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Chapter Text

It was supposed to be simple, go to Phoenix Gate and commune with the ancestors… however that was supposed to happen. Joshua had no clue how he had been intended to speak to the dead in the Apodytery, but the Undying had assured him once he was down there it would all make sense. In the end it hadn't mattered one little bit, the communion had never happened, the Imperial troops had attacked the fortress in the night like rats sneaking around in the darkness. As he moved through the burning keep he frowned, watching every single corridor they passed for his brother to appear, his Shield. And yet his brother did not appear, he moved further towards the grand hall with Ser Wade, the frown on his face darkening with every step.

The sounds of battle were everywhere, as Ser Wade pushed a door open cautiously the smell of burning timber increased, making Joshua's nose wrinkle. When the older man gasped and ran off Joshua sighed, following the man that was supposed to guard him and just… took off… like the frankly bumbling fool he seemed to be. He was crouched down next to another Shield, blood coating the other man as he did his best to remain upright. Crouching down with Wade he looked at the wound, it was deep and with it the shield was no use to him, likely a dead man… but if he healed him perhaps he may last long enough to help them get to safety, and more importantly find Clive. With that decided he held his hand out, allowing healing flames to gather on the wound, watching it slowly start to knit back together.

Loud banging on a door at the end of the corridor drew their attention, Wade moving to take up a defensive position, giving his Prince more time to heal the injured shield. Joshua turned his focus from the door back to the man he was healing, his attention only disturbed by the sound of his father's voice. Extinguishing the healing flames he stood, the shield would survive and that was sufficient to Joshua, with that he walked towards Lord Murdoch and his father "Father, where is Clive?"

Elwin Rosfield grimaced at his son's tone… he had long learned that tone never bode well, especially when it had to do with his eldest son. "I do not know Joshua, I haven't seen your brother nor has Lord Murdoch. But we will keep watch for him as we make for the rear gates."

Blue eyes narrowed slightly at the fact that his father did not intend to send anyone to search for Clive, just 'keep watch for him' as they made their way to leave. It had always been thus, his father ignoring Clive to the point of allowing their mother free reign with whatever actions she chose to take against his brother… allowing her to keep them apart, to punish him for even the smallest infraction… none of it was acceptable to Joshua, yet he had not had the chance to be able to deal with the matter as Phoenix he may be but a child is all they saw him as. That would not last forever though, and Elwin would be best served to remember his son was not the mere boy he looked to be.

With little options while surrounded by enemy forces he was forced to nod slightly, though his expression clearly showed he was displeased all the same, hard blue eyes boring into his father making the man visibly flinch. They made their way through the last few rooms of the keep, exiting out into the crisp night air of the small courtyard he had sat in with his beloved brother not even hours ago, his father swiftly moving to send a stolas to Rosalith without another word said. Even Lord Murdoch seemed content to simply loiter around outside while Clive was nowhere to be seen… most likely searching within for Joshua as was his place as shield, ever diligent and dutiful his Clive. Joshua made his way towards the chocobo, listening intently for anything that could give him a hint as to where his brother was, if staying to search for Clive meant setting the birds loose to flee then he was not above such actions. However when he heard hushed voices he carefully moved to peer around the chocobo stables, spotting several shields that were acting… strange.

"This isn't the one we were sent here for…"
"What do we do with him then?"
"Just get rid of him, orders are for the Dominant and only the Dominant."

Joshua slipped further around the wooden structure, wishing to be able to see the men better. As he moved he could indeed see them… and the form laying on the ground, still but there were subtle signs of breathing. Joshua clenched his teeth, anger filling him at the sight of blood slicked black hair, smeared across the white of his jerkin. How dare these pests harm HIS shield, HIS brother! Even at only 10 summers Joshua was fiercely protective of his elder brother, no one brought harm to him, no one! He slowly moved towards the men as the Phoenix puffed up its feathers within him in an anger a twin to his own at their audacity. He kept to the edges, hugging the shadows around the stable, out of their line of sight, yet as he moved he heard shouting and swords clashing behind him, from where his father and Lord Murdoch had been… yet his focus did not falter from his brother, let his elders deal with their own battles he had more important matters to attend to.

The shields looked over in the direction of the fighting, attention pulled from Clive, the perfect moment for Joshua to be able to bring their attention to him and him alone. He felt Phoenix pulling at him, his heartbeat so very loud in his ears as fire started to flicker through his hair. Right as the shields moved to rush to the aid of their fellows Joshua moved in front of them, a dark look on his face that stopped them cold. "Ah, your highness! We were looking for you…"

Joshua tilted his head slightly, watching the men, ignoring their words entirely "Which of you harmed MY brother?"

They were taken aback by the chill in his words, silent for but a moment before one stepped forwards "Why none of us your majesty, we took care of those no good Imperials…"

Blue eyes flickered with gold as he turned his gaze to that man "Hm, you then… I see…"

Eyes widened as the shield stepped back a few steps "No… no it wasn't me!"

More flames flickered through his hair and along is body "It matters not ultimately, you're all going to die anyways… though there is the question of if you are traitors or impersonators…"

The cold manner in which this small child spoke had them backing up even more, as a silver flicker moved through his peripheral vision Joshua waved a hand… a wave of flames bursting forth to consume the shields, he truly didn't care if they were shields or not they would have died either way. The roar of the Dragoon stole his focus, the silver-clad soldier landing just feet away, Joshua's lips thinning as he pressed them tight together in irritation. Another ant to squash before he could take his brother and leave… flames flaring to life all around him as he semi-primed, tail feathers blooming around him as they trailed from his back.

"Come little Phoenix, surely you do not think you can stand against me? You need not die here, the Emperor will see you given every highest honor." the voice behind the helm tried to cajole, but even at only 10 summers Joshua could hear the lie behind the words.

One small hand lifted, flames gathering in his palm. "I'd much rather see you dead on the ground as I walk away."

Cold words for a child to say, but Joshua had long since learned that those who held softness in their hearts would be nothing but chewed up and spat out by the world… his own mother had taught him that lesson by how she abused her own son... his beloved brother, using his innocence and his kind heart as a weapon against him. As the dragoon seemed to pause, then shrug, Joshua prepared wards… tiny feathers drifting down to the ground completely unnoticed by the much larger soldier who saw him as naught but weak prey.

As the dragoon twirled his lance, drawing it back and lunging with the aid of wind crystals embedded in the shimmering silver of his armor, Joshua waited for his perfect moment. It came but a heartbeat after, the man moving across feet with the speed of a gale, the wards flaring to life… flames swirled around him, trapping him in a vortex of his own making as the very wind magic he used for his lunge drew the fire tight around his body… heating his armor to glowing red as screams echoed through the helm slowly melting around his head.

A slow smile crept across Joshua's lips as he watched the dragoon struggle, writhing on the ground trying to tear at the armor in a vain effort to remove it… until his struggles ceased as the flames ate through vital structures… leaving nothing but a husk of scorched metal and charred bones. Turning away from the sight he walked back towards his beloved brother, kneeling down and running a hand over the bruised and bloody lump on his head. "Don't worry brother… you will be just fine…" A plaintive wark drew Joshua's gaze, a white feathered chocobo slowly making her way towards them, concern clear in the animal's gaze "Hm… good girl Ambrosia… let's get him up so we can go."

Pulling himself awkwardly up into the saddle took time due to his yet short stature, but eventually Joshua was seated, Clive's unconscious body held aloft by Ambrosia's beak gripped to the back of his jerkin. Without a backwards glance, even as he heard a weak call of his name from what could have been his father, Joshua made his way out the rear gates… and onto the forest path towards Rosalith…

Clive had awoken during the trip from Phoenix Gate to Rosalith, conscious but still hazy due to his head injury, he had climbed up onto Ambrosia's back behind Joshua with little urging. As strong arms wrapped around him from behind in an effort to stay in the saddle Joshua allowed a trickle of healing to work its way through Clive, easing the headache he no doubt suffered, healing the head wound fully would need to wait until they were safe. Word of the attack would not have spread just yet, but they had to be cautious all the same. They dismounted and left Ambrosia secured outside of the city, Joshua stealing a few cloaks from one of the small guard shacks on the outskirts of Rosalith to conceal their identities with his carefully wrapped around his shoulders to keep it from obviously dragging. Joining in among the citizens making their way through the city on their morning errands they picked their way through alleyways and back passages until Clive took hold of his hand, leading him around to a small and narrow path. Joshua arched a brow at him, Clive pressing a finger to his lips and guiding him down the path, parts of it so narrow they had to slowly press themselves through with stone scraping at their fronts and backs. Truly it was a space only a child could traverse, and perhaps the means by which Clive managed to escape the city to visit Mist on the rare occasion he was able.

Gaining access to the castle once they finally managed to slink the rest of the way down the passage was surprisingly simple, slipping in the far entrance used primarily by bearers where none would think to ever see them. Joshua pulled Clive with him then, pushing a tapestry out of the way in a far flung hall and revealing a hidden entrance, the Undying having shown him the secret passages through the castle long ago. They made their way silently down the passage until they emerged in Joshua's rooms from behind a wardrobe they had both strained to push aside, letting go of Clive's hand he swiftly changed into a set of black pants and shirt that he had never actually worn prior, pulling the cloak back on once he was all done. With his attire changed to something less conspicuous than glaringly bright red he lead Clive through the passages until they reached the hall outside of his own room. With a grimace Clive peered out, seeing no one in the hall he quickly darted out of the passage with Joshua on his heels.

The door clicked softly shut behind them, Clive letting out a soft breath as his shoulders slumped. His room was as it ever was, small and tidily kept, nothing like the royal rooms reserved for the family in the castle… rooms he had not been allowed to inhabit since he had been all but cast out at three summers. Joshua moved to sit in a chair, waiting patiently as Clive stripped out of his Shield leathers, pulling on a plain pair of black leathers and a dark shirt he had found once when his usual shirts had needed retailoring due to his increased musculature. Tying the ties at his waist he tucked the shirt into the pants and then tied the ties at the front, looking over at Joshua only to find him watching him with an odd intensity. A light blush crossed his cheeks, discomfort making him shy, his gaze averted.

Joshua got up, moving over to stand in front of his beloved brother, a small hand cupping his cheek "You have naught to be bashful over brother. Come, let us see what we can find in the castle… perhaps someone has heard more of what occurred by now."

With a nod Clive pulled his cloak back on and followed Joshua, trusting him to know the passages better than he considering he hadn't even known of their existence. It was as they were moving down the silent upper hall that voices from below in the throne room drifted up to them. Joshua stilled, motioning for Clive to follow, making his way to an alcove shadowed by curtains on the opposite side of the balcony. From there they could see their mother… the Duchess Anabella… standing in the throne room, a man garbed in Sanbrequios armor standing at attention across from her.

"The attack was successful, the Archduke slain with irrefutable proof. Items were left behind to implicate the Iron Kingdom, and rumors started to tempt them to come to Rosarian shores. All will be as planned…" the man's voice was calm, the perfect soldier.

Anabella turned slightly, an ice cold facade of perfection "And what of Joshua, has he been readied to be escorted to the Holy Capital?"

It was then that the soldier hesitated, his voice tinged with it "There was a… complication… with that your grace. The soldiers tasked with his retrieval were slain, and the prince has not yet been located. Though we doubt he could have gone far, he will be found."

"He had better be, captain." there was no feeling in her voice at all, nothing to indicate she actually cared outside of her plans being disrupted.

The soldier dipped his head slightly "And what orders do we have in regards to the First Shield should he be found and apprehended?"

She made a sound of disdain, looking at the man with clear loathing "There is no need to apprehend him, he is a liability and nothing more, have your men slay him on sight."

Clive flinched at her words, his head tilted so Joshua could not see the pain that they had caused, the younger's eyes narrowed at the cold and callous way their mother threw his precious brother away yet again. Touching a hand to Clive's shoulder he tipped his head, pulling his brother along back to the passages. Clive followed along with no resistance whatsoever, his head still down, ever following Joshua's lead as was only proper. Through the darkness Joshua lead Clive, pulling him along into what appeared to be an old library, most likely once used for lessons but now unused and forgotten. Clive looked around in confusion until he turned, Joshua smiling softly at him before nodding… Clive's confusion increased until suddenly someone took hold of his arms from behind and a blindfold was pulled over his eyes.

He struggled to get free, but Joshua's words stilled him "Be at ease brother… it is to be able to bring you into the sanctum of the Undying… into their protection." His muscles still stayed tense, the fear and confusion still swirling within him, but he allowed himself to be lead away by those unknown hands… trusting in Joshua.

Once Clive had been taken by the Undying Joshua turned, looking at the Undying still standing silently off to the side. "Come along… let us go have words with the Duchess…" His servants knew better than to question his words… the only ones to never have forgotten who he was, and what he was capable of despite his youth…

Anabella had retired to her rooms after dealing with the Imperial soldier… truly quite the useless buffoon. With a sigh she changed into her nightclothes, sitting at her dressing table and beginning to brush her hair. Movement behind her had her gaze snapping up, prepared to berate some stupid servant for disturbing her. But what she saw had her eyes widening, her beloved boy stood in her room, bathed in the shadows of the deepening night even has the firelight cast a golden glow on his skin "Joshua, my dear boy you're alright… I am so relieved!" She moved to get up from her dressing table, but before she could take more than a single step his cold gaze caught hers… and it did something Anabella never thought anyone could do. It chilled her to the bone… fear flooding her veins… as her sweet boy's eyes flickered blue ringed in gold.

"Perhaps not so relieved at my appearance, but at the survival of your plans." that young voice was so very devoid of emotion… when had it become like that? Ever had he been sweet and loving towards her… hadn't he?

"But of course I am joyed by your survival my dear boy!" she tried her best to put as much feeling into her words as possible, but something within told her she had failed before she could even say another word.

Joshua smirked, shaking his head slightly "Ah but it doesn't matter, Duchess, because all your plans are for naught. You will not be sending me to Sanbreque, you will not be getting whatever was promised to you…" his voice became even more chillingly cold "And you will NOT be having MY shield, MY brother, murdered."

"Joshua…"

He took a step forwards to stand within feet of her, light glinting off something at his side drawing her gaze, her eyes widening as a sharp breath was sucked in at the sight of Burning Thorn held in his hand. "Joshua please, this is all just a misunderstanding… my darling darling boy, I would never…"

Blue eyes narrowed as lips raised in a silent snarl before he lunged forwards, the blade carving across her throat, her words dying off into a raspy gurgle as blood spurted to coat the front of him in a fine mist of red. "But you would… and now you can't…"

Her hands pressed to her throat, trying to stem the flow of crimson as it welled up through her fingers and gushed down the front of her nightdress. With one last gurgling attempt to beg she slumped to the floor, the Undying present behind him stepping forwards to remove the body even as she struggled to breath… to live. With a shake of his head Joshua wiped his blade clean and tossed the rag to the floor, sheathing his sword while turning and leaving his mother's rooms, leaving his silent followers to deal with the clean up.

Clive was seated in a quiet library elsewhere when one of the Undying arrived, bidding him in a soft voice to follow him. With worry filling his heart for Joshua he obediently followed the robed man, being taken through the normal corridors of Rosalith castle, everything so oddly silent. When they reached the throne room Clive's eyes widened, seated on the throne was Joshua… his hair and face splattered in fine drops of blood. Clive rushed forwards, dropping to his knees to frantically try to see where his brother was injured. Joshua smiled an indulgent smile at him, brushing his hands away gently "I am fine brother…"

"But… Joshua… you're covered in blood! What happened!?" Clive's voice was as frantic as he was feeling, barely relieved by the knowledge that his brother had not come to harm.

Joshua reached out to soothingly run a hand through Clive's hair "I have done what needed to be done brother. Worry no further, we have matters to attend to."

With shaking hands Clive nodded slightly, moving to stand by Joshua's side just a few steps back upon his urging. Soon the nobles of Rosalith were ushered into the throne room, most confused and angry at having been dragged from their beds, and voicing such things loudly. At a gesture from Joshua a shield shouted for order, the nobles so surprised by such that they actually complied, to used to Elwin's soft and permissive nature. At their silence Joshua spoke "The duchy has suffered great losses, our Archduke slain by Sanbrequois troops at Phoenix Gate and the Duchess executed for her orchestration of the treachery. As such, by my right as Phoenix, I am taking the throne immediately."

There were several gasps, nobles shouting their shock at the news. When they finally settled again one brave… or perhaps simply foolish considering their prince was sitting calmly while covered in blood that none had missed upon entering… noble stepped forwards "But my prince you are not yet of age, a regent will have to be appointed to sit the throne until you are…"

With an arch of a single blonde brow Joshua looked at the man "No, I think not. In light of the treachery that has already come to pass, I have decided that no regent shall be appointed. I believe my advisors will be adequate to keeping me informed of all I need to know, and any who choose to reject my right as Phoenix to the throne of Rosaria are welcome to leave MY Grand Duchy." Though how they would leave was the question many wondered… if their prince would allow them to leave in peace… or in pieces. With a wave of fear and unwilling to test their prince's words, the nobles slowly bent the knee… bowing to their new Archduke. Whether those outside of Rosalith would do so… well that would remain to be seen.

As Clive watched the proceedings it was with concern, his little brother had never been this cold before… had he? As the nobles slowly rose they were quickly sent back to their homes, all knowing that they would be being watched closely by Joshua's agents in the shadows. When all were gone Clive had stepped forwards, sinking down to his knees next to the throne again, had looked into those light blue eyes, his own filled with tears "Joshua… please don't do this…"

A pale hand reached out to run over his hair again "Don't do what brother?"

Tears threatened to fall as his voice rasped with all the emotions that clogged his throat "Don't let mother's actions turn you into something you're not… you're not this cold person, you're all that is warm and light in this world…"

With another brush of his hand through black hair Joshua smiled at his brother "But I am as I have ever been Clive… and you are as you have ever been… mine."

"Joshua…!" Clive didn't get the chance to say anything further, Undying moving forwards and taking him by the arms again, the blindfold replaced over his eyes as he was dragged back… struggling and screaming for his brother. Joshua watched until the sounds of Clive's cries no longer echoed through the hall, turning back to look at the shields that had been being assembled… he had further matters to attend to, Clive would remember his place in time.

It was cold where the Undying had dragged him off to… cold and silent save for the occasional sound of water dripping. Clive huddled against a chilled stone wall, hugging his knees to himself in an attempt to warm his shivering body. It was dark, he had no clue as to how long he had sat there as he had no way to tell the time. He must have dozed off, waking to the sound of footsteps softly making their way towards him. He sat up with a small whimper as the cold prickled at his body, pins and needles tingling his limbs, hugging his knees to himself again.

"Ah, you're awake. Good." a calm voice spoke in the darkness before a figure emerged, the soft glow of a crystal lantern flickering into the room forcing him to shield his eyes while they adjusted. When he was able to see without dots floating in his vision Clive looked up to see a man in the robes of the Undying, holding a small tray. He set the tray down, then set the lantern down. "The Phoenix bids you eat."

With those simple words the man left, Clive watching as he blended in to the shadows once again before he moved to pick up the bowl that was sitting on the tray. The scent of hearty chocobo strew made his stomach rumble with hunger, his hand shaking as he lifted the spoon to his mouth and ate slowly, savoring each bite to ensure he did not upset his stomach. When the bowl was empty he drank down the cup of water that had accompanied his food, leaving everything neatly on the tray as sleep started to pull at his body. Curling back up and hugging himself tightly Clive drifted off once more.

It wasn't until several meals later that a thought had occurred to Clive… after every meal he found himself oddly lethargic, unable to keep his eyes open. The thought worried him… made him fear he was being drugged for some unknown purpose. And so he decided to test it, when next his food was delivered he refrained from eating it. He drank the water and left the rest, curling up to wait… when he did not feel the lethargy dragging him under his fear was confirmed. They allowed him to get away with the single meal uneaten, but when the next several were not as well the Undying spoke harshly "The Phoenix bids you eat, as such you will eat."

They had held him still, pinning his smaller body while one pried his mouth open and pushed the spoon in to pour the stew onto his tongue, holding his mouth closed after so he was unable to spit it out. He did his best to not swallow, the broth trickling down to gather until he was forced by his body's desire to not choke. When that first mouthful was gone the process repeated, again and again until the entire bowl was empty. Letting him go to slump on the floor the Undying picked up the dirty dishes, looking back at him "Disobedience to his grace's wishes will not be tolerated."

Clive let out a shuddering breath, curling up into a ball as that exhaustion stole over him, tears gathering on his lashes. "Joshua… what are you becoming…?"

His days passed in much the same thread for the first week after Phoenix Gate, the only marker of time being the delivery of his meals, the visits by the Undying with their silent reminders of the consequences of disobeying. But that day was different, another Undying arriving carrying a bucket and cloths, a bundle slung over his arm. Clive looked up at him from under the fringe of his unkempt hair, waiting for him to speak… to explain what this unexplained visit was for. The man set the bucket down, the cloths and bundle next to it. "The Phoenix bids you wash." He unrolled the bundle to reveal soaps and cloth that was most likely a change of clothing.

Blue eyes closed as he turned away from the man, shoulders hunched forwards, waiting for the Undying to leave. When no sound of movement was heard he turned his gaze to him again "I will… alone."

Arms simply crossed over a robed chest, the unspoken becoming clear, the Undying had no intentions to leave until the order had been completed. Unsteady hands unlaced his shirt, pulling it over his head and setting it down, breathing hitching as he did his best to keep tears at bay from the humiliation. He leaned over the bucket, scooping water in his hands to wet his hair, using the soap to clean it, then rinsing it out. Taking a cloth he wet it, wiping his torso down before setting it into the bucket, surely that would be sufficient wouldn't it?

Yet the man still did not leave, Clive looking up at him imploringly "Please… I'm clean enough… I'll change into the fresh clothes…" alone… he would change alone. When the Undying took what was clearly a threatening step forwards Clive flinched back, a single tear tracing its way down his cheek as he bit his lip hard enough to sting, removing the rest of his clothing as more tears burned his eyes. When he had washed the rest of his body he quickly pulled the clothing on, scooting as far away from the bucket and the silently looming Undying as possible. There were no further words spoken, the bucket being taken away, and Clive being left in the silence as he tried to smother his sobs.

They came to his cell like clockwork for weeks… a month… two months… three… and he found himself less able to provide resistance to their commands to eat, to bathe, to change. He was living in a haze, he could barely remember what sunlight looked like, what a breeze felt like… but something within him was stirring. It was like a tiny seed within his chest, slowly sprouting, climbing towards the light and unfurling its leaves… a silent thing that grew within until it could no longer be contained within his fragile self… demanding freedom.

The heat in the cells was the first sign to the Undying that something was not right… the depths of the castle having aways been cold, the chill of the air absent when they arrived to deliver their charge's meal. One moved cautiously through the darkness, the temperature rising the closer he got to the end of the corridor, a flicker of light at the far end stilling his steps. He looked back to the others before clenching his teeth and firming his resolve, taking those last few steps to be able to look into the usually dimmed cell. Sitting within was their charge, the First Shield, head bowed as flames flickered around him in shades of deep crimson… far darker than the bright reds, oranges, and blues of the Phoenix's flames. At his surprised gasp of breath that black-haired head rose, blue eyes ringed in gold and glowing as lips pulled back in a snarl.

It was a rumble like a beast that came out of the teenage Shield's mouth "Let. Me. Out!" This was not the boy they had been charged with watching… it was something else… when he stepped back away from the cell that rumbling voice roared, body clashing with the bars of the cell, imbued with crystal shards to contain those with magic's touch. Turning the Undying fled, back to the others, back to report to their Archduke that something terrible had awoken in his brother.

Joshua made his way silently down the stairs into the cells, he could feel the aether in the air, heavy, nearly oppressive, and coating the back of his mouth. His eyes narrowed as he walked past the Undying gathered, displeased at their failure that had prompted this reported change in his beloved brother. As he emerged from the darkness into the ring of light cast by flames in the far cell he could feel the difference in the aether without even looking to where Clive sat. It was feral… hungry… untamed. Light blue eyes slid over to where Clive huddled at the far end, glowing blue-gold watching him as he unlocked the door and stepped through… locking it behind him. The voice that spoke to him had the Phoenix trilling within in trepidation "Phoenix…"

"Hello brother…" his tone was calm despite his eikon's agitation, hands held relaxed in front of him.

Muscles bunched and shifted, Clive moving with the slow grace of a predator, standing to move towards him. Yet Joshua did not miss a single motion, waiting to see what this creature would do. "Phoenix…" the black-haired head tilted as he neared "Let me out…" It was not a request, but a demand, one that had Joshua giving him a smile full of teeth.

"I think not, beast. You will give me back my brother…" his voice had a bit more of an edge to it, the creature falling into the same trap all others tended to do… underestimating him because he was yet a child.

A snarl was his answer, obsidian clawed hands moving to swipe at him in rage. Joshua easily dodged the swipe, the beast acting on pure instinct without tactical thought. A sizzling sound broke the air as a line of fire traced down from Joshua's hand, feather like protrusions forming along its length, wicked sharp and snapping up with a flick of a slender wrist. The whip wrapped around the beast's neck, it let out a cry as it was dragged to the floor, grabbing at it and attempting to tear it away from itself as blood welled up from cuts along its torso visible through the sliced open shirt. Joshua smirked, using the beast's distraction to swiftly wrap the whip around its hands, trapping them against its own throat. "Now, misbehaving creature, you will tell me your name…"

The glowing blue ring to Clive's eyes that had been present before had bled into a solid angry gold, the eikon driving its Dominant back further into the depths of his own mind, teeth baring in another snarl. "LET ME GO!!"

Joshua yanked the whip, forcing the beast down to the floor, stepping on the end of the flaming line to trap its hands and neck against the stones. "Your name, unruly beast…"

Struggling to breath it kept trying to yank away from the stones, writhing like a creature trapped in a net, until finally it slumped with stuttered gasps. "Ifrit…"

Smirking at that small victory Joshua moved to crouch down, nearly nose to nose with the beast as he leaned in. "Ifrit… be a good little beast and give me back my brother…"

Ifrit looked back at him, golden eyes hardening despite its obvious struggles "No."

"Hm…" Joshua stood and turned. "How unfortunate… we will simply have to see about changing your mind then…" he walked towards the bars yet the whip remained secured to the stones, speaking to someone outside of their range, leaving Ifrit trapped in the tangle of the whip even as he resumed his struggles to free himself.

The Undying standing outside of the cell bowed to his Archduke, his words hesitant "Why do we not simply fetter him? It would solve the problem promptly…"

Joshua tilted his head slightly, looking at the man with an unimpressed expression "Because the eikon would still be unruly within, and my Shield would be unable to use my blessing at my bidding. And that, is unacceptable." The Undying just bowed at that, having no sufficient argument.

When Joshua returned he was not alone, there were several Undying accompanying him, the boy looking to Ifrit with amusement as if seeing his defiance as some sort of entertainment. "Now Ifrit, we will see how long you can keep up this little fight of yours." The Phoenix trilled within him, reluctant to harm the other eikon, but Joshua's will would not be denied. Moving the whip Joshua forced Ifrit up to his knees, the Undying moving suddenly to wrap tempered chains around his arms, hooking them to the ceiling. Ifrit struggled, pulling at the chains as the whip was released, vanishing back into aether to allow the chains to be pulled up further so his arms were held fully aloft. The rattling of the chains was the only sound for several long moments before something drew Ifrit's attention, an Undying moving forwards as Joshua turned and left.

Water was dumped over Ifrit's chained form, steam rising from his skin before a second bucket was poured over him. He glared at the Undying, one moving towards him holding something he couldn't see due to the long sleeves of his robe… but he certainly felt it. The moment the ice crystal touched his skin he screamed, ice crawling along his body lancing pain through every nerve ending. The water that had been poured over him chilled, freezing his clothes, scorching his skin with frostbite. They let his own heat melt the ice, clothes sodden and stuck to him as he knelt there panting, teeth clenched… and then they did it all again, and again, and again…

And again…

Again…

Time completely lost meaning as Ifrit struggled against his tormentors, Clive asleep deep within and freed from the trauma of having such tortures ordered by his own brother… but even an eikon could not hold out forever.

Joshua had just celebrated his twelfth nameday when his Undying sent word that their endeavors had finally born fruit. The celebrations held little appeal to him, so he left them to his advisors, leaving as nobles gave him furtive glances behind their goblets and fans. Down into the depths of the dungeon he went, arriving at the cell he knew so very well without fanfare or announcement. Curled up against the far wall was his brother, shaking arms hugged tight to his legs, hair damp and clothes fresh from the Undying obviously having cleaned him up. He opened the door to the cell, walking in calmly and crouching down to better see his brother's face. "Hello brother…"

Dull blue eyes opened, looking up at him as crystalline tears trailed past his lashes. "… Joshua…"

He reached down, running his fingers through messy locks "You're finally awake… I'm glad."

