We found love in a hopeless place

[ayoungboy]

It's been 5 years since this whole nightmare began, and both sides had sustained incredible casualties. The whole of Europe was fairly decimated, but England was definitely the worst. Perhaps the worst of it all was the fact that Merlin didn't know if Arthur was dead or alive. Yes, he thought about him often. How stupid they'd both been. Merlin was willing to fight for what he believed in, but it hadn't been about him - it should have been about them, about working it out together. It should never have come to this.

He still wears the engagement ring on his finger. He's almost lost it once or twice, but it's still there - and he makes sure to take care of it and clean it, repair it. But that's not what this meeting it about; he's been selected to represent the magical community in the negotiations. All they wanted was their freedom back. Magic wasn't inherently evil; it was people that used it for nefarious purposes, people that mistreated it. They were willing to help put those people in jail. If only the non-magic users would understand.

They're meeting on what used to be Parliament, reduced to rubble, now. Merlin's fiddling with his hands, twisting the ring nervously. They've set up wards already; there are a few other magical delegates and guards there, but Merlin is to do the central talking. Still, there's only so much they can guard against, and if the non-magic users decide to attack…well, the magic users weren't going to be too keen on reopening negotiations after that.

Comments

[royalpratness]

"Yes, I agree." Everybody has the right to know whether their friend and family are alive.

[ayoungboy]

"Right. Well." Merlin nods. "What are your people in need of? Resource and supplies wise?"

[royalpratness]

"I have a list." Arthur pulls a folded piece of paper from the inside of his coat and hands it over to Merlin. "Mostly food and things like blankets and water filters."

[ayoungboy]

"I know you don't trust us," Merlin unfolds the list, scanning it over. "So I must inform you that the majority of our food is grown with magic. Our water is also purified with magic. We can spare the blankets, too. And...medicine. You already know our healers are beyond this. We can give you what we have."

[royalpratness]

"I would appreciate that." Arthur looks over at Merlin. "Anything else we need to discuss?"

[ayoungboy]

"So, if you want food and water, we can provide it but - just so you know." Merlin nods, pocketing the list. "Yes. You've already denied our healing offer, but I invite you to reconsider in the case of magical ailments. It's come to my attention that some of the magic users were using rather damaging and debilitating spells, and if you have any survivors that are suffering, we are willing to heal them. Other injuries you may be able to heal yourselves but - not the magical ones."

[royalpratness]

"I will bring it up at our next council meeting. I doubt that many people will be willing to take you up on the offer though."

[ayoungboy]

"Then they will die in terrible pain." Merlin shakes his head. "I'll come heal them myself if I have to. But any deaths that occur will no longer be on our hands. We've offered a solution. The offer stands."

[royalpratness]

"Yes, I got that. Thank you." Arthur stands, offering Merlin to shake his hand. "Let's meet again once we have drafted those lists."

[ayoungboy]

"You're welcome." Merlin's voice is a little softer, and he rises as well, shaking Arthur's hand firmly. There's so much he still wants to say, but only to Arthur. "And the prisoners. A list of the war criminals as well."

[royalpratness]

"Yes, those as well." He lets go of Merlin's hand and steps around the table and towards him. His demeanor changes from 'business' to something more private. "I'd like a word with you, please. In private." He glances at their respective guards. "If that's okay."

[ayoungboy]

"It's fine with me." Merlin glances at the magic users, who seem uneasy, but trust him. He was chosen for his strength, after all. The non-magic users are even more disgruntled, but they allow it.

[royalpratness]

Arthur waits until everybody has left the room before allowing himself to smile fondly. "You look terrible." To be fair, everybody looks terrible these days.

[ayoungboy]

"Look who's talking." Merlin's smile is soft and relieved, and he rests back against the table.

[royalpratness]

"All this time I thought you ..." Arthur gives a pressed laugh, ducking his head. "Fuck."

[ayoungboy]

"Me too. I thought you were - well, I never thought I'd see you again." Merlin swallows hard. "I'm sorry. That I left. It was the worst mistake I've ever made."

[royalpratness]

"You didn't leave. We separated by mutual agreement." Arthur reaches out, resting his hands on Merlin's shoulders. "Don't apologise."

[ayoungboy]

"Still the worst mistake of my life." Merlin looks up at him. "I miss you. I - well, I love you. Always have. But you already knew that."

[royalpratness]

"Yes, I know." Arthur smiles sadly, leaning and and kissing Merlin's forehead.

[ayoungboy]

Merlin smiles, closing his eyes and just absorbing that for a moment. "I...don't know what you want to do now. I don't know if I can stay away from you."

[royalpratness]

Arthur sighs again, pulling away and looking at Merlin. "We broke off our engagement for a reason. If there was a gap between us back then, it's a chasm now."

[ayoungboy]

"Arthur," Merlin gapes a little. "It was a mistake. I've regretted it ever since. I-I don't want to break it off."

"It isn't. I love you."

[royalpratness]

"You do remember the conversation we had just five minutes ago, do you? We don't have much common ground to work with." Arthur runs his hand down Merlin's arm. "If we let personal feelings interfere with this, it'll be even messier than it already is. My primary responsibility right now is to look after those people who trust me with their lives."

[ayoungboy]

"You think I'm not worried about that too?"

"But this isn't about that, Arthur. I'm talking about us, right now." Merlin catches his hand, holding it for a moment. "Look me in the eye and tell me that you want this to be over. Tell me that I should take off this ring and get rid of it. Forever."

"Because you can't." Merlin shakes his head. "I can't. Whatever disputes we've had between us, it's not worth losing you."

[royalpratness]

"And what do you suggest? We fight each other during the day and meet up in secret at night?" Arthur looks down to their joined hands.