bakerstreet | Swear myself to you

The Swear Myself to You Meme

It's been like this your entire life. Or perhaps it just seems that way, since it's been this way so long. Or it could hasn't been that long, and you remember what things were like before - worthless, fruitless, purposeless. Now, though, all is different. You've sworn your life to someone...or had your life sworn to them by someone else, back when you were young or powerless enough to not control your life. It doesn't matter if this swearing is an expected part of your society or an oddity in a modern age, here you are, and you know what you're here for. This isn't servitude, not in a fashion, as there's theoretically an honor here in your absolute loyalty. You are essentially on your "sworn duty's" level, you've just, well, chosen to dedicate your life to them. So if you're their best or brainwashed into being their right hand, all of it comes from a place of admiration!

Hopefully!

Theoretically.

Your position, of course, means you're a tool to be used, and every job needs a different tool. What's your job? Were you raised from an infant be be a constant companion for the one you're sworn to, who you grew up with? Instead, you could be a bodyguard or a first line of defense. In some cultures, there's an expectation that people be good in bed for future spouses; you could be there to train the one you're sworn to in the art of lovemaking. Of course, how well you're able to do your job depends on how your relationship is with your most important person. Are they kind? Cruel? What if they don't want you? It will be incredibly awkward if neither of you want to be in this position.

One certainty is this, however: romance and sexuality, unless heavily controlled, is forbidden. After all, how can you effectively dedicate yourself to them if some part of you wants them to dedicate themself to you?

How to Play

Comment with your character, your preferences, and what side of the equation you'd prefer to play - the being sworn to or the one doing said swearing. There are also three settings available: old fashion, modern, and future. You may want to specify which one of those you'd like, if you have a strong opinion.
Reply to others.
Use the RNG to determine your scenario.

Setting

Old Fashion: In the days of yore, be it ancient, medieval, or pseudo-Victorian - or altogether fantastical.
Modern: The here and now, where swearing to someone is pretty rare.
Future: Years from now, who knows what strange alien cultures and technologies we'll have to abide by?

Prompts

From Birth: You two were raised together, as one of you was given as a baby. There's no one who knows the other better than you.
BFFs: You are intended to be their lifetime companion...platonically, of course.
Repayment: You owe your life to them in one way or another. Devotion is the least you can do.
Out of Love: The reason you swore yourself to them is because you love them and this is the best way to be close to them, even if you have to sacrifice other things.
Unwilling Charge: Can you swear yourself to someone who doesn't want you?
Spoils of War: Being here and swearing allegiance isn't your idea, but when you or your people are defeated in battle, there's not much else you can do.
Ward: Perhaps you weren't there as an infant, but you did grow up in the family from a young age. They may be like a sibling to you. Would you be able to view them in any other way?
Marriage: ...a marriage is sort of a swearing, isn't it?
Mind Control: You need to be more pliable and loyal to be any good, servant.
Familiar: You were created through magic just for them.
Guard: Focus. You have to protect them, and you can't if you're distracted.
Eunuch: You're supposed to be completely chaste and celibate, or at least that's what they and those around them think.
To Teach: Your charge is going to be married, and you have to teach them how to please a future spouse.
Jealousy: You know you're not supposed to be
More than One: Someone else has sworn themselves to your charge...you were here first!
More than This: You want to be more to them than just a glorified servant.
Unwilling Charge: They don't want you, but you have to serve them.
Redemption: This is your way to make up for the sins of your past.
...what?: How to you get someone sworn to you again?
Utter Devotion: There isn't anything you wouldn't do for them. Anything.
Forbidden: Being with them sexually is a punishable offense for you, but neither of you care.
Equals: In society, you two are on different levels. In private, you see more eye to eye.
Not Too Serious: The more crack-y option. They saved you...but it was from something like stubbing your toe. Obviously, you owe yourself to them. Or something.
FREESTYLE

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[He can't tell about the state of the other's face, since he's just about looking over the thief's shoulder. Would that be a mercy? Probably not, since the other doesn't have such hangups about what is embarrassing and what isn't.

The words he's heard from Niles conversing with others when he thinks that Leo isn't around are by large, inclination of that.]

Good, though I should warn you. Tomorrow, I'll expect double the amount of pages you cover today. The day after that, double again. You might even end up hating me for this.

[Now then! He leans back, listening once more.]

Milord, I could never hate you. Not after what you've done for me. [You saved my life, you reassured me when I was worried about something so childish and idiotic, you've given me a place to stay...a little heavy reading is nothing compared to sleeping in a trash pile and being punched in the face by shopkeepers. He might whine a bit if it gets too much, but all he wants is to be useful to Leo. That cancels out everything else.

