#You need to stop moping

[sydneighsays]

This took .. so long *collapses into a pile and cries on the floor*

Some of my favorite shots. I'll post more on my Instagram because I'm at my limit here and there's literally 83 slides

Audio from episode 136 The Puppeteer

[tibialtybalt]

friends say in the tags tma lines that have lodged themselves into your brain permanently

[links-hella-fine-booty]

Bringing Bliz over was the best choice ever. My family and I sat with him a lot yesterday. Although it's slightly humorous that I'm certain my dad is aware there is a dog in his house and he would not be pleased hehe.

He was never a dog lover. Or a cat lover. He didn't like pets. Bliz and Toast would have loved to bother him.

Hopefully he can see how much Bliz and Toast have brought joy into my life, and now my family's.

I miss you dad. Sorry I didn't tell you Bliz was around.

[potatoesandsunshine]

sebastian shooting that arrow at the chantry board was unfortunately enough for jessa 'i'll kill anyone' hawke to fall in love with him

[et-cant-phone-home-no-signal]

being the bigger person and sending someone a happy birthday message even though you're objectively upset at them...

[mrmubbetbubbet]

i think i am cooked, it appears i am touch starved

[none-tadashi-left-hiro]

I’ve literally just been here in bed moping what a stupid way to end the yearrrr

[xavieremix]

okay so the tags on that last post got me feeling those melon collies so i'm just gonna. tagdump in here. slightly sensitive topics? so uh. scroll down (or press J to jump to next post). or read my thoughts like the morning paper. sorry. cheers.

[what-even-is-thiss]

People often ask me about accessibility stuff when it comes to walkable cities so I’m gonna highlight some stuff I find to be cool

Raised intersections! These are intersections where the road gently rises to the level of the sidewalk, acting as slight speed bumps for cars and eliminating the need for going up and down ramps with mobility aids or carts

Level train platforms and user operated bus ramps! Ramps operated by external buttons and level platforms make it so that wheelchair and walker users don’t need to speak to a driver to access transit

Moped cars/micro cars! Miniature cars often used by people who can’t use bikes. Many of them are so small that they fit in bike lanes

Frequent bench placement! A walkable street is one with places to rest.

Air conditioned bus stops! In places where it often gets super hot frequent bus stop placement combined with air conditioning can make transit safer and more accessible to more people

Cargo bikes! Who needs a car when you can haul your stuff and/or dogs around in a bike?

[red-garden]

Liu Qingge is getting nowhere with his courting attempts. Shen Qingqiu just isn’t getting it. He does not have plany of rope.

He has one option: Shang Qinghua

He steals himself before nocking on his least favorite martial brother’s door.

“Oh! Liu-shidi! What uhhhh…. What’s up?”

“I want to court Shen Qingqiu.”

“Come inside.”

As the little peak lord makes tea, Liu Qingge notices a definite shift in demeanor. Sitting down, he spreads over his chair in a most undignified fashion. “So you want my blessing to court my best friend.”

“What? No.”

Shang Qinghua looks miffed. “So why are you here?”

Liu Qingge grits his teeth. “He has not responded to any of my courting gifts,” deep breath, “You are closest to him. How do I make him fall for me?”

Shang Qinghua has been nodding along, stroking his chin as if he had a beard. “I see. I’m obligated to tell you as an emotionally mature adult that you can’t make someone love you. However. As Cucumber’s best friend and your shixiong, I know exactly what you need to do.”

Liu Qingge leans forward. “Yes?”

The little lord shrugs, nonchalant smile on his face. “Act pathetic! Act like you need his help soooo much and you can’t live without him! Trust me, he loves to mommy people.”

Liu Qingge raises an incredulous eyebrow. “What.”

“The most important step is to cry in front of him. He’d fuck a snake if it cried.”

Liu Qingge bristles with the insult to his intended. He knows Shen Qingqiu has a rather crass bond with Shang Qinghua so he lets it side. For now.

