modern!mutant!Merlin

[loyalservant]

[Merlin isn't exactly convinced that this is a good idea]

I know that Gaius thinks that Xavier's will help me better control my "gift" but don't you think that sending me somewhere with a lot of people increases my chances of, oh, I don't know, causing someone to spontaneously combust!

He thinks that it won't be as stressful as Camelot because I don't have to hide, but I have a life there and friends, even if they don't know about me.

[he bites his lip and stares at his hands]

I don't know if this is a good idea, I don't want to hurt anyone. But maybe I should go to get this under control.

[and with that the choice is made, he really doesn't want to hurt anyone and if Gaius trusts this place who is he to disagree?]

[now with a bit of defiance]

Someone better keep that prat's ego in line while I'm gone.

Comments

[mordantwit]

[An assuring smile.]

I can assure you, the Institute has every measure in place to prevent that sort of thing.

And as for home, you'll still be able to correspond, and visit occasionally. [An amused arch of his eyebrow.] You can practice ego-puncturing from a distance.

[loyalservant]

[Whoa. The Charles Xavier is speaking to him. He's heard so much about him and he may end up at his school but he never imagined that he would actually get to speak to the man. Merlin is a bit honored really! He tries to not stumble on his words too much.]

Yeah but sometimes it just happens, once I was reading a book and I was getting to the climax of the story and the book just combusted. [he loses a lot of good books that way, damn molecular kinesis] I'm a bit worried that one day I'll get angry at someone and glare and they'll just, you know [he tries to mime bursting into flames.]

[Really, the moving things with his mind thing is pretty cool, but the side effects of vibrating molecules are not. It doesn't help that he often moves things subconsciously, like in his sleep. He'll never have a clean room again.]

[he smiles a bit] True, that's what the internet is for, after all.

[mordantwit]

[His smile only warms as Merlin fumbles.]

I once feared much the same thing. [A gentle tap of his temple.] That's why it's of utmost importance that we learn control - both of our abilities and our emotions.

In the meantime, your teachers will make quite certain that you don't harm anyone. [He has the utmost faith in them all, and it shows.]

[loyalservant]

[He nods a bit in response as he scratches the back of his head but he stops as he starts speaking, only so he can gesture to accentuate his words]

What do I tell people at home, about where I'm going? The city is anti-mutant and I can't tell my friends that I'm leaving for America to learn to control my mutation, but I can't just up and leave without a word. I don't like that I have to lie.

[mordantwit]

[His smile turns soft, and sad.] Hopefully, there will come a day when you won't have the need.

The Institute is a private school for the gifted; you could simply tell them it's a unique opportunity.

[loyalservant]

[he laughs a bit, but there is a sadness behind it]

Arthur wouldn't believe that I got into a school for the gifted, I guess I can prove to him that I'm smart, even if my "gift" isn't actually intelligence. [Which isn't to say that Merlin isn't smart, because he is when he tries. But he does truly see his ability as a gift, even if he knows others see it as a curse. His mother drilled into him that he was special and she loved him and even if people feared what he could do that he shouldn't be ashamed.]

Do you think that day will come? When we don't have to hide?