#merlin wraith

[sugar-coated-prat-dragon]

Title: Nimueh did feel some regret over Ygraine’s death 💔

Episode: "Excalibur" questions #4

Questions by @tansyuduri

Tagging: @miyriu

Books used for reference: Sword and Sorcery book and The Merlin Complete Guide 📚

Question: Why would Tristan attack Uther for what he thought was a normal childbirth death? That would be REALLY weird.

My answer: Is it really that hard to believe though?

Agravaine didn’t know about the life-for-a-life magical bargain and he still blamed Uther for his sisters death.

Hell, if anything Agravaine was worse, because not only did he want to kill Uther, but he despised Arthur for being born and wanted him dead too.

Grief is a tricky emotion.

In some ways, it’s almost more dangerous than displaced rage.

Question: Wraith clearly has a different meaning in this show?

Usually, it refers to a ghost, death omen or a soul who was on the verge of death/recently passed on?

My answer:

Actually, the definition for Wraith in the show (and in the tv shows glossary) is quite literally; apparition or a ghost.

The only difference between a normal run-of-the-mill ghost and a Wraith is that it’s the ‘spirit of a dead man’ conjured from the grave using magic and then that same tormented soul is made to live again as a physical manifestation of the living dead.

Basically, a ghost is a tormented soul with no physical body and a wraith is a tormented soul that has been brought back using dark magic (then given a physical body; which remains stuck in the space between life-and-death).

Book description:

WRAITH: apparition or a ghost (glossary)

- But Gaius had located the page he wanted. He pointed to the illustration of a skeletal knight. 'It's my guess we're dealing with a wraith. The spirit of a dead man conjured from the grave

Merlin was shocked. 'So this is the work of a sorcerer?*

The doctor nodded. 'Powerful magic can harness the grief and rage of a tormented soul and make it live again.'

Episode 12 - The Fires of Idirsholas; This band of seven wraiths, formerly noble knights whose souls where corrupted by an evil sorcerer, were lethal warriors.

- Because a wraith is not alive, no mortal weapon can kill it.

Question: Nimueh obviously has a bit of control of who dies?

Did something interfered here causing it to be Ygraine?

My answer: It does seem like Nimueh has at least some measure of control over whose life she trades during her life-for-a-life bargains.

Especially, since it states that she ‘ignored Merlin’s request’ to take his life in exchange.

However, I don’t think Nimueh purposely chose to exchange Ygraine’s life, because she genuinely seemed sad over the memory of the queen’s death (at least briefly in the book; during a moment of weakness when her mask slipped).

That scenario likely only happened because when no other life is pre-destined to die, it falls simply to the old religion itself to right the balance.

The book mentions that Nimueh had no idea that her choice to help Uther have an heir would ultimately result in helping to shape events that unite the kingdom and aid magic to be free again - perhaps stronger than ever.

Book description:

Even when directly serving the old religion, Nimuch showed no compassion.

She agreed to save Arthur's life but ignored Merlins request to take his own life in exchange. Instead, she took the life of his mother.

DESTINY:

Nimueh is aware of some aspects of Arthur's destiny - despite her wish for the prince's death, so that Uther is punished, she knows he is not fated to die at her hand.

Yet she doesn't realize that in bringing Arthur into the world, she has helped shape events that may aid magic.

Under Arthur, the kingdom may be united, and magic could be free again - perhaps stronger than before.

- 'She died giving birth to your son! It was not my choice. That is the law of magic. To create a life, there had to be a death. For a second she looked almost sad.

"The balance of the world had to be repaid:

Question: Uther does seem to truly view magic as evil incarnate, but seemingly only after the death of his wife?

My answer: Uther tolerated magic just fine, until he found out the hard way that he couldn’t control it and in the aftermath, he came to conclude that he had been deceived by magic.

It was only then that Uther decided to order that anyone who practiced sorcery was to be put to death.

Book description:

UTHER CONQUERS

Magic was tolerated - after all, it had always been part of the world; who could imagine a land without sorcery?

However, as many rulers had done before, Uther looked on magic as something that could work for him - and found out, as so many others had done, that this was not the case. Magic has its own laws, and cannot be ruled by a mere king.

PERSECUTION

Uther believed that he had been deceived by magic - while it appeared to grant his wish, it did so in a way that would cause him great suffering.

He concluded that all those who practised magic were evil - even if they seemed to use it for benevolent reasons. Anyone connected with sorcery or the old religion was put to death.

Question: I wonder what kinda person Ygraine was that Uther fell so deeply in love with her?

My answer: There’s not really any information about Ygraine and Uther’s married life.

However, the cute, little fatherly scene between Uther and Arthur after the Black Knight duel might have been a glimpse into what his wife had seen once upon a time.

The light hearted scene of a playful man who had a nice sense of humor and a affection for his son hinted at an aspect of Uther’s personality that only his wife had ever been privy too, because with other people, he had to be a strong and hardened warrior.

Book description:

“I'll show you footwork!'

Laughing, Uther rose and aimed a playful kick at his son, who dodged out of the way and headed for the door.

As Arthur left, he realized he hadn't heard his father laugh like that for a very long time.

[justaz]

kilgharrah warned merlin and told him that excalibur was only to be wielded by arthur. merlin used excalibur to kill morgana. arthur died on the shore of the lake.

[akelafang]

It is currently 8 am and I stayed up all night writing. This idea I had a while ago crept its way back into my mind and would not let go until I had written this thing out. Please excuse any spelling or grammar mistakes, I am very sleep-deprived and have not properly proofread it.

Enjoy!

After Morgause’s ritual Ygrain may have vanished from Arthur’s sight but she did not leave his side. She watched his rage build as he rode back to Camelot. She watched as he confronted Uther about his newly acquired knowledge of the circumstances of his birth. She watched as the man she once called husband so flippantly dismissed the charges laid against him and felt her own rage boil inside her, echoed in the fury of her son's words. She watched as Arthur threw down his gauntlet, as the seriousness of the situation finally hit Uther. She watched their fight with a sick mix of satisfaction at Uther finally facing consequences and horror at Arthur’s actions.

By the time the servant boy arrived horror had won out. She was relieved when he managed to talk Arthur down. She desperately wanted Uther to face justice for what he’s done but not this way, not by Arthur’s blade. The murder of one's father is a stain on the soul that can not be washed out and one she would never wish upon her beloved son.

She understood why the boy, Merlin, had lied to stop Arthur. In the state of mind he was in she doubted that anything else would have stopped him from running Uther through. Though she could tell it pained him to say such words. Since the day Merlin had arrived in Camelot Ygraine had watched this boy protect her son with magic and now he forced himself to speak ill of it in order to protect his soul. She’d grown fond of Merlin as she’d witnessed the growing bond between him and Arthur but this instilled an affection for him in her that almost rivaled that of her love for Arthur. His care and devotion to Arthur was as endearing as it was heartbreaking.

That night she watched over Arthur as he slept, as she had done many nights before. As she expected he had trouble falling asleep and what sleep he found was not restful. She knew she could do little to soothe him but she hoped that on some level he knew she was there and that her presence would help.

Currently, he lay on his side, face smushed into the pillow and hair fallen over his eyes. For now, he had stopped tossing and turning in his sleep and seemed to be getting some level of rest. Ygrain smiled at the image he made. Oh, how she loved her ridiculous boy.

She reached out, wishing to brush the hair away from his sleeping face. When her fingertips reached the golden strands she expected them to pass through, instead she felt their softness against her skin. She pulled her hand away with a gasp. Surely she had imagined it. But then she looked closer. The hair she had reached for sat differently than it had before. The difference was miniscule but it was there. She had touched her son’s hair. And her touch had caused it to shift ever so slightly. 

Slowly she reached out again and could not contain a smile as her fingertips connected with Arthur’s hair once more. She lifted her hand upwards towards the side of Arthur’s head and marveled at how the strands of hair followed her movement. She shifted his fringe away from his eyes and smoothed out the hair that stood on end. She ran her fingers through those silky golden threads with reverence. 

She never thought she’d feel what it was like to touch something again. She thought that brief moment during the ritual would be the first and last time she’d get to hold her son. She never thought she’d get to experience this simple joy of stroking her baby’s hair while he slept.

As she continued to tentatively move her hand she felt him shift beneath her fingers and she froze. The last thing she wanted was to wake him. But that wasn’t the case. No, instead he leaned into her touch. She released a breath she didn’t need and continued her ministrations. Arthur nuzzled into her touch, his face so relaxed and peaceful. Ygraine wished she could stay in this moment forever.

Minutes passed, or it could have been hours, Ygraine was uncertain. But eventually, Arthur rolled over in his sleep and out of her reach. With the moment broken, Ygraine turned her attention to the things around the room. Could she touch them? 

A glinting of light caught her eye. The sun was beginning to rise and the morning rays were peaking through a small gap in the curtains covering the windows, shining off of the gold tassels. She made her way over to them and eagerly reached out to grab hold of the closest one. A huff of quiet laughter escaped her as she felt the expensive material in her hand. She moved her arm this way and that way, amazed as the heavy fabric followed her movements. She delighted in the way they caused the light to shift and sparkle off of the tassels. With a sudden burst of confidence she scrunched up her fistful of curtain and flung it to the side, pouring light into the room. Behind her, she heard a groan from Arthur.

“Too early Merlin” He grumbled before settling back to sleep.

Whatever spell Morgause had cast had changed things. She could touch Arthur. She could move the curtains. She could interact with the physical world.

Ygraine smiled. It seems she has some unfinished business to attend to.

[wraith-demjin]

The Knights of Camelot thing is so incredibly gay literally everytime any of them interact there is so much tension

[fluffypotatey]

Trivia Tuesday!

so! there’s this neat little thing where for everyday you post about your writing process/progress and imma use it as my excuse to ramble :D

anyway, who would like some behind the scenes look into my beloved Merlin fic: Letters from the Blood Wraith 👀……..you do? oh wonderful!

now, did you know that i originally intended for Arthur to be aware of Merlin’s magic since chapter one? like, there was a whole fucking scenario where Arthur confronts Merlin about it (because, mind you, Camelot’s newest magic prisoner was talking about how the dragon ain’t dead and had a thing for staring at Merlin when Balinor was mentioned, so…..)

this was basically my way of trying to insert how Arthur is a more observant and critical thinker than he is made out to be. like, yeah, sure he has a his faults and sometimes it makes sense in character but also sometimes it just doesn’t make sense even in the show (see, Arthur’s whole character being reverted in almost every season 🤧)

but as fun as it is to joke about Arthur’s obliviousness and how he can’t ever see Merlin practice magic even if he is starting straight into his eyes (see 5x01) Arthur is an observant person.

of course, this scene and development did not happen in the fic (as you are aware) mostly because i wasn’t happy with the way it turned out. not to mention the fact that it would speed up certain plot points i had not planned for.

also, i just like the concept of Arthur slowly piecing together Merlin’s magical secret throughout season 3 rather than it being immediate. I want him to slowly come to terms with it, give him the grace to truly process what he had to speedrun in DotD, ya know?

so yeah there’s your trivia

[larluce]

Arthur and Merlin travel back in time without knowing the other is from the future too AU

Tagging @aceauthorcatqueen , @fallenxjas , @smileytrinity ,@lucifertookmyshoe , @an-entity-i-think , @thecornerofbelu , @griffonskies , @odinjm , @cinnabon-sweetroll-tiramisu , @thelady-mary , @bennedict , @nightninjaboy , @st8-of-grace , @star-rie , @error-username-not-available , @dogberryrowan , @jamieweasley13 , @tansyuduri , @tercais , @robynnemrys , @evadne01 , @serasvictoria02 , @hairdryerducks , @hopeaha , @curiously-lazy , @ harriettesthings , @andrealux16 , @wacko-weirdo , @greatdonutenemy , @yougottobekittenme , @anxiousosaurus , @kinkforwings , @someweirdassnamee , @impracticalantlers

LINKS TO THE OTHER PARTS OF THIS AU HERE: PART 1 , PART 2 , PART 3 , PART 4 , PART 5 , PART 6 , PART 7 , PART 8 , PART 9 , PART 10 , PART 11 , PART 12 , PART 13 , PART 14 , PART 15 , PART 16 , PART 17 , PART 18 , PART 19 , PART 20 , PART 21 , PART 22 (You're here) , PART 23

In "Excalibur"

The black knight arrives as expected. Arthur this time lifts the gauntlet before any other knight can do so, much to Merlin's dismay, but at least he now knows what to do.

Kilgharrah: (watching Merlin arrive) Oh, until you finally deign to see me, young warlock.

Merlin: I'm sorry I didn't answer your calls. Many things happened.

