million_star: ((Merlin: hand porn))
D ([personal profile] million_star) wrote2013-09-02 12:38 am

Tuesday

Title: Tuesday
Author: [livejournal.com profile] millionstar
Pairing:  Merlin/Arthur
Rating:   PG
Warnings:  Slight angst.
Summary: For Merlin, memory begets action.
Disclaimer: I don't own this version of Merlin & Arthur, the BBC/Shine do. No profit is being made and this is fiction.
Beta/Support:  As always, [livejournal.com profile] dolce_piccante, who I cannot thank enough. \o/
Author's Note:  Just a ficlet, something to get my Merlin/Arthur mojo rolling again.  I had asked for prompts on twitter and I got "hands" and "wounded" - from [livejournal.com profile] whiteapricot and [livejournal.com profile] hannah_chapter.  Thanks, gals!  This was the end result and I guess it's technically my first reincarnation fic.


On a Tuesday, under a sky filled with clouds, he tucks an unruly lock of ebony hair behind his ear and stares into the water calmly, losing himself in myth.

There are a myriad of things that Merlin remembers from that life, senses and facts that are indelibly seared into his psyche.  The way the grass in Ealdor felt beneath his bare feet in the summer, the taste of the apples from a specific tree on the outskirts of the castle, the mere sight of Camelot itself, its spires cutting into the sky, sharp and exact.

These things are of memory, representative of emotion at their core.  Yet, despite all of them, they are not always at the forefront of Merlin's mind.  No, the one that he remembers the most is decidedly tactile in nature.

Something representative of touch.

Arthur's hands, above all else, stand out in his mind.  He remembers them in glorious, vivid detail.  Every wrist and palm and digit has been committed to memory, as familiar as Merlin's own reflection in the mirror in his small apartment that he hates because it's not a home.

As the breeze picks up, Merlin remembers one scar in particular, more so the treatment of said scar.  Arthur had returned from combat, broken and low, but barely wounded, save for a deep cut on his left palm.  They had sat on the floor together in Arthur's chambers, in front of the fire, as Merlin dressed the wound.  Merlin hadn't been prepared when Arthur silently pulled him into his arms and simply rested against Merlin, as though doing so were the only thing that could purge the memory of battle from his mind.

That night, Merlin fell asleep holding Arthur's wounded hand between both of his own.

Merlin's own cuts were, and still are, decidedly different.  They do not mar the flesh -  unlike Arthur's, his wounds might not be visible, but they are ever present.  They compose a part of him that he longs to be able to shed and yet knows he would mourn if he ever did.

Without warning, Merlin's magic reacts, it blossoms with a specific energy that he hasn't felt in a hundred lifetimes, and before he realizes what he's doing he's standing at the edge of the water, scanning it with frantic purpose.

When the hands that have haunted him for desolate centuries finally breach the surface of the lake, Merlin cannot help but smile through his tears.  It occurs to him that perhaps now his small apartment can finally become the home he's wanted for so long.

He's waited forever to hold these hands again.
amusedinred: (Default)

[personal profile] amusedinred 2013-09-02 04:44 am (UTC)(link)
Ohmygod I got chills, chills, reading this. It's a gorgeous piece.

They compose a part of him that he longs to be able to shed and yet knows he would mourn if he ever did.

This line is just - I love it. I keep reading it over and over and wow. My heart.

Beautiful, D. <333

[identity profile] millionstar.livejournal.com 2013-09-02 06:12 pm (UTC)(link)
Was so kind of you to read this, J, I really really appreciate it, so much. <33

Thank you so much.

[identity profile] 47eleven.livejournal.com 2013-09-02 11:39 am (UTC)(link)
Lovely fic

[identity profile] millionstar.livejournal.com 2013-09-02 06:12 pm (UTC)(link)
Thanks, dear!
ext_1380661: (Default)

[identity profile] easilyerased.livejournal.com 2013-09-02 12:00 pm (UTC)(link)
Oh wow, D. Wowowowow.

(Look at me, reading your Merthur stuff.)

They had sat on the floor together in Arthur's chambers, in front of the fire, as Merlin dressed the wound.
This was my favourite bit simply because I love the concept of it.

Absolutely gorgeous, my love. Kudos to you <33333

[identity profile] millionstar.livejournal.com 2013-09-02 06:14 pm (UTC)(link)
Thanks so much for reading and for your kind words, N, I really appreciate it. Truly. x

[identity profile] jelazakazone.livejournal.com 2013-09-02 05:23 pm (UTC)(link)
Eeepp! So lovely to see you writing Merlin again, but damn if this isn't heartbreaking. ::hugs::

[identity profile] millionstar.livejournal.com 2013-09-02 06:15 pm (UTC)(link)
Thank you so much, J, I really appreciate it! And I MISS you, I hope we can catch up properly when I get home. SO happy you are home safely. x

[identity profile] jelazakazone.livejournal.com 2013-09-02 06:17 pm (UTC)(link)
<3 <3 You betcha! I can't read the Muse fics b/c I just don't know the guys, so I've missed your stories.

I AM HOME NOW. I AM AVAILABLE. MY BODY IS READY. j/k. :D Ditto though. I'm around now and should be somewhat available for chats. Kids go back to school tomorrow :D

Trip was good and despite a few travel hiccups (thanks British rail) all is well.

[identity profile] shuralove.livejournal.com 2013-09-02 05:23 pm (UTC)(link)
Just gorgeous

It occurs to him that perhaps now his small apartment can finally become the home he's wanted for so long.

He's waited forever to hold these hands again.


I was really moved by those closing words. Your Merthur has such heart and depth of emotion. I've probably told you this before, but I simply adore seeing this pairinf through your eyes and heart.

&heart;

[identity profile] millionstar.livejournal.com 2013-09-02 06:16 pm (UTC)(link)
Thank you, I appreciate it more than I can express; so happy you enjoyed this little thing. xx

[identity profile] space-black-out.livejournal.com 2013-09-02 10:48 pm (UTC)(link)
Oh, this was lovely D, you have such a way with words.

I loved the closing line, so poignant <3
*hugs*

[identity profile] millionstar.livejournal.com 2013-09-09 01:09 am (UTC)(link)
Thank you, so much! x

[identity profile] stargarnet.livejournal.com 2013-09-03 09:19 pm (UTC)(link)
Me: *loud audible sigh in office*
Friend in next office: "Pan! You ok?"
Me: "Yep, just reading something special, cheers!"

[identity profile] millionstar.livejournal.com 2013-09-09 01:09 am (UTC)(link)
Thank you, so so much. <33