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

Ewwww oh god no xP

[ayoungboy]

"Someone who wanted to do a great deal of damage in the shortest amount of time."

XD

[royalpratness]

"That's just sick." Arthur offers Merlin his hand.

[ayoungboy]

"I know. But people are still...uncooperative."

[royalpratness]

"So you said." Arthur gently tugs Merlin up the stairs with him. "It's the same in our camp. You always have a bunch of radical idiots in every group."

[ayoungboy]

"i just wish we could find a way to establish enough order tha hey'fe not as dangerous."

[royalpratness]

"We will, in time. Let's hope there won't be any major incidents in the meantime."

[ayoungboy]

"Yes," Merlin muses, as they tumble into the room. "Let's hope."

[royalpratness]

"We need to talk about the prosecution of the criminals. This should be dealt with as soon as possible."

[ayoungboy]

"I think - half and half jury. You and I pick, people we know will be open-minded in honestly considering the crimes. You and I can switch off on judge? I'm sorry to say I'm not sure how else to make the judge fair; and as far as I know, we don't have any qualified judges or lawyers anymore."

[royalpratness]

"No, we don't. Your idea sounds like the next best thing, really. There's only so much we can do under the circumstances."

[ayoungboy]

"Oh, people will be decrying us for centuries." Merlin sighs, pulling Arthur to the bed.

[royalpratness]

Arthur pulls a face, following Merlin onto the bed. "You think so?"

[ayoungboy]

"Probably. Criticizing us for not doing it better, but we don't have another way."

[royalpratness]

"No, we really don't. I think I can live with going down in history as an asshole, as long as it helps us now." Arthur smiles wryly.

[ayoungboy]

"We'll last together?" Merlin laughs.

[royalpratness]

"Yes, at least that's something." Arthur grins, cupping Merlin's jaw and kissing him gently.

[ayoungboy]

"Mm, they'll write epics about us sleeping with the enemy," Merlin nibbles at Arthur's lip.

[royalpratness]

"Oh you're right! I almost forgot about that part." Arthur strokes his hand over Merlin's head.

[ayoungboy]

"It'll be like Romeo and Juliet but much, much gayer."

[royalpratness]

Arthur frowns. "And hopefully it'll end less tragic."

[ayoungboy]

"I think we're past the tragic bit," Merlin snuggles up close. "But I don't plan on chowing down on any poison."

[royalpratness]

"You better not." Arthur settles down next to Merlin, wrapping an arm firmly around him.

[ayoungboy]

"I'm good," Merlin assures, sliding their legs together.

[royalpratness]

"So the next step would be to prosecute the war criminals?" Arthur asks, gently stroking Merlin's back.

[ayoungboy]

"Yes," Merlin closes his eyes, humming quietly. "I'm sorry to say we don't exactly have the facilities to jail them."