[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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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.
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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... ]
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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...]
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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.
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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.]
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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!]