This was interesting to read. Might write a fic inspired by this
Thoughts on the relationship between mamoru/tuxedo mask and usagi?
I like it in the abstract, but I don’t love it in any canon (aka the anime, Crystal and manga, only ones I’ve watched fully).
I still think the anime, despite the many MANY flaws their relationship has, is also the most endearing and likable to me. I really like their bantery, but sweet relationship of the first season (yes, he did get unnecessarily mean at times..). Usagi obviously thrives in relationships where she has a bit of push back, just look at her and Rei or her and Luna, her mother. Usagi likes to bicker and surround herself with “colorful” personalities. SO having Mamo be a bit of a looser who picks and bickers with her is very fitting and quite cute imo.
I still believe this scene is peak Usamamo chemistry.
Now about the manga/Crystal… sigh.
I’ll keep it brief cause it genuinely makes me uncomfortable thinking too much about it, but I really dislike how much it feels like they are together as Serenity and Endymion. They call each other by their “past life” names and I hate it. For those who have been following me for a while, you already know my thoughts on reincarnating as the exact same person.
It feels like Mamoru and Usagi have no agency in their own bodies and minds and it’s genuinely gross (it’s a me thing I know, but it genuinely destroys the relationship for me and I cannot look past it). Ik in the anime they do too sometimes, but very rarely and the whole “loving each other through reincarnations” is not as hammered in as in the manga.
I’ll give credit to the manga for not aging Mamoru up tho, even tho, UNPOPULAR OPINION, the only difference between anime Mamo and manga Mamo (age wise) is just him telling Usagi he’s in high school. He still looks and acts much older than her, but hey, if an ID is enough to make someone more comfortable, more power to you.
Also another plus I’ll give the manga is their much healthier relationship in regards of physical affection. Every time they engage in casual kissing or hugging in the anime is the most awkward thing in the universe and also they seem to have much healthier sexual relationship in the manga, so that’s that. (Although give the *circumstances* of the anime, I’m glad they never went that far, cause yikes).
My ideal relationship for them is similar to the anime, tho Mamo is an actual teenager. And not just “here’s my ID teenager”, he acts and lives like a teen.
Also I’d MAKE SURE that they are together for themselves, they need to say it, both of them to each other and it should be a major part of their character arcs together. Serenity and Endymion DO NOT matter.
They are together cause USAGI loves MAMORU and MAMORU loves USAGI. They have the agency to choose who they love from the memories and emotions they shared in this life.
58 notes
·
View notes
Arthur and Merlin travel back in time without knowing the other is from the future too AU
Tagging @aceauthorcatqueen , @fallenxjas , @smileytrinity ,@lucifertookmyshoe , @an-entity-i-think , @thecornerofbelu , @griffonskies , @odinjm , @cinnabon-sweetroll-tiramisu , @thelady-mary , @bennedict , @nightninjaboy , @st8-of-grace , @star-rie , @error-username-not-available , @dogberryrowan , @jamieweasley13 , @tansyuduri , @tercais , @robynnemrys I already had this part made, I may as well publish it ;)
LINKS TO THE OTHER PARTS OF THIS AU HERE: PART 1 , PART 2 , PART 3 , PART 4 , PART 5 , PART 6 , PART 7 , PART 8 , PART 9 , PART 10 , PART 11 , PART 12 , PART 13 (You're here) , PART 14
Arthur and Merlin first fight and a bit more of jealous Arthur
In Arthur's chambers.
Merlin: I'm telling you! He had nothing to do with Nimueh. He's innocent! It was all just a big misunderstanding!
Arthur: (not looking up from his papers) I heard you.
Merlin: Then why is Lancelot still in the dungeons?
Arthur: He could be dangerous.
Merlin: What are you talking about? He tried to help me! He saved my life!
Arthur: (finally looking up from his papers and standing up in anger) No, you put yourself in unnecessary danger again! After I told you not go alone, you did! Do you have any idea what could have happened to you? What's your obssession with confronting monsters and evil sorcerers all on your own?! You're no knight, no soldier. How can you be so ridiculously reckless?!
Merlin: (in realisation, indredulous) You're keeping Lancelot in the dungeons just because you're mad at me?
Arthur: (shouts) Yes! (thinking) Among other things (says) Maybe that way you'll learn your acts have consecuences.
Merlin: You can't do that!
Arthur: I'm the prince, so yes I can!
Merlin: (shouts, mad) You childish, spoiled, arrogant brat!
