Jesters Of The Moonless Sky {Gavin} [precaution M]

[Gavin Bates]

[If I told ya before, I told ya before! =3 You don't need to ask every time.]

Well, it hadn't been as bad as he'd thought it would be - she at least responded to his comment, but he didn't really wanna elaborate. He was starting to feel a little grouchy, hence his attempt to lighten up by trying to eat her foot. And while Gavin was normally quite grouchy, he didn't want to be grouchy that evening. If that made any sense. He was a moody git most of the time, wasn't he allowed a break?

So he'd knocked her over, but it had been funny... Until she kicked him in the face, anyway. He dropped the foot automatically and, for the second time that evening, moved his hands to defend himself from Apple far too late to be of any use. He leaned backwards from her for a moment before pushing himself forwards again, hand covering his mouth as he moved his tongue around to try and monitor the damage. He supposed he did deserve it really, 'cause eating her foot was a bit weird.

"Was trying to lighten the mood," he grumbled, rubbing his jaw and pulling his hand away when he felt something sticky on his lip. She'd knocked a tooth out! And now his mouth was bleeding from where the tooth used to be. At least it didn't hurt that bad - the alcohol was still numbing his senses somewhat, but that was going to hurt in the moring. He rolled his tongue around his mouth and spat on the ground, a little tooth mixed in with the saliva.

"If anyone asks, I got into a fight." He felt less embarrassed about that, and it was sort of true - he had been fighting with Apple, as usual, and the others would probably realise, if they bothered to think about it. But they wouldn't. They'd laugh at him and then get on with their lives.

[Regina Apple]

Gavin's lack of response to her question worried her. Yes he was as grouchy as an old man sometimes, but that was no excuse for not answering her. Especially when she in such turmoil too. Her heart was on the verge of breaking and he was being moody! This would probably all be forgotten by the morning - well Gavin would anyway, which means she'd have to forget - so Gina didn't know why she was getting so worked up over it.

Kicking him possiby was over-reacting as well, but it was an instant reaction, a reflex. Gina hadn't expected to do so much damage. All she'd done was flick her foot out! Maybe she was stronger than the guys gave her credit for; perhaps now they might take her more seriously! Though, knowing Gavin this would never be heard of again, ever, not even on his deathbed. Though admitting that a it was a girl who'd knocked out his tooth on his deathbed was probably the last thing that was going to happen.

She smirked at him. "Am I allowed to say who you faught with?" She too was trying to lighten the mood. Gina hated being down in the dumbs. And this was all probably some horrible mistake, which will have "never happened" by morning. So it would probably be for the best that she start getting over it now. And what better way to do that than tease him; like he teases her?

(*fails* This is what happens when you watch Breakfast At Tiffany's while posting... it takes forever and ends up being pants >.<)

[Gavin Bates]

Well Gavin didn't know what turmoil she was in, frankly, and he was starting to develop his own headache so he was a little less than interested in her problems. And it was true - he'd probably have forgotten it all by the morning, but that didn't do anything about now.

Like his tooth. Gavin had underestimated Apple's strength himself, and that had been a little more than a flick, as far as he was concerned - then again, he was a bit of a wimp when it came to pain being inflicted upon his person. He could inflict pain like no one's business, he could do it for England, but put up with it? He liked his person the way it was, thanks very much. Bruise free.

And a tooth down.

"Nope," he replied, still rubbing his jaw. He'd never live it down if the others found out she'd knocked his tooth out. Seriously. He'd just be called pathetic. He'd just never be allowed to get over it.

After a few beats, and rather uncharacteristically, he rubbed the back of his head and enquired, "How's the foot?"

Gee, what was wrong with him? Maybe the kick had been a lot harder than both had thought, and it had done something to his brain.

[Regina Apple]

She grinned wickedly, thinking of the hell he'd get if they knew. She considered telling them anyway, but Regina found that the outlaws took everything she said with a pinch of salt seen as how she spent half the time lying. And if Gavin denied it, they would side with him as he was more truthful than she was. That was quite ironically funny if you thought about it; the liar telling the truth and not being believed, and the slightly more truthful lying but being believed. It was a little like the boy who cried wolf, but without the wolf and sheep.

"You spoil all my fun Gavin." That did have a double meaning, though whether he'd get the second meaning was beyond her. She was, of course, refering to him laughing just as he was about to kiss her. But he'd probably only see the first meaning, being that she wouldn't be able to see him be tormented by the others. It would be funny. Gina believed that even Josh would have a go and he was possibly the most docile of them all. The Greensleeves camp was getting pansier by the day. Even Gavin couldn't hold his own against a girl anymore.