Clive fought the urge to flinch back from his brother's touch, Ifrit curled up tightly within him, flames a bare ember of a flicker incapable of warming his icy skin. More tears slid free of his eyelids, lips dry and cracked, voice rough as his throat pained him… everything pained him. "Please…"

Blonde head tilting Joshua watched him, a soft smile gracing his face "Please what brother?"

Swallowing hurt, but his stomach clenched with vicious need "I'm… hungry…"

That soft smile grew, those fingers in his hair still running through the locks "Of course brother, I'll have food brought for you…"

His hoarse voice strained the more he spoke "Please… can't I go with you…?"

Curly locks bounced as he shook his head "Not yet brother… soon perhaps…"

Joshua had left then, and as promised food was brought to Clive, a thin soup consisting mainly of broth with some vegetables thinly sliced in it… but even that made his stomach cramp with pain. He cried softly as he made himself eat it, he had learned his lesson about refusing… even if his body strained to be able to keep it down no matter how much hunger gnawed at him. Whatever it was they used to drug him in the soup soon had his eyelids drifting closed, his body yielding to the demand to sleep… and when he woke things had gone back to the way they had ever been… darkness and daily visits for food, periodic visits to wash… and near soul crushing despair.

Everything changed again when the Undying came bearing a shield uniform, commanding that he change into the near unfamiliar attire. He had pulled the uniform on, struggling with numb fingers, but refusing to force the Undying to dress him themselves. Clutching his hands together in front of him he waited for their next orders, shoulders hunched forwards and head down. Without a single word they each took hold of an arm and began to escort him out of the cells… up through dim hallways and into the darkness of evening time, even that muted light causing his eyes to water and a hiss to slip past his lips. They had reached the throne room by the time his vision had cleared enough to see even a little of what was around him, shields and nobles clustered in the throne room as he was guided up to his spot to the left and behind the throne.

There was more than one hushed gasp, he figured he probably looked like death walking but couldn't say for sure as he hadn't seen himself in so very long. The Undying that escorted him hovered nearby, two shields bringing a bound man forwards, his face bloody and a gag pressed to his mouth. Forcing him to his knees before the throne the shields saluted Joshua before stepping back, staying within arms reach incase he proved himself a further threat. Joshua looked at the pathetic man at the base of the stairs, his tone empty when he spoke "Putting up a fight even when you know you were in the wrong, how disappointing. But I suppose I shouldn't be surprised, you did after all help in carrying messages between the Duchess and Emperor of Sanbreque."

The man looked up at Joshua with wide eyes, muffled cries coming from behind the gag as he shook his head. The Archduke just tilted his head slightly, ignoring the pleas the man was so obviously trying to make "And as such, there is only one fitting punishment for betrayal." Joshua stood, then to Clive's shock he turned and walked towards him. Standing in front of his brother Joshua drew Burning Thorn, reaching out and taking hold of Clive's hand to press the hilt of the sword into it. "Avenge the honor of our house brother, see my will done." His words had been softly spoken, his eyes hard… but Clive couldn't bring himself to take hold of the sword… his hand shaking so badly he would have been more likely to cut himself than the captive.

At his refusal to take the sword Joshua sighed lightly, taking it back "Hm… pity… I suppose you're not quite ready yet after all." With a nod of his head to the hovering Undying he turned, making his way down the stairs towards the blubbering man as Clive was escorted back out of the throne room… to the sounds of a muffled scream. Down and down and down back into the bowels of the castle they went, the Undying taking the shield uniform back and placing him in simple attire once more. He could only curl up into a ball at the far end, and wait to see what would become of him now… now that he had yet again angered his brother, a boy that held more coldness in him than Anabella ever had.

He must have dozed off, the sound of the cell door opening having him snapping awake, the sound of chains having him curling up into a tight ball once more, pleading "No… please… I'm sorry…"

No matter how much he had plead with them they hadn't even spared him a glance, two restraining him as the third wrapped the chains around his arms, tight enough to bite into his flesh and make him cry out as he was forced to the balls of his feet. Sufficiently held upright an Undying moved behind him, still none said a word, silence descending in the cell until suddenly there was a sound… a sharp whistle that heralded burning agony across his back, drawing a startled scream from his lips.

Two…
Three…
Four…
Ten…
Fifteen…

He lost the ability to count the strikes as the pain blurred into an inferno, his mind so fogged by agony he could barely manage to draw breath… his body had slumped, the chains the only thing keeping him from being a heap on the stones. As his head lolled to the side, eyes open mere slits, the Undying finally stepped back around. They said not a word as they left… leaving him chained and in agony, burning up and freezing all at once. Ifrit crooned to him softly, trying to comfort him as tears dripped down his face to fall in the silence. His heart hurt the worst… the fact that his own brother had ordered this… that he had failed his brother to such a degree that he had had him whipped. As his eyes closed and unconsciousness swept up to claim him there was one thought that lurked in that darkness… he wished Phoenix Gate had been his grave.

They had come back at some point, unchaining him and laying him out on the cold floor, soft hands spreading salve on the ragged wounds covering his back… carefully laying cloths over them before scurrying out of the cell again. Clive lay there like that until more sounds had his eyes opening, a tray being set down on the floor near him… his weakened body shifting to push himself up off the floor with a sob of pain as raw wounds twinged. Yet he had to eat… he couldn't refuse… his body wouldn't be able to withstand more punishment. And so he took slow spoonfuls of the soup, choking it down when his stomach clenched and it threatened to come back up. When the bowl was empty he let himself sink back to the ground, face hidden in the crook of his arm, a cold sweat breaking out across his skin as the drugs pulled him down into darkness.

His next visitor had been another Undying, the man setting the by now familiar bucket down, his voice cold and harsh "His grace commands you wash, another traitor has been found."

Bile threatened to rise up his throat at the insinuation of what was really being demanded of him, he turned his face away from the man, remaining curled up on the floor. A sound that could have been a huff of frustration echoed in the silence, then hands were grabbing him by the hair and pulling him up, his weakened muscles barely able to hold him as he was dragged on his knees towards the bucket. Yet the Undying did not just drop him next to it, he continued to hold him by the hair "His grace's word is law, and you will abide by it." With those words he shoved Clive's head under the water, his hands moving to try to push against the force holding his head under, scrabbling at the man's wrist and forearm. Right as his body could hold his air no longer his head was pulled back up, stuttering gasps scraping his throat.

"You will abide by the commands of your Archduke."

Clive wasn't able to look at the man, his hair still held in a tight enough grip to cause his scalp to burn. Yet even then he couldn't… he couldn't bring himself to murder some poor soul who he had not even been shown proof of guilt for. Closing his eyes he steeled himself, knowing exactly what he was going to get for the single word he let slip past. "No."

That seemed to infuriate the Undying, his head shoved under the water again and again, lifted up just long enough for the man to hiss words at him before being pushed under once more. His continued refusal angered the man more and more, his words becoming more harsh…

"You will NOT fail your Archduke."
…
"You owe your loyalty to your Archduke."
…
"Failure!"
…
"You deserve every pain brought to you!"
…

Then the one that broke him… "Your brother should have left you to die." When his head was forced under the water after those hissed words he didn't struggle… bubbles slipping past his lips as he let what air he had escape… then took one last burning breath as the grip on his head continued to hold him under.

… we can't die here… not like this…

A hard blow to his back forced his lungs to spasm, water forced from them as he coughed violently. Someone was speaking in hushed tones nearby, anger lacing every word "You went to far! His grace will be livid if he finds out!"

Clive just coughed a few more times, feeling liquid rattle in his lungs with each shallow breath, the blessing within him working to heal the damage… his mind drifting off somewhere else… somewhere without pain or the burn of betrayal.

The Undying that attended to him when he woke next was different… softer spoken yet still firm… harsh… but Clive just turned away from the man. Let them beat him… let them drown him… let them whip him… they could do no worse than what his brother's own orders had done.

Clive turned 19 locked within that cell, enduring the torments of the damned at the hands of the Undying, body riddled with wounds and scars. They had taken to beating him then forcing him to remain awake of late… the drugs they put in his food having become ineffective as his body adapted and overcame them, forcing a change of strategy. He had been awake for so long he could no longer track the minutes even by his heartbeats… sometimes they thumped steadily and sometimes they stuttered… but every time his eyelids tried to close the Undying tasked with minding him would press a levin crystal to his skin, listening to his scream.

His mind was unable to rest, his thoughts were muddled and sticky, he couldn't catch a single one no matter how slowly they moved. It was like trying to move through a mire… like slogging through the mud of Stillwind so long ago. When finally not even the jolt of levin could keep his eyes from closing they finally left him be… hanging from his chains… mind caught in a whirlwind of accusations and demands. Little pieces of him cracking more and more, wearing down like rock battered by raging waves day in and day out. Slowly his thoughts had warped, resistance weakening, memories of torments hazed to mere shadows in his mind.

Cool hands were pressed to his face when he finally awoke from the slumber his tortures had forced him into, soft and gentle, his body resting on the chilled stone floor. His eyelashes fluttered as he tried to force his eyes to open, the simple act feeling like it took monumental energy. Finally blue eyes cracked open, breath sucked in with surprise at the sight of blonde hair and light blue eyes looking back at him. His voice was so quiet as to almost be non-existent "… Joshua…"

Those gentle hands continued to lightly stroke his face "Shhh… it's okay…" his head was carefully tilted as the rim of a cup was pressed to his lips, tepid water slowly pouring into his mouth for him to take grateful swallows of. When the cup was empty it was set down again, Joshua easing him down to the ground gently. "Rest dear brother… you're not well…"

Soft lips pressed to his sweltering forehead, fever raging through his body, so worn down that not even the blessing of the Phoenix could stave it off. Clive closed his eyes again, the light touches soothing… his mind blissfully quiet… the lack of pain ecstasy all itself. As his beloved brother ran a hand through sweat soaked hair Clive just couldn't envision this sweet young man as being the same person who ordered his torment… he had to be wrong, Joshua couldn't have done it… he wouldn't… there had to have been something wrong with Clive. It had to be Clive's fault somehow, forcing his brother to hand him over to the Undying… his Joshua would never hurt him so.

In that quiet space between thoughts Clive heard Joshua speak, hand running through his hair rhythmically "Clive… do you remember what you said to me, that night at Phoenix Gate?"

Exhausted blue eyes opened again, catching on his brother… he looked so much older than he remembered. He also remembered that night, sitting under the stars as the shields feasted in the hall… one of the only sweet memories he had of that time, one of the few left to his fracturing mind. His voice was equally soft when he spoke "… I was born to be your shield…"

Joshua nodded slowly, brushing a piece of hair behind his ear "Yes… you were born to be my shield… my everything, my anything." He rested his cheek against Clive's forehead, pulling his brother up so his head rested against his chest uncaring about the sweat and dirt that would mar his shirt. "You were born to be mine, Clive…"

The steady sound of Joshua's heartbeat slowly started to lull Clive towards slumber, his words faintly slurred as his mind struggled against delirium and fever "Yours… my brother…"

"You'll follow where I go… where I lead… won't you Clive?" such lovingly spoken words that he heard through the thudding of a heartbeat against his ear.

And Clive… he breathed a gentle breath as sleep pulled at him more forcefully "Always…"

When Clive had finally succumbed to sleep again Joshua eased him down, pushing himself up to stand before turning and leaving the cell. His Undying stood off to the side, bowing as he stopped in front of them. "Have him moved to where he belongs…" They bowed again, deeper this time, as their Archduke left the cells with a self-satisfied smile gracing his face. It was a start…

It was over a week before Clive woke for more than a few fever addled moments at a time… though when he finally surfaced he couldn't be sure he wasn't still dreaming. Shifting he didn't feel the hard stone under him, his skin wasn't cold, and there was only mild discomfort in his muscles from laying still for so long… he couldn't understand it. One hand moved, reaching up to press to his eyes, a soft clink drawing his attention only for it to drift off again like a butterfly flitting to another flower… eyes slowly opening as the last dregs of sleep let him go. Above him was red… soft red fabric that floated on a gentle breeze he could feel brushing against his face.

With confusion flowing through him he slowly pushed himself up to sitting, pressing his hand over his eyes when dizziness swamped him. It took some time for the room to stop spinning, for his vision to clear and allow him to recognize where he had been laying. He was in Joshua's room… the soft red curtains draped on the posts of his bed all bearing the Rosfield crest, the blanket laid atop him soft and warm against his naked skin. He jerked slightly at that… the realization that he was laying in his brother's bed with naught but smalls covering his modesty, red creeping across his cheeks.

A soft laugh had his gaze moving over to where he had completely missed seeing Joshua standing, his brother leaning against the doorframe. "You're awake… perfect timing, your bath is ready…"

His breath came out in a strangled sound as he fought back a sob "Joshua…"

Walking over from where he had stood Joshua sat on the edge of the bed, reaching out to cup Clive's cheek "I'm here brother… come, let's get you cleaned up, your fever has finally broken and no offense but you are in desperate need of a proper scrub…"

Clive blinked at Joshua's words before a teary laugh escaped his lips "No doubt…"

It was a slow process but Clive managed to get his body to move, sliding from the bed and carefully making his way out into the main room where a steaming tub waited for him. He looked at Joshua with wide eyes, confusion and worry written across his face. Joshua gave him an amused look "Relax, it's just me, it would hardly do for you to risk falling asleep in the tub all alone."

With a shaky breath Clive nodded, Joshua's words made sense… this was not like the Undying watching him as he washed from the bucket… this was Joshua. He was safe with Joshua. Some small part of him tried to cry out that he was least safe with Joshua, but he couldn't hear it, drowned out by thoughts of how it was only right to serve his brother… his Phoenix. As he stepped out of his smalls, head bowed to hide his embarrassment, he noticed the glint of silver around his wrists. Fear flooded him as his mind immediately recognized the fetters for what they were, but before he could spiral into panic Joshua's hand touched his face, drawing his fragile attention "You were addled with fever beloved… I couldn't risk you lighting the bed on fire…"

Relief was like a drug as it settled into him at those words, leaving him almost woozy as Joshua urged him down into the tub. The sound of fabric rustling drew him to look over, watching Joshua remove his overcoat and shirt as a blush tried to creep up at the sight of how strong his brother had become, before he settled down to kneel next to the tub. "Here… lean forwards, I'll wash your hair…"

No one had washed his hair for him since he was a toddler, the feeling of water being poured through the stringy, tangled locks making a shiver go through him that wasn't quite terror but wasn't quite not. As cool oil was poured onto his scalp and fingers started to work it through the tangled strands he started to relax, more water being poured over to rinse before more oil and scrubbing. Soon his body was completely relaxed, his cheek resting on his knees, Joshua smiling down at him "Such a good darling… behaving and letting me wash your hair…"

There was something to that tone that tried to stick in him like a burr, but Clive pushed it away, unwilling to acknowledge it, the praise making a warmth settle in his chest where Ifrit slumbered. When his hair was done Joshua picked up the soap, lathering it between his hands before starting to work it over Clive's neck and shoulders, pressing into tense spots in his muscles. He was almost completely asleep when hands moved to his ankles, calves, and thighs, his eyes opening a bit as Joshua sat back and gave him that smile. "All done, come let's get you up and dry… I'll have someone come change the bedding while you nap on the chaise."

It was like being in a fog, the haze in his head allowing him to stand without embarrassment over his nudity, a towel running over his hair and body until he was dry. He barely recalled the whisper of fabric falling down around him as a nightshirt was pulled over his head and arms, left to float around his knees as he was lead to the chaise. Curling up as he was bid his eyes drifted closed again, the feeling of a blanket settling over him like a warm and fuzzy anchor into the sea of dreams.

One of the Undying answered his summons, Joshua watching the woman enter with a load of sheets in her arms. With a bow she hurried into the other room, changing the bedding before returning, looking to him with another bow. "Did the provided tonic work well your grace?"

Joshua nodded, looking over where his brother slept "Yes, the spoonful was sufficient. I will advise if I require more." With another bow she left and he closed the door, locking it, then he returned to his brother's side. Only time would tell if he had finally given in, or if more measures would need to be taken.

When his strength had returned Clive was finally permitted to train once more, his brother being convinced by his earnest request to be allowed to work to get himself back to a condition that he could be of sufficient use in, his illness having caused much damage to his muscle tone, hindering his strength and stamina. Joshua had sighed, but nodded eventually, reaching out and cupping Clive's cheek with a serious expression "I will permit it, but you have to behave… you will behave for me won't you Clive?"

He had shakily nodded, eyes wide and beseeching his brother to believe him, that he would behave properly… he didn't wish to risk this small measure of freedom being taken away. In the end Joshua had pressed a kiss to his forehead before walking over to give his orders to the Undying that ever lurked outside his doors. Clive was to be allowed to train… not with the shields, oh no he would not be permitted to engage with those who had oft leered at his precious brother, no he would train with the Undying Knights. When his escort arrived Clive pressed a hand to his mouth, taking a single step back when chains were held in hands he feared. Blue eyes filled his vision as Joshua stepped up to lightly grasp his chin and take his attention "Merely a measure of trust beloved… behave for them, train with them, and eventually the chains will no longer be required…"

His chin wobbled as he bit the inside of his lips to keep from crying, but he nodded slowly once his chin was released. The Undying approached, slipping the chains around his arms, attaching to the fetters at his wrists… guiding him from the room and down into the sanctum where their knights trained.

Clive had learned swiftly that having the love of the Archduke did not protect him from punishment… quite the opposite… to have the love of his brother meant the Undying were even more fierce with him than they were with their most ardent adherents. Any move taken that they considered out of line was punished severely, his training more brutal than even what he had undergone to successfully win the Grand Tournament. He frequently returned from training covered in bruises, often covered in blood, being stripped down and sat in a steaming tub for gentle hands to wash him clean… to cherish him… until sleep claimed him. The only person he had that treated him with a gentle hand was Joshua… the only person in the castle he could trust was Joshua…

As his training progressed the demands that he submit himself to the will of the Archduke… to the will of the Phoenix… became more and more and more. He heard their words in his sleep, curled up on the chaise or in the soft cloud that was Joshua's bed, his brother refusing to not be able to see him when he was not training. He had tried to argue that such an arrangement was not appropriate, but his brother would not be swayed, the angry tint to his gaze making Clive's breaths stutter as he dropped to his knees… grasping at his brother while hurriedly begging his forgiveness for his willfulness. Joshua had set his hand gently on top of Clive's head, his other cupping his cheek lightly… but he had not said a word, simply urging Clive to his feet and nudging him towards the bed.

Time passed until one night as Clive slowly drifted off to the sound of Joshua's quill scratching against parchment there was a knock at the chamber door. With a sigh Joshua got up, walking over to answer it, voices a hushed murmur before the door was being closed again. The sound of footsteps walking towards him had his eyes opening, his body moving to languidly push away from the plush cushions of the chaise. Joshua stopped in front of him, running fingertips along his collarbone. "The last person I have been seeking has been found… you'll take care of it won't you beloved? Remove this last thorn in our side? This last knife poised at our backs?"

His eyelids drifted down as he blinked, blue eyes hazed with sleepiness slowly clearing as he looked up at the face of his brother… his Archduke… his Phoenix… his very god. Slowly his head moved, nodding before he was drawn forwards, his cheek pressed to Joshua's stomach as his hand ran through his hair as Joshua so enjoyed doing "My good darling… ever my devoted shield…" His hands were picked up, drawn into a light grip as Joshua stepped back and drew him off the chaise. "It will be dealt with come morning then… for now let us rest." With naught but a nod Clive followed, laying down on the soft mattress and drifting off as Joshua wrapped his arms around him and cuddled up to his back.

Morning came swiftly, Joshua already awake when he finally roused, rubbing his eyes as he sat up. Bare feet padded from the bedroom into the main room, finding Joshua sitting at his desk sipping a cup of tea as he read a missive… in that moment he looked so much older than his 14 summers. When he looked up from the parchment and smiled at Clive he could do naught but smile back, contentment settling in him at the sight of his brother looking happy. A cup of coffee was nudged in his direction, sitting on the desk, making Clive walk further into the room to sit down. Reaching out he took the cup, sipping at it and making a face at the odd taste, Joshua chuckling lightly at it "It is sweetened with honey and a touch of milk brother… a welcome change to the bitter brew usually served yes?"

With a blush creeping across his cheeks Clive nodded, sipping his coffee again. Now that Joshua had identified the flavors he could indeed taste them, the honey giving it a near floral sweetness that was… pleasant. As he finished the cup Joshua rose "Come brother, let's get you dressed and prepared for the morning…"

Confusion crossed his face for but a moment before recollection swept through him, his head dipping slightly as he took a slow breath "Right…" standing he followed Joshua back into the bedroom where his brother set clothing out on top of the blanket for him. Black leathers, and a sleeveless top of black and deepest crimson that laced up the front and sides. Pressing a kiss to Clive's temple Joshua turned and left the room, leaving Clive to pull the nightshirt over his head and begin dressing. The leathers fit him well, though they perhaps were a bit tighter than he would prefer, and the top was relatively easy to figure out up until he got to trying to adjust the sides. With a sigh of frustration he walked out, trying to brush hair behind his ear that refused to stay there, falling down to curtain his face and settle around his collarbones.

A murmur near his ear had him almost jumping out of his skin, but the amusement in that voice was clear "Need help?" With a nod he turned so Joshua could adjust the sides, wincing ever so slightly as they were tightened until his waist had a visible dip. Joshua smiled and patted his hip "Perfect. Just one more thing… for dramatic purposes… darling."

Brows furrowed as he watched Joshua make his way over to his desk, picking something up and walking back over but holding it just out of sight. Leaning up slightly Joshua pressed a kiss right under Clive's right eye, something brushing against his bicep before a faint click was heard. Clive's gaze moved, lifting his arm to see what had touched it, eyes widening with confusion as he took in the band around his arm, a loop of metal hanging free from the bottom. There was another brush against his other arm, another click… another band securely locked as he felt the heat of Joshua's hand meld the pin to the rest of the band. Clive swallowed slightly, looking to Joshua as tears threatened, his brother cupping his cheek before leaning in and pressing another kiss under his left eye this time "My shield… my darling… you are ever mine aren't you Clive?"

That stutter in his heart echoed the catch in his breath before Clive steeled himself, drawing in another deeper breath, heart and mind at odds but there was only ever one answer to the only person he had… "Always…"

Chains were attached to the bands and his fetters… the fetters never removed unless he was training with his aether in the sanctum, Joshua wishing to keep knowledge of his eikon limited… his arms secured behind him before they began the trip from Joshua's rooms down to the throne room. The nobles and shields were already gathered, murmurs audible in the room as Joshua took his place on the throne and Clive his place behind and to the left, head down. It was the first time in a long time any had seen him… the rush of whispers showing how all in the room had thoughts as to where he had gone and what had happened to him. Eventually one of the shields held a hand up for silence, the whispers hushing for fear of irritating their Archduke.

"Bring the accused forth, that he may receive his just punishment for his failures." Joshua's voice was clear… calm… cold. Always cold, unless he was speaking to Clive. He stood in his place, breathing in slow deep breaths, determined to fulfil his duty… to remain in his right place at Joshua's side. When the accused was brought forth his head was covered in a sack, his clothing dirty and torn as if he had been on the run for some time. Forced to his knees by the shields holding his arms. Joshua waited until he was settled on his knees, secure and silent… most likely gagged, before speaking again. "For the crime of attempting to insight rebellion against your Archduke, and the failure to adequately protect my predecessor, you are to be put to death… immediately."

Standing from his throne Joshua turned and approached Clive, a near exact repeat of how things had begun all that time ago, his brother looking at him with a nervous expression… Joshua keeping his voice hushed so only Clive could hear it "You will do this for me, won't you Clive? Punish this betrayer who would see me ousted from the throne, who failed to protect our father at his weakest?" He watched Clive's eyes, seeing the wariness, the fear… the determination… reaching out he pulled the pin through the chains at Clive's back… the sound of metal slithering through metal filling the room as they fell to the floor, followed by metal on leather as Burning Thorn was drawn. Taking Clive's hand he pressed the hilt against his palm, folding his fingers around it. "Won't you beloved?"

With one last trembling breath Clive gripped the hilt of the sword in his hand, bare fingers feeling the smooth aged leather wrap against his skin, voice hushed. "As you wish… your grace…" When his brother turned and returned to his throne, Clive slowly made his way down the steps until he stood before the prisoner. With blank looks the shields flanking the man stepped back, but not before one reached out and pulled the hood off the man's head. There was a hush in the throne room… as if everyone were holding their breath… Clive looking down at a man he had once called a brother in arms… the defiant gaze Ser Wade leveled on him making that little voice so very deep down within him scream that this wasn't right… but that voice could no longer be heard through the echoes of all the other voices, all the other pains.

Clive brought the sword up, the shining blade resting against Wade's throat, a sudden look of uncertainty crossing the bound and gagged man's face. There was something so very… broken… in the eyes of the young man looking down at him, and in that moment Wade knew… there would be no coming back from this, for him or for Clive. The boy Wade had known as First Shield Clive Rosfield all those years ago ceased to be the moment the blade sliced across Wade's throat… all that was left was Joshua Rosfield's shield, HIS creature… HIS and only his. As he turned and wiped the blade clean, Joshua's hand reaching out to take it from him, running up to press his palm against a blood covered cheek, chains being threaded through loops to bind him once more… the Archduke smiled…

Chapter Text

It was in his 18th year that Joshua found his rule of Rosaria truly tested for the first time. There had been minor squabbles, and the Ironblood testing their borders more than once, but nothing of the scale that had been reported by his scouts. With a frown on his face Joshua turned, leaving his office and making his way through the castle towards his room. It was of a time in the evening that he should be eating his dinner… and Clive should be returning from his training with the Undying. He had received the latest report from Cyril of how Clive's training was progressing… Ifrit was being allowed a marginal amount of freedom during training and the results had been promising even if the eikon was proving to be temperamental on occasion, having an obvious dislike for the Undying.

With an amused smile Joshua shook his head at the soft trill of the Phoenix, the firebird unusually silent on its opinion of its fiery twin. It was with quite a stroke of fortune that Joshua met with the group of Undying escorting Clive in the hall outside of his rooms, waving them off and guiding his tired looking dear one inside. The chains were but the work of a moment to remove, coiling them and setting them on a small table near the door, pressing a light kiss to his brother's bare shoulder making him flush a charming pink before retreating further into the room. Clive slipped his feet out of his boots, walking on near silent footsteps over to sit at the desk where their dinner awaited, waiting for Joshua to sit down before removing the cover from their food.

With a grimace Joshua looked at the carrots sitting offensively on his plate, hearing a soft chuckle before the disgusting orange menaces were scooped off his plate in exchange for half the broccoli that had resided on Clive's. Looking up he gave him an amused smile, spearing a piece of green vegetable as his darling munched on the carrots he so loathed. There was silence as they ate, interrupted only by the sound of cutlery clinking on plates. When their meal was done Joshua poured them each a goblet of wine, setting Clive's down in front of him. Clive gave him a confused look, he was rarely given wine, but lifted the goblet to his lips and took a sip. He had made it halfway through the cup when he noticed his head swimming lightly, setting it down and running a hand over his eyes. He pulled his hand away and looked up at a touch to his shoulder, Joshua looked down at him with a smile "Tired dear one?"

With a little shake of his head Clive moved to get up "No… the wine is just a little strong…"

Joshua chuckled softly, wrapping an arm around his waist "Ah… let me help you then, it's time to wash up."

Nodding Clive allowed Joshua to lead him away from the desk and over to where the tub waited. Everything felt floaty and light as his clothing was removed, stepping into the water with a soft hiss at the heat of it. He looked up when a light splash reached his ears, seeing his brother stepping into the tub as well. He quickly looked away, ears red, as Joshua moved to settle behind him. "Reminds me of when we visited Byron and fell in the chocobo pen…" There was such fond amusement in Joshua's voice that it eased Clive's embarrassment. At Joshua's prompting Clive relaxed, resting with his back to Joshua's chest, feeling a hand card through his hair.

After a while Joshua ran his fingertips along Clive's collarbone and chest, voice speaking softly by his ear "You'd look divine with a Phoenix drawn right here…"

Clive looked down, watching those slender fingers trace patterns on his skin, mind still hazy and languid "Hm?"

