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Soft blue curtains and immaculate white marble floors which were occasionally broken up by intricately woven rugs flashed before Joshua's eyes as he paced about his guest suit in Oriflamme. Joshua had waited two months for this day and now it was here he couldn't contain his nervous excitement. When his mother had asked him what he wanted for his 10th name day Joshua’s answer had been quick and firm with his request. He wanted to visit his best friend, Dion. A noble of the Sanbreque court and Dominant of Bahamut.
They had written to one another constantly, even sending Stolas’ once, since they had first met at the Remembrance Ceremony. The beautifully penned letters filled with action and deep thoughts always brightened Joshua's day. Often making his heart race with excitement. Even when those letters were filled with Dion's struggles he treasured every word, even as his heart ached for his friend's predicament. With the growing expectations of Bahamut from those at court, Dion had felt increasingly out of his element.
Joshua would always offer his insight and help with navigating the different circumstances Dion outlined… or attempted to, at least. His dear friend's struggles were becoming increasingly more complicated and there was only so much that could safely be put into a letter. So when the opportunity to request a trip to see his friend in person arose, Joshua had jumped at the chance.
Honestly, he had expected his mother to deny him the trip, she rarely let him travel anywhere, much less a trip so far. However, she had readily agreed and plans for their trip were swiftly put in place. Now that he was here, and Dion would soon be free from his lessons, Joshua was anxious to hug Dion and work through as many of his problems in person. There was one problem in particular that Dion had alluded to in his most recent letter, a problem he would only speak about in person, that made Joshua anxious.
Joshua was so deep in his thoughts and anxiety that he initially missed the servant that entered. He jumped slightly as she tentatively said, “Excuse me for disturbing you, my Lord, but Lord Dion eagerly awaits your presence. I am to escort you to the correct parlor.”
Blushing in embarrassment at having been caught in such an agitated state, Joshua smiled at the servant and said in the formal manner he was taught, “Very well, I am ready, please, lead the way.”
Joshua had to hide his excitement once out of his private rooms, taking a more formal posture. His mother had expressed how important it was to represent his bloodline well in a foreign nation. Inside, however, he was still a mess of anxiety and excitement. Dion had been taller than Joshua the last time they met, his head nestled into the other’s chest when they hugged. Privately, Joshua prayed they were close to the same height now so he could rest his head on Dion’s strong shoulders instead. He had gone through three growth spurts, but Dion would also have grown.
The servant stopped in front of ornately decorated double doors and, after opening one for him, gestured inside with a low bow. Joshua heard an intake of breath from inside and took some comfort in the fact Dion was, apparently, also nervous. Keen to put them both at ease, Joshua hurried past the servant, thanking her as she closed the door behind him. The new room was just as beautiful as his suit, but more simply furnished. A large oak table was surrounded by ornately carved oak chairs with plush red and gold cushions. A beautiful fireplace was lit to stave off the winter chill, and the sound of crackling wood gave the room a warmth all its own.
However, nothing in the room could compare to the beauty and warmth of Dion’s smile when his eyes settled on his best friend. “Dion!” Joshua called out in delight and, as if it was the permission he had been waiting for, Dion quickly closed the distance and pulled his friend into a tight hug. Joshua returned it with the same fervor and felt elated as he could just barely lay his head on Dion's shoulder.
“Joshua, I have missed you,” Dion breathed against his neck, causing him to giggle lightly at the ticklish sensation. Then he felt a happy rumble of aether from Bahamut ripple between them followed by a soft coo from the Phoenix.
Smiling happily, Joshua mumbled, “I think our Eikons missed each other too, I know I've certainly missed you,” He admitted with a light blush. “Letters don't let me hug you or let us go on adventures together.”
Dion hummed in agreement, tightening his embrace slightly, “Then we must make up for lost opportunities while you are here.”
They stood like that a while longer, enjoying each other's warmth and comfort before reluctantly parting. Joshua then caught sight of a teapot on the table and smiled excitedly, pointing at it, “Is that what I think it is?!”
Chuckling softly, Dion took his hand and pulled him towards the table before answering. “Yes, it is, my family's secret tea blend. I remember how much you enjoyed it before, so I thought we might have a cup while we speak on other matters.”
“Yes, you mentioned a particularly sensitive problem has recently come up. I hope I'll be able to help.” Joshua said as he sat in a chair at the corner of the table while Dion settled himself at the head.
