Writing Help Again. Please. Advice For A Black Character
Unlike my last OC for my BBC Merlin Fic The Eternity of Life, this OC was always black. Up until this scene it hasn't been an issue writing him since he mostly based off my husband. However now I have reached a point where I need outside help that isn't my husband
Context: Merlin and the group have left their small UK town for a mission within the story. Marcus (OC) has requested Merlin's hairstyling services so his hair is maintained during the mission. Merlin is the only person he trusts to do his hair.
Advice I am seeking: I am using the correct terms. Am I overstepping or spreading misinformation?
Side notes: Mordred is a recently resurrected 16yo kid from the 6th century, hence his confusion and questions. Marcus calls Merlin Ems because it was the nickname he gave him when they met years before learning Merlin's secret. Though not mentioned here, Marcus is 30yo combat medic vet who lost part of his left leg (2in below knee) to an IED when he was 22
Any help is greatly appreciated and welcomed. Thank you in advance to anyone that can offer their advice.
Marcus walked out his and Gwaine's shared bedroom and walked over to Merlin who was sitting on the couch with Mordred, eating breakfast watching TV. 'Hey Ems, how much time can you spare?"
Merlin looked up at his best friend then at the hair supplies in his hands. "Twist or braids."
"Braids, classic," Marcus answered. "If we don't have the time, we can do it another day."
Merlin stood up. "Nah we got time. When was your last wash day?"
"Last night. Had to with all the sand and salt air," Marcus answered.
"What's going on?" Mordred asked.
"Doing Marcus's hair," Merlin said, taking the kit from his friend.
"For a pasty white boy, he's a pro at styling black hair," Marcus complimented.
"But he he has black hair and jusr dyes it," Mordred said, confused. "I've never seen him style it.
Merlin walked over to the kitchen island and brought on of the barstools over, setting it next to the couch. "Sit. Got a number in mind?"
"Ten should be fine. I'm not talking about hair colour kid," Marcus corrected as he sat. "I'm talking about hair type. I have what is called 3C hair, which requires a decent amount of upkeep and expensive hair products. So to help save time and money, I get it styled for easier care. I used to just keep it short or pay a professional to do it."
Merlin scoffed as pulled a hair pick and clips out of the kit. "Last professional he went to did such a shite job, his scalp was bleeding."
"Ems offered to fix it," Marcus continued as Merlin began seperating his hair into sections
"I was skeptical since I'd only known him a few weeks at the time, but I figured he couldn't do any worse than the last guy."
"It took three hours just to undo the damage and salvage his hair, another hour make sure all the blood was washed out. I then spent two hours methodically putting in a zigzag pattern to avoid irritating his scalp more than it already was," Merlin detailed as he picked up a spray bottle of coconut oil.
"Needless to say I was impressed," Marcus praised, turning to look back at his friend. "He's been doing my hair ever since and all for the cost of a free meal. Speaking of, what do you want?"
"I want you to stop moving your head," Merlin chided turning Marcus's head back to the forward facing position. "After we're done I want a ribeye with the usual sides."
"Where did you learn to do black hair?" Mordred asked.
"Yeah, I want to know that to," Marcus added, turning his head again. "I just realized I never asked."
"Head. Still. Or I tape it in place," Merlin warned, correcting the medic's head position again. "And The Underground Railroad."
Mordred furrowed his brow in confusion. "The what?"
"Does your school teach you anything?" Marcus teased.
Mordred shrugged. "History teacher currently has us learning about something called the Revolutionary War."
"Well the Underground Railroad should be oart of your next learning block," Merlin noted as he started the first braid. "But the sum of it that it was series of safe houses that tracked all the way to Canada to help slaves escape their captors. I worked the Canadian side making sure people had papers, money, education, and so on. Over time I picked up the skill by watching mothers braid their daughters hair. I learned that they would use the braids as a map, so the would know where to go. As the years went by and slavery ended and the Railroad was dismantled, I made sure to retain the knowledge and practiced when I could. I learned other styles as well, figuring it was only fair to know as much as I could, so I could properly respect the effort and history."
The three were silent for a few moments while Merlin worked a few more braids in before Mordred spoke up. "Am I allowed to have braids?"
"Technically you can," Marcus answered. "But I advise against it. Many people including myself see it as appropriation not appreciation. And I know you personally wouldn't be doing out of malice or idiocy, but there are many that do. White people put cornrows in their hair and claim they're doing it because black people have been gatekeeping the style for too long among other reasons. That being said, your hair would fall out since your scalp and hair type aren't meant to maintain the style."
"Marcus is right, Mordred," Merlin said, tying the fifth braid in place. "That being said, if you want your own curly hair styled in a way that isn't cultural theft, I'll go through some styles with you." He looked over at son. "Besides you need a hair cut anyways. At least enough to even out the chaotic growth you got going on."