Lips pressed to the spot behind Clive's ear as Joshua hummed, starting to wash his shoulders and arms "You'd let me, wouldn't you darling? Draw a beautiful Phoenix in your skin…"

Eyes drifted closed with every blink, opening slower and slower, his body held up from sinking completely under the water by Joshua's hold alone. When his head lolled back against Joshua's shoulder he felt teeth nip at his ear, that question whispered at him again, drawing a sleep hazed response "Whatever you wish…"

He wasn't awake to see the look of glee cross Joshua's face, hands finishing washing him, ghosting covetously along the dips of well defined muscles, before lifting him up to stand. Joshua balanced Clive's sleeping form against himself, drying him with near reverent attention with one hand while keeping him up with an arm around his waist. Joshua shifted him to the chaise, laying him down gently and covering his nudity with the blanket draped there. With that task done he went to his door, opening it to give his instructions to those who waited outside. His wishes were swiftly fulfilled and as he settled at his desk a smirk crossed his lips, the elders of the Undying were becoming vexatious but they wouldn't be a problem for long… soon his beloved would remove them all for him… all in good time.

Clive awoke to heat and pain… his head was throbbing like he had been kicked by a chocobo, his body sweltering like he had been laying out in the sun for hours. Opening his eyes hurt, a hand raising to try to press against the pain, only to have his arm jerk to a halt mere inches from the softness below him. A soft whine sounded in his throat as he forced his eyes open, looking over to see his wrist held down with chains… his entire body starting to tremble as tears welled up in his eyes. Though his voice came out in a dry croak he still tried "Joshua??" Everything hurt when he pulled against the chain, biting his lips as the tears spilled over to run down the side of his face along his ears.

As he started to pull more insistently on the chains the bed dipped, a cool hand pressing against his cheek "Shhh beloved, it's okay… be still…" Joshua's voice was soft but there was a thread of command in it, causing Clive's frantic yanking on the chains to stop, teary blue eyes looked up at the younger man. Joshua ran a thumb along his cheekbone "You were restless, I didn't want you to hurt yourself…" He reached over, carefully flicking the latch on the chains, watching them slip down to lay on the bed.

When the chains were removed Clive went to roll, hissing when pain burned along his chest, moving his hand up to press against it only for Joshua to grab his hand before he could. "Joshua… what…?"

His brother moved his hand up, pressing the back of it against his own cheek lightly as he looked down at Clive with adoration. "Do you not remember dear one? You said I could give you a Phoenix…"

Those words drew his gaze down, head still pounding and the pain spiking more with the motion, but he had to see what his brother meant. His breath caught as he saw it, angry red lines carved into his skin that looked to be healing slowly, a depiction of the Phoenix with its wings flared out behind it and tail feathers trailing down along his side to his hip. So many feelings and thoughts ran through his mind at that moment, body trembling and breaths straining against the fresh flood of tears that wanted free. In the end there was only one thought that he could understand amidst the mire his mind struggled through, one that made any sense to him anymore... He slowly flipped his hand around that had been resting with the back against Joshua's cheek, moving to cup it. "It's beautiful…"

Joshua leaned forwards, pressing a kiss to Clive's forehead, the look on his face one that Clive couldn't interpret… he had never seen such a look directed at him before. Joshua moved his hand down to run along his neck, sitting at the top of his shoulder, thumb running along a non-marked part of his collarbone "My beautiful darling… mine and only mine…"

As Clive's eyes slid closed, his body demanding he rest to heal, he heard his brother's words and felt the gentle touches to his overheated body that lulled him to relax. He woke next to Joshua carefully wiping him down with a cool cloth, feeling a little better than he had, the pain having eased some. When Joshua noticed he was awake he smiled a soft smile "We should sit you up so you can drink."

Nodding he worked to sit up, Joshua helping him so he was leaned against the headboard. The cup that Joshua pressed to his lips smelled of rose tea with a bite of citrus and herbs, the flavor gentled by just a touch of honey. When he had drank the entire thing Joshua set the cup down, running his hand lightly over the scarred lines of the Phoenix on Clive's chest, still pink and slightly raw but far less angry. "You are healing well." He got a mischievous look on his face, looking at Clive before ghosting hands over his pecs "Jewelry here would make the effect even more pretty…"

Clive felt his cheeks and ears heat, colour even tracking down his neck "You ever enjoyed teasing me so brother…"

Chuckling softly Joshua shook his head "I tease you not darling."

Scoffing softly Clive looked at him with amusement "How would one even have jewelry there aside from maybe a necklace…"

That mischievous expression returned, Joshua tracing a fingertip around one of Clive's nipples "Here, something simple but maybe sparkly…"

An inelegant squeak slipped out of Clive, a hand moving up to cover Joshua's to still him. "Joshua, cease that…"

"Whatever for? It is pleasant is it not?" Joshua's lips curved in that look, a mix of mischief and coy as he ran the back of his hand along Clive's reddened cheek.

Clearing his throat slightly Clive looked off to the side "It's inappropriate…"

The hand that had been tracing along his face suddenly moved, sliding into his hair and gripping so he was forced to look at Joshua, those pale blue eyes having lost their playful mischief. "Ah but dear one, I decide what is appropriate, do I not?"

Swallowing the sudden trepidation at that look was hard… like trying to swallow an apple whole. He couldn't nod, hair held as it was, his voice a strained whisper "O… of course…" He had been wrong, arguing with Joshua, he wasn't supposed to do that, he knew he wasn't supposed to argue… wasn't supposed to be willful…

Eyes that had held something bordering on anger thawed, the grip in his hair gentling "Good darling… we mustn't forget that hm?"

"I'm sorry…" tears tried to sting his eyes again as the urge to beg forgiveness filled him, but Joshua brushed the tears aside with the light touch of a thumb.

"No need to cry, you are forgiven." his brother's voice was filled with love and understanding, making relief sing through his veins.

Clive leaned over, resting the side of his face against Joshua's shoulder when his brother allowed it, taking the comfort permitted. As he sat there, eyes closed, he felt Joshua's hand return to his chest. Opening his eyes he looked up, light blues watching him intently as the touch firmed, tracing around the rapidly hardening nipple. When those slender fingers suddenly pinched it he couldn't help the gasp it caused, watching Joshua's eyes fill with amusement as he did it again just to hear the sound another time. "Such pretty sounds you make… I'd hear more of them…"

With reddened cheeks Clive went to turn away, but a sound of irritation stopped him, eyes lifting again. With a smirk Joshua continued to tease Clive's chest to get more of those breathy sounds he enjoyed. His hand had just started to wander lower when there was a knock at the outer door. Joshua glared at the door before sighing and pressing a chaste kiss to Clive's lips. "Stay and rest, I'll be back shortly." Clive didn't miss the muttered 'Or there may just be a death…' before Joshua stalked out of the room. Closing his eyes he let out a slow breath to try and calm himself… it didn't quite work.

Joshua hadn't intended to be gone as long as he had, his patience with the elders of the Undying gone by the time he stormed out of their meeting chambers. Making his way through the corridors one of his commanders stepped up, saluting before bowing deeply "Your grace…"

Light blue eyes filled with irritation locked on the man, one blonde brow arching in a silent 'what?'

The commander held out a scroll "Scout reports your grace, the forces are moving faster than anticipated but my men are ready to engage them to delay their progress if that is your wish."

Joshua took the scroll, watching the man with a shrewd gaze. He obviously did not wish to engage a foreign force unaided but was willing to sacrifice if need be. With a considering hum Joshua looked off out the balcony doors at the night sky, silent for several moments before speaking "No, have the army prepare and get ready to march in force, select those who will remain in Rosalith to guard it. And… send word to Byron Rosfield, I would have him come to sit as steward while I attend to this nuisance."

The commander saluted again before bowing and rushing off to do as ordered. Once the man was gone Joshua turned to the silent shadow lurking off to the side "Prepare what we will need for the campaign, I would have none but my trusted attend to myself and my shield. And… don't forget to pack his medicines." The cloaked figure bowed and disappeared back into the passage he had come from.

Having done what was required for the eve, and highly doubting Byron would arrive before the next afternoon if that, Joshua turned and continued to his chambers. He dismissed the Undying guards, locking the heavy outer door, then made his way back to see if Clive had indeed gotten some rest. He smiled to see his dear one's sleeping form, sheets barely clinging to slender hips. Stripping down and dressing for bed he climbed in behind his heart, wrapping his arms around that delicious waist before allowing himself to doze. There would be plenty of time for other activities later, in that moment he just wanted to rest with the assurance they were both there and safe.

Clive snapped awake, his dreams having been both dark and yet oddly… not. Heat flushed his cheeks at the things in his dreams, things he had never before contemplated even as a youth. Granted he hadn't really had the time to contemplate matters of the flesh as a youth, so focused with training and ever watched by his mother which the very thought of could kill any sort of lustful thought. With a soft sigh he settled, cuddling into the warm embrace that had slowly been becoming normal and comforting. The arm around his waist tightened, pulling him back tighter, drawing a shocked gasp from him at the feel of a rather obvious hardness pressed against his backside. The flush on his cheeks darkened, carefully glancing back to note that Joshua seemed yet asleep… and Clive couldn't help but wonder what dreams the younger had to cause such a reaction.

As he lay there, closing his eyes to try and continue to relax, he kept remembering the bits of the dream that he remembered. Biting his lip slightly he tried to push those thoughts away, but only ended up also remembering those teasing touches before he fell asleep. Biting back a groan of frustration at the fact that he was starting to get hard at all those thoughts that wouldn't stop he shifted a bit to try to ease a sore spot at his hip. At his movement the arm around his waist tightened, the hand gripping the opposite hip so tight he was sure it would bruise, a sleep roughened voice in his ear "Do stop squirming darling, unless you're actually trying to tempt me… there are yet several hours before we have to be up…"

He swallowed slightly at those words, stopping squirming, the… threat?… in that voice sent a shiver through him that he wasn't entirely sure what to think of. When his body stilled Joshua chuckled softly, pressing a kiss to the spot behind Clive's ear "Such a tease…"

There were so many thoughts cluttering his mind… how this wasn't something that should even be considered, that it was wrong, but also that Joshua's word was final and if he said it wasn't unacceptable then who was he to think otherwise? A frown tilted his lips, but even if Joshua was the Archduke that didn't mean he could dictate what was moral… he shook his head slightly, where had that come from? He was so conflicted, and it scared him… he couldn't show how conflicted he felt, what would happen if Joshua found out he was thinking such things? Or the Undying… what if THEY found out he had doubts and conflicts about his certainty of Joshua's right to dictate such things? Fear flooded his veins like ice at that, the thought of the Undying determining he needed to be disciplined again… the thought of the pain that would come from it.

The warm body behind him shifted, pulling him tighter into that warmth "Clive?" there was worry in Joshua's tone… why was Joshua worrying? What had he done to make Joshua worry?? He was suddenly shifted, pulled up and around so he was sitting with his face pressed to Joshua's neck all but sitting in his lap. "Shhh darling… whatever it is, it's alright…" there was wetness slicking Joshua's skin, but from where? His brother moved, using a corner of the bedsheet to wipe his face gently, it was then that Clive realized he was crying… which only made him cry harder. Joshua frowned, pulling his face back against his neck, completely uncaring about how soaked the shoulder of his nightshirt was getting. Humming filled Clive's ears as he was rocked gently, a hand lightly rubbing his back.

They stayed that way for some time, Joshua just comforting him as Clive completely broke down. In the end he nearly cried himself to sleep, curling up on his side when Joshua got up to fetch him something to drink as his throat was dryer than the Dhalmekian desert. He barely tasted the cold tea as it touched his tongue, the cup pressed to his lips prompting him to drink it without thought. When the entire cup was empty Joshua sat on the bed with his back to the headboard, Clive's head resting on his thigh as he ran his fingers through his hair. "Rest darling… we can talk later…" When Clive's tear reddened eyes slid closed and sleep took him Joshua sat in silence, continuing the soft threading of his hand through Clive's hair. It disturbed him how his shield had so suddenly dissolved into distraught tears, a frown settling on his face. Something had caused it, and he would find out what when Clive woke… he would not have his beloved so grieved.

Clive's nap only lasted just over an hour, slowly waking as his body's needs became unignorable. With a soft groan he moved to get up, the hand in his hair stilling but resting there a moment before withdrawing. "Clive?"

Tired blue eyes lifted to Joshua's a tiny smile crossing his lips "I'll be back in a few moments…"

Joshua smiled softly back at him, nodding before going back to reading the book he had been holding before Clive woke. Clive climbed out of bed, still more than a little drowsy, heading in to use the privy. He almost died on the spot when he woke up enough to realize he was stark naked, face going so red it was little wonder there was any blood left in the rest of his body. He snatched a towel up from the stack of linens, wrapping it around his hips before returning to the bedroom, face still scarlet. His footsteps must have alerted Joshua to his return, light blue eyes lifting to look at him, an amused expression crossing his face but no comment was made. Clive was conflicted with what to do, but he eventually sat down on the bed, pulling the sheet back over himself before tossing the towel onto the chair nearby.

A chuckle caught his attention, Joshua's tone full of mirth "So modest…"

Looking down he continued to blush "Um… why…."

"Why were you nude?" Joshua's tone held even more amusement now. "Because I couldn't hold you up and dress you at the same time, and I'd not permit anyone else in the room while you were thus…"

"Ah…" that was actually quite logical to Clive.

But of course then his brother gave him a coy smirk "Not that I didn't enjoy the view… anyone with eyes would."

He sighed and looked to the side and down, hands gripping the sheet tightly. It hadn't even been a moment when a hand cupped his cheek and made him turn to face Joshua again "Does that bother you?"

There was something in that tone that made him tense, voice a nervous whisper "It… I… such things just aren't supposed to be…"

The hand on his cheek continued to rest there lightly, but the look in those eyes hardened slightly. In a voice both soft and stern Joshua spoke "To whom? We are Dominants, the concerns of those who do not possess the power of gods need not apply to us. Besides…" the tone of his voice lightened "You were born to be mine, and I have not a single care for any who would say that cannot be, because it IS. Isn't it dear one?"

Unable to draw his gaze away Clive continued to look into Joshua's eyes, nearly falling into the depths of them, the fire flickering behind them so very much like his own… twined around him from the moment of his very birth. It was like being drawn into an embrace and yet wrapped in chains… his eyes drifting closed and his breathing steadying. Joshua spoke in that same soft tone "Isn't it?"

His answer was given on the soft breath of an exhale as he opened his eyes again, there really was no other answer, he would do… be… whatever Joshua needed "Yes Joshua…"

Light blue eyes seemed to thaw immediately, red-orange sparks flickering through them as lips ghosted over his softer than a whisper. "My good darling… my one, my only… mine and no one else's."

They sat in silence, Clive curled up against Joshua with his face resting against his shoulder, his brother seeming unwilling to let him go. Eventually they had to part when soft sunlight started to filter through the curtains of the balcony, birdsong gracing their ears. Joshua got up, fetching Clive's clothing and setting it on the bed before disappearing into the main room to allow him to change without an audience, something Clive had not expected. When he was dressed in the plain leathers and shirt he wore for training he emerged, finding Joshua standing at his desk reading a missive with a frown on his face.

"Is something wrong?" his question was asked hesitantly.

Gesturing for Clive to come closer Joshua wrapped his arms around him once he had stepped up to his side, practically the same height as Clive now. "Nothing more than I expected. Sanbreque has decided that we are easy pickings, they have begun to march for our borders."

His lips thinned as a dark frown crossed Clive's face, his hand resting on Joshua's that sat on his stomach. "How much time do we have before they cross the border?"

With a sigh Joshua set the missive on the desk "Two weeks at most. Just long enough to make arrangements, rally our forces, and march out to meet them."

Nodding a small nod as he contemplated that information Clive just couldn't figure out why Sanbreque would be bothering now… and though he hesitated he still asked. "Why now though? They have left us alone for 8 years…"

It turned out the question was the wrong one to ask after all, his brother's expression darkening such that Clive felt himself freezing in place, that voice that could be soft and soothing becoming more like a hiss "Because they have grown tired of testing our borders, they see me as nothing but a child, incapable of holding the throne of Rosaria and themselves more deserving. But I will NOT allow them to take what is MINE!"

There were fine tremors running through Clive at the dark promise in those words and the visceral fear it rose within him, his knees giving out as he sank to the ground, arms wrapping around Joshua's waist. His whisper pressed into the fabric of Joshua's surcoat "I'd burn them to the ground if you will it… just… please… don't leave me."

Light blue eyes took on a faint glow, a hand gripping Clive's hair and tilting his head roughly "You are mine, you have always been mine, you will always be mine!" His teeth clenched and he nearly snarled "What must I do to prove it to you Clive, so you never question it again!?"

The ferocity in those words said that no argument would be accepted, nothing but complete obedience would be good enough, and Clive trembled more as the grip on his hair tightened. "I'm sorry…"

With a suddenness that was shocking Joshua shoved Clive away from him, storming out the doors of his chambers without a backward glance. Wrapping his arms around his waist he continued to tremble, looking up only when he heard footsteps… screaming for his brother as the Undying took hold of him and dragged him from the room, fighting their hold and every step they took.

The stones below him were cold… it was like everything since he had laid on them last was all a dream… a blissful sweet dream he longed desperately to go back to where he wasn't cold and in pain. He wasn't sure how long he had been laying there for, pain made it hard to track the time, hard to focus on his heartbeats or breathing… just hard. It had to have been several hours, the changing of footsteps telling him those guarding the cells had changed atleast once… but that could have been his imagination too. His eyes were closed… or were they open? He couldn't tell, they hadn't left the crystal lantern this time when they threw him through the door after seeing to his punishment.

Shouting woke him from the light doze his pain wracked body had forced him into, a flickering light drawing closer as the shouting got louder. There were other voices too… they sounded like they were pleading… or arguing… maybe both. "I told you to take care of him, this was NOT what I commanded!!"

"But your grace, you said…"

"I KNOW what I said, and this was NOT what I said!!" Joshua… Joshua's voice… shouting with so very much anger… Clive curled himself up tighter, head tucked in under his arms as that flickering light got even closer. What the other man had said next Clive didn't hear, all he heard was screaming as a wave of heat washed down the corridor, brightening everything as if under the full light of noon. The cell door slammed open, rattling on its hinges before Joshua was dropping down to gather him up "My darling… shhh… you'll be okay…"

Fear darkened blue eyes peered out from behind an arm, seeing Joshua knelt there haloed by flames, semi-primed from his anger… his anger that… wasn't?… directed at Clive. A sob broke through as he lunged up, ignoring the sharp agony that lanced through him at the motion, arms wrapping around Joshua tightly. Another sob wrenched past his lips as a hand started to lightly run over the yet bleeding lash marks covering his back, the pain intensifying before a tingling heat washed through him… golden light filling the room and banishing the shadows. His ragged breathing slowly eased to deep breaths, the pain subsiding, yet his hold on Joshua did not relax.

"Come darling, let's get you out of here… back where you belong…" Joshua pulled him up as he stood, letting his semi-prime fade but summoning a wyke to keep the darkness from descending again. As Clive continued to cling to Joshua he lead them out of the dark cells and back up to the brighter halls of the castle… Clive's head tucked against him in such a way that he was unable to see the satisfied look that crossed Joshua's face as the Undying hurriedly bowed to him, rushing off to see to their tasks before he chose to use them as his next sacrificial lambs.

They were unbothered as they returned to Joshua's… their?… chambers. He was lead over to a tub that someone must have hurriedly filled, bottles of cleansers hastily set on the floor within reach. Joshua stripped the shredded shirt off him and tossed it into the fireplace, then stripped everything else off before easing him into the tub even though he sought to cling still. There was rustling then a faint splash and arms were wrapping around him from behind. He leaned back, curling up into the hold, still shivering from cold and the fear of being sent back to the cells. Gentle hands started washing the blood and dirt from his hair, a sniffle the only other sound in the room. "I'm sorry…"

"Hm? What for darling?" Joshua continued to wash his hair.

Another sniffle, more tears trying to fall "For making you angry… I won't do it again… just please don't let them take me back there…"

His brother… his everything… nuzzled his neck lightly, pressing a kiss to just behind his ear "Never doubt me… us… again Clive. Be as you are meant to be, here with me always, and you will never have my anger. I will always find you…"

Clive released a shuddering breath, turning so that he could wrap an arm around Joshua "I swear it."

"Good." He lifted a cup full of water "Let's rinse your hair." With that he just went back to washing Clive's hair, the feeling of fingers scrubbing his scalp so calming he nearly fell asleep. Hands starting to rub lightly scented soap over his back, shoulders, and arms to wash away the blood caked there roused him from the haze, a tiny smile tilting his lips. Eventually Joshua went about his own washing, though with much less gentleness, then urged Clive up to stand so they could dry. "Come, let's rest, we have much to do tomorrow." With a nod Clive reached for a towel to dry off as he stepped out of the tub, half way dry when the feeling of eyes on him had him pausing and looking up. Joshua just smiled at him, finishing drying before pulling a nightshirt on, holding Clive's out to him.

"Thank you…" he quickly finished drying then pulled the nightshirt on over his head, fiddling with the laces at the front to try to make it so it didn't hang off his shoulders, rather unsuccessfully.

With a light sigh Joshua gently pushed his hands away "It's the best I could find, leave it, not like anyone will be barging in." With a teasing smile he pressed a kiss to Clive's forehead, then he turned and made his way to where a covered tray sat. Lifting it he carried it with him into the bedchamber, Clive shrugging and following him. The tray ended up having a variety of little finger foods that Joshua took great delight in feeding him, eating bites in between, until it was all gone. Taking the cup he was handed Clive sipped at the tea it contained, back against the headboard as he watched Joshua read through a few missives. Once it was all done he put his cup on the table at the side of the bed, slipping down to lay properly, eyes drifting closed a few times. As he dozed lightly he dreamed of the sunlit bailey, Joshua sitting on a barrel next to Jill, cheering for him as he sparred with Lord Murdoch… the bright smile on his face making his heart ache in the dream.

Fingers trailed along his cheeks, waking him with a small start, ocean blue eyes looking up into Joshua's face as he wiped away the remaining tears. "So sad even in your sleep…"

Clive shook his head slightly "Not sad… it was a happy dream… I was back training in the bailey, you were watching me spar. You had… such a bright smile on your face, there was such a lightness to you… fewer burdens maybe…"

Joshua sighed softly, cupping his cheek "Yet you carried more, while I was pampered by everyone. They all ignored you, mistreated you, HURT you…" there was pain in his tone, as if their actions had been against him instead of Clive… but then again perhaps there really was no difference.

"I would carry any burden to see you happy… I meant it, back at Phoenix Gate… I was born to be your shield." his voice was incredibly soft, gaze earnest.

With a small shake of his head Joshua closed his eyes a moment before they opened again, gleaming with that something Clive couldn't figure out "You were born to be my everything. And you are. Nothing and no one is going to take you from me." He pressed his forehead to Clive's, both laying there in silence until Joshua shifted, pressing his lips to Clive's in a gentle touch. When Clive smiled a bit at him after he pulled back Joshua shifted the hand on Clive's cheek until it was at the back of his head, toying with the damp hair there. There was a strange heat to everything, like a tension had settled over them that made little sense to him, but he couldn't bring himself to care… Joshua was there and he was safe, nothing else mattered.

Nothing else mattered until it suddenly did, when Joshua pressed his lips to Clive's again only this time it was harder, more insistent. Like Joshua was trying to imprint himself on Clive's lips like a brand… his teeth nipping at Clive's lower lip making him gasp, tongue pushing into his mouth with the opportunity. Clive's hand moved to grip Joshua's shoulder, but words whispered through his mind…

'Never doubt me…'
'Be as you are meant to be…'
'You were born to be my everything…'

Words that rang through his mind over and over, building with everything he had felt since Phoenix Gate, all the pain and fear and loneliness and relief and love… until everything just went still, and the hand gripping Joshua's shoulder with indecision shifted to clutch him closer. He was born to be what he was, there was nothing to question… he was the Phoenix's in heart and soul… it was time to stop fighting that. Even when that tiny tiny, ever shrinking part, of him whispered that those weren't his words, or his thoughts. But that nearly gone piece was ignored, pushed aside for fear of losing everything again.

Lips broke apart when gasping breaths were needed, Joshua trailing little biting kisses down his jaw and neck when he wasn't pushed away, satisfaction at having been pulled closer filling him. Finally… capitulation was so very close… the one who was HIS accepting his place. As he continued to lightly nibble his way down Clive's neck he grasped his pecs through the thin fabric of Clive's nightshirt, thumbs moving in teasing circles over his nipples in the way he had discovered his darling enjoyed while squeezing the delightfully firm muscles. Shifting the nightshirt out of the way he started sucking a bruise over his collarbone, feeling the shiver that went through that exquisite body, hearing the breathy sounds Clive was making that only made the want flare hotter in him.

When those lips moved from his collarbone down over the fabric covering his sternum Clive looked down with curiosity, his breath catching when Joshua suddenly moved to run his tongue over one of his nipples. Wetting the fabric over the little peak he glanced up to see Clive's eyes on him, giving him a coy smile before sucking lightly, the gasp it drew making him ache all the more. He continued to tease Clive by keeping the nightshirt in the way for several moments, then impatience got to much, his hands moving up and pulling the nightshirt off Clive's shoulder to expose his chest. Darting down he nipped lightly, smirking at the startled gasp it got, then went to the task of driving his darling crazy.

Clive couldn't seem to keep still, squirming at the… sometimes teasing, sometimes sharp, sometimes gentle… touches that had his blood racing. He whined low in his throat when surprisingly strong hands gripped his hips to keep them still, trapping the fabric of his nightshirt tight across his hips, causing it to brush maddeningly against his hardness with every attempted movement. When exactly he'd gotten hard he couldn't have said, his mind a muddle of need, but he was so hard he ached and was leaking profusely. He cried out when teeth bit hard into his chest right between where the scarred lines formed the Phoenix's wing and tail feathers, yet despite the sudden burst of pain all he felt was blissful heat.

When Joshua finally moved away from Clive's chest it was to shift so he could toss the sheets off of them, kneeling and looking down at the art that was his darling as he writhed in need. Moving his hands from Clive's hips he traced them teasingly up along his sides before sliding back down, catching the edge of the nightshirt and pulling it up as he repeated his trail upwards. He drew Clive up to sitting just long enough to remove the garment, tossing it to the bottom of the bed, watching that beautiful face darken with blush as he settled back to laying. Joshua lightly cupped his darling's cheek, leaning in and pressing a soft kiss to his lips "You're so beautiful…"

The blush on Clive's cheeks darkened even more, his ears even feeling heated with it. He fought off the urge to cover himself, the heated look he was being given spoke to how it most likely would not be appreciated. When Joshua kissed along his jaw to nip his earlobe he couldn't help but shiver, hearing how laced with want his voice was when he spoke "Tell me something darling… has anyone else ever…?"

There was more than a little hint of jealousy in his tone, and that as yet unnamed feeling, Clive tilting his head into a kiss pressed to his jaw "No." Hells if he was honest he had barely even touched himself before his life fell apart… and never since that fateful night… never mind someone else touching him, though he knew that was unusual for someone of the age he had been before Phoenix Gate.

One hand ran down along his hip, then past to ghost along the outside of his thigh, as Joshua made a sound quite nearly a purr "… good…" And oh how glad Joshua was for that answer, after all having to hunt down a past lover and kill them would possibly make things irritating, and he would much rather use that time to remind his darling who he belonged to. Yet he could see the tinge of embarrassment on Clive's face, so he nuzzled his jaw lightly while gripping his thigh by his knee. "There is naught to be embarrassed by my beloved, just focus on the now…" Which was of course rich of him to say considering he had been the one to bring up the past in the first place.

With a little nod Clive reached up to run a hand tentatively through Joshua's hair, surprising the younger man but making him smile all the same. They kissed again, Clive trying to kiss back with enthusiasm and hoping it made up for his lack of experience, but the kiss was broken when a startled moan slipped free as Joshua's hand mischievously brushed along the length of his cock. Joshua looked at him with an expression that showed he knew exactly what he did, pure mischief, as he ran his fingers down along the petal soft skin feeling the wetness of precum dripping down it. Continuing to watch his darling he brought his fingers up to his lips and licked the wetness off of them, seeing him shudder lightly with a soft whine. His smile was pure deviousness when he moved his hand to wrap it around Clive's cock, pupils eclipsing his irises when his fingers didn't even touch, gaze moving back up to that face that had haunted his dreams for years… Clive's eyes closed as he seemed to struggle to keep his breathing even. But closing his eyes gave Joshua even more of a chance to steep him in pleasure, inhibition and shyness that could stop him from what he sought to do not being given a chance to rise, his head lowering before Joshua ran his tongue over the weeping tip of Clive's need.

Blue eyes flew open at the feeling of something wet and firm running over him, a hand flying out only to land on soft blonde curls. Clive looked down, catching the smirk on Joshua's face before he ran his tongue over him again, pressing his hand to his mouth to muffle the moan that threatened to fill the room. At the muffled sound Joshua's free hand slid up, gripping his wrist and pulling his hand away from his mouth, pinning it to the bed at his hip.

