PSL (closed)

[1stknight]

[Honestly, being summoned was quite the surprise to Bedivere. Being a saber, he knew he was at a disadvantage. After all, there were so many more sabers even just from the Round Table who were much more famous, so surely they would have been summoned over him. In fact, he was sure it had happened countless times before. That one master he had met, the one from Chaldea, they had spoken of singularities and grail wars to span several worlds and timelines. And with so many fine Sabers to choose from, he was sure that he hadn't ever been summoned before. The short time between the 'creation of his legend' and 'now' notwithstanding.

It made him feel a touch inadequate, if he was being truthful. After all, he was a simple knight. The master who had summoned him, he deserved better than someone like him. But if he was the one who was summoned, then he would fulfill his duty to this new master. Nothing would be done in half-steps, never again.

So as his form solidified in the summoning circle, Bedivere offered his new master a warm smile. Once again, his life was sworn to someone else's. Whatever his master wished for, Bedivere would help him achieve it.]

Saber, Bedivere. I am honored to be summoned by you. From now on, I shall be your Servant.

['I am honored to be summoned at all' was the truth, but he didn't speak that.

Then he paused, and he took a survey of the situation. The summoning circle was expertly made, but this man in front of him...well. He didn't look like a mage. He looked like a normal person. Perhaps it was a disguise? Or maybe there was more to this situation than he could see immediately. He would have to wait for his new master to respond in order to find out more.]

Comments

[1stknight]

[Har de har, so funny Dazai.]

I will be fine. I was without an arm for many years, you know. I learned how to live just fine without one. I could even tie the strings for my cape one-handed.

[Since Dazai was actually eating though, Bedivere would finish his rice instead of insisting that Dazai eat it.]

[neverwashere]

Really?

[That was the inevitable outcome, sure, but it was no less impressive to hear. Maybe because Bedivere didn't sound bitter or haunted over the loss.]

I had my arm in a cast once. [Okay, maybe twice.] You'll have to show me how to do things that way, because there are only so many things I can grip with my knees to twist the caps off.

[1stknight]

It's more about relearning how to do things one-handed. Like so-

[He did have his metal arm on, but he still reached up to undo the ribbon holding one of his braids. Then, carefully, he retied it one-handed. It certainly took longer, but it was a practiced motion that he completed smoothly.]

[neverwashere]

[Without a doubt, Dazai looked intrigued. He had a professional curiosity when it came to improving the dexterity of his fingers, and a not-so-professional interest in seeing what else Bedivere can do with one hand.

Tiny steps first.

He held out a hand, lining it up to the tail end of that braid.]

May I?

[1stknight]

[Dazai would have to enjoy that wonderful treat another day, possibly once Bedivere's innocence had been ruined. Because Bedivere definitely wasn't thinking of the naughty things he could do one-handed. He barely knew what naughty things were.

But he did give Dazai a curious look, and he let Dazai take his braid.]

What are you going to do?

[neverwashere]

Try to do what you did.

[And notice how nice Bedivere's hair was to the touch.

But yes - he'd undo the ribbon and loop it around his fingers, trying to replicate what Bedivere did earlier. It took a few tries, and the clumsy knot he managed wasn't even a bow.]

[1stknight]

[Bedivere's hair was quite nice indeed. Very soft and silky. Dazai would have to take the braids out entirely to properly enjoy it though.

But Bedivere was patient, and when Dazai had managed to tie the ribbon, he smiled warmly.]

You learn quickly.

[neverwashere]

It's still imperfect.

[Bedivere's compliment takes out even the bite in his words, though, and he gives it another go. The tip of his tongue pokes out of the corner of his mouth as he concentrates, and he exhales when he manages to tie the ribbon again after three more tries.

The knot looks even worse compared to his first attempt.

He wiggled his fingers to stretch them.]

This is the kind of exercise designed to give one hand cramps. It's worse than lock picking.

[1stknight]

[Oh no, the way Dazai's face screwed up in concentration there was absolutely adorable. That tongue was what did it, really. And it took him a moment to realize he was being spoken to, and thus his response was slightly delayed.]

Ah- it certainly does hurt, at first. But as with anything, it gets easier as you get used to it.

[Something something building up muscles.]

It's even harder if you have to braid it, too. Want to try that?

[neverwashere]

Sure.

[He sounded positively gleeful, too, as he undid both the bow and the braid, a slight tremble running through his fingers as he carded through Bedivere's long hair. Dazai didn't even notice the quiet 'wow' that left him.]

How did you even take care of this on the road?

[Step one: slot strands of hair between his fingers.

Dazai puffed his cheek.

