Jack and The Cuckoo Clock Heart Preferences

Joe's Aftermath

The party was over. The guests had left and the house staff had started cleaning after them.

The L/N family and the Charbonneaus had retreated into the parlor to discuss the nature of the engagement and matrimonial arrangements; the children had been sent to bed while Joe and Y/N were left alone to talk.

Joe and Y/N were outside in the garden, sitting in the gazebo. They sat apart and quiet, a far cry from their behavior at the party. Y/N was the first to break the silence. She scooted closer to Joe slowly.

"So we're engaged now, huh?" Y/N gave him a playful, somewhat awkward chuckle. She glanced at him and saw his usual, broody face. "Funny, isn't it?"

Y/N wasn't one to play dumb. She knew Joe still liked Acacia, even if the Andalusian girl had been gone for a while. It was odd to suddenly be forced to become his fiancé. She wondered if she should ask him about it.

"You and I have very definitions for the word 'funny'", Joe muttered. He noticed that though Y/N had moved ever so closer to him, she still looked distant. "I'm going to be honest so you can finally wipe that pitiful look off your face." He didn't bother looking at her but he knew she was looking at him.

"It wasn't up to me. It's my job as the eldest Charbonneau son to inherit the family business, but only after I marry. My parents would disown me if I even thought of marrying Miss Acacia. They liked you, of all people, well enough." He rolled his eyes as he remembered the mostly one sided conversation with his father. "They sent word to your parents. Obviously, they accepted and now, we're here."

Y/N's eyes focused on the engagement ring that she wore. Apparently, it was an heirloom from God knows how many generations past. It was beautiful but she only focused on its pretty, faded details to ignore the disdain in Joe's cold voice. "I'm sorry", she said quietly as she rotated the ring around her finger.

Joe scoffed and folded his arms across his chest. "Sorry? You're telling me you're sorry? It's not your fault, Y/N." His voice was oozing pent up frustration. He stood up and began pacing the old gazebo. "I have to be realistic. The whole proposal was a lie. Everything I said was a lie! Marrying Miss Acacia would have been out of the question but you- you, of all people, being my bride-to-be is just..." He sighed, exasperated.

Y/N's brows furrowed. "What do you mean me, 'of all people'?" She stood up to face him. "What? Do you think I'm not good enough? Am I so terrible and that much of a nuisance? My goodness, Joe, I apologize for any inconvenience our betrothal brought you." Y/N glared at Joe before stepping away from him.

"Who do you think you are talking to me that way?" Joe grabbed Y/N by the arms, forcing her face him once again. "

"Your fiancé, unfortunately", Y/N reminded him. She was tempted to take the damn ring off and throw at his stupid face. "Remember, Mr. Charbonneau, that the betrothal is just the beginning. You still have to court me." She pulled herself away from his grasp but he wasn't so quick to give up.

"As a matter of fact, my love," Joe sat her back down and sat down next to her, taking her hands in his. "My job is to marry you. That is all. I don't love you and I never will." He looked at her, inching himself closer to her face. "You and I have to learn how to tolerate each other."

"I know you don't love me but you have no power over me. Our schoolyard days are over, Joe. You need to grow up." She began pulling her hands out from his, the engagement ring slipping out of her finger. "If you hate me so much, then I'll be more than happy to break this engagement up. I'm not going to be your pawn in getting your Daddy's money. I'm going to marry someone who deserves me, not some spoiled boy who can't let go of what he had." She yanked her hand back. The ring was back in his hand.

Joe looked at the ring in his hand and then back at her. He stood up, easily towering over her. "I don't hate you, but I'll never love you. If you break this engagement, good luck finding anyone in polite society to marry you." His lips curled into a taunting smirk, that bastard.

Y/N was indifferent to his mockery. Years of his friendship had hardened her enough. "You're no prize yourself, Charbonneau. Any man I find would surely be better than you." Her eyes narrowed at his attempt to intimidate her. "I've my fair amount of suitors, all from lovely families. You, on the other hand- well, let's just say you're not exactly Edinburgh's most eligible bachelor." Y/N remarked.

The Charbonneau boy was insulted. "Marrying me would not be the worst thing in the world." Of course, he was rich, handsome, and healthy. He knew he didn't have the best temperament but what kind of girl would say no to a catch like him? He was certain Y/N was being childish and petty. Typical behavior on her behalf, but he could be petty too.

"Oh no, of course not. I'm just saying that I'd rather contract cholera than be Mrs. Charbonneau." Y/N mocked. "Of course, this shouldn't bother you. After all, you don't love me and all we have to do is tolerate each other. Who knows? Maybe one day, your little Andalusian will come back to Edinburgh. Till then, you're stuck with me."

Joe glared at her. He stared at her and he remembered the first day he met her. That same annoying grin was on her face. She hadn't changed a bit, fortunately and unfortunately. She was still the same frustrating, irritating, sly young lady he met all those years ago. The only difference was that they had a wedding date in a few months' time. Not only that but his parents had heavy expectations of him not ruining the Charbonneau name along with continuing it.

The brunet let go of his fiancé and took her hand gruffly, carefully placing the engagement ring back on her finger. "Let it be known between us that I can't stand you. Your only saving grace is our friendship and my mother's bothersome want for grandchildren." He seemed to cringe at the thought and fortunately, so did Y/N.

"Let's cross that bridge when we get to it, Joe. We should focus on not driving each other insane." Y/N stifled a laugh while he rolled his eyes and finally relaxed alongside her.

"Agreed."