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mca-attack21 · 3 years ago

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Damsel in Distress part I

This is a two part Arthur Pendragon x Reader based on the season two episode four of the show. Enjoy! Also you can find more of my writing here: Masterlist

Merlin woke up to a feeling of foreboding. There was something in the air that made his stomach turn with dread. As he prepared to go wake his clotpole of a master, he tried to push this feeling out of the forefront of his mind. But even as he made it down to the kitchen there was this sense of apprehension in the air. He hoped that he would run into you somewhere in the halls and that you would be able to set his mind at ease. He however was not so fortunate.

Instead, he trudged onward, setting Arthur’s food down and opening his curtains before declaring a half-hearted, “Rise and Shine” before quickly gathering some of his clothes to be washed. Arthur didn’t even have time to come up with a jest before Merlin was out of the door. Merlin busied himself, quickly polishing Arthur’s armor and completing other daily chores. He mentally prepared himself to deal with the prince as returned to his door.

“Ah, there you are, I was beginning to think you were avoiding your duties. And what’s this?” he asked, watching as Merlin laid everything out, “You’re actually doing your job for once? Are you feeling alright?” Arthur joked.

His smile soon turned to a frown as Merlin ignored his comments. He shrugged it off and allowed Merlin to help him dress and put on his armor. While Arthur was looking over some papers on his table he noticed that Merlin had already made his bed and was starting to take the dishes from the table.

“Merlin, clearly something is upsetting you,” Arthur pointed out.

“It’s nothing sire, do you need anything else?” Merlin asked with his back against the door.

“No, that will be all,” Arthur dismissed, sending a concerned glance towards his friend as he exited.

Merlin took leave and went back to his chambers to help Gaius. He tried to occupy his mind, but nothing he did seemed to ease that burning pit in his stomach. Something had happened, was happening, or was about to happen, he could feel it.

Somewhat abruptly, he decided that he needed to see you. He went to seek out Morgana, as you were filling in for Gwen while she was taking care of her brother. He knew that wherever Morgana was, you wouldn’t be far away.

It was in his search that he saw a few of the knights rushing for an audience with the king. Something had happened. Merlin followed at a close distance and listened in.

“As you know Sire Morgana, her maid, and a few knights rode for a pilgrimage to her father’s grave early this morning. They were meant to be back by now, but there is no word or sign of them. That was until one of the patrols came across one of the knight’s horses. I am afraid something went wrong..”

“Send men out immediately. Arthur, you will lead the search, do whatever you must to bring her home,” the King ordered concerned for his young ward.

“Of course father,” Arthur answered before hastily making an exit. Merlin was right on his heels, and left to prepare their horses.

---

The mercenaries had both you and Morgana in a tent with a guard posted right outside the doors. The two of you had come up with a plan, it was risky at best. However you were both aware of the fact that the further away from Camelot you traveled, the less likely you were to ever see it again.

“Are you ready for this?” Morgana asked, preparing herself.

“As ready as I’ll ever be”

She was about to step forward when you grabbed her arm, “No matter what happens, I want you to take any opportunity you get. Don’t worry about me. Promise.”

“There is no way I’m leaving without you.”

“Morgana, you have to promise me. I cannot bear the risk otherwise.”

“I promise, but only as long as you promise me the same. We take any opportunity we get.”

With that, the plan was in motion. Morgana demanded that she be allowed to bathe and you both were escorted to the river by two of the men. You took the distraction of her undressing to manage to disarm one of the men and tossed Morgana the sword just in time for her to take out the other. The two of you started running back towards the castle, but there was another mercenary that intercepted you. Being as you were the one with the sword you opted to fight him, thankful for the many hours you had spent training with Arthur when you were younger. Morgana turned back to help you.

“Go, I will be right behind you!” you shouted, watching her hesitate, “Morgana go! Now!”

She turned and ran only looking back when she heard your scream in the distance. She quickly picked up her pace again and ran without looking back. She pushed through the aching in her muscles until she was faced with a crossbow aimed at her face. Relief filling her features as soon as she saw its holder.

“Where’s Y/n?” Arthur asked immediately.

Morgana merely shook her head and Arthur turned before his face could give him away. Merlin pushed down his own feelings and went to Morgana to make sure she was okay and offer her water and food. They set off immediately for the castle and soon came the reunion between Uther and Morgana. She begged him to send out another search party for you, after all you had saved her life.

“I am not going to waste the time and resources on a servant girl who has most likely already been executed as she provides no worth to the mercenaries without you,” he explained to Morgana. The words cut Arthur deeper than any sword ever had.

“Please, there is still a chance. Arthur?” she turned towards him hoping he would take her side.

“I’m sorry Morgana, father is right” Arthur managed before turning and exiting a very angry Merlin on his heels.

“How could you say that? How could you possibly agree with him after everything that you and Y/n have been through? I knew you were a clotpole, but this, this is unforgivable!” Merlin all but shouted.

“Merlin Shut Up!” Arthur raised his volume before regaining his composure as he entered his chambers, “Of course I don’t agree with father, but there was no point in making a scene about it. We will pack and leave at first light. We will find her, one way or another.”

Merlin was speechless for a moment, before uttering an apology for overreacting before. He was then quick to leave and make the preparations for the next day as it was already early night.

The next morning he was surprised to see that Arthur had managed to not only wake himself up, but dress himself. He was looking over maps as Merlin entered. Soon the two of them were off on their quest to save the damsel in distress. The rode for the better part of the day before coming to a caves that were inhabited by wilddeoren. As they made it through the other side Arthur let out a breath he hadn’t even known he was holding, “I can’t believe the Gaia berries actually worked.”

“Hold up, you mean to tell me that you didn’t know that they would work before you lead us in a cave with giant flesh eating rats!”

“I mean not for sure, I heard stories, but I figured we’d find out one way or another.”

“Now you tell me?! Oh! Oh, what's that wilddeoren eating? It's all right. It's just Merlin. You trying to get us both killed?”

“I'm sorry. I shouldn't've risked your life like that,” Arthur said a new hint of seriousness in his voice.

“I didn’t realize that even the great Arthur Pendragon could fall victim to the blindness of love,” Merlin joked.

“What in the world are you going on about?

“Your feelings for Y/n. Why can’t you admit that you like her? I mean you are risking your life and even your father’s wrath just for a one in a hundred chance of rescuing her.

Arthur scoffed rolling his eyes, “She is just a friend, I’d do the same for you. In fact I seem to remember disobeying my father before in order to get you an antidote when you decided to get a few days off my drinking out of a poisoned chalice.”

“That was different and you know it. Besides, anyone who has ever seen the two of you together can pick up on it. Why is it so hard to admit you like her? It’s only me, just say it,” Merlin encouraged.

“I can't! How can I admit that I think about her all the time. Or that...I care about her more than anyone. How can I admit that...I don't know what I'll do if any harm comes to her?” Arthur confessed struggling to keep his emotion in check.

“Why can't you?”

“Because nothing can ever happen between us! To admit my feelings knowing that...hurts too much.”

“Who's to say nothing can happen?”

“My father won't let me rescue a servant. Do you honestly believe he'd let me marry one?”

“You want to marry Y/n?”

“No! I mean maybe someday...I...I don't know...Regardless, it's all talk, and that's all it can ever be.”

“When you're King, you can change that. If she feels the same way, she would wait for you.”

“I can't expect her to do that, it’s not fair to her. Besides, we don’t even know if she’s alive,” he said regretting the words even as they left his mouth because they caused his stomach to drop.

“I’m sure she’s fine Arthur. She knows that you’ll come for her and that hope will keep her alive.”

The words seemed to offer Arthur some comfort, “Come on. We've got a long trek ahead. Oh, and Merlin...if you dare tell anyone about this, I promise I will make your life a living hell.”

“You mean more than you do now?” Merlin joked, earning a playful smack from his friend.

#bbc merlin x reader #bbc merlin imagine #bbc merlin imagines #merlin bbc #merlin imagine #merlin imagines #king arthur x reader #arthur pendragon x reader #arthur pendragon imagine #arthur pendragon imagines

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stargazer-balladeer · 4 years ago

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What kind of boyfriend are they? [Persona]

Characters Included: Akira Kurusu, Akechi Goro, Yosuke Hanamura, Yu Narukami, Minato Arisato & Shinjiro Aragaki

Note: I'm mixing Persona 3, 4 & 5! :3 Except all of them are my fav characters (HUSBANDOS—) ahem. Anyway. I hope ya'll enjoy this :3 (This is over 500+ words... whOOPS--)

Reader’s Gender: Neutral

Warning: Spoilers

Akira Kurusu

-Akira is the kind of boyfriend that teases the heck out of you. Like he loves to fluster you so much from embarrassment, whether from kissing you in public or simply holding your hands. He'll have that smirk on his face, its always present. (You're wondering if it's permanent though—)

-But I can also see Akira as the guy who loves someone, really loves that one (aside from the fact that he dates multiple girls in the game—). The reason why he teases you is because he loves you, and for that reason, when he finds that you are close to fainting or uncomfortable, he'll stop teasing you. He doesn't want you fainting or uncomfortable around him!

-He's also a natural romantic guy. Like he'll give you flowers and gifts (or trinkets he found). He wants to spoil you so much but he has limited money, so he resorted to small gifts and trinkets that reminded him of you. Your dates consist of staying at the LeBlanc, enjoying the cafe itself or inside the attic (i.e: his room).

-He loves affection so much, but not because he's touch-starved, he simply just loves you so much (yes, I'll say it over and over again :3). If you want cuddles, then cuddles you get. No matter where, but I think he prefers it private since, you know, his reputation? He just doesn't want to affect your reputation because of his ;-; But kisses, on the other hand, he can do it even in public, he has no shame -3- He'll even leave a kiss on you for teasing purposes (and to see your flustered self). He'll just laugh at your reaction, finding every reaction you have is cute on you. (He also has a picture of you as his wallpaper in his phone :) and his friends knows it since he shows it to them.. he's so proud and in-love with you :3)

-But if you don't like or uncomfortable of affection or him touching you, he understands. He'll always ask permission before holding you or kissing you. He respects your privacy and comfort more than his own. If you find uncomfortable, then he'll find a way for it to make it comfortable with you.

-I can see Akira giving his s/o a piggyback-ride, no matter whether you weigh heavily or just right (but if you weigh very lightly, he'll be concerned). He really doesn't mind your weight at all (he likes to say you don't weigh a lot). I can also see him as a domestic guy, he learned how to cook (thanks to Sojiro) and learned to take care of animals (Morgana, lol).

-He's protective of you. If you're in the Phantom Thieves, double-protectiveness over you activated. He just doesn't want you to get hurt ;-; He's scared of losing you in the Metaverse. So if an attack is directed at you, he'll get the hit. If you get hit while he isn't paying attention (probably coming up a strategy), after the battle, he'll immediately patch you up or go to a nearby resting place. And I can also see the rest of the Team also being protective of you :3

-Akira is also observant about you, even if he doesn't look like it. So he knows immediately when you're upset or uncomfortable. In which case, he'll drag you away from the source immediately. Leaving that person dumbfounded.

-If you feel sad about something, the actions of Akira would depend on how severe your sadness or situation is (though they are still similar to one another). Did someone talk bad about you? Don't worry, Akira would hug you and voice out all of the good things about you (and probably imagine how he'll defeat that person's shadow). Did someone close to you recently die? Akira will bring some comfort food to you (or to his place if you went there) and comfort you while eating. Are you upset because of your grades? "Treasure.. have you seen Ryuji's?" but in all seriousness, he'll offer to help you study for the next test. Are you having a existential crisis? He'll also comfort you as he voice out how important you are to him, and that's the reason why he calls you his "treasure". Are you sad because everyone is unique and you're just you? Akira would say how special you are to him and that you don't need to stand out.

-Long story short, he'll comfort you no matter what. :) Can I have a Akira pls? -3- I'm getting jealous over here...

-But if he needs comforting, please comfort him ;-; Sometimes, all of the duties of handling his rehabilitation, school and being the Phantom Thief leader and people in general gets to him. He's still a kid— teenager. And it gets to him sometimes. He's the kind of guy that bottles his emotions up until it cannot anymore hold itself together. So please comfort this boi ;-;

-Overall, he's like a perfect boyfriend :)

Goro Akechi

-Akechi is somewhat-like Akira, yet different at the same time. He's hesitant to pursue or enter a relationship because of his Detective (and other) duties, he fear that he cannot handle a relationship because of that. So the word "surprise" might be an understatement at how Akechi feels as you, his now newly-announced s/o, told him that you just want to love him and lets him do whatever he does. Akechi was actually glad to have someone like you his s/o, someone who understands and love him at the same time. Akechi would be lying if he didn't find you attractive when you first meet.

-Akechi will tease you time from time, enjoying every reaction your making each time, it never fails to put a smile on his face. But he might not be into PDA, since he likes to keep your relationship a secret to the world (media). He tells you so that you won't have to fear about his fanbase. But in reality, he just fears that if Shido knows about you, he would use you against Akechi (which he doesn't like -3-).

-Let's face it, he has you as his wallpaper in his phone. Whenever he feels lonely or just have a moment to himself, he'll just open his phone and stares at his wallpaper. He unconsciously smiles at you in the picture as he continues his day with a smile present on his face. Many people who's near to him noted how happy he was when he looks at his phone for some reason. But Akira manages to find out while he's raising his confidant level for Akechi :)

-Akechi would notice every quirks and twitches you have, since undoubtedly, he has a keen and observant eyes. He would immediately know which ones you like, which ones you don't like, how comfortable you are, how uncomfortable you currently are, and more. But that doesn't make him a stalker >:( He just wants to know which ones you prefer and how comfortable you are. He prioritizes your comfort over his :)

-Akechi always put his mask on around everyone else, but to you? His mask is slowly slipping away. If you play your cards right, he might reveal his true self to you and only you. But he won't tell you about Shido, since he still fears your safety. He tells you partly everything about his childhood, how his life is in the orphanage and all that. Akechi'll mentally prepare himself for you reaction, are you disgusted? Would you leave him now that you know? Those thoughts ran through his head. When (not if because you chose him, how dare you not accepting him >:(.) you accept him though, he'll start to cry.

-Akechi might not be a natural at being romantic, but he tries. I can see him as a gentlemen type though :3, like he'll open doors for you and pulls the chair for you. He'll also give you gifts and trinkets he saw while in his detective duties. I imagine him giving you your favorite flower every meeting (or dates) you two have, like if you're just walking and suddenly come across Akechi, he (for some reason) has your favorite flower at hand and ready to give it to you. Expect your house to be filled with flowers with how often you two meet.

-But its not everyday you two meet, note this. Akechi already warned you about his job since it takes up most of his time, so he's usually not able to meet you as often as he likes to. But he'll call or text you if he has free time, probably asking how you are and lets you rant about what happened during the day. Akechi loves hearing your voice, so he lets you rant as long as you want. If he's given a day-off (so rare ;-;), he'll want to spend it with you. Though he prefers to stay at home, but if you want to go somewhere, he'll concede.

-Your dates consist of going to restaurants, cafe and LeBlanc. This boi loves pancakes, so you better bring him to a restaurant where they serve pancakes X3. But if you can cook pancakes, Akechi would probably want to marry you on the spot :). Whenever you are in LeBlanc though, you would stare at the duo trying out-wit each other, its amusing to you how frustrated Akechi is and smug Akira is.

-But I can see Akechi being touch-starved since he doesn't have anyone while growing up, so he practically clings to you like a koala. But if you're uncomfortable with affectionate touches, he doesn't mind either. Just please hold his hand so that he feels safe (it also settles his mind and heart knowing you're still here by his side ;-;).

-If you're in the Phantom Thieves (oh boy, here we go), Akechi would be scared at the idea of having to kill you and the rest of the team. He knows how much the group of misfits means to you, but he knows he has to do the task he's given. So until that time come, just stay in his arms and let him love you while he still can ;-; (I'm making this depressing..). While still into the subject of comforting, if he starts to cry because of all the stress, please comfort him ;-; Though I can also see him pushing you away, in fear you'll get hurt. Just persist and continue to comfort him :) He'll slowly warm up to you.

-If you need comforting though, he'll get awkward and not know how to comfort you. Don't blame him though (because he never had anyone, remember?). He'll try his best to comfort you, and by that I mean letting you cry as he holds you. He'll make you rant about what you're sad about, and just listens to you. After the crying mess, he'll drag you to the TV to watch a movie. He did this so that whatever the reason behind your crying would be temporarily be gone. But if it involve some school issues, he'll help you there since he knows about that area. But the others? Yeah, haha... no.

-Akechi isn't a perfect boyfriend but he tries :) (Just prepare yourself in breaking up with him when you reach Shido's Palace :(.)

Yosuke Hanamura

-Yosuke is a bit of a tease but not too much, only eliciting a reaction from you. Yosuke is also a bit shy when it comes to the subject of romance, so he might be awkward and shy at times (this is the moments where you have to take the lead). Like that time where he first asked you out on a date, he's so nervous that he stumbles with his words (the rest of his friends were cheering for him from behind). You have to connect the dots if you ever want to understand what he's trying to say, and you better say yes :)

-He's not really into PDA like most people expect (probably because of his somewhat-shyness). But he always likes to hold hands with you. Not many people know you two are together though, only his friends (and parents) since you two act like best friends still. His friends also relentlessly tease the both of you (mainly Yosuke though), much to his dismay.

-Yosuke also wants to spoil you so he spend all of his money getting what you want, so please don't abuse this and pLEASE MAKE HIM STOP! Because Yosuke might end up being more broke than ever ;-; He's too kind...

-Yosuke might take a while to get used to the fact that you two are a couple (since he's still hang-up with Saki's death), but when he does get used to it, prepare yourself. Yosuke loves giving you back-hugs, even more if its a back-hug you didn't expect. He just hugs you from behind and stuff his face into your neck or hair, either way they smell good. Yes, he loves your smell, got a problem? He also loves peppering you with kisses on your neck (not in a sensual way though!), he doesn't know why but he does it. If you're ticklish in that area, it just gives him a reason to do just that (he loves the sound of your laughter).

-He shares his headphones with you and lets you borrow it for the rest of the day if you want. He's also the kind of guy that if you're short, places his head on top of your head and arms around your figure and sway the both of you (I like this idea, it's too adorable >w<). Also the kind of guy that uses his height as an advantage to grab an item you need and hold it above his head while laughing as you try to get it back. This is his kind of teasing :)

-Your date consists of Junes or your place (not his because Teddie is there). Junes is his favorite place so if you want to date there, he'll be ecstatic. You two will sit there while eating the food you bought as you two talk about random things you two can think of. I think this is Yosuke's ideal date though, just relaxing and talking. But if his boredom comes to play, be prepared because he's gonna drag you away from Junes or your house and explore Inaba together. Boredom is what Yosuke fears afterall. If you two are hanging out in your house, be prepared for pillow fights and tickle fights because Yosuke is for sure gonna start it :)

-Yosuke would also might use some pick-up lines on you, some cheesy ones and some random ones. If you use a pick-up line on him as well, you two will have a pick-up contest on which one would have the best pick-up line ever. You two will also have inside jokes that only you two understand. Yosuke also loves you pouncing on him from behind and giving you piggy-back rides, but if its in public, he might get embarrassed.

-Being Yosuke's girlfriend also means being great friends with his, mainly Yu. Yu is Yosuke's partner (I SHIP IT!!) so he wants you to meet his partner. The team would instantly welcome you into their group, and they love you very much :3 Yu also hangs out with you and Yosuke, if you or Yosuke suggest it (he ain't telling being a third-wheeler :/). Teddie would also join in on your date if its at Junes, Yosuke easily getting angry at Teddie for interrupting your date.

-If you're in the Investigation Team, he'll get protective of you, acting like you're knight. He'll be damned if you get hit, so he mostly get the hits directed for you. But if you get hit, he'll sulk and beg forgiveness to you (even though its not either your faults that the Shadow is fast enough). He'll also help you train if you have a hard time with your Persona.

-Yosuke is observant and perspective so he notices your mood, quirks and twitches. He'll immediately notice if you're mood dampen, even if its a little he'll notice. He wants to immediately know what's wrong. If you want to cry, he'll let you cry as he holds you close. If you say "I'm fine", Yosuke would argue that you're clearly aren't. Either way, Yosuke would make sure to make you let it all out.