“And you’re sure this will work?”

“100% satisfaction garunteed. He needs to stop moping over his disciple, and to do that, he needs a new pathetic little guy to fuss over. You have my blessing shidi.”

———

Shang Qinghua’s horrible advice was working.

On his most recent monster delivery, Liu Qingge purposely let the beast catch him on the back of his hand. Drawing attention to it, Shen Qingqiu immediately brought him into the bamboo house, dressed the wound, and cooed over him the entire time. It was heavenly.

Next time he came by to clear Shen Qingqiu’s meridians, he trips over a chair, falling flat on his face. Not only did Shen Qingqiu tell him he was being so brave, he also kissed his forehead. Shen Qingqiu kissed him!

The plan was progressing, but he still hadn’t employed the supposedly most important strategy: crying.

Liu Qingge was a stoic man by nature. He hadn’t cried in…. Wow, decades. Huh.

He prepared well. An armload of onions to chop. Pepper flakes if that wasn’t enough.

He shows up to Shen Qingqiu’s door, face ruddy, eyes wet. He answers on the second nock. “Liu- oh! Liu-shidi, come inside come inside!”

He takes Liu Qingge by the shoulders and leads him to the couch. Sitting down next to him, Liu Qingge sniffs.

“Shidi, what happened? Is everything alright? Did you run into a pollen? Allergies? What can I do to help?”

Thickening his face, Liu Qingge wordlessly leans over, planting his face in the crook of Shen Yuan’s shoulder and encircling him in a hug.

“Oh!” Gasps Shen Qingqiu. He quickly embraces Liu Qingge back, petting his hair and shifting him to be more on his lap.

“There there shidi, I’ve got you. Do you want to tell me about it?”

Liu Qingge shakes his head. Being cradled like this is shockingly nice. It feels safe. Shen Qingqiu is warm, he’s humming, he smells like his favorite jasmine tea and incense. Liu Qingge starts to feel true tears prickle at his eyes, throat going tight. Maybe this cry was long overdue.

Shen Qingqiu hold him through it, rocking him back and forth, occasionally pressing kisses to his hair. He reassures him the whole time: “It’s okay, let it out.” “I’m so proud of you for coming to me.” “You don’t have to tell me if you don’t want to.”

Shang Qinghua was right.

[agirlwithglam]

How to make life a little better

(I’m looking for something prettier to name this so if u have ideas spill!!)

Stop trying to impress people you don’t even like

Stop caring about being judged by the most boring, lame human beings ever (there’s 8 billion people on earth)

It’s immature to keep hating on yourself or others. Like what’s the point? It’s just making u miserable

Always give kindness and love.

It’s the small choices and actions you take everyday that make huge differences

Try to get into the flow state more

Get a diary and write all ur girly nonsense in it

Stop wondering if you’re good enough for others and start wondering if they’re good enough for you

You shouldn’t assume someone doesn’t like you unless they’ve directly told you.

Learn to observe and not absorb

Remember you don’t need to accomplish something in one sitting- whether it’s learning the guitar, crocheting, let yourself take time.

Even if you think ur life is boring and there’s nothing exciting abt it: would u rather mope and sulk or get unreasonably happy about the small mini things?

Life is 20% what happens to you and 80% how you react to it.

Be your own best friend! Push yourself on, cheer for yourself, be there when you cry.

Consciousness if everything.

You may be more inclined to reach your goals if you know someone else is depending on them.

If you don’t want to dwell on things, have things that get ur mind of it. Be busy.

