Rotten to the Core

If Only

   The day after the Tourney game, Merlin burst into the VKs entertainment room looking nervous. All the VKs immediately looked up at his entrance.
   "Hey, bro. What's up?" Gideon asked.
   Merlin shook his head. "W-well.... Rose and I were talking and she mentioned there was this place she wanted to take me and I got nervous and I might've...asked her out."
   Ruby smiled. "Move aside, Gid. This is a woman's job. Els, imma need your assistance."
   With that, she practically dragged Merlin into her room.
                           * * * * *
   A half hour later, Merlin stepped out in a brand new outfit. He was dressed in a long sleeved striped shirt, black dress pants, and shoes.
   "Are you sure I look alright? I feel silly."
   "You're right." Ruby said. "You need this." She handed him a single deep red rose. "Give her that and she'll feel special."
   "Just remember," Elsa added, "be a gentleman! Be sweet, courteous, and supportive. And don't be afraid to be yourself."
   Merlin took a deep breath and made his way to Rose's room, knocking on the door. It opened and his breath caught in his throat.
   Rose was dressed in a sparkly dark blue minidress, black ankle boots, and a black leather jacket. She had even curled her hair and put on a light amount of makeup.
   "Oh...wow!"
   "Do you really like it?" She asked.
   "I love it!" He said sincerely. "I...uh...I brought this for you."
   He handed her the rose. She took it and smelled it, a content smile on her face.
   "So there's somewhere I'd like to take you." She said, a gentle smile on her face. "Come with me!"
   With that, he was dragged by a woman for the second time that day... and it wasn't even noon!
                          * * * * *
   Rose had dragged Merlin to a trail in the middle of nowhere. She had explained it lead to a "secret" meadow garden, as well as the Lake of Avalon, where all the kingdoms intercepted.
   "A lot of people go here for dates or when they wanna be alone. I know at least six different princesses who fell in love here." She had said.
   Eventually, once they had gotten past the small talk, they started to learn a bit about each other.
   "My mom decided to name me after the most powerful sorcerer in existence." Merlin was saying. "Merlin Emrys. Can you imagine?"
   "Wow, she really is evil!" Rose joked, laughing. "To be fair, my parents named me after my grandmother on my dad's side, Rosalia, and my great grandmother on my mom's side, Marie."
   "That's beautiful! What were your grandparents like?"
   "Oh, I never met my grandparents on either of my parents sides. My dad's parents died when he was a kid and my mom's parents died because of Rasputin. I got to spend a good deal of time with Great Grand Mama Marie though. She was such a kind person!"
   Merlin felt guilty but didn't have time to think about it because Rose was now pointing to something. "We're here!"
   They had arrived at a clearing where a large meadow was as well as a small lake. The couple made their way to a little pavilion where Rose took out a blanket, laying I on the ground. She set down the basket containing their lunch as well as two towels.
  They sat down on the blanket and began unpacking their lunch. "Isn't this place great?" Rose said. "It's my favorite spot in all the realms! Of course, anywhere is great as long as it's with you, my number one guy!" She said, her voice becoming more lovey dovey the more she spoke.
  The pair started talking again and soon Merlin had relaxed somewhat. At one point, Rose grabbed Merlin's hand, saying, "Let's go for a dip in the lake! It's a lot of fun!"
   "Oh no thanks!" He said quickly. "Swimming's not really my thing."
   "Your loss." She said, shrugging.
   Rose walked over to the top of a relatively high hill and began stripping out of her dress and shoes until she was only clad in a red bra and panties. Then she jumped in the lake with a cry of, "bonsai!"
   Merlin laughed at how dorky she sounded, chuckling to himself.

A million thoughts in my head
Should've let my heart keep listening
Cuz up til now
I've walked the line
Nothing lost but something missing
I can't decide
What's wrong
What's right
Which way should I go?
If only I knew what my heart was telling me
Don't know what I'm feeling
Is this just a dream?
Oh oh yeah
If only I could read the signs in front of me
I could find the way to
Who I'm meant to be
Oh oh
If only
If only
Am I crazy?
Maybe
We could happen
Will you still be
With me
When the magic's all run out?
If only I could read the signs in front of me
I could find the way to
Who I'm meant to be
Oh oh
If only
If only...

   At that moment, Merlin realized Rose had disappeared. "Rose?!" He shouted.
  No answer.
  Literally not knowing what else to do, he leapt into the lake, trying to find her. It wasn't more than a minute searching before he felt himself sinking.
   Something grabbed him and pulled him back towards the pavilion. Suddenly, his vision was clouded by Rose looking down at him in concern, the light turning her hair to fire as a gentle breeze picked up.
   "Are you ok?" She asked.
   "Fine." He said, a weird feeling coming over him.
   Rose helped him into a sitting position and handed him a towel. She took the other and began drying her hair with it.
   "Merl, do you not know how to swim?" He shrugged. "But you jumped in after me. Why?"
   "I couldn't let anything happen to you. It wouldn't be right."
   Rose smiled. "You're a good guy, Merl."
   Merlin felt he couldn't take it. Something was bothering him. "I'm not a good guy, Rose. I'm a villain! I just don't understand why after everything that my mom and all the villains have ever done, why would you trust us to come live here?"
   Rose sighed. "First off, you're not a bad guy and you shouldn't suffer just because your mom is. We didn't choose who our families are. No one should be punished just for simply existing. Second, I believe in second chances. Cuz what you did in the past doesn't matter. It's what you do now that counts. And third, I know what it's like to be an outsider. I'm the only one in my family with magic and they hated it for the longest time. I understand what it's like to be different."
   Merlin just stared at Rose. She did understand, apparently. Still, it was foolish to let villains in, she should know that. "Well I'm glad someone does." He whispered.
   She took his hand. "I'm always gonna be here for you, Merl, no matter what."
   What a stupid promise to make!