Chapter 1: Chapter One
Chapter Text
Chapter One
Rolling hills in a thousand shades of green glimmered and blushed in the early afternoon sunlight. A flowery note caught in the breeze and drifted in through the open window as Merlin cruised along the motorway, his arm crooked on the window ledge, temple resting on his knuckles. He easily steered the car with one hand, keeping a safe distance as he merged into traffic, leaving the endless expanse of glittering sea behind him.
A holiday in Cornwall had been the perfect remedy to blow the cobwebs from his brain and to earmark the start of his sabbatical from work. Still, the yawning chasm of endless, empty days stretching before him was enough to make his belly quiver. He’d never been good at staying idle. It could explain why he’d hopped from job to job, expertise to expertise, throughout the years for as long as he could remember. Driving home to a sparsely decorated flat and having no one to look forward to seeing didn’t exactly fill him with glee.
The holiday had been a great idea, but now it was over.
Exhaling deeply through his nose, he glided into the far-left lane and tried to ignore the melancholy rhythm beating between his ribs.
Trees peppered along the long stretch of road; the distant honking of horns barely breached the bubble he’d envisioned around himself. He knew, realistically, that he should be making his way home. However much a one-bedroom flat felt like home, with the wilting plant life on the bathroom windowsill, and the messy piles of books he’d left open.
After he’d been driving for close to two hours, he spotted something up ahead that piqued his interest. Leaning forward, chest almost touching the steering wheel, he made out the silhouette of a person walking along the road -no, that was a child! A child sticking its thumb out at on-coming traffic. No one seemed to pay her any mind, but Merlin felt his insides cramp with fear. Anything could happen to a young girl out here.
As if working on autopilot, he flicked on his indicator and gently pulled off onto the shoulder of the road. Putting the car into PARK, he hastily unfastened his seatbelt and climbed out into the bright afternoon. The air was just on the edge of being comfortably warm, a light breeze ruffling his hair as he stuffed his hands into his jacket pockets. He kept a weather-eye on the young girl, watching as she waved her arms overhead trying to get someone’s attention. Merlin felt his stomach flipflopping inside him as he drew nearer.
“Hey! Hey, kid! Get over the barricade or you’ll get hurt!”
It appeared she hadn’t heard him. She continued to stretch up on her tiptoes and wave her arms more frantically. At some point she grew exhausted and backed up to the barricade and sat down, her legs not even reaching the tarmac.
By the time Merlin was a few feet away, he was able to pick out more details about the girl; she was pale and small, her white-blonde hair tumbled down in a mass of unruly curls, barely pinned back with hairclips. Her frilly socks were dusty, and her shoes were scuffed along the toes. She had a rucksack slung over one shoulder and her mouth was turned down at the corners.
The traffic rumbled along much louder now that he was out of the car. Brows pinched against the glare of the sun, he cast a look around. Still, no one seemed to be paying any attention as they rushed by.
“Mind If I sit?” he asked, gesturing to the warped metal barricade.
She shrugged, angling her knees away from him.
He took a seat, propping one foot up on the metal. The sun warmed his skin. The leather of his jacket creaked as he rubbed his palms along his thighs.
“You know, it’s pretty dangerous for little girls to be walking along such a busy road.”
She hunched her shoulders, chewing on her bottom lip while twisting her fingers together. She was afraid. It made him feel upset that even he hadn’t been able to immediately soothe those fears away.
“My Grandpa says I’m not s’posed to talk to strangers,” she mumbled so quietly, he had to strain to hear her.
“Well, I would think your grandpa also says you’re not supposed to run away, right?” he said idly.
“I guess …”
He felt pity for her. She looked so small and lost. How long had she been walking along the road? What had happened to make her want to run away in the first place? From his own experiences, it took a lot to scare kids her age to do something so drastic.
“Do you think maybe we should be getting you back home?” he asked, keeping his eyes facing forward.
“I was going to -but no one’s stopping.”
He could hear the pout and it made his insides twist. “Well, I stopped,” he turned to look at her. “Do you want me to take you home?”
She turned to look up at him, her nose wrinkled as she squinted. “I don’t know. You’re still a stranger.”
Grinning, he reached out his hand. “I’m Merlin.”
Twisting her mouth to one side, she looked from his face to his hand and back again. Gingerly she reached out and clasped his hand. “Aithusa.”
“Pleasure to meet you,” he said. “See, not strangers anymore. Now come on, let’s get you off this road. It’s dangerous and the last thing I want is to see you on the night-time news.”
Hopping off the wall, she dusted the back of her dress down and gripped the straps of her rucksack. “Why would I end up on the news?”
“Doesn’t matter,” he used his arm to guide her away from the busy lanes, using his body as a buffer against the on-coming cars.
Aithusa merrily hurried alongside him, his long strides too much for her to match, and eagerly jumped into the passenger side as soon as he’d opened the door. Once he made sure she was buckled in securely, he closed the door and made his way around the bonnet to the driver’s side. Once in, he started the engine and crawled to the edge of the shoulder, indicated, and then eased back out into traffic.
“Okay, keep an eye on the road signs,” he said, keeping his gaze transfixed ahead. “I need you to tell me where we’re going.”
“I’m hungry!” she pouted, huffing, and looking out of the window.
Merlin chanced a glance over at her before chewing his bottom lip. His own stomach was feeling a little empty, but he didn’t want to get any funny looks turning up to a McDonald’s or a Burger King with a child in tow who clearly didn’t belong to him. In the end, after a few minutes of deliberation and seeing a few brightly coloured signs pass overhead, Merlin decided to risk it.
“Okay, let’s go get some lunch then. You’re not allergic to anything, are you?”
“No!” she chirped happily, swinging her pale legs.
Merlin found himself smiling despite himself. The child’s giddy behaviour was clearly contagious. Approaching the turn-off, Merlin pulled out of the traffic and sidled down to the drive-thru. He figured it would be easier to order and eat in his car, than risk getting funny looks inside the restaurant. As they crawled along to the windows to order, Merlin was silently grateful that Aithusa hadn’t wanted anything more complicated than a Happy Meal. Parking the car in a far corner of the parking-lot, Merlin served up their food and wedged the cups in the car’s cup-holders.
“Feeling better?” he asked, munching through his spicy chicken burger.
Aithusa nodded enthusiastically, ketchup dotting her chin. “Grandpa says not to talk with your mouth full!”
Merlin grinned, “I won’t tell him.” He took a noisy slurp of his drink, before peeking inside the box. “So, what toy did you get?”
“I don’t know,” she frowned, digging out a small white dragon. “Oh! It’s Luna from How to Train Your Dragon!”
“I’ve not seen that,” Merlin admitted. “Is it good?”
“Of course! They finally got a girl dragon, and she’s pretty! Toothless is still the best though.”
“You like your dragons then?”
“Yeah. Other girls like My Little Pony stuff, but I’ve always wanted a pet dragon!”
Merlin chuckled, “Dragons are pretty cool.”
“Only cool people like dragons,” she summarized with an air of wisdom to her words.
It only made Merlin smile even wider. “Does that make me cool, then?”
“I guess so.” She held his gaze and slurped noisily on her own drink, eyes twinkling.
Feeling calmer about the situation, Merlin waited until they’d both finished eating before balling up their rubbish and stuffing it into the door pocket, before pulling back out of the car park and onto the main road. He followed Aithusa’s directions and even let her fiddle with the radio, even though it never worked well to begin with. He kept an eye on the signs they passed, mentally mapping out their journey as they navigated deeper among the hills until they came up alongside a wooded area and a fork in the road. A signpost pointed left and right; the names somewhat faded to time.
“It’s the one on the left,” Aithusa piped up, sitting up in her seat.
Merlin frowned, “How are you so sure?”
“I know where I live!” she tutted.
Unable to argue, Merlin turned down the left lane, the car jolting a little over the rougher terrain. The road was still tarmac, but it obviously hadn’t been redone in some time. Merlin was stunned that a young girl was able to cover such a distance, however Aithusa had said she’d wanted to get a lift back home. Perhaps she hadn’t realized how far she’d gone, either?
After driving for fifteen minutes through the road weaving between the trees, the ground flattened out, the road was smoother, and they went passed a sign that read ‘WELCOME TO CAM-LOTT’. The trees gave way to quaint little houses, then a squat block of flats, cafés, a bus station, a train station, schools and restaurants and bars. Eventually, they came upon a police station with a few cars parked out front.
Merlin pulled up at the end of the road and parked. Unfastened his belt, he glanced up at the police station. “Okay, I’m going to go and talk to someone in there for a bit, okay? Are you alright to stay in the car for a bit?”
“Yeah, I’ve got my dragon,” she beamed up at him.
Giving her a grin, he took the car keys out and slipped them in his pocket. Locking the car behind him, he stuffed his hands in his pockets and made his way up to the double doors of the station and pulled one open. Inside seemed much the same as any other police station; light grey walls, threadbare navy carpet and balsawood desks with black spinning chairs behind them. At the front desk, Merlin waited to be acknowledged, feeling his heart beating a little faster. In his pockets, his palms started to feel a little sweaty.
Just as the lady behind the desk looked up and opened her mouth to ask his business, a door down the hall slammed open.
“I DON’T CARE HOW MANY PATROL CARS WE NEED TO SEND OUT, I WANT HER FOUND NOW!” roared a loud voice. The speaker rounded the corner like a bull in a China shop. He reached over the receptionist and snatched up a sheaf of papers. “Katrina, have there been any calls about Aithusa? Has anyone seen her?”
“Aithusa?” Merlin asked, flinching when two faces snapped up to look at him. He took a step back.
The blonde man, his face flushed and brow heavily marred, eyed Merlin up and down before walking out from behind the reception desk. “Who are you?” he sneered. “What do you know about Aithusa?”
“Sorry, friend, my name’s Merlin,” he extended his hand.
The man folded his arms across his chest. Merlin barely glanced at how the uniform stretched over the muscular arms. He was too distracted by the angry glare being directed at him. He felt his hand falter before dropping down to his side.
“I’m sorry, do I know you?” he sneered.
Merlin blanched, swallowing thickly.
“Now what do you know about Aithusa?”
“I have her,” Merlin jerked his thumb over his shoulder. “She’s outside in my car. I thought it would be best to bring her here in case someone had reported her missing.”
“You have her?!”
“I -well, yeah, I just told you that.”
“You took her?”
Merlin frowned, opening his mouth to argue. “No, of course not! Why would I take a child?”
Before he could do anything else, the blonde man grabbed his bicep and started to steer him away towards the desks. Merlin felt sweat break out across his neck. Panic was setting in. He couldn’t be arrested! Behind him the main doors opened, and a hand came to rest on his shoulder, pulling them both to a stop. They turned to see a tall man with a tanned complexion and a silky wave of black hair and dark eyes.
“Is there a problem here, Chief?” he asked, his voice gentle.
“I was just escorting this man down the hall to book him for taking Aithusa.”
The stranger’s eyebrows shot up beneath his hair. “Is that what happened?” he asked, turning his gaze to Merlin.
“Of course not!” Merlin cried, trying to jerk his arm away from the blonde’s grip. Damn, he was strong. “I brought her back! I found her on the side of the motorway!”
Stepping around him, the stranger rested his hand on the chief’s arm and seemed to exude a calming aura. Merlin felt his stomach knot as the blonde’s grip on his arm slackened.
“Come now, Arthur. He brought her back. We should be thanking him, not booking him.”
Arthur’s expression suddenly tensed up again, his straight nose wrinkling up on one side. “I’ll decide what needs to be done with him.”
“Hey! She’s in the car, she’s fine!” Merlin jerked his arm away and grappled with his pockets. “Here, take my keys and go get her. I promise, she’s fine!”
The newcomer took the keys, but instead of going out into the sunny afternoon, he handed the keys over to the police chief -Arthur -and fixed with him a kind look. “Why don’t you go and get her, chief, and I’ll take -sorry, what was your name?”
“M-Merlin?”
“Really?” sneered the chief.
Merlin bristled. Before he could retort, the newcomer clapped him on the shoulder. “Come this way, do you want anything? Tea, coffee, water?”
Allowing himself to be led away, Merlin barely glanced behind him as the chief spluttered at the indignation of being told what to do by a subordinate. Once sat in a chair in front of a desk, Merlin felt some of the tension leave his body. He accepted a cup of tea from the officer who’d escorted him and took a deep gulp of it.
“So, I see you’ve made a lasting impression with the chief,” the officer commented as he sat down behind the desk and drew out a printed form. His tone was gentle, calming, and his face was an open book.
Merlin liked him immediately.
“I get that tensions were high. But I brought her back! Most people would just -I don’t know -be grateful? I guess I didn’t expect to be manhandled.”
“I apologise on behalf of the chief. He’d been under a lot of stress lately, so anything that drops on his desk and gets marked a priority drives him a little crazy. Besides,” he sighed. “No one likes to think of what would happen to a missing kid.”
“The first twenty-four hours are imperative, I know.”
“You do? Are you in law enforcement too?”
“No, no, I just watch a lot of true crime documentaries when I’m bored and between shows.”
To his surprise, the officer laughed lightly. “Can’t blame you there. I’m a sucker for a rom com, myself. I need something sweet and flowery after grinding away here all day.”
Merlin grinned, “Your secret is safe with me, officer -?”
“Lance.”
“Nice to meet you, Lance.”
“Likewise, Merlin. Now, as boring as this is, I need to ask you a bunch of questions and type up your statement. That okay?”
“Yeah sure.”
Merlin relaxed back in the chair, one hand limply around the cup of tea. Around him the soft beeps and whirs of the many machines and computers culminated into white noise as he answered Lance’s questions and even dug out some receipts from his jeans pocket to corroborate his story. Lance was genial and easy-going with his smiles as he signed some papers, got Merlin to sign them, and then told Merlin he was free to go.
“I’ll walk you out,” Lance offered.
It was probably just in case the chief was still out there frothing at the mouth about Aithusa and Merlin’s involvement. With a grateful smile, Merlin extracted himself from the chair and cracked his joints before adjusting the collar of his jacket.
As they rounded the bend in the hall, coming towards the reception, Merlin had been right to assume that the chief of police was still there, arms folded tight across his chest. Only this time, his skin wasn’t blotchy red, and his expression was verging on neutral. If he didn’t come across as so arrogant and pompous, Merlin might even call him ‘handsome’. Unfortunately, the illusion was shattered whenever he opened his mouth.
As Merlin passed by with Lance leading the way, he saw the chief talking with a wizened old man with fly-away white hair that looked as though he’d been electrocuted. He wore a weathered old jacket and leaned heavily on a cane, a pocket watch chain gleaming against his corduroy waistcoat. Who wore corduroy in July?
Lance stopped off at the desk, handing in the file to the glowering receptionist. He waved cheerily at Merlin as he made his way to the door. He could feel the weight of eyes on the back of his neck, but he refused to turn around.
“Grandpa! That’s the man who brought me home!” Aithusa’s cheery voice cut through the tense atmosphere. “He got me a dragon, look!”
The old man chuckled drily, before addressing Merlin as he reached for the door. “I understand you are the young man who brought my Aithusa back to me.”
Turning back, Merlin rubbed awkwardly at the nape of his neck. He didn’t want to raise his eyes and risk catching the chief’s gaze. “Yeah -I guess I did. I couldn’t leave her.”
“You have my deepest gratitude, young man.”
The chief scoffed but didn’t comment.
“I appreciate it,” Merlin forced himself to look the old man in the eye, and almost wished he hadn’t. The man’s eyes were a strange, amber yellow colour that somehow looked natural. He looked down at Aithusa and couldn’t help but smile at how she twirled from side-to-side while cradling the dragon toy.
“Oi, big ears, don’t forget your keys!” scoffed the chief, reaching into his pocket and tossing the keys to Merlin. “Don’t let the door hit you on the way out.”
Merlin caught the keys deftly in one hand and slid them into his pocket. If the chief looked impressed at all, he didn’t show it. He merely held Merlin’s gaze, unblinkingly. It felt like a challenge. Well, Merlin had never been one to back down from a challenge. The chief wanted him to run with his tail between his legs.
“Actually, is there anywhere in town I can get a room?”
“A room?” the chief echoed.
“Yeah, figured I’d stay for a little bit. Explore another quaint town before heading home,” he shrugged and plastered a smile on his face.
“Well, if you’d like, Hunith has some rooms available at her B&B,” the old man said.
“Perfect. How do I get there?”
“Just go down the main road until you reach the clock tower, take the third exit off the roundabout and it’s the first left.”
“I’ll go and check it out,” Merlin raised a hand and waved at everyone watching him, secretly delighting that he seemed to have perturbed the chief and receptionist with his accepting nature. “Good to meet you all!”
He stepped out into the sunshine and paused as the door swung shut behind him. He stuffed his hands into his pockets, tipped his head back to face the sun and grinned. He could tell he was going to enjoy hanging around for a little while. Tossing his keys in his hands, whistling tunelessly, he made his way to his car, got in and pulled away from the curb.
Chapter Text
Chapter Two
It didn’t take long for Merlin to find the Bed-and-Breakfast the old man had directed him to. The building was quaint, almost picturesque in the way it seemed to have straight out of a fairytale. There was a large, white-washed porch with two steps leading up to the front door, all of the windows had shutters and the lower ones had flowerboxes in bloom. It looked very cosy that Merlin already felt calm just approaching it, his bags in tow.
Pushing the front door open and stepping into the lobby. Everything was made with warm, rich wood, From the front desk to the floorboards and the intricately carved fireplace and bannisters. The dainty lace curtains covering the windows helped to filter tine sunlight. Behind the enclosed front desk, a brunette woman appeared in a floral dress with an apron tied around her waist.
“Oh, hello!” she beamed. “Did you ring the bell? Sorry if you did, I was just in the back taking some pies out of the oven.”
“No, the door was open,” he offered apologetically. “I was -uh -told you had rooms to rent?”
“Yes, dear,” she wiped her hands on her apron and flipped open the large book on the front desk. She scanned its contents, humming to herself. “There’s only a few other people staying at the moment. The top floor is quite private and has an ensuite and a little kitchenette station.”
“I wouldn’t want to put you out.”
“Not at all, dear. How long would you be staying for?”
Merlin felt the weight of his bags magnify on his shoulder. His day truly had taken an unexpected turn, and frankly, he didn’t have the energy to think of continuing on to London anytime soon. “Would a week be alright? This was unplanned, so I don’t really know how long I’ll be here.”
“A week is fine, dear,” she smiled warmly at him. He felt himself relax. “Cash or card?”
“I’ve got cash if you that’s okay?”
“Of course, if you could just sign here and pay the deposit then you’re all ready to head on up.”
Merlin dumped his bag at his feet and dug out his wallet. Stepping up to the desk, he took the pen from the woman and gave a cursory glance at the rental agreement. It was all fairly standard. He signed his name, paid the deposit, and accepted the key. It was a large ornate thing, hanging from a carved wooden tag.
“Thank you -sorry, I didn’t catch your name.”
“It’s Hunith.”
“Thank you, Hunith.” Slipping the key into his back pocket, he grabbed both bag handles and hoisted them up. “Oh, what are the arrangements in terms of food?”
“Well, you’re welcome in the kitchen whenever you like. I usually have a homecooked meal for dinner. It’s an open-door policy, so people who stay here can dine downstairs, and people in town usually stop by as well. It’s a Monday to Friday deal, I usually take the weekends for myself.”
Merlin was stunned. “That sounds wonderful! If you need any help, I wouldn’t mind lending a hand.”
“That’s very kind of you. If I get inundated, I may take you up on the offer,” she said, in the way that people do when the gesture is nice, but that’s as far as it would go.
Offering a smile, Merlin hiked his bags up higher and started to make his way up the beautifully carved staircase. Three staircases up brought him to a small landing at the very top of the house. The ceiling slanted right over his head. The space was tight as he dug the key from his pocket and slotted it into the heavy brass lock and turned the knob. The room beyond was everything he could’ve imagined; the ceiling slanted on one side, the windows along both walls looking out onto the wooded area across the road, and the beautifully kept garden out back. The floral curtains were parted to allow sunlight to pour into the room in wide beams, warming the soft rugs that dotted the floor. There was a small squashy sofa that faced a TV on a chunky carved wooden unit, in the far-right corner behind the door was the kitchenette station Hunith had mentioned, complete with a microwave, kettle, a tea/ milk /coffee tray, mugs and a small stack of plates and bowls. There were four cupboards under the counter -one housed a small fridge -and a long shelf above. In the opposite corner there was a large bed with an over-stuffed mattress, a thick duvet and four plump pillows.
Setting his bags down on by the sofa and coffee table, Merlin crossed to the door beside the bed and peeked in. The ensuite was compact but equally pretty; with bright turquoise tiles from floor to ceiling, white tiles underfoot, a heated towel rack, a large shower from wall-to-wall down one end, and just enough space to stretch out in.
He immediately felt at home.
Backing out into the main room, he turned his back to the bed and collapsed onto the mattress, moaning loudly as he sank down into it. Even his own bed back home didn’t feel this good -and that was something he’d invested actual money in!
Kicking off his shoes, he wriggled further up the bed and felt his tense muscles relax. He closed his eyes, content to simply curl up into a ball and let the sunlight coax him into a half-slumber.
When he woke up, the light through the windows had faded to a dull orange shadow. It made his head reel a little as he rolled up into a sitting position, the weight of his nap still pressing down on him. He scrubbed his eyes and squinted around the room, trying to pick out the unfamiliar furniture and layout he was staying in. Reaching for the lamp on the bedside table, he flicked it on and huffed as bright light pierced his eyes.
A quick glance at his phone showed that it was just gone 6pm.
His stomach gave a loud grumble. Other than the McDonald’s he’d eaten earlier, he hadn’t really eaten anything since he’d set off first thing that morning. Maybe he could take Hunith up on that offer since his little kitchenette was bare. He’d have to ask if there were any supermarkets nearby so he could get some bits and pieces in.
Dragging himself into the bathroom, he scrubbed his face and hands, stuffed his feet into his boots and lazily made his way downstairs, making sure to tuck the room key into his back pocket.
On the second landing, the smell of something meaty filled his nose. His gut growled loudly.
The dining room was lit with a soft golden light. It would have been perfect for the fireplace to be lit, but it was far too warm. The French doors that lead out to the back garden were open, allowing a soft evening breeze to chase the stifling heat away. An elderly couple were already perched near the doors, chatting away with a glass of iced tea in front of them. Merlin hovered at the foot of the stairs; did he just go and seat himself, or did he wait for Hunith to direct him? Opting for the safer choice, he went over to the front desk.
“Er … Hunith?” he called, not wanting to draw attention to himself.
She popped her head out from around the corner. “Yes? Is something wrong?”
“No -uh -I just didn’t know the seating arrangements for dinner?”
She grinned at him, “Anywhere you like, dear, I’ll be right out. It’s a set menu, is that okay?”
“If it’s whatever I can smell, then it’s absolutely fine!” he returned her easy grin.
“I’ll be right out,” she promised, before ducking back into the kitchen.
Taking his cue, Merlin went back into the dining room and took a seat off to one side. There was no menu, but the tablecloths were dainty and clean, the napkins and cutlery were spotless and the warm wood paneling along one side of his table had enough whorls and carvings along the border that reminded him of a different era. Everything was too sleek and monochromatic back in London; new buildings turned his stomach, the lack of interesting features or fireplaces was beyond upsetting, and who thought it was a good idea to get rid of latticed windows, of all things?! Why did everyone want to live in a featureless, bleak box?
“What would you like to drink, dear?” Hunith asked, appearing at his shoulder.
Merlin jumped. “Sorry! What do you have on offer?”
“Water, milk, iced tea, fizzy drinks, regular tea, beer.”
“I’ll take a beer and a coke, please,” he said. “What’s for dinner tonight?”
“Steak and ale pie, all homemade, with chunky fries, or meatballs and pasta, or a four-cheese quiche if you’re a vegetarian. For dessert there’s a dense chocolate cheesecake, which I highly recommend,” she winked.
“It all sounds good,” Merlin grimaced indecisively. “I think I’ll go with the pie, chips and then cheesecake, please.”
“Coming right up, love. I’ll bring your drinks over in a minute.”
“Thank you, Hunith.”
Within twenty minutes Merlin was served a full plate with a fat little pie squatting on one side, heavily seasoned chunky chips and a small dipping pot of sauce. Hunith popped the cap of his beer and set it down on a coaster beside his pint of coke. After that, she left him to his own devices. During the wait, a few more people had wandered into the dining room, setting up on the larger table near the unlit fireplace. They weren’t loud or rowdy in any way, but it was as though their combined energy demanded to be noticed.
The elderly couple glanced in their direction. They’d finished eating a while ago, so it seemed natural for them to call it a night, pay their tab and head up the stairs to one of the rooms. Hunith called a ‘goodnight you two!’ as she crossed the hallway to take the group’s order.
“What have I told you lot?” she scolded in a motherly tone. “Try not to upset my few paying guests during the off seasons?”
Looking chided, the group dipped their heads and chorused, “Sorry Hunith.”
With a tut, she shook her head. “Never mind that,” she whipped out her notepad and a pen. “What’ll it be boys?”
“Can we have three pasta and meatballs and two steak pies?” a curly-haired man asked, his hair gleaming brass in the low lights.
Hunith nodded and scribbled it all down. “Is Arthur not joining you?”
“He will, he’s just finishing off some paperwork.”
“That boy works too hard,” Hunith tutted. “What about drinks?”
“How about a round of beers for your boys, eh Hunith?” a man -a supermodel, really -winked at Hunith, his grin wide and infectious.
“Gwaine Greene, I am old enough to be your mother. Behave yourself.”
“If my mother were half as lovely as you, I’d probably be some hoity-toity lawyer up London,” he snorted.
A few of the others chuckled.
“I’ll bring your food out shortly,” she smiled warmly at them, tucking the notebook in her apron pocket.
“Do you need any help, Hunith?”
“No, you’re fine, Lance. Just try not to bother anyone else, okay?”
The man sunk sheepishly back down into his chair, his grin widening as Gwaine clapped him on the back. Merlin tried not to let his attention get drawn over to them, however it was difficult whenever they laughed loudly. Not that he minded, it didn’t interfere with the friendly, cosy atmosphere of the B&B. In fact, a small, deeply buried part of himself missed that sort of camaraderie. Since Will had died in their teens, it had been hard for him to connect with people his own age. He was used to being alone.
By the time he’d finished his dinner, it appeared as though the group of lads had all assembled and were at least two drinks in. Merlin smiled gratefully as Hunith took his empty plates, looking pleased that Merlin had managed to polish off a huge slice of cheesecake. He was suffering for it now, though. At least he had a kettle upstairs to have a cuppa in his pyjamas to help settle his stomach before he eventually went to bed.
He sat at the table and allowed himself to rest a little while. Eventually, he grunted and forced himself up to his feet. Making sure not to attract attention, he made his way to the front desk and leaned against the wood and waited for Hunith to appear so he could pay his tab. He could hear Hunith bustling about in the kitchen, talking quietly either to herself or on the phone. He didn’t want to disturb her.
The presence of another person appeared beside him. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw a well-muscled bicep lean on the counter. He saw a smart, silver watch adorning the wrist, neat nails, fine gold hair.
“So, you’re sticking around here for a while, hm?” The timber of the man’s voice made him recoil. It was just his luck that the chief of police would be here of all places.
“Yeah, seems like as good a place as any,” he shrugged, forcing himself to be nonchalant. “How’s Aithusa?”
“What?”
“Aithusa? The little girl I brought back today? You know, the one you accused me of kidnapping despite literally everything?”
He felt the bloke bristle beside him. “Right -about that. I suppose I may have -jumped the gun.”
Merlin felt himself biting back a grin. This guy was insufferable. “You really are a prat, aren’t you? You can’t just say ‘sorry’ and ‘thank you’?” he turned to the guy with a raised eyebrow, “Is that really all it would take to make you have an aneurysm?”
To his utter surprise, the chief tossed his head back and laughed. “You can’t talk to me like that!”
“Why not?” Merlin challenged. “You’re not on duty, you’re just a regular bloke like anyone else.”
They stared at one another, challenging the other to look away first. The chief was grinning lopsidedly, and Merlin hated how it made him seem younger, less of a hard arse. Almost like he would be fun on a night out. He rejected the idea immediately and raised an eyebrow.
“I suppose I am,” Arthur conceded, much to Merlin’s amazement.
Pleased that he seemed to have won, Merlin allowed himself to grin, feeling his dimples pop. Arthur held his gaze, his own smirk relaxing into a grin.
A loud roar of laughter broke the bubble that had swelled around them.
“I’d -best be going?” Merlin nodded towards the stares. “I’d say it was nice to meet you b-u-t …”
Arthur rolled his eyes, the smirk never leaving his face. “Go to bed, idiot. I’d better not see you around.”
“Says the man stalking me!” Merlin shot back.
Hunith popped her head out just as he was about to mount the stays. “Oh, Merlin, there you are! Sorry, did you want to pay for dinner now or settle in the morning.”
“I can do it now,” he grinned.
“Merlin?” Arthur scoffed, folding his arms across his chest. “That’s really your name?”
“Why would I lie about that?” Merlin asked, bemused, as he handed some cash to Hunith.
“It’s a stup -!”
“It’s an unusual name!” Hunith said loudly, shooting Arthur a warning look. To his credit, he clamped his mouth quickly. “You don’t get many Merlin’s around.”
“Thank God for that. Not sure we could handle more of you,” Arthur jibed, voice muffled in his glass.
Merlin rolled his eyes. With his tab paid up, he pocketed his change and tucked the receipt into his back pocket. “Guess I’ll be seeing you around.”
“Not if I see you first, big ears.”
“Think you need work on your insults, mate.”
“Why, struggling to keep up?”
“With you? In your dreams.”
Arthur opened his mouth to retort, but was cut off by a loud yell of, “OI! PRINCESS! STOP FLIRTING AND BRING US OUR DRINKS!”
Arthur immediately tensed, his neck flushing red as he shot a glare over at the group of men. Swallowing, his Addams apple bobbing, he snatched his drinks up without another word to Merlin before heading back over to the table. Merlin watched him go, feeling a strange sense of loss and not understanding why. In the end, he shook the thoughts from his head and made his way up the stairs, belly comfortably full, and got himself settled down for the evening.
Notes:
I'm not ENTIRELY thrilled with how this image came out buuuuuuuuuuuuut I liked about 75% of it, so it'll do!
Chapter 3: Chapter Three
Summary:
TW: mentions of death
Notes:
I'm trying to remember to update on Fridays, so that you can enjoy this across the weekend!
Chapter Text
Chapter Three
The following morning, Merlin awoke refreshed, had a lovely hot shower, before he went down to see Hunith in the kitchen. Despite having a mug of tea in his room, he accepted a coffee and muffin from her and ate at the kitchen counter as she rummaged around getting breakfast ready for her guests. He asked about the local area and what there was to see, and he was surprised that there was a small lake a half hour walk away. The hills and forests were reportedly good for a hike and there were some small streams the kids liked to paddle in during the summer holidays. There were a couple of pubs, even a club to his surprise, and a strip of little boutique, family-run businesses with some chain shops dotted around, a large enough supermarket on the other side of town and, of course, the police station.
He decided to spend the day exploring the forests. There was always something about being out in nature that made him feel calm and relaxed. Dressed in his threadbare jeans, a shirt, and his hiking boots, he made his way out along the road until he found a gap in the undergrowth to indicate the nature path. Turning sharply on his heel, with his hands in his pockets, Merlin ducked into the cool shade of the tall trees and disappeared.
Birds chirruped merrily overhead, the canopy getting denser and thicker, bathing everything in a bright green haze. There were many winding dirt tracks that twisted and turned into one another. It would be easy to get lost, but Merlin wasn’t worried. He couldn’t remember the last time he had gotten lost, even in unfamiliar territory. Walking in woodlands or many other natural places let Merlin feel as though he were breathing for the first time in ages. Every lungful of air lifted his spirits and he felt an extra boost to his energy, like he’d had a shot of endorphins purely from being out in the sunshine.
At some point, he came out into a clearing that housed an old wooden climbing frame shaped like a castle, complete with a slide coming down from the turret, and a rock-climbing wall up one side as well as monkey bars. It looked amazing. The kid inside him was ecstatic to see it. He fought the urge to leap for the monkey bars and swing around, especially upon seeing who was sitting in the small, covered area. The familiar head of unruly blonde curls made him smile.
“Hello there.”
Looking up, she grinned when she saw him. “Merlin! You found my castle!”
“Your castle?” he laughed incredulously. “What makes it your castle?”
“Do you see anyone else here?” she challenged.
“Touche. May I climb up your castle too, m’lady?” he bowed theatrically.
“I suppose,” she chimed, grinning.
He climbed up beside her and grinned when he saw that she was playing with the toy dragon she’d gotten yesterday. With a grunt, he sat on the edge, his long legs dangling down over the side, swinging back and forth. It was peaceful here. The leaves overhead had parted just enough to allow bright sunlight to filter down.
“I’m glad I found you yesterday,” Aithusa said softly. “It was getting lonely here without a proper wizard.”
“Wizard? Because I’m called Merlin?”
“Well yeah! Have you not met the knights and Arthur? Or the King?”
Merlin felt his cheeks hurt from where he was trying to bite back a smile. “Knights, huh? Is Arthur the prince?”
“Obviously!” she tutted. “He can’t be the king yet. His dad is still alive. Though, he has been very grumpy without you around.”
“Arthur grumpy? I could never imagine,” he murmured. Then the rest of her words hit him. “I’ve never met Arthur before -I’ve got nothing to do with him being grumpy.”
“That’s because he doesn’t remember you, which is silly. You don’t look that different from before.”
Merlin frowned and opened his mouth to argue. “You’ve lost me, kid. I don’t really know what you mean.”
Aithusa shot him a dark look and then rolled her eyes so hard that Merlin felt his own head ache with the effort. Reaching to the side, she yanked open her rucksack and dug out a large book. It looked more like a leatherbound photo album. Curious, he looked over her shoulder and saw the faded gold letters stamped across the front.
“The adventures of Camelot,” he mouthed just as Aithusa flipped to a random page. “Does it have dragons in this version?”
“Of course! See!” she stabbed at one of the thick, creamy pages. The letters were large and curling along the beautiful borders. Inside them, were gorgeous illustrations that depicted knights in shining armor and leading the charge was –
Merlin froze, a cold wave rushing down his back. On the horse, face contorted in a yell and brandishing his sword at the underside of the dragon was –
“Arthur?” he croaked. “As in the policeman who nearly arrested me yesterday?”
“Yeah!” Aithusa grinned before her face fell. She dropped her cheek onto her fist and pouted, “No one seems to remember anything though. It’s sad. I mean, everyone is still friends, but that’s it. No one remembers battles or sword fights or dragons or trolls. Everyone is so boring!”
“I hope that doesn’t mean me as well,” Merlin chuckled.
“No, you’re fun! You even saved me, like a proper wizard would. You didn’t use any spells though. Surprised the Prince didn’t recognize you. It’s not like you changed your name.”
“Well, not everyone likes reading fairytales?” he breathed, feeling faint. He gripped the edge of the wooden ledge he sat on, feeling sweat sticking his shirt to his back. Licking his lips, he tried to unstick his tongue from the roof of his mouth. “Where did you find this book?”
“My granddad gave it to me for Christmas last year.”
“Did he draw it himself?”
Aithusa frowned, “I -don’t know. If he did, it’s really good! He got everyone’s faces perfect! Just look at Prince Arthur. He usually yells a lot around here, too. Not sure anyone sees him smile.”
Merlin almost admitted to seeing the man last night but decided to keep that to himself. His head was reeling, and he didn’t want to stir the pot. Clearly this girl had an incredible imagination, aided by her granddad, which was all well and good, but he didn’t want to disappoint her in any way.
“So, where do you usually go in these woods?” he asked, changing the subject. “Other than your castle?”
“Well, we paddle in the steam when it’s hot, climb trees and sometimes we do an outdoor cinema in the center of town. I like to read books though. Not everyone does.”
“I like to read books. I loved to read when I was a kid.”
“What else did you used to do?”
“I loved Halloween, and Christmas. Anything to dress up was great. I always wanted new costumes.”
“We only do Halloween sometimes around here. It’s fun when the grown-ups dress up!”
“Do they do that often?” Merlin laughed.
“Mmm not always. Some of the knights dressed-up last year as roman soldiers! I heard my Granddad talking about it and he said that made a -spectacle?”
Merlin laughed, leaning back on his hands, and swinging his legs. “Yeah, I think I saw some of these ‘knights’ of yours. I can see some of them being excitable.”
Aithusa snorted. She tucked the book away and zipped her bag up. “Wanna go to the stream? There’s a cave down there. I can show you where I found a dragon egg!”
Merlin’s eyebrows went up, “You found a dragon egg, hm?”
She twisted her mouth, “you don’t believe me, do you?”
“I didn’t say that.”
“You didn’t have to say it,” she pouted, her chin drooping.
Merlin felt a stab of guilt in his stomach. Instead, he gently nudged the kids’ shoulders and swung down from the climbing frame. “Come on then, show me this cave of yours. Do you want help getting down?”
Aithusa regarded him with shrewd eyes, calculating the nuances of his words. She narrowed her eyes and pursed her lips before giving a satisfied nod. “You may help me down, Sir Merlin.”
Merlin grinned and managed to catch her as she leapt off the climbing frame. He grunted, almost losing his grip on her, before setting the girl down on her feet. She shrugged into her rucksack and, once he’d made sure none of her hair had gotten caught, they started heading off down a steep path out of the clearing.
If Merlin thought that he had a natural sense of direction, then Aithusa was well on her way to learning the same instincts. There was only one or two times where she chewed on her lip and flipped her hair back and forth, before racing down a leaf-strewn path, Merlin hot on her heels. He followed her white curly hair as she flew through the trees, her scuffed trainers barely making a sound. Merlin managed to keep up with her spritely legs, but it had been a while since he’d properly run anywhere.
“Here it is!” Aithusa chimed, waving her arm from atop a large rock.
“Careful!” he cried, his voice resounding through the trees. His heart lurched into his throat as Aithusa dropped from the rock, her hair fanning above her before she vanished from sight. “Aithusa!”
He raced to the edge of the large rock, skidding to a stop. Down below, on level ground, Aithusa beamed up at him with a toothy grin. From his vantage point, he didn’t see any skinned knees or broken bones, though it did little to calm his rapid heartbeat.
“Don’t do that again!” he admonished, his chest aching. “You could have hurt yourself!”
She rolled her eyes at him, crossing her arms over her chest. Merlin took a little longer to climb down the steep embankment alongside the rocky ledge, but a few moments later he stood beside the girl. With pursed lips, he mirrored her pose and glowered down at her until she let her arms go and drooped her chin.
“Sorry,” she mumbled, digging her toe into the fresh soil.
Relaxing, he gave her shoulder a squeeze. “Just -don’t make me worry, okay?”
Turning large eyes up to him, Aithusa offered a meek smile. “Can we go to the cave now?”
“Go on then, lead the way. But no more jumping,” he warned.
With a cheeky giggle, Aithusa grabbed onto his arm and started running along the narrow path. He hurried alongside her, only slipping once, before they came to another rocky outcropping. This time Aithusa didn’t attempt to jump off it. Merlin cautiously followed her down a steep slope. As they rounded the embankment, he felt his jaw drop a little as he caught sight of the opening of the cave. It was huge and dark, like a cold vacuum in the middle of the sun-dappled forest. It felt as though it opened a void inside him.
A tremor ran down his spine. Suddenly this didn’t feel like the best idea. His eye caught Aithusa; she really came here by herself? What if addicts used it for a drug-den? What if homeless people used it as a shelter? What if there were wild animals sequestered in there?
“Aithusa …”
“Come on, it’s this way!” Aithusa beckoned from the mouth of the cave.
Merlin followed at a more sedate pace, straining his ears for any strange noises. “Aithusa maybe we should head back? I can get you an ice cream?”
“Maybe later!” she called from where she was side-stepping small, stagnant puddles. Her arms and legs wobbled a little bit where she almost slipped, but she regained her balance and hopped a little deeper. “Come and look, Merlin! Look at these crystals! And over there at the back is where I found the egg!”
“Hang on, wait for me!” he called out, not wanting to lose sight of the girl. He did his best to avoid the stagnant puddles, but his feet were a lot bigger than Aithusa’s. Just as he was about to land on relatively dry land on the cave floor, he glanced up and saw that the girl had stopped dead in her tracks.
“Aithusa what’s wr –?”
The scream that came out of her was inhuman. The force of it knocked him back, dropping him onto his arse on the moist ground. A rush of hot air billowed out of the cave, dragging at his hair and clothes as Aithusa continued to scream, the sound ringing into the depths of the cave and reverberating within his chest. Below the shrill, inhuman screams he could detect the sounds of a broken child -what was going on?
Bracing himself up on his elbows, Merlin squinted into the cave. It was too dark to see what had caused alarm, but it didn’t matter. Forcing himself to his feet he staggered into the cave, side-stepping the puddles, and hurried to Aithusa’s side. He wrapped his arms around her and held her against his chest. Her body thrummed with raw energy that fought against him, he was sure his ears were bleeding as Aithusa continued to scream. Her face was red and blotchy, tears cutting tracks down her face, her hair whipped into a tangled knot. He clung onto her, trying to calm her, though his platitudes were swallowed up into the whirlwind created by the power of her scream. The stagnant puddles had fanned across the cave mouth, emitting a horrible odor.
He continued to stroke her back and rock her gently, praying to ease her distress. Over the mop of knotted blonde hair, he saw what had caused the whirlwind. There, nestled among a few bleached rocks and moss, sat a human skull.
Merlin felt bile burn at the back of his throat. He grabbed Aithusa by the shoulders and bodily turned her face away, burying her into the folds of his coat.
Her screams died down, her tiny hands clawing into onto his shirt. As if coming out of shock, her body finally gave in and started convulsing with her sobs. He could feel the hot, wet stain forming on his shirt where she wept into his stomach.
