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]

"Yeah." Merlin sighs. "And get a proper jail or something. Although...some people have been clamoring for the death penalty."

[royalpratness]

"I've never been a fan of the death penalty." Arthur rests his head on Merlin's shoulder. "What do you think?"

[ayoungboy]

"I think it depends." Merlin shrugs a little. "It's not the first thing I'd like to jump to, no. But some of these criminals are...they're not people you'd want to be released. Ever."

[royalpratness]

"No, I know. We don't really have the capacities to jail anybody for life at this point."

[ayoungboy]

"We do have the capacity for humane execution." Merlin makes a face. Humane execution. Pretty ironic phrase. "Potions and such. Makes it painless."

[royalpratness]

Arthur shudders at the thought. "Can we discuss this later?"

[ayoungboy]

"Of course." Merlin kisses him softly. "I just hope Percival is okay."

[royalpratness]

"I'm sure he is." Arthur kisses him back, smiling against Merlin's lips.

[ayoungboy]

"Hmm..." Merlin nips playfully a his bottom lip. "What should we do tonight, huh?"

[royalpratness]

"I'd suggest something that doesn't require clothes." Arthur grins.

[ayoungboy]

"That sounds wonderful." Merlin purrs happily. "Just what I wanted."

[royalpratness]

"I thought so." Arthur strokes a hand over Merlin's back.

[ayoungboy]

"Bed?" Merlin strokes his fingers through Arthur's hair.

[royalpratness]

"Yeah, bed." Arthur takes Merlin's hand again and gets up, walking them into the bedroom.

[ayoungboy]

It looks the same as they left it, and Merlin smiles a little, pleased with his magic.

[royalpratness]

"I hope it's as comfortable as I remember." Arthur lets himself fall backwards down onto the bed. "Yup. Perfect."

[ayoungboy]

"Well it's our memory." Merlin laughs, collapsig next to him.

[royalpratness]

"Pretty impressive that you can recreate it from just that." Arthur rolls onto his side, facing Merlin.

[ayoungboy]

"It's a simple enough trick," Merlin says modestly. "The, ah...sensations are going to be from memory too."

[likespie]

"Oh I think that'll do." Arthur chuckles, pulling Merlin into his arms.

[ayoungboy]

Merlin chuckles and kisses Arthur warmly, fingers running through his hair.

[royalpratness]

"You know, I'm feeling terribly selfish." He sighs, pressing in closer.

[ayoungboy]

"Selfish?" Merlin murmurs curiously.

[royalpratness]

"Yeah. I wish I could hand over all the responsibility to someone else and just run away with you."

[ayoungboy]

"Mm...well you can. In your dreams." Merlin smiles softy.