Kilgharrah: (analyzes Merlin and realizes) Another old mind in a young body.

Merlin: (confused) What?

Kilgharrah: You are not from this time, are you young warlock?

Merlin: (sighs) I should have known you'd notice. Look, if you're going to give me the destiny and coin speech, I swear that-

Kilgharrah: I find it useless to talk to you about something you already have very present. However, I'm sure you didn't come here just to greet me. If so you would have come much sooner.

Merlin: (takes out the sword Gwen gave him) Arthur, the Once and the Future King of your prophecy, is going to duel with a wraith. It's not in your best interest for him to die, so I need you to reforge this sword so that Arthur won't die in combat-

Kilgharrah: I'll help you.

Merlin: I remind you that your revenge is with Uther, not with… Wait, you'll help me? 😧

Kilgharrah: You have a very strong argument. I can't deny that.

Merlin: And you won't try to convince me to free you in exchange either?

Kilgharrah: I don't want you to see my help as conditional, young warlock. I imagine that's why you've avoided coming to see me. I'll just ask you one thing. Where you come from, am I free?

Merlin: Yes… (Thinking) After you almost turned Camelot into ashes.

Kilgharrah: That's all I need to know. (Raises the sword towards him with magic) A sword forged with my assistance will have great power.

Merlin: I know.

Kilgharrah: Normally I'd say you can only guess, but in this case I know you are very aware, and yet there's still so much you don't know.

Merlin: I know that in the wrong hands this sword can cause great evil. I won't let that happen.

Kilgharrah: That's not what I meant. (comes closer) Do you know why you and Arthur are two sides of the same coin?

Merlin: (rolls his eyes) Yes, yes, the prophecy. We are the half that makes us whole. Arthur is my destiny. I already know all that. 😒

Kilgharrah: Indeed, but the curious thing about the sides of a coin is that, despite being literally glued together, they never see each other.

Merlin: (tired) I don't have time for this. Are you going to forge the sword or not?

Kilgharrah: (forges the sword) Hear my words, the sword must be wielded by Arthur and him alone. You must promise.

Merlin: I promise.

Kilgharrah: (returns the sword already forged to Merlin with magic)

Merlin: (looking at it wistfully) It's just as I remember it (looks up at Kilgharrah again, smiling) Thank you, Kilgharrah. (leaves)

Kilgharrah: Any time, young warlock. (Thinking) It is when the sides of the coin see each other that tragedies occur.

Time skip. Right after Merlin gave the sword to Arthur and just before he duels the black knight.

Merlin: (finishes putting Arthur his armor on) Ready, sire.

Arthur: (smirking) Won't you give me a hug?

Merlin: What?! 😳

Arthur: For luck, of course.

Merlin: (very red and confused) Since… since when are you so fond of hugs? (thinking) You were never this affectionate before...

Arthur: (opens up) I admit I didn't always like them. Wrong, I always liked them, but, as a prince, I'm not supposed to be affectionate. At least that's what my father always said. "Physical contact with royalty is a privilege, it cannot be given lightly" that was his phrase.

Merlin: (realizes, sad) The king doesn't… doesn't hug you much, does he? (Thinking) Now that I think about it, I don't remember a single time he did it.

Arthur: (thinking back) I think the last time he did it I was… 5 years old? Oh, don't look at me like that. I understand why he thought that was the best way to raise me, but it wasn't until recently that I realized… that's not how I want to live the rest of my life, or how I would raise my kids, you know? I don't want to deny myself the giving or receiving of affection, at least not when it comes to the people I care about.

Merlin: (understanding) That's why you hug Morgana more often now.

Arthur: And you. (Extends his arms) So? Will you give me my lucky hug or not?

Merlin: (laughs softly) As if you need it. (but he hugs him, thinking) I'm glad you trust me enough to tell me this and that you want to change. We've never... we've never hugged this much before... It's... it feels good. (melts in the hug)

Arthur: (thinking) I thought I'll never have you like this ever again... (pulls him closer) I don't want this to end. Gods, let me hold him forever. Please

Merlin: (thinking, scolding himself) Stop it! What will Arthur think? (gently separates the hug and says) There, you can go now.

Arthur: I don't think that's enough luck.

Merlin: (confused) Huh?

Arthur: I'm going to need this too (takes Merlin's neckerchief off)

Merlin: What?! 😨 What are you doing?! (He tries to get the neckerchief back from him) Give it back! Arthur! 😠

Arthur: (raising the nekerchief and dodging all of Merlin's attempts to take it from him) I need all the luck I can get, Merlin. And what's luckier than a favor?

Merlin: (very red, but pretending to be upset) Yes, but that's supposed to be with the favor of a lady! Not my-That's not how it works!

Arthur: Would you prefer that I ask a Lady hers?

Merlin: That's not... You don't need it! 😡

Arthur: I could die.

Merlin: (raises his voice in sudden panic) You are not going to die! (Composes himself) Sorry.

Servant x: (enters) Sire, they are waiting for you.

Arthur: I'll be right away. (puts the neckerchief around his arm) Merlin, help me, will you?

Merlin: (ties the neckerchief around Arthur's arm, blushing)

Servant x: (gives Merlin a knowing smile and then turns to Arthur) Your highness (bows and leaves)

Merlin: (sighs, thinking) Great... more rumors...

Arthur: Will you be cheering for me? 😏

Merlin: (snorts) You wish. (Softens his expression) But I'll be there. Just to make sure you don't ruin my neckerchief, of course.

Arthur: (starts to leave, but turns to Merlin) My lady (bows with a flirtatious smile and leaves)

Merlin: (in shock with eyes wide open) What the…? (turns red with fury and embarrassment) This clotpole is making fun of me! 😡

Arthur wins, of course. Merlin was definitely not clapping and cheering loudly and he definitely did not blush furiously when Arthur decided to give back his neckerchief publicly.

"He is taking this joke too far" is all Merlin can think when he gets back to his chamers, but he sleeps with a smile on his face and the neckerchief curled in his hand.

In "The moment of truth"

In Arthur's chambers. Arthur writes at his desk.

Merlin: (enters without knocking) Arthur!

Arthur: (startled, spills the ink with which he was writing on the parchment)

Merlin: Sorry... 😅

Arthur: (sighs, thinking) Some things just never change. (Says) Be useful for once and bring me another scroll, will you?

Merlin: (hurries to take out another scroll and gives it to him)

Arthur: (takes the parchment) Any special reason why you decided to burst into my chambers so suddenly or did you just miss me? (moves his eyebrows flirtuosly)

Merlin: (blushes) I...(thinking, freaking out internally) WHAT IS HE DOING?!😳😱😫. (Says, nervous) I just wanted to ask you if you could give me a few days off so I can visit my mother, sire. (doesn't look at him in the eye)

Arthur: (frowns, concerned) Is something wrong? You seem anxious.

Merlin: It is nothing, my lord. I just miss seeing my mother. I haven't been able to see her since I came to the castle.

Arthur: I see, that's understandable. (He puts the parchment aside and stands to look Merlin right in the eye, seriously) Now the truth.

Merlin: (thinking) Damn it! (sighs, giving up and says) I got a letter from her recently. The village I come from, where my mother lives, is being attacked by raiders. I promise I won't be gone for long, just until I'm sure she's save. She's my mother, Arthur. I need-

Arthur: I understand. You have my permission.

Merlin: (smiles) Thank you, Arthur (About to leave)

Arthur: Oh, take this (throws him a bag with supplies)

Merlin: (looking at the bag) What...?

Arthur: (Searches the room and grabs another bag) And this (throws it at Merlin too) and this (goes to Merlin and hangs the last bag around his neck). Yep, that's all, let's go.

Merlin: (confused) Go where, Sire?

Arthur: To Ealdor together.

Merlin: What? No! (Drops all things) Arthur, you can't come with me. The king will not allow it.

Arrhur: Did you really think I'll let you go alone?

Merlin: (thinking) I mean, you did came with me before, but no so soon! (Says) But, Uther-

Arthur: Don't worry about it. I'll solve it.

Merlin: But I need to go alone!

Arthur: Why?

Merlin: (thinking) Because I need to be able to use magic without you watching me! (Says) I…

Arthur: (thinking) I don't know how advanced you are at your magic, I'm not going to risk something happening to you... And I have to reduce numbers. (snorts) I know you think highly of yourself, Merlin, but I don't think you can take down a mugger patch all on your own.

Merlin: (thinking) If you only knew... (Says) You don't have to do it.

Arthur: True, but I want to.

Merlin: (smiles) I know and I really apreaciate it. Truly. But it's not just a matter of want. Ealdor is in another Kingdom and if there was a word that the Prince of Camelot went there- (thinking) The treaty with Cenred will be broken and it would be my fault again.

Despite Arthur never telling Merlin this in his other life, he knows Arthur going to Ealdor to help him played a great part in that to happen. He remembers Uther was furious with Arthur when he got back and throw him in the dungeons for a week. When Arthur finally got out he had several bruises on his skin. It was the first time Merlin ever consider killing Uther if even for a moment. Arthur never hold any of that against Merlin but that didn't make him feel any less guilty. He can't make Arthur go through that again.

Arthur: No one has to know I'm the Prince. Plus we could take it as a trip to Ealdor and I can finally meet your mother.

Merlin: (confused) Why do you want to meet my mother?

Arthur: Can't I meet my manservant's family?

Merlin: (shuts his mouth helplessly, thinking) Oh, well, at least it'll just be Arthur and me.

Time skip. Outside the castle.

Merlin: (yelling at Arthur) YOU BROUGHT YOUR KNIGHTS?! 😡

Knight 1, 2, 3 and Leon: (standing awkwardly a few meters away of Arthur and Merlin)

Knight 1: He's yelling at the prince.

Knight 2: I think the servant doesn't like us very much.

Knight 3: I feel bad third.

Leon: I'm not even surprised anymore.

[Welcome to: ✨breaking the fourth wall space✨

Me: Hi!😊 I'm the author of this crazy story! An I created this little space so the characters can break the fourth wall, without affecting the trama! They will mostly use it just to complain to me though.

Knight 1, 2 and 3: (to the author) Hey! when are you going to give us names?! 😡

Me: (to the audience) See? (to the nameless knights) Well, I would but, you see. Normally I just give names when they... last.

Knights 1, 2 and 3: (who literally die in the "Le Morte d'Arthur" part) What does she mean? 🤨

End of ✨Breaking the fourth wall space✨]

Arthur: (To Merlin, but raising his voice so the knights hear him) Of course! We are going to carry out a formal inspection of Camelot's border (looking at Merlin meaningfully), or did you expect the King to send his only Prince and heir to the border alone, Merlin?

Merlin: Oh... Oh, right!(nods exaggeratedly and turns to the knights smiling, then looks back at Arthur with too much enthusiasm) Then we better hurry, my lord. (He gets on his mare)

Arthur: (gets on his horse too)

Time skip. Merlin and Arthur riding ahead and the rest of the knights riding a few meters behind.

Merlin: (Just loud enough so Arthur can hear) Did you tell them?

Arthur: Tell them what?

Merlin: 😑

Arthur: Of course (pauses) not.

Merlin: Do you realize that technically we will be invading the territory of a neighboring kingdom? Not only is it a delicate matter, it could escalate into a diplomatic conflict! That's why I told you-

Arthur: Don't worry, I have a plan.

Merlin: (opens his mouth)

Arthur: (cuts him) Before you ask me what the plan is, we'll cross that bridge when we get to it. (Turns to give a look at the knights) That way they will have no choice but to obey me.

Knights: (feeling a chill down their spine)

Time skip. After two days of travel, they finally arrive at the border.

Knight 2: Uhm… Sire? Isn't this the border?

Arthur: No, it's ahead.

Knight 1: I'm sure we've already crossed the border.

Arthur: Do you claim to know more than me, Sir Innprudence?

Knight 1: No, sire (shuts up)

[Knight 1: (to the author) Sir Innprudence?! 😡 That's the best name you could come up with? Really?!

Me: (laughs a little) He he, yeah, I forgot I already named you in part 16.

Knight 1: I prefer Knight 1 😒.

Me: Too late, I already changed it 😈.

Sir Innprudence: NO! 😭]

In the forest of Escetir, near Ealdor. Arthur stops and dismounts his horse, so the others do too.

Leon: Have we reached the border yet, sire?

Arthur: Actually, we are technically in Escetir.

Knights: WHAT?!😱

Arthur: Yes, we're on a deck mission. I'll explain. Merlin, bring the bags.

Merlin: (brings the bags)

Arthur: (To the knights) Do you see the village there? (points to Ealdor)

Leon: Yes, sire.