“Allow me to pour the tea before we talk about my troubles,” Dion said while reaching for the teapot carefully. Taking his time filling each of their beautifully crafted white and gold mugs with the still steaming and fragrant liquid.
Joshua took a deep breath of the sweet and herbal steam, feeling himself relax into the chair with a happy hum. Joshua usually didn't enjoy tea blends, they reminded him too much of the tonics he had to take. The Lesage family blend was the only exception to his aversion thus far. It made him wonder, briefly, if there might be a different kind of carrot out there he might like, before dismissing the notion as impossible.
Both of them siped lightly from their cups before sighing simultaneously and smiling at one another. Joshua sat his cup down and said, “Before we can go on adventures, we need to figure out how to handle this problem. How serious is it, Dion?”
The other boy sighed once more and held his hands tightly together on the table, a clear sign of stress and frustration. “Two weeks ago, while I was on my way to lessons, I overheard a conversation between my father and several other nobles, including council members. Normally, I wouldn't have eavesdropped, it is highly improper. However, what I initially overheard was concerning enough that I stopped and listened.” Dion paused and the anguish in his honey brown eyes made Joshua’s heart ache.
Reaching out across the table, Joshua gently laid a hand over his friend's combined hands in an attempt to sooth him a little. Dion looked over at him and, thankfully, a small smile lifted his lips. Gently stroking the tightly interlocked fingers Joshua said, “If, if it's too personal, you don't have to share.”
“No, please do not misunderstand, I would share all with you, Joshua. I need your help, but the subject is… awkward.” Taking a steadying breath Dion looked at him once more and said, “They were talking about my marriage prospects. Apparently, they wish to have me betrothed to someone before next year's end.”
Joshua felt his jaw drop open in shock and his hand tightened on Dion’s. “But, but you are only ten summers if age! My father is only starting to seek an appropriate match for my brother and he is fifteen summers old!”
“In the Holy Empire, it is not uncommon for some infants to be betrothed, ten summers is not unreasonable. No, it isn't my age which troubles me. It is the fact that I greatly dislike the young girls and ladies of Sanbreque's court. Those who they would consider, I cannot imagine spending the rest of my life with.”
Joshua nodded and tried valiantly to ignore the pain in his chest at the thought of Dion, married to some lady in a voluptuous gown, and miserable for it. For several moments Joshua sat in silence, thinking about the problem, when he remembered something his father had considered for Clive. “Are you certain your potential partner must be from Sanbreque? Dhalmekia and Rosaria are now allies of Sanbreque, surely a match from those courts would only help further relations.”
A look of considered concentration narrowed Dion's eyebrows and Joshua almost giggled at the way his friend's nose scrunched. Finally, Dion nodded and said, “It may be a possibility with Rosaria, Sanbreque is mostly on formal terms with Dhalmekia, but our own nation's seem to be on more friendly terms at the moment. Furthering that would surely be in the best interest of those at court. What are the lady's of your court like?”
Joshua had to stop and think hard on all the different social occasions he had been well enough to attend. His mother had always encouraged him, or even forced him, to dance with as many young girls as possible. Jacquie of house Acker loved to read, but was a poor dancer and struggled to make herself heard. Edith of house Caldwell was loud and an infernal gossip. Anytime they danced, Joshua always came away with more knowledge than he was comfortable with regarding the servants. Alice of house Kerridge was, on the surface, a kind enough young lady. However, she never paid much attention to her lessons, or anything other than her chocobo.
One after another, Joshua carefully considered the noble ladies at court. In the end, however, none of them seemed to be a proper match for someone like Dion. Either their personalities wouldn't match, or the Sanbrequois court would never accept them. After several more long moments in which they both sipped their tea, Joshua sighed heavily and shook his head, “I just can't think of one you might like, but would also suit the rigorous standards here. I'm afraid the nobles of Rosaria are not as strict as they are here.”
The fire crackled loudly suddenly as Dion released a long breath and closed his eyes, head drooping to his chest. Joshua’s heart ached at the defeat in his friend's countenance and scrambled for another idea. Suddenly, he remembered an event at court last year that had sparked the gossip at Rosalith for weeks and tentatively asked, “Did… um, did they specifically say it had to be a young lady? Could it not be a young lord? If… if you are inclined to the idea, that is.”
Joshua felt a heavy blush warm his cheeks and he carefully watched Dion’s face also warm, but he seemed to be considering the idea. “In truth, I believe I would be more open to the idea of being married to a man than a woman, but never considered the possibility. And yet, you are correct, those who spoke with my father did not specify a gender.”
