writetomyheart | [team one] once and future part 5

~800 words of the never ending "What if kingdom hearts was the same but Merlin was BBC's merlin" AU. g-reated. some Sora/Riku, some hinted Merlin/Arthur.

“I think those jeans might be TOO skinny."”

“You think?” Arthur grumbled, taking a relieved breath when he unbuttoned the tight leggings. Merlin’s giggle caught his attention and he glared at his friend.

“I think he looks sexy.”

“Do you even know what that means, Sora?”

“Yes, Strelitzia taught me. It means… um…”

The taller boy with the silver hair crossed his arms, a smirk on his face. Arthur could tell even from his spot a few feet away that his eyes were fond as the shorter brunet boy struggled to find his answer.

“Riku!” the brunet, Sora, shouted his grin growing wide as Riku’s face reddened. “It means Riku!”

Judging by the way that grin morphed into a smirk as Riku his his red face in his hands, Arthur had a feeling the boy knew exactly what he was saying.

Merlin shoved yet another outfit at him and encouraged Arthur to return to the changing room.

“How did the jeans work out?” Another voice asked as they entered the store.

“Hey Lea!” Sora’s voice piped up. “They were too tight.”

“Well, that’s not a bad thing.”

“It is if you need to breathe,” Merlin pointed out.

“Who needs to breathe if you look cool?”

Arthur rolled his eyes. Just when he thought he had met all of Merlin's new friends, Merlin would always pull out a few more. He had met Lea, Axel, — Whatever he's called —just this morning. And Merlin said there were still a few more friends who were ‘helping other worlds.’ Whatever that meant.

However, Lea was definitely the one who reminded Arthur the most of Gwaine.

“What’s wrong with Riku?”

“I called him sexy, and now he’s having emotions.”

“Sora…” Riku’s low whine was quiet but audible.

“That’s rough, big guy. One minute you're sacrificing yourself to save your bestie, the next he’s calling you sexy, and you just can’t handle that.”

“You’re one to talk.”

Arthur finished putting on the much looser pair of trousers, keeping the shirt he had on from the last outfit. He had liked it- soft and loose, much like the tunics he used to wear. The trousers were still fitted, but left more room in the knees and ankles. He could fight in this if he had to do so.

However, he would prefer it if Merlin could find his armor.

He stepped out of the changing room, finding that Riku had removed his face from his hands, though it was no less red.

Sora looked over first, his grin widening. “Oh wow! Now that looks good!”

Arthur met Sora’s smile with one of his own. “Yeah? Much better than those ridiculous leggings.” He glared pointedly at Lea

Lea sighed. “Everyone’s a critic.”

Arthur turned to Merlin. “Well? Acceptable?”

Merlin’s gaze was fond and a little surprised, as if he was still shocked that Arthur was standing before him. Arthur reached out and laid a hand gently, but firmly, on Merlin’s shoulder.

The touch instantly shocked Merlin out of his reverie. “It’l do. I suppose. For a prat.”

Arthur squeezed Merlin’s shoulder until he squealed and grinned. “Fine fine! You look good. My lord.”

“You’ve grown impertinent.”

“Are you losing your memory?” Merlin’s grin widened. “I’ve always been impertinent.”

Arthur huffed out a little laugh. “So you have.” He let go of Merlin’s shoulder and patted his shirt down. He really did like it. It was even the same red as the one he had worn often back in Camelot. “I’ve always had much better taste than you anyway.”

Merlin rolled his eyes. “Yes, of course, sire. It’s not like you had someone pick out your clothes and help you dress every morning for years.”

“Well…” Sora tapped his finger to his chin. “You did spend at least the last two hundred years or so in a wizard's robe.”

“And a hat!” Arthur exclaimed. “Don't think I forgot about the hat!”

“I wouldn’t dare,” Merlin said dryly, glaring at Sora behind him. Sora chuckled nervously and tried to hide behind Riku.

“Do you have a hat for every outfit?” Arthur teased, returning Merlin’s attention to himself. “They do bring out your ears.”

Merlin huffed in annoyance, but his eyes were as fond as they ever were as he stared at Arthur with a mix of pride and love.

Arthur tried for years not to think too much about why he always wanted Merlin’s attention to be on him. Now that he had a second chance, he wouldn’t waste any more time trying not to think about what Merlin meant to him.

“Maybe you have a point sire. You do look quite… handsome. And sexy.”

Heat blossomed into Arthur's cheeks, and he quickly ducked his eyes.

“Oh no,” Sora’s voice echoed over the roaring in his ears as the blood rushed towards his face. “You called him sexy, and now he’s experiencing emotions.”

Next up is kit with "You called him sexy, and now he's experiencing emotions." I'll message you on discord!