-If you're sad, he'll comfort you. Whatever the reason is, he'll know it later. The first thing to do is comfort you. He'll not immediately ask you to tell him, he'll let you take your time to explain to him why he found you crying (or sad). Is it about grades? Don't worry, it happens. Yosuke would teach you (he's intelligent, he just doesn't know it yet :3). Is it because of bullying (or someone talking bad about you)? Yosuke would get angry at them as he started to rant why they shouldn't do that and that you shouldn't listen to them. Is it because someone close to you died? Yosuke would remain silent as he just hugs you. Long story short, he'll comfort you in every way..

-Remember me stating Yosuke is observant? Yeah, I'm gonna bring it up again. Yosuke prioritizes your comfort over his, as he finds ways for you to be comfortable if you're uncomfortable. Yosuke always reassure you that he doesn't love Saki anymore, but in truth, he's just reassuring himself. But after Yosuke talked to Yu, he'll confront you about this. Please forgive him and comfort him ;-; he needs it. Afterall, first love is much harder to let go of..

-Overall, Yosuke loves and cherishes you. Please be patient with this man as he tries to move on from the death of his first love :)

Yu Narukami

-Yu is the kind of guy that also teases his s/o by kissing their nose, leaving unexpected kiss on the lips and surprising them by hugging them from behind. He loves every flustered reaction you have (and thinks its cute every time). He'll stop if you want, but if not, he'll continue to tease you with his teasing antics. He's also kind of childish (this is my perspective of Yu, don't judge :3) so while holding hands with you, he'll swing it back-and-forth, while also being careful not to hit anyone.

-People can tell that you two are immediately a couple though (from Yu's antics alone), since Yu is an affectionate partner to have. You know the thing where the person's significant other is sitting on a chair while the other is sitting on the floor and in-between their significant other's legs? Yu is on the floor while you are on the chair. This usually results in Yu putting your legs on his shoulders and carrying you around like that, not putting you down until class start or he has to (much to your dismay and embarrassment), which usually Yu reluctantly let you go.

-His friends would gag at the sight of you (Yosuke), but they're super supportive towards their Captain's relationship with you. But they would ask their Leader to tone down his affection towards you.

-Yu loves to cuddle you and peppering you with kisses all over your face, he has no shame (;-; or :)). He's also the kind of guy that stays faithful with one only, and stays with that person because when he loves, he really loves :3 (again, aside from the games :3). He wants you to know about his love for you, and the only way he knows how is engulfing you with it :) He is mature but he lets loose around you because he's so comfortable with you. He's also a domestic-kind of guy (similar to Akira). If you don't how to cook, don't worry! Yu is here to teach you how, starting how to make Curry.

-Yu lets you borrow his jacket (or hoodie) whenever its cold, and usually blush at the sight of you in his clothing. Its usually big since he's so freakin' tall -_- He'll also help you in your projects and homework, usually having it at either your home or his. Though in his, Nanako would pester you two (not in a bad way though). Oh, and also both Dojima and Nanako immediately accepts you as Yu's s/o. So no worries about there :)

-Your dates consist of either houses or exploring Inaba together. Yu's still new in Inaba so he wants to explore it while he still can. Whether you live there or recently moved there (like him) doesn't matter to him. Since you lived there, do you mind showing him around then? If not, don't worry, let's explore together! In houses though, you two just mostly chill. Talking about random stuff while listening to music or watching TV.

-I can see him as a guy that gives you your favorite flower and tuck it in your head :3 (Don't worry, he already got rid of the thorns in it). This guy lives for cheesiness :3 Oh, I forgot to mention. Teddie would tease you and Yu (though very ineffective) and worship you as well since your dating his sensei.

-If you're in the Investigation Team, he'll be very protective of you but he lets you fight (he trusts you that you won't intentionally get hurt :/). But if a Shadow hurt you, Yu would immediately kill it and tend to you. But when it comes to the lady boss (Adachi), Yu would ask you to not join the fight, in fear you would get hurt. If you persist enough, Yu would reluctantly let you join the battle in one condition, stay by his side.

-Yu is also an observant fellow, seemingly enough to figure out a person's true self, even if that person doesn't. Yu can tell if you're not being yourself or not in the mood, he will ask you instantly what's wrong. If you don't tell, Yu would get worried but doesn't press on. He's worried because (if you're not yet in the Team) you might appear in the Midnight Realm or your Shadow self will appear again. So please tell him what's wrong so that his worry will cease. If you do tell him, he'll listen to you.

-If you're sad, he'll comfort you. He'll do it everytime you feel sad or want to cry. He'll hold you close and either bask in silence or listening to you rant. Your choice :)

-Also, Yu spoils you so much to the point that you have to tell him to stop because he might get broke like Yosuke. But he always reassure you that he has spare money. But please stop this boi from spoiling you too much... OR you spoil him in return (he'll gratefully accept whatever you've given him).

-Overall, Yu is an ideal boyfriend to have (I want a Yu :(.)

Minato Arisato

-Minato likes to tease you a bit to see your (cute) flustered reaction, he enjoys seeing you like that afterall. But he won't do it every time. Which is worse because you have to expect the unexpected. Like when you were writing something in your notebook, the next thing you knew that Minato kiss your cheek. Yes, he's a cheeky bastard :)

-Minato also shares his headphones with you and bask in it. If you have a playlist of your own, he'll listen to it with you. Minato is a private boi, so he does little to no PDA. Prefers all of the affection behind doors, his or your dorm. Though he doesn't mind holding hands with you or giving you a hug, only rarely does he give you a kiss in public.

-Minato isn't as affectionate as the other leaders are (almost all of them are except him ;-;), but he tries his best. Like Yu, he shows his love for you through actions instead of words since talking is a pain for him. He'll cuddle you inside either your dorms and pepper you kisses all over your face. He also has no shame ;).

-He prefers to relax and chill since he doesn't want to waste energy (I'm having Oreki vibes here owo'). So his ideal date is to just chillax in the bed, curled up with one another, and cuddling each other. He likes the feeling of your legs entangle with his though. And this is basically your date! Though he will also take you out to Paulownia Mall or anywhere since he doesn't want you to cope up in the room for too long.

-Minato also likes giving you gifts and small trinkets while he's going around town, stating that they remind him of you. He will also remember everything you said to him, which is handy since he also remembers which ones you want. You probably didn't know this so when its either your birthday or Christmas, you'll be surprised to see the thing you wanted to have.

-Minato loves everything about you, your hair, your eyes, your voice, your laughter, your hands, just basically everything. This is the only time he'll be vocal about it, much to your embarrassment. He'll also give you a piggy-back ride if you want, even in public. He might not look like much, but he's pretty strong for a short guy. (Probably from all the training he has done with Akihiko :).)

-The SEES basically accepts you by this point, since you make their Leader happy, their fine with you. Junpei might flirt with you every now and then. Yukari would talk with you about girl things. Akihiko might also drag you to his training session, in which Minato drags you away from your senpai -w- Basically, they just accept you to their wholesome family. Also, Aigis might thanked you for making their Leader happy.

-If you're in the SEES, Minato would still treat you like any other member. Except for the fact that he's stuck by your side through the journey to reach Tartarus' top. He'll help you train your Persona if you need training.

-Minato is also observant about you (all of these bois are observant -_-), so he will instantly know when something is wrong. But he might not let you know about it, and lets it go along. It isn't until you two are alone in the room when he asks you what's wrong. You don't need to answer him, just let him scoop you up in his arms. He respects your privacy though if you want to left alone, but be aware that you'll find him sleeping outside of your door.

-If you're upset about something, he'll know what's bothering you even if you don't tell him, he just knows. For now, he'll comfort you. After that, he'll deal with the problem. If its about someone talking bad about you, he'll get Mitsuru involve. If its about projects and homework or not understanding the lesson, he'll help and teach you about it. He's a smart boi.

-I can see Minato finding it adorable at what you look like with his clothes, he just finds it so cute. He lets you steal his clothes though. As long as you wear them, it's fine. Though you need to return those or else he has nothing left to wear.

-Overall, Minato is a private affectionate bby :)

Shinjiro Aragaki

-Shinjiro doesn't tease often as the previous bois does, but he does tease. If you have a short stature, he'll get what you were getting and hold it above his head while watching you with a smirk on his face as you tried to get it from him. If he's feeling bold, he might place a kiss on your mouth and chuckle at your surprised, flustered face. Though he doesn't do this often.

-Shinjiro likes ruffling your hair for some reason. He won't admit it but he feels relaxed whenever he feels your hair or ran his fingers through your hair, it just feels so relaxing and calm for him. He also likes pinching you whenever he gets annoyed at you, if you pinch back, you two will have a pinching contest.

-Shinjiro has a hard time opening up to other people, so its a huge achievement if you manage to make him your boyfriend. He'll be flustered by it of course as he looks away while blushing ever-so-slightly. He's a bit of a tsun-tsun. But everyone who knows him (Akihiko and Mitsuru) would take note how Shinjiro's face soften around you, you can almost see a faint smile on his face whenever he looks at you. "He looks like a lovesick puppy." - Mitsuru, 2009

-Shinjiro isn't into PDA, so whenever you want to hold hands with him, he'll get flustered. But he won't refuse as he removes his hand from his pocket and holds your hand with his. He's just embarrassed. He'll drag you places to places, probably explore the town while you two can.

-He's not afraid to speak his mind though, beware. He'll speak without hesitation if you did something bad or do something stupid. If you did do something stupid, he'll snicker while teasingly taunting you. You'll get embarrassed by this of course. But when you two started to eat, you'll laugh at his comments about the food. His snide remarks never fails to make you laugh.

-Shinjiro allows you to take off his beanie and place it on your head, he might need to look away to hide his embarrassment and flustered self. His mind is racing on how cute you look with his beanie, WHY DOES THAT BEANIE LOOK BETTER ON YOU RATHER ON HIM?! He'll never understand that logic ever.

-Be prepared as well for competitions and playful fights, because this guy is competitive like Akihiko. He'll playfully banter with you about the difference between some things. Also, he'll be embarrassed when you find out that he cooks way better than you. If you ask if you can have some, he'll immediately say no. But if you continue to pester him, he'll soon give in. Be prepared to taste Heaven :)

-Shinjiro is insecure to himself because there is so much better guys out there for you, yet you chose him. Someone who'll not live long, someone who'll eventually leave you alone with a shattered heart. His mind will always plague this scenarios over and over again, he'll even be wide-awake at night just thinking about it. When he asks you one day why you chose him, you better reply honestly :) Reassure him that you love him and only him.

-Shinjiro is observant as hell so he knows immediately if you're hiding something or upset. Like MInato, he'll not ask you at once. Though if this behavior carries on for days, be prepared for Shinjiro's interrogation :) He just wants to help you, so please come to him if you have a problem with anything

-(I just realized I made SEES bois with sad s/o. Please read how Shinjiro comforts you whenever you're sad there. x.)

-I can see him telling you to find another one to love when he dies. Move on, but don't forget about Shinjiro. Continue living even if he's not there, he'll remain in your heart forever.. (Okay.. I teared up in this one ;-;).

-Overall, please be with this boi until the very end..

[x] Main Page || [x] Persona 5 Page || [x] Persona 4 Page || [x] Persona 3 Page

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elizabethemerald · 4 years ago

Text

Dreams of Drowning; Chap 14

AO3

Jim held Claire’s body close, gently resting his forehead against hers. Their dance had subsided in the shadows of their real bodies. He softly ran his thumb over her cheek while staring into her eyes. She took a soft breath but before she could say anything the lights around them flickered and died.

With a flash of light Jim dismissed his human sized copy and returned to his proper body. A splash signaled Claire doing the same. He growled and looked around. What else did Gunmar and Morgana have planned for them?

After the power died there was a few beats of silence, then with a rumbling roar something crashed through the ceiling above him. A ball of metal, the size of his hand plummeted down, shattering one of the massive chains that held him tight. He glanced at Claire, but she looked just as confused in her own tank. He snarled and grabbed the wrecking ball, the fires of his magic whirling to life around him.

“For the Doom of Gunmar, Eclipse is Mine to Command!” He roared.

Flames blasted down his arms with enough force to take a human off their feet. However he stood and leaned into the blast as the sphere of metal melted. The liquid metal flowed up his arm and across his chest covering his whole body in black armor.

He summoned his sword and slashed through the other chain that was still holding him. Then he slammed the point into the glass of Claire’s enclosure. To his surprise the blade stuck in the thick material. He leaned forward pushing his magic into and through the blade. A beam of fire flashed out of the blade cutting through the chains at Claire’s wrists. She gasped and grabbed one of her wrists, then smiled at him.

“You kept your promise.”

“We’re not out of here yet.” Jim said. Then he whipped his head up, his nostrils flaring as he looked at the hole where the metal sphere had fallen. He growled as the scent of magic drifted to him.

“Go. I’ll be right behind you.” Claire said, her smile growing wider as the water around her whipped up into a whirlpool and hairline cracks began to spread and grow across the surface of her tank. Jim bared his tusks and jerked his sword from the glass.

He put one hand up through the hole above, than another, then pulled himself up through the hole. The smell of magic was stronger here. Two small humans stood in the hallway and stepped back as he growled at them. He reached out towards them with his magic, blue flames pouring out of his mouth as he did so. He saw one spin, to put himself in front of the other.

Then he connected to them.

His mind was immediately swamped by the emotions of the others. Toby, Barbara, Darci, and Zelda. In a moment he and Claire joined their minds to the others. They could feel their fear and anger. And they could feel their love. The love flowing between the four of them blazed even brighter as it was joined by Jim and Claire’s love for each other and love for all of them.

In that moment, as he could see through the eyes of his family, he saw his mother look over Toby’s shoulder, he felt her recognition as she stared up at her child. Then through her eyes he watched something move behind him. Something dark that seemed to devour the light around them.

Jim was barely able to spin in time to halt Gunmar’s charge. He was driven back, smashing through the floor as he was pushed backwards. The black shroud of Corrupted Heartstone surrounded Gunmar, like a foul mist. He was rapidly growing, and soon would be as large as Jim and Claire were.

“Get my moms and Darci out of the building!” Jim said in his mind to Toby. He grappled with Gunmar pushing him back further and only had a moment to sense his friend acknowledge the thought before a torrent of water blasted through the floor and threw Gunmar up to the floor above them.

He had only a moment to appreciate Claire’s display of her power before golden chains wrapped around his waist. Morgana floated forward, wearing gold armor, before twisting and pulling the chains taut. Jim felt the jerk around his mid section and crashed into the wall, then burst through the ceiling.

“Hands off him, Witch!” Claire screamed, whipping at Morgana with great sheets of water.

Jim shook his head, trying to untangle himself from the remains of the building. He watched as an orange flame roared around him for a moment before Toby landed in front of him, holding his mom. Together the two of them ran for the exit while Jim ducked down to face Morgana.

Instead he found himself face to face with Gunmar. Gunmar grabbed Jim’s horns, dragging him backwards, tearing down walls of the building as they went. Every few steps he rained another blow on Jim’s head and face.

“No one to protect you now! What should a father do to the one who killed his only son?” Gunmar roared and growled.

Jim had no desire to find out what Gunmar had in mind. He pulled his legs up and kicked at Gunmar with all of his strength. A blast of cerulean fire accompanied the kick and knocked Gunmar back and through a wall. This time he didn’t let his enemy gather himself, instead following close, his dark blade flashing in his hands as he attacked.

He roared and smashed Gunmar back, shattering more walls as he did so. Rubble was falling from the ceiling as their fight tore the building apart. He glance briefly through the eyes of his family. Toby smashed a hole in a wall with his hammer dragging Jim’s mom out into the open night air. Elsewhere Darci and Zelda defended each other, a cyclone keeping debris at bay while Zelda shattered any obstacle in their way.

Claire battled Morgana, golden chains and thunderous blasts of light dueling with purple waves and torrents or water. Despite Claire’s size advantage, Morgana had been draining her for years to empower herself and their power was evenly matched.

Jim refocused again on Gunmar as the massive monster he had become attacked. While Jim could feel the powerful blows they didn’t hurt nearly as much as they would have before Jim’s own transformation.

Gunmar dug his heels in, then threw Jim up into the ceiling before slamming him back down on the ground, sending him crashing into the floor below again. He immediately jumped down, his foot landing on Jim’s chest, a twisted blade appearing in his hand.

“I’m going to break you, boy.” Gunmar growled, the blade glowing with a sickly pale light.

Jim screamed as the light of the blade reached out to him. He felt like his whole body was shattering again and again. Every bone in his body was breaking and being mended then breaking again. He screamed and he felt the answering screams from his family. Toby trying to drag Barbara to where their wives were waiting, and Claire in her struggle with Morgana. All of them were screaming in their minds, the connections between them alight with pain and despair. One by one, they dropped, the pain Gunmar was putting Jim through too much for them to bare.

As the pain threatened to break his senses and shatter his will, Jim felt his fire suddenly reignite, blazing along the tangled web of love they shared. In that instant his armor shone with a new light, a deep crimson as he pushed Gunmar’s foot off his chest.

“In their darkest hour, I burn Brightest!” Jim roared, slashing his blade across Gunmar’s chest. The beast stumbled away, the crack shining bright with that same crimson fire.

“No.” He whispered. “It cannot be.”

The light burned brighter, an inferno racing across Gunmar’s limbs. He screamed, wildy, like an animal as light poured from his mouth and eyes. With a final roar of pain, a shock wave blasted off his body, Jim sheltered behind his armor as best as he could as the destructive wave shook him to his core, the building collapsing in on itself as the wave swept through it.

In a moment Jim could only hear the sound of a few remaining pieces of rubble settling. Gunmar’s body lay before him, shattered to pieces. He breathed deeply, trying to recover himself after what happened. He looked up at a sound.

“Claire!” He rushed through the destroyed ruins of 49B as her purple water pushed a wave of rubble off her. She looked tired, but she was alive. Jim bared his tusks, a growl on his lips. “Where’s Le Fay?”

Claire gestured limply to the broken stones around them.

“She’s somewhere under all that.” She shuddered as she spoke and Jim dove to catch her. For the first time they were truly touching. She smiled up at him, her eyes tired, but the magic under her skin dancing with light. “You did it. We-we did it. We’re free.”

She stood up right again with Jim’s help. The water around her, that had fallen slack with her exhaustion rose again filled with her light circling around her as she threw her arms around Jim’s shoulders pulling him in tight. Jim hugged her back just as fiercely, his flames roaring around the two of them, mixing with her water and blazing brighter as their magic interacted.

“Awe. Isn’t that sweet.” Toby’s thoughts pushed their way to the forefront of Jim’s mind.

The two of them turned to see their little family gathering at the outside of the rubble. Jim knelt down and put his hand out for them. Toby immediately wrapped Jim’s fingers in a tight hug, and Barbara was right behind him. Zelda and Darci followed at a more sedate pace. They all looked similarly tired, with a few slight injuries, but none of them were seriously hurt. Barbara released her son’s finger to step up to Claire.

“It’s good to meet you, I mean the real you, after how much my son has been talking about you lately.” She was smiling widely up at Claire.

Claire crouched down to Barbara’s level, then in a flash of water materialized her small form at her feet. Her smaller self hugged Barbara as tight as she could. A blaze of fire next to them and human sized Jim stepped up to the two of them, standing in the shadows of their gigantic forms.

As soon as his human form appeared he was immediately pulled into a massive hug. Claire, his mother, Toby, Darci, Zelda, Walter. They all held each other tightly, desperately. Tears flowed freely down their faces, as they pressed together.

Finally. Finally their little family was al together. Finally Claire was free. Jim was safe. 49B was destroyed, utterly. No one else would suffer as they had. No one else would be held and tortured at the hands of Gunmar Black or Morgan le Fay. Finally.

After a long moment Barbara pulled back from the group hug. She sniffed and wiped her eyes, looking around at all of them.

“What’s next?” She asked.

“Well for now, let’s go home. We’ll figure out what else to do later.”

#jim lake junior #claire nunez #toby domzalski #Barbara Lake #darci scott #zelda nomura #dreams of drowning #writing emerald #tales of arcadia

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sergeantsporks · 3 years ago

Text

Swapped

Ch 4/5

Ao3

Or read under the cut

The year did not pass in a flash, even after he got a job at a little cafe. The year passed agonizingly slowly, with one dull moment after another, while in the meantime, Zoe came back with story after story of exciting goings-on at Hextech.

