regency au } { of scared squires and complicated feelings

[impetere]

Liam: [so back when Parrish was getting arrested and the Argent knights were grabbing the squires to keep them from being able to help their Lord, Liam wiggled away and ran right for the Hales. That had been the agreement between Parrish and Liam when Cora had offered on that road to Hale territory - if anything happened to Parrish, Liam was to run to the Hales and not look back. They would take care of him.

But as he got to the stands, he stopped and looked back at Parrish and bit his lips in fear. But who was going to help him?]

Cora: [and down she comes while Laura has everyone distracted, reaching for his hand] Liam, come with me.

Liam: [nods and goes with her, trembling] What are they going to do to him?

Cora: I don't know, but we need to get you out of their way. [and she will pull him back towards the house, heading towards the private areas]

Liam: [just goes, and when he hears footsteps behind them, snaps around and growls]

Stiles: [hands up] It's just me, Master Liam. I want to make sure you're safe.

Cora: [glances back to Stiles, before opening the door to her chambers and gesturing for them both to get inside] Inside, quickly.

Liam: [running in quickly, and Stiles is behind him, getting inside and making sure there is no one in the hallways that connect to it]

Cora: [shuts the door behind them before exhaling slowly, slumping back against it for a moment] They shouldn't look for you here.

Liam: [and he's going to sit against the wall, curling his knees up to his chest] They're going to kill him, aren't they?

Cora: Not if Laura can help it. She and Peter will do something, I promise.

Liam: [shakes his head] No, they won't be able to stop it. The Argents always kill people. It's what they do. They don't care who they are, they just want to kill.

Cora: That's not true, not all of them. [she goes and moves to sit next to him, wrapping her arms around his shoulders] Laura will do something. I promise.

Liam: [and he's going to curl into her and start to cry. Because in the end, Liam was still a scared, alone 12 year old omega]

Cora: [holds him close, letting her chin rest against his head and smoothing a hand over his back. Her eyes find Stiles across the room and it's clear that she's not even sure she believes that Laura and Peter will be able to do something, but she can't let Liam know that]

Stiles: [comes to join them, rubbing his back] Hey, Liam... it's going to be okay. I mean, if nothing else Derek can always sneak him out the back and we'll smuggle him to my manor. He’s promised a place there, remember?

Cora: [nods in agreement] Everything will be alright, Liam. I promise.

Liam: [keeps close] I knew we shouldn't have come. We should have stayed away. But he was stupid. He was in love and he wanted to see her.

Cora: [she doesn't disagree with that, but there's nothing they could do about it now] I know.

Liam: [and yup, just going to cling to Cora and sniffle.]

Stiles: [sits against the wall behind him, rubbing his back but not knowing what else to say]

Cora: [neither does Cora, but there's nothing they can do about it now until they hear that it's all clear]

Liam: [it's going to take a while before] If Laura marries Lord Argent... I can't come back here. [said softly]

Cora: Perhaps. But you can come and visit me and Peter at our summer home. Malia will be there after the wedding anyway.

Liam: [nods] As long as there are no Argents.

Cora: No Argents. It's Peter's property, they will have no claim to it.

Liam: I just... I can't... They... they were the ones...

Stiles: Were they the ones who took away your family?

Liam: I ran. My mother told me to run and I ran and ran and I hear their screams but I kept running.

Cora: [squeezes him tighter] We will not let them hurt you. I promise.

Liam: Why does Laura have to marry one of them? She's a nice person.

Cora: Because of a promise our families made a long time ago. If she doesn't, it may start another war.

Liam: They killed your people too?

Cora: And we killed theirs. That's why the treaty was written.

Liam: You should have just killed them all.

Cora: Then that would make us no better than them. We were trying to find a better way.

Liam: [sighs and just snuggles into her more. He didn't think there was, and it was going to take a lot to convince him that the Argents weren't evil walking the Earth.]

