Rating: T
Setting: Alternate Universe where Fate stay/night and Fate/Apocrypha happened at the same time
Disclaimer: I do not own the Fate Universe.
A/N: This FanFiction is inspired from a doujinshi where Saber and Mordred are reunited.
From Now On
"I don't think I'll go back to the hotel tonight, Master."
"Noted."
"Okay."
0. What Happened
Mordred never thought of the possibilities.
That day, she just happened to be in a vacation with her master. Day four in Japan and day one in Fuyuki City.
It was not a wonder anymore when she felt the bizarre magic around the area. Of course she knew about the Great Fuyuki Fire and that the Fourth, as well as the Fifth Holy Grail War took their place here. Everyone knew that. Some sites are still in construction.
Nevertheless, Fuyuki was a beautiful city. She stayed in its Hyatt Hotel, and as a knight who never wasted her time (or so, she believed), she explored around the spots she could find there: the Mion River, Shinto District, a glimpse of Mount Enzou, and Miyama Town. Everything, she mused, was fine until she bumped into a redhead with a load of groceries.
She fell and she blamed the boy…and the gravity in addition. Her knee bled, her dear ice cream spilled. "What the fuck do you want?" she growled at the boy who dared to collide with her.
He offered a hand, balancing the groceries on one hand, "My apologies. I didn't see you there."
"Fuck off," Mordred scoffed, faking a wince as she got up. "Now look at what you've done to my knee. All bruised, and red, and bleeding."
"Uh… My house is over there," he pointed. "I can treat your wounds up."
"And?" she raised a brow.
"I'll give you a new ice cream too."
"Deal!"
Just like that, she limped (a fake one) next to the redhead.
1. How They Met for the Second Time
The house was surrounded with a magical barrier much to her surprise. She wondered why but did not question it as she was too hyped for the ice cream.
Emiya Shirou - the boy's name - was on his way to grab the aid kit when Mordred heard a person's voice very familiar to her ears. "Who is it?" the voice said and she stopped munching on the Japanese snack Shirou had offered her. The ice cream was saved for later.
"A tourist," she could hear the redhead answered and the conversation became inaudible. Not long after, a series of footsteps came and the door to the dining room slid open forcefully. Mordred turned.
"You…" a blonde appeared, her eyebrows knitted in disbelief. "But how-"
"Who-" Mordred said with annoyance, her mouth full. A girl, braided hair, same height as hers, green eyes. Then it all dawned on her.
Camelot.
The Round Table.
Knights.
Camlann.
The King.
She gulped and her eyes widened. "Father…"
"Saber?"
The redhead appeared again.
Just in fucking time.
"You two know each other?" he asked ever so innocently. "Saber, do you know her? Saber-"
"Mordred…" Father let out a shaky breath. "You… You are here."
No.
Nononononononono!
There must be some kind of mistake!
"No!" Mordred rose, forgetting her knee. "I- I am… You. Who are you?"
"Mordred…"
There was an awkward silence between them as Mordred waited for the person to continue. No, she decided. It can't be him. It. Just. Can't. Be. Father is dead! How did- Did he-
"Mor-" Shirou interrupted. "That 'Mordred'? How? Saber-… Saber!"
2. The Truth
"She's still recovering… I think," Shirou sighed, closing the door behind him. His ex-Servant had passed out a moment ago. Well, he had told her not to push herself. But she is as stubborn as she can be.
"Recovering from what?" Mordred, now forgetting her ice cream, walked up to him. "I thought-"
"She was Servant Saber of the Fifth Grail War," Shirou cut in, knowing what Mordred would ask. "The war that ended a week ago…we managed to destroy and claim the grail altogether. I mean, I saw it destroyed but it seems that before it vanished completely, the grail heard my deepest wish. There was a blinding light and the next thing I see…she is here."
"With the…?"
"Mortal body, yes, and the grave wound from her last battle on her era too."
The wound I gave Father during the Battle of Camlann, Mordred thought to herself. It is the same with me, then. She also regained a mortal body (without the past wounds, surprisingly) after the war and she did not know why. Last time she heard, the Rider of Black was still around too.
"And that wound was still healing," Shirou added. "Avalon could only heal a little of it and Saber was too reckless sometimes."
"I see," Mordred nodded. Well. Clarent Blood Arthur was a curse-like glory, after all.
"Say," Shirou started again. "Do you mind if you stay for the night? I'm sure Saber wants to talk with you."
"NO fucking way!" she immediately yelled, stepping back. "Well, I guess I will be leaving now! My Master is waiting! Good bye, asshole!"
"Wait! You can call your Master, I'll lend you the house's phone!" he suggested. "You two are family! At least make up for the time you two have lost!"
