Chapter One:
Will and Gilan sat opposite each other on tree stumps, sitting in companionable silence, with mugs of steaming coffee in their hands, and the warmth of the fire keeping the cold air at bay.
They were at the Ranger Gathering, which was concluding within the next day or so.
Will, as required, had to take his Third Year exams, so he could proceed to the next level.
Halt had been with the other assessors and Crowley, discussing the day's examinees and the various results.
Throughout both their apprenticeships, Gilan and Will had both learnt that they could learn the results of their exams within the day or the night; it didn't matter to the Senior Rangers.
Will, outwardly, seemed calm. But Gilan knew the young man was wondering exactly if he had passed.
For all his skills and the fact that he could out mark most of the Corps, Will severely underestimated himself.
"Will." Gilan spoke softly, calling the apprentice's attention.
He looked up, suddenly alert.
"You'll be fine, don't worry about it." He told him, smiling.
Will shrugged and directed his gaze back to his slowly decreasing cup of coffee.
"I hope so," was all he said.
Both glanced up as they heard the sound of approaching footsteps.
They both knew from the familiar walk and drawn cowl of who it was. Halt never bothered to sneak up on them, that was Crowley's forte.
The older Ranger sat down beside Will, not saying a word.
His eyes drew meaningfully to the small pot that sat in the embers, and Gilan grinned slyly and poured his former mentor a cup of the delicious coffee.
"Thanks Gilan." He said, taking his time to let the smooth liquid glide down his throat.
Gilan could now see that Will was visibly agitated, eager to ask Halt if he knew his results, but at the same time, not wanting to seem so unconfident in himself.
After a long break of silence, in which Halt thoroughly enjoyed his drink, he cleared his throat and turned his gaze to his apprentice.
"Will."
The small apprentice practically leant forward in anticipation.
"You passed." Halt told him quietly.
Will, instead of cheering, stared wide-eyed at his mentor.
"Really?" He asked stupidly, causing Gilan to let out a small chuckle.
Halt's hand reached out to gently grasp Will's shoulder.
"Of course, I'm very proud of you." Halt replied in that still quiet tone, the corners of his mouth twitching into the slightest smile.
The apprentice beamed back, finally allowing his excitement to seep in.
Gilan watched them in silence, as they were caught up in a moment he was familiar with.
But this time it was different.
The tall Ranger could see the genuine warmth lighting Halt's face, the gleaming adoration Will gave him after being given such a high praise. Both were smiling, in their own ways.
It was then that Gilan realised that Halt and Will had developed something far greater than he had ever achieved.
To them, he was simply an intruder into their newfound family.
The Ranger wasn't shy to the usual emotions that everyone else experienced, he was just much better at reacting to them.
But now he felt the beginnings of jealously, an emotion he rarely felt due to his easy going nature.
Out of the few apprentices Halt had trained and graduated, Will was the one who finally took on the role of 'son.' It was something Gilan hadn't been able to do.
And for the first time, he realised that some parts of him wished he could be in his place.