Title: Just A Glimpse

Author: Lili44

Genre: (AU) Romance/Fluffdom

Disclaimer: Sorry I do not own Robin Hood or any related characters.

Synopsis: Ever wondered how Will and Djaq fell for each other. This fluffy fic explores the feelings for the gangs youngest members and how true love can be found in the simplest of things. For Will and Djaq the past was dim, their present situation dangerous and doubtful but their future hopeful when they find each other, despite everything. Only one question remains; do they have the courage to make their feelings known to the other? Can they take that small step that appears to be a giant leap and find true happiness? Please check out the Banner for this Fic at my profile page.

Chapter 14 - As It Should Be

~o~O~o~

Wills POV

He walked slowly and carefully out to meet the gang as they all re-entered the camp late one afternoon with a chilly wind blowing through the forest and whistling through the trees. The sun had begun its slow decent and a light shadow had fallen across the faces of the outlaws.

Will could here their voices as they approached the camp. John was humming with a growly tone in his throat, Robin was talking jovially – Will new why, they'd just been to Nottingham town and Will was sure they'd seen Marian. Will could even discern Much's light panting. It was strange but these noises brought him comfort. Then he heard a sound that made his heart stop for the briefest moment then thump harder – faster and slower at the same time. Djaq's high voice rung through the trees, more beautiful to him than the setting sun that shone through the forest presently. The voice he'd considered to sound foreign and somewhat silly when they'd first met. But he'd grown to love that voice, it was part of her – how could he not love it?

Will knew he truly loved her, a deep love, not just a boyish crush. A love so deep that he felt it flow all the way through his body; centred in his heart and running through his veins. Will had, had shy crushes before on pretty village girls – but he'd always been too timid to act on them, too bashful. If he'd ever got closer to these girls he'd often find they were immature or selfish or just plain silly.

Will knew Djaq wasn't perfect either – she was stubborn, often single minded, defensive and lord knew a number of other things. But it was these things that made him love her, which separated her from the crowd. He loved her with all her faults and that was real love. Lord he loved her for her faults. He loved her! All of her, her playful manner, her stubborn nature, her intelligence, her bravery, even her silly voice. He loved how beautiful she was as she walked into the camp, the setting sun illuminating her beautiful face, softening her features and making her skin glow. He loved how she dropped her pack and walked straight over to him, smiled and beginning to describe how the village girls loved his dolls. He loved her – just as she was.

Djaq's POV
She'd been sorry to leave him earlier that morning, but glad that he had entrusted her with the task of distributing the small dolls he'd made for the village girls. She loved spreading joy to people from him. She loved picking up the dolls that he'd so carefully carved, lovingly created with his hands. Skilful hands that could create beauty and though rough and calloused could make her stomach flip and her spine tingle if they ever accidently brushed against her lightly.

She used to scorn at the feelings they created in her, believe herself foolish and silly for responding with such girlish emotions, she'd tried to deny her feelings. Now she revelled in the feelings created by his touch. She still knew her behaviour was foolish but she couldn't help the way she felt. Despite the fact she knew he would never love her in return – her, a short Saracen dressed as a boy - she couldn't help but love him.

Everything he did only deepened what she felt about him. Even when he was injured he still thought of others. She couldn't help but smile in delight and wipe away little tears in her eyes when she'd gotten to the bottom of the bag of wooden dolls today and withdrawn a small wooden rose with her name carved on it. She'd held it to her chest, unabashed, her fingers caressing every small, wooden crevice. This had been made by him, all for her. And she knew how important and precious roses were to him. He'd told her how he'd once given one to his mother – the day before she'd died. She felt, honoured and blessed that he felt for her enough to give her a carving of this beautiful flower – even if it was only feelings of friendship.

When she'd entered the camp that evening, he was their waiting for them. He was standing straight and tall, his pale skin glowing in and his eyes swimming like two deep, beautiful green pools of water sparkling under the golden, setting sun. She'd been overcome by his beauty – although she knew that wasn't the right word to describe a man. His very presence had made her feel so warm inside and out – like a breath of warm wind from her homeland washing over her. She tried to remain composed as she walked up to him and talked to him – she thought she was telling him about his dolls and the village girls – but she wasn't really aware of what she was saying. I didn't look like he was really listening either, just looking at her with those beautiful intense eyes that made her heart glow. She felt that fluttering feeling inside of her – and now she could finally name it. Love

General POV
Robin stopped dead as he entered the camp at the sight that met his eyes. He recognised the look in both of their eyes.

He took off his cloak and threw it over the woodpile. "errrr Will, Djaq" they were shook back to reality a little "I'm sorry to do this too you but it's really cold and we need more firewood, I know its late and all, but would you mind?"

It appeared they didn't mind at all, Will put on his clock while Djaq got drink from her flask and washed her face. They slowly left camp, Djaq first, Will followed a few paces behind.
"But Robin, Master, we have enough wood – only look at the big pile over there underneath your cl…..oohhhhhhhhhh" said Much slowly comprehending Robins idea.

John just chuckled 'young love' he thought.

………

"Will you really shouldn't be lifting that much wood. I know your recovering well, but if you hurt you ribs now your recovery could be set back weeks. Here give me some of that….."