“You’ll be okay, everything will be okay,” he hushed her gently. As he forced Aithusa back towards the cave entrance, he glanced back at the skull and fought the urge to vomit. “It’s going to be okay.”
Chapter 4: Chapter Four
Notes:
Sorry for not posting last week, I was on holiday! Please enjoy this update and let me know what you think!
(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)
Chapter Text
Chapter Four
Say what you want about the Cam-Lott police force, they sure did respond quickly when news of human remains reached their ears. It had taken Merlin longer than he cared to admit to untangle himself enough from Aithusa to dig his phone out of his pocket and dial the police department. By the time they came to the cave, Merlin and Aithusa were sat far from the cave’s entrance, the poor girl looking like a ragdoll, her glassy eyes vacant and staring straight ahead.
The entrance to the cave was sealed off with crime scene tape, the colours garish against the grey backdrop of the rocks. Merlin was rigid and anxious as he watched the policemen flitting back and forth, two in the white overalls as the ducked under the tape to take photos and swabs of the skull.
The gentle blip of an approaching police car crackled through the air.
Glancing up the slope, Merlin caught sight of a blonde man climbing out of the driver’s side, before opening the rear doors. Aithusa’s granddad and another man with shoulder-length dark curls and a streak of grey shot through climbed out of the back door. They came down the steep slope behind Arthur as he strutted down in his pressed shirt buttoned up to his throat.
“Hey,” he breathed, nudging his shoulder gently to Aithusa’s. “Your granddads here. Is that your dad with him?”
Aithusa didn’t even look up. “No -he just stays with us.”
Merlin frowned, looking over her head of blonde hair. He sat up a little straighter when the chief neared and jerked his head to the side. Shifting off the ledge, Merlin turned to Aithusa and gave her shoulder a squeeze. “The chief wants to have a word with me. Are you gonna be alright?”
Finally, her eyes looked up to his and his stomach clenched at the haunted glaze of them. She gave a little nod just as her granddad drew level with the rock and took her hand between his own. He fixed Merlin with a stare that bore straight through to his soul. He swallowed stiffly. Backing away from the rock to give the two some privacy, Merlin made his way over to the chief. As he passed, the second man with the salt-and-pepper curls watched him go, his expression unreadable.
Approaching Arthur was its own challenge. He stood off to one side, his feet planted firmly on the ground, his arms folded across his broad chest. The sleeves were straining around his biceps, which just added to the menacing stance. His expression was stern as he watched Merlin cross the small clearing towards him.
When Merlin was about two feet away, he snarled, “Why is it whenever things go wrong around here, lately, it’s always you at the center of it?”
“I’m just lucky I guess,” he quipped.
The blonde man glowered at him.
Merlin blanched, “I only got here yesterday!”
“And this is the second crime I’ve caught you at. Care to explain what the fuck you’ve done this time?”
Merlin regained some semblance of confidence and straightened his spine, putting his shoulders back and jutting his chin out. “Should you really be talking to me like that if you want my help?”
Blue eyes narrowed and his shoulders flexed as he exhaled. He opened his mouth to retort, but a hand on his shoulder caught his attention. Merlin was relieved to see the officer with curly red hair squeezing the chief’s shoulder.
“Arthur? Forensics want a word.”
His jaw worked stiffly. With one last scrutinizing glare at Merlin, he turned on his heel and stalked towards the entrance to the cave.
Glancing over at the assembled officers and Aithusa, the curly-haired officer nodded his head so that they could move further away. Merlin followed, glancing over his shoulder at Aithusa as she slung her arms around her granddad’s neck and allowed herself to be hoisted up. Following the officer, Merlin grunted as they retreated up the slope towards the car. For a moment, he thought he was going to be cuffed and slung into the backseat, but the officer didn’t reach for the door. Instead, he turned and leaned back against the bonnet, exhaling softly and extending a hand.
“I’m Officer Knight, I’d like to ask you some questions about what you found in the cave.”
Merlin worked his jaw and scrubbed a hand down his face. “This has all gone wrong. I went for a walk in the woods because Hunith said it was a grand way to spend the morning. I found Aithusa at her climbing frame and she showed me this book she was reading. Then she wanted to show me the cave.”
“Then what happened?”
“She ran ahead, I could barely catch up. She jumped off the ledge and went on to the cave. I didn’t go inside but she did. She was trying to get me to follow to show me –” he cut himself off, realizing how dumb it would sound.
“To show you -what?”
“W-where she found a dragon egg?”
Officer Knight’s expression grew curious, a smile tweaking his lips up. “Seriously?”
“That’s what she said!” he protested, hands flailing awkwardly. “Anyway, she went further into the cave. Then she started screaming. It was -it was like the earth started to shake. I went in and tried to calm her down or -or see what was wrong? But she just kept screaming. That’s when I saw the skull. It took a while to get her out. Then I had to get her calm enough so I could step away and call the station.”
Nodding, the redhead exhaled. “Very well. You’ll need to come down to the station and do another report. Are you alright to climb into the back?”
Merlin swallowed and nodded.
As soon as the door clunked shut, he felt claustrophobic. The grille partition put his back up as he tried to get comfortable in the backseat. Did they purposefully make the seats lumpy and thin to irritate their perps more? Merlin let himself fall back into the backseat, his face in his hands.
All he’d done was go out for a walk in the woods and somehow his entire day and been turned on his head. He felt a throbbing start up at the back of his head. Though he couldn’t tell if it was because of having to return to the police station, or from the echoes of Aithusa’s screams. A tremor ran down his spine. Those had been unnatural sounds.
Outside of the window, he watched as Officer Knight took a call and started pacing back and forth. His expression went from genial to affronted and then stricken. He straightened to his full height and snapped his phone shut and shoved it into his pocket.
As Officer Knight made his way back over to the car, Officer Lancelot trudged up the slope with Aithusa’s little family trailing behind. Upon seeing Merlin, Lancelot lifted a hand in greeting as he passed by, escorting the two men and Aithusa into his own squad car. Settling into the driver’s seat, he backed his car up and turned to go back to the main road. Merlin watched the car back away, feeling a weight settle across his body. Eventually the driver’s door opened and shut, Officer Knight sitting rigidly behind the wheel.
Their eyes locked in the rearview mirror.
“Have they found out anything about the …?”
Shaking his head, Officer Knight said, “Not really, no. Only that the preliminary report states the remains were not there longer than a week. How often does Aithusa go down there?”
“I don’t know.”
“She should probably avoid going down there. I wouldn’t feel safe knowing that this could happen again. Next time she might run into whoever -”
“You really think someone might be moving dead bodies around?” Merlin frowned.
The Officer shrugged. “I haven’t a clue. Best not have a child find out.”
They lapsed into silence. It was at that moment that Merlin noted the birdsong hadn’t resumed since Aithusa had screamed herself hoarse.
As the car pulled out of the dirt track clearing and cruised towards the main road, Merlin was grateful that Officer Knight didn’t attempt any small talk. Every now and then he glanced out the window to see parts of the as yet unexplored town roll by. It looked so quaint and picturesque. He needed to explore a lot more, if he ever managed to avoid the police station for 24 hours.
He hadn’t eaten anything since breakfast with Hunith. It was a ridiculous thing to focus on as he was being driven in the back of a police car. His stomach felt hollow, yet he dared not mention anything to the chief. A loud grumble punctured the silent bubble he’d found himself in. Biting back a groan, he peaked ahead at the man and frowned. Had he -laughed? He’d heard a sound and seen his shoulders move, but did it really count as a laugh?
Shaking his head, Merlin was almost relieved to see the station come into view. Officer Knight parked the car and climbed out before opening the rear door. Merlin scrambled out of the car before the doors were locked, and hurried to catch up to the officer before the door slammed shut.
The station was almost deserted as they walked through the reception area. Officer Knight crossed the room, Merlin following cautiously behind, bypassing the office in the back corner. It seemed redundant as all the walls were made of glass.
He led Merlin to one of the desks littering the bullpen and offered him a strained smile as he pulled out his seat. Mirroring his movements, Merlin sank down into the vacant chair and tensed all over. He felt wrung-out and fidgety as he stared down at his knees.
“Do you want a drink, Merlin?”
“Uh -water please,” he mumbled.
When Officer Knight returned, he set a glass of water in front of Merlin and then collapsed down into his chair. It did nothing to soothe Merlin’s nerves.
“Sorry,” he croaked. “I -I don’t think I got your name?”
Officer Knight smiled, “I’m Leon. Now are you ready to answer some questions?”
Merlin nodded. For the next half an hour he answered Leon’s questions, starting from the events of the day, to what brought him to Cam-Lott and what interest he had in Aithusa. He answered as best he could, trying to just be open and honest, because he hadn’t done anything wrong. Leon scribbled everything done in neat handwriting. Merlin read the words as they appeared, upside down, to determine if anything had been added or omitted as he spoke. Thankfully, nothing had. His head was starting to ache as he recounted how he’d come across Aithusa on the side of the motorway nearby and how all he had done was buy her lunch and drive her back to Cam-Lott. Leon continued to scribble; lips pursed in thought.
“Is -is Aithusa going to be okay?” Merlin found himself asking quietly.
Leon glanced up at him. “She should be okay. She’s going to be taken to the GP and may need to have some therapy for a little while. She’ll be released to go home once the doc has seen her. She needs rest.”
Merlin nodded solemnly. He could understand why. How many children saw a real human skull these days?
“When will I be able to go?” He was bone tired. He just wanted to crawl into his bed back at the inn and sleep into the next day. He wanted to cling to the illusion that maybe this was all just a nightmare.
Leon leaned back in his chair and rubbed a hand down his face, and grimaced. “Unfortunately, the Mayor called me earlier.”
Merlin shrugged, “Why is that a bad thing? Isn’t it good that the mayor wants to know what’s going on when the earth shakes?”
Leon ignored him. “The mayor -has come to understand that this is your second incident involving Aithusa in just twenty-four hours. He isn’t pleased.”
“None of this is my fault!” Merlin protested, leaning forward in his chair. “Leon, this is all just a coincidence! Besides, wouldn’t it be a bit stupid for me to obviously implicate myself after just arriving yesterday?”
Leon sighed, “Yes, but then it could also mean you’re just bad at what you do. I don’t think that, Merlin,” he hastened to add. “This is just what the mayor has said. He doesn’t like coincidences and he wants you to spend the night in a cell.”
Merlin’s jaw dropped. “You’re joking.”
Leon grimaced, “I really wished I was.”
“But -I’ve done nothing wrong!”
“This isn’t me saying it. I have orders and -Uther will punish both of us if I don’t follow through.”
Merlin slumped back against the back of the chair, his shoulders sagging in defeat. How was this his life? He’d just wanted to go for a calming walk through the woods and now he was being arrested?
“I don’t have a choice, do I?”
“I’m afraid not for tonight, no.”
Merlin tensed his jaw and shook his head in resignation. What could he say? The orders came from the mayor himself. Leon’s hands were tied, he couldn’t blame him for this.
“Fine,” he eventually said. “Let’s just get this over with. But I want it on record that I’m not admitting to anything. I maintain that I’ve done nothing wrong in any of this.”
Leon nodded in understanding, slipping the report over to him. “I just need you to read this, sign and date it.”
Merlin took the papers with some attitude. He skim-read through Leon’s neat script until the end, where it said that Merlin was willing to spend a night in the cell, as per the mayor’s request, but would be released some time the following day, providing no new evidence against him showed up. With a reluctant sigh, he scribbled his signature at the bottom and tossed the pages down before standing.
“Let’s just get this over with,” he said.
Leon reluctantly got to his feet and dipped his hand into his pocket to retrieve the keys for the holding cell. It was currently empty, which was a minor relief to Merlin as the door was opened and he shuffled through, arms wound tight around him body. The door clanged shut behind him, making him jolt. Leon did look apologetic as he turned the key in the lock, the gears grinding loudly.
“I’m sorry about this,” he said.
Merlin shrugged in a surly manner. “Is it what it is.”
“Oh, before I go, I’ll need your phone.”
“Oh, come on man!”
“It’s the rules, Merlin.”
Glaring up at the curly-haired man, Merlin dug into his jacket pocket for his phone and slapped it into Leon’s palm through the bars.
“There. Can I lie down and go to sleep now?”
“It’s -” Leon frowned and glanced at the clock on the wall. “It’s not even four o’clock.”
“And I’m tired,” Merlin bit out.
He turned his back on the man and sank down onto the narrow cot in the corner of the room. There was a flat pillow and a thin blanket stretched across the mattress. He dropped down onto it, his spine protesting at the position of being pressed down flat and laced his fingers across his stomach. He was hungry and his head ached, but he had no energy anymore. At least he had a pillow. Shutting his eyes against the glare of the lights from the bullpen, he let himself fall into a restless sleep.
~0~
Only a few of the overhead lights were on in the station by the time Arthur and Gwaine returned to clock out for the evening. Katrina had left her post at the reception desk over an hour ago, and the weight of the day fell onto Arthur’s shoulders anew as he glimpsed that darkened office. Pinching the bridge of his nose, he walked into the bullpen and into the glass office at the back. Leon was still at his desk, his strawberry blonde curls in disarray as he stared down at the papers strewn across his desk.
“How come you’re still here?” Arthur asked as he went to push into the office at the back.
Leon’s head snapped up. He looked around, dazed, as though he hadn’t realized how much time had gone by. He glanced at his watch and let out a groan. “Shit, I didn’t think it was so late. I’ve been going over these reports and there’s just so much not making sense.”
Arthur grimaced sympathetically. “Maybe you should call it a night and look at it with fresh eyes tomorrow?”
“Hm,” Leon exhaled loudly. He nodded to himself, shuffled the papers into a file and shoved it into his desk drawer. “This department being short-staffed is killing us. Morgana is gonna kill me for being late and not texting.”
“She’ll understand. She knows how hard Uther’s been working everyone.” Arthur turned to go into the office and slung his bag in his desk chair. “Clock out and head off. I’ll finish up here.”
“You deserve a break, too, Arthur.”
The blonde shrugged, “It is what it is, but I’m only going home to an empty house. Nothing to miss there.”
Leon shot him a sympathetic look but didn’t argue. He went to grab his jacket from the cloakroom before snagging his bag.
“Wait -what’s he doing here?” Arthur asked, pointing across towards the holding cell.
Leon glanced over and his face crumpled. “Ah -yeah. That. Uther called me earlier while you were talking to Aithusa and her granddad. Apparently, since this is his second incident with Aithusa, your father saw fit to make an example of him and discourage any further incidents.”
Arthur scoffed a laugh, “Is he serious? That’s the biggest load of shit I’ve ever heard.”
Leon shrugged, “You have to admit, even yesterday you were ready to toss him in there.”
“And then I had a change of heart.”
“No, then you realized it would be petty, and you’re better than that.”
Arthur rolled his eyes but didn’t refute the statement. It wasn’t entirely inaccurate. While it was true, he had changed his mind, he also didn’t have any grounds to throw Merlin in a cell. There was just something about the man that had niggled him though. Walking in on a summer breeze, with those big dopey ears and bright, concerned eyes, tall and lanky and with that heavy Irish lilt to his words –
Arthur shook his head and cast a glance over at the cell. The overheard light had been dimmed and the lone figure in there was stretched out along the narrow cot, his face to the wall. It was hard to tell if he was really asleep, but then what else was there to do in a cell?
“Alright, I’m off! Goodnight Arthur!” Leon called; his rucksack slung over his shoulder.
As the door closed after him, Gwaine returned from the locker room with a frown.
“You not going home, Princess?”
Arthur rolled his eyes, “No, I’ve got these reports to finish up before I leave.”
“That can wait until the morning.”
“I’d rather not,” Arthur forced a smile, that felt more like a grimace. “You can head out too, I won’t be much longer myself.”
“If you say so. I’ll be going for a drink with the others. Shoot us a text if you wanna join later, yeah?”
“Will do,” Arthur said, already knowing that he wouldn’t.
Without another word, Gwaine donned his weathered leather jacket, raised a hand, and ducked out of the station. Suddenly, the hum of the air conditioning unit and the whir of the computers on stand-by sounded far louder now that there was nothing else to drown them out. Flicking on the desk lamp, Arthur sank down into the chair and dropped his head into his hands. Every muscle in his body was knotted and painful, even without anything touching him. The thought of just ignoring the paperwork and going home to a cold beer was almost too tempting. A chance glance up across the bullpen, he zeroed-in on the lone figure and felt his insides twist painfully.
The last thing he needed was to deal with an angry phone call tomorrow morning from Uther if he let the man go free. Besides, it was late, there’d be no point.
A grueling hour slugged by and only a page and a half of the report had been done. His eyes felt dry and raw, like they had papercuts. He hadn’t slept properly for the last few nights, and being called in on his day off to lead the investigation of a body found in a cave was not what he found relaxing. Uther wouldn’t have had anyone else lead the team though, not when Arthur was right there. Planting his face in his hand with a groan, Arthur squeezed his eyes shut. This was exactly the reason people thought nepotism ran rampant in the town; no one else got a look-in to show they were worthy of praise, if not a promotion.
A breath rattled out of his lungs. He was shattered. His skull hurt so much, it felt like it was splitting in two. The pain was throbbing behind his eye sockets. Since he wasn’t going home anytime soon, maybe closing his eyes for ten minutes to stop the stinging wasn’t such a bad idea?
In the end, his body shut down of its own volition.
His head landed on the desk with a heavy thud that echoed across the bullpen.
Notes:
I apologise that there's no fan art for this chapter, but I will do my best for the next!
Chapter 5: Chapter Five
Notes:
I'm sorry for the long update. My laptop has been on the fritz as has my USB and back-up methods. I've lost ALL my current fanart for this fic, which is KILLING ME because I had NAILED Morgana perfectly! Not to mention, I almost lost the draft, too, which has frazzled my nerves.
(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)
Chapter Text
Chapter Five
Gentle birdsong and warm sunlight poured in through the small window and cut a path across the bullpen. The bright light stretched like a pool of gold and fell across the sharp cheekbones of a sleeping young man. The angle of sunlight cast long, spidery shadows across his cheekbones as his eyelashes fluttered. With a deep inhale, Merlin felt his body slowly waking up. With a yawn, he flexed himself over the ends of the narrow cot he’d slept on. He’d had a good rest, all things considered, though his stomach grumbled in protest as he rolled up onto his elbows. Casting a look around the empty station, Merlin was glad not to have had to wake up to phone calls, angry voices and tons of people clacking away on computer keyboards. Across the bullpen, his eyes caught on a light twinkling against the glow of sunlight.
Squinting, he saw a head of gleaming blonde hair perched on the desk. A desk lamp was still on, a dull yellow twinkle in the otherwise dark office. Had the chief fallen asleep at his desk? Merlin thought that only happened in the movies, and even then, he’d thought it was a dumb exaggeration.
Maybe it was the injustice of spending the night in a cell, or maybe it was the treatment he’d gotten from the obnoxious prat since the moment he stepped foot in town that propelled him to yell –
“WAKEY, WAKEY, LAZY DAISY! OI, OI! WAKEY, WAKEY! RISE AND SHINE!”
Arthur jerked upright, his head smacking hard against the low-hanging lamp. He looked around owlishly, trying to find the source of the commotion. When his eyes locked with Merlin’s, his scowl deepened. There was no earthly reason why seeing the man scowl and glare at him would make Merlin so giddy, but he couldn’t resist the shit-eating grin that spread across his face. He slumped against the bars and slid his arms out, letting them hang limply. He pressed his cheeks between the bars and continued to grin at the disgruntled blonde.
“What the hell is wrong with you?!” the chief snapped as he stormed out of his office, slamming the door behind him. “Why would you wake me up at –” he squinted up at the clock. “-5 o’clock in the morning?!”
Merlin bit back a snort. “Sorry I thought you burly types liked to be up with the sun. Get a work-out in, have an evil green veggie smoothie and then wolf-whistle all the girls on the way into the office for another long, grueling day of policing!”
“I’ve never heard so much utter bollocks come out of one man’s mouth in all my life!” raged Arthur as he stormed from the office and slammed his fist against the bars of the cell, making Merlin flinch. “What is your problem? One night in a cell too much for your delicate sensibilities, is it?!”
“Not really sure what’s worse, a cot in a cell, or slumped over a desk. Then again, I’m not the one shouting.” He shot a pointed glare up at Arthur.
Arthur curled his lips, his roman nose wrinkling up on one side. Merlin refused to break eye-contact first. Eventually, the blonde man turned his head away with a sneer. This close-up, he could see how sleep-rumpled the chief was; his collar was wrinkled and weak around his throat, the top two buttons undone, and his sleeves rolled up to his elbows. The starched pristine lines that had been ever-present the day before were now slack and flexing over firm muscles. His dark gold hair was sticking up on one side and plastered along his temples on the other, a faint shadow of bristles had grown across his strong jaw.
Merlin averted his gaze.
“So, what time is breakfast?” he quipped.
“What?” Arthur snarled.
“Well, I was just in bed, so now it’s time for breakfast!” he grinned. “So, do I get a menu or is it just stale doughnuts from yesterday?”
“Your wit is boundless, clearly,” Arthur sneered.
“Oof, you’re not very bright in the mornings, are you?” Merlin quirked his eyebrows. “Want me to let you snooze a bit longer? Then we can try this again?”
Arthur could feel his hackles rising. A small voice in the back of his head was going off like a siren in the distance, warning him not to rise to the bait. With one last look at the idiots smirking face, he turned on his heel and stalked across the bullpen towards the door that led to the locker room. It was far too early for him to have a shower, yet he also knew he couldn’t go through an entire day at work smelling of sweat and stale coffee.
The shower may have been hot, but it did little to quell the churning in his gut. His head was reeling from lack of proper sleep above all else. Scrubbing shampoo from his hair and making sure all the suds were washed off him, before cutting off the spray. He stepped out into the locker room, naked, and went to the wall of lockers just on the other side of the wall. It was times like these that he was grateful for his own foresight at having hung a spare, pressed uniform in his locker.
Once he was dried, dressed, and having swilled some mouthwash around his gob, Arthur felt better prepared to face the day stretching out ahead of him.
The first order of business was to tend to those forgotten reports from yesterday.
Crossing the room towards the back office, Arthur steadfastly ignored Merlin, now lying along the cot, an arm thrown across his face.
‘I’m sure I’ll have to deal with that, too,’ he grimaced.
Shutting the office door behind him, Arthur sank down into his chair and bent over the reports from yesterday. He soon fell into a mind numbing trance, as his eyes flickered over the small print and tried to decipher Gwaine’s untidy scribbles. He didn’t realise how ingrained in the workload he’d become until a knock at the door had him nearly jump out of his skin.
Leon offered him an apology before frowning down at him from the doorway. “You didn’t work here all night, did you?”
“Not intentionally, no,” Arthur groused, slumping back in his chair and dragging a hand down his face.
Pursing his lips, Leon came into the office and shut the door behind him. “You can’t keep on like this, Arthur. You’re going to burn yourself out.”
“I’ll be fine,” he lied, a headache already building.
“Did you post the add for the new recruit?”
Arthur glared up at him. “Even if I did, Father would reject any good ones that do bother to apply and put a plant in instead. I’d rather not walk on eggshells more than we already do around here.”
Leon nodded sympathetically. “Last time, he suggested your uncle, didn’t he?”
Arthur snorted derisively, the memory of the argument that had ensued resurfacing. It had happened due to Arthur refusing his father’s suggestion that he hire his retired uncle, Agravaine, back into the ranks. It hadn’t been a subtle move on his father’s part to begin with, yet the man had insisted that it was because his brother-in-law was better qualified than the ‘green horns’ that kept applying for the roles. He then listed off a number of recruits that hadn’t lasted for longer than a couple of months. The argument was it was often Uther and his comrades bullying said new recruits until they quit, fell on deaf ears.
Regardless, Arthur still hadn’t bothered to list the job, seeing as the whole cycle would start over again. He had enough to worry about as it was. One of those things was currently asleep in the holding cell. Sighing heavily through his nose, Arthur rubbed at his temples and desperately felt his brain cry out for a caffeine fix. It must have shown in his posture, as Leon clapped him on the shoulder.
“I’ll get Gwaine to do a coffee run, yeah?”
Arthur nodded and was grateful when Leon vacated the office shortly after, the door clicking shut behind him. It was going to be a long day.
~0~
As the sun rose higher in the sky, the police station slowly seemed to come to life, as though waking up from a long nap. Merlin could relate obscenely well. Through the bars of the holding cell, he watched as the prim, sour-faced receptionist stalked to her desk, her chestnut hair piled up on top of her head in a style that probably took far too long, considering where she currently worked. Who was she trying to impress? One-by-one the officers started to come in for their shifts. Merlin recognised a few of the faces, but only a few of the names seemed to have stuck in his brain. A man with curly strawberry blonde hair -Leon? -walked over with a genial smile and a to-go cup in his hand.
“Morning Merlin,” he said and shifted the cup through the bars. “Thought you might like a coffee.”
Hopping up from the narrow cot, Merlin winced at a twinge in his back as he took the offered cup. Popping the lid he almost groaned with relief as he caught a whiff of the coffee. Taking a sip, he was ready to die there and then, and float up to heaven.
“You’re a lifesaver,” Merlin groaned, taking another sip.
“Happy to help,” Leon took a sip from his own cup, his blue eyes searching Merlin’s face. “Can I ask -did Arthur spend the whole night in his office?”
“Worried about your boss?” Merlin quirked an eyebrow. “Why; is he withholding your promotion?”
Leon snorted, “No, it’s just things have been tense around here lately, and he tends to burn the candle at both ends.”
“Ah. So that’s why he’s so short-tempered?”
Leon blanched. “I hope he didn’t take his temper out on you.”
Merlin didn’t reply, taking another sip of his coffee. After a deliberately loud swallow, he raised the cup in a salute, before backing over to the cot and shuffling back until his back touched the wall. Leon looked as though he was about to open his mouth and say something when –
“What’re you lot standing around for? We have a crime scene to finish canvasing! I want anyone on patrol outside in ten!” Arthur barked from the door to his office.
Leon’s shoulders hunched up around his ears. Merlin observed it all over another sip of coffee, the steam clouding before his eyes. With one last glance at Merlin, Leon turned on his heel and marched back across to his desk before taking a seat. He sat back in his chair, as straight as humanly possible, his eyes trained on the chief as he paced back and forth before a whiteboard. The door opened and shut a few times, admitting two vaguely familiar faces as two brunettes hurried in, breathless and sweaty. Once everyone was gathered, the chief started barking out orders and directions for how the morning was to go. Merlin tuned it out, focusing on his coffee.
His stomach grumbled loudly, making him realise he’d not eaten properly since breakfast yesterday.
He sat back with his legs pulled up to his chest as he slowly drank the coffee down to the dregs, letting the warmth soak through him.
A harsh knocking on the bars rattled his brain like the strikes of an alarm clock. Jerking upright, he spied the old man from the other day -Aithusa’s grandfather? He wasn’t sure he’d gotten his name, but he wouldn’t forget the electrified white hair or the long, narrow face in a hurry.
“They not let you out yet, then?” the old man quipped.
Merlin mutely shook his head as he watched the old man knock his mahogany cane against the bars on last time before tutting. Dumbfounded, he watched from his cot as the old man strode across the bullpen towards the reception desk and started grilling Katrina. Merlin scrubbed a hand over his face; perhaps he hadn’t slept as well as he’d thought? Or maybe he was still dreaming?
He screwed his face up and pressed his head against his knees, desperately willing the coffee to dispel the pressure squeezing his skull.
“Alright my boy, up you get,” came the raspy voice. Merlin looked up with a wince and jerked back when he realised the old man was there, alongside one of the brunette officers who was currently jabbing a key into the cell door.
“What’s going on?” Merlin asked, leaping to his feet.
“I’ve paid your bail. Now up you get. You must be starving.”
Glancing down at the cot and the floor to make sure nothing had fallen out of his pockets, Merlin hugged his jacket around his torso and edged out of the cell, briefly making eye-contact with the officer who’d opened the door, to make sure it wasn’t about to slam shut in his face. If anything, the officer looked amused as his lip twitched up on one side. With a shake of his advert-worthy hair, he shut the cell door once again.
Merlin hurried around the edges of the bullpen, trying not to draw attention to himself as he frantically chased the old man. Since when were the elderly capable of moving that fast?
As he was passing the reception desk, he glanced backwards at the sudden silence coming from the main room, completely at odds with the chief barking orders. Air hissed in his chest as he locked eyes with the chief across the cluster of heads. There was no way to tell what the blonde was thinking, with his tense jaw, rigid posture, and smoky blue eyes cutting him to the quick, but something about the air was suddenly electric. It was like a spark had shot straight through to his brain, waking him up to the sunshine coming in through the windows, the hint of freshly cut grass on the breeze, and the heady aroma of coffee clinging to the air.
A throat cleared somewhere behind him. Merlin backtracked towards the main door, but even as he glanced over his shoulder, he saw that -despite continuing the briefing -the chief still stole a glance at him just as the door shut between them.
Finally back out in the daylight after the oddest turn of events, Merlin felt wrong-footed as he raised a hand to shield his eyes from the sunshine. A shock of white flashed across his vision. Hurrying across the car park, Merlin finally fell into step alongside Aithusa’s granddad before stuffing his hands into his pockets. They strolled side-by-side away from the police station and down the road, the pavement dappled with sunshine filtering in through the canopy of leaves overhead. The forest really did reach into all nooks and crannies of the town.
They rounded a bend in the road, and it was only then that Merlin felt awkward that he was being led to an unknown location.
“Thank you for getting me out of there,” Merlin offered by way of conversation. “Not that it was bad or anything, but it’s never nice being cooped up where you’re not supposed to be.”
The old man chuckled, a dry raspy sound. He strolled lazily through the dappled sunshine, the faint breeze tickling his electrified white hair. Merlin was intrigued by him.
“You mustn’t think unkindly of our Chief. His father is the mayor, and a real tyrant when it comes to rules being followed,” the old man hummed, “Arthur has shown himself to be a good man. However, the weight he carries will crush him before any real good can be done.”
Merlin frowned at the cryptic reply, and was about to ask what he meant, when the old man came to a stop.
“Ah, here we are. Come on in, lad. I expect you’re hungry. Bal should’ve made breakfast by now.”
“Oh, no I couldn’t impose!” Merlin objected as he watched the man mount the wooden steps to the front door of a quaint little house, nestled just off the side of the road, shaded by tall trees. It was so picturesque it stole his breath away.
“Nonsense, you’ve been cooped up in that cell all night. You need a good hearty breakfast. Now, Bal may not be a Michelin star chef, but he knows his way around a kitchen,” he shot Merlin a wink, before pulling an ornate iron key from his trouser pocket and slotting it into the door.
Merlin felt he had no other choice but to follow.
Stepping into the house was like stepping into a pocket universe of oddities. Every nook and cranny seemed to house something bizarre; a little alcove by the front door held a small spiral bookcase that looked as though it rotated, with a small carved dragon perched on top. Merlin’s eyes jumped along to a bulging bookcase just off to the side of the coat rack, and saw that it was overflowing with dusty leather tomes, some with gold lettering stamped along the spine, others with peeling corners and there was one that had a fur coverlet -was that real?
As he followed the old man through the hallway towards the kitchen, he gazed around in awe at all the dark stained wood that lined the floors, made up the bannisters, the intricately carved mantel around the fireplace. The lounge he walked past was beautiful, an over-stuffed three-piece suit faced the hearth, a large ornate mirror hanging over the fireplace, and off to one side perched on a sideboard -completely at odds with the décor -was a flatscreen TV.
Stepping through into the large open-plan kitchen and dining room, Merlin felt as though he’d been struck in the chest. The buttery sunlight was soothing to his aching head and was like a balm to his soul. A heavyset dining table and carved chairs sat off to one side, underneath a skylight, plants with trailing vines hung from the tall bookcase that bracketed the French doors leading out to the garden. There was a breakfast island acting as a divider between the kitchen and dining area. At said island, Aithusa sat in a pink and yellow checked summer dress, wearing slippers as her legs swung back and forth. Her hair was a wild, pale tangle, as though she’d just tumbled out of bed.
Upon seeing him, she beamed, a dribble of milk racing down her chin. “Merlin! You came!”
“Apparently so,” he smiled. With an encouraging nod from the old man, he hopped up onto the seat next to Aithusa.
“You’re almost late for Bal’s breakfast!” she chimed.
Looking up into the kitchen, Merlin locked eyes with a gruff looking man with lightly tanned, weathered skin, salt-and-pepper curls knotted at the back of his head, and dark set eyes that watched him from beneath dark brows.
Apparently, this was the ‘Bal’ he’d heard so much about.
“Morning. I’m Merlin. Sorry to barge in on your breakfast,” he offered a weak grin.
The man quirked a dark, thick eyebrow and huffed. “Sit down, I’ll get you a plate. Coffee?”
“Uh -sure?”
Merlin watched as the man moved around the kitchen with a practiced ease, his well-worn blue shirt hugging along the broad planes of his back. His salt-and-pepper curls looked like a wild mane yet were somehow more maintained than Merlin’s own fly-away, windswept curls. His face looked well-worn, used to the elements, but he had a solid calmness that immediately put Merlin at ease. He could clearly see this ‘Bal’ breaking a bear in half to protect his family, but at the same time he seemed happy enough to sit down with a cup of tea and enjoy a good conversation.
Once everyone was gathered around the breakfast bar -the old man easing into a highbacked armchair nearby -Bal served the food, poured coffees, teas, and juice for Aithusa, before downing the last from his mug. He gave a gruff ‘see you later’, and went outside through the French doors, his hiking boots clomping on the wooden floorboards.
Merlin watched him go, bemused.
“He’s a man of few words, is Bal,” the old man said from the armchair, taking a deep slurp of his tea.
“Is he your son?”
“Ha! Good Lord, no!” the old man chuckled, the wrinkles deepening around his eyes. “Oh, no, Bal is just a friend. He lodges up in the attic and is the local carpenter.”
“Oh, really?”
“Of course. Take a look around. Majority of woodwork in here is Bal’s handiwork.”
Merlin felt his eyebrows shoot up. “Oh wow. He’s talented. I’m a little jealous.”
“We all have talents. I used to whittle back in the day but arthritis is a cruel thing,” he sighed wistfully.
Taking a gulp of tea, Merlin turned in the stool and regarded the man across from the old man. “I’m sorry, sir, but -I don’t think we’ve been introduced. I’m Merlin.”
“Of course you are!” the man tutted. “You can call me John.”
Aithusa giggled into her juice, though she didn’t interrupt.
“So, you’re gonna be staying up at Hunith’s for the time being?” John asked.
“I -y-yes, she’s been very kind to me. For the whole twenty-four hours I was there,” he added, sheepishly.
“She’s a good girl, that Hunith. A very loyal woman, she’ll look after you.”
“It seems like a very tight-knit community here. I had no idea.”
John shrugged, “There’s a bunch of us that try and look out for one another. Some people get funny about ‘outsiders’, but those inbreds are usually the ones causing us havoc to begin with.”
“Granddad, don’t bore Merlin!” Aithusa chided, spinning around on her stool. “I wanted to show him the lake!”
“Now, child, do you think that’s wise considering the last place you took Merlin?” he raised a bushy eyebrow at his granddaughter.
Twisting her lips, Aithusa bowed her head in defeat.
“Why not go around town with him? You might bump into someone you know, and you can show him the café.”
“But that’s boring!”
“I’m sure all our friends will be delighted to know how dull and boring you think they all are,” he teased.
Merlin bit back a grin as he continued to munch away at the breakfast given to him. All the tension that had knotted through him over the course of the night in the cell seemed to have disappeared. With every gulp of coffee, and the surrounding conversation, Merlin allowed himself to feel almost content.
“I wouldn’t mind seeing the town,” he said, breaking-up the bickering between the pair.
John smiled over at him, the creases of his face deepening. Aithusa didn’t look terribly enthused by the idea but getting outside and soaking up as much sunlight and fresh air as possible seemed like the best idea for him. Despite having been on a little holiday, the night in the cell had ruined any meditative calm he may have experienced.
“What, you don’t want to introduce me to your friends?” Merlin asked Aithusa, “Reckon I’ll embarrassed you, hm?”
Snorting, she shot him a mischievous look, “I’m not a baby, I know what you’re doing.”
“What?” he played innocent. “I just want to see your friends. After all, I did spend all night in prison.”
Rolling her eyes, she shrugged and hopped off the stool. “Fine. Are you done?” He nodded. “Good, lets go. Bye, Granddad! We’ll be back for lunch!”
“Now, now, if you want to eat out in town, you’re more than welcome. Just try to stay out of trouble,” he said in an exasperated tone, as though he knew he was fighting a losing battle.
Hurrying across the room, she flung her arms around John’s neck and pressed a kiss to his cheek. “Love you, Granddad!”
As she bounced out of the room, down the hall and yanked open the front door, Merlin turned back to John and waved, “Thanks for the breakfast, it was delicious.”
“You’re welcome here anytime, Merlin.”
With a sheepish bow of his head, he turned and hurried down the hall to where Aithusa was waiting to lead him back outside.
Notes:
Hope you liked this chapter, despite the lack of fan art :( x
Chapter 6: Chapter Six
Notes:
Sorry for the unintentional hiatus! My laptop was bugging out and needed repairs! x
(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)
Chapter Text
Chapter Six
After walking around most of the town with Aithusa in tow, chatting away and eating ice cream he’d paid for, Merlin returned her back home. It had taken a while before he’d finally realised why he’d felt the hairs on the back of his neck prickle as he peeked into shop windows and smiled along to Aithusa calling out to her friends across the road, or in the park they walked by. A quick glance over his shoulder had confirmed his fears; the townsfolk were stopping their daily routines to gawp, glare and whisper to one another, their eyes pinned to his back.
Did they think he was a danger to Aithusa? Did they really not like outsiders in their town? How archaic was this place?
In the end, he dropped Aithusa back home, saying that he had some work to do and that he would see her later. John had watched him go with a knowing look on his wizened old face, but Merlin was too stressed to think deeply about the matter.
As he’d walked back through the center of town towards Hunith’s little house, he’d kept his head bowed to the pavement. It didn’t stop the whispers from hissing in his ears, but at least he didn’t have to make eye contact with anyone. It wasn’t exactly the warmest of welcomes though he wasn’t sure what he’d been expecting.
By the time he spied the little house through the foliage lining the road, Merlin felt his skeleton droop under the weight of the last few days. As if on cue, the moment he veered down the pathway, Hunith opened the front door looking frazzled.
“Merlin, there you are! I was worried when you didn’t come back last night!”
He barely had a chance to think of a response before he was enveloped into a hug. The air was punched from his lungs as he awkwardly returned the embrace. “Sorry to worry you,” he said.
Tutting, she drew back and cupped his face, turning him this way and that. “You look a little pale, you’re not getting sick, are you? Those cells can get damp all days of the year.”
Momentarily, Merlin wondered how she’d known where he was. ‘It’s a small town,’ he rationalized. ‘Everyone probably knew by dinner time’.
Easing her hands from his face, he offered her a tight smile. His chest felt fluttery, and it was oddly nice that someone -a total stranger -would have such a visceral reaction to his absence. It was kind of her to worry.
“Thank you, Hunith, but you don’t need to worry about me. The chief might be a bit pig-headed, but I survived.”
“You shouldn’t have been put in there in the first place!” she tutted disapprovingly.
He shrugged, “I can just hope it doesn’t happen again.”
“You’ll have to complain, you know. These sorts of things cannot keep happening.”
Merlin was about to question what she meant, however a fresh wave of fatigue dropped down on him. With a groan, he pinched the bridge of his nose and tried to focus on his breathing.
“Oh, dear, listen to me prattling on. Go on up and have a rest. Do you think you’ll be down for dinner, or do you want me to leave you something in the fridge?”
“I don’t want to put you out.”
“Nonsense, I’ll be cooking anyway. I’m happy to leave you something.”
Offering a smile, he nodded. “That would be great, thank you.”
“Good,” she turned him and ushered him ahead and into the house. “Now, I won’t let anyone call for you or disturb you. Have a soak in the tub and a good nap. You’ll be right as rain, sleeping in a proper bed.”
With one last nudge towards the stairs, Merlin headed up to his room. Hunith watched him go, before turning and returning to the kitchen, the door whispering closed behind her. As he walked into his room, Merlin did a quick survey, feeling that the air seemed fresher than when he’d left it. The bed had been made, the used mug on the sideboard had been washed and clean and the floor looked freshly hoovered. Had Hunith been in here and clean? He felt his insides flip a little. Was this what it was like to have a mother fussing over you and taking care of you? Waiting for you to come home and leaving your room as it was until you came home to fill the void left behind?
With a shake of his head, he slid the lock on the door, kicked off his shoes and put them to the side, before heading over to the bed. Unfortunately, the weight of his exhaustion sent him face-down into the plush duvet before he could even think about taking a shower.
Starting awake, Merlin groaned as he tried to adjust to the low light in his room. For a brief, panicked moment, he thought he was losing his eyesight, only to glance at the clock on the nightstand and realise he’d been asleep for four hours. Well, that was the entire day down the drain.
Rubbing a hand down his face, he heaved himself up onto his elbows and rolled his tongue around his mouth. His teeth felt fuzzy. He hadn’t brushed since yesterday morning. Every muscle protested as he moved to the edge of the bed and fumbled around in the gloom towards the bathroom. After a quick scrub with soap in the sink, and brushing his teeth, Merlin clawed into a fresh t-shirt and the rumpled jeans he’d kicked off before his wash. His stomach grumbled loudly, the emptiness eating away at his insides.
“Don’t want to bother Hunith now. It’s late,” he grimaced as he glanced at his phone and slipped it into his pocket. On the walk back through town, he’d spotted a few corner shops and an off license. Maybe he could just grab something from the take-away place, or a packet of instant noodles?
