Thundering Drums

          “I died for my ideals just as everyone else did for theirs, like how you died for yours.” It was a blunt reply given as he too crossed his arms over his chest. “It wasn’t just someone though, there were a lot of people involved. You’re the one who pushed too far, Uncle was the one who told me and Gaheris to guard the Queen that day, and Lancelot may have delivered the blows that ended our lives but I’m the one who convinced brother Gaheris not to wear armor or bring a sword which could have saved us because I thought Lancelot would recognize me and stay his blade.” His jaw clenched for a moment, and one of his hands began to curl around his arm as he remembered that. Gareth didn’t like thinking about that day, not if he could help it.

          “But I bet you didn’t know that; Brother Gaheris’ blood is on my hands as much as it is on yours and Uncle’s and Lancelot’s. And you know what? I am a little mad, especially at you for being so stupid, but I don’t hate you. I don’t hate Uncle, or Her Majesty, or Lancelot either, I won’t hate any of you. That’s not who I am, it never has been.” He was the one who forgave, even if it took a long time to do so. He’d forgiven his brothers before ( never mind that this was a different Mordred ) when they had killed mother. It had taken years and their relationship had never been the same after, but he had done it. That meant he could eventually forgive this as well. He had to.

          Gareth couldn’t help but grin at the change of subject, “What’s this? Does my selflessness bother you?” He asked with the tone of someone who just learned something he found delightful. If he didn’t know better he would think this other Mordred was worried about him or something. Which was a little hard to imagine from this brash young man, but Gareth figured it wasn’t impossible. “Besides, a true knight shouldn’t be competing with others to gain power and position. They should be doing what’s right by protecting the weak and upholding the justice, everything else will follow naturally given time.”

          “You know what? I think that’s just fine.” Even if it would be funny for the other two. “Congratulations on being Master’s favorite for… Saying weird things?” 

         “Heeeehhh, master has a pretty weird hobby then. you don’t think they’ll ask other knights to say that do you? Like Brother Gawain or Sir Lancelot?”

          “It is kind of hard to sound threatening after saying ‘moe moe kyun’ even for you.”

          “That’s askin’ for a lot right now.”

       ⤜⋯⋯     ' Perhaps it’d be better if I ask you with clarnet...--  ‘

       this freakin’ idiot .  this absolute moron .  this bumbling fucking cretin ,  whom the assassin now undeniably adored for owning a grand total of zero braincells .  he was sure the other would be able to put one plus one together ,  but it’s still ignorance yan qing is going to run with .  clasping both hands with a slight clap together ,  he excitedly beams at the other .  ‘ moe-moe-kyun !  i know ,  i know ,  it’s dumb —  but ,  it’s a fun trend within chaldea that everyone’s been jumping onto lately ,  and —  i thought ,  you know —  before it’s too late ,  o-out of everyone ,  i really wanted to hear it from you the most !  it’d make me really happy ,  and honestly ,  i’ve been down a little ,  but i think it’s just the sort of thing to give me a little pep boost -  maybe feel some fighting spirit … ‘  

       ‘ so …  u-um ,  if you’re okay with it … ! ’

         ⤜⋯⋯       A long stretch of silence forms between them. The blond knight staring down ‘ Ritsuka Fujimaru ’ with an empty expression that seems rather unreadable the longer ‘ she ‘ speaks. That blond head remains tilted, much akin to a dog trying to understand the commands of its master. Brows slowly start to furrow from beneath his shaggy bangs as a shadow falls over his face, “ . . . You really think I’d be stupid enough to . . . - - - say no to you? ” Just like that the shadow evaporates as the simple minded knight lifts his head up with a bright smile carving along his lips. “ Of course ! If something so small is enough to make you happy I’ll be happy to Master ! ” His shoulders sag suddenly, one metal plated fingertip scratching against his cheek meekly,

       ‘ oi ,  it ain’t not my fault ya don’t have any taste — !! ‘  then again ,  any cuteness levels he even had to max aside ,  it would still true that he wasn’t a maid .  he could always go and find a dress ,  or there was always that swimsuit maid rider to transform into ,  but that seemed like a bad match up given the character in front of him .  so instead ,  he hastily follows the other ,  positive he knows what  ( or rather ,  who , ) could get mordred’s attention ,  until he’s sprinted ahead to cut the other off in the hallway .

      ‘ mo-kun ~ !  it’s master ~ !  you’ll say it with me ,  right ? ‘

          ⤜⋯⋯         Lips part in a snarl of serrated teeth as annoyance bleeds through the Beserker. It’s the natural way of such a servant as he whirls part way to meet the Assassin who’s clearly forgotten when to knock it off - - - Eh ?

       ‘ eeeh ?  ya dunno it ?  well ,  then again —  maybe i’ve just been hangin’ around the castle princess too much lately … ‘  and when he thought on it ,  maybe he actually shouldn’t tell the other .  ( nah !  nothin’ to lose . )  ‘ moe-moe-kyun …  is like a magical spell for maids .  it maxes their cuteness in an instant .  an’ you’re jus’ the sorta lucky guy that gets’ta have a name real close ta it !  all ya need is a good - ‘  cue falsetto and the hand gesture thing , ‘ kyun ~ ! ’  

       this time ,  he’ll even throw in a wink !

       ‘ ya think so ?  haha ,  i thought it was pretty clever ,  though . ‘

       makes a heart with his hands .  ‘ —  kyun ~ ! ‘

               ⤜⋯⋯         “.................”