EnglandxReader Mirror part 2

By the time I got over my shock, Arthur's expression had grown exponentially more concerned. He gently tugged me into a seat next to him, but even sitting so close to him, all I could feel was a vague sort of resistance or pressure. I couldn't actually feel the seat, Arthur's hand, or even my backpack. Something was seriously wrong.

"Love, are you okay?" He whispered softly. His voice had that magical quality I loved so much, but something about it seemed distant.

"I'm fine," I whispered. What could I tell him? That he couldn't be real? Better to say nothing.

"Are you sure?"

The love in those emerald eyes, directed completely at me, momentarily melted away all my doubts. I gave him a real smile and leaned happily against his shoulder. Even if I couldn't feel it, at least I knew he was close to me. "I'm just tired. It's been a long day."

"Well, get plenty of rest over the weekend." He paused. "Do you want to postpone our picnic?"

My mind reeled. A picnic? With Arthur? I kept my expression carefully blank. This was a different world. Until I got used to the way of things here, I would just have to go with it. And if he thought for one instant that I would pass up a chance to go on a picnic with him, he was even crazier than I thought!

"Of course not! Don't be ridiculous. Um… what time were we going, again?"

"I'll pick you up tomorrow at eleven."

"Good." My heart skipped a beat at the thought, but I just settled more comfortably on his shoulder and half closed my eyes. The lack of feeling was disturbing, but I could get used to it. Unfortunately, everything looked just a little misty and sounded just a little far away, as though it was all an illusion. But of course it was, wasn't it? This would never have happened in 'real life.' Well, in that case I might as well make the most of it.

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The next few weeks were a curious combination of the real and the unreal. It was all how I had always wished it would be, and spending time with Arthur was as wonderful as I could have asked for, but I couldn't shake the feeling that something was seriously wrong.

With everything so far away, I felt detached. My sense were so dampened it felt like I was in a dream, like I would wake up any second and it would all be gone. Even more disturbing, everything felt flat – one-sided. It was like an alternate reality that had not been properly thought out. Even the characters of the people around me felt forced and strange. The day I finally admitted this to myself was the day I began to realize that this all-too-perfect world wasn't real.

My first response was denial. I clung desperately to my world, even as it slipped through my aching fingers. But in time I came to a sort of acceptance. It was not real, and I was. I didn't belong here. I had to go home.

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After school the day I reached this conclusion, I took Arthur's hands in mine. Having him so close nearly shattered my determination to leave. I wanted him more than anything. I would give this world one last chance.

"Arthur, you know I really love you, don't you?"

"Of course, love. I love you too, (name)." His eyes were sincere, but as I looked deep past their brilliant green, as always, I saw nothing, as though he were an empty shell, or a puppet. And the Arthur I knew wasn't like this, either. He wasn't sappy or suave. He was awkward, tsundere, and energetically so. Arthur wouldn't have responded so smoothly, or with those words. I dropped his hands slowly.

"What's wrong, (name)? Are you okay?"

His voice, filled with such care and concern, cut deep into my heart. Maybe this could work. Maybe I could make it work, if I stayed in the dream. Only, how could I find the real Arthur?"

I remembered the words from the letter, "you will know what to do." For some reason, I finally understood those words. This world was built around my wish, my fervent desire to be with Arthur forever, but what happened when I found something that would counter that? With two opposing forces, it might prove to be too much for this puppet world to handle. But it was my only chance for reality.

There was only one thing I could think of… magic. Magic lay at the root of all of Arthur's ambitions. He wanted to travel and learn as much as he possibly could. I, on the other hand, wanted to go to college and enter the military as an officer. I couldn't think of two more opposing aspirations, but if this world were to fit with my wish, they would somehow have to be brought together.

"Arthur, will we be together forever?" I asked softly.

"Of course, love." He gave me one of those heart-melting smiles, but again, the answer felt forced. Uncharacteristic.

"What if you had to chose between your magic and me?"

"But I don't."

"No. You've told me, you may have to stay with your instructors for years, traveling secretly and learning arts forbidden to others. And I'll be in college, and then the military. I'll wait for you, but… in the meantime, in the many years we follow our dreams, I will be all alone. You may not even be able to write me. What then?"

Arthur opened his mouth to speak, but no sound came out. The world around us froze, like a computer program gone awry, and for once, real, honest emotion painted itself across his face.

Caught in the transition, I suddenly felt everything. I could feel the soft sliding of my clothes, the weight of my hair, the coolness of the wind… and him. Surely, now I could feel him! And in this instant, he looked real, not far away. He was the Arthur I knew, the Arthur I loved so much.

Impulse overwhelmed thought. This instant was all I had. I reached my hands to his face, at last feeling the warm, smooth skin of his cheeks. I drew him close, and then I did a thing I never thought I would ever have the courage to do. I kissed him. Feeling his lips on mine was more wonderful than I had ever imagined. As he kissed me back, I tangled my hands in his hair. He set his hands on my waist and pulled me close. That instant felt like forever. It was a moment that transcended time. There was nothing but us, together, while the world around us whirled in agitated confusion.

And then, too soon, the moment passed. It seemed, no sooner had we kissed, than I was wrenched away by an unseen force. It pulled me away from his arms and his lips, pulled me away from the mirror-world in a cacophony of broken glass.