Grabbing the keys, he slipped out of his room, locked the door behind him and tiptoed his way down the two staircases to the main hallway. The bar and homely eating area were quiet, dimly lit only by the embers dying in the grate and the low rectangle of light of the opaque glass kitchen door. The low murmur of a TV show played in the kitchen beyond. For a moment, Merlin debated on going in and taking Hunith up on her offer of food, but the guilt immediately gnawed away at him.
‘Best not,’ he thought, edging towards the front door. ‘I can always eat it tomorrow, to save face.’
The night air was a cool balm to his frayed nerves as he eased the door closed behind him. The woods were stretched out, dark and glossy across the road, blending into the inky black sky overhead. Stars winked down at him like sprinkled sugar and the slice of moon helped to illuminate the bend of the road leading into town. There were no streetlamps along the road, not until he turned the bend and drew nearer to the main high street. Despite the size of the town, there seemed to be a gentle buzz of nightlife, even in the middle of the week. A few pubs and even a bar had brightly lit windows, the thrum of music throbbing in the air as he walked by, hands in his pockets. A middle-aged couple walked their dog, chatting lightly. Their conversation went quiet for a few too many beats before he walked far enough away. When their chatter started up again, Merlin couldn’t help but notice it had heavier undertones. Were they gossiping about him? At this point he wouldn’t be surprised.
Standing up a little straighter, he marched himself to the little burger joint on the corner, ordered a meal to-go and once it was in hand, he ducked into the off-license. Grabbing a six-pack and some crisps, he paid the cashier -noting how the man’s shrewd eyes never blinked throughout the entire transaction -and hurried back out into the soothing night air.
“Oof! Watch where you’re going, you bumpkin!”
“Jesus, I’m sorry! Are you -Oh. Officer Pendralyn.”
“Oh, it’s you. Why doesn’t it surprise me that you can’t look where you’re going?” the blonde tutted, taking a step back. “Do those huge ears block your eyeline?”
Merlin rolled his eyes and straightened up to his full height which, he was glad to note, was a touch taller than the police chief. “It must have been a very bad night sleep on your desk if that’s the best you can come up with on the fly,” he quipped.
Arthur snorted, startling both of them.
Merlin pressed his lips together, before the weight of the bag in his hand started to make his fingers ache. “Right -uh -well I’d best be getting back.” Without waiting for an answer, he side-stepped Arthur and started heading back up the pavement.
“Wait -hang on!” footsteps hurried after him. “Damnit, you idiot, will you just wait for two seconds?!”
A hand on his shoulder pulled Merlin to a stop, whirling around so that he and Arthur were face-to-face, their chests bumping with the proximity. It was on the tip of his tongue to snap to be left alone, his walls flaring up as Arthurs hands loosened their grip on his biceps. The loss of warmth was like a knock to the chest.
“I wanted to -I wanted to apologise!” Arthur ground out, a vein standing out along his neck.
Merlin raised an eyebrow. “Is that so?”
“Yes.”
“Well, go on then. I haven’t got all night.”
Arthur exhaled noisily and regarded Merlin as though he was the most infuriating being he’d ever encountered. He worked his jaw, hands planted firmly on his hips. Merlin wasn’t intimidated; he regarded Arthur as neutrally as possible, taking in his fitted leather jacket that sat across his broad shoulders, his fitted blue jeans and vans. Had he left work at a decent time then? A soft breeze wafted Arthur’s cologne into the air, and Merlin felt his gut clench. A date then?
With a sigh, he turned back up the road, “Right, well I’m off. I don’t want to keep you.”
As he started to walk up along the road, Arthur fell into step beside him, stuffing his hands into his pockets. Their elbows brushed together, but Merlin didn’t make himself step away. He ignored the niggling at the back of his mind, forcing himself to keep looking straight ahead. The smell of the food in his bag made his stomach grumble. The hum of the town center grew quieter until the sound eventually blended with the hum of the natural evening. Arthur didn’t seem to be in a hurry to leave his side, and Merlin couldn’t tell if he liked the company or if he was irritated by the man who had done nothing but grapple with him since he’d set foot inside the town’s limits.
“I’m sorry for the trouble my father’s caused you since bringing Aithusa back,” Arthur’s voice cut through the quiet.
Merlin nearly tripped over his feet as the words sank in. From what limited exposure he’d had to Arthur as a person, he didn’t seem the type to readily apologise for anything. The fact that he seemed to feel any guilt for how he’d treated Merlin was jarring.
Giving a stiff shrug, he said, “It’s fine, you were just doing your job.”
Arthur snorted. “To a degree. The rest of it was on my father’s orders. Apparently, it could have been seen as ‘bad press’ for him.”
“In -what way?”
“I couldn’t say. All I know is, his assistant whispers shit in his ear, and he regurgitates it in front of the camera. For someone so sure of himself, he seems to have gotten whipped since hiring her.”
Merlin grimaced, “An affair? Under your mother’s nose? That’s pretty shit of him, mayor or not.”
A heavy silence seemed to freeze the accusation in the air between them. For a moment, Merlin felt a spike of panic that he’d put his foot in his mouth.
“Actually, my mother’s dead,” Arthur said.
Definitely put his foot in his mouth!
“God, I’m sorry. Forget what I said, it’s not my business.”
“No, it’s not,” Arthur said, though there was no malice in his voice. “Though, I can’t say I disagree with your accusation.”
There wasn’t really anything he could say to that. Up ahead, they turned the bend away from town. As the streetlamps grew scarcer, Merlin was struck by the realization that Arthur seemed to be walking him back to Hunith’s house. Fiddling with the plastic handles of the bag cutting into his fingers, Merlin cleared his throat.
“You don’t need to walk me all the way back, you know. I’m sure I can find my way.”
“Not sure about that, you couldn’t even find your way out of the corner shop.”
“You were in my way!”
“It’s not my fault you’re an idiot, Merlin,” Arthur scoffed.
“Yet it’s my fault that you’re a Clotpole?”
“A what?” Arthur laughed, coming to a stop. “What on earth is a clot pole?”
Merlin ground his teeth as he turned on his heel to face Arthur, “You! You’re a Clotpole!”
Tilting his head to the side, the blonde man’s mouth quirked up on one side. Merlin refused to believe how much it softened his overall appearance. “Whatever you say, idiot.”
Merlin rolled his eyes. The softer, almost teasing tone was throwing him off balance. Swallowing thickly, he nodded back the way they’d come. “I can make my way from here, you know.”
“Well, I’ve already come all this way. I may as well see you to the door.”
“What a gentleman. Aren’t I keeping you from something?”
A frown. “No, why do you ask?”
“Oh -I -just -your cologne. You weren’t wearing it earlier.”
Arthur was clearly amused. Sauntering over, he leaned closer to Merlin and smirked, “You like it, hm?”
“I didn’t say that!”
“You mentioned it.”
“Then you’re just wearing a lot, if I could smell it from here!” Merlin backed up a step. “Besides, if you had a date, I didn’t want to keep you.”
“No, I don’t really date. I was having dinner with my father and sister. We do it about once a week.”
“And you just had to dash to the off license?”
“I usually make an excuse to flee sooner than later,” Arthur shrugged, hands in his pockets. He started to move back along the road and Merlin had no choice but to follow. “Then I bumped into you.”
“Aha! So, you admit that you bumped into me!”
“What -of course not! It’s an expression, Merlin!”
He couldn’t stop the chuckle that escaped. He clamped his mouth shut the moment he noticed that Arthur smiled in response. Finally, Hunith’s house came into view, the gables illuminated by the moon hanging in the sky. They walked the rest of the way in a companionable silence -a very bizarre fever dream if ever there was one -and came to a stop on the roadside.
Merlin shifted awkwardly and gave Arthur a tight smile. The man seemed completely at ease in his company, and it was weird. “Well -this is me.”
“Yes, Merlin, I’m aware.”
“Fine. Thank you for walking me home, though it was completely unnecessary.”
“Do you ever get tired of being unbearably insolent?”
“Do you ever get tired of being unbearably arrogant?”
Smirking, Arthur cocked his head, “Touche, Merlin. I guess I’ll see you around town, unless you’re not hanging around?”
“Oh, no, I think I’ll be sticking around for a little bit.”
If anything, this seemed to ease Arthur to completely relax. “I look forward to it.”
“Right,” Merlin licked his lips. “Um -Goodnight, then.”
“Goodnight, idiot. Get home safe.”
“I’ve only got to cross the driveway.”
“Well, who knows what dangers could befall you.”
“I’m not that clumsy!”
“Could have fooled me.”
“Well, that shouldn’t be hard.”
And because the universe loathed him, Merlin was too busy pulling a face at Arthur, that he tripped over the porch step. He staggered a bit and almost collided with the front door. All the windows seemed to be dark, the last thing he wanted to do was wake Hunith. Turning back, he glowered at Arthur who was chuckling quietly to himself. Without saying a word, Merlin slipped his key into the door, threw a wave of his shoulder, and disappeared into the house.
Once he’d absconded to his room, Merlin leaned back heavily on the door and exhaled. This day was really turning itself up on its head. He wasn’t sure why Arthur was suddenly being nice to him, or what it could mean that he was on the mayor’s radar, but the verbal sparring had been enjoyable. Was Arthur decent when he was out of his uniform? The notion felt bizarre.
Dumping out the food items onto the coffee table, he was relieved to find that his burger meal was still relatively warm. He watched YouTube videos on his phone while scarfing the food down and downing a beer. It all settled rather heavily on his stomach, but he reasoned it was better to focus on a physical pain compared to an emotionally skewed pain.
His head was still reeling from the last few days. He truly did hope Aithusa wasn’t too traumatized by seeing a skeleton in the cave. It must be horrible to have a cherished childhood memory tarnished by someone’s sick idea of a cruel joke.
Maybe he could pop by and see how she was doing tomorrow? Maybe see if John needed any help, since all the kids were currently out for summer?
With the vague decision taking form in his mind, he slouched low on the sofa, kicked his feet up onto the coffee table and flicked the TV on. He channel-surfed until he could barely keep his eyes open, at which point he slumped into the cushions and tumbled into a heavy, dreamless sleep.
Notes:
So, this was short and sweet, but I'll be updating again before I go on holiday!
Chapter 7: Chapter Seven
Notes:
Sorry for the long wait, things at work have been ... tumultuous at best :/
I promise to get more art work done, but I still have not been able to recover the lost ones :(
Chapter Text
Chapter Seven
“Oh, Merlin, you’re up!” Hunith greeted the following morning.
Merlin scrubbed a hand through his hair and offered a tired smile as he staggered into the kitchen. He had slept heavily at an awkward angle on the sofa, which had left his back aching in odd areas. He had a newfound sympathy for all the paper he’d ever screwed up and thrown away over the years.
He’d decided to go down and join Hunith for breakfast to be polite and because his brain felt like the scrambled eggs she’d whipped up before he’d come down.
Accepting a plate of eggs and toast, he hopped up onto the stool and poured himself a cup of black coffee.
“You got home a little late last night, I hope the bed isn’t too uncomfortable,” Hunith fretted, settling down into her own stool.
“Oh no, not at all. It’s very comfortable up there, thank you.”
“So, have you been exploring the night life?” she grinned.
“I walked by it, but I just wanted a burger. I fell asleep and didn’t want to bother you when I finally woke up.”
For a moment, Hunith looked as though she would have argued about not worrying about her, but wisely decided to change topic. “You had a phone call at the front desk this morning.”
“A call?” he frowned. “Who even knows I’m here?”
“It was only John. He said that Aithusa’s been talking his ear off all morning and wondered if you’d like to pop by. Maybe take her out around town or something?”
Merlin snorted, “So, now I’m his babysitter?”
“Oh, no, he wouldn’t dream of taking advantage of you like that!”
“It’s okay, I wouldn’t mind. He seems nice enough, a bit odd, but Aithusa is lovely.”
“Apparently she won’t stop talking or asking after you,” she smiled. “It seems you have a fan.”
“I appear to be making quite an impression over the last few days.”
Hunith’s expression dropped into a frown. Crossing her arms on the breakfast bar, she leaned towards him, her brown eyes flitting over his face. “Those boys weren’t too rough on you, were they? Down at the police station?”
“The police officers? I guess not.”
“I’m sorry you had to spend a night in the cell.”
“It wasn’t that bad. I slept, at least.”
“You had nothing to do with that body being there!”
Merlin blinked at her exclamation. “I’m pretty sure even Arthur knew that, but apparently it was the mayor’s orders.”
Hunith tutted and rolled her eyes. “That mayor. I truly don’t know how his children turned out the way they did.”
“Children? You mean Arthur has a sibling?”
“A sister, Morgana. Well, half-sister. There was a whole drama about an affair before Arthur was born.” She took a loud sip of her tea before grimacing, “Damn, I probably shouldn’t be spouting such things. I’m not usually one for gossip.”
“Sorry, people seem to have this fixation with telling me things,” he chuckled. “Don’t worry about it.”
Shaking her head, Hunith adopted a sunny smile as she speared a piece of fruit with her fork. “You’ve not gotten a chance to explore town since getting here, have you?”
“Not really, no. What with being in a cell overnight.”
“You should go and explore. I’m sure you’ll make friends at the drop of a hat.”
“What makes you say that?”
“Well, you seem to have won most of the police squad over, and they’ve mostly seen you sleeping or in the company of a seven-year-old.”
“Is that weird?” he worried his bottom lip. “Will people in town think I’m weird for spending time with Aithusa?”
“Possibly,” she said. “However, they’ve always thought Aithusa was a bit of an odd duck since she started nursery.”
“I think she’s sweet.”
“She is. Far too much energy at times, though. Always off exploring. I bet she can’t wait for the summer activities to start up in the town square.”
“Oh? What sort of activities?”
“Well, summer is about seven odd weeks here, so it varies. There’s hiking in the woods, swimming in the lakes, horseback riding, fort building, sword fighting, archery, arts and crafts, and spending time with the elderly in the old people’s home.”
Merlin’s eyebrows shot up into his hairline. “Wow -that sounds fantastic! We don’t get things like that in London, or if we do, it’s mostly basic sporty things. I’m not a sporty lad,” he chuckled.
“You should get involved,” Hunith’s eyes shone brightly. “Everyone who can spare time, does. At one point, someone tried to get jousting brought in but …”
“Jousting hurts?”
Hunith laughed, “Yes, well, being whacked in the chest and thrown from a speeding horse and landing on your back isn’t meant to be fun, is it?”
With a grin and feeling his headache finally recede, Merlin downed the last of his coffee. “Thank you for breakfast, Hunith. You don’t mind if I head out into town, do you?”
“Don’t worry about me,” she shooed him away. “Go and explore. Have fun.”
For a moment, Merlin hesitated in the doorway as Hunith gathered all the breakfast things together, rinsed them, and bundled them into the dishwasher. He was about to ask her if she needed help, but he felt a tug on his navel telling him to leave well alone. Turning on his heel, he returned to his room, got washed and dressed, and headed back out into the sunshine.
Throughout the morning, he was able to enjoy idling around town, taking in the surrounding old-fashioned cottages, the squat pub with the swinging wooden sign above it declaring it was ‘THE RISING SUN’. The school was the standard red brick building with gabled roofs and black iron fences surrounding the playground, and opposite that was the local park, completely with a wooden climbing frame, a swing set, and a massive, squeaky roundabout. Almost every apparatus was occupied with several children, shrieking with delight, and running around as their parents stood or sat nearby on the picnic benches. As he gazed fondly at them, Merlin felt loneliness swoop through his stomach. It was such an idyllic place.
Why had Aithusa wanted to run away so badly?
The sun felt nice on his skin. Warm air ruffled his hair, and he couldn’t help but feel his troubles melting away as he strolled along the winding paths through a little outdoor garden. There were small wooden flower boxes with brightly coloured bushes with violets, daffodils, and bluebells. Bird and squirrel feeders hung from low tree branches and there were little chalk drawings drawn along the fence, no doubt from the local nursery children.
Inhaling deeply, Merlin truly felt at peace.
“Oi, Emrys, I thought that was you!”
Merlin was jarred from his peaceful bubble as the loud voice rang in his ears. A hand clapped his back, making him stagger forward.
Over his shoulder, he spied luscious brunette hair, a roguish smile, and a stubbled jaw. The man in question wore a faded blue t-shirt that only highlighted the shine of his hair, the chest hair peeking out and the silver chain gleaming against his lightly tanned skin.
“Oh -uh -hi?”
“Gwaine,” he stuck his hand out. “We met at the police station.”
“Seems that’s where I’ve met most people here,” he smirked.
Gwaine barked out a laugh, “Yeah, sorry about that. Wasn’t anything to do with us, but when the mayor cracks the whip, it’s not worth my career to question it, y’know?”
“No, I get it. No hard feelings.”
“Awesome. Now, what you up to?”
“I was just walking around, exploring the town a little. Feels like I’ve not seen much of it since arriving.”
“Right, well, allow me to guide you over to our little picnic table. We were starting a game of football if you fancied joining?”
Merlin laughed, remembering his earlier chat with Hunith. “I’m not really a sporty type, I’m afraid.”
“That’s okay, you can be our cheerleader,” Gwaine winked.
Merlin snorted but allowed himself to be guided over to a small trio of picnic benches under the shade of a few trees. The set-up had clearly been established for at least an hour, with picnic blankets dotted around, food and bottles of drink and a cooler filled with beer cans. Merlin felt a knot of nerves coil inside him as Gwaine guided him into the fray.
“Yo lads, you remember Merlin, right? From the cell?”
Merlin shot Gwaine an incredulous look, only to have his immediate reaction tempered by the chorus of ‘Hey Merlin!’ from the gathered group. Now that he was closer, he saw that it wasn’t all men. There were a few women sat around one table, nibbling at sandwiches and little cakes as they watched the ensuing football match on the green play out. They seemed content enough, large sunglasses propped up on their foreheads.
With a shove to his shoulder, Merlin was ushered over to the nearest table where he dropped down onto a bench beside the young man with black waves of hair falling against his sharp cheekbones. Merlin was horrible with names, so he wasn’t at all surprised when the man took pity on him and stuck his hand out.
“Lance.”
“Merlin.”
“You going to join in?”
“Nope!” Merlin popped. “I’m useless. I’ve got about five left feet and my hand-eye coordination leaves something to be desired.”
Lance smiled. “Yeah, I haven’t played football in ages. But the lads enjoy the bonding, and I don’t have the heart to refuse. Besides, the girls like to come down and ogle the man.”
Merlin cast a glance over his shoulder at the five young women and chucked to himself. “Can’t say I blame them.”
If Lance wanted to pick up on the subtext, he didn’t bat an eyelid. “You don’t have plans, do you? I know Gwaine sort of dragged you along, but don’t feel obligated to stick around.”
Merlin shrugged, “I wasn’t really doing anything, just wandering around. I’m happy to stick around.”
A rowdy eruption of cheers resounded into the air. Watching the game play out on the field, he turned just in time to see the brawny men dogpiling onto one another to celebrate a goal. Merlin couldn’t help but join in the laughter as Lance clapped his knees and cheered. When the group untangled themselves, a large, burly man called for a drink break. Panting, they jogged into the shade, fanning their sticky shirts, and wiping sweat from their foreheads.
“Well, look who we have here,” a red-faced Arthur came up to their table, the musk of his sweaty body suddenly overwhelming the breezy summer haze. He grabbed a bottle of water and chugged half of it down. “Come to watch some real magic, Merlin?”
Twisting his mouth into a wry grin, Merlin shook his head, “I’d say ‘yes’ but I’m still waiting for it to happen.”
Gwaine ‘oohed!’ from the next table, only to be swatted upside the head by the burly man.
Peering up, Merlin felt everything inside him tighten as Arthur watched him. He swiped his sweaty blonde fringe out of his eyes, making it spike up, and took another, slower slug from his bottle. His blue eyes were intense as they drank in every part of Merlin, unrumpled and calm, laid back against the picnic bench.
Merlin focused on his breathing.
Even when everyone was called back out onto the green, Arthur didn’t immediately break away. He breathed deeply, his broad chest rising beneath his sticky football t-shirt, his gaze locked onto Merlin’s. It was only when he was pulled backwards by his shirt that the eye contact broke and Merlin felt the spell break.
What had that been about?
As the men returned to their game, shoving, and dogpiling and cheering one another on, Merlin felt the hairs on the back of his neck prickle to attention. He scrubbed a hand down his neck, trying to ignore the feeling and accepted a beer from Lance. The game was hilarious to watch and yet the prickling feeling never left, not really. Turning to set his bottle on the table, he peeked over at the girls table and saw a pale woman with black wavy hair staring in his direction behind her large, cat-eye glasses.
Swiveling around, Merlin watched the game play for another hour. He couldn’t think of a better way to spend the afternoon. He chatted mostly with Lance and Leon when he hobbled over after landing awkwardly and tweaking his ankle. They were good blokes and they seemed to welcome him easily enough.
Eventually, Leon called time on the game. Merlin had no idea who won, but he did know that there were a lot of beers to celebrate. Arthur didn’t approach his table again, and Merlin wasn’t sure why he felt disappointed. As everyone dabbed themselves down and cooled off, Merlin was introduced to the other lads on the makeshift teams. It was nice to have some names to faces, and he was surprised that not all of the men were on the police force.
Percy worked as a mechanic and part-time as a bouncer on the weekends. Gwen -who Lance introduced him to -was a primary school teacher and would have Aithusa in her class next term. Mithian also worked at the school in the junior years and Vivian worked at the large salon in the center of town. Merlin believed it; she looked so sleek and polished it was a wonder she was anywhere near a place that could lead to mud or grass stains. Elena worked at a small family-run farm at the edge of town and was training to take her veterinary exams. The other brunette woman who had been eying Merlin up had vanished at some point with Leon in tow, so Merlin didn’t get a chance to be introduced.
Maybe that was a good thing. She’d made him feel stricken.
Eventually, the group started to pack things up and trickle away towards town or their cars. Merlin felt somewhat at a loss, as he watched Lance escort Gwen across the green, their heads bent close together. A few of the men called out ‘see yah!’ over their shoulder, and Merlin found himself sheepishly waving them off.
“You got any plans?” Arthur’s voice made him jump and spin around.
He’d changed out of his sweaty football gear and was now in loose shorts and a vest. The sheen of sweat had been mostly wiped away, though his hair was still dark with it and sticking to his forehead. It was a completely one-eighty from the uptight man in the pressed slacks and tight uniform that had strong-armed him into the holding cell. Merlin couldn’t deny he appreciated seeing this version of Arthur. It made him feel better, that perhaps not all first impressions were correct.
“Er no, I didn’t really have any plans. Why?” He felt his back prickle. Was he being watched again?
“No reason. Just after my appalling evening last night, I’d rather like to erase the memory. Want to grab a bite?”
“With me? Really?”
Arthur cocked an eyebrow, “Well, despite our first encounter, you’ve not done anything else suspicious. I’m willing to give you a trial run.”
“A trial -what? Why?”
“Honestly, Merlin, do keep up. I’m famished. Do you want to get something to eat or not?”
Still feeling perplexed, Merlin hurried to catch up with Arthur as the man turned to walk towards the street.
The sun was dipping low behind the roofs of the houses, kids were being called in for their tea, and dog-walkers were taking their pets for a last-minute toilet break outside before locking up for the night. Compared to earlier, the streets looked almost deserted as they fell into step with one another. Merlin allowed Arthur to lead the way, still as unfamiliar with the town as he was. He idly wondered what Aithusa and John were up to this evening, and Hunith for that matter. She seemed always on the brink of needing company. Like she was meant to have someone beside her but -who?
When they got to The Rising Sun, a low babble of voices spilled out into the early evening air. It gave Merlin a moment to gather his scattered thoughts. He hadn’t realised how on edge he’d been since he’d followed Arthur from the park.
Arthur led the way inside, holding the door open for Merlin to traipse in after him. “Do you fancy a pint?”
“You really don’t need to do this,” he hedged.
Arthur looked at him with a strange expression on his face, his jaw tensed. “You didn’t have to come. Don’t feel as though you need to be on your best behaviour or anything. I’m not the chief of police here.”
Merlin felt his shoulders hunch a little, “It’s your job. Everyone knows you, here. They also know of me. And the two things don’t go well together.” He sighed and clicked his jaw, “Do you really think your people are going to be okay with you eating with a potential criminal?”
“You said you’ve done nothing to be arrested for. I’m choosing to believe that. It helps that there is no evidence, and the timeline doesn’t match.”
Merlin felt his insides twist. It was hardly the reassurance that he needed to hear. Looking past Arthur’s shoulder, he noted that one or two patrons at the bar had looked over at who was hovering in the doorway. He could practically feel their oily eyes slithering over him and judging him. He couldn’t blame them. His stumbling into their town and upheaving everything was probably the most dramatic thing to happen in a while.
Arthur was still stood near him, the warmth radiating from his body was almost enough to coax Merlin inside the pub. However, his feet refused to move. Perhaps he was sabotaging himself, but the last few days had been a whirlwind. Maybe this wasn’t such a good idea.
Backing-up a step he shook his head. “I’m gonna have to pass.” His throat felt tight as he dropped his gaze to his shoes, “Thank you for the offer, Officer. I’ll see you around.”
Without waiting for a reply, he ducked out of the door and fled through the town and didn’t stop until he was in his room at Hunith’s house and locked the door from the inside. The image of Arthur’s wounded expression had burned itself into his brain so that whenever he closed his eyes, it was that face he saw. It haunted him for the rest of the night.
~0~
Before long, Merlin was coming to the end of his second week in Camm-Lott. He hadn’t even realised the time had gone by, although he supposed it made sense with all the exploring, he’d been doing.
Despite the active crime scene near the cave, Aithusa had been more than happy to show Merlin more secret spots she’d discovered over the years. It was curious that Aithusa didn’t have many friends her own age to hang-out with, although there had been one occasion where they’d bumped into a young boy. He had been knee-deep wading in the river and skimming the water for newts and minnows. He’d seemed wary of Merlin, who had opted to keep his distance on the riverbank as Aithusa kicked off her shoes and paddled out to peer into the boy’s net. Eventually, he introduced himself as Dylan. After a couple of hours wadding through the water and fishing and releasing little river-dwellers, Merlin had escorted Dylan back to the town square. Aithusa then grabbed his arm and ran off.
Merlin was sure his brain was going to split open with the lore Aithusa had created about her town; the concrete monstrosity bridge that led out of town on the north side was supposedly guarded by a magical being -though Merlin had only seen a short man in a barrier booth -and you could only cross the bridge in groups of three. The logic behind that one was flawed, but the little girl was insistent. Then there was the large maze behind the manor house which was where statues of knights and mages came to life. Elena’s farm across the hill housed a unicorn in disguise, and any bad plumbing was down to the giant wilddeoren living in the sewers. There was also something about trolls living in the recycling center and weird creatures called ‘Sidhe’ hovering in ponds and small lakes, but they never went anywhere near.
Honestly, he was impressed by the girl’s wild imagination. If she carried that through into adulthood, she could be a great fantasy novelist.
Throughout this last week and a half, Merlin had managed to avoid Arthur and most of the other policemen. Except for Lance, Lance was nice and was always ready with a comforting smile and had nowhere else to be if you fancied a chat.
Even so, whenever Merlin went for a morning stroll, his feet betrayed him and often led him past the police station. He’d look up at the squat brick building and feel his insides twist and knot in a jumbled frenzy, forcing him to reevaluate everything that had happened. A scrambling clawing at the base of his chest had him feeling nauseated.
The other police officers had seen him around town, called out greetings, clapped him on the back and even invited him for a pint if the hour called for it. It was only Arthur who, after the other night, seemed to keep a professional distance. He would nod his head in greetings, and a time or two Merlin felt the burn of his gaze on the back of his neck, but any sort of camaraderie that Arthur had tried to initiate had fallen by the wayside. Merlin didn’t know what he specifically felt about it, but he did know it left him unsettled.
This morning, Merlin found himself at a bit of a loose end. Hunith had left in a hurry early-on to take care of some business or other over the other side of the farmlands. He hadn’t gotten the gist of it, only that it was urgent. He’d waved her off and then decided to go for a walk. It was earlier than he’d usually be up, but the heavy summer heat was pressing down around him and the loft studio he was in lit-up like an oven. At least outside there was a breeze.
“Merlin!”
He spun on the spot and grinned as he saw Gwen waving and hurrying towards him, her buttercream yellow dress flowing as she ran. Lance followed at a leisurely pace, his face crinkling with an unrestrained smile. Merlin found his arms full of Gwen as she squeezed him tightly.
“What’re you doing up so early?” she asked, letting him go just as Lance joined them.
“Well, Hunith had to dash off and it was too hot to sleep, so I thought I’d come out for a bit.”
“Brilliant, you can join us then. We were just on our way to the farmers market,” she said, looping her arm through his.
“You sure you don’t mind?” he asked, glancing up at Lance.
“Not at all. The more the merrier.”
Feeling relieved, Merlin allowed himself to be dragged through the little market. Lance apparently had an affinity for jams, and every week he and Gwen would lovingly squabble about which flavour to try next. Merlin watched in amusement as they finally agreed to get honey-and-apricot. The market itself was quite picturesque, as most other things were in Camm-Lott. There were stalls that sold homemade cheese and other dairy products, a small playpen with the newly born puppies that Merlin couldn’t resist slipping inside to scratch all of them and rub their fuzzy little bellies. There were fruits and vegetables, live chickens, pebble art, knitted and crocheted gifts and freshly spun yarn.
It was so whimsically colourful that it made his heart soar.
He felt over-stuffed with all the free samples he’d taken, and his arms were loaded down with opaque plastic bags of blocks of cheese, small tubs of yoghurt and a little crochet cactus with black bead eyes. There was no rhyme or reason for the little cactus, he’d just found it overwhelmingly adorable. It had a teeny pink flower on top of its head.
After two hours of milling about under the bright canopies, the heat was starting to get to them. Lance called time on their excursion and invited Merlin to their favourite café for brunch. They sat down outside and sprawled out on the white iron chairs. Food and drinks were ordered and brought out by Lance and once everything was settled, Merlin exhaled and deflated into the chair.
“I cannot believe how exhausting doing nothing is turning out to be,” he grunted.
Gwen chuckled, “It can get that way. Although, for me, I’m happy to do nothing. Usually I’m up before seven, running around like a mad woman and making sure I don’t get covered in handprints, or a stomach bug, or the sniffles, then coming home after three, just to make sure we have enough food and everything is decently clean, before even thinking of having free time.”
Merlin pulled a sympathetic expression, “I can sympathize. It’s why I’ve taken a sabbatical. I need to have some time and space for myself.”
“What was it you were doing before coming here?” Lance asked, sipping his iced coffee.
“Teaching at college. It was getting bad, to the point that I was getting constant headaches, I wasn’t taking care of myself properly and I was taking work home with me every night and not sleeping.”
“That sounds awful,” Gwen said.
“It was. That’s why I opted for sabbatical. I’ve got no real ties to anywhere right now. Figured a prolonged holiday might help.”
“And has it?”
“I think so. I spent a while in Cornwall, explored the coastline, did some reading for pleasure.”
“Oh, I’ve always wanted to go there!” Gwen chimed, reaching for Lance’s arm across the table. “It always looked so beautiful.”
Merlin frowned, “So why don’t you go? It’s not that far. Heck, I met Aithusa not far from the motorway!”
“We’ve just never found the time,” Lance sighed longingly.
“Not even in the summer holidays?”
“Well, that’s when we’ve had issues at the police department. It’s like there’s a sudden influx of crime, paperwork, or budget cuts and then fundraisers. It just gets a bit manic.”
“Every summer?”
Gwen gave a sad little nod, “It’s truly awful, but we’re hoping to at least have a great honeymoon after we get married. That’s why we’ve been slaving away, saving up as much as we can.”
“Surely you could have gone away for a long weekend or something?”
The pair exchanged a confused glance with one another, as though the thought had truly never registered with either of them. Merlin frowned at the both of them. “Well -I suppose we could have. It’s not that we’ve minded. We do things like camping in the woods.”
“Oh yes, that reminds me!” Gwen turned a brilliant smile to him, her earlier doubt and confusion erased. “This Friday night we’re having a little bonfire and camp-night for the kids. Lance and Gwaine are organizing everything, and I’ve offered to help-out.”
“I thought you wanted a break,” he chuckled. “Do you need an extra pair of hands?”
“Honestly? The more the merrier,” Lance grinned. “Have you ever been camping before?”
Merlin ducked his head sheepishly. “No. Is it hard?”
“Not really. We’ll provide everything, you just need to show up.”
“Oof, timekeeping? Bit of a tall order, isn’t it?”
Gwen tossed her head back and laughed.
Merlin laughed and took a swig from his lemonade just as a shadow fell across their table. “I thought I heard a familiar laugh.”
Standing over them, dressed in a chic navy pencil dress, her long white legs gleaming in the sunlight, stood the most beautifully terrifying woman he’d ever seen. Her features were cutting, sharp cheekbones, arched eyebrows, wide green eyes, and a squared jawline. She was carrying a to-go cup in one hand and a plastic wallet of papers in the other.
“How lovely to see you today, Gwen,” she trilled, leaning down to peck Gwen on the cheek. “Good morning, Lance. And who’s this?”
Merlin felt pinned by the bright green eyes and suddenly his throat didn’t want to work. “I -uh -I’m Merlin. Hello.”
“Oh, so you’re the one who’s been kicking-up a storm around here?” she flashed her canine teeth at him. She shook his extended hand. “It’s a delight to meet you, Merlin. I’m Morgana. I’ve been hearing a lot about you.”
“Oh -that doesn’t sound too promising,” he grimaced.
“Nonsense. Anyone who can make both my father and brothers heads spin across the dinner table is a winner in my books.”
“I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be!” she waved him off. “I didn’t mean to intrude, I just had to get away from Uther this morning. The man could complain for England. Honestly, he could have everything paved in gold and still have the audacity to complain it wasn’t the right carat!”
Gwen giggled behind her hand. “Oh dear, what’s been going on now?”
“It’s that damned secretary of his.”
“Don’t you mean personal assistant?” Lance cocked an eyebrow.
“Don’t get political on me,” Morgana tutted with a sigh. “Seriously, though, this woman must have a magic vagina under those too-tight skirts, because Lord knows she’s not good for anything else! She whispers utter nonsense into his ear and he’s too busy staring at her chest to rationalize it.”
Merlin choked on his drink, the laughter coming unbidden at the foul mouth on this sleek, polished woman.
“How was Arthur this morning?” Lance asked.
“You’d probably know more about his state of affairs than I,” her shoulders sagged, toying with the lid of her to-go cup. “All these back-to-back shifts and are taking their toll on him, ever since Valiant was dismissed.”
“I suppose it doesn’t help that Edwin was jailed,” Gwen grimaced. “Honestly, your father needs better screening processes, I’m sorry to say.”
“Don’t be sorry, we can all agree things have been going awry for a while.”
“What is it exactly that’s making all these long shifts necessary?” Merlin asked. “Didn’t they all just play football in the park?”
“Everyone has to have some time-off, even if it is just an afternoon.”
“For the most part it’s the paperwork,” Lance said, turning to address Merlin. “Half the machines don’t work properly, and the rest of them are archaic.”
“And the filing system?”
All three of them laughed.
“What filing system?” Morgana flashed her pearly smile at him. “Whatever system they like to believe is there is an illusion, not to mention things seem to get forgotten within a week or so and then everything gets backlogged.”
“Not to mention, they’re always under-staffed,” Gwen pulled a face across the table.
“Don’t you have volunteers who can help?”
“Sadly, no one sticks around for long,” Morgana tutted. “Such a shame. Anyways, dears, I must go. Some of us have to work on Saturdays. Ciao!” she blew a kiss and a wave of her shoulder before sauntering off down the street, her needle-thin heels clicking away.
Merlin turned with raised eyebrows to Lance and Gwen. “So, that was …?”
“Morgana, she’s Arthur’s half-sister. Same dad. She works as a financial advisor at the bank.”
‘What do people around here need financial advice for? They all seem to live in each other’s back pockets,’ Merlin thought, though not unkindly. There was a longing within him that had never belonged to such a community but felt it might be a nice way to live.
“Don’t worry, she’s not nearly as scary as she seems,” Gwen smiled. “She and I grew up together, had sleepovers when Uther would allow. That’s how Arthur and I first got together.”
Merlin choked on his drink mid-sip. A look between the pair across from him showed that they were serious and that there were no hard feelings on the matter.
“You used to date Arthur? Chief officer Pendralyn?”
“Oh, it was years ago!” she stressed, waving her hand. “Long before I met Lance.”
“So, there’s no issues about it between you three?”
Lance shook his head, “None at all. Like Gwen said, it was before we even met. Arthur’s a good boss, he bends over backwards so that we don’t have to deal with his father’s wrath as much.”
“Is his dad really that bad?”
“He can be,” Gwen tucked her dark curls behind her ear. “What about your parents, Merlin? What do they do?”
Merlin looked at her blankly, the prickling of white noise starting up in his ears. “My what?”
“Your parents.”
“Um … not really relevant to me, I’m afraid,” he shrugged.
Gwen reached for his hand, “I’m sorry, Merlin, I didn’t mean to dredge up any painful memories.”
He gave a half-smile, “No, you’re fine, no panful memories. Just -no memories.”
The silence was deafening and at some point, became a little awkward. Lance cleared his throat and straightened up in his seat but didn’t appear to have any ideas on how to segue into a happier topic.
“Sorry, don’t mean to be maudlin,” clapping his knees, Merlin stood up and brushed his hair from his eyes, “I think I’ll head back. Thanks for the lovely brunch, guys.”
Gwen’s face drooped a little, “If you’re not busy later, how would you feel about popping over for dinner?”
“Dinner?”
“Yes, dinner and a movie at our place. I’ve got a new recipe I’ve been dying to try-out, and Lance is too sweet to tell me when my cooking sucks.”
“That is not true, you’re a wonderful chef!”
Gwen raised an eyebrow at Merlin, “See? I need an unbiased opinion.”
Lance looked as though he wanted to protest, but his expression melted into adoration. “What can I say? I love her food,” he clapped his perfectly toned stomach. “One day this’ll vanish, and it’ll be all due to Gwen’s cooking.”
“Well, with a review like that how can I refuse?” Merlin grinned. “Where abouts do you live?”
“In the little yellow cottage on the other side of the park.”
“Brilliant, shall I come around for about six? Seven?”
“Let’s say around six, then we can properly get into the movie and not have to rush about one way or the other.”
“I’ll see you guys later,” Merlin waved his hand as he left.
Now that he had a plan, something to look forward to, he felt a little better about the day that stretched out before him. However, as he made his way down the street, he couldn’t shake the prickling at the back of his neck, as though someone was watching him.
Chapter 8: Chapter Eight
Notes:
Sorry for the long wait in updates. I sort of got sacked, so my heads been in a bit of a spiral. Today was the first day I felt clear-headed enough for this.
Chapter Text
Chapter Eight.
Merlin jerked awake in a tangle on the plush sofa, the glitching images of the strange dream he’d had fading behind his eyes. Burning gold, wet stone, roaring fires, and drowning in a bog or marshland -it had been like drowning in glue. Even now, awake, he felt like his orifices were clogged. The light that streamed in through the low windows was still a buttery yellow and the heat had made his skin tacky with sweat.
Hunching over the edge of the sofa, elbows on his knees, Merlin planted his face in his hands and prayed for his brain to stop rolling inside his skull.
For half an hour he sluggishly moved around the loft, digging out clean clothes from his suitcase, had a shower, brushed his teeth, and tried to tame his hair.
Pocketing his keys he moved down through the house as if in a trance, focused solely on leaving and getting to Gwen’s before he forgot her vague directions to her cottage. Just as he was reaching for the front door, Hunith appeared from the kitchen.
“Oh, Merlin, are you off somewhere?”
A stab of guilt shot through his brain. He felt chastened, as though he was abandoning her to simply playing host to the guests that came in at dinnertime.
“I was invited over to Gwen’s. She wanted to host dinner with me and Lance and said something about a movie?”
Hunith smiled, “Ah, Gwen’s a lovely girl. You have fun then, but before you go, Gaius left a note for you.”
“Gaius?”
“Oh, my great-uncle. He’s the town doctor. He asked if you could maybe pop by the surgery if you were passing?”
“Where is the surgery?”
Hunith beamed, “It’s not far from Gwen’s actually. It’s down the road and just around the corner, big white building, you can’t miss it.”
Merlin frowned, “Did he say why he wanted to speak to me?”
She shrugged, adjusting the apron around her waist, “Nope, just that he wanted to hear about the young man I was bragging about. Honestly, you’d think I’d taken a fancy-man the way he prattles on at times!”
Merlin smiled in amusement as she tucked her hair up into a bun. “Thanks for letting me know. Hopefully, I won’t get lost along the way.”
“Ah, well, I’m sure Gwen wouldn’t be mad if you were a little late,” she shooed him towards the door. “Off you go, I’ve kept you long enough. I imagine you don’t want any food later?”
Offering an apologetic shrug, Merlin said, “I’ve been told Gwen makes a cracker of a meal, so maybe not?”
Hunith hummed in thought, eyes narrowing slyly. “How about dessert?”
“Oh, go on then, you’ve twisted my arm!” Merlin grinned.
“I’ll save you a slice. Now go!”
With one last grin over his shoulder, Merlin hurried from the house, going at a light jog until he rounded the bend in the road and caught sight of the town beneath him.
As per Hunith’s instructions, the GP surgery was easy enough to find on the road just around the corner from the little row of cottages on the other side of the park. It was a wide, bulky building white-washed fresh for the summer, with a gravel drive, automatic glass doors and a sleek interior. The waiting area was painted a soft mint-green colour with charcoal leather chairs, and a digital sign above the filing cabinets to call the next patient in. All very standard, as far as Merlin could see, and yet it all looked brand new and fresh.
Edging into the lobby, he hesitated before approaching the young woman behind the desk. “Excuse me? I was told that Gaius wanted to see me?”