Arthur: This is my manservant's home village and it's under attack by raiders. Our mission is to slay them all and protect this village.

Knights: ...

Merlin: Oh gods 🤦‍♂️

Arthur: As you know, it would be catastrophic if they were to find out the Prince and the Knights of Camelot were here. So (takes some clothes out of the bags) We're going to pretend to be mercenaries. (throws the clothes at each of them) and we will tell the villagers that we were paid to defend them.

Sir Innprudence: And who paid us?

Arthur: Merlin, of course.

Merlin: What?!😨 Arthur, no one is going to believe that!

Arthur: Why not? This is your native village, your mother lives here. You have more than enough reasons to want to protect Ealdor.

Merlin: And where did I supposely get the money from?!

Arthur: From your benevolent master, of course. That pays you very generously.

Merlin: You are mad! Completely mad! (Pointing to the knights) THIS is MADNESS!

Leon: Sire, you know that I support you no matter what, but you do understand you are basically asking us to betray the king, right?

Arthur: That's only if he finds out, which he is not going to do.

Sir Innprudence, knights 2 and 3: (hesitating whether or not to inform the king of what is happening)

Arthur: After all, everyone here crossed the border, so everyone here would be in trouble if the king ever found out. Although, of course, I would not receive such a severe punishment because I am the prince and unlike others I am not replaceable.

Knights: …

Leon: Count on us, sire 😊.

Merlin: (shouts) NO! (To Arthur) You are not going to do this! 😡

Arthur: (with feigned confusion) But, Merlin, it was you who asked for my help strongly, don't you remember?

Merlin: (jaw drops at Arthur's audacity, thinking) This son of a- (says) That's not true! (To the Knights) I didn't ask for anything, I swear!

Leon: Don't worry, Merlin, we understand how things happened. (wraps an arm around Merlin) Surely you only asked him for money to hire the mercenaries, but his highness decided to come himself to defend the village for you.

Merlin: No! I didn't ask for anything at all!

Knight 2: (to Knight 3) He is the favorite for sure.

Sir Innprudence: (to Leon, making him let go of Merlin in panic) Don't touch him! Do you want to die?!

Knight 3: We better change.

Knights: (start changing)

Merlin: I'm not...! I didn't...! (tries to explain, but no knight listens)

Arthur: (smiling, amused) What are you waiting for, Merlin? (Points to his mercenary clothes so Merlin dresses him)

Merlin: (goes to Arthur and changes his clothes, thinking) Oh, you're going to pay for this Arthur Pendragon.

Meanwhile in Ealdor.

Kanen: (on his horse, grabbing the harvest sacks) What's this? Where's the rest of it?

Village chief: (on the ground, picking up the vegetables they made him drop) I only kept back what we need to survive.

Kanen: (mockingly) Survive? (threatenly) I'll be back in one week, farmer, and I want to see all of it.

Hunith: (Runs furiously to Kanen) You can't take our food! Our children will starve! I won't let you do this! (Tries to take the harvest sacks) You're not taking any of it!

Kanen: (hits her and Hunith falls to the ground)

Merlin: (arriving on his mare, shouts) Mom! (Furious, mutters a spell) Miere hors.

Kanen's horse: (gets upset, raising his legs, making Kanen fall off him)

Hunith: (hurries to grab the harvest sacks and runs)

Arthur and knights: (just behind Merlin, they get off their horses and attack the raiders)

Merlin: (gets off his mare and runs to Hunith) Mom! (cradles her face) Are you okay?

Hunith: (very surprised and happy) Merlin! What are you doing here?

Kanen: (gets up and rushes towards Merlin and Hunith with his sword, about to sly them)

Arthur: (blocks the attack with excalibur) Don't you dare... (Breaks Kanen's sword with excalibur) even think about it!

Villagers: (looking between fear and amazement)

Kanen: (seeing himself outmatched, decides to retreat) You will pay for this with your lives! (gets on a horse nearby) All of you! (Looks down at Hunith and smirks) I'll see you later, sweetheart.

Merlin: (about to jump beat Kanen up, enraged)

Arthur: (Stops him by putting an arm in front of him)

Kanen: (leaves with the raiders that survived)

Arthur: (Thinking, coldly) He'll be back with more, perfect. (Looks at the bodies lying there, thinking) 295.

Hunith: (hugging Merlin) My son, how good it is to see you, but you shouldn't be here.

Merlin: I came as soon as I knew what was happening (points at Arthur) and I brought help.

Arthur: (introduces himself) Nice to meet you, Hunith of Ealdor, my name is Arthur. Merlin hired me and my men to defend this village.

Hunith: Arthur? Like Prince Arthur?

Arthur: A very popular name, indeed.

Hunith: (smiles) I sincerely thank you for what you're doing, Arthur. You are very chivalrous for a mercenary. (sees the knights in the distance, who are helping the women and children) You all seem very chivalrous to be mercenaries.

Arthur: Uh... We get paid well.

Will: (approaches Merlin) You're still up to the same old tricks? I thought I told you we don't want your kind here.

Merlin: ...

Will: (confused) Merlin?

Merlin: (suddenly breaks down crying)

Arthur: (angry, to Will, ready to beat him up right there) What's wrong with you?! 😡

Will: (in panic, worried) I was kidding! Merlin, that's how we always mess with each other! I did not mean-

Merlin: (his crying turns into laughter) Ha! I got you. (Hugs Will) I missed you too, Will. (Thinking) I missed you so much.

Arthur: (coughs, definitely not jealous) Merlin, gather the villagers, I need to talk to them.

Merlin: (pulls away from the hug) Yes, right away. (about to leave)

Will: Wait. You let him give you orders? I thought you hired him.

Merlin: (in realization and smiles evilly) It's true. (hits Arthur arms) You! How insolent! Is this how you treat your employer? You gather the villagers!

Arthur: (About to yell at him, but remembers that Hunith and Will are there and stops himself) Sorry, I thought you might want to do it yourself. I'll do it right away. (Thinking) Wait until we return to Camelot, you dollophead.

Merlin: (thinking) Oh, this is going to be fun.

...

I know this kind of feels like a filler, but it's important I swear! What did Kilgharrah meant? Can Merlin save Will this time? Will the rest of the Kmights get to have names? Find out in the next episode of ✨"Merlin: the Mistress in denial" ✨

[thatgaywizardoverthere]

Hey remember that time in 1.09 when Merlin went to take out wraith Tristan like “oh this’ll be SO discreet” because it was nighttime and then immediately proceeded to publicly light him up like a fucking Guy Fawkes Day effigy with a trail of fire leading directly back to him

[thesongistheriver]

Life continues to be a bit of a dumpster fire, so once again the next chapter of Raise My Hands, Paint My Spirit Gold is slow going. Have a snippet!

“My uncle,” Arthur said, rubbing the back of his neck. “My mother’s brother.” Merlin’s brow furrowed. “I thought your mother’s brother was dead.” “She had two,” Arthur replied, before his brain caught up to the conversation. “Wait, how did you know that the other was dead?” “The Black Knight.” When Arthur didn’t show any recognition, Merlin continued, “The wraith, remember? Oh, wait, Gaius knocked you out and you missed that bit. With the sword.” “You’re talking gibberish, Merlin.” Merlin’s nose wrinkled not-at-all adorably. “I’m actually not, but I’ll have to explain it another time."

[my-magic-blog]

I love how on Merlin they face things like trolls, wraiths, afanc, goblins etc but every time something new shows up Uther and Arthur are like:

“Mmm nope that’s impossible and I don’t believe you” and Merlin is there like:

[frost-queen]

Miss steal ya things (Reader x Kaz Brekker)

Requested by: anon, Forever tag:@missmelodramatic, @merlin-dahlia, @alex--awesome--22 @elllie-does-the-posts, @floatlosers, @merlieve, @queen-of-books, @glimmering-darling-dolly@denkisclown, @wildieflower, @meyocoko, @bubblybrianna, @justanothercoco@subjecta13-thefangirl, @m-rae23, @harleyquinnswifeyfrfr, @swampthing07, @melsunshine

Summary: Kaz and you are enemies at first but you start to fall for each other. You have an argument with him in the rain (like Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth Bennet fight scene) where you kiss afterwards despite what was said.

Kaz hastened himself up the stairs. Whatever he wanted almost in his grasp. He could almost feel it. The weight of it in his hand. All that pure gold dangling from a necklace. Behind him, he heard some grunts. Letting him know Nina was taking them out. Upstairs there was commotion. He knew Inej was clearing the path for him. She had taken the approach from above, making her way down while Nina worked her way up.

He also knew Wylan and Jesper were waiting outside with a carriage. When the time came, they’d stop underneath the window so he could escape. He moved aside, pushing himself to the wall when a man came rolling down the stairs. Kaz looked up with a grunt, seeing Inej smile apologetic. Her attention drawn away when another man came at her, making her move backwards, knives in the ready.

Kaz went further up, stepping over some fallen people thanks to Inej. He knew right where to be. He took a left, opening the door. His eyes widened at seeing something he did not expect. Staring frozen at a girl, holding his precious necklace. – “Put that down!” – Kaz ordered with a firm point.

You stared in shock back at him. – “I’m sorry I didn’t know this was yours.” – you replied showing him the necklace. Kaz clenched his jaw making you smile. – “A necklace doesn’t seem to suit you.” – you said mockingly with a sarcastic smile. Kaz smiled sarcastically back. You let the necklace slide into your pocket for him to see. You wanted him to know what you just stole right from under his nose. Kaz gritted his teeth, lashing out to you.

You jumped away. Kaz stumbled against the desk, grabbing for nothing. Hastened he turned himself around, staring with wide eyes at you. You opened the widow, taking out the necklace again. – “I’ll let you have a souvenir.” – you pulled a ruby out of the necklace, throwing it at him. Kaz caught it, looking at the ruby in his gloved hand. You winked, letting yourself drop out of the window. Kaz hurried over to the window, grabbing the framework while sticking his head out.

You had fallen onto his carriage. He watched how Jesper and Wylan were surprised and confused when you came sitting between them for a second. Saluted them and then took off. Kaz punched his fist into the wall hard out of anger. From this day on, he had made an enemy.

You duck down, moving past barrels to stay out of sight. Coming to a stop, you dared yourself to peek over a barrel. Immediately ducking down when you saw one of Brekker’s crows stand on the port. He was whistling, tossing a coin up to catch in his hand. Seeing him made you smile. You were in the right place. Keeping a low profile, you moved further. Well aware of the wraith watching from above. You knelt down, turning around leaning close to the barrels.

Looking up, you watched the roofs of the storing houses close to the docks. Moving your hand up, holding your thumb and index finger up. Squinting your eye, you moved your hand to a spot on the roof. The wraith’s silhouette fitting perfectly between your fingers. – “Found you.” – you whispered pleased. Now that you knew her position it was but a matter of staying out of her sights. Moving further you saw the heartrender flirt with some dockworkers.

Good she was keeping them busy for you. There was still no sign of Brekker or the other kid. You neared the ship, sneaking on it. You staid low, shuffling closer to the lower decks. There you waited a few seconds before making your way down. Down below the compartment was lighted up with a few candle holders. You smirked seeing the boy stand with his back towards you. Still no sign of Brekker.

“I’ll take that.” – you said, taking out a gun. The guy got startled, bumping with his back to the crates at the sight of you. You smiled, tilting your head a bit to the side. – “I’ll take whatever you are packing.” – you said twirling with your finger at him. The boy blinked confused, looking rather nervous. – “You…you want it… it all?” – he repeated slightly confused. You sighed loud. – “Yes I’ll take whatever Brekker is trying to steal.” – you responded. The boy wasn’t sure what you wanted. – “Uhm…” – he looked behind him to the crates. – “What’s in the crates?” – you asked, making him aware of your gun.

He moved his hands up desperately. – “Just… chemicals.” – he told you with a slight stutter. – “Chemicals?” – you repeated lowering your gun on him. – “Uhm yes… chemicals I produced myself.” – he explained, not sure why he even told you. – “Huh.” – you said loud trying to process it. Scratching the gun against the back of your head, the boy seemed frantic about it. Worried you’d might shoot yourself in the head or so.

“W…watch that!” – he said having almost jumped at you to take it from you. – “What? This?” – you said lowering the gun. He nodded shy. – “Worthless.” – you said carelessly holding one finger through the loop, the gun flopped upside down. – “Doesn’t even have bullets in it.” – you chuckled out. – “What?” – the boy blurted out. – “I got you there didn’t I.” – you laughed tossing the useless gun aside. – “I’m no fan of guns.” – you told him.

