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They watched Origin crumble before them. Pieces of crystals fell and disintegrated as Torgal howled into the rising sun. Jill loudly sobbed her heart out at the loss of her family and friends. Her grip on the railings tightened, her entire body shaking till she felt a hand rest on her shoulder. She looked up to see Cid frowning at the sky. She knew that frown, tight frown that held hope for the three men who went to slay a god.
The sun casted light across the floorboards. A shadow moved from the corner of Jill's eye and she saw a few of the cursebreakers, a group of three men moving as one, slinked off from the Hideaway. Oh , she thought. It was Clive's old assassin group. The Bastards, as they were called. All four of them were rescued by Cid when they first encountered him. With Cid’s usual charisma, they followed him back to the Hideaway where they became free men once their brands were removed. They were probably going to find Clive’s remains, or whatever was left of him.
Torgal howled again and she could feel a fresh bout of tears were about to fall, but Jill steeled herself. She told herself that what they did was right. Magic needed to be destroyed and the world was dying. Beside her, Cid took a shaky breath and together, they faced the day with renewed looks for a new era.
A new era with no magic and gods.
It was a couple of days into the new era. Their team was spread thin but Cid commanded them like the ex-commander he used to be, when people suddenly froze.
“Cid!” Gav yelled, rushing towards the mess hall where Jill and Cid stood. “Quick! You have to come and see this. Tarja! We need help!”
Tarja made her way down, barking orders to the people carrying the injured into the infirmary and grabbed her medical pack. Jote followed closely. Jill and Cid ran after them to head down to the dock where there was a loud commotion. Everyone froze, hardly believing what they were seeing.
Clive was held in between Aevis and Tiamat, with his left arm missing. Joshua was barely conscious on Biast's back but mostly alive. Dion was being carried by Terrence, the former dragoon protective and wary of those who reached for them.
Everyone was stunned to see the three of them alive. Clive looked the worst, nearly sliding off from Aevis’s grip, and Tarja sprung into action. "Move!" she roared at the crowd. "If they die because you all were standing still, it’ll be on you!" Biast was silent as he carried Joshua with Jote by his side, who was fretting over him.
Tarja kicked them all out to attend to her patients and Cid saw the look on Biast's face when he passed him. Biast disappeared from the Hideaway for a few days. Not even Tiamat or Aevis stopped him.
~~~
Joshua sat on his bed in his new room, being fussed over by Jote. He smiled at her when she seemed satisfied and left him alone to rest more. He stared at the clear waters of Lake Bennumere through the window. It had been a few days since he was fished out from the sea. Tarja had confined him to the bed for the next few days, even going as far as threatening to tie him to the bed. Dion was tended by Terrence—most likely begging for forgiveness for leaving Terrence behind—while Clive was physically fighting everyone so he could move.
He watched in amusement to see his brother get pulled by his ear by Tarja with Jill pushing him along as well. Cid did nothing but waved sadly at Clive with a look of relief on his face. It was a sight to see, and Joshua’s lips twitched in amusement. He fiddled with a frayed thread on his blanket, left to his wandering thoughts. It had been quiet for him and there was someone he wanted to see, someone who carried him to the Hideaway while telling him to not die, as far as he could remember.
Joshua sighed tiredly, closing his eyes, and it wasn't long till sleep took over. When he woke up, he found himself looking at Biast sitting in an empty chair. The former imperial bearer was looking at the lake with an unreadable look, and Joshua felt his heart stutter at the sight of the older man. He took in the scar on Biast's left cheek where the brand used to be. There were other little scars on his face and neck that have healed and turned into little white lines. His light blue eyes were the same as the clear blue waters of the lake.
He remembered the warmth on his chest when Biast carried him, and the way he held him in his lap when they camp for the nights, being in and out of consciousness. He wanted to say something, but he felt his mouth glued shut like Jote had put too much honey on his face and it had melted on his lips, sealing it together.
He must have moved or something because Biast’s gaze immediately snapped towards him. The two stared at each other with no words being said. Joshua fidgeted in his seat slightly, unable to stand the heavy stare. He heard the chair scuffed against the floor, followed by a loud sigh. He glanced up to see Biast glaring hard at the bed like it was an evil thing.
“I heard that—” Joshua tried to break the silence between them. “—you were the one who brought me back here.”