[tulippanes]

𝐂𝐇𝐄𝐄𝐊𝐘! 𝐒𝐇𝐎𝐓𝐎 𝐓𝐎𝐃𝐎𝐑𝐎𝐊𝐈

t. shoto x reader

pt. 2

. ݁₊ ⊹⁀ word count: 444 . ݁₊ ⊹⁀ warnings: N/A . ݁₊ ⊹⁀ type: drabble, fluff

cheeky! shoto todoroki who would fix your uniform in case anything was out of place, even the tiniest thing, and allowed his touch to remain a second longer.

cheeky! shoto todoroki whose voice would drop an octave lower and lean in close to your ear to whisper something to you, even when not needed, just to see you shudder and he’d have a ghost of a smirk on his face.

cheeky! shoto todoroki who would casually throw a random compliment at you so he could see your flustered expression. “you look pretty today,” he said in a monotone voice. it was out of the blue . you blinked at him and felt your face heating up. he looked you up and down, almost as if feeling satisfied with himself, before going on about his day.

cheeky! shoto todoroki who would sit beside you, close enough that his thigh is pressed right against yours. close enough that he could not so subtly brush his arm against yours. close enough that when he turned his head to look at you, he could see every single feature of yours. his eyes would stay glued on your face until you turned to look at him too, only for him to look away once you do.

cheeky! shoto todoroki whose hand would come up to wipe off any crumb on the corner of your mouth after you ate something. his thumb thoughtlessly lingered on your bottom lip before he pulled away to act as if nothing happened.

cheeky! shoto todoroki who would sulk if you were to say no to something he wanted you to say yes to. “stop pouting,” you said while he averted his gaze.

“i’m not pouting,” he quietly huffed. you sighed before you gave in, “if i say yes will you stop moping?”

“yes.”

cheeky! shoto todoroki who would pretend as if he’d done none of these things only to then subtly tease you about your reactions. “i don’t know what you’re talking about,” he bluntly stated. your eye twitched, you were visibly exasperated. “uhm, yeah you do. you know when you- er..” you trailed off as you tried to put your words together.

“when i what?” he asked with a tilt to his head.

“you know!”

“i really don’t,” he said while he took a step closer to you. he stared at you, watching you fumble your explanation.

you waved a hand in dismissal, “nevermind.” the tiniest of a smug smile curved on his lips, a suspicious little glint in his gaze and he hummed.

“did it make you nervous?”

“so you did know!” you shouted, and all he responded with was a light chuckle.

[hurtspideyparker]

If Civil War didn't end in divorce and everyone lived together Part 2

Read Part 1 and Part 3

Tony: Why is Underoos mopping the ceiling?

Sam: Told him since he's sticky that's his chore

Bucky: It's only fair he helps out around the house

Tony: Hm. Makes sense

-

Vision cooked dinner:

Peter: *pushing around food to make it look eaten*

Natasha: *surreptitiously spitting into napkin*

Steve: *taking small bites with tons of water*

Bucky: *just stares at full plate*

Tony: Well this is disgusting, I'm ordering pizza

-

Sam: C'mon man stop moping around, you gotta get yourself a girl

Bucky: Ok.

Sam: Ok? Okayyyyy! I know-

Bucky: Give me your phone

Sam: Oh you got a number in mind already hotshot? *hands phone over*

Bucky: *ring* Hi Sarah ;)

Sam: BOY-

-

Peter: Ned thought you would seperate your colours from your lights but he also thought you'd be homophobic so I don't pay him much mind cuz clearly I'm more of a superhero expert than him but he does have a 2% better average than me in history so like maybe you do hand wash your clothes and that's why I asked what underwear you wear because-

Steve: *listening intently with apprehension and alarm*

Natasha: I can't believe you found the one person on Earth who talks more nonsense than you

Tony: I know right, it's incredibly unnerving. I'm planning on adopting him

-

Peter: Mr. Stark I have to tell you something. I think Vision is a... *whispers* pervert

Tony: Um, why?

Peter: He keeps floating through my room without knocking! He saw me changing, he saw my nipples !

Tony: Well if anyone's a predator here it would be you. I mean showing your nipples to a 2 year old? Deplorable.

Peter:

Peter: Oh god, I'm the pervert...

