#joshua rosfield fanfic

[nottangerine]

Rekindle (rewritten)

Joshua Rosfield x female reader | reunited with his betrothed.

TW: none

wc-491

─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ───

Still trying to sort out the gyomei fic but I rewrote my first ff16 fic

─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ───

"There's someone I think you would like to see." Joshua's brows furrowed in confusion at his brother's words.

  "Someone I'd like to see?" he repeated, a perplexed expression crossing his face. He looked at his brother, his mind racing with the possibilities.

With that, Clive turned and left the room, leaving Joshua alone with his thoughts. He wondered who it could be that his brother thought he would like to see. A friend? A family member? The possibilities swirled through his mind, but he couldn't settle on anything specific. He decided to just wait and see, as his brother had instructed.

A few moments later, the door to the infirmary opened again. Tarja approached Joshua's bedside placing water on the side table with a slight smile on her face.

Joshua's heart skipped a beat. He straightened up in his bed. "Who is it?" he asked, slightly nervous.

He keeps his eyes on the door and a familiar girl walks in. "(Y/n)?" Joshua stands and the girl walks quickly to him and into his arms for a hug. He stands still for a moment in shock before he wraps his arms around her. While traveling with Jote he has thought a lot about what had happened to (y/n), where would she be and now she stands in front of him. Her long dark hair flowing over her shoulders. She was wearing a simple white dress, which you don't see very often now.

She tightens her hold on him. "Joshua."

Joshua couldn't believe his eyes. (Y/n) had been a childhood friend . They had grown up together, played together, and shared countless secrets. They were betrothed to each other as soon as his family found out the neighboring kingdoms queen had a daughter. After they left for phoenix gate he hadn't seen her since.

"How... how did you find her?" he asked, his mind still reeling from the surprise.

"Story for another time," Clive said. "But she's been with us at the hideaway for a while now."

Joshua's eyes filled with tears. He pulled away from the hug and reached took her hand in his. "I'm so glad you're here." he said. (Y/n) smiled and squeezed his hand. The two studied each other. Her face was radiant with beauty. The same honey colored eyes. She pulls one of her hands out of his and plays with the tips of his blond hair. She smiles, "Your hair has gotten longer."

Joshua returns her smile equally as excited about seeing her again after so long, "My hair, look at yours," he runs his fingers through the ends of her hair, "It used to reach your shoulders." Clive and Jill stand at the door watching them interact after so many years with smiles on their faces.

Then, (y/n) leaned forward and gave Joshua a gentle kiss on the cheek.

"I missed you," she said.

"I missed you too, my betrothed." Joshua replied.

/ᐠ - ˕ -マ Ⳋ

Thank you for reading

[bleach-blues]

"these two male characters getting married to each other doesn't make sense in the setting and fanfic authors are stupid for using this trope" do you understand how fiction works. do you understand that it's not real and therefore you can justify literally anything, or simply change canon however you see fit.

also we're in a fantasy universe with magic and dragons and people that turn into giant monsters, but two men getting married is where you draw the line??? ok.

anyways opinion discarded, your favorite male characters are married now 💖

[flowersbane]

a scenario with a baker!reader gifting Joshua a little cake… which he happily eats (it’s carrot cake and he has no clue lol)

Idk but I wanted to share my silly little thought because I enjoyed your writing :’3

pls, this idea is so freaking cute!!! i'm so glad i finally got to write it, thank you so much for your request and patience, i hope you enjoy

(=´∀｀)人(´∀｀=)

The Trojan Cake

Joshua Rosfield x Reader

I might write another, shorter version of this where the reader bakes him a carrot cake without knowing about his carrot aversion, but, idk, let me know if anyone wants to see that. It would have to be a bit further in the future because I have some other things I'm working on that you can learn about here.

Rating: General Audiences

Word Count: 1.5k

Tags: Baker!Reader, Finally Getting Joshua To Eat Some Gosh Darn Vegetables, Fluff, Teasing, Unedited, Lots Of Appearances From Other Characters, Fun, Cutesy, Joshua Is Just A Big Golden Retriever

A new shipment of baking supplies was due to arrive today. You sway on your feet as you wait. Water laps at the wood beneath you, but you pay it no mind. Cursebreakers and laborers work on moving boxes off the ship and onto the Hideaway’s Pier.

“Carrots? Again?” Gav’s voice sounds from nearby. “And what are we supposed to do with all of these? We still haven’t gotten through the last shipment of them. There’s only so much carrot bisque a man can stomach. Soon enough, half the Hideaway’ll have orange hair and orange skin.”

Otto sighs. “Food’s food, Gav. We’ll find some use for them.”

Gav’s disgruntled expression doesn’t fade. “Unbelievable.”

Your attention is caught by someone calling your name. Mid waves you over from the ship’s deck. “You’ve got to come and see this! You’ll be grinning from ear to ear when you see how much stuff they’ve sent for you!”

You’re already grinning from ear to ear by the time you reach her side. Crates of flour, sugar, and yeast are tied down to the deck with sturdy rope. “And this is all for me?” you ask.

“You’re the one best suited for it,” Mid points out. “Now, I don’t mean to rush you but I’m pretty sure everyone at the Hideaway can already smell all the fresh baked sweets!”

“Oh, certainly,” Cole agrees as he and a handful of other Cursebreakers approach. “We’ll get these supplies to the Ale Hall,” he assures you.

“What are you going to make?” asks Mid.

You miss a beat before answering, “it’s a surprise.” In truth, you have no idea. You know the people of the Hideaway would be happy with anything you baked, but you didn’t want to fall into a boring routine. You wanted to try something new, even if you didn’t need to.

Mid only makes an excited sound from behind sealed lips. “The suspense is killing me!”

You laugh, but you know how she feels. The frustration of not knowing what you’ll bake weighs on you as well. “Well, best get to it.”

You descend from the boat and make your way back up to the main floor of the Hideaway. There are plenty of boxes that still need to be moved, so the lift is somewhat crowded. You wait for a path to be cleared before darting out.

“Have you tried chopping them up and hiding them in a stew?” Tarja’s voice catches your ear. She and Jote are crossing the Boarding Deck, clearly on their way to the Infirmary.

“If he sees them, he’ll claim he’s not hungry and refuse to eat,” Jote replies. “Not to mention, I can’t say I feel very comfortable trying to deceive His Grace.”

“They’re just carrots, Jote. I’m sure your decree says nothing against ensuring the Phoenix eats well.”

“If it were up to His Grace, I’m sure there would be.”

