Protecting His Own

Summary: Robin has a brother. He plans to keep him.
Warning(s): AU; Disciplinary Spanking of adults.

###

Will Scarlet sat in his hut, on his bed, staring into space. Robin of Locksley now knew who he was. Knew the whole sorry tale of how their father loved Robin more than him, to the point Will had grown up a bastard child with all the hardships and ridicule that entailed. Robin seemed ready to leap into brotherhood, eager for family. Will wanted to do that as well but was more reluctant to accept it. If things went wrong, it certainly wasn't his older brother that would pay the price.

They'd made the plans for rescuing the others in the morning. Robin was worried, but he knew there wasn't anything they could do until the prisoners were brought out. Breaking into Nottingham Castle beforehand would result in even more lives lost; and there'd been too many of those already.

No. Tomorrow was for freeing his men. Tonight, was for his brother. The brother he'd had no idea existed. Had their father been aware? How could he have not told Robin about Will? Was it any wonder that his brother had grown up hating him? Had even tried to throw a knife in his back?

It was about time Robin dealt with the younger man as an older brother, as family. They needed to trust each other implicitly on the morrow and it would be difficult to do that while all this lay between them.

Sunset wasn't far off and the torches were lit around the camp already. Now, Robin stood outside his brother's hut and knocked.

Will moved to the door and opened it, pausing for a moment before hesitantly stepping back to allow Robin entry. "Do you need something?" he asked uncertainly.

"I just want to talk to you." Robin stepped into the hut, looking his brother over carefully. Softening his voice, he added, "I want to talk to my brother, if he'll let me."

Will's stance relaxed slightly at the words and he nodded briefly. Swallowing, he motioned toward the bed. "I uh... don't have a chair, so if it doesn't bother you...."

Robin walked over to the bed and sat down, looking seriously at his brother. "I'm sorry," he said. "I'm sorry you grew up without a father. I'm sorry our lives were so different."

"I... I know you didn't know about me. It wasn't your fault, really. It... it just hurts. He didn't even care a little. Just threw us over like we were nothing because you didn't like the idea, he was with my mother..." Will swallowed and blinked back tears. He thought he'd outgrown the hurt of abandonment, but apparently, he was wrong.

"I'm not going to abandon you, Will," Robin promised. "For as long as I live, you'll have a place with me. My brother." He leaned forward slightly, hands resting on his knees. "But I won't tolerate the way you have been acting so far. I will deal with your behavior as your older brother."

Will gave Robin a slightly confused look. "I admit I haven't been as cooperative or accepting as the others... I was angry. I'm not sure what I've done that needs the reaction of my newly accepted big brother, though... or even what that means," Will admitted. 

"Even if we put aside the matter of your attitude towards me, you were going to throw a knife into my back," Robin said calmly.

Will winced. "I wouldn't have actually aimed to hit..." He squirmed.

"Even if you didn't intend to actually aim at me, accidents happen," Robin said. "How would you have felt if you had hit me? Knowing I had no idea why you hated me so much?"

Will bit his lip and looked away, blinking back sudden tears. He knew deep down; he didn't hate Robin. He actually looked up to the older man and was prepared to follow him into his battle against the Sheriff. "I would have felt horrible " he admitted. "Guilty."

"Come here, brother." Robin spoke in a low voice. He wasn't angry. Instead, there was care...affection...in his tone.

Wil could hear the tone and while he didn't understand it, it eased his fear that Robin was angry and would lash out at him, like he had lashed out at Robin. Swallowing hard and not attempting to fight the tears slipping from his eyes, he walked to Robin's side.

Robin reached out and drew his brother closer, looking into Will's eyes. His voice kept the same caring, affectionate tone as he said, "I'm going to punish you for your behavior towards me. I'm going to put you over my lap and spank you. It will hurt, but you'll be forgiven, and we can start over."

Will's eyes widened and he gave a startled look. "That... you can't!" he protested, some of his fear returning. He began to try and pull free of Robin's grip. He'd seen the after-effects of the whippings his friends had got growing up and had always counted himself lucky his mother had never resorted to that as a punishment. That his newly accepted older brother planned to use it scared him.

Squeezing Will's hand, Robin said softly, "I'm not going to beat you or whip you, Will. You'll be over my lap, with your ass bare and it'll be just my hand smacking it."

