Once Upon a Dream - Joseph x Reader

[ Chapter 9 - Don't Leave ]

[ Joseph's Pov ]
I held her the best I could to not worsen her injury... I feel so horrible and disgusting. I've hurt her already so much with my poor communication skills. I can't lose her, I've already lost Claude and can't deal with being separated from another loved one, once more. I walked out of the parlor and ran into my room. I set her on my bed and once more sprinted down the stairs to go look for Emily. I go to the infirmary and see Emily giving Kevin medicine. I try to act cool and composed, but I manage to blurt out "Emily We've got a situation! Her shoulder seemed to make a pop noise and she fainted and-". Emily grabbed my waistcoat and tried to drag me outside, but I just walked out with her pulling my coat because I deserved it. She lets go and says "What happened?". I try to think of what to say and I come up with the most ill mannered thing to say and I blurt out "I hit her!". Emily shakes her head and runs up the stairs into my room. We walk in my room and she's still laying on the bed soundly and safely.

Emily examines her arm and says "She's most likely just overworked herself and the arm popping isn't so bad. Make sure to put on some ointment and stretch her arms. It was a small graze don't worry. It seems she has a cold so please take care of her. And don't forget to apologize!!". She walks out and shuts the door closed lightly. I look at her face and she seems to be in pain or discomfort, with her face flushed. I put my hand over my forehead and pressed my forehead against hers and it's burning up. I panic and try to find some medicine to help her. I try to wake her up, but she doesn't move so I do the first thing that comes to my mind. I grabbed my class of water and put the pill in my mouth. I try to open her mouth and I slip in the pill using my tongue to push it inside. I stroke her cheeks with my thumbs and I stay by her side hoping for her to wake up. Exhausted from all the prior matches and worry, I sleep by her side carefully aching for her to wake up.

...

I wake up with sunlight seeping from the window, I turn my body to face her and I notice she's still sleeping. I get up and feel her forehead, thankfully it seems her cold has gone away, but I take extra measures to confirm her recovery. I grab a cloth and a bowl of water, I set the cloth in the bowl of water and wring it and carefully place it on her forehead. I sigh and sit on the chair in my room, my heart hurting knowing that she's like this because of me. I think I should set some distance between us from now on, or else I'll end up hurting her worse. I take a look at her and I know by setting space she will be safe, despite knowing setting distance will hurt me. I step out of my room and go to grab some medicine for her to drink and water.

[ Your Pov ]
I wake up and try to get up, but my arm is hurting. A wet cloth falls from my forehead and I look around. I'm not in my room, but Joseph's room instead, He was the last person I wanted to see. I was finally able to regain my memories completely and the face I once had forgotten was clear as ever. The promise to reunite with my first love was completed, contrary to my thought. With my memory back I knew that I couldn't give up on Joseph...I can't lose him once more.

I see Joseph open the door holding a tray with medicine and a glass of water. He sets it down on the nightstand next to me and pulls out the chair near his desk to the where the nightstand is. He sits down and says "Listen I'm sorry for what I did back there, you don't have to forgive me but just know I regret doing it so much. That's why I'll keep my distance from you for now on. I'll go get Emily". He stands up and walks out the door before I could say anything. I don't want him to put distance between us because I've finally recovered my first love that I've lost. What happened to my arm was just an accident, of course it's hard to accept and somewhat to forgive, but it'll heal thankfully.

Some time passed and Emily and Joseph walked in. Emily smiles and says "Good afternoon sleepyhead! I'm glad to see you've woken up". She quickly examines my arm and takes my temperature and says "Don't worry everything is fine! Just make sure to apply some ointment and take plenty of rest. Stay in bed and don't get up! which means don't do anything... with a lot of action". She walks up to the door and opens it, as she is about to close the door I see her wink.

Once again I try to get up, but the pain is still there. Joseph quickly gets up to set me back laying down and says "Ma dame! What are you doing? You can get hurt I was-". He quickly pauses and looks as if he was about to walk away but I grab his hand. I look at him and say "Please don't go! Stay by my side a little longer". He has a worried expression on his face and I let go of his hands, and he lays by my side. I grab his hand and I hold it, A sense of relief washes over me and I end up falling asleep again.

...

Once I wake up I realize that Joseph fell asleep by my side, thankfully he was resting peacefully beside me on the bed. He must have been tired from taking care of me when I was ill, I feel bad for avoiding him this time. I know that it's okay to have felt how I did, but did I go too far? I can't help but look at him, he seemed at peace when sleeping. I wish I could be at ease as well, but what will I do now that I've regained my memories? He said he wanted to put some distance between us, what if he really does it?