#he truly devotes his life to arthur

[stellarhistoria]

it's going to be so cute when they're an official couple i think

[gd-dollopole]

How normal was for Arthur to dream of Merlin or to call his name in his sleep, that during the episode, “The Diamond of the Day”, Gwen didn’t even question him, but told him that, “It was just a dream”, because she believed that if Arthur woke up that distressed and about Merlin, he must have seen something so horrendous that he worried about him to the point of calling his name as he startled awake.

Yet, Arthur responded with, “It didn’t feel like a dream.”

He didn’t even question why Merlin had told him what to do, or how he knew about it.

He was still shocked when he found out he had magic, so it meant that it hadn’t been the first time Arthur had woken up thinking about Merlin, or about something he had told him during the day.

And what if both Arthur and Merlin unconsciously told each other things without using words and the reason behind why they stared so much into each other’s eyes was because they couldn’t understand why they could feel what the other was feeling and therefore listen to the other’s emotions?

When Merlin stared into the crystal into the Crystal Cave, before reaching Arthur, he saw the moments he had spent with him in a brief flash, those in which he had saved him, and one of these was when he was about to die and so he had helped Arthur with his blue ball of light escape to safety during season one.

This just reinforces the theory that they have a telepathic bond.

Arthur trusted Merlin with his entire being, with his life, that even if it meant putting at risk his men, his wife, he listened to what Merlin had told him in his dream, and acted on it.

But most importantly, Merlin told Arthur he was sorry he had to leave him, that he hoped one day he would have understand.

God, Merlin thought the both of them still had so much time.

But Arthur only wanted him by his side during his final battle.

The only thing he cared about when Merlin found him, was that it took him time, because he had felt alone for the first time, after so many years, and he wasn’t used to it anymore.

Arthur had finally got rid of that solitude he had, he was so attached to Merlin, so devoted, so trusting of his judgment above anyone else’s, that he couldn’t cope without Merlin being with him even in such a dangerous situation.

“Alright, it’s true. I came back because you’re the only friend I have and I couldn’t bare to lose you.”

Arthur couldn’t understand what had gone wrong the day before, when they had played dice and had fun. Arthur didn’t know about Merlin’s magic, they had gone to worse quests together so no, Arthur was being grumpy and an idiot when he called Merlin a coward before they parted ways, but he didn’t believe it one second.

Arthur, as he slept, as he dressed for battle and as he fought, thought that he had done something irreparable to Merlin, and that he wouldn’t have been able to fix whatever that was, because he believed that this would have actually been it.

He was going to die.

Arthur knew it, as he also knew that like any other day and after any other banter, Merlin would have woken him up and go with him, but when he didn’t see him, he worried so much that the moment he heard Merlin in his sleep, he couldn’t stop what he was about to do.

He did not care about the war anymore, or about his men. Arthur left Gwen, of all people, to go in search of Merlin, thinking that if he followed his voice, followed what Merlin had told him, he would have finally see him again.

Even Arthur’s values and thoughts and over all life had changed completely once he met Merlin.

And his life had no meaning without him, that he became so devoted to the point of destruction.

He knew that if he had listened to Merlin, he wouldn’t have been stabbed by Mordred, so he paid the consequences.

What Arthur truly cared about was that if he had to go forever, then he wanted to die by Merlin’s side.

Because they had always been together, no matter what.

‘Until death do us part.’

For Arthur, not even death would have made him say goodbye to Merlin for all eternity.

And that was enough for him.

[ahqkas]

Can I request kissing headcanons for Charles Smith and Arthur Morgan with gn!s/o please?

THE KISS OF LIFE ; arthur morgan & charles smith

PAIRING! arthur morgan x gn!reader, charles smith x gn!reader

SYNOPSIS! how his kisses constantly bring out the joy of life

RED DEAD REDEMPTION 2 MASTERLIST!

ARTHUR MORGAN IS A ROUGH MAN. Everyone knows. From the people he considers family to the strangers he meets on the streets. His shell is strong to keep him intact but even the strongest breaks.

To you, he’s hopelessly devoted.

His kisses carry the scent of nature - fresh pine, flowers’ scent. They also carry the spicy side as well - the smoke of cigarettes, the faintest hint of gunpowder. The characters of his kisses are the same. They can be gentle and sweet and they can be rough and desperate.

He’s a man of a few words, but his kisses show exactly what he wants to say. A kiss can communicate thousands of words.

A protective edge seeps to his kisses when he returns from a particularly dangerous mission, where his wits and strength were tested to the maximum. He’s gripping at your waist, thighs, and jaw that night as if reassuring himself he’s really there and you won’t just vanish into the thin air.

Life with the Van der Linde gang means moments alone are rare, especially with the noisy members. Arthur often steals kisses in hidden places or when no one’s looking. He doesn’t need to have Sean hanging on his shoulders, chuckling about forbidden love. But those kisses turn into something else quicker than anything when the moon is high enough on the dark sky. His affection is no longer timid but rather bold, messy kisses placed anywhere the skin of your body shows up uncovered by clothing. He’s making up for the times he couldn’t kiss you openly and he sure does know the way to convince you.

CHARLES, KNOWN FOR HIS CALM DEMEANOR, APPROACHES EVERY KISS WITH THE SAME THOUGHTFUL INTENSITY. When he’s kissing you, it feels like he’s truly present in the moment, giving you all of his attention and care. His kisses are slow. Each one a vow of loyalty and love.

The man’s kisses are often followed by the essence of nature as he’s always spending the time outside in the wilderness. There’s a distinct freshness to them, a mix of earth and pine. When his lips meet yours, it’s like suddenly being surrounded by the tall trees and growing plants. He’s always warm and inviting for you, and there’s a sense of peace that comes with every kiss, as if he’s sharing a piece of his own inner calmness with you.

He cups your face every time he kisses you with a gentle hand, his thumbs softly tracing your cheeks as his lips brush against yours.

However, when passion takes over, Charles’ kisses become more intense, more needy. His usually composed behavior crumbles and even through the thought of it seems scary, he doesn’t mind when it’s with you. He pulls you closer, trying to show you things he can’t say.

Regardless of the situation, kisses with Charles always leave you feeling cherished and loved. He has a way of making you feel like you’re standing on top of the world. Whenever it’s a soft peck on the forehead to soothe your worries or a passionate kiss that sets your heart racing, Charles enjoys all of it.

© ahqkas — all rights reserved. even when credited, these works are prohibited to be reposted, translated or modified.

[1-800-apricot]

imagine dancing with arthur morgan

Thinking about dancing with Arthur Morgan late at night. The night had now aged and people had found their way to bed. But you and Arthur remained awake. Perhaps his senses had been dulled by a couple swallows of bourbon. And perhaps your own mind had been lightened by the impending sleepiness. 

It was a rare instance of true emotional intimacy with Arthur Morgan. A man raised and trained for crime. A man who might’ve been a lover but rarely moved past practical romance. Yes there were instances that could be mistaken for the intimacy of deeply intertwined lovers. However, that was nothing more than fool’s gold. It shimmered like intimacy but it was not made up of it. 

Instead it is when Arthur’s breath was tinted with alcohol. Not enough to forget himself, but enough to free his mind of the duties that chained him down. This is when he loves deeply. When he bares his soul to you. Unguarded and vulnerable.

The dimming camp fire would cast a glow upon both your figures. Just enough to see an outline of each other's features. The darkness above and around offered a backdrop. Painted with blues, greens, and violets. Stars splattered across the large expanse of the heavens. No signs of life beyond drunken mumblings, crickets, and your own breathing. And just like that there was your stage. 