Will blushed darkly. "That doesn't make it better!" he protested, still trying to pull free.

Robin pressed his hand against Will's back and gave a gentle push so that his brother would end up over his lap. "I won't use anything more than my hand on you, little brother. No matter what you do." He rubbed Will's back gently and then proceeded to bare his brother.

It confused and frustrated Will that all his struggling was as effective as a toddler trying to pull free from their mother's grasp. "Why do you have to spank me?! How am I not breaking free?!" he whined unhappily.

Robin tightened his hold around Will's waist, pulling his brother tight against his stomach, and lifted his hand, bringing it down in a firm swat at the crest of Will's bottom that he then repeated. "From the moment I met you, you've been a brat to me. And I could let that go, but the actions you took were dangerous. A knife shouldn't be thrown unless you intend to hit your target. Taking a life isn't easy, little brother. And it's even worse when it's not intentional." He continued to swat, covering Will's entire backside down to his thighs in the stinging smacks.

Will continued to struggle fruitlessly as Robin heated his bottom, but his verbal protests had stopped. He was obviously listening, because at Robin's gentle lecturing, his tears became vocal.

"You told me that you weren't going to aim to hit me, and I believe you," Robin continued, even as he continued to swat, beginning a second circuit of swats. "But even if you'd intended it, even if you did want to kill me...it wouldn't make a difference to how I feel, knowing I have a brother. I would forgive you just as easily as I do now. Accept you. Love you."

"H... how?" Will choked out. "How can you feel that way when o... our father didn't?" His voice sounded like a lost, frightened child and it shamed him, but there was little to be done about it. Especially when he began to sob softly directly after the question.

Robin winced at the words, at the audible sobs. He stopped spanking and began to rub his brother's back slowly. "I can't speak for our father, only for me. Even before I knew the truth of our relationship, I was relieved to see you come back. I didn't want anyone to be hurt or taken, but it felt worse that you were part of that. I just didn't understand why until you told me the truth."

"I just wanted a family. A name..." Will cried softly. "I.. I claimed Scarlet and tried to make it something to be proud of... not because that's what mama was called because of me..." he choked out.

Replacing Will's clothing, Robin moved his brother onto his lap and hugged him tightly. "I'm sorry you didn't have it before now, but I claim you as my family. As my brother. The name Locksley belongs to you as much as it does to me."

Will twisted until he could hold onto Robin tightly, continuing to cry. "I'm so sorry I was awful and bratty and... dangerous! I didn't want to kill you!"

"I know. I believe you. I forgive you. I love you, my brother." Robin tightened his hold on Will, rubbing his back comfortingly.

It didn't take long for the gentle affection to calm Will. Sniffling softly, he asked in a quiet, tear roughed voice, "What now?"

"We have an early start in the morning, rescuing our men." Robin gently squeezed him. "I feel we should share a hut tonight. We've spent far too long apart."

"You don't have a hut..." Will pointed out in amusement.

"Then it's just as well that you do." Robin smiled.

Will smiled back before looking around the tiny hut. "You may have the bed... I will throw some pelts on the floor..."

"We're brothers, Will," Robin said mildly. "There's no reason not to share the bed."

"We'll practically be on top of each other..." Will pointed out.

"I've slept in far worse positions with no brother to grow close to," Robin commented. "You've been without family for too long. There's no reason to stay separate now."

Sniffling once again, Will nodded. "Okay." He whispered an agreement.

Robin hugged him a bit tighter. "Have you eaten?"

"Ate when you ate..." Will shrugged faintly, snuggling close without thinking about it. It was just him and his brother; no one else to see and comment about him being childish.

Robin didn't loosen his hold on Will, instead just rubbing over his hair and back. "Do those wounds on your chest need tending?" he asked. His brother didn't seem to be in much pain, but Robin had seen men succumb to infection before. He'd do anything to avoid Will meeting the same fate.

"John's wife took care of 'em. You can look if you want, though..." Will gave Robin an almost shy look. It had been a long time since anyone had noticeably cared about him.

Robin nodded. "Not that I don't trust her, but I'd rather see for myself how they are healing." He began to carefully remove his brother's shirt.

