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]

"Sleep, sweetheart." Merlin smiles softly. "You need the rest."

[royalpratness]

"So do you." Arthur tilts his head, catching Merlin's lips with his own.

[ayoungboy]

Merlin hums, kissing him back warmly.

[royalpratness]

Arthur smiles, settling down again. "Sleep well."

[ayoungboy]

"You too," Merlin murmurs softly.

[royalpratness]

It doesn't take long for Arthur to fall asleep, holding Merlin in his arms.

[ayoungboy]

Merlin sleeps soundly with Arthur close, catching up on well-needed rest.

[royalpratness]

Arthur wakes the next morning to the sound of rain pounding against the windws of their small room. He yawns, snuggling closer against Merlin.

[ayoungboy]

Merlin mumbles incoherently and nuzzles into Arthur's chest.

[royalpratness]

"Hey love." Arthur kisses Merlin's hair.

[ayoungboy]

"Mm..." Merlin sighs, refusing to open his eyes as his arms squeeze a little tighter around Arthur.

[royalpratness]

"It's still early." Arthur is more than happy to stay in bed a little longer.

[ayoungboy]

"Mmhm..." Merlin kisses Arthur's chest. "It is. Too early. Sleep."

[royalpratness]

Arthur yawns and grunts in response, turning on his side and falling back asleep.

[ayoungboy]

Merlin chuckles softly, closing his eyes and continuing to doze lightly against his chest.

[royalpratness]

Arthur wakes up a few hours later again. He rubs his eyes open, realising that it's still raining.

[ayoungboy]

Merlin is still dozing, face slack against Arthur's chest.

[royalpratness]

Arthur rubs a hand over Merlin's back. "Merlin. Wake up."

[ayoungboy]

"Mm?" Merlin mumbles, smiling softly.

[royalpratness]

"We should get up." Arthur yawns, stroking a hand up the back of Merlin's neck.

[ayoungboy]

"Do we have to?" Merlin murmurs, too comfortable to really think about moving.

[royalpratness]

"I'm afraid so, darling." Arthur smiles down at him.

[ayoungboy]

"I just want to stay here with you forever," Merlin sighs.

[royalpratness]

"Yes, me too." Arthur sighs as well, kissing Merlin's hair.

[ayoungboy]

"One day we won't have to get out of bed." Merlin says quietly. "Our honeymoon."