Arthur: Insult all you want. Lancelot is staying there. End of discussion.
Merlin: (pauses, disappointed) Then you're not the prince I thought you were (leaves).
Arthur: (affected by his words, makes a move to go to him, but stops himself, remaining furious) Childish he says. I'm mentally forty years old! I'm not childish! (sees a chair nearby and kicks it)
Time skip. Merlin venting to Gwen.
Merlin: That's what he told me! He's taking it out on Lancelot just to get to me! Can you believe it?!
Gwen: (sarcastic) On the man he found you with in his arms and alone in the woods? What a surprise.
Merlin: (doesn't notice the sarcasm and keeps on his rant) Oh, but let's see what he thinks when all his clothes are ripped and all his food ends up smashed on his face!
Gwen: Now you're being childish.
Merlin: Then what am I supposed to do? He's refusing to let Lancelot free no matter what I say!
Gwen: That's because you haven't tried everything.
Merlin: I did try everything!
Gwen: Really? Have you tried 'sweet persuasion'?
Merlin: ... What? 🤨
Gwen: Sweet persuasion 💁♀️. Is what we women do to get what we want and survive in a world ruled by men.
Merlin: But I'm a man.
Gwen: Doesn't mean you can't sweet persuade Arthur to get him to do what you want. 😏
Merlin: (unsure, but curious) What does it consist about?
Gwen: Well, first, you'd have to apologise and tell him that he's right for doing what he did.
Merlin: But he's not!
Gwen: You know that, I know that, but if we wait for him to realise that, Lancelot is going to stay in the dungeons till next solstice.
Merlin: (sighs) Okay, then what?
Gwen: Man love to be the center of attention, above all, they love to be their lov-people's hereos. Just play the defensless victim and act as he was your saviour. Praise him. And you'll have him at your feet.
Merlin: And then I'd ask him to free Lancelot?
Gwen: No, no, no. You shouldn't mention Lancelot all. You'd have to make this about Arthur and you alone.
Merlin: I don't know. That's sounds kind of humiliating.
Gwen: See? That's the problem with you men. You're too prideful to give in or recognise you're wrong, when actually success lies in knowing when to give in or better, letting the other believe he won.
Merlin: (still doubtful)...
Gwen: Just think about it (leaves).
Time skip. In the training grounds. Merlin goes to Arthur.
Arthur: (avoiding his eyes, still mad) Finally coming to do your chores?
Merlin: I wanted to speak with you.
Arthur: I'm not setting Lancelot free.
Merlin: It's not about that. I just wanted to say... that I'm sorry.
Arthur: (turns to him, surprised)... what?
Merlin: You're right. It was reckless and stupid of me to follow Nimueh by myself. I don't know what I was thinking. I guess I just wanted to be more brave and strong... like you.
Arthur: (smiles smugly, flattered) You think I'm brave and strong?
Merlin: I've seen you fight (pats his arm). And you didn't hesitate to come after me, a servant. Nobody else would have cared. I'm so glad you did, Arthur. Fortunately, everything turned out alright, but what if it hadn't? If Nimueh had managed to kill me or do something worse to me? Or if nobody else had found me? (hugs himself, looking vulnerable) I was so scared.
Arthur: (puts a hand on Merlin's arm and begins to caress it with his thumb lovinly) Oh, Merlin. You don't have to be scared. I will always come for you. Always.
Merlin: (blushes a little, but keeps on his act) So you're not mad at me anymore? Will you forgive me? 🥺(puppy eyes)
Arthur: (smiles, touched) Only if you promise not to do it again.
Merlin: (celebrating inside, but disimulates) Of course! Thank you, Arthur. I know you'll always do what's right.
And shortly after Lancelot is set free.
Merlin: (in disbelief) I can't believe it worked.
Gwen: I told you. 😏
Merlin: Gwen, you're a genius! Where were this advice in my other life?
Gwen: What?
Merlin: Nothing. (cofs) Well, I'll see you later. I promised Lancelot I'll show him my room today.
Gwen: Why are you showing him your room?
Merlin: Oh, I invited him to sleep there since he doesn't have where to go.
Gwen: (scandalised) What?! 😨 Merlin, I don't think is a good idea to invite other man to sleep in your room.
Merlin: Why? He helped me and then spend days in the dungeons because of me. I think is the least I can do.
Gwen: I'm sure he's a nice person. (thinking) And a very handsome one. (says) I just don't think the prince is going to be okay with that.
