The cave and its secrets
Summary: Will and Horace end up in a cave as the sun sets. Horace is alone and claustrophobic. Will helps.
Word count: 881
Tw: Anxiety/ claustrophobia
Horace was going to kill Will Treaty. Never mind the fact that he was a hero of Arulen, never mind that Gilan would be very put out or even that one could go so far as to say it was treason- the Rangers were, after all, Kings Rangers. Horace was going to kill Will Treaty for neglecting to mention one detail. He had told Horace to keep watch while he scouted ahead, deep into the yawning cavern that was the cave. Horace was fine being left behind, really he was. Until he realized Will hadn’t told him how close to sunset it was and how dark even the mouth of the cave was without the sun sending rays to warm to cold stone. Horace didn’t mind the dark so much as the confined space. He’d always hated tight spaces, ever since he could remember. Something about walls on all sides of him, unable to stretch or even breathe always set Horace’s teeth on edge. And now he was alone in the dark, with shadows breathing down his neck. Horace shuddered, gripping the hilt of his sword tighter. He crossed to the other side of the cave, attempting to put space between himself and the shadows. The wind screamed, sounding suspiciously like Horace’s own name. The knight shuddered, glancing at the cavern where Will disappeared. He was always braver when he had the smaller man to protect. Even though Will didn’t need his protection, Horace gave it anyway. He’d give anything for that man, even his life. Horace whimpered, feeling the walls of the cave tighten around him, settling their weight against his chest. Horace rubbed his hand against his chest, trying to dislodge the anxiety that swirled in his stomach, heavy like food gone bad. Horace sighed, shivering as he glanced at the cavern mouth, willing Will to reappear. Horace could feel himself panting slightly and focused on slowing his breathing. One hand on his chest, Horace wrapped the other around his mid section, applying enough pressure so he didn’t feel like he was about to fall apart. Horace slid down the cave wall dropping to his knees, head lowered. Horace gasped, giving up on slow breathing, focused instead on keeping himself upright. Horace felt if he fell further than he already had, that he would never find his way back from the chasm in his mind, far darker than the one Will had disappeared down. The wind screamed, and Horace broke.
“ Horace” The wind whispered, and Horace swore he could even feel hands on his face.
“ Horace. “ The wind sounded exasperated now. Ghostly fingers trailed across Horace’s jaw. Horace tensed as the wind picked up, raising in volume, shrieking around the cave.
“ Horace?” Horace was shaking, and the wind sounded like Will, a low hum. Horace was still shaking, a rhythmic back and forth that made the wind sound out of focus.
“ Horace.” The wind was louder now, closer to Horace. With a strangled gasp, Horace’s eyes snapped open. Will was crouched beside Horace, one hand on his shoulder, worry knotted in the furrow of Will’s brows. Will was murmuring something, speaking in the quick, low voice he uses to soothe animals and children. Will was shaking Horace, though he stopped when he noticed Horace’s blue eyes on him.
“ Horace?” Will questioned softly. Horace nodded, jerkily but he was responding.
“ I need you to breathe for me love” Will’s voice was soft, his eyes gentle. Horace gasped, shaking his head.
“ Cant breath” He ground out, teeth clenched. Will’s eyes scanned his face, before Will was standing, pulling Horace to his feet, supporting the weight of the larger man easily. Will moved quickly, pulling Horace alongside him. Will pulled Horace out of the cave, settling him easily on the grassy knoll.
“ Breath with me.” He instructed gently, hands giving Horace an anchor point. Horace took a shuddering breath, finding his chest no longer fighting against the motion. Horace sucked in another deep breath, feeling his lungs fully inflate for the first time that evening. Horace dropped his head to Will’s chest, feeling the smaller man wrap an arm around him.
“ I hate you” Horace muttered, the words muffled by Will’s tunic. Will’s arm tightened for just a moment before relaxing again.
“I know. Horace I’m sorry. I just didn’t think” Will whispered into Horace’s hair. The larger man shook his head.
“ Not your fault- I’m the one who can’t handle rocks in the dark, '' Horace joked, lifting his head to meet Will’s gaze. Will smiled at Horace, pulling him tighter against Will’s chest.
“Ready to go? “ Will questioned softly. Horace nodded, thinking of the cabin that he called home and the fire that would be waiting for him there. Horace took Will’s hand, following the Ranger as he picked his way home.
“ I had planned to murder you, you know? “
“ For leaving you in the dark cave? “ Will clarified, glancing back at his partner. Horace nodded.
“ Why didn’t you? “ Will asked. Horace shrugged.
“ Gilan would be put out,” He explained with a laugh. Will laughed along, relishing in the feel of Horace’s hand in his as he led the way to the cabin they shared, content in the knowledge that all in all, his life was full and he was happy.
