Charlie stood outside the door, leaning against the opposite wall. No one had spoken since they exited the room. No one even glanced in Charlie's direction, either because they didn't want to make it worse, or they couldn't bear to look at her empty expression.
Either way the silence was crushing down on them as the minutes slowed to a crawl. It was finally Bass voice that rang through, "everyone is free to leave. Connor, take Jeremy and the rest of the guards and calm the crowd. Assure them everything is alright, and thank them all for coming."
For once Connor nodded without any hesitation, doing exactly as he told, but not before placing a delicate kiss on Charlie's hand.
Bass internally grimaced, turning his head at the gesture, fighting the urge to clench his hands into fists. Soon they were going to be married, Charlie even said so herself. They would be doing a lot more than just kissing then. He couldn't let himself think about that right now.
Besides Charlie didn't even stir as Connor's lips ghosted across her skin. She either didn't care, or chose not to respond. Staring blankly ahead, everyone else scattered down the hall until they were the only two left. As soon as the shuffling feet against the floor disappeared, it went back to the awkward silence immediately.
He started to say something multiple times. He wanted to say something. The words forming at the back of his throat, tapered off before reaching the tip of his tongue. Deciding against it, he snapped his jaw shut, mouth forming a tight-lipped line as he casually stood beside of her.
For awhile the silence was rather pleasant, and if it wasn't for Miles laying unconscious just beyond the door they were burning holes through, it might've been enjoyable.
Bass wasn't used to simply existing. He had to put on appearances, meet with people constantly, listen to grievances, make decisions, organize events, and every other tedious thing that came along with being king.
When he wasn't busying himself with work, he was alone, and not the kind of alone he particularly enjoyed. That type of alone brought an insufferable silence, weighing heavily upon him, drowning him in misery. It was during those moments everything came rushing back to him all at once.
Often times, he found himself seeking out Duncan's company. Not for sexual purposes, just for someone to fill the silence.
"Are you satisfied now? This was a stupid idea."
Those were the first words he heard her utter since parting ways from her at the arena. Her voice so raw, broken, and so low he wasn't quite sure she even said anything until a few minutes passed.
"Am I satisfied? What are you talking about? It didn't seem like such a stupid idea when you were signing yourself up for it. You should be thanking me for stepping in."
She glared, "you'll excuse me if I don't throw myself at your feet and grovel in gratitude."
Scrubbing at his hair, he sighed, turning his body to face hers, "you're right, I apologize. I didn't mean it like that, I was just trying to lighten the mood."
"I don't think the mood needs to be lighten. It's because of your nonchalant, blasé attitude this even happened in the first place."
He flinched, brows furrowed, "you think…you think I'm the one who suggested partaking in the event? That I unwillingly drug Miles out there carelessly? Be serious Charlie, when has your father ever done anything he didn't want to do?"
"None of this wouldn't happened if it hadn't been for you," angrily she gritted her teeth, forcing back the tears threatening to spill over.
"Lets not forget Miles was just as responsible for this as I was, of course, it doesn't surprise me that part slipped your mind. If I could take his place I would in a heartbeat. And it could've just as easily been me lying in here, of course, that wouldn't have mattered to you," he barked right back at her.
He just kept twisting the invisible knife in her gut every time he opened up his mouth. Did he really think she was so heartless that she wouldn't care about his safety?
Ignoring that she glared, biting down so hard she was sure her teeth were going to explode, "I don't want to hear this right now."
Chuckling humorlessly he threw his hands up in exasperation, "you never want to hear anything unless it fits in to this perfect idea you have in your head about who your father is and was. Newsflash kid, the sun doesn't shine out of his ass. Don't stand her and wag your finger at me when he's the idiot who suggested it."
She just couldn't take it anymore, not right now, not today. She couldn't stand to hear him utter one more word about her father's past, even though she knew he wasn't some saint.
The dead silence of the halls carried the cracking sound for miles, ricocheting off walls until it came full circle, back to her ears. She had actually done it. She hit the king, right in the face.
Not just a wimpy little slap either, but a closed fist with enough force to cause his head to snap to the side.
He wasn't anticipating it, and even so, he wouldn't have known the strength Charlie possessed.
Fuming, she refused to back down from his imposing gaze as his head whipped back around to hers. She would accept the punishment for a crime she rightfully committed.
No repercussions came as Charlie held her breath in expectation. Tension between the two of them rushing heavily, like waves before an impending storm. The current so strong, Charlie could actually feel the wetness on her skin, and taste the salty water upon her lips.
