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 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."

[bitchprince]

"Yes, Merlin, I was planning to catch some furry fish with all the hunting gear I haven't had you bring," Arthur said, dryly. He still wasn't quite moving; still a little on the tired end of things, but at least no longer as prompted to start babbling.

For now, anyway.

"But it might make for an engaging trip."

[bigdamndestiny.livejournal.com]

"I could catch them if you wanted," Merlin pointed out with a quick grin.

[bitchprince]

"Don't tell me you can catch furry fish with your magic." Why, that might have actually sounded like one of these days he was capable of putting a laugh back in his voice, there.

[bigdamndestiny.livejournal.com]

Merlin smirked and nodded. "I haven't tried before, but it shouldn't be too difficult, right?"

[bitchprince]

"With your luck," Arthur told him, finally struggling up to his feet, "You'll wind up throwing a tree at one of those blue deer."

[bigdamndestiny.livejournal.com]

"I would not!" Merlin sputtered. "I have not since I was a child."

Meaning since he left Ealdor.