The Barbarians' Lover

Chapter 29

When Sawyer woke up he saw Willow still fast asleep. She was curled up as close to him as she could get. His arm was still wrapped around her. Leaning in he placed a kiss on her forehead and then climbed out of bed. Hearing a knock on the door Sawyer glances at Willow before walking over to the door and opening it. Eleanor stood on the opposite side.

"So should I expect there to be clothes all over the floor, or is it safe to inter?" Eleanor asked.

"It's safe, just be quiet," Sawyer said moving aside.

As Eleanor walked into the room she saw why he said to be quiet. Willow was still asleep. Moving her eyes from Willow, Eleanor got to work removing the bandage from his chest. Under the bandage was a reddish patch of skin and in the center of the burned skin was a line of stitches keeping a nasty wound closed. Although today it looked much better than it had.

"Okay well I'm going to clean this then I think I'm going to leave the bandage off," Eleanor said.

He felt the sting of peroxide as Eleanor carefully cleaned the wound. After she was done cleaning it she left the room giving clear instructions to not cut it open like his last wound that would heal. With a sigh, he looked at his reflection in a mirror. He now had scars littering his body, just like the inky tattoos. He had many scars carved over his left side where a tattoo of an anchor sat barely noticed. On the right side of his chest sat an inky tattoo of a compass which was surprisingly the only thing besides the tattoos on his back that wasn't blemished by a scar. As he stared into the mirror he saw and heard Willow stir.

"Good morning, kitten," Sawyer said.

"Mmm, morning," Willow said stretching her arms over her head.

"How did you sleep?" Sawyer asked.

"Wonderfully," Willow said starting at him through the reflection from the mirror," I haven't slept like that since I came back."

His brows knitted together. What did she mean by that?

"Have you not been sleeping well at night?" Sawyer asked turning to face her.

"Not really, if I'm being honest I've gotten used to sleeping in your room after what happened with Thomas," Willow said.

He walked over to the bed and sat down beside her, pulling her into a hug. When she pulled away from the hug he watched her eyes trail over his scared upper body and then land on the now very noticeable burn on his chest.

"How did you get all of these?" Willow asked.

"I got them from fighting Thomas," Sawyer said.

"But I saw them before," she said looking up at him.

"I got them trying to get you back and keep you safe," Sawyer said," a few of them I could hide under my usual clothes."

She didn't say anything. Instead, she just stared at his chest.

"Kitten," Sawyer said lifting her chin so she'd look at him," do not think that these scars are your fault, I would gladly take more if that means to keep you by my side."

She surprised him when she suddenly leaned forward and kissed him, her arms wrapped around his neck. Shocked just for a second Sawyer kissed back snaking his arms around her waist. As the kiss deepened, he fell backward on the bed. Willow pulled away when she felt his body tense.

"What's wrong?" Willow asked.

"You're laying on my chest, kitten," Sawyer said pain laced thick in his voice.

"Sorry," Willow said quickly getting up.

"It's okay, I'm still alive and that's what matters," Sawyer said sitting up.

"Umm, Sawyer," Willow said.

"What is it?" Sawyer asked looking at her.

She sat beside him fidgeting with her hands. She looked a little unsure as she spoke," do you really think I'm the right one to be firstmate?"

"Yes, I do," Sawyer said," and I only want you."

He saw her face go red at his claim. It was true, though, he knew she was capable of accomplishing anything. And he did only want her not just for the job but by his side. Then why not take her? A voice in his head spoke.

"Sawyer, are you okay?" Willow asked.

Snapping out of his thoughts he looked at her and saw concern plastered on her face. Not wanting her to be worried he answered," yes I'm fine."

He could tell his answer did little to comfort her so he placed a kiss on her lips then stood from the bed.

"I think it's about time we got something to eat and then get some of our things done for the day," Sawyer said

He watched Willow climb out of the bed and waited for her by the door. They both made their way out of the room and as he went to grab something to eat, Willow went to her room to change. In the kitchen, he saw Dino. Dino was cleaning the countertops as Sawyer went to the fruit bowl and grabbed an apple.

"Never got around to say thanks for not leaving me in the forest," Sawyer said leaning against an already cleaned counter.

"Oh, no problem, and if I can be honest with you I did want to run," Dino said.

"Well I appreciate the honesty," Sawyer said taking a bite of the apple.

"Can I ask you something?" Dino asked turning to look at him.

He motioned for him to ask away. With all the questions Willow has been giving him, Sawyer has grown quite used to them.

"Is the rumors true about you?" Dino asked.

Sawyer tilted his head trying to remember all the rumors about him.

"What rumors are you talking about?" Sawyer asked," there are quite a lot of them about me."

"The ones that say you won't hesitate to kill, and you're someone to fear," Dino said.

"Those are somewhat true," Sawyer said the went into further detail for the confused Dino," I don't hesitate to kill someone that has done something to my boat or crew, and the only time you should really fear me is when I get pissed."

Dino just gave him a look of somewhat understanding.

With a sigh, Sawyer added," if I'm being all honest I normally just want to be left alone and someone that has pushed me past my point is when I lose it, and that's where most of the rumors come from."

"So stupid people don't know how to take no for an answer," Willow said.

Sawyer turned his attention to the doorway and watched her walk into the kitchen. She was now wearing a soft blue shirt, grey pants, and black ankle boots. Her hair was pulled up into a ponytail.  She walked over to Sawyer and took the apple out of his hand.

"The counters haven't looked this clean before," Willow said taking a bite from the apple," great job, Dino."

"Uhh, thanks," Dino said.

The two men watched as Willow walked out of the kitchen with the apple in hand. A smile slithered on Sawyer's face as Willow walked out of sight.

"Did she really just take your apple?" Dino asked.

"Yes, she did," Sawyer said pushing off the counter and following after her.

He was not about to let her get away with taking his apple.