You continue your way into the main hall. It’s not uncommon to hear Tarja complaining about Joshua’s bad habits. You suppose this time it’s his aversion to vegetables. Especially carrots. Unfortunate, given that seems to be what the Hideaway has most of these days.

You’re halfway across the Main Deck when someone else calls your name, their voice sounding from your left. Speak of the devil. Joshua approaches with an easy skip to his step. The smile on his face tells you that he’s heard about your new arrival of supplies, but not that of the carrots’ reinforcements. Well, he might’ve and is simply choosing to ignore it. In fact, that is more likely to be the reality of things.

“I heard about the shipment of goods. Will you get to baking soon?”

If he were a dog, his tail would be wagging uncontrollably despite his cool disposition. You nod, your own smile creeping onto your face as an idea begins to form. “And you’ll be the first to get a taste.”

“Really? I will?”

You nod again. He’s always terribly eager to sample your new recipes.

He’ll have no idea. “Ah, my love, you’re brilliant.” He places a hand on either side of your head and plants a kiss on your forehead. “I’ll look forward to it.”

“You should.” You certainly are.

As he disappears on to the Boarding Deck, you dart over to the bar. 

“Psst. Cole.” You wave the cursebreaker over.

“What is it?”

“Could you acquire me a crate of those carrots that just arrived? I have plans for them. Oh, but don’t let Joshua know. Keep this between us.”

He gives you a curious look, but does as you ask without question. You ask another of the cursebreakers to keep Joshua distracted for the time being. Your plans would be ruined if he were to walk in midway through.

“What, exactly, are you planning?” someone asks from behind you.

Jill runs her finger over the wooden boxes on the counter. You can’t help the little, proud gleam in your eye. “I’m going to get Joshua to eat carrots and like them,” you declare.

“Oh?”

“A carrot cake! He won’t even know they’re there.”

“I’m not sure if eating carrots in a cake counts as Joshua getting a proper intake of vegetables,” she points out.

You shrug. “Gotta start somewhere.”

“Anything I can do to help?”

“Lots.” 

You, Jill, and a handful of other helpers get to work immediately. With no time to waste, the work is made lighter with more hands to share in its labor. The only thing you can’t speed up is the time of actual baking.

“Do you truly believe this will work?” Jill asks.

“I do. Although, it would be a little funny if he could tell anyway. Like some sort of carrot-sniffing bloodhound. A carrot-hound.”

“Who’s a carrot-hound?” Clive stops at Jill’s side.

“Depending on the results of this experiment, Joshua.”

Clive gives you an almost pained look. “Please do not tell me you’re planning on experimenting on my brother.”

“I promise it won’t become a regular occurrence. Probably. Most likely.”

Clive only sighs and shakes his head.

The cakes finish baking and the air is filled with the scent of freshly baked sweets. You and your assistants–now including Clive–are just finishing spreading the frosting when Joshua arrives, eyes alight with excitement. He says your name with a boyish eagerness that makes your heart squeeze. He truly has no idea. “I hope no one has prevented you from keeping your promise to me.”

You do your best not to roll your eyes. He can still be so childish at times, despite himself. “No, of course not. In fact, you’re just on time. I was about to cut the first slice.”

He smiles. “Excellent.”

He doesn’t even seem to notice how everyone pauses to watch as he takes the first bite. He closes his eyes to savor it. You press your lips together to keep your mischief from showing. “This is delicious, my love, as always.” Your heart soars. You’ve done it. And he’s none the wiser.

You exchange a knowing glance with Jill and Clive. Jill looks mildly impressed while Clive simply seems to be marveling at his brother’s obliviousness. “Alright, everyone,” you announce, “you’re all free to dig in!”

- 

Gav arrives about a half an hour after everyone has already begun eating. He and Otto approach, standing on the other side of Clive, who has taken a seat at the bar beside Joshua.

Gav takes note of the remaining cakes. “Ooo, carrot cake, one of Otto’s favorites.”

You, Clive, and Jill freeze, eyes darting to Joshua. You practically see the life drain from his face. He turns a betrayed expression on you, like a pup who’s found his medicine at the center of his treat. By now, he’s already finished two large slices and is halfway through his third. You can’t help, you begin your apologies but the laughter in your voice steals any sincerity from them.

He practically whines your name, saying, “how could you?”

“But you liked it, didn’t you? Before you knew what it was?”

You can practically see his invisible tail and ears drooping. You’ve never seen him look so unlike the Phoenix before. It only makes you giggle more.

“I’m sorry, alright? I’m sorry.”

“I don’t know how I’ll recover from this.”

“Alright, my love, no need to be so overdramatic.”

He pouts. He actually pouts. “You’ll have to find a way to make this up to me.”

“Up to you? I did all of this for you.”

“You did all of this for yourself. I hope you’ve had your fun.”

You lean over the counter, smug as one could be. “Oh, I have.”

“Mhm.” He leans forward and places a soft kiss on your lips. You can still taste the frosting. “You better have. Otherwise, I will have eaten this for nothing.”

“You would have, at the very least, learned that you can stomach carrots. Isn’t that something?”

He laughs. “No, absolutely not. Just promise you won’t do something like this again.”

“I promise,” you draw out the word, “that it won’t become a regular occurrence.”

He rolls his eyes, but a smile toys at the corners of his mouth. “What did I ever do to deserve this?”

“Something really good, I imagine.”

His smile grows. “Must have been.”

[blissfulalchemist]

All FFXVI Base Game Side Missions Have Been Uploaded!

All of the side missions available in the base game have been uploaded and ready for viewing! Thank you to all that watch them and I hope they are helpful in all your fanfic writing needs! I will make a new (and final) post when all the Rising Tide DLC missions have been uploaded

[researchgate]

why do ppl ship the brothers in ff16 when there's so many men clive interacts with in this game. like why does it have to be incest.

[thecreativecasseroles]

I have come to an announcement. I made a new au, this time for FFXVI. During the Night of Flame, at Phoenix Gate, in a moment of agony and denial after Joshua was brutally beaten by Ifrit, Clive makes an Egi. Of Joshua. Egi Joshua saves Clive from Anabella’s clutches and Clive is unaware that Egi Joshua is not really his brother.

Anyways I personally have some ideas for this au but ultimately I wanna see how people will run with it.

[mothonice0]

I have way too many TereDion, Jotua, BeneCid and Warfield fic brainrots AU eating at me right now, so salty I can’t write them all 😭 😭

[ouch-ness]

One year since I first bugged @roxetta23 and made a wonderful fandom friend. This is a gift fic for her, which she also helped me illustrate without knowing what it was for (and gifted it to me in the process). phoenixflare ffxvi reincarnation AU with Joshua as a bunch of birds. Also it’s just cute bird art to enjoy, regardless of fandom

[sunbl3achedfly]

Guys I just started writing a joshua rosfield x oc fic (low-key just an aerith-type character) and I’ve been putting it off for ages cause I thought no one would wanna read it.

