.
.
"They say this place is haunted," Rin said. "Can you feel it, Saber? This place feels like it's bleeding mana."
In the darkness, Saber could see the boxy outlines of warehouses squatting at the center of the docks. Around them, there was an old smell of mildew and rust, and her shoes scraped softly against the concrete ground. This is where Kiritsugu brought her; this is where they shot Lancer's master.
"I know this place," Saber said.
"You do?" Rin said. Saber nodded, grimly.
"I fought here before during the last Holy War."
They came to a familiar spot - there was the light of a street lamp, which flickered ominously over what could have been a large grease stain, partially obscured by a pile of crates stacked haphazardly in the center. "Blood?" Rin asked. Saber nodded.
"It would seem so," Saber said. Rin sighed, rubbing her head.
"Well that explains it," Rin said, and she shined her flashlight ahead of her. "I feel a lot of negative energy here. Something bad happened, didn't it?"
"I would rather not talk about it," Saber said.
Rin rolled a gemstone in her hand, muttering a spell and tossing it into the air.
The jewel lit up like a lighted flare, and in the magical light they could see traces of mana splashed along the walls of the warehouses. "Oh, geez," Rin said, and they saw it: the figure of a man, hunched in the moonlight. One hand wrapped around a spear through his chest, both eyes crying tears of blood. He wasn't moving. Saber rushed forward and knelt beside him.
"Lancer," Saber said. Rin looked up.
"You knew him?"
"Diarmuid Ua Duibhne, the Lancer of the last war." Saber knelt beside him, studying his face. "This is how he died. What is he doing here?"
"It's like a bug stuck in amber, he's frozen in time. I guess for some reason, he couldn't let go." She stepped around Saber and the broken Servant, frowning a little.
"We'll have to exorcise him," Rin said, as she straightened. "He's poisoning the place and it's making Caster's magic worse. We need to exorcise him before the poison spreads any further."
She reached in her satchel and lifted another jewel, quietly infusing it with mana. Saber frowned.
"If only..." Saber began, but she stopped herself.
"What is it?" Rin said.
"It was nothing," Saber said. "Forgive me, Rin. Please continue."
Rin gave Saber a long look, as if trying to decide something, before beginning the incantation. Quietly Saber pressed her hand against Diarmuid's shoulder and hoped he could feel it somehow, take some measure of comfort in it. The spot on his back felt cool and smooth like glass, and Saber thought again of Rin's analogy, the bug stuck in amber, and she sighed heavily, rolling her shoulders and trying to ignore the last twinges of shame and old regrets.
Strangely she could feel the leather of his armor become more pronounced; the growing warmth of his skin, the steady rise and fall of his breathing beneath her palm. It was as if glass was giving way to something warmer, more alive.
And then he turned, startling her.
"Arturia?"
"Lancer."
"Arturia." He smiled. And then he collapsed on top of her, the length of the spear vanishing into mana.
"Rin," Saber said. She staggered a little under his weight. "What has happened? I thought you were going to exorcise him?"
"I wanted to see if I could restore him," Rin said. She squatted besides them, resting her hands on her haunches and frowning, slightly. "Since you and he were friends, I thought it might be useful to try and get another Servant. It's unfortunate, but I couldn't restore him completely. He'll probably fade away in a few hours, maybe a day at the most. But at least this way he won't manifest as a curse."
"There is no other way to anchor him?" Saber said. Rin spread her hands.
"Unless we can find him a Master or someone to sleep with him, unfortunately there isn't," Rin said.
"I see." Saber frowned again, and let her hand lightly rest on the top of Diarmuid's head.
"Then I shall have to sleep with him," Saber said. Rin's eyes widened.
"Saber!"
"It is the least I can do for my friend." Saber stood, hefting his body over her shoulder.
"But...but Saber! It's not like you can just do it once! You'd have to keep doing it! And...um! Geez." Rin whirled around, covering her face with her hands. "Don't talk about such embarrassing things! It's private and it's none of my business, Saber!"
"It is unfortunate we cannot find another mage," Saber said. "However. I owe it to Lancer to help him, even just once. He deserves at least that much. If it will help him rest easier, then I shall do so happily.
Rin," Saber said. "May we use your guest room?"
"Huh?" Rin said.
