Under Her Wing

Chapter 9

"Lia come here," I called.

She came straight over to me.

"Hold out your arm sweetheart," I said. She did as I asked and let me put suncream on her.

She wriggled away when I attempted to put it on her face.

"Don't be a baby," I laughed, holding her head still.

"Good girl," I smiled once she finally let me.

"Here," I said, passing her a bottle of water.

"I'm good thanks," she replied.

"No you're not, you're hiking and it's hot. Drink," I said firmly, opening the bottle for her.

She looked a bit taken aback.

"I-I'm s-sorry," she stuttered nervously.

Damn it.

I'd scared her.

"Hey guys you go on, we'll catch up," I said to the others. Stefania gave me a concerned glance but I nodded for her to go with the others.

"Amalia," I said gently when the others had started walking again.

She looked down at her shaking hands.

"Sit down hunny," I said, leading her to a large boulder.

I crouched down in front of her and took hold of her hands.

"Talk to me," I said softly.

She shook her head as a few tears escaped.

"I'm here Amalia. I'm not going anywhere," I assured her, rubbing my thumb over her hand.

"I'm sorry," she repeated.

"Hey you've nothing to be sorry for," I told her.

"B-but I didn't do as you said. I didn't d-drink," she sobbed.

"Oh sweetheart," I said sadly, standing to then sit beside her.

I put my arm around her shoulders and let her lean against me.

"I didn't want you to get dehydrated, it's really hot out today," I explained.

"But I'm not angry or upset with you," I assured her.

"I thought you were mad," she replied, looking up at me with her big, blue eyes.

"Not one bit," I whispered, holding her closer.

"Amalia can I ask you something?"

She glanced at me anxiously before nodding.

I was taking a risk here.

"You're not used to someone taking care of you are you?" I asked, kind of holding my breath as well.

She was silent for a moment, concentrating on the pattern my thumb was drawing on her hand.

She shook her head, not offering any words.

"Do you think you could try and let me a little?" I asked, being very cautious of the words I was choosing.

"I don't want to burden you," she said, still not making eye contact with me.

"I wouldn't be offering if you were a burden Amalia," I replied honestly.

I watched as she thought about what I'd said.

"I can try," she agreed.

"Then can you take a little drink please hunny?" I said, trying again to get her to have some water.

She took the bottle from me and slowly raised it to her mouth.

I gently ran my hand up and down her back.

"Good girl Lia," I smiled.

"Thank you," she said shyly, as I put the water away in my bag.

"You're more than welcome sweetheart, now give me a hug before we catch up with the others," I smiled.

She happily agreed to this and wrapped her small arms around my waist.

I held her hand as we started walking again to reach the others.

"I hope the path is obvious," Amalia said.

"Why?" I questioned.

"Grey has the map," she pointed out.

"Fuck," I laughed.

Authors note

Just a quick little update for you 💕