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

[ayoungboy]

"Sounds good." Merlin murmurs to himself. "I've never...told anyone." Even with Will, they never explicitly said it. Played it off as breaking the law, like kids like to do.

[royalpratness]

Arthur sighs. "Me neither. Well, I'm guessing the man back then guessed it." He rubs a hand over his face. "It is such a burden a times, isn't it?"

[ayoungboy]

"Nah, he just thought you were a woman." Merlin laughs a little. "Definitely. Is that why you were with that woman during the show?"

[royalpratness]

"No, she's a friend. I don't think she has any kind of romantic interest in me. It does help though to be seen in the company of a woman from time to time to stop rumours from spreading."

[ayoungboy]

"I suppose it does." He's gone before any rumors can start, and the carnies hardly care. "I never suspected you."

[royalpratness]

"That's reassuring, but also explains why I live like a monk." Arthur chuckles.

[ayoungboy]

"I've heard of...special holes, in taverns. Where people like us can find each other through...activities.."

[royalpratness]

Arthur pulls a face. "Yes, it's also the perfect place to contract very unpleasant diseases."

[ayoungboy]

"I've never been." Merlin flushes a little and ducks his head.

[royalpratness]

"Good call." Arthur sighs. "You must be even more frustated than I am."

[ayoungboy]

"I suppose." Merlin laughs again. "I couldn't take prison, though."

[royalpratness]

Arthur's expression changes into a more serious one. "It'd be prison if you're lucky. If caught, they kill people like us right away."

[ayoungboy]

Merlin sobers. "So...I guess you'd be right in saying m'a bit frustrated."

[royalpratness]

Arthur looks up at Merlin, licking his lips. "Feel free to slap me if I'm completely out of line here but...mabye we could... you know."

[ayoungboy]

"We - you'd - " Merlin clears his throat a little, flush high in his cheeks. But he doesn't slap Arthur, so.

[royalpratness]

"It's just a thought! Sorry if I offended you." Arthur quickly backpaddles.

[ayoungboy]

"No - no, I mean - " Merlin flails a little, not wanting Arthur to rescind his offer. "You'd, um, want to...with me?"

[royalpratness]

"Yes." Arthur's answer comes right away. "You're not exactly hard to look at."

[ayoungboy]

Merlin gives a somewhat nervous laugh. "You're not so bad yourself."

"Well I've never - I don't really know what I'm doing." Merlin warns.

[royalpratness]

Arthur shakes his head, rubbing a hand over Merlin's foot. "Don't worry about that. I'm not exactly an expert either. We'll...take it slow. No rush."

[ayoungboy]

"Alright," Merlin agrees softly, looking up at Arthur. "I - you're very nice, Arthur."

bed time for me o/

[royalpratness]

"I like you too, Merlin." Arthur grins. "We're not going to do anything until you're fully recovered though." He gives Merlin a stern look.

Night dear! <3

[ayoungboy]

"Not even..." Merlin hesitates to ask. "...not even a kiss?"

[royalpratness]

Arthur smirks, sliding up to where Merlin is sitting. "Oh we can do that." He cups Merlin's cheek with one hand, running the other through his messy hair.

[ayoungboy]

Merlin blushes pink, watching Arthur and trying to figure out where exactly to put his own hands.