A place where you both could play whoever you wanted. He didn’t have to be an outlaw and you didn’t have to justify his actions. Instead there were only two lovers illuminated by a campfire and surrounded by darkness. He’d take your hand after minutes of silent contemplation and quiet conversation. The steps would be messy at first. Unsure and hesitant until confidence and comfort grew between you. 

There was no music to accompany the two as you moved in unison. However there were sweet nothings and whispered dreams to replace that. Words that were sweeter than any song and falser than any fairytale. This was part of loving Arthur Morgan. Forever speaking of  dreams that would never come to fruition. That ranch out west and cabin up north would never be built. 

Even as you two crafted a picture of it. Whispering your details of these places and lives. Sharing what all you’d do as he agreed and spoke of what he’d do in return. Embroidering details into what you imagined would be a tapestry of the future. It all seemed so lifelike. Arthur had always been a good artist. 

He didn’t always complete his art though. Sketching out how it’d look. Adding details as he went along. But that was all. There was no color. No completion. Only ideas of what could be. Knowing what it looked like but never truly understanding what could be.

This was the truth of loving Arthur Morgan. Where the truest intimacy he could give was tainted in bourbon. Not a soul to witness the loving kisses and devoted words. Silhouetted by a hazy glow as you two swayed back and forth. Forever living in fantasy. Forever dreading separating from the other as you both knew in the end you were doomed to return to reality. The fiction you created for your stage would remain just that. Fiction.

[emmcfrxst]

for i am yours and you are mine; arthur morgan x reader

word count: 602

warnings: none. just some post-coital bliss with everyone’s favorite cowboy <3333 also i left it as gnc and non descriptive as possible, apart maybe from one (1) line where your hair is mentioned briefly, implying that it can be tucked behind your ear but you can ignore that part <333 feedback is appreciated <333

The ruckus of Rhodes’ nightlife seeps through the thin walls of the hotel room Arthur rented for the both of you, muffled voices of drunken strangers declaring wars between one another the soundtrack of your post-coital admiration of the rugged but handsome man underneath you. The moonlight bathes your lover in a silver glow, highlighting every scar, every freckle on his skin, your swollen lips tingling with the need to kiss, kiss, kiss. A calloused thumb brushes against your cheekbone as Arthur tucks a messy strand of hair behind your ear, his gaze soft. You lift your hand from its spot over his heart, wrapping your fingers against his wrist and bringing it to your lips, making his breath hitch. You smile tenderly at him, knowing that despite the fact that he knows your love for him is true, he still isn’t used to being shown such blatant affection— and still believes, although not as firmly as he once did, that he’s unworthy of it.

The thought still makes your heart ache anyhow; how could he ever believe he is anything but worthy of being loved?

A man who has spent his entire life caring for others —albeit in his own personal way; a rock for so many members of your private little community of gangsters and thieves. A man with a devotion that knows no bounds, who would sacrifice his own life for the sake of the ones he loves —and in a way, he already has many, many years ago. You do not even dare imagining what your life without Arthur Morgan would be like; the thought making you feel sick to your stomach. No, Arthur Morgan might not believe he is worthy of the unconditional love you give him, but hell if you aren’t going to keep on showering him in the deepest pits of your affections.

“What’chu thinkin’ bout in that big brain o’yours, darlin’?” The rumble of his voice sends pleasant shivers down your bare spine, your fingers retreating back to his chest, fiddling with the hairs there. An act that has, although possibly strange, brought you comfort so many times before. If only he knew just how free, how safe he truly made you feel. But oh, one day, one day you will make him believe it.

“Nothin’. Jus’ that I love you.” Your words have the same effect on him as the very first time you’ve uttered them: his eyes flash with a mix of awe, tenderness and vulnerability he lets you— and only you— see; a peek behind the facade of strength and nonchalance he seems to wear like a second skin. He shifts under you, hand coming to rest on your thigh, hitched up over his naked waist. The bedsheets feel cool against your heated skin, the sticky, humid air of Lemoyne still no match for your devotion to your lover, bodies tangled into one. You feel Arthur’s lips brush against the crown of your head, his thumb massaging the meat of your thigh lovingly.

“Still don’t know why ya do, but I sure as hell am glad for it.” He mumbles into the night, a confession you’ve heard so many times before, the meaning behind it still as deeply rooted into your heart as it was when Arthur first allowed himself to be loved by you. Wordlessly brushing your lips against his collarbone, you press your cheek to his chest and fall asleep to the thumping of his heart: listening to all of its little secrets, its deep desires and —maybe, hopefully —one day mending all of its broken pieces back together.

[inalandofsadclowns]

Aight, who wants to talk about the theoretically most optimal occasion for Merlin to come out about his magic to Arthur?

I'll go first: 1x10, Ealdor.

In the prior episodes Merlin was basically still getting to know Arthur. For eight episodes he was the brave and noble prince that Merlin had grown to respect, because Arthur apparently did not value his own life any higher than that of a servant, but who was also the son of Uther Pendragon. Arthur would save Merlin at any price, he got to learn that multiple times. But would he save a sorcerer? He couldn't know. (This question remained even when Arthur had lifted Merlin's sorcery allegations.)

But in 1x08 Arthur knowingly broke the law saving Mordred, a druid; he was in fact more devoted to the cause than Merlin himself.

For Merlin to reveal his secret he needs three prerequisites to exist:

To trust Arthur

The opportunity

To be prepared to leave Arthur forever

The Moment of Truth might just be the only episode where all these exist?

Let's look through these points one by one.

1.Merlin had been wanting for Arthur to know since forever. There's nothing he wants more desperately than to know if they're really, truly friends. Once he says to Will, he does trust him.

Will: Friends don't lord it over one another.

Merlin: He isn't like that.

Will: Really? Well, let's wait until the fighting begins and see who he sends in to die first. I guarantee you, it won't be him.

Merlin: I trust Arthur with my life.

And this gem here. The first time Merlin doesn't promise Hunith to keep Arthur in the dark.

Hunith: You can't let Arthur know about your gift.

Merlin: Why not? Maybe it's meant to be this way. And if he doesn't accept me for who I really am, then he's not the friend I hoped he was.

2. Opportunity. They have these several times throughout the series: fights for survival, heated arguments, quiet moments of vulnerability. There are several brilliant opportunities in this very episode.

The armor scene:

Merlin: Whatever happens out there today, please don't think any differently of me.

Arthur: I won't. It's alright to be scared, Merlin.

Merlin: That's not what I meant.

Arthur: What is it? If you've got something to say, now's the time to say it.

Oh. He tried. My boy tried, he was so close...My heart bleeds for him here.

Then, obviously, right after the battle.

Arthur: Wind like that doesn't just appear from nowhere. I know magic when I see it. One of you made that happen.

Merlin: Arthur...

Merlin just so manages to exhale Arthur's name with a so-so painful look in his eyes. Arthur knows what Merlin was about to say. Just for a moment, because Will gets shot saving Arthur.

He even tries to stop Will from taking the responsibility on his deathbed, even though Arthur knew, that the windstorm was conjured by one of them; if it wasn't Will, than that leaves only Merlin.

Will: Yeah, it was me. I'm the one that used the magic.

Merlin: Will, don't.

[Arthur looks at Merlin.]

3. The most important part. The greatest issue for Merlin has always been the threat of having to leave Arthur. But in this episode there is a cause just as important to him as Arthur - his village and his mother.

The first Merlin and Arthur exchange of the episode is Merlin saying goodbye to Arthur.

Merlin: It's been an honour serving you.

Arthur: You'll be coming back.

Merlin: Well, she's my mother. I have got to look after her before anyone else. You understand?

