Damn, it really was wonderful to finally get to sleep in an actual bed once again. Even better without having some kind of a weird dream to process.
That was one of my first thoughts I had after opening my eyes. It had been a fun adventure, but it was going to be nice not sleeping on a rocking boat or worry about sand getting into my socks or boots. Of course, there was a particular reason why I was excited to be back in Chaldea. A selfish one, too, as I felt the lithe, muscular body curled next to me began moving slightly.
I turned my head to the side to look at Mordred when I saw a blur of motion. The next moment, I felt a pair of lips pressing against mine, a bit hungrily perhaps. Or maybe it was needily? Either way, I returned the brief but passionate kiss, closing my eyes slightly.
Then, as quickly as it had begun, it was over, and I opened my eyes, smiling perhaps a bit goofily but not giving a damn. "Not a bad way to wake up," I said playfully, though I meant every word. I was rewarded with a soft chuckle as my eyes focused on my knight.
"Good morning, Jacob," Mordred said with a smile. Apparently, my partner had been awake since sometime before me. Her hair was still adorably messy as always, and her head was propped up by one hand on which she rested her chin. It wasn't quite the sappy and romantic novel-like love shining in her eyes, but it was indeed warm affection in her eyes that I could see.
I felt a warm and familiar sensation spreading out before me. If someone had told me back in May, before I left for Chaldea, that not only would I find a romantic partner, but that said partner would be a famous knight from history, I would have either scoffed dismissively or laughed my ass off.
While I didn't consider myself to be ugly, I didn't see myself as exactly handsome or special in general, either. Furthermore, as a number of other magus, especially many of the other Master Candidates had pointed out, I wasn't exactly anything special.
Still, Mordred had decided that was not the case, apparently, and who was I to argue with her? We were happy with one another thus far, and that's what mattered. My thoughts then shifted topics again.
In my eyes, Mordred was beautiful. Or maybe I should say handsome? Well, whatever the term would be most suitable to describe the spunky blonde, that she was. I knew that some men and women would say that the Knight of Rebellion wasn't very attractive looking, like what Jason had said. That she was too flat-chested. Too muscular. Not feminine in either body or personality.
Screw. Those. People.
First of all, I damn well knew that I found her body extremely attractive. Her bust and her muscles. They were a part of her. However, it wasn't her body that I fell in love with. It was Mordred, a free-spirited fighter who ferociously defended those she cared about. My best friend and partner first and foremost. Someone who wasn't afraid to speak her mind, and who enjoyed a good fight.
She had her flaws, just as I. No one was perfect. It was simply impossible. And for me, a number of her supposed flaws were just as endearing to me as her strengths.
I love Mordred, and she loves me. We'll stand by each other's side, in both good times and bad, and win. That's what mattered the most, if you asked me.
It was then that I realized that I had been quiet for a bit longer than I probably should have been while staring at the knight I shared a bed and room with. Something she didn't hesitate to comment on, much to my chagrin.
"You going to tell me why you're staring at me for so long?" Mordred asked, one of her fine blonde eyebrows arched pointedly. I coughed in embarrassment, my ears feeling warm as I knew my face was turning a bright tomato-red. My knight smirked, snickering in amusement.
"I was just thinking about us," I finally said, regaining at least some of my composure as I laid back down on the bed. My eyes gazed up at the ceiling as Mordred made a sound of interest regarding my words. "About how lucky I am to have you as my partner, friend, and lover."
"Hey, don't get too sappy on me, alright, idiot?" Mordred said good-naturedly, lightly punching me in my right arm for extra measure. "I know I'm great and all, and I'm happy too, with this situation. Even if I'm still getting used to it."
"Same," I admitted, and we both chuckled softly at that. These were some of the moments Mordred and I had that I enjoyed the most. In the privacy of our room. There, Mordred was still the boastful and energetic knight that Chaldea knew, but there was a different aspect of it now.
