[ The night is beautiful and warm; the moon is even full. Merlin has never been very sure about any of the ideas that the knights encourage, especially when they're, you know, this enthusiastic about it.
But! Merlin promised. He promised that he would sit here, in this nice little spot, with a fire going and food waiting.
For a man. A nice man, they insisted. Really, Merlin would love him. This is going to end terribly. Maybe he won't end up dead, at least.
Merlin jumps at every rustle and sound behind and around him, hoping to see who his company is. Most of them are animals. The last one isn't but he can't.. quite make out who... He squints, trying to make them out. Part of him knows the rhythm of that step but where... ]
[ Make no mistake of it: Arthur is not here by his own choice. Neither would he be at all, were it not on his honour after stupidly losing a bet with Percival - he hadn't known the strong man to have quite such an accurate throwing arm.
But a wager is a wager. Even if he hadn't seen it, the whole group had heard the crow's indignant protest as the thrown pebble knocked it clear from the branch at fifty paces.
Arthur will not make that mistake again.
Discretion is the better part of valour, as they say. He is hidden well enough under the inconspicuous blue cloak. Hidden to the eyes; but his stride perhaps gives him away to those who know him better. He feels stupid, and naked without his sword - there's a dagger at his hip, but it won't be enough if somebody decides to make the most of this opportunity to find him out of his element - and then suddenly, ridiculously, plunged right back into it.
He's barely stepped into the firelight before he throws back his hood with unintended melodrama and stares at his night's companion with disbelief all over his face. ]
[ Someone is definitely here. Blue cloak, stocky figure... He hates to say this, but he would recognize those lips anywhere.
His name spoken like that only confirms it. No one but Arthur says his name like that. ]
What are you doing sneaking around at night?
[ Can't he go one whole day without Merlin needing to risk his life for him?
The thought that the Knights would be stupid enough to set them up like this doesn't cross his mind. It could never work, would never work. Not after Arthur has found out the truth. Merlin couldn't blame him. It was necessary but after everything Arthur has been through, finding out his manservant was a liar is another dagger to his heart. ]
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THE BLIND DATE • fuck-s5 au
But! Merlin promised. He promised that he would sit here, in this nice little spot, with a fire going and food waiting.
For a man. A nice man, they insisted. Really, Merlin would love him. This is going to end terribly. Maybe he won't end up dead, at least.
Merlin jumps at every rustle and sound behind and around him, hoping to see who his company is. Most of them are animals. The last one isn't but he can't.. quite make out who... He squints, trying to make them out. Part of him knows the rhythm of that step but where... ]
no subject
But a wager is a wager. Even if he hadn't seen it, the whole group had heard the crow's indignant protest as the thrown pebble knocked it clear from the branch at fifty paces.
Arthur will not make that mistake again.
Discretion is the better part of valour, as they say. He is hidden well enough under the inconspicuous blue cloak. Hidden to the eyes; but his stride perhaps gives him away to those who know him better. He feels stupid, and naked without his sword - there's a dagger at his hip, but it won't be enough if somebody decides to make the most of this opportunity to find him out of his element - and then suddenly, ridiculously, plunged right back into it.
He's barely stepped into the firelight before he throws back his hood with unintended melodrama and stares at his night's companion with disbelief all over his face. ]
Merlin?
no subject
His name spoken like that only confirms it. No one but Arthur says his name like that. ]
What are you doing sneaking around at night?
[ Can't he go one whole day without Merlin needing to risk his life for him?
The thought that the Knights would be stupid enough to set them up like this doesn't cross his mind. It could never work, would never work. Not after Arthur has found out the truth. Merlin couldn't blame him. It was necessary but after everything Arthur has been through, finding out his manservant was a liar is another dagger to his heart. ]