She was crying. Silently confirming, she lifted her hand to touch just below her eye, then hastily scrubbed at them as if not to show her weakness to Bass.
He saw it before she ever even knew. That's why his gaze softened and his heart broke. He was pissed about before, but the punch he felt to his gut at the sight of her crying hurt even worse.
"Charlie…"
His voice cracked towards the end, saying her name like a silent prayer.
Continuing to rub at her eyes, she strode backwards, turning her back on him as she tried to get a handle on her emotions.
Bass couldn't stand to watch her suffer alone, so he grabbed her upper arm and turned her around quickly before she could yell, or God forbid, punch him again.
Surprisingly she did neither, she stood frozen in his locked embrace, her arms dangling by her side. She had been hugged many times, but never like this. This was more intimate. Suddenly she collapsed into his warm arms, hesitantly bringing hers around the middle of his back.
She had no idea if she was still crying or not, but Bass knew, he could feel the wetness on his shirt, sticking to his skin.
All Charlie could feel was his arms, everywhere at once. One was soothingly running up and down her back, and the other was stroking her hair in the same soft manner. She could've sworn she felt a light flutter of his lips against the crown of her head, in between his tender cooing.
"Charlie," his cleared his voice, willing his voice to remain intact for her sake, "he's going to be okay, you know that right? He's the strongest son of a bitch there is."
When she said nothing, he pulled back, ignoring the sting in his chest as he took in her puffy, red eyes, "you know I wouldn't tell you a lie either. Do you believe me when I tell you he's going to be fine?"
There wasn't an immediate answer, in fact there wasn't a spoken answer at all, but Bass could see the shifting look in her eyes as she thought about it. That was good enough to convince him.
Drawing her back into his arms, he rested his chin on top of her head. All of his coddling stopped as soon as he heard her voice again, "I would've cared. If it had been you who got hurt, I would've car-cared."
Crushing her against his side, Bass was kicking himself all the way to Gallia and back at least a dozen times. He only said it in the heat of the moment, he didn't intend for it to affect her so. Hearing her struggle to get the words out, and feeling the distraught way her body shook against his, he knew his heart had been ripped out. This was a level of agony Bass had never felt before, not even when Miles practically abandoned him and turned his back on their brotherhood and friendship. And Charlie didn't deserve this.
"I know you would Charlie. You would care if anyone were in pain, even people who don't deserve your sympathy or concern. There's no excuse for me saying that, I was just—"
"Upset, I know."
So caring, so understanding, so compassionate, Charlie was a rare gem in the world. Stubborn, headstrong, fierce, all the while trying to see the good in everyone. If even a sliver of good existed, Charlie would cling to it and magnify it, without even realizing it.
"That doesn't justify your reactions," and she was always bluntly honest, "but you are deserving Bass, whether you think so or not."
Pulling slightly out of his embrace, she tilted her head up to gauge his reaction, breath catching as she found his face inches away from hers. She had to resist the magnetic draw she felt. Instead her hand lightly traced the outline of his jaw, running her hand along the stubble growing on his chin.
Without even thinking about it, Bass nuzzled his face into her hand, softly ghosting his lips on the inside of her palm.
There was so much more she wanted to say, but as soon as the door creaked open she was out of his arms in a flash and crossing the threshold of the hallway, "how is he? Is he awake? Is he alright?"
Nora cracked a smile at Charlie's rambling, "damn bastard just wanted to know who won. He was however a little disappointed when I told him I wasn't his congratulatory nurse."
Charlie giggled, laughter contagious as Bass let out a chuckle.
Nora pushed the door open with her foot, smiling as they entered. It was Bass who spoke first, "remind me again who is the better jouster? I couldn't remember as I watched you ungracefully tumble from your horse."
Miles snarled, "yeah, yeah, but at least I didn't shove my lance into your lungs in order to win."
"It wasn't your lungs you jackass, and don't go playing the sympathy card in hopes I'll let you have your title back. I mean if you died maybe," feeling a sharp jab in his ribs he laughed meeting Charlie's angry glower, "kidding."
A grumbled escaped Miles' throat, "he isn't kidding. Even dead he'd dance over my tomb and pretend he was the better jouster. You should elbow him a little harder for me kid."
Charlie ignored the comment, shifting closer to his side, hesitant to reach out and touch him. He looked so fragile, so delicate, so unlike himself.
"Well I'd ask you how you are feeling…"
She trailed off as Miles attempted to supply the rest, "but the answer to that question is fairly evident?"