-

Bucky: Y'know animosity isn't good between teammates. I think we should spend more time together

Sam: Am I being punked right now? Where's the camera

Bucky: I'm serious. I think it would be healthy for us to bond

Sam: Okay fine I'll bite... what did you have in mind

Bucky: Wanna go for a run?

Sam: *slams door in Bucky's face*

-

*staring at Bucky's sparkly clean metal arm*

Bucky: Dishwasher?

Peter: Dishwasher :)

(later that day)

Bucky: I've decided to let the child live

Peter: YoU wHaT?!

-

Thwip

Tony: Who took my coffee cup, It was right here

Thwip

Bruce: Um, has someone seen my book? I just had it

Thwip

Steve: I could've sworn I was holding a pen a moment ago

*giggling from the ceiling*

Tony: Young man I will take those webshooters away if you use them for shenanigans and rascality

Peter, muffled: Mr. Hawkeye told me to!

Clint: Oh so you're just gonna rat me out like that?

Peter: Sor- OOF

*falls out of ceiling vent*

-

Sam: You're in my spot

Bucky: There are no spots, it's a common area

Sam: Well that's my spot

Bucky: Did you buy the chair??

Sam: No, but everyone knows that's where I sit. Right Steve?

Steve: Oops I forgot something in my car, be right back *leaves*

Sam: Still my spot

Bucky: Still not

Sam: *sits on him*

Bucky: WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU ALL THE COUCHES ARE FREE-

Sam: IT'S MY SPOT YOU CAN'T TAKE A MAN'S FAVOURITE CHAIR-

BUCKY: YOU HAVE ISSUES GET OFF ME-

(one hour later)

Steve: Hey so turns out I don't have a car! Isn't that funn...

Sam & Bucky: *Squeezed awkwardly on the chair together*

Steve: I think I left something in my car

-

Steve: Leave the bedroom door open when you have Vision in there

Wanda: UGH you're so protective

Tony: Teenagers, am I right? Caught Pete reassembling my particle accelerator at midnight because he needed to neutralize a miniature nuclear bomb he nabbed off some guy he neglected to tell me was trying to kill him

Steve:

Steve: Wanda y'know what do whatever you want

Wanda: Really?

Steve: Yes just keep being normal. At least I can read about our issues in a parenting book

-

Thor: Ah, new warriors I see! Good to make all your acquaintance. But why are you so grumpy my friend?

Bucky: *glaring*

Peter: He's always like that. It's um, P- P- PMS? Wait -

Natasha: Yes it's PMS

Wanda: He's got it bad

Steve: *genuinely concerned* Bucky you didn't tell me something was wrong. What can I do to help?

Bucky:

Bucky: I like chocolate

-

Wanda: Welcome to the first annual girls night! This place reeks of men, so I thought we needed some women time

Pepper: Why is Vision here?

Wanda: I get sad when he's gone

Natasha: Why is Pietro here?

Pietro: Slay queens

Wanda: Moral support I think

Maria: Why is Peter here?

Wanda: He looked really upset when I said he wasn't included and I felt bad

Wanda: Anyways... yay girls! Who wants me to paint their nails?

Peter: ME ME ME

-

Steve: Pancakes or waffles?

Natasha: Pancakes

Steve: Good because I don't have a waffle maker

Natasha: Then why would you ask-

Steve: It's important for your voice to be heard, as team leader I value your opinion

*2 minutes later*

Steve: Good morning Clint, pancakes or waffles?

Clint: Waffles

Steve: Oh no.

-

Some of these were based on requests (ex. more Sam & Bucky, dad Steve w/ Wanda) so if you have certain dynamics you enjoy let me know !

[syofrelief]

parasite

johnny is a bit overattached

When you started doing....whatever this was, you would slip out in the morning before he woke, sometimes with a note or a cup of coffee as a greeting. Left on his bedside table for him to see, groggy and drooling.

Well, that didn't work for him. Johnny would curl on top of you at night, and no matter how many pushups you did could train you for moving that. He acted like it was an accident, but you noticed how his eyes would clear when he saw you, his heart would slow, and he'd smile.