Then he was prepared to come clean for Ealdor's sake several times that day. Merlin is going to fight for his village, he's well prepared to use magic if needed - in front of Arthur, if needed, knowing full well that might be the last time they ever speak or meet. Whether Arthur forbids Merlin from returning to Camelot for Camelot's sake or Merlin's own sake, the result would be the same.

At the very end, even with his magic still a secret, he was going to stay in Ealdor with Hunith, had she not sent him after the others, so he really was prepared to part from Arthur.

[Arthur walks over to Morgana and Gwen. Hunith walks over to Merlin.]

Hunith: You better be going.

Merlin: I don't have to go.

Hunith: Yes, you do.

Merlin: If anything were to happen to you...

Hunith: I know where to find you. You have to go, Merlin. You belong at Arthur's side. I've seen how much he needs you. How much you need him. You're like two sides of the same coin.

That whole episode was Merlin attempting and failing to come out to Arthur.

After this, though, Merlin was too close to Arthur to ever consider prerequisite 3., other than in the form of dying for Arthur.

[and-her-saints]

Hey sorry idk if you'd know this but I quite literally don't know where to turn about this so I'm sending this ask to every queer+catholic blog I can find

Are there *any* resources out there for queer/trans Catholics that go beyond affirmation and show how to pursue a religious life that goes beyond the laity (e.g. priesthood, joining a convent/monastery, something similar) without having to brush your queerness aside. I feel like if I don't find something soon I might go insane

years ago, i attended a Zoom event with Fr. James Alison as a keynote speaker, and something he said has been glued to my brain ever since. he said it in Spanish, so i'll try to remember, paraphrase and translate: "while they try to get us to stop being queer, what we must try to do is to be better queers."

i love what you said about "beyond affirmation" and that is precisely why i got reminded of the quote and WHY this quote resonated with me to begin with.

imho, there is a fundamental issue with a lot of queer theology and it's that it doesn't go beyond apologetics. it's not pragmatic nor does it seem to engage critically with the material conditions that work with or against queerness. and it's truly such a shame, because living "religiously" to me, as a queer catholic, it's infinitely more a matter of coherence, love, devotion and solidarity, than learning how to "reconcile" gayness/transness with the Bible.

it's a journey, of course. the apologetics were and are necessary for many of us to unlearn the hatred that might've been instilled in us through religious education and upbringing. however, here are some resources that, in my opinion, show how to pursue queer-religious-life.

💌 catholic/christian resources:

[book] The Reckless Way of Love: Notes on Following Jesus by Dorothy Day. Unlike larger collections and biographies, which cover her radical views, exceptional deeds, and amazing life story, this book focuses on a more personal dimension of her life: Where did she receive strength to stay true to her God-given calling despite her own doubts and inadequacies and the demands of an activist life? What was the unquenchable wellspring of her deep faith and her love for humanity?

[book & account] Black Liturgies: Prayers, Poems, and Meditations for Staying Human by Cole Arthur Riley. Black Liturgies is a digital project that connects spiritual practice with Black emotion, Black memory, and the Black body. In this book, she brings together hundreds of new prayers, along with letters, poems, meditation questions, breath practices, scriptures, and the writings of Black literary ancestors to offer forty-three liturgies that can be practiced individually or as a community.

[book] Cry of the Earth, Cry of the Poor by Leonardo Boff. Focusing on the threated Amazon of his native Brazil, Boff traces the economic and metaphysical ties that bind the fate of the rain forests with the fate of the indigenous peoples and the poor of the land. He shows how liberation theology must join with ecology in reclaiming the dignity of the earth and our sense of a common community, part of God's creation. To illustrate the possibilities, Boff turns to resources in Christian spirituality both ancient and modern, from the vision of St. Francis of Assisi to cosmic christology.

[book] Undoing Theology: Life Stories from Non-normative Christians by Chris Greenough. The fundamental issue with ‘queer’ research is it cannot exist in any definable form, as the purpose of queer is to disrupt and disturb. Undoing Doing generates a process of ‘undoing’ as central to queer research enquiries. Aiming to engage in a process which breaks free from traditional academic norms, the text explores three life stories

[podcast] The Magnificast. "A weekly podcast about Christianity and leftist politics. The Magnificast is hosted by Dean Dettloff and Matt Bernico. Each week's episode focuses on a unique or under-realized aspect of territory between Christianity and politics that no one taught you about in sunday school."

💌 non-christian but still excellent resources:

[book] Hijab Butch Blues by Lamya H. A memoir by a butch hijabi that follows the experiences of the author through stories and figures from the Qur'an.

[book] Lean on Me: A Politics of Radical Care by Lynne Segal. Questions of care, intimacy, education, meaningful work, and social engagement lie at the core of our ability to understand the world and its possibilities for human flourishing. In Lean On Me feminist thinker Lynne Segal goes in search of hope in her own life and in the world around her. She finds it entwined in our intimate commitments to each other and our shared collective endeavours.

i don't think these are precisely what you were looking for. but i hope these resources bring you as much peace and hope as they have brought me.

[marf244]

RAGH I need to talk 💥

I 100% believe that Dutch was a self serving person from the start of the game and some time prior, but I agonize over when it started. I think Hosea even says Dutch was different before. Was it when he lost Annabelle? Was it always just who he was? The saddest thing is that he genuinely helped and brought some people together, but it seems like he may not have truly believed in what he built.

From the beginning of the game, he gave me MAJOR cult leader vibes, especially with all the speeches. They all usually circled back to trust in him, and the kindness he showed his gang likely only served to earn their devotion. Which is probably why he took to Micah so quick and why he pushed away people who genuinely cared. Micah to him seemed perfect cause he was never a 'doubter'. He hated it when people questioned him even though they did it out of genuine love. Cause he didn't 'love' them, he loved their affection and their devotion. He blatantly encourages this devotion by stressing how important loyalty is over everything, which everyone parrots. "He would do it for you."

Dutch was a ticking time bomb from the start, Hosea's death was just the fuse lit. Despite Hosea ultimately backing down everytime he questioned Dutch, he was at least seen as more equal in some way. He did seem to hold Dutch accountable, even if just a little. Hosea was also crucial in binding the gang together. Everyone followed Dutch as a leader sure, but Hosea is seen by most everyone as a father figure making them a family. So when he was gone, nothing was stopping Dutch from cutting others loose.

Arthur's increased skepticism probably threw him too because Dutch always saw Arthur as a wholely devoted follower instead of a person. He's like one of those parents who expect to map out their child's life for them, with no consideration for them as a separate human being. The whole "You insist?" line comes to mind. Dutch is dumbfounded by this because he raised Arthur to be an extension of himself, a tool, so it genuinely shakes him when Arthur defies him. Maybe he even thought with Hosea gone Arthur would listen to him more, but instead he became him.

[clarkeyhill]

Butterfly Effect | Arthur Hill

Fluff | inspired by back to life by zayn

Butterfly effect: a significant event that happens that is considered life altering.

-------

"We are gathered here today, to share the special moment of y/n and Arthur's life, a day where we witness the purity and sincerity of their vows as they exchange them for marriage"

The celebrant introduces the ceremony as you and Arthur hold hands, he doesn't even attempt to hold back the tears as his eyes flow like a river. His best friends all in the crowd watching him as he gets ready to marry his best friend, your eyes glisten as you fight back the tears not wanting to ruin your makeup

You read out your vows, staring adoringly into Arthur's hazel eyes

"my dear Arthur, Thankyou for loving every part of me, even the parts that I couldn't love myself, Thankyou for showing me that life can be full of love and appreciation whilst also fun and exciting, I'm so excited to experience this next part of life with you by my side, I will choose you in every lifetime, this one and the next"

His eyes form even more tears at your words, wiping a few away as he chuckles as how soppy he was being.