"No one can hear you but me darling…" Joshua had made sure of it, he wouldn't share even that small part of his darling with anyone.

More and more moans filled the air as Joshua started to stroke Clive slowly while teasing him with little licks, sucking the head a moment just to see the look of stunned ecstasy on Clive's face. When his patience was finally starting to fray he snatched the vial of oil he'd left under the pillow, continuing his pleasurable torment while slicking a finger. Nudging Clive's knee he changed how he was kneeling, straddling one of Clive's legs to make sure it was pinned, before he brought his hand down and lightly delved between his cheeks to stroke his finger over his entrance. Clive sucked in a sharp breath, unable to squirm away from the unfamiliar touch with his leg pinned "What… J… Joshua!"

Light blue eyes flickering with embers looked up at him as he circled his rim, coaxing the muscle to relax "Shhhh beloved… you'll enjoy it, I promise…" He gave a sharp bite to Clive's hip bone when he tried to wriggle away from the touch, the little twinge of pain seeming to force Clive to settle "Trust me beloved…"

With a soft whine Clive stopped trying to wriggle away, biting his lip as the finger kept stroking over his rim, pressing against his hole but not pushing in. The more it repeated the more he found his body wanting more, little tingles of pleasure warming him. When Joshua finally pushed the tip of his finger inside Clive moaned, hips shifting again but this time into the movement instead of away. His ability to think becoming hazy, pleasure spiking in his blood and driving thoughts away, leaving him only able to focus on the sensations.

It was becoming harder and harder to go slowly, to prepare his beloved properly, working from one finger to two, then three which had Clive nearly writhing on the bed with such sweet sounds. When he finally decided that he was stretched enough Joshua pulled his own nightshirt off, kneeling between Clive's thighs, and running his hands along the sensitive skin of his inner thigh. Clive was looking at him with eyes that held only the thinnest ring of blue, breathing heavily, as he gripped his hip with one hand and the base of his cock with the other. Pressing against the slickness he groaned when his cock finally slipped in, silken heat threatening to be his undoing almost immediately. Stilling to give them both a moment he panted against Clive's neck, using every bit of self control he had to remain still until Clive started to squirm.

His patience snapped then, hips withdrawing before thrusting forwards again hard, lips pressing to the kiss bruised ones under him in a wet and messy kiss. It wasn't a slow and sweet love making, it was all heat and need and possession, Joshua needing to brand himself on every inch of his beloved until he could think of nothing and no one else. He shifted his grip to grab slender hips in a bruising grasp, tilting the angle just right to have Clive's moans rise in pitch as he pounded into that perfect spot within, like a symphony just for him. And as he felt Clive cling to him as he almost screamed his name, back arching as he came, he felt that ravenous thing within him settle… giving a few more thrusts before he spilled in that tight heat.

Joshua lay on top of his beloved, arms wrapped around him as they both slowly came down from the high of their bliss. As he lay there listening to the heartbeat beneath his ear he couldn't help the fear that tried to worm its way into him, fears of Clive's reaction to what they had done… anger at the very thought of possibly being rejected tingling through him. Until with a shuddering sigh Clive moved, thighs still tight against his hips, to wrap his arms around Joshua and nuzzle his nose against the spot behind his ear.

"I love you…"

Those three little words… settling everything within Joshua, the ecstasy of them like a drug in his veins, his own words hushed "I love you too, heart mine."

They lay there like that, entwined, until finally Joshua slipped free of Clive's loosening hold. Looking down at the man who had fallen asleep curled up in his arms Joshua allowed himself a smile, then he turned to fetch a cloth to clean them up with… everything else could wait until the morning.

Morning came with discomfort, Clive grimacing as he turned onto his side and his muscles complained. Shifting he moved a hand to rub at his lower back, feeling the soreness there and the tenderness of his backside. Those aching pains brought his mind back to the events of the night before, heat flooding his face as shame tried to dig itself into him. With little regard for how much it would hurt he pushed himself up, climbing out of the bed and pulling the nightshirt he found crumpled at the bottom over his head. He needed… he needed to see Joshua… to reassure himself that he was there, that he still looked at him the same. His footsteps were soft on the floor, the chill of the stone under his feet making him shiver before he stepped onto a plush rug again.

Joshua was seated at his desk, the sound of his quill scratching over parchment filling the room. However quiet Clive tried to be he still looked up suddenly, eyes going directly to him before an overly fond look came to his face, setting the quill down to hold an arm out for Clive. With a relieved sigh Clive moved over, that arm wrapping around his waist, pulling him down to sit on Joshua's lap. When he hissed in discomfort Joshua cupped his cheek, looking up at him with seriousness "Are you pained my love?"

Blushing Clive nodded a bit, he had always been a terrible liar, and he knew that Joshua would be angered if he even so much as tried. Pressing a kiss to the hollow of Clive's throat Joshua pulled him against him more, Clive resting his cheek against Joshua's shoulder, sighing lightly when he felt a wash of soothing heat flood through him as Joshua used the Phoenix's healing flames on him. When his discomfort was no more Clive continued to rest there, silent for some time before he spoke barely a whisper "You don't think less of me do you?"

Arms pulled him tight, a kiss pressed to his neck again "Never… there is naught to think less of you for. You are mine, my love, mind heart soul and body… forevermore."

It was relieving to hear those words, the soothing coolness of them to the heat of his embarrassment and worry almost euphoric. Joshua still claimed him, loved him, wanted him close… and that was all he needed. Never would he doubt Joshua, he had learned what came of that, and if he said he did not think less of him for his… wantonness… then he believed him. He could have dozed off like that, resting with his love, he who loved and protected him… but alas a knock at the door finally ended the moment. With a swift kiss to his lips Joshua sent him off to dress, already dressed himself, while he went to answer the door to see who was there and what they wanted.

The nice warm bubble of his morning was popped by the nervous Undying at his door, informing him that Byron Rosfield had arrived. With an irritated sigh he nodded, returning to his rooms a moment. Clive had just finished pulling his leathers on, Joshua's gaze moving to the vivid bruises in the shape of hands… HIS hands… on Clive's hips, a smirk coming to his lips before he sighed lightly. "I have some matters to attend to love, will you be able to train without discomfort today?"

A light blush crossed Clive's cheeks at the question, but he nodded, clearing his throat slightly "Yes, your healing has taken most of the discomfort, I should be perfectly fine to train today."

"Good." Joshua pressed a kiss to Clive's forehead, then he move to speak huskily in his ear "I'd hate to have to abstain from showing you more wonders tonight…"

When the blush on Clive's cheeks darkened Joshua pressed a quick kiss to his lips before turning and leaving, lest he decide to forgo dealing with Byron for making Clive scream for him again. But alas duty took precedence in this matter, so he swiftly left his chambers to head down to the throne room where the man supposed to be his uncle awaited.

Theirs was not a warm and familial reunion, his uncle standing with his arms crossed over his chest, his axe at his side as it ever was. "I was surprised to receive word of your wish to speak with me… your grace…"

His tone told Joshua that he would have gladly left off the required niceties of his title, had he not been surrounded by shields. Sitting on the throne Joshua simply shrugged slightly "Matters have come to be that hardly leave room for entertaining your grudge."

"MY grudge!?" the older man sounded quite aghast at that, frustration coming to his face before he near bellowed "YOU were the one who made the choice to take the throne as you did, and you have ever been the one to silence any single voice of dissent for it."

An amused look crossed youthful features "Ah yes, your enduring disappointment that I refused to appoint a regent following the massacre of Phoenix Gate, plotted by treachery sewn from within my own house. How dare I choose not to trust blood or bond so easily… after all YOU would have done so much better, wouldn't you uncle?" Beneath the false mirth was a simmering anger, his dissatisfaction over the fact that the man continued to question his every decision and spoke so loftily of how he should have done things.

With a shake of his head Byron glared at him "You know I never wished the throne, yet I would have done so to protect Rosaria and my family."

The mirth died as his eyes hardened, everyone knew that 'my family' did not include Joshua, had never since the man saw him only as his mother's tool never as the child of his father he had been once. "You need not worry over such things."

A scoff was his response "So you say. Let us dispense of the falsehoods your grace, why have you called me here?"

Tapping a finger against the ancient stone beneath his hand Joshua was silent for so long that the shields in the room began to shift uncomfortably, his voice breaking the silence like a hammer "Sanbreque seeks to take Rosaria by force, again. I will not have my people endangered again, so the army must march. However I require someone to watch over Rosalith in my absence, and as distasteful as I find it, I require you to sit as steward while I go to handle matters of war."

Byron looked like he had just discovered his true calling as a bullfrog, mouth agape, until he suddenly let out a sharp laugh. "And you think to require this of me? I think not your grace, unless I am titled regent I will not be taking such a role."

Bringing his hand up and resting his chin in his palm, elbow pressed to the stone, he looked at his uncle with a frosty gaze a moment before shrugging "Very well, you may leave, I will appoint another."

It was clear that Byron had not expected him to back down so easily, a deeper frown crossing his face. "Hm… unless…"

"Unless?" a flat tone was his only response, no reaction given.

Then Byron threw down then proverbial gauntlet. "I will do as you demand, on one condition. I get to see Clive."

And there was the crux of the matter… the thorn in Joshua's side… the fact that Byron had ever demanded to see Clive, not taking no as an answer even when Clive had been presumed dead by all. Narrowed eyes assessed the elder man, until finally Joshua stood, waving the shields off when they looked about to follow "Remain, I will inquire with him as to his willingness for such."

Byron all but snarled at those words "You mean forbid it."

"I have never forbid him from anything." his tone was so frosty it would have made Shiva proud, had she not been sent back to the North years ago… a measure of protection for the young girl he had called sister, and a means of ending calls for their marriage. With that he simply turned and left, making his way through the castle down to where the Undying trained. Upon his arrival all stopped, bowing to him, all ignored save for one… his love who stood holding a broadsword, breathing heavily and coated in sweat despite the short duration of his training. The sight truly did much to kindle the want within him, though he pushed it aside for the time being. "A word, Clive…"

With a nod Clive handed the sword off to an Undying, following Joshua out of the depths and up to their chambers. Once the doors had closed behind them Joshua cupped Clive's cheek "I have need of your help my darling…"

Eyes widening Clive nodded, his expression clearly saying 'anything'. With a sigh Joshua ran his thumb along Clive's cheekbone lightly "Byron is here… and proving that he has decided to be difficult."

"Difficult? Whatever for?" there was a great deal of confusion in his voice.

"We do not see eye to eye… ever has he sought to remove me from the throne, from the day I first sat upon it. He wished to be regent, and I chose to have none. So instead he has chosen to see me as an enemy, much as he saw Anabella… for he sees me as naught but the same as she." he looked off to the side with a frown, irritated at the comparison.

Clive's hand moving up to cup his cheek as he had done to his own surprised Joshua. "Then he is not the man I thought him to be, if he were to callously compare you to one who committed blackest treason. What need have we of him that requires his presence?"

To have his beloved so readily angered on his behalf made pleasure stir within him, melting the chill in his eyes somewhat. "We have need of a steward while we march to war with Sanbreque, and while I find him displeasing to be around he is a Rosfield, and as such those who serve us will follow him at our order. He has made a demand however, in return for his agreement."

"And what demand is that?" ocean blue eyes looked directly into his, voice serious.

His other hand slid into Clive's hair, toying with the locks that fell just below his shoulders. "He wishes to see you. Most likely in hopes to find a compatriot, wishing to turn you away from me to his side." There was bitterness and anger in those words.

Clive was already shaking his head as his words finished, a darker frown settled on his mouth "I will not. I was born to be YOUR shield… I will not turn away from you, even on pain of death…"

Those words had Joshua pressing his lips to Clive's, stepping back with a look of clear approval. "Then let us go get this over with my love…" He moved behind Clive, deftly braiding the top of his hair to keep it out of his eyes until something more could be done with it. "No matter if I get angry, no matter what words I say… none of it is towards you my love… never, unless you were to turn against me, shall my ire be directed at you in the manner it is towards him."

Nodding Clive tried to tidy up his appearance, though not much could be done about it short of a bath and change of clothing… and he doubted Byron would wait that long. With a smile Joshua helped him fix his attire, making sure the bruise he had left on his throat was sufficiently covered by his shirt, lacing the front up properly so his chest was covered as he horded the view like a jealous dragon. With that done they left to make their way back to their unwelcome guest, forgoing the Undying escort and chains on this occasion… perhaps a test of Clive's compliance as well.

When they walked into the throne room Byron uncrossed his arms, a look of relief and happiness coming to his face. "Clive my boy, what a relief it is to see you!"

Joshua walked up and sat on the throne, Clive moving to stand to his left much to the surprise of Byron if his expression was anything to go by. When he spoke his voice was calm, a tone well practiced under the lash of his mother's lessons "I was told you wished to see me… thus here I am."

Byron frowned, obviously not keen on the less than joyful reception he was receiving. And Clive… well Clive would not stand for any causing harm to his Archduke… his Phoenix… his love, be it physical or otherwise. After a moment Byron just dismissed his words "You look tired my boy."

A look of irritation came to Clive's face "I have been training intensively, thus it is expected that given the fact that we are on the cusp of war with the Empire I would be a little tired, given that as First Shield it is expected of me to fight not sit on the sidelines."

"A… fair point… that is where you have been all this time then, training?" the look of surety wavered on Byron's face yet he still did not look convinced… how long exactly had he sought to know Clive's whereabouts? That tiny… annoying… part whispered 'right from the start' yet all that did was increase his ire for some odd reason.

"Ever do I serve to protect the Phoenix and Rosaria, so to answer your question, yes." his tone had gone flat, voice revealing nothing of the trials he had endured over all those years… they were for his memory and his alone, what bits and shattered pieces remained. When Byron said nothing further to that Clive looked to Joshua, bowing slightly "By your leave, your grace, I would return to my training."

With a nod Joshua waved him off, gaze immediately turning back to Byron "Sufficient?"

The elder man seemed oddly deflated after the non-conversation with Clive, yet Joshua did not take that as his having given in when it came to their fight over who would rule… he simply took it as a single battle won in a long war when the man nodded. "Sufficient. I shall do as you command."

"Good… we leave for war in a week's time, you have five days to return home and sort whatever you have need to." With that he stood and left, not wishing to remain in the man's presence lest his control be to sorely tested and he show him exactly what he had learned in the absence of any to protect him from the snake that had birthed him.

Chapter Text

When Clive returned from training that night there was a bath and food waiting for him, Joshua sitting at his desk. Clive watched him a few moments before he removed his boots and set them next to the door, sitting at the desk and eating his meal in silence to allow Joshua to finish his work. With eating done he got up, making his way to the tub while starting to unlace his shirt and pull it over his head. Everything was done in silence and soon his clothing was tossed into the basket for the laundress, a sigh slipping into the silence as he stepped into the pleasantly steaming water, sinking down to sit. Bruises littered his body, as they always did after training, but the heat soothed them easily. He had just slid further down into the water to wet his hair when hands ran through the locks, prompting him to open his eyes. Joshua looked down at him, perched lightly on the side of the tub, eyes focused on the inky black hair floating like a cloud in the water. "I'm loathe to ask you to cut it… it's so pretty…"

A light blush crossed his cheeks "Aren't men supposed to be handsome or dashing or something like that?" his tone was teasing and light.

Joshua chuckled lightly, leaning down to press a kiss to his forehead "Perhaps, yet here you are managing both…" with an amused expression he knelt outside the tub behind where Clive sat, waiting for Clive to sit up before starting to work cleansing oils into his scalp. He was rather efficient at it, having his hair cleansed and rinsed in short order. Leaning in he nipped Clive's right earlobe lightly "Don't lounge to long my love, I have matters I'd like to discuss."

With a nod Clive smiled and got to washing the rest of himself, not in the mood to soak long alone. Washed and dried in swift time he pulled a nightshirt over his head, returning from the bedroom to the main chamber just as Joshua was pouring them some tea, the scent of rose and chamomile filling the room. Clive sat in a chair on the other side of the desk, lifting his cup and sipping the tea within, a small smile at the taste crossing his lips. "I wonder if we could get our hands on fire lily tea at some point…" He had asked that question more to himself than anything, he had had the tea once as a child and remembered finding it pleasant.

"Hmm… possibly, perhaps once Sanbreque is dealt with we can take a short trip out to where the flowers grow… used to grow… and see if they are still there." Joshua seemed thoughtful about it, but eventually just shrugged as he sipped his own tea. They sat there in comfortable silence until the tea was all gone, Joshua finally setting his missives aside and looking to Clive. "Come here darling…"

Confusion crossed his face before Clive got up, walking around the desk to stand at Joshua's side, watching as he pushed his chair back before grasping his hips and pulling him forwards until he ended up straddling Joshua's lap. Light pink dusted across his cheeks as he sat on solid thighs, tilting his head into the hand that cupped his cheek as he ever did at the gesture. He blushed more when Joshua ghosted his lips across his collarbones, but remained where he sat.

"I have a few gifts for you my darling…" Joshua's voice murmured against his skin, hands running along his sides. When Clive just tilted his head slightly he heard a chuckle from the blonde before his hand was lifted and a small box set in it. He looked down at the box then at Joshua with curiosity, Joshua smiling at him in amusement "Open it darling."

Clive carefully opened the box, finding in it an odd set of jewelry done in black metal, his gaze moving up to Joshua's with clear confusion. "Um… thanks?"

Light laughter was what he received, Joshua's expression changing to mirth as he hovered a finger over one set of little hoops "These go here…" he moved his hands to ghost over Clive's chest. Next he moved to a set of little hoops connected with a chain before sliding a finger along the edge of Clive's ear "These go here." There were still a set of little bars, but Joshua didn't immediately tell him where those went. When he noticed Clive's gaze on them his became slightly sharper as a smirk crossed his lips "Those ones… we can discuss later."

Turning his gaze back to the other jewelry Clive tilted his head slightly "Should we go see the physicker then?"

Joshua nuzzled his jaw with a smile as he set the box down on the desk "No need, I can do them if you wish…" his tone left room for Clive to decide otherwise… being given a choice in the matter which in itself was a gift in Joshua's mind.

After a mere moment of hesitation Clive nodded "Okay…" When Joshua smiled such a bright smile he knew he had chosen correctly, moving to get up yet stopping when hands returned to his hips. He sat watching as Joshua pulled a few items out of his desk, setting the jewelry aside in easy reach. The nightshirt he wore was pulled up and off, folded neatly on the corner of the desk, before Joshua held up a wickedly sharp needle usually used to stitch wounds. A flicker of Phoenix fire moved along the needle, heating it a moment until it was certain to be sterile, then Joshua went about carefully piercing his left nipple. Clive hissed, doing his best to keep breathing at the sharp pain, watching as the jewelry was slipped in before Joshua held a hand over the bleeding wound and healed it with barely a thought. The right side was the same, knowing what was coming had had his nerves jittering, but thankfully it was swift. A cloth lightly wiped the still wet blood off of his chest, a kiss pressed to the centre of his sternum.

"Want to do the ear now or later?" Joshua looked at him, pressing a hand to his cheek and completely ignoring the fact that he had just smeared blood over it.

Tilting his head a bit Clive smiled faintly "May as well get it done all at once."

Nodding Joshua prepared the items again, softly reminding Clive to breath. The pain from the upper ear as the needle slid through shocked him, but Joshua softly shushed him, slipping the jewelry in. "You're doing so well my darling… just one more to go, an easy one through the lobe. Breath with me and it will be all done before you know it."

A grateful smile crossed his lips as he nodded, waiting for Joshua to finish the task they had set for him. Once the final piece of jewelry was set in place above where his earcuff rested and the needle had been set down, Joshua leaned forwards to press a kiss to Clive's lips. Returning the kiss with a sigh Clive felt the healing flames as they sank into his body, Joshua letting them trickle into him to ease the rest of the soreness. When they parted Joshua cupped his hips with a sigh "A pity, I rather liked seeing my hands branded in bruises on your skin…"

The heat of blush crept across Clive's cheeks as his mouth opened and something far more forward than he would have ever thought he'd say came out "You'll just have to put them back then…"

It was a wolfish look that Joshua gave him at his comment, hands gripping his hips tighter for a moment before he moved to purr in Clive's ear "Of course… but first there's something else I'd greatly like to see…" He didn't even bother moving away to see Clive's expression, toying with Clive's earcuff with tongue and teeth a moment before speaking again "I'd enjoy seeing your pretty little lips wrapped around my cock."

A sharply sucked in breath was the response he received, before he gently nudged Clive off his lap, watching with a lust filled gaze as he slid off to stand in front of him. The sight of teeth biting into a soft pink bottom lip had his want flaring more, his hand moving forwards to run along Clive's arm until he caught on the band around his bicep, pulling down lightly "On your knees my dear one…"

Sinking down to his knees Clive slowly brought his gaze up to meet Joshua's his cheeks darkening with blush as he saw the sheer want there. When he didn't move, just kneeling there looking up Joshua's eyes narrowed slightly, sending a trickle of worry through him. Had he made him mad? He was hesitating to much… he needed to move, do something… anything! His hands trembled as he slowly moved to run them along Joshua's thighs, feeling the fabric slide against his skin. Swallowing slightly he brought his hands up to try to unlace Joshua's pants yet with his hands trembling as they were the laces were becoming more like knots. With a soft sigh Joshua reached down, covering his hands with his own. "If you truly don't wish to…"

Startled blue eyes lifted to his again, seeing a slight smile on Joshua's lips but he could see the disappointment in his gaze. He swiftly shook his head, eyes widening slightly "No, I just… don't…" he looked off to the side, feeling woefully inadequate as he cleared his throat a bit "I don't know how…" He couldn't understand how Joshua would want him of all people, the failure that everyone was always quick to remind him he was, undeserving.

He flinched slightly, pulled out of spiraling thoughts of inadequacy when a hand touched his face. The hand was gentle, tracing fingers along his cheekbone, jaw, a thumb tracing his lips. "Then I'll guide you in how…"

Joshua unlaced his pants with ease, lifting his hips enough to shove them and his smalls down, his half hard cock resting against his thigh. Clive looked up at him as a hand sank into his hair "Start with licking…" Blushing still Clive started to run his tongue along steadily firming flesh, hearing the little sounds Joshua made, the taste of salty-bitterness crossing his tongue as a bead of precum trailed down the length. He shivered at the taste, continuing to lick slowly until he thought of something Joshua had done to him that had been exceedingly pleasant. Trailing his tongue up along the length he rose higher on his knees, a hand wrapping around the base before he pressed a kiss to the tip lightly, looking up to see Joshua had his eyes closed and a look of pleasure on his face. That look had him feeling brave enough to try, slowly taking the flushed cock in front of him into his mouth.

The groan that filled the air had a little shiver going through him, a hand tangling in his hair "Mmm… yes just like that…" Clive slowly moved down, sucking on more, head feeling hazy with lust as he felt the hand in his hair started to guide him into bobbing his head while he sucked. The wet sound of his sucking and Joshua's moans filled the air, until suddenly he felt his hair being gripped tight and his head pulled away, his breathing heavy as he looked up at Joshua. "Come back up here…" He was urged to his feet and back to straddling Joshua's lap, lips pressed to his in a heated kiss. He let out a mildly startled sound when a finger pressed to his hole, having slipped behind him in his distraction. A chuckle was pressed into the skin of his neck as Joshua continued to tease him, listening to his little whines of complaint, until finally he was pushing a finger in to start working him open. Neither of them had infinite patience, and perhaps he should have been prepared a little more, but all Clive could do as Joshua's thickness pushed into him was moan despite the burn.

His hips were held tightly as he rolled them a bit, the tiny motion making him gasp softly, the hands easing their grip enough that he could start moving more. Teeth nibbled along his neck as Joshua played with his nipple piercings, healed thanks to the Phoenix's healing but oh so very sensitive, making Clive start to move against him more. His thighs were burning as he bounced on Joshua's cock, but both needed more, the chair not entirely suited for such an activity. Eventually Joshua nipped his earlobe lightly "Up." Clive shifted, lifting up off Joshua and moving to stand, gasping when he was spun around and pushed to bend over the desk. The ink bottle sitting on the top rattled when Joshua thrust back into him from behind, gripping his hips tight enough he was guaranteed to bruise, his thrusts hard and fast as they both groaned. Clive pressed a hand to his mouth, muffling the whines that started to be punched out of his throat with each thrust, his back arching when that spot inside that caused pleasure to zing through him like levin was pressed into.

Neither lasted much longer as soon as the pace sped up, Clive begging almost incoherently to be allowed to come, Joshua shuddering at the words that made it hard to hold out just a little longer. He slipped a hand off Clive's hip, reaching around to wrap around his leaking cock to stoke it quickly in time with his thrusts "Yes my darling… come for me, let me feel you…"

Clive keened loudly as he shuddered, ecstasy filling him as he came, spurts coating Joshua's hand and the floor. He heard Joshua's groan as he gave a few more thrusts before heat was filling him. Laying there against the sweat slicked wood of the desk he felt Joshua lean over to rest against him, his cheek pressed to the back of Clive's shoulder. Eventually he moved back, pulling Clive with him only to give him a coy smirk as he lifted his hand covered in his cum, licking it off with a little 'mmm'. The sight of Joshua doing that made heat flicker in him again, an answering heat kindling in light blue eyes before he was pulled up and off into the bed chamber.

It was several hours later that they lay curled up together, the sheets draped over their waists, that Joshua pressed a soft kiss to his forehead "I have one more gift for you my love."

Clive looked up at him with a sleepy 'hmm?', watching as Joshua got up, enjoying the play of lean muscles as he walked over to collect something from the bookshelf across the room. When he returned it was with a flat box about the size of a book, sitting down and scooting back until he was resting against the headboard. With a smile he pressed the box into Clive's hands "Open it…"

Running his fingers along the sides until he found the catch Clive slowly opened the box, looking down with wide eyes. Inside laying on a bed of deep red velvet was what he could only describe as some sort of collar. It was in black metal like his jewelry, with red etchings depicting stylized designs of floating Phoenix feathers all around the band, at the front there was a Phoenix etched in red with little red gems dotted through making the wings and tail feathers glitter. He looked up at Joshua, his breath almost held "It… it's… stunning." Something caught in his throat, the physical sign of his Archduke's feelings for him sitting in his hands.

'He just wants to own you…'
'You're just a toy to him, dont forget your place.'
'You're not worthy of his devotion, worthless failure that you are.'

Words that fluttered through his mind like toxic bugs made him have to fight back a sob, but he tried his best to push them away. Joshua loved him, Joshua valued and cherished him… He wasn't worthless…

Hands cupped his cheeks as lips pressed softly to his "Do you want to try it on my love?"

He pulled his gaze up to look into those eyes he so loved, nodding a bit as he feared if he tried to speak all that would come out would be sobs. The hands on his face moved away, picking up the collar from the box and, the soft clinking of chains filling the growing silence as Clive noticed fine chains that looped along the bottom edge studded with little gems, the inside covered with soft leather to keep the metal from bruising or scarring him. As the cool metal and leather settled around his neck he saw something flash in Joshua's gaze, a hunger, as the soft click of the latch sounded. Pressing a kiss again to Clive's lips Joshua held his hand up and let the tiniest of bits of his aether touch the metal. A warmth washed through it, the red etchings lighting up for the flicker of a moment before fading. When Clive looked to him with confusion he smiled a satisfied smile "None can remove it but me… my flames ever your protection my love…"

Curling back up together again to sleep Joshua let the feelings of glee fill him, his most beloved asleep in his arms and utterly devoted to him. None would take him from him again, he'd kill them both first… he felt the Phoenix trill in alarm at that thought, but he chuckled lightly. No one was going to come between them ever again, no person no eikon and no god.

Over the days until they were set to march Joshua decided to begin training with Ifrit, ensuring that the eikon could be utilized in war without causing issues. The first time they had removed the fetters in Joshua's presence flames had flared out, crawling up the stone walls as the Undying fled out of their range. Only Joshua stood within their circle, unharmed and uncaring about the show of temper. Once gold eyes had focused on him again he had walked forwards "Calm yourself Ifrit, we have matters to prepare for."

Ifrit had watched him with a wary gaze, but had refused to back down, flames flickering through his hair and across his body. When Joshua frowned at him he saw the very subtle move of his feet, wariness changing to the tension before a fight. Yet he didn't move… didn't try to attack… it was like the eikon was waiting to see what he himself would do. With a smirk he walked forwards, reaching out and running a hand along the face so dear to him, up to brush over inky black hair lit with lines of fire, before grabbing an obsidian horn and pulling until Ifrit was near nose to nose with him. "You ARE going to behave aren't you my little hellbeast?"

