ok I need some clueless dunk, like reader is so head over heels for him and he just thinks she’s being nice, also ft. egg being so done with how oblivious dunk is xxx
an oblivious ser duncan the tall finally realizes you like him!
(f!reader x ser duncan the tall)
summary: you and dunk had been dancing around each other for a while now, and it's getting far too painful for egg to watch. so, he throws the two of you a bone and tries to make dunk realize your feelings for him.
warnings: none! fluff :)
word count: 1,254
a/n: thank you for this request! sorry it took so long, i've been very busy. i hope you like this fic as i very much enjoyed writing it!
You’d liked Dunk since the day you met him. He stuck out through the busy crowd of the tavern you worked in, easily a head taller than everyone else. You made a point to try and show off when he sat down asking for a pint of ale, checking your hair in the reflection of the glass cupboards before serving it to him. You tried to keep a conversation with the man, but he seemed a bit cloddish as he stumbled through a short response to every question you’d throw at him (much to his younger companion’s dismay).
The next day, when Dunk was injured during a match between knights, you found yourself rushing to the medicine tent, helping to patch him up. He looked a bit mystified by your presence, like he couldn’t quite believe you were there, fussing over him.
As soon as Dunk was patched up, he went back to the tavern in hopes of finding you. Even if it was just to share a few awkward words, he wanted to thank you. He spots you tending to the other patrons, a sweet smile gracing your face. The second your eyes meet his, he looks away.
This game went on for weeks. Two weeks to be particular, but it was far more than either you or Egg could handle. Nothing made the child feel more agitated than watching his knight embarrass himself over and over in an attempt to talk with you. He was so dense, so oblivious, anyone with eyes could see that you were infatuated with him.
One night at the tavern, Egg finally breaks after watching you dejectedly walk away from Dunk after he accidentally cuts yet another conversation short with you using his clumsy social skills.
“Why do you keep doing that?” Egg asks bewilderedly, turning to the large man beside him.
“Doing what?” Dunk responds, face still flushed from the nerves he got from talking to you.
“You keep-” Egg motions in vague frustration, “-not- not talking right! She comes here trying to make a move and you shut her down every time without fail!”
Dunk glares at the kid, “What are you on about? ‘Make a move,’ she’s just talking- that’s her job- and I’ll have you know I’m doing just fine responding!”
“Do you not want her?!” Egg half-shouts, getting the attention of some of the other diners around them.
“Mind your own lad!” He says quickly. The answer to his question is obvious- of course Dunk wants you. Who wouldn’t? Your skin practically radiated an aura of warmth and friendliness, but he wasn’t willing to lay it all out to you just to get shot down. To be honest, he wasn’t sure he could without mucking it all up.
As you come around again to ask them if they wanted anything else, Dunk straightens up again, offering you a small nod.
“So, are you two going to go to the party in the square tomorrow?” You ask, trying to aim the question at the both of them, but your stare makes it clear you’re more focused on Dunk. “There- there’s a party?” Dunk manages.
“Mhm,” you hum, refilling their drinks, “An annual dance of sorts; there’s singing and food and- oh I could go on…”
Egg leans over, seeing an opportunity, “It’s a partner dance right? You need to bring a date? Do you have a date, miss?” He asks, making Dunk have to restrain himself from kicking the kid under the table.
You laugh bashfully, “No, I don’t. I was hoping a certain someone would ask me though…” You admit.
There’s a long pause, you see Egg boring his eyes at Dunk, who was refusing to meet his gaze, staring straight ahead.
“Uh…” You start, “Guess I’ll be going then. Hope to see you there.” You turn and walk away, careful not to trip on your skirt.
Egg wants nothing more than to smack Dunk upside the head as he asks through gritted teeth, “What was that?”
Dunk shakes out of his thoughts, “What was what?”
“Why didn’t you ask her to the dance?!”
“She said she was hoping for someone in particular to ask her! Why would I go in and ask her instead?!” Dunk argues back quickly.
“She was talking about you, idiot!” Egg shouts.
It seems like for the first time since Dunk had met you, he genuinely considered the possibility of you liking him back. The prospect felt- well, impossible. Like you were some unattainable goal he’d just have to learn to enjoy from a safe distance. “Wait- do you really think so?” He asks, making Egg groan and put his head down on the table.
“If you don’t ask her to that dance by the end of the night, I’m seeking her out and telling her about that dream you had of her!” He says, arms crossed.
Dunk’s face pales. He doesn’t even try to intimidate Egg out of it, he knows the little runt has his mind made up. Anxiously, Dunk glances at you, standing at the bar, looking solemnly into the glass you were cleaning. How could he do this? Does he need to get you a flower or some symbol of companionship before asking? Was this all an elaborate prank Egg has been working on for the past two weeks? He’s supposed to be a strong and brave knight- this shouldn’t be as hard as it was.
Dunk huffs, standing up and almost hitting his head on the joists in the ceiling. He nervously looks back at Egg as he starts to walk over to you, wondering if it was too late to go back now. By the time he figured out it was in fact, too late, he was already at the bar right in front of you.
“So… The dance. When you said you wanted someone in particular to ask you, who were you- uh, who did you mean?” Dunk asks, taking the cowards' way out.
You smile in a way that doesn’t quite reach your eyes. “Oh- I- well I suppose I should be honest with you…” You pause, collecting your courage, “I was hoping you’d ask me.”
Dunk’s eyes widen, “M-me?”
At your shy nod, he feels his world shift. Egg wasn’t jesting, you really were talking about him.
He stands there befuddled for a second too long, making you nervous. “I’m sorry- I know it’s probably not something you wanted to deal with, don’t worry I promise I won’t bug you anymore-” You hurriedly say, your words making Dunk snap out of it and get his bearings.
“No no no, please don’t do that, I- I didn’t know- I thought, I thought you thought me foolish!” He explains, frantically holding your hand to stop you from turning away. “I think you’re lovely, I’d be honored to take you to the party if you’d have me!”
You feel your heart fly in your chest, and for a second there you lose your voice, managing a happy nod and a squeal-like ‘okay!’
Dunk gives you a relieved smile, hand still on yours before he realizes and quickly tugs it away. “Right- well, I’ll see you tomorrow then. I’ll- uh, I’ll… yeah. Tomorrow.”
As he trails back to his seat, he sees Egg waiting for him, a look of amusement on his face.
“I told you so.” He says. “Shut it.” Dunk responds, but there’s a smile on his face that won’t go away no matter how unbothered he pretends to be.