Double Drabble: Nature (Uther, Merlin+Arthur)
Summary: Uther notices. 200 words. For phantomjam.
Nature
Uther comes upon them unexpectedly in an empty hallway.
The servant boy is speaking, leaning forward. And Arthur... Arthur listens, turning something over in his hands. The boy gestures once, his entire attention fixed on Arthur. But not correct and deferential. Not like a servant.
There's something tense and open in the boy's body. Listen, it says. I'm right.
Arthur glances down at the dark stone in his hands and then slowly back up.
Uther thinks of deep roots, how with time they can break a foundation of stone. Thinks of the unseen forces forever tearing at hard-won order. He thinks of all the wrongness he cannot stamp out from his kingdom; how he can light pyres and chain the Great Dragon under his city and hazard his only son time and again, and still magic creeps back.
And to this he holds up the small wrongness of a servant taking one step beyond his place. He finds its exact measure.
Arthur says something, closing his hand around the stone. The boy smiles. It's the subtlest look Uther has ever seen on the half-simple boy's face.
Sunlight pours down around them.
Uther decides perhaps there's something here that needs watching.
Nature
Uther comes upon them unexpectedly in an empty hallway.
The servant boy is speaking, leaning forward. And Arthur... Arthur listens, turning something over in his hands. The boy gestures once, his entire attention fixed on Arthur. But not correct and deferential. Not like a servant.
There's something tense and open in the boy's body. Listen, it says. I'm right.
Arthur glances down at the dark stone in his hands and then slowly back up.
Uther thinks of deep roots, how with time they can break a foundation of stone. Thinks of the unseen forces forever tearing at hard-won order. He thinks of all the wrongness he cannot stamp out from his kingdom; how he can light pyres and chain the Great Dragon under his city and hazard his only son time and again, and still magic creeps back.
And to this he holds up the small wrongness of a servant taking one step beyond his place. He finds its exact measure.
Arthur says something, closing his hand around the stone. The boy smiles. It's the subtlest look Uther has ever seen on the half-simple boy's face.
Sunlight pours down around them.
Uther decides perhaps there's something here that needs watching.