1stknight | PSL (closed)

PSL (closed)

[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.]

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[Winning the war, actually, isn't something Caster has any particular attachment to. On this matter, she's said little to her Master - she supports him, yes, and she likes that what he's doing is for the good of the people, but there's something at the back of her mind, a whisper of a memory, that tells her that being the last Servant this time isn't the only way to win.

Seeing Bedivere - it feels like taking a half step. There's something else missing in order for her foot to touch the ground.]

Thank you. [She gently squeezes his wrist before pulling back, and leaves him with her handkerchief.] You bet I'll do my best. And you shouldn't hold back on feeling, you know? It's long past the time for formalities.

[--- she knows with certainty. One day, she will have to draw the Sword of Selection and become the perfect king. But until that time comes, she'll carry on with the cheer of a normal studious girl who sleeps in on weekends - or as much as she can do that, because her Master's a busy one!

Thanks to all of that, she's happy to remind the knight of her other self that openly showing his tears is okay.

When her Master suggests retiring for the day, she takes a few steps backward to join him.

Dazai takes that as his cue to squeeze Bedivere's shoulder. He, too, would have to look into why King Arthur is the way she is - it hasn't sunk in that she's a girl? And claims to be a village girl. With a talent for spell casting. Oh boy.]

Sure. I'll wait for your text.

...Saber?

[I'll make sure you two have time to catch up, he communicates.]

Edited 2021-01-28 05:07 (UTC)

Ah-

[He has so much he wants to say. More than anything, he just wants to stay by Caster and feel the warmth of being close to someone familiar again. But it's not safe to do that yet, is it? Not with an Assassin running around and both of their Masters being rather squishy.

No, they need to make plans for the future instead. As much as it hurts, they can do that much.]

Another day, then. We...there's much you need to see, My- er, Caster. This world is truly a wonderful place, I think you will like it.

["I want to show you all the animals in the zoo."

"You'll love popcicles, we need to go to the beach to try it."

Those thoughts were what Bedivere kept to his mind, but he had forgotten the connection between him and Dazai, up until Dazai spoke to him. But then he gets a little embarrassed because he realizes that his embarrassing thoughts were not so private. It was a testament to his exhaustion that he had forgotten.]

...very well. I will keep in touch, Dazai-san. Caster?

[Ango's mind was already running with all the possibilities this evening could bring. Saber and Caster knew each other, and he could work with Dazai. They could clear out the other Masters and protect Yokohama from any insidious wishes, and then.

...and then...

Ango's stomach turned. Even though he was sure his wish and Dazai's wish were one in the same, the thought of how to get to that wish didn't sit right with him. He feels protective over Caster already, and that final showdown isn't going to be a pretty one.]

[...it's not like he can't relate to those thoughts. Goodness knows how much of a dork he'd act like if Odasaku just so happened to live and breathe again, and his friend's final moments taught Dazai that even someone emotionally bankrupt like him could cry.

That he wasn't as emotionally dead as he once believed.

The beach it is, he simply thinks back, and watches as Caster, clutching her staff with both hands, bows and waves at Bedivere.]

I look forward to receiving your guidance, Sir Saber!

[Don't worry about me, Master, she tells Ango, looking on as Dazai nudges Bedivere before getting into the car, and she reverts back to her spirit form. He might feel a gentle tug on his sleeve before she completely turns invisible. Saying goodbye is always sad. But, just as I will have to someday assume the heavy responsibility of being King - it's something that must happen. Sooner, sometimes, instead of later.

She doesn't let on how, in her own way, she stalls for time. Living life as a simple girl who studies magecraft - this is the fantasy of the King who must discard her humanity and dedicate her entire being for the sake of Britain.]

[She is a surprisingly insightful girl, or so Ango is learning. He's already surprised to know that she's not chased off by his insomnia, persistent nightmares, and bad habit of sustaining on coffee alone. Her comments make him feel seen in a way that's bordering on uncomfortable, but he shoves that feeling down as best as he can. It's not her fault that she's observant.

Saying goodbye is always sad, is it? Well, she's not wrong there.

Bedivere is back in spirit form as well, and he's quiet for as long as it takes to get home. There's the matter of dropping Q off at the Agency- a surprise that is going to leave Kunikida reeling and yelling at Dazai for kidnapping a child, up until he sees those marks on Q's hand- and it ends with Fukuzawa himself agreeing to take care of Q for now. The kid is asleep for now, so it's fine. Maybe.

Bedivere is still quiet when they get home though, and will need to be called out to before he responds. He has so much on his mind now, sleep tonight is going to be impossible.]

[Insomnia alone is not enough to chase her off - in other lives, she grew up not even resting in her sleep, and it's not so different even if her studies revolve around magecraft on top of kingly duty. Her life is still a race against time until the Promised Day, and she has much to learn.

The coffee, though - she will give him a patient look if he forgets that food is important. Because it is! Thinking on an empty stomach isn't any good!

Dazai will laugh and shrug as he bears the brunt of that scolding - look, this isn't forever, and did Kunikida really want Dazai to resort to removing the kid's hand to "be over and done with it?"