Well. Not every moment was dull. Sometimes the moments were painfully embarrassing as he would be called up to the board to attempt something he didn’t know how to do, or would be handed back yet another assignment with a ridiculous amount of red ink scrawled on it.

The teachers seemed to be catching on that he knew absolutely nothing, and had one of two reactions; one of them was to simply leave him alone and not embarrass him further, and the other was to attempt to help him learn by calling on him more often.

At least once the students accepted that he was dumb as dirt when it came to school, they liked him fine. A lot of them were incredibly confused about how he could possibly be so bad at school and then be socially competent. He tried to steer clear of them.

Douxie Casperan, please report to the counselor’s office.

Uh-oh. That did not sound good.

Aaaaand yep, the whispers started up, following him down to the counselor’s little room. Really, it wasn’t THAT hard to figure out why he was being called out. He sat down in a chair, his report card facing him with a line of F’s and D’s. Oh, and one A+ in history. He could do that, at least, having lived through most of it.

“Douxie,” the guidance counselor started.

“Yep, I know, I’m a horrendous student with horrendous grades, I need to take school seriously and apply myself. I know all that.”

“You’re a smart kid, Douxie. Your history grades prove that you can do well. And the teachers all say that you’re trying. It just seems like… you’re missing a lot of other information.”

Uh-oh. She was a little too smart. “What do you mean?”

“I mean that you don’t seem to struggle in Calculus because you don’t understand calculus—it’s like you struggle because you never learned algebra, so the background isn’t there. It seems like no one ever taught you basic essay-writing skills, so you can’t write an essay, despite seeming to understand analyzing literature fairly well.”

Douxie nodded along as she spoke, but his attention was caught on something outside the window. Something very shiny, and glowing blue.

Trollhunter. The amulet. That bar girl had been right. And the trollhunter was… wandering around in broad daylight. A human?!

“Douxie?”

Douxie put his hands down on the desk. “You’re right, I never took algebra, also I’m nineteen so I don’t technically have to be here, bye!”

He ran out the door, grabbed his bag, and left school forever. He didn’t find the trollhunter, but that didn’t matter. No more calculus. No more counselors and school. The human trollhunter had arrived.

According to the instructions Merlin had left behind for his apprentice, that meant Merlin couldn’t be far behind.

Xxx

Douxie read Merlin’s instructions. Then he read them again. And one more time just to be sure. The old wizard hadn’t left behind anything specific. Only that there would be a human trollhunter, and he would be the one to wake Merlin. And that Douxie was to stay out of it. No handy dates, or a “meet up here!” note, besides a vague bunch of instructions about opening up a bookshop.

“Don’t stress too much over it,” Archie advised him, “He’s Merlin. He’ll contact us when he’s ready, I expect.”

“I don’t want—” Douxie bit down on his tongue. He couldn’t exactly tell Archie about his mission. “I don’t want to wait that long. What if he’s forgotten about us?”

“Merlin never forgets a detail. It’s his thing.”

“I know, I just…”

“Douxie. It’s okay. He’ll be here. Just… be patient.”

Douxie swept the pages of instructions off of the Hextech help counter. “I’ve been patient!” he shouted, “I’ve waited for nine-hundred years, and he can’t even bother to give me a place to check?!”

The door swung open, and Zoe took in the scene. “Oh, boy. Don’t tell me Mr. Arthurian legend is going to be here soon.”

“Well, the problem is,” Douxie growled, “I don’t know!”

Zoe delicately picked up the written instructions, scanning through them. “Right. Well, if you’re really so determined to wait around for this guy—”

“I am!”

“Then I suggest you open that bookstore he’s got set up. If he’s going to meet you anywhere, it’ll probably be there.” Zoe took his hand. “Douxie, can I talk to you? Alone?”

Douxie let her lead him outside, where she dropped his hand. “Why do you need Merlin?” she asked simply.

“What?”

“You heard me. Why do you need him? Why are you so determined to meet back up with this guy that abandoned you for nine-hundred years?”

“I—there’s still so much I don’t know about magic. And I’m not a master wizard yet, I—”

“Why do you need to be a master wizard? Why do you need Merlin? You’ve been doing just fine without him, or some master wizard title for so long! With just you, me, and Archie! What do you need some crusty old guy to tell you?!”

Well, being a master wizard had been the other Hisirdoux’s plan. But… why was he still holding onto some mission? One that he hadn’t needed to do for nine-hundred years? No. That kind of thinking was out of line. He needed to do this. For his parents, if he couldn’t do it for the pale lady. “I… I just need it.”

“But why?!” Zoe half-screamed, “What’s so important about it?!” She grabbed his hand again. “We don’t have to open the bookshop! We don’t know when or if Merlin will wake up! We can go anywhere, do anything—just like we did before you saw the human trollhunter! You can work here, at Hextech, the wizards here are so varied, you can learn whatever magic you want from them—some of them probably even know things that Merlin doesn’t! Just forget about Merlin and his instructions! How can you feel so attached to him still—you’ve spent nine-hundred years with Archie and I, isn’t that more real than any old apprenticeship that you haven’t been a part of for centuries?”

“I’m opening the bookshop,” Douxie growled, “I’m waiting for Merlin.”

Zoe threw her hands up in the air. “Fine! Fine, you open your bookshop, and wait for your stupid master! I’m staying here at Hextech!” She ran a hand through her bangs. “Gah, Douxie! I love you, but you need to learn to let go of some things, okay? Just… think about it. Give it a few days before you open up that bookshelf. Figure out what you really want, not what you wanted nine-hundred years ago and have been holding onto ever since.” She went back inside, the door slamming behind her.

What he really wanted.

He had a mission. A purpose. Right?

Well, what did he care what the Pale Lady wanted? She hadn’t been seen for centuries, just like Merlin. She’d just left behind cryptic instructions, just like Merlin.

But his parents—he couldn’t just abandon them. And if he was on the winning side of this war, if he kept on Gunmar’s side and delivered the information about Merlin’s plans—if he ever woke up—maybe, just maybe, he could make sure that Zoe and Archie wouldn’t get hurt. That there would be a place next to him for them.

Who was he kidding? They’d never agree to that. He couldn’t have a Gum-Gum victory and his new friends. There had to be something else—a way to get his parents back and protect Zoe and Archie and not lose their friendship.

He had to figure out a way.

In the meantime, he opened up the bookshop.

He kept monster hunting with Zoe and Archie.

He kept working at the café.

All the while, more and more of his skin was turning to stone, blue stone lines meeting pink flesh where Something Had Happened to Hisirdoux, but WHY?! So he kept covering up more and more skin, wearing long sleeves and pants even in the heat, much to Zoe and Archie’s amusement.

And he kept running through plans. But they always came down to choosing between his parents or Zoe and Archie. Volunteer enough information to get his parents out of the Darklands, Zoe and Archie hated him. But he couldn’t just leave them stuck there!

Then there was the problem of… well, explaining what he was. Could he ever tell Zoe and Archie the truth? If he rescued his parents, it would come out eventually, wouldn’t it? But he couldn’t just leave them stuck there!

He was set in autopilot, going through the motions of his day while his brain continuously raced to figure out the paradox of How to Not Lose Anyone.

And then he wandered right into a web of dark magic at work. He almost stopped dead in his tracks before forcing himself to continue walking and acting like nothing was wrong. The human trollhunter. Jim. He’d tried to get in closer a few weeks ago, shown up at the school, handed out flyers for the Battle of the Bands. Talked to Jim’s friends. He still wasn’t sure what he’d done wrong, but the trollhunter was glaring at him.

That magic, though. It wasn’t coming from the trollhunter. It was coming from… Claire. No surprise, she was the shadow magician, but… this felt… different.

And then a voice spoke in his head, slithering and cold.

Stay out of it.

Douxie blinked. Had he just-?

I am your queen, your creator, Morgana, Baba Yaga, the Pale Lady, and I am ordering you to not interfere. The girl is mine.

Douxie gulped. Right. This was happening. Okay. Fine.

Act as though nothing has happened. Your cover is necessary—Merlin may soon return.

Douxie steeled himself and took their orders—he wasn’t quite sure how to tell her, but Morgana wasn’t exactly… doing the best job fitting in. And the whole time, his mind spun and reeled. Had Morgana read his mind all along? Did she know everything he’d struggled with?

Well, don’t think about it now, he told himself, shaking his head.

Should Merlin return, Gunmar awaits in trollmarket. I will guide you to him, my special wizard. Soon, you will no longer have to pretend. You will be free to be yourself.

Morgana’s presence faded from his mind as Claire and Jim left, and Douxie shivered, rubbing his arms.

What if I’m not sure who “myself” is anymore?

#toa #tales of arcadia #douxie #zoe #archie #toa fanfic #fanfiction #my writing #dalmar #swapped #changeling!douxie au

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oceangenasi · 4 years ago

Note

D&P and Merther for the shipping ask game???

Yax I would die for you except you’d probably stop me from dying with your EMT wizardry and then where would we be

🖤 D/P 💙

1. What made you ship it? I have eyes? But seriously, I like to joke about how my ships are either softboys and their badass women or queerbait m/m angst.... and then there’s this shining exception. A canon m/m ship that gets a love story and a happy ending :’’’) I started watching the show very casually, knowing David was queer but not that D/P was endgame and then the next thing I knew I had ascended to another plane of existence

2. What are your favorite things about the ship? I am never not thinking about the Dynamic... it’s the complementary aspects of their personalities for me!

You’ve got David: flamboyantly queer and deeply dramatic, who’s had intense emotions his whole life that have scared people away but he’s also brave and unique and creative and wonderful. He’s everything that Patrick didn’t know he needed. He’s been hurt a lot of times and he almost doesn’t believe that he’s capable of being loved so wholly and completely. Enter Patrick.

Patrick is so straight-laced and repressed and invested in being well-liked that he had built up a whole seemingly perfect life that was making him deeply unhappy. I don’t think that even Patrick knew he was capable of loving David the way he does, because he hadn’t cast off his old life and gone on that emotional journey until he met David. His “you make me feel right” speech is my favorite bit of the entire show. Patrick found himself in finding David.

They balance each other: Patrick grounds David, providing him the unconditional love that David can flourish with, and David brings beauty and color into Patrick’s life.

I also adore how much casual intimacy they get on screen, all the kisses and shoulder touches. It’s incredibly healing to watch after so much queer angst and suffering, when we get representation at all.

3. Is there an unpopular opinion you have on your ship? Yeah, Patrick’s not perfect. I get very pissy when people trash David for his actions surrounding the barbecue and/or the wedding and imply he was being unfair/selfish -- because even if he was, Patrick has a responsibility to communicate his concerns if he wants David to respond to them. Patrick has a tendency to avoid/repress his feelings and that can be incredibly damaging in a relationship if not addressed. David can’t read Patrick’s mind, nor should he be expected to. He doesn’t need to magically intuit Patrick’s distress from Patrick’s micro-expressions or whatever the fuck -- Patrick needs to step up and tell David when he doesn’t like David’s behavior. Yes, I’m projecting like hell when it comes to this but it is something that made me furious during season 6 and the discourse surrounding it.

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

💙 Merthur ❤

1. What made you ship it? I watched the first episode and was like “oh wow this show is even gayer than I’d heard it was.” No but seriously... fellas, is it gay to be literally and canonically someone’s other half? Fellas, is it gay to stare intensely into each other’s eyes at every given opportunity? Fellas, it is gay to dedicate your entire life to serving and protecting someone? Fellas, is it--

2. What are your favorite things about the ship? ah jeez where do I even start... Arthur is Merlin’s whole world. Merlin’s magic is “only for Arthur” and Merlin’s magic is... everything he is. I literally don’t know how you could read that as Merlin not being in love with Arthur. I genuinely and honestly think this interpretation is backed up by commentary by the actors and writers: Merlin loves Arthur, and that’s not even a point of debate. I adore Merlin as a character (son boy baby sweetheart sunshine child) and his unwavering faith in Arthur, his dedication, his tenderness, the years spent protecting someone who didn’t even know how much Merlin had done for him.... it gets me good.

And then there’s what Merlin is to Arthur! Setting aside the stuff Arthur doesn’t know about, which I will talk about in a moment, Merlin is possibly the only person in Arthur’s life who has always, always treated him as a person first and a prince second. Merlin’s unwavering faith and freely given friendship are because he sees the best in Arthur, not because of Arthur’s hereditary right to the throne. Merlin is Arthur’s first and truest friend -- I know the knights and Gwen care for him, but there is a component of social discrepancy to their relationship that Merlin simply has ignored. Merlin’s disrespect is because he fundamentally views Arthur as his equal, which is a gift Arthur didn’t even know he needed. Arthur was touch-starved, emotionally repressed, and incredibly lonely before Merlin came into his life. (Yes, the similarities between my two OTPs are well-known to me.) Just because Arthur struggles to express his emotions (thanks, Uther) and doesn’t have the same plot opportunities as Merlin to show how much he’d sacrifice for Merlin, doesn’t mean he doesn’t love Merlin as deeply as Merlin does him. This is why I like writing Arthur POV so much -- I like describing how fundamental and immutable a concept Merlin is to him. He takes Merlin for granted, yes, because there is literally nobody else that he is so vulnerable around or trusts so completely. This is why the magic reveal was so temporarily devastating to Arthur -- it broke something he’d built his entire life around. Or at least, that’s what he thought.

3. Is there an unpopular opinion you have on your ship?

Canon is a trash fire and I hate a lot of things about season 5, because it had some stellar opportunities that got rushed and squished by the way they timed the plot.... but I actually really, really like the finale. I think that considering what they’d done with the plot up to that point, it was brilliantly executed and gorgeously acted. There wasn’t enough time to do everything I would have liked with the magic reveal*, but in the last episode they hit every one of my buttons at least once. Arthur witnessing a competent Merlin, Arthur experiencing realistic grief and anger but being able to see how deeply Merlin loves him... Setting aside the plotholes and the timing, the people who made the show realized what was critically important in the finale, and it was digging deep into the relationship between Merlin and Arthur. This is why it completely and totally wrecks me, incidentally, and why I can’t watch the last part of the episode because it actually unhinges me too much. I’m not joking, I went into some kind of grief spiral the first time I saw it that took me a literal week to recover from. I care about things too much and feel my feelings too intensely, but we been knew.

Oh, and an even spicier opinion on later seasons/the finale: I don’t think that Morgana “isn’t really evil” or that her fall was “unnecessary.” I think that Morgana was indeed capable of being a fiercely good and loving person, but I also think that people with the kind of anger she carries can be dragged into some very dark places. I don’t think it was unrealistic, I think it was painful to watch, and there’s a difference. She didn’t get the support she needed -- she was gaslighted, manipulated, and tortured -- and I think that the same person who could be good in another situation is absolutely capable of becoming monstrous, considering the hand she was dealt. I have very similar opinions on her as I do on Anakin Skywalker, which is to say: her evil was both believable and tragic. She was a product of her circumstances, but her actions are not excusable, and she is responsible for how she responded to her trauma.

*I can and will read every damn magic reveal on ao3 because it’s really important to me that Arthur understand what Merlin has done for him. Truly, truly conceptualizes how crucial Merlin has been in helping him build his kingdom. That’s the one thing that I wanted to see so badly that never happened in canon.

#tangled pixel harpsichord #answered #oh god oh jesus I've written a pair of essays here #if anyone actually reads this entire thing I will propose marriage to you on the spot #bbc merlin #sc #schitt's creek #merthur #david/patrick

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smiley5494 · 4 years ago

Text

of life-long secrets and little white lies

Merthur Week Day 5: “Any other lies left to tell me?” + Angst

read it also on ao3

Merlin nodded in false agreement and tried to hide the evidence of his heart shattering into pieces.

Rhys wasn’t entirely sure it was a good idea to try to assassinate the king. There was so much that could go wrong, but they were desperate, and the king’s head fetched a pretty penny. Rhys needed the gold, they needed it for their family, for their village—without that gold, the whole village would starve.

So they waited and watched. They learnt that the King went on regular hunting trips into the forest, and they learnt that on those trips the king often brought no one but himself and his manservant.

It couldn’t be better. If Rhys were to take out the king, then the servant would be easy to subdue, and the bodies would lie there for hours when the knights and councilmen would get nervous and go looking. By then, Rhys would be long gone, and their village would be able to eat come winter.

They waited, and when the King and his manservant rode through, Rhys drew back their bow and took aim. The arrow flew true and to Rhys’ horror the servant’s eyes glowed gold and his lips moved to form words the Rhys couldn’t hear. The arrow froze, hovering in the air in front of the king.

Rhys turned and bolted, they weren’t being paid to fight sorcerers, and they didn’t want to be killed either—they would find the needed gold elsewhere, somewhere where there were no sorcerers.

~~*~~*~~

Merlin had expectations on how his magic would be revealed. He’d dreamt the moment; he’d told himself that it would be on his terms or not at all. Somehow, it was fitting that it would be an accident—he’d reacted on instinct, his mind skipping over the consequences in favour of saving Arthur.

Arthur was staring at him in horror, and Merlin dismounted quickly, intending to check on his friend. Instead, he found a sword at his chest, a furious king where he had expected to see a friend.

“Arthur.” Merlin’s voice cracked on the name, and his tears fell freely. He fell to his knees, the ground cold and hard, but Arthur’s expression was pure stone.

“Why would you learn it?”

“I didn’t!”

“Bullshit!” Arthur swore, “bullshit, Merlin, I heard you. You said words—spells.”

“I had no choice! I was born with it; it was either learn to control it, or let it control me!”

“Merlin,” Arthur shook his head, and disappointment flashed in his eyes—there a second, gone in a heartbeat, “Sorcerers have to study to learn magic. It isn’t a born skill.”

“Do you think I wanted this?” Merlin snapped, still kneeling, “To live in fear, to know that if I were to show what I could do you would have me executed? Do you seriously think I learnt it? I would never betray you like that, Arthur, I love you too much to even consider it.”

Arthur turned away, his stony expression cracking for an instant before smoothing back over. He made to walk away and leave Merlin kneeling there, but not before he spoke the final words that broke Merlin’s heart; “Any other lies left to tell me?”

Arthur didn’t want to see him. As soon as they were back in Camelot, Arthur told him he had a day to finish up everything he had to do and leave. Instead of being executed, he was simply being banished—cleaner and far quieter; no need to involve more witnesses. It would be better for both of them, Arthur claimed, if he just left as though of his own accord.

Merlin nodded in false agreement and tried to hide the evidence of his heart shattering into pieces.

~~*~~*~~

Arthur both hated and missed Merlin. He’d thought he’d been beginning to finally count the younger as a friend, he’d thought that Merlin was someone he could always count on and trust. He should’ve known that it was too good to be true—he should’ve guessed that Merlin would betray him in the end.

“Arthur.” Arthur startled and turned to face his sister; she looked furious, and Arthur could’ve sworn he could physically feel her anger. “What’s this about you banishing Merlin?”

“Morgana—”

“No, Arthur,” Morgana snapped, eyes flashing, “What’s Merlin ever done to deserve this?”

“Morgana, the law is clear, he should technically be executed,” Morgana looked like she was about to interrupt, but Arthur ploughed on anyway, “banishment is mercy. It’s all I can do, Morgana, you’ll just have to live with that.”

Arthur stared past her; he’d made his decision, and he wasn’t going to change his mind. Morgana seemed to come to the same conclusion and she sneered at him.

“I’ll just have to live with that?” She asked, far calmer than when she had walked in, “I’ll survive, Arthur, but will you?”

“I wonder,” she opened the door and lingered slightly in the hall, “Arthur Pendragon, can you bring yourself to live without Merlin?”

Arthur closed his eyes as if that could block out his sister’s words.

~~*~~*~~

It took a total of three minutes for Arthur to get sick of George. The servant meant well, he truly did, but he was so formal. It was stifling, and after a week of sentences ending in Sire and perfect deference, Arthur missed Merlin more than he thought he would—try as he might, he just couldn’t change his love to hate overnight.

Love.

Arthur had never actually thought about how he felt for Merlin—he’d never had any true friends (Leon didn’t count, they hadn’t been close until the whole round table thing) let alone anything more, and he’d never recognised what Merlin was to him. Well, not until it was too late.

The knights of the round table hadn’t spoken to him except in increasingly formal tones since Merlin’s banishment, and every time he entered a room either Morgana or Gwen were in they left without a glance towards him. It left him lonelier than he’d ever felt.

