Merlin's magic (Oneshots) 1

Surrender - 5. Essetir (Finale)

A.N.:// Can't believe I managed to finish this before the end of the fucking year.
But, it is done!
guibvktdfliujbhkhfxcdzuhn this was so much fluff and ... yeah. It half turned into horniness on Merlin's part. Lmao.
I hope you'll enjoy it as much as I did writing it XD

Bonus art: Arthur reading fanfiction. You can find my insta in my bio :)

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It's nice to spend time with Merlin. The rest of the day, Merlin and Arthur linger around the golden field in the middle of the battleground and Arthur can't help but point out how unrealistic the idea is that there is solid gold underneath their feet and NO BANDIT ever tried to dig it up.

Merlin's laugh is bellowing and loud. It's far from elegant but Arthur finds himself drawn to it anyway. He could not feel more proud of that achievement if he tried. He grins a lot that afternoon. Listens to Merlin's retorts and watches as Merlin lets his magic play around them in diverse colored butterflies and flowers, flames and illustrations that underline the stories he's painting in the sky. He seems relaxed.

It's easy to fall into light and teasing conversation with Merlin. Merlin likes to insult Arthur, and Arthur is shocked to find it endearing. Merlin, in turn, seems to like it when Arthur is flustered and Arthur is easily flustered.

The sun is shining on them and Merlin's magic is keeping them warm against the cold. It's easily the nicest day Arthur's had in his life.

"I think we should go to Essetir."

Merlin chokes on the water he was drinking from his flask. Half of it runs down his chin as he fixes his gaze on Arthur. "Come again?"

Arthur feels somewhat nervous, so he shrugs. "We were meant to go there anyway. I know this is much sooner than planned... but the peace treaty is real now. I would like to see where you live and meet Camelot's new allies."

"They won't accept you."

"I know." Arthur is still relaxed. He knows it, has felt it when he walked into Camelot, his face and voice that of Camelot's worst enemy. "I don't expect them to, unless I prove my worth to them."

"No, no no no. Arthur, you don't understand -" Merlin pulls at his own hair and searches for something in Arthur's eyes that he can't find. "When I made the suggestion to take you to Essetir, I was in your body. I could have protected myself, while you were safe in mine. If worse came to worse, I would have told them the truth, just to make sure they don't kill me."

"I can't follow."

"Of course you don't." Merlin lay back down on the ground. "They would have easily chopped your head off without me asking. My people... Essetir, believes that a king must be strong. A king who can't even light a candle with magic - They'll never accept that."

"I think that's your insecurity talking."

"Yes, Arthur. The same insecurity that makes sure no one ever enters my rooms except for me, the same kind that has to destroy giant objects to prove my worth and make sure no one tries to kill me like they killed my father -" Merlin closes his eyes and swallows, then he opens them again. "This... this part of my magic -" He lets a flaming dragon flutter around Arthur but Arthur is too hung up on Merlin's words to watch it, "I can't display that in front of my people. I never have."

Arthur gapes and sits up. "Wait... am I understanding this right? This ENTIRE time that you were telling me that THIS -," he waves at the dragon, "is what magic truly looks like, your own people don't believe it?"

Merlin hesitates but answers anyway. "Of course they know that magic can be like this. But this kind of magic is useless. It's just for show. They will not be pleased to find that I ..." He bites his lip and when he reaches out to Arthur's hand, Arthur knows he's searching for comfort. So, he takes Merlin's hand and holds it between both of his. Merlin sends him a grateful smile. "I'm not weak... but the magic I show them defines Essetir's strength and no kingdom wants a king who's only good for visual effect."