She gave him a quizzical look after another silence between them had passed. "My foot's fine." She answered, disbelievingly. Gavin was concerned? For her? "Is your head ok? I didn't knock something other than the tooth out of place did I?" She used this question as an excuse to get closer to him and inspect his face - as if it's give anything away about the state of his mind. She lightly touched his jaw line so she could tilt his head while she inspected him. And also so she could feel those addictive sparks she felt whenever she touched him. Maybe this action could bring back their moment, they were fair close after all. Maybe all it'd take was one look into each others eyes. Gina hoped so, that one small kiss had left her aching for more.

[Gavin Bates]

He did enjoy spoiling her fun too – it was just so easy to do. Simply being there tended to spoil her fun, he found, partly because he was grouchy and partly because he was simply good at winding her up. He wasn’t entirely sure why he enjoyed it so much, but any decent analyst of behaviour would be able to inform him politely that it was a more mature (mature, hah) form of what he did to girls he liked when he was a boy – find them a frog and give it to them, or push them over in the mud. Of course, Gavin would promptly push them in the mud, and make sure they stayed there for a good while, but that was beside the point.

Of course, being the thick headed, slightly drunken dolt he was, he didn’t get the double meaning. He was a bloke, he didn’t really do double meanings at the end of the day. He liked a nice, straightforward life – chase this, kill that, eat those berries. Simple instructions, simple execution – none of that “but did he really mean this?” stuff. It was just too complicated for him. In the end, he shrugged in reply. ”I do my best.”

Had Gavin been privy to Apple’s thoughts, he would have shown her who was a pansy. He could hold his own against girls, just because two women both played by Bob, I hasten to add had gotten the better of him temporarily didn’t mean he was losing his touch (for starters, the noble bird hadn’t gotten the better of him – that red haired kid had). He was just letting his guard down a bit too much, that was all. Since Marian had buggered off to the woods and the Hood outlaws had gotten their little Saracen wench, all the women in Nottingham seemed to think they were hard.

They weren’t.

He would, of course, agree that the rest of the camp were utter wimps, but he said that most of the time anyway. It was never any secret.

And now because he’d tried to be nice for once, he had Apple inspecting him. Okay, so he wasn’t really complaining – any man who complained about having a beautiful woman touching him in any way had to be dead or gay, but it was kind of odd. He grabbed her wrist as she tilted his head back, but it wasn’t overly harsh or anything – just stopped her from moving for a moment.

”I’m fairly sure, yeah,” he replied. He didn’t really like people being that close to him. Despite the fact he’d been with the gang for years, he didn’t like people near him unless he closed the gap himself – he felt a little uncomfortable, it was too close, what if they tried something? Though, it was Apple…

He let go of her hand and raised an eyebrow. ”Why didn’t you come for a drink?” he asked. She did, sometimes, and it was always a bit more fun when she was there. Next time he’d insist – so he’d insist by challenging her to a drinking competition, but that was how he worked.

[Regina Apple]

Gina scowled at Gavin and his lack of response! She'd expected a smirk at least. Though, he wasn't entirely responsive when sober - apart from when he was bullying her - so it was expecting a little too much when he was drunk. This was one of the reasons why she hated him so much sometimes. He was so simple! He only understood words if they were half grunted. Regina did not like speaking caveman. It was so stupid. And he clearly hadn't got her double meaning, go figure.

Marian. Now that was someone Regina hated almost as much as Hood. Just because she was a female noble it was suddenly amazing she could fight. Hello! Gina, who was a similar age, if not older; had been fighting openly far longer but she didn't have a following of young girls looking up to her, wanting to be just like her. Ok, so maybe that was because she stole from the poor as well as the rich; but that still didn't mean Marian was amazing because she could fight.

Although her stomach was a-flurry with activity, it would have been even more intense if she knew he thought of her as 'beautiful'. The feeling did increase a little as Gavin grabbed her wrist, though she knew it was because he was uncomfortable. She could see it clear as day, even if they were sat in the almost pitch black dark - the only light from the dabbled moonlight filtered through the canopy of leaves. "I was just concerned." She said, a little put out. Concerned that he was concerned, oh it made her head spin.

