Chapter 12

Author's Note: So, I'm not going to rehash the misery that was the lovely review I received two weeks ago that sent me into a writing tizzy. I've decided that I don't give two craps about what that reviewer said and that I'm not going to let it affect me. I do still care about what the readers think though, so keep letting me know. (If you disagree with me morally, or wish to insult me, don't bother arguing or posting rude comments. However if you wish to have an intelligent discussion about something, don't hesitate to message me.)

I would like to say thanks to everyone that reviewed and gave me support. Also, I'm going to try and incorporate more of what you'd like to see in the story. Also, I know the plot line between Allan and Robin is probably going to get much darker in the coming chapters, but I'm going to try and combat that with more fluffy goodness with the other characters. Basically I don't want this to become an angst fest.

Also, the reviews and support meant more than I can tell you. I'd like to say that the reason I haven't posted lately has to do with me being on some exciting adventure. This is not the case. Sadly enough I have been swamped with college work. 17 credit hours in your first semester are tough. I've had multiple exams, papers, and tons of homework. I also have midterms coming up. I went home two weekends ago and last weekend my parents visited for family weekend so right now is the first moment I've sat down to work on this story in over two weeks. Sorry about that. I'll try to do better. Love to all! Please continue with feedback! It makes my heart smile!

(Insert usual disclaimer here. On with the story!)

The Camp

"What do you mean he's gone into the forest?" Little John bellowed. "Yeah, he was supposed to be coming back with dinner!" Much continued. Robin walked blindly towards the fire and sat down on a log.

Marian looked around at the rest of the gang. They all appeared angry at Allan; they were terribly hungry after all. But it seemed Marian was the only one who truly picked up on Robin's discomfort. She walked over and intended to sit down next to him when he suddenly jumped up and headed back into the forest from the way he had entered camp.

"You bring him back with food!" Much yelled, but no one really took his threat seriously.

As Robin stormed off, Marian looked confusedly in his direction. "You're worrying about him again aren't you?" A husky voice inquired.

"Yes Guy, I am." Marian replied. "Why do you care? Does it concern you?"

"It does concern me; if he concerns you then it concerns me because I am concerned about you."

"That's a lot of concerning, and you only care because you want me to be your wife. Just like always. Nothing ever changes does it?"

"Hold on now. Who said anything about marrying you?" Guy replied. "You have. For the last 3 years now."

"Yes, but the last time was over a year ago. Why would the offer still stand?"

"Because despite that year, you are you and I am still me. Our dilemma hasn't changed, only the circumstances. Rather than standing in Knighton Hall, now we stand in Sherwood Forest. You still only want me to be your trophy wife. And I still only want the part of you that you keep hidden under lock and key."

"You could never be a trophy wife. You're much too opinionated for that."

"Wouldn't want to be a trophy wife. But that's what I would be for you isn't it. I wouldn't be a trophy with Robin. He would respect me."

"And yet after all of this dancing around each other for these 3 years you still aren't married. Even after all of your flirtation in Nottingham, frolicking about in these blasted woods, nursing him back to health and you still aren't married to him. Isn't that peculiar?" He snarled and started to walk away.

Marian grabbed his arm. She then released her grasp and smoothed the leather that she had disturbed. "Sorry," Guy responded. "That was unnecessary."

"No, maybe you're right. But just because things haven't panned out for Robin and me, it doesn't give you a free pass at me either."

"Wouldn't expect a free pass. What's the fun in winning without a little chase?" He said with a smirk and then sauntered off across the camp. A light smiled dotted his face as he went. Marian chuckled at him. "Good God you two, get a room already!" The sheriff groaned from his spot next to the fire. That comment only served to make Marian laugh harder as the sheriff looked terribly dejected as he was forced to let Djaq put more healing rub on his leg.

The Forest

Robin walked hurriedly out into the woods in the direction that Allan had appeared to run. His anger at the occurrence in the woods earlier was seething through his veins. (He wasn't gay. He didn't like Allan.)

The crunch of leaves under his boots signaled fall, but even the thought of a cozy fire and a warm meal couldn't calm his blood from the boiling state it was in. He continued to stomp along, allowing his anger to build.

He had already decided that he was going to knock the crap out of Allan. One good punch to the nose should set him back to his normal self and then the two could go on about their lives. They would never need to mention what happened in the woods ever again.

He peeked out around a tree blocking his path and he saw the back of Allan's head. He was fully determined to throttle him. But then Allan must have heard his footsteps. The distraught face that Robin was faced with sent his heart all the way out of his chest and down into his shoes. Allan's face was tear-stained; his eyes were puffy and red. Dirt was caked about from where he had placed his hands on his face as he sobbed.

As Allan saw Robin, he started to try and run off. He made it a few feet before crashing to the ground. In his grief he had not seen a tree root and thus tumbled to the earth. Robin expected him to get up and try again. But he didn't. The man just lay there, covered in muck and debris from the ground.

Robin could not hear sobbing, but he could see the body heaving with exertion. His whole frame shook with violent, but soundless sobs. "Allan?" Robin inquired.

In the midst of sniffling and gasping for air, Allan let out a mumbled, "Just do it already."

"Just do what already?" Robin responded. Allan gasped a bit more and finally bit out an angry, "JUST DO IT ALREADY!"

"JUST DO WHAT ALREADY!" Robin responded with equal gusto. If it was possible, Allan looked like he broke down more. "Just kill me already. I can't take your scorn, your hatred. Just kill me already."

Contrary to his earlier decision, Robin responded with, "Allan I don't hate you."

"You told the others didn't you. Oh God. You told them. Now they hate me too. Oh God. I can never go back now. Oh God. Just. Oh God!" Allan continued to get more and more distressed with each word.

"Geez, chill out! I didn't tell the others. I swear on my life I didn't tell another soul!" Robin responded. "And I'm not going to. We can sort this out amongst ourselves."

There was a silence that fell in the forest for a few minutes. Allan continued sniffling while Robin continued looking forlorn.

Eventually there was a small whisper, "You do to." Robin gave Allan a confused look.

"You do to hate me. How could you not? I'm a dirty sodomite. And I made you one too."

"Allan, you're not dirty. We are not dirty. It was just one kiss. And besides I thought you didn't believe in God or sin, Mr. I'm Good With Nuns." Robin said with a smirk, attempting to lighten the mood. It failed. Allan gave Robin a stern glare as his sniffling had finally been subdued. "Allan, it's fine. No harm done. We'll move on from this moment. It never happened. We never have to talk about it again or feel bad about it again. We move on."

Allan didn't say anything back, so Robin assumed all was well. He started to walk back towards camp when he was stopped in his track by one small speech.

"No. I won't forget. Because it may have been dirty. It may have been sodomy in the church's eye. But for one moment, I let myself have what I wanted. One thing I've wanted. I've never done that before. Never had anything I wanted…And I'll be damned if I'm going to let you take that moment from me."

Robin's jaw dropped. He stared. Allan glared. A leaf fell. And there was silence.

To be continued…