Arthur stared at the papers in his hands. Taxes and finance were all well and good for the kingdom, but as a distraction they were hopeless.

His eyes instead fell on the last speech Merlin had written. For a peasant, Merlin’s handwriting was surprisingly neat, and he had a way with words that made Arthur jealous. For some reason, Arthur always kept the latest speech on his desk and when he couldn’t focus he reread the words Merlin wrote for him.

I wonder, Arthur Pendragon, can you live without Merlin?

Morgana’s words echoed in his mind and it was only then that he found the answer.

No.

~~*~~*~~

“Get up!” Arthur snapped at his sister. The round table stood behind him, bleary-eyed and dead on their feet. Morgana groaned, and beside her, Gwen groaned too. “Get up!—both of you—We’re getting Merlin back!”

Morgana sat up sharply, and her gaze fixed on Arthur’s, a predator fixated her prey. It had always been like that, Morgana being smarter, faster, better than Arthur. She knew where to strike to hit a person’s weak points, and she could dig into those points and tear.

“Finally figured it out, haven’t you, brother dearest?”

He nodded; “It’s time for a law change.”

“Well then,” she said, and her eyes burned a bright, magical amber, “what are we waiting for?”

~~*~~*~~

They found Merlin only an hour’s ride away from Camelot, in a small house that hadn’t been there a week before.

Arthur didn’t care to wonder how it was there, nor did he care to think over the way Morgana had led him straight to Merlin’s hideout—never-mind that Merlin clearly hadn’t ever left Camelot, despite his banishment.

“Merlin!” Arthur yelled, and Merlin flung open his door with an expression of stubborn fury.

“Shut up, Arthur,” Merlin snapped, “I know you’re here, and I know why.”

Arthur flushed, but his curiosity was piqued. “How?”

“Morgana told me,” Merlin answered, “but I want to hear it from you before I even consider coming back.”

Arthur took a few slow steps towards Merlin, and when Merlin didn’t run, he took a few more.

“Merlin,” Arthur’s voice broke, and it was so similar to how Merlin had said his name in that last conversation that Arthur felt his heart crack slightly. “Merlin, I’m so sorry.”

Merlin stared, his face a blank mask, “Arthur you banished me for something I had no choice in. You broke my heart with that, sorry doesn’t cut it.”

“I didn’t understand,” Arthur explained, “I was an idiot and a complete arse, and a—a clotpole. I didn’t understand because I had never been bothered to learn what was possible. I’m repealing the ban on magic, and I’m doing that because I didn’t understand because I didn’t know what I had until I lost it.”

Arthur paused for breath, and Merlin let him. “Until I lost you. I realised so much when you were gone, Merlin, I realised how much I love you. How much I need you by my side, even if we stay as friends.”

Merlin’s expression melted, and his eyes shone suspiciously. He surged forward, and Arthur wasn’t entirely sure which one of them initiated the soul-searing kiss, but neither backed down.

It was everything Arthur had ever dreamt of and more, because in his dreams there had been only nameless strangers, but here he had Merlin. Merlin, who kissed Arthur just as hard as Arthur kissed him. Merlin, who had stuck close to Camelot instead of going back to Ealdor.

The kiss sent shivers down his spine, and Arthur could’ve sworn he saw the heavens in Merlin. He loved this man so much, and he would gladly lay down his life, pass the crown over to Morgana if it meant he could spend just one more minute with Merlin.

“Will you, Merlin, allow me the pleasure of courting you?”

“Yes, Arthur,” Merlin answered, “but only if you try to understand and learn. You have to promise to listen and do your best to make this work.”

“I promise.”

#merthurweek2020 #day 5 #Day 5: “Any other lies left to tell me?” + Angst #angst #methur #bbc merlin #of kings and magic merlin and arthur #smiley speaks #my writing #my fanfic #getting together #first kiss #writing #fanfiction

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yusuke-of-valla · 4 years ago

Text

The Best Laid Plans (Are Not Thought of in Half A Second)

[a/n]: I finally wrote that hurt/comfort! This was supposed to be like 500 words but it got away from me.

Set vaguely in some period during Strikers before Zenkichi joins because I’m not that far into the game

TW: concussions, falling off of high places, descriptions of injuries that get healed via Persona magic

AO3

“Mine, mine, mine!” the High Pixie giggles, the desires it’s stolen floating around its head. The Phantom Thieves try to cut a path towards it, but the horde of other shadows just won’t stop coming. It doesn’t help that the cramped rooftops of the Shibuya jail don’t leave a lot of room to maneuver.

Yusuke grunts, parrying shadows left and right. Just when he’s cleared through enough of them to have a second to breathe, he spots a shadow lunging towards Ryuji, who's too busy fending off three other shadows to notice.

At first Yusuke tries to summon Goemon, but he’s met with a gnawing hole in his mind as he realizes he can’t remember how.

Forget spell, fantastic.

The shadow trips Ryuji with it’s baton, tripping him. It’s about to charge a spell, so Yusuke grits his teeth and runs forward to tackle it before it can get another hit in.

The good news is he does cause the shadow to stumble, and it’s attack just misses Ryuji.

The bad news is the shadow stumbles backwards.

Over the edge of the building.

And it pulls Yusuke down with it.

Yusuke feels the shadow dissolve right before he crashes into the ground.

Everything hurts.

Well, Yusuke thinks, struggling to force himself onto his back, at least the shadow’s dealt with.

Spots dance in Yusuke’s vision, and each breath is accompanied by a sharp pain in his chest. He thinks he can just make out the sound of someone screaming, but that might just be the ringing in his ears.

I think I’ll just wait for the others, is the last thought that crosses his mind before Yusuke passes out.

Ryuji just barely clocks Yusuke straight up tackling a shadow, and is about to thank him for the save when Futaba screams and Ryuji realizes:

Oh.

There’s no more roof there.

The battle seems to slow down as everyone stares at the part where Yusuke went over the side.

The first to move is the High Pixie.

“Mine!” it squeals, swooping down and scooping Yusuke up under one arm. He’s barely moves and is pretty banged up. “All mine!” The shadow starts to fly off, and that snaps the rest of the Phantom Thieves into action.

“Um, I think the fuck not.” Ann shouts, quick to wrap her whip around the shadow’s leg.

Sophia follows suit, using her yo-yos to help pull the shadow and Yusuke back towards them. The High Pixie pouts and with a flick of its hand launches the back with a gust of wind.

Ann goes down hard, and Morgana stays back to heal her while Akira starts leaping across rooftops after the shadow, Sophia, Ryuji, and Makoto right behind him. Unfortunately, the High Pixie is fast, and keeps. Eventually they’re stopped by another group of shadows and forced to deal with that.

“Shit,” Akira pants, once the enemies are taken care of and the High Pixie is nowhere in sight. “Oracle can you-”

“No. I can’t pick up the shadow or Yu- Fox.” Futaba says.

“...Alright, we’ll head back to the crossing and see if you can pick up a signal from there, or Mona can sniff out the desires.

Futaba nods stiffly, then starts walking away, fists clenched. Akira and Ryuji share a look, and Ryuji sprints after her. “You ok?”

“Nothing’s happened to me.”

“You know this place is huge, don’t beat yourself up for losing them.” Futaba keeps pushing forward and Ryuji jogs to stand in front of her. “Fox’ll be fine, ok?” he says, patting her on the shoulder.

Futaba stops. “I hope you’re right,” she mutters before pulling away.

They meet back up with Ann, Morgana, and Haru, and all head to the crossing.

“I’m picking up the desires!” Morgana announces. “I think the smell’s coming from Maruku City.”

They leap from car to car across the crossing until they’ve arrived. Once they reach their destination, Futaba perks up.

“Got it,” Futaba announces. “I think the shadow made a nest at the top of the keep.”

“Do you have a read on Fox?” Makoto asks.

“...Yeah.” Futaba says. “He’s not worse than he was before he fell, at least.”

“Good job Oracle,” Akira says.

“We should try and draw the shadow’s attention,” Makoto suggests. “That way someone can grab Yusuke while it's occupied.”

Akira nods. “Queen, you, Panther, and Noir are with me. Once we have its attention, the rest of you guys grab Fox and get him out of the line of fire. Skull can take the lead.”

Everyone nods, then the two groups split up. Akira’s group sneaks around the base of the keep, out of sight. The High Pixie is floating around the top, pleased with itself. Once it’s in position, Akira shoots.

The High Pixie is instantly caught off guard, and before it gets the chance to call for backup, Haru follows up, knocking the shadow to the ground. While they go all out attacking the shadow, the others race up the steps of the keep.

.Pennants, broken decorations, a skateboard, some stolen desires, and a bunch of other random knick knacks are scattered around. Yusuke’s lying on the ground looking much paler than usual. Ryuji notices Futaba’s shoulders relax when Sophia and Morgana start to heal him up.

Yusuke’s eyes flutter open as the color comes back to his face. “Where...”

“You got nabbed by that shadow after your swan dive.” Futaba explains, kneeling down next to him.

“O...k…?” Yusuke starts to sit up, but Futaba stops him.

“Don’t. You’ll hurt yourself more.”

“Did you have to be so loud?”

“Excuse me? You do not get to complain about your rescue.”

Yuuske just groans, closes his eyes, and lies back down.

“Uggh. Stupid Inari. Mona, Sophie, heal him again so Skull can carry him.” Futaba says. They do, and Yusuke’s breathing starts to get better. Ryuji picks him up carefully, and with some help from Futaba and Sophie, get Yusuke onto Ryuji’s back.

“My head hurts…” Yusuke mutters, laying his head on Ryuji’s shoulder.

“Well, that will happen when you dive over the side of the building.”

“‘S just… trying to help.”

“I know, and I appreciate it, but for now let’s get you out of here.” Not wanting to risk Yusuke falling off Ryuji’s back and taking another fall, they back head down the steps. More shadows have shown up while the others fought the High Pixie, so Morgana clears the way for Futaba, Ryuji, Yusuke while Sophie covers their backs.

Once they’re a safe distance from the keep Ryuji sets Yusuke down on the ground.

“Ok. You’re safe now.” Futaba says, taking a deep breath. “So seriously, what were you thinking?”

“Do you have to be so loud?” Yusuke mutters.

“I’m not being loud.”

“Are you sure?” Yusuke replies, squeezing his eyes shut.”My ears are ringing.”

“Oracle, step aside for a second?” Sophia asks. Futaba does, and Sophia neals down next to Yusuke. “What is your name and how old are you?”

“17 years old.”

“Do you know where you are right now?”

Yusuke blinks. “The… Shibuya Jail?”

“What year is it?”

Yusuke frowns. “I’m not…”

Sophia nods. “Ok, I’ve got it. Based on his symptoms, Fox has a concussion.”

“Concussion…” Yusuke repeats. “Alright, I’ll just take a nap then-”

“No sleeping!” Futaba snaps.

Yusuke winces.

“Sorry,” Futaba says, quieter. “But I’m pretty sure you’re not supposed to sleep with a concussion.” She pulls out a soda and hands it to Yusuke. “C’mon, try and have something to drink.”

“Thanks.”

The sound of the High Pixie being defeated rings out, and soon enough the rest of the team joins them.

“Are you alright?” Haru gasps as soon as she sees Yusuke.

“Not so loud, please. Concussion.”

“Sorry!” Haru whispers.

“You’re fine.”

“He has a concussion?” Makoto asks, kneeling down next to Yusuke.

Sophia nods. “Most likely. He has demonstrated several symptoms, such as headaches, a ringing in his ears, dilated pupils, and disorientation.”

“Healing spells haven’t worked?”

“We’ve used a bunch and he hasn’t gotten better.”

“Could be because it’s a head injury, and those are weirder than just healing a cut or something,” Futaba suggests. “Or it could be that Yusuke was so banged up there’s a limit to what can be healed at once.”

Makoto sighs. “Fair enough, it’s not like we’ve ever had to treat a concussion in the Metaverse before. We should take him to a hospital.”

“Sounds good,” Akira says, watching the desires the High Pixie had stolen return to their owners. “We’re done here anyway.” He and Ann help Yusuke up, and they leave the Metaverse.

Several hours later, Futaba’s pacing is the only noise in the RV. “What is taking them so long?!”

They were crowding the ER, so Makoto stayed in the hospital to answer their questions while everyone else went back to the RV.

“Makoto said Yusuke’s gonna be fine.” Akira says, petting Morgana. “They just have to wait for Zenkichi.” According to Makoto, the doctor confirmed Yusuke had a concussion and should be observed for the next 24 hours, but they wouldn’t let him out of the hospital without a parent or guardian. So, they’d called up Zenkichi.

“Maybe it got worse somehow! That happens you know, someone looks like they’re fine, and then suddenly they’re not.”

“Futaba, there’s no need to get so worked up,” Haru says.

“You wouldn’t be saying that if you saw what I saw!” Futaba snaps. “Necronomicon showed me all of Yusuke’s vitals, I knew exactly what happened to him after he fell. He broke pretty much everything.” Futaba shudders. “One nudge in the wrong place and a rib could pierce a lung or something, if that hadn’t happened already. He had a hip fracture too, do you know how bad those can be? He might never have walked again before Morgana and Sophia healed him, and even after all of that he wasn’t even healed all the way! If we hadn’t gotten there in time-”

Futaba pulls off her glasses and wipes her eyes.

“Futaba,” Ann says, pulling her into a hug. “It’s gonna be ok. Yusuke’s walking, he’s breathing fine, and he just needs to rest, ok? We were able to find him quickly because you picked up his signal.”

“Not to mention you stopped him from hurting himself more when we found him.” Ryuji adds. “Yusuke’s gonna be fine, and he’s gonna be fine because you were there to help him. We just gotta hold on, ok?”

“I didn’t realize I worried you so much, Futaba.”

Everyone turns to see Yusuke, Makoto, and Zenkichi standing in the doorway.

“Yusuke!” Futaba pulls away form Ann and grabs a bag from the hospital gift shop. “That was so stupid of you,” she says, pushing a “Get Well” Mothman plush into Yusuke’s arms.

“Sorry.”

“Well, I mean, you did save Ryuji’s butt so you don’t have to be too sorry.”

“Yeah dude, I totally appreciate that,” Ryuji agrees.

“I just wished you saved him using your Persona instead of, you know, yeeting yourself off a roof.” Futaba points out.

“I couldn’t, I was hit with a forget spell.” Yusuke pouts.

“You could've used your gun.”

Yusuke doesn’t say anything.

“Did you seriously forget about your gun?”

“I forgot we were on a roof, Futaba, clearly I forgot about a lot of things.” Yusuke says, hugging the Mothman plush defensively. “I’m really sorry though. I tried to help and only created more problems for all of you, and now you’ll be shorthanded-”

Morgana jumps onto the table in front of Yusuke. “Hey none of that. Let us worry about you for a few days, ok?”

“Yeah dude,” Ryuji says. “I say, let’s just blame the shadow and it’s weird desire to hoard things, and go out to eat instead.”

“Um, maybe a loud, bright, busy, restaurant isn’t the best place to take the concussed teenager?” Zenkichi points out.

“Good point,” Makoto says. “Guess you can get us take out then.”

“Are you-” Zenkichi sighs. “Fine, alright. What do you want?”

“I could go for some yakisoba,” Yusuke says.

“I want sushi!” Morgana adds.

“I’m feeling like nikuman, actually,” Haru adds.

“You know what? Just text me your orders,” Zenkichi says. “Call if you need anything else. But you kids stay safe ok? I have no clue what happens when you do your whole... thing , but you know, don’t get yourselves killed?”

“Gotcha!” Akira says.

Once Zenkcihi leaves, Futaba turns to the group. “Now, it’s on to Operation: Take Care of Inari.”

Yusuke looks up from his Mothman plush. “You don’t have to do that, I can handle myself.”

“Nope. Part of being on a team means you have to put up with us looking after you.”

The rest of the Thieves nod in agreement, and Yusuke sighs. Looks like there’s no fighting this.

“Fine,” he says, smiling.

They eventually agree on settling down to watch a movie— Yusuke’s choice— and eat their dinner on the floor of the RV in the middle of a large pillow fort.

“Thank you..” Yusuke says under his breath, leaning into his blanket and his friends’ warmth.

#alto writes #persona 5 #p5s #wordcount: 2000-2500 #hurt/comfort #injuries tw #sad art boi hours #yes this goes with the picture i drew

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uwukechi · 4 years ago

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shuake and/or pegoryu for the ship thing uwuwu

001: Shuake/Akeshu

when I started shipping it if I did:

Honestly? Right from the get-go. I saw Goro at the TV station and when he opposed the Phantom Thieves but immediately took an interest in Akiren, and Akiren reciprocated that interest and there was no outward negativity expressed (by either Akiren or Morgana) towards their relationship, it was basically greenlit in my head. This was back in vanilla -- but the rest of the game, AND Royal, definitely just made it go stronger. The main reason was the fact that they could intellectually stimulate and interest the other with no ill will or malice, and that they both seemed to enjoy it.

my thoughts:

First of all, there’s the entire rivalry thing which I LOVE.

The whole concept of healthy rivalries always appeal in a relationship dynamic to me, because 1) they don’t “bore” each other due to the fact that there’s always going to be something keeping their interest up in a competitive way, 2) there’s no power imbalance due to the fact that the basis of any rivalry is that they are equals, and 3) both people in the relationship will always be striving to become better not for the other person, but because of the other person. Look at it this way:

There’s “I want to be the best version of myself to make you happy,” which is pretty much any other relationship dynamic that enforces self-betterment.

THEN, there’s rivalmance, which is, “I want to be the best version of myself because you motivate me to want to become a better person for myself,” which just honestly strikes a chord with me, mainly because it means that the relationship isn’t about pandering to one another, but about two people who can go up head-to-head, bare their souls and give each other everything they’ve got, and still come out stronger and happier than when they went in.

It’s exactly this in shuake that appeals to me so much -- that, of course, and the fact that they genuinely care about the other for who the other is, and not for anyone else. It’s especially blatant when you think about the fact that they both mirror each other in so many ways -- they both put on so many masks for the public and everyone around them; they’re both wildcards; they’re designed to mirror the other -- anyway, that list goes on for days.

The fact of the matter is that they can honestly, truly understand each other. There’s a saying -- “it is when dressed for a masquerade where you are most naked” -- that I think fits them really well. Their whole confidant route explores the many layers to their relationship and how they can fully understand the true depth of what the other means by using the guise of casual conversation as metaphor for the truth. Which you’ll know I obsess over if you’ve seen my post on their third confidant rank in Royal or small potatoes.

Oooops, that got a little long...

And of course, to no one’s surprise.

What makes me happy about them:

can’t i just say “everything” and be done with it

Okay but in all seriousness, I absolutely love how they’ve found someone so special for themselves in each other. Their relationship is so valuable to them, so important and meaningful that it’s truly something I think is precious. And that’s not even taking into account how much they would consider doing (and sacrificing) for the other if need be. Hell, Goro entrusts Akiren with his life mission (taking down Shido to let him rot) before intending to give up his own life in the engine room, and Akiren is given the absolutely heartrending choice to choose between Akechi or the world. The fact that it’s such a hard choice to make in and of itself is testament to how much it means. The fact that 2/2 exists is testament. The fact that Goro’s third awakening takes place at Leblanc, with Akiren, every little detail. They just. they mean so much to each other and that’s honestly one of the things that really makes me happy.

What makes me sad about them:

Nothing in particular about their relationship saddens me, per se? Like, they truly make me and each other happy by virtue of just being there. That’s not to say that their circumstances aren’t impressively saddening -- just take Proof of Justice, for example. The only thing that saddens me about their relationship is the tragedy of their circumstances: “If only we had met a few years earlier”? That hit. Well written angst is the best variant.

things done in fanfic that annoys me:

When. Akiren. is. mean-spirited. to. Goro. or. vice. versa. It’s just...not them? Like, Akiren knows what Goro’s been through, and seeing people write him making fun of Goro with the Phantom Thieves as anything further than light/playful teasing just makes me wince because it’s... cruel. Similarly, Goro’s a prick, yeah, but he’d never really go so far as to be needlessly cruel to Akiren and enjoy it for the sake of it. It’s just...blegh. I don’t like it.

things I look for in fanfic:

DYNAMIC! If any fic really nails their dynamic I absolutely adore it. The edge of competition, the proud and encouraging taunts, the innate bond and trust? Gimme that sweet sweet RIVALMANCE. The “do I hate you or do I hate what how you make me feel?” The “I want to get my feelings across but saying them would make it real and make it matter, so I’m going to layer it within thousands of metaphors and hypotheticals that I know you’ll understand regardless, but as long as I don’t let myself falter with my goal, it’s fine”

Ahem.

