A/N PLEASE READ: Hiya so before you read the following the context is that Will's blood aunt turns up to take him back home with her, what does Will do? Enjoy!
Catherine stood in the doorway of our cabin, her eagle eyes searching behind me for any sign of Halt or Gilan. She saw them as a threat, an obstacle in the way of obtaining her nephew, obtaining me. I shivered in the light breeze blowing in through the door but still I stood, not letting her in but not kicking her out either. The light from the setting sun was blocked by her tall frame and curly hair, casting her face in veils of shadows, blurring her distinct features until there was no clear line where one ended and her pale skin began. It was strange staring at her, I realised how much she and I shared in common, our eyes for one thing were warm brown that shone like stars in the night sky. I saw myself in her, lonely and most of all scared, frightened of losing what she has finally found. "Pack your bags." she stated suddenly.
"Sorry?" I answered with some confusion.
"I said pack your bags, we're leaving." she turned on her heel to stare at the lowering sun, a hand shielding her eyes from the glare. Part of me wanted to go with her, the part of me that was still a child, desperate to know their family. But that part of me had died a long time ago.
"No." I said definitely. Behind me, I heard the back door open and chattering voices enter the cottage, meaning Halt and Gilan were back.
"No? Come on Will, don't be silly." she tried to ruffle my hair but I swatted her hand away.
"I'm not leaving." I felt anger boil deep inside of me, how dare she, come in and try to pull me away to goodness knows where, when after fifteen long years, I've finally found where I belong.
"Well now I've found you, you don't need to stay here in the middle of nowhere with this ameture shooter and his idiot of a friend." She said with a laugh and I wanted to punch her, cry and throw up at the same time. Something in my head switched and I was shaking with rage my hands curling into fists by my side.
"Don't you dare talk about them that way." I talked slowly and deliberately, my mind screamed at me, 'What are you doing, don't end it like this! You've finally found what you wanted since you were five!'. Lucky I didn't listen to my head as the need to defend my new family won the battle inside me. Because they had my heart. "Halt is the kindest man I have ever known and he's twice as smart as you'll ever be!" I shouted in her face, blocking out her shocked face as red seeped into my vision. "And Gilan is charming and caring and loyal and he looks out for me."
"Dear," she chuckled nervously, "You know this is not your home, your home is with me, in Galica." She reached forwards but I stepped out of her grasp.
"See, if you were a good aunt you'd realise that this is my home. This cottage, this countryside, Redmont." I could tell that had stung as she flinched back slightly in surprise. "Halt and Gilan are the best home I could've ever asked for, they're my family and you want me to throw it all away, so I can move to Galica with you? No, I'm not risking what I have for some half-baked hope." I shut the door, blocking out the sun and my breathing slowed as I heard her footsteps retreat off the veranda. A minute later I watched her horse gallop out onto the road. My breathing slowed and the adrenaline that had become my lifeline stopped, leaving me… empty. I lent against the door, sliding down until I was piled up at the bottom and closed my eyes, focusing on the rising and falling of my chest. I brought my knees into my chest and rested my head on them; quiet footsteps reminded me that I wasn't the only one in the house.
I looked up to see Halt approaching a half, sad smile dancing on his lips and his dark brown eyes sparkling with pride. He sat down next to me.
"How much did you hear?" I ask quietly.
"Enough." I replace my head in my knees and I feel his hand rub smooth circles on my back, the comforting touch reminding me what I fought for today and why I sacrificed a relationship young me would've done anything for. I lift my head up and before I realise I was crying, he wipes a tear from my cheek. I lean into him, resting my head on his shoulder and his arm holds me tightly to him, protectively. I can tell he's grateful, grateful I'm with him now, instead of riding off to Galica.