Beyond Castle Walls (Janiel AU)

Chapter 25: A World That Is You

Joey's P.O.V.

Daniel is a sleep by the time we reach the old summer palace. I try to stay strong, knowing I'm not the one who is in the most pain, but watching his frail body makes me want to cry. His skin is pale, body bruised, he is as thin as a leaf, and his eyes are puffy and carry a sorrow that never goes away. I noticed fresh burns on his body when he was changing, making me want to vomit when I imagine what that sick, sick man must have done to him. I know Daniel has been taken advantage of,  the way he reacts to touch confirmed that for me. But I will not ask him about that, not until he is ready. He will need time, but I will be there, no matter what.

I gently pick him up and carry him to the royal bed chambers. He stirs slightly, mumbeling frightening words, but he calms when his restless body meets the soft matress. I carefully remove his shoes, making sure not to wake him. He must be exhausted, and as he is sleeping somewhat calmly for now, I do my best not to disturb him. I lay the covers above him, and sit down on the divan. I know I can not share the bed with him, not yet, he is not ready for that. I push the divan a little closer to the bed so I can reach out and hold his hand if he needs me to. The maids offered to help me take care of him, but I refused, I want to take care of him myself. 

"No... no, please no! Let me be! Let me go! I wanna go home! I...I wanna go home...." Daniel says as he starts tossing and turning violently on the bed. I grab his hand and massage soothing circles unto it with my thumb.

"It's okay, you are safe, you are safe, now." I whisper gently. He seems to calm down again, his body falling limp into the warm matress. I carefully feel his forhead, he is burning up. Fever, he had a fever. I knew it had to be taken care of immidiatly, if it got to high he could be in severe danger. Fevers could be deadly at their worst state, and his was definitly extremely high.

I get a wash cloth and dip it in cold water, luckily I had my bath pitcher filled with fresh water standing close to the terrace, so the water was reasonably cold. I sit back down on the divan, fold the cloth and gently dab his overheated face before laying the cloth on his forehead. This seems to calm him further and he sleeps without any more stirring.

My dear Daniel, how I wished I could have come for you sooner. Had I only known...

I take his hand in mine again as I feel sleep become me, my head falls down on the side of the bed as I drift off to dreamland.

Daniel's P.O.V.

"You'll never be safe." Lord Greenwale says. I fall to the ground as I try to get away from him.

"Joey! Please, save me!" I scream at the top of my lungs, but I know no one can hear me.

"Sweetheart, Joey won't come for you. He will find someone else. You will be replaced and thrown on the street. I am your only hope." He says as he grabs my legs and pull them apart.

"No! NOOOOO!" I scream as I wake up.

"Daniel- Daniel, it's okay, it's okay, it was only a nightmare. You are okay, he can't hurt you anymore." Joey says as he wraps his arms around me engulfing me in his warmth. I cry into his shoulder, letting go of all inhabitions. Joey doesn't say anything or push me to say something, he simply lets me cry and let go of all my withheld emotions. He rubs my back calmly as my tears seep through his shirt.

 When I feel myself calm down, I pull away from our embrace, somehow missing the contact which feels nice as I previously only wanted to shy away from it.

"What are we going to do? I am a mess, Joey. You are wasting your time with me..." I say, remembering the words of Lord Greenwale in my dream. I am like a broken doll now... Joey, deserves better.

"No, do not ever speak like that. I need you. And I will always need you." Joey says grabbing both my hands in his.

"But, what if it ne-" I start but I am cut off by Joey's lips gently kissing my hands. He looks at me with the same, familiar warm gaze as when I first met him, reminding me that despite everything his love for me is still the same.

"No, I will wait for you, and we will work through this. I refuse to let that sick, undeserving bastard win. He will not break you, you are so strong. So strong. You saved yourself, Daniel. You got that note to me. You got yourself out of that prison. Do not forget how strong you are, even when you feel at your weakest, you are still so strong. I will never give up on you or us. For the only world I want, the only world I need, is a world that is you."