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]

"We should make a schedule for that as soon as possible. I think it's best to meet on neutral territory. I don't want to cause a panic."

[ayoungboy]

"Yes, maybe the same block we met on to discuss terms? Soon, too. I don't know how bad your people are but...I really don't want any more deaths when they could have been preventable."

[royalpratness]

"No, me neither." Arthur agrees. "Maybe we can also use this opportunity for people who are looking for friends and family members to come together?"

[ayoungboy]

"Do you have your list drawn up?"

[royalpratness]

"Yup, all set."

[ayoungboy]

"I'll check and see if my people have finished ours yet."

[royalpratness]

(ooc: uuugh colin. why so hawt. http://yourethevoice.tumblr.com/post/77308131145/charlyjayne-so-today-i-bought-the-new-hunger ))

"Good." Arthur rubs his nose over Merlin's cheek.

[ayoungboy]

(ooc: stAWWWPPPP OH GOD HE'S HANDSOME))

"...you think this place is rubble, now?" Merlin tilts his head towards Arthur, curling into his side.

[royalpratness]

(ooc: HE IS. UUGH.)

"I'm afraid so. That part of the city got hit pretty hard." Arthur sighs deeply. "I miss it. I didn't realise that until now."

[ayoungboy]

"We'll get an even nicer place." Merlin promises, stroking Arthur's hair lightly. "And we can always visit...here."

[royalpratness]

"Once the city is rebuild, maybe. Under the current circumstances, that'll take a long time. We better get used to tents."

[ayoungboy]

"After I marry you proper, we will." Merlin promises stubbornly. "Tents are temporary. Can't say how long temporary is, but they're temporary."

[royalpratness]

"I'm glad you're so sure about this." Arthur gives a wonky smile.

[ayoungboy]

"I've had a while to think about it."

[royalpratness]

"Yeah." Arthur strokes a hand through Merlin' hair.

[ayoungboy]

"So! What should we do tonight? We can go...anywhere you can imagine."

[royalpratness]

"I'm quite happy here, to be honest." Arthur smiles.

[ayoungboy]

"Want to...watch a movie?"

[royalpratness]

"God, I haven't done that in years." He chuckles and nods. "Yeah, let's do that."

[ayoungboy]

"We can see anything either of us have already seen."

[royalpratness]

"James Bond?" It was the movie they'd watched on one of their very first dates.

[ayoungboy]

Merlin's smile widens, and the TV switches on with a flash of gold.

[royalpratness]

Arthur pulls Merlin closer against him. "This feels pretty realistic... for a dream."

[ayoungboy]

"You're welcome," Merlin winks, kissing at Arthur's neck lightly. "It's a memory. I'm just extrapolating it and...controling it so your subconscious doesn't bother us."

[royalpratness]

"Very impressive." Arthur takes Merlin's hand into his.