[Luckily, Joshua is more often than not up late reading. Tonight is much like those nights where he's been tucked into his bedding with a good book. So, the knocking is only a surprise in the sense that his brother seems to be knocking so late.
He gets up and answers the door just as quietly.]
Brother? Is something the matter? It's quite late.
[ Even as he heard the footsteps from the other side of the door Clive could feel his pulse quickening and the pounding of his heart beat wildly against his chest.
No matter the circumstance he was always delighted to see his brother, but this particular night left him in dire need of his company.
And so, as the door opens and the man catches a glimpse of his brother’s confusion, he shifty moves forward to encapsulate the blonde in a tight, wholehearted embrace. ]
No, nothing is wrong. I’ve come with good news, and a question I wish to ask you.
My apologies, but this was something I couldn't hold off until the morning. [ He does have a halfway sympathetic look on his face for throwing himself at his brother the way he did so late, but this was important!! So much so that Clive will simply just come out and say it.
He pulls back just enough so that his eyes meet Joshua's, his hands in turn placed on either of his shoulders. ]
[Once the hug is finished, Joshua happily pats his brother's shoulders. He is a beaming little brother right now. This is such great news! He may not even be able to sleep tonight!]
I knew that the two of you would find the right time to make it official. Slow as you might be, being careful and sure it is the right time for you both is important.
[He only half teases about the slow part.]
And? Any plans after this, or are you to enjoy the blissful life of an engaged man for a while first?
[ Clive's face will scrunch up at the "slow" part, and will rightfully give his brother a firm pat on the shoulders in return. Maybe even a gentle shove, too. ]
We've no plans for a proper date. Not until we've finished another important task at hand.
[ He's referring to that, Joshua. They were a step closer, but not yet. ]
I mean to fully put an end to an all before we can move forward.
[Joshua lets out a small, soft chuckle. But he does give his brother a more serious look after that.]
Brother... I hope you know that I don't expect you to put your life on hold for me. Not any more than you already have.
[He does not want Clive to hold his life for his. He's done that enough. But also... He knows that this is important to Clive as well. So, he nods and respects that choice.]
But, thank you. I am certain we will be through this soon as well.
[ You can't expect him to not put everything on hold for Joshua. It was in his nature- every fiber that holds him together was always for another person. ]
You are important to me... both you and Jill.
[ He does attempt a small smile. ]
I should have you well and whole to help me with any preparations needed.
[And because he knows that his brother is Like That Joshua picks not to be stubborn and fight his brother on it. He knows that Clive would do anything for him and he loves his brother very much for being such a wonderful brother to him. That steady, protective, unwavering, caring brother.]
As you and Jill are, to me.
[That is also why he hopes that Clive and Jill chase their peace. They most certainly deserve it. And he wants them to have every single moment that they can.]
We do have a lot of preparations to think of in the meantime. [And knowing his brother...] Nothing grand, I assume? Although, there is one request I hope to make as your little brother.
Something small. Simple. [ Knowing his brother, indeed. He knew if he was back home the Hideaway would have thrown a giant party for the two of them, but here? He would rather have those memories from home tucked away into a small pocket of the ceremony. ]
A request? Anything at all. [ Like he would deny his brother something that he specifically asked for!! It was rare for him to ask for something in the first place, so Clive was a little curious... ]
[Joshua gives a knowing smile. He had a feeling his brother would say that. Although, he's sure that his father would have loved to throw a decent and lavish celebration for Clive and Jill...]
I request that you wear Rosarian colours and dress.
[His smile turns soft but his voice is very hopeful.]
While we may have to do our best to find a tailor that can go off our memory alone... I'd hoped that you would look like the Rosarian prince that you are.
That was... a little surprising to hear. Clive pauses, his stature both startled and softening at the same time. ]
Joshua...
[ His days as a dukeling had long since passed, feeling as if it was from another lifetime ago. Clive was an Archduke in ruins alone, a city crushed under the fans of war. It was difficult to imagine himself as anything close to royalty.
Yet he was proud of where he came from. He was proud to be a First Shield and the memories of his life in Rosaria, albeit treacherous at times, clung tightly to his chest. ... He also knew his father would have most certainly been proud of the woman he chose to spend the rest of his days with.