"There are many people who share Shirou's home. It would be unwise to do so there, especially if there is a chance Taiga may walk in. Furthermore, there is the problem of his face," Saber said. "He bears a cursed mark, which will undoubtedly affect any woman who is not a mage. It would be problematic if any of Shirou's classmates saw him."
"You know Archer will be there, right?" Rin said.
"I'm sure Archer will understand," Saber said. She watched as Rin turned, slapping her hands over her face, which was turning a million shades of red, before she whirled around to face her.
"Ugh, okay! Fine! We'll take you to my place so you can - " she made a face, "...so you can help your friend. But don't be too loud," Rin said. "And strip the bedsheets when you're done!"
"Thank you," Saber said. "I am truly in your debt."
"Whatever, just don't tell me about it," Rin said.
xXx
.
She helped him into the house, one arm slung over his shoulder and hoisting his weight onto her back. "Hang in there, old friend," Saber said, and they limped together into the bedroom.
"Saber." His voice was hoarse. "Where am I? What are you doing?"
"I'm going to restore your mana," Saber said.
His eyes fell closed. Quietly Saber unhooked the leather straps to Lancer's breastplate, sinking her fingers into the flaps of his shoulder-guards and sliding it off his arm.
"Lord Kayneth," Diarmuid said. "My Master. He ordered me to kill myself..."
"I know," Saber said.
"I cursed you," Diarmuid said. He looked up at her, agonized. "Forgive me, Saber. You have seen me at my worst."
"There is nothing to forgive," Saber said, and she sat next to him. Quietly he leaned into her shoulder and she let her arm settle around his back. She felt him sigh quietly; the weight of his body matched the weight of her guilt.
"You have been a great comfort, Arturia," Diarmuid said. "These last few days have been difficult. But your fighting spirit has seen me through."
"It has been more than a few days, Lancer."
"Years," Diarmuid said. He sighed against her neck. She let her fingers run through his hair.
His figure was traced with moonlight. It skimmed the surface of his body, dipping low over the notches of thick armor and lean, exposed skin, and for a moment Saber thought to herself that Diarmuid Ua Duibhne was more beautiful than the legends claimed he was. His was not that cursed unnatural beauty, but that of a man bowed heavy with guilt, the strong line of his shoulders hunching with sorrow.
The kiss was almost an afterthought; a soft brush of the lips, her hand cupping the side of his face.
He pulled away as if he were branded. "Saber-"
"You are running out of mana, knight. Allow me to restore you."
"I cannot ask that of you," Diarmuid said. "I won't."
"Please think of my body as a tool, Lancer," Saber said. "I do so willingly; do not feel any shame in this."
"You honor me, king. But honor demands I must refuse."
"You would refuse the earnest help of your friend?" Saber said. Diarmuid shook his head.
"If I am to die, I die happily tonight," Diarmuid said, and he laced his fingers through hers. "I regret that I was unable to serve honorably, but I am lucky enough to be blessed with your friendship. There is nothing more for which I can ask."
"Do you wish to serve?" Saber said, quietly.
"Now and always," Diarmuid said. Saber's grip on his hand tightened.
"Then will you swear fealty to me, Lancer?" Saber said, and she leaned forward.
"Answer quickly. Your king is asking you."
xXx
.
It was a strange thing, Rin thought, as Archer opened the door to let them inside, how Archer never seemed to be surprised by anything. Not by Saber, and certainly not by the half-dead Servant hanging over her shoulder.
"Archer," Rin said, sitting on the couch and watching as Archer leaned against the wall. "Saber is going to use the guestroom to sleep with that guy, so afterwards I'm going to need you to clean the bed for me."
"What," Archer said. Rin blushed and glared.
"I told you! Saber is going to sleep with that guy, the bedsheets are gonna have to be washed and I don't want to be the one to touch them! It's for mana transfer, Archer, that guy isn't a proper Servant."
"Then why go to all that trouble?" Archer said.
"He's supposed to be really strong, Saber says we can use him."
Archer crossed his arms and glared.
"Do not expect me to touch anything in there without gloves," Archer said. Rin huffed and rolled her eyes.