Cora: [she doesn't blame him there, but for right now she'll just hold him close and try and soothe him until word comes]

Liam: [and eventually he will just crash emotionally and fall asleep in her arms]

Stiles: [seeing him asleep] Why do you have to go to the southern castle?

Cora: Because when Daniel marries Laura he takes control of this house, and if he forces Peter out and I stay then Daniel becomes responsible for me and who I marry. None of us want that so I will be going to live with Peter.

Stiles: Oh. [he sighs] There really isn't anything about this marriage that doesn't stink, beyond the lack of war.

Cora: [chuckles softly] There really isn't.

Stiles: Maybe some part of the castle can fall off on his head. After the marriage. So that it is an accident and the contract was fulfilled so no need to do anything more.

Cora: Mmmm. One could only hope.

Stiles: Well, there is a God. Just need to pray a bit.

Cora: [laughs] I don't think he answers those.

Stiles: Hey, the God I've read can be wrathful to the wicked.

Cora: But wrathful to those who offend him, not those who offend others.

Stiles: To kill another in this way? Pretty sure that's offensive to any God.

Cora: [frowns] I think for some it would depend on if they were human or not. [that is certainly the justification the Argents have for killing werewolves.]

Stiles: For some, but not for all. [looks at her and smiles] Not with a bit of education behind you.

Cora: [small smile] I will have to take your word for it.

Stiles: Well, the education on the subject keeps people from screaming demon and rushing for the door. [smirks]

Cora: [she laughs] That is very true.

Stiles: Though I will admit you are the fluffiest and cutest “demons” I have ever met. [pets Liam's back gently]

Cora: You've never seen us when we're threatened. We can be quite terrifying then.

Stiles: Hopefully the only time I will see it will be when you're defending me.

Cora: I don't think that is anything you have to worry about. [her attacking him, she means]

Stiles: Good. [smiles a bit, then it drops] Laura and Peter will find a way to save Parrish, right?

Cora: [she takes a deep breath] I hope so.

Stiles: Me too.

Cora: [sighs softly, before gesturing to Liam] Help me get him to the couch?

Stiles: Sure. [and he will go and pick the sleeping boy up, and smile a bit as Liam curls up into his arms a bit] He's a good kid. Even with all he has been through.

Cora: [nods as she grabs one of the blankets from her linen closet and brings it to drape over him] He's lucky he found Sir Parrish when he did.

Stiles: I can't imagine it was easy on him. Losing a family is never easy. [something they both know]

Cora: [shakes her head] No, it isn't. Especially not the way he did.

Stiles: [once they have Liam settled, he just goes to take her hand, squeezing it gently]

Cora: [glances over and squeezes it back] You don't have to stay. We'll be fine.

Stiles: I know, but I want to. [small smile]

Cora: [and she's grateful, she knows, but she also doesn't want him in trouble if a fight is coming] You'd develop quite the reputation if you're caught.

Stiles: You mean beyond the one I already have?

Cora: And what reputation is that?

Stiles: I think one of the knights said I was just a Stable Boy in Noble Clothing.

Cora: I was thinking of more with the reputation that comes with being caught in a noble woman's chambers.

Stiles: I think that would be a step up in the current reputation. [smirks]

Cora: [she laughs] I suppose it would be.

Stiles: You are the one who tends to have a reputation of dragging me to your quarters, I will state.

Cora: Really?

Stiles: Well, to me at least. [smirks] This is the second time I have been in it.

Cora: Well, those were extenuating circumstances.

Stiles: Still. Not that I mind. I mean, you have very nice taste in decorations.

Cora: Thank you.

Stiles: [nods, looking around] But if you do want me to leave, I can. I don't want to cause you any problems. It's not my reputation I worry for.

Cora: [her eyebrows raise] Do I seem like the type to care?

Stiles: You worry about mine. Am I not allowed to worry about yours?

Cora: You are a new noble. People are paying more attention to you than they are to me.

Stiles: Well, I don't care much for what they think. I care more what you do.

Cora: You already know what I think of you.

