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suki_blueTitle: A Trace of Magic
Fandom: Merlin (BBC)
Pairing: Merlin/Arthur (Pre-slash)
Rating: PG
Summary: Sometimes magic can touch
Disclaimer The BBC owns it all.
A thousand thanks to my beta's![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
kitty_poker1 and amejisuto. You both rock like shiny little pebbles.
He’d promised Gaius he would stay out of trouble. He’d sworn with a downcast gaze that he would hide the magic, be as ordinary as any other boy. At Gaius’s command, he mumbled the tumbling promises he’d once sworn over and over to his mother. He knew he would break them again, and probably sooner rather than later. Even if it meant his head.
Merlin sat up and rubbed at his eyes, smudging away dreams of dragons and destinies. He pushed himself against the wall and blinked back to full consciousness. A flood of dust-filled light flowed through his bedroom window and brought with it the sounds of a city awakening. Children scuttled and chased with screeching voices. Horses clopped in steady rhythms. Carts rolled and clattered, catching on uneven pathways and cracks, the wheels squeaking and their owners shouting to clear the way, move aside, shift or suffer squashed toes. A cacophony of constant voices, moving bodies and clucking livestock.
Camelot wasn’t all that different from his village, just grander, more considerable, excitable and several pitches louder so the people could hear each other over their own brimming jubilance and discord. Merlin could not comprehend his mother’s notion that he would get into any less mischief here. If anything, the opportunities were far greater. He grinned to himself and thought about his fight -- his second fight – with Arthur. Prince Arthur. If anything was going to get his head cut off, it was a duel with the King’s son, magic or no magic. Not very sensible, but Merlin wasn’t old enough to be considered wise in any way so that was a perfect excuse to indulge in reckless behaviour. One day, when he was no longer gangly and young and he’d filled out his body and grown a beard all the way down to his navel, someone would hang the chains of wisdom around his neck. Until then, freedom and play called. Fighting called too, apparently.
Childish, dangerous, careless, idiotic, inconsiderate. Merlin touched the round lump still lingering on the top of his head, and winced. Fine, add painful to Gaius’s list. But it was fun. He’d felt his heart beating against his chest, his breath forced through his throat too quickly, his lips curling up in a playful smile. And then he’d felt the magic rushing through his veins, hot as lava. It was impossible to resist, like it would burn him from the inside out, scorch his heart and cook his ribs if he didn’t release it. His control was excellent these days and he could use it to his advantage, to tangle and trip and bring Arthur crashing towards humiliation.
Even as the magic left him, he knew it was wrong, that someone might see. There were thirty witnesses to tell the King there were no muttered incantations, no magical trinkets or stinking herbs, but Arthur… Arthur was close enough to know, to feel the truth and, for a foolhardy moment, Merlin considered showing it to him, pulling him in, wrapping the magic around him like warming arms and caressing hands.
Then Arthur slapped him on the head with a broom. Moment shattered. Danger over until Arthur moved in close, studying him, and Merlin started to wonder if just a fingertip of magic had brushed him. Touched him.
Manservant, Merlin thought with no small amount of irritation, his reflections abruptly switching. He wrenched back his blanket and got out of bed. This was his destiny? To be a veritable slave to Prince Prat? His troubles were just starting. He was making no more promises.
Fandom: Merlin (BBC)
Pairing: Merlin/Arthur (Pre-slash)
Rating: PG
Summary: Sometimes magic can touch
Disclaimer The BBC owns it all.
A thousand thanks to my beta's
kitty_poker1 and amejisuto. You both rock like shiny little pebbles. He’d promised Gaius he would stay out of trouble. He’d sworn with a downcast gaze that he would hide the magic, be as ordinary as any other boy. At Gaius’s command, he mumbled the tumbling promises he’d once sworn over and over to his mother. He knew he would break them again, and probably sooner rather than later. Even if it meant his head.
Merlin sat up and rubbed at his eyes, smudging away dreams of dragons and destinies. He pushed himself against the wall and blinked back to full consciousness. A flood of dust-filled light flowed through his bedroom window and brought with it the sounds of a city awakening. Children scuttled and chased with screeching voices. Horses clopped in steady rhythms. Carts rolled and clattered, catching on uneven pathways and cracks, the wheels squeaking and their owners shouting to clear the way, move aside, shift or suffer squashed toes. A cacophony of constant voices, moving bodies and clucking livestock.
