A/N: Another long overdue chapter, but hopefully the next one will be coming soon. I have plenty of ideas and I can't wait to see what you think of them! As always, please review if you're enjoying the story and thank you so much for your support!
"I've never told anyone that before."
Laurel lazily fingered the hem of Will's shirt as she lay beneath his arm. The fabric of his shirt, dampened by her tears, felt cold and scratchy against her cheek, though his solid chest and the strong thump of his heart were comfortable against her ear. She had long since run out of tears, having silently cried them all in the security of Will's arms. He'd said nothing while he held her, only stroked her hair, his chin atop her head.
It was true, what she'd said. She'd not told anyone about Hayden before. Part of her had felt ashamed, had made her want to hide the truth. The other part of her had only been waiting for the right person to tell. Someone who would listen, and care. Someone she could trust. Someone who would understand.
Will, it turned out, was exactly that person.
"I 'ad a sister." He told her, when he felt she was ready to listen.
Laurel's fingers paused, the hem of Will's shirt still between them.
"Younger, by four years." Will continued, one hand rubbing a slow circle against Laurel's back, his other arm moving behind his head. "She died too, when we were young. It was an accident, a thin patch of ice on the lake by our cottage... All it takes is one second and ya whole life changes forever."
Laurel curled her knees up to her stomach, against Will's side. His hand slid lower down her back. Her heart ached, for his loss and for her own. It also ached with longing, for her brother. And for Will.
"I'm sorry," She said weakly.
"I'm sorry, for you." He replied.
Laurel adjusted her cheek on his chest, trying to move it to a dry spot. She almost laughed when it proved difficult.
"I'm sorry I soaked your shirt," She told him, lifting her head to look at him.
"No worries," Will smiled down at her. "It's my fault, anyway. I didn't mean to make ya cry, I only wanted to know more 'bout ya."
"You didn't," Laurel assured him, laying her head back down. "It's just... I've kept my story to myself for so long. I thought maybe if I pretended it didn't happen long enough, it wouldn't be real, you know?"
Will murmured an "mmm" in assent, and Laurel felt the vibration the sound made in his chest.
"Telling it just made it real," She explained. "All the feelings I've been trying to run away from just overwhelmed me."
Laurel smoothed Will's shirt across his abdomen, and he crossed his ankles casually.
"You must think I'm such a crybaby." She added, after a moment. "This makes two nights in a row that I've spent blubbering to you."
Distractedly, Will tugged gently on one of Laurel's curls, stretching it down her back. His touch sent a shiver up her spine.
"I don't think you're a crybaby." He disagreed. "I think you've been tryin' to be strong for too long. 'Ave ya been on your own since you lost your brother? 'Ave you been runnin' this whole time?"
"Yes." Laurel answered.
"Bloody 'ell." Will sighed. He let go of the curl he'd been tugging and it bounced back into shape.
"I didn't have anyone else," Laurel elaborated. "I knew my parents would blame me. They'd never forgive me."
Will looked down at her then, and she lifted her head again to look back up at him.
"It was an accident, you know?" He said, his expression serious. "Your brother, that is... Just like me sister. It weren't your fault."
Laurel frowned.
"Wasn't it?"
"I know 'ow you feel," Will told her. "I blamed meself for me sister for the longest time. If only I'd been more careful, if only I knew 'ow to swim... But ya can't do that. These thin's, they just 'appen."
Laurel had tried to tell herself the same thing, so many times. But for some reason when Will said it, she believed it.
He continued to look her in the eye, nothing but sincerity coloring his handsome features. It took everything Laurel had to resist the urge to stretch up and press her lips to his.
What she couldn't resist, however, was the feeling that was growing within her, slowly consuming her. From the top of her head to the tips of her toes, she could feel it. She knew it. Had known it, for a while now, but in this moment she could finally put a name to it: Love.
She was falling in love with Will Scarlet.
Laurel looked away from him, hoping he didn't notice the light in her eyes this realization sparked. She settled back onto his chest and felt him lean his head back against his arm.
"If you say so." She breathed.
"Trust me," Will resumed stroking her hair, "Runnin' away and blamin' yourself... That's no way to live."
"I do trust you," Laurel almost whispered.
Will didn't respond immediately, but his arm tightened around her shoulders. Laurel couldn't be sure, but she thought his heart was beating louder.
"It's gettin' late," He said. "I've kept ya up too long. You've got a big day tomorrow, ya need your rest."
Laurel knew he was right, but if she could have her way she'd stay up all night with him. If she could have her way, she would never leave this bed - or Will's arms.
"I know," She said, sinking deeper into the mattress and Will's embrace. "It's okay. As you said, it's our last night."
"Right..." Will's agreement was reluctant. "Still, I'll not 'ave you be late on your first day because of me."
Laurel pictured Granny's reaction and almost smiled at the thought.
"No, we wouldn't want that."
"Off to sleep with ya then." Will placed a kiss atop her head. "And only good dreams now, ya 'ear?"
Just the mention of the word sleep, and Laurel's eyelids grew heavy.
"Yes, sir," She couldn't help but yawn. She nuzzled her face against Will's chest, closing her eyes and feeling both completely relaxed and completely alive. "Goodnight, Will." She murmured. He didn't know what this night meant to her, or how she felt about him, but that wouldn't stop her from savoring both the night and her feelings.
"Goodnight, Goldilocks." Will said softly, and Laurel drifted to sleep, lulled by the rhythm of his quickly beating heart.