Will glanced around his brother's hut, showing more interest than he had earlier in the day. The room and its meager contents were as much a mystery as his older brother. A tapestry hung crookedly on the wall, looking wildly out of place against the roughness of the barren wall of forest wood. Will wondered if Robin missed his old life, so different from this life in the forest. One that he could go back to depending on what the future held. A Lord. Whereas I will be nothing more than just a peasant no matter the outcome tomorrow.

He wondered at his lack of resistance when Robin had suggested, albeit ordered, him to share his hut for the night. Will had rolled his eyes and muttered under his breath in protest when Robin had commented that no brother of his would be sleeping on the ground. Will had to admit he had not been looking forward to sleeping rough for the night, with his own hut destroyed by fire. His brother had been scrutinizing his every move since their time together at the river and Will did not wish to give the man any reason to doubt his role in the battle tomorrow.

If he were honest with himself, he could admit that deep down some part of him had…well…almost enjoyed Robin's company and attention today. Will refused to allow himself to dwell on the matter as he felt anxiety build up over his confusing emotions towards his older brother. His wounds ached now that Azeem's brew had worn off. Not enough for him to choke down more of the stuff, just enough to remind him of the trauma of the lashing the guards had meted out that morning. It had been as much humiliating as it had been painful.

He was spent and the desire to escape to be alone was strong. Will often preferred his own company, especially today when he struggled to process all that had occurred. Will knew from past experiences he was likely to have a sleep plagued by nightmares. His stomach clenched at the thought, his mind made up. Let him think me a coward…I don't care…I need to get out here.

Will was halfway across the room when he ran headfirst into the solid wall of his brother's chest. Robin's arm quickly reached out to gently right him on his feet as Will guiltily avoided the other man's gaze. He cursed out loud in frustration before he could stop himself.

Robin stared at his brother calmly, eyebrow raised in question. Will opened his mouth to speak but could think of no plausible explanation that Robin would believe for his hasty escape.

When Will failed to respond Robin turned back towards the wooden door, closing it on the night air and Will's freedom.

The sudden feeling of suffocation did little to help Will's unease. His temper flared.

"Am I suddenly a prisoner now Locksley?"

If Will was spoiling for an argument his brother obviously had no intention of indulging him. Robin stared at him for a moment before shrugging off his skiff of arrows and placing them and his sword against the wall. Ignoring Will he walked over to the ale pot on the low table, and snatching it up, sank down onto the edge of the bed with a dramatic sigh. He tilted the jug back to take a long drink before finally turning his attention back to Will. He held up the jug towards the angry young man in invitation. His voice was calm and Will wondered at the man's patience.

"You are not a prisoner Will. I just wish you to have a peaceful rest before tomorrow. Your wounds must be aching by now…. believe me when I say that I do not wish any harm to come to you. I am-" Robin hesitated and took another sip before he spoke haltingly, his gaze fixed on the floor. "I always wanted a brother.…..please come have a drink with me."

Will's felt his temper fade at the sincerity in Robin's eyes. He noted his brother looked as worn as Will felt. His clothes were torn and still covered in blood and soot from the battle of the day before. He looked nothing like the spoiled Lord of the Manor. Will's words came out in a burst of weariness and frustration.

"Which part of having a brother so far are you happy about? The retching, the weeping, or the plotting to kill you?"

Robin's eyes lit with amusement. "All of it….but mostly the right to box your ears the next time you have a temper fit at me."

Will was not quite sure how to respond and a part of him wished he hadn't accepted his brother's invitation. The word's burst forth out as if of their own volition.

"I have nightmares. I am likely to awaken you."

Robin's eyes softened at Will's whispered admission and he again held out the bottle towards the younger man.

"As do I little brother….war and imprisonment has left me with many scars…many of which are not for the eye to see…. trust me this will help you to sleep.

Will met his brother's eyes reluctantly. He suspected the man already knew...the man missed little.

"I don't drink ale."

Robin nodded and took another sip. "I suspected as much…you always seem to drink when you are with the other men…yet I have never seen you drunk. Does Allah forbid it?"

Will snorted as he bit back a smile. "No…Will does….he hates the smell of it….it…holds bad memories."

Will almost regretted the words as he said them. He had no wish to delve into his past with his brother again today. The other man glanced at him as though expecting him to continue but Will was grateful when the man instead let the matter drop.

Robin abruptly reached in a pocket by his belt, taking out a familiar pouch. He tossed it down on the bed in the younger man's direction.

"You need medicine Will. I will not have you in pain for tomorrow…. Azeem sent this for you to take."

Will's eyes widened in horror as Robin poured the contents of the pouch into a cup, adding water from a nearby pitcher. He swirled it around with a blade before holding the cup out towards Will.

"Drink it slowly and it is really not that bad. It did help earlier did it not?"

Will wondered wildly if he could stomach the ale instead. Giving in, he reluctantly dropped down beside his brother. Shooting Robin a glare Will snatched the cup out of his brother's hand. Will scrunched his face up and wriggled his nose in disgust before reluctantly taking a small sip. The coughing fit that ensued ended in a colorful string of curses that drew a laugh from ran a hand over his eyes tiredly before taking a few more small sips.

He attempted to hand the cup back to his brother who pointedly ignored it. Robin's eyes were uncompromising.

