Summer’s tone went wry. “It doesn’t look like I have any choice in the matter.” One hand rubbed at her forehead. An awkward silence fell. “Um … do you think I could borrow a book? Something to read, just to pass some time? I don’t want to keep you from anything you need to be doing.”
Oh, sure, smiled Merlin as he went over to one of Gaius’ bookshelves. Most of the books in here are medical books. Is that alright? And don’t worry about distracting me. I was just heading back here, anyway. He had planned to go to sleep once he’d gotten home, but he couldn’t just go to sleep while there was a patient and Gaius was out. It was irresponsible, not to mention rude.
“If … it’s not too much trouble, could you tell me about you, then? I can’t even think how you manage to survive /here/ of all places with,” Summer flourished a hand at him, “so much power. I mean, at least I can talk, I don’t have to resort to telepathy, so I can keep my powers hidden … ” She gave him an unintentionally appealing look. “I never found anyone else with magic.”
Another blush spread across Merlin’s face and neck. He wasn’t quite used to people mentioning how much power he had. Some days it’s difficult, and some days it’s easy, especially because Arthur thinks I’m an idiot. With most people, I don’t use telepathy, though. I write in a journal or mouth what I want to say. He sighed sympathetically at her expression. I’m sorry… I know how difficult that is.
“Don’t you ever get a chance to stop hiding?” The fact that he blushed so easily over it fascinated her; did no one ever praise him for it either? “At — at home, I don’t … so much have to hide. I don’t go about telling people, but I know many of our people have guessed that there is more to my skills at healing than simply … herbs and potions.”
It must be horrible for him, she thought. To be here, of all places, in the centre of the Purge, and bound in service to the heir to Camelot, and never be able to be honest about himself with anyone. Always keeping secrets, always lying. She gave an involuntary shiver of sympathy.