Drabble: Realpolitik (Merlin/Arthur, "Curiosity")
Summary: It isn't a serious marriage negotiation. And anyone who understood life at court would know this. (Written for Merlin100's Curiosity challenge.)
Realpolitik
The nets are drawn back, doves pale against a blue sky, wings flapping in a noisy rush. A political marriage is all he has ever expected, though this is just for show, one of his father's games. The balance of power is too neatly poised to be casting lots.
He may have neglected to mention this to Merlin, who is absent. Unimportant. Not particularly missed.
Later Merlin pulls away the fine cloth, the room unsteady with firelight. Distantly, clouded with drink, Arthur realizes he's been playing games, too, meanly curious.
He kisses Merlin softly, feeling a hot flush of shame.
Realpolitik
The nets are drawn back, doves pale against a blue sky, wings flapping in a noisy rush. A political marriage is all he has ever expected, though this is just for show, one of his father's games. The balance of power is too neatly poised to be casting lots.
He may have neglected to mention this to Merlin, who is absent. Unimportant. Not particularly missed.
Later Merlin pulls away the fine cloth, the room unsteady with firelight. Distantly, clouded with drink, Arthur realizes he's been playing games, too, meanly curious.
He kisses Merlin softly, feeling a hot flush of shame.