We trotted into the castle courtyard a few days later. Jack hadn’t spoken the whole time, not one word. Sir Dawson came back with us but Sir Merrick stayed. After we reported to my father, I retreated with him to my room.
“Jack are you alright? You haven’t spoken.” I said but he didn’t acknowledge me.
“What did you tell them?” I asked after a few moments of uncomfortable silence. He looked up at me quickly, his expression trying to convey something. “D-Did you tell them anything?” I asked. His head shook ever so slightly but I caught it.
“Why not!” I cried causing him to look down.
“Jack,” I whispered, moving over to him and cupping his cheek, “Baby, don’t subject yourself to suffering of any kind on my behalf.”
He gave me a hard look, as if angry that I’d even propose such a thing. “I’m serious Jack.”
He opened his mouth to speak but nothing came out. He look frustrated at his inability. “Alright let’s go. We’re taking you to mom.” I took his arm, probably a bit rougher than I intended since he flinched so severely. I mumbled a “sorry” and walked.

---

“Jack!” She cried and rushed up to hug him. I thought he might jump or flinch but instead he smiled and wrapped his arms around her. “Oh my goodness how I’ve missed you!”
This caused his grin to grow but when he didn’t talk, her eyebrows furrowed and she looked at me.
“While fighting, he was captured and…Interrogated.” I said, giving her a look.
“Interrogated?” She asked, her tone showing that she knew I meant torture. I nodded,
“I think the incident was so traumatic, he can’t talk now.”
“Were your vocal chords severed?” She asked.
Jack shook his head.
“How could anyone hurt such a sweet boy?” She hugged him again. I looked at his face and he had this little smile, but despite the size, it was genuine. “Alright. Okay.” She said, straightening her dress. “Jack, shirt off. I want to make sure your wounds are healing alright and put some paste on them.”
He gingerly did as she said and sat on the table like everyone does when getting checked out by her. I couldn’t help but lick my lips and tug at my bottom lip with my teeth from the thoughts running through my head. I felt guilty considering what Jack is going through, but that didn’t stop him from having the sexiest body ever. I mentally shook those thoughts out of my head and stood next to him, holding his hand to comfort him. When my hand clasped around his, the corners of his lips twitched upward and he looked down with a blush. My heart swelled knowing I was the reason for that smile. Mom removed his bandaging and since I’d last seen the wounds, they’d healed a bit.
Mom scolded the messy stitching as she retrieved a very small knife that looked extremely sharp and a small jar of deep violet liquid. “Okay the laceration on your arm has become slightly infected, I’ll add extra paste to that.” She said, more to herself than to Jack. “Alright, I’m going to remove the stitches and it may hurt since it’ll be tugging on the skin” She spoke as she applied the liquid to his wound and the areas around it, “but I’ll go as fast as possible and this tincture will numb your skin as well as disinfect.” She said. I liked how she explained everything so you knew what was going on. I watched Jack’s face while Mom removed the thread. Again to my surprise, he didn’t move. Not so much as a wince.
Mom finished very quickly, she knew how to use that blade and I could only imagine what she could do with it if she wanted to cause harm, but I couldn’t conceive her ever doing something like that since she was such a kind old lady. After the stitching was removed, she put a different paste on it that was murky green and smelled horrible, paying extra attention to the wound on his arm before wrapping up the injuries which covered his chest, arms, and legs. Once she was finished, she gave him one last hug before we left.
We were walking back through the halls when I remembered that little ring of silver in my pocket.
“Come on.” I murmured, quickening my pace. Once in the privacy of my room, I turned to Jack who’s head was cocked in confusion.
“Jack do you remember the morning right before you were captured when I was a total dick?” I asked. He nodded. “You left your ring on my pillow…Why?”
He opened his mouth, trying to speak but nothing came out which made him look defeated. Then I was struck with an idea. I rushed over to my desk and pulled out paper, a quill, and some ink.
“Write it.” I said. He moved over and scribbled his answer.

‘I thought you didn’t want me.’ He wrote. I had to read those words a good three times before they sank in. How could he possibly think that? He was the reason I got up in the morning! He was the one I risked all my knights for! He was the one I’d choose above all else! He was the one who I’d die for without a second thought!

“Jack how could you think that!”

‘You said you hated me.’

I sighed at myself and closed my eyes, kicking myself for the millionth time for saying that to him.
“You’re right. I did. There is no excuse for that and I will never forgive myself, but you should know that I will never leave you and I will always want you and I’ll never stop-“ I bit my tongue, I almost said it. Then Jack gave me a look of sadness and pain before scribbling,

‘I know. Me too.’

“Then here.” I whispered, pulling the ring out of my pocket and taking his hand. I slipped it onto his finger and smiled at it. I looked up to see him with a small smile and watery eyes. I gave a small laugh and held him close, being gentle because of his injuries. I felt him relax into my touch and hug me back. I had been longing to do this for a long time, and now that I was finally holding him, I intended to never let go.

Notes

Title Cred: The Call Regina Specktor

heyyy I added the characters on the table of contents thingy so now you can kinda put some faces to the names

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