(He might be treading into sensitive territory there, of course, but that doesn't make it any less true, and Dazai has a Servant to take care of.)

When they get home, Dazai tosses his coat over one of the chairs and tugs off his bolo tie.]

Care to join me in the shower, Bedivere?

[He hopes Bedivere says yes, since it's part of his plan to help the both of them unwind.

...it's been a long day.]

[Dazai, pushing Kunikida's boundaries to get what he needed. Some things never changed.

But Bedivere's mind is in a haze, so he barely notices everything at the Agency and thus can't scold Dazai. Instead, he stays quiet until Dazai asks him to join the shower, and even then Dazai gets an '...alright.' as an answer. It's not that he's reluctant to shower, he's just distracted.

When he manifests, he does so without his clothes on. It's much less effort to do it that way. Then he's shower-ready to begin with! But that also means having a naked Bedivere right there, sorry Dazai. Hopefully the curtains are closed.]

[The curtains are, actually, closed, but that doesn't stop Dazai from choking - it's a sign, isn't it, that a guy who's normally so concerned with propriety's just showing up like this?

There's nothing else to be done, other than to kiss Bedivere's shoulder and guide him by the hand to the bathroom, working on undoing the buttons of his shirt with his other hand.

By the time they get to the shower stall, there's a trail of clothes behind Dazai that he'll only bother picking up much later.]

Bow your head and close your eyes. I'll wash your hair first.

[He reaches past Bedivere to twist the shower knob, pressing a kiss to the other man's jaw. Let him take care of you, dear knight.]

[It's a sign that he's so worn-down that his usual reserved nature is flat-out gone.

But he allows himself to be guided into the bathroom, and for Dazai to wash his hair first. The kisses along the way are like little sparks of warmth, reigniting his strength which has been lost from battles both physical and mental in nature. Touching does give him energy, of course, but this time it feels like more than just that.

Or maybe Bedivere's mind wants it to be more. It's hard to tell.

Regardless, he lets Dazai take care of him, though he does stay focused and moves as needed so Dazai can reach. A downside to showering together is that the height difference does affect things. Also, long hair takes a long time to wash, though Bedivere trusts that Dazai can be patient with it.

As Dazai finishes washing him, the warmth from those little touches and kisses has seeped into his bones, making him a bit more of the man from that morning. It's enough that Bedivere can finally respond to the affection, leaning in to kiss Dazai's forehead before standing up fully again.]

Let me wash yours now?

[Even one-handed he can manage Dazai's short hair, he thinks.]

[He's good at being patient. It's second only to his talent in taking his time.

Dazai works on the long strands in sections, ending with a massage to Bedivere's scalp. Every now and then, he brushes his lips on the other's brow and cheek, content to let the sound of suds and, in a while, running water to fill the silence.

This, too, is relaxing. In a way, it's reassurance: they survived their first battle in this conflict - against Berserker, no less - and neither of them ended up with a chopped limb or worse, given Q's terrible habits.

Wordlessly, he squirts shampoo onto Bedivere's palm, savoring the tingle from the kiss on his forehead.]

Let's have ice cream tomorrow. And on another day next week.

[He'll also begin lathering Bedivere's shoulders and chest with soap. Dazai has a feeling that, after this shower and drying off, cuddling on the futon will be the priority.]

I like that idea.

[Ice cream for them tomorrow, and then a day for time with Caster. He still wants her to see what this world has to offer. Especially at the age she is, she'll probably enjoy it a lot.

With soap in hand, Bedivere starts massaging his fingers through Dazai's hair and up against his scalp. it's not unlike what Dazai had done to him moments before, though with just one hand instead of two. It's relaxing to be on both ends of this kind of touching.

It's relaxing to be touched in general too, as Dazai's hands on Bedivere's chest cause a sudden intake of breath. These touches aren't heated in any way, but his chest is sensitive regardless. He at least has the sense to look embarrassed after making that noise, even if he can't quite hide his face away while they're in a small space like this.]

M-my apologies.

[Cuddling is definitely a top priority, though. Bedivere isn't going to demand anything, but touching through the night- even if it's platonic, and they just lay together in a tangle of limbs- really is needed so he can recover even somewhat.]

[If he wasn't so relaxed, he'd have snickered. As it is, Dazai cracks an eye open and gives a good-natured waggle of an eyebrow.]

I remember you being bolder last night.

[But really, it's cute. Dazai flattens his palm on Bedivere's chest, taking a moment to admire the sight, before tracing an idle pattern - only briefly, mind. If they decide to do anything sexual, it's better to wait until they reach the bed.]

[Now that gets him to flush a nice shade of red that can't be blamed on the steam from the shower.]

I wasn't exhausted last night. You may have to wait if you want a repeat performance of that.

[If they do anything sexual, Dazai will need to be the one on top tonight. Not that Bedivere would mind, being pinned under Dazai is quite enjoyable.

But touching that palm to his chest will reveal Bedivere's heartbeat, steady as ever. It's proof that he's alive, that he's more than just a magic ritual for fighting a war.]