Arthur pulls out his sheet of paper, preparing his vows.

"Y/n, I've been a lot of places, seen a lot of faces, but nobodies I've seen will every compare to the first time I saw yours, you're the only one that's been watching over me, I can't remember what it was like before you. You give me oxygen when it becomes hard to breathe, when I lose my composure you're there to pick me back up and guide me. Even if I'm wrong or on the odd occasion I'm right you're always by my side; in a world that keeps getting colder, you're the fire that keeps me warm and keeps me a float, Thankyou for picking me in this lifetime, I can't wait for the future"

You can't hold them back no more, tears flow down your face as his words wrap your heart, you can't believe this was your life. Blessed with a man so devoted to you in every way. You couldn't help but think, what if you hadn't met him, what if you never saw him?

"Arthur, you may now kiss the bride"

He doesn't hesitate as his lips lock onto yours, tears streaming down the pairs of your faces as you taste the salt, you pull away and place your heads onto eachothers as you smile

"Let's go Mrs Hill" he whispers as everyone cheers, you walk back down the aisle and take pictures with your friends and family. Awaiting the after party.

-

You top up your makeup, dabbing the tear marks away as you look down and smile at your ring, flashing back to how you and Arthur met. You'd never think you'd be here right now, you chuckle at the reminiscing of the memories as a slight knock etches itself onto your door

"Y/n?" It's Arthur, you place your sponge down as he walks in "hey baby" you reply as he shakes his hands round your waist "we did it" he chuckles "we did" you laugh back as he plants a kiss onto your lips "you ready to go down?" He asks placing a thumb on your cheek

"Never been more ready" you place your hand over his, as you grasp his outstretched hand you make your way to see your friends and family in the function room. Your dress trailing behind you as you beam with joy.

You walk in and everyone cheers as Arthur spins you around walking to your table, a glass of Prosecco already waiting for you as you take a sip, suddenly George adjusts his tie and stands up, clinking his glass

"Ehm, can I have everyone's attention please?" He starts as his eyes dart to Arthur who looks nervous at the words he's going to say

"Just wanted to say congratulations to two of my best friends, you truly fit into eachothers lives like two peas in a pod, your love for each-other is beautiful to see and I'm proud of the pair of you. Not to mention the fact that if I hadn't of accidentally spilt a drink on y/n in a club one night 2 years ago, we'd probably not be here right now" he chuckles as does everyone

"No but jokes aside, I'm glad my clumsiness made some good that night, although it was Arthur that offered you his sweatshirt and I just stood their in a panicky mess, so I guess 90% of the credit should go to Arthur for his smooth tactics, here's to the pair of you" he raises his glass as everyone else does

Chatter begins round the room as the music begins to play, you see your husband dancing with his friends as his arms fling around. A feeling of belonging washes over you as your face flushes, you couldn't help but play George's speech in your head because he was right, what if we never met and what if I never saw him?

-

🫶🏻

[scalproie]

What I mean: "You only have eyes for him!" is my favorite line in malevolent (on par with "I will not let you drown." even) because as clever-written lines usually are, it works on a metaphorical level, yes, but also on a very literal one; Arthur said himself that he had nothing and nobody else but John, all his loved ones are dead, his life is ruined, if he loses him too then what reason is there left for him to keep on living? Arthur also needs John both on a physical and almost spiritual level to stay alive, John sees for Arthur to keep them both from dying, but Arthur have mortal eyes for John to see through for the first time, to grow and change... that is, technically, Arthur's only purpose in this story. He cannot have his sight back because then he would truly have nothing else, those eyes are only for John now. But Arthur living for John (and ironically dying for him too) isnt completely selfless devotion because Arthur is DETERMINED to survive no matter what, no matter what happens to him, and he needs John for that, both as his sight and his purpose, so of COURSE he wants him back, but just how much of that desire is out of genuine love for John as a person, or out of Arthur's own self-interest to stay alive because deep down he KNOWS he is nothing without him, is unclear, possibly (or even most likely) to even Arthur himself. And much of all of that thought process must be the same on John's end. This is the delicious definition of codependency. And the second meaning of that phrase is that "only having eyes for someone" is often used in a romantic way, and Kayne obviously says it in a mocking taunting manner, but Arthur's and John's relationship is physically impossible in nature, the act of sharing a singular body cannot realistically exist and thus I find it hard to categorize their dynamic as purely platonic or purely romantic, it is something else entirely that is pretty hard to pin down personally, if its even possible at all, and if I even WANT TO at all, but I take huge comfort in knowing that there is love there. There IS, undefinable and undeniable, love there. And that makes it fascinating to witness, analyze, and follow it along. What an incredibly well-written story and I'm so glad I decided to give it a listen.

What I say: hhnghnhhgNghhhnggHGNggn ghnggnhhHggnhG hgnHGNHHNGgnh gngHGNgn 🏳️‍🌈gay people🏳️‍🌈?????????

[geneviveleocardius]

rdr2 reactions to your pregnancy

feat. arthur morgan, dutch van der linde, john marston, javier escuella, sean macguire, charles smith & eagle flies

arthur morgan

arthur is taken aback when you tell him, his usual calm demeanor replaced with a rare flash of vulnerability. he’ll run a hand down his face and let out a sigh, not because he’s upset, but because the weight of the situation hits him hard.

“I ain’t no saint, and you know that… you sure this is what you want?” he’ll ask, voice tinged with guilt.

arthur is terrified of bringing a child into his chaotic world and worries about you and the baby’s safety. still, he softens, admitting quietly:

“If this is happenin’, I’ll do right by you both… somehow.” expect arthur to show his love in small, thoughtful ways—offering to hunt for you, fiercely protective of you, even if he’s unsure of how to express his feelings fully.

dutch van der linde

dutch’s reaction is intense, as with everything about him. at first, he’s overjoyed, declaring it a sign of “something greater.” he’ll sweep you into a dramatic embrace, already imagining how your child will fit into his grand, impossible dream.

“This is our legacy,” he says, his voice full of conviction. but dutch’s idealism doesn’t last long. as the weight of the responsibility sinks in, his temper flares. he’ll begin to spiral, doubting if the child can truly thrive in their outlaw life. he may even try to distance himself emotionally, justifying it as protecting you.

“This world… it’s no place for a child. For us.”

john marston

when you tell john, his first reaction is stunned silence. he stares at you, blinking like he’s trying to make sure he heard you right.“You’re… you’re serious?” he finally mutters, voice low and rough.

john has never seen himself as the kind of man who could be a father. he’s spent most of his life running from responsibility, and the idea of bringing a child into his chaotic world is terrifying. for a moment, he might even seem distant, pacing and mumbling to himself: “I ain’t no good at this stuff… I don’t even know where to start.”

but deep down, john is a man of loyalty, and that loyalty extends to you. once the shock wears off, he’ll sit down beside you, taking your hand with a quiet resolve.

“Guess I ain’t got much of a choice but to step up, huh? I… I’ll try. For you.”

john isn’t the most expressive, but his actions show his commitment. he becomes fiercely protective, even more cautious during jobs, and starts thinking about ways to give you and the baby a better life—though he’s still unsure how to pull it off.

“I know I’ve messed up more times than I can count, but… maybe this time, I can do somethin’ right.”

his love for you pushes him to grow, even if the journey is far from perfect.

javier escuella

javier reacts with shock, but it quickly shifts to a warm, sincere acceptance. he’ll take your hands and assure you in his poetic way that he’s thrilled, even if there’s fear in his eyes. “A child… ours. It’s beautiful.” javier has a romanticized view of the future, imagining himself as a loving father despite the harsh realities of their life. he’ll be more attentive than ever, singing soft tunes to your growing belly at night, but there’s a hint of sadness in him.