The young woman looked up at him from the notes she was writing, her jaw working on a piece of gum. “Do you have an appointment?”
“No, I just got the note that he called. I’m Merlin.”
A light sparked in her eyes, “Oh right, yeah, he mentioned. You can go on back, we’re closed for the day anyways.”
Feeling wrong-footed, Merlin muttered his thanks and made his way around the reception desk, down the corridor towards the only closed exam room. He knocked on the door and listened intently for any sign of life. The door swung inwards, and he was met with the older man from a few nights ago, with his straight white hair hanging down to his shoulders and shrewd eyebrows dangerously arched over his pale eyes.
“Can I help you?”
“Hi, I’m Merlin, Hunith told me you called?”
“Ah, yes, Merlin! Yes, now forgive my bluntness, but do you plan on sticking around Camm-Lott a little longer?”
“Yeah, for a bit.”
“That’s wonderful news. Been a long time since we’ve had any new faces around here,” standing to one side, the elderly man walked over to his desk where a green and white prescription bag sat. He picked it up and came back to Merlin. “I do wonder if you might do me a favour?”
Eyeing the bag, Merlin asked, “What kind of favour?”
“Nothing bad, my boy, it’s on your way.” He indicated the bag, “This is a prescription for Helen. It only just came in, but she was unable to make it into the surgery today. She lives two doors down from Gwen, at number thirty-six. Would you be able to give it to her?”
“Uh … Are you sure you should be trusting me with that? You don’t even know me.”
Gaius raised an eyebrow, “Are you saying you’re not trustworthy?”
“N-no, of course not! I just mean these are important and confidential, right? I’m a stranger to you!”
Gaius scanned Merlin’s face for a few seconds before sighing in resignation. “I suppose you’re right. I’d just hoped you might be able to lend a hand with these sorts of things. I usually hand-deliver things for some patients, but my old bones aren’t up to the task much these days.”
There was that stab of guilt again. Merlin felt his palms starting to itch, as though guiding them towards the bag.
“Okay -I suppose I can take it. Since it’s on my way.”
Gaius offered a sincere smile, “It’s much appreciated Merlin. You know, if you ever need something to occupy your time, I used to do pick-ups and drop-offs for patients and the chemist on Tuesdays and Fridays. I don’t mind spotting some money your way, if you’d like?”
“Every week?”
“Well, perhaps only once a week. It’s the summer, there’s only so many ailments to go around.”
“Um -sure, that’s fine. I don’t mind helping.”
“Brilliant! I can always leave a message with Hunith first thing in the morning so that you’ll see it upon waking. If you ever have plans, don’t hesitate to tell me. If something is truly urgent, I can always ask my nurse.”
‘Why can’t you ask her for this?’ Merlin swallowed the words down. It wouldn’t do to look a gift horse in the mouth.
“I look forward to hearing from you,” he said, accepting the small paper bag. “It was good to meet you.”
“And you, my boy.”
~0~
“Ah, Merlin! I was wondering when you’d arrive!” Gwen beamed as she ushered him into her hallway. The cottage was quaint, and posted freshly waxed wooden floors, stained glass windows, an old brick fireplace in the lounge and faded, floral wallpaper leading up the stairs to the second floor.
“I got a bit side-tracked by Gaius. He said he might need help running his errands, so we seem to have come to an agreement.”
“Gaius is lovely, but he is getting on a bit,” she sympathized. “I’m glad he’s taking the initiative to find some help.”
Merlin hummed and followed Gwen into the kitchen. The aromas wafting from the pots on the stove made his mouth water immediately. “Oh God, is that truffle and mushrooms?”
“Ah, good, you’re not a heathen!” she winked. “Yes, fettucine, is that okay?”
“Perfect, the stronger the better.”
“Good, it’s almost ready. I thought we could eat first and then watch a movie. I doubt I’d want to eat after. Lance should be back soon.”
“Do you need help laying the table?”
“Yes, but let’s go into the conservatory. It’s too stuffy in here.”
Following her lead, Merlin gathered the napkins and cutlery from the dresser in the dining room and did as instructed.
“Oh, set another place, Merlin, Lance said he’d be bringing a colleague over. You don’t mind, do you?”
“Uh no, that’s fine. A police officer, huh?”
For one moment, his gut clenched at the idea of Arthur -the Chief -stepping through those doors. Merlin already had enough warring instances of Arthur to contend with, he didn’t really want another to add to the jumbled mess.
“Yeah, Gwaine, they’re usually on patrols together. You’ve met him, right?”
“I’ve met Leon, Lance, Arthur and -Gwaine has the hair, right?”
Gwen giggled, “yes, that’s him.”
“I’m sure we’ll get on like a house on fire,” Merlin grinned. “Right, is there anything I can do to help?”
“Help me dish up?”
“Right, step aside and rest up.”
Gwen shuffled over to the table and started setting out the napkins and drinking glasses while Merlin stirred the pasta and started hefting it into the brightly coloured plates set out on the counter. As he was putting the last of the plates onto the table, the sound of the front door opening caught his attention. Gwen swept past him.
“Hello love,” Lance said, the smile in his voice travelling through walls.
Merlin watched the doorway expectantly, feeling jittery. The other three walked in, bringing in a wave of late evening air, the heat making the hairs on Merlin’s arms stand up. Gwaine swept a hand through his hair, his stubbled jaw creasing as he caught sight of Merlin.
“Ah, so this is where you’ve been hiding, eh?” he clapped Merlin on the shoulder. “His highness has been in a bit of a tizzy the last week or so.”
“Who? Arthur?”
“Is Uther breathing down your neck again?” Gwen asked, leading the way down the hall towards the conservatory.
“When isn’t he?” Gwaine scoffed, dropping into one of the chairs.
Lance and Merlin sat down and started eating. Gwaine lounged in his chair in an effortless way that Merlin could never dare emulate. Even in casual jeans, a cotton tee and a metal chain hanging down with a medallion resting on his muscled chest, Gwaine looked as though he’d stepped out of a magazine.
“I hope you’ll be able to spare some free time for the faire this summer,” Gwen said.
“We can try,” Lance looked apologetic. “I know Gwaine’s already booked off time for the little knight camp lark, as per. Not sure about anything else, though.”
“Are things really that hard?” Merlin frowned, spinning pasta around his fork. “At the station?”
Gwaine shrugged, “It’s gotten a little harder. It would be nice for us to enjoy summer properly. Feels like working in a dungeon sometimes.”
“Morgana was saying earlier that it’s mostly all the admin,” Gwen said, “I’d help out if I could, but I’ve got enough going-on with the school’s summer programs. Not that I have ANY ideas for what to do this year.”
“You’ll think of something, babe.”
“Unfortunately, the deadline is next week, and I’ve had zero ideas.”
“What ideas have you done in the past?” Merlin asked.
“Oh, the usual; treasure hunts, plays, summer solstice choir, craft faire and -my brain is just burnt out.”
Merlin exchanged a concerned look with the others at the table and leaned back in his chair. “Why not have it all a little themed?”
“Themed?”
“Yeah, like -you have the knights camp, right? Why not make dragon kites and fly them in the park? Make it a competition? Or -or -or papier-mâché magical creatures?”
Gwen’s eyes sparkled. She straightened up, her mouth widening into a smile. “Oh, Merlin, that’s brilliant! Maybe we could do another treasure hunt as well, to the castle ruins? We’ve not done that before!”
Lance chuckled, “that would definitely be exciting. Plus, the overnight camping trip in the forest.”
“Love it already,” Gwaine grinned, before turning to Merlin, “any other bright ideas in that gorgeous head of yours, Merls?”
The words caught him off guard. He snapped his jaw shut, his cheeks warming under Gwaine’s leer. He winked and Merlin wanted to slide under the table, feeling completely thrown.
Gwen squeezed his shoulder, “Ignore him, Merlin. Gwaine flirts with everyone he meets.”
“Hey, I resent that!”
“Is it a lie?” Lance asked.
Gwaine raised his eyebrows at his friend, “Come on, name the last bloke a flirted with!”
“Percy, at the footie game.”
“Hey, I’ll have you know, I got his number!”
“What? Another one?” Gwen chimed.
“You guys make me sound like some sort of -Casanova!”
“You should be so lucky, mate.”
“Ignore them, Merlin,” Gwaine leaned close, his aftershave making Merlin a little dizzy. “I’m just an all-loving sort. I don’t bite -unless I’m asked.” He winked again!
“I think your friends are right,” Merlin stage-whispered, leaning in a little. “I think you’re a terrible flirt.” This time, he winked at Gwaine before returning to his dinner.
He could feel Gwen and Lance observing them from around the table, but he didn’t look up to see their expressions. The atmosphere shifted into something more genial, now that Merlin had ever-so-gently turned Gwaine’s flirting down. They finished their food and once Merlin was shooed away from doing the washing-up, they retired to the living-room, beer tabs were popped, a glass of white wine for Gwen was poured, and they sank down into the overstuffed sofa to watch the movie.
Throughout the movie, Gwaine seemed to lounge with his arm slung over the back of the sofa behind Merlin. The air was no longer charged with the challenge of a conquest. It felt comfortable. While he felt somewhat flattered, Merlin was not one for casual dalliances and the last thing he wanted was to get embroiled in a love-affair when he was only in town for a short time. Still, it anchored him to feel companionable with someone who didn’t flinch from brushing arms, thighs touching, or bumping against one another.
When the evening drew to a close -Lance and Gwen cuddled so close into one another that Merlin wondered if they remembered that they had company -Merlin escaped with Gwaine into the warm night air, bidding the lovebirds goodnight.
Walking side-by-side towards the main high street, Gwaine jostled Merlin as they walked. “So, no hard feelings about the flirting, eh?”
Merlin looked up at him with raised eyebrows and shook his head, “Nah, it’s fine. Guess I’m not used to it.”
“Now that I find hard to believe. You’re stunning. I can see why the princess is a bit obsessed.”
Merlin rolled his eyes but didn’t bother to respond. Was Arthur the princess?
“What? You don’t think he is?”
“I’ve not seen him since we bumped into each other the other week. He seems to have become a recluse.”
“Yeah, he does that. Buries himself in work when he wants to avoid something.”
Merlin snorted, “So, he’s a headcase?”
“Something like that!” Gwaine barked a laugh. “Nah, he’s a good boss. I’m not one for authority much, but Arthur does what he can to keep us lot happy.”
“Well, if I bump into him again before I leave, I’ll be sure to tell him he’s not a prat.”
Gwaine laughed again.
They dwindled to a stop in the town square, the blue hush of night blending all the shadows together. Orange pinpoints of light bathed spots of the pavement and illuminated the face of the large clock that seemed permanently stuck on three minutes to five.
Gwaine looked at Merlin, a somewhat wistful expression on his face. “Not that I’m gonna pine for you or nothing, but -would you let me have a kiss? Just to know that I’m missing out on something wonderful?”
“Why would you want to do that?”
“Call it morbid curiosity.”
Merlin wanted to say ‘no’ because getting a taste of something you clearly crave was hardly a good idea. It wasn’t that Gwaine wasn’t handsome, he very much was. He even smelled incredible, and his hair looked ridiculously soft, like it could be indorsed for thousands. He’d be lying if he said he wasn’t tempted on a physical level.
“Okay.”
Gwaine smiled and stepped into Merlin’s space, his large, calloused hands coming up to gently cup Merlin’s jawline, waiting a few beats as he hovered close, giving Merlin the chance to back-out. Their noses bumped as Gwaine leaned in and pressed their mouths together. He kept the kiss deliberately gentle and while it felt like a rush of heavy wine rushing into his system, mingling with the heady cologne, Merlin didn’t feel -it.
Gwaine was a good kisser -a great kisser! -it could have easily felt safe and intoxicating the way he melded their mouths together, his tongue gently probing and teasing Merlin’s. However, when he broke away, slowly allowing his lips to slide away, Merlin didn’t chase him for another.
Gwaine’s dark eyes searched his face. They crinkled at the edges as he smiled that same slow, knowing smile. “I guess that confirms it,” he said softly.
Leaning a little further, he patted Merlin on the cheek, making the other man huff a laugh and duck his head.
“Sorry,” he offered.
“Don’t be,” Gwaine let his arms drop, the loss of those warm hands making the distance between them yawn wider. His gaze was still fond. He sighed wistfully, before grinning a little broader. “Get some sleep, Merlin. This summer’s gonna be a busy one.”
“R-right.”
“Goodnight, mate,” Gwaine gave his shoulder one last squeeze, before slipping his hands into the pockets of his denim jacket, tossed his hair from his eyes and made his way across the square, towards home.
Merlin was left watching him go, feeling a strange sinking feeling in his stomach. He truly hoped he hadn’t fucked things up with Gwaine. He truly did seem like a one-of-a-kind bloke.
With a sigh, he hunched his shoulders around his ears, stuffed his hands into his pockets and started walking up the high street in the direction of Hunith’s house. As he passed the last row of houses before the bend in the road, Merlin felt the prickling of a heavy gaze on the back of his neck. Spinning on his heel, anxiety spiked through him at having the heavy black forest pressing in on him from both sides. Anything could be hiding in there.
Nothing stared back at him from the high street and there were no definitive sounds from within the trees. Reluctantly, he turned his back on both and hurried along the bend in the road until he reached the safety of Hunith’s front porch, making sure to slide the chain locks into place before retreating to his room.
Chapter Text
Chapter Nine.
As the next week drifted by in a buttery summer haze, Merlin felt like he was able to tick quite a lot of things off a bucket list he didn’t even know he had. The moment the town had heard he was doing odd jobs and deliveries for Gaius, suddenly all suspicion had been tossed aside by the townsfolk for the most part. He had done some wallpapering for old Mrs. Thomas, helped Percy with some car trouble, and felt both surprised and honoured that Balinor offered to teach him how to chop wood. The fact that he had done it and walked away with all limbs intact was nothing short of a miracle.
He had seen Arthur around town. Despite the blonde’s best efforts, he couldn’t live at the police station. Though Merlin didn’t know where Arthur lived -probably with his father in the mayor’s manor -he couldn’t believe that Arthur never went to sleep in a proper bed or eat proper food that wasn’t day-old doughnuts.
When they did see one another in town, they would acknowledge one another, and the few times Merlin had bumped into the policemen in a group at the pub, or doing training in the park, he was included in the conversations. Though he and Arthur didn’t directly talk to one another, alone.
The following weekend was the talking point of the town. It was the first of the four big summer events, mainly aimed at the town’s children. Lance was in-charge of the overnight camping trip in the forest which involved a hike over the nearby hills up to the castle ruins, a picnic at said ruins along with some scouting activities, and then a campfire before sleeping under the stars. There was a large group of adults going with the children, including a couple of parents. Merlin was more than happy to be included, as it reminded him of long-ago days in his childhood.
The people involved were due to go to a meeting at the local pub. As he had been with Gwen at the time, the two of them had crossed to the pub together where Lance and Eylan were already sitting at a table with a round of beers ready and waiting. Once sat in the booth, the others slowly filtered into the pub and grabbed for one of the sweating glasses.
Arthur was the last to arrive.
Merlin didn’t know why it was surprising to find out Arthur was involved, since he seemed cemented into the police station, but the temperature in the pub suddenly escalated.
The blonde man sat diagonally from him, the perfect balance between close enough that Merlin could smell the fresh wave of his cologne yet was far enough that their knees weren’t likely to bump under the table. Despite not knowing why he cared, Merlin found himself prickling as he took a swig from his pint.
“Have you been up to the castle yet, Merlin?” Eylan asked from his seat opposite Merlin.
“Uh -no. I didn’t know there were ruins here until Lance mentioned it.”
“You’ve not been exploring?”
“I have. Just not up that way. I generally stick to hiking about in the woods. They cover a lot of ground.”
“It’s a pretty good hike up to the castle, you should definitely go up there some time,” Lance suggested. “I know we’re going this weekend, but we’ll all have to make sure no kids go careening over the edge.”
“I’ll definitely have to take a look.”
Arthur’s gaze flickered over to him, and Merlin had to remember to look back at Lance and forced a smile. Taking a swig from his pint, Arthur said, “We get a lot of calls up there over the weekends. Apparently, it’s a hot spot for teen activity.”
Merlin felt himself smile. “That where they trade Pokémon cards?” he quipped.
Gwaine choked into his pint and had to have his back clapped by Percy. Arthur curled his lip and shot a glare at both Gwaine and Merlin. With a shake of his head, he glowered off into the middle distance, taking another pull from his pint.
“You’re a nerd then?” Arthur arched an eyebrow, unimpressed.
Merlin leaned his forearms on the table, fixing Arthur with a challenging look. “I’m King of the nerds, I’ll have you know.”
With a smirk, Arthur mirrored Merlin’s position and leaned across the table, even causing Leon to lean back in the booth, pulling his pint to his chest. The challenging gleam in Arthur’s eyes helped light a spark in Merlin’s gut. He hadn’t known verbal sparring was something he needed, but suddenly it was his sole focus.
“King of the nerds? That mean you can connect me to the internet during a storm?”
“Depends, are you still struggling to reset your AOL password?”
Arthur smirked, flashing a set of slightly crooked teeth. Huh, maybe he wasn’t physically flawless. “Well, we won’t need any satellite dishes with those ears of yours.”
“Wow, how original, big ear jokes. Like I’ve never heard those before.”
“I’m sure you’ve heard everything imaginable.”
Merlin fixed him with a sardonic look, “I know they say blondes are dumb, but come on, don’t adhere to the stereotype.”
Gwaine barked a laugh followed shortly by a loud, “Ow!”
Unfazed, Arthur took a pull from his pint glass while keeping his gaze locked on Merlin. His glass was empty. Merlin, absently, realised he only had a few suds swimming at the bottom of his glass. “Fuck, I’m out. Who’s round, is it?”
“Yours, princess!” Gwaine grinned, earning a few chuckles from the others.
From across the table, Merlin caught a glimpse of discomfort in Arthur’s expression; his lip curled a little and his brow furrowed as he glanced over at the bar. For some reason he refused to analyze, he reached into his back pocket and was already starting over to the bar before anyone could protest.
“Don’t worry guys, I got it!” he called.
“Merlin -MERLIN!” Arthur called over the hubbub of the pub, but Merlin ignored him. He weaved through the tight throng of people clustered around the bar, shoulders and elbows jabbing him in all the wrong ways. Despite towering over almost everyone, the crowd didn’t part for him like the red sea. Eventually he was able to worm his way towards the bar and just as he was resting his arms on the counter, someone grabbed at his arm.
“Hey!” he spun around and immediately froze upon seeing Arthur leaning in close.
“Don’t feel obligated to buy everyone something,” Arthur said seriously.
Merlin shrugged, “I don’t mind. Everyone’s been so nice to me, it’s the least I can do.”
Arthur scoffed and rolled his eyes, “Well, let me put something towards it.”
“Sorry, friend, your money’s no good here.”
“I’ve lived here all my life!” he snapped incredulously. “My money’s the best here!”
“Stop being an overprivileged prat and let me buy you a goddamn drink!”
“Well, why don’t you let me buy you a goddamn drink?!”
“Go on then, I won’t stop you!”
“Fine!”
“Fine!” Arthur shouldered against Merlin so that they both leaned on the bar and waited to be served by the young server flitting around.
Arthur hadn’t moved away. Merlin could feel the angry energy soaking down into his skin as they stood next to each other, the crowd around them constantly jostling them so that their arms brushed, and their chests touched. Suddenly it felt incredibly hot.
Merlin willed himself to focus on flagging the server down and ordering a round of drinks for the table, minus one. He then had to bite his lip to stop himself from laughing as Arthur gruffly ordered a single pint. The server -a girl called Kara -glanced between them with a frown, clearly deducing that they’d been sitting together just a little while ago. That just made Merlin’s struggle to keep quiet much more challenging.
One-by-one the drinks were placed in front of them. Taking them in hand between them, Merlin and Arthur ambled back to the table, the pub now more densely packed as time wore on. Everyone seemed to have swapped seats when they got back. From the corner of his eye, Merlin saw Arthur scowl at his gathered friends, before setting the drinks down with a loud ‘thunk!’
“So, Arthur, we were bemoaning the workload and wondering how we’re going to survive the summer.”
“Oh.”
“What if Merlin comes and puts in some hours with us?”
Arthur stiffened. Merlin felt heat seethe through and into his bones. “Why on earth would he do that?”
“We’re overworked,” Lance stated, before turning his wide brown eyes to Merlin. “Would you mind, Merlin? I know you’re helping Gaius out a little, but would you mind helping us digitize some files? It’s important it’s all done by October, which means it’s a bit of a mad dash to the finish line.”
Merlin busied himself drinking from his tall pint glass. He licked the foam from his upper lip and tried not to feel suffocated under the weights of all eyes on him. Looking at each face in turn, he could tell that they needed help. At the same time, Arthur was in charge. He turned to look at the blonde man beside him. His jaw was clenched tight, and it felt as though they’d both been backed into a corner, where any objections from either of them would make them look like a dick.
“I do have the time,” he offered lamely, watching Arthur’s reaction. “But it’s entirely up to you.”
For his part, Arthur fixed him with a hard stare, as though visually dissecting Merlin from the inside out. They knew nothing of one another, not really, and they would have to spend long periods of time together, handling a lot of confidential information. Was it worth it?
“We can give it a trial run,” Arthur grudgingly said.
Merlin’s eyebrows shot up, “Just like that?”
“Yes. Why?”
“Don’t you need to get approval from the mayor for that sort of thing?”
“You let me deal with Uther.”
All the other officers seemed to exchange looks over their glasses, but no one objected to Arthur’s sudden decision. Perhaps the idea of having a few evenings falling asleep in front of the TV was just that exciting?
Settling into an easy conversation, the others chatted away, gently ribbing Lance and Gwen about when they planned to get married, when Leon was going to reveal who his mystery girl was and whether or not the youths of the town were going to be tossed in the cell if and when they were caught in the act. Slowly, as drinks were consumed, everyone seemed to be getting somewhat fuzzy headed. Merlin could feel the atmosphere shift. One-by-one, the others called it a night; the first to leave were Gwen and Lance, the latter draping his oversized jacket across Gwen’s shoulders. Gwaine was practically carried out by Percy, who accepted his duties with a fond roll of his eyes and a cheery wave at the others. When it was just the two of them left, Merlin downed the last of his drink and made to stand.
“Thanks for an interesting evening,” he smirked as he straightened his jacket.
Arthur arched an eyebrow at him, “Going already?”
Casting a look at the empty spots and drying condensation rings, Merlin said, “It’s just us left.”
“I’ll walk you back.”
“But -you’re not finished.”
Arthur downed the last of his drink and inhaled sharply. “Done. Let’s go.”
Merlin barely had a moment to unscramble his thoughts as Arthur marched past him and pushed through the door into the balmy night air. He hurried to follow.
The late evening stroll through town towards the edge where Hunith’s house sat, was practically perfect. Now that the others were no longer around, walking alongside Arthur wasn’t as daunting as Merlin had been expecting. Having successfully avoided one another for the last couple of weeks, he honestly had no idea how his interactions with Arthur would go. Glaring at one another through cell bars was hardly the best first impression. Now, there didn’t seem to be any of that animosity. They walked a good foot from one another so that not even their arms brushed one another.
“So, tell me honestly, what is the reason you’re here?” Arthur asked, breaking the quiet.
“What do you mean?”
“Just -you brought Aithusa back and, while I’m grateful, I just can’t shake the feeling that you stayed to spite me.”
Merlin snorted and nodded, “I won’t lie, it felt like backing down from a challenge. I could tell you didn’t want me to hang around.”
“Well, no. Seemed like unnecessary drama.”
“I can see that.”
“Although, from what Gaius has been saying, you’ve been invaluable to him. He’s getting on in years and he just never got around to hiring someone.”
“Well, I won’t be around forever,” Merlin cautioned with a shrug. “Just feels like it would be rude not to help, considering I’ve no real obligations. Other than attending dinner with Hunith or John when it suits them.”
“That crazy old man has taken a shine to you.”
“He’s not crazy. Eccentric perhaps.”
Arthur looked at him with an observant expression. “Either way, I’ve seen him and Aithusa around town when I’m out on patrols. She seems happier. I hope she joins in with the summer activities.”
“Does she not, normally?”
“I’m hoping if we can make it thematic like you suggested, she might participate a little more.”
“I can understand. I was always tottering around on my own. Maybe that’s why I love reading so much. Fantasy especially, it’s fun to escape mundane life.”
“Fantasy, eh?” Arthur grinned, jostling Merlin’s shoulder. He needed to step closer for that. “So, when did you stop believing in goblins and faeries, hm?”
“Who says I stopped?” Merlin smirked back.
Arthur’s grin was almost blinding. As they neared the border where the forest merged with the edge of the houses, a bench seemed to appear from the shadows as if from nowhere. Merlin was sure it hadn’t been there on his walk into town. Gesturing to the bench, Merlin sat down somewhat stiffly. He felt gangly and awkward as Arthur lounged beside him, cocked a leg up on his knee and reclined effortlessly.
“So, what did you want to be when you were a kid?”
A laugh burst out of Merlin. At Arthur’s affronted look, he waved an apology, “Sorry! Sorry, it’s just such a random question.”
Arthur fixed him with a deadpan look.
“Um -okay. Don’t laugh at me but -I did like the idea of being a police officer. Or a wizard,” he shrugged. Much to his chagrin, one peek at Arthur’s expression had his hackles rising. “I said don’t laugh!”
Fighting the urge, Arthur tried to compose himself. “I think you’d have made a great wizard.”
“Oh? Why’s that?”
“Well, you’re so clumsy and prone to being in the wrong place at the wrong time, no one would ever suspect you of anything more than card tricks and disappearing hankies.”
Merlin clucked his tongue, “that’s just rude.”
Arthur tossed his head back and laughed, loudly and brightly. It left Merlin feeling struck. “Seriously, why did you never try the police thing?”
“Come on, you know how hard it is. The exams, the trials, the physical exhaustion, not to mention the paperwork! It just -wasn’t for me,” he shrugged lamely. “Guess I just prefer books.”
Perhaps there was something in the way he said it. Arthur watched him, his expression softening. “There’s nothing wrong with books.”
Merlin offered a half-quirked smile. “I guess. Not like I’m saving anyone with them, though.”
Arthur snorted, “Not like I’m saving anyone either.”
They lapsed into a loaded silence. Merlin wanted to say something along the lines of ‘regardless of what you do, you’re helping people and that’s what matters!’ but it sounded lame even to his own ears. Slumping back against the bench, allowing his head to tip back to look up at the stars winking overhead. Arthur didn’t shift. He seemed to be watching Merlin. Swallowing, Merlin tried to keep his breathing even as he turned to catch Arthur’s eye.
“What?”
“How would you feel about coming on a ride-along?” Merlin had barely opened his mouth to object, when Arthur continued, “I just figured that it might be cool for you to see the other side of the job.”
Despite himself, Merlin smirked, “Ah, because you threw me in a cell the first chance you got?”
“I did not throw you, Merlin.”
“You did. A little. Kindda hurt.” Arthur scoffed, rolled his eyes and shifted away a little. Biting the inside of his cheek, Merlin said, “You’d let me come on a ride-along?”
A shrug. “If you’d like.”
“When?”
“Gwaine and I are on night patrol on Sunday. That okay?”
“Sure, I look forward to it.”
“Good.” Arthur got to his feet and brushed his jeans down. “Right, let’s get you back. Wouldn’t want Hunith to be up pacing all night.”
Taking the cue, Merlin stood to his full height, silently delighting that he was a little taller than Arthur and started back along the road. Arthur trailed along beside him, both in silent agreement that he would walk Merlin all the way back to Hunith’s house. Merlin was surprised to find that he didn’t mind Arthur’s company as much as he thought he would. Suddenly the prospect of spending all night with him cruising in a police car wasn’t as daunting.
As they walked, Arthur seemed content to fill the quiet between them, talking about his relationship with his sister and how she was a harpy and both fiercely loving and at the same time, terrifying. Merlin hummed non-committedly, as he’d only met Morgana once. He commented that she was strong-willed, to which Arthur let out another loud laugh.
When they arrived at Hunith’s house, Merlin was somewhat disappointed at seeing no lights on. Was Hunith out? Had she not had any bookings for dinner tonight? Why did it bother him that she wasn’t home when he got back? Feeling his feathers ruffled, Merlin almost didn’t hear Arthur asking him a question.
“I’m sorry, what?”
“Give me your phone, idiot.”
Fumbling, Merlin handed his mobile over, not computing what was going on until he took the device back. Without even looking, he shoved it back in his pocket, frowning at Arthur and wondering how, exactly, he was meant to end the evening.
“I’d best get back home. Make sure to keep your phone on loud, okay?”
“Don’t worry, even on silent, I’ll hear it. Good thing about these big old ears.”
Arthur quirked a smile, his cat’s teeth gleaming, and looked as though he wanted to say something before catching himself. “I’ll see you around Merlin.”
“Yeah …” he watched dumbly as Arthur turned on his heel and made his way back along the road. He was slammed with the sense of DeJa’Vu as Arthur rounded the bend in the road and disappeared into the night.
Notes:
I pinkie promise I am trying to work on my artwork to go with this story. Unfortunately, the one I WAS MOST PROUD OF, has vanished into the ether and there's no way to recover it. I'm gutted because I think it was one of my best illustrations to date :( x
Chapter 10: Chapter Ten
Notes:
I'm sorry it's been a while. I feel like every time I have freedom to finally write, the world says a huge 'NOPE!'
Chapter Text
Chapter Ten.
At 5am Arthur was ripped out of the soft cocoon of sleep by the blaring alarm on his phone. Before his equilibrium had fully stabilized, the nausea slammed into him and his dry, raw eyes started to ache. Clutching his head between his hands, he stifled a groan and curled in on himself. For exactly seventeen minutes, he allowed the headache to engulf him and swallowed the bile creeping up his throat. When his second alarm rang out, he nearly crushed his screen turning it off before peeling himself from the bed and stumbling into his ensuite.
Once dressed, Arthur went for a forty-three-minute run through the town, barely pausing to admire how the sun slithered over the peaked roofs and greenery. It crawled higher into the sky and as a result, Arthur’s outfit soon clung to every muscle with tacky sweat. With another alarm, he returned home.
After a cool shower, preparing himself for the impending heat at midday, he slipped into his pressed uniform that almost cut the circulation to his arms, downed a breakfast of black coffee and two digestives, before swiping his keys off the counter and heading out.
Just like every morning, as soon as he turned onto the road where the police station squatted, his insides knotted up with dread. Clenching his jaw, he parked in the shaded corner of the car park outside the station, pocketed his keys, and steeled himself for the long day ahead as he pushed into the building. Katrina wasn’t behind the reception desk yet, only a few lights on timers had flickered on and the AC hadn’t been turned on yet, so the air was stiff and cloying.
As he pushed into the bullpen, the door across the room opened and Leon entered, straightening his collar. Upon seeing Arthur, he smiled tiredly. “Morning, chief. Reckon we’ll be able to leave on time today?”
“You know, every day, you say more and more ludicrous things,” Arthur groused good-naturedly. He went across to his office and went to twist the knob when he realised the door wasn’t locked. “Have you been in my office, Leon?”
“No, it wasn’t me.”
“Then who -?”
He pushed the door in completely and froze when he saw a large to-go cup of coffee perched on his desk. Hesitantly popping the lid, he found it was still scorching hot and steaming. One sip and he melted as the creamy texture touched his tongue and cut through the sleepy fog that still clung to his brain. Licking the foam from his lip, he set the mug down and yanked the door open.
“Leon, who else has been in here?” he called.
“Oh, sorry, that was me.”
Arthur jerked around to the large, clunky grey printer perched in the corner. Standing over it in a pair of faded grey jeans and a graphic tee, was Merlin worrying his bottom lip.
“You?”
Merlin gave him a small, quirk of a smile. “Yeah, I took what you lot said to heart. Thought I’d get started helping with all this paperwork.”
Arthur vaguely took note of the brown filing boxes stacked up on the far end table. “You know that’s all confidential, right?”
Merlin ignored him. “Although, I don’t have a log-in or even know how to access your system, so I thought while I waited for someone to show up, I’d try and get a few of these things sorted out. It’s hard to read some of your handwriting, you know. You guys might want to work on that.”
“Merlin –”
“Not that I’m judging or anything, I mean my own writing isn’t even that good, but half the words are illegible with Gwaine, so it’s kindda hard –”
“Merlin!”
“I -what’s up?”
Arthur gesticulated at the door, “How did you even get in? The door was locked last night, I double checked myself. Did Leon let you in?”
“Um … no? The door wasn’t locked when I tried it. I thought maybe someone else had just gone off duty and not locked up or something.”
“So -you broke into a police station? For Christ’s sake, Merlin, I’ve just gotten you out of trouble!”
“What? No, I swear! Check the CCTV if you don’t believe me, the door wasn’t locked!”
“I’m going to have to, now, aren’t I?”
Merlin clenched his jaw tightly, his cheeks and ears pinking. Thankfully, Leon stepped between them both, his hands raised in surrender. “Okay, look, I’ll go and review the footage, there’s probably a simple enough explanation for this.”
Arthur shot his lieutenant a grateful look. He didn’t want to argue, especially not before 8am. For that matter, why was Merlin awake so early? Arthur knew why he was and by extension, Leon, but even his own father slept in until at least 8:30am. Deciding to tuck the potential breech of security aside for the time being, he crossed his arms and went to the table laden with old case files.
“So, why on earth are you up and about so early?”
Merlin shrugged, “It got too hot in Hunith’s. Rather than try to sleep, I thought I’d come here and be useful. You don’t mind -do you?”
“I’m more concerned as to how you got in, than anything else.”
“I really didn’t break in,” Merlin insisted, “Why would I need to? I could have just waited for someone to show up. I just tried my luck with the door, saw it was open, and came in.”
“You could have called me,” Arthur frowned. “Why didn’t you? You have my number.”
“I thought someone would be in. I wasn’t here all that long before Leon showed up. That’s how I got into the filing room for these,” he gestured at the boxes.
Arthur supposed that did make sense. It was somewhat reassuring to know that the files and evidence locker hadn’t been tampered with. He really needed to go over that footage once Leon was done with it. He needed to be sure. The last thing he needed was his father to come down on him for slacking in his job.
So that he was kept out of everyone else’s way, Arthur let Merlin set up a space in his own office. All the desks were currently in use, and he didn’t want to open the briefing room in case they needed it on short notice. You never could tell when his father would swoop in unannounced. Merlin gave a small smile as he carried a small stack of boxes into the room and dropped them heavily onto the desk. Arthur raised his eyebrows in surprise. A single box of files was heavy enough, and Merlin with his noodle arms was hefting three at a time? Wonders would never cease.
“Here, let me get the computer up and running. I’ll set up a temporary log-in for you and you can get started,” Arthur flicked the power button on before glancing back at Merlin. “You sure you want to do this? It’s grueling work and frankly, you’ll be in a coma.”
Merlin shrugged, his mouth ticking up in a grin, “It can’t be any worse than grading papers from students who can only communicate in text-speak.”
Arthur grimaced. “A fate worse than death, I’m sure.”
A full-blown grin had Merlin’s eyes crinkling. “Give it an hour, I’m sure I’ll change my mind.”
Arthur opened his mouth to reply, when the sound of a door banging against a wall made them both flinch. Glancing up through the office door, he caught a glimpse of his father and his secretary storming into the bullpen.
“Wait here,” he said quietly to Merlin, before rounding the desk and pulling the door closed behind him.
“Father, to what do I owe the pleasure?” he asked, standing up to his full height, hands clasped behind his back. He was glad he’d managed to shower and dress properly before coming to work.
Even so, Uther’s shrewd gaze flicked up and down, taking him all in. Could he see the loose thread on Arthur’s cuff from across the bullpen? Probably not, but his narrowed eyes made it seem possible.
“I thought I would come down and see how you’re fairing on the filing. They all need to be digitized onto the new system as soon as possible.”
“I’m aware father. We have the matter under control.”
Uther arched an eyebrow. “Not according to your timecards, you don’t.”
Arthur bristled.
“That’s why I’ve come to offer the services of my assistant, Nimueh. She’s very good at keeping everything in the mayor’s office up-to-code and filed appropriately. She’ll be quick and efficient, and it shouldn’t impede her usual duties.”
He clenched his jaw. He hated it when his father did this. It always made him feel as though he was as useless as Uther seemed to claim, undermining him in all these little, nitpicky ways. Nimueh offered an unnerving smile, all teeth and zero warmth, as she took a predatory step into the bullpen, her stiletto heels clicking ominously.
“I’m sorry that you’ve had a wasted trip, father. As it happens, we’ve acquired a volunteer to help with the paperwork.”
Uther wrinkled his nose, “A volunteer? Why wasn’t I informed?”
“It was only pushed through last night, very late. I didn’t think it was worth disturbing your evening for a trivial matter.”
Nimueh narrowed her sharp eyes. “Have they been properly vetted? You can’t just let anyone into a police station, Arthur, not with all the incriminating and confidential information you have lying around.”
“I’m well aware,” his tone was cutting. He fixed her with a hard glare. “Leon himself chose the person in question. Full background check and everything. He is fully qualified, and we even have an NDA drawn up for him to sign, because I know you’re going to ask.”
Nimueh pursed her red lips, two spots of colour appearing on her cheeks.
“See to it that I get that NDA sent over by the end of the day,” Uther said. “It appears you’ve taken the initiative at last. Come, Nimueh, we have a meeting with the school director in an hour.”
With that, he turned on his heel and marched away. Nimueh hovered for a moment, her hands clenched at her sides as she turned her burning gaze back to Arthur. His insides flinched as she raised a threatening finger to his face, an act she never would have done in front of Uther.
“You’d better hope that volunteer is capable, otherwise I’ll be on you like a rabid wolf!” she spat.
Despite his unease, Arthur merely arched his eyebrow and looked down at her. “Don’t keep my father waiting, Nimueh. You know how he hates tardiness.”
Flaring her nostrils, she spun on her heel and stalked out.
As soon as the closing doors echoed down the hall, Arthur let out a sigh of both relief and exhaustion. He hadn’t needed that first thing in the morning. He felt rather than heard Leon come up behind him. He clasped Arthur on the shoulder and his voice had an uneasy tenor in it.
“Did you really just lie to your father over a volunteer?” he asked.
Arthur nodded. “Apparently so.”
“Why?”
“I don’t know. All I do know is that the last thing anyone needs is Nimueh snooping around,” he groused, unfolding his arms from his chest. “You heard her. ‘All the incriminating and confidential information lying around!’” he mimicked. “Seriously, it felt like she was after something.”
“You don’t think she would have destroyed evidence, do you?” Leon fretted.
“If it was to aid her own agender, or something she’s trying to persuade father of, I wouldn’t put it past her.”
Leon frowned.
Arthur rubbed a rough hand down his face. “Right, I need to text Elyan about doing a coffee-run. Can you set up for the morning brief?”
“You know I can.”
“Good. See to that. Have the reports from the lab come back with a COD?”
“I’ll have to check, but it should be back by now.”
“Right, good. Let’s hope today goes smoothly.”
~0~
By the time lunch rolled around, Arthur was exhausted. He’d very much have enjoyed shooing everyone off to get food and enjoy the sun, while he sequestered himself in his office for a catnap on the sofa. It was only as Lancelot and Gwaine waved as they left the station, that he belatedly remembered Merlin. His insides squirmed with guilt. He hadn’t been in to check how Merlin was doing since early that morning. Granted the man hadn’t come out for a coffee or a bathroom break, either. With a glance at the clock, Arthur forced his body to move towards the office. He knocked lightly before pushing inside, a weird notion considering it was his office.
The blinds had been drawn back and bright sunlight spilled into the room. The blind into the bullpen had been closed. Arthur kept it that way to ward off distractions. The beige walls, black leather sofa to the side, and the wooden cabinets were as they always were. The only difference was Merlin perched in his desk chair, feet up on the desk, a file in hand and tapping a pen between his teeth.
When the door opened, he looked up and immediately sat up straight, looking somewhat chastened at being caught in such a slovenly position.
“Aren’t you going for lunch?” Arthur asked by way of greeting.
Merlin glanced up at the clock above the door. “I hadn’t realised the time.”
He got to his feet and stretched his arms over his head, his thin shirt rising just a little for Arthur to peek at a trail of dark hair on his navel. Snagging his phone from the desk, he crossed the office. Arthur stepped aside to let him leave, turning to frown over his shoulder at the files littering the desk.
“Do you want anything?”
“I -what?” he looked dumbly at the man watching him with expectant eyes.
“Do you want something for lunch?”
“You don’t have to get me anything,” he waved the offer away. Again, his eyes were drawn to his desk. “How can you work like that?”
Merlin shrugged, “I have a system, don’t worry. It’ll all get tidied up before the end of the day.”
“Have you even digitized anything?”
“Yeah, only about three cases though.”
“How can you tell?” he found himself muttering, feeling dismayed. That’s when Merlin’s words registered in his brain. “Three cases? That’s a lot for just one morning.”
“Well, now that I’m getting the hang of the digital system, it’s going a bit faster. Not much though.”
Arthur wanted to feel impressed, but all he felt was tired. His stomach growled loudly. Tired and hungry, apparently. He sighed; he really didn’t have the energy to eat.
“Why not have twenty winks on the sofa. I’ll be back in a bit.”
Arthur didn’t bother to reply. He listened for the station door to close, before he all but threw himself onto the old, leather sofa. It was so old it felt soft and pliable rather than stiff and hard. Tucking an arm behind his head, he closed his tired eyes and let his body sag down into the cushions. This immediately relieved his body of the strain he’d been feeling. He faded into sleep almost immediately.
“Wakey, wakey, lazy daisy!”
Arthur jolted awake, scrambling on an unfamiliar bed. It took a couple of moments for him to recognize the layout of his office. Shaking his head, he scrubbed a hand through his hair and glanced up at the door to see Merlin closing it behind him. His mouth tasted fuzzy, and his brain hadn’t caught up with being jarred awake yet.