Stiles: That I do. [he squeezed her hands a bit. He knew, but he hoped to help foster it for something more] But you know, I'm not a servant anymore, either.

Cora: [glances over, frowning in confusion] You were never just a servant to me.

Stiles: I am aware of that. I just mean... I um... [he bit his lip a bit] I just mean that if you wanted to spend more time with me... to deepen our friendship in ways it was improper to before... I…I would like that.

Cora: [there's a moment where she doesn't respond, almost as though she's not sure what he's talking about. Then she lets go of his hand carefully and glances away] I'm not entirely sure what you mean.

Stiles: [and because it always works that way, this is probably where there is a knock on the door that keeps him from speaking and taking a big step away from the lady and closer to Liam]

Cora: [glances up and frowns] Who is it?

Scott: It's Sir Scott. I have Master Parrish with me. We're looking for Liam.

Cora: [darts across the room to the door, before opening it. She blocks the entrance to the door for the moment to make sure it's them and not a trap, before pulling back and letting them in] How did you get out?

Parrish: [looks very tired] It's a long story and I don't remember part of it.

Cora: [nods as she closes the door behind him] Well, he will be very happy to see you.

Parrish: [nods, seeing Liam] I'm glad that he is safe.

Scott: You should tell her the good news, man. [nudges Parrish's shoulder]

Cora: [a confused look as she glances between the two of them] Good news?

Parrish: [small smile] The contract between your sister and Lord Argent has been transferred to others in your family. The duke will knight me officially tomorrow, and I will joust for your sister's hand tomorrow.

Cora: [her eyes go wide because what even, before she's back to looking confused again] Transferred to who?

Scott: Your lord uncle. [totally listening in]

Cora: [another long stare] And who?

Scott: Lady Kate Argent.

Cora: [still a moment of staring before she starts laughing]

Parrish: He seems to be acceptable of the match. Especially if it means I can have your sister's hand.

Cora: I'm apologize. I wasn't laughing at you. I am happy for you, truly, I just ... well, I did not expect that.

Parrish: I don't think anyone was. I know I am grateful for him though.

Cora: I'm sure Laura is as well.

Parrish: [he looks at Stiles a moment since he had been in the room, nodding a bit] I have a feeling it will help the entire household as times goes on.

Cora: [nods before glancing back to Liam] Do you wish to take him somewhere else? While I'm sure my reputation could stand one man in my chambers I'm not sure it could stand three.

Parrish: I'm going to take him back to our tents. Sir Scott is my body guard for the evening.

Cora: [nods and steps to the side so that he can get to Liam]

Parrish: [kneels down] Pup, it's time to go back to our tent, no matter how comfortable this couch is.

Liam: [blinks awake, then sees Parrish and all but flings himself into his master's arms] I thought you were dead.

Parrish: [holds him tightly] I promised you I wouldn't leave you on your own until you were ready. I'm not about to break that now.

Cora: [just moves back, watching them for a moment as she leans in the doorway between the sitting room and her actual bedroom]

Parrish: [standing up, carrying Liam easily in his arms] I will see you at the joust tomorrow, yes?

Cora: [nods with a small smile] Wouldn't miss it for the world.

Stiles: I'll even purchase a little flag to wave. [grins]

Parrish: Then I will take my leave. Goodnight Lady Cora. Lord Stiles.

Cora: [nods] Goodnight. [and then she will fall into silence, even after they've left]

Stiles: I... I guess I should take my leave as well.

Cora: [nods, swallowing awkwardly as she does] Thank you for the help with Liam.

Stiles: It was nothing. [his eyes lowered a bit, not meeting hers. He's confused as to what Cora's real feelings are in this]

Stiles: It was nothing. [his eyes lowered a bit, not meeting hers. He's confused as to what Cora's real feelings are in this]

Stiles: [nods] Goodnight, Cora. I will see you in the morning.

Cora: [and she will nod and close the door behind her before she starts freaking out fully]