will_scarlett | Nightmares in Shatter

"Aye, ye can, I'll 'old ye safe."

His voice trembles but his hand moves up and down her back, keeping her safe and warm in the blanket.

"Will, you're trembling. I'll be fine for the time being. Otherwise, who will hold you?" She nuzzled him some more, and continued to stroke his hair. Though Will's hand against her back helped her to relax a little as well.

"Nightmare was all, woke to the feel o'the water on me an the w..whip. Forgive me, dinna mean to be so weak."

He hides his face in her hair, trying to will himself to stop trembling but its not working.

"You're not weak. You've been through major trauma, it's going to take time to deal with it. I know. Had to get help after what happened to me. Can't let it control you, or defeat you though." She started to rock him gently, still stroking his hair. Hugging him closer.

He nods and a few tears fall from his eyes,

"'ow do I do that?"

"Just talk about it, and realize that your memories can only destroy you if you let them. They haven't destroy you yet. You're stronger than them."

"Still scares me to think o''em though, na sure 'ow to e'en start speakin' o''em."

His hand just keeps moving and down her back, a way to remind himself that she's here and cares for him.

"I know. It's going to be scary, especially at first. But you have to face what you're afraid of. So you can move on from it."

Obviously she wasn't entirely practicing what she preached since the recent problems with the road trip still bothered her. Along with matters of the war.

"But ye'll listen an na leave?"

If she's there, he thinks he may be able to manage it.

"I'll stay. My room or yours? Want some place more private right?"

"Marley's in there, dinna wish to disturb 'im. Yers if ye wish, can try at least."

He's still trembling but less since he's been holding her.

"Who's Marley? And sure, that's fine. It's just me." She lead him back to her room. There was her bow, a bed and a light, and little else. Xander had been helping people get chests to hold clothing.

"Here, can just sit on the bed." Still holding him close.

"Irish fellow I met when I 'rrived 'ere, been sharin' a room."

He leans against her as they sit down, still trembling and kisses her cheek,

"Thank ye."

She hugged him close, and rocked him again. "You're welcome. It'll be all right, Will."

"Just still 'urts so, close my eyes an can feel the whip 'gain. Ne'er broke, ne'er."

"So don't let them break you now. They can't hurt you now. They're far away in another world."

Another small nod as he hugs her and his trembling starts to still,

"Canna 'urt me."

"They wanted to break you down, and you didn't let them. You won, Will, you were stronger." More gentle nuzzling and a kiss to his neck and under his chin.

"Was stronger, didna break."

If he keeps saying it, then it will be true, he has to trust that and she's kissing him.

"You are. Don't let them destroy you. Something in you was strong enough to hold up against them. Strong enough to bring me back. To help Sam. Believe in it." More kissing to his cheek and forehead now.

She'll taste tears on his cheeks as he nods again and kisses her gently on the lips,

"Didna break."

Kate hugged him and kissed back, "Have to let go of it eventually, Will. I'm sure Robin wouldn't want this to be taking you apart like this."

"Just fear I let 'im down after 'e took a chance on a poor thief from Nottingham."

Her kiss helps a bit but still, it all feels far too close and he holds her as close as he can.

"Oh no, you couldn't have. They questioned you all that time, and you didn't tell them anything. Do you know how many would have for less than that? How many would have broken, or gone insane, or died from it? You're still here, still strong and brave." She hugged him tightly and stroked his hair again. More nuzzling again.

"Couldna 'ave let Robin down, 'e took such a chance on me, couldna let 'im down, couldna."

He kisses her back, trying to drown his fears in the taste and feel of her.

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject