#clive fall

[stuff-diary]

Ok, so here we are. I'm gonna get it out of the way right away: When the World Tips Over is absolutely worth the wait. I must admit it's kind of overwhelming at the beginning, or maybe the right word is 'daunting'; there's just so many characters, plot threads, styles and formats. But still, once everything is in place, the book grips your soul and basically never lets go. Seeing all the pieces fall into place is a truly powerful experience. And really, Jandy Nelson's prose is masterful. You can tell how much work has gone into making this novel the best version of itself. There's a word in English which I really love, and it's the most appropriate way to describe Nelson: she's a wordsmith, period. What she does with her writing in this book is just masterful. Even the little things I wasn't feeling at first, like the instalove beginnings for some of the romantic plots, ended up winning me over. So yeah, I can tell these characters and their family saga will stay with me for a long, long time. Look, I hope we don't have to wait another decade for her next work, but if it's gonna be as brilliant as this and I'll Give You the Sun, I'm more than willing to wait.

[princema-k]

all eyes on the performer in the middle of the stage.

inspo | song

[prophetic-memory]

Clive Barker, The Hellbound Heart

[ailius-suffers-through-art]

the fact this never made it to tumblr is a crime

anyways this was for cringetober so here’s the sillies

[radiantmists]

i was stuck in traffic for like half an hour today but at least i spent it giggling over jason trolling a stranger for absolutely no reason

[minai28]

I have no fucking clue how to draw Neil recognizebly so I just gave him Sandwiches

[hadesknockedupintheunderworld]

I think the appeal of Teredio to me is that it isn't some special soulmatism "they were destined to be" kind of relationship. Their love wasn't written in the stars. Their meeting wasn't fated so much as coincidence—had Dion not awakened as Bahamut, had he died or been kept by his mother (assuming there's a reality in which she lives longer), there's no guarantee they ever would have met personally or started a relationship.

These two became friends because the necessary pieces were in place. But destiny? Dion's life is a medieval fantasy drama. His destiny, if not to die on the battlefield, is for the blight to take his life. His destiny is tied to the circumstances of his birth, his status, his duty. Amidst magic, people that can turn into powerful beings, endless war, Terence is painfully normal. He's just a mid level noble, with no special abilities or magic powers, no great status, who'd decided to follow the dominant who would be a prince to the end as a servant.

A lack of Terence's existence does not change Dion's duty, it does not change the common end fates of dominants who go to war.

But that also doesn't mean that their love doesn't matter. Far from it. It may not be written in the stars, Terence may not be a uniquely special piece on the chessboard, but it means much to Dion.

Terence isn't special becuase he's Dion's cosmic soulmate or because he's a special being (such as a dominant). He and Dion are together in part because of the lengths he'd go for his love. It was that someone history might otherwise remember as a nobody took it upon himself to work hard enough so that he could follow his best friend, so that he could match him in skill, so that he could show him that there is one person in his corner—someone who truly does love him. Terence became a bit like a rock for Dion, someone who would worry for him, take the effort to understand him, and who he could look to for assurance in making difficult choices. And, on top of that, I think Terence is special because he isn't uniquely remarkable. I like to think that amidst the war, Dion's princely duties, and his identity as the dominant of Bahamut in this world of magic, Dion can find this simple refuge with Terence. When they're alone, especially once they get together, they don't have to worry about social status, reality, duty, magic.

Instead, in those moments, they can just be two men who love each other—simply Dion, and his childhood friend, Terence.

[rayless-reblogs]

Ah, sweeping falls, a tranquil blue lake.

Beautiful.

Welp, bath time.

Don't act like you don't know me, Jill.

[potionwine]

Resigned to the fact that I am probably the only Anabella Rosfield-Lesage simp in the whole world, but just in case I’m not, could any comrades make yourself known at the front desk please

[samthecookielord]

Clive teleports to gravity falls in the middle of weirdmageddon

he fits right in

[pachelbelsheadcanon]

developing a theory, based on only 3 data points so far, that final fantasy mainline game mcs are either Random Schmo or God's Specialest Little Guy with zero in between

[horrorcrypt12]

31 Day Horror Challenge:

Day 11: Tony Todd

Now Watching: Candyman (1992)

"The Candyman, a murderous soul with a hook for a hand, is accidentally summoned to reality by a skeptic grad student researching the monster's myth"

Happy Halloween!

