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's demeanor gets more professional, and he stops smiling at the cameras. Right then. He does his best to make the same assurances, though he's a little more aloof about it, and mentions that they come from Emrys.

[royalpratness]

Arthur keeps glancing at Merlin, realising that he seems to be upset about something. The hour with the presses passes quicker than expected and soon, Merlin and Arthur are left on their own in the room. "That... wasn't too bad." Arthur takes off his suit jacket.

[ayoungboy]

"No, sire." Merlin stands up, nodding to the man. "You need to consult me before you say things like that. Half of your doctors are already magic users. There are also different types of healers."

[royalpratness]

Arthur frowns at Merlin calling him 'sire' again. "I wanted to consult you but were too busy touring Europe." He sounds defensive, knowing very well that he should have discussed this with Merlin before telling the press about his plans.

[ayoungboy]

"Excuse me?" Merlin's voice gets a little cold. "I'd hardly call it touring."

[royalpratness]

Arthur rolls his eyes, crossing his arms in front of his chest. "Yes, alright, preventing assassination attempts or whatever you get up to over there."

[ayoungboy]

"Yes." Merlin stares at Arthur for a long moment. "This can stop at any time. If you don't respect magic and it's people, this will never work. Frankly, I'm insulted."

Touring Europe. Exhausting himself to protect Arthur and his kingdom. And here, Arthur had been texting him to complain about his meetings! He could haven mentioned his plans and ideas. Merlin frowns, upset. He shouldn't be making a friend.

"Right then. I'd better be off, to tour Europe. With the imaginary money I have." Merlin snorts sarcastically.

[royalpratness]

"Oh come on, don't be such a drama queen." Arthur grumbles. "Okay, I get it. I should have talked to you first. Won't happen again."

[ayoungboy]

"Aye, it had better not. Call me when you require my assistance." Merlin says quietly, clearly saddened by this turn, before he disappeared to get his clothes, then leave the palace.

[royalpratness]

"Oh bugger." Arthur looks at the now vacated spot where Merlin has just disappeared. Looks like he messed up, big time.

It takes him three days to figure out what he should do to appease Merlin. In the end, he sends him a text. I'm sorry about Friday. I promise I didn't mean to undermine your part in our agreement. Let me make it up to you. Tomorrow at 7pm?

[ayoungboy]

It takes an entire hour for his response. Do I need to be Mary?

[royalpratness]

No. Your gender is up to you ;) . Arthur is relieved that Merlin didn't refuse to meet him right away.

[ayoungboy]

Merlin doesn't respond. Well, he's a little busy at the moment on his tour. But, if Arthur seriously wanted to reconcile, what the hell. He didn't like being angry and upset with anybody. Despite the legend, Merlin was very much a soft soul.

He shows up, actually on time, coat hiked up around his face. There are poorly, what look like self-done, stitches on his chin, and he's got a black eye. Other than that, he appears whole. It's nothing new.

[royalpratness]

"Merlin!... do I want to know what happened to your face?" Again. Arthur tilts his head, taking a step closer to inspect the damage of Merlin's face.

[ayoungboy]

"Nothing." Merlin says blankly, not giving anything away. "I took care of it." Arthur would likely be dead if he hadn't.

[royalpratness]

Arthur sighs, nodding. "Okay. He squares his shoulders. "So, uhm, I was wondering, could you 'teleport' the both of us somewhere?" If not, Arthur got his private jet waiting.

[ayoungboy]

Merlin blinks, staring at the young King for a second. He wasn't about to let his powers be used for entertainment, but. "Where to?"

[royalpratness]

"Well, that's really up to you. We could go for some pizza and pasta in Rome or maybe Amsterdam? Oslo?" Arthur exhale a breath he didn't know he'd been holding. "Since your Europe trips sound very exhuasting," he looks pointedly at Merlin's injuries, "I thought you deserve to do some of the tourists stuff, too."

[ayoungboy]

"...and your knights know about this?" Merlin raises an eyebrow. He hasn't said yes, but he hasn't said an definite no, yet.

[royalpratness]

"No and neither do my other body guards." Arthur grins, excited by the idea to have some time without them for once.

[ayoungboy]

Merlin sighs quietly, knowing he's going to have to be responsible for Arthur's well-being. Well, he already was, but this was more direct. "Alright. No trouble from you, aye? I tell you to run, you ruddy well run."

[royalpratness]

Arthur raises his hands, nodding. "Whatever you say. You're the boss." He's already wearing his most casual clothes and has a baseball cap and sunglass to put on.

[ayoungboy]

Merlin snorts and offers Arthur his hand. "Don't let go until we're completely materialized. And I'll let you know when that is." It took a little longer than one would think, and he didn't want Arthur letting go too soon and getting lost.

[royalpratness]

Arthur checks that he has his phone and wallet on him before taking Merlin's hand, squeezing. "Got it." He can't say that he's not nervous before his first teleportation.

[ayoungboy]

Merlin threads their fingers tightly, and then they're off. Even Arthur can probably feel the magic - Merlin's magic - buzzing around him, lifting them through was looks like a swirl of colors.