#THE ONCE AND FUTURE KING AND QUEEN AND THEIR WARLOCK EMRYS

[gd-dollopole]

The historians would be at the their doors twenty for seven, Gwen actually has to take bodyguards and managers to manage their interviews and stuff. Every interview then gets even more chaotic (Merlin’s already as we can see was pretty much crazy, LIKE, ARTHUR SCREAMING IN THE BACKGROUND, I CACKLED😭)

Everyone thirst for Leon, obvs, so he has a fandom, because “ he looks like the only sane on” (he isn’t) Arthur doesn’t understand Youtube, and asks Merlin, who was able to apologise and come to term with the fact that he is an idiot. It would be funny if Merlin remembers everything during an interview and he’s like,

“So there was this king and he was sort of a prat—wait… How do I know?” *everyone waiting on their sofas in their houses watching this live*

“There is someone—oh.”

Because at this point everyone knows their stories (Gwaine may or may not have spilled something during an Instagram live when he was drunk, Elyan recording him and laughing because what can you do? I love them as a chaotic duo, and Percival the boyfriend trying to calm down his man and his man’s bestie) and so they wait. Gwen is basically cursing every manager and bodyguard because they let MERLIN!!! OF ALL PEOPLE!!! HAVE AN INTERVIEW!!! AGAIN!!! And so she is calling people left and right while watching the telly, AND THEN LEON!!! HE BAKES! So he has important people in the house in the mean time and while the queen and his current wife goes batshit crazy, LEON IS SERVING BISCUITS WITH AN APRON ON!!!😭

And Arthur? Oh, Arthur is watching the live WITH A CAMERA ON AND HE DOESN’T KNOW IT’S LIVE!!!

He was on Youtube, trying to understand how that shit worked, and he was alone and he was thankful for that because no one wanted to leave him alone with technology BUT NOW HE CAN LOOK!!! So he put play on a live and doesn’t understand why the entirety of the United fucking Kingdom can see him and tells him shit like “what’s that behind you?” So while he’s scared and he’s also watching the tv with the phone recording him, the silence of the entire world is basically palpable and then Merlin widens his eyes, stays silent, a million images flashing back, his mark brightening up, and he goes,

“FUCK! THAT’S MY PRAT!”

And then he transports himself to Arthur’s house (who is live but doesn’t know. Everyone noticed, Gwaine is recording the live too)

only for him to tackle down Arthur on the sofa and kiss the shit out of him, and confess all his feelings and they cry and they’re a mess and meanwhile the UK is watching with pop-corns in hand like “FUCK, if that isn’t the Once and Future king shagging his hot man and also the most powerful warlock to ever walk the earth”

They keep going at it, while Gwen screams in the phone “ABORT MISSION! ABORT MISSION!”

Leon doesn’t understand shit because he’s still serving biscuits BUT THE WHOLE WORLD IS GONE AND THE REPORTERS ARE WATCHING THE MERTHUR MAKING OUT SESSION LIVE AND THEY GO, “Well, we have a clear image of Emrys the Great biting down on The Once and Future King’s neck—Oh, I’m so going to get a promotion—ZOOM IN, ROBERT!

*Robert zooms in*

Au where merthur have soulmate identifying mark but merlin is the only one who know they are because if Arthur knew he would find out about his magic 👀 (arthur's mark being a beautiful dragon mainly on on his back but its tall is draped on his torso, a wing stretch on his right shoulder, another end on his hip and its head rest upon his stomach. As if it were jealousy protecting him. its scale are of a blue so dark it nearly look black. It has golden eye and tread of gold on is horn, gold shimmer on its body highlighting its scale at some place.

It screams powerful sorcerer.)

And thus it doesn't change anything from the show. Merlin doesn't tell him not even at the very end (Merlin's mark is a smaller red dragon with its head on his shoulder and who is is holding itself on his shoulder)

It would be very angsty but also SO FUNNY if in a post return futur where arthur (Gwen, the knights) are very confuse and lost but luckily for them there exist multiple center for "People who got Teleported at the wrong place/Bought back from the dead? We are here to help!/ your five yo drank a weird potion? No problem! Etc" basically Magic help center.