Camelot wasn’t all that different from his village, just grander, more considerable, excitable and several pitches louder so the people could hear each other over their own brimming jubilance and discord. Merlin could not comprehend his mother’s notion that he would get into any less mischief here. If anything, the opportunities were far greater. He grinned to himself and thought about his fight -- his second fight – with Arthur. Prince Arthur. If anything was going to get his head cut off, it was a duel with the King’s son, magic or no magic. Not very sensible, but Merlin wasn’t old enough to be considered wise in any way so that was a perfect excuse to indulge in reckless behaviour. One day, when he was no longer gangly and young and he’d filled out his body and grown a beard all the way down to his navel, someone would hang the chains of wisdom around his neck. Until then, freedom and play called. Fighting called too, apparently.
Childish, dangerous, careless, idiotic, inconsiderate. Merlin touched the round lump still lingering on the top of his head, and winced. Fine, add painful to Gaius’s list. But it was fun. He’d felt his heart beating against his chest, his breath forced through his throat too quickly, his lips curling up in a playful smile. And then he’d felt the magic rushing through his veins, hot as lava. It was impossible to resist, like it would burn him from the inside out, scorch his heart and cook his ribs if he didn’t release it. His control was excellent these days and he could use it to his advantage, to tangle and trip and bring Arthur crashing towards humiliation.
Even as the magic left him, he knew it was wrong, that someone might see. There were thirty witnesses to tell the King there were no muttered incantations, no magical trinkets or stinking herbs, but Arthur… Arthur was close enough to know, to feel the truth and, for a foolhardy moment, Merlin considered showing it to him, pulling him in, wrapping the magic around him like warming arms and caressing hands.
Then Arthur slapped him on the head with a broom. Moment shattered. Danger over until Arthur moved in close, studying him, and Merlin started to wonder if just a fingertip of magic had brushed him. Touched him.
Manservant, Merlin thought with no small amount of irritation, his reflections abruptly switching. He wrenched back his blanket and got out of bed. This was his destiny? To be a veritable slave to Prince Prat? His troubles were just starting. He was making no more promises.
![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
(no subject)
Date: 2008-09-23 06:16 pm (UTC)Lovely hint of Merlin and Arthur. Not too much, just a little to whet the palate.
This is so good, hon. *smooch*
(no subject)
Date: 2008-09-23 07:38 pm (UTC)Thanks so much for your help with this. I hope I didn't pester too much :oD
(no subject)
Date: 2008-09-23 06:16 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2008-09-23 07:40 pm (UTC)(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
Date: 2008-09-23 06:29 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2008-09-23 07:42 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2008-09-23 06:41 pm (UTC)But I want more already! This was great.
(no subject)
Date: 2008-09-23 07:43 pm (UTC)Oh wow, just what I don't need - another fandom.
LOL! Tell me about it. I can barely manage the ones I've got :oD
(no subject)
Date: 2008-09-23 07:44 pm (UTC)And the characters too!
(no subject)
Date: 2008-09-23 07:48 pm (UTC)Characterisation is tricky at the moment with only one episode to go by, but it's clear to me that Merlin has a playful and mischievous nature. I hope we see much more of it.
(no subject)
Date: 2008-09-23 07:49 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2008-09-23 07:52 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2008-09-23 08:48 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2008-09-24 04:18 pm (UTC)Who are those guys skating in your icon, may I ask? They're mesmerising!
(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
Date: 2008-09-23 09:30 pm (UTC)And ia, not another fandom! xD
Just wait till Isaac Mendez joins...
(no subject)
Date: 2008-09-24 04:19 pm (UTC)Just wait till Isaac Mendez joins...
Oh yes! I keep forgetting he's going to be in it!
(Edited because I used the wrong icon. Whoops!)
(no subject)
Date: 2008-09-23 10:09 pm (UTC)You've caught the love-hate thing really well, in the structure of the piece. I loved the abrupt change of mood, with 'Then Arthur slapped him...'
(no subject)
Date: 2008-09-24 04:21 pm (UTC)The erotic potential of magic :-)
LOL! Exactly! Hopefully that will become a wonderful fandom cliche :oD
(no subject)
Date: 2008-09-24 02:09 am (UTC)I love all your little details throughout and particularly loved this line: One day, when he was no longer gangly and young and he’d filled out his body and grown a beard all the way down to his navel, someone would hang the chains of wisdom around his neck. So much love.
♥ ♥ ♥
The subtle slash in the wrapping of magic and caressing hands was just perfect!
(no subject)
Date: 2008-09-24 04:26 pm (UTC)I love all your little details throughout and particularly loved this line: One day, when he was no longer gangly and young and he’d filled out his body and grown a beard all the way down to his navel, someone would hang the chains of wisdom around his neck. So much love.
