Chapter Text
The Heart of Rosaria giggled as he tumbled into the fresh snow not a second after they left the keep. No simple stumble caught or a managed flop onto his bum, but a full, face-first leap which startled Clive into a fit of laughter.
"Joshua!" Clive exclaimed, his grin impossible to hide as he grasped his brother by his hood and yanked him upright to ensure he breathed, "Behave or mother will have you back inside!"
"But Clive," Joshua replied, wonder and jubilee swirling in his eyes, "It snowed! And…I can play in it!"
The First's chest squeezed, sore from the memory of mournful eyes pleading from locked bedroom window at him as he patrolled in flurried weather. Truthfully, it was a rare enough occasion Rosaria was granted this much snow, let alone that Joshua be permitted out in it. Yet, their father demanded a change of routine and reasoned with their mother until she conceded.
"It would benefit him," Elwin declared, "You would prefer he face his first snowfall when unprepared? He has everything he needs and can recover safely. It's for his health."
Stuck in his position of Shield, Clive was not permitted to speak or leap for the hug he wished to give Elwin —At least not with Anabella present. However, Joshua made up for them both, squeaking his thank yous and, when it was deemed proper, raced to embrace the Archduke before scurrying to his nursemaids in the blink of an eye.
"And as his First," Elwin continued, raising his eyebrows and tilting his head to Clive, his smile poorly masked behind his hand, "You know what you are to do?"
"Of course, Your Grace!" Clive bellowed, and bowed to hide his own smirk, "Father…"
Fleeting were the days that the Archduke was more than the title he carried. But Clive cherished the seconds of his father he glimpsed between stern orders and maudlin whispers in the corners of the castle. Elwin wished not only for Joshua to experience what of his childhood he had left, but that it be shared amongst brothers.
It was an honor and a blessing neither boy would squander.
Shaking the memory away, Clive refocused his attention back to Joshua, curious as to his stillness and neck craned to the sky.
"Are you trying to catch a snowflake?" Clive asked and squatted besides him to see for himself. Joshua was not and seemingly confused by the remark.
"Catch one?"
"On your tongue."
The First was answered with furrowed brows. Chuckling, Clive gestured for his brother to watch as he explained, "You can catch them, though they taste like nothing. Here, watch."
Summer blues watched wide and intrigued as Clive stuck out his tongue. Soon enough, trickles of frost signaled success and he dramatically gulped down the melted drops, reveling in the gasps and squeals of delight that followed. A plain joy, but one suitable for a lord who eagerly tried next.
It was little more than a cheeky taunt with only the tip of his tongue slipping out. Clive snorted.
"Put your tongue out further, Joshua. You'll catch nothing like that!"
Joshua pouted. "How far?"
"As far as you can!"
Huffing in determination, Joshua retried, this time opening his mouth and angling skywards, his tongue outstretched in wanting and waiting. It was…a familiar sight and one that had Clive nearly burying himself in the snow. How easily innocence was demolished, replaced by unmentionable depravity, as of late.
No, he would not let it fester and transform.
Clearing his throat, he opted to ignore his perversion, cocooning himself instead with the sweet proclamations of, "I thim I cauth ome, Clibe!" and simpering as he confirmed by a nod that Joshua succeeded. Thank the Founder, Joshua finally retreated his tongue and the wisps of suggestion faded away.
"It tastes…" Joshua pondered, pressing a gloved finger to his chin, "Cold."
"A discovery for the archives," Clive retorted, earning him a sour look and a handful of snow flung his way. "Hey! I'm not making fun of you! I promise."
If only Joshua knew the jest's actual purpose of quelling what rushing blood went where it naught. Perhaps if he sat directly in the snow, he would find peace?
Keen on another distraction, Clive returned the fire, albeit a gentle scoop that covered Joshua in a feather-light dusting. Well now, it was war. Absolution shot the boy to his knees and with one grand armful, he grasped all he could. Fickle ammo untempered shriveled in his possession, spilling from every nook and cranny comically until his toss barely put a puff on Clive's face. Yet, he would not be deterred! Clive's laughter was his own downfall, granting an opening which Joshua pounced.
Together they tumbled into the clouds, squealing and kicking amidst giggling abundant. Snow flung about and taunts flourished, each exchanging lighthearted blows back and forth until the chill was lost in their joy. Even when a sneaky hand surprised Clive with ice down the back of his neck, he could not find himself to be startled or uneased. Instead, he was mesmerized with apple-red cheeks and rapid breaths that preceded a tremble, all building to a crescendo of realization and one Clive would scold himself for days after the fact.
