Juju

With a resigned sigh, Clive knelt down to gather the scattered wyvern tails. Each flower held a silent tale, and he could almost feel the weight of your gesture. Feeling the weight of the misunderstanding, he decided to seek clarity.

Clive made his way down to the bunks, taking it slow to not wake up the whole hideaway. The creaky old wood tried to give him away, but he was sneaky enough to keep it quiet. He raised his hand, knocking softly on the door, a gentle sound meant for your ears alone. After a moment, the door opened, revealing you with traces of old tears in your eyes. Without uttering a word, you nodded, an unspoken invitation for him to enter. He quietly entered your room, closing the door with a soft thud. As he settled in beside you on your bed, there was a palpable heaviness in the air. "I noticed those wyvern tails," he admitted, his eyes reflecting a mix of sincerity and regret. "I knew they were from you. I needed to talk because I don't want you thinking there's anything happening between me and Jill." It was like a weight lifted from your chest, and for a moment, the room seemed lighter. However, after a moment of silence, Clive went on, "There's someone else who's caught my attention. But I've been hesitant to say it, I admit." Silence. You looked at him, curiosity in your eyes. He continued, "I didn’t expect to find someone who would make me reconsider everything, but you did." The room felt charged with emotions as Clive confessed. "My Lady, I fell for you the moment I saw you. It wasn’t about Jill or anyone else. It was always about you."

The sincerity in his eyes melted away the remnants of tears in your eyes and a genuine smile formed on your face.

Finding yourself in the Valisthean woods, you moved with a purpose – Clive. Your goal: to gather some of the beautiful wyvern tails, the flowers that reminded you of Clive.

The woods were alive with nature's sounds, the birds singing their tune but your mind was fixed on your handsome leader, that you definitely had a crush on, Clive. You pictured his face, stoic most times, maybe softening if he saw the flowers you were collecting. Each wyvern tail you picked felt like a piece of hope and unspoken love. In the midst of the trees, you daydreamed about Clive's sturdy presence. This whole thing felt like a scene from a story, and you were playing the main character.

Lost in your thoughts, time flew away like it always does. The bunch of flowers in your hands meant more than just petals – it was a silent message.

As you clutched the bouquet of wyvern tails, deciding you've had enough collected, you made your way back through the woods from where you came, Obolus already awaited your return at the skiff. You eagerly jumped on board, the ferry man ready to take off. The fading light hinted at the approaching night as you sailed back towards the hideaway.

The blighted sea, a dangerous yet truly beautiful sight, stretched out before you, its eerie waters reflecting the darkening sky. The skiff cut through the tainted waves, and the scent of salt mixed with the ominous air of the Blight. The distant horizon, painted with hues of orange and purple, signaled the approaching end of the day.

As you approached the hideaway, the silhouette of the old ruins of the shipwreck emerged against the dimming sky. Skillfully guiding the skiff, the soft lapping of blighted waves accompanied your journey. You clutched your bouquet, the wyvern tails seeming to glow in the fading light. Little did you know, the night held more than just stars.

The skiff gently docked at the hideaway and Obolus, experienced in these waters, skillfully secured the vessel. Your heart quickened as you stepped onto the creaky, old docks. Behind you, the Blighted Sea stretched, its murky waters reflecting the dimming twilight. You took a steadying breath, mustering the courage to ascend the worn wooden elevator that led to the upper decks.

Approaching the huge doors of Clive's chambers, you felt the weight of unspoken emotions. With a hesitant breath, you raised your hand to knock.

However, a strange impulse stopped you from doing so. Instead, you peered through the gaps in the wooden door, hoping for a glimpse of Clive. What you saw inside shattered your excitement like glass.

Through the dimly lit room, you saw Clive and Jill, in a moment that, in the shadows, appeared more intimate than it probably was. Your heart dropped, and you felt a lump forming in your throat. Without thinking, you let go of the wyvern tails. The flowers tumbled to the floor, their vibrant petals now scattered like fallen dreams.

Embarrassment and hurt gripped you as you turned away. You ran to the bunks, seeking refuge in the darkness. You wanted nothing more than to get some sleep and forget about everything that had happened.

Star light

Say goodnight

Star bright

Where have you fallen?

Star light

Say goodnight

Star bright

I hear you calling

Fire, a fire that filled the night

Fire that warmed and brightened my life

My guiding light

On high

My hearth, my beacon, my hope

As you hovered above him, a sense of horror washed over you as you witnessed his left hand slowly transforming into stone, a grim indication that his time had finally come.