He continues to read onward, this time he's able to successfully sound out a few more words he didn't recognize before...small ones, and very clumsily, but still. It's something.]

We'll see.

[He can't help but feel a little pleased every time Niles makes an improvement. If anything, the other is very, very easy to teach. He probably could have done this even without him here, should he have ever had the resources.]

Where did you learn to do this? I mean, before you received this book. Did someone attempt to teach you?

[He's curious.]

[Niles tenses a tiny bit at the question, but it passes. Leo's already seen him at his lowest, so...]

Sort of. One of the older guys in the gang, he tried to teach me to read signs for shops. It didn't take, and eventually we just learned how to tell places apart by how they smelled. Mainly, if it smelled like fruit or bread or meat it was worth stealing from.

[And honestly, the only reason Niles is picking this up as well as he is is because of Leo. Anyone else and he might have given up by now...they might have given up by now, more likely.]

[The sudden tension of the other's shoulders is noticed, and there's only a slight pause before he responds.]

I understand that your past is something that would destroy most people. If I become too intrusive, do say. You're my retainer, sworn to me. Saying that, it doesn't mean I have license to make you uncomfortable.

[Page turn.]

One more. Then, I want you to rest. I'll talk to the medics and see if they'll move you to your quarters so we can continue these sessions in private.

[It doesn't feel right to have the medics vacate every time. There are other soldiers to treat after all.]

No, it's...it's all right. I feel like I could discuss...certain aspects with you. At least the things I remember.

[He reads slowly, carefully...the exhaustion is setting in, and it shows in his mistakes. He's still trying his hardest, though.]

All right. ...can I ask a favor of you, though?

You can ask.

[He responds evenly, his gaze moving from the page to the back of Niles' head. He senses the mistakes, hears the lul in the other's voice, even if he can't see the tiredness in his eye.

Part of him wants to call off the reading session, because the other needed what rest he could get. But. Progress is never obtained by going easy. He keeps his finger at the last word Niles pronounced, in order to not lose their place.]

[Niles finishes with the last sentence on the page, his eyelid beginning to droop]

Stay with me? If you're not too busy or anything, that's fine, but...I'd just like your company is all. [he hasn't yet fessed up about his sleeping problems to Leo, afraid of seeming childish]

...

[Niles had to be unguarded to request that. He stays silent for a little while, considering the request evenly. Of course, the Nohrian army would notice. His siblings would, too.

Yet, it could be explained. Perhaps he'd even have to announce the fact that he was teaching his retainer to read, to better intercept enemy reports and carriers while he waited to physically heal.

It wouldn't be too untoward. Not really.]

Fine.
I don't mind.

[But.]

I will have to attend war councils, though. I trust that isn't a problem?

That's fine. You don't have to stay all day and all night, just...just a little longer, okay? [Leo can't keep away the nightmares, but Niles will feel safer falling asleep nonetheless.]

Good.

[He stands, and moves his arm to his side, closing his eyes. Ugh. The pain was getting worse as time went on. He exhales, opening his eyes and collecting the book from Niles' side, moving around the bed to place it, respectfully, to the side. Then he returns to his chair.]

Go to sleep, Niles. I'll be here when you wake up.

Thank you, milord. But...don't neglect yourself, okay? [he closes his eye, exhaustion setting in more and more. His wound still hurts, but hopefully he can sleep it off.]

I won't. It's only pain. It'll subside... long before yours will.

[It was the same as everything. Every scrape and every injury subsided. From training with the sword against his brother when he was a child, to the Hoshidans now.
He found himself reminded of the samurai - and the fact that he'd almost lost the other.

It was a sobering thought.

He brings his legs up underneath him, and places his elbow on the arm of the chair - resting his cheek on his hand. It was hardly comfortable, especially with his ribs, but he endures it. And he looks at the other out of the corner of his eye.

He didn't lose him. This time, he was fortunate. But, he wouldn't leave such a thing to fortune again.

He exhales a small sigh, watching the other's chest rise, and fall, feeling his own eyelids feel heavy.]

Goodnight, Niles.

G'night, milord.

[It doesn't take long for sleep to claim him. His injuries, that battle, the insecurity he's been grappling with for weeks and discovering it's been totally unfounded... he needs me, values me, I'm...special, to him. Odin or no Odin.

He's not used to having anyone care about him, and it both scares him and makes him want to hold onto it as much as he can. Leo may not be the most overtly affectionate person, but he doesn't mince words.

I really can trust you.]

Swear myself to you

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