So perhaps this was a request he could accept, after all. ]
Hard for me to protest when you ask so little of me. [ He shifts under his weight slightly, fending off any lingering feelings of unworthiness, before sighing. ]
[While those days are long gone and Joshua was still just a boy, he often thinks about what their lives could have been like. Had Rosaria stood and their father passed down his duties to the both of them. While Clive and Joshua had never had issues with the succession, even as a boy Joshua had always thought that ... While he had Phoenix, that Clive still would have made a better leader than he would have. The soldiers always loved Clive, wanted to see him grow strong... And Joshua was always just a small boy to be cared for. He never had time to see it further than that.
Had they had time to flourish and grow into men inside Rosaria's walls... while Joshua would have been the duke by name, and Clive would still have been his shield- Clive was always a Rosfield son first. Royalty.
He wants Clive to feel that claim on his wedding day. He wants the spirit of their father, stars away, to know it too.]
I promise that is all that I will request. [He chuckles softly.] Anything after that, I leave to you and Jill.
[And he is very much looking forward to whatever way they wish to celebrate.]
[ Despite being the eldest son, the torch (both theoretically and physically) was never his to hold. Clive had not been bestowed with the Phoenix's birthright, and had been ostracized by this mother because of it. Yet if they were to go back in time, if the Founder had wielded another attempt, Clive would not think to have the roles reserved.
Joshua would have been a great leader. A strong, grounded and kind force much like their father before them. His brother may not have seen it, with eyes clouded in self deprecation, but Clive could. He could see how straight his back always was, the fierceness in his determination, and the love that he felt for all of Rosaria. Though still young in age, the responsibilities Joshua shouldered aged him significantly... a significance that perhaps was placed upon him too early.
Yet that was where Clive came in. He would be the one to lift Joshua from his burdens, to be his Shield. So that even if in another timeline entirely where his brother would claim the duke's title, he would never be at it alone. That was something their father had always intended for- for them to be together.
What would he think if they saw them today? Would be just as proud as he was before? All those thoughts ran through Clive's head thinking to the traditional garb of wedding ceremonies, and there was a small part of him that became more comfortable in the idea. That perhaps some part of their father would live through him in those moments... ]
Are you sure? No requests for flower arrangements or centerpieces? [ He smirks, giving Joshua one last attempt to get his needs out there!! ]
[ He chuckles again, the lightheartedness filling the room like a warm embrace. ]
That is all I could ever ask for. [ And all he's ever wanted. To have Joshua be by his side on his most important day meant everything in the world to him, and he thanked the Founder for this second chance. ]
But you should try to sleep. I'm sure these books tire of their spines being open for too long. [ He says, glancing over Joshua's shoulder and onto the stack of material about. He would ask if it was for his book club or another, but that was a conversation for another time. ]
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no subject
He gets up and answers the door just as quietly.]
Brother? Is something the matter? It's quite late.
no subject
No matter the circumstance he was always delighted to see his brother, but this particular night left him in dire need of his company.
And so, as the door opens and the man catches a glimpse of his brother’s confusion, he shifty moves forward to encapsulate the blonde in a tight, wholehearted embrace. ]
No, nothing is wrong. I’ve come with good news, and a question I wish to ask you.
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[Joshua lets out a puff of sleepy laughter. Goodness, his brother is in a fantastic mood. He returns the hug with a few grateful pats.]
Hug me any tighter and I may forget how to breathe. [He smiles.] Good news?
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He pulls back just enough so that his eyes meet Joshua's, his hands in turn placed on either of his shoulders. ]
Jill and I... we are betrothed.
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Truly? Betrothed?
[Of all the things he could hear from his brother, that is the happiest of things. Joshua is sure that he won't be able to get the smile off his face.
Clive and Jill... His two beloved family. How he grew up watching Jill and Clive fall in love. Now, with all the turmoil behind them...
The peace they all yearn for...]
2/2
I believe this is the moment that I say... It is about time!
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It is, isn't it? There were many things we needed to accomplish before I felt it right to ask, but I'm glad I finally did.
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I knew that the two of you would find the right time to make it official. Slow as you might be, being careful and sure it is the right time for you both is important.
[He only half teases about the slow part.]
And? Any plans after this, or are you to enjoy the blissful life of an engaged man for a while first?
no subject
We've no plans for a proper date. Not until we've finished another important task at hand.