"Ah, bullshit!"
"Or talk things out!"
"Bullshit!"
"You-"
"Shut it! Shut it!"
"Don't you know how much she actually care for you?"
And that was where Mordred froze on her spot.
"Care…?" she gritted her teeth. "What do you know about Father?! What do you know about me and him?! He never acknowledge me! All I want is to lessen his burden from being the perfect king, but he dismissed me! I want to prove him of my worthiness, but I am denied! He does not see me as his son!"
Shirou stayed quiet.
"And now you, one heck of a stranger, have the courage to say that he cares for me?! Hah! Bullshit!" she lashed out. "You don't know anything! So, fuck off!"
"I may not know everything, even so I know how she feels."
"Shut up!" Mordred raised a fist and was ready to punch the loathsome redhead. Only for it to be blocked.
"Saber was my Servant on the war," he stared down on her, hard. "I dreamed of her past and she told me of her duties as the King, her kingdom, her knights, everyone she held dear and lost, and most importantly…you."
3. Her Decision
She ended up calling Kairi.
A pain in the ass, really.
Mordred rubbed the back of her neck as she closed the phone, nervous for what would come. She was not prepared to face Father, the memories were still fresh in her mind. Especially the death battle between them. It was like yesterday. Yet…
"Talk. Sort things out. I am sure there are things left you'd like to tell her, and she as well," spoke that one hell of a bastard. "She has the right to know your reasonings. You do too."
Fuck it… she hated him. Mordred hated the redhead for everything. Crashed her, made her fall, dropped her ice cream, brought her to his house, made her meet Father again, and now made her to stay. From when did she start to hear a person's out? Accursed. That is what he is.
Deciding to walk around the residence, Mordred passed by the backyard. She noticed the old storehouse and the kendo room when a small smile creeped on her lips. She could imagine if Father trained his ex-Master during the war, just like how he would spar with the knights back in the day. Mordred never had the chance to, but if she could, she would.
Shortly after, she found herself in front of Shirou's room.
Even without her knocking the door or sliding it open, the boy was aware of her presence. "What can I help?" he inquired straightaway. "You can use the guest room…"
"No," she sharply answered. Like hell I need a guest room. But in spite of her cursing and strong demeanor, she anxiously asked, "Father…may I accompany him?" Mordred never asked permission. She never did.
"Of course," was the reply to her relief. There was no hesitation on his tone.
So she tiptoed to the next room, went in, and took a seat beside her father's sleeping figure. Not once had she ever seen his face so peaceful. Father kept his facade every timeand was always so distant. He built walls around his heart, carrying all burdens on his shoulders, keeping himself from feeling what others could feel, keeping himself inhuman.
In fact, today was the first time she saw him with emotion. Although a bewildered one, she considered it more than enough. Many questioned of Father's capability to understand human feelings, and they passed before knowing the answer to it. Consider it an honor, only a few live to witness it.
Mordred was lost in her thoughts that she snapped back into reality with a jolt when she heard her name called. "Wha-" she gasped and soon was face-to-face with her father.
4. The Talk
It was not a dream then…before…
"Mordred…"
"Father."
Green orbs stared at one another, wonder and longing were evident in both. There were so much words to share, so much questions to ask, so much pieces to mend. It was like rebuilding a puzzle, but none knew where to start. They were engulfed in silence, until one of them spoke up.
"H-how are you?" It was Mordred. She could not bare quietness.
The King of Knights grunted as she sat up. She pressed on the bandage covering the gash on her stomach. "A bit sore… I think the stitches got opened," she said. "And how is your knee?"
"Red. But not as painful as he thinks it is," by 'he', she meant Shirou. "I am good at managing pain," she assured.
"It is good, then."
"Yeah…"
And then a second passed. Two… Three… Four… Eight…
"Father, I-!"
"I am sorry, Mordred."
Mordred stiffened. It all came so quickly, surprising her.
"I am…sorry," Arturia repeated, her face hidden by her golden locks.
"Fa-"
"No," she silenced her, the word came out shakily. "It is not your fault, but mine…all of them. I had rejected you, Mordred, lost in my own ideals of what a king should be. That is a truth that cannot be changed. I ignored you when you only wanted to prove yourself to me, I disregarded you and I…" she paused for a moment. "Even the other knights and history labeled you as the Knight of Treachery… But in reality, I was actually the one to be blamed…"
"Father…"
"I do not expect you to forgive me. You can lash out on me, curse me, beat me, do anything you like. But if I am given a second chance, may I… May I care for you?" when she lifted her face up, small rivers were already flowing on her cheeks. "I know I am not worthy to worry for you, to express my love. You are capable of protecting yourself, Mordred. You are strong, brave, and kind, and I am just a despicable, ignorant being."