With it being just the two of us, her words felt more like she was retelling stories, or just bragging for the sake of bragging. There was no emphasis on her being better than Lancelot, Gawain, or any of the other Knights of the Round Table, or anything like that.
I hadn't noticed it at first, but when I did, I wouldn't deny that one of the first reactions I had to this discovery was pride at the fact that Mordred was comfortable at letting down some more of the walls she had built up around her in life.
The idea of getting to see more and more of Mordred becoming her own person, and not someone just struggling to find her own way in the world, was almost intoxicating. And I would do whatever I could to help her do so, as her partner.
I no longer felt embarrassed when my stomach made a soft rumbling sound, indicating my body's desire for delicious food. "Finally! I thought I was going to have to wait another hour or two before you'd get up! Come on, let's eat!" Mordred said energetically, darting towards the connected bathroom to quickly change into her casual clothes, closing the door and locking it behind her as she entered.
I rolled out of bed and stood up, stretching slightly as I walked over to the dresser. Isabella was probably working on making me a new replacement shirt for the torn and bloodied one I had given to Asterios as an improvised band-aid. That meant that I would have to dress somewhat casually. I quickly pulled out a pair of jeans, and finally settled on a plain, sky-blue polo t-shirt. My outfit for the day having been decided, I quickly began to get dressed, not wanting to have Mordred wait in our bathroom any longer than necessary for me to be decent.
The farthest either of us had seen the other to the state of nudity was to our underwear. Neither of us were quite yet ready to take the plunge and move our relationship to that level. The key word there being, of course, yet. The whole reason I was dating Mordred was because I loved her. Not because of any sort of carnal desire. While I couldn't speak for sure on Mordred's behalf on this matter, I felt that she was the same. Neither of us had tried dating before, therefore, it was best to take it nice and slow.
Besides, when and if I had sex with Mordred, my deepest desire was for it to be a memorable memory. Not some spur of the moment act, something that didn't carry as much emotional desire that I felt should have. I didn't know when that moment would be, but deep down I felt confident that we would both know when that time did come.
In the meantime, we'd enjoy each day as it comes together. Considering the occupations that we both held, and the accompanying hazards, it was also the most logical stance for either of us to have. A most morbid one, that's for damn sure, but logical nevertheless.
Now fully dressed, I turned towards the bathroom door. "Okay, I'm decent. You can come on out now," I said, and I heard the lock clicking as my partner opened the door, a hungry look in her eyes.
"Finally! Could you move any slower? I haven't had any of the food here in almost a week! I refuse to wait any longer!" I released another brief bout of laughter, shaking my head while resisting the urge to ruffle her hair.
That would have been a sure-fire way to end up in a sparring match after breakfast. While normally I wouldn't mind working on my sword work with Mordred, my body was still a bit stiff from all the craziness that was yesterday. I'd rather wait a few more days before subjecting myself to being thrown through the wringer….again.
I glanced briefly to the side, where my sheathed sword from Orléans rested against the wall between my half of the bed and the nightstand, on which lay my pugio. I felt the urge, the desire, to clip them to my jeans, but stomped down the idea.
Mordred and I weren't on deployment, or in hostile territory. We were in Chaldea, literally the safest place on the entire planet to be. Still, the fact that I felt somewhat naked without either my blades or my new set of armor was concerning. I couldn't help but wonder what it would feel like afterwards, when humanity was saved and all.
Would I be able to put down the sword then? Would I even want to do so then, after all we had and will experience?
I shook my head of the duo of morbid questions. While important, and something that must be considered at a later date, this was not that time. Besides, today was supposed to be a time to relax and enjoy some downtime. Not become some sort of angsty brood master.
Also, Mordred was looking at me, a concerned look in her eyes as she noticed my silence being dragged out. I chuckled softly, not bothering to deny that I had spaced out again.
