Merlin marketplace drabble and coda
Um, this one is a little spooky and kind of ends on a cliffhanger (but not really). G rated. The prompt was princealia and she pointed out that she thought I was done taking prompts. I'm not. I am thinking about doing as many drabbles as I can through the end of the week, so bring 'em on. But only one per customer. (Am now wondering if I should just make one post per day with all the drabbles or multiple posts with one drabble each.)
Empty. Deserted. Stark. Merlin had spent many hours in the marketplace in the daytime when it was teeming with people, full of colorful produce and wares, and pungent with smells of fish, meat, cheese, and cooking foods. He’d never been in the marketplace at night and he wondered what he was doing there now. The stones crunched under his boots despite his attempts at stealth and he was so skittish that when he heard another set of footsteps, he almost lost his footing. The hair on the back of his neck rose as he heard his name; then he sighed.
ETA: here's a coda.
He sighed with relief as he recognized Arthur’s voice hissing in the dark. The light touch of Arthur’s hand on his shoulder made him flinch before he remembered that he was not alone on this venture any longer. “Merlin, I told you to wait for me.” “Sorry sire. I thought I saw movement and thought it best to follow lest we lose the trail.” Arthur sighed at this, then pulled Merlin around the corner and said, “It was just a ruse. I only put you on the trail so I could have you to myself.” They kissed in the dark.
Empty. Deserted. Stark. Merlin had spent many hours in the marketplace in the daytime when it was teeming with people, full of colorful produce and wares, and pungent with smells of fish, meat, cheese, and cooking foods. He’d never been in the marketplace at night and he wondered what he was doing there now. The stones crunched under his boots despite his attempts at stealth and he was so skittish that when he heard another set of footsteps, he almost lost his footing. The hair on the back of his neck rose as he heard his name; then he sighed.
ETA: here's a coda.
He sighed with relief as he recognized Arthur’s voice hissing in the dark. The light touch of Arthur’s hand on his shoulder made him flinch before he remembered that he was not alone on this venture any longer. “Merlin, I told you to wait for me.” “Sorry sire. I thought I saw movement and thought it best to follow lest we lose the trail.” Arthur sighed at this, then pulled Merlin around the corner and said, “It was just a ruse. I only put you on the trail so I could have you to myself.” They kissed in the dark.