Basically I like them pining/trying to one-up each other and just generally relishing being in the other’s presence.

Who I’d be comfortable them ending up with, if not each other:

GOD this is a hard one because I don’t really ship either of them with anyone else? I know for Goro there’s been a lot of akesumi stuff going around but that really isn’t my cup of tea, so for Goro I’d prooooobably go with Yusuke because akekita is cute, lol. I will say that I headcanon Akiren as massively bi and I’d be willing to settle for shuann but I don’t really see them romantically? Like, bi solidarity and that’s all? OH though I wouldn’t mind Akiren with Hifumi; that’s a cute ship too!

My happily ever after for them:

They’re happy as long as they’re together, in my heart. Given both of their characters I think they both do like the fast-paced life that keeps them stimulated, but they can only properly slow down when they’re with each other, just because of how well they truly understand each other and knows what the other needs. Their happily ever after is honestly just them being together, because home is where the heart is.

who is the big spoon/little spoon:

Real talk, they snuggle together and both kind spoon each other? Other than that they alternate between big and little spoon, depending on whose trauma is affecting them. Akiren claims to be the big spoon more often because he likes believing that he’s able to comfort Goro when confronted in his darker moments and be there to protect him and assure him that things aren’t gonna hurt him anymore, but Goro ends up being the big spoon a lot more frequently because Akiren takes up too many people’s problems and gets stressed out over them without dealing with his own issues first, so Akiren frequently needs to be reminded that he has someone to protect him too, and Goro’s more than glad to be able to fill that role, to be able to help heal instead of hurt.

what is their favorite non-sexual activity:

Anything, so long as it’s competitive! As long as they can aim to compete with the other or one-up the other, it’ll be absolutely engaging for the both of them, whether it’s a debate, a game of chess, battleships, darts, pool, baseball batting in Yongen-Jaya, or playing tennis. Just let them compete and get passionate about it, and they’ll both have the time of their lives. Seriously.

Ask post here!

(I’ll do pegoryu next for you, anon, in a separate post!)

#ask me(me)#shuake #akeshu #persona 5 #p5 #persona 5 royal #p5r #vague p5r spoilers #goro akechi #akira kurusu #ren amamiya #this is my absolute favourite ship of all time so i have a LOT to say about it lol #emmaski analysis

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blackhakumen · 4 years ago

Text

Mini Fanfic #692: Teenagers React to Everyone Losing in Mario Golf World Tour (SSBU)

Mario

Mario gets hit by a Green She'll and turns into his little self on Screen.

Futuba: Wait. (Eyes Widened in Complete Disbelief at the Screen) THAT CAN ACTUALLY HAPPEN TO HIM!?

Ren: We've seen this man get stabbed, detonated, and knocked out many times than any of us can count. And none them ever resulted him into being little.

Lavenza: Perhaps it's the Green Shell's doing......(Place her Hand on her Chin and Starts Thinking) Hmmmmm.........

Futuba: (Turns to Lavenza) Anything on your mind, Lavvy-chan?

Lavenza: This might be hunch, but....How about we try devising a plan? Where we can try hitting Mario with a Green Shell ourselves.

Futuba: That way, we can see if he can turn into a small plumber or not. (Smiles Brightly and Excitedly) That's GENIUS!

Ren: (Has a bit of a Curious Smirk on his Face) Wouldn't mind being a part of that plan myself. I think my throwing skills has gotten better overtime.

Futuba: Mines too!

Makoto: (Immediately Gives the Trio Her Signature Cold Niijima Glare) We are NOT throwing a Green Shell at Mario.

Ren: There it is.

Futuba: (Starts Giving Makoto a Disappointed Pouty Face) Makotooo.....

Lavenza: (Genuinely Shocked and Disappointed) But why ever not, Ms. Queen?

Makoto: Because it's very rude and completely uncalled for. I mean seriously, what would Peach say if she saw you three going through with plan? She would be very disappointed. As I am with you three for even thinking about doing this.

Futuba: Come on, sis! Can't we just-

Makoto: (Stares Piercing her Glare) The answer's no and that's final.

Ren/Lavenza/Futuba: (Straighten Themselves Up in a Bit of Fear) Yes, ma'am!

Lavenza: (Genuinely Surprised) Goodness! I have no idea the Queen could be so terrifying....

Futuba: (Starts Shrugging) That's Makoto for ya. Her glares and motherly attitude are completely outmatched in our ragtag group. You know, besides Haru.

Haru: (Happily and Gently Scratches Under Morgana's Chin While He's Sitting and Purring onto her Lap, Causing her to Giggle Softly Altogether)

Lavenza: I see.... So I suppose nothing could ever try and faze her in some occasions, yes?

Futuba: For the most part.

Ren: (Smirks Like a Love Struck Dork) That's one of the million reasons why I love that beautiful woman after all~

Makoto: (Pouts at Ren) Stop trying to flattering me, Ren-Ren!~ The answer's still no!

Ren: (Chuckles Lightly) We know that already, 'hon~ I just wanted to tell you how much I love you is all~ (Kiss Makoto on the Cheek)

Makoto: (Lays her Head on Ren's Shoulder Once She Begins to Blush) Dummyhead~ (Hugs Ren Afterwards) Love you too~

Futuba: (Puts on a Deadpinned Look on Her Planned) Unless your name is Ren-Ren and try making her blush like a strawberry.....

Lavenza: Fascinating.....

Coco: (Writing Down Somthing on her Notepad)

Tails: Writing down possible theories and methods of any of this makes sense?

Coco: Yup!~

Luigi

Luigi sadly slouches down onto the floor and gets licked by a Boo on screen.

Yoshi: I dunno which is sadder.... Seeing my Luigi being sad or seeing him getting licked by a random Boo.

Pit: (Starts Shrugging Slowly) At least he didn't call himself a loser that time.

Yoshi: Yeah.

Peach

Peach dramatically faints, with heartstrings playing in the background, on screen.

Sonic: ('Sigh') There goes mom being dramatic again.....

Amy: (Happily Resting her Head into Sonic's Shoulder) I feel like you've gotten that from her as of late.

Sonic: ('Heh') Yeah right. Like I can be a drama as well-

Amy: Ice cream on Chili Dogs.

Sonic: (Eyes Widened and Gasps Loudly From his Girlfriend's Sudden Words and Dramatically Points at her) How DARE YOU say those words in front of me!? Your own BOYFRIEND!

Amy: (Giggles Softly at How Adorable her Sonic is Being Right Now) I rest my case~

Yoshi

Yoshi went into his egg in a very sad manner and starts rolling around the area before falling down on screen.

Ann: (Place her Hands onto her Mouth) Oh my gosh! This is so hard to watch!

Shiho: (Hugs Ann's Arm) This is so sad....

Haru: And so adorable at the same time!~

Morgana: (Sighs While Rolling his Eyes)

Futuba: (Raise her Hand) All in a agreement to hug Yoshi later on, say aye!

Ann/Shiho/Haru: (Raises Their Hands as Well) AYE!~

Lavenza: (Raises her Hand as Well) I would also like to join in this event as well!

Dark Pit: (Smirks Smugly at an Already Annoyed Yoshi) Guess who's back on his cuteness bullshit?

Ryuji: (Chuckles Lightly) Yeah.

Yoshi: For the love of...(Gets Up From his Seat) Why does everyone in this room thinks I'm cute?

Ann: Because you are-

Yoshi: Okay. I get. I flutter jump, I turn into an egg, and I admit, I do have a cute face. But for GOD SAKES, I know Kung Fu! I-I know how to drive a car with little to no problem! (Got Out his Trusty Nunchucks) I even learned how to use Nunchucks and everything!!!

Ryuji: Come on, man. You're overreacting.

Coco: Yeah. There's nothing wrong having a little cuteness in ya. (Happily Gives Yoshi a Thumbs Up) I think it suits you perfectly well.

Yoshi: (Turns to Tails) See, even your girlfriend thinks I'm cute, Tails!

Tails: (Eyes Widened at What Yoshi Just Said) Wait.....

Tails/Coco: WHAAAAAAAAAT!!!!!?

Coco: (Starts Blushing Herself) B-B-But weren't not dating! We're best friends!

Tails: (Starts Blushing as Well) E-Exactly! A-And besides.....(Chuckles a bit Lately) I-I'm pretty sure Coco wouldn't really be interested in dating someone as boring as me-

Coco: ('GASPS') (Pouts at Tails) Miles Tails Prower, how could you!!?

Tails: (Taken Aback by Coco's Sudden Change of Attitude) What? W-What did I say?

Coco: How could you say that about yourself!? You are absolutely NOT boring to me at all!

Tails: Y-You think so-

Coco: (Grabs Tails' Hands and Gently Squeezes Them) I KNOW so, mister! You're the most smartest, brilliant, precious little cinnamon roll I've ever met and anyone who thinks otherwise are dumb and stupid!

Tails: (Almost at a Loss of Words) Coco.....

Coco: I mean it, Tails! I don't EVER wanna see you put yourself down like that ever again, you hear me!?

Tails: I won't do that anymore! I promise!

Coco: (Stares at Tails For a Brief Second Before Sighing) Good. (Gives Tails a Loving Hug) I'm glad we come to an understanding. I love you, bud.

Tails: (Chuckles Lightly While Hugging Coco Back) I love you too, Coco. Thank you.

Almost Everyone: (Stares at the Best Friends Hugging Each Other) (Yeah. They would SO be cute couple together.)

Amy: (So CUUUUUUUUTEEEE!!!~)

Daisy

Daisy tries calming herself down before taking one look at the camera and starts angrily stomping and looking away on screen.

Ryuji: Sheesh. Even when she try to calm down, she still gets angry....

Yoshi: That's my mom for ya. Always a low-key bad sport.

Donkey Kong

Donkey Kong starts slapping the ground angrily before a random barrel came down and hit his head, causing him to fall down unconscious on screen.

Yusuke: That has to be a painful experience to go through.

Futuba: Tell me about it. I highly doubt that any normal human could survive a random barrel falling down on their heads.....or their entire body.

Ryuji: I envy that gorilla sometimes....

Diddy Kong

Diddy Kong lazily eats his banana, throws the peel on the floor beside him, gets up, ,immediately slips on the peel and fell on screen.

Ren: Yeah. No. He had that one coming.

Everyone: (Nodding and Completely Agrees to What Ren was Saying) Yeah./ Very True./ Uh huh.

Wario

Wario gets struck by lightning on screen.

Ryuji: (Eyes Widened in Complete Shock) JESUS! Where the hell did that lightning came from? It's not even raining outside!

Yusuke: Perhaps there's more to this universe than we originally thought....

Waluigi

Waluigi starts acting dramatic to losing before falling down into a black hole, that suddenly appears out of nowhere, on screen.

Futuba: Wha-Wha- WHAT!? How is even possible!? W-W-WHERE DID THAT BLACK HOLE EVEN CAME FROM!?

Morgana: (Shakes his Head Slowly) I don't even know anymore, Futuba....

Futuba: Damnit! (Looks Up Into the Ceiling in Anger) NONE OF THIS MAKES ANY SENSE!!!

Lavenza: There's a lot of things that doesn't make sense, Big Sister Futuba.

Bowser

Bowser angrily punches a camera on screen.

Ryuji: WOAH WOAH WOAH! What the hell was that all about!?

Ren: A evil, giant turtle getting mad over a simple game of golf....Kind of sounds a lot sadder when I say it out loud.

Ryuji: Right!? It's just a frickin' golf game! Why do they have get so hell-bent over it everytime they lose!?

Ren: I don't think anyone really knows at this point, man.

Bowser Jr.

Bowser Jr throwing his usual temper tantrum on screen.

Morgana: (Starts Sighing While Rolling his Eyes) Here comes another Bowser Jr's cuteness hour.....

Futuba: (Teasingly Pokes Morgan's Cheeks) Getting jealous there, Mona?~

Haru: (Immediately Pulls Morgana into a Loving Hug) Oh my sweet, little Mona-Chan!~ Please don't be jealous of Bowser Jr-kun anymore! I promise I love you with all of my heart!~ (Begins Kissing Morgana's Cheek)

Morgana: (Starts Getting Ticklish by Haru's Kisses) Haru! Come on! I believe you already! Really!

Lavenza: (Turns to Futuba) What exactly is happening here right now? Is Mona-Chan really jealous of this Bowser Jr character?

Futuba; (Simply Nodded) Oh big time. He thinks Haru thinks that the little guy is more cuter than he is.

Lavenza: ('Gasps') That is crazy talk....(Turns to Morgana) Mona-Chan!

Morgana: (Turns to Lavenza) Huh? What's wrong, Lavenza?

Lavenza: (Gently Grab Both of Mona's Paws) There us no need for you feel any jealousy towards Bowser Jr. While it is true that his overall appearance is cute to look at, you are and always will a precious feline in my very eyes!

Morgana: (Eyes Widened in Genuine Surprise While Blushing) Y-You.... really mean that, Lavenza?

Lavenza: Why, of course I do. (Joins into Morgana and Haru's Hug) I wouldn't be here, telling you this if I don't.

Haru: Lavvy-chan is absolutely right on this, sweetheart. You're a lot more precious than give yourself credit for. So please don't be jealous anymore, okay?

Morgana: (Sighs While Being Overwhelmed by the Group Hug) I'll try not to....(Smiles a Little) Thanks, you guys.

Futuba: (Smirk Softly at the Trio While Silently Taking a Few Pictures of Them ('Heh Heh') Dorks.

Rosalina

Rosalina faints....and accidentally fell down on the Lumas, who were trying to help her up, on screen.

'Thud'

Most People in the Living Room: Oh!

Yoshi: That has got to leave a mark.

Pit: I know. I kind of feel bad for those poor little Lumas....

Dark Pit: They're floating, magical stars with eyes, Pit-Stain. They'll be fine.

Birdo

Birdo angrily shoots eggs at the camera on screen.

Ann: (Really Glares at the Screen) Really?! What is with these people and breaking camera screens!? Do they honestly even know how much those things cost!!?

Shiho: (Simply Shrugs) I guess they really can't stand the fact they've lost a game golf.

Ann: Right!?

Toad

Two Toads tries to cheer up the main Toad by cheerleading on screen.

Ren: Huh. Cheerleading Toads.... That's a new one.

Makoto: It's cute how they try to do whatever they can to support each other.

Ren: I agree. It's also ironic how this is the most normal reaction of losing out of everyone else we've seen so far.

Makoto: ('Sigh') Yeah.....

Nabbit

Nabbit hides under a bag....only to get eaten by a Piranha Plant on screen.

Dark Pit: Alright. I'm about to lose it in a matter of seconds, if someone in this room don't tell me why in the hell does that dumbass thought that having a Piranha in his bag was even remotely a good idea!

Ren: ('Sigh') Yeah. I think we're done here.

..............................................................

Sonic: Sheesh....That was a lot more insane to watch through than I thought it would be.....

Yusuke: Not the most cringe worthy event I have ever seen so far, but it was still rather.... interesting to watch, to say the least.

Amy: I know..... I had no idea they would took golf so seriously...

Ryuji: You're telling me. I mean, really, I can't believe these guys were making a huge deal about losing one single game of golf! GOLF!! Probably one of the most boring sports in all of the frickin universe!!

Ren: Well, knowing Mario and the gang, I'm pretty sure they found a way to make the sport more fun to them.

Ryuji: That might be the true, but that doesn't make what we just saw, any better, bro!!

Ren: ('Sigh') Yeah. It.... really doesn't.

Futuba: (Found Something Interesting on his Phone) Huh.

Pit: What you found, Futuba?

Futuba: (Shows Everyone Beside her Phone) It says here that Mario and the others are hosting an all new golf tournament next month. It's called the "Mario Golf: Super Rush Tournament"

Yoshi: (Takes a Look at Futuba's Phone) Yep. Seems pretty legit to me.

Everyone: (Nodded in Agreement)

Makoto: They're going to embarrass themselves in that tournament, are they?

Ren: I'd be surprised if they didn't.

Makoto: You're gonna record the whole thing, are you?

Ren: (Chuckles Lightly) Oho yeah.....

@keyenuta

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@italian-love-cake

@ma-lemons

@craftyfreakdragonuniversity

@caleb13frede

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little-ligi · 4 years ago

Text

Febuwhump - No.23

No.23 - “Don’t Look” Fandom - BBC Merlin Wordcount - 1908 @febuwhump

Leon dropped his sword with a short yelp as Percival’s blade bit into his arm. A fraction of a second later Percival had dropped his own sword as well and had a firm grip on Leon’s non-injured arm.

“I’m sorry, Leon!”

His face looked stricken and he ever so gently pulled Leon’s arm towards himself to look at the cut.

“No, Percival, it was my fault,” Leon told him, looking down at the blood seeping through his grey shirt.

It was his fault; he’d raised his arm into Percival’s swing, trying to catch the flat of the blade with his elbow and force it away from his face. It was a move he had performed many a time and it worked exceedingly well when his elbow was protected by couter and chainmail.

But today was a rather hot day however, so the knights had been training in just shirts. And where Percival’s sword would have slid off of Leon’s chainmail, without the armour it instead sliced into his bicep.

He hissed as Percival rolled his sleeve up.

Continue reading on Ao3, FF.net or below! 👇

“Oh, it looks deep,” the big knight said in distress.

The others had all noticed now and hurried over. Arthur pulled Leon closer to have a look and Lancelot put a hand under his elbow to support him.

“It’ll need stitches,” Arthur said grimly. “You’ll have to go up to Gaius.”

Leon sighed; he hated stitches. But Arthur was right; it was too deep to leave it untended. Elyan handed over a wad of cloth and Arthur pressed it firmly to the wound.

“I’ll take you to Gaius’s,” Lancelot offered.

“No, I’m fine. I can manage,” Leon protested, not wanting to be fussed over like an invalid. He pulled the cloth from Arthur’s hand and held it himself against his arm. “You all carry on, I’ll be back down as soon as Gaius has sewn me up.” He attempted a grin but it was probably more of a grimace.

“Are you sure, Leon?” Arthur asked sincerely, his blue eyes boring into Leon’s.

“Yes, Sire, I’ll manage. Seriously, Lancelot, I’m fine,” he added when the other knight made to argue. “Thank you, but I’ll be alright.”

Percival didn’t seem to want to let go of his arm but after clapping Leon on the back, Arthur called them back to training. Gwaine threw an arm around Percival’s waist, tugging him into his side.

“Come on, big man, see if we can get through the rest of the day without you mutilating anyone else,” he joked. Percival frowned, watching Leon even as Gwaine dragged him away.

“I’m really sorry,” he said again.

“Don’t worry, Percival, I’m fine.”

“I’ll come up and find you after practice,” Lancelot promised.

“I’ll be back in a few minutes,” Leon huffed and ignored the way Lancelot raised his eyebrow in scepticism.

Lancelot gave his other arm a squeeze then Leon turned and began making his way back up to the palace. Once he was in the courtyard and out of sight of the other knights, he pulled the cloth away from his arm and had a better look at the wound. It was deep, and still bleeding profusely, but the edges were clean and straight and it looked like it would be simple enough to sew.

He staggered a little as he got to the steps up to the physician’s chambers, but just about made it up without falling over. He had to stop and lean against the wall once he was at the top of the stairs, his head swimming. Trying to get control of his feet, even though his dizzy head was not making it any easier, he stumbled towards Gaius’s door and knocked, lifting the latch and wobbling through when he heard a shout of “yeah?” from inside.

Merlin jumped up from the desk where he’d been sitting reading, slamming his book shut and stuffing it underneath a pile of parchment.

“Leon? What happened?”

“I forgot I wasn’t wearing my mail,” he said wryly, swaying slightly and leaning back against the door. “I don’t suppose Gaius is around?”

“He’s tending to the king,” Merlin said with a hopeless sort of twist to his lips.

“Ah…”

He tried to concentrate on the room in front of him, but it seemed to be spinning.

