the ties that bind // joshua rosfield

chapter x - not enough time

warnings : mild nsfw

Joshua slipped off his hood unveiling his soft features. He looked so ethereal under the crystal's illumination. You weren't expecting him—in fact you weren't expecting anyone to be knocking on your window on the palace's top floor in the middle of the night. You quickly rushed to your door locking it and before looking at him wide eyed. "Bloody hell you scared me! What are you doing here? How'd you even get here without being caught?" You whispered shouted your face close to his.

He rubbed the back of his neck sheepishly, "I apologize I couldn't send you message before hand. I've been trying to find a moment to see you but security has been quite tight since your arrival to the Dominion. I finally got my chance tonight though. I promised I'd see you again didn't I?" He smiled. You relaxed laughing softly while shaking your head, "They'd kill you if they caught you Joshua." You scolded half heartedly but it was a real concern of yours.

"But I didn't get caught did I, my dear?" He smirked, "I hope I didn't wake you." He raised a brow as he stepped away from the window. You shook your head, "No you did not. I've been having trouble sleeping ever since I came here. My mother and father hate me and won't speak to me." You confessed solemnly. Joshua frowned pulling you into his arms, "I'm sorry ______. It'll be okay, they will come around sooner or later." He tried to reassure you. You nodded returning a smile, "Come let's sit down and talk for a bit." You grabbed his hand leading him to your bed you both taking a seat next to one another.

"Were you able to find Clive?" You asked and you felt Joshua tense up. He looked uneasy but nodded, "Yes I was able to prevent him from being harmed. Though I'm afraid the Dominant of Rahmu is no more."

"Ah I see. Rahmu was this Cid right? I believe it was him who attacked the Crystal a few years ago and Dion fought him but was never able to catch him." You pondered. Joshua nodded, "Yes but I do have some good news...it seems Jill is alive and is Shiva. She's with Clive." He said. You frowned, "That's...unfortunate that she is Shiva. She was with the Iron Kingdom...I only pray that she isn't too scared from her time with them." You said quietly. "Clive's there for her so I know they are taking care of one another." Joshua tried to reassure you. "Mm..." you hummed.

"How was your reunion with Clive then? I'm sure he was happy to see you." You changed the subject into one you thought would be lighthearted but Joshua's expression said otherwise—he looked uneasy. Finally he spoke, "No I wasn't able to and won't be for some time. The time isn't right but all that matters is that I was able to protect Clive from him." He said grimly. You tilted your head in confusion, "Huh? Who's him?" You asked. Joshua shook his head laughing dismissively, "Don't worry about it ______." He said you wanted to ask more but you could tell by his tone that he wished to not speak about this subject anymore.

Some comfortable silence passed between the two of you before he spoke, "Your room looks the same as it did when you were a child." He commented. "Mhm. I suppose my parents didn't want to change it. It's comforting." You replied. Another silence passed before he spoke again, "______, do you remember our promise to one another when we were children?" He asked shyly avoiding eye contact. You nodded, "Y-yes I do. Why bring it up?" You asked curiously. It was such a silly promise you made to one another without fully understanding what it meant so why was he bringing it up now?

"I was thinking....when we were children we didn't realize what we were promising one another but as I've grown older I realized that I still do feel the same way. I want to fulfill that promise one day to you. I know now that I had been in love with you since we were children and that love only grew more once I was finally able to see you again." Joshua confessed his voice barely above a whisper. His sky blue eyes pierced into yours and he grabbed your hand in his gently, "It's alright if you do not feel the same way—" you cut him off, "No. Joshua I feel the same way. I have never felt the same feeling again as I did with you." You confessed, your heart was beating rapidly as your grey eyes glimmered in the moonlight you held his gaze for a long while remembering every detail of his face; all the way from his beautiful eyes to the small freckles that dotted his faintly scarred pale skin. "T..then let's promise to one another when things settle down that we'll fulfill that promise." He stuttered giving your hand a squeeze.