So this is honestly 100% self indulgent but I genuinely think it may be some of the best writing I’ve ever produced.

I love them together so much omg. Just the burden of responsibility that Joshua carries and the hope she would bring him and everyone around her to keep going—

Like??? 🤌🏻🤌🏻🤌🏻

[rune-writes]

A Healer's Duty

Fandom: Final Fantasy XVI

Word Count: 4023

Rating: T

Characters/Pairing: Tarja-centric, Clive Rosfield/Jill Warrick; Joshua Rosfield/Jote

Summary: As a physicker, Tarja thought her job was to heal, but when faced with the deadly affliction called Lithification—a fatal bodily petrification that will claim a Bearer's life—Tarja learns that to be a healer does not equal to saving everyone. There is a limit to what she can do, and sometimes, just alleviating someone's pain may be the greatest kindness she can offer.

Notes: written for Fulminate: A FFXVI Fanzine. Leftovers are open til Feb 28th! Check out the store HERE.

Read on AO3.

~*~*~*~*~*~

i.

“Do you know what makes a good physicker, Tarja?” her mentor asked. 

He sat on a stool next to his desk, bent over a mortar and vials as he ground herbs and flowers into powders. Tarja looked up from changing the bandage of a wounded soldier’s arm just as her mentor poured the powder he was working on into a beaker. 

Outside, the dins of war had subsided into barely a murmur. A respite or some such, which meant the infirmary was flooded with patients. Where the anguish and agony had rendered her frozen in place before, now her body moved in the automatic way of a seasoned physicker who’d dealt with broken bones and stabbed wounds by the day. Tarja had had her hands full administering whatever potions she could give, bandages she could fix, cuts she could stitch. 

Still, they were not enough. Tormented cries pierced the tent’s walls from every side as soldiers fought against the pain of their advancing curse. And those she could not save lay on a heap outside, waiting for the carrion birds to arrive, because none of the soldiers could be bothered enough to give any of them a proper burial. Who were they but Bearer soldiers, meant to be used until the last drop of their lives and then discarded at the first sign of impairment? Her instructions were clear: to heal just enough for them to function. Not a day went by where it didn’t grate on her conscience. 

Her mentor waved her over as he placed the beaker over a small fire and began stirring the contents with a long, thin spoon. Tarja finished her task then patted the moaning soldier’s shoulder, promising him she’d bring a pain reliever before rising to her feet and coming to her mentor’s side. 

“This is Elysia. Or Tears of Mercy as I like to call it,” he said, grabbing a jar from his makeshift cabinet. Tarja viscerally cringed at the large eyeball staring at her. Her mentor chuckled. “Weeping widows. I had one of the men catch one for me. One drop of the tear can easily paralyze your entire nervous system.” 

Tarja watched him pick the eye with a pair of tongs. He brought it to the beaker, then carefully let one… two… three tears drop before placing it back inside the jar. He stirred the beaker’s content again. 

“I saw how you look today.” A pause. Tarja clenched her fists; she knew where this was going. “You can’t save everyone, Tarja.” 

“I know that.” Tarja grounded her teeth. 

“No, you don’t,” he said. “A healer’s job is to heal, yes, but we are no gods. We have our own limits. Sometimes, the only thing we can do is alleviate someone’s pain, and that’s alright.” 

He finished stirring, then took out the spoon. He lifted his beaker to the meager light above his desk which swayed ever so slightly in a non-existent wind. Under the light, the potion shone silver like sparkling diamonds. 

“We do not save people, Tarja. We can close their wounds, mend their broken bones, help their bodies recover with proper food, drugs, and rest. But what if they have reached their limit? What if their bodies scream enough?” 

A particularly agonizing wail pierced the tent then. Tarja looked over her shoulder to see her fellow physickers restraining a soldier to his bed as the petrification creeped toward his heart. Her mentor poured Elysia into an empty vial then stood from his chair. 

“Remember, Tarja: do not let them suffer anymore than they already have. Sometimes, that is the greatest kindness we can offer.”  

***

ii.

Tarja rapped on the door thrice before the response to “come in” came from inside. Cid was leaning against his desk as usual, nursing his left arm in a way that informed Tarja he might have overdone himself. Again. As she entered, Cid made a feeble attempt to hide it, though the stiffness of his movement and subtle flinch of his eye were enough to give it away. 

“Let me see your arm,” she said as a way of greeting. 

“It’s nothing,” he muttered, straightening his arm only to wince at the pain.   

Tarja set her herbal tea down on the low-lying table. She whirled on him with hands on her hip. “I’m your resident physicker, Cid. It is my job to see you in top shape.” 

“It is your job to make sure the hideaway is taken care of.” He deflected with a wry grin, fishing one-handedly for a cigarette in his pocket then the match on his desk. He puffed out a smoke, then sighed. When he noticed Tarja’s glare, he barked a laugh. “Oh, don’t look at me like that. You know as well as I do there’s no going around the curse.” 

She knew, but she would not break her stare. “The least you could do is sparingly use your powers.” 

“I have done that. How did you think I managed to live this long?” 

Another insufferable wry grin. Tarja had to swallow a sigh before crossing her arms. “So? Why did you call for me if not to heal your wounds?” 

“The tea, for one,” he said with a grateful dip of his head. He pushed himself off the desk then stumbled to the worn couch across the room. He reached for the cup, breathed in the warm turmeric scent, then took a sip. “Thank you. It dulls the pain somewhat.” 

Tarja ignored the pang in her chest. “One of my teacher’s recipes.” 

“That explains it then.” 

Willow bark and turmeric, with a dash of lavender. A tea recipe her mentor had created for the sole purpose of relieving pain from the crystal’s curse. Just as there was no going around it — the pain ever present and even more so after successive use of magick — her mentor had sought ways to ease a Bearer’s burden, even if he couldn’t completely erase it.  

Tarja watched Cid take another sip of his tea. It wasn’t so potent, but she could see the tension slowly leave his face.

“You know I’m here to help, right, Cid?” she said. 

Cid exhaled another sigh then finally leaned back on his seat. His left arm lay unmoving on his lap. 

“You’re already plenty of help, Tarja, with the Bearers and everyone else.” 

“Not to you.” 

