He bent his knees, shifted his weight, and… now.

The cable car started to turn, and Virgil slipped from the seat and glided away. He had to scuff through the snow to reach the very top, but he grinned when he got there. He wasn't the only Tracy getting ready for another run.

"How's it going?" He swung into position as Gordon looked over, returning his smile.

"When I left you," he began in a deadpan tone, "I was but the apprentice."

Virgil rolled his eyes.

"Half a day doesn't make you a master," he retorted. But Gordon's form was correct and, unlike other members of the family, he was still going. As if reading his thoughts, Gordon glanced around.

"Where's big bro?"

Virgil shrugged. "Haven't seen John all day."

Gordon's eyes narrowed. Virgil raised an eyebrow, adamant he'd stare him down. He was the elder, after all. But Gordon looked uncannily like John when he pulled that face, and Virgil was the first to look away.

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No matter the mixed opinions about 2004 Thunderbirds, I probably quote that film more than anything.

Every time I start coming out of a depressive episode, I've got Lady P going 'Right, that's quite enough losing for one day.'

Every single time. And I love it.

Whispering Wings

Merlin paused, adjusting the precious bundle in his arms yet again. Not that she appreciated it, however: Aithusa grumbled deep in her chest. Merlin didn’t hear her, but felt the vibration through his hand: she was sleepy, nestled into his front, and not wanting to move.

Given she was only a few hours old, she was heavier than he’d expected. It’d felt like a long walk up from the forest, but he’d do it again. She was so small, so perfect. There was no way he was leaving her out there. Kilgarrah had gone on about a dragon’s instincts and how they would keep her safe. Merlin’s heart didn’t care: he couldn’t leave her.

Not, however, that he had any idea what he was supposed to do now he’d reached the castle. Dawn had long since gone – he’d had to stop multiple times on his way back when Aithusa showed an interest in her environment and he’d explained things, regardless of whether she could understand him.

But his hopes of slipping in undetected were now slim: the castle would be bustling. Even more so than usual, given that the king and his closest knights had just returned from what they considered another successful quest.

Merlin snorted, and Aithusa rumbled in response, making him smile. He checked the coast was clear and slipped into the adjacent corridor. He hoped by taking the servant’s routes and keeping his jacket over Aithusa, he could pretend he was on an errand for Arthur if anyone asked. That was usually enough to stop any further questions.

His footsteps echoed off the stone, making him wince with every step. Stealth had never been his strength, but this was too important. If he could get Aithusa back to his chambers; hide her there while she grew bigger. Gaius would help him, but how to keep another secret from Arthur…

“There you are.”

It was the last voice he wanted to hear right now. Merlin looked up.

“What’re you doing?” he blurted out before he could stop himself.

Arthur stopped walking, one eyebrow raised.

“As the King of Camelot, I can do whatever I want,” he retorted.

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Slippery Slope, Ch 2

Scott lay in the following morning.

He got to 06:02.

Then grew bored, and got out of bed.

He shivered as he glanced at the fresh covering of snow. He was already used to the tropical temperatures of their new home. Pulling on a sweater and socks, he moved on silent feet to the kitchen. His first stop was the coffee machine.

"Morning."

The voice was calm, and unlike Gordon's usual tone. But Scott was used to it: this was early morning Gordon, the focused and centred man no one else saw but him.

"Coffee?" Scott asked as a greeting.

Gordon moved closer. Without a word, the two of them worked together, passing mugs and milk between them. A few moments later, and they were curled up on the sofa, drinks in hand. Scott tucked his long legs beneath him, watching as it started snowing again. He wasn't used to this sense of peace.

"Missing your run?" Gordon asked.

Scott shook his head. "I'll still get a workout today. Missing your swim?"

Gordon nodded. "Long journey," he said. There was a bite of tension in his tone, but Scott didn't react. It would only irritate Gordon.

"You hitting the slopes today?" he said instead. Gordon grinned.

"Heck yes," he said. He also looked out the window. "Never done it before, though. Have you?"

"No," Scott said, uneasy. He didn't think one session on a dry slope years ago counted. While the vacation was a welcome break, Jeff's choice of destination was less so.

"Oh, you'll be fine," Gordon drawled. "Mr I'm-good-at-everything."

Maybe he could keep this secret for a little longer, after all?

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Battle Scars

What is this - first Merlin story in nearly a year?

Arthur watched through half-closed eyes as Merlin moved around his chambers. He was sitting at his table, dressed for bed, firelight gleaming off damp skin. The bath had helped with the aches from the mission, but it hadn’t eased the sharp sting of multiple wounds.