“The world is cruel, but… we’ll make a better one for them. I promise.”

sean macguire

sean’s reaction is chaotic and loud, as expected. at first, he’s utterly stunned: “Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, you’re serious?!” but once it sinks in, he’s surprisingly excited, albeit in his usual over-the-top way. he’ll joke about naming the baby something absurd but quickly turns sentimental:

“A little me? Or a little you? Ah, they’ll be perfect.” sean is more terrified than he lets on but masks it with humor. he’s protective in his own clumsy way, and despite his flaws, he’s devoted to you.

it’s heartbreaking to think that sean, with all his fiery spirit and dreams, will never get the chance to meet his child or see the life he could’ve built beyond the chaos.

charles smith

charles takes the news with a steady calm, though you can see the emotions brewing beneath his composed exterior. he’ll sit with you quietly, taking your hands in his.

“I never thought… I’d have this.” charles is deeply thoughtful and starts planning immediately. he wants to ensure your safety and the child’s well-being, even if it means giving up the outlaw life. his love and devotion are clear in everything he does, from crafting things for the baby to being your unwavering rock.

“We’ll figure this out. Together.”

eagle flies

eagle flies reacts with a mix of hope and anger. he’s deeply in love with you, so the idea of creating a family together sparks joy. but that joy is quickly overshadowed by his fury at the world around him.“How can we bring a child into this… into their war?” he’ll double down on his fight for his people, becoming even more reckless as he tries to carve out a better future for your child. he’s determined but terrified of failing you.

“I won’t let them take this from us, too.”

its sad but, they actually did.

[saintsenara]

okay but like how instrumental is snape to voldemort's victory, really? it's obvi very slay of him to be the deciding factor in whether or not the war is won, but assuming the scenario in which he just doesn't give a fuck about voldemort going after lily and her sons and therefore feels no need to switch sides and atone, does he do enough to still have a hand in how things play out?

like, from a meta standpoint, snape as a character is very dependent on his love, his devotion, and his sense of responsibility, so a universe in which he's deprived of that is one where he never bothers to ask voldemort to spare lily at all, and it's someone else's love that wraps up the story and delivers the message all nice and cute with a pretty little bow on top.

however, just for the sake of allowing my boy to be fucked and fucked up (as a treat), what do you think happens if he doesn't defect? he's already asked for her life to spared, but let's say that he forgives voldemort for his, ah, misfortune, in being defied by the potter girl. lily was something of a spitfire, and it's only natural that she would've done what she did. so he shrugs and continues making murder potions and doing other such death eating activities, and what then? what goes on with the war?

does he help quirrel steal the stone instead of doing his part to guard it? does he work with pettigrew to restore their lord to his former not-a-wraith glory once it's revealed that they've been working towards the same goal? does he just let harry fall off his broom and die?

bro, the potential tension from people (so many people but mostly sirius) thinking he never changed and them being right and not finding out until it's too late??

like ik some people go really overboard with how much spying he actually did and how good he really was at it, but the potential in there is truly delightful. i like thinking about it even if i know that logically it would've just ended up being a different love and a different sacrifice in the event that he's not driven to atone for his sins and subsequently grow to believe in what he's really fighting for.

what do you think? what does the universe with your evil/loyaldeatheater!snape look like?

scenario one:

if snape doesn't ask him to spare lily, voldemort wins. there's nobody else he's going to care enough about to make him offer her the choice to stand aside.

[and he realises this - since he tells the death eaters in goblet of fire that lily's refusal to going along with the chance to spare herself is what caused the curse to backfire - and so the fact that he gets over it the second he sees snape again is all the proof snapemort nation need that our ship is canon...]

deathly hallows obscures this [in pursuit of its narrow good-versus-evil narrative] and the films take that and run with it [by making voldemort look like an idiot] but the clear implication of canon is that if voldemort either doesn't go to the potters' or goes but doesn't offer lily a choice... then, come 1st november 1981, he's victorious. it's a classic bit of "the villain would get what they want were it not for their own hubris".

scenario two:

if snape does ask him to spare lily and then believes he actually will, meaning he doesn't defect, voldemort is still blasted into the ether by the force of love tm, and then resurrected the same way he is in canon, since arthur weasley is still going to win his luxury egyptian holiday, meaning sirius is still going to see the picture of wormtail and wormtail is still going to flee to his master to escape him [even if lupin, who would have nobody to brew him the wolfsbane, isn't employed at hogwarts].

snape just wouldn't be working at hogwarts at the time.

whether he gets his job there - and whether he therefore just headshots harry the second he sets foot in the school - depends on whether he decides to pretend to have been under the imperius curse or not and whether dumbledore decides to believe him.

[since he gets off being tried in canon - meaning he's known to the ministry, perhaps because karkaroff isn't the only captured death eater who names him - because he's already switched sides and dumbledore vouches for him. if he's not going to pretend to defect, then this is the only option available.]

lucius malfoy would definitely advise him to do this, but i can also see snape being got in a similar way to augustus rookwood - that is, since his role was espionage, rather than combat, he would have got away with things if somebody hadn't dobbed him in.

rookwood clearly doesn't take the same stance as bellatrix - if karkaroff didn't get him arrested, he was undoubtedly going to try and lurk undetected in the department of mysteries until he reached retirement age, rather than having no intention of obscuring his death eater connections - but he also clearly doesn't disavow voldemort once he's on the stand. i think there's a high chance of snape intending to go to ground when voldemort disappears, only to be sent to azkaban when the finger-pointing starts by telling barty crouch sr. he thinks he's a dickhead and voldemort's great.

which voldemort - who regards being sent to prison as the least his minions could do for him - would like.

it's clear from the fact that percy weasley is beefing with him by name in deathly hallows that rookwood is sent back to the ministry once the coup happens. a post-azkaban snape would, therefore, go back into whatever he was doing before voldemort's fall. aka making potions and being his live-in boyfriend.

[himbo-aficionado]

I just think its interesting how at the very end of the story, we see Merlin walking past Avalon, the place where he sent off Arthur all those centuries ago. There are many different ways the scene could've went on to display his everlasting loyalty. It easily could've been a scene where maybe Merlin was with his wife and a kid who was named after Arthur, or he became a historian/scholar who kept the Arthurian legends alive after everything he went through or maybe even a physicist trying to build a time machine, find a loop in time to go back and fix the past.

But no.

We see him all alone, old and unequivocally miserable. No longer meddling with fate nor trying anything at all. Lost in a world beyond time that no man should live past or would even be able to comprehend. We see that he never moved on from Arthur, having somewhat a glimmer of hope deep within him. Nobody speaks about how insanely difficult it must have been to have hope especially when you have no end to your own life. As mortals, we can't even bear grief for a short period of time. Yet, Merlin lived the cursed life of an immortal, a life where he will only keep losing everyone he's ever loved. A life full of grief.

In the modern world shown, nobody even believes in magic or practises it and yet he...still believes that someday Arthur will return to him. In the past, he reiterates that he just wants Arthur to see that everything he does is for him. He tells Hunith that Arthur only likes him because he doesn't know him. We see he acknowledges that Arthur is doing acts of service because he likes him yet Merlin couldn't be satiated because he still wasn't his true self to Arthur. To be seen and known for who you truly are is to be loved, that is all he ever wanted from Arthur, even from the very beginning of their relationship.

"You never once sought any credit"

"Its not why I do it"

During the magic reveal, he said "I use it for you, Arthur. Only for you.", still desperately wanting it to be known that his entire life was devoted to Arthur. There was no talk about legalising magic and whatnot between them either after that. He only kept repeating that he was born to serve Arthur. We see in real time just how much he meant when he said "There will never be another like you, Arthur." Evidently, he meant that Arthur is the Once and Future King but it also plays out for Merlin, because there never was anyone like Arthur in his life after that. To the point where he could find no purpose upon losing Arthur.