“So Brekker isn’t here to steal anything?” – you asked after some silence. – “No.” – the boy answered immediately. – “Shame…” – you shrugged your shoulders. – “What is he planning on doing then?” – you asked coming closer. The boy fluttered confused with his eyelashes when you came standing beside him, looking inside the crates. – “He… he means to blow it up.” – Wylan said, maybe regretting he did. You stared at Wylan. – “Boom.” – Wylan mimicked with sound effects and hand movements. It made you laugh loud. – “You are funny. I like you.” – you told him.

Wylan chuckled softly, rubbing his hands nervously together. – “You… you are the girl that keeps stealing our stuff right?” – Wylan asked, questioning your presence. You hummed loud. – “Y/n!” – you said, holding your hand out. – “Wylan.” – he responded, shaking it. You sighed loud, looking at the crates once more. – “Shame there is nothing to steal from him. I would’ve loved to see his face when I did.” – you said to yourself. – “Anyways say my regrets to Brekker. You should definitely tell him I was here.” – you told him with a wink.

You plucked a self-made bomb from the crate. – “Also I’m holding onto this.” – you said pinching Wylan in his cheek. Wylan rubbed his cheek watching you head back out. Funny. He thought you were strange but funny. He could see why Kaz got so worked up over you.

Wylan returned to his chemicals and bomb hearing suddenly loud tapping of a cane on the wood. Kaz emerged down. – “Is everything in order?” – he asked looking around, still standing on a few steps. – “Yes…” – Wylan responded. – “Just uhm…” – he started. – “Just what?” – Kaz cut through. – “Well your uhm… the girl appeared… Y/n.” – Wylan said making Kaz clench his hand.

“She thought you were stealing something… she just left… although she did take one of the bombs I made.” – Wylan said innocently. Kaz tapped his cane loudly onto the stairs. Annoyed, he turned around. – “Finish up!” – he ordered Wylan before heading back up. He walked up on the docks, Inej dropping down beside him. – “You missed her!” – he pointed out to catch her on her neglecting.

Inej stopped, staring stunned in front of her. – “How? I…” – she said getting back in motion to catch up with Kaz. – “I…I should’ve seen her. I had the best view.” – Inej continued. – “But you didn’t.” – Kaz spoke back angry. – “Now she’s run off with a bomb of mine.” – he said walking firmly as Inej had stopped following him.

 You outdid yourself of the cloak, you had been wearing as a disguise. Having snuck into the building. Taking careful routes, you made your way over to the office of interest. You had to be quick before Kaz Brekker would be there before you. You ran past a window on the swirling staircase, catching quick that it had started to rain. Panting loud, you reached the top. Busting into the office. Your eyes widened seeing Kaz Brekker. He was leaning against the desk, casually going through some papers.

Once you entered, he barely looked up from them. – “I was starting to think you weren’t going to show up.” – he said turning a page. You looked confused behind you. You thought for sure you’d be here before him. – “How did you…” – you wondered. Kaz laid the papers down, taking his cane that had been leaning against the desk. – “Got here before you?” – he rephrased with a sly smile. – “Dear Y/n. I adapt.” – he said moving a heartful hand to his chest. You blinked confused. – “I knew you’d keep tabs on me, trying to snatch any of my prizes from under my nose.” – he started to move closer to you.

“It was but a matter of making you believe my plan while actually there was a plan underneath the plan.” – he said proudly standing face to face with you. You stared back at him, hating to admit how perfectly clever that was of him. He smirked back at you. – “Apologies but I believe this is mine to take.” – he said, patting his chest, letting you know he was hiding the papers there. You slowly started to clap for his amusement. – “I must applaud you Brekker. You are not so dumb after all.”

Kaz swayed his finger from side to side. – “I am many things Y/n, but not dumb.” – he answered. Kaz and you kept staring at each other till you heard something clatter into the room. Kaz and you looked down at the tube where smoke was sizzling out. Kaz’s eyes widened. – “Run!” – he called out, pushing you aside. He dived back just in time as the tube went off. Bombing the room with a bright light. The blast made you crash against the wall.

Kaz and your ears were buzzing, coughing loud trying to get up. Kaz felt a sting of pain on the side of his face. Touching it brief, he felt the bruising. He kept coughing, seeing you lay down on the ground. In an attempt to head over to you, he stumbled back to the ground. You were moving a bit restless making him crawl over the floor to reach you. A bit of his hearing coming back as he heard commotion on the stairs. He poked you with his cane. – “Get up…” – he coughed out. – “Y/n get up!” – he ordered, poking you more.

You slowly got up, coughing loud. Kaz kept poking you to get a move on. Both of you got up, helping each other. You duck down, covering up your ears when shots were fired inside the office. Kaz ducked down as well, holding his arm over you. – “The window!” – he shouted with a firm head motion. You nodded stumbling over to it. Kaz broke the window with his cane, glass clattering on the ground.

The rain outside pouring heavily. He stuck his head out, looking for a way out. He saw a carriage approach. If he timed it right, it would break your fall when you jump down. More shots were getting fired into the office, making you jump out of your skin. Kaz turned to you. – “You jump when I say so!” – he said angrily. You looked down for yourself. – “No way!” – you called out, taking a step back. Did he not know how high that was? Did he just wanted you to jump out of the window to crack your skull open, so he’d be rid of you?

Kaz clenched his jaw, looking down to see the carriage near. Not up for a discussion, he grabbed you firmly by your clothing. Pulling hard at it as he tossed you out of the window. You screamed loud when he came jumping out after you. Your back hit the roof of the carriage hard. Just in time you were able to roll over or Kaz would’ve fallen on top of you. He lifted his head up, puffing some hair out of his face. The carriage rode further away making him look back to the building.

In the window he spotted some men, pointing their guns out to shoot. His eyes widened, grabbing you again by the clothing. You squeaked when he pulled you with him off the carriage. You landed on some sacks that broke your fall. – “Get up!” – he ordered kicking you with his cane. You struggled to get up as he rolled with his eyes, holding his cane out to you. You took it, letting him pull you up to your feet. He gave you a push against your back with his cane, insisting you’d go a certain way.

The rain getting you soaking wet. Kaz motioned with his head for you to continue to walk. He and you started to run, taking shelter from the rain underneath a roofing. Panting loud, you let yourself lean against the wall. Kaz glanced your way, catching his breath. Taking in a deep breath, he felt compelled by you. – “Y/n.” – he started asking for your attention. You turned to him, startled. – “Why’d you save me? It certainly felt out of character for you.” – you stated watching something change in his gaze.

Something shy and as if it was so clear. You recognized it making you step back. He saved you because he cared. You pressed your lips together, finding it hard to believe. – “I did not intend for this. I tried everything to snuff it out.” -  Kaz tightened his jaw. – “Are you laughing at me?” – he asked. – “No.” – you replied fierce. – “Are you rejecting me?” – he then asked, seeing how silent you remained. – “I am told the feelings that you harbor against everyone will help you overcome it.” – you stated.

Kaz looked rather uncertain. – “May I ask why I am repulsed?” – he continued. – “And I may ask why so evident in desire of insulting me, you chose to tell me you like me against your better judgement.” – you called out. – “No, believe me I…” – Kaz cut through, but you waltzed right over him with your words. – “If I was so uncivil then that is some excuse, but you know I have other reasons.” – you said firmly. In the distance the sky was rumbling with thunder.

“Like what?” – Kaz said back annoyingly. – “What of Wylan?” – you asked. Kaz visibly looked frustrated. – “What about Wylan?” – he snapped. – “What excuse can you give me for your behavior towards him.” – you spoke as he approached intimidatingly. – “You are taking an eager interest in him?” – Kaz replied. – “He told me of his treatment.” – you spoke, staring intensely into his eyes. – “Oh yes his treatment have been very great indeed.” – Kaz answered sarcastically.

“You ruin his personality and yet you treat him with sarcasm.” – you made clear. Kaz stared briefly down at your lips. – “So this is your opinion of me?” – he said hurtful. – “Thank you for explaining so fully!” – he called out. His gaze caught up in yours. – “Perhaps these offenses might have been overlooked had not your pride been hurt…” – he called out, angering you. – “My pride?” – you shouted at him. – “And my honesty!” – he yelled louder to overpower your voice. – “Admitting our relationship could you expect me to rejoice in the annoyance of your circumstances.” – he continued.

“And those are the words of a gentleman?” – you said closer to his face. – “From the first moment I met you, your arrogance and your selfish feelings towards others made me realize that you were the last man in the world I could ever fall in love with!” – you made clear to him. Kaz let his gaze go over you while you were out of breath. He leaned his head a bit closer, hesitant if he should.

His gaze drifted away to your lips. Sucking in a breath, he grabbed your head, forcing his lips onto yours. You inhaled loud, grabbing him as well. Lips desperately moving over his. He kept kissing you, guiding your back up against the wall. Lips rough against one another to release all the buildup tension. No matter the words that had fallen here, he knew they were lies. You knew it as well. Kissing him made that clear. The two of you were just to stubborn to admit it at first.

----------------------------------------------

Read more of my fics on my Masterlists!  

[a-still-small-vox]

Free Steve x Bucky AU prompts!

First I'll list the brief concepts. If that's all you need, take it from there! Otherwise, I've included more thoughts and details on each below the cut. All these prompts are very flexible. You can take them how they are, or feel free to make any changes based on where your inspiration takes you. Your city now

(But if you do make something using one of these, please let me know! I wanna see~)

Steve AUs loosely related to canon

Steve's shield has a soul

The serum made Steve's skin become an unnatural colour (like Schmidt turned red)

Steve is an alien whose biology doesn't jive with Earth's environment and that's why he had so many health problems, but Erskine can help him

Steve becomes small!Steve or large!Steve based on his emotions and willpower

Steve has Grim-Reaper-like powers that come from his near death experiences

Steve's powers come from his art (and he uses them to help freed!Bucky heal)

Steve's powers come from his art (and the Winter Soldier has to rescue him from Hydra because of it)

Bucky AUs loosely related to canon

The Winter Soldier is a computer construct (like Zola) who has possessed Steve's phone

The Winter Soldier is a real ghost, with special supernatural abilities

The Winter Soldier has frost-themed powers

Bucky is a robot built by Howard Stark to be Steve's sidekick, who gains sentience and falls in love with Steve despite not being programmed to do either of those things

Bucky is a monster who was doing a great job of pretending to be human until Hydra got their hands on him

Bucky is an arctic god who watches over frozen Steve

Bucky is Steve's guardian angel but messes up and has to be rescued by the person he was supposed to be guarding

Wraith Warrior AU: the Tesseract grants Bucky magic blue glowy powers

Different setting Bucky AUs

Bucky is a folkloristic creature suffering in a circus sideshow; Steve comes to free him

Modern AU where Bucky suffers from feelings of doom that come from the lives he endured in other universes

Fix it AUs for Bucky's fate

(I.E. AUs that make Bucky being the Winter Soldier a little less terrible for him, or not happen at all)

Bucky uses a mind palace to escape losing himself to the Winter Soldier

Bucky stores his memories prior to being captured so the Winter Soldier can someday find them

Steve's force ghost protects Bucky in captivity

Between 1944 and 2012, Bucky & Steve share dreams

Hydra accidentally makes Bucky too powerful

Bucky has advance visions of his fate and is prepared to accept it, but Steve says "fuck that"

Bucky & Steve survive WWII and have to chose whether or not to go to the future, and once again Steve says "fuck that" to getting there by creating the Winter Soldier

Steve & Bucky 2010s reunion AUs

Steve & Bucky fall in love despite neither of them knowing Bucky is Bucky

The Winter Soldier anonymously messages Steve whenever he gets the chance

Steve finds Bucky's frozen body and has to defrost him (oooh, huddling for warmth, oooh)

Bucky decides to "surveil" Steve from afar, but leaves Bucky-themed post-its around his house

Steve is the only person who remembers Bucky existed; everyone else has mass amnesia about him for some reason

Other pair AUs

Bucky & Steve have a magic bond; if one is still alive, the other will be too

Bucky & Steve have a telepathic bond that reactivates when Steve comes out of the ice

Bucky & Steve are a pair of superheroes who can take each other's pain and heal each other's wounds

Roleswap: Steve is found by Hydra after the crash; Bucky falls into a glacier in the Alps and is frozen for 70 years

Steve is a god of death, Bucky is a god of sex (or they both are different kinds of demons), and they decide to participate in World War II together

Bucky & Steve were prisoners in neighbouring cells

Bucky & Steve are bound by the red string of fate, but mistake it for an omen of death

AUs based on other stories

Steve is King Arthur, Bucky is Merlin (although the other way around could work with small!Steve)

The Last Knight AU (Steve is Michael, Bucky is Fisk)

Howl's Moving Castle AU (small!Steve is Sophie, Bucky is Howl)

AUs including Peggy

Peggy is a superhero like the Black Widow

Peggy and Bucky rescue Steve from the arctic

According to 2010s!Shield, Peggy is a supervillain

Other AUs

The Howlies crash the Battle of New York

The Howlies are unmoored from time and become legends

Steve somehow ends up with a prosthetic that matches Bucky's

Details below:

STEVE'S SHIELD HAS A SOUL

The vibranium used to make Steve's shield remembers its past lives as other things. It was strong and secret in the depths of the earth. It perhaps was forged for a warrior in Wakanda. Or it was set aside and never made into anything, aching to be useful someday. Or maybe it simply gained its soul by being forged into a shield, and is eager to help Steve as much as it can.

