undyingflames | Open Post // Overflow

[ Joshua glances over at Dion beside him and his smile falls to something softer, sadder. Not because he's telling him not yet, because Joshua had already expected that to be his answer, but rather... because Joshua knows full well the guilt and responsibility he bears. Probably better than anyone aside from Clive, as they both still bear their own weight from the events of Phoenix Gate and the destruction and death they'd both caused, even if it wasn't either of their faults.

Much like Dion.

Had Tarja not told them that Dion was still gravely injured when he left, maybe he would've let him go back to Twinside by himself, in full understanding of why he'd left. But... there's a relief that he didn't, that he was able to make it to Dion first, so that he won't have to bear this burden alone. ]

Then, allow me to join you, Dion. [ He says his name softly, it sticks in his mouth a bit, not used to saying it, but there's a small warmth that spreads from his chest as it leaves his lips. ] After you've healed, when you depart for Twinside. I would go with you to help you in what ways that I'm able.

[Dion nods. The guilt within him screams that he has to go it alone, but that Joshua is sitting here beside him right now is proof he cannot.]

Thank you. [For not trying to stop him, and for wanting to help. Dion isn't sure he deserves that kindness, but he won't do Joshua the discourtesy of rejecting it.]

I won't try to sneak away again. When I am ready to leave, I'll let you know.

[And the survivors of Twinside might be glad to have the Phoenix in their midst. Even if Joshua cannot afford to use his power, his presence can inspire the way Bahamut used to.]

[ Joshua's smile warms again. In truth, he'd half expected Dion to tell him no, possibly not wanting to ask any more of him after what happened today, when there was a debt Dion still believed he had to pay, but there's a relief and gladness that he didn't turn him away. That he's still willing to accept his help. ]

And I will be ready. [ His blue eyes move from Dion, further back behind him over his shoulder to look at the Hideaway that's slowly getting closer ] But first, we must both of us rest. Lest we anger Lady Tarja further.

[ There's a gentle lilt of amusement in his soft voice, adding the 'we' to make light of it, and to make him feel better, since Dion isn't the only one who's earned Tarja's ire. Then again, they're both probably going to be up and about far sooner than she'd like anyways. But at least they'll still be able to get some rest. ]

[They reach the Hideaway's dock with no further issue, and limp side by side up to the infirmary to weather Tarja's furious lecture together. For all of her indignation, her hands are gentle as she re-bandages Dion's wounds and mixes herbs into a potion to sooth the worst of his aches.

Dion bares it with a bowed head, not trying to protest or excuse himself. It's easier that way.

Eventually, they are left alone in the twin beds in Tarja's back room. The sounds from the rest of the Hideaway are muffled by the infirmary door. There is a stillness in the room that has Dion instinctively lowering his voice when he speaks.]

That could have been worse. How are you feeling?

[ When they finally make it back to the Hideaway, Clive's the first to meet them on their way back to the infirmary. There's a look of wanting to scold his brother, but he doesn't. Maybe because he knows Tarja's about to, or maybe he's more relieved to see them both back safely (and maybe Clive has too much of a soft spot for his little brother to scold him overly much.) But whatever the reason, he simply sees them both to the infirmary, keeping Joshua to his promise of going to rest.

Aside from a deserved lecture they both weather together, Joshua isn't as in much need of attention and bandaging as the prince, having only just gotten back from the Hideaway before with but a few scrapes and bruises from the travels he'd but just returned from and some soreness and exhaustion from their rowing excursion. But unfortunately, that doesn't mean he's able to escape Tarja's wrath. Handing him a vial of medicine, that he may have left purposefully behind before having left the Hideaway before with Clive, with a look and a few words of how he needs to take his medicine, before setting to work on Dion.

But he too bears it without complaint, having troubled her enough and knowing he can't escape it now, and downs the medicine in a practiced manner, having had to do it his whole life, and with a grimace.

Once he finishes it, his eyes wander to Dion as Tarja starts to remove his bandages, finally seeing for himself the scars and wounds that lay beneath... one's he'd gotten from their battle in the Dominion, and a frown pulls at his lips. Proof of all he's gone through, all he's had to endure, the painful truth and memories that lie within them... wounds Clive and Joshua had caused, even though they needed to fight him in order to stop him, his heart still weighs with guilt and sadness. Wounds that may not have existed at all had Joshua reached out to him sooner.