@nightmareonfilmstreet

[another-clive-blog]

imagine if luke somehow accidentally killed clive

So proud of myself for answering this ask about Clive dying with a fic in which Clive's death is only ever implied 😔 I am failing my lit classes btw

TW !! Death implied, non-graphic description of hurtful event + there's a tiny little mention of "red" for blood in the very last sentence.

This was hard to write because of Future Luke (Clive), but also because of Layton (Don Paolo). I can deal with one evil cosplayer, two is more difficult. Also, I think it's hilarious that Don Paolo is in charge for what, 3 minutes, and the child commits a homicide during this short amount of time. Splendid

"I think I'll need a break," Luke admitted, sounding terribly exhausted.

"Again ?" His future self was impatient, but yeah, he needed a break actually ! This towering pagoda was huge, filled with far too many staircases !

"Very well. There's no use in pushing ourselves beyond our limits," Layton nodded, and the group stopped as a whole.

"Future Layton is waiting for us," Big Luke protested, the only one still willing to go on. He must be used to this, Luke thought, climbing up these stairs to go and confront Layton every other day. A duel at the top.

"He's not going anywhere," Layton said, and that was it. If the professor wasn't even suggesting a compromise, then it was better to drop the subject altogether.

Little Luke was still catching his breath when Big Luke came to stand next to him. "That exhausted, uh ?"

Luke nodded. "These staircases are huge ! I don't get why the professor would build such a big tower !"

"We haven't even made it halfway," Big Luke remarked, and Luke almost felt his courage vanishing.

No ! This was important, far more important than a bunch of stairs !! "It's going to take some time," he muttered instead.

Big Luke didn't say anything. He was looking at him with an unreadable expression, almost upset- and then he smiled.

In a swift motion, he stole Luke's hat.

"Wha- give it back !" Luke commanded. He tried to grab it but Big Luke was faster, annoyingly so. "This isn't fun, stop it !!"

"It's quite fun, actually," His future self replied, effortlessly beating Luke's attempts to win back his hat. That was vexing- but also he almost had it, Luke was sure of it !! Just a few more tries-

And then Big Luke looked at the ascending staircase.

Oh no- "Race you to the top !" Before Little Luke could say anything, he was already gone- and with his hat in hand !!

"That's it !!" Luke yelled, running after his future self.

"A gentleman never gets into a fight !" the professor called out after him, yet not making any move to stop them. It was a bit odd for the professor to be so little concerned, but it didn't matter : Luke would just have to settle this himself. Like an adult. Be the bigger person.

And get back his bloody hat !!

When he finally caught sight of the top of the staircase, Luke also saw his future self blocking his path, grinning down at him. He was playing with the hat, spinning it on his finger. "You're pretty fast for someone exhausted !" He laughed, and Luke saw red.

"Give it back !!" He screamed, throwing himself at the guy. Big Luke merely sidestepped, dodging him as if he was just that insignificant.

"I'm afraid you'll have to ask." Big Luke said, holding the hat high above his head : Luke clenched his little fists, only letting go when he took notice of the professor and Flora at the top of the staircase, behind his future self.

Layton swiftly grabbed the hat as he walked. Big Luke turned in surprise and was met with Flora glaring at him. "Oh Luke, I am disappointed to see you being so mean. I thought you would have become a true gentleman by now !"

Luke ran to Layton, eagerly taking his hat back. "Thank you, professor !!" The professor didn't say anything, only sparing him a single glance before focusing on the room ahead.

"Hey," a voice muttered, and Luke turned around to see Big Luke scratching at the back of his neck while pointedly avoiding to meet his eyes. "I was just trying to... go faster. Show you you can do it. You know." He put his hands in his pockets, looking almost annoyed- or maybe that was just what embarrassment looked like for him. "I won't do it again."

Luke narrowed his eyes, glaring at him. "You didn't even apologize," he bitterly said, "You're no gentleman."

His future self frowned, thought for a while, and then surprisingly enough, relented. "You're right. I'm sorry." He held his hand out with a small smile, a nice smile for a change ! "Truce ?"

Well... Luke did want to get along with him. He was him ! And he could learn so much from him !! Maybe even understand why he was like that, and keep this from happening to him ! "Alright !" Little Luke happily said, trotting toward his future self.

As he raised his hand, Big Luke grabbed his hat.

What.

Big Luke was chuckling, looking far too proud of himself. "It was way too tempting," he smugly explained, "you're so naive sometimes."

Something went off in Luke's brain.

He pushed, hard. It wasn't even that deliberate, just an instinctive reaction to that feeling of anger, hatred maybe. He's just so mean. I can't keep being the bigger person.

