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]

Merlin slides his tongue against Arthur's lips, passing him the soap.

[royalpratness]

Arthur takes the soap from Merlin and returning the favour of washing his body. "When do you think we'll be able to meet next?"

[ayoungboy]

"Well, not tonight. My naked bonfire dancing will take up the entire evening." Merlin jokes.

[royalpratness]

"Of course." Arthur grins. "But yeah, we should be careful. It'll look suspicious if we disappear every night."

[ayoungboy]

"Maybe for you. I can cover my tracks." Merlin kisses him again softly. "But honestly, I'm available whenever."

[royalpratness]

"I'm not, unfortunately." Arthur runs his soapy hands over Merlin's back. "I wish mobile phones were still working. Would make life easier."

[ayoungboy]

"...I can try to visit you in a dream." Merlin offers. It takes a lot of magic, but... "You have to be in a deep sleep, though."

[royalpratness]

"But that wouldn't help me reaching you." Arthur points out.

[ayoungboy]

"No. But...we could still see each other for a bit." Merlin smiles and shrugs. "I'll know if you're ever in danger."

[royalpratness]

"I'd prefer to see you in person." Arthur crouches down, washing Merlin's legs.

[ayoungboy]

"Me too." Merlin admits, laughing a little when Arthur crouches. It tickles!

[royalpratness]

Arthur presses a kiss to Merlin's knee. "We'll figure something out."

[ayoungboy]

Merlin runs his fingers lightly through Arthur's hair. "Of course."

[royalpratness]

Arthur gets back to his feet, smiling. "We can use the dream visits to figure out a date and place for our next meeting."

[ayoungboy]

"Alright. Maybe I can scout out a restaurant that's still in tact and we can actually go on a date."

[royalpratness]

"And who'd do the cooking?" Arthur grins.

[ayoungboy]

"My magic," Merlin laughs. "Don't worry, I wouldn't make you lift a finger."

[royalpratness]

"Sounds like a good deal." Arthur turns the water off and hands Merlin a towel.

[ayoungboy]

Merlin accepts the towel with a smile and lets his eyes fade back to their regular shade.

[royalpratness]

Arthur steps out of the shower, grabbing a towel and drying himself off.

[ayoungboy]

Merlin decides to come up behind him and ruffle his hair.

[royalpratness]

Arthur tilts his head, smiling at Merlin. "Gosh, how I've missed you."

[ayoungboy]

"Missed you too, sweetheart." Merlin leans in to kiss his cheek. "Never leaving you again, yeah?"

[royalpratness]

"That's the plan, yes." Arthur finishes drying himself off and gets dressed again.

[ayoungboy]

"We'll find a flat and everything. Move in like we planned."