Once Upon a Dream - Joseph x Reader

[ Chapter 10 - Lets Talk ]

A few days have passed and just as I suspected Joseph has done his best to avoid me at any chance possible. With every glance and simple actions I've given for us to speak once more, he avoids me like his life depends on it. Has our relationship always been so complicated? Communication has always been an issue with us, it always is hard to talk about...let alone confess our feelings, if any. This situation has irritated me, it was like playing a game of mouse and cat, so childish for us adults to partake in.

I change my clothes and I do my hair, exiting my room to the library. As I walk out the survivors side of the manor I see Geisha coming out of her side as well. She was humming until the moment she saw me and rushed to me. She gave me a worried look and asked "How's your arm?', I give her a smile and say "It's healed up now! Thankfully nothing too bad happened". She nods and asks "How's things with Joseph coming along?". I was shocked, did she know what was going on and how did she know!? I keep my composure and say "Well, He does seem to be avoiding me nowadays". Geisha sighs and says "Don't worry! Valentine's day is tomorrow! You two should spend some time together, I hope you two have a fun time". She giggles as she heads into the parlor to start a match. I quickly leave to the library and as I open the door, I see Joseph looking around for a book. This was my chance to finally confront him and talk to him, this is a now or never situation. I quietly walked up to him and managed to grasp his sleeve as he grabbed a book.

He quickly looked down to see me and he tried to walk away, but he ended up slipping and landed on his chest and I managed to slip as well from clasping his sleeve. I pin him down to prevent him from leaving, I say, "Don't leave we need to talk". He tries to look away and says "Please just get up first and we'll talk... this position is kind of awkward". I sit on him and keep pinning him down, I say "No! I know you're going to leave. Just like you always do". I find myself unable to move, waiting for his response. I see him trying to focus his eyes on something to avoid making eye contact, but the pressure finally gets to him and he says, "Fine! You win, let's talk". I sigh in relief and manage to say "Why do you keep avoiding me!? If you have a problem with me just say it! I'm tired of playing this game of mouse and cat".

He locks his arms around my neck and pulls me in a hug. I felt happiness and relief wash over me, he says "I just don't want to hurt you anymore than I already have, I always end up doing things wrong and I don't know why". His face was turning red and we both looked the opposite ways. I knew if we both avoided the situation we wouldn't talk about it so I needed to make the first move. I look at him and smile, "You know I missed these awkward situations". He gives me a smile and says "me too".

I finally got up and helped him up. We make our way to the very back of the library for some privacy, to have our talk. We both leaned against a bookshelf that rested against the wall, we both sat next to each other with our knees touching. The atmosphere has changed completely, enough to make it feel as if we never had any troubles.

He decides to start the conversation and asks, "Is your arm doing alright? I was really worried about you". I responded with "Don't worry it healed well, speaking of I never got the chance to thank you for taking care of me". He hides his face and says "Don't worry about it, I'm the one who should be thanking you for forgiving me so easily". I smile and pat his shoulder, "Don't worry I know you didn't mean it". He looks down and says "I was really worried about you, I was so scared to lose you that it made me think that it'd be best to stay away from you. I should've communicated better and we could've avoided this situation altogether".

I give him a smile and say "Don't worry as long as you're by my side I'm happy". He gives me a heartwarming smile and says "Listen tomorrow is Valentine's day and I was thinking...let's do something just the two of us tomorrow. Meet me in my room in the morning". I smile and say "Of course I'll see you then". He gets an invitation and says "Duty calls, I've got a match. I look forward to seeing you tomorrow, ma chèri".

He leaves and I stay in place, time seems to have frozen and my heart begins to beat faster, I feel heat rise up my cheeks and that's when I realized what was going to come. Obviously he likes me as well, I've never seen him act like he does with me or anyone else. Everyone says he's cruel and arrogant, but he always acts so childish and nervous around me. I smile at the thought that I was special to him, even if he doesn't love me I feel happiness to know that I am special to him. I still have a chance.

I walk out of the library when I bump into women with the lower body of a snake I quickly say "I'm sorry I didn't see you there". She responds with "It's alright child, say I haven't seen your face before nor the one of that man that walked out a while ago. I suppose you both missed the party". I look away in shame and say "Yes, well I was sick so I wasn't able to attend. The man who you refer to had something to do I suppose". She looked intrigued and said "Oh my how interesting. I get the sense that you two spent that night together, haven't you?". My face turns red and she seems pleased with herself, as if she discovered the most important thing in the world. She said "I know everything child, I can tell you two have something going on. You'll lose him before you know it. Secure his heart". I say, "Thank you, I'll take your advice". I quickly try to walk away and I manage to leave her behind, that was an odd encounter.

I make my way into the dining room area and head outside to the garden. Once I open the door I see Emma tending the garden and Emily relaxing outside. I walk out and Emma turns around, excited to see me. Suddenly she asks "How're things with The photographer!?". The question caught me off guard and I quickly panicked and said "Great! He said that tomorrow we should do something". I quickly put my hands over my mouth and Emma and Emily 's are filled with excitement. They squeal and say "Congrats!! We knew you two would become a couple soon". I get shy and say "We're not a couple yet".

Suddenly the memory of the time when I eavesdropped on Joseph's conversation comes to mind, he said the same thing.. Does that mean he also planned to confess to me..?