She put her hand in her lap when Gavin dropped it. She fought the urge to look away, Gina felt almost embarressed that she'd tried to get their moment back. Surely he wouldn't let her live it down - in private of course, if they talked about it in front of everyone they'd lose face - and the teasing would increase. Not that she minded the teasing, much. She just craved the attention; any was welcome, be it a tug of her hair, a grope or a push into the mud. Maybe not so much the mud, Gavin had a habit of making sure she wouldn't be able to get up for a while afterwards.

"I didn't feel like watching you guys getting progressively drunker and more lecherous." And she didn't much like the other patrons who got lecherous over her. Though, her main reason was she didn't like seeing other women being all over Gavin. It stung to say the least. It stung like a giant wasp stabbing her heart out then going to roll in a nettle and thistle patch. Oh, and then jump on it wearing spikey shoes. "Stung" didn't even begin to cover how Gina felt when she saw Gavin with other women.

[Gavin Bates]

Gavin was drunk and she wanted him to be responsive? That was really asking a lot, but he’d probably have tried if she’d bothered to ask him. And was it really his fault he was simple? He’d been dropped on the head as a child, bullied (hence his desire to beat on other people) and outcast even from a young age – naturally he’d had no education to speak of, save how to farm. So was it any surprise he wasn’t a wise, intelligent young man and happened to like simple things? Anything complicated made his brain hurt at the best of times, unless it was a good plan. Gavin would have made it in the army, could have become a leader of men, if he hadn’t floundered off into the forest first. Such is life.

In Gavin’s books, Marian’s reason for being an impressive fighter was that he didn’t expect it of a high class woman. Lots of the young women could brawl, but they tended to be uncouth and had lots of brothers to fight with anyway. Regina, like these other girls, had grown up surrounded by men and as such she was clearly more skilled than your average bear woman.

Besides, who wanted kids following you around? Nasty little buggers.

”Fair enough,” he shrugged, making sure her hand was away. She didn’t need to be concerned unless he collapsed, but then it did make him feel sort of special for a change. He shook the feeling off. That was weird.

Gavin wasn’t entirely sure he’d tease her as much as she probably thought, but he would tease her – mostly because that was the best way for him to express his emotions. One day he’d grow a backbone, honest.

”Like you can’t hold your own,” he grunted. If Apple had ever told him that she disliked being fawned over by the other men, Gavin would probably laugh but keep an eye out for her. Of course, she was likely too proud to admit that, so he’d never actually know. And he’d be less likely to have other women draping over him (not that he got that many) if Apple was there – partly because people assumed things, and partly because her glares would probably warn off any potential partners before they could approach him.

[Regina Apple]

Something about Gavin's indifference to her concern made Gina shy away. She wasn't going to try anything for a while. Not unless she was so drunk that the floor was the sky and the trees were taking. Maybe then they could both forget it by the morning. The worst thing about this whole affair was she would remember it, probably with embarressment. It was always the way. Things seemed a good idea at the time, but by morning the sense had set in along with regret.

Why did she have to love the one member of the gang who seemed incapable of loving someone besides himself? Oh the unfairness of life. Gina was doomed to a life of pining so it seemed. Pining and odd moments when Gavin let down his guard. Maybe she should find another. But she couldn't. Gina lived in the vain hope that Gavin did love her too and was just unable to admit it to himself and/or unable to express said feelings.

She scowled at him, suddenly feeling too tired to be able to comprehend what he was saying entirely. There was every chance that her next words would make little sense or have no reference to what they were talking about. "I can hold my own. You just need to learn that not everyone wants to get drunk all the time. I didn't feel like it tonight." She snapped at him. Gina moved from facing Gavin to sitting beside him, with a bit of space between them. She considered kicking him off the rock entirely; this was her bed after all. He was only welcome there under certain cirumstances.

(ooc - what button did you press to make it go all weird?)

[Gavin Bates]

(OOC – I hit return accidentally instead of ~ and it went all funky. College computers, dude! Also – gah, short!)

The atmosphere seemed to change, and even Gavin recognised that easily. What had he done to offend her now? Seriously, women were so touchy, he’d just complimented her and everything! Maybe he’d ask Tristan for help one day… Nah, not likely, the ponce would probably laugh at him and he’d never hear the end of it. No, he was better off carrying on as he was and learning as he went. Although where that would lead, no one knew.

