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]

"Unfortunately, yes." Arthur nods. "Is it possible to fall asleep in a dream?"

[ayoungboy]

"Yes but...am I putting you to sleep?" Merlin blinks.

[royalpratness]

"No, darling. Of course not." Arthur smiles.

[ayoungboy]

"If you want to sleep that's fine," Merlin assures.

[royalpratness]

"I'm already sleeping, technically." Arthur nuzzles Merlin's jaw.

[ayoungboy]

Merlin laughs, stroking Arthur's hair. "Your body is resting, but your mind isn't."

[royalpratness]

"That makes sense." He hadn't really thought about it yet. "Then let's just rest for now and postpone any nakedness to later this evening, in the real world."

[ayoungboy]

"Alright," Merlin agrees, stroking down his chest. "You're really tired, huh? Lot on your plate."

[royalpratness]

"Way too much, yeah." Arthur smiles wryly. "But I'm sure the same is true for you."

[ayoungboy]

"Yeah, but I've always been a night owl? Life of a writer." Merlin nuzzles into his neck.

[royalpratness]

"Yes, you always kept odd times." Arthur hums, allowing himself to close his eyes again.

[ayoungboy]

"Still sorry for that time I woke you up at four to read you that poetry. It just couldn't wait."

[royalpratness]

"To read me terrible poetry you mean. It was awful." Arthur grins.

[ayoungboy]

"You're awful!" Merlin pouts. "It was fantastic."

[royalpratness]

"It was shit." Arthur laughs, teasing Merlin.

[ayoungboy]

"I worked hard on that for you! Ungrateful ass."

[royalpratness]

"I'm sorry." Arthur laughs. "You know I never really appreciated your poetry. I believe it was one of the reasons we broke up eventually."

[ayoungboy]

"My poetry wasn't a reason to break up!" Merlin makes a face at him. "You used it as a cheap shot, I remember."

[royalpratness]

"Okay, then let's say that the fundamental difference between us when it came to things like poetry, was the reason." Arthur kisses him gently.

[ayoungboy]

"You stop it now. I can put up with your shower singing, tou can put up with my poetry." Merlin shoves at his shoulder playfully.

[royalpratness]

"Fair enough." Arthur chuckles, kissing him again.

[ayoungboy]

Merlin cups Arthur's chin, kissing him back happily.

[royalpratness]

Somewhere at the periphery of his mind, Arthur can hear voices. "Uh, I think somebody is looking for me. I might wake up in a minute."

[ayoungboy]

"I should go, then. Bit painful to be kicked out of your head." Merlin kisses him once more. "See you tonight?"

[likespie]

"Yes, I'll see you later." Arthur brings his hand to Merlin cheeks when he everything around him turns dark and he opens his eyes, finding himself alone in his tent again.