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]

"Not in the Caribbean though. I'm not even sure they exist anymore." Arthur yawns, pulling up a blanket to cover both of them.

[ayoungboy]

"I've heard they've got lots of bugs in the tropics." Merlin makes a face. "Maybe Switzerland? Up in the mountains, the snow...very romantic. We could go skiing! I've never been skiing, but I heard it's quite fun."

[royalpratness]

Arthur chuckles, kissing Merlin's shoulder. "Once planes are flying again, yes." That might be a while though.

[ayoungboy]

"We don't need a plane to fly." Merlin purrs teasingly, stroking Arthur's back.

[royalpratness]

"Oh." Arthur blinks and then laughs. "Of course not. Sorry."

[ayoungboy]

Merlin smiles, kissing Arthur's head once more. "But I think we have to get married before the Honeymoon."

[royalpratness]

"Yes well, that could be difficult." At least until they've rebuild society as it used to be.

[ayoungboy]

"Never said it'd be easy." Merlin closes his eyes. "But you're alive. That's a start."

[royalpratness]

"It certainly is." Arthur smiles. "I still have our rings."

[ayoungboy]

"You - really?" Merlin's eyes widen a little. He hadn't lost them?

[royalpratness]

"Yes. Call me sentimental but... I had to keep them." He pulls a face, glad that Merlin can't see him.

[ayoungboy]

"I never took off the engagement ring." Merlin admits, toying with it.

[royalpratness]

"I noticed." Smiling, Arthur takes Merlin's hand in his, running his thumb over the ring.

[ayoungboy]

Merlin grins a little. "We will be married, Arthur. We will."

[royalpratness]

"You make it sound like a threat." Arthur yawns, nuzzling his face against Merlin's neck.

[ayoungboy]

"Mm, hardly." Merlin purrs, stroking Arthur's back. "You're going to come again before you leave. Hard. That's a threat...or perhaps a promise. I haven't decided yet."

[royalpratness]

"I'll take it as a promise." Arthur smirks, stretching out against Merlin. "We should get some sleep first. I'll have to be back at the camp early and it's a quite a way."

[ayoungboy]

"Sounds good to me," Merlin chuckles, settling down on the sheets with Arthur held close. "Mm..."

[royalpratness]

"I'm so glad you're here." Arthur says quietly, stroking Merlin's back.

[ayoungboy]

"Me too." Merlin whispers. "Now sleep, Arthur. Rest. I'll be here shen you wake up."

[royalpratness]

"Okay." Arthur relaxes his hold around Merlin and falls asleep within a few minutes.

[ayoungboy]

Merlin isn't far behind, falling asleep with a relieved smile.

[royalpratness]

Arthur wakes up in the early hours of the morning, needing a moment to remember why he isn't in his tent. He can't help but smiles, running a hand over Merlin's arm.

[ayoungboy]

Merlin mumbles incoherenty, squeezing Arthur closer when he shifts, still fast asleep.

[royalpratness]

"Merlin." Arthur mutters sleepily, nudging him.