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[At the sound of Joshua’s voice, a wave of relief washes through Clive. He knew he had been worried, but hadn’t quite realized how much he had been until he could see Joshua peeking out from his blanket cocoon.

Before he could think much past that, he was getting slammed back against the now-closed greenhouse door by a very, very excited wolf.]

Oof!

[He rubs at Torgal’s ruff, letting the hound keep his massive paws on Clive’s shoulders and tolerating getting his face practically devoured in happy puppy kisses before he gives Torgal a little shove.]

Down, boy.

[Torgal immediately sits, tail wagging happily, watching as Clive goes to Joshua’s side and sits. He runs a hand through Joshua’s hair, presses his wrist to the warm skin of his brother’s forehead, brows furrowed.

He realizes, rather suddenly, that he hasn’t had to gauge Joshua’s temperature since Ifrit awoke within him. A part of him laments his body’s heightened temperature. There is no point in comparing his own body heat to Joshua’s, not anymore.

He drops his wrist only to take one of Joshua’s clammy hands in his own.]

I’m sorry I wasn’t here to care for you. How are you feeling?

[ It has been awhile since Joshua has nipped out to bathe… he has not troubled anyone to help him get there. All this to say his hair isn’t as nice and lush as it normally is. Still, Joshua leans a little into Clive’s wrist despite knowing it probably won’t give his brother an accurate read.

When Clive drops his wrist Joshua’s head sways forward slightly before resting back at neutral. He puts his other hand atop Clive’s— and not just because it’s warm. :) ]

I’m not feeling too bad, really, you needn’t worry yourself. I’ve had some help, besides.

[Clive rubs his thumb across Joshua's knuckles and smiles softly at his brother when Joshua drapes his free hand over the top of Clive's. Time was a strange thing here, fuzzy and uncertain, and his memories that have from home that have come with him have shifted how he sees things now.

Despite all of that, nothing would ever change his relief at being with his brother. Too much time has passed for Joshua without him and he'd be damned if he was going to waste a minute of it right now.]

So I've heard. Dion left me quite a few messages.

[Clive leans in to knock one of Joshua's shoulder's lightly with his own.]

It's my turn to help you. Now, [He sits up straight and playfully wrinkles his nose] When was the last time you had a bath?

[ He smiles softly at the brush across his knuckles; it’s so good to hear Clive’s voice again. His thoughts shift and Joshua’s cheeks flush at the words “quite a few”—what does that mean? What all has Dion told Clive? Joshua was pretty sparse in his own messages to Clive and certainly didn’t detail anything past “a little under the weather”… he has the sinking suspicion Dion has been more informative.

A quick laugh is startled out of Joshua at Clive’s silent condemnation of the way he smells. ]

Ha– Wow brother, it’s good to see you too. I’ll have you know it’s been– [ he breaks off a moment looking a little unsure ] …not so long ago? It was the day we got back from the mission.

[ How long ago was that? Joshua couldn’t be certain; his fever played tricks with his sense of time. ]

[Oh Joshua, Dion most certainly has left significantly more detail. What Clive learned from the messages he returned to are part of the reason why he isn't pushing Joshua for more information, why he won't be pushing. Joshua has been cared for and is on the mend. That is what matters.

He does take pause at Joshua's answer.]

Joshua.

[He squeezes his brother's hand.]

We're getting you to the baths. It's been nigh on 5 weeks since the last mission ended.

[Clive stands, guiding Joshua and the thickest blanket Clive can find with him. He eyes his brother carefully, determining if the younger man can make it on his own two feet or not.]

[ Joshua’s eyes widen when confronted with the amount of time that has passed. The surprise is evident and he blinks a few times as Clive rises. Founder… It has been some time since he’s had a fever this bad. Has he been pushing his body too hard? Lady Tarja had urged him to be careful; she doesn’t think his body can manage another priming.

Running concurrently with this thought is the staggering realization that he has not cleaned himself in five whole weeks. That cannot stand. Neither can Joshua, not gracefully anyway. His legs wobble like that of a newborn fawn. Embarrassing. ]

Five weeks? That can’t be right, can it?

[ If that is true then where has Clive been? He’s said he received Dion’s messages, yet he’s stayed away from Garreg Mach for more than a moon’s time?? ]

[Clive steadies Joshua and gives him a quick once over. He knows Joshua won't like it, but he is certain there is no way his brother is getting from the greenhouse to the baths as he is. He'll at least give him the slight dignity of not throwing him over his shoulder.

While it isn't the most effective way to carry someone, it will also be the best way to make sure Joshua stays wrapped up and warm. With a quick 'pardon me', Clive scoops Joshua up into a princess carry before making his way out of the greenhouse and towards the baths.]

That was my response when I woke up this morning in my bed as though no time had passed at all. I wouldn't have known that time had passed at all had it not been for Dion and Vax's messages.

[ The noise that comes from Joshua upon being scooped up can only be referred to as a squawk. ]

UWA— Clive—!

[ He squirms and clutches at his brother’s shoulders simultaneously. Joshua is about to mount an argument against Clive’s behavior but is stalled when the older man speaks. ]

Wait, I’m lost…how did you lose time? Were you ill as well? Where were you—I couldn’t find you in the dorms here…

[ He would attempt to escape Clive’s arms, but these questions take priority and he doesn’t want the ensuing tiff to interrupt. ]

[Clive tries not to laugh at the sound Joshua makes. He is only partially successful.

A series of questions that will perplex both of them. Clive is quiet for a moment, trying to describe how what he went through felt.]

I went home. Where I am from, we're in Waloed now. I just parted ways with you so you could investigate some ruins.

[Clive gives Joshua a little bounce.]

You punched me in the face. [He chuckles.] I deserved it.

[Clive gets to the baths and nudges the door open with his hip before finally setting his brother down.]

When I came back, it felt... strange. Like I had never left. Time had passed both at home and here, and yet, it feels like no time has passed at all.

[He frowns.]

I should check in with everyone, let them know I'm here and that I'm okay.

[ A look of genuine surprise moves across Joshua’s face at the news his brother had returned to Valisthea. How could this be when his user name has shown ‘active’ all this time??

That look had been melting into concern, but this is disrupted by the bounce in movement and Clive’s next words which cause Joshua to chuckle as well; a smile blooming on his face while his shoulders rise and his hand moves to block his mouth.

Joshua listens intently to Clive and before he knows it they’ve arrived at the bath house. He hasn’t even had the time to struggle out of the other man’s clutches…still he touched down gracefully enough. ]

That you had returned to Valisthea…how strange… Our communication devices listed you as present here in Etraya— how is it possible for you to be in two places at once, yet distinctly not? As far as I am aware no one has seen you…

[ Has it really been five weeks? That fever must have been terrible for him to not notice such a large amount of time passing. It all is making Joshua’s head hurt a little. As he is still shaky he takes a seat and begins disrobing for the bath. He has only managed his socks and has grabbed the hem of his shirt before he freezes, eyes darting up to Clive’s like he has been startled. ]

[Clive's smile widens at the sound of Joshua's laugh. He misses that sound. There aren't opportunities to laugh much back home, but here he may have the chance to hear it more. Wouldn't that be a treat?]

I was wondering why Dion and Vax were able to send me messages. I wondered if maybe they were trying despite my name not being active, but it sounded more like they thought I was missing and not... gone.

[But to be at two places at once... Clive was thinking he might finally have an excuse to talk to Aurora himself.]

I may have to-

[Clive stops as he makes eye contact with Joshua. He frowns.]

Joshua... what are you hiding?

[The sixth sense of a big brother with both a protective streak and a little brother prone to mischeif.]

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