Biast shifted in his seat and crossed his arms against his chest, before leaning back against the chair.
“Thank you,” Joshua continued, unable to meet Biast’s eyes.”But why—”
“Will you shut up?” Biast snapped, closing his eyes tightly. “Fucking Gregor. You—” he looked at Joshua with a tight frown and gritted his teeth hard. “—are worse than Wyvern, I fucking swear to Metia. What the fuck were you thinking?”
“I…what?” Joshua asked dumbly, unsure of where the conversation was going or why was Biast mad at him.
“Did you even think before you decided to go and save the fucking world?”
“Why are you so mad?” Joshua asked, tightening his grip on the blanket. “The world was going to perish if we didn't stop Ultima.”
“And then what? Sacrificing yourself by sealing that creepy fucker into your own body till you were on the edge of death?”
“I didn't have a choice.”
“You didn’t, or you just thought that by sealing him away, it will save us all? Fucking hell Firebird. Your first death was bad enough that it tore Wyvern apart. Did you think that your second death will save us all?”
“If Ultima had taken hold of Clive, we would all be doomed. I could not let that monster take my brother,” Joshua argued, glaring at Biast. “What is it that you're trying to say, Biast? That I was willingly trying to get myself killed?”
“Weren't you?” Biast growled. “You were fucking dying and if Wyvern hadn't healed your wound…fucking gods, what did you think would happen? If I hadn't pulled you out from the sea, if I hadn't given you the elixir before its uses were gone.”
“You should have left me to die,” Joshua mumbled. “Like you said, I was already a dying man and there was nothing to save.”
“Joshua Rosfield.”
Joshua's eyes widened. Biast never called him by his full name, and in such an eerie, calm tone as well. He looked up to find Biast with a complicated expression on his face, one he had never seen before. It was an expression he never thought to see on Biast, since the man was always smiling or joking around, flirting with him if he caught him.
Joshua had never seen heartbreak on Biast’s face before.
“So leaving behind the people who care about you means nothing to you?” Biast asked, turning his gaze away before he softly cursed. “I'm not going to fucking regret this,” he said, Joshua frowning in confusion before letting out a soft gasp when Biast kissed him.
Joshua’s eyes widened. He didn’t understand why Biast was kissing him, but he wanted more of it. He melted into the kiss, pushing back just a bit before he felt a hand wrapped around the back of his neck, pulling him closer to Biast to deepen the kiss further.
The warmth was comforting and grounding. Joshua felt safe and warm, unlike how cold he felt when he had Ultima in him. Phoenix’s healing power worked continuously, preventing him from dying. No matter how much healing Phoenix did, it will never save his dying body.
He wrapped his arms around Biast's neck, sighing at the Biast’s heavy weight pressing on him till they pulled away to pant for air. Biast rested his forehead against Joshua's, and huffed an amused laugh.
“You're not pushing me away,” he mumbled.
“I…perhaps I have wanted you to do that,” Joshua softly said, avoiding his eyes. “That the feeling had always been mutual.”
“The feeling is more than just mutual, Firebird,” Biast sounded amused, but he pulled away. His eyes softened at Joshua's slightly flushed cheeks, and he thumbed at it. “But I’d rather not have the physicker chase after me. Whatever tonics she has is more terrifying than fighting any creature out there.”
Joshua snorted in laughter. “Yes. Lady Tarja is quite a woman. Maybe if we appeal to Jill, it might lessen her wrath?”
“You sly bird. And here I thought the old fox was the sly one. I still don't know what Wyvern sees in that old man,” Biast grumbled, tugging Joshua's shirt off to gently lay him down and unlacing his pants.
“Cid is a charmer and he's suitable for my brother. Someone who can reel him in when Clive gets lost,” Joshua pointed out, helping Biast by kicking his pants off. “Though Cid’s looks are rather appealing to nearly all genders.”
“Are you making me jealous?” Biast paused in his actions.
Joshua shrugged, but choked on a moan when Biast touched his semi hard cock. He grabbed onto Biast’s forearm, squeezing his eyes shut when pleasure seeped into his veins. Biast’s hand was warm, gently coaxing him to full hardness. He felt Biast leaned forward to press kisses against his closed eyelids. Goosebumps break out on his skin, biting his lower lip and preventing himself from moaning out loud. It felt good, so good, but also so foreign for him.
