[ Clive is relentless in his assault, and the more that Joshua tries to get away, the harder it gets to avoid those fingers. Clive knows him too well, remembers his weak spots. Each one elicits a curl of laughter, sharp and ringing against the walls of the room, but no less joyful for it.
And oh, does his face hurt. He hasn't smiled this much in... in years. It's like they're children again, rough housing in the solar until one or both of them were scolded for it. Just like then, he can feel the tight brush of an oncoming cough, but unlike then, he can swallow it back. Not now. Not this. Let him have this.
When Clive pulls him in to that tight hug, Joshua hesitates only for a second out of surprise alone. But then, he returns it with equal fervor, breathing hard and still smiling from the laughter. ]
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And oh, does his face hurt. He hasn't smiled this much in... in years. It's like they're children again, rough housing in the solar until one or both of them were scolded for it. Just like then, he can feel the tight brush of an oncoming cough, but unlike then, he can swallow it back. Not now. Not this. Let him have this.
When Clive pulls him in to that tight hug, Joshua hesitates only for a second out of surprise alone. But then, he returns it with equal fervor, breathing hard and still smiling from the laughter. ]