InsaneJournal

Almost two months ago, Maid Marian, beloved of Sherwood Forest's heroic archer, walked into a bar and ended up drinking with Guy of Gisbourne, Villain Extraordinaire, thorn in the side of the Merry Men.

And it had been... well, it had been fine.

More than fine, it had strangely filled some hole in Marian that had been growing, like a hungry cavern deep below the ground, constantly rubbed away by water. She felt more lonely than she had in her whole life, immortal or otherwise, and had by now completely given up on ever finding any of the Merry Men, let alone her dear husband of old.

So it was timing that got her to stay sitting with Guy on that night, but it was a strange attraction that made her give Guy her phone number, perhaps a little against her own judgement.

Since then they had seen each other four times, going out for dinner when Marian had the time (or the energy). She thought slow was better anyway. He was unpredictable, and a slow pace might make him... well, easier to predict.

A lot of this was against her better judgement, but there was also a voice inside that said: what if this is a role you're supposed to play now? If there's darkness in him, maybe you are a thing that can temper that. No, she wouldn't stay if he turned out to be... well, the same old Guy, but so far they seemed to be getting along well.

There was always a thread of disquiet that ran between them, a little bit unsure of whether things were about to go south. But, with each dinner, that feeling went away a little more.

They weren't dates - Marian had made that very clear on the first night. She'd said, I don't really know what this is, but can we just hang out and talk and not make too much of what it might be? But they did sort of feel like dates, complete with a low undercurrent of attraction.

But again, Marian wasn't making too much of it. Or at least, trying not to.

Tonight she had chosen the same diner they'd met up at on the Second Not Date, a weird little 50s themed place that was literally nothing like what Marian actually remembered from living through the 50s, but they did good burgers and they were cheap and - she knew from one of the waitresses - they paid their staff well.

When Marian saw Guy coming through the door, she lifted a hand to wave so he'd knew where she was sitting.