For a fraction of a second, Clive saw Joshua in rapture, atop him and glowing with pleasure forbidden. Scarlet painting his cheeks, neck, and chest as he arched in the candlelight. Divine and his. And a second later, Joshua was fully clothed in the daylight, yet… moving to straddle him.
"J-Joshua?!" Clive gasped, his body jolting with sudden adrenaline and hormonal quickness replaying the scene in his mind. He swatted it away vainly. the weight of his brother's bottom cementing his torment.
"I win!" Joshua declared, voice pure and guiltless, "I am the king! You have been bested!"
Recalling their game, Clive teetered back to reality even as his body refused to let go of the fantasy.
"I-Indeed, I have...!" he replied, mind whirling in conflicting commands. Finally, the corrected course shone through and Clive leapt for it. "Now, off before all the snow melts. You'll miss your fun."
Joshua shook his head, grin wild and carefree. Stunning even. "I am having fun! "
Clive could tell…and he was having a bit too much fun himself. Thank the Founder for the layers the nursemaids insisted Joshua wear for he seemed oblivious to the growing presence under him. Perhaps Clive should heed such advice in his own attire to spare himself the humiliation standing upright now would require.
At least there was a winter wonderland all around to serve as the perfect distraction.
"But have you built a snowman yet?" Clive inquired, voice cracking as his composure wore thin and his heart rattled, "You said you always wanted to–"
He needn't say another word for the little lord bolted to start his building, arms frantic but meticulous in their work. One would think he read manuals for this very day, perhaps he had. And as Joshua constructed the body of who would be "Sir Hershel, Knight of the Bitter Court," Clive retreated to find twigs, stones, and his levelheadedness, lamenting it took until Hershel's near completion to retrieve that last necessity and the means to walk normal again.
And how quickly it all came tumbling down as he knelt for the final touch.
Chilled fingers pressed pebble into snow as playful, winter-kissed lips brushed his cheek. Clive's gasp and reflexive turn to his brother only emboldened the boy, trapping him in a vice of an embrace with only the plush of Joshua's tongue shaping his world. He swore the Phoenix's Blessing swept his being as thunderous heat poured over him, screaming for all manner of indecency…
…Indecency…
Swiftly, Clive grasped Joshua's shoulders and forced him away. Flushed and red, the little lord stared, starstruck and love-dazed while trembling breath puffed clouds into the air between them. There was a hunger –a desperation– to chase another and another, sharing breath and warmth until both needed their garb stripped or they would burst into flame. The want was clear on Joshua's face and the willingness far to within grasp for this moment.
"Joshua," Clive quivered, "Anyone could be watching."
"I checked!" Joshua pouted, ruby cheeks begging for a touch. Clive obeyed, holding them in his palms. "No one is here, I promise!"
How Clive wished to believe.
"You can't be sure," Clive insisted to Joshua, to himself, "Mother has watchers everywhere."
Panic clouded Joshua's gaze, prompting tears to speckle his lashes with the snow dust and sunlight. It pained Clive to wipe away their beauty though it pained him more hearing Joshua's sobs.
"I'm…I'm sorry…"
"Don't be," the First murmured. Against all reason and his screaming gut, Clive glanced around before shielding them behind Sir Hershel. One by one, Clive pressed tender kisses from rosy cheek to rosy cheek, kissing away sorrow under each eye until finally a giggle rose forth, tearing Clive in half. A gentleman, he swore off the one which plagued him all afternoon, settling his forehead to Joshua's as he whispered brightly, "I've been fighting the need myself."
Enlightened by this revelation, Joshua's gaze sparkled and he bit back his grin. Then, he muttered through a delayed hiccup, "The cold air suits you, brother."
Clive tilted his head. "The cold air?"
Nodding, Joshua confessed, "It leaves you with a blush. I wish to warm you up. In many ways."
Oh, Founder…
All at once, Clive realized the amatory haze was one shared and perhaps more was intentional than previously thought. A frustrated scowl flickered over his demeanor before melting to a shy smile kinder than Joshua's teasings.
"That is my job for you and one I will see to once you have had your fill of the snow."
Joshua beamed, the temptation too good to bear. "And if I say I am ready now?"
"I would call you a liar," Clive teased and nuzzled the boy's cheek before sneaking a final kiss, "But, that's not to say I cannot tend some to your own chilled cheeks to bide the time, Your Grace."
Joshua relented to the remark, sighing into the caresses and patting his face after as if to preserve the renewed warmth, packing it in like snow. Clive helped, sneaking a small tickle along his jaw and ear, indulging in the squeak and retreat from Joshua before he toppled over.
"I-I meant to do that!" he cried, suddenly waving his arms and legs about, "Snow angels next!"
"Snow angels next," Clive laughed and joined in, his heart's anticipation ringing in his ears and the sear of the cold only heightening his boundless yearning.