Merlin's magic (Oneshots) 1

Reversed Part 3

It was pouring. Like – imagine someone threw over a bathtub of water over your head – pouring.
"Beautiful, isn't it?", asked Merlin, as they sat uselessly stuck inside a cave.
They were just sheltering themselves from the rain. That didn't mean they weren't already and completely soaked through.
Merlin had been sensible enough to call for a fire, so they wouldn't freeze to death.
And once more, Arthur could only shake his head at the golden eyes. Which, according to his father, caused nothing but death and destruction. And according to Merlin – didn't exist.
Instead, they offered comfort and warmth. Merlin was smiling at the sky.

Arthur watched him silently. This cave somehow asked for a more quiet approach on the whole magic thing. It felt more sensible that way.

But there was something in Merlin's glance, in the fondness in his smile and the distracted look in his eyes that made Arthur wonder, if maybe the rain truly was beautiful. Or if it was just the way it affected Merlin.
And while he felt himself drying up faster than what would be considered normal, (probably Merlin's subconscious influence), and a freshly made hot tea in his grasp (wherever Merlin had found the cup), he considered that perhaps, it kind of was. Beautiful. The comfort of being sheltered. And warm. And save. The comfort of being in Merlin's presence.

"Magical.", Arthur joked fondly, as he watched Merlin's mesmerized expression.

Merlin's smile turned into confusion.
"You do know how rain works, right?", he turned his head. Disappointed and shocked by how stupid Arthur made himself look. Allegedly.
Arthur snorted. "Yes. Despite what you may believe, MERlin, I'm not THAT stupid."

"But you admit that you're stupid.", Merlin laughed and barely managed to escape the small punch that Arthur threw his way.
For a moment they both laughed. Merlin shook his head.
"Just to clarify, it's not magic."

Arthur laughed even louder. "Yes, I KNOW, Merlin! I know it's science. It still looks magical though."
'You look magical.', he didn't say.

In that very moment a shattering noise vibrated against the cave walls. Somewhere in the distance, thunder rumbled in the sky.
Other than Arthur, however, who jerked away under the sudden noise, Merlin didn't even blink.
He just stared into the rain, like his ears were completely numb to anything else.

"That – makes no sense.", said Merlin. But his eyes were squished together, like he was thinking about something, but Arthur wasn't sure what that was.
"What?", Arthur shrugged of his initial jump scare and turned back to Merlin.
"How can the weather be science AND magical?", Merlin asked and finally turned back to Arthur.

Arthur stared at him confused. "I don't know? It just is? I mean, it looks magical. Like, when you look at the stars at night and they are absolutely beautiful.
Or the way the air smells right now. Or – I don't know. Have you ever been in love?
Smells, looks, chemicals in your brain, whatever. They can be explained, sure. But you can feel it deep inside, right?
And that's- that's not really magic, I know. But it feels LIKE magic. You know what I mean?"
Arthur shrugged.

Merlin stared at him.
Then he blinked, but he wasn't moving still. Arthur sighed. "It ISN'T magic, Merlin. It's just a comparison.", he rolled his eyes. Still no response. "No? You're not getting it?"

But Merlin was still looking at him.
Arthur sighed again, this time a bit more exasperated. "I see you use magic all the time. Watching you feels kind of like that. Which is why I can't hate it. No matter what my father believes. You look too innocent and happy when you use it."

Merlin tilted his head. "You feel like you're in love when you look at me?"

It was quiet again. Slowly the pouring became slower and more quiet and here and there you could see the sky clearing up already.
"You should seriously get your head checked, Merlin. I said, looking at your magic feels like looking at the stars."
Arthur said slowly, but his heart rate betrayed him. Not that Merlin needed to know that.