You'd kiss him on the cheek and only then would he let you pull on your trousers and sneak out.

Throughout the day, he needed check ins. Waves, brushes on the shoulder, quick pecks or a soft squeeze when he had a second. He'd nudge his way through your office door, shyly asking to sit by you while you did paperwork.

A parasite, you compared him affectionately. His nose scrunched, but the resemblance was there.

You decided to tease him one day. A Tuesday, a rare one with nothing big. A 'smear' is what Soap and the gang called them, for some reason. His favorite. A day where he could sleep in, which meant you slept in. Lounging around, you tucked to his chest as the TV blabbed.

Eyes cracking open, you slowly wriggled your way from under his warm weight. Slowly. He twitched at every move, whining slightly when you finally broke free. Ceding a bit, you smoothed his brow with a few kisses, stroking over his sleeping back. Soap settled again, snoring loudly. You stifled a grin, tugging on a coat and disappearing down the hall. Not even a note.

Johnny was distraught when he woke. The one day he had in months and your side of the bed was cold. He curled into your pillow, sulking at the empty hook where your tags should have been. You must have had an early meeting. He huffed, tossing and turning before grumpily shoving on his running clothes.

You dodged him at every opportunity. Gaz had agreed to team up, sending you a discreet text when your little parasite was on the move.

Track. Hour tops.

You smirked, deciding to stroll down to the armory. The magazines probably needed organizing.

Johnny texted you the minute he finished.

wya, birdie? need tae say good mornin :)

You almost cracked, hearing his pleading through the screen. It was a little cruel, running in circles around him when he just wanted a little kiss. You giggled.

busy, be out all day sorry baby!!!!

Humming, you resumed your collection of menial tasks. It was nice, actually. The quiet.

Johnny was having a wildly different time. He felt like he was going insane. He'd never spent this much time not being by your side, let alone not seeing you. He hadn't seen you since you tucked into bed with him the night prior. It felt like a critical part of his body had been surgically removed without his consent.

He moped around the gym, noticeably bereft of his typical roughousing. In his sulking, he missed the eyebrow waggle Gaz sent over his head, to which Ghost rolled his eyes.

Smelling a whiff of your perfume was the end of it. He was like a bloodhound, trailing through the halls with a bloodthirsty glint in his eye. Recruits flattened themselves against the walls, terrified of the hardness of his jaw. Soap? Pissed? Like that? Jesus, got his knickers in a twist.

You made until noon before he snagged you. Clotheslined you, right across the tummy coming out of the kitchen. Squealing, you fumbled for steady footing as he manhandled you into a hug, growling kisses onto your face.

"Firs' you sneak out in the mornin,'" he huffed, nosing under your jaw. His hand came up to tug at your shirt. "Then ye done disappear for the whole day, like ah'm s'posed to jes' let ye weasel out of- quit, lassie, need it," he broke off in a plead, petting the softness of your hips. You stopped fighting him, accepting your fate as his chew toy.

"Awh, poor Johnny," you teased, playfully biting his cheek. Soap flicked your ear.

"You're takin' the piss, dove."

"A wee bit, maybe."

At your giggle he gasped, stepping away. "Ah'v about lost me mind lookin fer ye and yer teasin'? Kick a man while he's down, aye-"

You tackled him in a hug, nuzzling into his bear arms. Soap paused his lamenting, cooing over your content sigh. You were starting to go a little crazy too, admittedly.

Later, as he snored gently in your lap, you reconsidered your previous classification. A parasite implied there was no benefit to having him latch onto you. But the warm peace floating over you said otherwise.

A pest, you settled for. A very persistent, adorable pest.