He immediately regretted it when he saw Big Luke's eyes widening, him losing his footing, the stairs so dangerously close- and then little Luke closed his eyes. Of course, he still knew what was going on, he could hear everything, but he- he didn't want to look just yet.

"What happened ?" The professor was next to him in a matter of seconds, urging him to answer. "Where is the other one ?"

Luke took his hands off his eyes. He was shaking, and so did his voice. "I- he was being mean again," a sob. "Professor, I didn't mean to push him-"

Layton looked down the stairs. He couldn't see the bottom of it, with the spiraling architecture and the huge staircase. "I'll go check on him," he finally decided. "In the meantime, you should start working on the puzzle in this room. Our priority remains to get to the top as soon as possible, before Future Layton or the Family catch up."

Luke and Flora nodded, apprehensively watching the professor leave. "Come on," Flora eventually said, pulling Luke away. She sounded less enthusiastic now.

Luke couldn't focus on the puzzle, of course he couldn't. Maybe his future self needed to go to the hospital, or maybe he had gotten caught with all this ruckus. Oh, was he going to get mad at him ? Luke couldn't bear this thought. He hoped Big Luke would understand that he had never wanted to harm him.

Flora was about to solve the puzzle when they both heard footsteps. Although she carefully stayed put, Luke ran to see-

The professor, alone.

"Professor ?" Luke tilted his head. "Where is Big Luke ?" Oh no, no no no-

The professor didn't answer right away. There was something stern, torn in his eyes, as if he had seen something he'd much rather forget- something he knew he'd never forget.

Luke held his breath. Oh, Big Luke was definitely hurt- but wait, the professor wouldn't leave him hurt. And he couldn't have possibly be led to the hospital in such a short amount of time ! Where was his future self ? Could it be that maybe...

"He's fine," The professor said at last, and Luke felt his whole body relax. He was fine ! His future self was all good, no injuries, no hospital !

Where was he then ?

As if he had read his mind, the professor went on. "He didn't feel like climbing everything up again. He said that he'd join us later, once this was all done."

"Oh. Alright." Luke hesitantly nodded. Well, yeah, he'd hate to have to climb more stairs, but Big Luke had been so keen on meeting Future Layton... It just felt weird for him to suddenly change his mind... Then again, it was a pretty big fall. And he had to be pretty upset. Luke still felt a bit mad at him, to be frank. Maybe Big Luke was too. Maybe he'd never want to see him again.

"He said that he was sorry. He asked me to give you this, as a sign of apology," Layton said, and he pulled something from behind his back-

His hat !!

"Thank you professor !!" Luke's smile was wide as his little hands grabbed the cherished fabric. Oh, it felt good to have it back !!

"Don't thank me. Thank him."

Luke put his hat back with a frown. Yeah, Big Luke may have given it back, but he was also the one who kept stealing it in the first place... Luke could thank people for being nice, but it felt weird to thank people for not being mean. "It'll have to wait until I see him again," Luke finally decided. He'd have some time to think until then : and if he was lucky, Big Luke would finally and truly decide to change his ways.

Yeah. Yeah, that was good. It would all work out in the end.

Luke walked away with a smile, unaware of Layton's saddened eyes staring at a little speck of red on the back of his blue hat.

-_-_-_-

Shout-out to Clive's "I can't believe I was this small." Like my man, why are you bullying your middle schooler self. You're kind of an asshole tbh

[moonilit]

more rambling about Joshua and Jote and clive

tw: mention slavery

the topic is heavy, but in a story where they try to change the world were people live and die free it ties in thematically that one of the protagonist, the heir to the throne, the archduke, end up loving and caring for this bearer girl who the world considers a slave class

what Joshua already knows as wrong now he get to be even more involve with it’s horrors, Clive was branded and enslaved for 13 years, he have seen it first hand, Joshua on the other hand had to see his closest companion, his childhood friend live in constant fear of being discovered

[eyesoftxmorrow]

signalis layclaire au. is this anything

[hadesknockedupintheunderworld]

One flavor of Tereclive I think about probably the most often is post FFXVI canon, Clive is the only one who survives Origin, and the two of them just have this slow burn that starts with them both ending up bonding over losing their most important people.

To me, their love wouldn't be passionate. It wouldn't be that of soulmates, or of two people just filled with this love they need to express. It would be this domestic love, a getting married later in life kind of love, love between two people who are tired and trying to continue living without that person who was their everything and need each other now. Sure, it doesn't have to be each other necessarily, but...it seems to work best that way.