A sky of scattered tears

A thousand years apart

Should they fade, I will not be afraid of the dark

For your flame still burns inside me, deep within my heart

Time to pay the price of being a Dominant.

Showing me a new tomorrow

Never too far

"Promise me to take care of yourself. I know you can."

And when I cannot bear the pain

Tears trickled down your cheeks. Breathing suddenly became increasingly difficult, as if your lungs suddenly decided to turn against you.

I'll look up to the sky and pray

As he stared up at you, his blue eyes reflected only the moonlight, and he smiled as if he didn't have a care in the world.

That though our night is over, you shall always remain

Ignoring that his fate is sealed in stone.

How dare he.

Forever my treasure

As he stared up at you, his blue eyes reflected only the moonlight, and he smiled as if he didn't have a care in the world.

"I love you"

My star

On your way out, you immediately felt bad, but your mind told you to forget about it.

He deserved better than you...

A week passed by and luckily the Hideaway's routine became a great distraction, but no matter how hard you tried, thoughts of him crept into your mind like persistent shadows.

You desperately wanted to do something about it, but those words kept replaying in your mind.

He deserves better than me.

He deserves better.

Jill - his best friend since childhood. Like a sister. Oh sure... She was perfect from what you could tell. A fine Lady with the finest manners. As if they were made for each other. It always hurt seeing them together. What a selfish thought to keep him all for myself.

It hurt even more thinking about it. You wanted those thoughts to stop but they kept haunting you. Thinking that a bit of fresh air could do you good at the moment, you strolled down to the pier in the Hideaway. Nighttime always had that calming effect on you. After finding a spot to sit, you allowed yourself to close your eyes and take in the breeze of the sea. Having a moment where you didn't have to worry about anything was really pleasant. But that night still kept replaying in your mind.

The way he pulled you onto him... How close the two of you were... What could possibly have happened if you hadn't run away...

You snapped your eyes back open, a deep sigh escaping your lips. "Not again..." You inhaled and exhaled slowly, trying to get rid of the thoughts. Not until you felt something soft nuzzling into your side, accompanied by a gentle yawn. Only then did you realize it was none other than Torgal. A smile tugged at your lips as you began to pat him gently. "Good boy. What are you doing here huh?" You couldn't help but to wonder as to why the wolf would be here out of all places. "Did you decide to take a break from your owner?" Your own question brought a soft chuckle to your lips. You caught a soft, happy noise from him, as he cozied up comfortably beside you, stretching out and relishing the scratches you were giving him. "Ah, Torgal, what should I do? Your owner just won't leave my mind. But it's clear we're not meant for each other." You continued rambling, mostly to Torgal, but also to sort out your thoughts. "I mean, I'm just me, you know? Tarja's apprentice and running errands all over the Hideaway. And then there's Clive... well, he's Clive. By the founder, he's still a Rosfield. A Lord. And on top a Dominant. He's just everything!" Your frustration was evident in your exclamation.

As you were pouring out your thoughts to Torgal, a voice broke through your monologue, interrupting your internal struggle. "Everything, huh? I... didn't expect you to think so highly of me."

Your heart skipped a beat as you turned your head in surprise. There stood Clive, leaning against a nearby post, a half-smile playing on his lips. He looked effortlessly handsome, his dark hair ruffled by the wind, his deep blue eyes fixed on you with an unreadable expression. Your cheeks flushed, caught completely off guard by his sudden appearance. You hadn't expected him to be here. Though that would explain why Torgal was here. Stammering, you managed to find your words. "Clive, I... I didn't expect to see you here." He chuckled softly, pushing himself off the post and taking a step closer. "Well, I figured I'd take a walk down by the pier. And it seems Torgal had the idea before me." Torgal shifted, curiously looking at his owner. Clive smiled before giving the wolf a gentle pat. "Good boy. You keeping Y/N company?"

Your heart raced, torn between wanting to run away and wanting to stay and face the situation. Clive's presence was overwhelming, and the memories of that night kept flooding back. You averted your gaze, trying to gather your thoughts. "I... I mean... yes, seems... he had the same idea before you." Clive's gaze remained fixed on you, his expression softening slightly. It's the first time you've actually spoken to him since that night. "Mind if I join you?" You managed a weak nod, unable to find your voice. Clive settled down beside you, mimicking your position by the pier's edge.

"Beautiful night, isn't it?" He remarked, looking out at the blighted, yet moonlit water.