Merlin neatly set two white wrapped packages on the coffee table in front of him then set down two cans of coke. Arthur frowned down at the offerings as though he didn’t understand what they were for.
“You got me lunch?”
“Yeah, I said I would. I figured you needed a hearty meal if you’re going to put in long hours. Plus, your gut was growling louder than mine.”
“You trying to fatten me up?”
“Not sure you need it -ow!” He winced as Arthur swatted him upside the head. “That’s police brutally, that is!”
“Shut up, idiot.”
Pulling the paper packet into his lap, Arthur felt the weight of everything crush him down into the sofa. He picked at the chips and groaned in pleasure; they were perfectly crispy, salty and drizzled with vinegar. It ignited his appetite instantly. They sat in silence, Arthur sprawled on the sofa, Merlin perched in the chair adjacent to him, both too ravenous to pay the other any mind.
Once Arthur had licked up the last crispy bits from the paper, his body pleasantly tight from eating too much, he popped the tab on his can and took a swig, his eyes flitting over to Merlin. The man ate like a sparrow, pecking and picking at his food. He could not wrap his hand around the fact that Merlin had volunteered his summer holiday to digitize files in a random police station? The man was stranger than fiction.
“You know you didn’t have to give-up your holiday time for this, right? I can’t pay you.”
Merlin shot him a look over the greasy paper and licked vinegar from his thumb with a shrug. “Don’t worry about it. Drinks are on you, though, right?” he grinned.
Arthur nodded, “I suppose a pint or two wouldn’t hurt.”
“So, what is it with your father and the police department?”
Suddenly, any good humour seemed to drain from Arthur. “My father isn’t entirely too pleased of my joining the police force.”
“Why not? Seems a noble profession to me.”
“That’s the issue. He looks down on it, like grunt work. He wanted me to go into the family business, study law and become an attorney or something,” he rolled his eyes. “I like my job. I’m good at my job.”
“You’re very by-the-book.”
“Is that a bad thing?”
Merlin shook his head. “Nah, I reckon people feel safe knowing you guys are looking out for them. Heck, I’ve never felt as safe as when I’ve been walking around here.”
“Well, maybe you can tell my father.”
Merlin laughed, “I don’t think your father would give me the time of day.”
“Probably not.”
Scrunching up his greasy paper into a tight ball, Merlin took aim and tossed it seamlessly into the small bin beside Arthur’s desk. Arthur refused to be impressed. He watched as Merlin crossed the room, dropped down into the swivel chair and cocked a leg up onto his knee. How easily had this man slotted into his day that it felt natural to have them lounging across from one another.
“Are you doing anything for the summer faire?”
Merlin’s question caught him off-guard. He scrubbed a hand over his jaw, feeling the prickles on his fingertips. “I’m going to try. I tend to pull double duties when the others are off doing their events.”
“That’s not fair,” Merlin frowned. “You deserve a break as well.”
Arthur shrugged, “Not in my wheelhouse these days.”
They held one another’s gaze for a quiet moment, the air charged with unspoken questions. Arthur felt as though his breath was stuck in his throat. He could tell that Merlin wanted to encourage him in some way. It was true, though. He barely had any memory of taking proper time for himself that didn’t involve a strict routine or attending dinner with his father and sister. He couldn’t remember the last time he’d kicked back and watched a movie or gone for a carefree drive around the hills. He couldn’t even remember the last time he’d had a dream while sleeping.
Everything seemed to exhaust him down to his bones.
Merlin pressed his lips into a smile, as though he could sense Arthur’s exhaustion and was choosing not to address it. Instead, he glanced back at the messy desk with the open files and the lazy logo moving about on the computer monitor. Nudging the mouse, the computer screen relit to display the mind-numbing program to digitize the files. Arthur did not envy him. Merlin however, resumed his laid-back position, stuck a pen behind his ear and kicked his feet up on the desk. Arthur made a move to protest, but it died in his throat as Merlin flipped open a file and propped his chin up on his elbow. He really had just slotted into Arthur’s routine like it was nothing.
Arthur felt his chest expand with something akin to relief.
Getting to his feet, he felt warmth prickle across his skin as he made to leave the office and address his team for the afternoon tasks. He decided that he wasn’t disappointed that Merlin didn’t acknowledge his departure. Why would he? He was here to do a job, and as long as he tidied the office up at the end of the day, who was Arthur to complain? He was just grateful for the extra pair of hands and, hopefully, the ease of the tension headaches he woke up with. Hopefully he would see a change in his staff’s morale sooner rather than later.
And if he ducked out in the afternoon and came back with a coffee for Merlin, well, that was no one’s business but his own.
~0~
It was later that evening, that Merlin found himself helping Gaius with the last of his daily deliveries. He had spent the entire day at the police station, quietly watching the daily comings and goings of the other officers and the few townsfolk that came to say ‘hi’, bail someone out of the overnight cell, or argue with the receptionist. It was all very interesting. He heard something of ‘those damned teenagers’ and wondered what it was that had gotten Gwaine, of all people, so riled up.
When 5pm had rolled around, Merlin had quickly tidied up the office, saved the files he’d completed and went to return all the files to where they belonged. To his dismay, despite his best efforts, Arthur had still insisted on being the last one to leave. Merlin hadn’t been able to find an argument worthy enough to get the blonde man to leave with him. He’d been dismissed with a ‘see you tomorrow, Merlin’.
Now, three hours later, he was walking along the long road towards the more high-end part of town. He hadn’t realised there had been a high-end part, but the moment he saw the manicured gardens, asymmetric hedges and sleek, stark lines with floor-to-ceiling windows, he stood corrected.
Merlin fiddled with the prescription bag in his hands and kept casting furtive glances across the expansive lawn that stretched between the small chateau and the manor house. The door opened behind him, and he took a step back upon seeing a red-eyed, disheveled Morgana leaning against the doorframe, holding a sheer robe closed against her chest. She looked just as surprised to see him.
Fumbling with the bag, he held it out. “Uh -Gaius said you need an emergency prescription sent right away?”
Morgana blinked owlishly; her movements somewhat sluggish as though she was trying to shake the cobwebs of a dream from her mind. Taking the bag, she nodded and pressed her lips into a grimace.
“Thank you, Merlin.”
Offering a tight smile, Merlin stuffed his hands into his jean pockets and went to turn away, but something stopped him. Turning back to Morgana, noting that she hadn’t moved from leaning against the doorframe, he asked, “Is everything alright, Morgana? You look a little tired.”
Blinking lazily, she said “Nightmares. Unfortunately, I’ve been suffering with them for weeks now.”
“Jeez, I’m sorry,” Merlin grimaced. “Is there -is there anything I can do? Do you want some company maybe?”
Morgana hesitated, looking as though she wanted to object and shoo him away. However, at the slump of her shoulders, she gave him a trembling smile, “That would actually be lovely, Merlin. Thank you.”
Merlin slipped quietly into the front door and closed it behind him. He followed Morgana through the dimly lit hallway towards the living room. He stalled momentarily, his eyes scanning the polished oak floors, the engraved ceiling and actual working fireplace. There was a lamp lit on an end table, casting a low gold glow across the furniture. On the plush sofa there was a cushion with a depression in the middle and a blanket carelessly strewn to one side. Had Morgana been sleeping on the sofa?
“Would you like a drink?” Morgana asked, dropping the prescription onto the coffee table. It was larger than Merlin’s suitcase and looked as though it cost more than all his worldly possessions combined.
“No, don’t worry about me.”
Morgana brushed her limp hair from her eyes and gestured for Merlin to have a seat. He did so, leaving enough room between them as Morgana dropped gracefully down into the nest of tangled blankets. In that moment she looked so desolate against the oversized leather sofa, her skin looked waxy in the lamplight. Merlin relaxed back into the sofa and really observed Morgana up close; the circles under her eyes were dark, any feisty attitude that kept her going throughout the day had evaporated, leaving her a bit of a shell.
“Morgana …”
Tilting her head to the side, she blinked her wide green eyes and he saw the shine of tears. “I’m sorry, Merlin. I shouldn’t be keeping you.”
“Do you get nightmares often?”
“They’ve become increasingly regular,” she sighed. “Gaius’ medicine helps sometimes, but the headaches just make the days harder to get through.”
“Maybe you should take some time off work?” Merlin suggested. “Long hours probably don’t help.”
Humming, she said, “Whatever hours I work, they’re nothing compared to Arthur and Leon. They’re still at the station even now.”
Merlin frowned, “They’re still at the station?”
“No, no, they got called back in. Uther’s doing, obviously.”
She rolled her eyes and then winced, pressing her fingers into her temples. Before Merlin could offer her a drink or something, she reached into the bag and unscrewed the top of the bottle. He blanched as she swigged straight from the bottle and shuddered.
“That stuff is vile. You’d think in this day and age they’d make medicine taste decent.”
“Usually, it’s the sweeteners that interact badly with the other chemicals and render them moot.”
Morgana shot him an amused look. Drawing in a deep breath, she tried to relax. “You’re a strange one, Merlin.”
“Guilty, I suppose,” he shrugged a shoulder.
“Why are you here?”
“You -asked me to be?”
“No, I mean -Why are you here in Cam-Lott? Don’t you have something to be getting back to? A girlfriend? Boyfriend? Hairless cat? No friends, no family waiting back home?” her green eyes seemed to sharpen, pinning him in place and boring into his soul.
Working his throat, he felt his body flush with embarrassment. Wiping his sweating palms on his jeans, he said, “Unfortunately no, no one is waiting for me at home. It’s just me. It’s why I thought I’d stick around for a little while.”
“Not even family?” she breathed.
“Nope.”
“Don’t worry about it. Family’s not all it’s cracked up to be.”
Merlin opted to stay silent. The last thing he wanted to do was to give some unsolicited advice and make matters worse. “Do you -want to talk about it?”
“What, you mean my father being a tyrant and over-working my brother into the ground? That I’m tired of trying to mediate between them and getting into shouting matches with both of them every other day?”
“Why is your dad working the police so hard? No offence, but for a small town, there really can’t be that many crimes going on every week to warrant all the patrols, meetings and paperwork, surely?”
“Whatever his reasons are, I’m not privy to them.” She inhaled sharply, “I’m sorry. You don’t need to hear about all this.”
“Do you want to talk about your dreams?”
She slowly shook her head, her gaze glazing over as the medicine was soaked up into her system. “They don’t make any sense,” she whispered, “it’s just a lot of forest, emerald, green lakes, fireworks, I think? It’s all rather disjointed and dizzying.”
“I wish there was something I could do.”
“You kept me company,” she tilted her head to the side, her eyes unfocused as they wavered over his shoulder and her eyelids drooped. “What more could I ask for than that?”
As the words became lodged in his throat, Morgana gave up fighting and let sleep claim her, her entire body sagging to one side and almost landing on Merlin. Feeling awkward, he gingerly wriggled a hand under her shoulder and eased her over so that he could lay her down on the plush pillow. Once he lifted her legs up and straightened the throw blanket over her legs, he made sure that she had a glass of water and her medicine within reach -after fumbling around looking for the right door to the kitchen -before retreating from the room. Casting on last look at her from the doorway, he prayed that her sleep was dreamless and somewhat restful. He slipped out of the chateau, making sure to close the door firmly behind him, before making his way back across the lawn to the main gates.
As he made his way back to the town square, all he could think about was how wrung-out Morgana had looked compared to her chic, effortless appearance a few days prior. Why didn’t she take a holiday? Or any of the police for that matter? Why did they need to beg, borrow, and steal just to get an afternoon off? Surely, they weren’t digging up old skeletons every other week in the woods? The one Aithusa had stumbled on was a fluke!
Scrubbing a hand through his hair, he let out a grunt as he kicked at the ground. Was he missing something?
The streets were empty, despite it barely being 10pm. 'At least I saw Morgana fall asleep', he reasoned to himself. Perhaps tomorrow morning she will feel better. As he strolled through the town, he walked by the police station and scrutinized the windows, disappointed to see the faint glow of a desk lamp. Was Arthur seriously still in there? Checking his watch, he was suddenly itching to go into the station and confront the berk about a proper work-life-balance, but just as he stepped forward, he forced himself to stop.
This wasn’t his business.
He had no business caring about such a thing. And yet, as he trailed back to Hunith’s, he felt a pull in his chest, as though he’d been anchored to the police station; the further he walked, the worse it hurt to breathe and think straight. As he stood on the front doorstep under the awning, he cast a glance at the dense black trees. Ignoring the prickling at the back of his neck, he pushed his key into the lock and went inside.
Chapter 11: Chapter Eleven
Notes:
(See the end of the chapter for notes.)
Chapter Text
Chapter Eleven.
After a few days of Merlin helping at the police station, the weekend rolled around with a heavy buzz of activity. Everyone was aflutter with setting up stalls and Viking style tents with flaps, rough wooden benches, stools, carved furniture and brightly coloured flags drifting in the breeze. Merlin walked arm-in-arm with Gwen as she made her way with a picnic for ‘the boys’. Today was the first major event of the Summer Faire; Lance and Gwaine had organized most of it, with help from Percy for the heavy lifting. Across the park green they had organized an archery course, an axe-throwing course, a small sword fighting ring -wooden swords, Merlin was relieved to see -and black-smithing demonstrations. It was a lot and Merlin had to wonder how it had all been set-up so quickly.
Merlin was surprised to see Gwen setting up the blacksmith forge. At his stunned expression she laughed and set down the picnic basket. “What’s with that face?” she asked.
“I’m just surprised you know your way around a sword.”
Her cheeks tinged pink as she swatted his arm. “Behave! Anyway, my dad used to love doing things like this. Not swords specifically, but he was crafty with furniture and artwork. Elyan and I experimented a lot when we were younger. It’s nice to give demonstrations.”
With a wistful smile, she tucked a curl behind her ear. “So, how have things been at the station?”
“I think they’ve been going well. Arthur and I seem to work well together.”
“Really?” she cocked an eyebrow at him. “He doesn’t mind you in his space?”
Merlin shrugged a shoulder, “He’s not said anything.”
Gwen hummed, “I’m sure he’s grateful, even if he doesn’t always say it.”
Casting a look around at the beverage stalls and the kids running around with plastic and wooden swords, Merlin tried to pinpoint the telltale head of bright blonde hair. He couldn’t quell the disappointed swoop in his stomach at not seeing Arthur. He did, however, see Lance and Gwaine laughing loudly as they laid out the targets down the end of chalked-out lanes.
“No Arthur?” he tried to sound casual as he poured himself a lemonade and drank deeply.
Gwen twisted in circles, her dark curls threatening to dislodge her flower circlet. “Oh -I guess he isn’t coming? I’m sure Morgana will be along soon; I can ask her.”
A horn blared out across the park, shattering the hazy summer buzz.
“Attention boys and girls! The archery, axe-throwing and sword fighting is now open! Let’s see who’s going to place on the leader board!”
A deafening shriek of excitement made Merlin cringe. All around him he watched as kids swarmed over to where Gwaine was holding out two plastic swords aloft, jeering and laughing as he was almost bowled over. Merlin couldn’t fight the smile on his face.
“Oh, there they are -Morgana!”
Merlin looked over to where Gwen was waving. Morgana spotted them over the crowd, oversized sunglasses shielding the dark bags under the eyes. Merlin’s stomach twisted at knowing how much she struggled to get a proper nights rest. She slid her arm from her father’s and primly made her way over the green, her 50’s style dress highlighting her slender frame beautifully. Her sleek dark hair was coiled over one shoulder and her blood red lips were the only sign of danger about her. Only once she was in the shade of their stall, did she remove her glasses, and her smile faltered somewhat.
“Oh, love, you look exhausted. Can I get you anything?” Gwen crooned.
Morgana patted her hand gently and smiled, “I appreciate that, Gwen, but no, I’ll be fine. I might just be a little slow today.”
“Well, if you need anything we’re right here,” she offered a sympathetic smile. “If you don’t mind, I’m just going to see if Lance needs anything before the sword demonstrating starts.”
As soon as she was out of earshot, Morgana sagged further, pinching the bridge of her nose. “Merlin, may I trouble you for a drink?”
Like a bolt of lighting shot up his spine, Merlin jumped to action. He poured her drink and even dug out a little chocolate muffin and offered her his seat. She didn’t protest, instead sinking gratefully into the chair and taking the weight off her feet.
“If you’re not up to it, why did you come out?” Merlin found himself asking.
Thankfully, Morgana didn’t seem offended by his bluntness. “My father insisted. Arthur should be along later. When he comes, I can go home and just shut the rest of world out.”
“Is there nothing I can do to help?”
“You’ve already done more than I’d expected of you.”
“Well –” he glanced around, chewing on his lip. “You’re welcome to hide out here with me, if you like?”
“I would. Very much.”
Pulling up another chair, Merlin sank down into it, pulled out a tin of biscuits from Gwen’s picnic basket and propped it between them. As she nibbled on biscuits and drank sweet lemonade, Morgana seemed to brighten up gradually. Reclining back in their chairs, they watched as Gwaine loudly directed the kids how to throw the small axes, cheering loudly and keeping score. Morgana laughed when one of the young boys shot an arrow and it flew a little too close to Lance’s head. Gwen had to take the little boy to one side, crouch down to his height and gently but firmly reprimand him. She gave his shoulder a consoling pat and then gestured for him to go to Lance. He was promptly taken under the man’s wing and soon, Lance had the boy shooting even better than before. It was all lovely to see.
“Don’t plan on joining in killing off my men, eh, Merlin?”
Both Merlin and Morgana jumped at the sound of Arthur’s voice from behind them. Turning in his seat Merlin gaped at the blonde man before him, standing there in faded linen trousers and a low-cut white blouse with the sleeves rolled to the elbows. The silver of a chain gleamed against his dark gold chest hair. Merlin felt his throat grow tight.
“Merlin would never do such a thing to your men. He likes them far too much,” Morgana smirked.
Arthur ignored the jibe and focused his attention on Merlin. “So? You going to come and spar with me?”
“I’d fall over my two left feet and probably impale myself.”
Arthur snorted, “The swords are either wood or plastic. How on earth could you impale yourself on those?”
“Believe me, I’d manage somehow.”
This time it was Morgana’s turn to snort. She delicately rubbed at her eyes underneath her sunglasses, not once breaking her gaze from where the policemen, in their tight t-shirts, were keeping the crowd entertained. “Are you here for your infamous demonstration with Leon?” she asked.
Merlin’s interest was piqued. “You and Leon? Are you any good?”
“Of course I’m ‘good’, Merlin. I’ve practiced since I was seven!”
“Is there much call for sword-wielding maniacs in Cam-Lott then?” he quipped.
Arthur gaped at him like a fish, before cuffing him upside the head. Merlin rubbed the back of his head, but there was no malice there. He eyed Arthur and saw a smile tugging at the man’s mouth. He was fighting it, but it was there. For some reason, Merlin felt excited at having incited that sort of reaction from the man.
Clearing his throat, Arthur broke his gaze away and raked a hand through his hair. “Alright, come on Merlin, you can come and be my second.”
“Your second?” he croaked. “What on earth am I meant to do with that?”
“Since when do you need a second, Arthur?” Morgana peered over the top of her sunglasses. Her gaze was shrewd and piercing.
“I don’t need a second, harpy,” he tutted obnoxiously. “I just want this bumpkin to make himself useful.”
“Bumpkin? Excuse me, Clotpole, what makes you think I grew up in the sticks?”
“What else am I meant to think? You’ve told me sod all about you before you came here.”
Merlin opened his mouth to protest, but Morgana cut across them. “Now, now, boys, let’s not have a domestic in public. Not when daddy’s watching.”
At the mention of their father, Arthur whipped his head around, immediately on high alert. Merlin was stunned at the cool calculating gaze as Arthur looked throughout the crowd until he pinpointed Uther. The man was not looking in their direction, not yet, but he somehow towered over the crowd. It felt like only a matter of time. Merlin didn’t know what Uther’s problem was, with him, but he didn’t want to cause any issues for Arthur.
Arthur tensed before turning to Merlin and gesturing towards the field. “Come, Merlin.”
Clambering out of his chair, he called, “I -didn’t agree to help you!”
“NOW, Merlin!”
Looking helplessly at Morgana, he saw her lounging there with a smirk across her mouth. She would be no help to him now. She was enjoying this far too much. Resigning himself, he downed the last of his drink and hurried after Arthur, dodging faire goers as he wove through the crowd.
Upon getting to the open hay bail ring and eyeing the swords in the wooden racks, Merlin looked nervously at the people gathered around the edges. Leon was there, his red curls pulled back into a bun at the back of his head. He was swerving a sword experimentally and flexing his shoulders. When he spotted Arthur, he grinned and raised a hand in a wave. Merlin trailed uselessly behind, feeling very exposed as people watched the others set up and prepare the ring. There was nowhere for him to sit except on a hay bail. He gingerly sat on one, waiting for any instructions from Arthur. He truly didn’t think he was needed, there was just some rivalry between Arthur and Morgana. Like a kid that didn’t want to share a toy.
“What’re you doing here?” Leon asked, coming over and clapping Merlin on the shoulder.
“Oh, I’m -uh -Arthur’s second?”
Leon threw his head back and laughed. “Second? Arthurs never needed one.”
“That’s what he told me,” Merlin shrugged. “Not sure what I could do for him except wave a white flag in his stead.”
Leon chuckled and took a swig from a water bottle strapped to his belt. “You’ll be alright, Merlin. Just kick back and watch the show. If you get bored, you can always get Lance or Gwaine to let you shoot some arrows.”
Merlin gazed around, smiling as the children chased one another around with fairy wands, bamboo arrows and plastic shields. It was adorable. He hadn’t seen anything like it since he’d unsubscribed from the National Heritage membership. He tipped his head back and closed his eyes, letting the sun wash over him. Is this where the sun lived throughout the rest of the year? How did the summer continue to be so hot and bright and not a single blade of grass wilted? It was like a land that time forgot.
A soft cheer bubbled up from the crowd around him. Cracking an eye open, Merlin saw Arthur stepping back into the ring, now wearing some old-fashioned armor across his chest and arms. It looked weathered and beaten, but it somehow worked to bring out the gold in Arthur’s hair. Merlin rolled his eyes to himself. A clap on his shoulder reminded him of Leon’s presence, as the man hauled himself upright, picked up his sword and gave a few test swings.
“Ladies and Gentlemen! If you could please gather around the training ring, we are about to have our live sword-fighting demonstration! Come up and see our very own Chief of police take on Leon!”
Another cheer answered the announcement. Merlin felt the crowd drawing in around him, like a cloak. He remained sitting, already feeling tired under the sun.
Arthur and Leon stepping into the ring. They were both tall, burnished in the sunlight, each holding a sword that was easily the length of their legs, if not longer. A low, rhythmic music resounded over the speakers, lulling people under the spell as the first swing of swords met in a sharp clash, sunlight flashing off the blades. Merlin sat bolt upright in his chair. He hadn’t realised they were metal swords. Had he really not been paying attention? Or had they swapped the swords before stepping into the ring? It made sense that only the pros would have real blades.
Could you really be a professional swordsman in this day and age?
As the two men swung and parried an intricate, well-worn dance around one another, Merlin felt himself leaning forward in his chair. His attention was transfixed on Arthur as his face contorted in a sneer, lunging and dodging each of Leon’s swings, and blocking one with the wooden shield strapped to his arm. Merlin inhaled sharply as he watched as Arthur barely dodged a lunge from Leon. It was so close that he was almost sure the fabric of Arthur’s shirt pulled and snagged on the tip. He found himself gripping the edges of his chair and close to leaping into the ring and forcing the two apart. The crowd yelled when Leon did a leg sweep and almost toppled Arthur over. However, the moment the blade was arching home, Arthur dodged out of the way, jumped to his feet and swung his sword toward Leon’s throat. Fear spiked into Merlin’s gut as the sword stopped a few inches from meeting its mark.
Both men stood frozen for a few moments, time freezing around them, imprinting the image into Merlin’s memory. Then something snapped and the crowd cheered uproariously around him. Leaping to his feet, he clapped his hands so hard his bones hurt, shouting at the top of his lungs.
The spell was broken.
As if blinking back to reality, Arthur and Leon took a step back from one another, panting and sweaty. Sticking his sword into the dirt, Arthur extended his arm to Leon. The redhead did the same and clasped Arthur’s arm in a show of solidarity. Tugging him close, Arthur hugged Leon and clapped him on the back before grabbing his wrist and raising their arms with a triumphant yell. The crowd went crazy. Merlin genuinely thought he yelled the loudest.
Slowly but surely, the crowd broke apart, returning their attentions to the food and drink stalls, the shaded tables under the trees or on the picnic blankets on the grass. Children started running around chasing one another, Lance and Gwaine started calling the little kids back over to the lane to take up their bows and arrows again.
Merlin remained standing, his breathing only just calming down as Arthur lazily made his way over, scrubbed a hand towel over his tawny gold hair. His eyes caught on Merlin’s and suddenly the corners of his mouth were pulling upwards into a smile.
Stopping just short of him, Arthur cocked his hip and jutted his chin out. “So? What did you think?”
Trying to bite back the grin, Merlin shrugged and look away. “I’ve seen better?”
“And when was that then, you little welp?” Arthur groused, tugging the towel from around his neck and swatted it across Merlin’s shoulder.
Chuckling, Merlin chanced a glance over his shoulder. Morgana was still in the lounger; however, Gwen was now sat with her, and they were eating some large, flowery cupcakes. He suddenly wanted to know where to pick them up from. He couldn’t spot Uther over the crowd, though he doubted the man had strayed too far.
“You not had a go at the archery then?” Arthur asked, coming up behind him. “Or are you more of a sword man?”
“I’d say I prefer swords, but I’m not sure I could hold one up.”
“I can help you if you wanna try.”
Merlin’s eyebrows shot up. “What, here? In front of everyone? I’d get laughed at.”
“It doesn’t have to be here. It can be down behind the tents. That way no one will see if you trip over your two left feet.”
For a brief moment, he hesitated. However, the brief glimpse of vulnerability in those bright blues eyes was enough for Merlin’s resolve to chip a little. “If you’re not too tired?”
“Nah, I could go all day,” Arthur grinned cheekily, before cocking his head. “Come on, while it’s still light out.”
Taking one quick look at the crowd, Merlin decided that no one was paying them any mind and followed Arthur. He had to hurry to keep up with the man’s long strides. The moment they crossed into the shade behind the tents, Merlin exhaled loudly. He hadn’t realised how hot and flustered he’d gotten in the afternoon sunlight. From the other side of the canvas flaps, he could hear low voices as the hosts of the events took turns in relaxing and having a drink break.
Arthur stood there waiting for him, bracing both hands on the hilt of the sword. It was an impressive piece of weaponry, even Merlin could appreciate it. Suddenly, he felt at a loss on account of being too thin, too weedy, to wobbly on his feet. As if sensing his trepidation, Arthur took a step forward and reached a hand towards Merlin’s. He let Arthur take his hand and wrap it around the hilt. The metal burned under his palm.
“So, what you need to do first is get into a strong fighting stance. Here, shift your left leg forward,” as he instructed, Arthur used his boot to nudge Merlin’s foot over the grass.
His knee bent a little and suddenly, Arthur’s strong, iron grip is around his waist. He inhaled sharply and straightened his back, unwittingly leaning against Arthur’s chest. For a brief, electrifying moment, he imaging being pressed against that muscular frame without an inch of skin to spare. It left him feeling dazed, his grip suddenly tight and sweaty.
“Is that stance comfortable?” Arthur asked, his voice low and gravelly.
“Er -yeah, it feels alright.”
“Good.”
The weight of Arthur’s strong arms against the breadth of his back was enough to set his skin alight. Merlin tried desperately to keep his breathing even and focus on the sunlight glinting off the blade in his hands. Taking long, deep breaths, he allowed Arthur to move his body like it was smoke; the blade glided through the sunny haze in graceful arcs and the weight of it made Merlin’s arms tremble. Arthur’s grip on his forearms was an anchor he didn’t know he needed. He reveled in it, feeling the support flush through him.
Barely leaning into Arthur’s embrace, Merlin was guided through a basic dance of footwork, side-steps, lunges and parries. There was an elegance to sword-fighting that was lost in the clanging of blades and roars of victory and defeat.
All too soon, they drew to a stop. Another spell snapped like a thread around them. The sword suddenly weighed a ton and Merlin staggered under its heft. It sagged into the grass and the moment Arthur moved to grab it, the pressure of his arms let fresh air rush against his sweaty skin. His shirt clung to the small of his back. He turned to face Arthur, noting the blonde’s flushed cheeks, blown pupils and parted pink lips.
“Thanks for -”
“Go out with me!”
Merlin gaped, “I -what?”
“For a ride-along!” Arthur hastened to add, cheeks going ruddy. “You said you’d wanted to be a policeman as a kid and since you’re helping out a the office -I thought maybe you’d like to come out on night patrol.”
Merlin was stunned.
“You don’t have to, obviously. It’s just Gwaine, Elyan and I, but I figured if those two pair up, it’s not a bad idea to have back-up myself, you know.”
“Everyone says you don’t need a second.”
Arthur looked at Merlin as though he were both daft and hilarious. “Maybe this one time I’ll make an exception.”
“What about earlier, then, in the ring?”
Arthur rolled his eyes, “I just thought you should have a front row seat for my victory!”
“More like watch out in case someone uses your overinflated ego for target practice.”
Quick as lightning, Arthur had the blade up and pointed at Merlin. “Let’s not forget I’m holding a weapon here,” he challenged without bite.
Merlin rolled his eyes, “Please, I’m so annoying that I’d be dead already if you meant that.”
To his secret delight, Arthur’s mouth ticked up into a crooked smile. He lowered the blade and regarded Merlin with unbridled interest. “So? You coming?”
“Sure, what time do you want me there?”
“Meet outside the station at 9 o’clock?”
“AM or PM?”
Arthur’s face dropped into a deadpan expression. “I’ll let you figure that one out, shall I?”
Merlin laughed, unable to ignore the warmth bubbling up inside his chest. “Sounds good,” was all he said as Arthur reached out and ruffled his hair.
~0~
Sunday night saw Merlin happily striding through town with his hands in his jacket pocket and whistling to himself. He’d enjoyed the calm of a lazy day, although he’d had an excited butterfly in his stomach as the sky darkened beyond his window. It didn’t get properly dark until almost 10pm, but the gradual coolness of evening was like a balm to his soul.
For the first time in ages, the police stations lights were off, save for a dim, emergency light in the reception doorway. On the steps leading up to the main doors, stood three figures dressed casually with thick-soled boots. Elyan was the first to spot him.
“Hey Merlin! Glad you could join us.”
Merlin grinned as Elyan clapped him on the back. He returned the gesture, trying not to feel awkward under Arthur’s avid gaze. “I don’t want to get in anyone’s ways. If you don’t want me somewhere, feel free to throw me.”
“Over my shoulder, eh?” Gwaine leered with a smirk.
Merlin grinned and shook his head, “Fireman’s lift, if you need specifics.”
“Stop flirting, Gwaine, he’s not stopping in your car,” Arthur rolled his eyes.
“Don’t hate the player, player.”
“I thought you went out with Percy on Wednesday?” Elyan frowned.
“Yeah, we went out. Once. End of discussion.”
“Aw, did he not call you back?”
Gwaine shot him a look, easily decipherable even in the dim light. “It’s only been four days. Besides, I work. I don’t want to see over eager.”
“Wait, you’re making him wait? Dude, the guy is a firefighter! He could get laid like that!” Elyan snapped his fingers. “Why would you make him wait?”
This, at least, seemed to pique Arthur’s interest. “Are you serious? You’re making Percy, the gentle giant, wait to get laid? No offence mate, but you’re punching there. Don’t cut off your nose to spite your face.”
“Hey! It’s perfectly acceptable to wait a few days before calling a bloke back! Right, Merlin?”
Eyebrows shooting up, Merlin glanced between the three faces staring back at him. Was Arthur watching him a little too intently? He shrugged the thought away. “Honestly? If I’d had a really great date, I’d want a text as soon as possible. It doesn’t have to be lovey-dovey, but I’d like to know it meant as much to him as to me.”
“What if you don’t like the bloke and he did that?”
“Then I don’t respond. Obviously.”
Gwaine opened his mouth to say something else, however Arthur cleared his throat. “Enough with this. We need to get started since we’ve clocked in. Come on Merlin.”
With a wave over his shoulder, Merlin trailed across the car park behind Arthur and stopped on the other side of an unmarked sedan that was a dull grey colour. He frowned, shooting Arthur a look over the roof.
“This isn’t your car?” he frowned.
“No, it’s department issued. You’d think I’d risk my actual car on patrol?” Arthur smirked before opening the door and slipping into the driver’s seat.
Merlin hastily opened the door to the passenger side and slipped in. He fumbled with the belt, grateful that Arthur waited until he was ready before reversing out of the parking spot, waving out of the window at Gwaine and Elyan as he drove out.
The town of Cam-Lott looked completely different in the dark of night. The sun had only just set, and the town was dimming down, muted by the navy hush of night, and Merlin was imbued with a sense of calm. Arthur cruised slowly through the empty streets, only bypassing one other driver, no doubt on his way home. The atmosphere in the car wasn’t stifling like Merlin had feared it would be. Arthur was the most relaxed he’d ever seen him, one hand on the wheel, the other resting on the gearstick. Though he was reclined in his seat, his shrewd blue eyes scanned every crack on the pavement as the drove by. Merlin adjusted his seat so that he could stretch his legs out and was more than content to just tip his head against the glass, quietly observing the familiar streets.
The quaint little houses were slowly lighting up with golden light. He could imagine family’s sitting down to dinner, TV’s humming softly, and children reading before being tucked up into bed. His stomach swooped with a knot of emptiness that he swiftly pushed down deeper inside of him. Loneliness was subjective and he did not get lonely. Not really.
“What made you go into teaching?” Arthur asked, his voice though quiet, shattered the peace between them.
Merlin turned in his chair to look at Arthur’s profile. The blonde didn’t glance his way, even though they were driving very slowly. “Uh -well I’ve had a few different jobs over the years. From what I remember, I helped a few kids at the local library with tutoring and it just stemmed from there.”
“Do you enjoy it? Teaching, I mean.”
“Yeah, yeah, it’s been great. I do enjoy working with kids and teenagers, it’s fascinating how their minds work.”
“So, how come you took a sabbatical?”
Merlin suddenly felt tense. His throat was tight, and he shifted in his seat. “There was an altercation with a teenager about to graduate. Cedric. He -he become very obsessive about me.”
How was it so hard to talk about this? He’d had all summer to put the events from his mind. For a while it had seemed like it had all been put behind a wall of fogged glass, easily dismissed. It made his heart stutter in his chest to dredge it up now. Thankfully, Arthur seemed to pick up on some of the tension pouring out of him.
“You don’t have to explain anything to me. I was just curious?”
“Why?” Merlin found himself breathing, staring down at his hands. He could feel his eyes growing hot. His nerves thrummed erratically inside him.
“Why what?”
“Why do you want to know?”
Arthur chanced a glance at him, “Why wouldn’t I? It’s called small talk.”
For some reason this made Merlin snort wetly. “I suppose it could be worse. At least you’re not talking about the weather.”
This startled a little chuckle from the blonde. “I can do, if you like.”
“God, no. What’s there to say? Oh, it’s dark out.”
They laughed easily, the tension melting away and leaving Merlin feeling more at ease. Drawing in a deep breath, he said, “It took me longer to admit that there was a problem with Cedric. I tried to ignore it, convince myself he was just a bit different, a bit of a loner. That resonated with me, I guess. I hated the idea of leaving him in the lurch without any support system.”
“You know you’re not to blame, right? As long as you weren’t inappropriate with him in any way, you have nothing to feel responsible for. You were a mentor.”
“That’s a ringing endorsement considering you arrested me for kidnapping when we first met.”
Arthur cringed sheepishly, “yeah -I did apologise for that.”
“It’s always nice to hear once in a while, that you can be wrong. Makes you human.”
“You like when I’m human?”
“I like you better when you’re human.”
Merlin could feel his cheeks hurting with the amount of smiling he was doing. He forced his head to the side, to not give himself away. He could feel Arthur’s own palpable delight as he put his foot down a little on the gas and they sped up the hill near the castle ruins. There were barely any streetlights up this high. It was both eerie and beautiful. Pressing his face against the glass, Merlin gazed heavenward, his mouth parting as he gazed up at the twinkling stars. It was near impossible to see this many in the middle of London.
“So, this kid made you quit?” Arthur nudged as the car crested the top of the hill.
Merlin felt the words choke inside him as he gazed down at the twinkling lights of the town below them. “Yeah,” he croaked. “It got to the point that it couldn’t be ignored and was affecting my work and home life. I’ll spare you the details. Suffice to say I had to alert the school governors. I was granted a sabbatical before it turned into a full-fledged investigation and tarnished my career. I took it.”
Merlin hadn’t noticed they’d come to a stop until the weight of Arthur’s hand on his shoulder made him jerk in the chair. His eyes were wet. He cuffed at his face, not even realizing the tears had leaked down his cheeks. Arthur gave his shoulder a firm squeeze. Sniffling, he roughly rubbed his eyes dry until they were sore, before peering up at Arthur. His face was expressionless, his jaw tensing a little and his skin shaded by nightfall. Even so, his eyes twinkled with a keen understanding.
“I know I’ve made fun of you a lot since you got here,” Arthur began, his voice a low grumble. Merlin found it soothing to his frazzled nerves. “But I don’t think half the men on my team, me included, could have dealt with all of that without crumbling. You truly are a wonder, Merlin.”
“Careful. That was almost a compliment.”
“Then take it.”
Merlin wanted to retort -he very nearly did -but the warm touch of Arthur’s thumb resting against the base of his throat stopped him. Leaning down a little to touch him a little more, he breathed, “Okay.”
They sat that way for a while, relishing the quiet, with the engine of the car rumbling softly around them. It had been weeks -months even -since he’d allowed himself to think on that horrible meeting with the board of governors. The hollow chasm in his chest that had slowly eaten away at him as he’d packed up his office, years upon years of academia, and shoved them into cardboard boxes in the back of his car. Every fiber of his being shook, the only spot of warmth on him was under Arthur’s palm.
Inhaling sharply, he looked up into Arthur’s eyes and inwardly jolted at how close they were sitting. He was waiting for the feeling of awkwardness to hit him, to crowd into his mind and suffocate anything good, but it didn’t come. Why wasn’t he being judged? Why was Arthur being so -so understanding? He felt himself leaning a little closer, a fuzzy feeling stirring up in his stomach when –
“Arthur, we got some lights on at the old Belvidere place. Need you to come assist. Over.”
“Fuck!” Arthur hissed through his teeth, dropping his head to his chest. Snatching up the hand radio, he clicked the button. “Do you see any vehicles or bikes outside? Any movement inside? Over.”
There was a pause, the radio crackling.
“Negative on the vehicles. At least one subject inside, possibly two. Request back-up to search the perimeter. Over.”
“On our way.”
Arthur grunted and clipped the radio back onto the dashboard. Grinding his teeth together, he turned to face Merlin again. “You don’t mind, do you? I can drop you off at Hunith’s on the way, if you like?”
Merlin shook his head, “And miss seeing you in action? Not a chance, chief.”
Grinning, the blonde revved the engine. “Better buckle up then, idiot.”
“Clotpole.”
Arthur let out a laugh as he made a U-turn on the top of the hill before speeding back down the winding road.
Notes:
Finally a little bit of romance in the air :D
Chapter 12: Chapter Twelve
Notes:
(See the end of the chapter for notes.)
Chapter Text
Chapter Twelve.
The large manor house stood still and silent on the crest of the hill. Only the moon painting the edges silver, picked it out from the night sky beyond. As they turned into the large, overgrown driveway, a brief flicker of light caught Merlin’s attention. He squinted through the window, but it was hard to focus. Maybe it had been a trick of the light?
Arthur killed the engine. The sudden stillness was unnerving, and Merlin felt himself debating on whether this was a good idea or not. He could just wait in the car. The car was safe enough for civilians, right?
Metallic clunking drew his attention to Arthur and whatever he was fiddling with in his lap. He flinched when Arthur cocked his gun and slid it into his holster. Merlin felt naked as he watched the man open the door and climb out. He quickly followed, fumbling awkwardly with his belt and the door.
The driveway up to the large house was peppered with weeds, the loose gravel digging into his soles as he hurried to catch up with Arthur striding through the shadows. Every sound was amplified as they pressed up close to the shingled sides of the buildings; Arthur edged around the back of the house and Merlin nervously trailed behind. His heart was hammering in his ears, every muscle coiling tight. He desperately wanted to say something, get Arthur’s attention, or at least to know what the plan was. Was there even a plan?
Arthur held his arm out, stopping Merlin before he collided with the blonde.
They stilled, listening intently. Nothing stirred in the darkness.
With a flick of his hand, Arthur motioned for Merlin to follow his lead. The tall, shuttered windows loomed over their heads as they skulked over weeds and tangled thorns. Merlin felt the hairs on the back of his neck prickle up; he didn’t like the idea that someone could be within arms reach through the window, watching their every move.
He flinched when Arthur’s hand touched his shoulder, forcing him to a stop. Illuminated only by the moon overhead, Merlin watched Arthur’s hand signals and drew the only conclusion that came to mind; they were going inside through the back door. It was unlocked, which did nothing to ease Merlin’s mind as it whined on its hinges, the sound echoing in the void beyond.
Removing a penlight from his belt, Arthur held it aloft in one hand, gun in the other, and guided Merlin inside.
The house creaked and groaned as it settled around their intrusion. The air was stale, dust clogging his throat as he tried not to stray too far from the heat of Arthur’s body. They trod as carefully as they could over the worn floorboards. Merlin’s senses were on high alert; every creak, every scuttle of critters, every breath was magnified in his ears. The atmosphere was oppressive, the darkness trying to force them out. They searched the rooms as quickly as they could, though it was difficult in almost pure darkness. Every shadow could house a criminal. It made Merlin feel sick to his stomach.
