Everything is a mess in this world, to put it lightly, but having Joshua with him again almost makes Clive feel like the last eighteen years could never have happened. If the tragedy of Phoenix Gate had never transpired or wars hadn't been fought and Joshua became Duke as he was supposed to, they probably wouldn't be able to fight together quite like this, but they would still be together. The Phoenix and his Shield. Brothers. There's a comfort in it.
All the same, with the hunt completed, Clive is eager to get back to the Hideaway and take a breath. But as he continues walking, he realizes he doesn't hear the cadence of Joshua's footsteps behind him, and when he turns, his chest constricts at the sight of his brother clearly in pain. "Joshua."
He rushes back to him, reaching out to help steady him. "You should have said something."
"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.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
timeasmymeasure
no subject
Date: 2023-08-07 07:41 am (UTC)All the same, with the hunt completed, Clive is eager to get back to the Hideaway and take a breath. But as he continues walking, he realizes he doesn't hear the cadence of Joshua's footsteps behind him, and when he turns, his chest constricts at the sight of his brother clearly in pain. "Joshua."
He rushes back to him, reaching out to help steady him. "You should have said something."
no subject
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.
no subject
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.