You finally found the courage to speak, though your words came out in a hushed tone. "Clive, listen... about that night at the infirmary... I'm sorry I ran off like that. It's just that, well, it was all so unexpected, and I didn't know how to..." He turned his gaze towards you, his blue eyes, by the founder you loved his eyes, holding a mix of amusement and understanding. "It's alright, Y/N. I admit I might've caught you off guard. But I've been thinking about that night too." Your heart raced at his words, your feelings in turmoil. "You... have?" He nodded, his gaze unwavering. "I have. And I've been wondering if you've been avoiding me because of it." You shifted uncomfortably, your fingers playing with the fabric of your dress. "It's not that simple, Clive. You're... well, you're you, and I'm just... me." He reached out, gently placing his hand over yours, stilling your restless fingers. "Y/N, you don't have to compare yourself to anyone. You're your own person, and that's what makes you so special." His touch sent shivers down your spine, and you found yourself looking into his eyes, a sincerity that made your heart flutter. "I... I'm just not sure about all of this. It's complicated." He smiled warmly, his thumb caressing the back of your hand. "Life is complicated, but sometimes, it's worth taking a chance." Torgal let out a contented whine, as if sensing a shift in the atmosphere. Clive's presence was reassuring, and a part of you wanted to believe his words. Maybe, just maybe, it was worth taking a chance, even if your heart was still unsure.

As the moonlight danced on the water, you felt a glimmer of hope within you, a small flame of possibility that maybe, just maybe, you could find something meaningful amidst the complexity of it all. But of course your mind had to complicate it even more. "What... what about Jill?" You swallowed hard, feeling a knot form in your throat as you continued. "Jill is wonderful, Clive. You two have history that I can't compete with. She's been by your side for so long." Clive only leaned in closer, his voice soft but resolute. "Jill has always been a dear friend, a sister, but that doesn't mean my heart isn't capable of making its own choices." Before you could reply, his hand cupped your cheek, his touch warm against your skin. And then, in a moment that stole your breath away, his lips met yours in a gentle kiss. It was soft and tender, filled with unspoken emotions you had been struggling to voice.

As he pulled away, his eyes searched yours, searching for a response. "Y/N, I don't want you to doubt yourself. You deserve happiness as much as everyone else. I'm not looking for a shadow of Jill. I'm looking for you." Tears welled up in your eyes, a mix of emotions overwhelming you. His words, his touch, the kiss - all of it was like a balm to your insecurities that had plagued you. You closed your eyes, taking in a deep breath to steady yourself. When you opened them again, you found Clive still looking at you, waiting for your reaction. You let out a shaky laugh, a mixture of relief and vulnerability. "You have your way with words, Clive." He smiled, his thumb brushing away the tear that had escaped. "I just speak from the heart." Your lips formed into a smile of your own, the weight of your doubts beginning to lift. "Clive, I..." He reached out, his fingers gently touching your lips to silence you. "You don't have to say anything if you're not ready, Y/N. I don't want to rush you." You appreciated his understanding, but something in you had shifted. The emotions you had kept locked away for so long were finally finding their voice. You placed your hand on his, holding it against your lips for a moment, before looking back into his deep blue eyes. "No, Clive." Your voice got steadier now. "I want to say this. I need to say this." You took a deep breath, feeling the weight of the words you were about to say. "I love you, Clive Rosfield. I love you for who you are, for how you've helped me see beyond my doubts, for the way you've shown me that happiness is worth pursuing. Just now, I fell even harder for you." Clive's eyes seemed to shimmer with emotion as he looked at you, his thumb gently tracing your lips. The moonlight played on his features, casting a surreal glow around him. And then, a slow, genuine smile spread across his face, his eyes never leaving yours. "I love you too, Y/N.", he said, his voice carrying the weight of his feelings. "I've admired you from the moment we met, but now... my heart is truly yours." In that moment, it felt as if the stars above were shining just for the two of you. Clive leaned in, and this time you met him halfway. Your lips brushed against each other, a sweet and tender kiss that sealed your feelings. As you pulled away, you rested your forehead against his, your breaths intermingling. You felt his arms wrapping around you, holding you close, and you felt the truth of his affection in every touch.

Another batch of rescued bearers arrived.

More work for both Tarja and you.

Great.

Having them rescued and now safe at the hideaway is definitely a good thing, but patching them up was exhausting. Every fiber in your body screamed for some rest.

You didn’t know when you had your last break, hours… maybe even days?

Yes, maybe a little bit exaggerated, but it definitely felt like it.

Tarja already left the infirmary, finished for the day. She told you to get some rest too, scolding you for overworking yourself again, but you insisted on checking up once again on the particular bad injured bearers.

The sight of a young girl made your heart ache. Being a bearer at this age must be hard.