And yes he keeps saying that its his destiny to be Arthur's servant, that he grew up and learned the meaning of duty but is that really all it is? Towards the end, it was apparent that Merlin's objective was no longer for magic to be accepted in Camelot (as much as he wanted it). Ever since he found out about Arthur's Bane, it was all about keeping him alive. Even when the great dragon told him that there is nothing he could do anymore, Merlin could not accept to lose Arthur. "I can't lose him, he's my friend." It didn't matter that magic isn't legal yet in Camelot. He could not give two fucks about it anymore or else we would've seen magic in the future scene. One can assume that he completely stopped trying to find a solution. Or even lost the will to live.

What I'm trying to say is that, the final scene really is more than just an epilogue to show his loyalty, immortality and despair. If you think about it for a moment, it shows that somewhere along all the fights, snide remarks, banter, and what he and Arthur think isn't exactly a friendship, - they're stupid, don't mind that - he was in love with Arthur. And Arthur loved him in return even in the face of death as the truth came crumbling down. Its not as simple as 'falling in love' because, I don't think Merlin woke up one day and realised that he was inconveniently in love with the idiot arrogant prince who was tied to him by fate.

Their love was inevitable but it definitely stopped becoming destiny and duty a long time ago, it became a choice. "I'm happy to be your servant till the day I die". Merlin was, and I quote "putting up" with Arthur not because it was his life sentence to do so; it was because he wanted to. The worst thing of all is: Merlin chose to do it for the rest of his life.

[vickyvicarious]

there is so much "falling in friendship at first sight" in dracula methinks

There truly, truly is. And while I adore it as is, enough that I have included a selection on quotes down below to illustrate the point... also, I love how they all get to know one another and make that decision to be friends for life because they're already connected - through documents, through stories, through trust in a loved one being extended outwards to someone that loved person trusts.

Mina knows the suitor squad from Lucy's descriptions, and trusts van Helsing knowing that Seward and Lucy trusted him. Van Helsing knew Mina from Lucy's letters, and then got to know her and Jonathan through their respective journals. Jonathan trusted van Helsing, and the suitor squad later, after learning about them from Mina. Arthur and Quincey and Lucy trusted van Helsing because Seward did. The suitor squad trusted in Mina on van Helsing's word and Lucy's love, and then got to know her and Jonathan through their journals. They all make those decisions to be devoted friends to one another almost immediately, but it's not only uninformed instinct; these people are already connected through a web of trust and love and shared documents (which give physical form to the trust and love).

It's really wonderful, and it's why they succeed in the end. Anyways, have a collection of quotes to be emotional about...

Arthur and van Helsing, on their second or third meeting in person:

"I must not call you 'Mr.,' and I have grown to love you—yes, my dear boy, to love you—as Arthur." Arthur held out his hand, and took the old man's warmly. "Call me what you will," he said. "I hope I may always have the title of a friend."

Van Helsing meeting Quincey:

Van Helsing strode forward, and took his hand, looking him straight in the eyes as he said:— "A brave man's blood is the best thing on this earth when a woman is in trouble. You're a man and no mistake."

Mina on the day she meets van Helsing:

Dr. Van Helsing must be a good man as well as a clever one if he is Arthur's friend and Dr. Seward's, and if they brought him all the way from Holland to look after Lucy. I feel from having seen him that he is good and kind and of a noble nature.

van Helsing on the day he meets Mina:

"Oh, but I am grateful to you, you so clever woman. Madam"—he said this very solemnly—"if ever Abraham Van Helsing can do anything for you or yours, I trust you will let me know. It will be pleasure and delight if I may serve you as a friend; as a friend, but all I have ever learned, all I can ever do, shall be for you and those you love. There are darknesses in life, and there are lights; you are one of the lights."

van Helsing meeting Jonathan (and Jonathan's reaction):

"And you, sir—I have read all the letters to poor Miss Lucy, and some of them speak of you, so I know you since some days from the knowing of others; but I have seen your true self since last night. You will give me your hand, will you not? And let us be friends for all our lives." We shook hands, and he was so earnest and so kind that it made me quite choky.

Seward, the day he meets Mina:

"You are quite right. I did not trust you because I did not know you. But I know you now; and let me say that I should have known you long ago. I know that Lucy told you of me; she told me of you too. May I make the only atonement in my power? Take the cylinders and hear them—the first half-dozen of them are personal to me, and they will not horrify you; then you will know me better."

Mina, the day she meets Seward:

"...I have been more touched than I can say by your grief. That is a wonderful machine, but it is cruelly true. It told me, in its very tones, the anguish of your heart. It was like a soul crying out to Almighty God. No one must hear them spoken ever again! See, I have tried to be useful. I have copied out the words on my typewriter, and none other need now hear your heart beat, as I did."

Seward meeting Jonathan:

He is uncommonly clever, if one can judge from his face, and full of energy. If this journal be true—and judging by one's own wonderful experiences, it must be—he is also a man of great nerve. That going down to the vault a second time was a remarkable piece of daring.

Mina and Arthur on the day they meet:

"I know now how I suffered," he said, as he dried his eyes, "but I do not know even yet—and none other can ever know—how much your sweet sympathy has been to me to-day. I shall know better in time; and believe me that, though I am not ungrateful now, my gratitude will grow with my understanding. You will let me be like a brother, will you not, for all our lives—for dear Lucy's sake?" "For dear Lucy's sake," I said as we clasped hands. "Ay, and for your own sake," he added, "for if a man's esteem and gratitude are ever worth the winning, you have won mine to-day. If ever the future should bring to you a time when you need a man's help, believe me, you will not call in vain."

Mina and Quincey the day they meet:

"I wish I could comfort all who suffer from the heart. Will you let me be your friend, and will you come to me for comfort if you need it? You will know, later on, why I speak." He saw that I was in earnest, and stooping, took my hand, and raising it to his lips, kissed it. It seemed but poor comfort to so brave and unselfish a soul, and impulsively I bent over and kissed him. The tears rose in his eyes, and there was a momentary choking in his throat; he said quite calmly:— "Little girl, you will never regret that true-hearted kindness, so long as ever you live!"

Jonathan and Quincey, less than a week after meeting:

I grasped his hand instinctively and found it as firm as a piece of steel. I think he understood my look; I hope he did.

.

bonus: "you just rejected my marriage proposal so I will hold your hands and promise that we will be friends forever" to Lucy.

Jack Seward:

And then, Mina, I felt a sort of duty to tell him that there was some one. I only told him that much, and then he stood up, and he looked very strong and very grave as he took both my hands in his and said he hoped I would be happy, and that if I ever wanted a friend I must count him one of my best.

Quincey Morris:

"Tell me, like one good fellow to another, is there any one else that you care for? And if there is I'll never trouble you a hair's breadth again, but will be, if you will let me, a very faithful friend." [...] I was right to speak to him so frankly, for quite a light came into his face, and he put out both his hands and took mine—I think I put them into his—and said in a hearty way:— [...] "Little girl, your honesty and pluck have made me a friend, and that's rarer than a lover; it's more unselfish anyhow."

[river-of-wine]

Why do you think Arthur and Molly are so similar ?

I am SO glad you asked!

Molly is basically the human embodiment of foreshadowing in the story. Everything that Dutch ends up doing to the gang, he does to Molly first. Most of all, this treatment ends up landing on Arthur.

