#magic! reader

Bag strap slung across your middle, you glanced between familiar shapes of green. Both of you had separated to cover more ground. You had thought it wise to be checking more area for what was needed.

A yelp in the distance startled you.

“Merlin?” You rose your voice as your eyes darted around the green.

No answer.

“Merlin!”

“Over here!”

Herbs shoved into a side bag, you bolted towards Merlin’s voice. Your eyes glanced everywhere to spot your good friend.

Soon you had found him at the bottom of a steep slope.

“Merlin!” You carefully made your way down to him. “Are you alright?”

The young man sat up with dirt and fallen leaves sticking to his dark jacket. A low groan signaled that he was in fact not one hundred percent fine.

“Where are you h—?” You kneeled beside him and he raised his hands, palm side up. “Ohmygoodness.”

“I need to see Gaius.” Merlin said as he himself stared at his gashed palms. Dirt and other debris littering the wounds. He held his palms steady, tense. Clearly in some pain.

It tore at your heart to see your friend in such a way. To see first hand. But you could help. You had to help, you knew you could. Fear of pushing Merlin away felt heavy on your shoulders at the thought of helping him the only way you knew how.

I have to.

With a large mental push, you hid away your fear of the consequences because you hated seeing Merlin hurt or in any amount of pain.

Help him.

You swallowed thickly, “Merlin.”

Cerulean blue eyes looked to you then. Deep, questioning, and concerned.

“I’m…I’m sorry,” you swallowed again. “I’m going to try something that you might not like at all and I…I fully understand if you’ll be scared of me, but I want to help you.”

He frowned, confused. “Why would I be afraid of you?” Merlin’s voice was soft.

“May I?” You pointed to his hands.

Without much pause, he nodded and watched attentively.

Tentatively, you hovered your palms just over his own. Taking in one long deep breath, you then willed the debris to leave Merlin’s damaged skin and settle elsewhere on the ground. Merlin sucked in a light breath beside you, however you focused on the main task at hand, healing Merlin’s wounds. So you did. Avoiding the quick and painful healing, you carefully weaved and restored his skin in a persuasive process. Energy flowed through you, channeled into Merlin’s palms.

Spell complete, you moved your hands to your lap. Relief flooded you at the sight of his palms not having a single trace of a scratch nor irritation, however fear of Merlin’s possible reaction grew. More than anything, you didn’t want to lose your good friend.

Braving the inevitable, you glanced at him.

Merlin just looked amazed, if not a little amused.

It was your turn to frown.

Why in the world is he smiling?

“You have magic.” He stated, finally meeting your gaze.

“Yes. I’m sorry…”

Merlin shook his head as his smile grew.

“Please don’t tell anyone, Merlin. I just—” Your words and thoughts dropped out of existence as you witnessed Merlin’s eyes glow gold for a moment. In the next second there were leaves floating around the two of you. Circling and spinning, the leaves completed a lap before settling back to the forest floor.

You knew your eyes must had been wide at that point when you looked to your friend again. He only grinned more.

“I have magic too.”

You blinked. Then blinked again.

“I’m sorry I didn’t tell you, but…you know,” Merlin shrugged, “Arthur.”

Arthur. Magic outlawed. Merlin’s his manservant. Friend.

“How in the world…?” You had no idea what you would want to ask first or at all.

He laughed lightly.

“So…you’re not afraid or angry with me?”

“No, of course not.” Merlin placed a healed hand on your shoulder. “I understand. We both had to keep our secret. But…” His face grew more serious.

You rose an eyebrow.

“Now that we both know we have magic. You should learn more about it. I can’t be the only one around here who uses their powers for good. Camelot needs us. Arthur needs us. Even if he doesn’t know it yet. We can really make a difference.”

“He needs us?”

Merlin nodded. “I would really appreciate your help.”

“I’m going to be running around at all hours like you, aren’t I?”

“Not all the time.”

“Merlin, you’re always on the go.” You playfully patted his side. “But…Of course I will help you. Can’t let you fall asleep doing the laundry.”

“Thank you. Also,” he held up his hands. “Thank you for healing me.”

“Guess you could have done that yourself.”

“Yeah.” His grin had returned.

“I’m glad it’s you though. I’m lucky to have you.”

Merlin pulled you in for a hug. A new understanding and level of trust established.

The both of you happily spent more time out in the woods gathering herbs and playing with magic before having to eventually return to the castle. Two friends closer than they were before.

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Best wishes and happy reading.)

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DreamerDragon Tags: @cubedtriangle @pilindielofgondor