He lifted his tea as if for emphasis. “The tea helps, and whatever medicine you like to slip in my pocket.” Despite her aggravation at his nonchalance, that drew a quick, tiny smile from her lips. Cid set his cup down. “I am keenly aware of my own mortality. One of these days, the curse will catch up and naught will remain of me but dust. But I’ll not let that happen ‘til my dream is fulfilled and every Bearer can die a man.” 

As painful as it looked, Cid attempted to raise his petrified arm, and like a defiance to fate and propelled by sheer determination, it lifted. 

***

vi.

Lithification, or commonly known as the crystals’ curse, was the nightmare of every Bearer. Her own nightmare once — still was — but Tarja had learned how not to rely on magick, and it’d helped her wonders. She couldn’t say the same for the slaves or soldiers, who were under the beck and call of their masters. 

Tarja saw how far the curse had progressed the moment she examined the new girl. Shiva, she heard Cid say. Poor girl. The imperial soldier pacing outside her infirmary had begun to grate on her nerves, but thankfully, he was gone now, away with Cid on one of his many missions. And he’d only just returned. From the way Cid was hiding his arm from her, she knew his curse had to have spread again. After she’d told him to be more careful, too. 

That evening, as Tarja was returning from Harpocrates with an old medical journal she hoped would contain information about the curse, Otto spotted her about to ascend to her infirmary and called her over to Charon’s stall. 

“How are they?” he asked. 

“They’ve only arrived this morning, Otto. There’s nothing much to report except that they’re sound asleep.” 

“That they could sleep is enough cause for joy, I’d say,” Charon said with a huff. 

True, Tarja had to concede, even if that sleep was induced by the sedative drug she had administered. The girl Otto had brought wouldn’t stop squirming while Shiva — Jill — had looked like she was at death’s door. It was all Tarja could do to steady her pulse and breathing. And once her condition had stabilized enough, she’d begun to mutter, tossing and turning and reopening the wounds Tarja had only finished stitching. At least now they could sleep peacefully to let their bodies heal.  

“Your girl is coming along well,” Tarja decided to say. “Her wounds aren’t too deep. A few days’ rest, and she’ll be as chipper as a morning bird, though her limp may remain. Jill, however…” 

“Are her wounds grave?” Charon asked. 

“I don’t know what those Ironbloods subjected her to, but judging from how far her curse had progressed, I can imagine how many times she had to prime. Possibly under duress too. Not to mention the wounds she retained from her fight with Titan.” 

She’d need time to properly heal. They had brought her in, covered in blood and grime. After Tarja had finished washing her face, it had surprised her how young Jill had looked. She could be younger than her. 

“Cid tells me Clive — the new guy — seems promising.” Otto huffed a long, suffering breath. “I hope he’s right. I’m all for his creed, but this crusade comes with a high price, and I’d rather see it done before any of them crumbles to dust.” 

Tarja said nothing to that. She’d done her fair share of scolding. It seemed Otto and Charon had done the same. 

She bid them farewell then went up to her infirmary just in time to see Jill break into sweats. She squirmed in her sleep. Tarja quickly administered another dose of calming medicine before dabbing a wet cloth across Jill’s face. She waited until the girl’s breathing evened out and the crease between her brows disappeared. 

***

iv.

“For gods’ sake, Gav, if you force your way out of this cave in your bloodied state, I swear to Greagor I will strap you to a bed and you’ll not leave until I say otherwise!” 

Her voice rose above the cacophony. Kupka had raided the hideaway not half a bell ago and now they were displaced at a cave system Cid had designated as their meeting point should things go awry. It was hidden enough, the entrance shrouded in shadows even in daylight. But if the cover of darkness didn’t hide them, she hoped the storm would, which, now that she thought about it, only intensified the chaos raging inside. Anguished cries and moans all around. It reminded her of the southern isles, being in her tent with her mentor. But her mentor wasn’t here; the entire hideaway only had her and Rodrigue to depend on. 

Gav blinked his good eye at her. Good; she’d have preferred fear, but surprise was a fair alternative. She pushed him down to the makeshift bed and told him to lay down his head. How he wasn’t wailing in agony was beyond her. The blade had cut right through his eye. 

“I need to stop the bleeding so you won’t bleed to death,” she said as she sat on the ground and dabbed his left eye with a gauze. 

“An eye wound won’t kill me,” he countered with a laugh. Tarja pressed the gauze harder and made him yelp. 

All at once, the din hushed into background noise. Quietly, she cleaned Gav’s wound and inspected the deep cut within. She stifled a sigh. 

“You think Cid is alright?” Gav asked then. 

“He has Clive and Jill with him. I’m sure he’s fine.” 

“Yeah, but what if…” 

Tarja pressed the gauze harder again, cutting his doubt short. She knew his concerns well — she’d lived with it all her life. Her role was to heal — to see the people who came to her infirmary leave in a better, healthier state. But what if that meant those same people would go running back to battle with swords and magick in hand? Living most of her life among soldiers and fighters, she’d grown to accept that the best thing she could hope for was that they would return with more wounds for her stitch. 

“I can’t salvage your eye, Gav,” she said quietly. 

She noted his stillness, his clenched jaws. His good eye stared straight ahead at the stone ceiling lit by dim torches. “Close it then.” He sounded unusually even, but his voice trembled right at the tail end. He cleared his throat. “Even without an eye, I’m still Cid’s best scout. Just you wait, once I’m out of bed, I’ll find the three of them and drag them back here.”

Tarja chuckled at that. She set the gauze down then picked up her surgery kit. “This’ll sting.”

“As if it could hurt more than it already does.”

Gav cracking jokes meant he still had vigor left in him. If only she could have his kind of positivity. 

With a silent prayer to Great Greagor, Tarja applied anesthetics to him, then pushed her needle into his eye after the drugs kicked in. 

***

v.

The young lord of Rosaria lay prone on his bed, as well as the imperial prince if one could believe it. Tarja certainly hadn’t, but the moment Clive landed on the hideaway with two heavily wounded, barely conscious men, logic had gone out the window and she’d instructed every available man to help carry them to her chambers. The only reason she’d known it was the long-lost lord at all was because she’d spotted Phoenix in the distance carrying two distinct people on its claws. Now both of them lay still, quiet, the only signs of life being the steady rise and fall of their chests. “Bad state” was oversimplifying it, as she’d pointed to Clive the last time he came for a visit. His Imperial Highness was on the brink of losing his life; it’d be a miracle if he woke up at all. Joshua, however… 

A pulsing purplish wound lay within a deep gash on his chest. Jote hadn’t been forthcoming when Tarja asked. Now the girl tended to her lord with as much dedication as was expected of an aide, but the tenderness with which she dabbed his face and cleaned his wounds seemed to speak of a hidden sentiment. 