Just imagine basic social worker sorcerers who tries to do their job at 3 am and see THE Emrys mark ™ on a random dude and they are like *gasp*.

Them : what the fuck

Arthur :???

Them :WHAT THE FUCK

the others :????

Them : we are calling your soulmate RIGHT NOW. WHAT THE FUCK should I call the government too???? I'M NOT PAY ENOUGH FOR THIS.

Arthur : my???

Them : YOU. DO NOT MOVE IF I LOSE YOU I'M DEAD. DEAD.

You can imagine arthur pendragon pacing like a 13 years old stressed before an oral presentation because even if he was afraid then thought he globally didn't really care about his soulmate. He realised that it wasn't so much that he didn't care but he thought it would simply never be so he just... Kinda forgot about it. Now he just can not put it away because is soulmate IS coming and WHERE IS MERLIN WHEN HE NEEDS HIM (he is blocking any thoughts about Merlin potential dead thank you very much)

(Gwen is currently finding the situation extremely funny because she figured out in 5x13 and she is 80 yo (in a younger body but still) . And she is waaaayyyyyy to old to see her former husband stay in his denial.

Leon is 78 years old and he is slowly recognising the dragon in question that look very much like Merlin's family crest. He is looking at his wife in a very conspiracy way.

Gwaine is currently not really giving a damn about the whole soulmate thing. What do you MEAN you can send messages to people in less that a second?!?!?

Elyan would usually not give a damn but he is very much not happy ™ to find out that his sister (first) husband had a soulmate mark who isn't dead and he is glaring at Arthur but he is also getting a hug from gwen so it doesn't look menacing at all.

Perceval (57) is right behind Gwaine but he is currently watching himself in the mirror because seeing his younger self again is weird asf

Meanwhile Lancelot is talking with the assistant (on the verge of a break down because they are going to see the GOD OF MAGIC OH MY GOD) about magical history

[merlinemrys]

i’m actually so normal about mergwenthur 🙄 (is actively going criminally insane)

[polockski]

BBC Merlin (2008 TV series) - 𝕰𝖝𝖈𝖆𝖑𝖎𝖇𝖚𝖗 S01:E09

[brawltogethernow]

I suppose the next step then is "BBC Merlin but it's SpideyTorch"

Oh my god. TEACHER, TEACHER, SHE’S TARGETING ME okay okay uh.

Peter, secret warlock, goes to Camelot with his mother figure, May, who does not know about the warlock thing because it kicked in when he was a teenager and they both strategically decline to tell each other things. Gaius is Reed, who was the court sorcerer and is now the court scientist. (He’s not an old man except spiritually where he has been a senile professor since he was 19.) He literally didn’t change anything he was doing, considering science and magic as different points on one spectrum anyway-- No. That’s Doom’s schtick. DOOM was the court sorcerer, and was fired. He is upset about it. Reed is just a science guy but worked extensively with Victor, so he’s kind of useful, but not as useful as Peter was hoping.

I know very little about Sue and Johnny’s dad except that he’s a supervillain who...faked his death, revealed himself, and then died for real like 12 hours later? Did he also fake his wife’s death at some point? Would he do a mad king magic ban thing? Idk but for plot purposes we’ll say yes. They conveniently already share Arthur’s dead mom syndrome. Maybe their aunt whose name is different depending on what issue you’re reading is also here just to convolute the court drama. Wait no didn’t Arthur have a shady uncle show up after like five seasons. She.

Peter is very talented at finicky, specific magical formulas. (Reed: :) )But in practice he really prefers to just slam out a big wave of power, and if that doesn’t solve the problem, repeat until it does. (Reed: :( ) He gives this a go at the beginning of sorting out any problem, like restarting your glitching computer, and if it doesn’t work the problem is complicated enough to be an episode plot.

So obviously I’m still gonna do secret identity shit? Peter saves the young prince and heir’s life and is rewarded with a second job; he only came here for job reasons and you’re all lucky he doesn’t turn down paying jobs otherwise he’d be having some words with the king. Peter also accidentally becomes a masked vigilante out in the town. His very existence is illegal because he’s obviously doing magic! They keep sending his boss out to hunt him down, and their eyes are always locking dramatically and shit in brief silent stare-offs from opposite ends of the street in thunder storms at sunset until Johnny’s horse rears and breaks the eye contact causing Peter to snap out of it and flee. You know how it is.