[Sorry, he can't help but chuckle and leave a light tap on Bedivere's chin.]

Then a something a little different, perhaps?

[Topping is, indeed, on the table, and he makes it a point to kiss the other man's chest, atop his pulse, once he clears the suds away. It was hard to miss how Bedivere was affected by Caster's appearance, and this was after using his Noble Phantasm.

This isn't just about giving mana at this point. Affection lingers with is fingers as he moves on to wash and scrub Bedivere's back and legs - of course, he'll be suitably apologetic if that interrupts the shampooing.]

If we can ever finish our shower.

[That is Bedivere's way of gently chiding Dazai for the way he was possibly unintentionally dodging around Bedivere's hand. How can he wash Dazai's hair if Dazai keeps moving around? But Bedivere isn't actually annoyed or anything, especially since Dazai is doing all of that to help get Bedivere clean.

By the time Dazai gets to Bedivere's legs, Bedivere is going to grab for the spray nozzle and just spray Dazai's hair to wash the shampoo out. If Dazai's face gets soaked in the process, well, so be it.]

[His face is very soaked, thank you.

He'll also make it a point and look up with eyes closed, letting the spray carry away any suds on his face.]

[Something something facial joke.

Luckily Bedivere is too Innocent to get facial jokes. He's just chuckling at how silly Dazai looks.]

Having fun?

[That is asked after he pulls the nozzle away, so Dazai can actually speak without getting a mouthful of water.]

[Does Bedivere even know what a facial is?]

Mm-hmm.

[A kiss to the dear knight's knee before he stands up, letting Bedivere reciprocate with soaping if he so desires. After that, they're off to to dry, and Dazai drapes over him on the futon with a kiss.]

How are you feeling?

[He does not, and he will probably die when he does find out what one is.

Washing, drying, and slipping on the sleeping yukata. It's all things Bedivere has done before, and he's used to it now. Still, Bedivere smiles as Dazai drapes over him, and he reaches his one arm up to loop around Dazai's shoulder loosely. He can toy with the hairs at the base of Dazai's neck while he speaks.]

Better. I do like showers much more than the baths I used to take.

[Not the nice baths, where one soaks in a hot spring for an hour. He means the old baths in wooden tubs with water that got cold way too fast. Those were needed, but miserable.]

And it's better to take it with someone else too.

[Oh my.]

Gets the job faster. Or slower, depending.

[The fingers on his nape are nice, and he presses his cheek on Bedivere's chest, soaking in warmth. That reminds him -]

How are you able to fight with long hair, anyway? [He twirls his fingers around the long strands.] I'm not saying it doesn't suit you and you do look nice, but hasn't anyone tried to pull in the middle of a scuffle?

It certainly took longer to wash your hair.

[Still gently teasing here. But speaking of hair-]

The short braids and bindings keep it behind me, and most people are facing me from the front. They don't have a chance to grab it, usually.

Though admittedly the King has the right idea of putting her hair up in a braided crown, that keeps anyone from grabbing hers. But I had to do my hair one-handed for the longest time, and complex braids like that are impossible one-handed.

The King, hmm..?

[Is this even the right time to bring up that reunion? Dazai props his chin up on Bedivere's chest and traces idle circles on his bare shoulder.]

Indeed, you'd know your own fighting style the best. [He pauses, tasting the words in his mouth, before speaking neutrally.] She looks different from what I expected.

[There's no time like the present, and they can dance around the darker conversations here. Bedivere can tell Dazai is trying, so his smile stays in place. Even if it becomes less of a happy smile and more of a nostalgic one.]

She's much shorter, isn't she? You know, they once floated the idea of me acting like a body double for her, for times when her true gender would have been at risk of being revealed. The trouble with that was that I'm at least two heads taller than her, if not more.

[Ah.

He muffles his snickers on Bedivere's chest. Yeah, he can see how that'd be a problem.]

You don't say! Now that you mention it though, you two look similar.

Were you aware she had the potential to use magic?

I suspected it, but the King Arturia I know didn't train her magic to such lengths as to be a Caster. Magic was...well, not strictly forbidden, but King Arturia had a sour taste for it. Especially after everything with Morgan le Fay.

This Arturia seems to be slightly different. Perhaps in her timeline she focused on magic instead of sword skills.

[It's hard to look down at Dazai like this, so Bedivere sighs and lets his head rest on the pillow while he looks up at the ceiling. This really is a mess.]

[Unfortunately, the whole thing with Mordred's one of the more famous parts of King Arthur's legend. He can't bring himself to ask how they made it biologically possible, and he kisses Bedivere's jaw.]

Well, if she knows magic, perhaps she can find a way to prevent that incident? [He's assuming Morgan le Fay cast something... but that's not what has Bedivere down, is it.] Bedivere. I won't force you to fight her. Having to confront and possibly lose a cherished person is quite the ordeal. That said: if such a thing is inevitable, it's better if you take the time to think about what it actually means.

[His fingers settle on Bedivere's cheek, gentle and searching.]

Whatever you decide on - I hope it's something you won't sorely regret.

[Bedivere's had plenty enough of those.]

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