[It isn't Clive's intention to make his brother even more embarrassed, merely to verify that Joshua's feelings aren't a momentary thing. Although even thinking such a thing about Joshua feels wrong. His heart has always been big and inviting, but even as a child his mind was strong enough to temper most fancies within reason.

Clive has no reason to doubt his strength all these years later.]

You're right, though. I remember even after the Remembrance Ceremony, you spoke of him for weeks. How excited you were to meet another Dominant like yourself.

[Clive breathes out a soft laugh.]

It might have been the first time I wasn't your favourite person.

[That was a strange feeling. For all of Joshua's life until that point, Clive had been his closest confidant. And then, suddenly, there was someone else in his life who made him feel joy. While Clive never truly felt as if Dion would replace him, it was hard to reconcile Joshua splitting his affections even more. Not even when Jill joined their family had Clive felt this way, probably because Jill had become so ingrained into their little unit that any affection Joshua showed her wasn't far from Clive.

Either way, it's all silliness. He knows that. Just because Joshua has found someone else to share in his love doesn't mean his family will suffer for it. And even if that were the case, Clive would want him to be happy first and foremost.]

You said Dion accepted. Does this mean you believe your feelings are reciprocated?