Terence's second love isn't the same as falling in love with your best friend, pledging to be there for him his entire life, and getting to navigate teenagehood and relationships and fresh adulthood with him. It is not the same kind of love, but it is love all the same. There is love in the way his arms wrap around Clive as they sleep. It doesn't banish the nightmares, but it grounds him. It's not the same when he cuddles into Clive's chest (It doesn't feel the same, Clive doesn't smell the same either), but the experience is still unique to him. Dion can't be here for him, but at least Clive is alive and willing and truly cares for him. There is love in the way Terence teaches him cooking techniques, the way he'd attempted to some time ago for Dion. Sometimes, when Clive furrows his eyebrows, annoyed and frustrated with his progress, Terence can't help but smile. Clive is cute, and it's nostalgic. Sometimes, in moments like those, he can imagine Dion standing there with them, softly glowing, laughing until the corners of his eyes tear up. Most likely, Terence figures, this could never have happened if Dion hadn't, well... Of course, he'd choose to have Dion back in a heartbeat if he could, but there is something painful and sad about the fact that he couldn't have come to love and be with Clive if things had gone differently. That version of him wouldn't know this love they share, although that version also wouldn't have to suffer the finality of losing Dion for real. It's hard for him not to envy that version of himself.

But he's grateful for Clive too. Even though none of this was planned, though Clive didn't have to (or Terence for that matter), he stuck with him in the end. Terence's second love is an unremarkable thing, a grounding force, a love borne from loneliness and shared experiences. Terence's second love is deep, yet, and no less true.

As for Clive, he's been through the ringer with love. When he lost Joshua the first time, it nearly broke him. That smoldering ember that was his desire for revenge was about the only thing keeping him going after those thirteen years. And then, just as he'd started to heal and find his way in this world, he'd lost Cid. If not for that having been his second time, if not for Otto and Jill and Gav and everyone else who supported him the five years following, he may not have been able to accomplish all he had come to. He wasn't doing amazing, necessarily, but he was doing better than before. And then...and then of course Ultima ripped Joshua from him. His brother had lived, he hadn't actually killed him, and he'd barely any time to appreciate it before he was gone again, leaving another gaping hole in his heart. Terence... Terence could probably never be as important as they were to him, but that's okay. He'll be hung up on making the world a place Cid and Joshua and everyone else he's lost could be proud of for probably the rest of his life, the way Clive knows Terence will be for his prince. When it comes down to the wire, when things feel at their most hopeless, Clive knows he and Terence can find that strength to go on with each other. Having someone in your corner (and you theirs) who knows what you're going through can be a beautiful thing. Joshua was his world, Cid was the guiding star he chose to follow, and Terence...Terence is like the ground. He's there for him, he's supportive, he holds Clive through his nightmares and considers his needs. He's unassuming, but strong, solid. He can understand now why Terence, despite being one of the background characters of history, was so dear to the Dragoon prince. Terence isn't the kind of person one devotes themselves to, but he's...a really good friend. It inspires Clive back to try to be cognizant of his needs. Awkward though he is when people get emotional, he does his best to listen when Terence opens up about his loss. And when Terence holds his hand, a silent gesture, as Clive allows himself to open up about his own loss, a day comes where he no longer has to try not to pull away. Terence becomes a source of comfort for him.

Perhaps in another universe (one where his most important people hadn't died), this relationship of theirs would never have come to be. After all, it was one of circumstance. However, in that other universe (one Clive, admittedly, does wish he lived in), he pities the Clive Rosfield who might choose to overlook Terence, who doesn't choose to make his acquaintance at least.

But, all that aside, he's glad he has Terence. Terence doesn't expect anything from him, but he shows up (and Clive is all too happy to return that favor). This love of Clive's is not passionate, but it is true, and it runs ever deeper as time passes.

After going through all he has, Clive knew deep down when Joshua died again and he'd happened to live that he could never have chosen to leave this world. Even with Dion dead, Terence had chosen to persist. Dion would have wanted him to live on, he knew (and watch out for Kihel), and there was a piece of him that could not bear to choose to give up. It was hard, so hard to behold the state of the new world after the fall of Ultima, and to figure out what to do now, that it left them both a bit floundering inside trying to figure out "What now?" Just because Clive had the advantage of having an ideal he wanted to uphold didn't mean he had working plans. But together...they are able to assist each other, striving to make the world a place their loved ones and important people would be proud of.