Secluded Part of the Preserve, Early Sunday Morning

[bigdamndestiny]

A ride into the preserve was just what was needed in the early morning. Before the heat of the day would even start to kick in and everything was still and quiet from the night before.

The only things awake with them, it seemed, were the horses and the occasional teal deer that just stared as they passed. It was still a bit unnerving if you asked Merlin.

"It's almost like being home here."

[[For that guy with the hair]]

Comments

[bigdamndestiny.livejournal.com]

"You are not your father. Nor are you killing these people."

Merlin was.

"I do not kill what I fear. Only what is a threat to you," Merlin added quietly. "I don't--"

He did fear. Some things. Losing a loved one. Not the things he ought to, though.

[bitchprince]

"I want to give second chances, Merlin," Arthur said, eying his boot, "And I hardly want to wind up thinking everything strange is a threat."

Also like Uther. It'd only taken him over half a year in another time to be able to say these things aloud.

[bigdamndestiny.livejournal.com]

"Very well," Merlin replied quietly. "Then I will simply keep watch."

[bitchprince]

"I just wish..."

He tore his eyes off his boots and glanced up at the canopy. "Nevermind."

[bigdamndestiny.livejournal.com]

"Tell me."

[bitchprince]

That his father could manage to be proud of him if he chose to be different? That he didn't sometimes have the niggling feeling he was going to surpass his father, and he didn't know what to do about it? That he could believe it the few times his father claimed to be proud of him?

"Such a girl," Arthur muttered, shooting him a quick glance. "I wish Camelot was better," is what he said, at last, "I wish it could do more. I wish we didn't burn innocent girls for trying to save their parents and I wish I could knight whatever man I please, regardless of their birth. I wish every man's life was considered worthy of saving. I wish-- wishes weren't so bloody pointless."

[bigdamndestiny.livejournal.com]

"You will have the power to change that," Merlin pointed out. "Someday."

He didn't add a 'hopefully soon' because he knew it wouldn't be. Arthur was not yet ready.

"It could be something like how everyone here seems to think it is."

[bitchprince]

"Someday," he echoed, "But I stand in service to the laws of Camelot."

And his father would have to die.

He closed his eyes and rubbed his eyelids. "I don't even know why I'm talking about any of this."

[bigdamndestiny.livejournal.com]

"Because it needs to be said?" Merlin suggested. "There are many things we've never talked about."

[bitchprince]

"There's only so much I can do," he said, tiredly. Like keeping Morgana out of the dungeons. "Everything else is just-- talking into the wind."

He couldn't stop thinking about his father, this week.

[bigdamndestiny.livejournal.com]

"Then let me help you," Merlin asked, sudden;y moving closer to put an hand on Arthur's arm.

[bitchprince]

Arthur glanced up, first at his eyes, then at the hand on his arm. He actually wasn't much sure what to say, with varying impulses going from don't be ridiculous to how? failing to find somewhere to settle.

[bigdamndestiny.livejournal.com]

"I have not, nor will I leave you side without death pulling me from it." Which, you know, was actually a common thing for them, so... "Just let me help you."

[bitchprince]

Arthur's eyes might have flicked up to a slightly lower part of Merlin's face for all of a few seconds before he shook it off.

"Such as how, Merlin?"

It was a nice one in the middle of all of his impulses.

[bigdamndestiny.livejournal.com]

"Talk to me. I'm not nearly as idiotic as you seem to think," Merlin said with a touch of humor.

[bitchprince]

"Now that's news to me," Arthur returned, in like kind. "I... talk to you."

Now that he was on the verge of nearly suffering a complete meltdown and he couldn't keep up his epic Strong in the Face of Fandom face anymore.

[bigdamndestiny.livejournal.com]

"You--we hadn't since the magic," Merlin replied, making a bit of a face at the memory. "But you're right. We are now."

Somehow his hand managed to make it's way up to his shoulder during this.

[bitchprince]

"So stop being such a girl about it," Arthur offered, half-heartedly, even if the corner of his mouth pulled up just a little when Merlin's hand touched down on his shoulder. "There's plenty of those around, and only one foolish manservant."

[bigdamndestiny.livejournal.com]

"Plenty of girls?" Merlin asked with a grin. Hand made it's way to that spot where shoulder and neck met and god help him, he wasn't having trouble pulling away.

[bitchprince]

"Incredibly frustrating girls," Arthur replied. He probably wasn't helping by failing to pull away, but at least he wasn't leaning into it as some of his muscles insisted they wanted to. "They make you look almost decent in comparison."

Look, there was a compliment in there somewhere.

[bigdamndestiny.livejournal.com]

His thumb brushed idly over Arthur's neck. "High compliments from you, my lord."

[bitchprince]

He did lean into the touch for a single split little second (or two split seconds, or maybe three), then;

On the next, he'd hunched forwards, leaving nothing but his back in range of Merlin's hand.

[bigdamndestiny.livejournal.com]

Merlin blinked, shaking himself out of whatever that had been.

"I--" He cleared his throat. "What next?"

[bitchprince]

"We should take the horses a little further up north," Arthur said, casting a look towards them. He fiddled with his own hands for a moment. Needed something to do with them again. "See if we can't find the lake with those furry fish Lady Blysse is so pleased about."

[bigdamndestiny.livejournal.com]

"And then what?" Merlin gave him a skeptical look. "I hope you don't want to eat them."