This was sort of envisaged as an outsider POV story from the point of view of the shield, although that's not necessary if you don't like it. The abilities it could have range from subtle (always hitting the target, dealing extra damage, having perfect timing, etc.) to as bold as the shield being able to fly by itself, or even having a spiritual manifestation as a ghostly winged warrior. If you're a fan of fix-its, remember that the shield was part of the reason Bucky fell from the train. If it was sentient, it would certainly not allow that!

THE SERUM MADE STEVE'S SKIN TURN AN UNNATURAL COLOUR

This idea stems from the fact that Schmidt turned red, and Bruce, who had a modified version of Steve's serum, turned green. I'm envisioning blue for Steve, but any colour that isn't a normal human skin colour would work. What would it be like if Captain America didn't turn out looking like an ideal white man? Would they make him hide his face with a mask or makeup like Schmidt does, or forgo the USO tours entirely and send him right to Europe, hoping he'll get himself killed in action before anyone has to see him?

Bucky actually he doesn’t mind Steve looking strange and gives him sci-fi themed pet names. So despite Steve's fears, their relationship is fine. Steve is pretty sure no one will ever find him attractive, but it’s a small price to pay for the power to save lives and have Bucky's back.

As for Bucky himself, if he does get captured he also receives a modified version of the supersoldier serum. Maybe he would turn silver (like his metal arm). Maybe if Steve rescues him from Azzano, only patches of his skin have changed colour, and he anxiously tries to hide them.

STEVE IS AN ALIEN

Like Superman, Steve is actually an orphaned alien. However, unlike in Superman’s case, Earth is not so compatible with Steve’s biological existence. (Atmospheric composition wrong, high susceptibility to diseases his immune system isn't used to, missing dietary element which gives him pica, etc.) That or the technology or biological function which allows him to appear like a normal human is very taxing on his body, especially if his true form has more limbs than a human’s and has to be strongly repressed. (Extra arms, a tail, tentacles, or wings, for example.) Steve himself may not know what he really is, he may have guessed but is not certain, or he may know because his adoptive mother knows.

Erskine is a xenobiologist. He recognises Steve for what he is immediately and wants to help him regardless of whether or not Steve will fight in the name of human freedom in return. Perhaps Steve spends months in a healing pod until his body catches up with how it’s supposed to be, or perhaps Erskine hurries the transformation along like in canon. Either way, Steve ends up looking like an alien. Then maybe Erskine helps him disguise himself again, but with the warning that he can’t stay disguised at all times or it’ll fuck him up again, since he’s fresh out of the healing pod.

Steve goes off to the front, and during his Bucky rescue at Azzano he loses his disguise. However, Bucky recognises him anyway, maybe by his voice or the way his eyes look. Bucky places great trust in him, especially after retrospectively recognising some of Steve’s odd behaviours as alien characteristics. (Like, "Ohhhh, so when you used to make those weird noises in your throat it was because your real form can purr, ohhhh I understand everything now.") Despite Steve's fears that Bucky would never accept the real him, Bucky does, and loves him just as fiercely as he did before if not even more...

STEVE'S PHYSICAL SIZE CAN CHANGE

After the serum, Steve’s body grows and shrinks based on the strength of his resolve. If you see him large, his faith is unbreakable and he will NOT be stopped. If you see him small, something bad is going on in his head, and most people never ever see him that way.

Steve would be Paul Bunyan himself if it meant getting Bucky back. (I imagine there is a size he simply cannot grow past, but that's how he would feel.)

STEVE'S POWERS COME FROM HIS PROXIMITY TO DEATH

Steve has faced death so much due to illness that he’s half grim reaper. He doesn’t look like much, but his bones are rotten and held together by shadow.

He rescues Bucky directly from Hydra, and the feel of the cold void of death is the most comforting feeling Bucky has ever known. This could go super dark, where either Steve is actually coming to take Bucky’s life so he doesn’t have to suffer anymore (and the lives of all those Hydra agents as well), or it’s not Steve, it’s just death. (And Bucky could become like Steve, or he could just die, but comforted.)

STEVE'S POWERS COME FROM HIS ART (and Bucky is already freed from Hydra)

Small!Steve is a superhero who uses his sketches to shape the world into the way he sees it. The rescued Winter Soldier shows up at Shield, meets Steve, and imprints on him like a duckling. Steve draws sketches that show Bucky as the person he wants to be. These sketches and Steve's subtle magic help Bucky heal. Bucky is amazed that anyone could actually see him as the redeemed person he wants to be.

Alternately: Later Steve reveals that he felt uncomfortable using his powers to change how Bucky is, even if it was in ways that Bucky wanted to change. These sketches have no magic in them beyond Steve’s own feelings and being able to see Bucky as the nuanced being he is. They worked on Bucky for the same reason that Dumbo's magic feather does. Being able to see himself through Steve's eyes was enough to change Bucky's mindset about himself to the point where he could start his own healing.

Alternately: Steve has no powers at all, only Bucky thinks he does. The Avengers keep him around because he's their friend and they like his art. His superhero costume is an inside joke between the Avengers, but also representative of the respect they have for his character and his mundane but hard won talent.

Alternately: Bucky meets Steve living as a civilian and realises he has powers through his art. He takes Steve to meet the Avengers, who think Bucky is imagining that Steve has powers, but he actually does have them — Bucky is just the only one attentive enough to notice.

STEVE'S POWERS COME FROM HIS ART (and Bucky is not freed from Hydra yet)

While the Winter Soldier is on a mission, small!Steve sees him and draws a portrait of him. One of Bucky's handlers notices and wants Bucky to kill Steve and destroy the drawing, OR Bucky notices and knows the little artist will soon be one of Hydra's targets if he isn't already. Either way, when Bucky sees the humanity in himself through Steve's drawing he becomes protective of him and doesn't want him to die. He essentially goes AWOL and kidnaps Steve to protect him from Hydra.

Unfortunately, Bucky does a bad job of explaining what’s going on and Steve tries to escape before running into a Hydra operative and having to be rescued by Bucky. Steve gives Bucky a nickname because they don't know his actual name. At one point they end up trapped in a situation they could escape if only Bucky could free his mind enough to unleash his full abilities on his handlers. He tells Steve to draw him as a free man. Steve says he’s too scared to be able to draw. Bucky thinks about what to do and gives Steve a hug, telling him to draw himself brave and Bucky free. This works. Possibly Steve correctly guesses Bucky's real name while doing this, or Bucky remembers it. The magic of the true name increases the power of the drawing tenfold. Steve becomes radiant with the power of possibility. Bucky kicks Hydra's asses and Steve helps. That portrait Steve drew saved Bucky.

THE WINTER SOLDIER IS A COMPUTER CONSTRUCT

So you know how Armin Zola ended up getting uploaded to a computer as a digital consciousness? What if Bucky was the guinea pig for this and exists in digital form now? No Winter Soldier, just a guy made of data desperately in love with the man (Steve) whose devices he’s snuck himself into. He takes advantage of the fact that Steve doesn't know how technology works yet to get away with doing things like controlling Steve's digital thermostats and other smart devices so he can take care of Steve as best he can in this form.

Jarvis may or may not be the first person to notice that Bucky is secretly living on Steve's phone. He might raise the alarm about Bucky, or he might help him. Or Steve will make an offhand comment about his phone's "amazing virtual assistant" that rings alarm bells for the other Avengers, until they figure out it's just Bucky.

Once they realise Bucky is there, he has to admit he's ashamed that he's not really a person anymore. Possibly Steve wants to get him a body so he can live again. Probably they could clone Bucky from DNA scraped from the inside of his stuff at the Smithsonian. Or he could have an android body made by Tony. Or Tony gives him a hologram body so he can manifest when he wants to, albeit not in tangible form.

THE WINTER SOLIDER IS A REAL GHOST

Bucky is a ghost, and he has corresponding superpowers. He is more powerful than other ghosts and most living people. Option one: he is confused about which army he served in World War II so he works for Hydra whenever they summon him with a séance. Option two: he doesn't work for Hydra (because how do you control a ghost if you can't psychologically manipulate them?) but works for himself or even Shield - whether they know he is there or not.

Additional options: this AU could be really touching with a Bucky and Steve who know each other, because maybe Bucky never moved on to the afterlife because he was so convinced he'd see Steve again. Maybe he's shy about revealing himself to Steve because he doesn't want Steve to be sad he's a ghost. But this AU could also work great if Bucky and Steve are strangers, but Bucky is shy because he doesn't want to admit he's fallen in love with a living man, and he thinks Steve will think it's weird that a ghost loves him. Steve DGAF and loves Bucky too.

THE WINTER SOLDIER HAS FROST-THEMED POWERS

Imagine if you knew the Winter Soldier was coming to kill you because the air got a little colder. Well, maybe the heating is on the fritz. But then you start to see your breath. Things are getting a little strange now, but This Is Fine, right? The Winter Soldier isn't real. He's just a ghost story. But then you look at the window and there's frost on the glass, and "oh fuck" is the last thought you'll ever have -

BUCKY IS A ROBOT

Bucky is a robot built by Howard Stark to be a sidekick for Captain America. He gradually gains sentience over time and begins to admire and love Steve, as well as developing a personality. Everyone is mystified by this because Stark actually didn't program Bucky to do anything other than fight well, be ethical, and be adaptable. It's a surprise to Stark just as much as anyone else that Bucky can think for himself, let alone feel.

I think it would be pretty funny if Hydra utterly fails to reprogram Bucky after he falls off the train. He just is like, 'I might not understand my own programming, but it's apparently smarter than Howard Stark, and you guys are morons compared to him, so you're definitely a moron compared to me.' Then fucks their shit up.

BUCKY IS A MONSTER WHO WANTS TO BE HUMAN

*I already wrote this one (cw for cannibalism, self-cannibalism, and psychological torture; the monster I picked is a ghoul), but I included this prompt here anyway because Two Cakes.

Bucky is a monster of some kind since the day Steve meets him. However, something about their meeting made Bucky want to be better than his nature for the first time in his life. He chooses to tame himself for Steve’s benefit and tries to blend in with humanity as best he can. But Hydra recognises Bucky for what he is and uses psychological manipulation/torture to convince him that a monster's place is on the side of evil. The Winter Soldier's legendary abilities become based on Bucky's actual innate powers and abilities.

But once Bucky meets Steve again in the 2010s, nothing he can do will convince Steve not to have faith in Bucky. Steve believes Bucky is a fundamentally good person despite the fact that he is a vampire, werewolf, fae, or whatever. And Steve is correct. Bucky's natural instincts as a creature may be dangerous to humans, but his natural instincts as a person are to live an honest life.

BUCKY IS AN ARCTIC GOD

When Steve crashes the plane in the arctic, he is found by a god of some aspect of winter (frost, wind, glaciers, etc.) who lives there. Bucky doesn’t care much about humans - rarely sees them, honestly - but is intrigued by Steve and takes care of him for decades. Steve sleeps through most if not all of this. Maybe Bucky appreciates Steve because he stopped environmental devastation (nuclear fallout) which would’ve impacted Bucky. Maybe he just feels possessive of this strange charge who dropped into his lap. He’s kinda mad when Shield rescues Steve. He’s like, that was MY human, he was so tired and he was sleeping peacefully, why’d you wake him up? You ingrates gave him to me, you can't just take him -

And then Steve wakes up with this weird feeling like he was just having a conversation with someone, but he doesn’t know who. And Bucky has to take on a human form (ugh, so melty. gross) and go to New York to get his human back.

BUCKY IS A GUARDIAN ANGEL BUT MESSES UP

Bucky is a supernatural being of some kind (guardian angel or even just a powerful nature spirit) who took a liking to Steve. He chose get close to Steve and become his friend instead of keeping a distance and working magic from afar. He went to war specifically to help protect Steve, as he feared what would happen to the world Steve lived in if the Nazis won. However, he made a huge, huge miscalculation which ultimately resulted in him becoming the Winter Soldier. Now Steve has to rescue his own guardian angel.