Sue is older than Johnny and thus older than the magic ban, so she responded to it by going “:) That’s nice, Dad” and socking away a bunch of books before they could go on the fire, and now she’s just a sorceress on the dl. This is approx. a first season finale reveal, because her real superpower is being able to keep her mouth the hell shut. I literally cannot with how nobody in Merlin ever exchanges information, so shortly after Peter and Reed learn this they exchange secrets, like sane people, which opens up their resources a bit.

That said Sue is an extra legitimate royal, not the Morgana equivalent. Maybe Gwen should be Gwen, especially since I have thought Gwen/Johnny/Peter has potential since reading Spider-Man/Fantastic Four (which if you read an earlier ask, I recommend if you want to see new art of Gwen being mean in hair clips). But Peter/Gwen and Merlin/Freya are like...same energy except the latter wasn’t as well done. And Merlin’s Guinevere honestly more reminds me of Betty. Morgana--

(wheeze)

(cough)

Okay I thought this trying to reconcile as much of the cast as possible and I now can’t unthink it so. The king’s ward is Dorrie Evans. Yes she goes nebulously sapphic evil witch queen. Sure she was an unpleasant teenager and readers hate her, but you know what, I’ll simp, whatever. Let Dorrie poison some people. In a cape. This feels natural to me. Also Betty Brant and Dorrie Evans???? Betty/Dorrie vibes???? I guess!!!!

So like. The thing where Arthur gets mystically whammied by love potions once a month, except also Johnny’s normal relationship-anticipating giddiness happening organically mixed in, the part before he actually starts dating someone and becomes immediately depressed. Peter is in the bg sarcastically dismissing magical incidents saying he can’t even tell the difference, and Reed is like 😬 Please Check Anyway. Peter’s not, haha, Peter’s not jealous, Johnny is just an idiot, and, okay maybe Peter is a little jealous! But it doesn’t matter because the prince is going to marry some noble and--

Reed: Prince Johnathan is a bit like a little brother to me, so Please Stop Telling Me About Your Problems.

Reed/Sue is reciprocated but on permanent hold for class reasons. Spideytorch is in the same boat except they’re also stupid and working it out by dating their way through the whole country, except Peter is actually into that and Johnny is not.

The dragon is...Ezekiel?????? That’s the right level of wise wry mentor who’s very shady and will kill you, so he’s a dragon now. And when he tells Peter he’s the (other) chosen one, Peter full stop doesn’t believe him. This disbelief goes on extensively. Peter is not a fate-oriented person. Johnny would love to hear about the fate thing, but no one will tell him.

Literally I’m just going to add more chronologically unmoored medievalish shit to Merlin now to cram more of the cast in. There’s some kind of town crier/herald outfit, and Jonah is their boss. He’s just out in the road yelling sometimes even though he can delegate that. The buglers otherwise known as Bugle staff named Peter’s vigilante persona the Spider, which was supposed to sound menacing but is in practice also cool. This is out-of-universe fairly equivalent to Merlin’s real name as a neat two-syllable animal word and possible title. In-universe maybe I’d elbow out Emrys and just use this. Merlin is already very servants-don’t-work-like-that, so Betty just also has two jobs for no reason so she can knock elbows with them.

MJ is the court jester and knows absolutely everything, which is a dramatic mid-game reveal that isn’t exactly foreshadowed so much as always possible while carefully obscured from the viewer (the reader). Before this she’s already a Wise Fool, Shakespeare-ways archetype character, it’s just not clear how much. She is the most important character in Homestuck Merlin Spider.

Every ship is real for at least 30 seconds. Most of the extended FF cast are either magical antagonists or weird nobles.

Ben????? (Grimm, I mean. Ben Parker is dead. Ben Reilly is a recurring episodic plot.) This show was painfully formulaic and would simply not keep someone with any version of his deal in the main cast, but he’s a full quarter of the FF so. A magical accident approximated his rock body deal. Maybe specifically tying him to ~the magic of the land~. And then, uh. Wandering the country is too satellite-like. Hiding out in a forbidden castle wing is interesting but doesn’t do him justice. So I guess it’s a come and go semivoluntary transformation thing that’s kept secret? Rock werewolf. Were-rock. Good opportunity to fake out like you’re going to do a monster of the week plot, and then he contributes to the tension to abolish the magic ban.

