Merlin's magic (Oneshots) 2

Dragoon and the three of us part 6

A.N.:// Merlin is finally fully accepted. And Arthur faces his challengers.

TW: Angst. Blood. Death. Also implied sex. Not in that order.

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Guinevere kicked Arthur in the shin.

"OW!" Arthur protested loudly, only to be faced with a glare. "What?!"

"He was supposed to say it himself!," she scolded him.

"But he already did!"

"He did not!"

That was ridiculous. Merlin had asked them if they would be mad if there were a sorcerer hiding in Camelot. Sure, he hadn't said he was talking about himself, but that had been too obvious, hadn't it? Besides, Guinevere herself had pretty much confirmed that they knew who he was talking about, so she was just as guilty as he was. Arthur's protests were cut short when he noticed the tears in Merlin's eyes. "Merlin?"

Guinevere turned her head to see the same thing. "Oh, Merlin!" She whispered empathetically and hugged him from the side.

Merlin startled at the contact, even more so when Arthur shuffled closer to grab his hand. "You knew! Both of you! You're not mad- Since when- I didn't- How did you know?"

Arthur gave him a patient smile. "Of course I'm not mad at you."

"But he was distraught," Gwen pointed out.

Arthur murred at that. "Well, I had to challenge prejudices that I lived by since I was born. I have to change the laws of an entire kingdom and also estrange myself from my father. Which I am doing because it's the right thing to do, not simply because I happen to love a sorcerer. You try to do that within twentyfour hours and not be a little distraught."

Merlin blinked at him, his breathing hitching a little. Arthur wasn't sure whether this was because of the confession or because Arthur was aware of his magic. "Within twentyfour hours?"

Arthur took a deep breath. "I saw you transform back after the last time you gave me advise as Dragoon. And quite honestly, Merlin. You should have said something sooner."

Gwen kicked him again.

"What?!" He said, half annoyed half hurt by her onslaught. "I meant as Dragoon! I understand that it was hard to trust us as himself, there was too much at risk. But Dragoon could have said something far sooner!"

"I tried." Merlin muttered under his breath. "You didn't trust Dragoon. You thought he was trying to trick you."

Arthur squeezed his hand tight, not to reassure him but because he realised that Merlin was right. Their eyes met for a second until Merlin blinked heavily and turned away. It almost seemed like he was overwhelmed by his own emotions. "And that is my fault."

Merlin looked up again. "So you don't-" He glanced between them. "You both still want me?"

Arthur's eyes widened and found that Guinevere was mirroring his shock. "Merlin!" She whispered. "I had my tongue down your throat just minutes ago!" She flushed immediately after saying that, as if it were embarrassing and not 100 % the truth.

Merlin immediately matched her redness. "That's-" He looked down and held on to Arthur's hand as if for dear life. "I lied to you. To both of you. I wouldn't scorn you if you wanted me dead."

Arthur rose to his feet, if only to loom over Merlin. He put his hands on Merlin's shoulders and squeezed them tight. "Merlin!" He said in warning tone. "I don't ever want to hear you talk about your death again, alright?! I will not allow anyone, ever, to have you killed! Especially not you!" Arthur's voice broke. "If you'd rather die than lose your magic, then rest assured that magic will be legal, no matter what it might cost me!"