"Sorry, Mordred," I said as I relaxed, an action Mordred swiftly copied. Smiling and feeling bold, I bent down and planted a quick but affectionate kiss on her cheek. "Let's go get some food."
"Morning Jacob!" Ritsuka said energetically. Even more so than normal. I raised an eyebrow slightly even as I smiled and returned the greeting. By his side, like always, was Mash, though without her new hat this time, sadly.
"A good morning to you and Mash as well, Rits. Slept well, I assume?" Ritsuka nodded, while Mash sighed good naturedly as our two friends sat down at our table, having picked up their own breakfast already.
"Ritsuka Senpai got a message from Da Vinci this morning," Mash said. My other eyebrow quickly joined the first.
"Oh? And what has our theatrical chief engineer shared with you?"
"She's finished work on the sword!"
I blinked, momentarily confused by Ritsuka's response. Sword? What sword? Then I remembered. The sword I had asked Da Vinci to make for Rits! I had forgotten all about it due to the, ah, excitement that was the Third Singularity. Now Ritsuka's energy levels made sense.
"That's great news indeed. We can swing by her workshop after breakfast," I offered, and Ritsuka's head bobbed up and down like a bobble-head. Then my fellow Master began digging into his food with such gusto that even Mordred was taken aback by how quickly he was working his way through the food before him. "Oi, Rits! Slow down. Unless she's gone overboard, that sword isn't going anywhere on its own."
"Jacob Senpai's correct," Mash added sternly. "If you keep eating like that, Senpai, you'll only make yourself sick."
Under our combined stares, Rits paused, a fork-full of eggs hovering halfway between the plate and his half-open mouth. His ears and cheeks began burning a soft red, and my friend chuckled softly in embarrassment.
"Ah ha ha….Sorry. I guess I got carried away," Rits admitted as he placed his utensil down on his plate. I nodded, my gaze softening.
"It's fine, Rits. I get why you're so excited. Just don't go rushing ahead. This is our R&R period. Who knows when the next one will be, and for how long it would be when it does come around," I said gently. Rits nodded, relaxing slightly.
Mash's stern expression also eased up. She raised her glass of orange juice to her lips and took a soft sip before speaking up once more. "Doctor Roman would also like for us to try a few summoning attempts this morning as well."
"Not surprising. Wonder who'll answer?" Mordred asked a bit gruffly. "If it's that blonde excuser of a Saber, you might have to use a Command Seal to stop me from killing him, Master," she added bluntly. I rolled my eyes, though taking her warning seriously.
"Knowing our luck thus far, it'll probably be Hector. Would you be able to work with him?" I asked, looking into her emerald eyes calmly. My knight didn't answer immediately, swallowing a rather large portion of sausage and then washing it down with water. Placing the now half-empty glass down, she looked away to stare off at the distance.
"Well, me and him certainly won't be friends, that's for damn sure. However, I suppose I can work with him, as long as he doesn't try to betray you. The moment the thought even crosses his mind, he's losing his head. Again." I knew that she meant every word. I winced internally. Yeah, Hector wasn't going to get much of a friendly greeting from my knight, it seems.
Though, I couldn't blame her. In all honesty, her answer was the best, realistic outcome I could have hoped for. I dropped the matter, and we went back to eating, a calm and pleasant atmosphere returning once more.
In between taking bites, chewing, and Mordred getting seconds (and then thirds and fourths), we exchanged ideas of what to do with our 'vacation' of sorts. Mash and I traded training schedules and routines. Mordred gave Rits some of her own pointers in sword fighting, complete with her normal haughtiness. Ritsuka and I tossing back and forth empty bets over which Servants may be answering today's calls, and for whom.
Were it not for the fact that half of the occupants at our table were either Demi- or full-fledged Servants, the fact that we were eating in the South Pole, and were humanity's last hope, it almost felt like we were in school or at college. Four unlikely but now close friends having a meal in the cafeteria.
