forum In Fair Verona // Modern Romeo and Juliet // Private RP - CLOSED

Started February 05, 2019 by @blue_topaz

tune

I twisted to the side and slid straight from Romeo's arms, propping my body up on weak and shaky arms. A second passed, and I emptied the contents of my stomach out onto the floor.

There was blood in the vomit.

The floor swayed underneath me and every muscle in my body tensed with panic. I bolted towards the bathroom, desperate to find something to ease her pain. I snatched a roll of paper towels and cleaning spray along with a plastic bag to clean up the vomit. But I would need actual medical supplies to care for Juliet.

“You don’t—You don’t have to clean that——“ I protested weakly, slumping back down against the floor. “It’s too—too dangerous. You should go.”

Please don’t go.

I got to work cleaning the floor, ignoring the acrid smell and the bile rising in my throat. “Shh, love. I’m staying right here.” I insisted. “Once I finish with this I’ll get a warm bath ready for you. It’ll help clean the wounds.” I hope.

I should have persisted. I should have told him to go, again and again, until he listened. But I was weak. Pathetic. Useless. Unable to fend for myself. So I merely released an involuntary whimper and stayed put, too exhausted to resist.

I did my best to clean the floor trying to stay strong for Juliet. I made several trips to and from the bathroom to start filling the tub with warm water and to throw away the towels I used. “Sweetheart, I’m going to lift you, okay?” I whispered to Juliet, smiling weakly.

"I can—" Blood dribbled from the corner of my mouth. "I can stand."

I could not, in fact, stand—at least not without a great deal of dizzying pain—but I found that by leaning against the wall, I could stay upright for a whole five seconds before my knees gave out and sent me tumbling back down to the floor.

“Juliet!” My panicked whisper came out as a hiss as I quickly rushed to her aid. “Let me care for you.” I begged, tears slipping freely down my cheeks. I went to speak again, but my voice cracked, stopping me. ”Please.”

He was crying.

My beautiful Romeo was crying—because of me. I barred a hiss of pain behind gritted teeth and lifted a trembling, scratched-up hand to his cheek. "Don't cry for me, love…." My voice trembled, but didn't break. "I'm not worth it."

I managed a smile with trembling lips. “You’re worth everything to me.” I gently scooped her up into my arms. “I’m sorry, love. I know this hurts. But the warm water will help.”

My head lolled against his chest as he carried me into the bathroom, and I managed to raise a weak arm and wrap my fingers around the doorknob before he could set me down. "Lock the door—Just in case. I don't want him to…"

“Of course, love. Do you want me to stay in here with you— I won’t look, I promise.” I murmured worriedly, chewing on my lower lip.

I stared down at my body and the bloodstained nightgown still clinging to it. "I–I'll keep something on. I don't want to be alone.."

“I don’t want to be alone either.” I agreed softly, setting Juliet down with a level of tenderness I hadn’t even realized I possessed.

His soft touches after my father's harsh beating brought tears of relief to my eyes. "I'm so sorry…"

“Shh, love. Don’t apologize. He doesn’t get to steal the light from your eyes. No one does. I love you, darling.” I comforted Juliet the best I could, pressing a gentle kiss to her forehead. “Do you need help taking anything off?”

I glanced sideways at the bathtub beside me, filled to the brim with warm water. “I—please….”

“Love, it’s okay. I’m right here. Just tell me what to do.” I replied, trying to stop my voice from shaking.

I was too overtaken with shame to respond. Here I was, completely and utterly useless, practically forcing my boyfriend into an extremely dangerous situation where he had to take care of me.

Tears pricked my eyes.

"I'm sorry…. I shouldn't be—You're not safe here."

“I’m not safe anywhere, Jules. I solemnly gestured to the scar on my head from my mother’s rolling pin. “Let me help you. Let me feel useful, darling.”

I shut my eyes tight. With one hand, I tugged loosely at the bloodied nightgown, a silent response to his earlier question. I'm sorry.

I got the message, gently helping her take the nightgown off. “I’ve got some good news, love. We got a letter from the doctors. I go next week to get an X-ray. If all goes well my cast can get taken off there.” I smiled, trying desperately to be cheerful.

The cool air sent an unwelcome shock through my body. As soon as my nightgown was in Romeo's hands, I drew my knees up to my vulnerable chest and peered at the water, trying to figure out how to climb inside. "That—That's great."

“Can I lift you again, love?” I set her nightgown on the floor next to me, keeping my eyes fixed on Juliet’s face.

I gave a tiny, quick nod. My breaths were more erratic now, unevenly paced.