p style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium; text-align: center;"Silence/p
p style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium; text-align: center;"Merlin ran his fingers through Arthur's hair, his fingertips tracing; lingering on the frown lines that started to grow on his face these long years as king - they get deeper everyday. Merlin no longer remembers Arthur's laugh, the warm soft rumble that he would feel as he laid his head on Arthur's chest in bed. Instead Arthur's fake laugh, merely an exhale of breath upon slightly upturned lips filled his dreams - cold, silent, and mocking in it's stark contrast of it's former warmth./p
p style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium; text-align: center;"Merlin's fingertips trace Arthur's lips, and before he could stop himself the words Arthur was so adamant he should not say slipped out. "Don't go, Sire." Arthur stills under his touch, that silence; that damned silence fills the air for what seemed like an eternity before Arthur draws in a ragged breath. "You never learn do you? You cannot tell the King what to do Merlin, Court Magician or not,"/p
p style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium; text-align: center;""You idiot." Arthur states, half-heartedly. The insults and affectionate banter doesn't come as easily as it used to either./p
p style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium; text-align: center;"Merlin merely whispers his lover's name as he continued to trace Arthur's face with his soft, yielding lips. Arthur lets out a sob so absent of sound, nothing more that an inhale of breath./p
p style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium; text-align: center;"Arthur catches Merlin's lips with his own, it wasn't one of the harsh angry kisses that were shared the night before. Instead a soft, steady pressure that left Arthur and Merlin feeling more alone than ever when they drew apart. Merlin recognizes it to be the goodbye it is and wordlessly hands Arthur his sword. "It is my destiny to be the greatest king Albion has ever known."/p
p style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium; text-align: center;""You are already the greatest king the world will ever know. The people love you, as the people of tomorrow will love you, Arthur. You need not prove yourself." Merlin tries once more, to plead - to beg for Arthur to stay with him. Where it was safe./p
p style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium; text-align: center;""Do you, Merlin?" Arthur stands in front of the door now, one hand on the handle the other on Merlin's cheek. The same hand that would wield his sword of truth and power, reigning destruction on his foes until it's master fell./p
p style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium; text-align: center;""I do, Arthur. As I always did."/p
p style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium; text-align: center;""Then I have everything to prove."/p
p style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium; text-align: center;"The silence was now more pronounced than ever before./p
p style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium; text-align: center;"Merlin ran his fingers through Arthur's hair, his fingertips tracing; lingering on the frown lines that started to grow on his face these long years as king - they get deeper everyday. Merlin no longer remembers Arthur's laugh, the warm soft rumble that he would feel as he laid his head on Arthur's chest in bed. Instead Arthur's fake laugh, merely an exhale of breath upon slightly upturned lips filled his dreams - cold, silent, and mocking in it's stark contrast of it's former warmth./p
p style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium; text-align: center;"Merlin's fingertips trace Arthur's lips, and before he could stop himself the words Arthur was so adamant he should not say slipped out. "Don't go, Sire." Arthur stills under his touch, that silence; that damned silence fills the air for what seemed like an eternity before Arthur draws in a ragged breath. "You never learn do you? You cannot tell the King what to do Merlin, Court Magician or not,"/p
p style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium; text-align: center;""You idiot." Arthur states, half-heartedly. The insults and affectionate banter doesn't come as easily as it used to either./p
p style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium; text-align: center;"Merlin merely whispers his lover's name as he continued to trace Arthur's face with his soft, yielding lips. Arthur lets out a sob so absent of sound, nothing more that an inhale of breath./p
p style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium; text-align: center;"Arthur catches Merlin's lips with his own, it wasn't one of the harsh angry kisses that were shared the night before. Instead a soft, steady pressure that left Arthur and Merlin feeling more alone than ever when they drew apart. Merlin recognizes it to be the goodbye it is and wordlessly hands Arthur his sword. "It is my destiny to be the greatest king Albion has ever known."/p
p style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium; text-align: center;""You are already the greatest king the world will ever know. The people love you, as the people of tomorrow will love you, Arthur. You need not prove yourself." Merlin tries once more, to plead - to beg for Arthur to stay with him. Where it was safe./p
p style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium; text-align: center;""Do you, Merlin?" Arthur stands in front of the door now, one hand on the handle the other on Merlin's cheek. The same hand that would wield his sword of truth and power, reigning destruction on his foes until it's master fell./p
p style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium; text-align: center;""I do, Arthur. As I always did."/p
p style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium; text-align: center;""Then I have everything to prove."/p
p style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium; text-align: center;"The silence was now more pronounced than ever before./p