[ He sets his hand down on his knee after the bracelet is taken, but he doesn't close his fingers. Not yet. He sees the hesitation in Luca and understands what a big thing this is. What it means. He shifts a little to brush his arm lightly against the others, shaking his head with a small smile. ]
Then don't say anything. You needn't even wear it, if you don't desire it. But it is an option I can give you, until I can end it permanently.
[ Oh yes, he hasn't forgotten what his initial promise was. He'll figure out a way to take the Phoenix out of Luca entirely, either by breaking the connection or figuring out how to let Ifrit consume foreign Aether.
He finally shifts his hand up to reach up to curl his fingers against Luca's jaw, tilting his chin upwards, leaning in to place a soft kiss down against the corner of his mouth, his voice soft. ]
It's a start, but it's only a start when you feel comfortable taking it. All right?
[Luca takes a deep breath, finding himself surprised when it trembles at the very edges. He chalks it up as fear at first, only to realize that what's welling within his chest is warmth, not the chill of fear. Yes, he dreads the Phoenix's response, should he choose to activate its spell, but the fact that he has a choice is so much more than he ever could have asked for.
He moves at Clive's urging, staring up at him with a sheen of tears in his eyes. He opens his mouth, but finds that he can't quite manage the words. Instead, he pitches forward, head thunking against the center of Clive's chest.]
You are - [His voice wobbles.] You - kept your word.
[Of course he would. Clive Rosfield never once gave the slightest indication of not being a man of his word.]
I don't know if - if I'm ready to activate it. I fear what the Phoenix may do if I shut it out, only to ask for its power later. But... [He shifts backward, and instead holds his hand out. He presents the bracelet once more, offering a hesitant smile.]
[ He moves his arms as Luca moves to wrap them around the other man, tucking him in against him and holding him gently as he hides in against his chest. The words make him smile and he rubs his fingers lightly against Luca's back, his voice soft, a gentle rumble under his head. ]
I try.
[ And he nods, understanding that hesitation. But it will offer Luca the ability to shut the Phoenix out if it begins to hurt him. A warning that he won't put up with the creatures claws anymore. He lets him lean back, glancing down to the bracelet as it's presented, then back up to the smile.
Which gets his own out of him and he nods, carefully picking the not-so-delicate piece of jewelry up. ]
Together?
[ Because he can't use his right hand, so he carefully hooks his thumb into the latch and waits for Luca to grip the other end, so they can hook it around his wrist together. ]
[Luca may not be fragile, but he doesn't hate being treated as such. With every gentle touch — the secure embrace, the fingers down his back, even the gift itself — he finds his heart soaring. There is still fear there, but it is tempered with each moment that passes. Some part of him had deeply feared that Clive would be angry. He doubts this gift had been particularly easy to procure, and yet Clive was more than willing to wait for Luca to be ready.
For a long time, he has not been a man of prayer. Not when his deity has been as scornful as it is. Nevertheless, Luca finds himself uttering a silent thank you. Not to his Beast, who already bristles as Luca's audacity, but to the gods and guardians of this world. For so long, he had distrusted them. This kindness marked a shift from that.
With his silent utterance out of the way, Luca turns his attention back to Clive. In the height of his emotions, he had forgotten of Clive's limitations. No matter. It feels far more poetic to work together. He takes the other end as instructed and gives a nod.]
Together.
[He loops it around his wrist, touch still boarding on reverent. He waits for Clive to latch it into place, then holds it out into the small space beneath them. Something moves through him, creeping up his arm and down the span of his body. It feels powerful, protective even. More than anything, it feels loving. He'll have to ask what all went into the process, but he doubts it was easy or without its share of emotion.
The Phoenix, naturally, continues to balk. Luca pays it no mind.]
[ Carefully he latches his end to the piece Luca offers, making sure it's secure and won't release before letting his hand go, so Luca can show it off. His laugh is a soft chuckle, and he takes Luca's hand to hold it steady. ]
It does but it doesn't nearly have the same lustre.
[ He admires the stone only briefly, he's seen it enough, and turns his attention to Luca instead, tilting his head a little and smiling at him. ]
Don't think I've forgotten my promise. [ Threat, to the Phoenix. Behave, or else. ] But this is the least I can do for now.
[ Maybe if they ever figure out ways to go home, he'll make good on his promise. Until then, all they can do is shut the door on the Phoenix's beak. A beat or two as he thinks, his brow furrowing a little. If the Phoenix decides not to give Luca it's aid in turn, out of spite... well, he doesn't know if he can give Blessings with the other Eikons, they're not his, not really.
But Ifrit is... ]
And I'll be there by your side for any other moments that might arise.
[Luca only huffs in response at first, snatching his hand back with a playful scowl. It's significantly defanged by the warmth spreading over his cheeks, never mind the clear adoration in his eyes. He does his best to deflect by giving Clive's bicep another shove, but quickly undermines his own efforts with a thoughtful smile.]