Will shifted enough to make it easier for Robin, but otherwise left it to the older man to take care of him. It was an unusual feeling, having someone care about him.

Robin began to carefully check the wounds, rebandaging where it was necessary. "They might pull tomorrow. I need you to be careful, brother." He let his hand cup Will's face, so that his brother would look at him.

Will obediently looked into Robin's face. "I'll be as careful as I can be..." he promised.

"Good. I can't lose you, brother," Robin said seriously.

Will's face crinkled up, like he was close to crying again, but he regained control over himself. Carefully, he removed his outer clothing so he could get into bed. Once in his underclothing, he crawled onto the bed and scooted over close to the wall, so Robin could get in.

Robin removed his own outer clothing and got into the bed next to his brother. Without any hesitation, he reached out to draw Will into his arms, hugging his brother close.

"Robin?" Will had waited a few minutes, until they were both settled and comfortable to speak.

"Yeah, little brother?" Robin rubbed his hand over Will's back.

"You won't spank me again, right?" Will glanced up into his brother's face. "I'm really too big...."

Robin snorted softly. "I won't spank you again if you don't do something that deserves it. Which means no dangerous behavior or lying. And you're not too big for your older brother to take you in hand."

"I'll never sit again..." Will lamented. "Unless you mean lying to you, and it's okay otherwise?"

"I expect you to be honest with me," Robin replied. "Just like I'll be with you. As for lying to other people, there might be a few exceptions, but on the whole, that'll be between you and them."

"I'll try to be honest..." Will said honestly. "But I've gotten in the bad habit of keeping things from you and telling fibs, so I think I prolly will have a hard time sitting..." he said, in resignation.

"We'll deal with those occasions when they occur," Robin said. "But no matter what happens, no matter what you do, I'll forgive you. I'll love you, my brother."

Will snuggled close. "...Okay..." he said, in a small voice. He wasn't ready to tell Robin he loved him yet. So much of his life, he'd felt what he thought was hate. He didn't hate his brother, though. Looked up to him. Trusted him. Cared what happened to him. But he was so very confused and he'd just promised never to lie to Robin, so he wasn't going to say something if he didn't even know himself how he felt.

"Sleep, Will," Robin murmured. "We've got an early start tomorrow." He rubbed Will's hair and down his back.

Letting out a soft sigh, Will closed his eyes. Soon, he was asleep.

Robin closed his own eyes and slipped into sleep only moments after his brother.

****

They couldn't say their plan had gone off without a hitch. Several of them had nearly died. Will had done several risky things that he was very glad Robin hadn't seen. But... in the end, they'd won. The sheriff was dead, as was the less than honorable cardinal. Marion was safe. Will figured he'd escaped a scolding from his brother.

Robin was relieved that they were safe, that the Sherriff could no longer harm his people. As things settled down from the chaos, he quickly went to find his brother. Seeing Will about to be beheaded had scared him. He needed to make sure his brother was safe.

Will was talking to Friar Tuck when Robin found him. "And there's the hero of the people!" he teased, with a smile.

"I'm not the only one, little brother." Robin reached out and placed his hands on Will's shoulders, looking him over carefully. Seeing Will whole soothed the fear and worry that still lingered.

"Hear that, Tuck? You're a hero too!" Will grinned impishly, even as he held still for Robin's inspection.

Robin looked over Will long enough to assure himself his brother was unharmed, then wrapped his arms tightly around Will. "I thought I might lose you," he whispered, a slightly hoarse note creeping into his voice.

"I knew you would save me in time!" Will declared confidently, even as he returned the embrace.

Robin hugged his brother a bit tighter. "I would do anything to save you, brother."

"I know..." Will soothed. "You already did."

Taking a deep breath, Robin let himself calm down, though he didn't let go of his brother. "I'm pretty sure I won't be letting you out of my sight any time soon," he muttered.

Will chuckled. "Somehow I don't see Marion being happy with that. And she was in more danger than I was."

"Will, your head was nearly cut off," Robin said. "Marion was in danger, but she wasn't going to lose her life. Not like you were in danger of doing so. I would have lost my brother before he had the chance to feel the same love for me that I do for him."

Will's mouth dropped open, but he didn't have anything to say to that. Instead, he wrapped his arms around Robin in a tight hug. Hearing it said like that made him feel guilty at some of the chances he'd taken. What Robin didn't know wouldn't hurt him, though. Hopefully.

