AN: Well, obviously it took me FOREVER to update, but I've got my reasons for them. If there's still anyone who is actually reading this: you must be relieved to finally read a (super short) update.
I must also confess that I'm superrrrrrr stuck on this story, as it took me soooooo hella long to even figure out what I wanted with this chapter.
SO if anyone has an idea for my next chapter(s) PLEASE LET ME KNOW as it would be highly appreciated. I think you'd be happy as well, because perhaps if I have some ideas it won't take me 1938 months to write a chapter of 700 words *crying*.
As always, I'm sorry for the long wait and I hope you'll enjoy this chapter. Let me know what you thought about it in a review, or write a review to flame at me for the super super super long wait for this short, sad excuse of a chapter.
If you have an idea for my next chapter, or chapters, you can also let me know about that in either a review or a PM.
Thank you all for bearing with me.
Chapter 12
Halt was deep in thought, sitting at the kitchen table while his coffee was getting cold, he wondered what he could possibly do to help Will. Obviously, making him stop harming himself was step 1. He wasn't so sure what step 2 would be, but that's alright since he'd take it one step at a time.
He softly opened Will's door to see he was asleep, which wasn't that weird since it's in the middle of the night. He stayed there a few minutes to look at Will. He looked so peaceful when he's asleep. He hasn't seen Will look so innocent or peaceful since before Skandia. He walked into his room and took Will's knives away, since he was pretty certain that those are the things he's using to cut himself with. He stood still, thinking about whether or not to also take his arrow's with him and he decided that yes, he would take them also. It would certainly be a setback on Will's training, but his health was more important than his training.
After he took all of Will's sharp things away, he took one last look at the sleeping boy and made sure to remember how he looked. This image of him proved to Halt that Will could be the boy he used to be, again.
The moment he woke up, Will felt as if something has changed. He took a look around his bedroom and immediately saw what exactly has changed: Halt has taken all of his gear away from him.
Confused he changed into normal clothing and walked into the kitchen. Halt was sitting there as well, sipping his coffee. Will sat down opposite of Halt and gave him a questionable look.
"Why'd you take my weapons from me, Halt?" Halt took another sip of his freshly brewed coffee before answering,
"I don't want you to harm yourself. It's not healthy, Will. You know that and so do I. So I've decided that you will no longer be allowed with sharp objects by yourself. Or at all, for that matter. We will do everything we can to get you back to your mental and physically healthy state you were in before Skandia happened."
Thunder was seen on Will's face and his answer had an angry undertone. But Halt remained his calm and cool self.
"Before Skandia happened? Before I was whipped, beaten, abused, underfed, undercooled and got raped, you mean?! How do you expect me to become my old self again when the only thing that made me feel slightly like myself was seeing the blood rise from my wounds, Halt?"
Halt took a deep breath, but before he could answer Will was talking again.
"I don't expect you to understand, but the least you can do is stop pretending like I have some sort of cold you can fix by keeping me inside."
With that, Will was done talking, but Halt wasn't.
"Will, I'm not pretending you have a cold or saying that what you've been through hasn't been horrifying. I care for you and I just want to help you feel better, don't you understand that?" Halt nearly pleaded Will.
The look on Will's face softened and he timidly looked up at Halt and nodded his head, feeling the nausea rise from the smell of coffee and food.
Halt stood up to get the food and another cup of coffee, and put his hand on Will and reassuringly smiled at him, knowing he'd get better soon.
Halt offered Will a cup of coffee as well, but not wanting to upset his stomach he decided against coffee, which got him a strange look from Halt.
Will played with his food for the next couple of minutes, not feeling that hungry at all. Gilan walked into the kitchen as well and immediately looked up to Halt, his gaze asking the silent question. Halt nodded ever so slight and Gilan felt relieve wash over him.
Halt was busy with step 1 for Will's recovery.