It was good for the soul, if anyone asked me. A thin veneer of a sense of normality, perhaps, but it was a much needed one. Anyone who would criticize these moments of laxness should try doing our jobs. On second thought, maybe not.
Once we had finished eating, and everyone having full bellies, I stood up, picking up my tray. Looking up, I saw a smirking Mordred and Ritsuka, along with a more apologetic-looking Mash, offering me their trays.
I rolled my eyes a bit theatrically. "Am I one of Chaldea's Masters, or a damn waiter?" I said with a huff as I collected the offered trays. I quickly realized that I had opened myself up to another jab, but it was too late as a particularly mischievous glint was in Mordred's eyes.
The kind she had when she was teasing Jeanne over this 'Sieg' person I had heard of, for example.
"I thought you were a princess?" She shot teasingly, and my ears started burning as I initiated a swift retreat. As she broke out cackling, I shook my head and closed my eyes as I went to drop off the dirty dishes.
Bad enough that she carried me bridal style in front of everyone else (an act she claimed to be one that seemed to be the most comfortable for me no matter how hard I had pressed her last night). The last thing I needed was for others to call me 'Princess Jacob', or something like that.
Eh, Mordred will be Mordred, no matter what I say or do.
And you know what?
I fucking loved it.
I had just finished putting down the last of the trays when I heard someone approaching.
"Ah, welcome back, and a good morning o you, Jacob!"
"I see the kitchen's treating you well as always, Iroh," I responded with a small grin as I saw the friendly chef approaching me. He had an eager look in his eyes, and Iroh chuckled, gently slapping a hand on his belly.
"Hey, there is nothing wrong with loving your work. Speaking of love, I was looking around in my tea cabinet, and I found another old family recipe! It was my grandfather's, and I was wondering if I could interest you in joining me trying it out this afternoon?"
"You've got my attention. Considering that I had nothing but water to drink for the past week, I think some good tasting tea would be most welcomed. I'll swing by after Rits and I finish today's summoning attempts." Iroh's eyes gleamed excitedly, and he nodded, hustling away to prepare himself for that odd but enjoyable tea ceremony he always held for us. I couldn't wait to see and taste what concoction he was planning to serve the two of us.
But first, it was time to get Ritsuka's sword. I head back to the table, to see three pairs of eyes staring at me with various degrees of impatience shimmering in their eyes. I was momentarily taken aback by the fact that out of the three, Mordred was the most patient-looking one. I laughed softly to myself, and planted my hands on my hips.
"Okay, okay, I'm back. Hold your horses. We can go see Da Vinci now."
Original Endnotes: And done! Damn, this was a fun chapter to write. Lots of fluff, and a chance to elaborate a bit more on what has been happening in Jacob and Mordred's relationship off-screen, ya know? Thoughts? For some who might say that Mordred kissing Jacob on the lips like that, first off, remember, Jacob and Mordred aren't exactly going through anything similar to a normal dating relationship. Secondly, it was more of an impulsive act by Mordred to make up for the past few days of overall lack of direct acts of affection due to her being, well, Mordred! :) Also, looks like Jacob's going to be getting a new nickname, huh?
Rits, you finally get a sword! Next, we just have to find a way to deal with that thick-headedness of yours, hm?
As I mentioned, this was a short chapter, as the next few might be, at least until the date chapter. Doesn't mean I won't be doing my best!
Now, for the question(s) of the day: What are you imagining Jacob and Mordred's date to be? Secondly, what kind of sword design is Ritsuka going to have?
As always, thanks for reading, and an even bigger thanks for all the love and support you've given me and this story! I hope you enjoyed it, and can't wait to find out what y'all thought of this chapter! Have a wonderful rest of the day, and see you in the next chapter!
Updated Endnotes 3/8/22: Hope you enjoyed today's update. If you want to see the latest chapter, you can find it on the Ao3 edition, which will be updated tomorrow with Chapter 164. Hope you're enjoying the story, and see you next time!