11. Simple
May 17, 2012
S1E06 - The Taxman Cometh

Disclaimer: All characters and settings are still the property of Tiger Aspect and BBC. This fiction is written for entertainment purposes, and no copyright infringement is intended.

Even if it turned out that they deserved it, some of Robin's... coercive tactics against fake taxman and co. struck me as kind of cruel. It's a hard, complicated world in live in, of course. I just think Much might have a more black and white set of morals.

Many thanks and credit for Much-ness go to LadyKate, because honestly, I'm very badly at characters who like to talk.

Much watches as Robin walks ahead. There is a grin on Robin's lips as he pats his hands together, having distributed the last of the tax money. Much slides his pack further over his shoulder as he looks at Robin's back. There is a bare patch, where the belt that holds Robin's quiver rubs. It will need mending soon.

Robin looks round at him. "Come on then. Keep up." He waits until Much has jogged a few steps forward before he speaks again. "You're quiet."

"Oh." Much blinks, surprised. "Well, it's not like I—"

"Oi!" Robin interrupts. "Don't get defensive on me."

"Am not."

"Much!" Robin says. "My friend! Will you just tell me what's wrong?"

Much fumbles with a frayed edge of the cloth wrapped around his neck. "It's nothing, Master. I was just thinking about Cedric."

"The conman's son?"

"They weren't going to come back for him… were they? I mean, I mean, it didn't look like they were going to come back for him. Although I suppose they had a meeting point and if he missed it—but he didn't know that Djaq wouldn't have killed him when we didn't come back. I mean, I know we don't kill hostages, but they don't that, and, well, that's sort of the whole point of taking hostages in the first place, isn't it?"

Robin has stopped walking now, and he is frowning at Much. "They were professionals. They knew their risks."

Much shrugs. He pulls his hat from his head and then tugs it back over his hair. "I know, Master. It's just that… well, it's a bit like he was expendable. They just went off and left him behind."

"Hey," Robin grips his shoulder tight. "You are not expendable. I would never leave you behind."

"I know that!" Much shakes his head. "It's only that..." He purses his mouth, and he adjusts his pouch again. "I suppose I felt a bit sorry for him, that's all."

"Oh," Robin says. "Yes, I know." He smiles. "That is why I love you."

Much lets his hands fall to his sides as he smiles back.