#mr. mansell

[azure-blaze92]

The Sonhgbird and the Hare Part 4: Guilt Weighs Heavily on the Mind

This idea hit me at work today from a random thought and it was too good an Idea to not write. So enjoy!

An Archive of Our Own, a project of the Organization for Transformative Works

[ember-in-the-twilight]

To Be Wanted.

I don't know what exactly brought this idea up, but it's an angsty one (no surprise given me), but I was in the mood to write some angst last night with them, so here ya go ~

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Bastion quickly crossed the square from the church to Mansell’s cottage. He didn’t mean to yell at Mansell, for god sake, the only thing he did was bring him some dinner, he cooked and suggested he rest for a bit. He knew the tension had been high between them for the past couple of years.  He had been so focused on getting Gravesfield settled, balancing all of it single-handedly, making sure there was enough food for both animals and the people, making sure they had enough defense set up to ward off any unwanted attacks, working himself beyond the point of exhaustion almost every day. Of course, the one time he let the stress of it all boil over, he lashed out at the one person who didn’t deserve any of it. 

As soon as he got to the door, Bastion raised his hand and rapped upon it. Not hearing anything, he knocked again, this time loudly and called, “Man– I mean Frederick, can we talk please?” 

There was a long pause before it finally opened. Frederick stood at the threshold, the fire in the hearth casting a warm glow behind him, his sleeves rolled to his elbows.  His emerald eyes were steady but wounded as he met Bastion’s, “What do you want. I don’t want to see you right now.” He stated as he began to shut the door.

“Hold on!” Bastion pressed his palm to the wood. “Frederick, I… I would like to apologize for what I said earlier. I have been so stressed that I raised my voice, I shamed you for only caring for me, I’m sorry.”

Mansell’s jaw clenched, his eye twitched, and his lips pressed into a thin line as he continued to stare at him, saying no words. 

 Bastion waited, but Mansell’s silence sat heavily upon him. “Say something, please,” Bastion urged, almost pleading.

At last, he spoke, doing his best to remain steady despite a slight tremor in his voice. “What would you have me say? That your apology smooth it all over? That your temper cuts no deeper than the words you cast at me?”

Bastion flinched. “I would have you say that you forgive me.” He ran his hand over his face, seeing the unamused look in Mansell's expression. “Look, I know I am not the easiest person to get along with, and though I seem like I don’t… I-I do… I value you more than—”

“Value…” Mansell spat quietly. “That is honestly all I am to you, Richard? Something of value… nothing but a man of use… a hand to bind wounds, to ease the fevers, to fetch you back from the brink when you drive yourself too far, to keep silent and stand by you and your questionable judgments.”

“That's… that's not… I didn’t mean — ” Bastion stamerded. 

Mansell just scoffed, “I shouldn’t be surprised, honestly. After all, I have practically spent my life serving your family… bound to you. And still, even now, you look at me and see nothing but what I am good for.”

Bastion’s breath caught. “No- I don’t, that’s truly not—”

“It is!” Mansell said fiercely, his eyes bright with unshed tears. “It tears me in two… because I—” He broke off, his fingers now digging into his arms.

“Because what?” Bastion asked gently, raising his eyebrow in concern. 

“I want to be seen, Richard. I want to be wanted… not for what I do or the herbs I grind nor the poultices I lay, but for who I am. For the boy who once climbed trees with you, who shared your bread, who thought, foolishly, that perhaps friendship might mean more.”

Bastion stood frozen, his throat dry as parchment.

Mansell’s voice cracked as tears began to flow. “I have feelings for you, Richard. I have carried them like a stone in my chest for years. And it is hard… God, it is so hard… because all I want is for you to love me in return. To look at me and see more than someone bound to you, more than a healer, more than what use I can be. I want you to see me; to choose me. But you don’t! You don’t care about me, you don’t love me. You don’t want anything to do with me except when it pertains to my loyalty or use.” Mansell finished, now panting.

His confession hung heavy in the air. Bastion didn't speak; he just stood there watching,

Mansell gave a bitter laugh, though his tears still fell, noting no change in Bastion's demeanor. “You need not say it. I know… I have always known. You can't love me as I love you. And yet still my heart aches for it, like a fool chasing the sun.”

Silence fell, again broken only by the wind whistling. Finally, Bastion's gaze softened as he gently reached out a quivering hand, but Mansell stepped back, shaking his head. “Don’t,” he hissed. “Don't touch me unless you mean it. I can't bear your pity. I would rather your wrath than that.”

“Frderick…” Bastion whispered as his hand dropped to his side, his eyes wavering. His lips parted to speak, but the truth… that he cared, that he loved him, that he always had, got trapped in the back of his throat. Instead, he could only still stand, wordless, watching Mansell turn to look at the ground and begin to close the door once more. 

“Good night… Bastion.”  

“Frederick, please wait, I—” But it was too late, the door latched shut, leaving Bastion alone standing outside as the chilled autumn air whipped around him. He went to knock again, but instead he gently placed his hand on the door and finished and whispered, “I love you… too

[azure-blaze92]

An Archive of Our Own, a project of the Organization for Transformative Works

Chapters: 2/? Fandom: The Owl House (Cartoon) Rating: Teen And Up Audiences Warnings: Creator Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings Relationships: Caleb Wittebane & Original Character(s) Characters: Caleb Wittebane, Mr.Mansell, Philip Wittebane | Emperor Belos, Minister Bastion Additional Tags: Angst, Hurt/Comfort, Emotional Hurt/Comfort, Father-Son Relationship, Implied/Referenced Child Abuse, parent death mentioned Summary:

A collection of one-shots I have written that take place in the AYCF universe, featuring Caleb and Mr. Mansell, the ultimate honorary father-son duo. 

I have been wanting to do this for a while, and just finally getting around to it. Plus, you all have more Mansell and Caleb content! This will be updated when I write a new one-shot featuring them. So far, we have 2 up. Enjoy everyone!