There was a tightening to his expression before Ifrit simply sighed, sinking to his knees and resting his face against Joshua's waist, Joshua smirked as he ran a hand through his hair lightly "Good boy Ifrit… now we can get down to matters at hand. Are you prepared to lay waste to the enemies of Rosaria? To MY enemies?"

Golden eyes looked up at him as that face nuzzled his hip bone, his voice rough like lava sliding down a mountain "Yes… my Phoenix…"

Stepping back Joshua pulled Ifrit to his feet "Good, then let us prepare. We may need to work together to subdue them… but subdue them we shall."

Together they began to train, two eikons working together to determine how best to utilize their strengths to decimate their enemies. And if Joshua pinned Ifrit to the floor or wall to fuck into him after a particularly heated spar, enjoying the eikon's whimpers of pleasure… well that was Joshua's business and no one else's. He also enjoyed it when he pressed up against his beloved, whispering of all the naughty little things he had done to his eikon, hearing that sinful voice whine as he teased him. Would that training were always so pleasant, but he enjoyed what he could.
The Rosarian Shields marched in force, leaving enough men to protect Port Isolde and Rosalith under the stewardship of Byron much to Joshua's irritation. Byron had requested to speak with Clive again before they left, swearing to him that he would do all necessary to protect their people while the army handled matters with Sanbreque. And while Clive had felt oddly disconcerted by how his uncle had said the words he had simply nodded, if Joshua hadn't said a word about it then he would not complicate matters. The Shields of Rosalith streamed out of the capital, marching in perfect formation, joining their fellows stationed in different garrisons along the road as they made their way to the border. During his time as Archduke Joshua had seen to it that the Rosarian army had been strengthened, their numbers increased and their loyalty to the Phoenix strong. Rosaria had prospered during his leadership, no matter how the nobles complained and gossiped… or feared… Joshua had seen to it that his priorities were the common folk, the nobles were merely tools to him.

Joshua rode along with his commanders, expression serious and chainmail glinting in the sunshine, the red of his overcoat so deep a red it was like fresh blood painted on him. He had refused to be shuttered away in a carriage, stating that no Archduke prior had ridden to war sitting on his arse like a prim princess in a carriage and he would not be the first. Riding beside him Clive looked out at the countryside from under the deep hood of the cloak he wore to ward off the cold, the damp of the marshlands chilling him due to the fetters. Yet he didn't complain, just riding along silently like a shadow next to the Archduke, mostly ignored which was fortunate, none knowing their First Shield travelled with them simply thinking he was but a favored servant. He was glad to be ignored, the ignored often had the best opportunities in battle, and what men didn't know they couldn't gossip about. They marched for the better part of three days, stopping only long enough to give the men and chocobo rest, and soon reached the edge of the Rosarian border where they set up camp.

Scouts were swiftly dispatched, returning just as swiftly to report that the Sanbrequois army was aware of their presence and had begun to set up camp as well. With their attempt to cross the border unnoticed foiled… and how they thought Rosaria was stupid enough to manage to ignore that many soldiers was just ludicrous… they would likely attempt intimidation. Joshua stood speaking with his commanders, outlining where their men would be stationed and what strategies would be employed, when a scout ran up to him with a missive. Taking it from the boy he read through, frowning slightly before looking at the commanders gathered. "They wish discussion, as we expected. Ensure that our scouts have taken care of any surprises they may have planned then prepare to ride out, we leave momentarily."

They all nodded, saluting before leaving to gather their chocobo, Joshua turning and heading into his tent. Clive followed him, having been hovering nearby during the discussions with the commanders, waiting until they were alone before speaking "Will I be going with you as your Shield?"

Joshua turned, pushing his hood back and touching his cheek lightly "Not this time darling… you are my surprise for them, no need to go revealing it to soon. They will simply try to posture and threaten, once they have done that then the real fighting will begin." Pressing a light kiss to Clive's lips he undid the chain at Clive's wrists, setting it aside. "For now, rest and prepare, I will be back soon."

With a silent nod Clive watched Joshua exit the tent, sighing as his shoulders slumped. A voice behind him had them stiffening immediately "Don't be petulant, the Phoenix will utilize you when he is ready to do so, abomination."

He turned, looking at the Undying standing at the entrance to the tent, his eyes narrowing slightly before he moved to sit down on the cot that was to be his. Without Joshua present he did not wish to engage with the Undying, that only ever ended up one way and it wasn't good for him, he had to preserve his strength for the battles to come when his Archduke determined he was required.

The Sanbrequois envoy sat astride his mount waiting as Joshua and the commanders accompanying him made their way across the field, the soft sounds of their chocobo's feet on the wet ground the only thing on the air as both camps were far enough back to be unheard. It was obvious to Joshua what the man thought of him, he wore it on his face as a sneer, the air of supremacy about him making him have to bite back the smirk that tried to come to his face.

"Oh look, the child ruler has arrived." and there it was, the snide tone to go with the pretentious voice.

Joshua simply folded his hands calmly on the pommel of his mount's saddle, looking at the aged man placidly. "I was advised you wished to speak with me?"

The sneer increased at his words "The Emperor has decided to give you one chance to back down and accept the inevitability of his rule. You will be afforded all the rights of a Dominant in the Empire, and your soldiers will be allowed to live and enlist in the army." Of course the fact that there would be no choice for the soldiers and that 'all the rights of a Dominant' simply meant slavery of a slightly different flavor than a bearer was right there however unsaid it was.

With a look off to the side as if he were considering the man's words Joshua waited several moments, his men completely still and calm while the Sanbrequios soldiers shifted as they grinned and snickered, thinking themselves having already won. Eventually Joshua looked back to the envoy, his gaze showing clear amusement "I decline. I'd much rather send back your charred corpses to the Emperor, but feel free to set yourselves against our swords if you feel so inclined."

Those words left the men across from them gaping as they had not expected the Archduke of Rosaria, a CHILD in their eyes no matter how of age for adulthood he was, to speak with such confidence and command. It was angering to them, the envoy holding up a hand to signal his men stationed just out of sight, yet the attack he had been expecting never happened. His eyes widened as he looked to the wide smirk on the youth's face, dread seeping in "Ah, were you expecting your men to attack from the tree line? How unfortunate… mine have already handled those scouts in particular. However…" He slowly raised a hand, fire kindling in his palm, the men in such shiny shiny armor flinching back at the sight. "I will give you three seconds to make yourselves very scarce…"

Their mounts reared as they yanked the reigns to spin them around, spurring them to flee as fast as possible, Joshua's grin becoming sharper "One…."

They made it twenty feet, their mounts skidding on the unfamiliar terrain of the wetlands that lay between the camps… fire blooming as it screamed towards them like a shooting star, consuming the fleeing soldiers leaving only the echoes of their pleas for mercy. Joshua sat watching the fire eat through flesh and bone, leaving charred armor behind, before he turned his chocobo at a more sedate speed and headed back to camp. The war would begin in earnest now… and Sanbreque would rue the day they chose to march on Rosaria again.

Cid sighed softly, watching the two armies moving about their camps from his vantage point atop a rise, Gav crouched at his side with a frown "Something isn't right about this… the Rosarian's are far to lax, they seem to not be worried at all that they are outnumbered twenty to one atleast. And if Bahamut ends up being unleashed…"

Nodding at Gav's comment Cid grimaced "Aye, if that great winged lout is unleashed Rosaria won't stand a chance even with the Phoenix…" But Gav was right, none of the Rosarians seemed to be making last minute preparations or being harried by doubts on the campaign at all. With the show the Phoenix had put on when he killed the Sanbrequois envoy it was likely that the Empire's forces would retaliate with ferocity… so all they could do was sit back and watch…

Clive had woken to the feeling of being moved, arms wrapping around him to shift him up off the cot before he grumbled, walking along only to be pulled down onto the far softer bed reserved for the Archduke. Curling up in those arms that held him far more secure than any chains he drifted back off for a time. His eyes opened slowly at the feeling of a hand stroking along his face, lips pressing to his forehead "It's time to get up beloved… we need to be prepared for their first move… their last move."

Sleepy blue eyes opened slowly, looking into light blue eyes nearly so close their eyelashes almost touched. He smiled before yawning softly, lips pressing to his in a gentle touch. With that he was let go, moving to get up off the bed, making his way over to the bag his gear was stored in so he could change. "Ah, don't worry over that love, I have armor for you to wear."

Looking over while he rubbed his eyes to clear the remainder of the sleep from them Clive watched Joshua get up, making his way to a trunk stowed off to the side. Leathers, chainmail, and a heavy linen undershirt were pulled out first, then the same sleeveless jerkin in Shield colours that he had worn once previous. "Start with this then I will get the rest out."

No questions were asked, Clive simply stripped down and started pulling on the clothing he was given, the leathers pulled up long legs and laced to sit at his hips. The shirt was thick and had laces at the sides allowing him to have it snug to his torso, over all it was a satisfying fit, the jerkin pulled on and the laces at the sides adjusted until Joshua approved. Chainmail was secured over his arms but only fell to the middle of his bicep, left hanging moderately loose so it did not interfere with the bands he still wore snug to his skin. Standing at near attention he watched as Joshua pulled out gloves, gauntlets, and leg armor, a startled look crossing his face as Joshua started strapping it onto his legs himself. "I… I can do it… if you so wish."

Joshua gave him an amused look as he ran his hand along Clive's thigh "And deprive myself the enjoyment of doing it? No."

A blush crept up his cheeks but he nodded, silently waiting until all the armor was strapped into place including the heavily armored boots. Next Joshua reached out and took hold of his left hand, pulling a key out and unlocking the fetter, tossing it onto the bed. With that done he pulled a glove on, adjusting where it rested at the crook of his elbow before sliding the gauntlet on. "You will behave for me without the fetters won't you dear?"

Tipping his head down Clive nodded, his voice hushed "Yes your grace…"

Ocean blue met light blue as Joshua smiled at him, pressing a kiss to the corner of his mouth "Good." No further words were needed as he unlocked the second fetter and slid the remaining glove and gauntlet on. It was quite the different look, considering Clive's arms looked bare from elbow to mid-bicep, chainmail glinting where it hung, a cross between relaxed and bristling for battle. Leaning in Joshua pressed his lips hard to Clive's, pushing his tongue into Clive's mouth while sliding hands around to palm his ass. Eventually he pulled away, grinning at Clive before reaching down and picking up his cloak, draping it over him and wrapping it around his broad shoulders. With one more press of their lips Joshua stepped back, picking up the chains from the table nearby and stepping behind him. Clive brought his arms behind himself obediently, waiting as Joshua threaded them through the loops of the bands then winding them around his arms to his wrists where it was secured with a pin. "Wait here beloved, I will send someone to collect you when the time is right."

With a nod Clive moved over to calmly sit down on a chair, sitting in a way to keep pressure off his arms so used to the chains by then that they bothered him very little, leaning against the back of the chair he closing his eyes. He was so relaxed he fell asleep, even with the clamor of the soldiers outside, Undying standing guard outside the entrance to the tent upon the orders of the Phoenix.

The army marched to the front before the sun had even risen, waiting in well formed ranks, cloaked in silence like wraiths among the mist settled over the wetlands. There was no movement from the Sanbrequois camp until the sun had begun to crest the horizon, their soldiers beginning to form lines and march as if they expected to catch the Rosarians unawares… only to be faced with their silent ranks awaiting. Joshua nudged his chocobo forwards, watching as one of the soldiers on the other side was pushed forwards by his fellows, his terrified expression clear. With an expression completely devoid of emotion Joshua looked at him, his voice clear and steady "Has Sanbreque chosen the path of survival and decided to withdraw?"

The soldier blanched, grimacing before speaking in a voice filled with worry "Sanbreque will not withdraw, and the Emperor will not allow any quarter to be given to those who oppose him."

A slow smile crossed Joshua's face, his voice however still emotionless "Very well." Turning he gave the soldier his back, showing exactly how little fear he held for them, to turn to his gathered soldiers. "Shields of the Flame, Sanbreque seeks to take your home, let them see the fires of your resolve! MAY THE BLESSINGS OF THE CRYSTALS GO WITH US!" Drawing Burning Thorn he turned his chocobo, pointing the blade towards the opposing army, barely formed of ranks and unprepared for the immediacy of the Rosarian's response.

Swords and axes were drawn, the sound echoing all through the field, voices rising like a roar "AND SHIELD THE FIREBIRD'S FLAMES FOREVERMORE!"

As the Shields swiftly moved forwards, engaging the scrambling Imperial army, Joshua sat at the back of the ranks watching… watching as Shields engaged soldiers who had clearly thought they would have the upper hand. As he watched a group of silver-clad bodies began to move towards the frontline, spread out like the wave of death they thought themselves. Looking down Joshua caught the eye of the Undying ever at his side "Fetch my Shield, it is time." The man bowed before taking off at a run, hurrying to follow the orders given.

Clive opened his eyes at the sound of hurried footsteps approaching, unfolding himself from the chair to stand as the robed Undying all but flew into the tent. His words were rushed, his breathing heavy "His grace commands you attend him on the field."

With a nod Clive shifted, flicking his head in such a way as to make the hood of his cloak settle further onto his head, fully obscuring his face. The Undying grabbing ahold of his arm and proceeded to rush him out of the tent and towards the frontlines. It was not a short trip, though Clive could have made it much faster if not slowed down by the doddering fool sent to escort him… though neither he nor Ifrit would tell Joshua so. As they made their way through the ranks of Shields yet held back from battle they parted, whispers moving along with them 'Is that the First Shield?' 'Why wasn't he here before?' 'Why did the Archduke summon him now?' words that floated on the breeze but were completely ignored by him as all he focused on was Joshua astride the chocobo ahead. He was unsurprised that he was now recognized by the shields, the armor he wore loudly proclaimed his station after all.

As he came to a stop next to the chocobo Joshua turned, dismounting and standing facing him, his expression serious. "It is time to show the Empire what happens when they trifle with us. They have decided it is time to send their Dragoons, and so we shall show them that not even that will be enough. Be my blade, First Shield of the Phoenix, and show Lesage the meaning of fear." His eyes nearly glowed as he spoke, those around listening intently.

Clive looked into those bright bright eyes, face a show of determination and devotion. "As you wish, your grace."

He moved when Joshua took hold of his arms, moving him to point towards the army, his mouth near where his ear was under the hood "Let none escape, give no quarter, and you will be well rewarded my little Hellbeast." With that he pulled the cloak up and over Clive's shoulder, more than a few gasps at the chains heard, a smirk playing across his lips as he pulled the pin and watched them slide free. Rolling his wrists Clive started walking towards the front, apparently completely unarmed, one Shield having the courage to call out 'He forgot his sword.' to which Joshua couldn't contain his chuckle, shaking his head "No he didn't… he IS the sword…"

The further and further Clive walked into the battle, unbothered to be walking among men swinging swords and axes simply stepping out of the way, the further into a deadly calm he sank… there were no doubts, no fears, no worries there… simply the need to wipe out all who opposed him. When one of the Sanbrequois commanders saw him the man laughed, swinging his sword as he advanced on Clive "Oh look, it seems like the Archduke sends us a toy to play with!" With another laugh he swung at Clive, hitting nothing but air as he stepped to the side, growling in annoyance the man swung again… only this time the blade stopped in mid-air, the commander's grunt of effort clear as he looked to what had stopped the advance of his blade… and finding what looked like a… claw?

Ifrit grinned at the man from under the hood, flames beginning to flicker up along the bottom of the flimsy black fabric as they flickered along is boots, spreading until it had consumed the entire thing. The eikon looked into the fearful gaze behind the helm, a hiss of 'bearer trash!' sounding before more soldiers thought to attack. In a flare of fire Ifrit spun, wings of red-orange-gold-blue whipped around sending the men flying, screaming, the Blessing of the Phoenix a brutal shield. Pushing forwards Ifrit summoned wykes that buzzed around him like angry hornets, waves of fire catching and burning through several sorry sods who thought attacking him from behind a good idea. Dodging the mass of soldiers still trying to attack all at once obsidian started to crawl from his hand across the air, piece by piece until a blade forged of savagery rested in his palm… wicked sharp and gleaming black in the dull sunlight.

Screams filled the air as Ifrit moved through the fray, darting around in washes of embers, leaving naught but blood and bodies in his wake. The arrival of the Dragoons presented a challenge… Ifrit baring fangs with a feral grin, welcoming their attempts. Lances and sparks of levin heralded their attacks, metal slamming into the ground with crashes, seeking weak flesh to pierce but finding none. With a sudden roar like a volcano erupting fire burst through the ranks, Ifrit standing semi-primed with flames flickering along his body as horns curved up from his head and a barbed tail swished behind, shouts of 'Eikon!' as common soldiers tried to run only to be forced back into the battle by their superiors. Standing in the center of a ring of slightly battered Dragoons Ifrit began to draw aether to himself, a sharp whistle sounding that had the Imperials looking around confused, the Shields suddenly withdrawing… some looking around for direction but none thinking that such a strategy had a purpose until it was to late.

The wave of heat washed over them, little flares of fire beginning to appear all around, boiling up like little geysers. As the Dragoons struggled to advance as wave after wave of heat washed over them, making them grimace in the heavy metal armor they were adorned in, more than a few soldiers thought to run… a feeling of dread sinking into them. But there was no running, it was far to late for that, the waves of heat suddenly peaking as the man in the center lifted off the ground, fire swirling around him before he unleashed it with a roar of fury. Flames washed over everything, molten heat enough to sear the flesh from bone alone before the fire even managed to arrive… all but cooking the Dragoons in their armor as they screamed. None were permitted to run, all were consumed by the fires that covered the marshlands as though they were covered in a layer of oil. Hellfire held no mercy for anyone.

A series of sharp whistles sounded, like the trill of a bird, and Ifrit turned a molten gold gaze back towards the camp. Without a single glance at the devastation surrounding him he began to calmly walk back, uncaring for the crunch of his boots over blackened bones, the obsidian sword disintegrating to particles of aether… a hellish beast of war returning to its master.

Sitting atop the rise Cid and Gav watched the massacre with wide eyes and open mouths, the aether in the air below so thick it reached even them. "Greagor's tits… what the fuck is that thing!?" Cid's curse given with a raspy voice filled with a fear he couldn't name. For Rosaria to have a creature like that as well as the Phoenix, that could bode ill to any who faced them. He watched as Gav quickly ran off to scout for more information, turning his gaze back to where the black-haired man was still walking through soldiers that gave him a wide berth… to the young Archduke that had shackled him like a pet of all things.

What would the eikon do now, given its freedom? Cid swallowed slightly, wondering how many Shields would die before the day was done. In the end what he saw was not what was expected at all… the eikon walked over to where the Phoenix waited, and simply stood there. The Phoenix said something Cid couldn't hear, a man completely shrouded in robes stepping forwards holding the chains from before. The eikon continued to stand there looking at the Phoenix, flames flickering around hellish horns and a slowly swaying tail… languid like a well fed cat, before suddenly dropping to his knees. Cid's breath caught, the young Archduke running fingers through firelit black hair as the man pressed his face against his hip, moving his arms willingly behind him to be chained. Flames extinguished as the semi-prime was dropped, the Archduke returning his attention to the battlefield as the other Dominant rested with his eyes closed at his feet.

There was just something… wrong… about the entire scene, it put Cid on edge more than anything he had seen before. When Gav returned Cid gestured for him to follow, and he made his way cautiously down from the rise… if they were lucky perhaps they might be able to infiltrate the Rosarian camp and get more information than they could simply from watching.

Night had settled in sooner than Clive had expected, lethargy having helped him pass the time by allowing him to doze lightly as the Rosarians gathered their injured and dead. Joshua had overseen the entire thing, using his flames to heal the most grievously injured of their men so they could live to fight another day. By the time that was done food had been prepared, waiting for them in Joshua's tent along with a stack of reports and missives. Clive stripped out of his armor, stacking it carefully, leaving himself in just his leathers and shirt.

Joshua grasped his wrist when he went to move over to sit, pulling him down to sit on his lap with a surprised squawk, chuckling. "Sit here my darling…" Clive blushed lightly but nodded, sitting as Joshua bid him to do, eating in his usual careful manner. When his food was all gone Joshua passed him a goblet of wine, sipping his own, running a hand up and down Clive's back. Eventually he nuzzled Clive's neck "Up." Clive set his goblet down, standing to let Joshua up, then picking his goblet up and draining what remained while waiting to see what Joshua wished of him.

With a smile Joshua pulled him along, pressing a kiss to his jaw before murmuring for him to get ready for bed. With a light blush staining his cheeks Clive removed his leathers, folding them, then removed his shirt as well before pulling a nightshirt over his head. Joshua trailed his fingers along Clive's chest as he moved around, removing his raiment before pulling on a pair of sleep pants and a loose shirt, choosing those incase he had need to get up suddenly in the night. They laid down, Joshua moving so Clive was on the side of the bed facing the side of the tent, curling around his back in an oddly protective move after pressing a kiss to the nape of his neck. They fell asleep like that, Clive sinking down into the depths of exhaustion from the prolonged semi-prime and wine.

It was some time during the night that one of the Undying woke Joshua, informing him that the scouts had word of enemy movements. With a sigh Joshua got up and left the tent, leaving the Undying to watch over his beloved… in hindsight a mistake on his part.

The Archduke had barely been gone from the tent for a few moments when Cid and Gav noticed movement around it, more of those robed people gathering and having what looked to be an argument. Unfortunately it seemed the ones arguing against whatever it was were in the minority, disappearing into the darkness as if refusing to take part in whatever madness was to come. And come it did. The people made their way into the tent, emerging in short order dragging someone else. It took a few moments for Cid to be able to recognize who it was, his eyes widening when he saw the Dominant from earlier held between two of the people, struggling against them but obviously unable to free himself. When he shifted to pull against their hold again Cid saw the glimmer of metal on his wrists, fetters looking as cold as ice in the pale moonlight.

The man was thrown to the ground, chains swiftly wound around his arms and secured to a stake, keeping him from pulling himself up. Cid hissed, looking to Gav before speaking softly enough that he could hear but no one else could "Go, find a way to let the Archduke know what is happening…" he had a feeling such actions would not be appreciated by the young man.

Sleep had been holding onto him tightly, the warm arms around him no longer there, yet he hadn't been able to pull himself out of the hold of dreams. Not until hands had grabbed him, pulling him up and wrestling him from the slumber he had been emersed in. He had struggled against the hands, a gag shoved into his mouth when he went to shout, someone atleast pulling light pants on him in some small measure of mercy since he slept in naught but a nightshirt. They had begun pulling him along, two holding his arms as he struggled more, Ifrit unable to come to his aid due to the eikon's own exhaustion leaving him unable to break their hold as fetters were snapped onto his wrists, leaving him feeling dizzy and disoriented… weak.

In his disorientation they had managed to get him outside, his feet scraping on dirt and rock. He couldn't see who they were under the deep hoods they wore, but they were all Undying. His shouts were muffled by the gag, his attempts to pull his arms free foiled by the hold they had and then by the chains they wound around his arms. He was pinned to his knees, chains attached to a stake, leaving his back exposed and he knew what was coming… the only thing he didn't know was why… panic settled in as he continued to try to struggle against the chains. He tried to reach for Ifrit again, the fetters a solid wall between him and his eikon, the flames not coming to his defense.

The first bite of the lash had his body tensing, leaving a streak of agony that had his mind screaming. The second made tears well up in his eyes. The third, left him reeling, begging in his mind for someone to stop it. … The fourth had him slumped over, tears dripping to the ground…

Why…?
What had he done wrong…?
Why Joshua…?

He was clinging to consciousness when the pain stopped, a tingle on the air making everyone still… before a shrieking trill of pure fury filled the night. The Undying seemed startled by the sound, many in the group circling Clive taking a step back. But that wouldn't save them… blue eyes glowing like twin stars appeared from the darkness they had dragged Clive into, flickers of Phoenix fire lighting the thunderous expression on the enraged Dominant's face. His voice rumbled, the screech of the Phoenix echoed within it "You dare harm who is MINE…"

Yet the Undying gathered did not fall over themselves to beg for mercy, they did not attempt to explain away their actions. Instead the one holding the whip stepped forwards, opening his mouth and spewing hate "You have been corrupted by the abomination! It is our duty to remove the infection so the Phoenix may rise properly, unstained by the creature's influence!"

Joshua's eyes narrowed, and in that moment some of the Undying present thought that perhaps their actions were in error… but it was to late for that. Clenching his jaw Joshua Rosfield, Archduke of Rosaria and Dominant of Phoenix, finally removed the thorns that had been such an irritation… those who had thought themselves to have the right to punish HIS beloved without his consent. As Phoenix flames answered his call, bursting to life to flare up their robes and fill the air with the screams of traitors, Joshua reached down and freed his beloved… ripping the chains free and tossing them to the side. Tail feathers coiled around the body slumped on the ground before Joshua lifted him, ignoring the fact that blood soaked into his clothing and smeared across his skin.

As he carried Clive from where the Undying continued to scream and flail, the others of the order who had refused to take part… several even going so far as to flee to find him… remained behind to watch until their bodies fell to the ground and all that remained were ashes. They did not gather the ashes, simply turning away from them as they did not deserve the honor of a sending, returning to the camp to face their Archduke's justice should he see fit to mete it out on them all.

Joshua entered his tent, letting his semi-prime fade once he no longer needed the strength of the Phoenix to carry his beloved, laying him down on the bed to see to his wounds. When he shifted him, pulling the ruined nightshirt up, he saw faint slivers of blue watching him. Reaching out he gently wiped away a tear that clung to long lashes, hearing the words barely a whisper "What did I do wrong?"

His breath stilled in his lungs, anger filling him anew at the actions of those he was supposed to be able to trust, at the trust in him damaged perhaps irrevocably. Reaching down to cup his beloved's cheek gently he moved to kneel on the ground next to the bed so he was eyelevel with those pained eyes. "You did nothing beloved, their actions were unwarranted, fueled by hate for the fact that I refused to bow to their demands… the fault is mine for leaving you guarded by them, even if I thought they could be trusted. They took out on you what they dared not take out on me, because you are my heart." A look of pain crossed his face, the first tears he had shed since a small child filling his eyes "I know not how to make it up to you beloved… how to show you I can still be trusted." And despite all that had happened, all that he had done and ordered done, he truly meant it.

Letting out a soft whimper of pain Clive moved his arm, reaching out to Joshua, feeling his Phoenix gently take his hand and let soothing healing fire flow into him. It wouldn't be enough to heal him entirely, the semi-prime and incinerating the traitors having taken a fair amount of aether, but it would help until he was rested enough to heal him entirely. "Stay with me…?"

"Always my beloved…" Joshua moved to lay next to Clive, careful of his back, little Phoenix feathers flaring into life across the entrance to the tent… warding it to keep any from trying to creep inside while they slumbered. Joshua would deal with the rest of the Undying in the morning… it would give him time to determine a suitable method of confirming their loyalty, and if he couldn't… we'll perhaps it was time to start a new order…

Pain and darkness and accusations flung at him like daggers… all of it swirled around him in a maelstrom, wrenching sobs from his chest that felt as if it were run through. He screamed at the agony, clawing at the unseen shadows that tried to drag him under.

"Shhh beloved, it's okay, I'm here…"

Words as sweet as honey, yet holding something far darker… something that pulled at him and drew him in, held him as its poison seeped through his being. He woke with a sob, jerking up to sitting before the pain of the action had him biting back a scream. Cool hands eased him back down to laying, a thigh pillowing his head. With that touch, the gentleness of it he was soothed from the terror of the nightmare. After a few moments a hand carefully tilted his head, a spoon pressed to his lips. He whimpered, trembling his mind crying that he couldn't eat, everything hurt to much… he must have said that out loud without realizing, that gentle hand stroking his hair "It's okay beloved, it's just a tonic for the pain… to help you relax so I can heal you properly."

All he could hear in the voice was honesty, his mouth opening, the slightly bitter taste of herbs making him grimace as he swallowed, but blessed relief soon followed. "That's it beloved, just rest… you'll feel better when you wake again…"

Joshua looked down at his beloved, at the ragged and angry wounds that still seeped blood in a few spots even after the small amount of healing he had managed the night before. He gently ran his hand through tangled black locks, working out the knots and letting Clive feel his presence. He had yet to figure out a way to confirm the loyalty of those Undying yet still breathing, and it irked him quite a bit, the inability to trust those he had been raised to believe were worthy of it. But even as he sat on that bed, his beloved resting against him, his hand moving whisper soft over the wounds as Phoenix fire worked to repair the damage, he felt something that could perhaps be the answer to his little problem… the aether of another Dominant. Ramuh. The Arbiter himself moving closer, how very interesting. With a wave of his hand he dissolved the wards, returning his attention back to Clive and waiting to see if Ramuh would make up his mind to reveal himself or not.

