Spellbound

[ayoungboy]

This week has been fucking exhausting. He'd been consuling all week and dealing with a threat over in Norway. Somebody trying to brew mind control potions, again. Why couldn't everybody just get along and stop fussing? He's finally back home, in England, heading up the wizarding council while they go over worldwide news, and he gets an invite - no, it isn't that. It's more of a demand, from King Pendragon.

He's a bit tired, really, and didn't feel like dealing with it. "Not now, thank you. Politely decline, for me?" He told the runner. "Send him some magical candy."

He just wanted to go home and finish his book, thank you. He didn't ask for these powers, but if he took a holiday the world would flip out. People held him in high regard for some reason - he wasn't that wise, or old. He was just a young man trying to do right. Yet somehow the King was demanding his presence.

Comments

[ayoungboy]

Merlin laughs a little, shaking his head. "No, I don't. Being a magician doesn't pay much, aye. Um...hm, well sometimes going through the council takes too long."

[royalpratness]

"It doesn't pay much? Aren't you like, the king of magic users?" Arthur drops his spoon, staring at Merlin in surprise. "If you can't afford a phone, where the hell do you live?!"

[ayoungboy]

"I'm not a king, no." Merlin snorts a little, raising an eyebrow as Arthur drops his spoon. "...where I can, mostly. I usually...stay with this friend, and work off my room and board."

[royalpratness]

Arthur runs a hand through his hair, shaking his head in disbelief. "You don't have your own place?! A house? A flat? Anything?"

[ayoungboy]

Merlin blinks at the reaction and shakes his head. "No. I don't pay taxes either." He beams cheekily. "Got nothing to tax on."

[royalpratness]

"But... is that some kind of 'spiritual leader doesn't need material goods' hippie thing?"

[ayoungboy]

Merlin laughs again, shaking his head. "No, I'm not Ghandi. I'd love to have more than three sets of clothes." Merlin can't help but be amused. "But like I said, doesn't pay much. Nothing, actually."

[royalpratness]

"Three sets?!" By now, Arthur is almost yelling. "Why don't you get a proper job where you can actually earn money?"

[ayoungboy]

Now Merlin's a little taken aback, though it's kind of hilarious. "...because I'm too busy protecting the people. Clearly," Merlin gestures between them. "How could I manage a steady job with all of this happening? Besides, I never even went to Uni."

[royalpratness]

"That's...," Arthur shakes his head again, "outrageous. They should make sure that you have a place to live if you spend all your time, protecting your people."

[ayoungboy]

Merlin shrugs again. Sometimes it's difficult, but he manages. "They don't see a person, Arthur. Emrys is just a mysterious, 'all-powerful' warlock that interferes when someone 'really fucks up'." Merlin even uses air quotes. "They don't think about who's behind the legend. And I wouldn't ask for such a thing anyway. They don't owe me anything."

[royalpratness]

"You're something else, Merlin." How could somebody work so hard, put his own life on the line and not ask for anything in return? He pours Merlin some tea, having dismissed the servants earlier. "I'll get you a phone." He quickly raises a hand before Merlin can protest. "We'll need to stay in touch and this is the easiest way to do so."

[ayoungboy]

Merlin was very obviously about to politely refuse, before Arthur put his hand up. "Are you sure? I could figure out a way to pay for it, Arthur."

[royalpratness]

"I am the King, Merlin. I'm sure I'll find it in my budget to get you a proper phone." Arthur gives him a stern look and finishes his tea.

[ayoungboy]

Merlin flushes a little and sips his own tea. "Thank you." Because if the King said he needed a phone he honestly wouldn't know how to pay for it. Maybe one of those pre-loaded minutes? Still had to come up with the quid for it.

[royalpratness]

"No problem." Arthur looks up at him again. "Shall we go and take care of that spell?" It's getting late and Arthur doesn't want to keep Merlin away from his duties for too long.

[ayoungboy]

"Yes, quite." Merlin nods, setting down his tea and standing up from the table. "Thank you for dinner."

[royalpratness]

Arthur narrows his eyes at him as he gets up as well. "You do have enough to eat, don't you?" If he can't even afford a flat, maybe Merlin would struggle on that end too.

[ayoungboy]

"Sometimes." Merlin shrugs again, gesturing for the hallway. "Lead the way."

[royalpratness]

"Sometimes?!" This is modern England. Nobody should have to go hungry anymore. Arthur opens a door for Merlin, leading him up to flights of stairs to his private chambers. "This is unacceptable, Merlin. If we're going to form an allegiance, I'll make sure you'll receive adequate payments for your work."

[ayoungboy]

"Yes. It's a word used to refer to a specific frequency. No need to shout." Merlin glances around Arthur's room curiously. "Payment? Arthur, I'm not a salary."

Merlin sighs, pulling off his kerchief. "Just take off your shirt."

[royalpratness]

Arthur has no intentions of leaving it at that, but Merlin's sudden order to undress takes him by surprise. "You don't beat around the bush, huh?" Grinning, he does as instructed and takes off his shirt.

[ayoungboy]

Merlin flushes a little and rolls his eyes, glancing perfunctorily over Arthur's chest before he's undressing as well, setting his kerchief aside and shrugging off his jacket, finally pulling off his shirt. "Right. I'll need a bowl of water..."

[royalpratness]

Arthur sneaks a glance at Merlin's bare chest as he makes his way into the ensuite bathroom, returning after a minute with the requested bowl of water. "There you go. What now?"

[ayoungboy]

"Lie down, flat on your back. May I?" Merlin asks, requesting to sit on the bed as he gratefully takes the bowl of water.