Rin sat on the couch, jiggling her leg, nervously. Of course she knew about sex - as a mage, she knew all about the mechanics for it, what positions were best for mana transfer, the need for shared orgasm, all that nitty gritty details she would have to endure in case she ever had to do it herself. Thankfully, Archer had never been in a situation where mana transfer was necessary, and even if he were, she suspected he would find the idea as tasteless and obscene as she did.
"Don't expect that we're going to be doing that," Rin said, because it suddenly seemed very important that she spell it out for him. Archer sighed, crossing his arms.
"I wouldn't dream of it. I have no intention of deflowering a prepubescent girl."
"I'm not prepubescent!" Rin said, and there was a sound. Something knocking from the guestroom.
"What are you doing?" Archer said, as Rin got up from the livingroom and made her way to the stairs.
"I'm just checking to see how things are going," Rin said.
"Rin. It has not been that long. I suggest you wait in the livingroom before you scandalize yourself."
She stopped in front of the guest room.
There was a sound of sheets rustling, soft pants and wet noises; Saber moaning, softly.
"Oh my god," Rin said. "Is she...?"
She stuck her ear to the door.
"Archer! What the hell are they doing?"
"Transferring mana," Archer said. He considered. "...among other things."
"What is that sound..." Rin listened to the quiet thumping against the wall.
"Rin," Archer said. "Could it be that you're actually enjoying this?"
"What? No! Of course not! What the hell are you even saying, Archer? I'm just worried about Saber!"
"You could send in a familiar," Archer said. "I'm sure once you explain to Saber why you were spying on her, she will completely understand."
"Quiet!" Rin said, and she listened, closely. It almost sounded like Saber was crying. "Is he hurting her?"
"I'm sure he is not."
"Are you sure?!" Rin said. Archer shook his head and started walking downstairs.
"Hey! Archer! Where are you going?"
"To the livingroom," Archer said. "I suggest you do the same."
"You can't just leave me by myself!" Rin said. "Archer!"
Archer shrugged and shifted into spirit form, walking down the stairs.
xXx
.
Rin sat on the couch, frowning a little and watching as the two of them reminisced in English. Saber said something and Diarmuid laughed, shaking his head and touching her arm.
"I wonder what they're talking about," Rin said.
"Chivalry," Archer said. He sounded vaguely annoyed.
"Oh! That's right! Archer, I forgot that you know how to speak English. What are they saying?" Rin said.
Archer sighed and rubbed his head. "It is a very stupid conversation," Archer said.
"Oh c'mon. They're laughing with each other. I kind of want to know."
"Use a translation spell," Archer said.
"I'm not wasting a jewel when I have a Servant who can translate for me."
Archer sighed tragically and leaned forward.
"He is saying, 'You do me honor, my king, but certainly no one can wield a sword as well as you.' And she is saying, 'To hear such praise from such an accomplished spearman gives me great honor, but I do not deserve such flattery.' And he is saying, 'It is not flattery when one speaks the truth.'
Rin," Archer said. "This is making my ears hurt."
"It can't be that bad," Rin said, frowning. Archer leaned forward.
"Now he is saying, I should like to test your mettle with my spear. That wasn't innuendo, by the way, he was being completely serious. Now they are talking about the glory of the glory of their glorious chivalrous code."
"I think you're exaggerating," Rin said. Archer spread his hands.
"I wish I were," Archer said.
Saber and Diarmuid laughed. He was smiling at her and she was looking up at him warmly. He started to tilt his head down - oh, for a kiss! Rin thought - when Saber drew back, just a little.
"Huh?" Rin said. "How come he's not kissing her?"
Saber smiled and said something in English. Rin smacked Archer on the arm.
"What'd she say?" Rin said.
"I wasn't paying attention," Archer said.
"He looks so sad! What is she saying?"
"She's saying, I must go see about my Master now, but I look forward to seeing you soon."
"Ouch," Rin said. "Rejected."
"You look entirely too gleeful to feel sorry for him," Archer said, as Saber walked toward them.
"Rin," Saber said, switching back to Japanese. "Thank you for having us. I regret that I have to ask, but-"
"-You want to know if he can stay with us? Yeah, of course he can," Rin said. "We can't have him running around Shirou's with that face of his. Taiga will have a heart attack."
"Thank you very much," Saber said, and she bowed, deeply.
"Lancer," Saber said, and she smiled.
"I shall see you soon."