#oote!rob

kitty burger, i know you're reading. just know you are the only reason i managed to finish this piece. (no, i did not proofread it, good luck)

“Rob? You look freezing, kiddo. What happened?”

“I hope you fucking freeze out there. Jesus, if I’d known how much trouble you’d be I would’ve left you out there in the first place.”

“Come inside, okay? You’re making a mess of your clothes with all that mud.”

“You’re making a fucking mess. Look at this floor, does this look clean to you? Does it?”

“Is that blood? Please look at me, Rob. Where are you hurt?”

“There’s blood all over the place. Hey, look at me, brat-”

Rob gasped, stumbling backward and tripping over the edge of the carpet. He went down hard and couldn’t help but cry out as the fall tore at his already-aggravated wounds, eyes watering. He could just make out Sage standing in front of him and talking, face full of concern, but he couldn’t hear the words over the sound of blood roaring in his ears.

A gentle hand landed on his shoulder and he flinched violently, banging his head on the wall behind him. Pain rippled through the back of his skull and he whined, falling back to the floor in a heap.

“It’s alright! I’m sorry, kid, I really am. It’s just me.”

Rob blinked the tears from his eyes, realizing the hand was Sage’s. They were kneeling in front of him now, arms outstretched in a show of peace.

“Everything’s okay, sunshine,” they said quietly, “Just-”

Sage was nearly knocked into the opposite wall as Rob launched himself at them, curling his hands into their robe and sobbing into their chest. Sage recovered themselves quickly, wrapping their arms around the boy.

“There you go, kiddo. Easy now.” Sage scratched the nape of Rob’s neck, twirling his curly hair around their fingers soothingly. “Breathe for me, okay? Just one deep breath.”

Rob’s chest stuttered as he fought to obey, barely managing it before dissolving into tears once more. “I-I’m sorry,” he cried out, unsure what he was even apologizing for. “Please, s-sir-”

“None of that,” Sage said quickly, running their nails across his scalp. “Nothing to apologize for, sunshine. Just take it easy.”

im not sure if the prompt comes through as much as it does in my head. robs in denial due to conditioning

“You don’t have to answer this if you’re uncomfortable, okay?”

No.

“The scars, on your back and arms.”

No, no, no.

“Can you tell me who did that to you?”

Please, no.

Sage grimaced a little as the boy began to shake, pulling his arms closer to himself. “It’s okay if you can’t,” they said, reaching out to rest a hand on Rob’s knee. “I’m sorry if that was too much, kiddo. I only want to help you.”

“I deserved it.”

The words were whispered so quietly that Sage nearly missed them. “Hm?”

“It was my fault,” Rob said, louder. “I deserved it, sir. I disobeyed him.”

Sage winced. “No, sunshine, you didn’t. You couldn’t do anything to deserve that, no matter what he told you.”

Rob shook his head slowly, eyes glazed over with tears. “He didn’t do anything wrong. I didn’t follow the rules, and I was punished for it.”

The king’s eyes stung before they could help it. “He was wrong to do that to you, Rob. Nothing you ever could have done would have ever made that right.”

“But I- he didn’t-” The boy shook his head harder, panic swelling in his chest. “It was always my fault, he couldn’t-”

“You’re a child,” Sage said, rubbing Rob’s leg with a careful hand. “He was the adult and should have known better. You have nothing to be sorry for, okay? Can you say it back to me?”

Rob’s breath hitched in his chest. “I-I have nothing to be sorry for.”

i have a feeling the oote fans will like this one

Rob knocked on the door, wincing as he noticed his bloodied and dirty hands. “Dinner, sir,” he said hoarsely.

Quick footsteps approached and Sage opened the door awkwardly, their arms full of papers they nearly dropped with every movement. “Hey, thanks for-” They glanced over and saw him, brow furrowing. “Rob? It’s you?”

Something painful twisted in Rob’s stomach and their tone. They don’t want you here. Just get it over with and go. “Sorry, just here to deliver your food, sir.”