Knights?? Wyatt is there from the beginning, being tall and reassuring (holding a sword edition). Not sure how him or his immediate ancestors got to Europe and then ended up this involved with the local nobility, but it was probably exciting. And Flash, or he’s an early addition. Either way he’s from the same village as Peter and is approximately White’s Kay, except directed at the wizard instead of the future king, and otherwise you can completely superimpose their comic dynamic including the fanboying over the secret identity angle, which is entertainingly seditious. ...Others. I don’t know enough FF characters for this. I’ve accidentally implied the eventual addition of Bennet Brant, but his evil sorcerer of the week energy is very strong, so maybe not. Randy eventually because I already implied the Robertsons and can see it.

This is so long, covers nothing, and explains none of the namechecks. Using both these characters’ franchises in one fusion is too much stuff. I keep not talking about the core relationship because it’s just. Like That. I don’t feel like I need to elaborate on the Merthur dynamic, even transposed on a different ship. It’s Just Like That.

[ozsyn]

There Are More Things in Heaven and Earth

Reader is Arthur’s wife because Camelot needed a queen, but Arthur is in love with Merlin and Reader thinks they’re the cutest things ever.

Chapter 1 of 5 (for now)

———————————-

“I can’t believe you’d betray me like this! After all I’ve done for you!” (Y/N) says, falling to a puddle on the ground. “I find my dearest husband in bed with my closest friend,” she continues as her body is wracked by sobs.

There’s a long pause which is eventually followed by a sigh and a voice from the bed saying “Do you have to do that every time you come in here?” Said voice belonging to the King of Camelot. There’s a “once” and a “future” in there somewhere, but it’s really no concern to (Y/N).

“I liked the addition of how I’m your closest friend,” comes from the other occupant in the bed.

“Why thank you, Merlin. It’s nice to be appreciated.”

When (Y/N) first returned to Camelot, it was with the intention she’d have to seduce Arthur in some form to secure her family’s place in the kingdoms. Which wholly terrified her, but she and Arthur were close, so maybe it’d work. People had always said they’d make an excellent couple and once they barely were of age, the talk of Camelot was when the wedding would be. Not that they were engaged, betrothed, or even interested in each other. They were best friends, but of course they were opposite genders which meant they were soulmates in the eyes of the kingdom. Honestly, any girl that looked at Arthur (and there were definitely plenty of girls) could have been queen, but (Y/N) was from the right family and they got along, so it seemed inevitable. However, before anything could really happen, (Y/N) was called back to her kingdom due to a death in the family. She had to leave what was quickly becoming home for her. But that had been years ago and now Arthur was king. Oh, and completely and utterly in love with his manservant. Or unofficial Court Sorcerer or whatever Merlin was supposed to be. Honestly, that was the best news (Y/N) could have gotten. The way she found out wasn’t entirely ideal. What, sneaking into Arthur’s room wasn’t anything new to (Y/N)... She just didn’t expect to find him with his arms wrapped protectively around his manservant in what many would deem cuddling, but of course the Great Arthur Pendragon would never admit to that. Not that it wasn’t the sweetest thing she’d ever seen, but it was still a shock to everyone involved. Whether or not Merlin could have erased her memory remains to be seen, but he ultimately didn’t because (Y/N) gave he and Arthur the perfect solution. So the King of Camelot finally found his queen and Merlin and Arthur could continue their relationship with the utmost support from (Y/N).

That was around a year ago. (Y/N) had since become the best of partners in crime with Merlin (much to the chagrin of Arthur), been adopted by each and every one of the knights, and ruled the flourishing kingdom of Camelot alongside her king.

“Oh, but I do so appreciate you, my queen. Who else would eat as much as the knights, take up a shocking amount of space for her size, and cause my manservant to get less work done than he already does on a daily basis?”

“I’m so glad you understand my importance, Arthur.”

“I’m sitting right here. And who’s saved your sorry behind more times than you can count, clotpole?”

“You know, Merlin, you insist you’ve saved my life multiple times, but you never can prove it.”