When Tarja finally finishes and leaves, warning them first that they'd better stay put and actually rest, Joshua sits on the edge of his bed, facing Dion as a silence falls over the room, the noises of the Hideaway muffled and distant. ]

Indeed, we are fortunate Lady Tarja did not wish to have us confined to our bedsides. [ He chuckles softly, ducking his head a little, keeping his voice quiet, like two kids trying not to get caught being awake after bedtime ] I'm well, merely fatigued. [ His expression softens to worry ] But what of you, Dion? Your wounds... how do they fare?

[ Joshua might've healed him, but it was barely anything in comparison to what he might've done to himself getting out that far on the lake and he didn't hear what all Tarja might've said about them. ]

[Dion looks down at his own bandaged chest, then gives a shrug that pains him only slightly, thanks to the numbing effects of Tarja's draught.]

These? They look worse than they are. I've been a soldier since I reached my majority, Joshua. I've had worse than this and lived.

[Is it healthy for him to downplay his injuries? Probably not. But Dion has so long prioritized 'Sanbreque' over 'Dion', he's trained himself not to worry too much over his own well-being.]

But we will both rest, so Tarja, your brother, and you can all be at ease over my condition.

[ Joshua's frown only deepens as Dion but shrugs at his own injuries, injuries that had nearly killed him. He knows Dion's right, that he's used to a life of fighting, having been on the frontlines of a war, leading the charge for many years against the Dhalmekians and Waloed as Bahamut, used to getting hurt like this, much as Clive is. But it does little to quell the worry and the guilt that pulls at him, most especially after what happened on the lake.

Though in all honesty, Joshua's no better. Ignoring or downplaying his own condition when is Ultima quite literally killing him from the inside as he tries to break free of his prison and at the same time making the Crystal's Curse spread even more across his chest with each passing day as the Phoenix must mend the damage done to Ultima's cage. But pushing himself through it, lying and telling everyone he's fine, that he's well enough to travel, to fight, because there is no option to stop.

So he also knows there's little point to bringing up the severity of his wounds any further when Tarja's already bandaged him up again and he's already promised to rest, because that's what truly matters, and that's enough. It's more than he does himself most of the time.

So, after a moment, he nods. ] Thank you, Dion.

[ Then he stands and walks over to the table in the back and places the vial of medicine Tarja had given him there, his slender fingers lingering on the lip of the glass bottle in thought. ]

And... thank you, for allowing me to join you when next you leave for Twinside.

[Dion looks across the space between the two beds, which feels expansive. Too far to reach out and take Joshua's hand in his own as he wishes to.]

Please, do not thank me for that. It is I who shall be in your debt. I'll be grateful to have you by my side when I go.

[He reaches for the cup of water left by his bed and holds it out for Joshua to wash away the lingering bitterness of his medicine.]

Here, drink.

[If neither of them will take proper care of themselves, then all the more reason for them to take care of one another.]

[ Joshua turns from the table to look back at Dion with a small smile, if perhaps not the slightest bit sad, and shakes his head a little. ]

You needn't speak of debts, Dion. [ He knows full well Dion thinks of himself in Joshua and Clive's debts after what happened at Twinside... and perhaps even moreso now after what happened today on the lake, especially after Dion pledged himself to their cause to Joshua when they spoke on their way back. And... Dion no doubt does it from a place of guilt, of owing them something after all he holds himself responsible for. But... Joshua would have him know otherwise, not wanting to build their friendship after eighteen years on this.

He crosses the room again over to Dion and reaches out to take the cup offered to him, his fingers barely, lightly brushing against Dion's as he does. It makes him fluster, his heart beating faster and his fingers twitch, hesitate over his for the briefest moments before he carefully, slowly settles his fingers on his fully this time, and gently takes the cup from his hold.

His smile warms now, the faintest dusting of a blush across his face as he continues. ] ...For there is naught to be repaid. I ask to go with you that I might aid a friend. And I would be grateful alone enough to be at your side when we arrive.

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"the way bahamut used to" made me so sad i had to sit back in my chair for a sec

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