Sage seemed even more confused, all of their work forgotten. “Kid, what’s wrong? Why are you-” They seemed to remember what they were holding and turned to drop their papers on their desk. “Come in for a minute, yeah?”

The boy swayed on his feet a little, sliding the food tray onto a side table just next to the door. “Sir, if you don’t mind-”

“Rob, please.” Sage’s distressed tone made Rob wince again and he stepped over the threshold quickly, hands shaking at his sides. “What’s happened to you? Why are you calling me that?”

He stared at Sage as they dropped to one knee in front of him, searching his face with a worried expression. “I brought your food, sir,” Rob said, dazed. When Sage’s frown deepened, he internally cursed himself. Are you trying to make them angry at you? Get out of here before you get yelled at again today.

Rob’s eyes began to fill with unwilling tears as he recalled an hour earlier, and Sage’s face fell. “Thank you, kiddo. I appreciate it.” They glanced him over for a moment and sighed. “Come here, sunshine. You’re shaking.”

The room spun around Rob as he walked forward, nearly tripping over his own feet as he went. Sage wrapped their arms around him carefully, smoothing his disheveled hair with quiet murmurs. “You’re alright, kiddo. I promise you can relax now.”

Rob sniffled. “Sir-”

“You don’t have to call me that, Rob. You know that,” Sage said gently. Rob hiccuped and they gently lowered him into their lap, letting his head rest on their chest as he cried. “I know, I’m sorry. Just rest, okay?”

Rob kept his gaze fixed to the floor as Sage settled on the bed beside him, placing a careful hand on his shoulder. “Let me help,” they urged gently. “Kid, please. I won’t do anything you don’t want me to do, but-”

“Okay,” he murmured. “Sorry.”

Sage winced a little. “It’s alright, Rob. I just want to help.”

The boy nodded distantly. “Yes, sir.”

With a sigh, Sage got to work tending to the lashes along Rob’s back. The jagged scars criss-crossed over the pale skin reminded them of everything he’d been through; every time that nobody was there for him. An apology rose in their throat, but they knew it would only disturb him to hear it right now.

“I’m just going to clean these and bandage them up, okay?” they asked, squeezing his hand. “Everything will be just fine, kiddo.”

Rob nodded again, finally raising his watery eyes to look at Sage’s hand on his. They kept it there for a few moments, murmuring an apology when they slipped it away to continue working.

They both sat in silence for a while as Sage worked to clear the dried blood and apply a bandage wrap. Rob winced before he could help it as the fabric grazed a particularly sore spot.

“Sorry, sunshine,” Sage said apologetically, rubbing the boy’s arm for comfort. “I know it hurts, we’re almost done.”

Rob looked down at the bandage around his stomach and chest. “I’m sorry,” he whispered. “I don’t mean to be ungrateful.”

The king’s heart nearly shattered in their chest at the quiet admission. “Oh, Rob,” they said, voice choked. “You’re not, okay? Not in the least.”

“It’s just- I’ve never had this before, I don’t know how to act, I’m sorry.”

“Never- kiddo, what do you mean?” Sage’s voice cracked a little on the last word. “All these scars, these injuries.” They took a deep breath, and Rob turned to meet their eyes. “You’ve never been treated for any of it?”

Sage steeled themselves for the next two words, but it still hurt like a kick to the gut. “No, sir.”

They squeezed their eyes shut for a moment, ignoring the tears that fell with it. “Do you- can I-” Unable to fully articulate the question, they opened their arms and nodded to the boy. 

Hesitantly, Rob crept forward until he was pressed against Sage’s chest. He slowly wrapped his arms around their waist, holding on a little tighter once he realized they weren’t punishing him. Sage released a sharp, painful breath, gathering Rob up into a gentle but firm hug. “Sunshine,” they said quietly, letting their wings wrap around to shield the boy further. “I am so, so sorry. You deserve it, okay? You deserve to be looked after and cared for. I will always give you that, as long as you want it.”

almost went with a much sadder version of this with ffg!rob and spencer, but i think y'all will like this more. still super down to write the other one if anyone wants it though

“I’m serious, Rob, you don’t look too good. Are you sure you’re alright?”