You subconsciously touched the brand on your cheek, a reminder that you went through the same hell. One horrible master after another… Forced to work until passing out. But dwelling on the past won’t help moving on, so you push the thought away.

A sigh escaped your lips as you let yourself fall onto the wooden chair next to the bed of the young girl.

You desperately wanted some sleep, but your mind told you to still watch over her.

Just as you feel your eyelids growing heavy, the sound of a door getting slammed open stops you from finally getting some rest.

You immediately jolt up, grabbing the lit candle from the bedside table, cautiously walking to the entrance of the infirmary.

Your eyes widen at the sight before you.

There he stood. Bloodied and bruised. A horrible sight.

"Clive…?"

Suddenly all of your fatigue washed away, your legs carrying you towards him. You immediately grabbed his hand, manoeuvring him to one of the empty beds behind the curtains that seperated the infirmary.

You command the leader of the Hideaway to sit down, with a harsh "Sit"

Clive could only nod as he sat down, a not so really reassuring smile on his lips.

Grabbing your needed medical equipment, which was still scattered around the infirmary (Tarja would scold you for being so disorganised), you come back to an seemingly tired Clive, his eyelids on the verge of closing.

"Got my needed stuff. Some medicine and bandages and all that… Clive?", you announce and kneel down at the side of the bed.

Clive let out a hum of acknowledgment, getting comfortable on the bed.

The two of you sat there in silence, you doing your work and Clive being Clive.

And you didn’t dare risk waking up the others in the infirmary.

Until the silence got too unbearable.

You stopped dabbing his forehead with the cloth in your hand, letting out a frustrated sigh. "What… happened this time, huh?" Clive took in your words and tried to process them.

"It's alright… Just a morbol that I seemed to run into.", he muttered while his hand wandered onto your cheek, a genuine smile gracing his lips.

You flinched at the contact but soon relaxed into his touch, though your heartrate increased a thousand times. Let's be honest, you've always had a thing for your leader.

Though your stubbornness came through and you gently shrugged his hand off, continuing your work, while scolding him.

"Clive… you're- you're so reckless, you know that? Everyone cares about you. Jill, Joshua, Torgal, hell, even the whole Hideaway… I care about you. Just because you wanna play saviour and revenge Cid, doesn’t mean that you can throw yourself into fights. And don’t even start with recklessly using Ifrit. You remember what happened the last time. I- I can‘t bear the sight of you injured. I-" You let yourself sink onto the floor, sighing.

The next few moments passed by in silence until you felt movement from Clive, who seemed to shift his position on the bed, now looking down at you.

"I… am genuinely sorry, my Lady." The title easily rolled off his tongue and the next move caught you off-guard.

Time seemed to slow down, as you felt his two strong arms around your waist, heaving you up into his lap.

You were at loss for words, your eyes wide at the close proximity between the two of you.

"Joshua told me everything.", he whispered.

The only thing you were able to let out was a "huh?", followed by realisation.

As it turned out, the newest addition was in the Phoenix, Joshua Rosfield, the younger brother of Clive.

A sweet young, chivalrous gentleman.

You remember the nights where Clive told you everything about his past, about his life as young Lord, sworn shield of the sweet young Joshua.

About that fateful night at Phoenix Gate.

The nights where you comforted him, and took care of him. You never thought how vulnerable Clive Rosfield actually was.

The younger Rosfield felt that connection between his brother and you, a plan forming in his mind.

"It seems you have taken a liking to my brother. My Lady, I sincerely apologise if I misjudged the close proximity between the two of you."

It clearly caught you off-guard, but how could you deny Joshua's assumptions. It was true after all.

You clearly remeber the teasing from Tarja, too. How could you not?

But you were afraid. Afraid that everything could go wrong.

From getting rejected to the worst case - getting thrown out of the Hideaway Clearly unrealistic but anyway

So you did the most rational thing your mind came up with - getting out of his grasp and standing up.

"I'm sorry, but I can't- I have to go and you should rest."

You immediately left the infirmary without giving him time to react.

On your way out, you immediately felt bad, but your mind told you to forget about it.

He deserved better than you.

The pain was real, just like the realisation.

Clive was dead.

He turned into stone, in front of your very eyes.

He sacrificed himself for a better world. A world without dominants, bearers and magick. For a better future.

But it hurt. So much.

He told you he would come back. He always did.

But then why did you have to witness the gruesome sight of his body turning into stone?

"Take care of the others. Take care of the hideaway. They trust you. I trust you."

"I love you…"

You wanted to process his words.

Process that he loved you back.

But it was too late.

Clive is dead.

He is gone.