“How long have you been with his lordship?” she asked the girl. 

Jote looked up, then stood from the bed. “Eighteen years, milady.” 

“Since Phoenix Gate then?” 

Jote nodded. The girl was not much of a talker ever since she arrived a few days ago. Tarja never pressed her, thought she’d return to her duty when neither of them said anything, but the flickering light from Joshua’s bedside table illuminated her contorted expression: a pursed lip and clenched jaw, her hands fisting on her robe. 

“If I may, Lady Tarja,” she spoke, hesitant. “I have been by his lordship’s side for all my life, helped him achieve what others deemed impossible. I know what his lordship wants, what he dreams of. And yet this road he treads… its destination…” 

Her voice drifted into silence. She cast her gaze to Joshua, and for the briefest of moments, Tarja caught a flicker of emotion crossed her features. It disappeared before she could fully grasp it but Tarja knew what she had seen: compassion. 

She rose from her chair and strode to the bed. Joshua was sound asleep.

“He is always in pain,” Jote went on. “Wouldn’t take his medicine even under threat of his life.” Her voice was soft, strained. “Is it wrong of me to wish he would live?”

Tarja touched her shoulder gently. “Get some rest, Jote. I’ll watch them.” 

“No, I—”

Tarja fixed her a stare; Jote couldn’t do anything but relent. After she left, Tarja moved her attention back to the young lord and drawled out a sigh. “You’re just as stubborn as your brother, you know that?”

Of course he knew; and of course Clive knew. If only they would listen to their physickers, take their medicines, and get the rest they needed. Her fingers twitched at the familiar words. Oh, how many times had they crossed her lips only to fall on deaf ears? Cid was one; and now Clive. 

Could she save them from dying this time? 

From the shadows of memory, her mentor’s words jabbed her mind like thorns: you can’t save everyone, Tarja. 

She knew that, but it still left a bitter taste in her mouth.

***

vi.

A knock rapped on her door and Jill entered her premises. 

“To what do I owe this pleasure?” Tarja said with a smile, warm, as warm as the pale sun outside she hoped, because that’s what Jill needed these days. Clive and the others had just departed. If there was anything more broken than the look she had the moment they turned their backs… Tarja couldn’t think what it was.

Now, at the very least, Jill looked chipper enough to offer a joke. “Can I not visit you without a cause?”

“The only time anyone visits the infirmary is when they have a stomach ache or a broken bone. Or when they need someone to give Torgal a bath.” That prompted a quick chuckle from her. Good, Tarja thought, but still it didn’t shake the shadow lingering within Jill’s eyes. 

She closed her book and waved Jill over. Jill did so, shutting the door and moving to the cabinet beside Tarja’s desk. She looked at each and every jar, from herbs to flowers to scorpion stings and miteling eyes. She examined them, fiddled with them. Then she moved to the vials containing Tarja’s potions: cures for fever, allergies, stomach cramps, headaches. She found the tears of mercy Rodrigue had concocted a while ago and the vial Tarja had helped Jote make for Joshua’s escalating pain. When Tarja told her about it, Jill’s lips pulled taut. 

“Have you ever thought about it, Tarja—” she began, “—whether there was anything more you could’ve done?” 

Tarja stared at her. If there was one thing she’d learned in the past five years, it was noticing when Jill’s graceful, steadfast mask was one step away from shattering. She set her book down, fingers lingering on the fraying rim. 

“I think about it a lot — about what I can do, how I can help. What with you lot going out and getting hurt every damn time.” She glanced at Jill; the girl was smiling. “But the thing about my occupation, Jill, is that there is nothing I can do if my patient decides they want to run off and save the world. So I do what I can, hoping it is enough for them to return to me so I can patch them up again.” 

Jill was quiet for a moment. She placed the jar she’d been holding back on the cabinet. She hovered, then stepped back. “I—” 

That was when Tarja noticed the tremble, first in her voice then in her hands. Jill’s breath shuddered and her knees gave out. She stumbled onto the bed. Tarja caught her the moment she hit the mattress.

“Tell me what to do, Tarja.” Her harsh whisper seared Tarja’s ear. She clung to her, shoulders quaking, fingers digging deep and refusing to let go. “I wish I’d gone with him. I wanted to go with him. But—” 

Her hand reflexively covered her belly. Tarja hadn’t quite noticed it until then, but Jill’s stomach had subtly grown. She whipped her head up, seeking Jill’s eyes; but Jill was too far gone. Tears streamed her face. Her features twisted in anguish. 

“I told myself everything would be fine as long as I had him. But now he’s gone, and I don’t know what to do.” 

***

vii.

Jill was with child. She made Tarja promise not to tell anyone. And Tarja didn’t. Not even when a commotion broke outside. Or when Gav barged into her infirmary, hauling a body between two men, badly beaten and cut with the entire left arm almost completely lithified and crumbling. 

They’d found Clive somewhere on the shores of Ash. Everyone had thought him dead, but a moon of tireless search finally bore them fruit, even if it wasn’t what they had hoped for. 

“He’s still alive! He’s breathing,” Gav said. 

Indeed, but his skin was too cold, too pale, his pulse too shallow. Had it been any other time, Tarja would have pronounced him lost. There was nothing she could do. Clive was already at death’s door. 

“Can you save him?” Mid asked. 

She was no god. She had limits to her abilities. 

But it didn’t stop her from ordering everyone to clear the room, make a fire, and bring all the blankets and water they could spare. 

Another moon of dogged perseverance — that’s what it boiled down to: stubborn tenacity. Tarja spent a lot of her time with Harpocrates, scouring tomes and medical journals for anything that could hint on what ailed Clive and how to heal him. She spent her time in the backyard where Nigel grew more and more medicinal herbs. With the mothercrystals gone and aetherfloods receding, new life had begun to crop up in places where the Blight had taken over the land.  

And yet, even through all that, Tarja couldn’t shake the words her mentor once uttered to her: We are no gods, Tarja. We do not save people. 

Tarja stood in her infirmary alone. She had just managed to pry Jill away from Clive’s bed, telling her to rest. It wouldn’t do well for the baby if the mother was worn out. Her belly had begun to show. Soon, everyone would know. 

The sun was setting, casting a strange orange glow on her chambers. Before Clive left for Origin, he had come to her and promised her that it would be the last time he’d leave on an impossible mission. She knew he had pretty much meant it; except, she and everyone else had also known that he might not come back at all, the buffoon. 

Tomes lay scattered over her desk along with mortars and vials and grounded herbs. The medicines she’d administered had managed to stabilize him, which, in another case, would’ve been enough to ease her mind. But in the days that followed where she would only need to wait for the patient to regain consciousness, Clive remained asleep.