And now she was snapping at him, and shifting away, and everything was cold again. He frowned and folded his arms, grumping rather childishly because he felt that was how Gina was behaving too – childishly. Maybe they needed to get another girl in the camp to keep her some company, and that would ease her up a bit. He considered shifting and going over to his own bunk, but his energy had left him and he merely flopped backwards, lying down instead. It was likely that even if Gina kicked him off, and he meant literally kicked him off, he’d just roll down to the ground and stay there. The fresh air was starting to get to his head and he felt a little bit dizzy.

”Where’re the others again?” he asked, unsure if he’d asked this before, and not really caring either. Anything to stop the silence – it was horrible.

[Regina Apple]

(ooc - *snugs* s'okie, I have no brain today. I think we cooked it on the BBQ earlier XD)

The need to cry overwhelmed Gina again, but she managed to fight it. For now. She'd upset him. By going in a huff herself, Gina had triggered a grump from Gavin too. She hated herself sometimes. But she was so confused. Her mind kept relaying the kiss, the events before and after it. He'd initiated the first almost kiss, until he laughed and he claimed he hadn't been laughing at her. What did that mean? That he actually liked her? He hadn't pushed her away when she'd kissed him. What did that mean? That he wanted to kiss her?

All these thoughts buzzed around her head, along with more along those lines. She couldn't think. She couldn't comprehend anything. Had she realised that Gavin had given her a backwards compliment again, she would not have snapped at him. She would have jumped on the chance (and possiby him too...). It was rare that Gavin showed any form of a sensitive side - to anything, let alone her - she had to make the most of these oppotunities. But, stupid lil' ole Gina had gone and put her foot in it.

She missed his warmth. They'd only been sat next to each other, but it was enough. She needed someone to connect to, and her heart was set on connecting with Gavin. Maybe another girl in the camp would work. No. Gina would just get jealous of any attention given to/from Gavin and end up killing the unfortunate girl. And it wouldn't be a nice clean kill either; Gina could be malicious when she wanted to be. And she got jealous easily when it came to Gavin.

Deciding she didn't want to kick Gavin out of her bed yet, Gina lay down next to him propped up on her side so she could look at him. "I don't know. No one tells me anything round here." Considering how close there were lying together, a potentially horrible (yet amusing) thought crossed her mind. "Imagine if they appeared now. Boy would they have a field day." She began to trace circle on the fabric covering Gavin's chest. "They'd give you more stick for it though. Everyone expects it of me." Lie. She'd tried to keep it on the down-low from the rest of the group that she loved Gavin. And they wouldn't let either of them live it down.

[Gavin Bates]

(OOC: nom nom, fried Bob brains!)

It wasn’t like it was Gina’s fault, really – Gavin was a moody arsehole, and he was good at being a moody arsehole. He was fantastic at it, actually – he was probably one of the contributors to why the gang just didn’t work. If he left, maybe they’d end up like Hood’s lot, going off and helping the poor… Really, the standard in Sherwood was slipping far too much. No one seemed to understand what it meant to be an outlaw anymore.

Gavin couldn’t stand the silence for much longer, and was unsure as to whether Gina was going to reply, so he had to bite down on his lip as she did speak, just at the same time as he was about to. It hurt a little, it had been quick, but no one would notice.

”Join the club,” he murmured, not noticing as she laid down and started tracing circles on his chest. That was soothing, a nice gentle touch, making him a little bit drowsy… He shifted slightly to wake himself up, tried to think of something coherent to say. ”Sod ‘em,” was about the best he could come up with. He unconsciously moved his hand so it laid on top of the one Gina wasn’t using to circle with, and he felt a bit odd… Content, maybe, but he’d never felt content like this.

It was just getting plain freaky now.

”Even if there was something in this, why would it be any of their business?” he asked, a bit louder than he’d intended. He lowered his voice a little as he carried on. ”I mean, Tristan’s got his bird and we don’t say nothing. God knows what’s going on with Simon and Josh. And we never see Hanton or Forrest anymore so I don’t reckon they got no right to comment on nothing.”

”They don’t think of you like that,” he muttered, the hand on top of hers squeezing slightly in comfort. ”You’re not that type of girl, not really – you can see it, when you know you.”

God, was he being nice? He completely blamed the alcohol. This was the sort of thing he internalised, shoved down to the deepest depths of his soul and squashed with several hammers and a flood of golden coins. He’d never said it out loud before, and thought this was probably a bad idea to be saying it now.

Hopefully they’d both forget it in the morning.

[Regina Apple]

(ooc - omg, you Hannibal Lector in disguise? He eats brains!)