WRAITH WARRIOR AU

That magic blue stuff from the tesseract could be used for all kinds of AUs. Steve gets shot with one of the vaporising guns, doesn’t vaporise, comes back wrong. Bucky escapes captivity in Azzano long enough to steal some tesseract juice and becomes a wraith warrior. They put Bucky in one of those pods like they put Steve in, only they pump tesseract juice in instead of really bright light and accidentally make him too powerful. Etc.

It would be cool AF for Bucky’s replacement arm to be made of tesseract juice. Blue, glowing, both there and not there. Or for him to be able to do the Fenris thing and rip people’s hearts out with his bare hands.

Another option here is that the tesseract is sentient. Bucky can hear it in his head and is afraid of it at first. Once he gives in and accepts it in a last ditch effort to free himself, they work together. They make the weapons and devices Schmidt and Zola made to control it fall apart like soggy paper.

BUCKY IS A MYTHICAL CREATURE TRAPPED IN A CIRCUS

Bucky is a rare creature from folklore, who meets Steve when they are kids. Steve's family has to move away from the rural area where he used to play with Bucky. As an adult, he finds Bucky held captive in a circus somewhere, either as part of a freakshow or even being treated like an animal because they don't know he is sentient, in just a miserable state. Steve takes prompt and direct action to set Bucky free.

In my mind this is set in Ireland, since it seems to be a popular headcanon that Steve is of Irish descent, and there are a lot of cool Irish folkloristic creatures. But it could just as easily be set anywhere else, including America.

Note: this AU was inspired by the vocaloid song CiRCuS MoNSTeR, specifically the French cover of it by Poucet.

MODERN AU BUCKY FEARS HIS OTHER LIVES

Modern AU. Bucky has always had a sense of doom hanging over his head regarding his future his whole life. He’s pretty sure his dreams are destined to turned to dust, and he’s never been able to explain why he feels that way. He'll certainly never be with Steve, his most dearly held dream. Eventually he finds out that in many other universes, horrible things happen to him. But in this universe, he’s okay. In this one, he needs to stop living in fear and grab on to good things with both hands.

BUCKY USES A MIND PALACE TO ESCAPE BEING THE WINTER SOLDIER

(*I already wrote this one, but I'm not super happy with how I implemented it, so please feel free to take this and do it better than me!)

AU where Bucky hypnotises himself and locks his mind in a self-created virtual space I'm calling a "mind palace". He wanders its empty halls, waiting for Steve to say the trigger that will let him out, which is the phrase "til the end of the line". As soon as he does, OG Bucky is back.

BUCKY STORES HIS MEMORIES PRIOR TO BEING CAPTURED

Bucky is given the opportunity to store his memories in a suitcase prior to his capture by Hydra, be they in a diary, a voice recording, or even a futuristic device that can read his thoughts or create a hologram of him. He plants clues that will let him find the memory suitcase in the future. When the Winter Soldier finds it, he will have to decide if he actually wants to open it or not. Why did Bucky leave these for him to find? What if they mean nothing to him?

STEVE'S FORCE GHOST PROTECTS BUCKY

While Bucky is in captivity after his fall from the train, he has visions of small!Steve in his cell with him, giving him advice and protecting his battered spirit and psyche even if he can't protect Bucky's body. Little does Bucky know, but these are not hallucinations. Steve's body may be asleep in the arctic but his spirit is at Bucky's side. Maybe as the years go by Steve's manifestation becomes strong enough for him to gain the power to set Bucky free - with Bucky's help, of course. After Bucky escapes, he spends a few years healing and re-integrating into society, and is at Steve's bedside when Steve defrosts. Only for Steve to already know what happened to Bucky, remember all the things they talked about, all the things that Bucky confessed, and for no explanations to be necessary between them.

STEVE AND BUCKY DREAM THROUGH 70 YEARS

While Steve and Bucky are both making their slow, frost-tinged way from 1944 to 2012, they are able to share dreams. These dreams are a refuge for them. Steve is always there when Bucky arrives, waiting to welcome him. The Winter Soldier knows he can't share the dreams with anyone when he's brought out of cryo, even if he can't remember why. Perhaps he doesn't even remember the dreams when he is the Winter Soldier. Perhaps dream!Bucky doesn't remember being the Winter Soldier, or maybe he does remember and Steve helps him process it safely in the dreams. It's in this way that they're able to make 70 years of memories together, memories that will still be there when they finally wake and meet again.

HYDRA ACCIDENTALLY MAKES BUCKY TOO POWERFUL

When trying to turn Bucky into a supersoldier, Hydra does something that accidentally makes him too powerful for them to control. Maybe they install a magic crystal where the star on his metal arm is, or the serum turns him into a mini Incredible Hulk, or they accidentally give him the power to teleport or control people's minds en masse like Professor X.

Maybe he was fully brainwashed, but a memory sparks his disobedience and they can't wipe him into forgetting it. Maybe they thought he was brainwashed, but he actually had a little bit of will left in him. Maybe they knew he wasn't brainwashed yet, but didn't think installing a crystal into his arm or whatever would have such drastic results.

Regardless, Bucky suddenly finds himself no longer an abused, traumatised prisoner with no recourse, but instead an abused prisoner who can kick the asses of everyone who ever fucked with him. Immediately, with extreme prejudice. Or he gains enough clarity to start plotting an escape which goes great for Bucky, as every surprising twist only turns out to be an opportunity for him to unleash his new abilities even further.

BUCKY HAS VISIONS OF HIS FUTURE FATE

In 1944 Bucky receives a premonition about how horrible his life will be in the future. He suffers and struggles thinking about it in the days leading up to the train. Steve is concerned by how fatalistic Bucky is being. Bucky, who has read too much sci fi, doesn’t want to fuck up the timeline by trying to change his fate. Eventually Steve gets the truth out of him somehow and is immediately like, ‘We are not fucking letting that happen, Bucky. Fuck that. We are doing something else. Anything is better than just letting you become the Winter Soldier.”

And despite Bucky’s fears that if he changes the course of his life the future will be fucked up… it actually turns out to be awesome.

BUCKY AND STEVE CHOOSE TO GO TO THE FUTURE

Steve and Bucky both survive the war and get to go home to New York. They start up their lives again and are happy together. However, they don’t know it but the future needs them. It needs Captain America in 2012 to fight the Chitauri. Somehow they find out, perhaps due to an artefact they recover from Hydra or a device Howard accidentally invents, maybe even a time travelling Avenger looking for the missing piece of the future.

Steve and Bucky are told that the only way to get to the future is to emulate the canon timeline - for Steve to be put into suspended animation and for Bucky to become the Winter Soldier. Bucky says he’ll do it, although he looks like he would rather die. Steve is like, FUCK NO. Bucky is surprised that Steve would put Bucky’s life/personhood over Doing The Right Thing. Steve’s like, “I don’t know what the right thing is, but letting the person I love be tortured ain’t it.” They decide to go to the future together, but find a better way that allows Bucky to go there as himself.

STEVE AND BUCKY FALL IN LOVE EVEN THOUGH BUCKY DOESN'T KNOW HE'S BUCKY

Hydra fucked up and mindwiped Bucky so hard they thought he was dead and threw him out. But he was alive and the supersoldier serum saved him long enough for him to be found and send to a hospital. However, it was unable to recover the memories from the damaged parts of his brain, leaving him with amnesia. Due to his unnaturally fast rate of healing his doctors referred him to Shield, who recruited him even though they didn't know where he came from. They realised that the amnesia made him a liability, because his enemies could recognise him but he couldn't recognise them. So, they gave him a disguise to wear at all times to even the playing field.

Enter Steve, five years after Bucky joins Shield. Bucky and Steve get to know each other and fall in love. But Bucky starts to have dreams of his past - just snapshots he can't really understand, like the feeling of falling, snow, a scent, a snatch of music, etc. He confides all this to Steve, but it takes a while for it to click. Steve starts to suspect this is Bucky, but can't bring himself to say it because it sounds crazy.

Eventually, Steve decides to ask Bucky if he ever looked different. This puts Bucky on guard. When Steve admits he thinks he knows who Bucky is, Bucky freaks out, thinking that Steve is one of those enemies who knows who he really is and has finally found him. (There's a happy ending, though!)

THE WINTER SOLDIER ANONYMOUSLY MESSAGES STEVE

A few months after Steve arrives in the future, he starts getting cryptic messages that can’t be traced. The Winter Soldier is communicating with him. Option one, it’s cryptic clues on how to find him. Option two, it’s messages of care and kindness because Bucky doesn’t have any hope of reunion, he just knows he cares about Steve.

STEVE HAS TO DEFROST BUCKY

After waking up in the 2010s, Steve asks if anyone ever looked for Bucky’s body. Upon finding out that it was never recovered, he twists the government or Tony’s arm into helping him mount an expedition to look. He is like, “What, Bucky’s body is less important than mine?”

There are various options for what he finds, including a Hydra base with clues as to what happened, or just straight up Bucky’s frozen body which starts defrosting as soon as Steve tries to move him, causing Bucky to start waking up. They have to cuddle for warmth, obviously. Bucky wakes up delirious and with a face full of Steve's pecs

BUCKY LEAVES STEVE BUCKY-THEMED POST-ITS

One of those AUs where Bucky is doing covert surveillance on Steve after the fall of Hydra. He finds Bucky Barnes themed merchandise online, including some Bucky Barnes post it notes, maybe from a queer Bucky x Steve zine, or queer superheroes zine. Whenever he wants Steve to know something he writes it one of the post its and leaves it for him to find. (This AU is best served comedic.)

STEVE IS THE ONLY PERSON WHO REMEMBERS BUCKY EXISTED

When Steve gets to the future, Bucky’s picture isn’t in the Smithsonian. Peggy doesn’t remember him; Howard never mentioned him to Tony. It’s like when he fell off the train he fell out of existence. It's to the point where people are thinking Steve made Bucky up. But he didn't make him up. Bucky was real. And clearly, something worse than falling off a train happened to him, and Steve won't rest until he gets to the bottom of it and proves to the world that Bucky was real and he mattered. And maybe even brings him home.

BUCKY AND STEVE HAVE A MAGIC BOND

Vague idea where Steve and Bucky have some kind of life bond where if one dies the other does. The flip side of this is that as Steve stayed alive in the ice for all those years, Bucky wouldn’t have died or aged, just the same as Steve. Could’ve escaped capture due to some of the other properties of this bond and been the one at Steve’s bedside when he woke up.

BUCKY AND STEVE ARE TELEPATHIC

When Steve goes into the ice, Bucky can't hear him in his mind anymore and falls into emptiness. The Winter Soldier is characterised by this emptiness... until Steve defrosts and the bond reactivates. When Bucky is taken out of cryo for a mission, he is unceremoniously booted out of this mental solitude and has to fake being the Winter Soldier while trying to figure out what happened, re-establishing his link with Steve, and getting back to him. Steve can hear Bucky's voice in his mind and they’re desperately trying to figure things out together. Steve goes to Fury and begs for help. Fury may or may not help, but some of the Avengers definitely will - especially Natasha, Clint, and/or Sam.

BUCKY AND STEVE ARE A PAIR OF SUPERHEROES

Erskine doesn't just see Steve at the Stark Expo, he sees Steve AND Bucky - perfect for his plan to create a pair of super soldiers. He wants to make sure that unlike with Schmidt, love is a necessary part of his super soldier creation process. (Bonus points for an Erskine who is familiar with the work of Magnus Hirschfeld and REALLY recognises Steve and Bucky for what they are...) As a result, Steve and Bucky end up sharing their health and their power between them. If one gets hurt, the other takes part of their pain and they can heal each other when they work together.

When Steve wakes up in 2012 he really struggles. He constantly has a low to mid level headache which spikes sharply at times to the point of giving him seizures, and his left arm and shoulder always hurt. It's theorised that it's permanent damage from the plane crash that he can no longer repair because Bucky is dead and they can't heal each other anymore. Then, after the battle against the Chitauri he has even more permanent injuries, such as limited mobility, so many that he has to retire from active fieldwork.

But in fact, Bucky is alive, and the headaches and arm pains are Bucky's injuries. When Steve and Bucky reunite, Steve convinces Bucky to listen for long enough for teach him how their powers work. They start to heal each other, Bucky restoring Steve's physical strength and power and Steve healing the wounds to Bucky's brain, restoring his memories. Natasha and Sam are amazed to see Steve suddenly standing to his full height without a trace of chronic pain or difficulty moving.

In the fun, smutty version of this AU, when one of them gets turned on they can share the feeling between them.