“Have you had enough, Clive? Is that it?” she quietly asked. Jill had said that she was ready — that if there was nothing more that Tarja could do, perhaps it was time to call it enough.  

Tarja returned to her workstation to gather his afternoon medicines. Sitting beside his bed, she touched his wrist. Warm. His pulse drummed — shallow but steady. Countless times had her eyes wandered to the glimmering substance of Elysia sitting on the shelf above her desk. While she had the authority to announce when a case was lost, how could she do it when the man was still breathing, his body receptive to food and drugs? Was that not sign enough that Clive was still holding on?

Setting the vials, spoons, and bowls on the bedside table, Tarja slowly trickled a dose of each medicine down his mouth then washed them away with spoonfuls of water. Sometimes, the only thing she could do was alleviate someone’s pain, and perhaps that was all she was doing now. But if there were still gods who could answer her prayers, she would wish that they’d be merciful. That they’d let this man — this poor man who’d done so much, who’d lost and regained and sacrificed everything in order for them to live — live, and, perhaps, see the birth of his own child. 

That, she prayed with her heart. 

~ END ~

[luneariaa]

☀︎ 𝐡𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐟𝐮𝐥𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬 | 𝐣𝐨𝐬𝐡𝐮𝐚 𝐫𝐨𝐬𝐟𝐢𝐞𝐥𝐝

❥︎ - ; ꜰᴇᴍ! ʀᴇᴀᴅᴇʀ

❥︎ - 𝐭𝐰 : ɴᴏɴᴇ ᴀꜱ ᴍᴜᴄʜ! ɴᴏᴛ ᴍᴜᴄʜ ᴘʀᴏᴏꜰʀᴇᴀᴅ ʙᴇɪɴɢ ᴍᴀᴅᴇ; ᴇɴᴅɪɴɢ ꜱᴏʀᴛᴀ ꜱᴇᴍɪ-ʀᴜꜱʜᴇᴅ.

❥︎ - 𝐚/𝐧 : ɪᴛ'ꜱ ʙᴇᴇɴ ʀᴀɪɴɪɴɢ ʜᴇʀᴇ qᴜɪᴛᴇ ᴀ ʟᴏᴛ ʟᴀᴛᴇʟʏ ꜱᴏ ᴊᴜꜱᴛ ᴡᴀɴᴛᴇᴅ ᴛᴏ ᴛʀʏ ᴛᴏ ᴡʀɪᴛᴇ ʜɪᴍ ᴏᴜᴛ! ᴍɪɢʜᴛ ʙᴇ ᴏᴏᴄ, ʙᴜᴛ ʜᴇ ᴊᴜꜱᴛ ᴀᴅᴏʀᴇꜱ ʏᴏᴜ ᴠᴇʀʏ ᴍᴜᴄʜ,, („• ᴗ •„) 🧡🧡

☾︎ - 𝐦𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐭.

-✰-

The past few days have been filled with countless raindrops from above, making the sensation a lot colder-- several people even wishing for it to stop at some points. The rather thick blanket is being clutched tightly by her as she tries her best to keep herself warm within the confines of the current hideout she was in.

It was so cold that she couldn't bring herself to sleep just yet. Instead, her eyes stared out at the slightly open window and onto the view of the rain; her expression is one filled with serenity and wonder at the very moment.

The sound of the door being opened can be heard just from a distance, though she remained preoccupied with her own thoughts and the rain itself.

With several quiet yet careful footsteps, the charming blonde-haired male approaches the young lady; kneeling beside her after.

"Are you alright, my dear?" Joshua begins to ask upon noticing her focus is solely towards the rain outside, which resulted in her being startled slightly once she heard someone speak to her.

"You scared me!" She places her hand over her heart as she instantly shifts her gaze from the rain and towards him. "-- and I didn't notice you entering, sorry!" The lady begins to slowly regain her composure as Joshua merely chuckles at her reaction.

"My apologies, I didn't mean to scare you." He apologizes, wrapping his arms around her form tenderly-- pulling her into an embrace. "The rain has been going on all day today."

She nods in agreement, leaning onto his touch and to feel the natural warmth radiating from his form alone. "Truly, it's been quite cold. I suppose the weather has been gloomy these past few days." She jokes lightly, which earned a soft amused grin from Joshua; his hand found its way to caress her soft hair.

"Is there anything you need, perhaps?" He questions while placing a small kiss upon her forehead, which caused her to giggle happily and shook her head.

"Mm no, really!" She answered simply, resting her face on the crook of his neck comfortably as he started the fire nearby; but not too near, using his magic. Their surroundings feel a bit less cold by now.

"You're so warm.. I could stay like this forever."

The blonde-haired male simply smiled sweetly at her words, placing his hand tenderly onto her cheek, wiping a bit of visible dirt off. The young lady's face reddened a little upon his actions, feeling affection and warmth radiating off from him.

"You deserve a better life than this." Joshua begins to say, gazing into her eyes with a warm expression-- beautiful blue eyes consist of a lot of untold emotions. "You deserve to sleep on a more comfortable bed, and even have the finest foods for your daily fill." 

She received another kiss atop of her head; snuggling against him even more.

"But I don't wish to experience it alone myself, Joshua.." The lady spoke in an almost quiet manner, soft even, as if she's taking care and cautious with her own words. "I wanted to experience it with you. Someday, we will get what we've wished for; I'm sure of it."

Joshua feels so happy upon hearing the words escaping from her lips at this moment between them. His heart feels light, as if all of his burdened thoughts have washed away almost instantly.

"Of course, I wished for the same thing as well, actually." He touches her face gently, affectionately. "I will fight for you, until I feel as if the sun has shine down upon us again."

"Until there's no more reason to hide; no need to endure long cold nights, and even pain. You deserve none of those, truly."

Perhaps his words have hit a little too hard upon her heart, because she could feel her own eyes getting teary from his statement. It didn't go unnoticed, of course, as he tried to brush away the tears that managed to escape her eyes with such tenderness.

"You're too sweet for me, Joshua.. But in truth, I was quite scared of our unforeseeable future." Her admission made him fall into realization upon her true emotions right at this moment. But nonetheless, he tries his best to appear calm and composed; trying to reassure her without any hint of hesitation.

"And it's completely alright if you feel scared. We've been through a lot lately, but I'll be right here. I'm never going to leave you."

His words are sincere and truthful. "I believe in you-- we will make it through this."

Joshua's expression changes yet again into one of pure concern as she stayed silent after he spoke. But his emotions just escalate further once he notices how her eyes are glistening with some hint of tears present within them even more; thus pulling her closer, pressing his lips against her forehead.