Merlin: Why would he care who I bring to my room?
Gwen: Because he's...! very protective of you. And he is clearly not very fond of Lancelot.
Merlin: (skeptical) Right (rolls his eyes). I think I can handle one man and who I bring to my room is not his royal business (leaves).
Gwen: (puts a hand on her forehead, sighing) These two are going to be the death of me.
Time skip. In Merlin's room.
Merlin: (enters with Lancelot) Here. I know it's not much, but-
Lancelot: It's perfect (smiles, kindly) Thank you, Merlin. (looks at the lily near the bed) And that's a nice touch.
Merlin: Thank you! 😄 Arthur gave it to me 🥰
Lancelot: The prince?
Merlin: Yes.
Lancelot: Oh, you two are...
Merlin: (laughs) No, nothing like that. I told him there weren't many purple flowers and the prat just wanted to prove me wrong. It was a nice gesture though. (looks at the flower lovinly)
Lancelot: (thinking) Oh, gods, he doesn't know, does he? (says) Uh... Merlin? Does the prince know I'm staying here?
Merlin: Well, in fact-
Arthur: (suddenly enters) In fact, no. I didn't know. 😑
Merlin: (almost jumps out of his skin and smiles nervously) Arthur! What are you doing here? 😅
Arthur: You brought a stranger into your room?
Merlin: He's not a stranger, he's my friend.
Arthur: You just met him 3 days ago!
Merlin: (crosses his arms) Well, we got along quickly.
Arthur: I don't care if you're best friends now. He is not staying here.
Merlin: (raises his voice) You don't have a say in that! 😠
Arthur: (raises his voice too) I'm the prince!😠
Merlin: This is my room!😡
Arthur: This is my castle!😡
Lancelot: I'll just go. 😅
Arthur: Yeah, you better.😠
Merlin: No, you stay. 😠
Lancelot: (not knowing whether to stay or leave) Eh...
Merlin: See? Now you made him uncomfortable.
Arthur: Like he was going to be comfortable in this poky excuse of a room. There's barely space for one. Where was he going to sleep, uh? The floor?
Merlin: We were going to share the bed.
Arthur: WHAT?!!😨😤
Lancelot: (thinking) It's over. I'm dead. I need to prepare my will. "For the nice old man that show me the way to the citidel I want to...
Arthur: Over my dead body!😡
Merlin: Oh, come on. It's not so bad. If we snuggle together-
Arthur: NO!😡
Lancelot: (thinking) "...and for the lovily and kind maidservant, Guinevere, that brought me food while I was still in the dungeons, I know it's not much but I want her to have..."
Merlin: (remembering 'sweet persuasion') I get why you're worried, my lord. You only think in what's best for me and you don't know how much I appreciate it. But I also know you're a benevolent man who cares deeply for his people. You wouldn't leave a poor subject in need to fend for himself, would you? Please, let him stay.🥺(puppy eyes)
Arthur: (tries to resist the puppy eyes, but sighs) Fine. He can stay.
Merlin: Yay! Thank so much you, sire! 😊
Arthur: With one condition.
Merlin: Sure, anything!
Arthur: You'll move to the chambers next to mine.
Merlin: (in shock) ... what? 😧
Arthur: That way you can sleep more comfortably and Lancelot too. Problem solved.
Merlin: (Between happy, stunned and conflicted) It's really generous of you, sire. But... I like my room. And... I'm also Gaius apprentice. He needs me here. (thinking) And how am I suppossed to practice my magic If I sleep in the chambers right next to yours?
Arthur: The distance you walk to attend me and then help Gaius would be the same. As my personal manservant, you should have moved there from the start, anyways. So, what do you say?
Merlin: (trying to find a reason to deny but he's actually quite excited to have a new room) Does it have a bigger bed?
Arthur: (smirks) It has a bigger everything.
Merlin: (smiles brightly) I better start moving then, my lord. (Picks up the pot with the lily and leaves, happily).
Arthur: (looks where Merlin went with heart eyes and then turns to Lancelot with a serious face)
Lancelot: (awkward and nervous) Ahm... your generosity knows no boundaries, my lo-Ow! (exclaims when Arthur punches him in the face)
Arthur: I never said you'll stay here for free 😑. You can start by cleaning out the stables. (leaves)
Lancelot: (rubs his face and sighs) So much for being a knight.
255 notes
·
View notes