Clervalstein

Clervalstein is the slash ship between Henry Clerval and Victor Frankenstein from the Frankenstein fandom.

Frankenstein, or The Modern Prometheus - Mary Shelley
Frankenstein first mentions Clerval in Chapter Two of the novel, when Victor reminisces about his childhood in Geneva. He describes Henry's playful and imaginitive personality in explicit detail, telling the reader (Walton) how Clerval used to make the other kids participate in plays, using different mythological characters as the roles. When Victor notes how happy his own childhood was, he mentions how Clerval's goal in life was to be among those whose names were recorded in history. When describing the virtues of his future wife Elizabeth, he notes how kind Elizabeth and Clerval were to oneanother.

After Frankenstein had made the biggest mistake of his life, creating his "son" the Creature, Clerval enters Frankenstein's life once again in Chapter Five. Running away from his problems, Frankenstein hides from his creation at a nearby inn, where Clerval just happens to be at the moment. Clerval is very happy to see him, Frankenstein returned those feelings as Clerval's presence reminded him of his happy childhood and brought him back to his senses. To his surprise, Frankenstein grabbing hold of Clerval's hands brought him joy for the first time in months. They leave the inn together and make way towards Frankenstein's college, happily chatting about their past and the states of their families until Clerval notices how terribly ill Frankenstein looks. Frankenstein confesses to Clerval that he hadn't been sleeping for many nights, but doesn't tell him why, and hopes that he can sleep now that his work is finished. But when they arrive at Frankenstein's college, he's hit with a sudden realization that the Creature might still be inside and worse, that Clerval might see it. He quickly ran up to his room to check while Clerval waits not moving a muscle, Frankenstein is relieved to find out that the Creature disappeared in his absence. Clerval follows Frankenstein to his room, but when Frankenstein starts laughing like a madman over the thought of being free of responsibility, Clerval is very concerned for his friend. Frankenstein avoids explanations, believing to have seen the Creature in his mad state of mind, Clerval recognizes the signs of a nervous fever in his friend. Clerval ends up nursing his friend for several months, knowing not to tell Frankenstein's family of it, for they would've been worried sick. Frankenstein ends up feeling guilty for having occupied Clerval for many months the latter could've spend studying, when asked how he could ever repay him, Clerval simply urges him to write a latter to Frankenstein's family to rid them of their worry. He gives him a letter from Elizabeth he had kept until he was sure of Frankenstein's recovery.

The letter he receives reveal that Elizabeth had gotten updates from Clerval about Frankenstein's state. Frankenstein complies with Clerval's request, but in turn receives a letter from his father telling him that his younger brother had been murdered. Clerval watches as Frankenstein reads the letter and recognizes despair on his friend's face. When Frankenstein tells him what had happened, Clerval tells him that he can't console him no longer, he asks him what he wants to do now. Frankenstein asks of Clerval to travel to Geneva with him immediately. On their way, Clerval gives Frankenstein his proper consolations. However, Clerval eventually leaves Frankenstein when he is collected by his family.

Later, Frankenstein is visited by his Creature, who confesses to William's murder and gives him an ultimatum: Create another creature like him or suffer the dire consequences. When Victor destroys the Bride before bringing her to life in an effort to loosen the grasp the Creature metaphorically has on him, the Creature repays him. When a magistrate calls Victor to him while he is out of country in Britain, he shows him the corpse of his friend Henry Clerval. Devastated, Frankenstein admits that he hoped at least Clerval would've been spared of his destiny. He developed another fever, confessing himself responsible for the deaths of Clerval, his brother William and Justine, the woman the Creature framed for William's murder. When reunited with his wife after his treatment, Frankenstein is reminded that she will also meet Clerval's fate. The image of Clerval's corpse had been burned into Frankenstein's consciousness for the remainder of his life, he couldn't repress the feeling of guilt even when he was travelling back home. Eventually, the Creature catches up to Frankenstein and claims his life as well.

Fanon
Clervalstein is the main ship of the Frankenstein fandom, at least on the literature side. Many readers think that Victor has more chemistry with Clerval than he has with his wife, Elizabeth. Victor's love for Clerval also helps humanize him somewhat, which makes the scene of him finding Clerval's corpse all the more tragic.

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Trivia

 * In the 1931 film, Clerval is replaced by one Victor Moritz. Moritz is basically just Clerval in all-but-name, having switched first names with Frankenstein ("Henry Frankenstein") and taken on the last name of Justine Moritz, who is a completely unrelated character in the novel.