The Rebelero Brothers' Curse

Ten

"Wha-what happened?" Luke slurred as he foolishly tried to sit up.

"Don't move Luke. It's okay, it's just me, Jessamine, " I said gently as I rushed to his side.

"Where am I? Wait what happened?" He sounded confused and frightened. His expression was tight with pain as his injuries hit him full on.

"I will answer your questions, but I have to clean you up. May I?" He looked puzzled for a moment, but realization crossed his face when he looked down at himself.

"Oh. Right, the blood. I thought I was dreaming again," he let out a nervous laugh and laid his head back down. "You may proceed."

"Thank you Luke. You really should not move until I assess your injuries. I will be right back." He nodded slightly.

I quickly got up and went on a hunt for a wash cloth, and a bucket. I found a large pail in the kitchen and filled it up with water from the basin. Then grabbing soap and a wash cloth, I went back to Luke's side.

"Please tell me what happened. All I remember is heading toward the Liadka garden when I was attacked by an animal. I cannot remember anything else until I saw you and then everything went black again." His voice trembled and cracked as he spoke. He looked so lost and confused that my heart melted at the sight.

"Oh Luke, there is so much you need to know. I need you to be open-minded and wait for me to finish before asking questions okay? " I stroked his cheek and made him look into my eyes. He nodded and gave me a little smile. How he could still muster up such a gesture I had no idea. It made me want to hold him and tell him everything was fine, but I'm afraid the truth has to be told now before it's too late.

I dipped the wash cloth in the water and began cleaning the blood off of his face. Every curve, and every line of his face was covered in it, but the more that I wiped away, the more he looked like himself. He was watching my every move and I could feel his eyes glued to me as I worked. I fought hard not to look at him because I knew that if I did, my feelings would betray me.

"May I remove your shirt? " I said quietly.

"I suppose you may considering that's the only way to thoroughly wash it all away." He chuckled a little and I had to admire his strength. He was still the Luke I had always known and I don't think anything would change that. Deep down he would always be who he was no matter what the circumstance was.

I located a few tears in his shirt and ripped it off from there. "I'm going to need you to sit up so I can slide what's left of it out from underneath you." I leaned forward and put his arms around my neck. He lifted himself up a little using me as an anchor. I quickly got rid of the scrap of cloth and gently laid him back down. He grunted in pain but didn't complain otherwise.

"Your hurt pretty bad aren't you?" I asked as I began cleansing his chest.

"It sure feels like it. Will you tell me what happened now?"

"Patience Luke. When I am done I will tell you everything. " I was not sure yet how I was going to tell him or where to even start. I sighed and reverted back to silence as I washed his torso.

My mind was all over the place and no matter how much I tried to focus, I found myself admiring his body. He was nicely sculpted and refined. Luckily he had closed his eyes so he would not see the way I was staring.

I poured the rest of the water on his chest to wash away the soapy residue. I then got up and refilled the pail with clean water.

"Luke, um I'm going to have to take off your trousers now, " I mumbled and I felt my cheeks grow warm.