redscarvesinthedawn:

arthurpendragondistrict7:

Arthur made a face but slowly walked closer to Merlin. He swallowed.

“Hopefully it won’t be.” He spoke louder then before, his usual façade back. “The twelve year olds would last longer than you.” His voice shook at the last word. He shook his head, looking inside the vase.

“Right. Well, you better… Better clean that up then.” He said, turning to face the window once again. 

He didn’t want to think about any of this. Even if they won, others, others who were forced to do the same would be killed. He should be able to stop this. But… but he can’t. Gazing outside the window, he saw crying mothers hugging their children, and people rushing about, as if they could hide from everything that was happening. Arthur turned away and sat down on his bed, staring at the wall in front of him.

Merlin’s face was burning in embarrassment but, really, there were more important things to worry about. 

“Sorry,” he mumbled, putting the vase out in the corridor to deal with later. Arthur had turned away again and Merlin contemplated leaving. What stopped him was the expression Arthur wore - the poorly masked pain and fear, so different from the arrogant and supercilious prince Merlin knew. 

He walked to where Arthur was standing by the window, resting his hand on Arthur’s shoulder and gently squeezing, trying to reassure him. Arthur didn’t react so he withdrew his hand. 

“I-I can go… if you want…?” he trailed off, waiting for an answer. Arthur was his friend - his best friend - but everyone needed time alone, especially after an announcement like… that. 

Outside he heard people screaming, probably trying to get into the castle to see Uther, and guards pushing them away, even though they too were hurt by the promise of the Fandom Games.  Arthur furrowed his eyebrows. Why was this happening? He sat down on his bed, his head pounding the more he thought about what was yet to come.

He thought for a moment. His first reaction would to tell Merlin to leave straight away. But, did he really want to be alone at a time like this? What if… What if one of them are going to be tributes, what if one of them are going to the arena, what if one of them doesn’t come back? He shook his head.

“No.” He spoke slowly, unsure. “Stay. Will you?” He should be out there, finding Gwen, or trying to stop the panic down in Camelot. But he felt as if all the courage he had had been lost during the announcement. He needed Merlin’s company. He couldn’t be alone now. 

Outside he heard people screaming, probably trying to get into the castle to see Uther, and guards pushing them away, even though they too were hurt by the promise of the Fandom Games.  Arthur furrowed his eyebrows. Why was this happening? He sat down on his bed, his head pounding the more he thought about what was yet to come.