Finally, with the ground floor searched they went towards the entrance hall and the grand staircase. Through the narrow beam of Arthur’s penlight, Merlin could see that some of the bannisters had rotted away and there were some odd dark holes on the stairs where the wood had been chewed away.
“We’re not going up there are we?” Merlin practically mouthed, not daring his voice to obey.
Arthur gave a mute nod and began mounting the stairs. Merlin hurried to follow, though a creak underfoot had them both freezing. Sweat exploded across his body as he gripped the back of Arthur’s shirt. He strained his ears for any sign of life, a disturbance that their position had been compromised. No such reaction came about.
‘Unless they’ve stopped and are waiting for us to move first!’ he panicked.
Slowly taking each step at a time, they made it up to the first floor and crossed the landing. Merlin stayed more in the center while Arthur slowly turned the doorknobs and peered into each room, penlight and fun at the ready. He tried to focus on keeping his breathing slow and even, but his accelerated heart rate was not helping matters.
Turning the corner, they kept close to the wall. Just as Merlin was thinking it would be over soon, they heard the distinct sound of something clanging to the floor. Arthur froze, his head whipping around to determine it wasn’t Merlin. Inching their way towards the end of the corridor, Merlin opened his mouth to draw in deep, quiet breaths. He was fighting every urge to turn and flee.
Another clang came from down the next hall. A cursory glance around the corner showed the flash of lights from under the door. A loud thump made them flinch. Arthur grabbed Merlin’s shirt and pushed him up against the wall. Merlin gasped loudly at the brute force.
“Shh! Keep quiet!” Arthur hissed through gritted teeth.
“C-can’t … breathe …”
A heavy hand clamped over his mouth. The weight of Arthur’s chest against his softened a little but even so, Merlin felt the air catch in his lungs. He felt his ribs bending with the strain of Arthur leaning against him, his hips pinning Merlin in place, the hot rush of breath against Merlin’s neck.
“Quiet!” Arthur breathed against the back of his hand. His eyes pierced into Merlin’s soul even through the dark. Swallowing as best he could, Merlin nodded rapidly.
Exhaling stiffly, Arthur slid his hand away, his fingers catching on Merlin’s bottom lip.
A loud bang of a door hitting a wall had them springing apart. The sound of rapid footsteps hurried towards them. Arthur braced himself behind the corner, ready to attack. Just as the intruder rounded in the corner in a blur or black, something else followed hot on their heels and launched them both to the floor.
They slammed down at Arthur’s feet, loud shouts of pain and “Gotcha you little twerp!”
Arthur took a moment before calling out, “Gwaine?”
“Did you get him?!” another shadow rounded the corner.
A beam of light shone on the scene, illuminating everyone. Merlin squinted against the bright light and tried to take stock of what mess lie at his feet. Gwaine was grappling with a young person in a black hoodie and jeans, twisting their arms behind their back and wrestling with the handcuffs at his belt. You hastily shouted the Miranda rights before getting to his feet and yanking the adolescent up by the scruff of his neck.
Flashing his penlight into the young persons face, Arthur tugged the hood away and sighed heavily through his nose. “Mordred, why am I not surprised it’s you?”
“Chief,” the teen squinted.
“Are any of your mates here?”
“Nah, they scarpered,” Elyan supplied, “Saw them legging it over the back wall. Mordred here, got his leg stuck in a floorboard.”
Arthur scoffed and shook his head, “Of all the idiotic things your lot do, why the hell are you breaking into this old place? Were you doing one of your little rituals again?”
“Rituals?” Merlin frowned.
“Not now, Merlin.”
“Alright let’s get this kid booked and put into the holding cell,” Gwaine grunted, though his voice sounded a little funny.
Flashing his penlight onto the brunette, Arthur frowned. Merlin watched as he observed Gwaine’s face from both angles. He saw a flash of red in the light. “It doesn’t look broken. Just a graze. We can patch you up at the station.”
“I think I’ll drive us back,” Elyan said.
“Are you sure there’s no one else here?” Arthur asked brusquely.
“We did a sweep, but you can double check if you like.”
Arthur glanced over his shoulder at Merlin and in that moment, he felt somewhat raw and expose. Did Arthur see him as weak, or needing of protection? He felt shaken, the adrenaline from seeing Gwaine’s take-down still rattling in his bones. He silently prayed that Arthur accepted the word of his subordinates and just let them leave. The old house was giving him the creeps.
As if sensing his trepidation, Arthur shook his head and turned back to his offers. “No, I’ll trust your word. Let’s get back to the station and call it a night.”
Gwaine led the way, dragging Mordred by the scruff of his neck. Despite grunting, Mordred didn’t resist. Eylan followed close behind, his torchlight cutting a stripe through the darkness. The house grunted and creaked as they moved their way along the landing and descended the staircase. Merlin watched them go, his heart still beating hard in his chest.
“You okay?” Arthur asked.
Merlin didn’t trust himself to speak. He gave a dumb shake of the head but felt as though his body was waking up from being numb. He jumped when Arthur clasped the back of his neck, his calloused thumb massaging a deep groove along his throat. He let his eyes flutter closed, and a hiccough came out. The fear sat heavy and sour in his stomach. He cleared his throat and avoided looking at Arthur. He didn’t want to be seen looking scared.
“Hey,” Arthur lowered his voice and stepped a little closer. The warmth from his body was immediately calming. “You’re okay.”
The words were firm, confident, as though no other truth could exist. Merlin let himself looked into Arthur’s eyes and suddenly forgot how to breathe all over again. Arthur exhaled long and hard, his eyes flickering over Merlin’s face, his thumb absently rubbing up along Merlin’s throat. They watched one another for a few, heavily charged moments, before the hand fell away.
“Come on, let’s get back.”
Merlin nodded, immediately missing the warm weight of Arthur’s hand on his neck. He trailed behind Arthur, the darkness of the night pressing in around them as they stepped out into the warm night air. Gwaine and Eylan had pulled up to the front and were waiting for sign of them before moving off. Arthur waved a hand before opening his driver side door. Merlin awkwardly slid into the passenger side and buckled himself in. Eylan signaled through the window and led the way out of the driveway.
They drove back to the police station in silence.
~0~
They worked for several hours before Elyan retired for the night. Gwaine had been dropped off to A&E on the way back to the station. That meant another report for Arthur to file away on Gwaine’s behalf. Come 4 o’clock in the morning Mordred had fallen asleep in the holding cell, both Arthur and Merlin had downed several mugs of coffee and were slumped in awkward positions on the office floor, their backs pressed against the sofa. Despite the caffeine, Merlin’s head kept drooping back.
Arthur shot him a sympathetic look and nudged their shoulders together. “If you’re not going to leave, at least have a kip on the sofa.”
Merlin cracked his eyes open and shook his head, “Nugh -n-no I’m fine. Just been a while since I pulled an all-nighter.”
“You shouldn’t have to suffer just because I twisted your arm about a ride-along.”
Shaking his head, Merlin reached for the half-drunk mug on the coffee table. “Not suffering. I wanted to go with you.”
Arthur blinked owlishly at him, his mouth tugging up a little at the corner. “You did?”
“Course I did,” Merlin threw a sleepy smile his way, his wide blue eyes glassy with fatigue. “You asked me to.”
The sincerity in Merlin’s voice and the way he stared unabashedly at Arthur, made the blonde relax and feel a warmth settle over him. He hadn’t realised how comfortable it was, sitting there with Merlin practically leaning on him. How the man had trusted him to keep him safe, implicitly, was something so precious that Arthur could not wrap his head around it. It was a delicate thing, as fragile as a butterfly’s wing, and he wanted to protect the little flame it ignited within him.
Merlin’s long black lashes fluttered over his bright eyes. Arthur tracked the movement, feeling the pull of that gaze; his hand came up and he traced along Merlin’s angular jawline, noting how the man didn’t flinch away from his touch. Emboldened, Arthur lowered his gaze and crooked a finger under Merlin’s chin, tilting his face up.
He paused for a moment before closing the gap and –
Arthur jerked back as though he’d been electrified. His eyes were blown wide as he stared at Merlin, his own eyes wide and bright with wonder. It was as though he’d been in a numbed, grey state his entire life and kissing Merlin sent a shockwave of colour, song and energy into his bloodstream.
“Wow,” he breathed, his heart hammering, desperately aching for another taste of whatever that was.
Merlin’s mouth twitched a little before he shifted on the carpet and leaned in, his nose bumping Arthur’s before his full lips were pressing against his own. Arthur gasped as another shock shot through him, deepening the kiss and cupping his hand around the back of Merlin’s neck, drawing him closer. He could feel himself getting drunk on the kisses; he wanted to drink Merlin into his soul. He Leaned over, pressing Merlin back against the sofa and slipping his tongue into the man’s mouth, eliciting a filthy moan from the brunette.
The feel of Merlin’s blunt nails dragging through his hair set a fire running to his groin. He barely broke for air as he continued to taste Merlin, sucking on his full lips, nipping down along his jaw until his mouth was firmly kissing up and down Merlin’s throat.
“Fuck, Arthur, don’t stop,” Merlin panted, arching his neck to give him better access.
Arthur let out a growl and scraped his teeth along Merlin’s pale throat, tasting the flutter of his pulse against his tongue. He was so intoxicated by Merlin -his taste, his scent, the feel of his body -that he went to press him down against the floor and dislodged the coffee mug. It tipped off the edge of the table and landed with a heavy ‘thunk’.
They broke apart, dazed and gasping for air. Merlin glanced at the mug then at Arthur. He pressed his swollen lips together and Arthur found he couldn’t fight back his own grin. He burst out laughing, ducking his head as he gasped for air. Merlin’s laughter was cut off by a yawn so deep that his jaw popped.
Calming down, Arthur watched the brunette beneath him try to shake some life back into himself. He was suddenly struck by how adorable Merlin looked, all rumpled, sleepy and blushing. His ears were pink, and his eyelids had started to droop. Arthur was overcome with the need to bundle the man up and stroke his hair. It didn’t even occur to him how weird it was that he was having said urges.
“You’re tired,” Arthur said, his voice husky.
Merlin shook his head through another yawn. “I’ll be alright.”
Patting the man’s thigh, Arthur leaned back on his heels before getting up. He went over to one of the tall cabinets in the corner of the office, turned a key in the bottom drawer and pulled out a pillow and a blanket. Merlin watched him and sniggered.
“You keep a pillow and blanket in a filing cabinet? And you call me weird?”
Arthur whumped him across the head with the pillow. “Behave. You’ve seen me pulling all-nighters.”
“Yeah, that’s gonna be an issue.”
“In what way?”
“Well, how are we meant to do that again, if you’re always holed up in here?”
Any protests died immediately in Arthur’s mouth at the idea of kissing Merlin again. Kiss him again? His heart fluttered in his chest. Biting back a grin, Arthur fanned the blanket out over the sofa and offered his hand to Merlin. Tucking the pillow under his arm, Merlin reached out and clasped Arthur’s arm and allowed himself to be hauled to his feet. As Merlin settled down along the sofa, having to bend his knees as his legs were too long, Arthur flexed his fingers as he settled back onto the floor in front of the sofa. The skin was warm and tingled where Merlin had gripped his hand.
Picking up some of the scattered papers from the floor, Arthur cocked his knee and started to fill out the forms, hyperaware of Merlin’s sleepy gaze watching his every move. It didn’t irk him as he’d expected. He jumped a little when he felt Merlin’s fingers pressing along his warm neck, but soon relaxed into the caress. He ignored the way his blood sang through his veins, keeping him content as he listened to Merlin’s soft breathing even out as the man fell into a peaceful sleep.
Casting a look over his shoulder, Arthur felt his breath hitch at how young and boyish Merlin looked as he lay; curled on his side, with an arm tucked under his head, the blanket pulled up to his chin and his left hand resting against Arthur’s skin. Turning back to the paperwork littered around him, Arthur continued with his work, not once dislodging Merlin’s hand from his neck.
~0~
The following morning, Arthur startled awake with a deep inhale and a jaw-popping yawn. Scrubbing a hand through his hair, he looked around the dimly lit office. The dawn light was fighting to get through the drawn blinds and the golden glow of his lamp gave the room a cozy atmosphere. Forcing his joints to move, cracking in the silence, Arthur rolled up onto his feet and stretched his arms and back. If he wasn’t careful, he would easily fall back asleep. Glancing at the sofa, he noted that Merlin was still there, sleeping soundly.
‘It wasn’t a dream,’ he mused. ‘He’s really here. I really kissed him.’
He was still addled from sleep and didn’t have the brainpower to spiral into what any of it could mean. Instead, he dimmed the lights, stuffed his feet into his shoes and quietly left the office to go to the precincts kitchen to sort out some much-needed caffeine. While he waited for the coffee machine to brew, he cast a glance at the holding cell, pleased to see that Mordred was still asleep, his mouth ajar as he snored softly. He returned to his office as soon as he had a large mug of coffee, determined to finish off the paperwork before Merlin woke up. He ignored the crick in his neck as he scooped up the paperwork and sat down at his desk, the pen scratching the only sound to accompany Merlin’s breathing.
By the time 7 o’clock rolled around the paperwork had all been signed-off on and tucked back into Merlin’s pile to digitize later. Arthur sat back in his chair and stretched again with a groan. He cast a longing look over at his sofa; usually on nights like these, he’d be tucking himself in for a few hours kip before the rest of the squad came in.
As if feeling the weight of Arthur’s gaze on him, Merlin stirred and started to wake up, rubbing his hands over his face and yawning. His movements were slow, languid, the blanket dislodging as his t-shirt rode up over his stomach. Arthur felt his cheeks burn at the sight of the dark trail of hair leading down Merlin’s navel and disappearing into his jeans.
“Morning,” Merlin’s gravelly voice made him jolt.
“M-morning.”
Merlin gave a sleepy grin, stretching out like a cat before flopping back onto the pillow. “That was a long night.”
“It was.”
“Did you get the filing done?”
“Yeah -yeah I did.”
Merlin frowned and leaned up on his elbow. His gaze flicked over Arthur, analyzing him where he sat. “You don’t have any regrets, do you?”
“Regrets?” Arthur’s addled brain tried to come up with a reason. It slipped away like smoke on the wind.
Merlin shot him a look. “The ride-along? The kiss?”
“Oh, no! No, not at all!” Arthur let himself relax, smiling. “No regrets here.”
Visibly relaxing, the brunette swung his legs over the edge of the sofa. He came over to Arthur and hesitated a moment before bending down and stealing a kiss before grinning. “Good. Neither do I.”
“Not sure we need to broadcast it around though. Is that -um -okay?”
Merlin didn’t seem phased. It was like he’d expected the question. None of his light dimmed as he shrugged lightly, “Of course not. This is brand new. I don’t reckon we need people interfering.”
“Thank you.”
“Of course.”
Merlin grabbed Arthur’s mug and took a sip, shooting a wink at the blonde. Arthur took the mug back and swatted Merlin’s thigh, “Get out, you. You should get back to Hunith’s and get some proper sleep.”
“Yeah, I don’t know how you survive sleeping on that sofa several times a week.”
“I’m used to it.” Merlin frowned but Arthur refused to analyse what that meant. “Go on. Get some rest. If you want to meet up later or go for a drink -we can.”
Merlin’s face split into a grin. “That sounds great. Here, give me your phone.”
Arthur obliged and watched as Merlin’s long fingers tapped away across the screen before handing it back. Arthur couldn’t help but grin at Merlin’s neck contact information in his phone, under the name Merlin (not the bird).
“You’re an idiot,” Arthur smiled tiredly.
“Eh, you like it,” Merlin shrugged, going back to the sofa to pick up his jacket and toe his shoes on. Scrubbing a rough hand through his tangled hair, he turned back to Arthur and, after hesitating for a moment, leaned down and pressed a kiss to the man’s cheek. “I’ll see you later.”
The moment the office door closed behind him, Arthur felt an ache of longing and emptiness war through him. It was like all the happiness and colour was being leached from his body as Merlin moved further away across the bullpen. The distant sound of the mains doors clanging closed forced him to take a deep breath. Standing up, he went around the office and turned off the lights before toeing his shoes off again and lying down on the sofa. The cushions held the phantom warmth of Merlin’s body as did the blanket. The pillow was worn but cushioned his head comfortingly. His eyelids grew heavy instantly as he turned and burrowed into the pillow. He fell into a heavy sleep, surrounded by the woody, earthy aroma of Merlin’s aftershave.
As Merlin walked through the town, his hands stuffed into his pockets, the warmth of the approaching day hot on his heels, he couldn’t fight the smile that threatened to crack his head in half. Arthur had kissed him -him! He could hardly wrap his head around it. It had felt wonderful, like he could feel the earth moving beneath his feet. He climbed the hill at the edge of the town, the shade of the trees cooling him and obscuring the weak, milky sunlight as it slowly rose in the sky. As he rounded the bend in the road and saw the gables of Hunith’s house come into view, his exhaustion suddenly fell like a heavy blanket around him.
Drawing nearer, the trees thinning around him, Merlin froze in the road. The lights were on at the porch of Hunith’s house, and he was just in time to see the door open, and two figures came out onto the porch. He approached as quietly as he could, sticking to the shadows until he was able to make out the details of the two figures and he inhaled sharply. Bal was shrugging into a huge sheepskin jacket and raking a rough hand through his wiry hair before turning to look up at Hunith. She was standing up on the porch, making her around the same height as Bal; she was in her dressing gown and both of them looked quite sleep rumpled.
Merlin suddenly felt embarrassed. He shouldn’t be witnessing this; this was a private moment.
Yet he couldn’t look away.
Bal had an easy smile on his face as Hunith wrapped her arms around his neck and leaned down so they could share a deep, tender kiss. Hunith gave him one final squeeze, a kiss to Bal’s temple and then they took a step back from one another. Bal raised a hand in a wave when he got to the drive and started making his way down the bend in the road. Merlin backed up into the trees, obscuring himself from view as Bal walked by. His dark tangle of salt-and-pepper hair drifted over his shoulder. From his limited view, Merlin could see the smile on the man’s serious face.
Turning back to the house, he watched and watched as Hunith watched until Bal was out of view, before turning and going back inside. After a few moments the lights turned off. Merlin walked over to the house and sat on the porch steps, hunched over as he waited ten minutes to make sure Hunith was asleep before getting up and sneaking into the house, making sure to lock the door behind him before going up to bed. As he got ready for bed, he couldn’t help but feel pleased that someone as serious and isolated as Bal seemed to have found happiness with Hunith. Perhaps they were good for one another.
He hoped so.
Notes:
What do we think of their first kiss?!!!!
This fanart is the first in a long time that I've experimented with stark shading without blurring the shadows and somehow, I think it works!
Chapter 13: Chapter Thirteen
Notes:
(See the end of the chapter for notes.)
Chapter Text
Chapter Thirteen
Stepping out of the bathroom with a towel around his waist, Arthur walked to his kitchen on muscle memory as he scrubbed another towel through his hair. The shower had helped the ache in his head, but he was desperate for a coffee. His stomach gave a half-hearted protest at the need for food, but that could wait until later. It could always wait until later.
“Good morning, brother dear.”
“JESUS FUCKING CHRIST, MORGANA!” he yelled, banging his hip into the kitchen counter as he whipped around.
Morgana arched a sleek eyebrow at him, unphased by his outburst. He took a sip from a cup of tea she’d clearly made herself, and gave him a once-over, an amused pursing of her lips at his state of undress.
Arthur felt himself flush with embarrassment. “How the hell did you get in here?!”
She lifted something silver and shiny between her fingers, “spare key.”
He scowled at her. Tossing his towel onto the kitchen counter, he absently rubbed his hip as he touched his fingers to the kettle. Deciding it was hot enough, he fixed himself a cup of coffee before turning to regard his sister, arms folded across his bare chest.
“Why are you breaking into my apartment at –” he glanced at the clock on his worktop. “-8 o’clock in the morning?”
Lacing her fingers across her stomach, Morgana reclined in the armchair she sat in. Arthur noted how she wasn’t wearing as much make-up as usual, and as a result the sunlight illuminated the shadows under her eyes and the thinness of her face.
“Morgana are you alright?” he softened his tone, frowning.
“I’m not here to talk about me,” she tutted not unkindly. “I wanted to talk to you about Merlin.”
Arthur paused; his mug pressed to his lip. He took a sharp sip, the liquid burning his tongue. “What about Merlin?” he choked.
“What exactly do you plan on doing with him?”
“He’s not a toy, Morgana.”
“I know that. Do you?”
“Of course I do!”
“Then, pray tell, why you kissed him three days ago and haven’t followed through on this date?” he arched an eyebrow, smirking.
Arthur spluttered on his coffee and shot her a wide-eyed look. “He told you that?!”
“Of course not, he’s terrified of me,” she rolled her eyes. “He told Gwen, who told me last night.”
This did not help Arthur’s spluttering. Setting his mug down, he wiped himself down again with his towel, before letting out a groan. “Why can nothing in this town stay private?”
Morgana’s brows creased delicately as she watched him bite his thumbnail. “You really like him, don’t you? I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to tease.”
Arthur grunted and jerked his shoulder in a shrug. “Honestly, it’s fine. Maybe it’s a good thing you know,” he avoided her gaze, picking imaginary lint of his arm. “I guess I haven’t called because -what the fuck is there to do for a date around here?”
“Oh, Arthur, I know I call you a brainless oaf most of the time, but you’re not dumb! There’s plenty to do for dates around here, especially a first date.”
Arthur’s mind went completely blank. He couldn’t remember the last time he’d gone out with someone other than the lads for burgers and beers after a long week of back-to-back shifts. Maybe there was that rustic little Italian place across the town square? Or the Indian restaurant with the low lighting and small garden area? What did Merlin even like to eat? For a brief, panicked moment, Arthur had made his mind up to forget the whole thing; he couldn’t cram his brain with the knowledge of someone else’s entire being. He could barely keep up with his family obligations as it was, let alone his workload and running the precinct. How was he meant to have a romantic life? How was Lancelot able to do any of it? It had taken a toll on Arthur, even causing him to skip a meal or two.
“I can hear you over-analyzing everything,” Morgana intoned gently, setting her teacup aside. Seriously, where had she gotten that thing? He definitely didn’t own it. Did she bring her own teacup?
“I’m not,” he shot back, ignoring the fact he’d been gnawing on his freshly cut nails.
“Sure, you’re not. You know I’d be happy to give you some ideas, but first you have to actually put some effort in.”
“What do you mean ‘effort’?”
“Putting on clothes, would be a start.”
He rolled her eyes at her sarcasm. “If you’re in one of your humorous moods, you can take it elsewhere.”
“I can’t. I have an ulterior motive for coming here this morning.”
Frowning, he asked, “And what would that be?”
“Father is calling a town meeting at 11 o’clock. We’re needed to be present.”
“That’s a bit sudden. What’s the meeting about?”
“Unfortunately, I have no idea. I got the call at just after half seven and came straight here. He said he wants us to go to the mayor’s office so we can be brought up to speed before he announces anything to the town,” she sighed. “Although I feel like the meeting will be more along the lines of telling us what is going to happen, rather than asking for advice or if it’s even a good idea.”
“Wouldn’t it be unfortunate if we both suddenly came down with a bug right about now,” he snarked.
Morgana smirked at the memory, and Arthur felt himself relax a little. Years ago, when they had been fledglings in their chosen professions, Uther had decided to create an entire weekend event to celebrate his two children amongst the townsfolk as if they were royalty. Both of them had spent a few days prior to the event, faking illnesses until the day arrived and both were too sick to attend. This had forced Uther’s hand somewhere, declaring it a summer fete for the whole town to enjoy before school resumed. Feeling guilty, when invited out to enjoy the last few hours with their father, Arthur and Morgana had rallied. They joined their father for an alfresco dinner, enjoying the live music in the park and laughing as their friends and colleagues enjoyed themselves, and were awed by the firework display. It had definitely been a good thing to rebrand the event. Arthur would never have been able to look anyone in the eye after such a grand spectacle if it had been officially in his name.
That had all been before Uther was reelected as Mayor.
Before Arthur had moved out for his own sanity, but Morgana had stayed behind.
Before Nimueh.
A shadow passed over his flat, sending a shiver running down his spine. Goosepimples broke out over his skin. Grabbing the towel from the counter, he tossed his coffee into the sink and nodded towards the hallway. “I’ll go and get dressed.”
“Yes, please do. You should not be the only half-nude man I see this early in the morning.”
“MORGANA!”
“Oh, shut up, prude, and get dressed!” she snapped after him. “While you’re in there, think about what you’re going to do on your date!”
Arthur slammed his bedroom door to shut her up entirely. Tossing his towel into a rough lump on the floor, he felt a sudden rush of adrenaline. He wanted to kick at his furniture or throw something at the wall. It was frustration at himself, something he knew only too well. He’d felt it all his life, wearing it like a second skin. He had put off thinking about Merlin, or how he’d braved asking the man out, because the last thing he wanted to do was panic. When he panicked, he made stupid decisions, and though he didn’t know Merlin well -or at all -he didn’t want to mess it up.
Stretching the crick in his neck, he threw open the doors to his wardrobe and quickly chose an appropriate outfit, including a stiff blazer and a tie that will feel like a noose around his neck.
He banished all thoughts of Merlin from his mind as he stepped from his bedroom and went to join Morgana.
Standing three paces behind Uther while he stood on a raised dais in front of the townsfolk, his voice carrying across the crowd, all Arthur could do was school his features into cool indifference. He tuned his father’s voice out, not even daring to turn and catch Morgana’s eye. She was far better at playing the dutiful daughter, no matter how it pained her. Nimueh stood less than a meter away from Uther’s podium, her needle-thin heels looking lethal, yet she barely reached Uther’s shoulder. From the briefing they’d received before Uther went to make his announcement, this was to be a major project for Cam-Lott. Arthur had no idea why they needed the old Church at the edge of town by the river levelled for a new set of flats or a cinema or whatever his father had promised. It sounded like a waste of money to him.
Eventually, the speech was concluded, and the crowd was dismissed. Blinking back to the moment, Arthur cast a glance over the crowd and noting a few disgruntled faces. Hardly a good sign.
Exhaling, he let some of the tension leave his body. He glanced down at the stragglers and frowned when he recognised a few of his men, Gwen and even that older, weirdo, Bal. He didn’t see any Merlin, though. He supposed Merlin didn’t have any obligations to attend town meetings or announcements but even so.
A hand on his arm jolted him.
Morgana’s expression was pinched, her lips a thin line. “Have you heard how much money he’d going to pump into this stupid scheme? He’s cut budgets for the school, to the small businesses and denied loans, and now this? For the sake of who? The hoards of teenagers we have running around here!”
“Not here,” Arthur hissed, shooting Nimueh and Uther a glance. Lowering his voice, he continued, “I don’t like it either. You’ve seen how my own budget has been cut to the quick. I take cuts to my pay-cheque to make sure things are running half decently.”
Morgana’s steely gaze softened, “You never mentioned.”
“And give you more to worry about?”
“Arthur –”
“Don’t worry about it. I get by well enough.” He clicked his tongue, “though I have to say this plan seems rather abrupt. Perhaps there’s more to it than meets the eye.”
“I’d wager it’s not Uther’s thinking at all, but hers,” Morgana’s whisper was cold, like cut glass.
Arthur made a non-committal noise. “We would need proof.”
“That will be difficult. That woman is meticulous. Bitch,” was added, almost too low for Arthur to here.
“These things will just take some time. If we can delay or stop the plans, all the better.”
“Time is something we may not have,” Morgana winced, a hand coming to her temple. “Oh, my head.”
“Morgana?” Arthur came to her side, hooking his hand around her arm, holding her upright. “You’re okay, do you need anything?”
“It’s too bright out here -can you take me home?”
Arthur pursed his lips in concern. Morgana lived on his father’s estate, towards the other end of the property in a luxurious little chalet he’d built for her. His solution to her not moving out, as Arthur had done. It was a weird compromise, but the only one they had been able to agree to. Still, the fact that Uther could disturb her so easily when she needed rest did nothing to ease Arthur’s worry.
“Would you not rather come back to my place?”
Morgana gave a slight shake of her head. “No matter where I go, Uther will find me if he wants to. You can’t stop that.”
He hated that she was right. He was almost positive Uther kept a set of keys to every house in Cam-Lott as an insurance of sorts.
“Then at least let me take you home, so I know you get there safely.”
Morgana sighed, but she relaxed. He’d won that one. “Alright but let’s go now before we get roped into a lunch date or some other such nonsense.”
As they gathered their belongings and stepped down off the stage and into the sunlight, Uther turned to them with a sharp smile. “Ah, there you two are. I was wondering if you had any plans this afternoon? I had some time free and was going to take a long lunch.”
“Oh father,” Morgana simpered, creasing her features just so. “I’m afraid the sun has given me a migraine and it’s made me come over funny. Would you mind terribly if I went home to rest?”
Immediately, Uther’s face fell. “You do look rather unwell, Morgana,” his voice radiated fatherly concern, and Arthur had to bite his tongue against the jealous twinge he felt. “Of course, you must go and rest. I’m sure Arthur wouldn’t mind escorting you, would you?”
Arthur nearly bit his tongue clean off. Though it had already been his plan to take Morgana home, having Uther suddenly demand it of him left him feeling like an unwitting pawn. Forcing a smile, he gave a nod. “Not at all, father.”
“Good. Well, let me know how you’re feeling later on,” Uther smiled gently, before leaning in and giving Morgana a kiss on her cheek.
“Of course, father.” With one last sweet smile, Morgana slipped her arm through Arthur’s and nudged him in the direction of his car.
“You know, he’ll catch on that you’re not so sweet one day,” Arthur remarked quietly, once they were out of earshot. He could feel the weight of Nimueh’s gaze on them until they turned the corner.
“The sad thing is, I do love and respect father. However, since this woman has come into our lives, he feels -further away, somehow.”
“Not far enough to remember to dote on you.”
“Green is not your colour, brother dear.”
“I thought you had a migraine?”
“I’ll always be able to tease you, Arthur. You should know that by now.”
They reached Arthur’s car, and he helped Morgana slide into the passenger seat, before climbing in behind the wheel and starting the engine. Throughout the drive, Morgana wore a frown as though the movements of the car and sunlight piercing through the sleeves was worsening her headache. The wall surrounding the mayor’s estate was high and white-washed, looking pearlescent in the sunlight. Carved into the wall was an archway with a wrought iron gate, which was technically the back entrance, that Morgana took to get to her little haven.
Arthur pulled up in front of the gated archway and parked. Turning to Morgana he said, “you know if you need anything, you can call me.”
“I know. Thank you for bringing me home.”
Arthur gave a small smile but remained silent. He watched as his sister unfastened her belt, opened the door and slid out onto her heels. Every move of hers was slow and deliberate, yet she did not ask for his help. She had too much pride at the best of times; a trait inherited very blatantly from Uther. He watched until she had slipped through the gate and raised his hand in a wave as she locked it behind her. Turning back out onto the road, Arthur made his way back to his apartment, determined to think of some way to arrange things with Merlin. He needed to take the bull by the horns. He couldn’t just wait and let things happen around him; he only hoped he didn’t make a mess of it.
~0~
“You know I expected this from Morgana, because I grew up with the harpy, but from you? This is a new low.”
Gwen blinked owlishly up at him from his sofa, not looking chastened in the slightest. He had popped out for a take-out burger, because he was lazy and had zero energy to cook any food. He wasn’t even sure the milk in his fridge was in date. So, when he’d gotten back and seen Gwen nestled comfortably on his sofa with a steaming mug of tea clasped in her hands, he’d nearly screamed in frustration. He just wanted one night to himself.
“I won’t stay long; Lance is going to pick me up soon. I just wanted to have a chat.”
“And you couldn’t have called? You had to use the spare key?”
“You shouldn’t tell people where it is if you don’t want it to be used, Arthur,” she chided, smiling.
Rolling his eyes, Arthur went to the kitchen counter to dish out his food. Popping the tab on his coke can, he carried it over to the armchair adjacent to Gwen and sat down on it, immediately taking a jaw-cracking bite of his burger. Licking mayonnaise from his thumb, he cocked an eyebrow at Gwen, waiting for what she had to say.
“I want to talk to you about Morgana.”
Arthur blinked. That hadn’t been what he was expecting. He’d honestly expected another interrogation about Merlin, as both women seemed to have adopted him like an injured bird that needed tending to. Lowering his burger, Arthur swallowed heavily.
“She got another one of her migraines today,” he admitted quietly. “I think they’re getting worse. Or more frequent. But you know my sister, she’s not one to ask for help unless it’s bad.”
Gwen nodded sadly. “I’m worried it might be something more than just migraines, but she refuses to go and see Gaius. I’d hate to think something bad came of ignoring the symptoms.”
Arthur furrowed his brow. He hadn’t considered it could be something as serious as an undiagnosed illness. It would make sense though. A hot, sickly fear swirled around his gut, putting him off his food.
“Have you not tried speaking to her? She usually listens to you.”
Gwen gave him a sad smile, “I have done. However, that Morgause just brushes whatever I had to say. She acts like just because she’s slightly taller than me, blonde and well-endowed, that I should take her at her word. She’s impossible to deal with.”
“I can see why,” he ground his back teeth. He and Morgause had never seen eye-to-eye. He didn’t like Morgana being around the blonde woman, but Morgana had always been fiercely independent in that regard.
“I was thinking that -”
“She probably won’t listen to me.”
“Oh no, I know that,” she blushed at her own words, averting her gaze. “I -I was thinking maybe Merlin could talk to her?”
“Merlin? Why, do you think he has a silver tongue?”
“No, but Morgana seems to like him. He’s taken her some of her medicine before. I think he stayed for a while the other week.”
Arthur frowned. He hadn’t known about that. He tried to shut down the pop of jealousy that rushed through him. There was no reason to feel insecure; Merlin liked men, he liked Arthur, and it wasn’t as though he’d spent a lot of time getting to know Merlin yet. He was just building up to it. He could have to text Merlin, though he didn’t want their first conversation to be fueled by his own insecurities.
“Speaking of Merlin,” Gwen grinned teasingly, the tension in the air shifting somewhat. “Why haven’t you messaged him yet?”
Arthur shot her a look. He took another bite of his burger, so he didn’t have to answer.
“Oh Arthur, come on! He’s worried he overstepped with you. He feels embarrassed.”
“Embarrassed? Why?”
“He gave you his number hoping you’d text or call. You’ve done neither. He feels like an idiot.”
“He told you this?”
“Not in so many words. He does feel silly, though.” She shifted and set her mug on the coffee table. Turning her wide, soulful eyes onto him, he felt as though he could stare into his soul. “Is there something wrong? Do you not like him?”
“I just -I don’t -I’m not sure how to approach this. I haven’t dated anyone for a very long time.”
She tipped her head sympathetically. Reaching over, she gave his forearm a squeeze. “Over-thinking things will only make it worse, Arthur. He likes you, you like him. Just text him and see where it goes.”
“Morgana mentioned a date. I have no idea what to do for a date! That’s partly why I’ve not spoken to him. It feels silly to get his hopes up when I don’t even have a plan.”
“Can you not plan something together?”
“I want to take charge of the first date at least, Gwen.”
“So, plan something.”
“It’s not that easy.”
“Then make it easy.”
“How? You can’t just tell me to do something without giving me a suggestion.”
“Well, if you text him and find out what he likes, you might get somewhere.”
“I had one idea -but it’s really childish. I don’t want to come across as a lame idiot.”
“I’m sure it’s not that bad, but if you like, we can go and see Morgana and exchange ideas. She might be feeling better by tomorrow.” Grabbing the mug, Gwen tipped her head back and down the last of it before exhaling loudly. “Ah, you always have the best blends. Now, I’m off. Lance will be downstairs soon. In the meantime, text Merlin, find out what he likes and doesn’t like, and I’ll swing by tomorrow morning so we can have brunch with your sister.”
“I have to lead the briefing tomorrow morning.”
“Lance can do it.”
“It’s his day off.”
“Fine, then text Leon and say you’ll be in a little later.”
“Gwen, I can’t just decide not to turn up to work!” he protested, setting his food aside and hurrying after her as she went to the front door. She paused to slip her feet into her sandals and opened the front door. “And put that key back where you found it!”
Gwen rolled her eyes at him, before slipping the key on top of the narrow ledge of his doorframe above her head. Pressing a kiss to his cheek, she began to descend the stairs. “Text him!” she called out, before disappearing from view.
Arthur grumbled to himself, wiping absently at his cheek before he closed his front door and put the chain across. No one else was going to disturb him tonight.
As he knew he would, Arthur agonized over what to text Merlin. He winced as he deleted a fifth message and groaned, clawing a hand roughly through his hair. Why was this so hard? Why was his stomach flipping and squirming? In a fit of frustration, he tossed the phone to the other end of the sofa. Wasn’t technology meant to be making things easier not harder? Gwen made it seem so simple. It was easier for her to say, yet she seemed to conveniently forget just how long it had taken her and Lance to actually get together. It had felt like forever. Now the same good be said for their nuptials. What was stopping them?
Just text him. Ha! Like it was that easy.
Chewing on his thumbnail, Arthur couldn’t help but feel anxious. It had been a few days since Merlin had kipped on his sofa, since they’d kissed, since Merlin had tapped his number into Arthur’s phone. God, that kiss. His chest ached, as though oxygen had grown scarce at the very memory of it.
What if he had waited too long to text? There was usually a time-limit on these sorts of things, wasn’t there? Why was he so worried? Merlin had seen him irritable, hostile and bone-tired during an all-nighter. Surely it didn’t matter what he saw, how Arthur behaved, or what they did.
But it did matter. All of it mattered. Purely because he had seen all these horrid sides of Arthur. He wanted Merlin to see -well, whatever else he had to offer, other than being anxious, irritable, aggressive and hostile. He didn’t want to come across as a bully. Surely, Merlin saw something else in him to even contemplate getting together?
‘This isn’t helping!’ a voice in his head, that sounded suspiciously like Gwen, snapped. ‘JUST. TEXT. HIM!’
He couldn’t. He couldn’t text. It left too much time to overthink, to be paranoid about words or lack thereof, to infer and imply things that were never intended, on both their parts.
“Fuck, fuck, fuck!” he hissed through clenched teeth. Swiping up his phone, he drew in a deep breath, pulled up Merlin’s contact number, and hit the CALL button.
“Hello?”
Arthur closed his eyes and nearly cursed again. That husky heavy accent sent tremors down his spine. Swallowing thickly, he grunted out a rough, “Hey -it’s Arthur.”
“Arthur? Hm, sorry, I don’t know any Arthur.”
For the briefest of moments, panic squeezed his heart. Then he felt his mouth move without thinking. “Nice try, idiot, but you’ll have to do better than that to get rid of me now.”
“Oh! It’s you, Clotpole. Sorry, I guess I was pining for so long I forgot the sound of your voice.”
“Forgot my -it’s been three days you brainless bumpkin!”
“Oh, how he wounds me! Has all our time apart soured your desire for me?”
The tension released from Arthur as he laughed, lounging down onto his sofa and tucking an arm behind his head. “Stop swooning like a lovelorn maiden, Merlin. I’m not about to charge-in on my noble steed.”
“Damn, and here I was hoping I’d get to feed Leon a carrot.”
A bark of laughter escaped him. “I do not ride Leon!”
“I’m sure he wouldn’t mind,” Merlin chuckled. “It’s nice to hear from you. I -had worried I’d overstepped.”
“Sorry. I got in my own head a bit. It’s been a long time since I’ve done … this.”
“Get asked out? Or do the asking?”
“Either. Both.”
“Oh.”
“Is that a deal-breaker?”
“Nope,” Merlin popped his ‘p’. As if it was that simple. As if it wouldn’t cause any problems. “It’s been a while for me, too. I just thought it would be nice to get to know you in a somewhat calmer setting. No swords, no vandal teenagers, no drama.”
“That’s a long list. Not sure we’ll accomplish all of it.”
“Well, I’ll let you bring your sword if you like.”
Fuck, how was that the hottest thing Arthur had heard in ages?
“Do you reckon you can handle my sword better this time?” he found himself saying, his voice gravelly.
He swore he’d heard Merlin’s breath hitch. Just as their conversation teetered on the edge of turning heated. He held his breath, debating whether it was worth the risk.
A whoosh of an exhale rushed over the phone. “As MUCH as I want to say something about ‘using both hands’, I didn’t mean for this call to get dirty.”
Arthur chuckled, “Don’t worry, neither did I.”
“It’s the accent, isn’t it? Makes everything sound suggestive.”
Snorting, Arthur said, “I won’t lie, it doesn’t help your case.”
“Damn.”
“I’m sure I can live with it.”
“Not if it gets us kicked out for your public indecency.”
“I did want to call you for a reason, you know.”
“Not just to hear my sexy voice?”
“Well, there is that. I did want to ask you something though.”
“What’s up?”
Arthur winced, noting the edge of worry in Merlin’s voice. “I … please don’t mock me after this?”
“I won’t.”
“I -I wanted to ask -would you want to go out? On a date? With me?”
There was a pause of silence in which Arthur’s heart seemed to stop. His mind went blank with panic.
“What would we do?”
“What?”
“What would we do on this date?”
“I -wouldn’t want to give the game away.”
Merlin chuckled, the sound immediately calming Arthur’s nerves. “You say that now, but if I turn up to a hike in sparkly pink stilettos, you’ll have no one to blame but yourself.”
“Duly noted. I shall tell you what footwear you’ll need before our dates.”
“Dates? Plural?”
“Obviously. Does that scare you?”
“Not at all,” the grin was evident in his voice. “I look forward to it.”
Arthur smirked in satisfaction as they chatted for a little longer and then rang off. That had gone a lot smoother than he’d expected. Maybe he owed Gwen that breakfast date tomorrow morning after-all.
