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]

"I shouldn't have even mentioned it." Merlin smiles kindly at Arthur's pouting. "If it comes true, Arthur...this land will be a much better place."

"How about I tell you some other secret? Anything you want to know." He shouldn't. But...he wants to make Arthur happy.

[royalpratness]

"How am I supposed to know what to ask for if it's a secret?" Arthur tilts his head, now looking amused rather than disgruntled.

[ayoungboy]

"Wizards and witches keep lots of secrets, publicly." Merlin laughs, shaking his head. "It's a thing, apparently. I'm sure there's something you want to know about, hm?"

[royalpratness]

Arthur takes another sip from his tea, considering the question but he can't think of anything. "I'll get back to you on that." There's a knock on the door. "Sir? Your meeting with the spanish prime minister starts in ten minutes." Arthur curses and sighs. "Sorry Merlin, looks like I'll have to kick you out now."

[ayoungboy]

Merlin laughs, stuffing the last bite of his toast into his mouth. "Call me." He winks, and then disappears from the chair.

[royalpratness]

Merlin disappears so quickly that Arthur doesn't get a chance to reply. He shakes his head, grinning.

Over the course of the next week, Arthur sends Merlin several text messages. Most of them are trivial things about his day, mostly complaints about boring meetings and other royal duties. He also schedules an appointment with selected reporters for the following Friday to talk about first steps to 'reunite' the magic community with the rest of Britain.

On Thursday, he sends Merlin another text. Have you figured out if you can change your appearance yet? In any case, Arthur has informed the press that somebody from the magic community who is very close to Emrys, is going to attend their little meeting.

[ayoungboy]

Merlin responds when he can, but often the texts come at odd hours. Sometimes they'll come at 2 in the morning, even, when he's clearly in a different time zone.

I have, but ah, there've been a few complications. Namely, he hadn't yet figured out how to undo the spell he'd tried.

[royalpratness]

Okay, you got 24 hours to figure it out or you'll have to come as you are. Thanks to the coverstory, that wouldn't be a problem either. As an afterthought, Arthur quickly types another text. Oh and make sure to be here at least another before the meeting to get your new suit fitted. The one that Arthur has organised for him.

[ayoungboy]

Oh, I can come as I am. The next response takes a lot longer. A. Lot. ...I don't need a suit, Arthur. I need

It cuts off, and there's another long pause before the next one. ...a dress.

[royalpratness]

Arthur blinks and then he bursts out laughing, much to his driver's surprise. A dress?! I'm liberal and all but I'm not sure crossdressing would be appropriate for that first meeting. Smirking, he adds. Though I'm sure you'd look lovely in a dress.

[ayoungboy]

I'm not crossdressing. Another few minutes. ...I'm a woman.

He'd thought, it was a spell to change his face...but the rest of his body had changed too. He really needed to brush up on his runes.

[royalpratness]

For a moment, Arthur wonders if that's some kind of transgender thing Merlin had failed to mention so far, when it occurs to him that it's more likely to have to do with magic.

You turned yourself into a woman? Okay, no problem. I'll find you a dress instead. Changing his gender was a good move, Arthur thinks, it's going to throw people off his real identity.

[ayoungboy]

I don't need you to buy me a dress, Arthur. Boy, was that a text he never thought he'd send. At least he didn't have to tell Arthur he had a) done it by accident, and b) was stuck like that. Gaius was looking for a solution, at least.

[royalpratness]

Do you own one? No. So I have to buy one for you. Arthur rolls his eyes, calling his tailor right away to cancel the suit and order a dress instead. I hope you turned yourself into a good-looking woman, not an old hag.

[ayoungboy]

Why do I have to wear a dress? Can't I just wear my clothes? Clearly, Merlin has no idea how diplomatic relations are supposed to work. Oi! I'd shag me!

[royalpratness]

No you can't. You have to look professional. He hesitates before typing. Really? I got the impression that you don't shag women.

[ayoungboy]

I am professional! There's a really long pause there. Was it the kerchief, I bet it was the kerchief. I'm bisexual, if you must know.

But I do tend to be more attracted to men. Merlin finally sends, after another moment of thought.

[royalpratness]

It was the kerchief. Arthur can't help but smile as he leans his head against the window of his car. We got something in common.

[ayoungboy]

Really? Merlin smiles, himself. I asked if there'd be any scandals, Arthur. Not taking any secret consorts, are we? He's just teasing. They haven't known each other long, but Arthur doesn't seem like that sort of man.

I'm off to bed now :) o/

[royalpratness]

No scandals, no secret consorts. I'm very boring and old-fashioned in that regard.

Goodnight! <3

[ayoungboy]

I say, being attracted to cock isn't very old-fashioned. Was he flirting? Maybe just a little. But Arthur was a King, and Merlin just hadn't had a friend in a while...though Arthur was a very attracted king...

[royalpratness]

Arthur chuckles when he reads the text, typing his answer right away. No, but not indulging in casual sex to avoid gossip is. At least in his book.

[ayoungboy]

You saying, if no one gossiped, you'd indulge, my lord?

[royalpratness]

I might. Depends if the person is worth taking that risk for. It's difficult to keep secrets in my position.

[ayoungboy]

Merlin chuckles, tapping out another text. Another thing we have in common.