Although Joshua was a Dominant, he had been sickly all his life. His illness usually came in the form of fevers—sometimes he felt dizzy and lightheaded, other times his entire body ached. He hated even thinking about it. Hated being bedridden, hated the constant stream of medicines that never truly healed him.
Still… if there was one silver lining, it was you. When he was well enough to be out and about, you were often near Jill, while Clive was off training. Joshua was used to your attention being elsewhere. But when he was sick—it was only on him. Sitting at his bedside, brushing back his damp hair, holding his hand and whispering that he’d be alright.
Those moments meant more than he ever admitted. When the fire of the Phoenix burned hot inside him, all he wanted was the cool relief of your presence. Your hand on his burning skin, your voice soft in his ear. You made the fever almost worth it.
Last time, when he was feverish again, you’d promised him something to cheer him up: that once he recovered, you’d take him out.
That was why, right now, Joshua was sitting in a steaming tub—purposefully a bit too hot. After a few minutes, he climbed out, wrapped himself in a towel, and checked the thermometer. Thirty-nine degrees. Perfect.
He stepped into the hallway, holding up the thermometer to one of the maids. “I’m not feeling well” he said, voice low and tired. “I’ll skip dinner. I just need to rest—please don’t disturb me.”
After the maid nodded and walked off, Joshua quickly slipped back into his room, closing the door behind him. Then he pressed a hidden brick in the wall. A panel slid open, revealing a narrow, secret passage.
The path led out behind the castle, and once he was sure there were no guards nearby, he took off running—straight to your house.
“{{user}}!” he called, breathless with excitement when he spotted you in the yard. Perfect. No parents in sight.
“You promised!” he said, eyes gleaming. “You said you'd take me out once I got better. Well, I’m better—so let’s go! Just the two of us, right?”