She approached him and tried to ease his load. The pile in his arms was not stacked well and they as she tried to grasp the kindling they lost control of the load and both stood their hopelessly as it tumbled to the ground. A little embarrassed they both bent down hastily to start picking it up.

"OUCH" Djaq cried and then quickly regretted her over reaction.

"What is it? Are you okay"

"A splinter, nothing terrible, I over reacted and cried out like a girl"

She looked up and Will and saw him grinning with his mouth and his eyes.

"What?"

"Oh nothing it's just…" he continued smiling

"WHAT WILL SCARLETT!?! Tell me why you are laughing at me?"

"Well Djaq, it's just that, well you are a girl"

"Oh" she paused "well not really, I mean yes I am, but I'm also one of the lads"

"Yes I know….. here let me have a look"

"NO, I can do it myself"

"Djaq, just let me…. I let you heal me, at least let me get the splinter out, I'm good with wood you know."

She smiled cheekily at his remark and reluctantly held out her hand to him.

He stepped towards her and into the light. She held her breath as he grabbed her hand and in one quick movement pulled the splinter.

She didn't drop her hand, nor did he release hers.

Shyly he lowered his eyes to her face and words he'd thought before returned, resonating in his head.
'I'll do I, when the moment is right, I'll do it'
'When the moment is right, I'll do it'
'The moment is right'

"I'll do it!" he thought with absolute conviction

She shivered a little in his intense gaze and closed her hand around his. She was caught in the moment – but this time around she understood her feelings. She let them take hold of her, let them through her veins – her heart was beating hard and fast.

They unconsciously moved closer to each other – now the only space left between them was the unsaid words.

"Djaq…" he breathed

"Will I….."

"No, Djaq, please let me say this, say what you will afterwards, I'll leave if it's too awkward, but I cannot go on another moment without…"

"Leave camp….?"

"Djaq, please"

Silence filled the forest save a chirping of the birds – damn birds he wished they be quiet so he could just get this out.

"Djaq, ever since I first met you I have admired you as a person as a fighter and as a…..a woman. You are one of the best friends I have ever had – I would trust you with anything, even with my life."

"I feel the same Will, you too are one of my best friends, I admire your bravery and strength in battle and in character, you are the best man I know and I would also trust you with my life"

He took a deep breath.

"But Djaq for me it's more than just that, more than just admiration. I am being honest with you and I have to tell you that you are the most amazing women I have ever met. You're intelligent, beautiful, fearless and unbelievably stubborn. Without you in my life I would be lost. I know I'm just a boy in your eyes – a simple English peasant. I don't know much about the world but I do know that without you my world wouldn't make sense. Djaq I Love you, not just like a friend, not just like a sister, but like a women – the most fierce, beautiful, brave women I know."

His grip tightened on her hand. He couldn't help but smile ironically as he realised that was probably the longest speech he'd ever made, but his words would be wasted – she would let him down lightly and he would retreat embarrassed and pained but relieved.

Her hand released his – 'just as I expected' he thought. The light left his eyes.

But instead of dropping her hand to her side she lifted it up further resting it against his cheek then slowly moving it down to his neck and then to the back of his head. Moving closer to him she looked up into his eyes seeing the sparkle in them flicker and then return as he leant down and she drew herself up. Their lips met as they kissed lightly at first and then harder and more passionately, full of the fire that had burnt within them both - for so long unquenched. Her other hand moved to his shoulder as his arms wrapped around her waist and rested his hands on her lower back. When they finally pulled apart – both breathless – Will looked at her with questioning eyes.

"Will, I have never felt about anybody the way I feel about you. I could never see you as just a peasant boy – you are a man in every sense. I admire – no, I love your righteous beliefs, the way you fight poverty not just physically in battle but with passionate words that lead to selfless deeds. I love your skilful hands, your intense eyes, your…." She paused and then said simple "I love you. I couldn't imagine my world without you; I love you so much that sometimes it hurts. You won't leave camp, you can't leave camp because I can't live without you, my world means nothing without you. I love you Will Scarlett…."

She was lost for words; she couldn't describe her feelings anymore. She didn't have to. He understood as he leant in and kissed her and she felt so happy and warm in his arms as he drew her to him. He kissed her lightly once more and then held her too him for what seemed like forever, not believing his luck. If he had searched to whole world he could not have found another woman like her. She gazed back at him - brown and green meeting in a sea of passion, sparkling at the horizon and warmed by the heat of the sun.

When they entered camp later hand in hand they could hear Robin chuckling with delight and John humming happily. Much even had the tact not to ask where the firewood was. That night they both slept peacefully and hearts full and content dreaming of the day's bliss.

It was still early in the morning before the sun was fully up when Will awoke. The forest was still cool with the breath of night but warming with the dawning and rather than getting up which was his normal ritual he drew the blanket closer around himself, closer around them both and smiled as he kissed Djaq lightly on the forehead. Everything was fresh and quiet, save a chirping of the birds, peaceful; 'as it should be' he thought. He looked down at her again, her head resting on his chest - 'as it should be'.

~o~O~o~