Will resigned himself to his fate and gamely took another couple of cautious sips. He only coughed once this time as he choked it down. His whole being felt like it was on fire. Why did I even tell him. This brother nonsense is going to drive me insane. The man thinks he can suddenly watch over me at every turn.

As if reading his thoughts Robin's glance turned sympathetic as he watched Will down the concoction. He reached over suddenly and took the cup out of Will's hands, making a face himself before downing the last gulp and placing the empty cup on the table with the ale. Will was irked that his brother showed no obvious effects from the brew.

Robin chuckled at his brother's ire.

"Practice little brother….Azeem has forced this on me more times than I can count." Robin stood up and gestured at the bed. You will sleep here…you have injuries and I can sleep on the floor."

Will made as if to protest but the older Locksley was already arranging blankets on the floor. Will was too weary to fight his brother on anything else. He had too few nights of comfort in his young life to argue a comfortable bed. Robin glanced over at him as he fussed with the blankets.

"Where did you learn to cook Will? I have not had a meal like that in many years. It is equal to anything I would have had at the castle with Fath-"

Robin stopped himself and Will saw a brief flash of pain cross the man's face as he realized his words. The room felt fraught with sudden tension and awkwardness at the reminder of the unspoken history between them. Now was not the time and they were both keenly aware of it. They were literally strangers thrown together by circumstances.

Robin looked relieved when Will finally broke the silence. The younger man's voice was soft as he kept his gaze squarely focused on the floor. He spoke more to break the unbearable tension than out of a desire to open up to the man.

"I used to help out in the kitchen at a baron's manor when I was small. The woman that watched me was a cook and I would spend the day with her while my mother was working. She was a seamstress for the baron."

Robin nodded as he took in this information. He smiled ruefully and his voice was light.

"It is a skill to be sure….I am afraid my only experience in a kitchen is getting chased out of it by the cook when me and my friend Peter were young. She did not take kindly to us stealing sweets that were hot out of the ovens."

Will huffed a laugh. "Yes…I know. The baron's sons were the same…"

"Spoiled rich boys?"

"Very much so milord. Perhaps friends of yours."

Robin chuckled and glanced over at him. He finished arranging the blankets and standing up walked back over to the bed. He stared down at Will for a moment, hands on his hips.

"I would never have suspected you of having such a quick wit Will Scarlett. It is really something to behold.

Will almost jumped when for the second time in the day Robin knelt before him, reaching for his boots to tug them off.

"What are you-….I am not a child Locksley."

"You are wincing with every move you make Will….I am not a fool…please stop arguing for once."

Will kept quiet, refusing to give his brother the satisfaction of knowing he was right. He felt a wave of fatigue wash over him. Robin finished his task but remained crouched on the floor. His voice was suddenly serious.

"Did they hurt you Will?"

Will suddenly felt the room closing in and he wondered wildly how Robin could be so calm about the matter. He barely managed to choke out a response.

"Who?"

"The baron's children. Children in that stature tend to be…unkind."

Will ran a hand threw his hair and let out a breath he didn't know he had been holding. Of course, his brother wasn't going to speak of that day. Will felt a dart of resentment run through his very being. He schooled his face carefully before responding. He spoke haltingly as he calmed his runaway emotions.

"No….not really. Just once….I was protected for the most part. They thought I had an older broth-"

Will felt his face go hot and the room spun momentarily. Now why did I go and tell him that!

Robin's voice came out in a playful whisper. "Go on…you told them you had an older brother? That is very clever Will-"

Will scowled fiercely at the man.

"Drop it Locksley."

"So what did you tell them about me? Of my courageous acts? Of my skills with the ladies?" The man was insufferable.

Will felt like he was swimming under water as he stood up abruptly and made to leave. Robin was quickly on his feet as well. He did not appear alarmed as Will stumbled as he tried to take a step forward. He instead calmly took Will's arm and sat him back on the bed. Will jolted awake as he felt the bed sag as Robin sat down beside him, turning to face him. Will squinted up at his brother and his voice when he spoke was small and sounded like it came from far away.

"What…what did you do to me….you and the Moor conspired to poison me."

"You wound me brother…not poison although I did request of Azeem that he give you enough to make you sleep. There is nothing to be afraid of."

Will's head felt like it weighed a thousand pounds. He felt his body go limp and Robin caught him easily as he started to tumble forward towards the floor. He felt the other man put his arm around him and almost of its own accord Will's head gravitated towards his brother's chest as he leaned his forehead against him. Will gave in to the moment of affection and he barely recognized his own voice as he spoke.

"You will pay for this Locksley."

Will felt Robin's body vibrate as he attempted unsuccessfully to cover a laugh. He wished he had the strength to push his brother away as Robin's arm tightened around him and he whispered his response in Will's ear.

"I have no doubt of it. If you wait long enough for us to defeat the sheriff first. I must say you are much more tolerant of affection when you are in this state."

Will weakly struggled to break his brother's grip as Robin arms only tightened about him. He gave in with little fanfare, slumping completely against Robin's chest. Will allowed his eyes to close as he struggled to speak.

"Please leave the candle."

"Afraid of the dark little brother?"

Will shuddered slightly. His voice when it faded out was barely a choked whisper.

"What...what do you expect? They kept me in a cave Robin. You never came...at...at least I am not afraid of..snakes."