“Whoa, are you alright?” Merlin hurried over, putting a steadying hand on Leon’s back and guiding him over to the little cot Gaius had set up for patients. “I’m surprised Arthur didn’t send someone up with you to make sure you got here without falling flat on your face.”

He pushed him down and Leon sat with a bump, shaking his head to try and rid it of the woozy feeling. Sitting down was certainly helping.

“I didn’t need help; I managed.”

Merlin had obviously been practicing the look he gave Leon; he looked just like Gaius with that one eyebrow raised. And he tutted just like the old physician as well.

“Here, let me look.”

Kneeling beside the cot and taking the cloth from Leon’s hand, Merlin peeled it away from his arm. He hissed when he saw the wound, dabbing carefully at it with the cloth.

“That will need stitching back up,” he said, biting his lip.

“’S’what Arthur said.” Leon nodded.

“Oh,” Merlin said with a chuckle. “He does know some things then.” He bit his lip again. “I can go and fetch Gaius?”

“Not if he is with the king. The king needs him more than I do.” Uther hadn’t been the same since Lady Morgana had turned on them. He hadn’t said anything about what had happened when he’d been chained up in his own dungeons, but Gaius suspected he had been tortured. Tortured so severely his mind had been damaged.

“Can you…?” Leon asked, gesturing to Merlin and then to his wounded arm.

Merlin shrugged, but jumped up and started collecting things from Gaius’s bench.

“I’ve never – Gaius has showed me how and I’ve watched him do it so many times – but I’ve never done it…”

As he spoke he put a needle, silk thread, a pair of scissors, bowl of water, and a clean cloth down on the stool beside the cot. So far, he seemed proficient enough in his knowledge. He also passed Leon a cup of something that smelt rather like rose bathwater, indicating that he drink it, while he washed his hands in a basin by the window.

“I think you would do it well, Merlin,” Leon said, looking up at the servant over the rim of the cup. It tasted very like rose bathwater as well, but the dizziness seemed to ease a little.

“I am quite good at sewing,” Merlin said with a smile, kneeling down again and beginning to thread the needle. “You’ve seen my needlework on Arthur’s shirts! Did you notice there was a mended rip all the way down the side of his shirt today?”

“No?” Leon screwed his eyes up, trying to make his foggy mind remember what Arthur was wearing.

“Aha, that’s because of my fine stitching!” Merlin grinned at him. Leon smiled back, not wanting to tell Merlin that he probably wouldn’t have noticed anyway. “I was taught by the best.”

“Gwen?” Leon guessed, as she was certainly the best seamstress he knew of.

“Exactly.” Merlin dipped the cloth in the water he had brought over, wiping the blood from around the wound on Leon’s arm. “Now, are you sure you don’t want me to get Gaius instead?”

“I trust you.”

Merlin beamed. “Alright. Look away and just try to keep as still as possible.”

Leon gritted his teeth and turned his head away, watching a bunch of lavender that was hanging from the ceiling slowly swaying in the breeze from the window. A sharp stab made him wince and squint down at his arm; Merlin had begun stitching, the needle and thread tugging at the edge of the wound. With a hiss of pain, he looked away again, muttering curses under his breath.

“Sorry,” Merlin whispered, intent on his work.

A few more painful stabs and tugs later, Leon turned to look again. He was impressed with the efficiency of Merlin’s work, the steady care he was taking reminding Leon of a real physician. The stitches were tiny and very neat.

“Leon.” Merlin looked up at him then gently pushed Leon’s cheek to turn his head away. “Don’t look.”

“But –” Leon started to protest, trying to see his arm again but Merlin cut him off with a raised hand.

“No, I can’t concentrate if you’re looking. You’re putting me off my embroidery.” He gave him a silly smile before his face settled back into the determined expression, a little crease between his eyebrows. “Don’t look.”

Leon let his gaze roam over the bookshelf as Merlin continued, resisting the urge to look back every time he felt the slack on the thread as Merlin stopped pulling each stitch. He almost wished he was still dizzy, as at least then he would be focussing all of his attention on trying to stay upright rather than on the stinging aching pain of his arm.

After what felt like hours, but surely hadn’t been, Merlin gave one final tug that made Leon gasp, and snipped the end of the thread off.

“There we are!” Merlin said proudly. “You can look now.”

Leon lifted his elbow to get a better look at the wound. It was closed up with the nicest stitches Leon had ever seen – dare he say even better than Gaius’s.

“Thank you, Merlin.” He gave him a clap on the back before letting his hand catch in Merlin’s hair to ruffle it.

“You’re welcome. Let me just get some honey and I’ll bandage it.”

He got back to his feet, a bounce in his step as he went over to Gaius’s workbench again. He had a satisfied grin on his face, and Leon found himself mirroring it with a proud smile of his own.

There was a knock at the door as Merlin came back over with the honey and then Lancelot poked his head around the door.

“You got here alright, then?” he asked, coming in, followed by Percival who was still looking guilty and sheepish.

“Only just,” Merlin said, rolling his eyes. “Nearly fell on his face when he got here.”

Lancelot gave Leon a look, which Leon chose to ignore.

“Is Gaius not here?” Percival asked quietly, worry breaking over his face.

“No, but Merlin stitched it.”

He held his arm up to show off the neat stitches.

“Not too bad, is it?” Merlin said, wiping the edge of the wound with the cloth again, catching a small bead of blood. “I was tempted to embroider my name so everyone would know who stitched him up so beautifully.”

Lancelot laughed. “Save that for when you need to sew up Arthur.”

Merlin grinned wickedly. He spread honey over the top of the stitches then wrapped a bandage around Leon’s bicep, Lancelot holding it so he could tie the ends.

“All done,” he said, patting Leon’s hand.

“Thank you, Merlin.”

Leon stood and was immediately pulled into a tight hug by Percival.

“I’m really sorry.”

“Don’t worry, Percival, it happens,” he said after returning the tight hug, his hand coming up to cup the back of Percival’s neck briefly. “And luckily, we’ve got a very talented embroiderer here to take care of us.”

Merlin beamed.

#febuwhump2021 #febuwhumpday23 #don't look #bbc merlin fanfiction #leon whump #physician merlin #accidental injury #stitches #brotherhood of knights #ligi writes #a day late #but still going #woo

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prismarts · 4 years ago

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Shadowmancy (Camelot Era)

Plot: A frustrated Douxie seeks to cast a Shadowmancy spell to prove to Merlin that he is more than just errand boy, Illy tries to stop him before he gets hurt...

Notes: Douxie x OC, got an idea for this after remembering Douxie’s line “I never had the gift for Shadowmancy”, I try to make up an advanced Shadowmancy spell, not even sure if it’s cool I’ll try to make it sound cool, small mention of blood, dark magic, some cute fluff after cause I can’t resist, also Merlin briefly but I’m not sure if I wrote him correctly forgive me xD, This happens before the birthday one shot by maybe a month or two...I dunno this just happens before it.

@tales-of-hisirdoux

Frustration.

That was the only feeling that was boiling in young Douxie’s head and gut as he stormed around his chambers, muttering and grumbling various curse words under his breath, fuzzbuckets being prominently muttered.

He had been in the castle for a couple of months now and he’s barely learned anything other than basic magic and spells. He wasn’t even training with his magic most of the time, he was often sent on chores if anything.

It infuriated him to no end.

Archie, seeing this, was trying hard to get his wizard familiar to calm down, he’s never been this angry before. “Douxie, be reasonable, you’re still learning magic...it might just take a while for you to-”

“Right! Because I’ve been learning bloody beginner’s magic!!! For months! Most of those spells, I already know! I’ve been pushing a broom more than I’ve learned new spells, Arch! What kind of apprentice am I!?”

Douxie’s hazel gold eyes looked dark from the grave amount of frustration that he’s been feeling.

“Doux, calm down. I’m sure Merlin has his reasons... Illyria is still learning beginner’s magic too and she’s been here longer than you..”

The apprentice let out a scoff as he glared at Archie, “Illy’s been learning magic from Morgana! She doesn’t have to do half as many chores as I do.”

It was true, Illy was often seen around Morgana and learns magic more from her, the rare occasion that she does do chores, it isn’t as long of a list as Douxie gets... But then a different thought crossed his mind....

Illy learned under Morgana, who was known for her skill in Shadowmancy, the art of dark magic, controlling the shadows. The one kind of magic that Merlin would never let him learn about, let alone look at books on it. But, if he could cast a spell from one of Morgana’s books on Shadow magic...

He can finally prove to his master that he is capable of learning stronger and more complex spells.

Without a second thought, Douxie stormed out of his chambers.

Determined to prove Merlin wrong, he walks in a rather focused still infuriated manner towards Morgana’s chambers. He ignored the sound of his familiar calling out to him and failed to notice the other apprentice that had just notice him storm off.

Illy went over to Archie and helped the familiar on her shoulders, ‘What’s going on with Douxie?....’ she wondered quietly as she and the cat dragon shared a concerned look.

Meanwhile, the annoyed apprentice walked along the castle and looked around to make sure his surroundings were empty, Master Merlin and Morgana were busy individuals but he had to be careful as to not get caught.

Douxie stayed quiet as he hid at a corner near Morgana’s chambers, there were a few castle staff and servants walking around, making him curse under his breath, “Fuzzbuckets..”

He tapped his gauntlet to activate its magic as he swiped through the runes to pick a spell as he thought to himself quickly.

A sky blue glow illuminated in his hand as he whispered the incantation, “Interminus nocti sluumberso”

He blasted the spell towards the servants, putting them to sleep as he grinned and quickly made his way into the empty chambers. Closing the doors behind him as he looked around.

A chill went down his spine as he started digging around for what he needed, this felt wrong....but his misguided determination was pushing him to keep looking.

Douxie soon found it, one of Morgana’s spell books. He grinned in a determined manner as he quickly flipped through the book to the more advanced spells, the need to prove himself to Merlin growing strong and causing his heart to race..

Or was it the fear of trying to use Shadow magic?...

He never got to linger on that thought as he had found the spell he was looking for and was about to cast it when he heard the door open.

“Douxie!”

A hushed yell could be heard as the door closed, the apprentice saw that it was Illy, he felt a bit relieved....

Oh, and Archie....great.

“What are you doing here!?” Illy asked worriedly as she ran up to the taller apprentice, she looked visibly worried about being in Morgana’s chambers without her mentor’s permission.

Then, Archie spoke up as he was jumped off the girl’s shoulder, “Douxie, whatever you have planned is not a good idea. We should leave while we st-”

The taller apprentice completely ignored his familiar as he gently grabbed Illy by her arms, making the poor girl flinch and blush quite a bit.

“Illy! Modrax’s miracles, you’re here! This is perfect!”

“I...i don’t think it is.....w..we need to go Douxie...we aren’t supposed to be in here...”

“Uh uh, yeah, alright, but I need your help.”

“M...my help?..” The girl stuttered quietly.

Douxie had that mischievous grin on his face as he looked at her, the grin that would make Illy’s heart melt at an instant...

If she wasn’t so panicked at the moment.

“I need you to help me cast this spell! You just need to guide me through it and I’ll be able to cast it!”

When the wizard showed Illy the book, it didn’t help with her panic, “D..Douxie, that’s Morgana’s a..and that...that spell is way too advanced for us! I..I can’t help you with it even if I want to!”

That was a lot more true than what Douxie understood, Illy had no abilities in Shadowmancy whatsoever, despite being taken in by Morgana.

She’s tried, really really hard to learn that form of magic to make her mentor and mother figure proud....but she just wasn’t able to, she has no gift for Shadow magic..

But Douxie didn’t know that....

“Of course you can! You’re Morgana’s student! You must have casted lots of Shadowmancy spells before! You just need to help guide me through it....I’m sure I can cast it....”

He looked a little desperate for her help but Illy sees something else in those hazel gold eyes...

Determination..

She admired that about him....

Was he a bit too silly and relaxed at times? Yes..

But he’s always been determined to learn more and grow as a wizard, a person... All he wanted was to prove himself to everyone as a great spellcaster..

“Douxie....I can’t...a..and you don’t need to do this, you’re already an amazing wizard..”

“Illy....you don’t understand! I have to. It’s the only way Master Merlin is ever going to take me seriously! I need to prove it to him! To prove that I’m more than just....an errand boy!”

Illy put her hands on his arms that were still holding onto her sides, “And you are....but this is too dangerous, you could hurt yourself, Douxie.”

Douxie looked at his friend quietly, a shaky breath escaped him. He felt...genuinely, a little hurt. To him, it sounded like Illy doesn’t trust him to get the spell right....

And that only fueled his frustrations more...

The apprentice glared at Illy as he let go of her rather harshly, he almost stopped when he saw the shock and hurt in her turquoise eyes.... but he was too frustrated.

He grabbed the book and backed away, a dark glare in his eyes.

“Of course you would think that way, exactly like Master Merlin! I am capable of casting this spell and I’ll prove it!!!”

Douxie immediately powered his gauntlet, levitating the book as he flipped the pages to the spell. He was fueled with hurt, anger and frustration as he started to read the incantation out loud, ignoring Illy and Archie’s worried protests.

At first, it seemed like the spell was working. He was opening multiple shadow portals around the room as his eyes turned black.....a slight fading glow of his sky blue magic in them... black veins appeared on hi face from his eyes and on his arms.

Illy backed away with Archie worriedly, she had to get Merlin and Morgana but she doesn’t want to leave Douxie alone..

She tried to think fast about what to do but soon panicked as she felt the end of her dress and her legs being sucked into one of the portals. The portals were starting to shake and look unstable as she kept getting sucked into one of them.

The shorter apprentice took it upon herself to throw Archie towards the door and away from the portals to protect the familiar, the Shadow Realm was too dangerous for him. She hung onto dear life, as Archie ran out the door to get help.

The portals kept shaking and getting unstable..

That wasn’t supposed to happen.

Douxie felt his mind go blank, a painful ringing started to be heard and echoed in his mind, it got louder and louder as he felt himself lose control. He couldn’t scream, despite the pain.

He started to pant heavily, his breathing getting erratic, quick as the portals around getting even more unstable and more shaky, unstable portals appeared as items flew around the room through said portals.

Illy was able to climb and levitate herself out of the portal but just as she was getting away, a dagger flew out of said portal and slashed her shoulders deeply. Blood dripping out of the cut as it soaked her dress.

She screamed in pain..

Which made Douxie felt even more unstable and lose control....his blank mind started to worry about Illy...

‘D...did he really hurt her.....No..no..he couldn’t have....he’d never hurt her...but...she sounded like she was in so much pain....’

Illy saw Douxie’s eyes flickering from black to his normal...scared hazel gold eyes..

He was losing control as she sees the veins on his arms and face, his body was shaking and pained tears falling down his face.

Then, she saw one of the shaky unstable portals appeared behind the shaking apprentice, ready to suck him into the Shadow Realm...

She ignored the pain and the fear as she ran over to Douxie quickly and tackled him and the book to the ground as she tried her hardest to pull him away from the portals. She had to get him back..

“Douxie! Douxie, you need to snap out of it! Please! You need to clear your mind! P...please....this isn’t you... Y...You’re so much stronger than this Hisirdoux!!”

Illy was sobbing out of fear and worry as she hugged Douxie tightly and shakily..

“Y..you’re amazing Douxie....y..you don’t have to prove that to anyone! A..Archie sees it....I...I see it, Doux....I see you....y..you’re strong and determined....and capable...y..you’re a great wizard...”

Those words...

It hit his heart...something deep inside him.....

Those words....gave Douxie the strength to fully snap out of it, his eyes flickered back to his hazel gold colour....the veins all over him slowly disappeared as did the portals around the room..

Illy let out shaky breaths, relieved that this was over... but Douxie collapsed in her arms, he passed out completely.

And if things couldn’t get worse, Merlin and Morgana burst into the room, Archie flying next to them...

To say that Merlin was upset, was an absolute understatement.

He was furious but there wasn’t much he could do as punishment while Douxie was still passed out.

Well, he did think of something...

But when a certain other apprentice heard of this, she immediately ran into Merlin’s study, where Douxie was resting in and Archie alongside him... as well as Merlin.

Despite getting hurt by his actions, Illy wasn’t backing down from this...she wasn’t going to let Merlin go through with his plan. Archie and Merlin were both a bit surprised when she slammed the door open.

“You can’t send Douxie away, Master!!! Please...he deserves another chance!”

Her voice was shaky, she sounded upset and quite angered as she was breathing heavily from running. Illy’s face both red in anger and from running..

“The boy messed with dark magicks after being specifically told not to!” Merlin started sternly as he looked at the shorter apprentice, she had a temper but never disobeyed quite like this before.... Douxie was rubbing off on her..

Before Illy could intervene, Merlin kept going.

“And worse! He put you and his own familiar in harm’s way! He could have easily put others safety at risk with his mucking about with Shadow magic!”

“It was just a mistake, Master! It was an accident! He wasn’t trying to harm me or Archie, he....he just wanted to prove himself to you...”

Merlin looked at Illy sternly as he walked up to her and was about to continue his ranting on Douxie but, Illy was getting more than emotional and wasn’t about to back down....she wasn’t about to lose him..

“Douxie may be reckless a ..and relaxed...maybe he doesn’t think things through, but he’s determined!!! He’s determined to do better and learn, he...just needs a chance to prove that..... please, Master....i..if he deserves punishment then do as you see fit but...p..please don’t send him away....h..he’s amazing and powerful and capable of so many great things! Please, Master...”

Illy hadn’t realized it but she was crying quite a bit, her breath hitching as Archie had walked over to the short apprentice and jumped onto her shoulders to calm her down.

She...really didn’t want to lose her friend....the apprentice she’s admired....

And Merlin realizes that, his face doesn’t show it but he now realizes why Illy was vouching for the boy.

Apart from her truly believing in his ability to grow, the hope and determined that he would be able to learn from this and become a powerful wizard...

The girl had also fallen in love with his apprentice...

It took a bit of thought, but Merlin soon turned to the girl and gave her head, a small pat. “Very well, Hisirodux will stay....but only because you are insistent on it, I am choosing to trust your judgement.”

Illy was shaking and crying but smiled gratefully as she glanced at Archie, they were both relieved, “Thank you, Master! Thank you so much!”

It had been a week since the incident, Merlin had indeed given Douxie his punishment after giving him an earful about his recklessness which was hard for the apprentice to hear but he took it....it was his fault and he expected it..

What the apprentice wasn’t expecting was his master putting him through the worst imaginable chores available...including milking the Slorr......daily, for around a month.

Still, he didn’t complain. He did all his chores obediently and on time...

He even got to learn a few basic intermediate spells, new spells..

But this confused him..

As he finished milking the Slorr, he groaned a little... the horrid smell was making him gag despite him doing this for a week now.

“Well.....at least it wasn’t worse...”

“It could have been..”, Douxie heard his familiar mutter, it made him turn to the cat. “What do you mean by that, Arch?”

“Oh, nothing..” The familiar seemed a bit nervous now..

“Arch.....what are you talking about?”

Douxie got a bit annoyed as he kept repeating and calling to his familiar for answers, “Arch. Arch. Archie.” He ended up walking close to the cat dragon and held his Slorr juice covered hands close to his face.

Archie gagged and backed up, “Alright!”, He sighed, “Illyria vouched for you to stay.....Merlin could have sent you away if she hadn’t convinced him to trust you again.”

“S...she did that....for me?.....”

His familiar nodded quietly, “She didn’t want me to tell you....she wanted you to stay determined and build back that trust on your own accord...”

The apprentice stayed quiet as he let everything sank in....Illy believed in him....even after he put her in danger and got her injured...

He then suddenly spoke up in a bit of a quiet manner, “Arch...could you help me send the Slorr juice to Master Merlin? I need to do something.”

Archie nodded as he turned into his dragon form and grabbed the Slorr juice that was collected and flew to Merlin’s tower.

Douxie practically ran into the castle after cleaning himself up, he ran through the castle hallways as he felt a lot of things after what he found out. He needed to find Illy...

He kept running and running until he found her chambers near Merlin’s tower, he stopped in front of the door as a wave of fear and anxiety washed over him... He took a shaky breath as he shakily lifted his fist up.

And soon knocked on the door to Illy’s chambers...

Douxie waited for a little while until the door opened to the girl, she looked like she had been studying this whole time as he saw books levitating behind her. Illy smiled at him as her turquoise eyes brighten as she tucked a little of her long brunette hair behind her ear.