The kid nodded, looking down at his feet nervously as he rocked back and forth. “I’m sorry,” he said quietly.

Sage’s heart nearly broke. “Don’t be,” they said simply, knowing any more would be overwhelming. “I just want to help, sunshine. I’m worried about you.”

“Don’t be!” Rob stood up straighter immediately, and Sage saw pain ghost over his face for just a moment. “I promise I’m fine, sir. Just a little tired. I can still work, though,” he added, sounding a little frightened.

“You don’t have to work,” Sage assured him, kneeling to be eye level with the boy. “I’m asking because I care about you, Rob. Not what you can do.”

Rob blinked like he had been slapped. “I-I don’t know what you mean, sir.”

God, Sage was going to kill this kid’s parents if they ever got their fucking hands on them. “Sunshine,” they started, hesitating a little when Rob’s eyes went wide at the nickname. “I like you because you’re you, okay? Because you’re funny, and smart, and resilient as hell.”

He sniffled. “I-I didn’t know y-you felt that way,” Rob said, and then he burst into tears.

“Oh, kiddo, I’m sorry,” Sage said, chest tightening at the sight. “Come here, it’s alright.”

Rob fell into them without hesitation, wrapping his arms around their chest. “Thank you,” he whispered, choking back a sob. “T-Thank you so much, sir, I-”

“It’s nothing,” they said quietly, rubbing his back in gentle circles. “It’s alright, Rob. Let it out.”

i don't think i like this one, i wasn't in a good place writing it. but i genuinely don't know what else id do rn

Rob tucked his arms close to his stomach, praying that nobody could see the stain on his black work shirt. The wound there throbbed, but he dutifully ignored it and kept a straight face. The last thing he needed right now was another staff member noticing him.

“Rob? The king is summoning you to their quarters.”

He froze, turning slowly to see one of Sage’s guards. “Uh- right now?”

They fixed him with a stony look. “Yes, they’re expecting you now.”

Rob sighed, slouching as he followed the guard across the castle toward Sage’s tower. Each step tore at the slice across his stomach, and when the guard left him at the bottom of the spiral staircase he finally let out the breath he’d been holding. Going up the stairs was worse somehow, and he groaned a little bit with each stair

Just a few minutes Rob thought, keeping his forearms firmly pressed over his stomach. Just a few minutes, and then I’ll slip out and take care of it myself.

He could see the end of the staircase now, and just as he let go of himself to take the railing, Sage appeared at the top.

“Rob!” they said, grinning. “Come on up!”

His hand flew back to his side, and he returned their smile with a forced one of his own. “Hello,” he said, swallowing the urge to say “sir” at the end. 

Rob reached the top step, but as he put his other foot out it caught on the edge, sending him sprawling. He put his arms out instinctively to catch his fall, bracing for impact.

Before he knew it Sage had caught him around the middle, dragging him back upright. “There you go,” they said, frowning a little. “You alright?”

They both froze, each realizing that Sage was now touching Rob’s shirt. Rob’s very bloodsoaked shirt. 

“Rob? What is that?”

The boy winced as their hand ghosted over his wound. “It’s nothing, I spilled some water earlier-”

Sage took their hand away, eyes widening at the streaks of red across their palm. “Are you bleeding?” 

Rob hung his head in defeat. “Not badly,” he muttered, twisting the hem of his shirt nervously. His vision was getting blurrier now, and he stumbled a little when Sage pulled their other supporting hand back.

“-kid? Can you hear me?”

He squeezed his eyes shut and nodded. “‘m so sorry,” he breathed, swaying where he stood. “I-”

“-stay with me, okay? Just-”

Rob could feel the air rushing around him, and then his head hit the ground.

“Shh, kiddo, it’s okay. Come here.”

Rob stumbled forward into Sage’s outstretched arms, letting them bundle him up into a blanket. “S-Sorry,” he stuttered automatically, and Sage shushed him gently.

“Nothing to be sorry for, kid. Just focus on getting warm, yeah?”

