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It looked like it was going to be yet another warm day in Sherwood Forest. The sky was blue, the sun was shining, and one certain outlaw was resting on his pallet bed, bored out of his mind. With his long legs stretched out, he leaned his head on a tall stack of pillows behind his back. A knife in his hand, he was carving shafts for his new set of arrows. One could never have enough arrows, especially if one was Robin Hood.
“Robin…” Marion entered his tent. Her cheeks bright red, sunburned from being out in the summer sun. “Little John and I are riding out soon, do you need anything from—”
“I’m coming with you.” Robin sat up straight.
“No, you are not.” She put her hands on her hips. “You aren’t going anywhere with that ankle of yours, you can barely stand, let alone walk.”
“I’m fine. It’s just a small sprain, it’s back to normal. See!” He wiggled his toes.
“No, it’s not.” She rolled her eyes. “Tuck said you must rest for at least a week. Besides, don’t argue with me, you’re not going anywhere.” She folded her arms, waiting for him to argue.
“But I’m Robin Hood! I’m head of this camp,” he pouted.
“Robin Hood is on sick leave. I’m in charge now and you’re staying in bed,” said Marion with no room for argument.
Robin groaned and pouted. “It’s your fault, I’m here.” He leaned his body against the pillows with a heavy sigh.
A few days earlier
With how hot the summer was and how dry everything was, it was only to be expected that fires would happen. One of the most recent ones burned down a school in a nearby village and Robin; together with Marion, Little John, and Friar Tuck travelled to help the villagers rebuild the building. After a hard day of work, chopping and carrying the wood, Robin’s tanned skin was covered in sweat. Clad only in his leather trousers, taunt muscles on his exposed chest were more pronounced after a day of manual labour. With the sun low on the horizon, ready to leave for camp, Robin made his way through the village in search of Marion. He found her standing next to buckets and barrels full of water; her thick, auburn hair half wet, already forming curls. He made his way towards her, and she smiled and waved at him when she noticed him.
“Someone needs a bath.” She scrunched up her nose. “There’s a lake behind that house. The water’s really nice.”
“What? Does my scent offend you, lady Marion?” he took a step towards her.
“You could say that.” She took a step back. “It’s a bit… intense.”
“Oh, but this is all natural…” he puffed out his naked chest that glistened with sweat in the afternoon sun. With his arms outstretched, he advanced towards her, ready to hug her. “You smell a bit too clean. Did you just bathe, Lady Marion?”
Marion took a step back. “Don’t you dare touch me,” she warned, pointing a finger at him. With her other hand, she grabbed one of the smaller water buckets, gripping it tightly in front of her like a shield.
With a mischievous glint in his eyes, Robin darted towards her with determination. Marion squealed and in one swift move poured water all over Robin, dropped the bucket, and jumped back, increasing the distance between them.
Robin froze in shock. He spat water out of his mouth, narrowed his eyes, and said, “You’re in biiiiiiig trouble.” And he took off chasing her. Marion ran away laughing, trying to avoid his long arms.
“Are you going to run all the way to ca— Ouch!”
A loud thud came from behind her. Marion turned around to find Robin sitting on the ground, holding his foot.
“Really? Faking an injury to win? That’s low,” she said, shaking her head. But when he didn’t reply, she paused and took a step towards him. “If you’re faking,” she warned him, “you’re going to regret it.” But as she approached him, he lifted his head, his face contorted in pain. She ran towards him.
End of Flashback
--
As days passed, Robin’s foot began to heal. He was now able to bear weight and walk a bit more but it was still swollen and bruised. Laying on his bed, with his leg propped up on a stack of pillows, chewing on a piece of grass, he stared at the ceiling, formulating plans for their next mission.
“How are you feeling today?” asked Marion as she walked inside Robin’s tent, taking him out of his thoughts.
He sat up straight. “Good, I’m good.” He looked at her remembering what day it was. “Are you still going to Rosewood today?” he asked.
“That’s the plan.” She shifted her weight from one leg to another. “How’s your—”
“It’s fine,” he quickly said. “I think I’m going to join you.”
“Show me your foot.” Marion raised her brows.
“What?” Robin was taken aback. “I’m not going to show you my foot. Don’t you believe me?” he pressed his lips together and shook his head in disappointment.
“No, I don’t.”
He put his hand over his heart, faking offence. “Would I lie about something like this?”
Marion raised her brows, her lips curled up in a smile. “Absolutely.”
She knew him too well, he thought.
“Now, Lady Marion, I’m hurt. How could you accuse a fine gentleman like myself of lying.”
“Are you not?” She narrowed her eyes.
“Come here and see for yourself.” He pointed at his foot.
Marion’s eyes darted from his face to his foot, eyeing him suspiciously, considering her options. Not knowing what he had planned, she knew that he was up to no good. Despite that, she slowly walked over to his bed and turned her back to him to examine his foot. Big mistake. Robin’s strong arm sneaked around her waist and pulled her down onto the bed. With a loud yelp, she landed next to him. Without wasting time, his fingers moved up and down her sides, tickling her. Marion burst out laughing and curled up, trying to protect herself from his attack.
