The Raven (closed)

[KieranSoares]

"Probably not," Boar answered curtly, in a quick way she'd never heard before. It was clear he still cared, but he was so hurt by being abandoned that he was trying to pretend he couldn't care less. It was hard for him, and he was bad at hiding his true feelings.

 

[heartofcourage]

Emma looked at Boar and could see his hurt. She hadn't meant to cause him pain. Most of the men that she had been around could have cared less what she did. And they could have cared less about the pain that they caused her in return.

"What do you want to hear from me, Boar? Saying I'm sorry won't change a thing." She said softly, trying to understand.

 

[KieranSoares]

"Actually, tha'd be nice t'hear..." Boar whispered. "I only e'er wanted t'make ya happy... an' ya threw me away fer a gamble on tha' bastard Prince that already hurt ya once. I'd give ya anythin' in my power, Emma... doesn' that mean anythin' at all t'you?" He finally met her eyes and she could see long-repressed tears brimming.

 

[heartofcourage]

Again, Emma had to bite back the words that she wanted to say, swallowing them and her pride as she took in a deep breath. "I'm sorry, Boar."

 

[KieranSoares]

Boar watched her as she spoke, and he asked quietly, "Now what'd ya really want t'say...?" He knew by her expression alone. "I know I'm no' good enough, I'm not a Prince, if tha's what yer gettin' at."

 

[heartofcourage]

"God, Boar, listen to me when I say that I don't care if you're a prince!" She exclaimed, standing from her spot and pacing angrily. "I'm the one not good enough for you. I'm a whore. That's all I've ever been in my life. I gave myself to men to give myself position. Why would you want someone like me?"

 

[KieranSoares]

Boar rose to face her, "Because despite all tha', I love you. Yer beautiful, no' just on the outside. Yer a wonderful mystery tha' I spend every wakin' moment thinkin' about. I think all ya need is someone who really loves you, an' I want t'be tha' man. I love you so much, I could die for you, I could 'and my soul over t'Satan 'imself fer you an' I'd be happy for it."

 

[heartofcourage]

"Then tell me what you want, Boar." Emma said softly, knowing what he was going to ask her. She was prepared to tell him no, but she decided to hear him out completely.

 

[KieranSoares]

"I jus' want you," Boar whispered, and that was all he asked. He didn't ask to marry her, he didn't ask her to bear his children. "Even if you don' love me... I jus' want t'keep you safe an' happy..." He'd clearly given up the idea that she might love him. It was wishful thinking to him.

 

[heartofcourage]

Emma had never had a man simply ask her to be with him. The thought stopped her dead in her tracks and she looked at Boar as if he'd grown two heads. Then, his words started to sink in and she realized that he wasn't like the other men she'd been with.

Before she knew what she was doing, she was moving forward, wrapping him in a tight hug with her cheek pressed firmly against his shoulder.

 

[KieranSoares]

Boar hugged her tightly in return, burying his face against her shoulder. It was muffled, but still understandable when he spoke, "I love you..." He didn't expect an answer back, he simply wanted her to know. "I want ya t'come 'ome."

 

[heartofcourage]

"I want to come home." Was her only reply as he returned her hug with as much ferocity as she held him.

 

[KieranSoares]

"Then yer wish is my command. Get some rest, an' we'll start when yer ready tomorrow." Boar let her go, but laid a warm hand on her cheek. He couldn't find it in himself to smile yet, but his eyes showed her relief and gladness that she was returning.

 

[heartofcourage]

The touch of Boar's hand against her cheek was touching and comforting and Emma felt her cheek leaning in to press against his palm. She wasn't sure that she could say the words that she wanted to, but she wanted to show him somehow that she did care for him.

 

[KieranSoares]

Boar saw it, and he finally smiled. It was a weak smile, but it was still there. "Sleep, love..." he said softly, giving her the gentlest direction toward the tent he'd set up. He remained outside to keep watch just in case.

 

[heartofcourage]

She nodded, moving from his side to the tent that he had made. It was nothing more than simple canvas with a bed beneath, but it was enough for her. She was soon between the covers, sighing softly as she allowed herself relax, knowing that he was watching over her.

 

[KieranSoares]

The next several days were spent in general silence aside from the occasional small conversation. When they finally arrived back at Inverlochly, the first thing Boar did after unpacking was to collapse on his bed in silence. Emma was there in his room with him, and he let her do as she pleased as he stared at the ceiling and took stock of himself and his life for a moment. He was bloody insane, that's all he could come up with.

 

[heartofcourage]

Emma was quiet as she silently unpacked her things from the journey. Boar lay on the bed, silently looking up at the ceiling. It seemed that they were at an impasse, each thinking on the fact that they were in this tough situation. She did like him, she knew that much, and she knew where he stood on his feelings towards her.

"I can move to another room in the keep, if you like." Emma suggested, thinking that perhaps distance might clear their heads. "Or back into my cottage on the loch."

 

[KieranSoares]

"No, love, s'alright," Boar sat up, and patted the spot next to him. "C'mere... I want t'talk with ya... Tell me what it is y'want out o' life, what y'want 'ere with me... An' why y'wanted t'come back. I need t'get my 'ead straight an' understand these things."

 

[heartofcourage]

Emma let out a long sigh as she found her way back to his side, sitting down and resting her head against his shoulder. "I can't really tell you what I want, Boar. I don't really know myself."

 

[KieranSoares]

"Tha's all I wanted t'know," Boar kissed her temple lightly. "I don' know what I want either, 'cept you." He ran his fingers through her hair adoringly and then laid his head against her own.

 

[heartofcourage]

"I still think you're out of your mind for wanting me." Emma said softly, giving him a slight smile as he ran his fingers through her hair. "You did storm into an English palace after all..."

 

[KieranSoares]

"I am out o' my mind, an' I did barge right int' an English castle, but tha's because I love ya, more'n I've e'er loved anyone in m'life. Can't lose ya, now, can I?" He then laid a soft kiss on Emma's lips, welcoming her back properly.

 

[heartofcourage]

Emma actually did indulge him with a smile as he kissed her properly and welcomed her back to Inverness. She sighed, wrapping her arms around his strong shoulders. She did care for him greatly, even if she didn't know he could tell him that.

 

[KieranSoares]

Boar's arms wrapped about her waist and he laid back with her, just to relax and enjoy the quiet. There wasn't a sound in the keep aside from the crackle of the hearth. Boar's chest rose and fell evenly as he closed his eyes and let himself be at peace for a moment. After so long without her, he'd almost forgotten complete relaxation.