[dante-mightdie]

long awaited part three of lowselfesteem!reader and simon

part two

invisible clothes

that’s what you called them, the rags you don when you have to integrate with the general population but you would much rather not be noticed. clothing that is so bland that it isn’t nice enough catch an eye but not hideous enough to catch any negative attention

you had told simon about them once, when he called you out on wearing them every time you stepped out in public, including your dates with him. especially since he knew you had a very elaborate wardrobe with a tailored sense of style

clearly they aren’t invisible enough to hide you from johnny’s guilty eyes from across the store aisle. you sigh when he comes up to you, tapping your shoulder to get your attention. he shifts uncomfortably on his feet

“I know ye probably hate ma guts, lass but ye should ken that simon shut down all of that bet talk after your first date. Ah just bring et up to annoy ‘im.” johnny says, with a nervous chuckles at the end. you don’t laugh alongside him

“okay, fair enough. look, he’s miserable without ye! he comes to the pub just to get pished and mope about how he fucked it all up with ye.” johnny continues, a pleading look in his eyes, “he’s supposed to he coming by to drop off some things of yours tomorrow. just hear him out, please, lass.”

you roll your eyes at him, continuing to grab what you need from the shelves in front of you. not even bothering to look him in the eyes when you finally begin to speak

"why should I? why am I always expected to think of other people even when they hurt me? you and simon didn't think about me or my feelings when you made your stupid bet. neither of you stopped to consider that I was just a person who simply wanted to be left alone." you say with a scoff, "he'll be lucky if I don't slam the door in his face."

johnny shifts on his feet, looking down at the floor since he feels too uncomfortable to look directly at you, "fair enough. take care've yerself, hen."

you bite back tears as you watch him skulk off in the corner of your eye. you stand there for a few more minutes, staring at the stacked shelves in front of you to distract you from the war raging inside of your head

-

it's late at night, nearly midnight, when there's a knock at your door. you let out a sigh, already knowing who was disturbing your doomscrolling at this hour. and when you open the door, you see him. you’re brooding prick of an ex-boyfriend. he at least has the decency to look guilty, like a dog caught ripping up the couch cushions

except he wasn’t a dog, he was the love of your life. and your heart isn’t so easily replaced like a cushion. though he definitely treated it like somewhere to rest his head

“hey.”

you scoff, you’re not sure why. there isn’t anything inherently wrong with what he said but it still annoyed you. he annoyed you. with his stupid stormy eyes and his stupid jokes and freckled shoulders that you used to connect like dots late at night

“just give me my stuff and go, simon. don’t have time for this bullshit.”

he doesn’t flinch. he saw that hit coming, and sometimes you gotta let them swing at you especially when you know that you deserve much worse

the exchange is quick, a box with small memories passed over to you. a couple items of clothing, a book and some toiletries. before you can slam the door in his face, he jams his heavy boot into it

“wait… love, I… there’s somethin’ else. I never gave it to you but it’s yours. got it for you and I’ll never give it to anyone else.”

the glare you give him only falters when he places a small velvet box in your hand, he pauses the speech you can definitely feel coming on. looking at you expectantly to open it. you do, waiting for him to laugh at you when you find nothing in there. ridicule you for even thinking he would consider making you his wife

but all he does it look on solemn, the beautiful ring twinkling as a devastating reminder of what could have been

“I kno’ I ‘ave no right to ask. I wouldn’t insult you like tha’ lovie. you can hate me, I deserve it. but you don’t deserve it. I won’t let you hurt yourself over what I did. you deserve to know the real extent of how bad I fucked up. maybe it’ll help to look at tha’ ring and know that I’ll spend the rest of my life having to know I lost the woman who should be my wife.”

there’s no chance to respond, not like you’d know what to say anyway,

“I’m sorry.”

and then he’s gone.

