Will had barely cleared the trees when someone suddenly grabbed him from behind. Before he had time to react he was spun around and almost pulled off the ground as he was yanked into a bone crushing bear hug by John.

"I'm sorry lad," John grinned contritely at him before tightening his hold enthusiastically.

Attempting to get his bearings was difficult as the man's embrace triggered a surge of pain that rippled through his entire body as the abuse of the day caught up to him. Will yelped in surprise and pain as he simultaneously attempted to escape the embrace while being careful to avoid offending the large man who had attacked him only hours earlier. Their friendship felt rather fragile at the moment and thus Will made a split-second decision to withstand the pain long enough to tolerate the man's embrace. He gritted his teeth and with great effort forced himself to stop struggling and go limp. He felt proud of his efforts as he even made a half-hearted attempt to return the hug. At any other time Will might have laughed at the man's exuberance, if he didn't feel as if he were about to collapse.

One thing you could say about John Little was the man always let you know where you stood with him. Will respected the man greatly for this and his affection for the man he had known since a child won out. The sooner I stop struggling the sooner this oaf will get off me. It's not like I haven't survived his hugs before.

"John…his wounds," Robin admonished the larger man as he was startled out of his task by the fire at Will's yelp of pain. As he took in the situation he made a motion to stand up as if to intervene, but stopped when John abruptly set Will back on his feet and finally released him.

"You sure do know how to keep your secrets lad….from now on that older brother of yours can make sure you behave yourself. I have no doubts that he is sure to keep you in line," he said, nodding pointedly in Robin's direction.

He turned towards Robin, "You know this one here was so stubborn as a wee lad he refused to speak to anyone for over a year."

Robin glanced over at his younger brother, who now glared at John. Robin was clearly amused by John's intimate and embarrassing knowledge of the younger man. "That so Will? I will definitely need to hear more about this later" he said to John.

Before Will even had a chance to respond John ruffled his hair affectionately and with a laugh walked past him towards Friar Tuck on the other side of the camp.

Will's scowl of annoyance quickly turned to a grimace as he closed his eyes and made a concentrated effort to push the pain down. He was hard pressed to determine if he would have preferred another beating then the man's show of affection. Will mentally cursed the man for treating him like a child in front of Robin.

He heard his brother walk up and stop, still some distance away. Will reluctantly turned around to fully face Robin, struggling to make eye contact as he remembered his earlier show of weakness in the hut. He was uncomfortable in Robin's company and resented the man for the feeling of fear that suddenly arose.

Robin's amused smile faded as he took in Will's countenance. Although Will looked more like himself compared to earlier in the day, in the moment before he schooled his features Will seemed almost lost and in obvious pain. He doubted the boy's sleep was all that restful as he had noted his brother in the throes of a nightmare on one of his trips to check on him. Robin took a half step towards Will, with a half-formed intention of offering some form of affection. The look on Will's face stopped him.

"Don't touch me Locksley."

Searching his mind desperately for a way to connect, for the right words, he was relieved from having to say anything as Bull and Azeem walked over to join them, breaking the awkward moment.

Bull appeared oblivious to the situation, smiling at seeing Will and Robin together. Azeem appeared far more in tune to the obvious tension between the two men, glancing in turn at each of them before settling his gaze on Robin. He gave him a pointed look and frowned at him before turning to Will and gently put a hand on his back.

"Your wounds….they are better? I have medicine that will help with the pain."

Will glanced up at Azeem, giving him a grateful smile. "I am fine thank you…I don't need medicine."

Robin felt a dart of resentment rise up. Before Azeem could respond Robin interrupted and pinned the younger man with a stern glance. He bridged the distance between himself and Will in two steps to stand directly in front of his younger brother. "That is a lie Will. You are in obvious pain and you need medicine. You can either take it or I will not permit you to fight tomorrow.

Will's head came up sharply at this and his eye's flashed with anger as they swerved to meet his brothers. Robin met his gaze evenly and Robin felt the full clash of wills between the two.

Softening his tone of voice slightly he added, "after you take it you can help Bull gather some weapons that we will need.

An angry retort on his lips, Will was about to protest when Azeem stepped between the two men. "Enough! Both of you. This is not how brothers act….there will be no more of this! We must all work together if we are to accomplish our goals."

At this last statement Azeem gave neither man an opportunity to respond as he gently took hold of Will's arm. "Come."

Shooting Robin a dark glare the younger man reluctantly allowed himself to be led away. Bull shot a worried glance at Robin before he too turned and left to follow Azeem.

Robin sighed loudly, running his hand through his hair in frustration, angry at himself for once again making missteps with his new brother.

He felt the progress he made earlier in the day slip away as he realized he should have handled the situation better. Will was obviously struggling and the last thing he needed from Robin was him to suddenly be heavy handed and order him around. Will Scarlett rarely took orders from Robin on a good day!

Robin rebuked himself and mentally forced himself back to the matter at hand. Azeem was right. He still did not have a solid plan of rescue and that needed to be his focus. Right now, all that matters is rescuing the other men and Marion from Nottingham's clutches. I will figure out my angry little brother later.