writetomyheart | [Team One] Once and Future pt4

~550 words continuing this weird "What if kingdom hearts was the same but Merlin was BBC's merlin" AU. some hinted merlin/arthur and sora/riku

“We should have asked you ages ago.”

“Huh?” Merlin turned to the young man sitting beside him.

Riku raised an eyebrow in an impressive impressionof Yen Sid. “About the whole unreality worlds thing. Sounds like you and Fairy Godmother were keeping things pretty tight lipped.”

Merlin huffed. Honestly, he de-ages himself once and how all the youngins think they can treat him like one of their own!

Though he also hasn’t returned to his elderly form since Arthur’s return.

Riku’s stare grew more uncomfortable the longer Merlin ignored it and he let out a loud sigh. “I could still turn you into a squirrel.”

“Yeah but Sora would change me back,” Riku poitned out. “... eventually.”

“Once he got at least a hundred pictures and sent them all to Kairi.”

“Yeah,” Riku rolled his eyes but his smile was fond. “After that.”

Merlin grinned, turning back to stare at his book, not really reading it. “At first it was because it was too painful. To talk about.”

Riku nodded. “Because your world was lost?”

“Because it was my fault.” Merlin shrugged. “Morganna— er, Fairy Godmother— and Arthur says its not. Realiities and unrealities fade all the time or something like that. But…”

“You still feel guilty about it.” Riku’s voice was soft, and Merlin wondered if he was thinking about the night his Islands fell. “Yeah. I think I get that.”

Merlin nodded. “And even when Sora— I’m sorry. I didn’t think that’s where he ended up at all.”

Riku shrugged with one shoulder, returning his attention to the sparring match in front of them From the looks of it, Arthur and Sora were evenly matched, though Merlin knew Arthur was growing frustrated whenever Sora evaded oncoming attacks with magic.

“Technically it wasn’t exactly where he ended up,” Riku said. “And it all worked out in the end I guess. For Sora, Arthur— and all the others. All those second chances.”

Merlin looked out over to Arhtur. “It’s good. He deserves one.”

“Second chance for you as well.” Riku pointed out.

Merlin glanced over at Riku. “I’m older than dirt you know. I think I used up all the chances i have.”

Riku laughed. “I meant with Arthur.”

Merlin felt the heat in his face and he quickly looked away. “Definitely don’t know what you’re talking bout.”

Riku’s laughter grew louder.

“Riku!” Sora’s shout echoed across the field.

“Yeah Sor— How’d you end up there?”

“Well if you were paying attention…” Sora’s voice trailed off as he blocked another of Arthur’s attacks from his vantage point halfway up a tree. Merlin could see that his jacket hd become caught on one of the lower branches.

“Anyway… I’m not giving up!” Sora called out. “But I could use a hand!”

Arthur huffed. “Fine. but if you get help then I get to call Merlin.”

“I’m not a dog Arthur.”

Arthur turned with a grin. “But you’ll come anyway, right?”

Merlin groaned but didn’t protest.Beside him Riku didn’t bother to hide his snickering.

Riku reached out to help untangle Sora’s jacket from the tree. “Maybe Merlin should turn you into a squirrel. You’re practically halfway there.”

“Hey!” Sora poked Riku while laughing. Then his eyes brightened and he turned to Merlin with a teasing grin. “Does Arthur know about hte squirrel incident?”

Merlin groaned again as he felt Arhturs gaze bore into him.

“What’s the squirrel incident?!”

@ Nichi I'll tag you on discord. Your line is "What's the squirrel incident?"