“Oh! Douxie, did you need something?...”

The apprentice couldn’t speak... he just stared at the girl quietly as he processed what Archie said only moments earlier... and the words he remembered Illy saying to him while he was under dark magic...

His breath hitched as he didn’t realized he was crying...

“Douxie!? What’s wrong?..”

Illy didn’t get answer, instead he got pulled into a tight bear hug, she felt Douxie’s face quietly burying itself in her soft hair as he took a shaky breath..

The girl froze, feeling her face heat up and turn red....she felt her heart fluttering in her chest as she slowly felt flustered and loved the warmth he gave her from the hug..

But she overcame her flustered feelings and hugged the taller apprentice back quietly....

“T..thank you..”

“F....for what, Douxie?....is everything okay?....”

“F....for believing in me...even after what I put you through....I..I’m really sorry for hurting you....I’m really sorry, Illy..”

Illy hugged him closer and shushed him softly, “You already apologized Douxie...hundreds of times...I’m alright, I’m just....really happy to have my friend back....”

Douxie couldn’t help but smile at her words as he hugged her close....

They stayed there in each other’s embrace, happy to have each other in their lives....

#toa #toa wizards #tales of arcadia #wizards tales of arcadia #douxilly #douxie x oc #toa douxie #toa archie #toa merlin #toa morgana #douxie #hisirdoux #hisirdoux casperan #douxie casperan #tales of arcadia oc

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parchmentedscrolls · 4 years ago

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Perhaps the Biggest Illusion (is reality itself)

Fandom: Persona 5 (Royal) Characters: Akira Kurusu, Goro Akechi, Takuto Maruki Pairings: Goro Akechi/Akira Kurusu Words: 3,480

Read on AO3

“A detective and a phantom thief. Despite being enemies, your relationship isn’t based on hatred or ill will . . .” Maruki muses, leaning towards Ren.

We’re rivals, not enemies—the words were already forming on Akira’s lips when Maruki cut him off.

“That’s why I found it so tragic when I learned what happened in Shido’s Palace,” he said, eyes full of pity, and Akira’s mouth froze. How . . . how can he even know about that?

There had been no one—not even Sae knew what had happened in Shido’s Palace, and there was absolutely no way Maruki had been in the Palace at the time. The only ones present had been The Phantom Thieves and Akechi himself. What had transpired that day had been a carefully guarded secret from the public, which could only mean—

He must have found out from . . . the collective unconscious? Akira frowned—that wouldn’t have made sense, because all of the Phantom Thieves had Personas, and couldn’t mingle with the Shadows or whispers of Mementos. None of them would tell Maruki about it so openly either. They wouldn’t even have had the chance to do so. So how did Maruki—

It clicked. He didn’t find out from one of the others. Akira’s throat tightened uncomfortably. He must have found out . . . from me.

It made all too much sense—Akira was the wildcard of the group, he took in and let out Personas and Shadows with ease, gained them access to his mind in exchange for their trust and their power. Hell, he’d done it in Maruki’s Palace.

And . . . what had happened in the boiler room of Shido’s ship wasn’t something small—to Akira, at least. The memories were too vivid, each moment ingrained almost permanently into Akira’s eyes.

The cocking of a gun, venomous words spit from the cognitive Akechi’s lips; the worst words Akechi could possibly have heard in that situation—“you bastard”—as if to sum up what Akechi believed of his existence within a single word.

“So, my final enemy is a puppet version of myself . . .” was all he’d heard the real Akechi say through gritted teeth, as though condemning himself to his fate. Then, denying that choice, “I . . . !”

The sounds of gunshots echoed loudly, followed by a sickening silence.

Akira barely managed to keep himself from flinching. He could still remember the scene as it played out from behind a metal door where he was left helpless to leave Akechi to his fate, to the unfair, cruel world that he was never really given an opportunity to truly fight back against.

It was no wonder Maruki had picked up on it, in retrospect. Is he . . . going to use this against me? By making a reality in which Shido never went that far, in which Akechi was never made to target Wakaba and Okumura in the first place . . .

Akira’s suspicions were all but confirmed with Maruki’s next words: “Say, Kurusu-kun . . . didn’t you regret how things ended with him?”

Akira’s breath hitched in his throat.

Either Maruki didn’t notice, or he didn’t care. “You two came to a deep understanding of one another . . . yet you had no choice but to leave Akechi-kun to his fate.”

At this point, Maruki didn’t even bother feigning sympathy. The fact that there was only eagerness in his expression made Akira’s stomach twist with regret.

He really, really wished he had never opened up to Maruki.

Or maybe he wished he had never given Maruki the option to fidget with the metacognitive world at all. Maybe he could’ve helped Maruki with his assumptions about Rumi, or could have changed his heart earlier.

He could have helped him instead of . . . this happening.

Because really—it was Akira’s fault and Akira’s fault alone for letting Maruki get this far, for giving him the idea to mess with the collective unconscious in the first place.

A chill ran down Akira’s spine. He did his best to suppress it.

“That’s why I created a reality where you two could have a fresh start together,” Maruki finished, looking for all the world like a puppy expecting to be praised and not a tentacle-wielding manipulator of reality.

Not like he could make all of Akira’s real history with Akechi disappear with the snap of a finger.

Not like that was exactly what he had done.

Akira felt queasy.

“I’ll hold onto your glove.”

A gasp, then a chuckle. “After all this, that’s what you have to say? Seriously, you really are . . .”

That was the last thing he’d heard Akechi say to him in Shido’s Palace.

Morgana gasped. “That would mean the Akechi in the real world is . . .”

Is what? . . . Dead? No, that can’t be . . . Maruki doesn’t know that, he doesn’t know that Akechi turned himself in for me on Christmas Eve, he can’t possibly know about that—

“Get what I’m saying?” Maruki asked, all but confirming Morgana’s assumption. His expression still didn’t change when he continued, “I genuinely didn’t want to tell you like this. I didn’t want to make it seem like I’m holding him hostage.

“But no matter what you may think of me, I just want you to accept this reality and move on with your happy lives.”

Can you even . . . really call it reality?

For a moment, he wants to be selfish—if Maruki had in fact brought Akechi back to life, that would mean that the wish he granted it from was undoubtedly Akira’s.

Even if the other Phantom Thieves hadn’t clearly had different wishes that were granted in their own ways, none of them would have wished for Akechi back. None of them had ever really seen him the way Akira did.

No one ever saw Akechi the way Akira did. No one else cared for him enough to want him back.

Not even Akechi himself.

Akira’s thoughts were proven when Akechi takes this moment to speak: “And that matters how, exactly?” Akira looks at him, breath bated as he continues, “Don’t tell me you think dangling my life before us is going to have any impact on our decision.”

From the way he spoke . . . “So . . . you knew?” You knew all the time that you were, what—dead?—and you never said anything, even to me? Akira wished he could be angry, be upset, even hurt.

But he understood exactly why Akechi hadn’t said it—he’d known that Akira would probably jump at the opportunity to save him. He’d known that, and had kept it from Akira . . . because he didn’t want to be saved if he wasn’t the one choosing it.

“Well,” Akechi said, raising his left hand to his chin (a pose Akira had noted that he still made even after dropping the Detective Prince act), “I lacked conclusive evidence.” He turned directly to face Akira and Morgana, before continuing, “But after I fought against you all, I had a gap in my memory that ended with meeting up with Akira again.”

He must be referring to last month, when he came to Leblanc, but . . . then, what about Christmas?

Unfettered, Akechi doesn’t bring that up at all. “There were also the cases of Wakaba Isshiki and President Okumura . . . of course I’d find all of that suspicious.” His tone conveyed that it would have been stupid for Maruki to think that Akechi of all people could have been duped by the false reality.

“I see,” Maruki nodded diplomatically, then, “I had a feeling the truth of the matter still wouldn’t dissuade you, Akechi-kun . . .” A pause. “But how about you, Kurusu-kun?”

“Is that . . . why you came to Leblanc when you would have assumed I was alone?” Akira asked quietly. “To ask me to make a decision . . . all on my own after revealing this to me?”

He knew exactly what Maruki was trying to get him to do by doing it—coming alone, for what he’d expected would be a one-on-one conversation in which he could use Akechi as bait for Akira.

Maruki ignored the question. “‘You think dangling my life before us going to have any impact on our decision?’ That’s what Akechi-kun said a moment ago. If that’s how you see it at this point, I’m fine with it . . .” Maruki sighed. “But I’m still going to ask you, one last time: Will you accept the reality I create for you?”

Maruki wasn’t stupid. He was a psychologist, for crying out loud. He knew what he was doing, he knew that holding Akechi against him—the one person he couldn’t save—would do numbers on Akira.

And the scariest part, perhaps, was that Maruki knew just how hard it was for Akira to refuse.

“You were the guiding light to my research. You showed me the way so I could make my dream into reality. I have nothing but gratitude for you—not a single ounce of ill will. That’s why I wanted you of all people to understand . . .”

Akira hunched into himself a little, unable to meet Maruki’s eyes. If I had never done anything about Maruki’s research in the first place . . . I wouldn’t have to choose whether Akechi lives or dies . . .

Maruki, finally sensing his discomfort, stood up. “Perhaps I shouldn’t ask you for an answer on the spot like that. I’ll be going now.”

Akira’s mind was still churning, bitter and hurt by the consequences of his own actions unto Maruki and Akechi. Still, he reached into his pocket. “You forgot something,” he said dully, sliding the calling card Yusuke and Akechi had prepared together across the table.

Maruki smiled, picking it up. “Ah, that’s right. I’ve heard your calling.” Akira could sense a slight shift in the atmosphere the moment Maruki turned his back to him. “And, about my question—let’s do this: I’ll be waiting in the Palace tomorrow, just as I promised. If you still haven’t changed your mind by then, we’ll meet there. But if you don’t show, I’ll take that to mean you’ve accepted my reality.” This time, Maruki looked at Akechi before leaving. “See you.”

The closing chime of Leblanc’s bell echoed a little too loudly.

Morgana shuffled in his seat. “What are you gonna do?” he looked at Akira, concern palpable in his gaze.

Akira bit his lip, patting Morgana on the head lightly. Of course Morgana would ask; Morgana was the only one who could come close to understanding just how much Akechi meant to Akira.

Before he could answer, Akechi interrupted. “I’d like to speak with Akira,” he said, pointedly requesting Morgana to leave.

“Akechi . . .” Morgana mumbled, “Gotcha.” The cat nodded, and Akira could have sworn there was a flicker of relief across Akechi’s face—but it was gone as soon as it had come. “I’ll leave the decision up to you, Akira—let me know when you’ve reached an answer.” He didn’t wait another moment before slipping out of Leblanc, probably to the Sakura house.

And then it was just Akira alone with Goro.

Akira stood up next to the counter—next to Goro.

Goro doesn’t look at him. “I will carve my own path for myself.” His words were calm, weighted carefully. “I refuse to accept a reality concocted by someone else, stuck under their control for the rest of my days.”

Akira understood. After the hell of the life he was sure that Goro had had, he couldn’t deny the importance of freedom to him, just when he’d finally gotten it.

He also didn’t miss the hint of wistfulness in Goro’s voice. But if what Maruki had said was really true . . . “Are you sure?” Akira asks, the words out of his mouth before he could stop them.

Goro scoffed. “Why wouldn’t I be?” A pause. “Don’t ask such stupid questions after all this time.”

After all this time, Akira parroted in his head. The same thing he said when—

The sound of a metal wall slamming down echoed too loudly in his head.

Goro relented a little, nodding. “All you have to do is stick to your guns and challenge Maruki.” His eyes narrowed a little, and Akira braced himself for what he knew would be a challenge to follow up on it. “Or are you really so spineless that you’d fold over some bullshit, trivial threat on my life?”

Something—anger, probably, with some indignation—bubbled deeply within Akira, forcing itself out of his mouth. “This isn’t trivial!” he shouted, his hands moving to grab Goro’s collar.

Somewhere in the back of his mind, he realised he couldn’t the last time he got this worked up over something.

Goro narrowed his eyes in a piercing glare. “It is,” he hissed, and that was the pushing point for Akira.

“No, it’s not!” he shouted—when was the last time he’d shouted?—and pulled Goro closer, leaving barely a few centimetres space between them. Somewhere, it registered in Akira’s mind Goro still has about an inch of height on him, highlighted by the way he glanced downwards to meet Akira’s eyes.

Suddenly, it felt like too much, all at once. Even though Akira was the one to initiate this contact, this closeness, he hadn’t been fully prepared for it. Goro’s silence; the tension between them; the newfound lack of pretenses and metaphors and mind games and double entendre—

It was all too direct. Akira wasn’t a straightforward person. He preferred to make concise but unassuming statements to let the person he was talking to draw their own conclusions. He stayed in the background, blending in with the shadows.

Akechi wasn’t a straightforward person either. He was more the type to say exactly what he meant under a layer of barely decipherable comparisons, making subtle but clearly pointed gestures towards his goals. This was something so wholly new to both of them, Akira was sure.

He also didn’t know how to handle Goro’s sharp gaze searing into his eyes, even through the thick lenses of his glasses. The urge to retreat, to hide away behind another mask was almost overwhelming.

Akira wasn’t used to being seen like this, like himself at his rawest at all.

Something only Goro could see, apparently.

Instead of hiding, Akira buried his face into Goro’s scarf, tears welling up in his eyes that he didn’t want to show.

“Akira—”

“Why can’t you understand,” Akira said quietly into the scarf, “just how important you are to me?” The last words were barely a hoarse whisper, but he knew Goro had heard them nonetheless.

And for once, Goro Akechi had no comeback.

Akira raised his head again, seeing clear conflict in Goro’s eyes. Not hesitation, not rejection, but . . . something akin to surprise.

“I never told Maruki my wish,” Akira admitted. “I think he found it on its own, through Mementos. I didn’t know this was my wish until now.”

“Me not being dead?” Goro was clearly trying to be sharp, but there was no bite in his voice.

Akira shook his head. “No,” he said quietly, one hand reaching up to touch Goro’s hair lightly as the other boy’s breath caught. “A chance for us to meet again with nothing keeping you away. It . . . was selfish.”

“All wishes are.” Goro’s eyes were distant, but Akira couldn’t help but feel like this was perhaps the closest Goro had ever really been.

“Akechi,” Akira said, voice barely even audible to his own ears, “what do you think . . . you would have wished for?”

Goro bit his lip. “Nothing Maruki could have granted.” He didn’t elaborate. If only we had met a few years earlier, Akira recalled, wondering if that would have been it.

More importantly . . . his hand was still on Goro’s face.

In a split-second decision, Akira lifted his other hand to tuck a lock of hair behind Goro’s ear, then used it to cup his cheek and look him in the eyes. “I . . . I’m glad you’re here now, you know?”

Goro shuddered slightly in Akira’s hands, leaning into the touch. Akira briefly wondered when the last time Goro had felt this kind of affection was.

“If I’m really here at all,” Goro whispered.

Akira shook his head slightly, moving close enough to Goro that he could feel his breath on his nose.

“I’m a bit offended you think so little of yourself that you expected me to believe you’re dead,” Akira murmured, parroting Goro’s own words from a month prior.

Goro almost shook with disbelief. “You . . . you really are . . .”

Akira, admittedly, wasn’t paying too much attention to Goro’s shock. Instead, he found himself tracing a line over Goro’s cheekbone with his thumb, reveling in the way that each touch made Goro shudder.

“Akira, this isn’t . . .”

“Please, Goro,” Akira whispered in a way that he hadn’t ever before, his voice low and desperate, wanting nothing more than to just stay in this moment forever. “Just let me have this, for now.”

“I need your own answer first,” Goro hummed softly, clearly appreciating the touch but still refusing to give into it. “I need to hear you say it.” Because saying it would make it real in a world where nothing else was.

It was one of the things Akira truly loved about Goro: how no matter what, he would not waver, under any pressure, under any temptation.

And it was because of that that he found himself saying without hesitation, “We’re stopping Maruki,” and Akira could feel tension leave Goro’s body, could see his eyes soften.

This close, Akira could see Goro’s eyes so clearly—the layers upon layers of deep russet, almost honey-coloured in Leblanc’s warm lamplight Eyes that still burned with a furious flame of determination that only cemented in Akira’s head that Goro was alive; that this, at least, could be real; that Maruki was lying.

There were barely a couple of centimetres between them now, and Akira didn’t know who moved first, but in the next moment, Akira’s lips were on Goro’s in the softest, sweetest of kisses.

Akira didn’t quite know how to describe the kiss—it was gentle, to a degree, tender and careful (dare he say, loving?), but that tenderness stoked the flames of impatience, of heavy desire., and tension melted away after so long of being apart.

It was like two halves being reunited into a single, proper whole.

It felt right, and Akira knew for sure now that Goro was alive, because no dead man could express the same amount of passion as Goro Akechi, his sworn rival, his other half, the only person who could really see him when no one else could.

Not even Maruki could fake something like that.

“Akira,” Goro whispered, finally pulling away, “this isn’t . . .”

Akira shook his head. “It’s real here, you’re real, I’m real, and I’m not giving up on you.”

Goro didn’t say anything.

“Goro,” Akira continued, “you know, Morgana said something when we defeated that false god. He told us that the whole world is a product of cognition. There’s no such thing as a ‘real world’, but what each person sees and feels is what shapes reality. That’s . . . what Maruki made use of.”

Akira took a deep breath, lifting Goro’s left gloved hand and placing it on his chest, right over his heart, which felt like it was beating at a million miles an hour. “This is real. Something that can’t be changed. Mona . . . he was alive because we believed him to be. That’s how he came back, even after the Metaverse disappeared.”

“I wondered,” Goro admitted quietly.

“So that’s why I’m so sure that after all this . . . things will go back to the way they should be.” Akira looked down, not quite able to meet Goro’s eyes, before continuing, “And besides . . . the thought of losing you again— scares me.”

Goro slowly removed his hand from Akira’s chest, drawing it upwards, lifting Akira’s face to look him in the eye. “That’s why,” he said, and Akira could feel the determination in Goro’s voice, “I will never accept this form of reality. I’m done being manipulated. If I live or die, I want it to be on my own terms.”

Akira could feel his eyes stinging as he nodded.

Goro’s gaze softened slightly. “Let’s go back . . . to our true reality.”

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viltrumitesuperboy · 5 years ago

Text

I Couldn’t Love You (Merlin x Male Reader)

Someone wanted hanahaki disease with Merlin so here you go merry crisis. Merlin has it. Tried something different with this one.

Word count: 2928

I couldn't love you because you were my friend.

Merlin had never been one to let his emotions get to him, or so he hoped. When Arthur told him he was sensitive, he denied it. He then noticed how different of a person he was compared to every other man in the castle and realised that, yes, he was an emotional man. Arthur never really minded (just teased him), and Gaius told him that it was a good thing for a sorcerer like him. It made him different from those who used their magic to hurt.

You were a servant for Knight Leon, so Merlin saw you sometimes. Arthur had to take a few knights with him on a trip, and told Merlin to stay for once. As they rode off, you moved closer to Merlin.

"What's Prince Arthur like? I'll tell you that Sir Leon is a bit daft and definitely stupid but that's because he can read and chooses not to."

"To put it bluntly, Arthur's a prat. I will serve him for as long as I live but he is seriously an idiot."

You laughed and turned to look at Merlin.

"May I join you while they're gone? I don't really have much to do when Leon isn't around."

He smiled and beckoned for you to follow him to the side door where Gaius was working on some medicine. He told you that you could choose any book to read, and a strange looking one caught your eye. You pulled it from the shelf and began reading it.

"Hey, this is about magic. Is this allowed?" you asked Gaius.

Merlin rushed to his side and looked as if he was about to spit out some excuse, but Gaius gave him a stern look.

"As you know, Uther's law against magic has led to dozens of problems from magic users. I keep books in case another magic-related incident happens," Gaius explained smoothly.

"Of course. It's unfair, isn't it? That he's so against magic. Most of the people I know don't even care about what magic users do because most of them aren't actively trying to hurt anyone else. Since the king is against it, sorcerers come out of hiding to try and hurt him. It's obvious, but he doesn't realise it," you nonchalantly replied, then looked down to read the book in silence.

