AN: Set in Belfast 1981; first proper Mergana story, in a way. Just a little experiment I'm working on. If I get enough feedback I'll continue it in between my exams and other stories.

Darkness had fallen over Belfast and two figures stood entwined in an alleyway. The boy had his arms wrapped protectively around the girl as they pressed their mouths together in a slow yet passionate kiss. To society they were wrong. To society it was forbidden. Society insisted they could not be together. But as far as they were concerned; society could take a running jump. All that mattered right now was their hold and love for each other. A love which society claimed was to be desired yet in reality was feared and detested.

As they broke apart for air; Merlin's blue eyes met Morgana's green. The semi-ironic thought flashed across his mind that he should be the one with blue eyes whilst Morgana's were green but that thought was replaced by how much Morgana had changed his life over the past few months since they had met and Merlin was sure of only one thing now; no matter what happened next; this was a certainty.

"I love you," Merlin whispered as he kissed Morgana again.

Morgana grinned at Merlin as they broke apart. He was the first boy who'd ever said those words to her. And they were standing in an alleyway just in the no-man's land not too far from the Falls' Road part of Belfast where Merlin lived. It couldn't have been less romantic if he'd tried but Morgana knew one thing; no matter what shit occurred next between both sides of the Troubles; one thing mattered.

"I love you too," Morgana whispered but before they could say or do anything next; a loud, repetitive banging broke the semi-stillness of a Belfast night. Merlin drew back from Morgana and swore.

"That's Gwen's signal, you need to get going." Merlin warned. Morgana nodded and she gave Merlin a last quick kiss as she ran out of the alley towards her car. Merlin waited to hear her drive off before he turned and ran through the streets back to his housing estate. The banging of bin lids off the road was being echoed on every street and people were hurrying inside or out of the Falls. Nobody wanted to be caught out; especially not on the Falls. As Merlin tore up the road; he saw Gwen stop banging her own bin lid and jumping over the garden wall as Tom opened the door to let her into the house; Merlin tore down the street; a stitch in his side as he knocked on his own door and Hunith let her son into the house.

"Merlin I've told you a million times about being out at night." Hunith warned as Merlin stood bent double in the doorway, forcing air back into his lungs.

"I know Ma, I'm sorry." Merlin apologised as he stumbled into the living room and onto the sofa; even though Hunith had the small TV on; they could still hear the sounds of some lads recklessly attempting to force the British troops out of the Falls by throwing stones and bottles at them. Hunith shook her head and Merlin shrugged. He wasn't the one out causing trouble so she couldn't get mad at him.

Meanwhile Morgana drove down the road nervously. While she was technically out of the Falls area of Belfast, she knew she wouldn't be totally safe until she was home. It was dangerous for anyone to be out at night whenever the soldiers were patrolling but it was especially dangerous for her. These nights usually ended in violence and being the daughter of the head of the RUC did Morgana no favours whatsoever. It wasn't long before Morgana managed to get home safely. As Morgana walked into the house; Uther was still in his uniform and Arthur was slumped on the sofa watching TV. Uther frowned at his daughter.

"Where were you?" Uther asked.

"Morgause's, she had a fight with her boyfriend and I had to calm her down." Morgana lied quickly; knowing that if Uther rang Morgause, she would have cover for Morgana. It was partly why they were best friends; they had each other's backs. Yet Morgana knew that if Morgause knew where she'd really been, she wouldn't be so willing.

"Try and get home earlier in future. It's too dangerous for you to be out so late." Uther commented as the news came on with an update about the IRA hunger strikers. "They're just scum," Uther spat as various images of the H-Block and the hunger strikers filled the screen. Morgana turned and hurried up to her bedroom and flung herself onto her bed; letting her thoughts drift to Merlin.

At the other side of Belfast Merlin had done the same thing; unable to sit and watch the news with his mother and father as they debated the hunger strikers. Merlin lay on his bed and thought about Morgana.

Someday things would be different, they wouldn't have to run and hide anymore. They would be free to be together. There wouldn't be any barricades between them; physical or metaphorical. Yet in their hearts they knew now their situation was hopeless.

This is Belfast.

This is 1981.

Merlin is a Catholic.

Morgana is a Protestant.