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Language:
English
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Published:
2021-06-25
Words:
419
Chapters:
1/1
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487
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if you want love

Summary:

“No one’s ever... told you they love you?”

“Well, I do,” he spoke up again, “Love you, I mean.”

Notes:

I started thinking about how the RA kids growing up in the Ward might’ve affected them later in life and this kind of just wrote itself.

This is also very loosely based on the headcannon that Halt has pet names for everyone in Gallican and Will doesn’t know it but his is “my son.” (Except he does know it and has of course learned the proper response.) (I don’t know French so I’m so sorry if it’s wrong.)

I’ve never written any sort of drabble or fanfic before, and I wrote this in my phone notes at 1 o’clock in the morning so I hope it’s not too bad. Enjoy!

Work Text:

“I didn’t know he was there! I never would’ve played it if I knew he would make me spend the night in a tree, Gil!”

Gilan struggled to regain his breath from his uncontrollable laughter following Will’s rendition of Greybeard Halt, as well as the story of their mentor’s disdain at hearing it for the first time.

It had become a sort of tradition for Will and Gilan to swap stories about their lives (and more specifically, about their mentor) when they met up annually for the Gathering.

“Oh, I love you, Will. Never change.” Gilan finally managed to get out between laughs.

However, at this comment, Will’s laughter quickly died out. Yet a small smile remained on his face, joined now by a look of slight confusion.

“You... love me?” Will questioned slowly.

Gilan looked at Will for a long moment, his eyebrows furrowing at the abrupt change of mood.

“Of course I love you, you’re like my little brother,” he responded easily, after fixing Will with a questioning look.

“I’m sorry... it’s just that, growing up in the Ward... I mean... no one’s ever said that to me before.” Will stuttered out, fidgeting nervously.

A look of understanding flashed in Gilan’s eyes as he questioned, “No one’s ever... told you they love you?”

Will's cheeks flushed and he cast his eyes downward, obviously embarrassed by what he’d revealed.

“Well, I do,” Gilan spoke up again, “Love you, I mean.”

While pondering what to do with this new information, Gilan pulled his little brother into a one-armed hug with a soft “c’mere,” ruffling his forever messy hair as he went.

——-

They were back in their cabin now, sitting quietly, both nursing a cup of coffee and watching as the flames in the fireplace faded to softly glowing embers.

And maybe Halt talked to Gilan, or maybe it was just a beautiful coincidence, but suddenly Halt’s voice broke through the comfortable silence. “Mon fils... you know I love you, right?”

The surprise on Will’s face was obvious as he turned to look at his teacher, searching his face and finding nothing but honesty written there.

And if Will’s eyes began to mist as he leaned into his mentor's shoulder, well, no one had to know but him.

Though his choked voice might’ve given him away as he breathed out his response, “Je t’aime aussi, père.”

Halt leaned his head to rest atop his apprentice’s and smiled to himself. As he did so, he silently gave his thanks to Gilan.