Merlin looked at Gaius with shock on his face, but the reaction was not returned. On Gaius' lips was a small grin, and he turned away to continue his work. Merlin looked back at you, where you had been flipping randomly in the book in interest of all the knowledge you could get. He pulled out another book, covering his spellbook in his lap with it. Occasionally you would show Gaius a word and ask what it meant, since you never had many chances to read. He explained it so easily and your smile showed your gratitude every time.

When he looked up at you and smiled, you smiled back. His heart fluttered.

I couldn't love you because I loved someone else.

Freya was the first magic user Merlin had met his age who he could connect to, and he wanted to protect her as long as she was in Camelot. When he started to sneak food, you weren't dumb enough to know that he was hiding things in that scarf of his. You yanked him to the side of a corridor.

"What's with the food? If you wanted to steal something, you could always ask me, you know?"

You waved him to follow you to the kitchens, but he stopped before you entered.

"Wait! I'll get in trouble. They don't like when I cause problems for them in there," Merlin mumbled.

"Trust me," you said.

He followed you into the kitchen, and you grabbed two entire trays — one of bread and one with meat.

"Just bringing these to the knights!" you shouted.

In their commotion of cooking, the cooks shouted back their approval and you walked right out with the bread in a basket and the meat in a bowl.

"Here, take some of each. I'll bring these to the knights. Go do whatever it is you have to."

Merlin thanked you and hid the bread and meat in a separate basket, wrapped in a cloth you'd taken from the kitchen. He smiled and rushed away, with you carrying out your duties. On the way, he started to cough, and covered his mouth with his scarf. For a second, he thought something fell out of his mouth, and he panicked when he thought his magic was acting up. The breeze blew the object up and into the forest, and he rushed towards Freya's hiding place.

He trusted you enough, so when Freya died, he came to you and Gaius with bloodshot eyes. You helped him take her body to the lake deep in the forest. He threw a stick with fire into the boat, bursting it into flames. For a second, you wondered where the fire had come from and if it had even reached the boat (Merlin had the upper body strength of a small bird), but when you saw the tears on his face, you put your arm around him. You rubbed his back as he began coughing, and when he pulled away from you, a small blue flower lay in his hands.

"Did you forget to put that one in?" you asked. "You can place it on the water. I'm sure she'd appreciate it."

He hiccuped and tossed it on the water, and you both watched it float away. The look of shock on his face remained even as you both walked away, and you wondered just how much Freya meant to him.

I couldn't love you because I had a destiny.

Morgana had managed to get Guinevere accused of sorcery. Of course Merlin had to fix the problem as he always did, and risked looking like a complete loon in the aftermath. Gaius gave him an idea, and he followed through. But when he said the spell to change himself back, it wasn't working. He was hobbling around the castle in an old man's body, wondering what the hell his life had come to.

Once he bumped into you, and you yelled, almost falling backwards. Your eyes narrowed at the sight of his bright blue ones.

"Do I know you?" you asked. "I mean, I don't think I've seen you before here, but something about your eyes..."

"Goodbye," said Merlin in his old man voice, and he rushed away.

When the guards started to draw closer, he stepped into a small hallway, repeating the spell once more to no avail. Then you stepped out of a door in the hallway, a basket of clothing in your arms and a small vial in hand.

"Come on, take it. I ran to Gaius and he told me that it was you. I'll take your clothing so it doesn't look suspicious," you quickly explained.

He downed the potion quickly, pulling off the robe as soon as he did. You handed him the scarf he always wore. You both stepped into the main hallway just as the guards and Arthur caught up to you.

"Have you seen the sorcerer?" Arthur panted.

"There's a sorcerer?" you asked, alarmed. "Well, that's illegal, isn't it?"

"Yes, that's why we're- Look, he's old, he can't have gone far and he definitely went through this path," Arthur exclaimed.

"We haven't seen anyone. Merlin's been helping me with the washing."

Arthur huffed and motioned for the guards to follow him as they continued on their search.

"You really saved me there," Merlin laughed breathlessly.

"Well, you are the sorcerer meant to protect the once and future king, aren't you?" you teased, pulling him through the door in the hallway. "You should tell me more. No one's doing the washing right now except for me."

Merlin smiled, following you with a strange pressure on his chest. He began to cough, as he had been in the last few weeks. A flower dropped into his scarf, which he dumbly decided to cough into. The blood could barely be hidden by the scarf, but up close he could see that the scarf was a little wet. He bunched it up quickly when you turned to look at him.

"That's your own. You wash that," you scolded. "And then go to Gaius to do something about that cough. You've had it for a few days now."

He gave you a faint smile and nodded as he placed it into a bucket, vanishing the flower with his magic. He then turned to you and told you all about his adventures as much as he could, your expressions of awe and excitement driving his storytelling. Being the showoff he was, he used his magic to dump all the clothing in your bucket into the large tub. The smile on your face was worth it.

True to his word, he went to see Gaius, who wasn't there at the moment. He skimmed through endless books for flowers, but nothing came up until he realised what he had been doing wrong. He began to look at the books on magic that Gaius kept hidden. When he came across the one you were reading the first time you read a book there, he finally found it. It was a disease that was so rare it was believed to be a myth. The person with the disease would cough up blood and flowers if they were in love with someone and the love was not returned. Unless they returned the feelings or it was removed by magic, the victim would surely die. The same would result if they waited too long.

Merlin knew that there was no way he could tell you, but he needed to be alive to serve Arthur. He had a destiny, and the threat of death would not stop him from fulfilling it.

I couldn't love you because it was wrong.

The number of sorcerers and criminals that the king executed was significantly higher than the people found in same sex relations. Actually, there were no executed homosexuals. Uther would claim that they were under the influence of dark magic and therefore had to be killed before it spread. Fortunately, Arthur did not adopt that mindset. Unfortunately, he still thought it to be wrong. Merlin tended to ramble to Arthur and Gaius about his problems, but he told nobody about you. Gaius only knew that he was in love and that it may kill him, but was prepared to perform the spell if he needed to, as Merlin instructed him to. His destiny came before love.

Merlin's condition worsened over time, and he started to slow in his tasks. Arthur masked his concern with complaints, telling him to see Gaius. Gwen would berate Arthur for picking on his own friend. She gave Merlin sympathetic smiles when she caught him coughing or holding a piece of cloth to his mouth. The flowers increased in number, going from one every week to multiple every day. He had to keep a bucket by his bed.

"Merlin, this isn't good for you," Gaius had told him one day.

He sat on the chair beside Merlin's bed.

"There is always a solution. You will not die if you are rejected, but if you wait, it will kill you either way. Take a chance."

"I couldn't. It's... It's wrong, Gaius," Merlin croaked out. "The one I love is a man."

"And who says it should be wrong? A few others with this disease have died because they were afraid it was wrong. One of the most tragic tales came from two women who loved each other dearly, and both died of the same disease. This is hurting me as much as it hurts you. I have a feeling I know this man you speak of, and I think he feels the same. There is no one more worthy of his love than you, and no one more worthy of your love than he."

With that, Gaius tapped his leg as if to drill the wisdom into Merlin, and stood slowly to leave. Seconds after he had gone back to brewing something, you had burst through the door, shouting a quick greeting to Gaius and dashing to the bookshelves.

"(Y/N)! Be careful!" Gaius exclaimed.

"Sorry, busy!" Merlin heard you say.

You pulled a book out of the shelf and dashed to Merlin's room. You sat in the chair Gaius was just in moments ago and flipped through the pages. It was the same book you had chosen the first time.

"I was thinking I remembered that flower I saw from you over the last few weeks. At first, I thought you were planning to give them to someone, but I remembered seeing one in your hand at the lake. It's a disease!" you said with enthusiasm.

"I know," Merlin said, "and I will die."

Gaius was back again, standing just outside the door frame. You looked at him sadly as you placed the book down, the pages falling open to the wretched flower.

"Can't you do anything? Any magic that wouldn't remove your feelings or memories?"

"No. This ends in one of three ways," Gaius said.

"I don't intend to tell anyone except for Gaius about my condition, and I can't- don't want to die," Merlin caught himself, then turned the other way to choke out a flower into the bucket next to him.

"I'm sorry," you whispered, leaning over to place your hand on his.

"I'm sorry, too."

Merlin was quite literally on his deathbed. He once nearly died on the same bed he was in currently. He had collapsed onto the closest surface after doing some cleaning in Arthur's and Gwen's room, and it just so happened to be the one Gaius used to treat patients. He grabbed his bucket that he had conveniently brought down from his room to clean earlier that day and coughed into it painfully.

Flower petals and blood. That was all he could think about these days.

Gaius walked in, placing his herbs down and going about his work until he noticed Merlin on the bed.

"Merlin!" Gaius exclaimed.

"Gaius, please get him," Merlin whispered.

Gaius gave him a disapproving look and walked over, pulling the sheets on top of Merlin. He took the book he needed and placed it on the table close to Merlin's head. Then he left without another word. In minutes, you, Arthur, and Gwen all ran inside, with Gaius' voice in the distance telling them not to disturb anything.

"Merlin!" you shouted, running over to him and kneeling by his bed. "You're dying, aren't you?"

"Am I spitting blood or what?" he snarkily replied, and promptly lurched over the bucket.

"Stop it! You know this hurts all of us!" Gwen cried.

Arthur put his arms around her in a hug as she leaned into him, tears beginning to collect in her eyes.

"Merlin, if we can find the person you love, you can tell them. If they reject you, then there's that thing Gaius can do, right? Some herbal paste thing?" Arthur asked desperately.

"Yes, that," Gaius mumbled.

He looked to you, and you nodded, a silent sign that you had lied to keep them safe.

"Thank you for... everything," Merlin said, his eyes trained on you. "You're all my best friends and I'm so lucky to have you all, but I think I have to get those... herbs that Arthur mentioned."

"It's obvious, isn't it?" Gwen whispered. "You love... him."

Her head turned fully to you, as did Arthur's.

"If he's not complaining about me, he's talking about you," Arthur added.

He didn't dare look at you, afraid to see the hate or disgust on your face. He choked once again on a sudden attack of flowers from his mouth, and you instantly reached over to rub his back.

"You're so stupid. You're so, so stupid," you whispered. "I should have known, should have said something earlier."

"What are you talking about?" Merlin rasped.

"I'm saying I love you too, you daft clotpole."

"That's my insult."

You took the cloth Gaius offered you and wiped his face, pressing your lips to his forehead.

"You're really so stupid."

Merlin smiled back, and he felt the weight that he hadn't even noticed on his insides removing themselves, like the curse was being physically lifted from his body. And as he thought that, a light left his body and the bucket, anywhere with flowers or blood, and disappeared into the air.

"I think that worked," he said, voice much stronger.

Everyone else gave a cheer of joy, and Gwen kissed Arthur right on the lips. Obviously he whined right after that they should only be doing that in private.

"Merlin will need his rest. (Y/N) can stay but the two of you will have to leave. I'm sure you both have matters to discuss. The love of two men, correct?"

"You're right, Gaius," Arthur smiled.

"Maybe you could look into that magic issue too, while you're at it. It could have saved Merlin," you suggested.

"As if!" Arthur scoffed.

Gwen hit his chest and they both left after hugging Merlin. Merlin turned back to you, and he barely noticed Gaius leaving to his room.

"That's some curse," he laughed, bringing you close. "But never steal my insults again."

I couldn't love you... or maybe I could.

#x male reader #merlin x male reader #merlin x reader #bbc merlin x male reader #bbc merlin x reader #merlin imagine #male reader #bbc merlin #merlin

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candicewright · 4 years ago

Note

Kindly requesting that analysis on wangxian being peak romance and how it compares to queerbaiting please 🙏 🙏 🙏

Hello, anon! I am very genuinely happy that my rambling thoughts interest you in any way (because I have a lot of thoughts) so here is my analysis as promised. It is veeeery long (almost 2k), sorry about that but I’ve really been looking forward to talking about this for a very long time. In the end, it isn’t so much about how Wangxian is peak romance and more about the censorship and how it compares to queerbaiting, I may have to do another post about that later on. Without much further ado, here it is!

The Untamed’s tasteful censorship vs. BBC Merlin’s queerbaiting and why I prefer one over the other.

I know most people follow this blog for Merlin and believe me when I say that I love this show more than I can say because it has quite literally changed my life. But The Untamed has opened my mind to a whole new world (insert Aladdin’s A Whole New World here) and it has given me a lot of perspective on a lot of things.

I often joke with my friends saying that my first consideration when choosing a new show to watch is saying “is it gay?” which is not far from the truth, but it’s also not the complete story. What I mean is that I ask myself “does this show have a relationship that I think is worth getting invested in?”. Yes, t usually happens that those are not heterosexual romances, but what can I say, I’m queer and I like my emotional support fictional characters to be so too. This is the exact reasoning that led me to Merlin. I saw a couple of videos about them on youtube and immediately found their dynamic compelling and their story beautifully tragic. But like with most shows these days, the writers failed (among other things) to make their relationship explicit. This has happened with every show I watched after Merlin too; The Witcher, Sherlock and Good Omens being the most notable ones.

You can argue if they are or are not queerbaiting, I at least think Good Omens isn’t, but again, it is pretty subjective.

But i had grown so accustomed to this type of media that I fully went into The Untamed expecting something similar.

And oh boy was I wrong.

Now, the case of The Untamed is a curious one because it is supposed to be a love story between two men due to being based on a BL novel, but because of censorship, it had to be very toned down. I found this out right before actually watching the show while doing some preliminary research and while it did change my thought on what I was getting into I truly thought they would just erase the entire relationship and try to hide it behind straight relationships like in most other shows I had watched.

But that was absolutely not the case, to my endless relief and joy.

But how? How did they get away with censoring all the explicit aspects of a romantic relationship while still managing to tell a wonderful love story? And how does this compare to the queerbaiting of a show like Merlin?

Warning: I will be using different parts of both shows and probably some of the MDZS novel to illustrate my point, so there will be spoilers.

The initial accidental chemistry + innuendos vs. The establishment of the very clear enemies to friends to lovers trope

I’m going to use Merlin to compare and contrast this because it’s what I know best and the other show I've given a lot of thought to.

Merthur and Wangxian are both similar and different dynamics in the way they’re written and it was one of the things that drew me into The Untamed in the first place. Both stories begin with our main duo meeting and instantly disliking each other, ending up in a fight. And while they both set the story up to lead to a more intimate bond being created between the pairs, there’s something very different from the start.

Merthur is deliberately set up to be a close friendship and all innuendos and chemistry are accidental (in my opinion and only at the start). Let me explain.

The concept for Merlin clearly started with the idea of how the story would change if Merlin was a young boy arriving in Camelot instead of an old powerful sorcerer. Then they made the main plot to be his destiny/friendship with the young and arrogant Prince Arthur. I truly believe that the first innuendos were not what they intended and that all chemistry and sexual tension between the characters comes courtesy of Colin and Bradley and how undeniably good they look on screen together. Fans then started speculating (as we always do) and then the production team decided to run with it, making it almost a recurring joke when it shouldn’t have been. Had they treated that developing relationship seriously like what they were hinting it was, the show would have been very different.

The Untamed on the other hand, is everything but accidental. What they’re doing is deliberately establishing the enemies to friends to lovers trope from the very beginning. It’s not an accident that during their first fight on the roof of the Cloud Recesses Wei Wuxian tells Lan Wangji that women would find his true character very disappointing and that no one would want to marry him. he says so several times in fact and this is clearly both to highlight the change in their relationship as well as to say that Lan Wangji is not at all interested in the opinion of any female (or anyone besides Wei Wuxian for that matter). This is the same stuff we see in mainstream straight romances: one of the characters saying something to the effect of “who would want to date them?” only to end up involved with the other at the end of the story.

You could argue that Merlin does something similar with the conversation between Merlin and Kilgharrah where Merlin is affronted by the idea of having to help Arthur where he says “There must be another Arthur because this one’s an idiot...If someone wants to kill him, they can go right ahead. In fact, I’ll give them a hand.” but the difference between these two is that Merlin is hiding behind the guise of destiny and friendship to make these parallels while Wangxian is deliberately and clearly in a romantic context.

The deliberate continuation of the subtext vs. The suggestion of something more

The accidental nature of the subtext doesn’t last long and in true BBC fashion, it turns into full-on queerbaiting real fast. Again, you can argue endlessly about when the deliberately suggestive comments start, but by the end of the show, we know for a fact the entire production staff and even the staff were aware of the effect and reception their show was having. This was no longer an innocent mistake on people reading too much into it, it was a very purposeful narrative that they were pushing without ever truly committing to it. This is what got fans going crazy over “poetry” or lines like “you’re the only friend I have and I couldn’t bear to lose you”. These are all very intentional choices they made to keep their devoted fanbase interested and while we’re all very thankful for this material it really keeps us wondering what it could have been if they had taken that extra step.

The Untamed can’t take that step because of the censorship laws, but it’s still much more daring than Merlin ever was. While Merlin keeps the soulmate aspect of the Merthur relationship a suggestion, The Untamed outright says it, which was baffling to me. It even does it at a pint where the first kiss happened in the novel, which you would think makes it less romantic. But that's absolutely not the case because of both the non-consensual nature of that original kiss and because of how heartbreakingly beautiful the replacement scene is. Not only that, but they also keep all the elements you could expect to see in any pre-relationship stage of a developing romance story: endless amounts of mutual pining, not-really-unrequited love, jealousy, panicking at the sight of your crush (yes I’m looking at you 15-year-old Lan Wangji) and even some fun in vino veritas moments. They even have a son together! It doesn’t get more clear than that!

This is all the way the show has of suggesting something more without outright saying (even though it’s a pretty not subtle way of suggesting it).

Merlin, on the other hand, keeps trying to deny the romantic nature of the Merthur dynamic, which brings me to my next point.

The introduction of a female love interest as an excuse vs. The awareness that the audience understands the relationship in the way it's meant to be

Now, this one really bugs me, because of all the ways they could have done this they truly chose the worst and destroyed Gwen’s character in the process.

In my opinion, the writers could have done a few different things. They could have fully developed the Merthur relationship as a romantic one while keeping Gwen’s role as a queen and creating a much more satisfying character arch for her, maybe even getting her together with Morgana or Lancelot. They could have focused on the Awen romance and therefore lowered the suggestions of romance between Merlin and Arthur, once again creating a much more enjoyable subplot for Gwen, though it could have also meant sacrificing the very powerful bond between the main characters. They could have even taken advantage of Gwen’s crush on Merlin in the first season and gone on the full-on polyamory direction! That would have been much better! Instead, they halfassed the romance between Arthur and Gwen and made it just...meh. Not that Angel and Bradley didn’t do a great job, it was more of a writing problem than a them problem.

The Untamed (despite the rumours and possibilities of a Wen Qing/Wei Wuxian relationship) decided to just run with the not really platonic relationship between Lan Wangji and Wei Wuxian, making them the complete focus of the story while still upholding the censorship laws. What I think the biggest difference between the two shows is, is that one runs on assuming the audience is stupid while the other one assumes the audience is smart.

Let me explain once more.

The Merlin writers clearly thought that by introducing Gwen as the love interest to Arthur he would just become what? Magically straight? As if we hadn’t seen the last four seasons of sexual tension between him and Merlin? The audience was not fooled for the most part, but some people did fall for this, coming with the argument “But he’s married to Gwen so he’s straight!” as if being gay or straight are the only two possibilities but oh well.

The Untamed does quite the opposite. It relies on the fact that the audience is going to catch onto the romantic aspect of the narrative without them actively saying anything because we are Not Dumb. It also does something that I think is quite beautiful which is leaving it up for interpretation as far as whether it’s platonic or not and even more touching is the way the story has resonated with the ace community (that is according to what I’ve seen, please do correct me if I’m wrong) by focusing on their emotional and intellectual connection instead of in their physical and sexual one.

This is why, in the end, I prefer what I call The Untamed’s tasteful censorship over Merlin and other shows’ blatant queerbaiting.

I feel the need after all of this to state that Merlin is still my favorite show of all time and that this is not by any means me saying that Merlin is absolute trash or something like that. There’s also a lot more that I think can be said in this conversation, so please feel free to tell me what you think and if you’ve ever encountered something similar to this.

Also, if I made any mistakes or wrong points, please don’t be shy about telling me!

I hope this rant was at least somewhat interesting and that you found it satisfactory, anon!

#mdzs/cql meta #merlin meta #the untamed #cql #wangxian #bbc merlin #merthur #merlin bbc #ask response #i have a lot of feelings #someone stop me #long post

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