The dissolving of the wards must have seemed quite like the invitation that it was intended as, for not even 10 minutes later a person dressed as a Shield stepped into the tent. Joshua could feel the static on the air, the Phoenix perking its head up, watching out his eyes. "Do come in Ramuh… it's unseemly standing on the threshold lurking…"

Cid stood there, surprised though he probably shouldn't have been, he had heard that the Phoenix was quite perceptive even for being so young. "You'll forgive me for being hesitant to step into close quarters with a Dominant who incinerated seven people just last eve I hope…"

With a tilt of his head Joshua gave his agreement, gesturing to the chair left nearby, still sitting on the bed with his hand running lightly over Clive's back working on healing the lashes. "I suppose so… though I can't say I regret their fate."

"Hm, considering what they did, I can't say I do either…" Cid's tone was quite pensive, watching the young man work on healing some very ugly looking wounds. "Though I am surprised those weren't healed last night."

Icy blue eyes moved from where they had been focused on the wounds to catch green eyes "It takes a great deal of aether holding a semi-prime AND incinerating so many at the same time… not to mention I will admit to not having been in the proper headspace to be capable of healing wounds such as these completely. I did what I could last eve, and am healing them properly now that he is settled." It was odd for Joshua to even be offering such explanations, he usually explained to no one, but if he was going to ask for help he had to give some small measure of trust. No matter how temporary.

Silence filled the tent as Cid thought on what the young man had said, and it made sense for the most part, he knew how hard on the body holding a semi-prime could be though he had no experience with how hard when one was so young. Yet there was something about the whole thing that didn't completely make sense to him, so he decided to simply ask. "Why would they do what they did?"

A rather grim look came to Joshua's face, his lips pressing together in a thin line before he sighed and turned his gaze back down to Clive "Because servants such as they cannot fathom that the one they serve could be at fault… as they see it… so they needed someone they COULD blame, and unfortunately they chose the person closest to me. Unfortunate for them, and unfortunate for us. As it is I now have many I do not know if I can trust, it is quite frustrating."

Surprised by the candor Cid just nodded, pondering the situation as well, his gaze wandering until it returned to the wounds Joshua was healing. When the Archduke noticed where his gaze was lingering he frowned, gently draping a sheet over the sleeping man, a serious gaze looking to him again "He dislikes being stared at on the best of days, I doubt he would appreciate it right now."

The frown that came to Cid's face was rather expected. "To add to the list of things he dislikes, does he dislike the chains?"

Cid had blinked, flinching slightly at the soft chuckle the younger man let out "Do you truly think a Dominant of Fire couldn't have melted those chains had he wished to? They were for drama Ramuh, he knew it as well as I, else he wouldn't have consented to them being put back on afterwards… as I'm sure you saw from your vantage point up on the ridge."

It was difficult for Cid to not jerk in surprise at those words, the fact that the Archduke had known he was there the entire time yet had not made any indication that he had. "Then why…."

"Why did I not attempt to fetter and chain you?" Joshua sounded amused when he said that, seeing as Cid nodded. "Because what good would that have done? I have one war on my hands right now, I have no need of a war with Ramuh. And despite what some think I do not make it a habit of trying to collect enemies like pretty jewels."

Silence became quite uncomfortable after he said that, Joshua extinguishing his healing flames, ensuring the Clive was covered sufficiently so he would stay warm. Finally Cid decided to speak "You say you don't collect enemies, but few have anything good to say of you lad…"

A wry smile crossed Joshua's face, with more than a hint of bitterness. "Ah… you've spoken to Byron I see. Quite the indictment that, considering he has disliked me since I was a toddler because I favored Anabella in appearance, and of course that means I must favor her in personality as well." He shrugged slightly "Perhaps if any other than one had cared to try to protect me from her machinations I would still be the pure, innocent little child they would like. But when you spend the first 10 years of your life fending off her attempts to poison you or sell you off for power… well there's not much innocence left to have."

There was so much resentment in his tone, and Cid found it hard to disbelieve him. While Anabella Rosfield had been rumored to favor her youngest child, she had also been well known to be a cold and cruel woman that strove to achieve her own ends. "Who was it that tried to protect you? Your father?"

Sharp laughter slipped free before Joshua could stop it, a slight shake of his head next as he thought his words out carefully. "No, Elwin was rarely around, and when he was he did not see what was in front of him. No… the person who tried to protect me was someone far more deserving… one who took more than one punishment so that I could have even a small measure of peace from her, no matter how much I begged that he not." He said no further on that matter, done discussing such personal things.

Cid could almost sense that the young man had a question, so he kept his silence until finally he spoke again "I have need of a way to determine whose words are true, I refuse to bring more pain to one I care for through irresponsible trust. Have you any insight into a means to determine falsehoods?"

With a sigh Cid looked up, then he finally shook his head "No, I'm sorry lad I don't. Even Ramuh is on occasion wrong, all I can say is to trust what is here…" He pointed to his heart "And keep a watchful eye. Those who will betray you will usually betray themselves first… be it through actions or words."

Joshua silently sat, thinking on those words for several moments, then he simply nodded. "Fair. Then I wish you all the best on your travels Ramuh, and ask that you kindly leave… I have much to do while I wait to see if Sanbreque wishes to continue this farce." As polite a 'get out' as one had ever heard, though it was a reasonable request all things considered.

Standing Cid gave the young ruler a polite bow "Very well your grace, then I wish you a speedy resolution to this war, and your companion a speedy recovery." With those words Cid left the tent, making his way through the camp at a leisurely pace. Once he was gone Joshua sighed, going to the entrance to the tent and speaking softly to the young woman there ostensibly doing laundry "Jote… have him followed. If he has been in contact with Byron I do not trust him to remain gone, nor do I trust him to not snoop into that which does not concern him." With a bow Jote picked up her washing basket and left, off to go do as her Archduke bid, one of the few he trusted to do so even after the night prior.

Chapter Text

News of Sanbreque's troops beginning to withdraw went through the Rosarian camp like wildfire, cheers going up through the ranks as more and more soldiers heard the rumors. Joshua stood outside of his tent, reading the missive sent from the Sanbrequois ambassador, advising that it had been decided to withdraw… though the 'for now' was heavily implied. With a shake of his head he sighed, giving the order to call the army together so he could officially give them the news. It took almost no time at all for them all to gather, everyone excited to hear the confirmation from their Archduke. As he stood there watching them all gather he couldn't help the smile that played across his lips.

"As many of you no doubt have heard, the Emperor has chosen to withdraw his troops, the battle for our homes is… for now… over. You all fought valiantly and should be proud, as I am proud, of all that has been accomplished in showing the Empire that we will not simply lay down and give in!" He paused to wait for the cheering to die down, then continued "We will pack up camp immediately and begin the journey home, as I am certain many of you wish to return to your homes and families. There will be a celebration, everyone will be told once it is able to be arranged."

The soldiers all saluted, huge grins on many faces, excitement to return home filling the air. Joshua left dismantling the camp to his commanders, going inside his tent to pack his and Clive's possessions. Clive was curled up in a chair by the desk, eyes closed and breathing even, yet even like that Joshua knew he was aware of his every move… there was a tension to him that was not present when he slept… and he had not slept without Joshua by his side since the incident days prior. He made his way over, touching a hand lightly to his beloved's shoulder "We will be home soon…"

Clive opened his eyes and looked up at Joshua, giving him a small smile "I hope so…"

A frown crossed Joshua's face, his hand moving from that tense shoulder to cup his cheek lightly "You have doubts?"

Shaking his head slightly Clive sighed "No… more worries and a foreboding feeling. I'm sure it is nothing…" he hoped it was nothing…

The camp was broken down and packed up before noon, and soon they were on their way back to Rosalith. As they travelled the groups from other garrisons broke off and headed to where they were stationed, the main force continuing on. It was days later when they reached Bewitt Bridge that things started to feel… concerning. There were more people on the road than usual, and many were looking to the army with looks of confusion. Joshua looked around with a slight frown before calling one of his commanders up "Send someone to investigate further up… something isn't right." The man nodded, quickly hurrying off to get a scout to look into what was ahead.

Drawing his chocobo back so he was next to Clive he looked to his beloved, seeing the equally disturbed frown on his face, his hands gripping the pommel of his chocobo's saddle tightly. His arms weren't chained, but he had chosen to wear the cloak, the trailing end wrapped around his shoulders. He wore fetters under his gloves, hidden, as neither wished to make news of his being a Dominant common knowledge… it was an advantage that they wanted to keep as long as possible, all those from Sanbreque who had seen him had perished on the field. And their own men? They had been made aware of the potential advantages of keeping the news secret, and most would if only out of loyalty to the Phoenix.

When the scout returned it was with news that really shouldn't have been as unexpected as it was… Joshua shook his head, mostly to himself, as he knew he should have expected such a thing. The scout reported that Byron had taken Rosalith over, and was working to force the Seven High Houses to side with him to dethrone Joshua… news to which Joshua frowned still, and Clive frowned even darker. Clive looked over to Joshua, tilting his head slightly "We can take the city back… but it would not be without loss of life…"

A slow nod was the response Joshua gave, his hand pressed to his mouth a moment before he suddenly dismounted his chocobo and disappeared into the crowd of Shields. Clive looked off to the side, seeing the scout still there "Has Byron made any demands other than the removal of the Phoenix from the throne?"

The scout looked even more uncomfortable at the question, but nodded "Aye… he wishes to speak with you… alone."

Ocean blue eyes narrowed slightly "I see…" He knew that request for what it was… a trap. Taking him away from Joshua would give Byron the chance to most likely jail him, to keep him from fighting at Joshua's side. And Clive would not allow that, he would never be taken from his Phoenix again… the very thought made a cold sweat break out on his skin. He nodded slightly to the scout to dismiss him, gaze focused down until movement at his side drew his attention again, Joshua returning and mounting his chocobo.

"Come… let us see the steel behind his words…" Joshua's tone was flat, his manner neutral… yet Clive could tell he was anything but… Joshua was livid.

Clenching is teeth he bowed his head slightly "As you say, your grace." With those few hushed words they continued on, making quick time across Bewitt Bridge and to the very gates of Rosalith itself.

The army had set up camp outside the walls of Rosalith, commanders from both sides speaking through the closed portcullis. Neither side wished this conflict, the Shields inside simply doing as they were ordered under threat of execution. The news that Byron was actively threatening Shield commanders to force their compliance angered Joshua, that anger being reflected by the Shields camped with him as their families were held hostage inside. Clive had been able to speak to Joshua little since they set up camp, the younger man given to moments of extreme rage that he refused to lay at Clive's feet.

And so it ended up that the demand to speak to Clive was sent again, the messenger not able to find his Archduke to inform him, and thus following the chain of command he informed Clive. With a soft sigh Clive had nodded, standing and making his way out of the tent he had been assigned to, cold and alone. As he walked through the rows of tents Shields saluted him, which felt… weird… as he was naught but another servant of the Phoenix. He had reached the edge of the camp when he heard the shouting, someone yelling something he couldn't understand. He went to take a step, only for arms to wrap around his waist and haul him backwards… right before a massive spike of metal plowed into the ground where he would have stood.

Shouts of anger echoed all around, Shields grabbing their weapons before many were knocked back several feet by the heatwave that washed through the camp. Joshua made his way through the rows of tents, eyes glowing deadly blue as blazing tail feathers trailed behind him. The person holding Clive had yet to let him go, though the hold wasn't as tight, but Clive himself was watching Joshua approach the gates with a feeling of terror sinking into him. Everything seemed to move in slow motion, the sound of gears clanking… the sound of metal sliding… then the bang as a lever was thrown and another massive spike streaked through the air.

The air ripped from his lungs as the spike drove into and through Joshua in a spray of crimson, feeling leaving Clive's body as heat settled into him with such force it nearly melted his mind… the only thing stopping him from bursting into flames was the frail barrier of the fetters. He was able to pull air in, only to lose it in a scream of sheer agony "JOSHUA!!!!!"

Chaos erupted all around, Shields shouting in fury, Clive screaming over and over and over as he fought against the person holding him. The heat within him was spiking, the fetters starting to heat as the crystals struggled to contain the sheer amount of aether his body was trying to unleash. Someone cursed, then levin jolted through his body, a 'sorry lad' muttered as he slumped… his body going limp as his mind sank into the darkness of oblivion.

He was surrounded by darkness, the voices that tormented him while he slept swirling around him like a cyclone of hate.

'Failure… look what you did!' That one sounded like his mother… he'd never been able to please her, no matter how hard he tried…

'A First Shield should never fall after their Phoenix…' his father, those words ones he had spoke to Clive, commanding him to ever put himself after Joshua, to protect him until his very last breath… and he had failed…

Failure…
Useless…
Pathetic…
Weak…

Each word like razor sharp rocks being hurled at him, cutting… bleeding… tearing a little bit more of himself away leaving only despair, shattering more and more of his mind... his very being...

He woke as they were riding through the marshes, the chocobo he rode on common yellow, the man behind him holding onto him with one arm while guiding the bird with the reigns held in the other hand. Bleary eyes moved slowly, trailing down to the armor still covering his legs… the boots… his movement was slow enough that it wasn't immediately noticed. There was a light 'hmm?' as the movement of his arm registered, right as he yanked the blade out of the top of his boot, the pointed end flipped and driving towards his chest with violent swiftness.

A shouted curse filled the air as a strong hand grabbed his, the tip of the blade pressed against the flesh to the left of his sternum just enough to have a little spot of blood seeping around the silver. They struggled, one to push the blade in, the other to pull the blade away. In the end there was another foul curse before the hand holding the reigns dropped them, grabbing him by the throat and levin coursed through him again. All thought whited out, thrusting him back into that inky mire, the voices waiting there for him.

'He should have had you killed after Phoenix Gate… you failed him there first…'
'That Undying was right, to bad he was stopped from drowning you…'

The next time he woke he was laying on the ground, somewhere on the edge of Rosaria, the air cold and smelling of… death, but not the death he was used to, this was an absence… he looked around, eyes trailing wearily, until they trailed over the man laying next to the fire. His sleeping form was still, but Clive could see the steady rise and fall of his chest as he breathed. There was no way he would have left a blade on Clive… that he knew of… but as the man lay there asleep Clive oh so slowly shifted, finding his hands bound but not tight enough to be truly effective when Clive knew intimately how to function even bound in the manner he was. Bringing a foot up he ran one of his hands along the side of his boot, along the edge of the metal plating, until he felt his finger catch. Gripping onto the smooth metal with his finger tips he slid it free of where it rested between his boot and the armor, small but effective… sharp.

Holding it in the palm of his hand he moved back to laying, looking down at the little blade. While common sense urged he cut the bindings holding him and run… that far darker part of him that had simply given up urged for something else. Taking a slow and steady breath he moved the blade to push against the inside of his wrist below where the fetter rested under his glove. There was pain, but it was dim compared to the pain filling his heart and soul, muted and distant. He pushed the blade harder, feeling warm wetness start to pool in his glove. His eyes drifted closed, breathing raspy as that wetness spread… 'See you soon Joshua…'

Waking again was unexpected, and very unwelcome. He was stripped down to his leathers, coarse rope wrapped around his wrists and ankles, the wrist he had cut into bound in bandages. He sighed softly, feeling complete despair fill him, he couldn't even kill himself without fucking it up… a failure to the very end… a sob stuck in his throat as he lay there, tears gathering on his lashes. What was the point? He was useless, a failed Shield, a failed prince, a Dominant without access to his eikon… a devotee without his god. He let his eyes close again, drifting on the tide of misery.

The only thing that roused him at all was when someone reached out, wrapping a hand around the band circling his neck, muttering about finding the latch. He flinched away as much as the bindings would allow, his voice raspy and filled with oh so much pain "Don't… please… don't take it from me… it's all I have left…" he sounded just so broken in that moment, but he couldn't hear it… everything within him was broken too. The hand slowly withdrew, soft footsteps retreating.

Gav grimaced, making his way from the infirmary to the main hall where Cid stood talking to Tarja. They both looked over to him when they heard his approach. With a sigh he shook his head "It ain't coming off… for 2 reasons…"

Cid arched an eyebrow slightly, clearly waiting for him to continue. With another grimace he did "First, the latch can't be forced, its like one of them Fallen doors… no keyhole or anything."

"An aether lock… only a specific aether can unlock something like that… fuck." Cid frowned at that, not liking the implication there.

Gav just shrugged "And secondly… quite simply he asked me not to… " the look on that man's face had been… utter devastation, the look of someone who had lost everything "Begged really… I ain't gonna force him to remove it, even if I could… he wasn't awake long but he made himself clear."

Nodding Cid reached out and gave Gav's shoulder a gentle squeeze. The sound of more footsteps coming from the direction of the entrance a distraction from the question he had been about to ask. Turning he saw someone he hadn't been expecting "Lady Warrick, what brings you here…"

Jill smiled at Cid politely, walking forwards with all the command of the princess she was "News reached us about the war and how you were going to go scout it out, I thought I would come see what had been found… it couldn't have lasted long if you are back already…"

"Oh it lasted all of one battle lass…" Cid's tone had gone quite serious.

Surprise crossed the usually stoic woman's expression, followed by dismay "A single battle? … So Sanbreque will be taking over then…"

Shaking his head Cid leveled a look that held more than a little darkness "Oh no lass Sanbreque withdrew… after a second eikon of fire laid waste to nearly their entire force."

A gasp slipped free of her lips, eyes widening… more emotion from her than he had ever seen "A second eikon of fire!? But that's impossible… who… did you see what the Dominant looked like?"

Cid nodded slightly "Quite clearly. Tall, well built, black hair and blue eyes. Why?"

Jill's breath caught at the description he had given, her voice a mere whisper when she spoke "It can't be…"

"You know the black haired lad?" Curiosity coloured his voice.

Jill nodded, pressing a fist to her mouth as if trying very hard to suppress her feelings. "Yes… that sounds like Clive, Elwin Rosfield's eldest son… everyone thought him dead after Phoenix Gate… but if he's been alive this entire time, a Dominant…"

Tarja spoke up at that point "What he is is a very ill young man right now, and what I need is for you Gav to go remove those fetters so I can properly treat him. But be careful, do not untie him I don't care how he asks." Gav nodded and moved to head back upstairs.

Jill frowned darkly, nearly a glare "Wait… fetters? Why is he tied up!?"

Cid held a hand up to forestall the anger that was rising in the woman "I am going to hazard a guess that the Archduke put fetters on him to hide him from the general populace… to keep the fact that Rosaria has two Dominants a secret a while longer he would either have to present him as a bearer or having no magic at all… and between those two options I'd personally chose the later, and fetters would make it so there was no accidental magic use. As for him being tied up… yes… because on the way here alone he tried to kill himself twice. Nearly succeeded with the last… it was fortunate that I woke before he bled more than he had already. We weren't willing to risk him waking while the person watching him was distracted and finding something to use to try again."

There was confusion and horror on Jill's face at his explanation "But why would he do that??"

"Because… it would appear Lord Byron has decided to take rule of Rosaria for himself. When the army returned to Rosalith he had a trap of sorts waiting. Clive, assuming that IS who he is, was almost killed by one of the iron spikes they employed but I managed to pull him out of the way in time. The Archduke… was not so fortunate…" He grimaced at the memory, and the sound of Clive's screams… those would haunt him for a long time.

Jill's eyes hardened "Until I see a body ready to be burned I'll not believe Joshua Rosfield truly dead… the Phoenix can do great and terrible things. But for Lord Byron to do such a thing is… I can't believe it, to run the risk of killing Clive to assassinate Joshua…"

Cid shook his head, his expression grim "It was no accident that Clive almost died, it was intentional. From my discussions with him, however brief, he was greatly angered by how much 'influence' the Archduke had over someone… he never said who but I am going to assume it to have been his other nephew. I suppose he just chose to… cut his losses."

If Jill's gaze got any colder they would all freeze "He always hated Joshua… ever since he was small, said he was nothing but Anabella's copy. Even though Joshua was nothing but kind and caring for those he loved, Byron insisted he wasn't and refused to listen to reason. In the end… Clive was really the only person who ever tried to protect Joshua, it's not surprising he would still be."

Tarja's lips thinned slightly as she looked off to the side, she didn't comment but it seemed she had thoughts about what Jill had said. For the moment she didn't seem inclined to share, and neither pushed, just moving on to what they may need to prepare for with Lord Byron's new rule of Rosaria.

Jote looked over towards Cyril, her lips set in a deep frown "This is not a good idea… it's only been a couple days… it's too soon…"

Cyril sighed lightly and shook his head "It is not for us to question Jote, it is for us to follow the orders we are given."

She was about to say something to that when the newly appointed Bearer of the Burning Quill held up a hand, listening intently as they reached a branching section of the passages through Rosalith castle. She arched an eyebrow, but soon heard the voices he had heard through one of the many hidden doors 'Now that we have Rosalith, the rest of Rosaria will soon fall in line. The army is still… protesting… the fall of the Phoenix, but they will give in with time.'

Hard brown eyes looked to Cyril, tilting her head slightly in question, his response simply a nod. With a nod in return Jote hurried down the passage, exiting through a small storage room, brushing the servants uniform off of any potential dust or cobwebs before making her way down the main corridor. Knocking lightly on the office door she waited for permission to enter. Once given she stepped inside, curtsying politely to the would-be Archduke she waited to be given permission to speak. Eventually he finished the glass of brandy he had been sipping, looking at her "Yes?"

Keeping her head bowed she spoke in the soft… afraid… manner of a servant. "The guard captain bid I give you a message my lord, there has been a small issue in the market district. A… riot… of sorts."

Byron frowned, setting his glass down with a hard thunk, standing and stalking towards the door "Bloody useless fool…" with that he left the room, not acknowledging her any further.

With a smirk Jote proceeded to swiftly search the entire office, finding what she sought deep in the desk drawer. Tucking it into her pocket she left the room, making her way down the corridor, head lowered and pace kept appropriate. It was as she passed another servant in the corridor near the throne room that she passed off the item, watching it be tucked into a pocket as the other person continued on. Such a process would be continued… until it reached where it needed to within the castle. Trusting the others of their order truly loyal to the Phoenix she swiftly disappeared back into the warrens of Rosalith… preparing for what came next.

It was as Byron stormed out of the bailey, through the portcullis, and onto the top of Market Street that events shifted rapidly. He had taken his time making his way through the castle and bailey, stopping to remind the Shields there who they now answered to… many still refusing to accept that the Phoenix was no more, and as such had made slow time arriving to where the guard captain should have been. The riot the stupid girl had told him to expect was nowhere to be seen, so perhaps it had already been handled by the equally stupid and stubborn Shields. As he sighed and turned something caught his eye, a person clad in brown robes not unlike those worn by Priests of Greagor in the poorer regions of Sanbreque. Yet even as that thought crossed his mind the person stilled, looking at him, a slow smirk crossing their lips… and it was then that he realized that even though there was no riot, there was also not a single person on what should have been a bustling street.

Gloved hands moved up, gripping the hood obscuring the person's face… and right before flames took the street in a roar of heat, Byron saw red-blonde hair and glowing blue eyes. He staggered back, the roar of the column of fire drowning out the sound of the portcullis dropping not feet behind him, as he staggered further more his back hit the wood and metal making his eyes widen. How had they… the key to the mechanism had been hidden!! It was then that he realized his error… the servant girl, the one he thought timid and stupid… what a fool he had been. As he looked up, the fiery feathers of the Phoenix shifting as the great bird looked down at him, he waited for the fires of Joshua's bitter judgement to envelope him. And yet… they did not… instead hands grabbed him, pulling his arms behind him and binding him tight.

The Phoenix flew up into the air, alighting on the uppermost tower of Rosalith castle, letting out an echoing trill… as if calling to something, or someone.

Gav had gone back up the stairs to the infirmary, his steps slow as he wasn't looking forward to disturbing the poor man yet again. He could still remember the last time he had seen him, before Cid had sent him back to the Hideaway incase Sanbreque had decided to send more troops instead of withdrawing, being whipped like some misbehaving dog. It was cold comfort that the ones that had orchestrated it had not lived to see the morning. Pausing outside the infirmary door he sighed, giving himself a moment before pushing the door open and walking in again. It appeared that their guest had fallen asleep once more, which was quite fortunate, perhaps if he was extra careful he could pick the locks on the fetters without waking him.

Pulling his picks out of a pouch at his waist Gav knelt next to the man… Clive, Jill had called him. Gently taking hold of the fetter so as not to pull on it he started to work on picking the lock. The fetters were well made, thin but sturdy, not anywhere near the bulky fetters Gav usually encountered. It took a much longer amount of time to pick the lock than it usually did, but eventually he managed to get the first fetter unlocked. Dropping it silently to the bed he looked at Clive's wrist, seeing barely any bruising or abrasions, which was a good sign in Gav's oh so humble opinion. Moving around the bed he knelt and started to work on the second fetter, his attention so completely focused on what he was doing that he didn't notice the sliver of blue watching him from beneath long black lashes.

The infirmary was nearly silent, the only sound being the soft clicking of Gav's picks as he worked on the second fetter. Having opened the first he was able to work much swifter on the second, a sigh slipping free as the latch on the second clicked and he was able to drop it on the bed. The second wrist was much worse than the first, if only because of the severe bruising and crusted blood coating the metal from where Clive had cut into his wrist. With a wince at the sight Gav got up, stretching before turning towards the door thinking to go let everyone know he was done.

The faint sliver of blue watching him slowly bled to gold as eyes watched the unknown blonde man. He hadn't tried to harm them… but he was also one of the people holding them somewhere they weren't meant to be. Ifrit could feel the call of the Phoenix, deep within him… how they didn't know, but Clive was beyond desperate to follow that call. As the blonde man moved towards the door Ifrit turned his gaze towards the ropes holding them… poor means of binding a Dominant of fire…

Gav frowned when a strange smell tickled his nose as he reached the door, a hand on the latch. Turning as he pulled the door open Gav was confronted with a sight he really wished he wasn't seeing. "Oh fuck…" The ropes were smoldering, the man sitting up on the cot, but the man sitting there… it wasn't Clive. Eyes of molten gold turned and looked at him as if waiting to see what he would do, right as a wave of heat started to fill the room. "Oh fuck!!" Turning Gav did what any sane man would do… he ran!

Cid and Jill were still standing in the main hall, ignoring the occasional scoff from Charon, when thundering footsteps started down the stairs, accompanied by a shouted "FUCK FUCK FUCK!!!!!" as Gav ran down the stairs so fast he nearly wasn't even touching them.

Both Dominants turned at the sight, eyes wide with surprise. "What in Greagor's bountiful arse is going on Gav?" Cid called out.

Gav didn't get a chance to answer before a wave of aether washed over them all, both Cid and Jill stiffening. Cid's eyes went wider as Jill gasped, both turning to look at the top of the stairs where a figure was slowly emerging… fire flickering along his form. Jill's voice was a strained 'oh' as Cid let out a 'fuck!' right as Jill threw her arms out, an icy barrier forming between Clive and the denizens of the Hideaway. "Clive!! There's no need for this, please!" Her voice high with fear for the innocents who had made the Hideaway their home.

Ifrit turned his gaze towards the group behind the shield of ice. "Hm… Shiva… of little surprise, we had thought it a possibility." That was all he said, just continuing down the stairs, deciding that they were not important. Once down the stairs he started towards the exit, he could sense Ramuh's Dominant chasing after him as he made his way out of the hole they chose to survive in but ultimately it was of little consequence.

Swearing Cid ran after Clive, there was no way he could allow him to reach Rosaria, not with an eikon that was capable of leveling Rosalith itself. Despite not moving extremely fast the man was moving faster than him by far, hindered as he was by the waves of heat that kept forcing him to retreat further back. Jill had run with him, trying to summon ice to freeze Clive but with the lack of aether in the Deadlands all her efforts had got her was doubled over coughing violently. And so Cid had continued on without her, managing to track Clive through the twists and turns that made up the canyons of the Deadlands… Clive moving as if the man were following a lead rope, finally exiting into the chilled marshes of Rosaria near twilight.

As aether infused his body Cid took a deep breath, letting levin fill him flesh and bone… Ramuh rising. If using Ramuh was what was necessary to keep Clive from destroying everyone in Rosalith then that was what he would do. His voice rumbled like thunder on the horizon "You will go no further."

Gold eyes turned to look up at Ramuh, Ifrit smirking slightly "Is that so… well then shall we see how well you back that up?" Fire gathered and burst forth, a towering column of conflagration. When it dissipated Ifrit stood there in all his fiery glory, letting loose a roar that echoed on the wind.