Ok, the moodiness she was going through was an over-reaction. But she couldn't help it! Regina was over-run by an immense amount of hormones right now and all these different signals from all over the place. She too was probably why the group didn't work - far too tempermental. They guys never knew how to react to her mood swings, and to be honest neither did she. It was moments like this when she wished she'd had a female influnce while growing up. But Gina couldn't complain, she liked her life and no one could have everything. Like them peasants, they shouldn't get free money without earning it. It was just wrong!

As Gavin bit his lip, Gina got the feeling that he'd been about to speak too. "Seems like that we don't tell anyone anthing." She murmured quietly, concentrating on her hand. Concentrating on the contact between her and Gavin, wishing that there wasn't this extra layer between them. She didn't mean his clothes - well, not completely - but more the guarded front he put on. "Yeah, sod 'em. They're not as pretty as us anyway." Gina was too begining to feel sleepy, until Gavin laid his hand on hers. That woke her right up with surprise. She tried not to show her surprise, thankful that his closed eyes couldn't see her expression right now.

His words sent a flurry of excitement around her, finally settling to buzz about in her stomach. 'Something in this', did that mean something? She damn well hoped so! "They have no right, but it doesn't mean they won't." She whispered. Tristan's relationship with Alice was outside the circle, which made it almost untouchable. And Gavin had lied, when they first found out about the whole Tristan-Alice thing they'd bullied him no end. She didn't even want to think about what he'd meant about his Simon and Josh comment. Hanton and Forrest? Well, they could go to Hell for all she cared. Anyone would think they'd followed John and joined Hood from this abscence.

Gavin had successfully made Regina Apple blush, a rare occasion for the expert liar. Blushing showed weakness, especially in lying, and she'd thought she had good control over colour going to her face. But his wonderful words and comforting hand squeeze had done the job. She bit her lip, silently battling the pros and cons of her next move. She decided 'What the Hell...' and lay down next to him, resting her head on his chest. "Thank you." The circling stopped because she lay her hand flat on his chest, feeling his heart beat.

She hoped that he wouldn't reject this sudden show of affection, and rather that he'd complete it by putting his arm around her. She no longer mourned the old lost moment she'd thrown away by kicking him. Hopefully they'd found a new one, and it was so much better. Yes, the old one had involved kissing him; but this one was warmer and closer. Gina was such a sop when it came to love, and, she was very much in love with Gavin.

[Gavin Bates]

”There’s no communication,” he agreed idly, eyes drifting shut again as he focused on how calm he was feeling right now. Maybe that was his major downfall – he hated talking. He found it a waste of time, to elaborate more than necessary on things. What was the point in gossip? He was a bit snarky at times, sure, but it was always for a purpose – usually to get a rise out of someone. Maybe if he stopped internalising and started telling people what he was thinking…

Nah.

Gavin grinned at that, his eyes still shut. Regina was definitely prettier than the rest of the group, but then again he didn’t play for that team. Plus, she was startling. Her hair, for example – he often wondered if it was natural. Of course, it had to be – unless she was a witch or something – but really, it was spectacular. He wondered if it felt nice and soft or if it was grimy, like his own. Her boobs were also spectacular, but more a secondary thing – Gavin was nothing if not a leg man. He imagined them to be quite amazing, long and slender but not too thin, if only he could actually see them without all the clothes…

This wasn’t to say she wasn’t beautiful in general, but he was a man and he was allowed to be focused on these things. And while her personality was certainly at odds with her beauty, he wouldn’t change her for all the gold in Nottingham. Well, okay, maybe make her a little more receptive, but whatever. She complemented him well… And here he was, thinking like that again. At some point, as he’d drifted off into his own mind, he’d started stroking the top of her hand gently, absently, and stopped himself, just resting it again.

”Anyone’s prettier than Hanton,” he replied, before yawning a little bit. ”But you ain’t bad; prettier than any of the tavern maids in Nottingham…” And if she wanted more than that, she could go find another bloke. Gavin didn’t do poetry and comparing women to gods or all that nonsense. It wasn’t his way.

Maybe there was something in it – whatever they’d had would have probably changed now, anyway. Gavin wouldn’t be so bothered by groping her, anymore, anyway. He successfully stifled a yawn this time and replied ”Threaten to cut off their manhood or something, that’ll shut ‘em up.”

Gavin was simply surprised he’d said anything as he had, and so was still too much in shock to do anything about her stopping her motions and simply resting her hand. He did intertwine his fingers with hers, and moved his free hand to clutch the now motionless one, but he wasn’t sure about pulling her into a hug. If he was honest about it, he was a little bit… scared.