“Stop,” she managed to say between fits of laughter as his hands continued their attack on her stomach. “This… isn’t… fair…” she managed to spell out between fits of laughter, trying to flinch away from his long fingers.
“What isn’t fair?” Robin paused for a second, allowing her to catch her breath as he manoeuvred himself to a more advantageous position while she tried to focus.
“I don’t want to hurt your foot,” she said breathing heavily.
“I don’t think you’re in any position to hurt me.” Robin grinned as he hovered above her, straddling her legs, holding them in place. He managed to grab both of her wrists with his large hand, and he pinned them above her head as he positioned himself above her, leaving his other hand free to continue his assault. Marion’s eyes widened in shock as she realised what had just happened. With a feather like touch, Robin brushed her side with the tips of his fingers. Marion flinched away, twisting her body, unsure how she found herself in this losing position.
“Lately, you’ve been way too bossy,” Robin mused, his hand warm on her waist. “I think, you need to be taught a lesson.” His fingers ran up and down her side, Marion wiggled under his touch and laughed as he tickled her without mercy. “Who’s in charge?” he asked. His fingers froze to allow her to answer.
Defiant as always, Marion squeezed her eyes shut and scrunched up her nose ready for his attack. “Me,” she said and pressed her lips together.
His fingers ran up and down her side, making her squeal and wiggle under his touch. He leaned towards her and with his mouth next to her ear, he whispered, “I don’t think you’ve heard me.” Marion’s large eyes shot open. “I’ll repeat myself. Who. Is. In. Charge?”
“M—” he didn’t let her finish as his fingers moved quickly on her skin, punishing her disobedience. Marion tried to move away from his touch without much success as his strong legs held her body in place. “Me!” she finished her sentence between fits of laughter.
“Wrong answer.” Robin’s hand brushed her ribs. Marion’s stomach and cheeks hurt from laughing. Struggling to catch her breath, his fingers paused.
“Last chance. Who’s in charge?” his fingers gently dug into her soft flesh, threatening a new wave of attack.
“Fine! Fine! You are…”
“Good girl.” Robin let go of her wrists, patted her on her head, and lifted his body off of her, letting her go. With a speed of light, Marion rolled out of his bed and stood next to it, her thick hair wild and tangled, her cheeks red from laughter, her soft lips parted as she tried to catch her breath.
“… staying in bed.” She finished her sentence. Robin’s eyes flashed towards her in disbelief. “You are staying in bed.” She repeated to make herself clear.
“Oh, you sneaky…” Robin reached out with his arm trying to grab her but Marion took a swift step back putting herself out of his reach. His arm circled the air. “I’ll see you when we get back.” She blew him a kiss as marched out of his tent. Robin shook his head.
--
Over the next few days, Robin’s condition improved, and with Tuck’s instructions, he started to walk on it more and more. He hadn’t seen Marion since that day in his tent. She was due to be back any day now and it was payback time. As he walked towards the wooden bridge, he saw her standing on it, far away from the noisiness of the camp, lost in thought, she stared at the small stream underneath. Above her, tall trees with their bright green leaves provided respite from the scorching summer sun. He smiled to himself. That was just too perfect.
“Morning,” he said as he stopped next to her.
Surprised, Marion turned to him, she hadn’t heard him approach. “Morning.” She smiled. “How’s your foot?”
Without a word, Robin took a step towards her. He leaned forward, cupped her cheek with his hand, and, without a warning, he captured her lips, gently brushing them with his own. Stunned, Marion didn’t react, her eyes wide. Before she had a chance to respond, his lips left hers. With a huge grin on his face, Robin turned on his heel and walked away. Shocked, it took Marion a moment to react. She shook her head and said, “Where do you think you’re going?” She chased after him.
Robin laughed without looking back.
“What was that?” she caught up with him.
Robin stopped and turned to her.
“That was me asserting my dominance.” He winked at her.
Marion wrinkled her forehead, confused.
“Thinking of it, I should probably do it again, just to make sure it sticks.” With that, he stepped closer to her, put his hand on the small of her back, and pulled her towards him. Goosebumps covered Marion’s skin, she didn’t protest, not that she wanted to. Looking in her eyes, Robin lowered his head and kissed her. This time, Marion was prepared and responded to his kiss surprising him. He moaned and parted his lips, electricity ran down his spine. She stepped closer to him, placing her hands on his chest to steady herself as she stood on her tiptoes for better reach, deepening the kiss. With one hand around her waist, Robin pulled Marion closer to him, his other hand tangled in her hair.
Slowly, he pulled his head away, breathing heavily.
“I’m in charge,” he whispered and kissed her. This time gently.
Marion’s hand flew to his cheek, and she tore herself away, just far enough to look up at him with a mischievous smile.
“In your dreams…” she said against his lips and kissed him.
Robin groaned, pulled her closer to him, and deepened the kiss, knowing that, when it came to Marion, he was anything but in charge. That he lost his upper hand a long time ago, if he ever even had it.