Robin hugged Will tightly, letting himself calm down and try to forget the image of his brother about to die. Will wasn't dead. He was whole, in Robin's arms.

Will gave Tuck a slightly confused look over Robin's shoulder. He wasn't used to having someone worry like this. Not about him. It did enforce his original idea that he shouldn't tell Robin everything that had happened on that day, if he was this worried over what he did know about.

Tuck looked at the brothers before speaking. "I'm sure there are some who need administering to. I will leave you both in peace, at least for as long as it will last." He moved away.

"Hey..." Will finally said, unable to hide his confusion. "I'm okay. No injuries... least none to worry about...."

Robin noticed the wording and pulled back enough to look into his brother's eyes. "Where?" he asked. Almost automatically, his hands began to examine Will's body...seeking out the injuries his brother claimed were nothing to worry about.

Will winced. He hadn't meant to make the worry worse. "Just some scrapes and bruises from the fight. I am okay, brother."

"And I will not rest until I see that for myself." Glancing around, noticing that they'd been left alone, Robin began to remove Will's clothes, so that he could see and treat each one of his brother's injuries.

"Robin!" Will's protest was furtive and embarrassed. "At least let us return to the hut!"

"I'm going to make sure each of your injuries are treated, Will," Robin said sternly. "And I won't wait to do so. You need to get used to me caring about you, little brother, because it won't change. And this cavalier attitude towards your own safety and well-being is going to stop."

"You won't have to wait long... please? We're only a short minute away from the hut..." Will gave up trying to fight his brother. It wasn't preventing Robin from removing clothing and it was drawing the attention of several of the others.

Robin hesitated, fingers still curled in his brother's shirt, looking into Will's eyes before finally nodding. "No fighting or resisting me, brother," he warned, wrapping an arm around Will to guide him to their hut.

Swallowing, relieved Robin had stopped stripping him outside where everyone could see, Will followed obediently. "No fighting..." he agreed.

When they were inside the hut, Robin immediately resumed stripping his brother, checking Will over.

Will flushed, but didn't fight. He hadn't lied about it being scrapes and bruises, even if he hadn't admitted to the more dangerous stunts he'd pulled during the fight.

Robin's obvious worry and fear for his brother calmed, as he was able to check and treat each of the scrapes and bruises. Once that was done, he wrapped his arms around Will in another tight embrace. He'd come close, too close, to losing the brother he'd only just found. "I won't lose you, Will," he whispered. "Not now that I've found you."

"I believe you..." Will said, with a hint of amused awe. "Not sure how... given the lives we lead, but I believe you."

Robin held Will close, letting his breath out slowly. "I love you. I knew that already, but seeing how close you were to death...." His arms tightened automatically around his brother.

Will sighed and sunk into the embrace, letting Robin hold as tightly as he needed. "You gonna let me get dressed again?" he huffed, with a smile.

"That depends how likely you are to rush off into mischief," Robin replied. "I believe I mentioned keeping you close."

"What mischief could I possibly get up to at this moment?" Will blinked. "It's nearing nightfall."

"And time to eat as well." Robin finally let go of Will, picking up his brother's clothes and handing them to him.

"I am hungry..." Will admitted, as he began to dress.

"We can join the others," Robin said. "With the Sherriff gone, I imagine there will be a lot of celebrating."

"I know I plan to. There is an ale with my name on it!" Will grinned.

Since his brother was now dressed, Robin wrapped his arm around Will's shoulders, steering him out to join the others in their celebrations.

****

Several days passed as things calmed down and the region became used to the fact that the Sheriff and his crooked cronies were no longer in charge. Robin's estate had been reinstated to him by the king. People felt safe and, as a result, felt more at ease with telling their story of the day they gained their 'freedom'. Of course, telling their story often included telling the stories of those they'd been with. Will should have realized word would eventually reach Robin about what exactly he had done that day to stop the Sheriff.

Robin hadn't been deaf to the whispers and rumors going around. They hadn't really bothered him that much...until he heard Will's name. And then he was not only listening, his worry and fear for his brother spiked again at what he heard.

Knowing he needed to find out the truth of what exactly had happened from his brother's lips, Robin went in search of Will.

