Accept Me

Chapter 2

Killian awakens the next morning with a damp and uncomfortable sensation between his legs. He quickly realizes he's wearing a diaper and that his bladder must have emptied throughout the night. He adjusts a little, attempting to find a more comfortable posture and push the tiredness from his mind. Suddenly, one of his legs start spasming, accidentally landing on Emma's knee. She stirs and pulls closer to him, but she doesn't appear to be awake. Killian understands it's time to get out of bed and clean himself off in the bathroom, as well as take his medications, particularly those for his spasms if he doesn't want things to become worse.

He raises his head and looks around for his wheelchair, only to find it's at the other end of the room.

He has no method of getting to it, let alone the bathroom. Where is Nathan when he needs him?

He despises waking Emma up with his troubles, despite the fact that she has repeatedly said that she does not mind. So he moves closer to her, puts a kiss on the top of her head, and her eyes open as though she senses his distress.

"Hey, good morning," she greets sleepily, returning the kiss to his cheek. "Let me call Nathan in if he arrived to help you with your morning routine," she says quietly, and he nods relievedly.

Emma goes in search of his nurse after she brings his wheelchair to the side of the bed so he can slip himself in, but she arrives back in the bedroom five minutes later with a frown on her face. "Nathan called, he won't be able to make it this morning, he has an elderly patient who needs his prompt attention. But he promised he can assist you this afternoon and night."

Killian swallows because this can only mean two things, and he doesn't know which one is the worst-case scenario. Either he stays in his soiled state for as long as Nathan finally arrives and risks getting rashes and infection, or Emma helps him clean up and into a fresh diaper.

Which is the most mortifying option and he dreads to ask.

Luckily, Emma decides for him, and probably his thoughts reflect on his face.

"Look, Killian, I know you hate that I'm part of your care, but you got to stop trying to shield me from the more difficult aspects of your life."

He can't glance up to meet her gaze. "Swan..." he pauses to take a slightly shuttering breath. "This is asking too much."

"You're not asking," she gasps out before gingerly slipping into his lap. She brushes her fingers under his chin and his eyes lift slowly to meet hers. "Killian, I really want to do this." At that, his eyes rolled dramatically, making her giggle slightly. "I'm serious," she adds, taking his hand in hers. "I've been over it with Nathan more than once and have probably read that binder of yours front to back nearly twenty times. I can do this. I want to do it," At her pause, his glance flickers down to where her finger was tracing his knuckles, then back up again. "Just as long as you're okay with it."

"Not in the least," he mutters, then immediately softens. "But if you're not comfortable with carrying it out, for any reason, Swan-"

"I am. And thank you."

Her interruption catches him by surprise. "For what?" he quips, though his tone is laden with indignation. "You're the one who will be elbow deep, no pun intended. in medical gloves and rectal suppositories."

"Stop it," she warns, choosing to ignore his obvious embarrassment and frustration for the moment, Instead, her expression relaxes and she holds his gaze. "Thank you for trusting me." Again, a look of bewilderment crosses his face, and she leans in to place a kiss to his lips. "Thank you for trusting me enough and allowing me to care for you completely. I know it can't be easy for you, but I-"