You are doing terrible things to my stoic persona, I hope you know.
[He... doesn't hate it. He's long lamented the loss of the boy he used to be. He's not the only one, either. Kiera still seems to hold fast to that young man. It would be easier for all of them, he thinks, to be a little more like that.
But he can turn that thought over more later. Clive is here and now at the moment, happy with Luca as he is. He reaches up, cupping the man's cheek and gingerly thumbing over the scar there. He waits only a second before leaning up to steal a kiss, one that he hopes conveys the endless gratitude he feels.]
If you could only ever do this, it would be enough. It's more than anyone has been able to accomplish thus far.
[He shifts just enough to lay his forehead against Clive's shoulder.]
I know you will. Perhaps it's too early to say but... you have yet to let me down once.
[ The yank and the whack makes him laugh again, and he playfully rocks with it like it did anything, his mouth turning up into a little smirk in return. ]
You? Stoic?
[ The cup to his cheek makes him close his eyes and lean in to it, relaxing into it like a touch starved animal, his hand coming up in turn to cover over Luca's. The soft touch to his mouth makes him smile and lean in to return it, a brief warm brush.
As Luca leans in to him, he shifts his arms to cradle the other, just letting him rest against him and making sure he's secure so he can just relax. They did just get done pushing each other to the limits after all, Luca deserves to relax. ]
I vow it. I will not fail you.
[ He turns his head to press his mouth into Luca's head, letting it linger there for a moment. ]
[Clive is lucky he doesn't get shoved again. Instead, Luca crosses one arm with a huff, settling for fixing a glower upon the other man. He tries to manage a scowl, but it falls apart given the fact that he's still holding Clive's face with the other hand.
Which, speaking of, yes he's melting as Clive leans his head into the touch. He can at least be pleased by the fact that for all the comfort the other man gives him, Luca seems to give the same right back.]
I trust you, Clive Rosfield.
[A smirk crosses his lips after a moment, He glances toward the Watchtower, then back at Clive.]
I suppose if you're offering to carry me up the stairs and start a hot bath, I will not complain. It's only fair, after the work you made me put in.
[ His voice is musing but he's smiling as he says it, finally opening his eyes so Luca can see the sparkle in them. He doesn't say anything else as he shifts his other arm under Luca's legs to easily gather him up off the ground and into his arms proper. Then stands with him. ]
I did challenge you, it's only fair.
[ He pauses only to kneel so Luca can grab his Rapier and Clives sword for him, before straightening again and carrying him into the Watchtower proper. He will carry him up stairs, people watching be damned, and he WILL draw him a bath, see if he won't. ]
[That's the sort of glimmer that could melt a man's heart. And oh, does it. Luca wasn't going to fight being carried, mind you, but now he practically melts within Clive's arms. He nestles in close, head resting comfortably at his shoulder for a brief moment.]
Never mind the fact that you rendered me so emotional.
[There is, of course, no real complaint to those words. It's a very precious gift that he's been given, and he'll be grateful to Clive for as long as he draws breath.
For, now, though, he twists his body in order to properly sheathe his rapier. It's a bit more effort to get Clive's sword tucked away, but he does it with the same care as his own weapon. Eventually he settles once more, opting to glare daggers at anyone who dares to cast them a sideways glance.
Once they're out of earshot, Luca sighs. There's a faint laugh in his voice.]
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no subject
Then don't say anything. You needn't even wear it, if you don't desire it. But it is an option I can give you, until I can end it permanently.
[ Oh yes, he hasn't forgotten what his initial promise was. He'll figure out a way to take the Phoenix out of Luca entirely, either by breaking the connection or figuring out how to let Ifrit consume foreign Aether.
He finally shifts his hand up to reach up to curl his fingers against Luca's jaw, tilting his chin upwards, leaning in to place a soft kiss down against the corner of his mouth, his voice soft. ]
It's a start, but it's only a start when you feel comfortable taking it. All right?
no subject
He moves at Clive's urging, staring up at him with a sheen of tears in his eyes. He opens his mouth, but finds that he can't quite manage the words. Instead, he pitches forward, head thunking against the center of Clive's chest.]
You are - [His voice wobbles.] You - kept your word.
[Of course he would. Clive Rosfield never once gave the slightest indication of not being a man of his word.]
I don't know if - if I'm ready to activate it. I fear what the Phoenix may do if I shut it out, only to ask for its power later. But... [He shifts backward, and instead holds his hand out. He presents the bracelet once more, offering a hesitant smile.]
Will you help me put it on?
no subject
I try.
[ And he nods, understanding that hesitation. But it will offer Luca the ability to shut the Phoenix out if it begins to hurt him. A warning that he won't put up with the creatures claws anymore. He lets him lean back, glancing down to the bracelet as it's presented, then back up to the smile.
