[ Clive felt like a proud older brother, which was not something felt very often. Their family dynamic was a strange one— full of holes and gaps and spaces in-between that made it feel incomplete at times. They had so little time together before, and even less before the events at Origin, so trying to play that "big brother" role about something as simplistic as a crush felt foreign to him.
Yet, despite all the uncertainty that began to swell in his chest, he was grateful for the opportunity to be an older brother. To have Joshua come to him for advice and understanding. For him to lean on him and confide in...
Yes, this is what it was like to be an older brother. ]
I'm a bit surprised it took his confession for you to act upon it. This affection has been going on for some time now, has it not?
[There would be no one else Joshua would trust with these new feelings. They have lost so much time as brothers and as a family. And even then, Joshua still only trusts him and Jill with something so fragile and new. He never had the same chances to stumble over his own feet as a teenager. He does not have the time to be making mistakes. Or so he thinks... Perhaps he's being too hard on himself.
Besides books, his best reference for love is Clive and Jill. It wasn't like their parents had the most loving relationship. And it's not like Joshua can go to Cid to endure his teasing remarks or Lady Benedikta to endure her forwardness. Bless them, anyway...
Clive's text makes him blush slightly. Of course. Clive has always known that Joshua's always had an interest in Dion. Even when they all met as children. Joshua has wanted to be his friend more than anything.]
I cannot hide it from you, can I. Yes. It has.
It was only... Dion had a partner before we came upon this world. And I felt as though I could not step on a story that wasn't mine.
Even still, I worry I am ruining something for him. Yet he still seems happy to want to start something new. With me. And for that I am over the moon.
[ This is something new. A rare opportunity that the overseer of this world has granted them. A second chance. A new beginning.
A place where they are allowed to stumble, to fall, to get up and try again. To explore and make mistakes and love. A chance all too distant and out of reach for them back home...
Clive knew even as his brother's shield that that protection could only reach so far. The rest he would have to pick up and try to defend for himself. And although as an older brother he wanted nothing more to guard that fragile heart, what he wanted more than anything else was for him to experience the sort of love he felt everyday with Jill.
So maybe... this could be a start. ]
Ruining? Joshua, you did nothing wrong. You have done nothing wrong.
[ And he never will, if Clive has anything to say about it.
Still, he can tell his brother's emotions were reeling. But he wants to be encouraging, he wants to help— ]
Regardless of his dealings in the past the two of you are here. Now. And that opportunity should not be put to waste.
I... am happy for you. Truly, I am. I only hope you allow yourself to feel the same.
[He is indeed reeling. The hope and chance to feel something as dedicated and sweet as this is just a dream he never thought he could have. Never thought it would be something he would have the chance to marvel at. He'd always been so focused on his goals, his family, his duty... But he always thought it would be nice to...
Clive's words make him feel relieved. That uneasy and excited feeling easing away into something lighter.]
Thank you, brother. Perhaps I needed you to convince me of that. It is a relief...
[He knows Dion will think of their relationship as something that is theirs alone. Something special and new. He knows that. Clive's words just mean so much to him.]
[ He'd give you a headpat if he could see your reaction in person...! Nevertheless, his defensive wording does have Clive smiling down at his device. ]
I am aware of his merits, and know there is no finer suitor for you than he. It's plain you both care for each other very deeply.
[Such a brotherly response. It makes his heart warm. They've been through so much so to read something so heartfelt... It's very much Clive's style.]
I could say the very same things about you, brother. There's nothing more that I wish for than to see you happy. You and Jill.
[Together. They finally can experience these things. As they should. And while Joshua has moments where he thinks of his fate? He is going to allow himself these things too. Especially if it makes his brother happy too.]
[ Ugh. His heart swells deeper than any crevasse as he attempts to cling to those words- cling to these small moments of happiness. The moments of happiness that Joshua should have been granted back home. The fleeting thought causes Clive to tighten his eyes close, only to open them slowly with a new resolve.
His words weren't just flowering. He meant them. Every single one of them.
So as to not dwell on his thoughts, he quickly jots something in return. ]
Thank you.:)
You never realize how deeply such a feeling matters until it is no longer with us. Let us do our best to assure we preserve our own happiness here.
[What a cute little text smile Clive made. It takes Joshua a moment to puzzle it out but he thinks he understands.]
Yes, let's do our best, brother. :)
And if I may ask something of you? Would you like to spend some time together soon? Perhaps we can go hunting together. Or pick something from the variety of quests on the local manta board. I'll admit, I've been itching to go on another, hopefully less dangerous, adventure with you. If you are up for it.
