Alternate Shades
Part Two
Word Count: 990
Rating: T/PG-13, will vary, with possible discussions of/implied torture, prostitution, and some... worse things
Disclaimer: Normally I'm wittier, but... I got nothing. I would say I own nothing, but that's not true. I have a bit of original fiction I should be working on instead.
Summary: Additional scenes that could have been in the movie, in A Study in Scarlett, or alternate universes.
Author's Note: This piece does kind of tie into the last one, though not all of them will. This is in the same AU where Robin's father married Will's mother and they grew up as brothers.

Though if there are other ideas people would also like to see, let me know. If I get inspired, I'll write it and post it.

The Price of Payback

"You're certain you can do this?"

Will folded his arms over his chest and glared at her. "Did your brother come home covered in manure or not?"

Marian winced, though she was still tempted to laugh as well. Peter had been a sight yesterday, and her mother had been horrified to see—and smell—him. She almost felt bad for Peter, but as he'd yet to do anything about Robin burning her hair, she wasn't all that pleased with him, either.

"Fine," Marian said. "If you can stop Robin from burning my hair, I'll give you the dagger. Not before."

Will shook his head. "I don't do this for free. If I do, they'll say I like you, and we both know that isn't true."

Marian wrinkled her nose in disgust. The last thing she wanted was for Will to like her. He was younger and a pain, and while there were some rumors already that they'd be a good match, she didn't want to marry anyone. She wanted to be a woman of her own means and mind.

"You swear you can get Robin to stop burning my hair?"

"Yes."

She nodded. "Very well. I'll give you the sheath now—don't look at me like that, it's gold, too—and the blade after you've done it. Not before. I want results."

"Just give Robin a chance to get at those awful curls of yours, and I'll do the rest."

Marian waited in the study, fidgeting and feeling foolish. She knew she seemed like she was setting a trap, and she was. She'd long since stopped doing her needlework inside as Robin always managed to find her here and singe her hair. She thought he preferred it over being outside where she would run forever looking for a water trough or some other respite as none ever seemed close enough when he did this. It was more humiliating, yes, but he also had to carry some kind of flame outside, and it could be extinguished before he reached her.

She should have no hair at all for him to burn, but he always left her alone long enough for it to grow and her to believe it was over, and even kicking him right where it hurt a man most had accomplished nothing to deter him.

She hoped Will wasn't lying about this—he wasn't a very good liar most times as he showed his emotions too much—and that he could do something to stop his irritating brother.

She turned her attention to her needlework. Robin might not come, but if he did, Will was waiting for him, and that might just be enough.

Manure for pie theft was more appealing, Will thought, and the fact that his brother and Peter still occasionally seemed to smell of it made him smile. This was no fun at all, this waiting, but he knew in the end, it would be worth it because Marian thought he couldn't and Robin was being a complete idiot here.

He knew what people said, that he and Marian should make a match, and there were rumors of his father and DuBois set to arrange it, which was probably half the trouble here anyway.

His mother had already told his father he shouldn't try for it, as Will had made no secret of his dislike of Marian, but that was supposedly childish foolishness they'd both outgrow.
She was prideful and stubborn, and he figured she deserved a noble like her, not the half-common son of a lord like him.

Hell, she deserved Robin.

He saw his brother approaching at last and smiled, since he could see the candlestick in his brother's hand and knew his intent. Robin set it within easy reach before he sat down next to her, hands visible as though he planned nothing at all.

Will considered his own plan again. Hair for hair was fair, but it would hardly matter as much to Robin as it did to the girl, and it wasn't even that much about hair. It was about humiliation. Still, knowing that didn't make him think much of this revenge.

Robin started a conversation about nothing, and Marian answered him in polite turns. He reached behind her as she continued on distracted. Marian gave a shriek the instant she smelled that familiar scent of burning hair, running from the room.

Robin leaned back with a smile, not even realizing Will was in the room. He set the candlestick down. He looked pleased and fully at ease.

Will made a careful approach behind his brother. Robin had taken to humming to himself and not caring at all what he'd done. Will took the candlestick and brought it close, holding it as it burned its way through the ends of Robin's hair.

Robin looked around as he smelled the burning, but Will ducked out of sight, and in the end, Robin shrugged, going back to his humming. Will bit his lip to hold in his laughter. Robin was a fool, and he swore he'd already burned more of his hair in one sitting than Robin had managed in several attempts at Marian's—and hers was longer as she was a woman.

Robin checked again for the source of the smell, but again, he found nothing, at least not until Marian returned to the room. Then he seemed once again at ease. "Hello, Marian."

She bit her lip, almost giving the whole thing away as she laughed, and Robin frowned, accidentally moving too close to the candle. He cried out and jumped up, looking behind him. "Will, you little bastard. I should have known."

Will stood, blowing out the candle with a smile. He bowed and then addressed Marian. "My payment, if you please."

She held out the golden dagger, and Will took it, saluting his brother with it before breaking out into a run as Robin followed after him, vowing revenge.