Which gets his own out of him and he nods, carefully picking the not-so-delicate piece of jewelry up. ]
Together?
[ Because he can't use his right hand, so he carefully hooks his thumb into the latch and waits for Luca to grip the other end, so they can hook it around his wrist together. ]
no subject
For a long time, he has not been a man of prayer. Not when his deity has been as scornful as it is. Nevertheless, Luca finds himself uttering a silent thank you. Not to his Beast, who already bristles as Luca's audacity, but to the gods and guardians of this world. For so long, he had distrusted them. This kindness marked a shift from that.
With his silent utterance out of the way, Luca turns his attention back to Clive. In the height of his emotions, he had forgotten of Clive's limitations. No matter. It feels far more poetic to work together. He takes the other end as instructed and gives a nod.]
Together.
[He loops it around his wrist, touch still boarding on reverent. He waits for Clive to latch it into place, then holds it out into the small space beneath them. Something moves through him, creeping up his arm and down the span of his body. It feels powerful, protective even. More than anything, it feels loving. He'll have to ask what all went into the process, but he doubts it was easy or without its share of emotion.
The Phoenix, naturally, continues to balk. Luca pays it no mind.]
What do you think? Does it suit me?
no subject
It does but it doesn't nearly have the same lustre.
[ He admires the stone only briefly, he's seen it enough, and turns his attention to Luca instead, tilting his head a little and smiling at him. ]
Don't think I've forgotten my promise. [ Threat, to the Phoenix. Behave, or else. ] But this is the least I can do for now.
[ Maybe if they ever figure out ways to go home, he'll make good on his promise. Until then, all they can do is shut the door on the Phoenix's beak. A beat or two as he thinks, his brow furrowing a little. If the Phoenix decides not to give Luca it's aid in turn, out of spite... well, he doesn't know if he can give Blessings with the other Eikons, they're not his, not really.
But Ifrit is... ]
And I'll be there by your side for any other moments that might arise.
no subject
You are doing terrible things to my stoic persona, I hope you know.
[He... doesn't hate it. He's long lamented the loss of the boy he used to be. He's not the only one, either. Kiera still seems to hold fast to that young man. It would be easier for all of them, he thinks, to be a little more like that.
But he can turn that thought over more later. Clive is here and now at the moment, happy with Luca as he is. He reaches up, cupping the man's cheek and gingerly thumbing over the scar there. He waits only a second before leaning up to steal a kiss, one that he hopes conveys the endless gratitude he feels.]
If you could only ever do this, it would be enough. It's more than anyone has been able to accomplish thus far.
[He shifts just enough to lay his forehead against Clive's shoulder.]
I know you will. Perhaps it's too early to say but... you have yet to let me down once.
no subject
You? Stoic?
[ The cup to his cheek makes him close his eyes and lean in to it, relaxing into it like a touch starved animal, his hand coming up in turn to cover over Luca's. The soft touch to his mouth makes him smile and lean in to return it, a brief warm brush.
As Luca leans in to him, he shifts his arms to cradle the other, just letting him rest against him and making sure he's secure so he can just relax. They did just get done pushing each other to the limits after all, Luca deserves to relax. ]
I vow it. I will not fail you.
[ He turns his head to press his mouth into Luca's head, letting it linger there for a moment. ]
Do you need help returning to the Watchtower?
no subject
Which, speaking of, yes he's melting as Clive leans his head into the touch. He can at least be pleased by the fact that for all the comfort the other man gives him, Luca seems to give the same right back.]
I trust you, Clive Rosfield.
[A smirk crosses his lips after a moment, He glances toward the Watchtower, then back at Clive.]
I suppose if you're offering to carry me up the stairs and start a hot bath, I will not complain. It's only fair, after the work you made me put in.
no subject
[ His voice is musing but he's smiling as he says it, finally opening his eyes so Luca can see the sparkle in them. He doesn't say anything else as he shifts his other arm under Luca's legs to easily gather him up off the ground and into his arms proper. Then stands with him. ]
I did challenge you, it's only fair.
[ He pauses only to kneel so Luca can grab his Rapier and Clives sword for him, before straightening again and carrying him into the Watchtower proper. He will carry him up stairs, people watching be damned, and he WILL draw him a bath, see if he won't. ]
no subject
Never mind the fact that you rendered me so emotional.
[There is, of course, no real complaint to those words. It's a very precious gift that he's been given, and he'll be grateful to Clive for as long as he draws breath.
For, now, though, he twists his body in order to properly sheathe his rapier. It's a bit more effort to get Clive's sword tucked away, but he does it with the same care as his own weapon. Eventually he settles once more, opting to glare daggers at anyone who dares to cast them a sideways glance.
Once they're out of earshot, Luca sighs. There's a faint laugh in his voice.]
Oh, the gossip we've once again inspired.