“I am the most powerful sorcerer that has ever lived!”

“And the clumsiest.”

“I thought you were on my side.”

“I’m just stating facts, my young warlock.”

“You know, I’m actually incredibly grateful Kilgarrah never called me his young warlock.”

“You’re mine, Emrys. Remember that.”

“Oh, Emrys? Great. Let’s just start saying that again. Maybe bring back Modred. That was a fun time.”

“Are you two going to stand around arguing all day or could you actually get something done for once?”

“I am the Queen of Camelot, you know.”

“And sarcasm. And smirking. And managing to ruin a dress in a matter of minutes. Oh, and getting your hair caught in tree branches.”

“Thank you so much, Me-“

“...Doorways, chainmail, tables, the throne that one time...”

“Okay. We get it. Thank you, Merlin.”

Some chuckles come from the king.

“What are you laughing at, Pendragon? At least it didn’t take me thirty years to figure out Merlin had magic. I actually think half the knights knew before you.”

“Lancelot and Gwaine certainly did.”

“Thank you, Merlin.”

“You’re welcome, sire.”

Arthur mutters something that sounds suspiciously like “Why do I bother?”

“If you three are done with your bi-weekly semi-playful arguments, we’re expecting you on the training grounds, your majesty,” Sir Percival says as he comes into the room.

“Good morning, Percival. Hi, Gwaine.”

“Good morning, my lovely queen,” Gwaine says, bowing, following it up with “Merlin” with a nod, and finally, “Princess,” with something resembling a curtsy directed towards the king.

Arthur sighs. “I’m not even a prince anymore, Gwaine.”

“But she’s the queen and I wouldn’t want you to get confused.”

“How did you even get here?”

“Well, I saved your sorry behind at a pub when you just couldn’t go two seconds without being Princess Gall-“

“Okay, I get it. Everyone’s saved my ‘sorry behind,’ and we will have a discussion about that phrasing, at one point or another. Thank you all so much for your service. If I could please go, now?”

“I mean, you’re the king, Arthur. Presumably you could leave at any time.”

“That’s it. I’m abdicating,” Arthur says throwing his hands up in defeat. “Camelot is free for the taking. If anyone needs me, I will be on a farm somewhere far from here.”

“I’m coming, right?”

“Well of course you are, Merlin. What would I be without my trusty manservant?”

“And your husband... I’d imagine that’s just slipped your mind, sire.”

“Shut up, Merlin.”

Chapter 2

Other Links:

Modern Merthur

[emrysarthurpendragon]

Whumptober day 3 | Alt: Comfort

Where am I?

 What happened to me?

 Arthur? Arthur, where are you?

 Am I dead? Maybe he killed me before I woke again? For our friendship’s sake?

 Merlin’s drifted back into darkness’s arms; he felt safe, for now.

* * *

 Arthur had been thinking. A lot. Near the fire, Merlin had been unconscious for the past hours and all the prince could focus on was how Merlin had magic. No. Not had, has. Gaius’s ward was still breathing, and this would not cease anytime soon. Not even with his … lies. Had Merlin been practising when they first met? Probably. This would explain all the weird incidents occurring when they ran after one another and how Arthur made a fool of himself. How powerful was his friend? He made an entire building fell into pieces. He made them transport without even being awake when it happened. That must be something! Even regarding wizards’ standards. Blue eyes fell on Lancelot. The knight had been keeping watch over Merlin since they arrived here. He tended to the serving boy’s wounds and never let them approach with weapons at hand’s reach. They all noticed healed scars on their friend’s body. Scars that faded long ago, but with terrible stories attached to them. He saw Merlin half-naked through the years. At least after they met, and the boy had no choice but change into dry clothing after their usual banters. Those were inflected to his manservant after he first came to the citadel. By whom? Noblemen bother by their strange friendship? Attackers? Whenever they were ambushed? No. Arthur snorted when he remembered Merlin cowering to avoid battle. Or was he? Strange things did happen when bandits or enemies of Camelot attack them. Branches fell with perfect timing on their opponents, saving their lives more than once. Was it Merlin? He needed to know. If not for his sake, for Merlin’s. If he were right, this could be proof enough all sorcerers were not filled by hatred and darkness. Merlin was the opposite. Kind. Good-hearted. Goofy. A weird sense of humour, which often involved making fun of his master. Selfless too. He sacrificed his own well-being for Arthur, working extra hours just so his amour would be clean for the next day, and then stumbling more than ever the next day. Still he saw nothing. There must have been signs. Hints toward Merlin’s secret. With a heavy sigh, Arthur stretched and walked to Lancelot. The man glared at him, gesturing to his sword and the prince left it a few steps behind before sitting next to both his knight and valet.