"Oh, my dear (Y/N).. Don't you worry." He exhales out his breath almost quietly. "Everything's going to be alright." 

Though not giving any sort of response still, the lady nodded in understanding while sniffling slightly-- leaning onto him for more needed comfort. He held onto her hands, warming them up with his own.

"Do me a favor, please-- can you look at me?"

Not once he was angered by her actions, but rather filled with genuine concern and complete devotion that he held towards her alone.

So she obeyed his gentle commands, lifting her head and gaze into his deep blue eyes. He begins to take this opportunity to put the gorgeously designed flower crown atop of her head gently-- one that he has created using his magic before then. 

Perhaps, it is to show as a small gesture of reassurance and gratitude towards her; that he truly cared for her wellbeing, or just wanted to give her some sort of gift for now.

Joshua truly looked so proud and satisfied with his little gift, looking down and into her eyes with a delightful grin. "Now, look at you! You look so adorable like this."

All the while, her eyes aren't leaving his own even for a second, as if she's merely admiring with whatever he's been doing.

His grin truly looks all too adorable to her; even more so, pleased with his own creation. The lady then grabs ahold of the flower crown from her head, releasing a giggle upon his sweet actions.

"This is very beautiful, indeed!" She exclaims joyfully, her smile mirroring his own. "But-" She then places the flower crown on top of his head instead.

"-- look at you, gosh! The flower crown suits you more!" She teases while laughing, but Joshua pays no mind as much to her own actions; simply finding her even more endearing and feeling as though nothing else matters at this moment.

Just the two of them alone.

A thought even crosses his mind-- perhaps, she could be a fallen angel being sent down to him from the heavens above? By the stars, Joshua finds himself hardly able to avert his gaze away from the mere sight of her.

And so, without thinking, he pulls her closer once more, causing a surprised gasp to escape from her lips as he puts the flower crown back atop of her head gently with a soft look. The lady could sense the heat beginning to rise upon her face when she felt his arm around her waist-- the other hand made its way to cup her cheek. 

The rain outside begins to show signs of stopping, but neither of them paid much attention to it.

"May I kiss you?" The sudden request caught her off guard, stumbling upon her own words as she became very flustered.

"Y-You may.."

Once he receives the answer that he had been secretly seeking for, Joshua tenderly captures her lips with his own. Their lips molded against each other so perfectly; so fitting. She moves her arms around his neck as she finds herself losing into the kiss, while his arms are encircled around her waist at this moment.

The kiss overall feels quite chaste; no other unwanted desire can be felt within it. It's simply a pure, affectionate reminder that the two love each other very, very much so. And he had to start it first.

They slowly parted from each other a few seconds later; their expressions appeared to be bashful, eyes not leaving one another. The two took their precious time to admire every single detail off from each other's face up that close.

"I love you, (Y/N). After all of this is over..." Joshua begins to say, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear gently. 

"Let's build our own life, shall we? A safe, comforting place just for the two of us. I'll keep you safe no matter what, always remember that." He vows, before resting his forehead against hers. 

"But of course; we need to find my brother first. I'm sure you're aware that you'll be accompanying me in doing so."

"For sure."

His darling merely nods, clearly agreeing as the two shared a laugh towards each other, trying to lighten up the mood even further.

"Thank you, Joshua, for everything.." She couldn't contain herself from smiling contentedly at his promise, closing her eyes momentarily, as if wanting to relish within the moment as she speaks.

"I shall never leave your side as well. I'd be very glad and love to build a life together with you.. Honestly, it's a dream of mine, so I'm glad that it was with you."

She holds onto him as close as she could, to which he returns her tender actions with a relaxed smile plastered on his face.

"And I love you too, Joshua. Always."

𝐞𝐧𝐝.

-✰-

© 𝚌𝚊𝚜𝚜.

[nottangerine]

Rekindle | Joshua Rosfield x reader

(Rewritten version)

I want to do another longer part but I always have trouble with it so this seems very incomplete

"There's someone I think you would like to see." Joshua's brows furrowed in confusion at his brother's words.

The infirmary room door opens again, and a familiar girl walks in. "Y/n?" Joshua stands and the girl walks quickly to him and into his arms for a hug. He stands still for a moment in shock before he wraps his arms around her. While traveling with Jote he has thought a lot about what had happened to Y/n, where would she be.

Y/n pulls away and Joshua takes the time to study her. She has the same dark hair except it reaches past her waist now. The same golden eyes that would look so bright when they played outside together as children. She's of course taller compared to her nine-year-old self back then, she reaches up to his chin.

Y/n keeps her arms around his neck and plays with the tips of his blond hair. She smiles, "Your hair has gotten longer."

Joshua returns her smile equally as excited about seeing her again after so long, "My hair, look at yours," he runs his fingers through the ends of her hair, "It used to reach your shoulders." Clive and Jill stand at the door watching them interact after so many years.

[randomguyno3462]

Final chapter is online!

_________________________

'The Phoenix can mend flesh, but the spirit must recover on its own.'

But how does a spirit recover from being dead? What if it does, but there is something left behind?

Joshua wakes after dying at Origin, bereft of any memories of his former life. He wakes to a brother overjoyed to see him alive, to people who care deeply about him but are strangers to his eyes. Unwilling to see them suffer another loss, he tries to piece together who he had been. But how long can he pretend, when it feels like he is wearing a dead man's skin?

[flowersbane]

The Series Of Unfortunate Events That Lead To Putting Carrots In A Cake

Joshua Rosfield X Reader

This is the second version of this request. It's a bit similar in some parts, but I like having fic variants. ( ^_^ ) b

Rating: General Audiences

Word Count: 1.3k

Tags: Baker!Reader, Finally Getting Joshua To Eat Some Gosh Darn Vegetables, Fluff, Teasing, Unedited, Fun, Cutesy.

It was truly a wonder how this recipe book had fallen into your hands.

A trader from the Crystalline Dominion had been making his way to Rosaria when a flock of chocobos had attacked his wagon. Clive had happened to cross the man’s path and while most of the man’s merchandise had been destroyed, he was still able to repay Clive’s kindness with a tattered recipe book. And yet, as Clive was returning from Rosaria, the book toppled over a cliff, never to be found again. However, as luck would have it, a group of bandits happened across the book. They tossed it in with their collection and forgot about it. Months later, the bandits stole from a supply caravan that was carrying goods meant for the Hideaway. Otto had intended for the Cursebreakers to retrieve their stolen goods, but Joshua offered to go instead. After some convincing, Otto agreed. Joshua, Jote, and Torgal confronted the bandits. Joshua had intended to only take what the Hideaway needed, but one of the bandits called Torgal a mangy mutt, causing his mercy to dissipate. After a short battle, Joshua and Jote hitched the wagons to some chocobos and made for the Hideaway. During their travels, Joshua rummaged through their loot until he found something suitable for you. A baker’s book. Perfect. He grinned, ignorant of the way the stars aligned for this one moment.

