(in case you weren’t aware, there’s a little fandom theory about leon being immortal, because he managed to survive all these battles that supposedly killed everyone involved. it’s mostly a joke but it kinda got me inspired so)
- it’d been almost a century since arthur’s death. merlin had stayed in camelot of course, taken care of gaius, gwen, and the knights. they helped him cope and for a while, it was almost okay.
- and then of course, they began to age and die, leaving him feeling a little more empty. it didn’t take long for merlin to decide he might as well leave them, to save himself the heart ache. he said his last goodbye to the people that were still alive, and left. he couldn’t bring himself to venture far from the lake, so he simply settled there, near the shore.
- it was a small house, and he took care of himself. he had friends every once in a while, but he rarely got too close. he knew what would happen eventually, they would leave him, like everyone else had been forced to do.
- but he wasn’t exactly unhappy. he kept busy, continued fighting for equality in the world he now lived in.
- it didn’t even matter if it was no longer magic that he was fighting for. he yelled his support at woman’s marches until his throat was raw, had a pile of well-used black lives matter posters leaning against his wall, and never missed a chance to attend a pride parade. equality was equality, and that’s what he fought for.
- but he was lonely. it didn’t matter how many people he smiled to on the street, or the dogs who seemed to love him, it was like looking at everyone through clouded glass.
- and he saw his past everyday. a red shirt out of the corner of his eye, a familiar scent of herbs, a crown in a shop window. and for the first couple decades, he would look. his head would swivel and he would search for the voice or the blond man in the crowd. but after a while, it started to sink in that they were gone. so he let himself accept it.
- which is why he didn’t turn when he once again heard a familiar voice while sitting in a coffee shop. he just shook his head gently and continued his typing. and usually, that would be the end of it.
- and then he caught a glimpse of someone sitting on the other side of the room, having just hung up the phone. it took him a moment to even register why just looking at that person brought tears to his eyes. but then it clicked.
- he knew it couldn’t really be him, but he couldn’t stop himself from staring, trying to find something tonprove himself wrong. but there was nothing. the man was a spitting image of the knight he used to see everyday. the same curly hair and bright eyes that had always gleamed with a bright determination. they were a little duller now.
- merlin didn’t even realize he was moving until he was standing, looking at the man on the other side of the room. he opened his mouth, but his voice broke as he began to speak.
- it was enough. the man’s head lifted as he glanced around the room to figure out who had called him.
- after a moment, his eyes locked on merlin’s. just like that, merlin felt his eyes begin to water again.
he wasn’t sure how he knew or how it was possible but it was him.
- leon stood as well, leaving his phone lying on the table and inhaling shakily, “merlin?”
- merlin could barely bring himself to nod. but he must’ve, because the next thing he could remember was leon stepping quickly towards him and enveloping him in a tight hug
- he felt his whole body let out a breath of relief as he wrapped his arms around leon, holding on like he was afraid that leon would fall through the floor and leave him alone again
- eventually leon pulled apart, holding tightly onto merlin’s shoulders, his eyes reignited with that familiar gleam. his face was streaked with tears and merlin was sure his own face would look the same
- they took each other in, faces breaking into grins as it began to finally sink in that this was real. leon was the first to speak, reluctantly letting go of merlin’s shoulders and gesturing around the coffee shop, “shall we take this elsewhere?” merlin realized half the customers in the room were staring at them and nodded gently, forcing himself to take a step
- they walked out of the shop, barely able to take their eyes off each other, stopping a little further down the sidewalk, side by side. they both paused, feeling like something was off. merlin looked towards leon, linking their arms with an understanding smile.
- after this many years of being alone, they simply wanted to be as close to each other as possible.
- this time, merlin spoke first. “so why-how are you-,” leon gestured vaguely to the air, “it’s a long story but i’m-i’m kind of immortal,” merlin let out a loud laugh, a genuine kind of happiness that he hadn’t felt in a long time filling his chest, “yeah i guess i figured that,” he paused before continuing, “me too,”
- it felt like a kind of childlike joy, the way they were clinging onto each other to keep themselves from vibrating with excitement.
- and eventually, when arthur rose from the lake, merlin got to share a quick smile with leon before running barefoot to the shore.