Dutch preys on the vulnerable, and this is apparent simply by looking at the members of his gang. Orphans he raised, marginalised people he has taken in, young women struggling to support themselves. Initially selfless acts that grow more sinister when you realise how Dutch has truly indoctrinated most of them, having them do his dirty work for him. Molly too, though her circumstances are much different, is vulnerable. She is unable to defend herself or leave camp, since she can’t use a gun and presumably, since when she runs away she does so on foot, can’t ride a horse. She is a physically weak young woman and an Irish immigrant in a country that is outwardly unkind to both facets of her identify and one that she is unfamiliar with.

Molly is incredibly devoted to Dutch, to the point where she has nothing in her life without him. Her entire existence now revolves around him, and she cannot safely leave even if she wants to. Though Dutch starts the game returning Molly’s affection, the second she starts to become unappealing to him - voicing her own opinions, speaking out against his treatment of her, doubting anything he does - he discards her like she is nothing. He is incredibly manipulative to her, with his literal gaslighting, constant berating of her emotions which he scolds her for in an uncomfortably parental way, refusing to speak to her even when she is trying to help him and, eventually, even revoking her right to be called by her first name. She hates being called by her surname, and she tells him this. It changes nothing. Now that Molly has lost her appeal in Dutch’s eyes, he hunts for a replacement. He begins to find this in Mary-Beth, a woman even younger than Molly and much more timid towards him, who doesn’t speak out against him or complain about his behaviour.

Arthur has quite literally dedicated his entire life to Dutch. Arthur was raised by him and as he says in chapter 2, nothing means more to him than the gang. Though certainly not vulnerable how you would expect, Dutch found him when he was. His existence revolves around Dutch, and now with the high bounty on his head and the people he must protect, he cannot safely leave even if he wants to. Much like we saw with Molly, Dutch starts to disregard Arthur when he begins to show doubts in his plans and his motivations. Throughout chapter 6, we watch their bond deteriorate, with Dutch even eventually abandoning the title of son for Arthur similarly to how he refuses to call Molly by her first name. Just as he did with Mary-Beth, he finds a younger, more vulnerable option to replace Arthur in Eagle Flies. In front of Arthur, he tells Eagle Flies that he never had a son, and shortly afterwards mocks Arthur’s weakness brought on by, might I remind you, his fatal illness.

For each of them, protecting the gang are hugely important acts taken by Molly and Arthur near the end of their stories. For Molly, it takes the form of her refusal to tell the law about them. We know that she was sweated multiple times, implying at the very least intense interrogation and at most outright torture. Molly had every reason to want Dutch dead, but for reasons we never get to hear from her she decides to keep the gang safe. For Arthur, we see him do his best to save everybody in the gang he possibly can. Primarily the Marstons, dying so that they can be safe.

These connections never go directly acknowledged by Molly and Arthur, but there are two very notable moments between them. First, there is Molly’s only “mission”, though it really isn’t about her. She tries to open up to Arthur before she is interrupted, telling him her worries about Dutch and asking how he seems to Arthur, if he thinks he has changed the way Molly knows he has. Changes that Arthur has not noticed, that he will not notice until it is much too late, that the gang ignored but Molly saw. Secondly, it is Arthur who prevents Dutch from shooting Molly as she confesses. She is encouraging him, asking him to shoot her, but Arthur holds him back and talks him down. He never fully believes her, voicing subtly that he doubts Molly’s lie. It was the very most he could have done for her in that minute, and with that scene marking the start of chapter 6, the very act of protecting the supposed traitor that Dutch is ready to kill is the first of many acts of defiance Arthur will make.

Lastly, there is the similarities between two of their most tragic lines. Molly’s poem repeats the phrase “I’ve nothing left, I gave you all”, being the closing line of the final stanza of her poem, one that is undoubtedly about her relationship with Dutch. Some of Arthur’s final dialogue, spoken to Dutch, is “I gave you all I had”. Though coming from much different circumstances and backgrounds, Molly and Arthur ended very much the same. Giving everything to Dutch, and being cast aside by him.

[inviberu]

everlasting vows

Faced by the question and decision of swearing their devotion and love to you, what do they do? A promise that will bind them to you for eternity... Are they willing to go to such lengths for you?

Characters: Everyone (with the exception of riquet and mitile)

Note: I tried making everyone cute to the best of my abilities but some kind of just... slipped. Happy June Bride!

— Oz!

Oz pauses for a moment. He doesn't know what to say. He almost doesn't want to say anything in the moment after letting the thought sink into his mind. He was the most powerful wizard in the world—he already has enough weaknesses as it is with his injury and his love for Arthur but he already knew that you were one of them the moment he realised how helpless he was when it came to you. Asking him to promise you his unwavering loyalty and love was akin to making yourself a target for all his enemies to pounce on just to get a hold over him. He doesn't doubt his feelings for you. He knows that he'll be able to love you till the end of time and beyond but he wanted to make sure: are you certain? You kiss his doubts away gently and that's all he needed.

"Very well. If that is what you wish… I am yours for all eternity."

— Arthur!

He doesn't hesitate. Arthur treated you like his whole world; you were the most important thing to him and having him promise you such a thing brought him immense joy that it almost brings him to tears as he grasps your hands lovingly under the moonlight. He ran his thumb across the back of your palm gently and looked at you with a gaze so soft you could hardly believe that someone could love you this much. There was no one else present in this moment but you in his eyes as he lifted your hand and pressed his lips to your fingers.

"You don't need to ask. My heart has always been ready to love you forevermore."

— Cain!

He's surprised but his expression quickly broke into a huge smile. Sometimes, Cain acted as if he was human, forgetting that his words—his promises—held so much weight behind them. You thought this was one of those instances but Cain merely shook his head and gave you his reassurance. Human, wizard, unicorn, or whatever entity he might be—it doesn't matter to him. In every universe he's in with you, with every version of himself that might exist out there, he'll always take your hand and vow to you. Like a knight swearing that he's hopelessly devoted to you for life.

"I'll protect you. I promise this—I will never leave your side."

— Snow!

He didn't think you were serious the first time you asked him. He was sure you were doing it in the spur of the moment and got carried away by shallow desires that brought sadness to him when all he felt was pure unaltered love and desire to be by your side. He loved you, yes, but if you were asking him with even just a little smidge of doubt—he'll turn you away. He wanted you to be certain. Snow always liked living in certainty; for things to remain constant once he's committed. He doesn't bode well with change and if there's just a small part of you that doubted him, he gets scared. He doesn't want things with you to end terribly. He already experienced far too much grief and pain that change brought to him.

"I'll wait for you. Be it a hundred years or another thousand—I want to see that your feelings for me will not change. But know that I hold you closer to my heart than anyone else… That is the reason why I want to be certain. I do not wish for an unhappy ending for both of us."

— White!

He's overjoyed but it was difficult to miss the hint of bitterness in his expression and tone when he replies to you. He wants to—so badly; so desperately to the point that he felt his heart ache despite being dead. He's driven by his emotions but the weight of reality is heavy on his shoulders and he couldn't help but laugh bitterly. He is not the same man he once was. He felt like he's merely a shadow of himself. A fragment of himself that he can't even tell if it's truly him or not. He wants to—He can. But, are you prepared to accept him for everything he is as he stands? Even if this form of his is fleeting? If you are, then he'll take your hand and never let you go.

"If you're willing to have me for all that I am… I will respond to your feelings with much more fervour. Truly, I love you. I promise you nothing but my heart to be yours."

— Mithra!