[georgies-ftts]

My absolute favourite trope in Merlin fanfic is when they all find out about Merlin’s magic and Arthur is brooding or feigning annoyance but truly doesn’t care, Elyan and Gwaine are asking so many questions because they’re so intrigued and need to know absolutely everything and somehow aren’t surprised in the slightest, Leon is weary but slowly indulges in the conversation, eyeing Arthur every so often because he’s nervous to display such behaviours about magic in front of his King but he still knows Arthur would never touch Merlin even if he was afraid and Percival is just so confused because he thought everyone already knew and just refused to speak about it

Merlin: It’s not that big of a deal. we don’t have to speak about it.

Elyan: Oh, no we absolutely do!

Gwaine: Yeah, c’mon Merlin, show us something cool, like money falling from the sky, or a pint in my hand, right now, come on.

Elyan: Can you really do that?

Merlin: *Sarcastically* If it’ll get Gwaine to shut up.

Arthur: Oh, so you can pour Gwaine a pint in the middle of the woods but you can’t clean my chambers?

It goes silent for a few moments, Merlin wonders if now is the right time for a joke but Arthur’s brow is furrowed and through the light of the fire he can see the firm press of lips on his face, he decides now is not the time. Gwaine rolls his eyes from across the flame before them.

Gwaine: He’s just saved all our arses, can you be grateful for two minutes?

Leon: Gwaine-

Merlin: He has every right to be upset-

Arthur: Do not address me as if i’m not even here, you owe me that at least.

There’s a tense silence as Merlin’s hand stills where it pokes at the fire with a stick, Leon eyes the King cautiously and Percival fiddles, wide eyed, with the frayed edges of his tunic. Merlin sighs and focuses again on the fire, it’s the only heat he can find.

Gwaine: What kind of things can you do?

Merlin is hesitant to answer but Elyan looks at him expectantly and even Leon has turned his attention to him now, seemingly awaiting either an answer from the servant or an order from his King.

Merlin: I- I can do small things like move stuff around, tell a broom to sweep or a rag to clean.

He thinks that’s enough but by the excited look in Gwaine and Elyan’s eyes it isn’t.

Merlin: I can light fires, fell trees, sense a nearby threat, anything… really.

Gwaine: That’s so cool

Arthur: So you could’ve been useful this entire time and you chose not to be.

There’s another lull as Arthur picks apart leaves and tosses them into the fire but as Leon speaks up even Arthur turns his gaze.

Leon: How long have you been able to do all this?

It’s hardly an innocent question but Leon’s tone is honest and Merlin cannot feel cornered by his words.

Merlin: Since birth.

Arthur: Lies.

Elyan: Is that possible?

Gwaine: What?

Leon: Is that all you can do? Move things? Will them to your command?

Now that question is loaded even if Leon means no ill will. Merlin swallows, he nods.

Merlin: Yes

Leon: What else can you command?

Merlin: The seas

Arthur: A mermaid are you, now?

Merlin: The trees and the ground.

Arthur: A nymph perhaps?

Merlin: The skies

Arthur: Now you’re just being absurd-

Merlin: Lighting.

Merlin cuts in quickly. He was never proud of it, bringing the bolt down so harshly and eradicating the sorceress to nothing but a pile of smouldering ash but Arthur will find out one way or another. Banishment or pyre he will make sure Arthur hears of his crimes before he goes.

Merlin: Nimue. I killed her. A bolt straight through her body. There was nothing left.

The group maintains their silence for a few moments and Arthur finally turns to look at Merlin for the first time since they’d stopped to make camp

Arthur: Prove it.

Merlin: Sire-

Arthur: Don’t call me that and prove it.

Merlin: Why? Hoping i’ll mess it all up and strike myself down? Save you the trouble of building the pyre?

Arthur: If I wanted you dead you wouldn’t be speaking so stop moping, get off your arse and prove. It.

Merlin doesn’t need to get up because the second Arthur stops talking Merlin’s eyes are sparking gold and the sky erupts in a violent flash of colour. tendrils of brilliant white crack the darkness apart, coating the forest in a momentary burst of day before the light fades and in its wake leaves behind the fading outline of the Pendragon crest in the forks of dying white.