Byron looked out as twilight settled on Rosalith, his hands bound behind his back in chains, hooded figures escorting him from where he had been secured in an inner office out to the upper balcony. Joshua stood on that balcony, garbed in his deep crimson regalia, strawberry blonde hair looking like fire in the last rays of sunlight. As Byron was herded forward he turned, gaze catching his, leaving Byron to wonder if the man would simply toss him off the balcony and be done with it. "Ah Byron, you look so disgruntled… did you honestly forget who I am?"

Byron simply glared at him, deciding not to respond. Joshua just looked amused by his defiance. As the sun started to dip below the horizon he turned, looking out over the balcony as if hearing something… a wide grin coming to his lips. "You know what is said Byron, better than any… my flames may flicker but they shall never die. And you forgot that… a pity really, I had always thought you smarter than that." As something flared on the horizon Joshua looked to Byron again, his eyes starting to glow that ethereal blue of a Dominant. "But look, dear uncle Byron…" he moved a hand to grip his chin, forcing his face to the east where an odd light sparked on the edge of the horizon where the sun was dying off. "Do you see it? That light. It's what you tried unsuccessfully to kill… our salvation. Well, not yours, but ours all the same." He turned his gaze to the Undying surrounding Byron, nodding slightly before stepping up onto the balustrade… and jumping off, the Phoenix rising with a loud screech. And as the massive bird flew over Rosalith, none were left wondering if the Phoenix itself had returned as its flames lit the night.

Storm clouds were gathering in the air, dark and rumbling with Ramuh's discontent as Ifrit continued to dodge his every attack, weaving between the levin strikes as if he were a much smaller beast than he was, agile like a cat toying with a mouse. Anger spiked the more the eikon was able to avoid the attacks, more and more levin crashing down, the very wetlands becoming charged as wildlife fled. As a stray bolt managed to graze it the beast seemed… amused… of all things. "I'll not let you endanger everyone!" Cid's words, Ramuh's thunderous voice.

A chuckle like smoke wafting over a forest fire "Endanger? Quite the assumption Arbiter." Yet he said no more than that, darting around another levin strike.

"There is nothing to assume, an out of control eikon is a danger to everyone!" Oh so very assured of himself Cid was, Ramuh rumbling in agreement.

There was that laugh again "Out of control? Hm, I see…" There was more than a little judgement in those words, as if the eikon were finding his logic quite lacking… insulting even. A fira flared to life and streaked towards him, causing him to have to dodge for the first time since priming. It seemed the eikon was done playing. Fire and levin flared through the air, heating it, charging it… the storm above letting loose lightening of its own. Rain started to drizzle around them, sizzling off of the eikon's molten hide.

"Enough, stop now!" Ramuh's power brought static to the air as the ancient eikon began to lose his vaunted patience. His answer was another fireball being launched at him, reluctance no longer colouring his actions. Raising his arm he began to gather levin to his staff, the storm aiding him as it gave more and more power to the building attack.

Ifrit could feel it, the levin building and surging to it's master's call… yet there was also something nearly hidden by the storm, something that called to his very soul… and it was that that had him planting his feet, calming his mind, and waiting. As the charge of the levin reached it's peak he brought his arms up to cross across his chest… there was a glow through the clouds now, a fiery shimmer to them even as they roiled with the levin master's anger. Ifrit felt Clive's need a twin to his own, both building the subtle energies needed, waiting for Ramuh to play his final card in this little duel of theirs. With a shout Ramuh brought the staff down, pointed right at Ifrit as the clouds lit up like daytime before a massive surge of levin crashed down towards him. With a roar of their own, right before the levin could reach them, he brought his crossed arms down, fire flaring around them like an inferno… a solid wall of heat and flame that collided with the levin. The very ground shook from the force of the aethers erupting, trees bending and near breaking.

As the smoke began to clear Ramuh hissed, seeing the still standing infernian… yet there was something else… the beast wasn't flaming quite as hot as he had been, had they actually wounded it? Yet if that were the case why was everything lit in a strange red-orange glow? His gaze slowly drew up along the glow, realizing then that it wasn't fully coming from the beast in front of him…

The sound of wind reached their ears, the clouds being swept back as a near gale pulled at Ramuh's hair and beard. Through the thinning clouds he could see that glow better, fire flickering through the night sky in red, orange, gold, and blue… fire that danced and swirled and streaked as it joined a building circle a mere breath before the massive fiery bird summoning it let out a shriek, the fire sucked into the center of the circle to streak downwards in a swirling column. There was no time to dodge, no time to counter… only time enough to pray that his landing was survivable… before the fire slammed into him with all the force of an angry god.

Cid groaned, thrown out of his primed state as the attack from the Phoenix damaged Ramuh beyond recovery. As he lay there on the damp earth he heard the shifting of giant feet, expecting that death would follow… yet it didn't. He managed to push himself up, looking through the gently falling rain that had yet to diminish, seeing the Phoenix slowly flutter down to land on the ground, talons sinking into the mud. He felt rather shock at the scene, both eikons of fire releasing their prime despite one not having been under Dominant control… as the flames receded all that was left were two shadowed forms.

Standing there in the rain and mud on the border of Rosaria Clive couldn't believe his eyes… not five feet away stood Joshua… but… but how? How could he still be alive? Clive had seen the spike go clean through him… the wound resulting massive. Yet there he was… "Am I dreaming?" his voice was hushed yet still able to be heard if the slight curving of lips could be an indication.

Joshua moved towards where his beloved stood, unsure of his survival obviously, questioning if this was a dream. Reaching out he touched a hand to Clive's cheek before sliding it around to the back of his neck, pulling him in to press a reassuring kiss to his forehead. "No, you're not dreaming."

"Then… then how?" tears slipped from his eyes to join the rain on his cheeks as he fell to his knees, clutching at rapidly dampening red fabric.

Hugging his beloved to him Joshua sighed softly "The Phoenix took the majority of the damage thanks to my semi-prime… how is something perhaps only the firebird itself knows. I woke maybe a day later, and came when I felt your aether rise."

Wrapping his arms around Joshua's waist Clive just clung there, feeling his shoulders shake as sobs worked their way out of him. Eventually Joshua stepped back, touching his shoulder lightly before turning his attention to someone else… Ramuh. "Still alive I see… will that be needing to be rectified?" though his voice was calm, those burning blue eyes asked the real question 'will you attack again' and 'are you a threat'… questions that depending on how they were answered all depended on if they would leave with or without killing him.

Hands slowly moved up, palms forwards, in a show of surrender. "No, no I don't think it will yer lordship… I've got no desire to die out here in the mud."

"Hm… a wise choice, Ramuh." Joshua turned, half glancing back at him "Off you go then Arbiter… we have business to attend to."

Cid barely gave a nod before running off back towards the Deadlands, not wishing to test the Archduke's willingness to let him leave, to weakened by aether use and the curse to fight back. He felt the heat wash over him as he ran, the Phoenix letting out a trill as it took to the sky again.

Joshua flew back towards Rosalith, Clive carried carefully on his back amidst firelit feathers. When they reached the castle he swooped around it in a large circle before easing close to the balcony on the upper floor so Clive could jump down, then he released his prime and dropped to the balcony next to his beloved.

They stood there for several long moments before Joshua took hold of Clive's hand and pulled him along, in from the balcony and down the corridor, ignoring the mud left behind in their wake. Shields saluted them and servants bowed, but none stopped them as they made their way to Joshua's quarters. Once inside with the doors sealing the outside world away Clive dropped to his knees again, wrapping his arms around Joshua's waist and pressing his face to his stomach as renewed sobs he had barely been holding back shook him. Joshua wrapped his arms around Clive, holding him soothingly, running a hand through his hair gently. "It's alright my beloved… I'm right here…" They stayed that way for some time, until the fabric of Joshua's shirt was soaked with Clive's tears.

With Clive settling Joshua continued to stroke his hair, but something was bugging him… a faint scent on the air, something… metallic? Almost at the same time he puzzled out the odd scent he noticed warmth seeping through the fabric near his hip. Frowning he looked down, blinking at the sight of red seeping into his shirt from under Clive's hand. "Clive?"

Bleary blue eyes shifted to look up at him, usually pale skin looking a bit more so than normal. Joshua reached down, prying his fingers from his waist, lifting Clive's hand to his gaze. Blood was slowly dripping from under red slicked bandages, Joshua's lips parting with a hiss "What is this!?" He swiftly removed the bandage to get a better look, seeing the wound that dripped blood to the floor once held aloft.

Clive looked to the wound, eyes closing slowly a moment, his voice a murmur "Thought you were dead…" When his eyes opened there was so much pain in them that it stole Joshua's breath "Wanted to join you… but he wouldn't let me."

Joshua's hold on his hand tightened, golden flames forming where their skin touched, the wound rapidly healing to nothing but a faint white scar. Joshua lifted his bloodied hand to press it to Clive's cheek "Then I've a debt to repay, for him keeping you alive until I could collect you." Though he was also inclined to think that he had done so by allowing the man to live… but that didn't seem sufficient enough given it was his beloved's life that had been in the balance. He brushed his thumb under Clive's eye, light blue eyes darkening slightly "Though you were still incorrect in thinking you could end your own life… it belongs to me doesn't it my love?"

Those deep blue eyes continued to look up at him, leaning into the touch of his hand on his cheek "Yes…" He closed his eyes "Punish me however you see fit… I deserve it…"

His frown deepened, the hand cupping his cheek forcing Clive to look up at him again "For what beloved?"

A tear trickled down Clive's cheek, a clean streak through mud, ash, and blood "For failing to protect you… for thinking I could die to stay with you… for everything…"

Slowly he sank down to his knees to be level with his love, both hands cupping his cheeks now "You did not fail to protect me beloved… nothing could have protected from what happened save for knowledge of the future that no mortal has." He leaned forwards and pressed his lips to Clive's lightly "As for trying to die… the punishment for that is simple… tell me you will LIVE for me instead. Only for me… none other…"

Taking in a stuttering breath Clive closed his eyes as more tears ran down his cheeks "Always… I will live for you, until I breath my last… but never after you." The last part was spoken harshly, forcefully… resolvedly.

Hands still gripping his cheeks Joshua pulled him in, pressing their lips together in a hard kiss. When he pulled away with a sigh Clive looked at him with confusion. "More will have to wait for later darling… we have to figure out what to do about those that betrayed us."

Clive's eyes went flinty with anger "They've been caught?"

A sharp smile came to Joshua's lips as he stood, holding a hand out to help Clive to his feet as well "Oh yes, they were caught quite unawares as well… but the question now is what to do with them."

Gold flecks appeared in the blue of Clive's eyes, one hand raising to brush a piece of hair off Joshua's cheek "Death… it is the only thing fitting for treason… but they don't deserve a quiet little death by some Shield's blade, they deserve pain." that last word was growled by both Clive and Ifrit, their burning rage against those who had tried to murder their Phoenix hotter than the fires of hell.

"Hmm… so they do… then let us go make arrangements beloved, they can have their deaths at dawn." he turned once he was done speaking, ignoring the blood drying on his shirt and on Clive's face. Clive just followed, looking more than a little worse for wear and filthy but ignoring it as Joshua seemed to be doing. The arrangements for the trial and execution were made swiftly, the Undying and Shields scurrying off to see to getting everything prepared, messengers going to each of the residences of the nobles in the city and sending stolases to those in Port Isolde. There was no hesitance in those who were loyal to them, eager to show their Archduke their indefatigable loyalty.

Night had long past settling in when they returned to their chambers, a steaming tub and food waiting for them, most likely courtesy of Jote who ever seemed to be able to anticipate their needs. With a gentle nudge Joshua urged Clive over to the tub, watching with darkening eyes as Clive stripped his soiled clothes off before stepping into the water. He pulled his outer layer and under shirt off, grabbing the soaps and bucket to start washing Clive's hair. Clive looked up at him, tilting his head with curiosity clear on his face, a question unasked. With a soft chuckle Joshua shook his head "Not this eve beloved, I wish you cleaned up sufficiently before you fall asleep... we have an eventful morning ahead."

Clive nodded, sitting forward to make it easier for Joshua to rinse his hair "As you say your grace…"

Joshua ran a hand along Clive's cheek to his jaw then down, resting it firmly on his throat above his collar "But I'm not just your Archduke, am I Clive…" his voice was soft but his tone was hard as diamond.

Breath stilled, his lungs clenching painfully at that tone, the one that had the urge to throw himself at Joshua's feet making his limbs twitch. With the grip on his throat he couldn't even turn, words straining to rasp past his closed throat "No… you are Phoenix…"

Joshua's eyes narrowed ever so slightly, his grip tightening to threaten cutting off his air entirely "And…"

Vision swimming as that ever lurking panic clawed at him Clive felt nails rake down his shoulder and across his chest, the lightest of brushes that could turn bruising… could gouge and tear. Yet in between the weight on his throat and the soft scratches his body didn't know what to do, it was as confused as his mind, sinking towards terror. Joshua's lips brushed against his ear "Well my beloved?"

The faintest of whimpers slipped past his lips as his eyes closed "… Love…"

He couldn't see the expression, but be could feel the smirk as it brushed his neck "Good boy…" Two simple words that had relief sending him to a near faint, a shudder running through him. Joshua hadn't moved the hand that still pressed into his throat, his other hand tracing the scars along his chest and side that made up the Phoenix branded into his very flesh. The more he traced those lines, drawing shudders from him, the more Joshua's gaze turned covetous. Eventually he let out a soft growl, pulling his hands away "Time to get out of the bath."

Nodding a bit Clive shifted to get his feet under him, a blush hot on his cheeks when he realized he was hard and confused at how that had come to be. Joshua glanced over when Clive hadn't moved any further, arching an eyebrow slightly at the blush. When he noticed the source of the blush a sharp smirk came to his face, kneeling back down he brought a hand up to grip Clive's jaw, tilting his head back before biting along his shoulder. The gasp the bites brought out had a heat going through Joshua's blood "Temptation personified my darling…" Clive arched his back a bit and gasped louder when Joshua bit harder at the base of his neck, leaving a reddened mark. When he moved his hand from Clive's jaw he was pleased to see that his beloved kept his head tilted like he had wanted, his hand trailing down to press against his throat again, the other tracing down the dips of muscle until reaching its intended target. Wrapping his hand around his beloved's hardness he sucked on the mark his teeth had left, starting to tease him with loose little strokes.

As much as he would have liked to tease with light touches for hours, drawing whined pleas from those lovely lips, the hour was getting late and he had not the time to indulge in such. He started to stroke more firmly, also tightening his hold on Clive's throat, not enough to cut off his air simply the threat of it. It seemed his beloved enjoyed it, his hips pushing into the strokes, his hand moving to rest overtop of Joshua's at his throat… not to pull it away, just to sit there. It took little time before Clive tensed, shuddering as he moaned and covered Joshua's hand and his own chest in white streaks. He continued to stroke his beloved until he made a soft whine sound from oversensitivity, eventually letting him go as he again reminded himself he did not have the time. Grabbing the wash cloth again he washed that lovely expanse of muscle before pressing a kiss to the darkening bruise he had left behind. "Up beloved, before you fall asleep in the tub."

Clive yawned softly, getting to his feet and stepping out of the tub, swaying slightly as his exhaustion tried to have his eyes closing. He was barely dry before he was being ushered to the bed, tucked in under the sheets bare and uncaring in his tiredness though he was sure to find embarrassment over it come morning. Changing into his sleep clothes Joshua slid into bed, pulling the already sleeping man into his arms, enjoying the feeling of him back where he belonged after even so short an absence.

Chapter Text

Morning came far to quickly, Joshua woke before the sun had even touched the horizon, the sky still dark with only a thin line of grey to herald the coming of dawn. He lay in the bed, eyes on the canopy above him, Clive a warm weight next to him giving reassurance that he truly was back where he belonged. With a soft sigh he rolled onto his side, wrapping an arm around his sleeping beloved. He needed to feel that warmth, the steady breathing, to know the devotion even as the man slept. Joshua had been unable to sleep since waking after the attack, his body emersed in pain and his soul feeling like it had been cracked… desperation to find his love clawing at him to near madness. All that had kept him from burning Rosaria to the ground in his search for him had been the knowledge that it would have upset his beloved.

Now here they were… safe and warm, within the cocoon of silks and featherdown, unable to be reached by any. He would never allow any to take his love from him, nor he from his love. And so with a sigh he pressed a kiss to raven hair then moved to get up, he had executions to prepare for. Yet as he moved a hand grasped his wrist, stilling him, a sleepy voice breaking the silence of the room "Joshua?"

A gentle smile came to his face, one that only one person alive got to see. Running his fingertips lightly over the dark marks under Clive's eye he stilled "I'm here beloved… go back to sleep, you still have time to rest."

Sleep hazed blue eyes looked up at him from under mussed locks of hair "Please… stay? Just a bit?"

An indulgent chuckle slipped free as he moved to lay once more, curling up so his front was to Clive's back "Very well, a few moments longer." He smiled to himself when his beloved lay his arms over where his rested at his waist, pulling them so he was held that much tighter. The moment was serene, a bubble of peace, that sadly could not last forever. Eventually Joshua leaned forwards and pressed a whisper soft kiss to the back of Clive's neck "Time to get up beloved… we have grim matters to deal with this morn."

The hand that rested on top of his tightened its grip a moment before letting him go "I can't forgive any who bring you harm…"

"Nor shall forgiveness be given, the Phoenix demands retribution…" Joshua sat up, looking down at the one he loved beyond all else.

Deep blue eyes flecked with gold looked back at him, a hand rising to stroke his cheek gently "Ifrit wishes more than just retribution… he wishes vengeance."

Lips pressed softly to his beloved's before he pulled him up to sitting "We shall have to see, many are still being spoken to about their roles in the attempted coup."

Clive sighed and got up, pulling his formal uniform on before making his way out to the sitting area, reluctant to leave Joshua but knowing he also needed to make ready. There was a soft knock on the outer door as he moved through the room, his gaze moving to the door before he steeled himself and walked over to open it. A young woman with short brown hair stood there, holding a tray. She looked up at him, dipping into a small polite curtsy, before tilting her head to the tray "Your meals, my lord."

Warily he reached out and took the tray, tilting his head slightly "Thank you." She did not respond, simply curtsying to him again before leaving silently. Nudging the door closed behind him with a foot he brought the tray over to the desk, setting it down and removing the covers. Sitting there were two bowls of porridge with nuts and berries, a small pitcher of milk and pot of tea included as well. The smell had his stomach rumbling, but he simply poured the tea into two cups and sat to wait for Joshua to finish dressing and join him.

He was staring out the balcony doors when Joshua walked into the room, doing up one of the cuffs on his raiment. Looking perfectly pressed and presented he walked over, setting a hand on Clive's shoulder "Darling?"

Blinking Clive turned his attention up to Joshua "Hm?"

"You were staring off out the balcony doors… did you not sleep well?" the hand he had set on Clive's shoulder moved up to gently run through his hair.

Sighing softly Clive moved to rest his head against Joshua's stomach, his voice soft "I slept alright… but… I kept dreaming you were gone."

Hugging him to himself more Joshua continued to run fingers through his hair "I'm right here beloved, and I'm not going anywhere. We will get the distastefulness of this morning over with, then we don't have to worry over anything for a time." He thought back to a question Clive had asked before they had went off to deal with Sanbreque. "Maybe we can plan a trip out to see if the fire lilies still bloom."

Clive nodded a bit, slowly moving to sit back so he could smile up at Joshua "I like that idea."

With another smile Joshua stepped away, moving to sit in the chair next to Clive's instead of where he would usually sit on the other side. Handing Clive his bowl he then poured a bit of milk into his, holding the pitcher out to see if Clive wanted any, getting a nod. They ate breakfast quietly like that, a calm moment in the time before dawn. Once they were done eating both got up, Joshua pressing a kiss to Clive's cheek before fixing the linen shirt under his jerkin so it was laced correctly… and hiding the collar around his neck with the neckline of the shirt. He was in no way ashamed of it and he knew Clive wasn't, yet they did not need that drama on a day that would already be filled with such. With that done he carefully put the sides of Clive's hair into a crown braid so it stayed out of his face… amused that that little skill he had learned as a child to amuse Jill had come in handy.

Once he was done and they were both ready Joshua pulled Clive to him, hugging him tightly and pressing a hard kiss to his lips. "Are you ready my darling?"

Sighing softly Clive nodded, touching Joshua's face gently, an earnest expression on his face "No, but we will get this handled…" He leaned in and pressed his lips to Joshua's again, taking a deep breath as he stepped back, waiting for Joshua to precede him.

The halls were quiet as they made their way towards the throne room, shields saluting them as they passed and servants bowing. One of the commanders awaited them, the throne room dark until servants moved around lighting torches. As Joshua sat on the throne, Clive moved to stand off to the left in 'his spot' at attention. The commander stepped forwards, saluting "Your grace, Lord Marquess. We have finished speaking to all who took part in Byron Rosfield's attempted coup, the shields that were involved have been confirmed to have been forced through threats against their families. They are willing to testify against Byron Rosfield and the nobles who conspired with him."

Joshua seemed thoughtful as he listened, then eventually he nodded "Bring them before me."

The commander saluted and left swiftly, Joshua looking over at Clive "Thoughts?"

Clive moved over to kneel next to the throne, head tilted slightly "I think it's quite possible… a great many of the shields have families living in Rosalith, and some may even have secrets they could be blackmailed using." He still wanted to see them all… to see if anything stood out.

With a nod Joshua gestured for him to return to his place, Clive standing and moving back over. He had only just got back into position when a line of shields were escorted into the throne room by the commander and several other shields. All knelt upon reaching the main area of the room, heads bowed… yet there were a few who stood out to Clive, they appeared contrite yet there was something about how they moved… how they looked around furtively… as if waiting for something. His eyes narrowed slightly when one kept looking off to the side of the room, moving silently as all attention was on the commander who was reading out their names and charges Clive made his way to where the man kept looking. A gloved hand brushed along the wall, he could feel the shield's eyes on him, smell his rising panic… and soon he knew why, the sound of armor shifting. A figure slunk out of the shadowed alcove in the wall, hidden by a curtain and shadows cast between torches.

The man was dressed in shield commander leathers, a sword sheathed at his side, but there was nothing about him that spoke of deference to his role… all there was was menace to him. Clive stepped up behind him, the man's focus having been so intent ahead of him that he had completely missed Clive standing next to the curtain. Reaching out he grasped the hilt of the sword at the man's side, the sound of steel being drawn filling the room and silencing everything else. The man whirled around, to late, his breath was thrust out of his body as he was slammed against the stone wall. Cold steel pressed against his throat tightly, one wrong swallow and the man would bleed across the white stones of Rosalith's throne room. He slowly moved his hands up in surrender, fear draining the colour from his face. When an actual commander rushed forwards, grabbing the man by the arm, Clive stepped backwards and held the blade out hilt first to the shield that stepped up to his side. The shield saluted and took the sword, helping the commander drag the man off to be questioned.

"Well, that was certainly eventful…" Joshua's voice rang out in the quiet, both emotionless and yet with the faintest hint of amusement.

Making his way up next to the throne Clive stood with his arms crossed over his chest, watching the shields kneeling on the floor. The one that had kept looking towards the wall was incredibly pale, looking to be attempting to hide his terror. As Clive had not settled into his usual position Joshua looked over at him, arching an eyebrow slightly "You have a concern Clive?"

Deep blue eyes looked to the Archduke, head inclining slightly in both deference and affirmative. Joshua made a 'by all means' gesture, to which Clive started down the stairs towards the kneeling men. As he made his way through the lines of bowed heads he could almost hear the man's heartbeat picking up, until he just seemed to snap, lunging to his feet as he pulled a blade out of his gauntlet. With a shout he tried to go after Clive, only to find several of the shields that had been kneeling moving to grab him, pulling him down to restrain him on the floor. Reaching down Clive plucked the knife out of his fist, looking to one of the shields observing from the edge of the room he pointed to the man now pinned on the floor. The shield was yelling threats and obscenities as he was dragged away, Clive making his way back up to stand in his proper spot after pointing out several more shields who had been acting suspiciously to be requestioned. The remaining prisoners returned to their kneeling positions, heads bowed respectfully once more, awaiting their Archduke's words.

Having watched the drama unfold Joshua looked over at Clive, arching an eyebrow slightly in a questioning glance. Clive shook his head ever so slightly, to which Joshua nodded. The silent interaction was not missed by those in the throne room, yet those gathered all knew to respect the First Shield either through having seen him decimate a battle field or through having seen his determination and skill as he trained as a youth. Sitting forwards Joshua steepled his fingers, looking over the men gathered "Now that that has been handled, I was advised that you had testimonies to give me about what occurred following the army leaving Rosalith." The men gave their testimonies clearly and soon all the information that was needed had been gathered, the shields being sent off until after the rest had been dealt with.

As light broke across the horizon Joshua emerged from the gates to Rosalith, looking out over the open plain between Bewitt Bridge and the city. There shields were setting up where the executions would take place, wood piled high around stakes sunk into the ground. When the grounds were prepared Joshua moved to stand atop the raised dais above them, Clive standing in his customary spot behind and to the left, a silent guardian. As they stood there the nobles that were not being accused of treachery began to arrive, somber and silent, taking their places around the dais as shields took up spots in a ring around it to protect their Archduke. Dawn's soft light cast a golden glow on the softly waving grasses as nobles bound in rope were lead out of the city in a line, gags keeping their shouts muffled and the shields keeping their struggles contained.

All were bound to the stakes, but one was to be bound to a singular stake behind the rest, closer to the cliffs overlooking the bridge, and that was where Byron Rosfield was to be secured. The shield that brought his struggling form out made his way over after seeing to that duty, whispering softly to Joshua who seemed less than pleased with what was said, but nodded all the same. Once the shield had stepped back he turned to look at Clive "The prisoner has stated his last wish, and it is to speak with you."

Clive's frown deepened at those words, but he tipped his head slightly "If it pleases you your grace, I'd do so after those who aided him have been seen to."

If Joshua found his response surprising he did not let it show, simply turned back to look over those bound before them "Very well." With a glance to the waiting shield he ordered him to deliver the message to the prisoner, the shield saluted then left as quietly as he had arrived. Once silence had again descended upon those gathered Joshua stepped forwards, his voice clear and ringing out with the authority of the Phoenix. "We have gathered to see justice done to those who would commit treason to the throne of Rosaria. Those who knowingly conspired to take control of Rosalith itself through use of force, bribery, blackmail, and threats of violence against innocent citizens. The sentence for such acts is death by fire, as has been the punishment for treason since Rosaria's founding."

Whispers passed over the group gathered, citizens watching from the walls of the city, yet as Joshua moved to step forwards he felt a hand touch his arm. Turning slightly he looked back, deep blue eyes flecked with gold looking back at him, an unspoken request filling them. After a moment he tilted his head slightly "As you wish." Turning he stepped back to his previous position, head held high as he spoke again for the benefit of the crowd suddenly filled with speculative talk growing in volume. "First Shield Clive Rosfield, our most steadfast and loyal, see those who have been found guilty given their just punishment."

Clive bowed his head slightly to his Archduke, his Phoenix, and stepped forwards. There was no hesitation in his movements, no forgiveness or pity in his gaze for he held none within him for those who sought to unseat and murder his Phoenix. Stepping to the edge of the dais he held a hand out, letting flames gather in his palm before with an almost casual wave of his hand he set them to flare across the timber ahead. There was no mistaking his flames for those of the Phoenix, to dark and hungry, lacking the bright colours of those most holy of flames. Cries of discontent spread through the nobles gathered to watch the executions, many even decrying that their Archduke allowed a filthy bearer to stand as First Shield. A glance back to Joshua was Clive's only reaction, receiving a nod of approval, before he started to make his way down the stairs to the ground below… through the throng of now yelling nobles who didn't seem to know if they should be trying to block him or shoving him towards the flames.

The heat of the pyre curled the grass all around, sweat slicking all those close enough to feel the flames, and yet Clive walked towards them as if completely unbothered… as the Archduke watched with equal apathy. Everything around him seemed to waver from the heat rising as flames scorched the very air, moving across the platform with the speed of a devouring beast. All were expecting to watch the First Shield walk to his death, some even whispering that a deceiving bearer deserved no less… and none received what they expected. As the flames flickered around him, his boot lifting as he stepped up onto the platform, obsidian crawled along his body and aether gathered to him. Deep blue eyes turned glowing blue ringed in molten gold visible to all when he glanced back to look up at the icy blue of his Archduke's gaze, flame lit horns arching from his head and a whip-like tail flicked in the air.

