Chapter Text
“Who chose my name?” Joshua asked, without preamble. “Was it Mother?”
The question came to him suddenly, after Clive had asked about the names of the Undying. Joshua had admitted he did not know Cyril’s true name or even Jote’s and doubted most of the Undying did either. Yet that got him curious about the origin of his own name.
They were seated near the hearth, the fire low and companionable. Jill sat nearby, adding an embroidered star to the blanket she meant to gift Edda’s baby, her needle flashing softly in the firelight.
Clive looked up at him from the map he studied. For a moment he said nothing. Then, quietly, almost sheepishly said, “It was me.”
Joshua blinked. “You? Truly, brother?”
Clive nodded. “Father wanted something grand. Or to name you after our grandfather.” He huffed a small breath of laughter, shaking his head. “I argued with him for days. I said it had to be Joshua. I am not entirely sure why, only that it felt right.”
Joshua studied his face, thoughtful. “I never knew.”
“You were so small when you were born,” Clive went on. “You kept curling your fingers around mine, like you were afraid I’d disappear.” His voice softened. “Something in me settled then. Like I’d been given a purpose. I knew then it was the right choice the moment I saw you.”
Jill smiled, still bent to her work.
Joshua swallowed, something warm settling in his chest. “And if I had not been a boy?”
After a beat, Clive answered, as if it were the most natural thing in the world, “If you’d been a girl, I’d decided on Rebecca.”
“Rebecca?” Joshua echoed, laughing softly. “Why Rebecca?”
Clive shrugged. “It just felt right.”
Joshua shook his head, though his smile lingered. “You know, Clive,” he said quietly, “I am glad I was born as your brother.”
Clive reached out and squeezed his shoulder. “So am I, Joshua. So am I.”