He was one to never seek out pleasure even when he was busy finding information about Ultima. It never crossed his mind till he met Biast for the first time. The older bearer charmed him, pestered him, and followed him around. He even went as far as to accompany Joshua on any tasks or quests he went on. Jote was slightly glad for Biast’s help, fighting alongside them and protecting Joshua, till Joshua accidentally saw Biast fucking someone behind the chocobo stable.
It was the first time he had felt his cock grewhard, masturbating to the image of Biast fucking him instead. How he wanted to feel his thick cock in him, feel it fill him up and make him come undone from his touch. He wanted to hear praises being whispered into his ear till he was cumming from Biast's sultry voice alone.
Joshua's eyes snapped open when a hand wrapped around his throat. Fingers pressed against the side of his neck, near his jaw, and he glanced at Biast who was looking at him questioningly.
“Do you trust me?” Biast asked, and Joshua barely nodded, giving himself completely to Biast. He got a soft kiss in return. “Then you're going to come undone from this.”
Joshua didn't get it, but he moaned softly when Biast stroked his hard cock. His touch was addictive, stroking him in a different rhythm, switching between fast and slow. It slowly drove Joshua mad with pleasure till the head of his cock started to leak precum. He felt a thumb brush against his cock head, smearing precum over it, and Biast gently squeezed his neck, cutting off his thoughts and air. His mouth fell open as panic began to set in, thinking he was being choked.
He found that he could breathe still, even as a low buzzing started to fill his ears. Biast let Joshua’s neck go as air rushed into his lungs, but he continued to stroke his cock. Joshua shivered from the pleasure, feeling it spike higher, and he moaned. He felt the older man lean forward. Biast pressed his nose into Joshua’s hair. Biast simultaneously squeezed Joshua’s throat and cock.
Joshua jolted. The static he heard grew louder. Blood rushed to his head but the pleasure he was feeling grew even more than before. It made him grow harder, wetter, and it was a delicious kind of pleasure rushing through his body. His muscles twitched from it. The buzzing he heard engulfed the entirety of his hearing, he could barely hear anything else.
Biast pumped his cock hard and fast, drawing his peak nearer. He released Joshua’s throat, letting him breathe for a bit, and then squeezed again. Joshua moaned out loud, hoarse and breathy. A tight squeeze to his neck was enough to cut his oxygen for a second, and he spilled into Biast's hand when he orgasmed.
White hot pleasure seared his veins, filling him up, and he groaned softly when Biast released him. He sucked in air greedily, mewling when Biast continued milking him. He stroked his cock till he squirmed from the pain. His cock twitched weakly, trying its best to cum again, but Joshua sagged onto the bed and weakly pushed Biast's arm away.
His cock was freed from that hot touch and Joshua touched his own neck, trying to find any bruising. “You alright, Firebird?” Biast asked, bringing his dirty hand to his mouth and licking Joshua's cum off. “How was it?”
“I can still hear ringing in my ears,” Joshua closed his eyes, feeling exhaustion seeping into his bones.
Biast chuckled. “It'll be like that for a few mins,” he walked away to get a wet cloth to clean Joshua up.
Joshua looked down to see Biast touching the middle of his chest where Ultima’s scar was. A fake god that had kept tearing his body apart internally. An ugly wound that had scarred his body, one that Joshua felt conscious of. Biast leaned down to press a kiss on it. Joshua flinched for a moment, before relaxing.
“This,” Biast said, pressing another kiss to the scar before leaning up to be nose to nose with Joshua. “Is a mark that you have survived, so never forget that. You have people waiting for you here. People who love you and want to see you live, so don't throw your life away.”
“Did you know when I heard you were going to get the brand removed, I was terrified for you,” Joshua whispered. “I was afraid that I won't get the chance to tell you how I feel or even see you again.”
“And what is it that you want to tell me?”
Joshua brought Biast closer. His lips hovered above Biast’s. He whispered what he always wanted to tell him, the moment he grew to enjoy Biast’s company.
“I love you.”
Quietly, he kissed the former water bearer who would stay by his side. Maybe he did deserve a happy ending too, as Clive had once pointed out. Maybe he didn’t have to run and hide. Being alive was better than being dead.