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]

"As if." Arthur pulls away just enough to kiss Merlin again properly.

[ayoungboy]

Merlin hums against his lips, tracing his tongue over the seam.

[royalpratness]

Arthur pulls back, smiling apologetically. "We should really go." He lets go of Merlin and takes a step back.

[ayoungboy]

"I'll see you tonight in your dreams." Merlin promises.

[royalpratness]

"I'm looking forward to it." Arthur smiles and starts walking down the stairs, towards the exit.

[ayoungboy]

Merlin disappears, back to his camp and a long fay.

[royalpratness]

It takes Arthur quite long to get back to his camp and thanks to the ongoing rain, he's completely soaked. By late afternoon, he's coughing and his throat starts hurting. At least the oncoming cold gives him an excuse to turn in early and so he's fast asleep by 7pm that night.

[ayoungboy]

Merlin enters Arthur's dream at about 8, after the council meeting. At first, he just leaves it blank - their surroundings. He can fill Arthur's head with anything, though, to set the backdrop. "Hey."

[royalpratness]

"Hey." Arthur frowns. "Wow, this is weird."

[ayoungboy]

"I can change the background." Merlin offers. "To anything. Our apartment? The park?"

[royalpratness]

"The appartment." Arthur says without having to think about. He missed the place a lot.

[ayoungboy]

Merlin smiles, and in a flash, their surroundings reform themselves. It looks...exactly how he remembered it. "That's better."

[likespie]

"Much." Arthur agrees, sitting down on their sofa. "I think I've caught a cold."

[ayoungboy]

"A cold?" Merlin sits down next to him.

[royalpratness]

"Yeah it was raining when I walked back to the camp."

[ayoungboy]

"Oh dear," Merlin frowns. "Would you like me to heal it up?"

[royalpratness]

"Can you do that?" Arthur asks, surprised. "In here?"

[ayoungboy]

"I can try." It'll take more power, but.

[royalpratness]

"No, I don't want you to exhaust yourself further." Arthur takes Merlin's hand in his.

[ayoungboy]

"And I don't want you to be sick, sweetheart." Merlin smiles gently.

[royalpratness]

"It's fine. A cold won't kill me." Arthur assures him.

[ayoungboy]

"I still want to heal you," Merlin insists.

[royalpratness]

Arthur rolls his eyes, knowing how stubborn Merlin can be. "Okay, fine."

[ayoungboy]

Merlin curls into Arthur's side, laying a hand over his chest. "Good."

[royalpratness]

Arthur closes his eyes, waiting for Merlin to heal him.