A childish dream (2)

Even as time passed and they'd grown closer Williams penchant for snyde remarks always remained unchanged. Coming from someone else Amelia might have been offended but when he would show her that crooked smile of his the crude words always sounded like those of affection to young Amelia.

His hair had grown longer as spring had come to pass and the summer sun had given his skin a pleasant warm glow befitting of his brown hair.

Despite their short time together she'd felt closer to William than the kids that she'd grown up with. The reason why was unknown to her even to this day.

Perhaps it had been the knowlage that he was in no position to betray her for mere change that had estsblished a special sort of trust towards him, or maybe it was because they'd work together so impeccably.

The adrenaline of their latest steal just started to settle as Amelia plopped on a bench on the outskirts of the busy square.

"We make a good team William" she beamed while counting the days earnings.

"At this rate I'll afford to leave town with mom by the time I become an adult."

"Where do you wanna leave to, shrimp?"

"I don't know" she said, ignoring the unflattering nickname.

"I think I want to live on the countryside when I'm an adult. Own a small farm where mom can grow old. But that's silly, isn't it?"

"Yeah, but she's lucky to be so cared for."

"I'm the lucky one I think. She would've faired much better if it wasn't for me. Truthfully wherever I go is fine, as long as mom doesn't have to do 'that' kind of work."

William didn't say anything. Although he had never outright said so she suspected that her mother's profession made him uncomfortable. Or perhaps it was the thought that it would realisticly become Amelias only option in a not so distant future that bothered him.

"What about you, what do you wanna do? Since you're strong I bet you can find decent work."

Williams expression darkened and Amelia tightnened her lips. He always made that kind of face when she asked him about his future. As well as of his past.

"We could use an extra pair of hands on the farm though. I don't think I could plough the fields alone."

William laughed and ruffled her hair, her cheeks flushed at his touch. Even though she disliked it when he treated her like a kid her stomach still tingled of happiness at every display of affection.

"I don't think your husband will like that though" William remarked and Amelia puffed up her cheeks.

"I will not have such a useless thing as a husband."

"Are you scared that you will not be able to land one with that face of yours?"

"My face is not an issue, I have been told that I am in fact very pretty!"

"So it's your personality that is the issue then?"

Amelia threw a punch that barely landed and ended up hurting her hand.

"Well, what does that say about you then for hanging around me all the time" she shouted.

William let out a heartful laugh and even though she felt angry she eventually gave in to laughter as well.

Two months prior it would have been impossible to imagine that the angry boy that she pestered could smile so brightly. There were still moments were she caught glimpses of those empty eyes, however she was sure that even this would fade with time.

"I am sure that Oliver would be sad to hear that you will not marry" William teased and wiped a tear from the corner of his eye.

"I'd rather marry you than that bothersome kid."

"Is that supposed to be an insult?"

"Of course!"

What Amelia didn't tell him was that she could not imagine having a husband that wasn't William. Though she would never tell him that of course.

***

Amelias dreams of a farm in the countryside had completely died by the time autumn arrived. Her mother had grown increasingly frail since the end of summer and all of Amelias savings were completely drained by the second doctor's visit.

The answer the doctor gave had been the same as the previous one; her mother was slowly dying and there was no treatment that could cure her. The only answer they had really recieved was that it was a common fate for prostitutes.

That night her mother had held her while saying that everything would be fine, however Amelia knew even then that this was not the truth.

Her tears that night hadn't stopped until late into the night but the overwhelming grief did not end with the tears. For three days she had stayed indoors, hugging her sleeping mother during the early hours. When night fell and her mother left for work she'd cry herself to sleep.

Only hunger had eventually driven Amelia outside, and waiting for her as usual in the alley where they had first met was William.

She clearly remebered his embrace that had been warm and full of comfort.That day there hadn't been any snyde remarks nor teasing.

"Have you ever lost anyone you loved?"

Amelias voice was hoarse and Williams shoulder that she leaned her head on had become cold and wet from her tears.

"I have... My teacher."

"How on earth did you survive it?"

"I met you."

Amelia lifted her head and met his eyes. Even though she first thought he was teasing he looked sincere.

She let out a joyless chuckle.

"How unlucky, to have the first person you meet after something like that be a persistant pest."

"Persistant you may be, but you're not a pest."

"He must've been a good person. Your teacher I mean."

"He was. He was annoyingly nosy like you are, but a good man" he answered while stroking her hair.

Amelia did not pry any more even though she wanted to. Something in Williams tone indicated that he would not tell her anything more even if she asked.

"I still have my half of the money we earned" he suddenly stated, interrupting the long silence.

"And I will find work. I am strong as you said before, and even though I am not the best by far I am very familiar with the sword. It may not be a farm but we can buy a house with a backyard. We can bury your mother's ashes there, that way she will still be there in some sense."

When William went on about that picturesque future Amelia realised how unrealistic her dreams had truly been. But she was grateful to him who indulged her in such a childish fantasy.

"We'll get a cat" she added. "An orange one with a bell around its neck."

The image she foolishly painted in her mind was so clear that she could almost feel the cat's fur against her leg.

"We'll call her Laura" William added and Amelia swallowed a cry at the mention of her mother's name.