[ He's referring to that, Joshua. They were a step closer, but not yet. ]
I mean to fully put an end to an all before we can move forward.
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Brother... I hope you know that I don't expect you to put your life on hold for me. Not any more than you already have.
[He does not want Clive to hold his life for his. He's done that enough. But also... He knows that this is important to Clive as well. So, he nods and respects that choice.]
But, thank you. I am certain we will be through this soon as well.
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You are important to me... both you and Jill.
[ He does attempt a small smile. ]
I should have you well and whole to help me with any preparations needed.
no subject
As you and Jill are, to me.
[That is also why he hopes that Clive and Jill chase their peace. They most certainly deserve it. And he wants them to have every single moment that they can.]
We do have a lot of preparations to think of in the meantime. [And knowing his brother...] Nothing grand, I assume? Although, there is one request I hope to make as your little brother.
no subject
A request? Anything at all. [ Like he would deny his brother something that he specifically asked for!! It was rare for him to ask for something in the first place, so Clive was a little curious... ]
no subject
I request that you wear Rosarian colours and dress.
[His smile turns soft but his voice is very hopeful.]
While we may have to do our best to find a tailor that can go off our memory alone... I'd hoped that you would look like the Rosarian prince that you are.
[Their father would have liked that too...]
no subject
That was... a little surprising to hear. Clive pauses, his stature both startled and softening at the same time. ]
Joshua...
[ His days as a dukeling had long since passed, feeling as if it was from another lifetime ago. Clive was an Archduke in ruins alone, a city crushed under the fans of war. It was difficult to imagine himself as anything close to royalty.
Yet he was proud of where he came from. He was proud to be a First Shield and the memories of his life in Rosaria, albeit treacherous at times, clung tightly to his chest. ... He also knew his father would have most certainly been proud of the woman he chose to spend the rest of his days with.
So perhaps this was a request he could accept, after all. ]
Hard for me to protest when you ask so little of me. [ He shifts under his weight slightly, fending off any lingering feelings of unworthiness, before sighing. ]
I will honor your request.
no subject
Had they had time to flourish and grow into men inside Rosaria's walls... while Joshua would have been the duke by name, and Clive would still have been his shield- Clive was always a Rosfield son first. Royalty.
He wants Clive to feel that claim on his wedding day. He wants the spirit of their father, stars away, to know it too.]
I promise that is all that I will request. [He chuckles softly.] Anything after that, I leave to you and Jill.
[And he is very much looking forward to whatever way they wish to celebrate.]
no subject
Joshua would have been a great leader. A strong, grounded and kind force much like their father before them. His brother may not have seen it, with eyes clouded in self deprecation, but Clive could. He could see how straight his back always was, the fierceness in his determination, and the love that he felt for all of Rosaria. Though still young in age, the responsibilities Joshua shouldered aged him significantly... a significance that perhaps was placed upon him too early.
Yet that was where Clive came in. He would be the one to lift Joshua from his burdens, to be his Shield. So that even if in another timeline entirely where his brother would claim the duke's title, he would never be at it alone. That was something their father had always intended for- for them to be together.
What would he think if they saw them today? Would be just as proud as he was before? All those thoughts ran through Clive's head thinking to the traditional garb of wedding ceremonies, and there was a small part of him that became more comfortable in the idea. That perhaps some part of their father would live through him in those moments... ]
Are you sure? No requests for flower arrangements or centerpieces? [ He smirks, giving Joshua one last attempt to get his needs out there!! ]
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Clive's remark has him letting out a soft chuckle.]
Flowers and centrepieces? That is far beyond my knowledge. You will have to find an opinion elsewhere for such things.
[No thanks, he's outtie!!]
I am happy to be by your side on your day, Clive.
[That's all he needs. Whatever his brother needs of him, he'll do it.]
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That is all I could ever ask for. [ And all he's ever wanted. To have Joshua be by his side on his most important day meant everything in the world to him, and he thanked the Founder for this second chance. ]
But you should try to sleep. I'm sure these books tire of their spines being open for too long. [ He says, glancing over Joshua's shoulder and onto the stack of material about. He would ask if it was for his book club or another, but that was a conversation for another time. ]
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I'm not entirely sure how you expect me to sleep a wink now knowing what I know.
[This is too exciting...!!]
Yes, goodnight brother. Tomorrow is a new day.
[And a start to wedding planning!]