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]

"Yeah, but even if we were both normal people...you're very attractive." Merlin blushes. "Don't see why you'd want to see...mine when there are so many more attractive people you could have..."

sry, surprise skype chat came up

[royalpratness]

"Well." Arthur leans forward. "At first, I stand by when I said that I think you're very attractive too. And second, it's not only physical attributes. I like you. You're smart, you speak your mind, you stand up to me. Not many people do that."

<3

[ayoungboy]

"...really? I...wow, Arthur." Merlin actually flushes, fiddling with his tea cup. "Then...I mean, my offer does stand."

and also a heads up that I'm back at the 'office' tomorrow so I won't be able to tag quite as often

[royalpratness]

"And I'd love to take you up on it but..." Arthur has no idea why he's hesitating. He hasn't got laid in years and he does like Merlin. "like I said earlier, don't you think it'd make things too complicated?"

I won't be around till about 12 EST, graduation rehearsal <3

[ayoungboy]

Merlin's face falls and suddenly he's embarrassed. Arthur didn't really want to anyway. "I - no, you're right, I mean - "

okay! I never went to any of my graduations lol

[royalpratness]

Arthur sees Merlin's face fall. "No, Merlin, I... I'm really worried it'd mess things up between us." He looks over at him. "Working towards legalising magic is really important to both of us and so far we've been getting along really well. I wouldn't want to jeopardise it. In my experience, sex tends to make everything complicated."

Re: okay! I never went to any of my graduations lol

[ayoungboy]

"Yeah. Yeah, of course. You're right." Merlin swallows hard, setting down his tea. "Forget it. I shouldn't have mentioned it."

Merlin stands up, nervous. "I...I think I should go. I mean...yeah. Sorry..."

[royalpratness]

"Merlin." Arthur gets up as well, not wanting him to leave like that. "What do you think about it? Do you think it would make things difficult?"

[ayoungboy]

"I don't know," Merlin shrugs awkwardly, shrinking in the oversized hoodie. "But you're worried so..."

[royalpratness]

"I'm just worried I'd end up hurting you. Or we start fighting and it all ends up in a huge mess." Arthur reaches out a hand, gently resting it on Merlin's arm.

[ayoungboy]

"I would hope...that if you, um, if I...if either of us hurt the other...that we'd be able to function civilly, Arthur. In terms of restoring magic...that's what I'd want."

[royalpratness]

Arthur paces in front of the coffee table, glancing at Merlin. "We're talking friends with benefits here, right?" Because it can't be anything else than that. They've only known each other for the better part of a month after all.

[ayoungboy]

"I-if you want." Merlin says softly, though his heart sinks a little. He'd thought...well, it was more than he'd ever thought he'd actually... "...I guess..."

[royalpratness]

"You guess? That doesn't sound very convincing." Arthur sighs, sitting down on the edge of his bed. When did this become so complicated?

[ayoungboy]

"I mean...I thought you wanted...love." Merlin says softly, rubbing his arm nervously. "Maybe we should just forget it, if you...if you only want me for...benefits."

[royalpratness]

Arthur's mouth drops open and he feels like a complete tosser. "You.. oh. I mean. we don't really know each other that well yet and.. for someone in my position, relationships are a really big deal." He winces, wondering how he can turn this around. "I meant it when I said I like you but... love is a big word."

[ayoungboy]

"Oh." So...he doesn't like him? Or he does? Or he just wants to get into his pants? Merlin's very confused now.

"I know, Arthur. I meant getting to know each other enough to - just, just forget it."

[royalpratness]

"Oh." It seems like they had misunderstood each other. "Okay, this is awkward." Groaning, Arthur rubs his palms over his face.

[ayoungboy]

"Right. Of course." Merlin shrugs awkwardly and takes another step back. "Well if you just wanted a booty call," Merlin can't stop the hurt in his voice. "I'll just be off."

[royalpratness]

"I thought that's what you wanted as well!" Arthur snaps back defensively.

[ayoungboy]

"No. Not at all." Merlin frowns miserably. "Bye, Arthur." And then he's disappeared, dress still on the floor of Arthur's bathroom.

[royalpratness]

"Merlin wait!" But it's already too late. "Shit." Arthur wonders why he keeps screwing this up with Merlin. He lets himself fall back onto the bed, staring at the ceiling.

He doesn't dare to text Merlin again over the next few days. It feels weird, he had already gotten used to Merlin's presence in his life.

[ayoungboy]

Merlin eventually appears, after four days, looking worn out and overwrought. "Just here to return the clothes. See if there's any developments on the magic coalition." Merlin thrusts the hoodie towards him, one arm wrapped around his middle.

[royalpratness]

Arthur takes the hoodie, hugging it to his chest. "Uhm, thanks. I still have your dress." He puts the hoodie down on his bed, going to retrieve the dress from his wardrobe. "No, no new developments as of yet. I've been in Canada for the past three days. Only came back a few hours go." He looks just as tired and worn out as Merlin.

[ayoungboy]

"Thanks." Merlin says quietly, taking the dress. He doesn't say anything about their previous meeting and sighs internally. All he cared about. Nice. "Well, let me know when there are."