Shivering, Rob gave a pathetic nod. Sage led him to the fireplace and sat down in front of it, guiding Rob to curl up in their lap. “Better?”

“Y-Yes sir. Thank you.”

Sage grimaced, pulling the boy closer to their chest and wrapping their arms around him. Rob’s shaking began to subside after a while, and as his aching muscles finally relaxed he started to doze off in Sage’s hold. The royal chuckled, scratching his back lightly through the blanket.

“Sleepy?”

Rob blinked, sitting up a little straighter. “No, sir, I’m sorry-”

“Hey, it’s okay, sunshine,” Sage promised, resting their chin on the top of his head. “It’s okay to be tired. Just take a break today.”

The kid murmured something under his breath, leaning further into Sage. They smiled, squeezing his arm gently.

“Are you alright, kiddo?” Sage asked, frowning at the way Rob’s hands shook.

“What?” Rob tugged on the collar of his shirt, ducking his head nervously. “Yes, I’m okay, sir.”

“Sage,” they corrected gently, still concerned. “Are you sure?”

Rob nodded, hoping desperately that the bruises around his neck weren’t visible.

It was a stupid thing, really. One of the guards by Rob’s barracks had gotten frustrated, and Rob was the closest subordinate. He could deal with it, he’d been through a lot worse. This was perfectly normal.

He somehow doubted Sage would see it that way.

“I should get back,” he said quickly, standing to leave. “Thank you for having me, si- Sage.”

“Are you sure?” Sage asked again, brow furrowed. “You’re feeling better?”

Rob distantly realized Sage had noticed something was wrong. He hadn’t even mentioned anything when he’d arrived. “Yes, thank you.”

“Would you like a hug before you go?”

The boy blinked, taken aback. “What?”

“If you don’t that’s fine,” Sage assured him, smiling. “Just thought I’d offer.”

“Y-Yes,” Rob said quickly. “Please. Th-That would be nice.”

Sage opened their arms and gestured him forward. “C’mere,” they joked.

Rob let himself be scooped up, wincing just slightly at the pressure on his bruises before relaxing into their touch.

The two lingered there for a few minutes, Sage slowly rocking them back and forth. Rob felt a sharp pang of regret as he pulled away, shooting Sage a grateful smile. They returned it, but it only lasted a moment before their face fell.

“Are those bruises?”

Rob flinched, reaching up to pull his collar over the injury. “I’m sorry-”

“Who did that too you?” Sage fumed, grabbing his shoulders roughly. Rob immedietly flinched again at the contact, and Sage loosened their grip with an apologetic murmur.

“I-It’s not a big deal,” Rob said quickly, avoiding Sage’s eyes. “Just an accident, I-I swear.”

“Can I see?” Sage asked gently, kneeling to be level with the boy. Hesitantly, he nodded, and Sage pulled the collar back.

They took a sharp breath as the bruises were revealed; ugly greens, purples, and browns covered Rob’s neck, five clear paths visible in the outline.

“That’s a hand,” Sage said, horrified. “That’s a hand, Rob. Somebody tried to strangle you?”

“N-No,” Rob insisted. “I-It was just an accident. He was just frustrated, that’s all.”

“Who?” Sage’s voice was dangerously calm, and Rob shivered a little. “Who did this?”

“A guard from t-the barracks, sir.”

Sage noticed the boy was shaking even harder now and nearly winced as they realized they were interrogating him. “I’m sorry, kiddo. I didn’t mean to scare you. Just give me a moment, alright?”

Rob nodded dutifully and they turned away, striding to their office with purpose. They came back a few minutes later, a cloth bundle in one hand and some paper in the other.

“You can put this on your neck, okay?” Rob took the damp cloth and realized it was wrapped around a bit of ice. “It’ll melt quickly, but hopefully it’ll help.”

The boy pressed the ice to the worst of his bruises and instantly relaxed as some of the sharp ache ebbed away. “Thank you, sir.”

“Now-” Sage sat on the floor next to Rob, laying the paper out in front of them and producing a pen from their pocket. “Can you tell me the guard’s name?”