Just a short oneshot for the RRA, my faithful reviewers, and for you, if you're reading it. reviews would be great. rated a mild M, to be safe.
Whistling wasn't a trick he had learned easily. Allan A Dale remembered how he had got teased constantly for finding it difficult.
"Allan can't whistle!" Ronald roared with laughter and turned to the other boys, his eyes gleaming with delight. "Oi- everyone! Dale 'ere can't whistle a tune to save 'is life, like!"
"I can!" The little boy stamped his foot on the ground angrily. "Shut up, Ron! Shut your trap!"
"Allan can't whistle, Allan can't whistle-
"-SHUT UP!"
"Allan can't whistle…Allan can't whistle…"
Then a new place…a new time…
A little boy, looking about four years old, was cowering in the corner.
A man was standing over him, his face contorted with disgust and anger, a belt in his hands.
WHACK
"Dad- Dad I didn't mean 'o!" The boy howled with pain and tried to protect himself, covering his limp body with his hands. "I'm sorry! I'm sorry! No!"
WHACK
Allan A Dale woke up with a start. He shut his eyes and tried to block out the screams, blood pounding in his ears as he brought his legs closer to his body, hugging them tight.
Vulnerable. Like he always had been.
Silent tears- small tears, angry tears, fell down his moonlit cheeks. He threw his blanket away from him.
Big mistake.
Djaq turned around- it was her turn on watch. Allan immediately wiped his eyes and turned away as she took the blanket and walked over to his bunk.
"Allan?"
"It's nothin'." His voice was a hoarse whisper- nothing more. Djaq didn't buy it. She never buys whatever he tries to persuade her. She sat down beside him and, very slowly and gently, stroked his head. Allan looked up and her fingers, hesitantly, moved to his cheek. They stared into each other's eyes for what seemed like a lifetime as Djaq's fingers traced small patterns around his face- his cheeks, his forehead, his eyes, his lips. Allan kept staring, and felt her warm breath spread over his face and the blanket go around his cold shoulders.
"I'm not afraid." Allan croaked out.
"No." Djaq agreed. "But you're not alright either."