“How did you find out?” he asked after an uncomfortable silence. If Lancelot knew and said nothing, this must mean something.

“Remember the manticore’s quest? Merlin used magic to save me and kill that beast. I’ve known since then,” Lancelot said, smiling fondly at their sleeping friend. “Then, I started noticing things. Like how he protected us without getting credits for it.”

“And Emrys? He’s related to Merlin?”

“I…” Lancelot hesitated; Arthur knew the truth now. “Yes. Pretty much. That’s why Morgana questioned him. Merlin told me her power showed her future. In it, Emrys killed her during a terrible battle. Since then, she wanted to find out who he is and stop him at all costs.”

“I don’t understand. Percival said I’m supposed to work hand in hand with Emrys. Legend and destiny. If it’s true, where is Emrys now? Why doesn’t he show up and change my mind on magic?” they would not build that future if they were playing hide and seek together.

“That’s the trick. He’s already here. Hidden in plain view and going unnoticed among your people,” chuckled Lancelot, now noticing how close the others were. They started listening and Leon gasped, realisation filling his features.

“Merlin?” he asked in a low voice, his gaze unmoving while said boy breathed in and out. In and out. Unaware of his surroundings.

“What about Merlin?” Arthur asked, still oblivious. He just couldn’t imagine Gaius’s ward as a powerful being. Not even after what they witnessed earlier.

“Yes, Merlin He’s Emrys. He was born to protect you, Arthur. He would die to do so, if it means you stay alive.”

“But it’s stupid! Merlin can hurt himself with a spoon! If he were so powerful, he would be dead because he sneezes too hard and just blew his room up!” OK, kind of rude. Merlin was not so stupid. Or was he? “He can’t keep a secret. I would know. It’s not…”

“Merlin’s more than that. Just … talk with him. Give him a chance,” Lancelot asked.

 With the betrayal still burning him third degree, Arthur wanted to say no. The conflict feelings sent him various messages. Forgive or kill. Understanding or hatred. Decide never felt so difficult before. The prince he used to be when they met, his father’s puppet, roared with anger and wanted to deliver Merlin to the flames. His new self, the one with strong feelings for his servant stood proudly, facing whoever may hurt the brunet. He needed to listen. To understand Merlin’s side of the story. So he waited … night turns into daylight. Another afternoon started and night fell again when Merlin awoke. After their talk the previous day, Lancelot had relaxed enough to sleep. Arthur took first watch and noticed Merlin’s eyes fluttering open.

“Rise and shine,” the prince mocked his serving boy’s usual greeting. “How are you feeling? You … you scared us.” You scared me. I thought I’d lost you. Don’t ever do that to me again.

“I … what…” then it hit him. Arthur knew the exact moment Merlin remembered what happened and what he’d done. Merlin went into full panic attack mode and Arthur’s body reacted before he could think. His arms locked around Merlin’s waist and he whispered words he never thought he would say. Especially to a sorcerer.

“Shh … it’s okay, Merlin. You’re fine. You saved us,” he murmured, gently brushing a strand of black hair. Merlin jumped at the touch and Arthur felt a pang of worry. This man could be the death of him. “Are you hurt?”

“I’m still alive…” Merlin whispered, dumbfound. Why had Arthur did not kill him? He had plenty of time if he had been out all that time. Wait. Arthur was hugging him. He watched him with worried eyes and something else … was it … no. Not love. Arthur loves no one more than his own person; a royal prat. “I was supposed to die!” the warlock suddenly gasped, watching around them with fright. Why was he…? He made a choice. He picked his life as a sacrifice to the goddess. He had to give up everything, just so Arthur may have a long and peaceful life, with a queen and lots of kids running in the castle. But here he was, breathing and … his mind free of Morgana’s spell. Free of whatever had bothered him for the last few weeks. Even when he walked and hang himself in an oak tree. Well, mostly. He still heard the voices in his mind, whispering tempting words behind an obsidian wall. They will come back, eventually.

