"It's all right." The response is automatic, but the way he takes the offered support and leans against Clive, gratefully, makes the reassurance somewhat less inspiring confidence.
"I thought I could handle it. Just... give me a moment. This is not a good place to rest."
His grip back is strong enough, clearly his limbs are not going weak, but he might be shivering slightly.
It's not all right at all, but Clive is rapidly relearning that saying such things to Joshua doesn't have much of an effect. He's so stubborn, just as he always was. So, instead of arguing, he just pulls Joshua closer and wraps his arms around him.
No, this place isn't safe, but Joshua is shivering. If they're going to have to take a minute, anyway, then Clive will offer what natural warmth he can. A hand gently rubs at Joshua's back. "I know," he says, voice soft. "But I am still your Shield. Do not be afraid to use me."
It isn't cold that makes him shiver, but the effort to keep going, yet the warmth of the embrace, of the reassurance that his brother is right here, alive, warm, himself eases him all the same, and he leans heavily against him, holding on with both arms and burying his face in Clive's shoulder.
"Clive...
"You carry the weight for so many. When it is time, I will, you are my shield - it is just day-to-day, I would rather you not have to carry any more. I'll... let you know beforehand if I'm too unwell to come with you."
That won't take away the worry, he knows. But it will, hopefully, allow Clive to not expect things to get so bad when they are away from help.
He's trying to think as clearly as he can while working to rally up his body, and it's ... mostly working.
He could probably still lie. But the desire to protect Clive in turn loses, if slightly, to the awareness that Clive needs to be able to trust him, just he trusts Clive, completely.
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timeasmymeasure
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Date: 2023-08-07 07:54 am (UTC)"I thought I could handle it. Just... give me a moment. This is not a good place to rest."
His grip back is strong enough, clearly his limbs are not going weak, but he might be shivering slightly.
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Date: 2023-08-07 08:50 am (UTC)No, this place isn't safe, but Joshua is shivering. If they're going to have to take a minute, anyway, then Clive will offer what natural warmth he can. A hand gently rubs at Joshua's back. "I know," he says, voice soft. "But I am still your Shield. Do not be afraid to use me."
no subject
Date: 2023-08-07 09:07 am (UTC)"Clive...
"You carry the weight for so many. When it is time, I will, you are my shield - it is just day-to-day, I would rather you not have to carry any more. I'll... let you know beforehand if I'm too unwell to come with you."
That won't take away the worry, he knows. But it will, hopefully, allow Clive to not expect things to get so bad when they are away from help.
He's trying to think as clearly as he can while working to rally up his body, and it's ... mostly working.
He could probably still lie. But the desire to protect Clive in turn loses, if slightly, to the awareness that Clive needs to be able to trust him, just he trusts Clive, completely.