Disclaimer: I do not own Merlin, dammit. *Sobs*. It belongs to BBC.
Notes: A collection of one-shots, some AU, some not, mostly Merthur (present, past, implied, and pre) and ALL inspired by songs. There is no set number to these – I'll put it as complete anyway, simply because I find it neater that way. It'll annoy me otherwise aha. I'm weird like that. So IT IS NOT FINISHED, but is labelled as such.
The title of this comes from 'Homesick at Spacecamp' by Fallout Boy: "Tonight the headphones will deliver you the words that I can't say."
Song and Artist: 'All these lives' Chris Daughtry
Inspiring Lyrics: "You're not a person, you're a disease. All these lives that you've been taking, can't you see my heart is breaking."
Universe: Merlinverse future!fic
Pairings/Characters: Implied past Arthur/Merlin, mentioned Arthur/Gwen
Summary: 'Sometimes even destiny is mistaken.'
Genres: Angst/fantasy
He never thought he would be reduced to this, running from the one man he had held his faith in. The dragon had spoken of greatness. Greatness? What greatness? Pretty lies from a creature that is nothing more than a winged serpent, no more or less a slithering liar, a seducer – he took flight to the Far Lands long ago when he was shown that even his precious Destiny is not infallible.
He is pathetic. It slices through his heart with a ruby blade. A jaded heart beating poison and hate. Betrayal tastes bitter on his tongue, a liquor too strong and thick and yet he welcomes it.
He is broken. Arthur broke him. He had expected too much from him. And it broke him.
He looked to Arthur and he had once seen a King to be proud of – a king he would have been happy to serve until death took him under his wing. A king who would lead the world from beneath the haze of fear Uther and other careless kings had cast upon it, and into a brighter place. United, then, they would have stood – a world stronger, healthier and freer than any man has ever known.
He had looked to Arthur and he had seen a friend – they had shared their banter and their laughs. He saw a man who would talk of boundaries and right and wrong, and yet would refuse to let something as simple as rank or position to hinder a friendship that had been, admittedly, unwanted to begin with. He saw a man with loyalty, a man who would let no other person suffer, friend or stranger. Someone who would face impossible odds to rescue maids and fellow nobles alike.
He had looked to Arthur and, one broken heart ago, he had seen a lover. He had seen a beauty so unlike any other – the beauty only true royalty could possess. He saw bravery and stupidity in the face of enemies and determination and courage. He saw kindness and gentleness and affection, hidden within the depths of cool blue eyes. He saw secrets smiles; felt hidden caresses and found a happiness he never expected upon his arrival at Camelot.
But now that king, that friend, that lover, and signed his death warrant with the same hands that had once held him.
It was all gone. In a blink of an eye, a destiny so revered by all had been whipped away like a flame in the wind.
Arthur now lies with Gwen, his newly appointed queen and continues his fathers' prejudice.
And Merlin flees, once a faithful servant Arthur had lied and fought to save upon many a false claim, only just avoiding the pyre of loathing and shattered trust.
He had been told once that Arthur would bring the world together and protect all people, magical and not.
He had once believed such a pretty lie, held it close to his heart as he done all he possibly could to protect that butterfly of hope.
Never again, Merlin vows as he takes one last look at Camelot, never again will he be so naive. Closing his heart to the world, he promises himself that destiny will fool him no more.
Whatever awaits him now is of his own making and his own making alone.
Hmm... might actually take this idea and make it into a multi-chaptered fic, maybe edit it a bit... hmmm (tell me what you think :]).Meh, for now it's a one shot. :] Hope you enjoyed it.