For Your Entertainment

[ayoungboy]

The circus comes into town in the late afternoon. It's a quiet caravan, but the whispers start immediately. It's not a regular circus. This one - this is the Camelot circus. One of the most esteemed traveling acts in the country, and not for the faint of heart. This one has a flaming sword eater and a terrifying magician.

A few brave people try to peek at the preparations, but once the big tent is up, all that can really be seen are food stands being set up, and a few podiums for acts unknown. Everything else is hidden from view. You want to see? Come buy a ticket.

Comments

[royalpratness]

((my university has just been evacuated because of a hurricane x_x))

"No tree?" Arthur asks.

[ayoungboy]

((ooc: Oh dear! I'm home sick D: ))

"Certainly not. Who wants to go out and get a tree in the cold?"

[royalpratness]

((aww I'm sorry to hear that :( flu? ))

"I do, actually." Arthur raises an eyebrow. "It's a tradition here that I go out and get the tree."

[ayoungboy]

((virus. Not sure what.))

"Let me rephrase," Merlin smiles gently. "Who wants to go out and get a tree in the cold only to come back to more cold? We get tired."

[royalpratness]

((yikes D: feel better soon!))

"Okay, I get your point." Arthur nods, getting up from his chair. "It's different here. You can come along and pick out a tree if you want. It won't be until mid-December though."

[ayoungboy]

"Sure," Merlin nods. "I used t o chop down the tree for my mum."

[royalpratness]

"Why don't you write to her and suggest that she comes and spends Christmas here?"

[ayoungboy]

"I - " Merlin looks surprised. "...are you serious?"

[royalpratness]

"Of course I'm serious." Arthur nods, smiling at Merlin. "We have plenty of space here."

[ayoungboy]

Merlin's smile is bright and wide. "Thank you!"

[royalpratness]

"What did I say about thanking me?" Arthur chuckles, stopping where he's standing right in front of Merlin.

[ayoungboy]

Merlin slides in closer, cupping Arthur's cheek. "...you told me not to..."

[royalpratness]

"Exactly." Arthur leans into Merlin's touch. "You're not very good at following orders, are you?"

[ayoungboy]

"Not in the slightest," Merlin purrs, leaning in to kiss Arthur softly.

[royalpratness]

Arthur laughs quietly, kissing Merlin back. "Can I ask you something?"

[ayoungboy]

"Sure, anything." Merlin strokes Arthur's hair.

[royalpratness]

"Why did you tell me about your magic? You had to leave your home because you were afraid to be discovered but you told me when you barely knew me." Arthur looks at Merlin expectantly.

[ayoungboy]

"To be fair, I didn't think you'd believe me." Merlin points out. "I assumed you would assume it was all a trick of some kind. And continue to assume it, like my employer."

[royalpratness]

"Your employer must be a very stupid man." Arthur strokes a hand over the back of Merlin's head.

[ayoungboy]

"Kept me on this long, didn't he?" Merlin jokes.

[royalpratness]

Arthur laughs. "Yes, I'm lucky that I managed to snatch you away from him for now."

[ayoungboy]

"For now," Merlin repeats softly, running his thumb over Arthur's cheek.

[royalpratness]

Arthur is well aware that Merlin will leave again once spring comes but he refuses to think about that just yet. He kisses Merlin's forehead and takes a step back again. "I have several letters to write. Feel free to stay here for as long as you like."

[ayoungboy]

"Thank you." Merlin smiles. "I'll see you later tonight?"

[royalpratness]

"If you want." Arthur winks at him and turns to leave.