"If you…" Mordred cut in as she started to feel hot tears welled up on her eyes. "Father, if you say that, then I-!"
She was pulled into an embrace before she could complete her statement.
Warm arms wrapped around her, pulling her body towards Father. This was the first time she was so close to 'him'. Not even during her days in Camelot or during Camlann had she feel the warmth of her father. Mordred never got the opportunity to reach him out or to walk by his side. Even if she did, they were all crashed.
"This time, I understand," she heard Father spoke. "Tell me your feelings. Tell me what I need to know, what I am supposed to do. No matter what foul words you throw at me, I shall face it head on. There is nothing to hold back."
"Uh…" Mordred buried her face in Father's shoulder.
"An apology from me is not enough…but I truly am sorry, Mordred."
"I love you, Father…" she sniffed. "Even if Mother told me I am incapable of loving someone, I really respect you, I look up to you more than anyone, and I love you! I am aware that a homunculus is- is inhuman, but learning the connection we shared…it made me happy. I am very honored to be your son! And so… And so I want to save you from the burdens you carried… Saving you who were not allowed to laugh nor cry! Perhaps if I am King, you don't have to suffer any longer!" she sobbed.
"Shhh…" Arturia hushed her wailing child, letting another set of tears to flow. "I understand, Mordred. I understand…" she whispered while stroking Mordred's head.
"I do not mean to ruin Camelot… I do not mean to injure you and kill you… I am sorry, Father…I hate myself for that. Let the people call me the Knight of Treachery, let them dishonor me, but I love you and I only want to be accepted!"
Arturia sighed. "I do not resent you for what you've done, Mordred. Camelot…is destined to fall apart anyway, and this wound…let it be a reminder of what I have done."
Mordred broke free from the embrace, "That's not-"
"You were so young," Arturia brushed her child's cheek. "It really was my mistake for not allowing myself to express my feelings. I thank you for your concern. I am very grateful for that."
"Father…"
"I love you too, Mordred."
5. What Happened After
It was the next morning.
After saying a quick goodbye to her still sleeping father, Mordred left straightaway. She 'abandoned' the ice cream Shirou had given her, only grabbing the bandage on the table right beside the entry door. It appeared to her that the redhead had left it there for some reason. She smirked at it, to think that Father chose him of all people… Curious. Then she made her way back to Fuyuki Hyatt Hotel.
Mordred returned at six - a surprising hour - with more surprisingly, a swollen red face. At least that was what Kairi Sisigou saw with his sleepy eyes. The knight immediately threw herself to her bed, though, so he had only heard the entire story during breakfast. And he was taken aback when his servant told him…(not) everything.
"You met your father?" that was his first question as soon as Mordred said 'the end'.
"Aye, I did," the servant nodded as she took a bite from the sandwich she had ordered.
"Did you…fight or something?" he asked curiously, leaning forward in interest.
"Oh, yes. Yes we did," she answered sarcastically and raised her adhesive-bandaged knee up. "I am hurt. It was intense. Half of the city got damaged."
Kairi butted a cigarette, rolling his eye behind the sunglasses he always wore. "Wow, impressive," he commented. "Tell me mo-"
"I'd like to have another breakfast set, please!" she shouted and waved at the waitress, disregarding the looks other people threw at her. "Man, this is delicious, Master!"
"Yeah, natch," Kairi huffed. That was an excuse, no doubt. She did not want to share more of her little 'adventure' the night before, thus she cut his demand.
"Say, Master," Mordred began, "How long will we be staying here?" She licked the ketchup on her fork, her expression remained neutral but her heart sparked with hope. "In this city, I mean?"
Kairi hummed, thinking. "Well…as long as you want."
"Really?!" she stood, shaking the table.
"Sure, why not?" he shrugged. "It's not like I've bought the tickets to go back."
Mordred grinned.
A note was left on her side when Arturia woke up.
The handwriting was messy, and it seemed to be written in a haste.
Nonetheless, it brought up a smile to her lips.
"I might be back for lunch," it read.
Author's Note:
Phew! This is the first Fate fic I ever published!
Although it is quite impossible, I want a reunion to happen between the two during a series. Perhaps Fate stay/night or Apocrypha…or any, really. I just want them to meet each other again, fix their bond, and yeah, have fun as 'Father and Son' (their gender really confused me, I am so sorry for subchapter 3 since I was writing it in Mordred's perspective and decided to refer Arturia as a 'he').
Anyway, they are two of my favorite characters from this fandom, and I just want them to be happy. They deserve it.
I hope you guys enjoyed this fic as much as I did writing it!
See ya'!