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Yet, despite all the uncertainty that began to swell in his chest, he was grateful for the opportunity to be an older brother. To have Joshua come to him for advice and understanding. For him to lean on him and confide in...
Yes, this is what it was like to be an older brother. ]
I'm a bit surprised it took his confession for you to act upon it. This affection has been going on for some time now, has it not?
[ Because He Knows. ]
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Besides books, his best reference for love is Clive and Jill. It wasn't like their parents had the most loving relationship. And it's not like Joshua can go to Cid to endure his teasing remarks or Lady Benedikta to endure her forwardness. Bless them, anyway...
Clive's text makes him blush slightly. Of course. Clive has always known that Joshua's always had an interest in Dion. Even when they all met as children. Joshua has wanted to be his friend more than anything.]
I cannot hide it from you, can I. Yes. It has.
It was only... Dion had a partner before we came upon this world. And I felt as though I could not step on a story that wasn't mine.
Even still, I worry I am ruining something for him. Yet he still seems happy to want to start something new. With me. And for that I am over the moon.
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A place where they are allowed to stumble, to fall, to get up and try again. To explore and make mistakes and love. A chance all too distant and out of reach for them back home...
Clive knew even as his brother's shield that that protection could only reach so far. The rest he would have to pick up and try to defend for himself. And although as an older brother he wanted nothing more to guard that fragile heart, what he wanted more than anything else was for him to experience the sort of love he felt everyday with Jill.
So maybe... this could be a start. ]
Ruining? Joshua, you did nothing wrong. You have done nothing wrong.
[ And he never will, if Clive has anything to say about it.
Still, he can tell his brother's emotions were reeling. But he wants to be encouraging, he wants to help— ]
Regardless of his dealings in the past the two of you are here. Now. And that opportunity should not be put to waste.
I... am happy for you. Truly, I am. I only hope you allow yourself to feel the same.
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Clive's words make him feel relieved. That uneasy and excited feeling easing away into something lighter.]
Thank you, brother. Perhaps I needed you to convince me of that. It is a relief...
[He knows Dion will think of their relationship as something that is theirs alone. Something special and new. He knows that. Clive's words just mean so much to him.]
I am excited for this. And so flattered.
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but don't think he's gotten off that easily— ]
We shall all meet soon, then? I still have a duty as your shield to make sure the prince abides by his courtly manners.
[ He's teasing. Mostly. ]
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[Don't be so embarrassing, brother!!!]
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[ Oh. He HAS to be. Now more than ever. ]
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Birthright as it may be, please do not go about embarrassing me, brother. You and I both know the merits that Dion holds. He is a good man.
[Little brother is flustered...!!]
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[ He'd give you a headpat if he could see your reaction in person...! Nevertheless, his defensive wording does have Clive smiling down at his device. ]
I am aware of his merits, and know there is no finer suitor for you than he. It's plain you both care for each other very deeply.
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Thank you, Clive. That means the world to me.
[Because of course his brother's opinion means a great deal to him. After a moment he adds,]
It's rare to stumble upon these pockets of happiness. I hope we both get to experience more of it.
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[ With so many of his loved ones here... back again. It was like waking up to a dream every morning. ]
And I will do everything in my power to make certain you are granted that same happiness. You deserve it. Deserve this and so much more.
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I could say the very same things about you, brother. There's nothing more that I wish for than to see you happy. You and Jill.
[Together. They finally can experience these things. As they should. And while Joshua has moments where he thinks of his fate? He is going to allow himself these things too. Especially if it makes his brother happy too.]
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His words weren't just flowering. He meant them. Every single one of them.
So as to not dwell on his thoughts, he quickly jots something in return. ]
Thank you.:)
You never realize how deeply such a feeling matters until it is no longer with us. Let us do our best to assure we preserve our own happiness here.
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Yes, let's do our best, brother. :)
And if I may ask something of you? Would you like to spend some time together soon? Perhaps we can go hunting together. Or pick something from the variety of quests on the local manta board. I'll admit, I've been itching to go on another, hopefully less dangerous, adventure with you. If you are up for it.
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Of course. I'd be delighted to.
But allow me to survey the quests. One perhaps with a little less wolf pups involved.
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Yes. I'll leave the choice of where we venture up to you this time.
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... And if you happen upon Dion before I do, tell him I send my regards.
🎀
I'll do my best to do that. We'll talk again soon.