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]

"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."

[royalpratness]

"Nor do we." Arthur brushes his lips over Merlin's forehead. "Building such a facility would take way too long."

[ayoungboy]

"...some of the crimes are...people have asked for the death penalty." Merlin informs him quietly.

[royalpratness]

"I know. It's something we need to consider." He sighs.

[ayoungboy]

"Depending on the crime...in some cases, I'm inclined to agree," Merlin admits. "Not all of the prisoners are that bad but...you know what I mean."

[royalpratness]

"Yes, I know. I'm not keen on being judge over life or dead but again, I'm afraid we don't have a choice."

[ayoungboy]

"Honestly, I think most of the ones who don't deserve such ends have already served their time in our holding, you know?"

[royalpratness]

"Yes, probably." Arthur closes his eyes. "Let's postpone this discussion to an official meeting."

[ayoungboy]

"Mmhm," Merlin's eyes flutter open, and he traces his lips over Arthur's neck. "But you had a nice day, otherwise?"

[royalpratness]

"It was fucking terrible, actually." Arthur chuckles, not opening his eyes.

[ayoungboy]

"What happened?" Merlin starts kissing down his neck, over his collarbone, everywhere he can reach, gentle and sensual.

[royalpratness]

"There was a bit of a riot in one part of the camp and I had to mediate. More and more people start leaving, hoping that they'll find a better and safer place to stay." Arthur sighs.

[ayoungboy]

"I thought...other countries closed their borders?" Merlin murmurs, in between kisses.

[royalpratness]

"I don't think they want to go quite that far. Just somewhere to the countryside, I suppose."

[ayoungboy]

"I guess it's quiet? Oh, dear." Merlin nibbles on Arthur's shoulder lightly.

[royalpratness]

"Mm?" Arthur opens his eyes, looking at Merlin. "I think they're just mostly scared. There have been a lot of incidents lately."

[ayoungboy]

"There have been. But we're so very close to the path to recovery."

[royalpratness]

"I really hope so. People are so scared."