Will had moved onto Robin's estate at his brother's behest, though he was living in a different wing of the castle so that they had a semblance of privacy. He was in his sitting room when Robin came in. He looked up from the book he was attempting to practice reading (Tuck was teaching him) and immediately grew nervous and defensive at the look on Robin's face. He wasn't certain what he'd done wrong, but something told him he had done something. "Good evening, brother..." he said hesitantly.

Robin walked over to Will and sat down in front of his brother. "I've been hearing some rumors about what went down during the battle with the Sheriff and his men. About some of the actions you took."

Will licked his lips before carefully asking, "What type of rumors? I wasn't cowardly, I swear! I supported you fully!" He knew what Robin had likely heard, but he had no intention of admitting it if he could avoid doing so. Robin was already over-protective.

"I know you weren't a coward. I know you supported me fully." Robin leaned forward slightly, looking into Will's eyes. "But there's a line between being brave and being foolhardy. And I told you what would happen if you did something that put you in danger."

"You saw me right after the battle! I was perfectly healthy! Only a few scrapes and bruises!" Will knew he was protesting too much, but couldn't seem to stop himself.

"I saw you right after the battle," Robin agreed. "But not during it. Not after I made sure you were safe. Answer me honestly, brother. Did you take dangerous chances?"

Will didn't want to lie to his brother; they had come so far in their relationship in such a short time. Robin truly wanted him in his life and went out of his way to make certain not only Will knew, but that the entire estate and surrounding village knew, that Will was his brother. Robin loved him, despite the rocky start to their relationship and everything Will had done. And Will was happy and... and he loved Robin too... wanted to be his brother... though he hadn't admitted it out loud to anyone yet. So, he didn't want to lie. And yet, lie he did, old habits winning out. "Of course, I didn't. You warned me!" And then it was too late to take it back. Will felt awful.

Robin leaned forward and placed his hands on top of Will's, looking into his brother's eyes. "Lying to me is only going to make things worse, brother." He gently squeezed Will's hands. "You don't need to fear me. I love you. I won't harm you."

A hurt look crossed Will's face, old insecurities rising to the surface. "Why do you think I'm lying?!" he asked defensively, the hurt clear underneath. Yes, it was true he had just lied, but Robin couldn't know that. While they were growing closer, learning about each other, Will hadn't lied to the other man once since moving in. Robin couldn't know his tells yet. And Will was a damned good liar. He'd had to be (though it wasn't something he was overly proud of; he still saw it as a strength). So, given that Will was so good at lying and up to this very moment not given Robin reason to distrust him... why did his brother immediately assume he was lying? Did Robin not trust him after all?

"Will...." Robin let go of his brother's hands and wrapped his arms around Will, hugging him tightly. "We discussed the possibility of you still lying to me back when I first spanked you. You told me yourself that you'd grown used to it and would find it hard to avoid. I trust you and believe in you, brother, but there have been enough similarities in what I've been hearing from different accounts that I think, despite your best intentions, you slipped up," he said gently, stroking his brother's hair.

Will was stiff at first, but as Robin's words sunk in and he realized Robin hadn't been hearing just a few rumors, but likely tons of reports from people who had no reason to lie (most of them were probably favorable toward his actions, since they didn't worry like Robin), he relaxed into the embrace, hiding his face against Robin's chest. Robin wasn't mad at him and didn't believe the worst, that he'd deliberately lied. He believed that Will had messed up because of bad habits, which was the truth. But if Will didn't confess, it would no longer be a mistake because of habits... it would be deliberate and give Robin good reason to distrust him.  Tears slid down his cheeks and he swallowed hard. "I'm sorry... didn't mean to lie..." he confessed, in a small voice.

"I know it's hard to change the habits you've developed over your lifetime and I'm not angry with you, brother." Robin brushed a kiss against Will's head. "I love you. And I told you already, I won't risk losing you. Not even to your own reckless behavior."

Will sniffled, holding tighter before asking, in a small voice, "What will you do? Because I lied?" He already knew he'd be spanked for the dangerous behavior.

"I'm not going to punish you for lying, because I know it was due to the bad habit you've developed and you did admit the truth," Robin said. "Being honest was good, even if you did initially lie."

Will sniffled and swallowed again. "So, I just get spanked for bein' dangerous?"

