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

[royalpratness]

"No, I don't, I promise. It was a rash and stupid decision not to talk to you first." Arthur pulls an apologetic face, looking around at the small shops and vespas driving in the streets.

[ayoungboy]

"Well, that, and the touring bit." Merlin muttered, looking around for a pizza joint. "Seriously. I wasn't sure whether to laugh or punch you. I went for the option that wouldn't land me in prison."

[royalpratness]

"Sorry." Arthur winces. "I doubt that any of my guards would have been able to retain you." He nudges Merlin's arm, pointing at a restaurant right next to a river.

[ayoungboy]

"I might have let them. That's why I came the first day; so I wouldn't have to hurt any of your troops." Merlin smiles wryly, heading for the riverside restaurant.

[royalpratness]

"I wouldn't really have sent my troops after you." Arthur chuckles, crossing the street.

[ayoungboy]

"I don't know, you seemed pretty angry."

[royalpratness]

"I was. I'm not used to people disobeying my direct orders." He grins, holding the door open for Merlin as they enter the restaurant.

[ayoungboy]

"You must remember, I'm not under your orders." Merlin teases, just a little, slowly warming back up as he nods and walks into the cool store.

[royalpratness]

"I know. Won't happen again." At least he'll try his very best. He waiter, who luckily doesn't seem to recognise Arthur, welcomes them and leads them to a table with a few over the river.

[ayoungboy]

Merlin nods absently, looking out over the river as they sit down. "Never get a chance to enjoy stuff like this." Not with the places he goes.

[royalpratness]

"Then it's about time." Arthur looks up from his menue. "Can't you get a healer to take care of that black eye of yours? It looks painful."

[ayoungboy]

Merlin shrugs, propping the uninjured side of his chin in his hand. "There are people out there that need their help more than I do."

[royalpratness]

"Surely they could spare you ten minutes." It seems like Merlin is really rubbish of taking proper care of himself.

[ayoungboy]

"I can't spare ten minutes." Merlin chuckles quietly, gaze flickering back to Arthur. "I'll be fine." And yes, he was rather rubbish at it.

[royalpratness]

"You're going to spare at least an hour here with me now." Arthur is worried but tries not to let it show.

[ayoungboy]

Merlin sighs, shrugging. "Don't worry about me, Arthur."

[royalpratness]

"You keep getting injured. I can't help but worry about you." Which is odd, considering that they don't know each other that well yet.

[ayoungboy]

Merlin glances up at that, shooting Arthur a curious look. "Comes with the power and responsibility."

[royalpratness]

"I have power and responsibility too. Doesn't mean I get beat up regularly." Arthur sighs, looking up when the waiter appears to take their orders.

[ayoungboy]

"You've got knights to protect you and an army at your command."

[royalpratness]

"And you're the most powerful wizard to have ever walked the earth. I think you win." Arthur runs a finger over the rim of his wine glass.

[ayoungboy]

Merlin laughs, shaking his head at the offer of wine and asking for a glass of water. He wasn't paying for this, after all. "Don't piss me off, then, aye."

[royalpratness]

"No, he'll have some wine as well!" Arthur quickly tells the waiter, turning back to Merlin. "I told you this is my apology to you. You can eat and drink whatever you want."

[ayoungboy]

"Arthur..." Merlin hesitates, shaking his head. "You don't need to. As long as you mean what you say."

[royalpratness]

"I want to. Come on, it's not a big deal. It's just dinner." In a fancy restaurant in Rome. Arthur gently nudges Merlin's leg beneath the table.