Notes:
No fan art this time, I'm sorry, but I wasn't sure what to draw :O
Chapter 14: Chapter Fourteen
Notes:
(See the end of the chapter for notes.)
Chapter Text
Chapter Fourteen
The following morning, Arthur went through his usual morning routine of an obscenely early run, a shower, a change of clothes and instead of heading into the police station, he veered off to the left. He parked up in front of the gate that led to Morgana’s little chalet style cottage, and let himself in. It was Gwen who answered the door when he knocked, her smile warm and comforting as she leaned up for a hug. He hugged back before letting himself be led inside to Morgana’s kitchen. Much like Arthur’s own, it was a sleek, modern monstrosity completely at odds with the rest of the chalet’s theme, however unlike Arthur’s, Morgana actually liked to cook. She loved hosting dinners, even when their father was invited, and if she was particularly stressed or not sleeping well, she would often bake a lot. This morning, her little round breakfast table held a basket of fat chocolate chip muffins, fruit scones and jam tarts.
Morgana herself was already sitting at the table, a teapot and three mugs sat out, two already steaming. She looked somewhat more rested than yesterday, however the bags under her eyes spoke of an on-going struggle. He felt his insides constrict at not being able to help more.
“Good morning brother,” she shot a smile up at him.
“Morning harpy,” he walked around the table, looped an arm around her in a hug, and kissed the top of her head. He noted she hadn’t even bothered to brush her hair this morning. He supposed it was still early.
Gwen rejoined them at the table and quickly poured Arthur a cup of tea. He took is gratefully and sat in the vacant chair. “So, did you take my advice?” she asked, eagerly watching him.
Arthur deliberately took a long, slow sip from his mug and shrugged.
Lowering his mug he said, “I may have done something similar to what you suggested.”
“Oh, Arthur, don’t tease her,” Morgana chided.
“What did you do?” Gwen squeaked excitedly.
“I decided to call him.”
“You called him?!” Gwen gushed, her eyes bright, “How did it go?”
“It started off a little rocky. I didn’t want to put my foot in my mouth -”
“As you often do,” Morgana teased.
“-AND at some point, I -I asked if he wanted to go on a date with me.”
“Well, what did he say?”
“Come now, dear, he obviously said ‘yes’ otherwise Arthur would be sat here like a bear with a sore head. IF he even bothered to show up at all,” Morgana gave a tut and smiled sweetly at her friend.
“Oh, Arthur I’m so happy for you!” Gwen beamed at him. “Merlin really is so sweet; I think you two could really work.”
“Come on, we haven’t even had a date yet. Besides, he does have a life outside Cam-Lott,” Arthur reminded, the idea leaving a sour note in his mouth.
“Not one he’s hurrying back to, clearly,” Morgana arched an eyebrow.
Arthur hummed, taking another swig of tea.
“Have you had any ideas about a date?” Gwen asked, calming down and reaching for a jam tart. The dark purple glaze couldn’t have been anything knowing Morgana.
“None whatsoever,” he scrubbed a hand down his face. “I don’t want to just take him on a walk or a hike. We’re going to do that this weekend with the camping trip up to the castle. I want -something different.”
Morgana’s gaze softened as she shared a look with Gwen. “Did you have anything in mind or is this a brainstorming breakfast?”
Arthur shrugged, “If you’d be willing to help, I would appreciate it.”
Their eyes lit up and Arthur had a foreboding feeling as Gwen jumped to her feet and went to one of the numerous kitchen drawers and pulled out a pen and notepad. Sitting back down, the two women led the conversation, effortlessly bouncing ideas back and forth, writing ideas down and scratching them out. It was like they were strategizing a battle-plan. In Morgana’s own words, they needed to make it ‘Arthur-proof’ -whatever that meant.
By the time Arthur made it into work, he was grinning from ear-to-ear, the notebook tucked into his rucksack. However, the moment he stepped into the bullpen and saw his father standing at the front with a thunderous expression on his face, Arthur felt all the summer brightness bleed from the world.
It was going to be one of those kinds of days.
~0~
It truly was a wonder how persuasive a little girl could be. Merlin was beginning to wonder if she truly was some type of magical creature, with the way she’d adopted him into her misfit little family. It was the only explanation he had for getting roped into chopping wood with Bal or helping Aithusa decorate her little wooden climbing frame in the back garden, or even spending time with John, reading in the evenings. Not to mention, if he ever saw Bal hanging around outside Hunith’s house, he offered the man a knowing smile but never said a word.
He admitted it was interesting learning a new skill. Bal was patient and knowledgeable on the subject. Merlin’s first rough-hewn stool he’d made was rather embarrassing, however Bal showed him the small points he could improve, the best way to sand and varnish the wood. He did it all with a calming presence, a complete contrast to his stoic nature. Now they were able to talk more freely, even cracking a joke or two. Once afternoon, on his way out, Bal had ruffled Merlin’s hair, and it left him staring after that mane of salt-and-pepper hair as Bal shut the front door behind him. Merlin suddenly felt like he was nine years old and did something impressive at his school recital.
Then there was Aithusa who had apparently decided to adopt Merlin.
As part of their summer project for school, they had to keep a holiday journal scrapbook, drawing and writing about all the things they got up to over the break. Merlin had spotted Aithusa gluing leaves and flower buds onto the pages, as well as drawing in sparkly gel pens. From what he could peak over her shoulder, her handwriting was large and a little crooked, but very pretty and curly. He had asked if he could read her scrapbook, but she’d refused. She had offered to read it to him, though. That’s how he found himself one afternoon, listening as Aithusa recounted a wild story of her grandfather being the oldest dragon to ever live, and that her teacher, Gwen, being the true Queen of Cam-Lott and that she was a fair and gracious ruler -even if she wasn’t sure what gracious meant. It had to be good though, because Gwen was the kindest teacher she knew!
Merlin chuckled and twirled a daisy between his fingers, before threading it behind Aithusa’s ear. “Well, how can Gwen be the Queen if Arthur is the King? That means she shouldn’t be with Lance, right?”
“If Gwen isn’t with Lance, both of their hearts would break! I wouldn’t want Gwen to be sad, she’s too nice.”
“Would you rather she be with Arthur then?” Merlin asked, trying to ignore the squeeze in his chest.
“No, Mr. Arthur works waaay too much. Gwen and Lance are so happy together.”
“Then shouldn’t Lance be the King instead of Arthur? That way he can marry Gwen.”
“They’ll get to be married eventually. That’s what my granddad says,” Aithusa beamed over at him. “Everything is going better this time around. Gwen is with Lance and that’s so much better!”
“This time?”
“Oh, did I tell you about the lady?” Aithusa shuffled the pages of her book, biting hard on her lip as Merlin tried to digest her words. “Here! Look, it’s about the lake! Have you been there yet, Merlin? It’s great! We should go and swim there one day.”
“Um -sure. Maybe we can make a day of it? Get some other kids to join-in? I can suggest it to the people organizing the summer faire stuff?”
“You mean the knights?”
“The -the knights?”
“Yeah! Like Lance, and his friends. The ones that work as policemen now.”
“Yes -I can talk to them,” he grinned, pushing himself on his elbows. “So, what’s this about the lake?”
“The lake is where the lady lives. She protects it as best she can, but she’s on her own. She needs help sometimes.”
“Have you ever helped the lady?”
“No, we just have a chat sometimes after my swimming lessons.”
“You guys learn to swim in the lake?”
“Only when it’s sunny outside. The inside pool is really small though. It would be nice to have a bigger one.”
“And the lady at the lake? She’s really nice?”
“Oh yes, she’s the best. Not as best as Gwen, but she is almost as best. She can swim so deep as well. We don’t go that deep, because we have to stay behind the floaty barrier. If anyone is in trouble in the lakes, though, she is the fastest swimmer.”
“She sounds really nice.”
“You should go and see her!”
Merlin laughed, “Aithusa I can’t just go and talk to a random lady. I don’t even know her name.”
“It’s Freya.”
“Okay, that’s a nice name. I don’t know when I can see her though.”
“We can go together! Let’s go now.”
“I can’t go now, Aithusa. I have to go and help Arthur for a little bit. Besides, weren’t you supposed to be helping Bal do some baking when he gets back?”
Aithusa deflated a little, “I forgot.”
“That’s okay. I might get done early. Then maybe we can have a little walk around the lake with your granddad. How does that sound?”
“Hmm,” she wrinkled her little nose. “Will you stay for dinner afterwards?”
Chuckling he nodded, “Yes, cheeky, I’ll stay for dinner. Deal?” He held out his hand.
She grabbed it and shook vigorously. “Deal!”
~0~
The police station was cool as Merlin steps inside and raises his hand in a wave to Katrina behind the reception desk. She curls her lips in a sneer and turns away from him, busying herself with some paperwork. Merlin rolls his eyes and continues into the bullpen, balancing the box of pastries and to-go cups of coffee in his free hand. Not wanting to attract attention to himself, he edged along the wall towards the break room. On his way by, he glanced into the holding cell and was somewhat stunned to see Mordred still inside, slouched on the floor and playing cats cradle with an old piece of string. He was about to ask the kid what he was still doing there, when a muffled shout caught his attention. Across the bullpen, Arthur’s office blinds were closed but the yelling was clearly coming from his office. Merlin felt his insides constrict. Who was shouting now?
Casting a glance across the rows of desks, he spotted Leon and Elyan hunched over their desks. Elyan had earphones in, no doubt to drown out the awkward atmosphere, and Leon visibly winced whenever something slammed.
Once he’d deposited the box of pastries in the breakroom, he swiped a cookie and the coffees. On his way past the holding cell, he surreptitiously dropped the cookies into Mordred’s lap through the bars. The teenager shot him a stunned look, but Merlin didn’t linger to acknowledge the awe there. Approaching Leon and Elyan, he placed the to-go cups of coffee at the edge of their desks. Elyan shot him a tight-lipped smile and went right back to work. Leon gave him a smile that was more akin to a grimace.
“Thanks Merlin,” he croaked, accepting the cup and taking a swig.
“Do I even want to know?” he asked quietly, nodding towards Arthur’s closed door.
Leon shook his head, “Your guess would be as good as mine at this point. Uther just came in and told Arthur he wanted a word. That was twenty minutes ago.”
Merlin winced, biting his lip. More raised voices came from the office. Suddenly, the door lurched inwards, and Uther stepped out. Leon ducked low over his work while Merlin stood up as straight as possible. Their eyes locked and Uther’s mouth curled into a sneer before he marched across the bullpen. The door to the station slammed as he left. In his wake, Arthur stepped into the doorway, looking like cut glass, his mouth pressed into a tight line. His arms were folded tightly across his chest as if to protect himself.
Merlin had the urge to go and comfort him, even taking a step, but froze.
At the movement, Arthur looked up at him as if seeing him for the first time. Whatever had been schooling his features into the pinched mask, crumbled before Merlin’s eyes. He opened his mouth as if to say something, before clamping it shut. Turning back to pull his office door closed, he muttered a gruff, “I’ll be at the gym.” He crossed to the other side of the bullpen without looking at Merlin or anyone else. The door slammed shut in his wake.
Both Leon and Merlin flinched at the noise before sharing a troubled glance. Belatedly, Merlin realised he was still holding the coffee he’d gotten Arthur. He tapped the cardboard collar a few times before heading over to Arthur’s office. He hadn’t locked it, so Merlin slipped inside, scribbled Arthur’s name on the collar, before setting the cup down on his desk.
Exhaling loudly, he decided to leave. Maybe he’d go to the lake and try and find this Freya person?
Outside in the bullpen, he cast a longing look at the door Arthur had left through. “Should I -um -someone go after him?”
Leon gave him a pitying look, “Best not. He needs to work out whatever that was. He’ll be gone awhile."
"Right, okay," he stuffed his hands in his pockets. “Well, I’ll just head out. If anyone needs me just -give me a ring, yeah?”
“Will do, mate.”
With a weak wave, Merlin made his way outside.
~0~
The walk to the lake took a little longer than Merlin anticipated, as scenic as it was. It had taken a route through town that he hadn’t been before, not that he minded. The sun was high in the sky, almost getting to the point that he avoided it entirely. As he went along the road, keeping to the shade, white painted signposts directed him towards the lake. Over the next hill, he was stunned at the stretch of blue that greeted him. How had he not known there was a lake here? How come no one had mentioned it until Aithusa?
A cool breeze swept over his sweaty skin. He quickened his pace towards the lake, absently noticing a white-washed building up a gentle slope. It overlooked the lake and, upon closer inspection, had a cluster of tables and chairs on the ground in front of it.
When he reached the small building, with his bright blue roof and shutters, he saw a large sign promoting iced tea, ice creams and milkshakes. As he ducked into the cool shade, he hoped that this Freya lady was in.
There were a couple of people inside, reclining in the shade and chatting. Behind the counter and older lady and a young woman around his age bustled back and forth. The older lady looked like a stereotypical grandmother with her frothy white curls, long-sleeved floral dress and an apron with the café’s name on the front. The young woman was shorter than him, with a riot of thick chocolate waves twisted up and pinned at the back of her head. She was wearing a halter top and whatever else was covered by her apron. They seemed to work together like a well-oiled machine.
Looking up, she spotted Merlin, and her face broke into a grin. Leaning on the counter, she quirked an eyebrow, “Hello new boy, I was wondering when you’d show up.”
Merlin tripped on his way to the counter, “You were expecting me?”
She shrugged, “I did wonder. Everyone seems to be gossiping about the cute newbie around here.”
“Cute?” he snorted. “You must be talking about someone else.”
“Well, we don’t tend to get new people around here, so …” she grinned. “Anyways, what can I get you?”
“Actually, I was wondering if you knew anything about someone called Freya?”
“That’s me,” her smile widened. “What can I do for you …?”
“Merlin.”
“Merlin,” she mimicked his accent. “Lovely to meet you. So, what’s up?”
“I don’t want to interrupt your day but -any chance you might like to join me on a walk around the lake?”
Humming, she narrowed her eyes. “From anyone else that would sound suspicious. But you’re cute so sure. Alice! I’m taking my break now.”
The old woman looked over from handing a customer change. “Alright, love. Be back by two.”
With a wave over her shoulder, Freya tugged her apron off and hung it behind the counter before stepping out. Dressed in a pair of jean shorts and converses, she slipped her arm through Merlin’s and tugged him back out into the sunshine.
Half an hour later Merlin’s cheeks hurt from smiling so much. Freya was equal parts sarcastic commentary on the townsfolk, loyal about the elderly -including Alice and Gaius -as well as independent. She grilled him relentlessly, seemingly starved for information of the world outside Cam-Lott. Merlin answered all her questions, steering it through safe territory, laughing loudly at her anecdotes of the people he’s met and people he’d never heard of.
“I recognize you, you know,” Freya said as she stopped by a clump of boulders nestled in the shallows. She helped haul Merlin up onto the tallest rock. They settled side-by-side, swinging their legs over the edge.
“From where? I’ve never seen you before.”
“Well, not your face,” she nudged his shoulder. “I recognize you from Aithusa’s stories. She’s gone on about you every time she comes for a paddle.”
“Oh yeah, she said you teach swimming here.”
Freya beamed, “You should join us for the summer swim-a-thon. We do races, diving competitions, volleyball, a relay. It’s great and everyone has fun.”
“I’m not sure I brought any trunks,” he pulled a face.
“You can swim, can’t you?”
“Of course I can!”
“Good, then you can join us.”
“Okay, okay, you’ve twisted my arm!”
She laughed, her deep brown eyes shining.
Merlin cast his eyes across the lake. In the distance, he could see the crumpled ruins of an off-white tower. He remembered what Arthur had said about the camping trip up by the castle ruins on the top of the hills. It stood to reason that there were more ruins nearby. Drawing in a deep breath, he reclined back on his arms and stretched his legs until he could feel the spray on his ankles.
“Has Aithusa spoken to you about her ideas that everyone around here is a prince or a knight?” he asked, keeping his voice light.
“Ah, she threw that at you, huh?”
Merlin shrugged.
“Honestly, I think it’s harmless … for now,” she cocked an eyebrow. “However, she seems to be getting very passionate about it recently. I don’t want her to start acting out, but I feel like she’s heading that way. She’s had a few scrapes with some boys in her class already. Her Grandfather was not impressed.”
“So, she’s starting to upset people?”
“She’s projecting her frustrations. She wants people to believe her, and no one does. She gets angry but can’t really put it into words.”
Merlin chewed his lip, “Now I feel bad. I just thought it was an over-active imagination.”
Freya shrugged, tipping her head to the side. She nudged Merlin’s foot with her own. “Even if it is, it’s not always good to live in a fancy world forever.”
“I’ve been spending more time with her at her house. Bal and John always take what she says with a pinch of salt, but at the same time they try to ground her in reality. I want to but –”
“It doesn’t feel like your place?”
“Exactly!”
“I can try and have a word with her the next time I’m hosting swimming lessons. That’s Friday, in case you’re interested.”
“In front of everyone?”
“Well, no, she usually stays for some ice cream after the lesson.”
“I don’t want it to seem like she’s being stifled,” he sighed. “It just feels like there’s no right answer.”
“Maybe there isn’t,” Freya shrugged, mirroring his pose. “For kids like Aithusa, sometimes they just want to know they’re not alone. We don’t have to actively tell her to stop, or to yell at her to change who she is.”
“Kids tend to create a fantasy world to live in when they’re real world is breaking apart at the seams,” Merlin frowned, before locking eyes with Freya. “Do you think there’s something else going on here?”
“Maybe,” Freya shrugged. “You never know what goes on behind closed doors.”
Merlin sat up straight, anger coiling in his gut. “No one is abusing Aithusa. I’d bet my life on it!”
Freya raised her eyebrows, “I’m not saying they are I’m just saying -well, you’re not there all the time.”
Working his jaw, Merlin focused his glare across the lake at the ruined tower. He didn’t want to say something out of turn, having just met Freya an hour ago. It just didn’t sit right with him, to have someone accusing Bal or John of inappropriate behaviour. Granted, most people saw Bal’s absences as weird, but surely someone other than Merlin knew he and Hunith were together?
“Bal is great with kids and John adores her. Whatever is going on, it’s not at the home.”
Freya studied him for a long time in contemplative silence. Heaving her own sigh, she drew her legs up and tucked her chin onto her knees. They sat that way for a while, until a tinny beep rang from Freya’s pocket.
“Oof, sorry, I need to be getting back,” she forced herself to her feet, raking a hand through her hair. Merlin begrudgingly got to his feet and together they clambered down onto flat, dry land. As they started trailing back to the café in the shade of the tree line, Freya broke the tense silence between them.
“I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have implied any ill-will with Aithusa’s homelife. I’ve grown up alongside Bal and John and you’re right. I’m sorry.”
Merlin shot her a look, but felt the anger unfurl inside him. “I can understand how you jumped to that conclusion but just -don’t? I don’t want to put either of them in that position or project guilt onto them.”
“I get that. The last thing we need is to add more issues to her life. I mean, she already ran away once this summer.”
Even Merlin couldn’t deny that one.
Once the café came into sight, Freya stopped at a fork in the path and turned to Merlin, a serious look on her face and held out her phone. “Here, let’s swap numbers. Maybe it will be good to swap information if Aithusa starts to become antisocial or says something a bit … not PG.”
“You really think it could get to that point?” Merlin asked, tapping his number into her phone and saving it. He quickly dialed his number and hung up once his own phone rang from his back pocket.
Freya shrugged, “I don’t know what to think, these days. The more people she has supporting her, the better she’ll be.”
Again, Merlin had no way to argue her theory.
Tucking her phone back into her pocket, Freya gave his shoulder a quick squeeze and smiled. “It was nice to meet you, Merlin. Don’t be a stranger.”
“How can I, when you have my number?”
“Well, be prepared. I’m going to text you about every swim-related activity imaginable.”
Merlin felt the corners of his mouth twitch up into a smile, “I look forward to it.”
With a wave over her shoulder, Freya turned and hurried up the path back to the café. Merlin watched her go, his mind swirling with the thought that Aithusa could be living in an unsafe environment. Had that been why she’d run away? How was it that no one had asked her the reason why she ran away, since he’d brought her back? The thought made his insides squirm as he turned back towards town. Maybe he could ask Aithusa the next time he saw her? Surely, she had her reasons.
He was so lost in thought that he didn’t realise how quickly he’d walked away from the lake, until his feet guided him by the police station. It had started to get late; the building was mostly dark except for an office window that Merlin knew belonged to Arthur. The mornings argument he’d witnessed felt like another lifetime ago already. The town was buzzing gently with the early evening life, people walking their dogs, going out to dinner or reclining on blankets in the park. Kids still frolicked around playing games, but most of the high street businesses had closed for the day. Merlin could only imagine all the other officers had clocked-out or gone out on patrol.
As he’d predicted, once he eased the door open and peered into the reception area, he was greeted with low lights and no one behind the reception desk. The bullpen was dimply lit, no desk lamps on, and the holding cell was empty. They must have released Mordred that afternoon.
The door to Arthur’s office was closed and Merlin wasted no time crossing the room and walking in without knocking.
He stopped just inside the door; Arthur was hunched over the desk, his head in his hand and a pair of glasses perched on his nose. Merlin was stunned; he hadn’t known Arthur needed to wear glasses. He’d been around the blonde long enough to if he’d required such a thing. Leaning against the doorframe, he watched as Arthur signed a page and set it aside, before adjusting himself to go over the next one. A quick glance at the clock on the wall, Merlin went and placed a hand on Arthur’s shoulder.
“Jesus!” Arthur jumped and spun around, grabbing Merlin’s arm tightly. Their eyes locked and Arthur deflated, “God, Merlin, don’t sneak up on me!”
“Sorry,” he gave a sheepish grin. “I was just walking by and saw your light still on.”
“Yeah, I was just going over these reports. The last thing I need is my father raging at me first thing in the morning again.”
Merlin winced. He sat on the edge of the desk and gestured to the papers strewn across the desk. “So, what report are you working on?”
“It’s the one for those human remains we found in the cave,” Arthur cocked an eyebrow at Merlin. “Remember?”
“How could I forget? So, did you find anything interesting?”
“Other than finally getting and I.D. on the victim, not really,” Arthur rubbed at his eyes, making the dark circles under look more pronounced.
“Anyone you know?”
“Yes. No one you know, though, which is even better news.”
“Oh? Why?”
“Donald King was one of our old-school fishermen. He was actually a bit of a legend for his time, but he went missing about three years ago. There’s no way you could have had anything to do with his disappearance.”
Merlin frowned sadly, “I’m sorry, I’m sure it’s never easy finding out that someone who was a staple in your life is gone.”
Arthur leaned back in his chair and regarded Merlin with a matching sympathetic nod, “It never gets any easier.”
“Did he have any family?”
“No, no, he was a bit of a loner, same as old Geoffrey. No wife, no kids, just friends and eventually more funerals than birthday celebrations.”
Merlin felt his face drop even further. A cold shiver skittered across his skin. He rubbed his arms and adjusted his posture, trying to get rid of the feeling.
“Sorry, let’s not be maudlin,” Arthur took his glasses off. “At least now he can be buried properly and have a service. Hopefully some of his friends are still around to attend.”
Merlin’s heart sank, “People might not turn up?”
Arthur winced, “I mean -he was quite old by the time he disappeared, Merlin.”
“Someone should be there for him, though,” Merlin chewed on his lip. “He was alone in that cave for years. He shouldn’t be alone anymore.”
The urge to argue the point was on the tip of Arthur’s tongue, but at the look on Merlin’s face, he clamped his mouth shut. A calm warmth settled over him and he found himself nodding. “You’re right. Regardless of who else turns up, we’ll be there.”
Merlin’s relieved smile was worth going against the grain.
“So, how much longer do you think those papers are going to take?”
Arthur blanched, “Uh … I’m not sure, why?”
“No real reason, just this is the ninth day you’ve worked in a row,” he shrugged.
“I know, I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be sorry. You’re dedicated and that’s amazing, but you also need to rest and spend some time doing other things.”
“Merlin -”
“Look, just -don’t argue, please?” Merlin felt his face pinching as he drew in a deep breath. “Look, here’s how I want tonight to go; I want you to sign off on this paperwork as quickly as possible, we’re going to go through the town square and take a casual stroll, pick up some take-away, then go back to mine where we will watch a terrible movie and probably fall asleep on the sofa.”
Throughout his little speech, Merlin had watched as Arthur’s crooked little smile grew wider and wider, his gaze softening.
“Sound good?” Merlin asked, eyebrows raised. He tried desperately to control the hammering in his chest.
Arthur smiled just enough for his teeth to peek out, “Sounds perfect.”
~0~
As Arthur locked the main station doors and strode across the car park with Merlin at his side, a lamp flickered in the mayor’s office at the town hall. The entire town was shrouded in the heavy dusk that settled over the place. Across the mayor’s desk were the blueprints he had been going over with the town’s architect for the last few days. With a flash of gold, that could easily have been mistaken for the flickering desk lamp, the faint white lines bled, merged and wriggled around like spider’s legs before settling again. Satisfied, the desk lamp was snapped off and silent footsteps retreated, blending into the rest of the shadows.
Notes:
So, we finally met Freya! I know she's usually meeker in the series, but I'm working with limited resources, I just figured I'd make her a bit of a loner but also strong and independent.
Also, the remains from the cave "Donald King" is a reference to "The Fisher King".
Chapter 15: Chapter Fifteen
Notes:
Just a bit of filler to get back into the groove of things. Enjoy x
Chapter Text
Chapter Fifteen
As Arthur brushed his teeth the following morning, exhausted from his job, memories from the night before resurfaced. He watched his reflection grin goofily around his toothbrush before he spat into the sink. The night had been unexpected, especially with all the fretting he’d done about planning a first date, and yet Arthur could not have been happier with how it’d gone. There was no worry about choosing the perfect outfit or scrambling for a reservation at the last minute or fretting about finding out Merlin’s likes and dislikes while being sneaky.
It had just been the two of them, in the loft room of Hunith’s B&B, their thighs pressed together, paying barely any attention to the movie on the screen as they jostled each other. Arthur had felt so comfortable, slouched on the overstuffed sofa, in his rumpled work attire, his tie lost to the void between the sofa cushions. Hearing Merlin laugh was like a balm to his soul. Watching him laugh was a whole experience in itself. The fact that they ended up necking like randy teenagers was not something he’d thought he’d had the energy for, but he was swept away in the dizzying feel of pressing Merlin underneath him.
The goodnight kiss had almost coaxed him back inside. It had taken all his willpower not to push Merlin back across to his bed and ravage him. He didn’t remember much of the walk back to his place, but he felt as though he’d floated the entire way to his bed. Whatever he’d been feeling for Merlin had amplified.
Judging by the blush across the man’s cheeks, Arthur hoped he felt the same.
Stepping out into the day, everything seemed brighter, calmer, as if nothing could sully his good mood. He knew Leon and Gwaine were shooting him curious glances as he sauntered around the office, signing-off on reports, answering the calls that came in, and ensuring that the station ran as a well-oiled machine.
“Somebody got l-a-a-a-i-d!” Gwaine sung as he went to the coffee station to grab a drink.
Arthur’s head jerked up and he flushed at Gwaine’s smirk. “Don’t be ridiculous, Gwaine. My private life is no one’s business but my own.”
“But you did, right?”
“That’s got nothing to do with you!” he spluttered.
“Well,” he clapped Arthur on the shoulder, “Whatever he’s doing to you, tell him to keep it up. It’s great having you whistling while you work.”
Leon snorted, “Arthur doesn’t whistle, Gwaine.”
Shrugging as if he couldn’t care less, the brunette tossed his hair and downed his coffee. Arthur rolled his eyes, feeling the heat across the back of his neck. “We haven’t even gone on a proper date yet.”
“Well, what’re you waiting for?”
“We’ve arranged it!” he snapped, “It’s Thursday.”
“Thursday?” Leon frowned. “Don’t you usually work late on Thursdays?”
“I’m making an exception.”
Gwaine waggled his eyebrows, “Yeah you are.”
Arthur shouldered the man but couldn’t stop the grin from spreading across his face. He was genuinely looking forward to spending time with Merlin. Morgana had sent him a detailed e-mail about whatever she’d concocted with Gwen at another one of their early-morning brunches. It included a reservation at the best restaurant in town that always seemed to be booked weeks in advance. Honestly, it was the summer holidays. Why did they feel the need to still wake up so early? He couldn’t wrap his head around it, but he couldn’t deny he was grateful for their help.
The main door swung open, and Elyan walked in and clapped his hands together, “Alright men, who’s going to be attending the hike up to the castle on Saturday? The weather forecast looks good, so the overnight camping looks good as well.”
“I’ll be there!” Gwaine called from the break room.
“I’ll be there too,” Arthur said, earning him bemused looks from the others. “What? Merlin wanted to go.”
“And you don’t trust Merlin with any of us?” Elyan teased.
“That’s not the issue. I said I’d be the one to show him, and I will. Lance and Leon are working Saturday.”
“Oh good, I’ll let the others know. I think we have enough tents, but I’ll stop by the town hall and check later.”
“If you need any help, let us know.”
The rest of the day seemed to fly by in a honeyed daydream. There were barely any calls, no issues in the neighborhood and the paperwork all got completed. It was almost like magic. As he punched out for the day, Arthur felt lighter than air. Elyan let him know that the camping equipment was all secured, a confirmed number of adults and kids, and any permits that needed to be signed, had been. It wasn’t until he was walking back to his home that he realised he hadn’t heard from Merlin since that morning. His insides squirmed until he reached the front door and saw a six pack of beers with a little note stuck on the top.
‘Didn’t mean to not respond, but I was having a family dinner with John, Bal and Aithusa. I think I’ve been adopted? We can call later. Let me know when you’re home. -M x’
Chuckling to himself, Arthur carried the beers inside and reclined on the sofa while dialing Merlin’s number. When he answered, his voice was the perfect end to a perfect day. He relaxed into the dulcet tones of the other man, letting himself be washed away on a sea of contentment.
~0~
It couldn’t last. Of course it couldn’t last.
A shrill chiming had him jerking awake on the sofa, the moonlight filtering in through the curtains helping him to focus where he was. He scrunched his eyes open and closed several times, trying to orientate himself as he scrambled for his phone. Squinting through the dark, he noted the alarm alerts flashing. For a brief moment he thought he was in danger, adrenaline spiking through him. Upon closer inspection, he noted that it wasn’t his name flashing at the top of the screen.
“Morgana? Shit!”
Lurching from the sofa, he snatched his jacket and keys from the table in the hall and slammed the door shut behind him. His hands quaked as he dropped into the driver’s seat of his car and jammed the key into the slot and started the engine. He drove recklessly to the estate grounds, hurried through the back gate and sprinted up the path towards Morgana’s chalet.
“Morgana!” he called out, slammed into her front door. “Morgana, it’s me! Open up!”
Something inside crashed and fear spiked through him. Drawing his gun, he inched his hand forward and tried the doorknob. It turned without a sound. Breathing in slowly through his nose, Arthur strained his ears to listen to what else was happening inside as he pushed the door inwards. The chalet was dark and still, only the shrill blare of the alarm disturbed the otherwise peaceful interior. Slowly edging inside, Arthur scanned the area and saw nothing out of place. It all looked normal. So, what had tripped the alarm?
Tensed all over, Arthur strained his ears.
A shriek pierced the silence. Bolting across the room, Arthur pressed himself up against the wall, gun pulled and peered around the corner. The hallway to the bedrooms was dimly lit. Hurrying down he kicked Morgana’s door open and aimed his pistol -but hadn’t expected to come face-to-face with a wall of flames.
“Shit -Morgana?!”
“Arthur?!”
He caught sight of her pale face through the flames. The heat radiating off them was enough to make him take a step back, raising an arm to keep it away from his eyes.
“Morgana, what the fuck happened?!”
“You have to help him!”
“What -who?!”
“Mordred!”
That’s when Arthur realised that on the other side of the wall of fire, there was a prone body sprawled on the floor. Morgana was batting at the dark clothing, the flames flickering and melting the cheap fabric. Mordred didn’t make any sound. Arthur felt sick as he stuffed his gun into his waistband and hurried back down the hall to the kitchen. Under the sink he spied the fire extinguisher, snatched it and raced back down to the bedroom.
Pulling the pin, he aimed the nozzle at the base of the flames, near Mordred, and sprayed. Despite the aggressive heat, it didn’t take long before he’d managed to snuff out every last flame. Thick grey smoke hung over their heads. Stepping over Mordred’s legs, Arthur reached the French door that led out to the back garden and threw them open, letting fresh air inside.
“Morgana, fan the smoke out, I’ll see to Mordred!”
Dropping down to his knees, he rolled Mordred onto his back, checked to see if his pupils were reactive, checked for a pulse, and then hauled the teen up into his arms, and dragged him over to the window. Smacking Mordred’s cheeks, it took a couple of moments before he choked on fresh air and started to shift and struggle in Arthur’s hold.
“It’s okay, you’re fine, you’re safe,” Arthur grunted, “just take some deep breaths.”
Giving up fighting, Mordred tipped his head onto Arthur’s shoulder and drew in slow, deep breaths. This close, Arthur could see the soot smudges across his face, the long black lashes and freckles. He hadn’t realised Modred had freckles. He was dimly aware that the shrill alarm had finally subsided, leaving his ears ringing at the sudden quiet.
“How is he?” Morgana’s timid voice asked.
She looked haunted, with her pallid cheeks, her flimsy chiffon robe and silky pyjamas. Her hair was a dark mess of curls and she, too, had soot smudges over her pale skin. The dark circles under her eyes were even more pronounced. Taking in her attire, Arthur felt a sick feeling coil in his stomach.
“What was he even doing here, at this hour?” he hissed, keeping his voice down. He grunted under Mordred’s weight.
Morgana shifted uncomfortably, a pleading expression on her face. “Don’t think it’s anything unseemly. He’s a troubled young boy, he just -he just wants someone to talk to.”
“Is that what they’re calling it these days?”
Morgana frowned, though her words held no fight, “Arthur, don’t be crass. I wouldn’t bed a teenager. He’s really a bright boy, but his home life is appalling. Sometimes we sit and drink tea, I loan him some books, and we chat.”
“In your bedroom?”
“He wasn’t in my bedroom,” she sighed. “I was starting to feel sick, so I came to get my tablets. Something caught fire I -I don’t know what. My incense maybe? I screamed, Mordred came into help, but the more I panicked the worse it got.”
“It set off my alarms.”
Instead of looking furious at the lack of privacy, Morgana sagged with relief, brushing her hair out of her eyes. “I’m so glad you got to us in time. I’ve rung for an ambulance; it should be here soon.”
Mordred grunted and seemed to burrow closer to Arthur. Over the brunette’s hair, Arthur shared an alarmed look with his sister, who huffed a smile.
Within moments, the shrill siren of an ambulance reached their ears. It didn’t take long for the paramedics to arrive, strap Mordred onto a gurney and wheel him out into the night. Another paramedic gave Morgana a check and Arthur had to assure them that he was fine, just a little sooty, but otherwise unharmed. He was not looking forward to filling out the incident report. Once they were done, the paramedics told them that Mordred would be fine, and they could visit him in the hospital in the morning.
Closing the front door, Arthur turned to his sister and ran a hand through his hair. “You need to start explaining things to me. Now.”
“I don’t really know where to start,” she admitted, drifting into the kitchen, flicking on the light and setting the kettle to boil.
“The beginning, maybe?”
“It started innocently enough. He would pop by after school, a couple times a month, for a cup of tea and just to vent, I suppose,” she turned her pale green eyes onto her Arthur. He saw the pain and despair swimming in those depths. “He doesn’t have anyone, Arthur. I thought I could help.”
“Mordred is troubled,” he agreed. “Unfortunately, he hangs around with the wrong people.”
“It’s that Kara girl,” Morgana curled her lip into a feeble sneer. “She’s dropped-out of sixth form, drinks in the park, breaks into places with that stupid group. What are they called?”
“The Druids?”
“The irony being that Druid’s are meant to be a peaceful folk,” she tutted, pouring water into two mugs. “Mordred knows he needs to break ties. I think Kara’s his sort-of girlfriend. His first one. You know how those can be.”
“The sun rises and sets with her?”
“Apparently.”
“Poor kid. That still doesn’t explain why he was here at gone midnight, though.”
“I’d had another nightmare,” she clawed a hand through her hair. “I couldn’t sleep. I was reading in bed, and he sent me a message. I don’t think he expected me to respond. I shouldn’t have encouraged him to come over.”
“Not at this time of night, no. Look what’s happened.”
“I know,” she yawned, her jaw clicking. She turned and handed Arthur one of the mugs, before slumping down at the kitchen table. “I don’t think it registered in my head what the time was or that it would be inappropriate. We were chatting, he offered to come over, and I stupidly said ‘yes’.”
“Morgs …”
“I know. I know, it’s not going to happen again.” Sniffing, she cupped her face in her eyes, tears leaking out. “I can’t believe he got injured because of me! I knew this would happen!”
Reaching out, Arthur stroked his sister’s hair behind her ear, before giving her shoulder a squeeze, Morgs, you didn’t do this to him. Did you want to hurt him?”
“No, of course not. It was just -I -I don’t know -a freak accident?”
“Then he’ll forgive you.”
Morgana’s lip trembled. She shook her head a little, her entire body starting to quiver as a fresh wave of tears beaded on her lashes. “You’ll go and see him, right?” she croaked. “Tomorrow morning? You’ll go to the hospital and see him?”
Arthur wrapped his hand around her own, “Of course. I need to get his version of events as well, for the incident report and your insurance.”
“What a mess.”
Arthur couldn’t help but agree. He didn’t say it out loud though. The faint smell of smoke still hung about under his nose. Sniffing, he took a long gulp of tea before turning to his sister. “So, what were these dreams about?”
Shooting him a look as if he’d grown a second head, she asked, “What is this, what are you doing?”
“I’m your brother and I’m concerned. I want you to be able to call me if something is bothering you.”
“Even at 3 o’clock in the morning?”
“Better me than Mordred.”
“Well, what if you’re busy?” she asked, a hint of teasing in her voice.
“Busy with what?” he scoffed.
“Well, what if your date on Thursday night goes well with Merlin? I wouldn’t want to interrupt.”
Arthur snorted, barely able to raise a smile. “Merlin and I are not going to do -that -on our first date.”
“What if you do?”
“We won’t.”
“But if you do?”
“God, Morgana, do you want me to get laid or something?”
This time, Morgana did smile slightly. “I’m just wondering, if this is how relaxed you are after you’ve kissed, I’m thinking sex with Merlin might change your personality entirely.”
“Oh, behave yourself.”
They lapsed into silence, sipping their tea down to the dregs. Just to have something to do with his hands, Arthur carried both mugs over to the sink and set them within. Turning back to his sister, he leaned back on the kitchen counter.
“I want you to come back home with me tonight.”
She looked up in surprise, “I’ll be fine now, I -”
“Morgs, I’m not asking. You’re coming with me.”
Maybe it was the lack of sleep she’d been experiencing, or the fact that just an hour ago her bedroom had been on fire, but Morgana didn’t fight as Arthur would have expected her to. Instead, she bowed her head and slowly got to her feet.
“Let me just change and we can go.”
“Okay. You get what you need, I’ll make sure everything is locked and secure.”
It looked as though it took a great amount of effort for Morgana to lever herself from the kitchen table. Her robe fluttered behind her as she walked back to her bedroom, her bare feet barely making a sound. She looked ethereal as she vanished behind her door, a vision in white floating back and forth. Arthur went around the chalet and made sure that all the locks on the windows and back doors were securely fastened, before going back to wait by the front door. Eventually, Morgana returned, dressed in velour tracksuit bottoms and a zip-up hoodie that probably cost more than Arthur would deem necessary.
“Are you ready?”
She nodded and led the way outside. Arthur pulled the front door closed and locked it with his spare key. They walked side-by-side down the garden path towards the gate and Arthur’s car beyond. They locked the gate behind them and didn’t speak as they climbed into the car, buckled up and had Arthur cruise through the deserted streets back to his home.
Once back at his place, Arthur got Morgana to settle into his spare room. The queen-sized bed dwarfed her. She looked like a frightened young girl rather than the strong, fierce woman he knew her to be. He didn’t know what was plaguing his sister, causing her to wither away before his eyes, but he hoped he could put a stop to it. As he leaned over to press a kiss to her forehead, she shifted against the pillows, already half-asleep.
“N-no … don’t do it Arthur …”
He froze as she whined his name.
“Don’t do what?” he croaked, continuing to stroke her hair as she fidgeted.
“Don’t -the bridge … n-no …
“What about the bridge, Morgana?” he whispered, kneeling closer and pressing a kiss to her temple.
He never would have dared to show such open affection to her while she was awake. For a moment she seemed to freeze at the contact before letting out a pitiful whimper. She continued to fidget, her head tossing from side to side, her knuckles turning white where she gripped the bed sheet.
“N-no … d-don’t c-cross the bridge … do not l-lose your -your -self …”
Face pinched, Arthur couldn’t make heads or tails of her rambling. With a weary sigh, he picked himself up and made his way to the bathroom, rinsed a flannel under the tap and carried it back into the bedroom. He gently smoothed the flannel across Morgana’s feverish forehead and silently prayed she would sleep through the rest of the night. These nightmares were clearly taking a toll on her.
At the bedroom door, he stood and watched her for a little while. It had been late when they’d gotten back, the car ride making Morgana drowsy. Neither had the energy to shower the cloying stink of smoke from themselves. It lingered on everything. Arthur watched until Morgana had relaxed into the pillows, before taking himself off to his own bedroom to snatch a few hours before his alarm went off.
~0~
The following morning Arthur awoke to an empty apartment with a note in Morgana’s elegant scrawl stating she’d left to get ready and head to work. He crumpled the note and tossed it in the bin, hoping Morgana felt better than he did in that moment. He downed a cup of coffee that burnt his tongue, before heading out to his car and driving over to the hospital.
