ayoungboy | We found love in a hopeless place

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.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

From:

royalpratness

"All this time I thought you ..." Arthur gives a pressed laugh, ducking his head. "Fuck."

From:

ayoungboy

"Me too. I thought you were - well, I never thought I'd see you again." Merlin swallows hard. "I'm sorry. That I left. It was the worst mistake I've ever made."

From:

royalpratness

"You didn't leave. We separated by mutual agreement." Arthur reaches out, resting his hands on Merlin's shoulders. "Don't apologise."

From:

ayoungboy

"Still the worst mistake of my life." Merlin looks up at him. "I miss you. I - well, I love you. Always have. But you already knew that."

From:

royalpratness

"Yes, I know." Arthur smiles sadly, leaning and and kissing Merlin's forehead.

From:

ayoungboy

Merlin smiles, closing his eyes and just absorbing that for a moment. "I...don't know what you want to do now. I don't know if I can stay away from you."

From:

royalpratness

Arthur sighs again, pulling away and looking at Merlin. "We broke off our engagement for a reason. If there was a gap between us back then, it's a chasm now."

From:

ayoungboy

"Arthur," Merlin gapes a little. "It was a mistake. I've regretted it ever since. I-I don't want to break it off."

"It isn't. I love you."

From:

royalpratness

"You do remember the conversation we had just five minutes ago, do you? We don't have much common ground to work with." Arthur runs his hand down Merlin's arm. "If we let personal feelings interfere with this, it'll be even messier than it already is. My primary responsibility right now is to look after those people who trust me with their lives."

From:

ayoungboy

"You think I'm not worried about that too?"

"But this isn't about that, Arthur. I'm talking about us, right now." Merlin catches his hand, holding it for a moment. "Look me in the eye and tell me that you want this to be over. Tell me that I should take off this ring and get rid of it. Forever."

"Because you can't." Merlin shakes his head. "I can't. Whatever disputes we've had between us, it's not worth losing you."

From:

royalpratness

"And what do you suggest? We fight each other during the day and meet up in secret at night?" Arthur looks down to their joined hands.

From:

ayoungboy

"We're not fighting anymore." Merlin promises quietly. "If anything, we're going to be fighting on the same side soon."

"Maybe. I've already lost you once. Speaking of, I'm going to put a ward on you."

From:

royalpratness

"Do you really believe that? Because I don't." He frowns, pulling his hands away. "You're not going to put any spells on me."

From:

ayoungboy

"Trust me, Arthur - " Merlin hesitates when he pulls away. "There's something I have to tell you."

"It's a ward. It'll protect you. Please." He looks confused. "You don't trust me? Seriously? Why would I ever hurt you?"

From:

royalpratness

"What do you have to tell me?"

Arthur shakes his head, shoulders slumping. "No, I do trust you. I know you wouldn't hurt me." He waves his hands. "Go ahead."

From:

ayoungboy

"You...remember the dark magic faction?" Merlin chews on his lip nervously. "Well they - you must understand that they're not part of my people. They're only holding on until they can find a reason to break off, and try to drag as many people as they can with them. If we can cut off their strength before they - well, that's another discussion. What I have to say is - it's Morgana. She's...leading them."

Merlin smiles a little, relieved, and he cups Arthur's cheek. "Acwele sep mægþ." It will probably just feel like a warm rush to Arthur before it dissipates. Nothing sinister. It'll deflect magical attacks, assist in defending against non-magical attacks (though not completely, not without Merlin in a closer vicinity) and alert Merlin to any trouble Arthur might be in.

From:

royalpratness

Arthur's jaw sets but he doesn't look surprised by this piece of information. "I was afraid you'd say something like that."

He closes his eyes when Merlin casts the spell, smiling when he feels the familiar warmth of his magic sweeping over his body. "Thank you."

From:

ayoungboy

"I tried to help her." Merlin says gently. "To stop her from going down that path but...she wouldn't listen. I'm sorry."

Merlin lets his touch linger, brushing over Arthur's cheek. "No, thank you. I want you safe."

From:

royalpratness

"It's not your fault. She made her choice a long time ago. I always knew that there is no turning back for her."

"I'll be safe, don't worry. I don't think we have to fear violence breaking out for a while. People are still too shocked and exhausted."

From:

ayoungboy

"If there's anything else we can do," Merlin brushes a lock of hair behind Arthur's ear. "Don't hesitate to ask. There's not much out of our ability realm."

Of course, there was only so much energy they had with which to do it. Feeding and healing took up most of their energy. Still, they could do their best.

"So," Merlin finally drops his hand. "...what do you want to do?"

From:

royalpratness

Arthur misses the touch of Merlin's hand immediately when he pulls it back.

"Right now?" He smiles. "I want us to find somewhere nice, preferably with a bed, and spend the night with you."

From:

ayoungboy

"I can do that." Merlin's expression brightens a little himself. "...maybe, later tonight we could...meet. I have to go back and give a report, I'm sure you do too but..."

He looks down at his ring. "Maybe."

Edited Date: 2014-02-02 10:16 pm (UTC)