Now, you leaned against the counter of the Ale Hall, leisurely flipping through the pages of recipes. A recipe rut had been plaguing you for the past week and you were hoping that this new book might put an end to it. You had just turned to the next page when commotion on the Main Deck caught your attention. You turned your head a little to see Gav rising from placing down a heavy-looking, wooden crate. One of many, from what you can see.

“Founder,” Gav muttered, “what a mess this is.”

“It could be worse,” Cole commented, having dropped off a box of his own. “They could be turnips.”

“Eugh, turnips.”

Gav crossed the Main Deck and ordered a mug of ale. You leaned closer to him. “What’s with all the boxes?” you ask.

“Carrots. Blasted things. You know, it really is quite the story, how they got here.” You wordlessly motioned for him to continue. After a swig of ale, he did. “One of our suppliers, ah, one that has a deal with Clive’s uncle, was meant to be sending us a shipment of vegetables. Well, at the docks, his son made a mistake. Put all the carrots on one boat, all the turnips on another, and all the potatoes on another. Ordinarly, something like that doesn’t just slip by unnoticed, but the man in charge of inspections had eaten a bad breakfast, didn’t agree with his stomach, so he just stamped the papers before running off to deal with his, uh, returning breakfast.” You wrinkled your nose at that. “So the ships set sail, all with the wrong contents. Now, we’re stuck with a dozen crates of carrots and no potatoes.”

“And no turnips,” you pointed out.

This time, it was Gav’s turn to wrinkle his nose. However, his attention was quickly caught by the book laying out in front of you. He motioned to it as he lifted his mug for another drink. “What’s that?”

You glanced down at the book. “Oh, this? It’s just something Joshua brought me after…” You did a double take, something on the age having caught your eye. You trailed off as you began to read.

“Hm?”

“Ah, right, sorry, it’s just…”

The book spread out the solution to your problems in one simple, sweet, perfect recipe. You grin widely. “I know what to do with the carrots.”

“All of them?”

You rolled your eyes. “No, not all of them, but some of them.”

Without bothering to explain further, you leapt from your seat and began dashing around to get to work. Otto gave you a skeptical look when you asked to take from the supply of carrots, but agreed without need for any further convincing. The recipe was completely new to you and, as strange as it sounded, you knew you had to give it a try. Perhaps it was even because it sounded strange that you knew you couldn’t just let it pass you by. The opportunity was perfect. And your curiosity was insatiable.

In a matter of hours, you had baked enough cake for the entire Hideaway. Just in time, too, as supper was coming to an end.

“There’s a sweetness in the air that completely distracted me from my supper,” Joshua teased as he approached the bakery’s counter. He had an easy smile on his face as he leaned against the wooden edge. “Must you tease me so?”

“A bit of anticipation can be a good thing,” you countered. “But, worry not, your wait can finally be over. They’re ready.” He took a seat on one of the stools, eyes wide and expectant. You stifle a giggle. “So eager.”

“You haven’t seen the half of it. He was glancing in the direction of the bakery for the entire duration of our meal,” said Clive as he and Jill approached. “I thought he might get up and run off if I so much as glanced away from him.”

“Clive…” Joshua casted his brother a look that only made him chuckle.

You laugh behind closed lips. “Alright, alright. Here, Joshua, you can have one of the first slices.”

His expression immediately brightened. He accepted the small plate with a grin, one that he quickly flashed at Clive in an almost boastful manner. You resisted the urge to roll your eyes as you continued passing out slices of cake.

Joshua made an approving sound at his first bite. “This is quite delicious. Well, that much should be expected. It is your baking we’re speaking of.”

A blush dusted your cheeks. Jill nodded her agreement as she had her first taste of the treat. “Truly remarkable.”

“You’ve outdone yourself. This is… different, somehow, from what you’ve made in the past.” Joshua looked up from his plate. “What is it?”

“Carrot cake,” you declared.

He froze. Jill’s chewing slowed. The corners of Clive’s lips twitched upwards as his gaze glided towards his little brother.

Your brows knit together with concern. “Joshua?”

Complicated emotions pass over his face. Confusion and horror, as well as a handful of other things you couldn’t quite place. It seemed that Clive was unable to hold back his amusement any longer. A sharp laugh escaped from his chest. Joshua glared at him, but the expression lacked any true anger. Clive’s laughter only grew louder, encouraging giggles from Jill as well.

“Not you too,” Joshua muttered.

“I’m sorry, it’s just–” She couldn’t even finish her sentence for the mirth that stole the words from her mouth.

Joshua sighed and shook his head. “What sort of unfortunate series of events leads to putting carrots in a cake?”

“You don’t like carrots?” You frowned. “I’m sorry, truly. I–I didn’t know–”

He soothed your worries with another shake of his head. “No, no, you have nothing to apologize for.” He looked back down at the cake. “I suppose I shouldn’t complain. If I couldn’t tell in the first place…”

“It seems we have found the only way Joshua will eat his vegetables.” Clive snickered. “Baked into a cake.”

“All they have to be is coated in sugar and cream,” Jill added.

Joshua gave them both a tired look. It only made them laugh more.

You reached out, taking his hand in yours. “But, you liked it, right?”

He seemed to have sensed that you were in need of more reassurance, for he forsook his brother’s teasing and focused his attention on you. His closed his other hand over yours. “Of course, my dear.” He brought your hand to his lips and pressed a kiss on your knuckles. “I would love anything these hands crafted.”

The blush returns to your cheeks, accompanied by a bashful smile. “Then, you’ll keep eating, right?”

A flicker of wariness flashed across his face, but it was gone as soon as his eyes met yours. “Gladly.”

[yamilluvia]

A Joshua X Jote Fanfiction I wrote.

Enjoy:

[cloudxxiia]

"And what if this was never about me, because that was how I'd wanted it to be?"

starting Small with a meet me in the pouring rain chapter 5 visualizer, for UndyingFlame week Day 1 — with the prompt (new) beginnings!

meet me in the pouring rain is a 5-chapter, 22.6k-word pre-timeskip undyingflame fic by yours truly! it explores joshua and jote's relationship through joshua's eyes, inspired by taylor swift's sparks fly. 🥰✨