“Do you have a young lord in mind, from Sanbreque’s court?” Joshua asked tentatively, he wanted to purpose something, something that made his earlier anxiety seem like a small breeze in comparison to a gale. However, he kept it to himself for the moment. Waiting to hear if Dion had an ideal match here.
Dion seemed to consider a moment before answering, “I do not believe my father would accept him, but Sir Terence comes to mind. I believe I have mentioned him a few times in our letters. Apart from you, he is closest to me, but he is a minor noble and there is still a significant amount of formality to our interactions I don’t particularly enjoy.”
Joshua couldn't help the shaking of his hands around his tea cup. He knew in his heart what he wanted, Dion was so special to him. Someone he could genuinely be himself around, not the Phoenix, not the future Archduke, just Joshua Rosfield. Dion’s next words nearly made Joshua’s heart stop, “Do you know of a young lord in Rosaria's court?”
Looked up from his tea cup, Joshua’s gaze was caught by his friend's warm honey eyes. There was something there, in Dion’s expression. Hope, anxiety, caution, something else he couldn't quite pin down. Taking a deep breath, Joshua prepared to offer something he hoped wouldn't ruin their friendship. “I… I might know one. He isn’t a noble, exactly, but he is a prince, so I don't think Sanbreque would mind. After all, if Phoenix and Bahamut were betrothed it would certainly unite our nations.” Taking the last sip of tea to fortify himself, Joshua continued, not looking at Dion. “Besides, I'd rather be betrothed to my best friend in the whole world, my dearest person, than any noble of my own court.”
There was silence for a long moment as he held his breath, but then he heard the most wonderful words he had ever heard in his life, and all his stress melted away. “I believe I would find that more than agreeable, Joshua.”
Releasing his held breath in a rush, he got up from his chair and met Dion at the corner of the table in a tight embrace. Nuzzling slightly at Dion’s neck as he witnessed some couples do, Joshua took a moment just to enjoy the warm body pressed against him and the protective arms around him. “You're really alright, with marrying me in the future, of spending our lives together.” He couldn't keep his excitement out of his tone and he felt more than heard Dion chuckle.
Warm breath gusted across his ear as Dion whispered, “I assure you, the idea of spending the rest of our days together makes me happy. Let us take to the sky together, protect the realm from those who would harm it, all while figuring out the schemes of court. Then we can fall asleep in each other's arms at night, safe in the knowledge we are not alone. I will nurse you through any illness and always protect you, Joshua.”
He tried to fight the small whimper that escaped his lips, but couldn't. Making sure his best friend didn't misunderstand the noise, Joshua softly kissed the soft skin of Dion’s neck and nuzzled it again. Elegant fingers gently pulled his hair until he was looking into those warm eyes once more, now full of what he understood was love. Before he could say anything, Joshua felt soft lips tentatively press against his and a feeling of elation and warmth filled his chest.
Joshua eagerly responded, perhaps with a little too much force, but Dion didn't say anything. He gently guided the kiss and soon they enjoyed the soft slide of their lips against each other. Joshua’s fingers glided through impossibly silky hair and released a happy noise as Dion gently moved a hand up and down his back soothingly. Eventually, and reluctantly, they separated just enough to press their foreheads together, breathing heavily.
“I see why adult couples like to kiss so much now, I'm not sure I can ever stop.” Joshua whispered breathlessly. Feeling the burning happiness of Phoenix in his chest.
Dion laughed softly, nuzzling his nose against Joshua’s, “I must say I agree, I'm not sure I'll ever tire of it.” Suddenly, the tightness of worry furrowed his eyebrows once more and he asked, “How will we approach our parents about this proposal? I cannot let my father know I overheard him.”
Joshua shook his head and gently stole one more kiss from Dion’s lips, “I have a plan, I'll bring the proposal up at dinner where conversation will be mostly private. Since my father has spoken to me of his intentions to find my brother a betrothed, it wouldn't be odd for me to bring up the prospect. From there it would be simple to outline our close friendship and the political benefits for both nations.”
Joshua smiled wide as Dion stole a kiss from him in response and Joshua grabbed his new significant other's hand and tugged him towards the door as he said, “That is tonight, however, and we have plenty of time for adventure and conversation until then!”
Both boys snuck out with muffled giggles (and a few sneaky kisses along the way.) Feeling genuine hope for a brighter future, together.