Work Text:
You first met Clive Rosfield on a sunny afternoon, the scent of wildflowers filling the air. The fields surrounding Rosaria were alive with color, and you were chasing after a butterfly when you stumbled upon him. Clive, with his dark hair and blue eyes, was seated under a large oak tree, seemingly lost in thought.
“Hi,” you said, brushing dirt off your knees as you stood up. “What are you doing out here?”
He looked up, slightly startled. “Thinking,” he replied simply. His voice was calm and measured.
“About what?” you asked, curious. You had heard about Clive Rosfield, the eldest son of the Archduke, destined to be the phoenix's shield. But here, under the oak tree, he seemed just like any other boy.
“Everything,” he said, a small smile playing on his lips. “The future, my duties, and…sometimes just the clouds.”
You sat down beside him, mimicking his posture. “I like thinking about the clouds too. They can be anything you want them to be, if you look hard enough”
He nodded, a thoughtful expression crossing his face. “Yes, they can.”
From that day on, you often found yourselves in each other’s company. You and Clive shared many adventures in the fields and forests of Rosaria, each day revealing new secrets and stories. your bond grew stronger with each passing day.
One evening, as the sun dipped below the horizon, Clive turned to you. “Do you think we’ll always be friends, Y/N?”
You looked at him, seeing the vulnerability in his eyes. “Of course, Clive. No matter what happens, we’ll always be friends.”
He smiled, a rare and genuine smile that made your heart feel light. “Promise?”
“Promise,” you said, sealing it with a pinky swear.
As time goes by and the world around you grew, Clive’s responsibilities increased and so did the distance between you. He had begun his training to protect the dominant phoenix, and it left little time for the carefree days of your childhood.
The last time you saw him before everything changed was on the eve of a grand feast in Rosaria. Clive, now a young man, stood tall and resolute. You watched him from afar, feeling the weight of unspoken words between you.
“Clive,” you called out, and he turned, his eyes softening when they met yours.
“Y/N,” he said, his voice tinged with sorrow. “I’m sorry I haven’t had much time.”
“It’s okay,” you replied, forcing a smile. “I understand.”
He stepped closer, his expression earnest. “I’ve missed you.”
“I’ve missed you too,” you said, and for a moment, it felt like you were children again, sitting under the oak tree, sharing secrets.
But the moment passed, and Clive was called away. You watched him go, a sense of foreboding settling in your heart.
Time passed and you found yourself in a bustling town far from Rosaria. The war had scattered everyone, and you had made a life for yourself amidst the chaos. You were tending to your daily tasks when you heard a familiar voice.
“Y/N?”
You turned, your heart skipping a beat. There he was, Clive Rosfield, now a seasoned warrior, his eyes carrying the weight of many battles. But beneath the hardened exterior, you saw a flicker of the boy you once knew.
“Clive,” you breathed, barely able to believe it.
He crossed the distance between you in a few strides, pulling you into a tight embrace. “I thought I’d never see you again.”
You clung to him, feeling the years of separation melt away. “I’ve missed you so much.”
He pulled back slightly, his eyes scanning your face. “Are you alright? Have you been safe?”
You nodded, tears of relief and joy streaming down your cheeks. “Yes, I’m fine. And you? How have you been?”
Clive’s expression grew somber. “It’s been…difficult. But seeing you now, it feels like a part of me has finally come home.”
Over the following days, you and Clive spent every moment you could together. You spoke of the past, of what you had both endured, and of the future you hoped to build. The bond you had shared as children rekindled, stronger than ever.
One evening, as you sat by a crackling fire, Clive turned to you. “Do you remember the promise we made under the oak tree?”
You smiled, the memory warming your heart. “Of course I do. We promised to always be friends.”
He nodded, his expression serious. “I intend to keep that promise, Y/N. No matter what happens, I’ll always be there for you.”
You reached out, taking his hand in yours. “And I’ll be there for you, Clive. Always.”
He squeezed your hand, a silent vow passing between you.
The world outside continued to be turbulent, but now you faced it together. Clive’s duties often took him away, but he always found his way back to you. You supported him, offering a sanctuary from the relentless demands of his role.
One night, after a particularly grueling day, Clive sat beside you, his shoulders slumped with exhaustion. “Sometimes it feels like it’s all too much,” he admitted, his voice barely above a whisper.
You placed a comforting hand on his arm. “You don’t have to bear it all alone, Clive. Lean on me when you need to. We’re in this together.”
He looked at you, his eyes filled with gratitude. “Thank you, Y/N. You’ve always been my strength.”
“And you’ve always been mine,” you replied, your heart swelling with affection for the man he had become.
Months passed, your relationship with Clive deepened. The lines between friendship and something more began to blur, but neither of you spoke of it, content to let things unfold naturally.
One day, as you walked through a quiet forest, Clive took your hand, his touch sending a thrill through you. “There’s something I need to tell you,” he said, his voice steady but his eyes betraying his nerves.
You stopped, turning to face him. “What is it?”
He took a deep breath, his grip on your hand tightening. “I love you, Y/N. I have for a long time. I didn’t realize it at first, but you’ve always been the one I turn to, the one who understands me.”
Your heart raced, emotions swirling within you. “Clive, I—”
He cut you off, his eyes intense. “You don’t have to say anything. I just needed you to know. Whatever happens, I’ll always cherish our friendship. But I couldn’t keep this to myself any longer.”
Tears filled your eyes, and you took a step closer, placing a hand on his cheek. “I love you too, Clive. I always have.”
He pulled you into his arms, holding you as if he never wanted to let go. In that moment, all the years of separation and uncertainty faded away, leaving only the love and bond you shared.
With your feelings finally out in the open, you and Clive began a new chapter in your lives. The world was still full of challenges, but now you faced them as partners, united by love and friendship.
One evening, as you sat together under the stars, Clive turned to you, a contented smile on his lips. “Do you remember the day we met?”
You laughed softly. “How could I forget? I was chasing a butterfly.”
He chuckled, the sound warm and comforting. “And I was sitting under that oak tree, thinking about the future. Funny how things turn out.”
You leaned into him, feeling his arm wrap around you. “I’m glad we found each other again.”
“Me too,” he said, his voice filled with affection. “I don’t know what the future holds, but as long as we’re together, I know we can face anything.”
You looked up at the stars, feeling a sense of peace and hope. “Together, we’re unstoppable.”
Clive kissed the top of your head, and you closed your eyes, savoring the moment. The journey that had brought you together had been long and arduous, but it had also forged a bond that nothing could break.
And so, under the starlit sky, you and Clive Rosfield looked to the future with hope, knowing that no matter what challenges lay ahead, you would face them side by side, as friends, lovers, and partners.
Years later, as you and Clive walked through the fields of Rosaria once more, now restored to peace and prosperity, you came upon the old oak tree where your friendship had begun. The memories of your childhood came flooding back, and you smiled at the sight of it.
Clive looked at you, his eyes filled with warmth. “This tree has seen the beginning of so much for us.”
You nodded, reaching out to touch the rough bark. “It has. And it will see many more beginnings.”
He took your hand, his grip strong and reassuring. “No matter where life takes us, I’ll always be here with you.”
You looked into his eyes, seeing the promise of many more adventures and shared moments.