"Just that," Robin replied. "I told you that I wouldn't lose you, Will. You're far too important to me."

Will sniffled and snuggled tighter. "Okay..." he said, in a small voice, unwilling to fight against it when he was being let off for the lie.

Pressing another kiss to the side of his head, Robin gently turned Will over his lap, rubbing his brother's back for a few moments before baring him.

Will shivered slightly as he was bared but didn't protest. Reaching down, he wrapped his arms around his brother's leg and held tightly.

"I love you, Will. I know we haven't been in each other's lives for very long, but I don't need time to know how important you are to me. That if I lost you, it would tear me up inside, leaving a wound that won't heal." Robin rubbed his brother's back as he spoke, then lifted his hand and brought it down in a firm smack that he then repeated.

Will whimpered at the words, gasping at the first smack before letting out a tiny groan. "B... beca... because you love me?"

"Because I love you," Robin confirmed. "Which is why I will respond to any dangerous behavior in exactly the same way." He settled quickly into a pattern of swats, going down to Will's thighs before starting over from the top.

"B... by sp... spanking me l... like a n... naughty b... brat?" Will's grip tightened. It was becoming difficult to hold still.

"By spanking you because I'd rather give you a bit of pain and discomfort, you'll heal from quickly than risk losing you or you becoming permanently harmed." Robin wrapped his arm around Will's waist, pulling his brother tight against his stomach, as he began a third circuit, going a fraction harder and faster.

Will let out a tiny sob at that as he lost the ability to hold still and began to squirm from the pain. "...Hurts!" He continued to sob softly, accepting the punishment, even though he couldn't hold still.

"I know, brother." Robin kept rubbing Will's back, even as he continued to swat, wanting to make sure this stuck in Will's mind. "Losing you would hurt a whole lot more than a sore backside."

Will continued to grip Robin's leg, sobbing softly and squirming uncontrollably. Eventually, the sting and the emotions became too much, though. He slumped over his brother's lap and just sobbed, accepting every swat without moving away... submitting fully to his brother's decision. "... S... sorry..." he gasped between sobs.

Robin stopped swatting and replaced Will's clothing before moving his brother onto his lap, into his arms, hugging him tightly. "I love you, Will," he reiterated. "I will do anything to protect you, even from your own actions."

Will continued to softly sob, clinging to his brother. As much as it hurt, it felt good knowing he had family now, who wanted him and cared what happened to him. As much as his backside ached, he felt more at ease and happier than he thought he had a right to. "...Love you..." he said, in a hesitant, small voice. Just because Robin loved and cared didn't necessarily mean he'd welcome Will's own affection back. He'd been rebuffed before. Not by Robin, but still....

Robin tightened his arms around Will at the words. "I'm glad. I love you too, my brother. So much." There was a note of relief in his voice, relief and happiness, at what Will had said.

At hearing the acceptance in Robin's tone, Will broke, sobbing and clinging to the older man with a desperate grip, afraid of losing what he'd gained.

Robin held his brother close and tight, not letting go, stroking Will's hair and down his back. "I will never abandon you or let you go, brother," he promised. "Your home is with me. I love you."

When Will was finally able to regain control over his emotions, he lay limp in Robin's arms. "I'll try to do better... be better..." he promised in a raspy voice.

"I know you will." Robin kissed the side of his head. "I believe in you, brother. No matter what happens, I won't regret that we finally found each other."

"I was about to retire for the night..." Will said hesitantly, not sure he should ask.

"Would you like to stay with me tonight?" Robin asked.

"Yes, please?" Will looked up, uncertainly hopeful.

Robin smiled and hugged his brother a bit tighter. "We can retire now, then. Break our fast together in the morning...perhaps we could go for a ride tomorrow, too?" he suggested, wanting to spend time with his brother.

"I would like that very much." Will smiled, leaning into Robin and letting the older man led him to his quarters.

When they reached his quarters, Robin removed his outer clothing, waiting for Will to do the same before settling into the bed and encouraging his brother to lie down with him. The bed wasn't as small as the one in the hut had been, but Robin still held Will as close as possible.

Will quickly readied himself for bed, then snuggled as close to Robin as possible. Soon, he was asleep, safe in his brother's arms.

The End