“Merlin. Merlin focus,” ordered Arthur. “Good. Breathe in, breathe out … I know you’re scared. Listen to me. I won’t kill you. I’m hurt. I’m furious even. You lied to me … you kept secrets from me.”

“I’m sorry, I did not…”

“I know. You had to. Merlin I…” Arthur inhaled, unsure. If someone had told him this day would come, he’d laughed at the man face. “I guess I need to thank you … for what you did. You protected me, us, Camelot. You got hurt and never asked for recognition. Instead, I acted like a…”

“A prat?” Merlin joked.

“Yeah. I guess you’re right.”

An angel pass, two, three and an entire van. Arthur knew he just shocked his servant. He never thanked him or anyone outside his knights before. Could one go into shock after such a change in their lives? After all, as a prince, people mostly kissed the floor he walked on and are grateful for his existence. Not the other way … oh … right … his head may pass the doors if he continues. His thought came to a halt when he heard Merlin’s soft voice, while their friends snore loudly around the camp.

“I’m dead. I’m sure of it now…” chuckled the younger man, raising a hand to brush over Arthur’s warm skin. If he hides it well, the once and future king felt a shiver ran down his spine. When he spoke, his voice sounds tight and uncertain. “Why would you? Tell me, Merlin.” The warlock still gently caressed his skin and they both blushed, even if no one noticed.

“Arthur never thanked anyone. Not even in my wild dreams. Ergo, I’m dead and I’m thankful…” under his fingers, Uther’s son froze. What for? “Arthur?”

“Don’t say those words. I’m your king and I ban you from dying. You’re not allowed to leave me. Not ever.”

“You can’t, I died already. I wouldn’t do that if I were still alive…” Merlin mumbled, sitting awkwardly. His hand still stroking his prince cheek. Their eyes met and suddenly, the world around them felt silent. Event the knights stopped their snores. King and vagabonds stared at each other’s for an eternity or mere seconds. Merlin’s inner voice tried to stop him, yelling something about him still alive or whatever … but he did not listen. He knew better. Arthur had to kill him, with the ban of magic still standing. He may regret it later, the morning after … but for now, the warlock stopped fighting his inner demons. He leaned toward his prince, the one who was still holding him against a strong body and their lips met for the first time. A warm feeling grew in them both. Arthur was stunned but deeper the kiss. He had desired that man for a long time now. Not since day one, no. They hated each other’s when they met; the feeling turned into something else. Respect. Love. Care. He wanted Merlin to feel it all and when wet tears fell over Merlin’s cheeks, the prince pulled back and gently chase them his thumbs.

“I need to show you something, Merlin,” Arthur whispered, not letting go of the sorcerer as he gently slapped the back of his head.

“Ouch! It hurts!” protested Merlin, his eyes widening when he realised when he just said … and did. Did he just … had he … no he … oh. Arthur followed his train of thoughts all along and snorted when Merlin yelped, mortified. Trembling fingers before his lips, Merlin shook his head. “I’m sorry. I didn’t … it’s the spell, I guess… I…” Arthur stopped the rambling, forcing his friend to meet his eyes again.

“Don’t apologise. I’m glad you did it … even if you thought this world was an illusion. And I don’t want a world without you. Not now. Not ever. Understood?” with only silence for an answer, the prince continued: “I like you the way you are. Magic or not. Clumsy or not. Brave or coward. It doesn’t matter, OK? By the end of the day, you’re still the same old Merlin. Now that I know the truth, I can help you protect your secret, especially from my father.”

“You… You accept my magic?” Merlin asked, still confused at the mere prospect of being free of any secrets.

“Lancelot talked me out my prejudices.” Arthur admitted. Remembering Lancelot words about how magic was not different from any weapons. Just like a person can either help or kill someone with a sword, the same thing works for magic’s users and as a king, his duty was to bring equal justice in the kingdom. Murder with weapons or magics were both leading to a death sentence. The others shall live free of fear. “Now I see clearly and I promise you this: once I am king, I’ll lift the ban of magic.”