[Regina Apple]

Gina could not agree more. No-buggar talked in this camp. Got a feeling? Bottle it up until it comes spewing out. It's more entertaining for the masses that way. She knew she'd enjoyed her fair share of explosions in her time, and took part in more than she'd like to admit too. But not talking was the only thing she knew, she didn't really know how to express how she felt, other than when it all came rushing out and talked for her. In all fairness, Gina was raised to believe that showing how you really felt was a weakness - like when in a fight, showing your opponent that you're scared could be the death of you. Gina had just also applied that logic to the rest of her life.

Gavin wasn't conventionally handsome, but Gina thought there was a certain roughness to him which she found completely irresitable. And she'd always had a soft spot for dark haired males. She didn't care if he never washed it, it was all part of what made Gavin Gavin. His arms fascinated her. Regina had always wanted to know - even from day one - what it'd be like to be held in those arms.

She did love him, she really did. Even though he was a buggar and a tease. Regina had always hoped he had a nicer side hidden somewhere in his rough personality - and she'd found it. She'd never forget this night, even if she had to pretend she had. She almost felt like she could open up to him and admit how she felt. She wasn't going to of course, in case he ran away screaming. Then she'd never have him. Gina feared rejection and believed that just having Gavin around was better than him knowing and being away.

"Well, no duh." Hanton was textbook 'ack'. At first Gina thought Gavin was nodding off, what with the yawn and all - in fact it made her yawn too. But then he continued. She was glad there was already colour in her cheeks - and for the lacking of light. That was the nicest thing he'd ever said to her. Ever. Since the beginning of time. Though, neither of them were around in the beginning of time - as far as she was aware. She took a very quiet tone and decided to mumble her next words, not really wanting to say them - but they were escaping without her permission. "That must be the kindest thing you've ever said. To me anyway."

A grin filled Gina's gace and a soft laugh filled the camp. She liked that idea. "If they have any manhood to cut off." Gina liked how things had changed between them. She would never have tried to hug hime before, let alone lie next to him. It just felt so right. But the thoughts of tomorrow made it all wrong. What were the chances of things continuing like this? Gavin has a ruthless reputation to uphold, and she'd supposed to be pretty scary too - how can they be that and be in love at the same time? Surely they were contradictions?

Her heart beated erratically as Gavin locked his fingers with hers. Her stomach flipped and knotted more intensely than ever before. He'd accepted her gesture. She let out a breath she wasn't aware she'd been holding. Now she was there - nestling in to make herself more comfortable and force Gavin to hold her closer, hopefully - Gina realised how scared she was. This was new, she didn't do new well. New was scary, new was dangerous. But this time, she was willing to try out new - she'd wanted it for so long.

[Gavin Bates]

If Gavin had known just how Regina felt, he would have probably started running, screaming, off in the other direction as fast as possible. Commitment, he did not do. Even what he was doing was simply so out of character… Definitely blaming the alcohol in the morning, he’d decided, but it was also… well, nice. A well kept Gavin secret was that he liked to snuggle after a tumble, just because it was nice to have another person lying next to you, making you feel like there was something more to life. It was just unusual for him not to have had to try and pull to get someone next to him.

Gavin only caught the last part of her muttered sentence and blinked, then mentally shrugged it off. It probably wasn’t important anyway, not right now at least. He couldn’t help but grin as Gina laughed at his suggestion, and at her own ponderence, and listened as she let out a deep breath. ”You alright?”

She was nestling into him, maybe she was cold or something. It was getting a little bit nippy, he supposed, as he looked down at her, head on his chest. He wasn’t cold, anyway. He wrapped his arms around her, letting go of her hands to do so, and shifted slightly to get more comfortable, tearing his gaze away from the sight of moonlight dancing on her hair and instead looking up at the few stars he could see through the leaves of the forest. One hand moved up idly and started stroking her hair, ever so softly, and he sighed. Content, mind you.

”Why are we still here?” he asked suddenly. It had been bothering him for a little while, and he hadn’t been able to come up with an adequate reason. He knew he couldn’t give a toss about the other members of the gang, and it wasn’t like he got on with his family or had any friends in Nottingham, so why was he still here? Habit, maybe? Familiarity? ”What’s actually keeping us from getting up, grabbing whatever loot’s left and buggering off to… I dunno, Liverpool or something.” He looked down at her again for a moment and flashed a grin. ”Apart from you pinning me down, that is.”