Crimson & Clover {OC x GUTS} Berserk

12. Soft Things

"Get off me! I need to get back up there!"

Jill pushed herself off of Guts and stared as he struggled to move. He grunted and thrashed. The fall had done more damage than he'd thought.

"The pip squeak still there, eh?" Guts grit through his teeth as he coughed up blood, "Sprinkle some of his dust on me. Hurry! She's alone up there!"

Jill began to lightly shake Puck's dust over Guts's face and neck. As she did so, the sun began to peak through the valley and the trees. Guts clenched his fists, still unable to gather the strength to move.

"Guts!!!" a voice called from above, "Guuuuttsss!!!"

Jill, Puck, and Guts looked up to see Marcella peaking over the cliff.

"She's alive!" Puck yelled as he wriggled out of Jill's grip and flew up to Marcella. When he got to her, he wrapped his small arms over her cheek and began to heal what injuries he saw. He gripped her face, "Tell me where it hurts!"

"Everywhere," she looked down once more to see Guts talking to Jill, "Can you help me get down there?"

"Sure!" Puck flew in circles around Marcella while she cast a spell and began to levitate. Together, Puck and Marcella made it to the bottom of the ravine just as Guts sat up.

"Get outta here. Go home," Guts said to Jill as he took Marcella's arm, "Let's go."

"But wait, shouldn't we make sure she gets home safe? It isn't –"

"We need to talk. Now."

~~~

"A spell, huh?" Guts asked, his eyebrow raised, "Then what was that glowing bow you had back in the village?"

"Another spell," she said. He had asked her how she survived the night. He had a firm grip on her bicep, his eyebrows furrowed and a look of judgement across his face. She stood her ground and answered him as calmly as she could.

Regardless of his anger and not knowing what he was thinking right now, she didn't feel threatened. He didn't scare her.

Guts brows relaxed and he let go of Marcella's arm, "You need more practice with a bow." Marcella just stared at him. Her eyes were wide and her very presence bothered him. Yet, at the same time, he hated the idea of losing her and he had come so close to doing just that, "You look awful, princess."

Marcella's face twisted into one of anger, "Don't call me that."

"Fine. You look awful, Marcella."

"It's Clover!"

"I prefer Marcella."

"Fuck you," she shouted, stunned the words had come from her mouth. She turned away, unsure if she could really stick by his side. Why did she think any of this was a good idea? He clearly held suspicions around her. That she could deal with. But the disrespect was another issue entirely.

"Marcy – Wait," he grabbed her wrist and stopped her from walking away. She turned, making direct eye contact and he immediately dropped her hand.

"What?" she said, wondering if she had been a bit too harsh and tried to soften her face.

They were silent for a moment before Guts pointed ahead, "There's a stream ahead. You can wash off there."

They walked in silence, birds sang softly in the early morning air as Guts watched her with hesitance.

"I'm going to try and find us something to eat," he said rubbing his neck as she started to wade into the stream.

She only nodded and turned, walking away. Exhaustion was setting in and the cool stream wasn't helping. Expelling so much magick was simultaneously physically and mentally draining. She hadn't done this much since the day she ran from Lady Paloma's burning cottage. Each day in the cave was steady and every time she ventured out, as long as she didn't stray too far, she knew she was safe.