Promises; Mithra knew not to make them. He thinks it's troublesome—an unnecessary risk and a waste of time. However, when you asked him, he couldn't help but wonder if this was the equivalent of what marriage was to Tiletta when she was alive. A promise to love someone forevermore… His feelings are not one to waver. His feelings aren't fickle. They were stubborn just as he is and he couldn't help but think to himself that maybe promising himself to you wasn't as bad as it sounds. However, he wanted to make sure that you'd do the same for him. He doesn't want to love so passionately and be responded to by a lukewarm romance. He'd take it if he was desperate but he wants—Northern wizards when they want are terrifying.

"Your unwavering devotion and love. I want it. It's only fair if you promise me that too."

— Owen!

He wanted to dodge the question and disappear into mist but his body couldn't move and he couldn't bring himself to bark out another insult or a snarky comment to mock you. It was a futile question but you asked him anyway, you knew that he would always turn away and try to deny himself of his feelings to protect himself from such a vulnerability. But seeing him hesitate this much made your breath hitch because that proved that there was a part of him that was considering it—that there was a part of him that wanted to swear his love to you, even if it's small. He thought for another minute and that's when it hit him. Why not bind you to himself instead? He wouldn't feel as vulnerable and your desire to be together for eternity will be fulfilled.

"What made you think I'd let myself be chained to you? Let's put it like this… Why don't I put a chain around your neck and bind you to me instead? Come on, promise me."

— Bradley!

He sputtered out incoherent noises for a moment and tried to make sure his ears weren't betraying him. The thought never occurred to him and thinking about it now was something he never thought he would do. Promising his eternal love for someone was heavy—far too heavy for someone like him who liked the feeling of being free. Though it wasn't like he wasn't considering it. He loved you. Dearly. Passionately. Desperately. But a promise can be lethal to a wizard and he's reckless—what if he messes up? What if they take you to have something to hold over his head? What if he puts you in danger? What if he loses his magic and both of you end up getting killed? He doesn't know. He doesn't wanna know. He gives you a ring wordlessly as he slips it into your finger. He'll do this much.

"This ain't what yer probably expectin' but… Take it. I don't want ya to feel like I'm just half-assin' my feelings for ya."

— Faust!

Faust freezes and for a moment he allows himself to hope; to dream of a future with you by his side. He stopped himself and brought himself back to reality and looked at you with a difficult expression. He wanted to but a part of him was afraid—coming to terms with his feelings for you was already difficult as it is but admitting that he wants to believe in something he feels like is out of his reach is something that makes him take a step back. His love was pure but uncertainty was something that stayed in his heart from years before.

"Please… Don't ask me such a difficult question next time. I cannot give you the answer I want to say."

— Nero!

It takes him a moment to process everything but once he did, he covered his face with his hands to try and cover the huge smile that took over his face. He was beyond happy—someone wanted to spend the rest of their life with him? The words may not be exact but he took them as words akin to a marriage proposal and all of a sudden he's left fantasising about what could be. A future with you… It doesn't sound so bad (he's ecstatic). He manages to face you with a calmer expression and gives you a smile.

"If you'll have me, I'd be glad to stay by your side. I'll stay for as long as you want me to—Actually, no, scratch that. You'll be stuck with me for the rest of your life."

— Heathcliff!

His first reaction was his embarrassment telling him to run away but the sincere look in your eyes made him stay in place as he looked at you with an expression just as sincere as yours. He didn't want to respond to your feelings and questions half-heartedly—he didn't want to hurt you. Though how could he ever hurt you when his heart was already set on loving you for the rest of his life? It was difficult for him to say his answer but with the way he took your hand and placed it on his chest, just over where his heart was, you already knew his answer without another word from his lips.

"Of course… I can no longer see myself not being by your side. I love you—that's a promise."

— Shino!

It didn't occur to him that it was a question you have to ask him. In his mind, it was already set to default. He didn't think that there was any need to ask. When he fell in love with you and when you accepted his heart, he already knew that he was bound to you for life. His love and devotion is yours for all time; his blade will have another purpose—to protect you. He just looked at you blankly and raised an eyebrow. All of a sudden the serious atmosphere between the two of you broke when he tilted his head.

"I thought that was already a given, though? No? Well, I'll say it for you if you want me to. My love, loyalty, and devotion… It's all yours forever."

— Shylock!

Shylock was no stranger to indulging selfish requests from all people but there was always a clear line he wouldn't cross unless it was for certain people. He yearned with all of his heart—desperately and passionately. Asking him such a question was akin to asking him to walk straight into his doom. He knew that promising himself to you for all eternity will bring him immense happiness; he'll get addicted. It was as if he was tasting the finest wine he's ever had for the first time. How will he bear to let you go if those unspoken promises finally come to fruition? He'll never let you go. Not even after death.

"Fufu… After hearing such a passionate declaration of love for me, how could I bring myself to refuse you? Prepare yourself—I won't hold back any longer."

— Murr!

His expression didn't change in the slightest. Or perhaps it did, a very miniscule one that escaped your eye. Murr was a mystery no one could solve; he was a constant unpredictable variable. Every word he said to you, every touch he left on your skin, and every kiss he gave you—they were all mysteries. Even his answer to your question was a mystery. Not because he gave you a confusing response as usual but because he was silent. He didn't say anything and just continued smiling at you. For a split moment, you don't know if his eyes were downcast or it was just your eyes playing tricks on you.

"Really, really? You want me? Haha! Maybe that's a love that isn't so fruitless~!"

— Rustica!

Devoted; Rustica was a man full of undying love and devotion. He searched for his missing brides for years without any qualms. There might be a few hiccups here and there but it was undeniable that when Rustica loves, he loves wholeheartedly. Loving you was like a melody he couldn't get enough of—everything he does seems to remind him of you and he thinks to himself: so this is what it feels like to be in love with you.

"I can already hear the bells ringing for both of us. It's a precious melody meant for us… Love suits us well, doesn't it?"

— Chloe!

Chloe wasn't fully aware of the heavy weight of a promise is to a wizard. But his love is pure and he loved innocently, all he knew is how he wanted to be with you and nothing else. And that was enough reason for him to respond to you with a smile on his face as he nodded enthusiastically. He knew this is what he wanted—with a wave of his hand, he'll create the perfect attire for the both of you for your ceremony. Oh? Was he being too hasty?

"Oh! I already know what we'd wear. You'd like a traditional white theme, right—Ah, wait! I never properly responded to you… Yes, a million times, yes! I love you!"

— Figaro!

He thought it was funny that you asked him, an elusive character, such a question. Tying him down to you with a promise of eternal love and unwavering devotion? He was hoping that your positions were switched where he's the one asking you that instead. He found himself unable to answer you as he ran a finger through his hair and let out a deep sigh. He avoided looking into your gaze but when his eyes finally wandered and saw yours, he felt a little bit of his resolve break—he felt like he was going crazy. Maybe he is going crazy. A smile crept up his face.

"Do you want me that much? It feels nice to be wanted… by you. Haha, I don't know anymore. Maybe I will. Take responsibility for me, okay?"

— Lennox!

He doesn't speak much but his actions said more than his words ever could. He knelt down on one knee as he took your hand and placed a kiss on your fingers. You know exactly what he meant and no trace of doubt was evident in your expression as your absolute trust and faith was placed on him. In turn, you raised his hand closer to your lips as well and kissed the back of his palm. You wanted him to know that you'd do the same for him.

"I love you, forever and always. You have my promise."

— Rutile!

He thinks of this moment as something that came out of a fairytale or a storybook he used to read to children. There was a time when he wondered if he'll ever have this kind of moment and he felt wonderful knowing it's you he was with when it happened. He let himself smile and broke into a fit of joyful laughter and giggles. The words you wanted to hear left his lips like honey you couldn't get enough of—one more time, you want to hear his answer once more.

"Nothing would make me happier… I treasure you, I really do. I'd make a thousand promises if it meant making you happy."