Page 78 of Gift from the Tree

“Hope you’re hungry. Corentin has some food coming for us,” I tell her, hearing her stomach growl.

“I’ve worked up an appetite today,” she says casually.

All of us, even Gaster, give her an unamused look. What happened today will never happen again. Before any of us comment, she continues, “Let’s go ahead and talk about the elephant in the room. Gaster, Corentin, and Tillman weren’t there today. Although Tillman watched the replay through Claven, let’s get the talk out of the way.”

“How did you know?” Tillman asks before his eyes swing to me. “Draken,” he says sternly.

“Don’t be mad at Draken. I thought you were going to crush his head right there in front of everyone. No one heard him. He whispered so quietly I could barely hear him.” Willow jumps to my defense immediately.

Tillman runs his hand over his face before shaking his head. “No one knows outside of the guys and Gaster. It isn’t something we want getting out.”

“I know. Draken told me that as well. I’d never tell anyone anything that any of us discuss without your permission. I swear.” Willow holds Tillman’s gaze and whatever he sees in her eyes or even her mind, he’s satisfied as he gives her a curt nod.

“Claven and I have a rocky history. He spent years serving the E.F. and he wanted the E.F. Lead Instructor and Field Leader position. But I was climbing the ranks fast, taking down any opponent they put in front of me. He’s six years older than me and felt that because of that he automatically should get the position over me.” This is the most Tillman’s ever spoken to Willow and she’s hanging onto every word he says. Her eyes haven’t left him or even blinked since he began speaking. Fuck, I can’t even tell if she’s breathing.

“The year Corentin and I finished our last year of our magical education, Corentin took over as headmaster and I was put into the running for Instructor and Field Leader and so was Claven. The two of us beat out all others in the running through a series of tests, field simulations, and combat. In the end, I beat Claven out as well. He hasn’t let it go in the past four years, convinced I was only given my position because of Corentin and so he hates my entire Nexus. I can only assume he targeted you today because of you and Draken being close.” He looks stricken with guilt as he finishes telling her about the beef between him and Claven.

“Tillman, what happened today isn’t your fault. Claven made the decision to let this happen all on his own. He’s the one mad and unwilling to accept he was beaten out by someone not only younger but better than he is. None of that’s your fault. It’s his. He and Vander are the only two to blame for how far today went. You didn’t do this to me,” Willow says with so much conviction, Tillman’s guilt-riddled face cracks a little with relief.

He was afraid she’d blame him for this, but of course she wouldn’t. If anyone knows anything about who to blame for their actions, it’s her. She’d never fault someone for something they weren’t truly responsible for.

“I’m sorry,” he tells her.

“Don’t be. If it’ll make you feel better, you can continue to train me, so this will never happen again.” The slight break in her voice at the end has all of us tensing with anger.

“I promise,” he swears, voice straining.

She’ll be a deadly weapon by the time he’s done with her.

A knock sounds at the door and Gaster goes to answer it, letting the kitchen staff in with a cart of food. As always, there’s a feast brought up. Between us guys, we could put some food back, so the chef keeps the kitchen stocked. Even though Willow loves food, the amount she consumes is minimal compared to all of us.

Gaster runs his hand over the back of Willow’s head gently as he hands her the plate he loaded up with a variety of things, earning him a warm smile and a thank you.

Attention hog.

“How’s your head feeling?” he asks tenderly.

“A little sore and I have a small headache, but much better than when we were in the healing wing. Did you have a chance to bring the tonics, all of them?” Putting a little emphasis on all, she blushes before shoving a pastry in her mouth.

That must have something to do with why we had to leave her room earlier, but I saw the look she shot Corentin when we were there and I’m not as dumb as he is to put my nose where it doesn’t belong.

“Yes. Here, you can take these two now.” He goes over to his bag and pulls two vials out.

“Thank you… Oh my God, my bag. My bag’s still in my locker in the gym,” she shrieks in panic.

“Calm down. Tillman grabbed your things for you,” Gaster reassures her, rubbing her back and handing her the vials.

“Did you, really? May I have my bag, please?” she begs Tillman with wide eyes.

He stands and walks over to her with her bag, and when he passes it to her, she grabs his hand with both of hers, refusing to let go.

“Thank you for getting my things for me. My new gift from Gaster is in there and I would’ve died if something happened to it.”

Gaster’s smirking, with his chest puffed out a little bit. It means so much to the old man that she loves the things he makes and gives to her. Gives him a purpose.

“Welcome,” he grunts before extracting his hand from hers gently and sits at the end of the bed where I was earlier. She’s cracking that hard-ass shell of his into pieces.

“You know, Willow, Tillman has the same ability with his earth as me. He may be able to make you a bag like the one Oakly has that you like so much.”

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