As you wish

[youngandbeautiful]

the forbidden love between servant and master meme

These days, it's uncommon to have a servant. The wealthy have them, of course, but some of them even eschew that to have a sort of pride in being self-sufficient. Rarer still are the personal servants, the ones bound to just one person and taking care of their every need. They make sure their master or mistress is dressed, fed, and all their affairs are in order. They may double as a bodyguard or personal assistant in other functions, as well. This type of servant was much more common back in the day.

But today, you have one. You've always had one. Or may, you are one, loyal to your employer to the core.

Perhaps you're more of a vassal than a servant, then. You serve because of duty and love; you've been raised to know this your duty for your entire life. Your family has been tied to this family for generations. You could have even been summoned by magic, your whole purpose to serve.

And even if you're not a "true" servant in the sense of the word, there are always people who look out for others. You know the person in the group of friends. They seem bound to the hip to that one specific person, usually someone who actually does need the help, and acts as a mother hen to them. Yes, you're that person.

It all sounds simple enough, then. The problem? The relationship between master and servant has been blurred, and the feelings and bonds here have grown more than they should. The servant doesn't just love the master, they love the master. And it's not that much of a stretch to think that the gesture is reciprocated. But this is an ultimate taboo. Power differences, societal expectations, and conflicts of interest mean that there's a whole mess that can be made. If that line hasn't been crossed yet, keep dancing it. Try to back off, if you can. Do not cross the line. Do not become...more.

If more has come, you are in danger. Will it interfere with the ability of the servant to serve? Will they envy all those in higher stations who can get close to their master? And what about the nature of their relationship being exposed? Others will not be as kind, and there could even be punishment ahead should the wrong eyes fall upon the truth. After all, a servant and a master have been so close, in close quarters. There is no knowing what could have happened.

HOW:
- Comment with your character and preferences.
- Mention if you'd like your character to be a servant/vassal or otherwise.
- Tag others.
- Thread out forbidden affairs and one character taking care of the other.

Comments

Mito | xxx Allergy | m/m

[kindandfluffy]

[Either role!]

[imhereskeith]

[Interested in Mito being the servant to rich boy Haseo? The guy has an issue with his temper, so I think Mito would be great at balancing him out c:]

Organic Angel Alexiel | Angel Sanctuary | Open

[heavenfell]

Rinoa Heartilly | Final Fantasy VIII | f/m

[angelowing]

[Probably Master. Er, Mistress. But can be either!]

Varian | Tangled TV series | OTA m/f leaning

[wouldilietoyou]

[Either role is good!]

[loveme_chain]

[Oh no, look at this cute little guy. Minako likes~ Any thoughts?]

alois trancy | kuroshitsuji II | m/m

[ex_apricots766]

etna | disgaea | ota

[lonemajin]

[Either role works for her.]

Rhys the Company Man | Borderlands | M/M

[10milliondollars]

(Role depends on his partner. See profile for ships.)

Haseo | .hack//g.u. | m/m

[imhereskeith]

[ Either role ]

Alfred ( Vikings )

[devilsandangels]

Eren Jaeger | Shingeki no Kyojin | M/M

[preciousbrat]

(the servant)

simmaeri, an oc, m/f

[allsongs]

[immortal mistress what up]

Elio Perlman | Call Me By Your Name | m/m

[softpeachboy]

(( precocious young master ))

Ambrose Sinclair | original character (vampire) | ota

[immortalized]

{ Ambrose can be master or servant; originating in the early 1800s, he can either be master to your character, or a servant in a precarious situation if you have a supernatural or vampire of your own. In modern day I imagine he will be servant as he has a bit of a disadvantage in modern day knowledge-wise, given how he makes it to modern day. info post and permissions on journal! looking for con, mayyybe dub-con if we discuss the situation, so PM me if you want to plot. }

[wontgraham]

"Always carry your lantern with you at night, sir." The middle-aged servant had whispered to Will when he'd arrived. "Especially inside the property."

Will had blinked in slow, tired surprise. "I usually do." His voice was dry from a full day's travel, his water skin empty in his bag. His new job had wanted him 'as soon as possible', and seeing as he needed the money, he'd tried to accommodate.

"Don't laugh." The man seemed to mistake Will's incredulity for amusement. Will almost chuckles when he realizes he can't remember the last time he laughed. "Odd things happen in the night, sir. Strange things."

