[He lets out a shy puff of laughter and feels a string of guilt for being scolded again over Tarja's medicine.]
I suppose I am starting to fit in if you put it like that.
[He lifts his gaze to look at his brother again.]
If that's the case then allow me to rephrase what I mean. What I mean is... I wish to fill in the gaps and years where you did think you had been responsible for what had happened to me. If you'll allow me... I'd like to earn my place in your life again, Clive.
[He just wants to make up for all those lost years...]
[ Perhaps if Joshua had a better track record of actually taking his medicines then he wouldn't be hounded about them.
His eyes do meet Joshua's. Clive's heart does break a little. How could his little brother even remotely think - ]
You need not earn it. There has always been a void that none could fill. As you are now here, I have since felt whole.
[ It's nonsense to think that Joshua needs to do anything at all. Clive has been the one trying to find him when he can. Chasing after him should he get the barest scent of his brother. One cannot earn that which is freely given. That which is already theirs from the start. ]
[Let's not talk about Joshua's track record with his medicine... It's entirely fine. Yes.
Clive's response has Joshua's heart feeling calmer. Perhaps he needed to hear something like that. While he knows that Clive has been better now Joshua can't help but blame himself for some of those darker days when Joshua had been in hiding at the behest of The Undying. All those years of thinking he had killed Joshua... That pain...
Joshua's smile is certain again.]
And I too. Then after this is all said and done we'll see the new dawn together. You, Jill and I.
But he can tell that Joshua seems to be relaxing. Rather, his little brother seems to be accepting of Clive's words. Perhaps he has been put more at ease. That's what brothers, what family, is meant to do for one another. Joshua had always made sure that Clive felt like he still had a place. That Clive is also a part of a family, as opposed to their mother.
Now he is doing the same for his brother. Ensuring him that there is a place for him. That there always has been. ]
Oh there will be plenty to do, once Ultima's plans are laid to rest. No doubt it will mean more adventures to come. We'll face them head on. All of us, together.
[It does put an easier smile on Joshua's face. Having been displaced for so long he felt as though he should find his place amongst Clive and his comrades, earn his keep, all of that ... But maybe he never had to. Maybe he always had his place.
He nods quietly and takes the cup of alcohol once more.]
Then... to more adventures to come. And this time together.
[He holds up the cup for a simple cheer. This time, giving the alcohol a second chance.]
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no subject
Date: 2023-08-01 12:50 am (UTC)I suppose I am starting to fit in if you put it like that.
[He lifts his gaze to look at his brother again.]
If that's the case then allow me to rephrase what I mean. What I mean is... I wish to fill in the gaps and years where you did think you had been responsible for what had happened to me. If you'll allow me... I'd like to earn my place in your life again, Clive.
[He just wants to make up for all those lost years...]
no subject
Date: 2023-08-08 01:48 am (UTC)His eyes do meet Joshua's. Clive's heart does break a little. How could his little brother even remotely think - ]
You need not earn it. There has always been a void that none could fill. As you are now here, I have since felt whole.
[ It's nonsense to think that Joshua needs to do anything at all. Clive has been the one trying to find him when he can. Chasing after him should he get the barest scent of his brother. One cannot earn that which is freely given. That which is already theirs from the start. ]
no subject
Date: 2023-08-13 03:53 pm (UTC)Clive's response has Joshua's heart feeling calmer. Perhaps he needed to hear something like that. While he knows that Clive has been better now Joshua can't help but blame himself for some of those darker days when Joshua had been in hiding at the behest of The Undying. All those years of thinking he had killed Joshua... That pain...
Joshua's smile is certain again.]
And I too. Then after this is all said and done we'll see the new dawn together. You, Jill and I.
[For another adventure together, he hopes.]
no subject
Date: 2023-08-13 06:15 pm (UTC)But he can tell that Joshua seems to be relaxing. Rather, his little brother seems to be accepting of Clive's words. Perhaps he has been put more at ease. That's what brothers, what family, is meant to do for one another. Joshua had always made sure that Clive felt like he still had a place. That Clive is also a part of a family, as opposed to their mother.
Now he is doing the same for his brother. Ensuring him that there is a place for him. That there always has been. ]
Oh there will be plenty to do, once Ultima's plans are laid to rest. No doubt it will mean more adventures to come. We'll face them head on. All of us, together.
no subject
Date: 2023-08-13 08:37 pm (UTC)He nods quietly and takes the cup of alcohol once more.]
Then... to more adventures to come. And this time together.
[He holds up the cup for a simple cheer. This time, giving the alcohol a second chance.]