He’d been lucky, though. Bruises, cuts, and minor abrasions were scattered across his body, but he’d made it home. The same couldn’t be said for all his men. Those who had returned were dealing with far worse injuries: broken bones, and wounds that had Gaius setting up a makeshift infirmary in a larger chamber further down from his own, unable to fit them all in.

Arthur once would’ve boasted it was skill that had kept him safe. But he knew those men, fought with them his entire life. As usual, it was as if something – or someone – was watching over him, protecting him from the worst of the battle.

“Is there anything else?” Merlin’s voice was soft. He’d even picked up a scrape of his own during the battle. While Arthur usually mocked him for hiding, this time, he’d ordered Merlin to run when he realised they were surrounded. It had somehow come as no surprise when the man refused and stayed in the thick of things. He was lucky only a few scrapes were all he’d suffered. More than lucky.

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Slippery Slope, Ch 1

Given I'm on a roll at the moment, thought it was time to start posting a new story.

Scott shivered, zipping his coat further up as he stepped out of the car. The frigid temperatures slammed into him, but he tried to control his reaction.

"Friggin' hell!" Gordon didn't have the same restraint.

"What do you expect?" John joined them. "You've been in a heated car for an hour."

Gordon grumbled something under his breath, zipping his own coat, hands in his pockets, as he jumped on the spot.

John rolled his eyes, although it was barely visible with his hat tugged down and scarf pulled up. He seemed to take the cold weather in his stride. Scott wished he'd followed suit: he couldn't feel his ears.

"John?"

John looked over, and Scott nodded towards the driver. John headed over, speaking rapid French as he leant in at the window. Hiding a smirk, Scott turned to the trunk. John wanted to practice his languages, but it also meant Scott didn't have to stumble his way through the conversation.

Virgil fell into step with him. Scott offered a grateful smile, glad someone was giving him a hand. Gordon was still cursing and jumping.

He popped the lid, stepping back as Virgil dived in first.

But his brother didn't go for the top bag. Instead, he grabbed the handle of his own – from the bottom of the pile – and proceeded to try to drag it out, huffing and swearing as he did so. Scott was glad only the cab driver was around to hear them, given both Virgil and Gordon's language since arriving.

Virgil finally pulled his bag free, dropping it to the ground and looking at Scott.

"Could've helped," he panted.

Scott laughed. "Or you could've waited five seconds and helped me shift the ones on top."

Virgil stared at him. His hat was almost as low as John's, but Scott still saw the flush spreading across his cheeks.

More ->

Midnight Snack

Just a bit of brotherly fluff for @flashfictionfridayofficial's prompt this week.

Word count: 1000

Scott’s senses were tingling.

With a groan, he threw back the covers and rolled from bed. There was no point trying to go back to sleep now. His brothers always mocked him for his ability to just know when something was wrong, but that didn’t stop them from listening to those same instincts when it suited them.

This wasn’t a collapsing building sort of wrong, though. It was much closer to home.

He padded out of his room on silent feet, not pausing to grab a top. The island was hotter than usual, and he welcomed any breeze he could find.

He pushed open Virgil’s door. A deep snore was his only hint there was someone in the bed. Despite the heatwave, Virgil was still buried under his covers, just the top of his head poking out. Smiling, Scott retreated and shut the door.

Legacy and Destiny

For @janetm74, who requested this. It's kind of an added scene to my Thunderbirds/Merlin crossover found here.

-x-

Resting his elbows on the railing, Scott stared out to sea.

Events of the last few days were… baffling, to say the least. The island invasion by itself was enough; the fear of realising potential hostiles had snuck aboard Thunderbird Two.

But everything else?

How was he supposed to say two people from legend that weren’t supposed to exist had turned up on their secret island? Or Virgil seemed to possess gifts that were impossible? Or even how-

No.

He wasn’t going there.

Thinking about that damn sword made him shiver. He was scared of it. He’d handled enough weapons in his time, that wasn’t it. It was because he wanted it. His hand clenched on the railing. Even now, it called to him…

“Am I disturbing you?”

Scott looked around. Arthur was hovering in the doorway, albeit casting the sliding doors a suspicious look, not quite figuring them out. Scott shook his head, and the legendary ex-king, once-dead monarch of a mythical kingdom, stepped out to join him.

Intriguing... let me see what I can think of!

Ooh thanks, I'll get the muse fighting these two stubborn boys!

Prompt request

The words are flowing.

I'm making writing back into a habit/priority.

Hit me up with any ideas you want to see me write while I'm on a roll!