I'm Still Listening [Robin+Maria]

Chapter 4

[Maria's point of view]

I sat at the edge of the cliff thinking. There's something wrong with Robin, but what? He's always been distant, but not like this. I need some time away from him, to try and work it out. Everyone knows. Sir Benjamin even agreed to stay socially hidden for my sake, which I'm eternally greatful for.

I stood up slowly, making sure not to fall. Of course, I wouldn't like to go through that again. "Maria?" I heard from behind me, making me jump. I lost my footing and slipped over the edge, but instead of falling and probably dying in the sea below me, I was caught by two strong arms. I looked up into a pair of worry-filled eyes. "Robin..." I began. I he pulled me up and away feom the edge. "Maria, I thought-"

"Yes, I know. We aren't travelling. I just needed time alone" I sighed. He let go of my arms and looked down. "Robin, you have to tell me what's wrong" I stood closer to him. He looked into my eyes and slid his hand into mine. I noticed he took a glance down at my mouth and back up again. He leaned down closer to me, but then moved away quickly.

"Maria, I'm sorry" he moved quickly towards the edge and... jumped. I screamed and ran. I watched him fall, further and further away from me. When he hit the water, there was a big splash, and then silence. He disappeared under the water. No...

A tear rolled down my cheek as I ran to the tunnel that lead to the tree. How could he? How fould he leave me like that? In that position? Was he about to kiss me? I stopped when I reached the tree. There was a note on the bed again. It must be from Robin. I read it slowly, until I reached the end.

'Maria Merryweather, I love you'

Another tear rolled down my cheek, and another, and another. He loved me. Is that what he didn't want to tell me? Is that why he almost kissed me? He loved me?

I raced back to the cliff and before even thinking properly, I dived off the edge. It was always a slow fall. But it lets you think for a moment. Robin loves me, and here I am, diving after him so I can save him. I hit the water hard, but not hard enough to kill me.

As I looked around under the dirty blue water, I could see a feather being tossed around by the harsh waves. Robin's feather... I swam towards it quickly and sure enough, there he was, motionless at the bottom of the sea. I grabbed his arm and pulled him upwards. Luckily he was lighter in water, so it was fairly easy. The hard part was having to hold my breath. But I managed it, just about.

We both reached the surface and I breathed heavily, pulling Robin to land. He still lay there, not moving. "Robin, wake up!" I yelled pushing on his chest. He choked up some water and sat up. "Why did you save me?" he asked. "I didn't want you to die" I exclaimed, wrapping my arms around his neck. He pushed me away. "You should have let me, everyone would be-"

I crashed my lips onto his and he eventually began kissing back, wrapping his arms around my waist gentilly. I slid my hands around to the back of his head, pulling him closer. We moved in sync with each other and it slowly became harder to breathe. I pulled away and stared into his eyes, panting.

"Maria" he whispered, smiling. I smiled back and kissed him once more quickly. "Nobody would be happier without you" I stroked his cheek and his smile faded, ever so slightly, but still remained. "I love you Maria" he pulled me towards him and hugged me tightly. I hugged back. "I love you too" I whispered in his ear.

I pulled away from him and stood up, holiding my hand out to help him up. He smiled and simply pulled me back down. I landed on top of him and we both laughed. Ater several munites I rolled off of him and stood up again. He joined me this time and I was about to walk away, when he grabbed my arm and pulled me back, planting another kiss on my lips. I smiled and kissed him back.