Smiling, she shook her head, "no I just wouldn't want to hear you complain anymore," she teasingly threw at him.
Miles on the other hand feigned hurt, placing his hand over his heart, "how you wound me kid, when I'm laying here injured and damaged. I can really feel the love."
"Next time maybe you shouldn't make such impulsive, reckless decisions then."
He laughed out loud, grimacing when it sent a spasm to his sutured lesion.
"Don't ruin my hard work, I'm by far a nurse so there's no telling if it will hold," Nora jokingly scolded from her place by the door. Being a knight meant she was well acclimated in the art of sewing up wounds.
"You know Miles, if you wanted to stay a little longer, all you had to do was ask. No need to stage a dramatic injury and ruin a perfectly good tournament," Bass smirked.
Rachel, who remained silent before, patted Charlie's hand, "I'm going to make sure Danny is alright. You know how your brother is about blood."
Charlie nodded, smiling as she recalled childhood memories where Danny would always run at the first drop of blood. He claimed he just didn't want to assist in the clean up, but Charlie always suspected it was really because he was squeamish.
Saying nothing, Rachel offered a terse nod in Bass' direction as she slipped out the door.
It wasn't until she left that Bass let out a low whistle, "still doesn't like me does she?"
Miles' eyebrow shot up, "what's there to like?"
When he didn't smile or laugh, Miles just sighed in defeat, "Bass I've known the woman as long as you have and most of the times I don't even think she likes me."
At that Bass did laugh, as did Charlie, but it was the sad truth they all knew too well. If Rachel did like someone, or even love them, she had an unusual way of displaying it. It was only Nora who didn't crack a smile or laugh.
"Did you go appease the crowd?"
Bass shook his head, "no I sent Connor and Jeremy to contain the excitement and make sure everyone from the village returned home safely."
"What about the visitors?"
Bass nervously rubbed the back of his neck, "I'll have to explain to them everything is delayed until further notice."
"What do you mean everything?"
Charlie inquired while simultaneously Miles exclaimed, "Postponed? Why would we put anything off? It can still continue as planned, as per our discussion. It's supposed to be in two days time right? Perfect I'll be recovered enough by then."
"Don't be an idiot Miles, you can't even sit up right now, I hardly think you'll be in the mood to be standing on your feet in two days time," Bass confidently objected.
Interjecting, Charlie waved her hand indicating her presence, "could someone please inform me what you two are bickering about? What was supposed to take place?"
Exhaling noisily, Bass never met her gaze, but willingly told, "There was supposed to be a celebration after the tournament. Dancing, drinking, merriment. It was also the time I was to announce your engagement to Connor."
No words formed in Charlie's mind. Dully she sat, nodding her head in acknowledgement. She always knew the time would come. That was the whole reason she was there at Malgrave. She just wished they forgot about it like she had.
Connor was a perfect gentleman, but Charlie could hardly describe him further. In the times they spent together they discussed many topics, but never could she get a feel for his character.
Any argument fell silent upon her lips, already having more than enough time to get used to the idea.
Noticing her odd behavior, Bass snapped his head back to Miles who was speaking, "there's no need to put it off any longer. I appreciate you not rushing things and giving Charlie time to adjust Bass, but you have adjusted right kiddo?"
Directing his line of questioning to Charlie this time, she had no choice but to plaster on a fake smile and nod.
Miles, oblivious as he was, returned the smile, "plus I don't dance anyway so now I have a legitimate excuse."
Undecidedly, Bass nodded and shrugged his shoulders, appearing indifferent. Truthfully, he didn't want to announce it. He was trying to use Miles as a scapegoat, opting for that rather than admittance.
"We'll see how you fair to-morrow before any decisions are made, regardless everyone will understand."
"Besides," Charlie avowed, "You have to be capable of dancing. If I have to dance, then I'm afraid you are required to as well."
Grumpily, Miles turned his head to the side, groaning, "ah hell Charlie, way to make me feel worse."
Beaming, she said nothing as she turned to look at Nora, wearing a light smile and an apprehensive expression. Reassuringly, she conjured as much zeal while smiling at Bass. With less passion, the corners of his mouth twitched up into a smile.
"Okay everyone's dismissed, if I'm going to be presentable, I need to catch up on my beauty rest," Miles announced after a few minutes.
Bass' mouth opened to offer some words of mockery, but one fierce glare from Miles shut him up. The grin never left his face, Miles already knew what Bass was going to say, he could tell.