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

"The building with the flag poles in front?" Arthur nods. "Shall we meet in the lobby at eleven?"

From:

ayoungboy

"Okay," Merlin breatthes, scarcely believeing this is real, hat this could honestly be happening. That he would be able to see Arthur again - he nods jerkily. "I'll be there."

From:

royalpratness

"Okay. I'll see you later." One of this guards is already standing in the doorway and so Arthur merely squeezes Merlin's shoulder as he turns.

From:

ayoungboy

Merlin nods, watching him go. It almost pains him to let Arthur walk out the door, but he does, taking comfort in the fact that he'd know if anything bad happened.

From:

royalpratness

Arthur and his men hurry to get back to their camp before nightfall. Arthur orders a council meeting for the following day to discuss the new developments with them. After eating dinner, he returns to his tent and waits. Finally, under the cover of the night, he makes his way back to the city, not wanting be late.

From:

ayoungboy

Merlin's about ten minutes late, appearing with a burst of magic. "...hello?"

There was a problem back at the magical camp with some conflicting parties and a strange hex they had to disable.

From:

royalpratness

"I was starting to think you wouldn't show." Arthur admits, looking weary as he gets up from where he had been waiting.

From:

ayoungboy

"I wouldn't miss it for the world." Merlin approaches slowly, smile widening when he sees Arthur. "There was a hold up back at the camp, but it's all fine, now. We're preparing the supplies you asked for."

From:

royalpratness

"That's good to hear. I'm meeting with my council tomorrow to discuss details." Arthur takes another step forward, reaching his arms out for Merlin.

From:

ayoungboy

"Mine agreed to the terms we set." Merlin says, wrapping his arms around Arthur's neck.

From:

royalpratness

"Okay." Arthur murmurs, bringing his arms around Merlin's back. "No more 'business' talk now, yeah?"

From:

ayoungboy

"Yeah." Merlin smiles, kissing Arthur's cheek. "I can't believe you're alive. I must be dreaming. Don't wake me up?"

From:

royalpratness

"I won't." Arthur chuckles. "Promise." He looks around and grins. "Shall we find a room? Unless, of course, you'd like to spend the night here in the lobby."

From:

ayoungboy

"A room works fine," Merlin laughs, tugging at Arthur playfully and nodding towards the stairs. "C'mon, you."

From:

royalpratness

"Coming." Arthur follows Merlin up the stairs in the search for a suitable room. Most of them have been ransacked by people looking for supplies. Eventually, they find a small room at the end of a corridor that appears to be mostly clean. "This one?"

From:

ayoungboy

The bed is still made, at least, and Merlin nods eagerly, threading his fingers with Arthur's. "Looks perfect."

From:

royalpratness

Arthur closes the door behind them, grinning wickedly as he rounds on Merlin, pressing him up against the door. "I'm so glad you're here." He leans forward, kissing Merlin deeply.

From:

ayoungboy

"Me too," Merlin's hands runs over Arthur's chest, down his sides, making sure he's solid and real as warm lips meet his. "I love you so much..."

From:

royalpratness

"I love you too." Arthur says, smiling against Merlin's lips. "God, when I thought I had lost you..."

From:

ayoungboy

"I heard about the city..." Merlin shivers. "Thank god you made it out..."

From:

royalpratness

"Yeah, barely." Arthur presses his lips against the side of Merlin's neck. "I got out half an hour before they closed everything off."

From:

ayoungboy

Merlin tips his head back with a soft sound if want. "I thought about you all the time..."

From:

royalpratness

"I hope so." Arthur smirks, releasing Merlin, only to walk him backwards towards the bed.

From:

ayoungboy

Merlin's knees hit the bed, and he pulls Arthur down with him. "You're really here. God, don't know if I'll ever get over that."

From:

royalpratness

Arthur laughs, landing on top of Merlin, kissing him again. "Oh I'm sure you will. Just wait until we get into our next argument and you'll find yourself wishing that a building had crashed on me."