ROLESWAP AU

Steve is found by Hydra in the Arctic; Bucky fell into a glacier in the Alps and is defrosted by global warming or found by hikers like Otzi the Iceman. Only you can imagine the fucked up anti-hero Steve would be turned into by Hydra, while Bucky has to take on a superhero persona in his absence, with an arm made of Starktech. Or maybe Steve just straight up goes feral rather than being of actual use to Hydra, but they keep him in cryo anyway because technology is always advancing and they might be able to use his biological material to create a clone with a blank mind one day. Basically, Bucky gets to be a superhero, and Steve has to be rescued and recover like the Winter Soldier before he can be himself again.

STEVE IS A GOD OF DEATH & BUCKY IS A GOD OF SEX

Steve is happy to swing his scythe down on the Nazis, and Bucky is eagerly waiting the forthcoming baby boom. It's kinda a problem that Schmidt has the Tesseract, though. Someone needs to do something about that. It's real cute that Schmidt thinks he can stop them from getting it back. He has no idea who he's dealing with.

Alternately, Steve is a demon of pestilence and Bucky is a concubus (incubus or succubus but without the gender roles, you pick what suits your headcanon). And they are getting real fuckin tired of all these damn Nazis coming through the gates of hell, and decided to go have fun on Earth instead of stamping Nazi afterlife residence visas.

BUCKY & STEVE WERE PRISONERS TOGETHER

Bucky and Steve were strangers captured from different locations and brought together at a Hydra base. They were in neighbouring cells and found creative ways to communicate, perhaps making up a code composed of tapping sounds. They knew that the day would come where their minds broke, but they held out longer together than they would have without each other. Steve remembers the day Bucky came back and wasn’t Bucky anymore, and soon after that Steve wasn’t Steve anymore either.

Eventually, the brainwashed Steve and Bucky are separated; Bucky is sent to Russia to go do the Red Room thing while Steve remains in America. Steve escapes Hydra and slowly remembers who he is. One day he meets Bucky, who is still brainwashed. Either Steve doesn’t recognise Bucky because he never saw his face, or he thinks he recognises Bucky but the part of Bucky that knew him is truly lost. Eventually something sparks a use of their old code and they realise it’s each other and they’re alive and they both made it.

BUCKY & STEVE ARE BOUND BY THE RED STRING OF FATE

Steve and Bucky don’t meet in their childhood. However, they are bound by the red string of fate. The closer they get to each other, the easier it is for them to see the string. Coincidentally, the times they get closer together are also the times when both of them are in mortal peril. For example, Azzano — Bucky is close to death and Steve is going into an active war zone for the first time. But also during childhood, maybe Steve is sick all the time and sees the string a lot, whereas Bucky is a carefree child not paying attention and just doesn't notice it even though Steve is nearby.

The first time they really meet is on the bridge in DC in the future. It’s then that they notice their red string of fate is connected to each other. Each concludes that they are destined to die by the other’s hand. At the end of the fight, one of them says something about how they can see the string. When they realise they can both see it, it instantly changes their perspective on what it means.

By actively choosing to follow the string, they can save each other. Bucky diving into the Potomac after Steve is the first time either of them ever actively chose to follow the string instead of running away from it.

BBC MERLIN AU

This one is pretty self explanatory. Steve would be a great king, and Bucky would be good at getting everyone to love him and secretly supporting Steve with magic. Although you could definitely also do this the other way around with small!Steve as Merlin and Bucky as the charismatic king.

LAST KNIGHT AU

This is an obscure AU based on the book series The Last Knight by Hilari Bell. Steve is a knight who goes around helping people and doing the right thing, no matter that nobody understands him and why he's doing it. Bucky is a cynical ex-thief, ex-conman who acts as Steve's "squire" as they travel together through a pseudo mediaeval setting.

HOWL'S MOVING CASTLE AU

I just think small!Steve would be a hilarious Sophie. And Bucky could be like movie Howl. Charming, a cool bird man… and they have the “look for me in the future!” moment. The premise of Bucky being cursed and waiting for Steve to un-curse him is good.

PEGGY IS THE BLACK WIDOW

What if Peggy was the one at Steve's bedside when he woke up in the future? What if she was there because she was the Black Widow, or a superhero with similar powers?

…Maybe she gets shots made out of the vials of Steve's blood that were collected, but her version of the serum wears off if not reapplied. She has to get them monthly, and it’s always painful. But she does it anyway because she thinks the world still needs her.

And of course, Peggy and Natasha get along like a house on fire. Finally Natasha has another female superhero in her sausage fest of a team.

BUCKY & PEGGY RESCUE STEVE

After Steve's plane goes down, Peggy rescues Bucky and the two of them look for Steve in the arctic together. I just thought it'd be neat to have Peggy and Bucky working together to save Steve, instead of Steve saving them.

PEGGY IS A "VILLAIN" EXCEPT SHE'S NOT

After Steve arrives in the future, he encounters a female supervillain supposedly working against the US government. She seems to have a particular fascination for him and keeps trying to kill him… or that's how those around him interpret her behaviour, anyway. Steve gets the feeling she actually just wants to talk to him. Eventually he is shocked to discover that the supervillain is Peggy.

It turns out Peggy is working against the government and Shield because she was the first person to find out it was infiltrated by Hydra. After Steve joins her, she reveals her greatest secret — that the Winter Soldier is real and alive and working with her. In fact, it was the strange resistance of those around her to looking for Bucky’s body that first caused her to start digging deeper into Shield’s personnel.

Note: This was inspired by the character Peggy’s actress (Hayley Atwell) plays in Mission Impossible: Dead Reckoning. The movie is dreadful, but Hayley Atwell is wonderful.

THE HOWLIES CRASH THE BATTLE OF NEW YORK

AU where the Howlies seek out Bucky after he falls of the train and manage to actually find him. They rescue him and steal some of Zola’s tesseract experiments at the same time. They use these experiments to open a portal to the place where they're "most needed". It take them to the future just in time for the Battle of New York, where they appear as glowing blue ghosts with a bit of extra magic to compensate for their older technology. Steve has to deal with the emotions of seeing his old friends, so strong and so alive, while simultaneously fighting the Chitauri. Of course the Howlies get along great with the rest of the Avengers. Steve probably lies to them and says he's fine being alone in the future, but they see right through him and must each decide whether they want to make their time travel permanent. Of course Bucky will stay with Steve. The rest could go either way depending on your vision.

THE HOWLIES ARE UNMOORED IN TIME

Similar premise to previous, only this time the Howlies don't go straight to 2012. Instead, they start working their way forward in time by appearing during any war or armed conflict where they can help. They ALWAYS show up on the side of the good guys, whether the good guys are American or not. Often they're not there to engage in direct combat, but to rescue hostages and POWs, protect civilians, stop superweapons from being used, etc. They become a legend, as everyone knows a guy who knows a guy who caught a glimpse of the Howlies doing something heroic, but most people don't believe those stories are real. When Steve is defrosted, he thinks it's a nice legend, especially since Bucky is included in it... until the day they finally arrive to help with a conflict that Steve is involved in.

STEVE HAS A PROSTHETIC THAT MATCHES BUCKY'S

No details to this one, I just thought it'd be neat. An outward sign of Steve's usually invisible trauma, and a sign of the ties to each other that fate seems to have placed on them both.

*

That's it! Hope you all like the ideas. May they give you many enjoyable daydreams. Feel free to send me an ask or DM me on my main (voxiferous) if you want to talk about any of these ideas!

[mushroom-through-the-stargate]

"fifth race" this, "second evolution" that. I think the Tau'ri specifically are the foretold returned Ancients.

with very few exceptions, Earth is the only place that has people with the ATA gene

Earth is where the Ancients evacuated to after they lost the war with the wraith

the earth stargate programme is the one that has explored, rediscovered, and activated the most Ancient devices and bases (Antarctica, Atlantis, that ship in SGU, the Ancient libraries, all of Merlins stuff, all of Oma Desala's stuff, all of Morgan Le Fays stuff, the list goes on)

Earth has made contact with the Asguard, the Nox, the Tollans, the Wraith and some other allies

Earth has made contact with actual Ancients and even had at least one Ascend and come back (Daniel)

[sugar-coated-prat-dragon]

Title: The reason Arthur wasn’t officially named the crowned prince earlier 👑

Bonus: Tristan De Bois crest was a silver eagle 🦅

Episode: "Excalibur" questions #2

Questions by @tansyuduri

Tagging: @miyriu

Books used for reference: Sword and Sorcery book, Merlin Heroes Guide and Merlin Villains Guide ����

Question: Why was Arthur not considered crown prince already as the eldest son and only apparent heir?

My answer: That’s a REALLY good question.

Thankfully, I have the answer. 👌

Arthur’s official crowning ceremony was not only to celebrate his coming of age, but to show that should it become necessary; he could rule the kingdom with no need for advisers or guardians.

Book description:

Arthur had come of age now; should it become necessary, he could rule the kingdom with no need for advisers or guardians.

His coming of age was marked by the ceremony naming him Crown Prince of Camelot.

Question: So apparently throwing down a gauntlet was supposed to be a huge insult?

My answer: Correct.

In the book, it mentions that even Merlin had been with Arthur long enough to know that the knight's code did not allow such a challenge to be ignored.

Book description:

The knight pulled off one black metal gauntlet and flung it to the floor - the knightly way of issuing a challenge to combat.

Merlin had been with Arthur long enough to know that the knight's code did not allow such a challenge to be ignored.

Question: It’s interesting that Sir Owain picked up the gauntlet, because in the legend, he was one of the last to die at the battle of Camlann?

My answer: Unfortunately, Sir Owain didn’t last nearly long to enough to participate in the battle of Camlann, but according to his ‘Hero Rating’ in the Heroes Guide book, he had a weapon prowess of 4 stars (⭐️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️).

The book admits that the deaths of Sir Owain and Sir Pellinor robbed Camelot of two of its bravest defenders.

That’s quite a compliment.

Book description: HERO RATING

Bravery: 大大大

Magical power: 0

Weapon prowess: 大大大大

Selflessness: 大大大

NOBLE KNIGHTS OF CAMELOT: Arthur went to pick it up but Sir Owain took it first, eager to prove himself and face an enemy on behalf of his king.

Even when the Black Knight announced that the fight would be to the death, Owain showed no fear.

Owain bravely and confidently went into the arena.

He dealt a deadly blow to the Black Knight, but the wraith could not be killed by a mortal weapon.

- The magic of the wraith robbed Camelot of two of its bravest defenders.

Question: I find it interesting that Tristan uses his own personal crest and not his family crest?

Geoffrey: “It is the crest of Tristan De Bois.”

Gaius: “And he is the only knight ever to have carried such a crest”.

My answer: It’s certainly possible that was his personal crest, but I personally, don’t think that is what that sentence implies.

They pointedly said Tristan De Bois was the only “knight” (🛡️) to bear the crest.

Which honestly would make s lot of sense given how Ygraine was obviously not a knight and I very much doubt Agravaine (coward 😒) was one either.

Despite the fact, the knights of Medhir lived three centuries before Uther’s reign (so there were in fact knights in the past).

We also know that Camelot’s first knights were formed by Uther himself, when he took the throne.

So the De Bois line (Ygraine’s family) most likely had no knights that bore their family crest before or after Tristan’s death.

Gaius: ‘Uther created the knights to protect this kingdom from those who wished to destroy it.”

Book description:

DEATHLY KNIGHTS: Three centuries before Uther's reign, seven noble knights were seduced by a sorcerer and became a terrible force that swept through the land, bringing death and destruction.

Question: It looks like the symbol on Tristan De Bois’s crest is an eagle?

So Tristan was likely a strong man and military leader, who was sincere and constant in his personality?

My answer:

1. The crest was definitely an eagle. 🦅 A silver eagle on a black background.

2. However, I don’t think it was Tristan’s “personal” crest (I don’t even think they even chose their own crests at all).

More likely, it was the crest of the De Bois family and since they were a noble family, they probably had that crest for many generations of their family tree.

It’s just that none of that family tree happened to be knights and therefore no one ever bore that symbol on a sheild.

Book description: Sir Tristan's crest was a silver eagle on a black background.

