'em beat you up, now was I?"
Richard smiled. Nobody had every stood up for him before.
"What's your name?" The boy asked.
"R-Richard."
"I'm Mason." He smiled "Need some help gettin' home?"
Richard nodded.
Mason helped Richard up and the two staggered towards Locksley Manor. They laughed as they stumbled and fell a few times on their way.
Richard realized in that moment it was the first time he had really felt happy. Nobody had ever stood up for him. Nobody had every offered to help him.
Richard smiled at Mason, the closest thing to a friend he's ever had.
"Mason?"
"Yeah, Richard?"
"Friends?"
"Brothers."
A/N: In 'Outlaws' Mason says their brothers, and I wanted It to be a reference to when they first meet.