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

[ayoungboy]

"Mine agreed to the terms we set." Merlin says, wrapping his arms around Arthur's neck.

[royalpratness]

"Okay." Arthur murmurs, bringing his arms around Merlin's back. "No more 'business' talk now, yeah?"

[ayoungboy]

"Yeah." Merlin smiles, kissing Arthur's cheek. "I can't believe you're alive. I must be dreaming. Don't wake me up?"

[royalpratness]

"I won't." Arthur chuckles. "Promise." He looks around and grins. "Shall we find a room? Unless, of course, you'd like to spend the night here in the lobby."

[ayoungboy]

"A room works fine," Merlin laughs, tugging at Arthur playfully and nodding towards the stairs. "C'mon, you."

[royalpratness]

"Coming." Arthur follows Merlin up the stairs in the search for a suitable room. Most of them have been ransacked by people looking for supplies. Eventually, they find a small room at the end of a corridor that appears to be mostly clean. "This one?"

[ayoungboy]

The bed is still made, at least, and Merlin nods eagerly, threading his fingers with Arthur's. "Looks perfect."

[royalpratness]

Arthur closes the door behind them, grinning wickedly as he rounds on Merlin, pressing him up against the door. "I'm so glad you're here." He leans forward, kissing Merlin deeply.

[ayoungboy]

"Me too," Merlin's hands runs over Arthur's chest, down his sides, making sure he's solid and real as warm lips meet his. "I love you so much..."

[royalpratness]

"I love you too." Arthur says, smiling against Merlin's lips. "God, when I thought I had lost you..."

[ayoungboy]

"I heard about the city..." Merlin shivers. "Thank god you made it out..."

[royalpratness]

"Yeah, barely." Arthur presses his lips against the side of Merlin's neck. "I got out half an hour before they closed everything off."

[ayoungboy]

Merlin tips his head back with a soft sound if want. "I thought about you all the time..."

[royalpratness]

"I hope so." Arthur smirks, releasing Merlin, only to walk him backwards towards the bed.

[ayoungboy]

Merlin's knees hit the bed, and he pulls Arthur down with him. "You're really here. God, don't know if I'll ever get over that."

[royalpratness]

Arthur laughs, landing on top of Merlin, kissing him again. "Oh I'm sure you will. Just wait until we get into our next argument and you'll find yourself wishing that a building had crashed on me."

[ayoungboy]

"Never," Merlin runs his fingers through Arthur's hair. "No matter how much we disagree, I will always love you. I can't live without you again, Arthur. Leaving was a mistake. I won't give up again."

[royalpratness]

Merlin has always been a touch too dramatic for Arthur's liking when it comes to emotional topics. "Can we talk about this later? I've been living like a monk for the past years."

[ayoungboy]

Merlin laughs and nods. Okay, maybe he is. But he's so relieved, he can't help it. "Mmhm. Now that, I'm glad to hear. Don't want to think about any other hands on you." As it is, his own trail down Arthur's back, over his ass.

[royalpratness]

"I was busy trying to survive. Don't worry." Arthur grins, leaning into Merlin's touch.

[ayoungboy]

"I'm sure someone had their eye on you," Merlin purrs, hooking his thumbs in Arthur's beltloops. "Too hot not to draw attention."

[royalpratness]

"I'm afraid you're right about that." Arthur leans in for other kiss, grinding his hips down against Merlin's.

[ayoungboy]

"Mm, so am I. Guess I better remind you why you belong in bed with me." Merlin shivers pleasantly when Arthur grinds down against him, fingers working deftly on the man's fly.

[royalpratness]

"I'm on it." While Merlin is opening his fly, Arthur takes off his own shirt, swiftly followed by Merlin's.

[ayoungboy]

Merlin works down Arthur's pants before immediately going for the underwear, wanting bare skin. His own body is different than before. There are a few scars, marring his chest and shoulders. Magic could only heal so much; and sometimes it was the magic that left the scar.

"Fuck - " Merlin presses his lips to Arthur's neck, nibbling and trying to decide where to suck a mark.