How was his thumb supposed to work it out this time?]

[1stknight]

Very carefully, and with repeated brushing and combing.

[Indeed, Bedivere's hair revealed just how much care he put into it. While the hair was still a bit wavy from being in a braid, it was silky smooth and free of tangles. That may have been the Servant magic though, as Bedivere had definitely fought twice that day and probably would have had messy hair if it followed real life rules.

And it felt surprisingly nice, to have someone else toying with his hair. He wondered if Dazai would actually brush it, if given the chance.]

Though I have to admit, prior to gaining my metal arm, I didn't braid my hair so much. That was reserved for special occasions. Usually I just tied it up in two bunches.

[neverwashere]

[Look, if Servant magic meant that Dazai had the privilege of hand-combing Bedivere's wonderful hair without worrying about tangles, he was all for it. And yes, he'd brush it, as soon as he could slip in that suggestion without being too obvious.]

What, like pigtails?

[He also sucked at this one-handed braiding thing, by the way. Odasaku probably would've gotten it in one go.]

[1stknight]

Yes, like pigtails.

[Bedivere could see Dazai's attempts though, and he let out a huff of a laugh. Dazai's braiding skills left much to be desired, but the hand-combing felt nice. So nice, in fact, that Dazai wouldn't have to work in a suggestion for combing his hair properly.]

Would you like to comb it? After I shower, I mean.

[Why was he offering that? He didn't know, his mouth was speaking faster than his mind could think. Hopefully Dazai didn't notice the faint blush on his face.]

[neverwashere]

I hope you don't mind a temporary callback, then.

[Dazai also chuckled as he simply tied Bedivere's hair instead. Not being good at something was kind of refreshing, for someone who usually cycled through hobbies quickly.

And oh, that suggestion. He perked up and tried to hide his interest a second too late, moreso when he noticed that nice flush spreading on Bedivere's cheeks.]

Sure! I promise my combing technique's far better than my braiding skills.

[1stknight]

I'm sure I will look beautiful in it.

[His cheeky response, meant to encourage Dazai's attempts at doing hair. Everyone had to start off as a novice, and Bedivere wouldn't give Dazai grief over it. Though he did have to bite down on his lip when it was done to keep from looking too amused.]

You should shower first, Master. That way you can be dried and dressed by the time I am done.

[And also because he wanted Dazai to go first out of politeness. Masters before Servants, who didn't even really need to bathe, but Bedivere would indulge himself that day.]

[neverwashere]

[But Bedivere looks beautiful already, and Dazai hid a light flush with a conveniently timed drink.]

Alright.

[The mention of a shower brought back to mind their planned activity, and suddenly he was struck with the feeling that this was all too surreal, maybe he was dreaming.]

I'll, ah. Be back shortly.

[He'd tuck a condom packet in his sleeve once he was done showering and only bothered wearing a loose yukata over his bandages and underwear.]

Let me know if you need anything.

[1stknight]

I will, thank you.

[He didn't really need much of anything, though. He had clothes to wear, which he would just put back on again after showering. And if Dazai was combing his hair, then he wouldn't need to tend to that either. Plus Bedivere was used to getting by with just the necessities, so he wouldn't bother Dazai for anything more than he already had.

While Dazai showered, though, Bedivere washed the dishes from dinner and set them to dry. Then he took some time to clean his metal arm, which he eventually removed and set on the table. It would be fine there, Bedivere didn't plan on putting it back on that night. 10 kilograms of weight was a lot when it was dead weight, and he didn't want it to get in the way.

By the time Dazai exited the shower, Bedivere had done all of that and had taken his hair down, leaving the ribbons on the table along with the arm.]

[neverwashere]

[The feeling of un-reality only climbed when he saw what awaited him: Bedivere separated from his arm, braids undone, and Dazai blamed the sudden redness of his cheeks on the warm water.]

Looks nice. You and the arm, I mean. At least rust isn't an issue.

[Fucking hell.]

Hhh. Carry on.

[What a moment to get his tongue tied, and he threw a fresh towel to Bedivere's head as a distraction before striding towards his cabinet. Finding a spare yukata was preferable to embarrassing himself further, yes?]

[1stknight]

[Flustered Dazai was absolutely adorable, and definitely Bedivere's favorite version of Dazai so far. It was enough to charm him, and it made the anxiety in his stomach at what would come after settle down a bit. Bedivere could tell Dazai was an Earthly man, so to speak, so the thought of being left in his care made him feel self-conscious. But anyone could get tongue-tied, it seemed.

