Robin looked down at the younger man, his voice hesitant yet soft as he said, "Get some rest Will. You are welcome to use my hut. Come join us when you feel ready." Will kept his eyes on the floor, giving an almost imperceptible nod of his head to acknowledge the man's words. Robin turned to pick up his bow and skiff of arrows leaning against the wall of the hut as he made to leave. Will raised his eyes briefly as he followed his older brother's movements. He had never felt so exhausted in all his years and so the action took more effort than expected.
Robin turned back to Will and for a moment the two brothers locked eyes. Will's green eyes seemed unreadable as he quickly dropped his gaze back to the floor. Robin hesitated, as if wanting to say more to this new brother that he had just discovered. Instead he just stared momentarily down at him in silence before turning abruptly and walking out the door, leaving Will alone. The door shut behind him.
Finally alone, Will squeezed his eyes shut in pain, allowing his emotions to finally have free rein. His body shook with the tremors of both the pain of his wounds and the emotional moment in the clearing. He cursed his actions. He had laid his soul bare in front of Robin and the other outlaws. In all the years since his mother's death Will had allowed himself few moments of weakness. His very survival had depended on never being vulnerable to another person. He certainly had no intention of trusting himself to Robin of Locksley, despite their relation. They did not want me before. Years ago. They left me for dead and Mother payed the ultimate price for her time with Lord Locksley. The blood, the horror of that day. Locked in darkness. Never forget that. Robin must have known of my existence despite his surprise today. Don't ever trust him.
Will quickly shook his head to interrupt this morbid train of thought. It had been so long since he allowed his mind to go there. He would never think of that. That time so long ago. That is one secret I will take to the grave. Will absentmindedly reached down to finger the knife hidden in his boot. He felt the cold steel of the blade and the smoothness of the ivory handle. His mind flinched at the comfort the presence of that knife gave him.
He felt his body betray him, feeling his hands tremble. He stared down at the shirt in his lap that Robin had given him, fingering the fabric absently, feeling numb. Between the battle of the day before, being imprisoned, the lashing, and the long walk to Sherwood he felt physically spent. The tremors in his body became more pronounced as he could feel the pull of the stitches Azeem had applied to his wounds. He felt nauseous.
Will refused to replay the moments of Robin's reactions to his big reveal. Although the older man had embraced him initially, he had seemed distant just now. Will refused to let his mind dwell on this. I don't need anyone.
