Work Text:
I'm Here
Cid was at his desk in his private room. Clive had finally fallen to sleep on the bed, and not wanting to disturb him as he wasn't sleepy at all, Cid had gotten back up and started going over a few of the messages he had been sent. Cid glanced over at the bed, a soft smile on his face as he saw how relaxed and young Clive looked as he slept. The weight and guilt the man felt at the things he had learned recently weighed heavily on him. So much so that Clive had been on suicide watch by everyone in the hideaway.
Cid gave a quiet snort, everyone had come to him at one point to tell of their worries for the young Imperial Bearer, wanting him to know that they would be willing to keep an eye out and help Clive should he need it. Clive though, seemed to take everything he could on his shoulders, even worries that were not his own. Cid had spoken at lengthen to the young woman that Clive had rescued, the Dominant of Shiva, Jill Warrick. She was insightful and able to help him make sense of the things that he was seeing and hearing when it came to Ifrits Dominant.
"No," a quiet mumble from the bed had Cid looking back at the sleeping man. No long was his face released in sleep but pinch. His limbs started to retreat as if he was trying to protect himself.
Cid got up, walking over slowly, knowing better than to just wake a person up in the throws of a nightmare. Especially one with magic and trained to fight. Clive's twitching got more aggressive as he looked like he was trying to avoid people's touches.
"no, don't... I don't want it, I don't like it," he carried on. Cid was shaking as he was starting to realize just what Clive was dreaming about. He had suspected this might have been the case from the way that Clive had avoided touch for so long, even with their relationship slowly blossoming he often flinched at first when Cid reached out to touch him. They still hadn't done everything, and Cid would be happy if they never did, being able to hold him during the night and keep away the nightmares was enough.
"Clive," Cid rumbled as he walked over to the bed, kneeling beside it, "Clive, you're safe, in the hideaway, no one can get you here. I won't let them, ever," he said, his voice rising and lowering in a dancing lilt in the hopes it would bring Clive back to him. "Come on Clive, you're safe, with me, it's Cid, Baby," he cooed lightly, not touching as he knew that would startle Clive the most, and make him retreat even more than he normally would after a nightmare. Though he hadn't seen one like this, he'd seen Clive have Nightmares about Phoenix Gate a few times, and a few other things. This was the first time he had seen him have a nightmare about this.
Clive came out of his nightmare without a single sound. His eyes flew open and stared into nothingness as he tightened himself even more into the ball he had been slowly working his way into.
"Hey," Cid murmured, letting his voice rumble gently as he carried on talking to Clive, slowly bringing him from his nightmare and into the present.
Clive was slow as he listen to the voice. It took him a few more moments before he started to recognize the voice as Cids. "C... Cid," he whispered his voice breaking as he tried to bury the remnants of his dream.
"Hey they, Clive, welcome back," he said softly, smiling, he went to reach out and stopped, "Is it okay to touch you?" he asked.
Clive looked vulnerable as he gave a small nod. "I-"
"It's okay," Cid stated as he reached out, putting a hand on Clive's head as he ran his hands through the dark locks, brushing them back, "I'm right here, and you know I ain't going anywhere," he reminded him as Clive reached out, tugging at him a few times. Cid took the hint and got on the bed. He let Clive curl up against him, his head now resting on his stomach. Cid smiled down as he carried on running his fingers through Clive's hair, knowing how much it soothed the young man and put to rest the nightmares he had.
"I was back there, in Oriflame, she was... there as well, watching taunting that. That I was finally where I belonged, with the other branded, that I would be nothing more than flesh to be used and abused as people pleased. They would... pull me touch me I hated it, I always hated it. Never gentle or kind. I missed Father, Joshua, and Jill so much in those moments, but after a while, I couldn't... I couldn't think of them. If I did I would have lost my mind," he spoke quietly, his words disjointed and almost coming out without thought at all.
Cid held him, "She is a bitch and I wouldn't blame you for even killing her," he told him honestly.
"I-"
"I know, you couldn't. it's not who you are," Cid murmured, pulling Clive closer and tighter against him, "But know that I don't mind being that hand if you ever need it, to protect you from her and others. I want to be there, always."
Clive relaxed even more, "Yeah, I know Cid," he said, looking up a soft smile now adorning his face.
Cid leaned down slowly, letting Clive decide if he wanted to kiss or not. He smiled into the kiss as CLive leaned up to meet him, "Thank you," he smiled down at him, "for trusting me."
Clive nodded, kissing him a second time, "I do Cid, always."
Cid smiled, "I love you, Clive," he stated.
Clive froze for a split second before nodding, a beautiful smile blossoming on his face as he replied, "Love you too."