Shouts of anger swiftly turning to screams of fear as Ifrit's semi-primed form was revealed in all its glory… and Rosaria watched the eikon walk through the conflagration that was consuming several lives, flames licking at him like a pet seeking its master's adoration. The sound of metal being drawn filled the air, shields all around drawing their weapons and saluting in perfect synch, showing their respect to the second eikon of fire… their First Shield. As he turned back and continued through the fires he could see Byron ahead, the man's view of the proceedings blocked by the flames and black smoke that rose into the sky. And so it was that Clive was given the first look at how the man who called himself Uncle yet ordered his death reacted to the sight of him emerging in front of him. Blue eyes as familiar as his own widened, face always holding a ruddy tan became sickly pale, his limbs beginning to shake.

Reaching out with a clawed hand they plucked the gag from between his lips, their voice deep and raspy with Ifrit's influence "You wished to speak… I'd suggest doing so quickly…" Even as they spoke a breeze was rising, picking the hair up off the back of their neck and causing it to flutter gently around their face… the flames behind them licking out in search of new tinder.

"It's all just a big misunderstanding my boy! Please, untie me, we can discuss this!" Byron's voice was high, his fear clear in his tone.

Tilting their head slightly their eyes filled with slightly more gold as Ifrit rose a little further to the fore "Discuss what? How you betrayed us? How you tried to have us murdered?"

The elder man seemed to sense he was no longer simply talking to Clive, but something far more… feral… as well. Swallowing slightly he shook his head "You were never meant to be harmed, that was just a miscalculation!"

Ifrit leaned in further, nearly nose to nose with the man "Oh? It seemed pretty calculated to him when he was nearly skewered… and when he watched the one you KNEW meant most to him meet such a fate." He reached out and ran a clawed finger along Byron's face from his hairline to his jaw. "Though you knew it would hurt him the whole time, no matter how you did it… quick with a dagger, slow with poison… so just for that you would have suffered this fate. How you did it, well that just means I get that much more satisfaction out of all this. So NO Byron Rosfield, we cannot 'discuss this' as there is nothing to discuss." He bared his eikonically sharp teeth at the man, flames flickering in his hair and along his horns.

Fear gave way to anger on Byron's face, blue eyes hardening as he looked to the monstrous amalgamation of eikon and his nephew. In his anger he let words slip out he should not have "You're right, I did know it would hurt watching that insufferable little brat run through… and I'm glad it did! Watching how you fawned over him as a boy, how even now you deferred to him in everything like a sycophant was disgusting! I'd rather have you dead than twisted around his little finger!" He knew the moment the words left him that they were a mistake… one that there would be no coming back from, one that someone as calculating and strategic as he should not have made… to taunt an eikon and provoke his temper.

Gold eyes narrowed as more flames flickered through black hair, yet as he blinked those eyes bled to blue ringed in a thin ring of gold once more… blue eyes as deep as the ocean and as cold as frost capped mountains. Clive looked at him with a look of absolute loathing, yet he didn't speak. Instead he turned, walking the few steps to the edge of the platform the stake was surrounded by. From the edge he reached out, flames that blew high with the wind twining around his hand… before they went out. Snuffed out as if by Titan's massive hand, leaving nothing but ash, charcoal, and the charred remains of bones behind. With that done the Dominant stopped, eyes seeking out pale blue ones across the sea of desolation and shocked faces… Joshua looked back at him, calm and patient… waiting to see what he would do.

His voice carried, even the breeze seeming to still to hear his words "Death by fire is to swift for one such as you… to clean. Yet it is our way… and so death by fire you shall have." When he turned towards Byron again there was something there that made the man truly regret… a depth of darkness swelling from a fissure in his very soul behind those eyes. With that he raised a hand, the smallest of flames sparking to life in his palm… crouching down he touched it to the worn timber, watching it slowly catch and move like a cautious creature. Fiery hot yet creeping instead of raging. The flame would consume all… but it would be anything but swift… it would be the height of agony as the smoke choked his lungs and ate at his flesh inch by inch. Perhaps it was a test… to see if Byron would take back his words… perhaps it was a fake simply to make him fear…

Those who understood the implications of that flame blanched, turning their faces away in horror. As Clive made his way back towards the dais one noble turned and dropped to his knees, eyes wide and beseeching "Please your grace! This is to much, to force one to suffer such a slow death is beyond cruelty!" The flames had barely even reached the range of Byron's feet by that point, his huffing breaths filling the silence. If Joshua but willed it the flames would rage, Ifrit held them at bay awaiting his Phoenix's word.

"Hm… perhaps so…" Joshua's tone was pensive, his gaze considering as the nobles moved with hurried motions to get out of Clive's way as his beloved dropped his semi-prime in a shower of soft grey ash yet the gold had not left his gaze. He reached out, picking Clive's hand up where it rested at his side, the eyes of the Phoenix looking into those of his beast of war. After a moment of looking into those eyes he always longed to have focus on him and him alone he finally nodded to himself. Placing his hand over top of Clive's the tingle of aether brushed their gloved fingers as a construct of obsidian and brimstone grew between them… forming a large spike shaped like a crude javelin. Moving his hand to under Clive's he shifted to urge him to wrap his hand around it. "Let him feel what we felt… the fear, the pain, the desperation… the fires creep but perhaps justice can yet be swift while also impactful." He knew those fires could move within a blink, yet saw in those eyes no desire to see them do so… the desire to see the man suffer, to beg… to break…

Clive's eyelids drooped to half lowered as he looked at his Archduke… his Phoenix… and contemplated what he was asking. Finally after several moments of bated breath by those gathered he firmed his hold on the javelin, turning away from Joshua. "As you wish your grace…"

They all expected him to descend from the dais again, yet he didn't. Instead he moved over, giving himself more space, his line of sight from the dais clear straight through to where Byron writhed as flames caught along his pantleg. The elder man's fear could be smelt across the field, over the scent of burnt timber and spent lives. Turning side on he took careful steps away from his intended target, holding the spike formed of their aether in his right hand, his shoulder taking the weight of it. Everything seemed to slow down as Ifrit lent him further strength, heightening his senses… he took swift steps before shifting to strafing, bringing his arm back to sight the javelin before he snapped his arm forwards. The stone spike streaked through the air, sunlight glittering along it making it look almost… beautiful… before it slammed home in the defenseless body tied to the stake. It did not have quite the punch of a ballista bolt, yet it made the point… the tip slicing clear through to split the stake, the tip shown through the wood dripping red.

Choked gasps and gurgles could be heard, taking over from the panicked sounds. Soon even those stopped as Byron slumped, the flames flickering and dying out. A much swifter death than he could have received… though Ifrit seemed less than satisfied with the result but held his tongue. Joshua turned, looking to the shields nearby "Have the grounds cleaned and the bones disposed of. As for the body…" He seemed undecided for a moment before sighing lightly "Have it prepared for internment… he will be placed with those such as he from the Ducal line." That was as much honor as he was willing to give to the one who had failed and betrayed them so utterly… the honor of being placed among his kin in the crypts. The shields saluted him before going about their tasks, and Joshua left with Clive trailing behind him. It was a somber affair, the nobles returning to their homes just as subdued, heads lowered.

When they arrived back to the castle Joshua made his way towards his chambers, needing some quiet away from all the gazes that all seemed to want something from him. Once in the privacy of his chambers he let his anger at the proceedings free, pacing back and forth through the main room while Clive stood off to the side. The longer he paced the more his anger rose until finally he rounded on the source of his anger, blue eyes blazing as he stalked towards the other man who shrank back from him with wide open eyes and paling skin. When Clive's back hit the wall Joshua moved forwards to pen him in between his arms, face right in Clive's space. "What the flaming fuck Clive!?"

Shrinking back more, shoulders hunching high, Clive looked up at him with fear… fear that should have stilled his anger yet didn't. When Joshua hissed, lifting a hand to press tight against his throat, gold swiftly filled Clive's eyes between blinks. Ifrit moved, shoving Joshua back in a surprising show of defiance, breathing with rapid stuttering breaths. "Don't!"

That single word had Joshua's eyes narrowing dangerously "Don't what Ifrit?" Rarely did the Phoenix stir within him during his interactions with the other eikon, but something had it stirring now, perhaps the lack of deference shown by Ifrit.

"Don't blame him… it wasn't his fault." Ifrit's voice was a rumbling whisper, as if the eikon was struggling against himself to even push the words out.

"Is that so…" the trill of the Phoenix echoed in his voice, eyes a blend of blue and gold, sparks floating in the air as he shifted to pin Ifrit to the wall again. "Such an unruly little beast." Taloned hands gripped around Ifrit's throat threateningly as Joshua's had Clive's, flames flickering in his hair. His grip tightened slightly before he turned, tossing the trembling creature to the floor in the middle of the room. Enraged the Phoenix stalked forwards, grabbing him by the hair "It looks like you need reminding who it is you serve, misbehaving little brat! Making a fucking spectacle of everything! You were ordered to light the flame, nothing more!"

Ifrit struggled, hands moving up to try to pry the one gripping his hair free, flames clashing against flames as both eikons held control of their Dominants. Yet even though Ifrit was in theory the stronger of the two, something held him back from truly bringing that might to the fore, something digging its way into him and leaving him gasping for air. When the hand in his hair released it was simply so the Phoenix could kick him back from his knees to sprawled on the ground, a solid weight suddenly pinning him. His eyes opened… when had they closed?… looking up to see blazing gold eyes looking down at him, his arms pinned as knees dug into the crook of his elbows as Phoenix leaned down further so they were almost nose to nose. "How should I punish such disobedience I wonder… such enraging disrespect of my authority…"

There was no answer to that rhetorical question, Ifrit's voice trapped behind struggling vocal cords that only wanted to gush forth pleas for forgiveness that the Phoenix would not care to hear. A talon ran along his jaw, then trailed down his throat, a thin line of red following in its wake… not enough to truly damage just enough to sting. The next movement was so swift he barely registered it until he found the world spinning, his face pressed into the rug below as his arms were yanked behind him, the smell of burning as flames bit along his wrists reducing flimsy gloves to ash from their heat. He struggled against the bonds, breaths huffing in little pants as his lungs screamed for more air they weren't getting. That trilling voice spoke next to his ear, a hiss of anger "Looks like we will have to break you all over again, our little beast…" He wasn't given the chance to scream, his mouth had barely opened before fabric was being shoved between his lips, packed in and sealing away his voice.

Pain was like a mire, sucking one in and holding them tight, the more one struggled against it the deeper they sank. And so it was that Ifrit had sunk well and truly into that darkness, trapped in the agony until a new sensation yanked him from its arms. Yet there was no comfort waiting, just a new flavor of agony… a new brand of pain. How long the Phoenix worked to chip away at his resistance he couldn't tell, it could have been hours or years for all he knew. At some point Ifrit had simply curled up inward, a small little ember barely flickering… disobedience the furthest thing from his mind… choice was not his to have, he was made to obey… always to obey… yet withdrawing thus had consequences, it left his Dominant to suffer the bodily pains inflicted even though his mind had been pushed back as far as it could be within.

Clive slowly surfaced to wakefulness, feeling cold and yet hot all at once. He was laying on a bed that felt at once familiar and unfamiliar… there was no red canopy above him and that made his heart stutter and his lungs constrict. He sat up swiftly, his vision spinning as pain lanced through him making his back arch and a scream try to rip out of his throat. His limbs were shaking as he moved down to lay curled up on his side, breaths shallow gasps, tears streaming from his eyes. Never had he felt pain like that, not even when he had cut into his own wrist, not even when the Undying punished him. There was no way to tell how long he lay there, the pain pulsing like his heartbeat from the tips of his hair to the tips of his toes. The next he was aware was when there was a soft knock at the door, then the sound of it opening… closing… just as soft as the knock had been.

Taking a shuddering breath he slowly opened his eyes, feeling the side of the mattress dip next to his hip, a small hand reaching out to brush back a piece of hair. "You're awake…" it was a voice his mind told him he should recognize, but he couldn't place it in his muddled thoughts. She had short brown hair, her eyes kind and… sad. She pulled a tiny vial out of a pocket of her dress, removing the cork before lifting it to his lips "It will help with the pain my lord…"

There was no energy within him to fight against it, so he opened his mouth and allowed her to pour the contents in. It tasted of bitter herbs, bringing a grimace to his lips, but he swallowed it all the same. She sat watching him in silence, brushing his hair back from his face when it fell into his eyes, ever gentle. When the pain had eased to something not so mind numbing he was finally able to speak, his throat raw and sore "Where is Joshua?"

A soft sigh left her lips, eyes averting away from his gaze "His grace is in his rooms… he… is greatly grieved..."

Clive's brows pinched as he tried to think back on what Joshua could be so grieved about… but everything was just a black hole from the moment they returned to Joshua's chambers after the executions. Closing his eyes a moment he tried to keep his breathing steady even though panic was seeking to claw at him "I… see…" He could feel the fine tremors starting up in his hands as he struggled against the flood of fear… Joshua was angry…

Joshua was angry… what had he done wrong?
He had been sent away… it had to have been something terrible…
But if he was sent away he couldn't apologize… couldn't beg forgiveness…
Was he to be left here, abandoned? Cast aside and forgotten?

No…. no no no! Nonononono!!!

His hands moved up to grip his biceps, his body curling in as if bracing against a blow. He couldn't be cast aside… he couldn't be left alone… please no, anything but that… his breathing hitched as tears filled his eyes and spilled down his cheeks.

What did you expect? You were always a disappointment… a failure… it was only a matter of time before he finally saw how useless you are!

No… he wasn't… he hadn't… WHAT had he done!?

Those small hands gripped him, tried to shake him, that voice calling out to him… but he couldn't hear it through the pounding of his heart, thudding and stuttering, his hands gripping himself tight enough to deepen bruises to near black. Hands tried to pry his mouth open, jaw locked so tight the muscle was spasming, he felt himself tilting… falling…

'Please Joshua… yell at me… hurt me… just don't… don't leave me…' the last thoughts to go through his mind before blackness pulled him into its arms… it felt like dying…

Jote was panicking, one moment the Lord Marquess had been talking to her, the few words he had uttered… then the next he was hunched over as if preparing to weather the wrath of Titan's fists. The bed itself was near to shaking from the tremors going through his body… but what had been truly terrifying was when there was a soft sound like the first rain drops hitting the ground, her gaze drawn down to where small red blotches had stained the white sheets. She had frowned, looking up only to witness as blood started to gush from the Lord Marquess's nose, cursing she had snatched up a cloth from the basket at her feet, pressing it to his face to try to sop up the spreading crimson with one hand while digging a potion out of her pocket with the other. Pulling the cork out with her teeth she had carefully held the vial between her lips, trying to pry his mouth open enough to pour it in, yet his teeth where clenched so hard she could not get even the tiniest gap. The potion had been all but forgotten a moment later, falling to the bed as she cried out at his eyes rolling back, his body listing to the side like a marionette with its strings cut.

The tremors had only increased from there, the blood continuing to flow, to pool under his head. She had shouted then, calling for help from the others that hovered outside in the hall. The sound of rushing feet were heard before they burst through the door, all but running over to where she sat still trying to staunch the flow of blood. "What happened!?"

Looking up with wide eyes she shook her head "I don't know! He asked where his grace is, I told him in his rooms… he seemed alright then he just… started shaking!"

One of the other Undying swiftly reached down, scooping the Lord Marquess up, though not without some difficulty due to the tremors. Clutching him tightly he made his way out of the room, rushing through the halls to the startled looks of servants and shields they passed. Jote ran along with him, making sure there was nothing in the way before running ahead to knock loudly on the Archduke's door. The terse reply of 'Enter' was received, her hands pushing the door open just in time for the other Undying to come down the hallway and whisk right into the room.

The sound of a chair scraping on stone was heard as Joshua shoved his chair back, on his feet and moving around the desk before the sight had even fully registered. And for the second time in less than 10 minutes the same question was asked "What happened!?"

Silently laying the unconscious Lord Marquess down on the chaise the Undying bowed, turned in the direction of the Archduke "We are unsure. He was conscious and seemed well, but then this started…"

Blue eyes glanced to where Jote was standing just inside the doors, chewing on her bottom lip and wringing her hands "It just came out of nowhere?"

She dipped her head in a nod, continuing to wring her hands as she answered in as calm a voice as she could manage "He asked where you were, I advised you were in your chambers… he seemed perhaps a little distressed to hear that, but nothing more than a bit mildly sad…"

Joshua said nothing further, moving over to perch on the chaise at Clive's hip, reaching out to move the cloth that had been soaking up the blood yet leaking from his nose. A deep frown settled on Joshua's face as he let gentle healing flames play along his fingers, working to find the source of the nose bleed. Slowly the flow of blood eased until it stopped, the cloth gently used to wipe the remnants off Clive's face. The Undying and Jote stood off to the side by the door, waiting for further orders… worried gazes meeting as the silence continued. They almost jumped when Joshua spoke at last "Leave… I will watch over him until he wakes…"

Bowing they both silently left, knowing well that any words would be unappreciated and any offers of assistance would not be desired. Jote made her way back to the Lord Marquess's room, setting about cleaning the mess left behind… and hoping the man would be alright… he had been through more than enough.

Joshua had sat watching Clive for hours… the tremors had finally subsided, his breathing shallow for a while longer before deepening despite his continued pale complexion. He longed to reach out and brush the hair from his beloved's forehead, yet he remained still… perhaps it was fear that he would lose control again, or perhaps it was loathing for what had happened when he had before… yet he could not bring himself to touch the one he held so dear. He could still see the bruises littering his skin, proof of the violence his eikon was capable of if given free reign. Phoenix had known when Ifrit had withdrawn, and yet he had still continued to let out his anger on the all to mortal Dominant with a depth of savagery that had left even Joshua feeling shaken. And so he continued to simply sit there, watching over his beloved but refusing to give in to his urges.

Night had long since fallen when Clive finally began to stir, his eyelids fluttering before slowly raising. Deep blue eyes were clouded, hazy, but lifted to look at Joshua as he turned at the tiny movement. Chapped lips parted and a voice barely a whisper spoke "Joshua…"

He took a slow breath in, then let it out equally slow, moving to stand. "I'll summon the Undying to return you to your room now that you've awoken…"

The reaction his words received was not one he had expected, his body stilled at the feeling of a hand clamping around his wrist… the rustle of clothing moving quiet yet filling the silence as Clive moved from laying on the chaise to kneeling at his feet within a blink, his back bowed and forehead pressed to Joshua's thigh. His voice sounded so… devastated… even as a whisper "Please… please don't…" Joshua could feel wetness soaking through his trousers, a soft sniffle muffled by Clive's face pressed to the material "If… if you've… no further wish of me…" a sob broke his words and he seemed to struggle to continue, yet he forged on "Please just let me die… I'd rather that than being sent away…" His hand slipped from Joshua's wrist as he instead clutched at his leg, shoulders shaking as sobs wracked him.

It was like the very breath had been stolen from his lungs, the stilted words clawing at his mind and heart. His beloved… on his knees… begging for death instead of being sent away. Part of him… a part deep down he wished never saw the light… reveled in such devotion, those words thrilling it in their absolute need for his acceptance. Yet that softer part that longed to run his fingers through Clive's hair balked, turning away in shame of how his actions had reduced his beloved to begging to be allowed to stay with him despite the danger his eikon had shown itself to be. The Phoenix squawked in objection to that within him, puffing up its feathers in irritation, whispering that he had allowed it despite not causing it himself. And that was part of what had sickened him as he had stood there looking down at the black and blue blooming across pale skin… had he truly sought to stop it it was possible he could have, and yet he had not.

Steeling himself he slowly stepped back, pulling himself away from those clinging hands, taking a fortifying breath to prepare himself to reject his beloved… to force him from his side, if only to protect him. When he pulled away Clive curled forwards, hunched and wrapping his arms around his middle, curled up so very small as sobs continued to slip from his mouth. "What… what did… I do… I'm so sorry… so so sorry…"

Clenching his teeth Joshua forced himself to turn away, walking to the doors and opening them, speaking softly to those waiting outside. Once he had spoken to them he left… unable to remain and see the wreak of a man he was ordering removed back to his own chambers.

Clive didn't fight as the Undying entered the room, surprisingly gentle hands reaching down and lifting him to his feet. He was blinded by his tears, hot trails streaming down his face, simply following where he was lead until he found himself back in his room. Those gentle hands guided him to the bed, sitting him down before they left. He had no sobs left within him, simply curling up on his side and hugging his knees tight to his chest. He lay there like that as the night wore on, his tears drying up and leaving his eyes feeling sticky and sore. He watched as light slowly rose outside his window, night turning to dawn turning to morning. When the young woman from before brought him a tray with his meal he simply turned away to face the wall again, refusing.

Days went by like that… they brought him meals and all were refused. He had not moved from his curled up position on the bed, his eyes often simply staring out the window when they entered the room. Jote had tried to coax him into eating something, but even her gentle urging had resulted in naught but the Lord Marquess's refusal. He grew more and more lethargic, his complexion wan, his gaze sunken. Eventually they were able to convince him to take a little water, small sips that Jote was able to tip into his mouth. They had tried mixing in a tonic, but that he had spat out.

It had been a week when finally the Undying in charge of his care had deemed enough to be enough. He had grown tired of watching the man slowly wither, his refusal to take any sustenance something they could not rectify short of forcing the food upon him… yet they had tried that already, and the Lord Marquess had refused to swallow to the point he had quite nearly drowned from the simple soup. With a sigh of frustration and exhaustion the man made his way down the hall, knocking lightly on the Archduke's chamber doors. The gaze he had been met with upon receiving permission to enter was just as worn as he felt, yet he could not take pity on the young man and change his mind… none could foretell how the Phoenix would react should the Lord Marquess continue to decline.

"Your grace…" there was hesitance to his tone, yet this was his duty and one he could not shirk.

Joshua looked at the Undying, a frown settled on his face as darkened shadows of strain and sleep depravation marked under his eyes. "What?"

A duty he could not delay any further, as much as he wished to. "I seek your permission your grace…"

A terse tone was his response "For what?"

"To administer henbane to the Lord Marquess to ease his suffering, your grace." He grimaced though only the lower part of his face could be seen "His condition continues to decline, he refuses all sustenance and even though weak he spits out any tonics we endeavor to give. He will take water, but that is all." He had done his best to keep his tone even, clinical, despite the frustration eating at him for the needless waste of life.

There was complete silence in the room following his words, the look on Joshua's face was… stunned… as if he were struggling to comprehend the words the Undying had just spoken. Finally he seemed to manage to pull himself together enough to speak "If he refuses… then give him no option to refuse…"

The Undying shook his head slightly "We have tried your grace… he refused to swallow to the point where he was choking on the food. We dare not try again, lest we risk him actually doing so this time."

Air hissed out between Joshua's teeth, anger flickering across his face yet it was fear that filled his gaze. "Then what would you recommend?"

It had to have been a great struggle for the young Archduke to even ask that question, a show of his concern and wish to not see the Lord Marquess die. He sighed softly, hands folded meekly in front of him "There are really only two options your grace… allow me to administer the henbane, or take him out of this exile." There was a brief pause before he continued, perhaps it was his advanced age or simply his cursed willful nature, but he continued after a breath "There is no need to further punish the both of you, your grace… all this is doing is slowly destroying you both. Please… I beg you reconsider your grace, before it is to late."

He wanted to react with anger, to rage at how this man dared talk to him in such a manner… yet he couldn't find it within himself to do so. There had been no trace of condescension in his voice, simply honesty and… an odd sort of care. Joshua pressed a hand to his mouth, looking off out the balcony doors in contemplation. If Clive was truly in such dire straights… did he dare continue to walk this path and risk his beloved dying? Or should he simply allow the Undying to ease his suffering, to give him the tonic that would settle him gently into that eternal slumber? Even the thought of such made him feel ill… his heart beating faster and fear rising within him at the thought of losing the one he loved more than any. Yet had he not already lost him? He had allowed the Phoenix to cause him such great harm, then despite his pleas he had sent him away. There was little hope within him that his beloved could forgive such actions… but what choice did he have in the end?

Both men were silent, until finally Joshua rose from his chair. Without a single word said he left his chambers, the Undying trailing along behind him, and made his way to what had been Clive's chambers since he was a small child. A little out of the way room well away from the family wing… an oversight that truly should have been rectified yet he had not ever foreseen the need prior. Pushing the door open he walked in, taking in the low light as dusk had settled, a single candle lit in the room at the table where the Undying watching over Clive sat. He stood upon Joshua's entry, bowing deeply, then swiftly leaving the room to give him privacy. Clive lay still on the bed, his breathing even yet not as deep and easy as it should have been. He stood there watching him, for how long he couldn't tell, before finally he slowly approached the bed. His hand shook as he reached out to gently brush the hair out of Clive's face, seeing the shadows of an exhaustion that mirrored his own on the other man's face. As he stood there looking down at that face he was reminded of something Clive had said… sworn… when they had been reunited after Byron's treachery "Never after you…" he hadn't quite understood the meaning behind those words at the time, yet he did now… his love would live for him, die for him, and… refused to live without him. His breath caught… he had what he had ever wished for, the complete and utter devotion of his beloved, so why did it make him feel sick to realize exactly how deep that devotion had gone?

It took some time but finally he shook himself out of his downward spiraling thoughts, reaching out and gently lifting his beloved into his arms. Clive was lighter than he recalled him being, leaner, but that could be worked on. Leaving the room be carried Clive down the halls, empty save for a few of his Undying… likely the reason behind how empty the halls were… but thankfully so as he did not wish any to see his beloved, his First Shield, in such a state. He continued on until he reached the doors to his chambers, a bowing Undying pushing them open so he could go through. He came up short as he stepped inside, the doors closing softly behind him, as it appeared his needs had been anticipated yet again. A steaming bath awaited, with all the soaps and oils necessary lined up neatly beside, leaving him once more thankful for Jote and her attentiveness.

With a soft sigh Joshua stepped out of his boots then lay Clive down on the chaise long enough to strip out of his clothing. Having done that he gently stripped his beloved while doing all he could to ignore the still healing bruises he could see, tossing the garments in the laundry basket as they were in desperate need of a wash, before lifting him up once more and easing them both into the tub. The sensation of water and heat seemed to rouse Clive from his slumber, though it was rather worrying he had not woken to being moved around so much, his lashes fluttered before groggy eyes opened. Clive seemed very confused, brows furrowing as a trembling hand reached up for fingers to lightly graze his cheek.

"Why… must these dreams torment me so…?" his voice sounded so despondent, so much pain behind his words.

Voice catching slightly Joshua reached out, cupping Clive's cheek gently "It's not a dream…"

Clive shook his head slightly at his words, eyes tearing up "Of course it is… he doesn't want me any more…" tears spilled down his cheeks as his head moved to hang forwards, shoulders hunching up. "Same dream as always… forgiveness… belonging… only to be tossed back into the darkness." A sob ripped out of his throat at that, one hand moving up to press to his mouth to muffle it.

Biting his lip hard enough to taste copper Joshua pressed himself to Clive's back, wrapping his arms around his beloved as he let out a shuddering breath "I'm sorry darling… I thought… I thought I was doing the right thing, but all I seem to do is hurt you…"

They stayed like that… for how long Joshua had no clue, until finally he forced himself to move, to gently wash as much of his beloved as he could with the man still curled up with his knees tight to his chest. He seemed lost within himself once the tears had stopped flowing, gaze empty where he looked off at nothing, not even a hint of recognition as Joshua painstakingly washed his hair with extra care to ensure no soap dripped down to sting his eyes. With washing done he moved around to urge Clive to stand so he could dry him, the motions stilted and jerky, like moving a doll. Yet he still continued on, getting him out of the tub and dried, then guiding him to lay down. It was hours later before he was finally able to settle himself enough to attempt to sleep, the urge to watch Clive having kept him from doing more than laying down and staring at his beloved.

Screaming brought him to wakefulness with a harsh jolt, jerking up to sitting, gaze wide as sleep hazed eyes frantically searched for the source of the screams. Clive was curled up on his side at the far end of the bed, shaking and sobbing and screaming incomprehensibly, hands gripped tightly in his hair. Moving from where he sat had felt like moving through a thick mire, it felt like it took an age before his hand was able to reach out and rest over one of the ones pulling at that thick black hair. Somehow he managed to get the hand untangled from the locks, pulling it gently down to hold it in his own. "Clive…"

The screaming slowly eased into soft sobs, the sounds weak as if the force of the outburst had taken what little energy and strength Clive had had. Pulling his other hand free Joshua maneuvered him so he was resting in the circle of his arms, one hand slowly rubbing his back "I'm here darling… I'm here…" Yet he was starting to fear that what made Clive… well, Clive… was pushed so very far down that all he would be left with was a broken being… a doll… an absence of who he loved wearing his beloved's face. And after everything… perhaps that was what he deserved… he'd ended up being Anabella's creature after all, he'd succeeded where she had failed… he'd destroyed the only one who ever truly loved him.