It's got the bite of old fear to it. Will lets the words darken the air for a few moments. The master of the house hasn't come downstairs yet, for some reason, and the servant doesn't even seem to be glancing about for him in concern of their conversation. The sunlight through the windows is dim only because of all the curtains hanging in them, layers of lace deepened with velvet. Something in the gathered, artificial shadows presses at Will's imagination. "Is that why you're leaving? Sir."

"It is." Says the man, though he rolls his shoulders and then turns away afterwards. "But I'll get to leave far quicker if I don't scare off his new help. Follow me to your chamber."

*

Almost two months have passed. Ambrose Sinclair is a kind master. He's patient, to the point of being easily distracted. He's quiet until he feels the scrutiny of someone else's gaze, at which he seems to light up enough in the other person's direction that he shadows himself and can pass by without anyone prying. Will has endured no power plays from him, no requests made just to make Will uncomfortable or to watch him fumble.

But Will has endured odd requests. His master only wants to have visitors after sunset. He only wants his meals twice a day, and left outside his room besides, although he's a fastidious eater - no matter what the chef makes for him, Master Sinclair returns a perfectly-clean set of plates to his door when he's finished.

He goes for a walk, of about two hours, every single evening, so close after twilight that the bruising is often still in the sky, though it's far gone by the time the master of the house returns.

Whenever Will isn't waiting on Master Sinclair, he's free to do whatever he would please...which is how Will has explored the locked chambers of his master so thoroughly. The curtains over these windows are a deep plum on the outside, for anyone passing by to see - but inside is another layer of black ones. The entire room is lit with only the smallest bedside oil lamp, and Will can hardly imagine how his master has read the books on the nightstand.

He says nothing about it, and Master Sinclair never accuses him, but Will feels...a curiosity and an alarm, to the gaze on him the next evening. As if Will - careful as ever not to disturb any object in the room - had left some indelible essence behind that Master Sinclair had noticed.

"It can be Ambrose, you know. Please call me Ambrose, when we are home." Will is told the next night afterwards. Will looks at him, at his strangely multi-faceted eyes and his softened features - always soft, especially in the weak lighting he requests at all times - and sees none of that fear from yesterday.

"If you insist. Ambrose." Will says, and he feels the air between them thicken like the velvet curtains he'd stared at that first night, until he has to step away just to let himself breathe again.

*

Almost two months have passed, and this is the first disruption to Ambrose's routine that Will has ever witnessed. Will comes down the hall when he hears the front door open. His master comes inside, nearly stumbles, and he pauses after he's shut the door behind himself as if he's gathering strength. Will hears him take a breath that's thick with choked air - crying, Will realizes in a moment, though with Ambrose's back to him he can't see tears.

"—Ambrose." Will says to announce himself, and then he moves closer. He stops several feet away still, though his body sways as if to keep moving forward. Ambrose turned back to the door to lock it behind himself, and it's with his forehead against the door that he stands now. "Are you alright?"

U'rajul Tia | FFXIV OC | M/M

[looktothesun]

(Servant.)

drang / granblue fantasy

[triche]

Thranduil | Hobbits (OTA)

[farrel]

The problem with being part of the royal family is your marriage must be dynastic and useful to strengthen tie/alliance with your spouse's powerful family. You are not free but what if your heart choose someone unsuitable to your station in life? Options,

1. Still unattached - could be Prince or King, betrothed or not.

2. Married already, there's no love between the royal couple, this is a marriage of convenience.

3. Either unattached or already married, falling for someone forbidden like old flame who has been married now. Perhaps a childhood friend.

4. The most forbidden of all, falling for a male servant or guard. The throne needs heir but the only one in line who could provide it prefers his own gender instead of the opposite.

Ryo Asuka | devilman crybaby | m/m

[blondambitions]

(The literal devil, so...)

Yamato | Kantai Collection | OTA

[yamazilla]

[ The servant. ]

[lasthungrywolf]

[A dumb biker punk accidentally gets himself impressed and put in charge of a hot battleship, and then fluffy things develop?]

Raas Kael | Original | OTA

[necavi]

[ The servant ]

Kuukoku Jinja no Zenko | OC | F/M

[kuukokujinjanozenko]

[The 500 year-old five-tailed fox trapped in a school girl's body could either be forced to repay some kind of spiritual debt, or vice-versa, someone could owe her due to a transgression.]

Usagi Tsukino | Bishoujo Senshi Sailor Moon

[tsukino_bunny]

[Probably not the servant. OTA-ish~]

Nico Acosta | OC | M/F

[anoranza]

[ooc: He's a tutor, so probs the servant.]