Smiling and nodding to Dazai, Bedivere stepped into the bathroom to shower. He probably took a bit too long in there too, because the modern day showers were miles better than any bath he had during his life. He didn't know what the soap bottles were for either, so he took some time to experiment with them. He definitely used too much soap and caused a suds explosion in the shower too, and for some reason decided to use conditioner to wash his body. Maybe because it made him feel smooth and smell good.

Actually, by the time he finished and got out of the shower, he definitely smelled like an explosion of whatever scented shampoo and conditioner Dazai had. He had also put his shirt and pants back on for the time being, at least until he could get the yukata from Dazai, and he was using his towel to dry his hair.

He had a sheepish look on his face when he spoke up too.]

I, ah, I didn't expect the soap to get so soapy. But I think I cleaned most of it up.

[neverwashere]

No problem.

[A sud-covered shower was fine and easy enough to rinse down if Bedivere missed anything. Plus, Dazai certainly wasn't about to complain about the unorthodox scent cocktail either, and he handed over the yukata.

This proximity would have to do for now, and he was going to have a hard time later to avoid being a hair- and skin-sniffing creep.

Dazai resolved to endure.]

Change into this, will you? It's easier to move around in and clean up.

I'll go get the comb. Let me know when it's safe to turn around.

[Unless Bedivere changed in the bathroom. Which was a redundancy that could've been avoided had Dazai knocked earlier to give him the yukata.

He was a downright mess now, wasn't he.]

[1stknight]

[Retreating to the bathroom would give Dazai time to survey the mess! It wasn't actually that bad, though some suds did manage to get across the bathroom and under the sink somehow. What an amazing feat.

While Dazai was off getting the comb, Bedivere was quick to change. Clothes off, yukata on. Though by the time Dazai returned, he would find Bedivere standing there awkwardly, holding the yukata shut with his hand, while the belt was also in his hand.]

I, ah, I had some trouble. With the belt.

[He's also wondering if it matters since they will be naked eventually anyway, but that just made him flustered all over again. Help him, Dazai.]

[neverwashere]

[That sure flooded far. Dazai figured the sink's faucet was also enlisted in mitigating the damage.

He was almost back to his usual relaxed state, going so far as to twirl the comb between his fingers while whistling, before he accidentally choked on the inhale the second Bedivere stepped out of the bathroom.]

Belt? [A syllable was hard to get out while wheezing. Dazai thumped his chest in another attempt to get ahold of himself, a little wide-eyed.] It's not so different from a ribbon for emergencies?

[A.k.a. if someone was in a rush to dress themselves, though there was a proper way to tie it, and Dazai extended his hand in invitation, more than a little aware that he might not survive the next few minutes.]

Allow me.

[1stknight]

It's not, but anything I'm used to wearing that ties shut like this usually has loops to secure the belt on. Getting it around my waist without those is proving difficult.

[He did sound apologetic though, he knew how awkward of a spot it put them both in. He also didn't know how to properly layer the yukata, and it looked a mess on him. He would need much more practice in wearing one to get it properly.

Or, you know, he could just use magic to dress himself. But he was low on mana already and didn't want to waste it. So when Dazai extended his hand, Bedivere nodded and offered him the belt. Though Dazai would have to reach out to take it, because Bedivere was still hanging onto the front of the yukata to keep it closed.]

[neverwashere]

[He accepts the long strip of fabric with a flourish and reaches forward to tap Bedivere's hip with a finger.]

I understand what you're saying, but for the purposes of demonstration: you use these to mark the spot, my dear.

Now, hold the yukata closed - left side over right. Your neckline should be open to around two inches below your clavicle.

[He positioned the fabric horizontally and got to work.

Wrapping the obi around Bedivere's hip was a cross between a near-death experience and wrapping a gift. A floral-scented gift, even, instead of the typical flower arrangements one usually found at a funeral, and he hooked a finger between the obi and the yukata after making two loops.

Unfortunately for him, the gesture made him imagine taking it off.]

How does that feel? Too tight?

[1stknight]

[While Bedivere wasn't as curvy as some of the other Knights of the Round Table, he at least had enough hips for Dazai's demonstration. The obi sat rather nicely around his waist.]

No, it feels just fine. Though I do worry about it sliding off...ah, but I suppose these are just night clothes anyway, it wouldn't matter if they slid off.

[It was not as snug as European clothes could be, which made Bedivere worry about moving in them. What if the yukata flapped open and exposed him to the world? Or what if it came undone over the course of the evening? Replacing the obi with one hand might be a challenge. At least Dazai was there to help him.

He was oblivious to how much his scent and this whole arrangement was affecting Dazai, too.]