Love thy Enemy? (manxman)

Chapter 5

Wow I'm back. Though this chapter is a little, filler, setup and short :)

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Nothing like a wicked blow to the head to make one consider ones place in the universe, Rob thought ironically as he held back a well deserved groan.

He didn't know exactly how it happened or for that matter why but one moment he and Will were having what could only be termed a semi-civilised conversation and then the next moment...nothing. He hadn't even seen it coming, which when he thought back now concerned him more than a little. The only warning he'd had was a pause in Will's voice and a slight turn of his head and then BAM! Lights out.

And I'll be sure to remember that in future, Rob thought rubbing his head.

Now that he was awake he was starting to think and feel again. His arm especially, was throbbing but when he looked down at it he could see that it had been tightly bandaged. Looking around cautiously he noticed he was again in his 'guest' accommodation . If you discounted the arm and head it was almost like nothing had changed. At least the rain had stopped. He was just pushing himself one handed off the cot when a commotion at the doorway caught his attention.

"What the bleeding hell did you do to him?" Kamal must have been upset though his voice was low Rob could here the burr of anger beneath his tone.

"He is not irreparably harmed." Will replied calmly. Rob almost chuckled at his comment, almost.

"Irreparably harmed...my god man do you here yourself. You sound like an eighteenth century matron." Kamal said exasperated. "The man's covered in blood and all this person can say is he's not irreparably harmed." Rob did chuckle at this and moved swiftly as he could towards the door flap thinking to stop Kamal before he started calling on the saints above.

Will must have heard him because before Will could touch the door flap it was shoved aside. Will looked him over briefly before allowing him to pass by towards the still muttering Kamal. Rob didn't think he imagined the momentary look of concern in the man's eyes but didn't have a chance to dwell on it when Kamal grabbed him in an almost hug. Rob never knew that Kamal was such a softy, maybe the planet was getting to him.

"You alright?" Kamal asked slightly embarrassed as he let him go.

"Yeah, nothing a new head and arm won't solve. Along with being a wonderful guard turns out Will here is spectacularly skilled when it comes to knives. Talented really." Rob stated pointing his thumb at the still listening Will.

Kamal looked over at the man speculatively. To which Will slightly shrugged and dead panned, "you're not too bad yourself."

Rob sucked a breath in and with mock surprise said, "wow do my ears deceive me or was that a complement." Looking at Kamal he continued, "Kamal you heard that right? That was a com...ple...ment."

Kamal was looking at Rob as if he'd been knocked a little too hard. Will just rolled his eyes a little though Rob could swear he saw the man's lips twitch before he turned with a gruff, "I'll leave you two alone for a while."

"We won't be too long darling." Rob called loudly after him much to Kamal's amusement.

"You sure it's wise to tease him like that." Kamal commented doubtfully.

"Nah but it is fun." Rob replied moving away from the doorway so that Kamal could enter.

"So what really happened out there?" He asked sitting down across from Rob who'd reclaimed the cot.

"Honestly I'm not sure about the last of it but it started with him taking me out into the forest..." Rob tried explaining the events as quickly an as detailed as he could.

"So you're telling me he hunted you down and then after cutting you proceeded to have a conversation with you before inexplicably knocking you out."

"That's about it."

"Man, that's one crazy son of a b*tch."

Rob nodded in agreement, "interesting though."

Kamal stared at him before shaking his head, amused. "Man, you are a lost cause."

"So you any closer to finding out what's going on?" Rob asked changing the subject.

"No and 'little' John is awfully tight lipped for such a young man. If I remember correctly he's supposed to be at the age where bragging is the norm. But this one, he's not letting anything slip. Which leads me to think he either doesn't know much or he's more mature than we previously thought."

"Hmm."

Kamal coughed a little before continuing, "look, I don't think we're going to get anywhere continuing the way we are. I think it's time we changed tact and tried to actively seek their trust."

Rob leaned back on his cot his eyes on the open doorway. "I'm listening what do you suggest."

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There had been few times in John's young life when he had met someone who could make him angry, annoyed, speechless and stunned all at the same time. So perhaps now was karma's way of making up for lost time, with a vengeance. It seemed that before Kamal had come along John had never experienced the gamut of emotions, anger, annoyance, frustration and if he was willing to admit (which he was not) amusement and attraction. All within the space of seconds. It was the last of those 'feelings' that left him the most bemused though. Before Kamal John had thought himself only attracted to women who because of his height were usually smaller than himself. No where in his fantasies had he ever imagined himself attracted to an older, coffee coloured (yum), strong enough to carry him man, never, ever. Now he found himself impatiently waiting for his lordship at the bottom of Will's 'tree' almost unconsciously examining his feelings. It was enough to make the previously confident young man more than a little rattled. Also more than happy for the break in his oh-so-important guard duty. He figured they weren't going anywhere and while he had considered eavesdropping it had just seemed wrong.

When Kamal finally clambered down the tree it was to find a very impatient John waiting. "It's about time. I was almost ready to drag you down the tree." Introspection made John a little cranky, so sue him.

"Oh my, I'm sorry my little John. I had no idea you had another pressing engagement by all means don't let me keep you." Kamal gave the younger man a slight bow not looking the least bit silly despite his size.

Count to ten, count to ten, John thought trying not to grind his teeth together. Kamal watched the man wondering vaguely if his patience would win out. When the young man turned with a low, "come on," he was actually a little impressed.

Stopping John took as little as putting his hand on his elbow. Immediately released when John pointedly glared at his hand as though it was covered in slime. Kamal leaned in a little closer to the young man before saying, "I have something to tell you. Is there somewhere private we can talk?"

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Above the two men at yet unnoticed stood Will silently observing. He stood there thoughtful, watching the two men moving away the elder leaning protectively towards the younger. Finally the two guests had lost their patience and from the little he'd managed to overhear and observe, were about to make a move. That was fine with him. Will was a great believer in 'the first bird to leave the bush was the first to be eaten for supper.' Thinking in metaphors made him hungry and he knew just where to go. Maybe explaining the knock to the head would put 'Rob' in the mood to talk to him. He'd take it from there. He pushed off from the railing and turned sauntering back to his aerie and the man within.

Let the games begin.