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Lately, Clive started to notice that his little brother was intentionally slacking off with his studies. It made their mother upset and he didn’t want their mother’s actions of wrath to hurt Joshua. When they were preparing for bed (they still slept in the same bed, just out of habit), Clive tried to warn him, “Mother will be very upset with you if you try to evade your studies.”
Joshua sighed, looking just as upset. “I know, but it’s… overwhelming. The study sessions are long. I barely see you. It gets lonely, brother.”
Feeling bad for his little brother, Clive pulled Joshua into a hug. “I know it’s a lot. Maybe if you have something to look forward to, it could help you tolerate it better.”
“Like a reward?” Joshua asked, his blue eyes lighting up.
Clive chuckled and nuzzled his hair. “Yes! Something like that. What do you want to do after those sessions?”
“I think I’d just want to spend more time with you. More picnics, more cakes, and maybe— maybe more kisses!” Joshua said with a grin, turning around and hugging his brother tightly.
Clive groaned. “Why kisses? What’s so special about kisses?”
Joshua giggled. “I don’t know. I just think, coming from you, it feels special and nice.”
“Yeah? What kind of kisses?” Clive asked, smiling. He thought that way too, sharing kisses with his brother. He wondered what it meant.
“All kinds?” Joshua said, still giggling.
“Oh, all kinds,” Clive said with a laugh. They moved over to the bed, Clive gently laying Joshua down. “You’re going to have to be more specific.”
“Forehead kisses, cheek kisses, nose kisses, kisses on the lips, and just kisses everywhere, “ Joshua said with another giggle. “I can have that, can’t I? For my reward?”
Clive chuckled warmly. “Yes.” He climbed over him and said, “In fact, I’ll reward you now, just to give you a taste.” Then Clive leaned over, pressed kisses to his hair, his forehead, his nose, each of his cheeks, but left his lips alone just to tease him.
Joshua saw this and pouted. “Brother!”
“You’ll get your kiss after you’re done with your studies tomorrow.” Clive said and settled beside him, pulling the blankets over them. “Will you be good tomorrow?”
“Yes, brother. I’ll be good,” Joshua promised him. Joshua snuggled with him and they slept in bed together.
-o-
The next morning, Joshua worked hard on his studies and even managed to finish early, surprising his tutors. After that, he looked for his brother and found him in their room, taking a nap.
Joshua suddenly got a mischievous idea. He climbed over the bed and moved over to his brother. To wake him up, he leaned down and pressed a kiss to his mouth. This caused Clive to wake up and his darling older brother smiled so handsomely at him.
“You’re done? That was quick,” his brother said and then seemed to realize what had just occurred. “Hey! You stole your reward from me!”
“How can it be stolen when it’s meant for me?” Joshua said with a smile.
Clive tackled his brother back into the bed and they laughed together as they rolled around, tickling each other. Moments later, now utterly breathless, they stared at each other, and leaned in, pressing their lips together in a passionate kiss.
Silly little things like whether or not this was appropriate didn’t bother Joshua. He instinctively knew that what he shared with his brother was something precious and special. Someday, they’d figure it out, but for now, they would enjoy each other.