I had this picture of him as the old Merlin we all know and how this young version would be him one day. I thought it would be fun to play with that image.
The subtle slash in the wrapping of magic and caressing hands was just perfect!
I love the thought that there could be an erotic element to Merlin's magic. I think that's something I'll be playing with more in the future.
(no subject)
Date: 2008-09-24 02:25 am (UTC)This is good, you've done an amazing job to distil a story from the little we have so far, ( though thank you BBC for the burning looks they gave each other at the end of ep 1 at the King's table after the rescue.)
I really really really don't need another fandom! *flails*
(no subject)
Date: 2008-09-24 04:27 pm (UTC)Definitely a weekness for us, isn't it? :oD
Thank you so much, luv!
I really really really don't need another fandom! *flails*
Me neither, but I can't seem to help myself!
(no subject)
Date: 2008-09-24 04:38 am (UTC)Arthur was close enough to know, to feel the truth and, for a foolhardy moment, Merlin considered showing it to him, pulling him in, wrapping the magic around him like warming arms and caressing hands.
Nicely done, sweetie!
I've gotta watch a few more times, but I think I might hafta take a crack at these two. ;)
(no subject)
Date: 2008-09-24 04:33 pm (UTC)I've gotta watch a few more times, but I think I might hafta take a crack at these two. ;)
Lol, definitely worth a crack or two! ;o) I'll look forward to whatever you come up with.
(no subject)
Date: 2008-09-24 04:00 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2008-09-24 04:34 pm (UTC)I can't wait for you guys to see this!
(no subject)
Date: 2008-09-25 04:46 am (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2008-09-25 04:02 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2008-09-25 11:53 am (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2008-09-25 04:03 pm (UTC)I can't wait for more of this series and then more of the fic. It all looks very promising!
(no subject)
Date: 2008-09-25 04:21 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2008-09-25 05:13 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2008-09-25 08:34 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2008-09-25 08:40 pm (UTC)~hugs~
(no subject)
Date: 2008-09-26 07:01 pm (UTC)Sorry, I've been driven nuts with work lately, so I'm kinda losing it here.
~Alice~
(no subject)
Date: 2008-09-29 08:27 pm (UTC)Ah, the angst of hot young men secretly craving each others sweet sweet asses.
Ain't nothin' like it, is there? :oD
(no subject)
Date: 2008-09-29 07:58 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2008-09-29 08:26 pm (UTC)Could be the beginnings of quite a rich fandom!
I really hope so. Very rich. There's much possibility, especially with Merlin/Arthur, and with the other characters and gen stories.
Feel free to friend me! New friends are always welcome.
(no subject)
From:(no subject)
Date: 2008-10-02 11:51 am (UTC)~rhea
(no subject)
Date: 2008-10-02 08:42 pm (UTC)I adore impish Merlin! I love that he's like that in the series, there's time enough later for him to become the man of legend, but seeing him uncertain and unsure and at the same time loving his magic is great.
I agree completely. It's wonderful to see him young, energetic and enthusiastic. He's just a boy really, so it's fun to see him behaving that way, like a teenager!
I hope you get hit by many more ideas for fics for this fandom. ^_^
So do I! Actually, I have another fic I've been working on that should be posted tomorrow, all being well :o)
(no subject)
Date: 2008-10-19 03:23 am (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2008-10-19 09:16 am (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2008-11-16 12:53 pm (UTC)country - city comparison at the start
Loves more
but Arthur… Arthur was close enough to know, to feel the truth
( also HAI! recognize you from before I had an account - btvs s/x )
(no subject)
Date: 2008-11-17 07:24 pm (UTC)Ah, yes, that was me! I was so very into my s/x stuff!
(no subject)
Date: 2008-12-31 11:29 pm (UTC)My impression of this was that it was spot-on with the show. WE can see the hidden slashiness, even if the characters cannot yet. Wonderful job.
(no subject)
Date: 2009-01-01 07:51 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2009-02-13 01:17 pm (UTC)But you're characterization is spot on and I love the images you paint. Too bad that fun and lightheartedness of the first couple of eps gets destroyed quickly by the deaths and the seriousness of it all (even though that's great writing and acting and character development)!
(no subject)
Date: 2009-02-18 08:40 pm (UTC)I so love this series. It's the best thing the BBC have done in a long time. I wonder what the next season will be like, if it'll be as slashy as the first, and as funny.