The group remains still, staring upwards at the now pitch black sky before Elyan is laughing out loud and Gwaine is excitedly smacking Leon beside him.

Gwaine: Oh my god, we could do so much. We could strike Lord Harold down and he wouldn’t even know what hit him-

Arthur: shut up, Gwaine

Arthur is still staring at the sky and Leon speaks from beside him.

Leon: Forgive me for asking, ignore me next time

The Knight is almost blushing in his place and Merlin manages a small huff of laughter at that before he resumes poking at the fire but his moment of silence is inturpeted

Arthur: Sir Percival, you’ve been unusually quiet. Please, what are your opinions on all of this.

Arthur seems pissed off, but not in an angry way, more of an i’ve been outvoted and i’m not happy about it way. Percival shrugs, picking away at the skin of nails like he has no idea what this conversation could possibly be about.

Arthur: Percival?

Percy: Mhh hmm.

Arthur raises an eyebrow. Percival stares back at him.

Percy: Yes, Sire?

Arthur: Don’t play dumb with me.

Percy: I don’t know what you mean, sire.

There’s a moment , a beat, barely a second.

Gwaine: You knew?!?!!!?!???!?

Elyan: You sly bastard!

Leon: oh lord-

Percy: I didn’t, I swear-

Arthur: Percival-

Merlin: How-

Percy: I THOUGHT WE ALL KNEW-

Gwaine: WHY WOULD YOU THINK THAT-

Elyan: HOW WOULD WE HAVE KNOWN-

Leon: Kill me.

Percy: IT WAS SO OBVIOUS-

Merlin: HANG ON-

GWAINE: WHY WOULD’NT YOU TELL ME?

Elyan: Gwen’s going to be so pissed off she missed this

Gwaine: I THOUGHT WE WE’RE FRIENDS-

Merlin: HOW WAS IT OBVIOUS-

Percy: WE ARE, I JUST THOUGHT WE WEREN’T ALLOWED TO TALK ABOUT IT

Leon: please lord,

ELYAN: WHY WOULD’NT WE BE ALLOWED TO- Oh, no, wait, yeah got it, continue.

Percy: I THOUGHT YOU WERE ALL AWARE AND JUST NEVER MENTIONED IT CAUSE IT WAS SUCH A CASUAL THING THATS WHY I WOULD ALWAYS GIVE YOU A CLAP ON THE BACK AFTER AN AMBUSH OR-

Merlin: I THOUGH IT WAS CAUSE I DIDN’T DIE

Leon: Finish me off

Percy: YEAH, CAUSE YOU SAVED US. WITH MAGIC

Leon: I beg of you

ELyan: Holy shit-

Gwaine: Have we really been that blind?

Percival shrugs and Merlin still looks at him like he’s just betrayed his entire blood line.

Leon: Please, it would be the kind thing to do

Elyan: What?

Leon: What?

Gwaine: Did you tell him?

Merlin: Why would i tell him?

Percy: ouch.

Arthur: Percival.

Everyone pauses, Leon stops praying to a deity he does not believe in and Merlin stops looking so offended but Gwaine and Elyan still hold that child like wonder in their eyes.

Arthur: I’m not entirely sure what to threaten you with right now but I will think of something and trust me you’re going to wish you were never born.

Gwaine: Fair do’s, that

Percy: So Merlin gets away scot free but not me?

Merlin: OI-

Arthur: Oh, i’m not even started with you.

Gwaine: Oh, c’mon princess, don’t act like you didn’t have even the slightest hunch.

Arthur’s head spins at a pace that’s frankly alarming to look over at Gwaine. He narrow his eyes like he was lining up his next arrow for loosening. There’s another beat before Gwaine’s eyes widen

Gwaine: OH MY GOD YOU DID-

Then Arthur is launching forward, over the fire and it takes the four others an hour to get Arthur to release the impossible grip he has on Gwaine’s hair and another two to get Gwaine to apologise for the black eye now blooming on the King’s face.