[wraith-demjin]

I really hope Colin Morgan and Bradley James know how much Merlin and Arthur and Merlin's relationship meant to people. I don't have the words the describe it partially because I'm crying but I just really hope they know and I wish I could meet them from many reasons but partially just to tell them that

[fayewoods-2]

Is The Following Synopsis Good For My Story

One night a teenage half demon is whisked away from the only world he’d known, that of an evil circus who exploited the poor boy as one of their ‘freak shows’. He’s thrown into a quest with a pair of slightly malicious wraiths and a not so malicious catgirl, journeying to learn of his demonic heritage, so that one day he might control his powers and prevent the destruction of himself and those he loves at his own hands. Along the way, they meet Merlin himself, whom gives instructions to find the elusive primordial being Evil, the only one who would know who this boy is descended from, and how to control his emerging demonic power…

[xreaderbooks]

The Shadows of Our Love |3|

Chapter 3 | In the Shadow of Evasion

Pair: Sebastian Sallow x Reader

Word Count: 2.5k

Warnings: slow burn, language

Summary: Y/n had DADA and a group date in Hogsmeade

Also available on Wattpad and AO3

Playlist

a/n: let me know if you'd like to be tagged for future parts... picture is not mine, credit to @legacyshenanigans

Chapter 2 - Series Masterlist - Navigation - Chapter 4

The passing week went by as soon as it started with most- if not all your classes with the boy who was keen to avoid you for all of eternity it seems. Every attempt to talk to him was shut down with him quickly walking away in the opposite direction or talking to one of your classmates, finding any and every excuse to seem too busy to talk.

It hurt, you didn’t know what you did wrong, as far as you knew with the last exchange of letters, everything should be fine. He was getting along with Ominis despite the fact that you were the one who convinced him not to turn Sebastian in. Being a part of someone’s life, dueling side-by-side in life-risking situations, it’s almost impossible not to grow feelings.

You shared moments that one would dare call ‘bonding time’, fighting off all kinds of monstrosities, helping him find a cure for Anne no matter how drastic. You were his support when his own best friend wasn’t, and in a way he became yours. Poppy and Natty aside, he became a huge part of your life at Hogwarts, learning the secrets of your shared house (made you feel like you had a special connection with him), and especially out of Hogwarts with all the dangerous situations you both got involved in.

You foolishly thought he shared the same sentiment.

You felt betrayed, betrayed, and angry. You thought you were giving him space to heal, thinking you needed to heal on your own as well, you didn’t think you were giving Sebastian the perfect excuse to disappear on you.

When you walked into the Defense against the Dark Arts classroom on Friday morning, you were determined to get answers. He would speak to you whether he wanted to or not, one conversation was all you needed.

“Today I will be introducing the topic of Nonverbal Spells,” Professor Hecat announced to the class as soon as everyone had arrived.

The only familiar faces are Sebastian (of course, You thought), Leander Prewitt, and Cressida Blume.

Leander raised his hand, “But Professor, I thought we were going to continue our lesson on Dementors.”

Last class, Professor Hecat gave a lecture on the soul-sucking wraiths, their strengths, what they feed off of, and the charm that repels them. It was expected that you would be learning how to cast a patronus but she had other plans.

“I can understand that some of you are excited to produce a patronus charm,” She walked around the class and placed her hand on his shoulder as she passed him. “However it is more difficult than it may seem, Non-verbal spells and counter spells are just as exciting, Mr. Prewitt.”

“ Now, I would like for you all to divide into pairs, one partner will attempt to jinx the other without speaking. The other will attempt to repel the jinx in equal silence.”

You searched the room with your eyes dreading pairing with literally anyone other than Sebastian, due to the current status of your friendship, your choice would be either one of the Gryffindors that you were sort of acquaintances with.

“Mr. Sallow, I’d like for you to be paired with Ms. L/n,” Professor Hecat declares and motions for the two of you to take up an open spot on the floor. It looked like Cressida was headed for Sebastian and Leander was headed towards you. “Both of you are my most skilled students, it would do you both well to get a feel for Non-verbals, that way shall I need any assistance going further, you two will be more than capable.”

Sebastian look as if he wanted to protest but didn’t, you on the other hand were thanking Merlin for the opportunity, perhaps this lesson will be able to break the silence between you. Ironically.

“Sebastian, Why don’t you start?” The older woman suggested. “Y/n, try your best to block him. I’ll be walking around the room, checking everyone’s progress.”

You and Sebastian stood facing each other, 5 feet apart as everyone else was. There was no humor in his gaze as there normally was, you had gotten used to his jokes, the flirty comments that suggested more than there actually was between the two of you. When it was just the two of you on a quest, he had an easygoing manner that made fighting off villains, easier.

Now, in class, the intent in his gaze, was nowhere near humorous as he focused on the conjuration of a spell to attack you with.

You kept your ground, waiting for the blow, not sure what to expect from him. Your thoughts were soon answered as several moments passed and the knockback jinx sent you to the floor.

“Are you even trying?” Sebastian retorted, as you lifted yourself off the ground, nothing you haven’t dealt with before. The comment though, reminded you of the argument you had with him last year when he called you ignorant after finding out you were in league with Lodgok.

Oh, Lodgok. You shook the memory of the goblin who had been a victim of his own brother's wrath and how you wished you would’ve been able to defeat Ranrok before it was too late.

Another blast sent your way, you scowled dusting yourself off, once again standing from the floor.

“I’m fine Sebastian, thank you for asking,” You sighed and focused harder this time. You widened your stance, now that you knew what to prepare for, you felt the magical aura rise, and as you felt the vibration in your wand, with the perfect timing you blocked the spell with your wand. “My turn.”

You mentally think of the spell you wanted to use, nothing came to mind except for the sharp sting of his words.

His eyes narrowed for a second before going back to normal, steadying his stance to focus as you did before.

You willed a spell, any spell to counter his previous moves, the feeling of magic in your veins you wanted a stinging jinx one that would hurt him. A dull hum sang in the back of your head, familiar and consuming.

You tried to refocus on the stinging jinx, or a knockback spell, anything to bubble up your ancient magic. You winced as your wand sputtered out red, green, and purple sparks.

Sebastian had a hand on his hip, his head tilted as he observed you.

“Do you mind?” You shot at him, you felt the heat rise from your neck at the embarrassment.

“Not at all,” He smirked. You wished you could conjure something, anything to wipe the amusement of your failure off of his face. You weren’t used to not being good at something, it had been a long time since you felt a failure at the hands of something magical.

You sighed and attempted to will a single spell into your wand without saying a word, and every time, you felt the icy blue glow that came from your veins.

You both settled on him practicing jinxing you and you, blocking them. At the least, you were successful in doing that, but the glow from inside you never faltered, it was like it was absorbing all the power sent your way.

Professor Hecat dismissed the class after the second hour, encouraging you and your classmates to keep practicing and to begin thinking of one of your happiest memories, listing them if you had to, and turn in a paper on why it was your happiest memory for homework.

Leaving the Defense against the Dark Arts classroom, you searched for Sebastian, in hopes of being able to tell him and thing or two about his treatment of you this past week.

Once again, he was gone before you could reach him.

~~~

The dorm was empty when you got there.

You got dressed into your usual brown pants, white blouse, and blue corset with a belt around your waist, lacing up your almost knee-high boots. It reminded you of the adventures you used to go on, making you reminisce, despite the dangerous feats you had to admit you missed it.

You descended the steps of the girl's dormitory and into the common room when you caught sight of Ominis who was already moving toward you.

“Hello, Y/n.”

“Hi,” You greeted him, placing a hand on his shoulder so he would know where you were.

“Have you spoken to him?”

You didn’t need him to specify who ‘him’ was, unfortunately, what happened just 30 minutes ago left a bitter taste in your mouth.

“Not exactly…”

“He was in quite a mood in the Undercroft,” He exhaled. “I was simply minding my business when I hear the gate shut and he begins casting spells like a madman.”

You smile to yourself fondly at knowing Ominis ‘minding his own business’ actually meant taking a nap. Sebastian’s behavior was a surprise, in fact, you knew that is what he chose to do with his free time, especially when letting off steam but you couldn’t find yourself to care at the moment.

“I’m sorry to hear that he disturbed your peace Ominis, but he was in no mood to speak with me, nor I him for that matter. I tried to catch up with him after class, to tell him a piece of my mind- he’ll no doubt tell you about it when he’s ready- and he was gone.”

Ominis hummed in thought, you glanced at the clock, noticing it was almost lunchtime. You and the others had agreed to go to the three broomsticks for lunch, so you would all have the rest of the day to walk around and shop before dark.

“Garreth and I are going to Hogsmeade with a group if you’d like to join?”

“That’s alright, I should be checking on Sebastian, see if I can get him to stop being… well him.”

“Okay, next time then.”

He bowed his head as he used his wand to guide him to the boy’s dormitories. You climbed the stairs up and out of the common room, hearing the sound of the cement snake slither into an arch, you walk to the great hall entrance where you saw Garreth pacing around.

You cast the disillusionment charm, creeping up behind him and shouting in his ear. He jumped and screamed, it was a high-pitched one that echoed in the moderately full hall.

He clutched his chest, “You!”

You laughed heartily at his expression, “That was for yesterday. What are you doing out here for?”

“Well, meanie.” He lightly pushed you, “I thought of waiting for you in front of the Slytherin door like a gentleman but… you know, Gryffindor.”

“Aw, Garreth are you scared of a couple of Slytherins?”

He glared at you playfully, “Shut up.”

Footsteps, loud and heavy came closer from running. “Wait!”

Imelda slowed to a jog, stopping once in front of you and Garreth.

“I’m coming with you.”

You raised a brow in suspicion, “Really?”

“Ugh, don’t act so surprised Y/n, you said I didn’t know how to have fun.”

“So, you’re willingly coming with us?”

She shot you a look, weaving between the two of you, opening the Great hall doors and holding it open for you. “Well?”

You looked over at Garreth who shrugged. “You’re that desperate to prove me wrong.”

You and Garreth walk alongside Imelda, seeing Poppy and Natty sitting by the fountain with Leander and Nellie.

“I can be fun, I consider Quidditch fun, not my fault you lot can’t feel the greatness of winning. But since this is what you losers consider fun, I’ll try it.”

“Okay,” You responded simply. The sight of Leander trying and failing at flirting with Poppy makes you cringe. “Why’d you invite him?”

Garreth’s face held something cold, something you’d never seen from him, no matter what the circumstance. “He invited himself.”

“Let’s how this goes then,” You braced yourself for Leander's overbearing presence.

Natty and Poppy greeted you with a hug, and smiles for Imelda, Poppy gave Garreth a shy wave. One he returned with equal warmth in his cheeky grin.

~~~

The three broomsticks were busy as per usual so seating was a bit complicated but once a couple of people left, the boys who had let you girls take the available seats first (much to Leander's dismay), they were able to sit.

Lunch made by Sirona was arguably one of the best meals you’ve ever eaten, the time flew by with your friends, and Leander made more than a few distasteful jokes but nothing that could’ve ruined the good vibes.

You all got to catch up, sharing stories on what you were all up to during the summer.

Poppy helped her grandmother with her research on unicorn blood and its benefits, Natty went back to Matabeleland with her mother but only for a short period of time because of safety, you and Garreth told them about how it was to live together.

You both confessed to having a bit of a fling… mouths were left open, and jaws dropped. Imelda smugly said she called it.

“It was too weird, he’s like a brother now,” You said. “It was only for a month and a half towards the end of summer.”

“A month and a half?” Leander exclaimed.

“Who broke up with who?” Natty asked.

“It was mutual,” Garreth answered. “And gee thanks, Y/n/n.”

You rolled your eyes, knowing why you both decided to break up with each other, it was fun and a nice distraction. You had always found Garreth attractive and apparently so did he, but your heart belonged to Sebastian and he belonged to an unknown girl. The only time Garreth made a mature decision, it was easy to confuse the two when you both aching for other people.

You both knew that though your relationship could have continued, as a couple, you didn’t have the spark.

You chose to leave out the romantic feelings for other people.

“Now that I know red hair is your type-” Leander began.

“Leander!” Nellie smacked the boy behind the head.

She then, thankfully, changed the subject to her new hobby which sounded all kinds of risky. A new sport apparently, called rock climbing, she loved all things that gave her a thrill. Only a handful of people knew how to do it in the world, safely, that is.

All in all, a brilliant time, you had all agreed to do this every other week, just send an owl if you couldn’t make it. The rest of the night was spent strolling around Hogsmeade, looking at all the new in-season merchandise.

~~~

You and Imelda stumbled into the common room, tripping over yourselves and giggling. She took Quidditch too seriously, but other than being desperately passionate about the sport, she was a nice hang. She proved as much throughout your time, hardly being as stuck up as she normally was for literally everything.

Your cheeks hurt from smiling so much, it had been a while since you felt this light.

That was, until she said goodnight, noticing how quiet you got. You stood stunned at Sebastian sitting in his usual armchair in front of the fire, book in hand, he stared at you as you stared at him.

Seconds, minutes, passed, and he broke the silent staring contest by going back to his book. You strolled passed him, pretending what passed between you, never happened. 

~~~

Chapter 4

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