A/N: Normally I opt to update on Mondays only, but you guys inspired me, so here's another update! ;) Thanks for being so awesome and lovely!
CH 7: Impulses
"Hold it steady," Will urged, "like this…" Demonstrating on his own fishing pole, he showed Abigail the proper technique with an expert fluidity only a fisherman could possess.
Abigail eyed him skeptically, but decided to humor him and mimicked his motions. "Oh!"
Hearing her cry, Will turned in alarm, but found her reeling back with brisk little jerks. The fish seemed ferociously stubborn, based on the amount of tension on her line.
In moments, Abigail had swung a large bluegill out in front of them, the fish flopping helplessly as it struggled against the hook. Abigail spared Will a simpering smile. "What was that you said earlier? About how I shouldn't feel bad if I can't catch anything?"
"Beginner's luck," Will huffed, though he was far from bitter. His heart raced upon seeing the bright, infectious warmth his favorite sport brought to her eyes. He selfishly wanted to see more. But the memory of how he'd felt earlier that morning made him falter, his cheeks flushing as he turned away from Abigail and her catch. He had rested well, and because of the very reasons his guest exasperated him: her short temper, her strong need for independence, and her complete unconcern for his feelings. Because of these things, Will had slept like a boy with a crush, tortured deeply with sensual, delicious sensations throughout. When he'd finally awoken he'd shivered, unsure of why he'd had such a dream about his own ward…a girl so insolent and cruel with words, yet capable of making his heart descend like an elevator long past its warranty. But Abigail was also a girl who had challenged Will, brought him out of himself, and had excited his nurturing impulses beyond the mundane and predictable.
Oh God, he was disgusting…he was truly warped.
"C'mon, Abigail," he softly urged. "Let me show you how to clean and prep your fish."
Once in the kitchen, Will was beginning to feel a little bit better. Setting the necessary utensils onto the counter, he waved Abigail over and explained, "This is a fillet knife. In order to skin the fish, we're going to cut down the middle of its back and loosen the skin around its fins." Pointing to some pliers, he added, "Afterwards, we'll take these and remove the skin from the head all the way to the tail. After that, we can take its head off."
Abigail scoffed. "Is this what you do with all your dates? Get them to chop off heads and sift through fish guts?"
Will stared at her, wide-eyed and shaken. Trying his best to ignore her remark, he placed a trembling hand on the small of her back and passed her the knife. "We'll do it together," he promised.
Abigail caught his reassuring tone and paused. Looking up at him, all prior warmth vanished as she recalled the spastic, volatile way she'd reacted the first time she saw him skin a fish. She blinked slowly, tasting bile in the back of her throat.
"C'mere," Will urged. Putting his hand over her wrist, he guided Abigail until the knife was poised behind the fish's head. Now applying pressure, he watched as the blade sank into the flesh and began cutting with slow, measured strokes.
"There, you see?" Will soothed. "Nothing to be afraid of."
Blood pooled onto the counter, but this time Abigail saw nothing but a gaping fish. She smiled in triumph. Slicing the blade toward the tail, she jimmied the handle and started loosening the skin from the muscle.
"You're a natural," Will said, smiling. Abigail beamed up at him, and for just a moment he lost his breath. She was so beautiful when she was happy – if unaware that anyone was watching, she had a soft, unjaded girlishness about her that tugged at his heart.
Unable to help it, Will relaxed his hold on Abigail's hand into something gentler – something far less firm and controlling. Rubbing his thumb over her knuckles in a soft, meditative caress, he sensed Abigail turning and raised his head. Despite the pain of eye contact, Will found himself easily (and willingly) returning her gaze, her wide, imploring eyes beckoning to him in a way that left him both shamed and wanting. She was his only hope…oh God, didn't she realize that? Didn't she know how much he needed her?
Encouraging Abigail to drop the knife, Will turned her toward him and slid his hand up into her hair. Her lips parted and he acted on the burning need inside of him, pressing his forehead to hers as he hovered his yearning mouth over her full, quivering lips.
"NO!"
Abigail's cry went off like a gunshot, startling Will as she staggered away from him. Palms outstretched defensively, she looked up at him with wide, panicked eyes brimming with tears.
Oh God, what had he done? What had he done?
"Abigail," he choked. "Abby, I just…"
But she tore away from him, her sobs hitting him painfully as her footfalls pounded toward her room. A door slammed not long after, leaving Will with only the sound of his heart and the dull, ever-present loneliness.
A/N: This was a quick one, but I couldn't resist posting again since everyone's been so lovely and awesome. I'm still not quite sure how I'll be ending this (if there's something you've always wanted to see in a Will/Abigail fanfic, let me know and maybe I can try and incorporate it), but for now my brain seems to be going smutsmutsmut. It's terrible... I don't know what it is about these two, but I've already written masturbation, shower sex, and cunnilingus (and I still have more plans - heaven help us all). I apologize and/or you're welcome in advance. And again, thank you for your lovely feedback! It's truly appreciated and a great inspiration! :)
Individual Thank Yous:
Abigill Fan: Haha, poor Will, indeed...only not, because Abigail wasn't exactly complaining. ;P But thank you, you're so sweet - I really appreciate that! :)
madscientistproduction.01: Oh hey, good to hear from you again! :D It's always nice to see the same people floating around in the fandom, because I know a lot of fans rage quit after 2x10. :/ But thank you, I appreciate that! :3 I have no idea how I'm going to end this, but I'll figure something out. xD
Epsilon 1.4: Thank you so very much! :)
