Little Joe Cartwright x Reader

Alive

AN: I just had to use that picture ( ˊ̱˂˃ˋ̱ )

〜☆〜

"Hoss, go get her horse!" One of the men commanded. Your vision was pretty blurry at this point, but you could make out a figure of a man who'd just hopped off his horse and was walking towards you. You tried to sit up but immediately grunted and fell back from the pain. The gun fell from your hand, too weak to hold it up at this point.
"Easy now, we're gonna help ya. The names Adam Cartwright, my brother Hoss went to get yer horse." He affirmed.
"Y-Y/N, Y/N L/N." You grunted.

Adam nodded and started to tuck his arm under yours and across your back. Holding you by the torso he started to help you stand. You yelped in pain trying to stand on shaky legs. You bunched your fists on Adam's shirt to keep you steady and prevent falling.
"Pleasure to meet you Ms. L/N, though I wish it could've been on more desirable terms."
"Don't mention it." You said, the pain evident in your voice.

Adam helped you up onto his horse and sat behind you. You started to fall forward a bit without realizing so he pulled you back and into his chest.
"Yah!" With that you and Adam were off.

You could start to feel the sweat pooling on your brow line from the pain of the bullet hole. This whole ordeal was starting to give you a major headache.
"Just'a few more minutes and we should be back at the ranch. How're ya feelin?" Adam questioned.
"Oh just peachy." You groaned through gritted teeth.

The rest of the trip was a blur, you were mostly focusing on trying not to throw up from the pain. You remember a plush bed, terrible pain, and then the peacefulness of slumber.

When you awoke, you could hear light chatter from another room. You took in your surroundings, the room was a fairly normal size, not too big nor too small. The soft bed that you laid upon was big enough for two people, though you were thankful to have it all to yourself. Finally you noticed the wallpaper that covered the room, it was a light cream color with light a flowering accent which contrasted the rustic oak doors. It was clear whoever owned this place had money.

Leaning up, a jolt of pain shot through your side causing you to let out a sharp yelp. The chatter stopped, you heard the sound of boot-clad footsteps, and finally the oak door creaked open.

There stood an older man with greying hair. He swiftly walked over and said,
"Ah, you're awake. Uhm, my name is Ben Cartwright." Upon saying this he took the hat that was snug on his head and held it against his chest.
"Say, do you know where you are?" You looked at him with wide eyes. All that you could recall was that you were following the railroad tracks along Virginia City's outskirts.
"Well I reckon that I'm somewhere near Virginia City. Is that right?" Ben nodded his head and said,
"Ah well yes, see you're on my plot of land, the Ponderosa. Surely you've heard of us."

You've heard the name in passing before, down at the saloon or read it on a map. However that's all it ever was, a fleeting name, you've never gotten any real information on the plot of land or the Cartwrights who own it.
"Well sure I've heard of it, forgive me though for I have no further information on it."
"Ah no harm, if you'll forgive me though for I haven't asked your name."
"Oh, Y/N L/N, it's a pleasure to meet you Mr. Cartwright." As soon as you said your name you reached out to shake his hand. His handshake was firm, you could tell it was fairly practiced.

When you both finally broke, another man entered the room who you remembered as the man who helped you the night before.
"Ah and you've already met my son Adam." Adam nodded at you with a welcoming smile.
"Pleasure seeing you again Ms. L/N. How're ya feelin?"
"Ah you can call me Y/N. Still a bit soar but it could be worse. I never did get a chance to thank you for helpin me." You smiled back at him.
"It was no trouble. Really."

Suddenly two other men loomed in the doorway, Ben looked up and said,
"Ah I believe you know my son Hoss as well." Hoss looked at you with a kind smile, it was clear that he was a sort of gentle giant.
"Pleasure to meet you ma'am. Oh, and this is my brother Little Joe." Hoss introduced you to the much shorter man standing besides him who nodded at you.

It was clear Little Joe was the youngest Cartwright. He was dressed in grey trousers and a light blue button up, he wore a short black hat and a black cravat tied loosely around his neck. To say he was a handsome fellow would be to put it lightly. Clearly he knew the affect he had on the woman folk, however you could tell he was naive.

The moment you tried to sit up more to get a better look at the men in the room, another sharp pain punctuated by a dull throbbing made itself known deep in your side. The pain was a wake up call, ripping you out of your pleasant conversation to the grim reality of your situation. Suddenly, the dry taste in your mouth manifested. You may have survived, however, your troubles were far from over.