After signing-in, he was taken up to the general ward where Mordred had been admitted. When he walked around the curtain, he was relieved to see Mordred sitting up and hunched over the edge of the hospital bed. His hair was an untamed nest of curls, and he looked haggard from a bad night’s sleep.
“Morning Mordred,” he folded his arms across his chest and cocked an eyebrow at the teen.
Mordred averted his eyes and, if possible, hunched even further into himself. “Hello chief.”
“This is becoming a bit of a habit Mordred,” he clucked his tongue. “What were you doing at Morgana’s place at that hour?”
“It’s not what you think!” he rushed, “Nothing ever happened between us, I swear!”
Arthur didn’t bother to correct the teenager. Frankly, with the way Mordred was behaving lately, he deserved to squirm. It was always rather telling that his friends ditched him whenever the police showed up, hanging him out to dry. Taking a seat in the horrible plastic chair, Arthur fixed a firm look at the young man.
“You need to start making this make sense. You’re looking at a minimum of arson, Mordred.”
“I didn’t start the fire!” he cried, clutching the edge of the bed. “I’d never do that to Morgana!”
“Really? Because from where I’m sitting, kid, it looks like you broke into her place while she was unarmed and vulnerable and started a fire, with her trapped inside. If that’s not what happened, I’ll listen to what you have to say, but you’d better start talking. Now.”
Mordred’s mouth worked soundlessly, his expression growing more panicked. He was visibly weighing his options and looked a little green. Finally, he ducked his head and twisted his hands in his lap, looking younger by the minute.
Arthur exhaled, taking a little more pity on the teen. “Mordred, you can tell me.”
“She was teaching me to read,” he finally mumbled.
“To read?” Arthur frowned. “You’re illiterate?”
“Not entirely,” he didn’t look up. “I was put in remedial classes after Year 3 and got bored with them. You’ve seen my school record.”
Arthur nodded. He had.
“I can’t remember how it happened. I guess Morgana took pity on me? Started inviting me to her place. We exchanged numbers and sometimes, late at night, I’d call her if I was locked out of my house, or I couldn’t sleep, or I needed someone to convince me not to go and break into places.”
“Even so, a phone call is one thing, but going over to her place is something else entirely.”
“I called her like normal. Then she called me back about two hours later, saying she’d had a horrible dream, and that she kept smelling smoke. I have the call log, look,” he dug into his pocket and fumbled with the screen before handing it to Arthur. “See, she called me back.”
Arthur took the phone and looked at the most recent incoming and outgoing calls. So far, Mordred seemed to be telling the truth in regard to the timeline. “So, after she called you, you went over?”
“She sounded really freaked out. I just thought I’d pop by and check on her.”
Arthur leaned back and regarded the teen as something clicked in his head. “Ah, you’re the reason the alarm tripped.”
“Is that how you got there so fast?”
“Yes.”
“Makes sense,” Mordred sighed. “I had to break in because she wasn’t answering the door or her phone. When I got inside, she was screaming and when I went to her room it was lit up like a bonfire. I tried to get her out by the back door, but I -I think I tripped? Banged my head? I don’t remember.”
“According to the paramedics that is what happened,” Arthur sighed. “I have to say, kid, I don’t know how I feel about this. I appreciate you were trying to help but this has all escalated beyond a joke.”
“I’m sorry, chief,” Mordred dropped his head, chastened. “Just wanted to help.”
Taking pity on the kid, Arthur stood up and clapped him on the shoulder. “I’ll need to escort you down to the station to submit an official report, but I’m not arresting you.”
Mordred’s head shot up, “You’re not?”
“No. What you did was a brave thing, both Morgana and I are grateful you tried to help. Now come on, the sooner we take your statement, the sooner you can go home and get some proper sleep.”
Mordred hurried to follow Arthur out of the cubicle and trailed down the hall after him to the nurse’s station. He signed himself out and meekly followed Arthur out to his car and climbed into the passenger seat.
By the time midday rolled around Arthur was just finished signing the official reports for Morgana’s insurance claim and another to add to Mordred’s ever-growing file. Mordred had opted to linger and had even struck up conversion with Gwaine of all people. In a weird way it made sense, Mordred could easily pass for a younger version of Gwaine.
Arthur was in two-minds about telling the teen to scram, when the main doors opened and Merlin sauntered in, arms laden with a huge box.
“I come bearing pastries!” he beamed cheerfully, depositing the box on Lance’s empty desk. “Dig in. Alice sends her love.”
It was amazing how quickly grown men could move for some sugared fried dough. Arthur snorted and shook his head as Merlin skirted around the desks and hesitated before giving Arthur a friendly jab on the shoulder.
“I heard there was a bit of bother last night, are you alright?”
“A little skirmish involving Mordred, but we’ve sorted it out.”
“You didn’t arrest him again, did you?”
“Thankfully, no. Have you seen his file?” Arthur smacked a hand on the bulging manila folder held together with a rubber band. Merlin’s eyebrows shot up. “Yeah, it’s big.”
“Is he coming to the castle camp trip this weekend?”
“I haven’t asked. Why?”
“Maybe he should.”
“You think it’d help him?”
“It couldn’t hurt, could it?” Merlin shrugged, leaning closer to Arthur where he sat, the heat radiating from his body making Arthur have to adjust himself, crossing a leg over one knee.
Arthur glanced over at where Mordred wasn’t hunched over as much and even managed to chuckle as Gwaine gesticulated beside as exasperated Leon. Maybe it wouldn’t be such a bad idea to get Mordred involved in the upcoming activities. At least it would get him away from that gang.
“I suppose the idea has merits.”
Merlin gasped dramatically, “My word, was that almost a compliment? My, Alice must have sprinkled these pastries with drugs instead of sugar.”
Arthur snatched up a folder and whacked Merlin’s leg with it. “Behave, you utter idiot!”
“Ouch! That’s police brutality that is!”
“Tell someone who cares!”
“Hey, Merlin!” Gwaine called. “I care!”
“Cheers mate!” Merlin gave him a thumbs up before laughing at Arthur’s disgruntled expression. “Aw, don’t pout. I still think you’re hot.”
Rolling his eyes, Arthur had to look away to avoid smiling up at the man. Merlin didn’t move from his chair and Arthur couldn’t find himself to be mad at the proximity. It was difficult keeping himself in check while he was at work. Thanks to Merlin’s help, things had been going smoother in the day-to-day functionality of the place, and with the lack of stress Arthur found his mind free to think of other things.
Mainly Merlin.
“Is there a reason you’re interrupting us with baked goods?”
“Well, I figured I’d come in and finish up those files from May.”
“That all?”
“And to remind you of my existence,” he grinned cheekily.
“Believe me, Merlin, I don’t think I’d forget in a hurry.” Arthur smirked to himself; pen poised over the last of the papers he had to sign. “Actually, how long do you reckon those files will take you?”
Merlin shrugged, “An hour maybe? Two tops? Why?”
“Morgana had a rough night and had to come stay at mine. She left before I woke up. I was -wondering -”
“Wait, you don’t want me to go and check-up on your sister, do you?”
“Is that a problem?”
“Have you met your sister? She’s terrifying.”
Arthur smirked, “Be sure to tell her that when you pop by.”
Merlin shot him a frown, but didn’t comment. Instead, he went over and snagged a doughnut before heading into Arthur’s office to finish his workload.
True to his word, less than two hours later, Merlin sauntered out of the office, clapped Arthur on the shoulder with a wink as he disappeared through the door. Arthur gawped after him, trying to marry this confident version of Merlin with the gangly awkward young man he’d tossed into a cell a month ago. Had it really only been a month? It felt like the world had been tilted on its axis and yet Arthur had never felt on steadier ground.
“Oooh! Better pop those eyes back in your head, chief! You need every advantage you can get!” Gwaine jeered.
“Get back to work!” he snapped, retreating to his office before his blush became too noticeable.
Chapter 16: Chapter Sixteen
Notes:
(See the end of the chapter for notes.)
Chapter Text
Chapter Sixteen
Thursday dawned stifling and overly bright as Merlin slogged after Gwen and Morgana as they took a lazy morning to walk around the farmer’s market. Despite checking-in on Morgana, Merlin wasn’t able to determine much except she appeared slightly more rested than the previous week. He’d been accosted by Gwen as he walked around town in the early hours, before the heat became too much. Now he felt as though he was melting into the pavement, his throat parched and skin prickling. At the next turn in the road, they came into the town square, boasting enough shade for people to crowd into. It was hard to believe it wasn’t even 11 o’clock.
“Do you fancy a cold drink, Merlin?” Morgana’s silky voice cut through the haze.
“Sure, sounds good.”
He dragged himself over to sit at a café with both women, and wasn’t able to refocus until iced tea passed his lips. He groaned and sucked more down, willing to drown himself for some small measure of comfort against the heat. The girls chatted amongst themselves; he caught words like ‘engagement brunch’, ‘cake tasting’ and ‘bespoke dress’, so he could easily conclude that they were discussing Gwen and Lance’s wedding. He wondered if he’d still be in Cam-Lott to participate. He could always just stay longer; it wasn’t as though he had a timetable to stick to.
A shrill squeaking cut all chatter dead.
Heads swiveled back and forth before everyone’s attention was drawn over to the stage in front of the town hall.
“Good grief, what is he doing now?” Morgana muttered under her breath.
Merlin tried to focus, but the squeaking of the microphone didn’t help matters.
“Attention all!” Uther’s deep voice cut through the heat. “Although I shall be doing a press release for tomorrow’s paper, I would like to inform all those present of the upcoming development plans for the old Essetir Estate and Church. Due to a council meeting we have established that the area would be better used for a new shopping district complete with new restaurants, bars, a small cinema and adventure play area for the children of Cam-Lott.”
The crowd murmured amongst themselves.
“My deputy, Nimueh, will be overseeing the development of the new complex.”
“Of course she is,” Morgana clicked her tongue impatiently.
“If you have any queries, please bring them to the next town meeting on Tuesday evening. Have a good day and stay hydrated in this weather!”
Another series of squeaks as the mic was disconnected, and Uther and Nimueh strutted away from the raised platform.
“I truly have no idea about this insane fascination with the Essetir Estate,” Gwen bit her lip. “It’s been abandoned for years and the only thing left in that old church is a sunken crypt underneath.”
“A crypt?” Merlin frowned. “Surely it’s nothing but dust down there?”
“Of course. Whatever was in there was pillaged long ago.”
“There are lots of tunnels under this town,” Morgana sighed heavily. “Some were connected to the old estates to the town hall, and other important places. They used them as bunkers during the second world war.”
“Really?”
“It was a lot more stable than those silly Anderson shelters Londoner’s used to build in their gardens,” her face turned to look across at Merlin. “No offence.”
“None taken?”
“She’s up to something,” she determined. “If I could get into his office, I could go through his papers, but that cow watches the place like a hawk.”
“Is being diligent at her job really so suspicious?” Gwen asked, though her tone suggested that she agreed with Morgana’s suspicions on some level.
“Sitting on his lap during business calls, is hardy the making of a great businesswoman. Not to mention, she’s the equivalent of a chihuahua with lipstick; all bark and no bite.”
Merlin snorted and reached for his drink, “So, you two don’t really get along, then?”
“Not since Uther started inviting her to the family dinners.”
He exchanged a look with Gwen before clearing his throat. “You don’t think he intends to marry her, do you?”
“He can try, but he should know that Arthur and I would have some serious words to say to him.”
Gwen furrowed her brow as she stirred her straw through her frappechino. “It really is odd. We’re a relatively small town, I can’t see the need for a bigger shopping district. It might help a small minority, but it seems bizarre. It’s not as though the estate is right at the end of the road.”
“Precisely!” Morgana said, “You have to drive up there. This is such an unnecessary waste of the town’s money.”
Merlin pursed his lips. It wasn’t his place to throw his opinion in, he hadn’t been around for long enough to share the sentiment. Though, it did remind him of living in London, where at the end of the tax-paying year, the local council would suddenly hack up the roads to lay new tarmac and fiddle with the traffic lights. It seemed like busy work, with very little reward to the people it supposedly benefitted.
“I might have to try and sneak into the office and take a look.”
“Morgana, you can’t! Your father will be furious!” Gwen panicked.
Morgana laid a placating hand over hers and squeezed. “I’ll be careful. I’ll just say I filed a request form wrong. I know where they’re kept. I just want to see about these plans. It just feels a bit fishy to me.”
“Could you not just ask him over family dinner?” Merlin asked.
Morgana let out a shrill laugh. “Not if this harpy is there, no. Arthur wouldn’t be any help either,” she sighed and gingerly rubbed at her temples, as though a headache were coming on. “Speaking of which, has he told you about his plans for tonight?”
“Nothing at all,” Merlin smiled wanly at the abrupt topic change. “He said he wants it to be a surprise. He seems nervous though, which is funny. I wasn’t sure he knew how to be.”
“Arthur’s nerves usually present themselves as lashing-out and temper tantrums. Has he had any of those?”
Gwen chuckled behind her hand, “I wouldn’t say so. He seemed remarkably chipper yesterday, according to Lance and Gwaine.”
The two women smiled at one another and Merlin couldn’t help but feel as though they knew more then they were letting on. He put it out of his mind, however, as a pleasant fluttering went through him. He was looking forward to their first official date that evening. Arthur had been fretting about it, yet would refuse to tell Merlin anything, instead insisting on asking odd questions as nonchalantly as possible.
An alarm bleeped and Morgana’s posture went ramrod straight. “Dear Lord, is that the time already?” she frowned down at her phone, before stuffing it into her pocket. “I’m afraid I’ll have to love you and leave you both. I can only delay work for so long.”
She stood up and smoothed her pencil dress down. She tossed her sleek ponytail over her shoulder, blew them air kisses and waved as she left, her heels clicking across the cobbles.
Gwen turned to Merlin with a lovely smile, “Did you want to go to any other shops, or get an ice cream?”
“I was actually thinking of going to see Aithusa.”
“Aw, that’ll be lovely. How is John holding up? I can’t imagine it’s easy for him in this heat.”
“He seems well enough, I think. Though he refuses to wear shorts and t-shirts. He says he doesn’t want to look like a scaly old potato left to bake in the sun,” Merlin chuckled.
Gwen laughed, “Oh gosh, bless him. Well, have you thought of taking them to the lake café? A paddle could work wonders.”
“Are you offering?”
Gwen laughed and shook her head.
“Well, I might suggest it. Did Arthur mention the funeral? For Mr. King?”
“He did, yes,” Gwen’s features drooped in sympathy. “I’ve asked Alice and Freya to host a little wake for him, since he only had council housing. It was very kind of Arthur to arrange it all.”
“Yeah, I was surprised he took me seriously about giving the man a funeral. It seemed so lonely to be buried alone, no one there at the end.”
Gwen reached out and clasped his hands, a tear beading down her cheek. “I’m glad you’re here with us, Merlin,” she whispered, her words carrying a weight that he hadn’t anticipated.
He gave her hand a squeeze, the events circling around in his head as the sun climbed higher in the sky.
~0~
“I knew there was a reason we kept this baby pool,” John chuckled dryly as he wiggled his bare feet in the cold water.
Merlin grinned up at him under the shade of the patio awning. He had been playing with Aithusa and firing water pistols at one another for two whole hours, before he’d begged for a break. She’d only relented, because she wanted to see if she enjoyed being a mermaid and ran indoors to fetch her googles. Bal was currently out, and Merlin tried not to smile too widely as to where he imagined he currently was.
The sun was blazing hot up above that even the cool water Merlin had been soaked in had rapidly evaporated from his skin. He swiped his damp hair from his eyes. “Have you heard about the funeral on Friday?”
“Old King’s funeral? Yes, I did. Poor sod. He was a good man; we used to play cards together at the Rising Sun.”
“I’m sorry for what happened to him. Or at least, how he died.”
“Think nothing of it, Merlin,” the old man said kindly. “Old Don was ill towards the end. He may not have just gotten lost in the woods and fallen. We’re not to know, not really. I’m just sorry that he was there, cold and alone for who knows how long. The least I hope it was swift for him.”
Merlin turned, drew his knees to his chest, and looked up at John. “I’m sorry you lost your friend.”
“At my time of life, kid, you end up going to more funeral’s than birthday parties,” he scoffed, “just the way the world goes. Now, enough of this maudlin nonsense. Will you be staying for dinner tonight?”
Merlin blushed, “Ah -actually, not tonight. I might have a date?”
“Oh?” John peered over the top of his sunglasses. “With the young Pendragon?”
“I -how on earth do you know that?!” Merlin balked. “I thought it was Pendralyn?”
“The grapevine, young warlock,” he chuckled. “It’s amazing how much gossip comes along when we get some new blood around here.”
Merlin grinned, “Surely it’s not just me they gossip about?”
“Of course not, but all the old biddies think you’re just precious.”
Snorting, Merlin raked a hand through his hair, “I’m sure they do. Do you -um -reckon they might have some other information?”
John arched a brushy white eyebrow, a smirk playing on his thin lips. “And what did you have in mind, young man?”
“I want to know if there’s anything off about that old Essetir estate?”
“The one you and Arthur caught Mordred in the other week?”
“It’s the same place? Huh,” Merlin clicked his tongue. “Well, apparently there’s an old church on the property and tunnels?”
“Ah yes, the old cave tunnels. They’ve been here for as long as I have. Longer perhaps.” John scratched at his scalp, his wiry white hair curling like smoke around his fingers. “We used them as bunkers during the war. They’re like a spiderweb underground. They connect into the oddest of places; the library, the hospital, the town hall, the school and a few of the old caves in the woods.”
“Like the one Donald was found in?”
“I assume so. There are many like them littered throughout the forest. I’ve often warned Aithusa to keep away from them, but you’ve seen how she can be.”
“Well, I don’t think she’ll be making that mistake again.”
John hummed darkly before shaking his head and taking a swig from his beer. Merlin was about to broach the subject of the estate again as it niggled something at the back of his mind, when Aithusa threw the back door open.
“I found them! They were on Pegasus!” she tutted at herself, before stomping her bare feet over Merlin’s splayed legs, and jumped straight into the paddling pool.
Both men laughed as she strapped the electric blue goggles over her head, puffed her cheeks as she held her breath and flopped down into the water. They spent another couple of hours like that, even treated to half-melted ice cream when Bal returned, with no explanation as to where he was. Merlin caught the man’s eye over their cornetto’s and gave an understanding smile. A muscle twitched in Bal’s jaw, and he quickly looked away. Once he licked up all the ice cream that had dribbled over his forearm, Merlin stood up, had one last splash in the pool to cool off, and then bade goodbye to the makeshift little family. As he walked back to Hunith’s, sticking close to the tree line, he idly wondered if wherever Arthur was taking him, would be selling frozen treats for dessert.
~0~
The smoked glass cast a bronze hue around the room that reflected in the gold sconces, table lamps and overhead bubble shades. It made Merlin’s mouth salivate just basking in the glow. How long would their food take to get here?
“This is a really nice place,” he said, his wide eyes darting around, trying to drink in every angle without spraining his neck. “I’ll be honest, I wasn’t sure how a small town would have numerous restaurant and diner’s and bars.”
Arthur looked up at him through his blonde fringe, a small smile quirking his mouth on one side, he was fiddling with the stem of his wine glass, twirling it slightly. “We’re not backwater bumpkins, Merlin.”
“Oh Gosh, that’s not what I meant! I just meant that, for somewhere so easily missed along the motorway -with no signs really -I’m curious as to why you would have so many recreational places. But then I remembered that Eastenders had a pub and two bars or something, in a tiny square. Not to mention your father wants to expand the commercial footprint and -”
“Merlin, Merlin,” Arthur grasped his hand over the table, unable to fight a smile. “You’re rambling.”
“Good grief,” he clamped both hands over his face to hide his reddening cheeks. “I am, aren’t I?”
“Relax, even us reclusive types are allowed to have nice things.”
Merlin peeked over his fingers and blushed. He took a gulp of his beer and let out a shaky breath, “Sorry, I don’t know why I’m so nervous.”
“Considering we’ve already kissed several times, had unofficial lunch and coffee dates, yeah I’d say that’s a bit weird,” he pressed his lips together before cocking his head. “I’m nervous too.”
“Well -we’re both idiots then.”
Arthur grinned, his crooked smile warming Merlin’s insides. “I’ll drink to that,” he clinked his glass to Merlin’s before taking a small sip.
Feeling a warm wave rush through him, Merlin flexed his narrow shoulders and leaned in over the table. “So, how prepared at you and your knights for the camping trip this weekend?”
“My knights?” Arthur grinned.
“Sorry, I’ve spent the afternoon with Aithusa. She’s convinced you’re the prince and the other police officers are your knights of the round table.”
“She’s a funny little kid, that one.”
“She just has a huge imagination. I’m sort of jealous of her ability to create fantasy so easily at her age,” Merlin said. “I feel so cynical in my old age.”
“Well, you’re looking pretty good from this angle.”
Merlin wanted to mock Arthur for the cheesy pick-up line. He’d already been picked up, there was no need for bad flirting. That’s when he realised just how nervous Arthur must be. A fleeting look of uncertainty pinched Arthur’s brows together. Merlin grinned cheekily and winked just as their starters arrived. The way Arthur’s body released all that tension was reward enough for swallowing his cheeky comebacks.
With something else to focus on, the heavy charge in the air mellowed somewhat between them, alcohol making their lips a little looser and their banter reaching a new, carefree level. Merlin even tried to share his starter with the man, but a prawn escaped and almost dropped down Arthur’s shirt. Thankfully, he was able to bat it away in time.
Their mains came and with it a renewed sense of ease. Seeing Arthur laugh filled Merlin with immense joy. Though it was a bit too warm to wear a blazer, Merlin liked how it made the man’s shoulders look broad and strong. When he tossed his head back and laughed with abandon, Merlin was entranced.
“Okay, okay, okay,” Arthur ran a hand through his hair, “if I can guess your middle name, correctly, you’ll buy dessert?”
Merlin smirked and bowed his head, “I promise I will. But you won’t guess.”
“You don’t think I’m smart,” Arthur accused, pointing his knife in Merlin’s direction.
“I believe you’re incredibly smart. You still won’t guess my middle name.”
Arthur narrowed his eyes and ran his tongue over his canine. “Is it Muriel?”
Merlin snorted beer up his nose, “Oh God -it’s bubbly! Christ -why would my middle name be Muriel?”
“It was Chandler’s middle name on Friends,” he shrugged. “Is it a female name, just so I can adjust my future guesses?”
“Not at all.”
“Feel free to finish your dinner,” Arthur indicated Merlin’s plate. “This could take me a little while, according to you!”
Chuckling, Merlin picked up his cutlery and went back to his food, trying his best not to spit any out across the table whenever Arthur guessed a truly horrendous name. As he used a chunk of bread to mop up the sauce, Arthur tossed down his napkin with a grunt of frustration.
“I give up! I’ve gone through so many names, how can none of them be close?” Merlin grinned so hard his cheeks were about to burst. Arthur playfully glowered at him over the table before a napkin was tossed at his head. “Shut up you!”
Sitting back in the seat, Merlin sucked some sauce from his thumb and then took another swig of beer. “Are you ready to give up then?”
“Yes, oh cocky one, I concede.”
“It’s Ambrosius.”
Arthur looked at him blankly, his blue eyes sparkling. “So, your name is Merlin Ambrosius Emrys?”
Merlin nodded.
“Legally? On purpose?”
“Yup.”
“Did your parents hate you or something?”
Throwing his head back, Merlin laughed brightly, drawing the eye of a couple from the next table over. “I wouldn’t really know; I’ve had a very rocky upbringing.”
“You’ve never been curious about finding your parents? Where you come from?”
“At this point, I think I’m too old to care,” Merlin shrugged. “I’m self-sufficient, money isn’t a problem, and I can do what I want, when I want.”
“What about birthdays and Christmas? As much as Morgana and I are at one another’s throats, I wouldn’t be able to imagine my life without her. Harpy that she is.”
Merlin snorted.
“Even so. You’ve never had anyone throw you a surprise birthday or do secret Santa?”
“I would say I’m sad about that but -how many people really get surprise birthday parties, outside of Hollywood movies? And secret Santa -Pfft! -why would I want to buy a present for someone I don’t like?” Merlin chuckled. “It’s like if we did it here, and I had to buy something for your father.”
Arthur chuckled before something over Merlin’s shoulder caught his eye. The smile dropped off his face instantly. His posture stiffened all over and Merlin felt as though the comfortable atmosphere had turned into a cloying dust storm.
Leaning over, he whispered, “what is it? You look spooked.”
“My father,” Arthur ground out. “Is apparently on a date with his secretary.”
“Fuck.”
Arthur was quiet, his eyes tracking his father’s movements over Merlin’s shoulder. Merlin was rigid, willing himself not to turn around and gawp at getting a close-up of the mayor and his assistant. He suddenly felt twitchy as he fiddled with his napkin, trying not to move and spoil Arthur’s view.
“Do you … want to go?” he hedged, not wanting the night to be over so soon.
Arthur exhaled through his nose. “I don’t think I want to sit across from them. Do you mind?”
“Uh n-no, not at all.”
Digging into his big pocket, he drew out his wallet and counted out some notes, before signaling for a waiter to come over. Merlin watched in disappointment as someone attended their table quickly, returned promptly with the bill in an embossed leather wallet. Arthur counted out enough notes to cover their meals and a hefty tip, before standing from the table.
Merlin followed his lead, feeling a hand in the small of his back urging him towards the door. Once outside the balmy night air did not soothe his feverish features. Arthur crowded up behind him, urging him away from the restaurant. He brushed past Merlin, stuffing his hands into his blazer pockets and ground his teeth together. Merlin hurried after him and grabbed his elbow, spinning him around on the curb.
“Are you okay?” he gushed.
Arthur shook his head, stubbornly staring across the world, his jaw clicking.
“Arthur, look at me?” When he didn’t, Merlin sighed and took a step in front of Arthur, hands braced on his biceps as he looked into his eyes. “Let’s not them ruin the evening, eh? I know it must make you uncomfortable seeing them together, but don’t let them sully good memories for you.”
Nodding stiffly, Arthur said, “You’re right, I’m sorry. I’m glad the night’s still young.”
“You don’t need to be sorry,” Merlin shrugged. He let his hands slide down Arthur’s arms and gave his hands a squeeze.
They stood on the edge of the pavement, the hum of chatter from the restaurant and nearby bar spilling out into the warm evening. Warmth radiated from the pavements still, from the long days basking in the summer sun. Despite being pleasantly full and a little sleepy, Merlin did not want the evening to end. It had taken some time, but Arthur was finally opening-up to him. It felt as though every moment he was seeing the real Arthur, something from their reality intervened and forced him to revert to his old ways.
When Arthur didn’t seem willing to talk just yet, Merlin sipped his hand around Arthur’s elbow and slowly started to walk across the road. Arthur responded automatically; his jaw set tight as he allowed Merlin to guide him. However, upon reading the other side of the town square he appeared to come back to himself and took control of the direction they were walking in.
Merlin let himself be guided, content in the quiet around them.
They walked through the other side of town until they approached Arthur’s home. Merlin whistled at the quaint style, having pictured something a bit more modern and clinical. What he ended up looking at, included peaked gables, a cast iron gate, an outward porch with a lantern style light hanging above. The windows didn’t have shutters, which was almost a shame, but Merlin grinned at the thought of Arthur opening and closing the shutters every day.
“This looks very cosy,” he said as Arthur took a set of keys out from his.
Arthur offered him a small smile over his shoulder before turning to unlock the front door. He went in and flicked the lights on, beckoning for Merlin to follow. Inside, the décor was so warm and inviting that Merlin never wanted to leave; the bright wooden floorboards were a rich brown, the tiled fireplace in the lounge would look amazing at Christmas time, and the rich burgundy colour on the feature wall helped accentuate the gold accessories. Throughout the ground floor, everything seemed to have been modernized and yet complimented the period features of the house. Merlin loved it.
He followed Arthur into the kitchen and accepted a bottle of beer. He was about to ask what they planned to do for the rest of the night, when Arthur went to the French doors and opened them to the back garden. Intrigued, he followed and stepped out onto a wooden deck.
“Oh wow,” he beamed at the curtain of fairy lights emitting a warm white glow around the deck, where a set of cushioned patio chairs had been set up, looking back towards the house. Craning his neck, Merlin saw a white screen had been rolled down on the wall. A projector was positioned on the deck railing and a cooler was set up, with packets of popcorn, crisps and chocolates on the lid.
Arthur chucked, “Well it looks like my diet is out the window.”
“You don’t need a diet,” Merlin tutted, sinking into one of the patio chairs. “You’re perfect the way you are.”
Freezing, the blonde looked over at him with an indecipherable expression on his face. He looked stunned, as though he couldn’t physically process the compliment. For someone to say such a weighted thing so casually, it was something Arthur had barely any experience in. He felt as though he had to fight for every nod of approval, every handshake, every shred of respect he’d earned over the years. Yet, there was none of that exhaustion when he was with Merlin.
“What?”
Blinking back to reality, Arthur shook his head and grabbed a bag of popcorn. “Salty or sweet, pick your poison.”
“Oh, have you tried popcorn and chocolate?”
He wrinkled his nose, “You heathen, of course I haven’t!”
Merlin rolled his eyes, “I promise you it’s good. Here, pass me the milky tray.”
Arthur handed him the chocolate box after peeling the plastic off. Once Merlin had a few balanced on the arm of his chair, Arthur turned his attention to the DVD’s that had been laid out. “Okay, well our selection for this evening is somewhat limited, so I suppose it depends on what you’re in the mood for.”
“Fire away.”
“We have ‘INCEPTION’, ‘BEETLEJUICE’, ‘GROWN UPS’ and ‘THE GREEN BOOK’.”
“Hm, as much as I love movies like The Green Book and Hidden Figures, I think I might want something shamelessly dumb.”
“Grown Ups then?”
“Yeah, go for it.”
Arthur went about setting up the DVD projector. Settling back in his chair, Merlin grinned at how close they were. Their knees and thighs constantly touched. It felt amazing to be able to reach out and casually clap Arthur’s thigh as they laughed, and he didn’t need to take it off. He tried once, but Arthur reacted quicker than lightning and made sure his hand stayed where it was. At some point their fingers laced together. It was clumsy and awkward to eat popcorn and chocolate one-handed -a concoction Arthur was loathe to admit he enjoyed -but there was no way either man was going to let go.
When the end credits rolled, Merlin mentally lamented the end to their evening. Arthur seemed to be of a similar mind as he popped the DVD out with a sigh. He slumped back in the chair and turned his head to better look at Merlin.
“Am I selfish for not wanting the night to end, and just wanting to spend more time with you?”
“Entirely selfish,” Merlin smiled softly. “Though I thought you’d never ask.”
The soft smile that graced Arthur’s mouth was a little crooked and the flash of his canine sent a little thrill through Merlin. He inhaled a shaky little breath; they were so close he could see the soft light glinting off Arthur’s golden-brown eyelashes, the strong roman nose that had a couple of sun freckles dusted over the bridge, and his sky-blue eyes were like liquid summer. He wondered what Arthur thought of him, sitting so close. He must have liked whatever he saw, because he smiled endearingly at Merlin.
Raising their linked hands to his mouth, Arthur kissed the back of Merlin’s hand. “Would you like to stay for another movie?”
Merlin tried to quieten the rapid beating of his heart. “I’d love to,” he breathed.
“Humour or history?”
“I think we’ve established the mood for the evening.”
“Beetlejuice it is.”
Merlin grinned, reluctantly relinquishing Arthur’s hand so he could fiddle with the projector. When the intro music began and Arthur sat himself in the lounge chair, he instinctively reached for Merlin’s hand and entwined their fingers. Merlin squeezed back, subtly leaning closer towards Arthur, close enough to smell the faint hint of his cologne that still clung to his skin.
Soon enough, they both abandoned all pretence and scooted their chairs until they touched, and Merlin leaned right over so that Arthur could drape an arm around his shoulders. They sat that way, cuddled despite the warmth of the evening, rocking with laughter and shimmying awkwardly at the upbeat musical number. Feeling brave, Merlin snaked an arm over Arthur’s waist, pretending to snag some popcorn, but returned his arm immediately after. Arthur didn’t object; in fact, he relaxed more and absently stroked circular patterns into Merlin’s skin, only stopping when he popped another chocolate into his mouth.
Merlin felt his heart melt even more when Arthur pressed a tender kiss to the top of his head. He didn’t react, not wanting to ruin the moment. He wanted to suspend that moment for as long as possible.
~0~
Across the town in the mayor’s bedroom suite, a bedside lamp remained aglow as Nimueh watched Uther’s breathing finally even out. It hadn’t taken much for her to wear him out that evening, not after how she’d topped his glass whenever he wasn’t looking. Her ample cleavage helped matters, too, no doubt.
Slipping out of the bed quietly, so as not to disturb him, she slid into her dress and snagged her shoes and phone from the floor. Flicking the bedside lamp off, she silently slipped out of his suite and closed the door behind her.
She made her way through the manor and down into the wine cellar, where Uther houses a modern monstrosity with backlit bottles, hand carved shelving and bronze plaques on each slot. It had taken a while for her to understand the blueprints of the manor, but eventually she had managed to familiarize herself with this room until she knew it like the back of her hand. She knew which shelving unit was light enough to roll to one side, which bricks to push and which lever to release. The tunnel beyond was rough earth, damp the further from the house she walked, and had cobwebs whistling in a faint draught. Using the torchlight from her phone, she manoeuvred herself through until she came to a crossway of tunnel entrances. Following the shoe impressions left from numerous other visits, she walked until she came face-to-face with a wide, unnatural looking door. She knocked sharply, hissing out an impatient breath.
A key turned in the lock and she was momentarily blinded by intense light. “Took you long enough,” she snarled at the man who looked down at her with a resigned agitation. “Have there been any problems?”
“No, ma’am.”
“No one else has been down here other than you?”
“No, ma’am.”
Nodding sharply, she jerked her head towards the end of the corridor. The bleak light reflected off the pea-green tiles and reminded her of a war hospital. Perhaps it had been. “I want to see for myself.”
“Why?”
Turning to the orderly, she curled her red lips into a sneer, “Because, soon enough, Jasper, this place with be buried under a pile of rubble and cement.”
Jasper didn’t react. It irked her when people didn’t react. Sniffing derisively, she stalked along to the door she wanted and snapped her fingers. Jasper opened the viewing hatch at the top of the door, the squeak of the old metal grinding almost setting her teeth on edge.
Within the dimly lit room, on a flat rubber mattress, dressed in dated beige patient scrubs, sat a woman with ratty blonde hair that was hanging in greasy strands around her face. Her pale skin was waxy, and her eyes were bloodshot, no doubt from the crying or a reaction to sedation. Nimueh didn’t care enough to distinguish the cause either way. The woman was fed and watered and kept alive. Upon hearing the squeaking of the grate hinges, the blonde head perked up.
“Uther? Have you finally come to see me?” came her weak, raspy voice. Every word trembled from her lips, like raindrops down a well. “Uther?”
Nimueh’s smirk widened. “You know Uther doesn’t want anything to do with his traitorous ex-wife. He’s the reason you’re done here, and you know that,” she spat. “Don’t you, Ygraine?”
Despite it being dim in that little room, Nimueh was sure she saw a tear race down the blonde woman’s pallid cheek. Even if it wasn’t the case, she chose to believe it as fact. Satisfied, she snapped the viewing grate closed again.
Notes:
Sorry that there's no art in this one, but I have a steamy one for the next chapter ;) x
Chapter 17: Chapter Seventeen
Notes:
I am so sorry for the long update! I've just been really busy and because of the chapter it is, I wanted it to be perfect for you all!
Anyone who knows me knows I hate trigger warnings.HOWEVER ...
TW: Mature Sexual Content
(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)
Chapter Text
Chapter Seventeen
The day of Donald King’s funeral was pleasantly warm with a soft breeze that blew the smell of grass and flowers throughout the town. The small quaint church was a delicate white stone structure with a peaked black roof. The stained-glass windows painted rainbows across the pews, and it gave the place a magical quality. As Merlin sat in the first pew, his hands knotted in his lap, he blew out a shaky breath. He had tried to sit a few rows behind, but Arthur hadn’t allowed it. He’d nudged Merlin further until they were both sat at the front, where the deceased’s family would usually sit.
No one else joined them.
Behind them, in the next couple of pews, a few people dotted the seats; John, Bal and Aithusa had attended, John in a full mourning suit, complete with a monocle and hat, Aithusa in a soft grey dress and Bal in jeans and a black shirt, his hair smoothed into a bun at the back of his head. Gwen and Lance sat nearby, as did Elyan. A few little old ladies and an old man with a Zimmer frame also joined the congregation, probably old friends of Donald’s, but that was all.
The priest was an older man who clearly knew Donald at some point in his life and dotted the prayers with anecdotes that had the elderly tittering and even brought a smile to Merlin’s lips. The coffin was blessed, and the congregation were allowed to come and pay their respects. It had to be a closed casket; there wasn’t much of Donald left so that people would recognize him. Merlin felt awkward trailing after Arthur to touch his fingertips along the coffin in a silent ‘farewell’. When his fingers touched the wood, a spark shot through his hand, making him flinch. He frowned, shaking his hand out to dispel the odd feeling.
Once the service had concluded, the priest invited everyone to the graveside to witness the coffin being lowered. Arthur, Lance, Bal and Elyan stayed behind as pallbearers. Standing at the graveside beside Aithusa and holding her hand, Merlin squinted into the sunlight to watch as the coffin was brought out. All four men wore somber expressions as they slowly carried Donald to his final resting place. His insides jumped around when the coffin was lowered down on the heavy-duty ropes. He always felt it looked unsafe, especially if one snapped. Arthur came to stand beside him, his hands clasped in front of him and head bowed. Merlin mirrored his posture.
A tombstone had already been specially designed for Donald; a copper life preserver with a trident spiked through it, pointing skyward. Merlin thought copper was an odd choice as it would eventually oxidize and become a green blue colour. Perhaps that was a small private joke, so that one day the gravestone would represent the sea. The perfect burial for “The Fisher King”.
After handfuls of dirt were sprinkled down onto the coffin, the small crowd were informed of the wake being held at the lake café and that lifts had been organized to escort people there, who weren’t able to drive. Though the service had been short, Merlin felt as though he’d been holding his breath the entire time. Now it was done, he felt as though a knot had unraveled from inside him.
He startled as Arthur took hold of his hand and squeezed.
Turning to the blonde he gave a wan smile, “are you going to the wake?”
“I can pop in and show my face.”
“It’s a wonderful thing that you did for him,” he said, casting an eye back to the headstone.
“He deserved it. To think he may not have been found if it wasn’t for you.”
Merlin turned and frowned at him, “What are you on about?”
“If you hadn’t brought Aithusa back to us, she wouldn’t have wanted to show you the caves and you wouldn’t have found his remains.”
Wrinkling his nose, Merlin said, “That sounds like more Aithusa’s doing, than me.”
“She brought you to us,” Arthur said, almost reverently. Merlin swallowed, not knowing what to feel at that moment. Giving his hand one last squeeze, Arthur nodded towards his car across the way. “Let’s make a move, otherwise all of Alice’s treats would have gone.”
Most people had left by the time they pulled out onto the road and headed through the woods towards the lake. The afternoon was peaceful, most people milling about finishing their workday. When they arrived, the lake sparkled like a sapphire under the bright sunlight. There were plenty of cars parked in the shade of the trees and it looked as though every available table, bench and flat surface was being used to host the Fisher King’s guests. There was an old band playing on the speaker system, lots of ice creams with chocolate seashells on them, and the atmosphere just felt jovial, as though everyone was celebrating the good memories.
Climbing out of the car, they moved silently into the crowd, grabbed some food and conversed with Gwen and Morgana. Merlin mingled with some of the older residents that John introduced him to, and he spied Bal and Hunith taking a stroll through the shade in the trees behind the café, their heads bent close. He silently wished them luck as he got roped into paddling in the shallows by Aithusa and her friend, Robin. At one point, he’d glanced back at the shore and spied Arthur conversing with a dark-haired woman. There had been a lot of arm gesturing, and he’d noticed Arthur’s posture tense up.
“Arthur!” he’d cried out, trying to shield himself from being splashed on. “Arthur! I need your assistance! They’re trying to get water in my eyes!”
Grateful for the out, Arthur apologised as he hurried to the water’s edge, kicked his shoes off and waded out. He scooped Merlin up and hoisted him over his shoulder, much to Merlin’s surprise. “Fear not, Maid Merlin! I’ve rescued you from the water babies!”
The kids cheered and tried to kick waves over Arthur. Merlin expected him to get mad at getting a good suit soaked, but Arthur merely laughed and spun Merlin around. He clung to Arthur’s back, his head spinning before he was carried back away from the water and set down on the sandy-pebbled shore.
Shaking water from his hair, Merlin chuckled as he drew in deep breaths. “Sorry, they got you all soggy.”
“Nah, they’re good kids,” Arthur grinned. “Besides, it’ll be good for John and Bal to wear them out now.”
Merlin agreed. “Who was that woman you were talking to earlier?”
“Woman?”
“Dark hair? Looked a bit ,,, manic? I thought you needed rescuing, so I called you.”
“Ah,” a shadow passed over Arthur’s face. “That was Mordred’s mum. Somehow defending her son and demeaning him in the same sentence. Truly, a remarkable skill.”
“Did you mention about the camping tomorrow?”
“I did.”
“What did she say?”
“Something like we’d be idiots to trust him around all of us, asleep and vulnerable. That he’s ill-equipped to survive camping.”
“She sounds delightful,” Merlin rolled his eyes. “Look, at the end of the day, it’s either come camping, or maybe another B&E. Which would she rather deal with, come Sunday afternoon?”
“Well, I told her when to meet everyone and when to meet tomorrow morning, so we’ll just have to see.”
Merlin clicked his tongue, the heat suddenly engulfing him. “Hey, do you want an ice cream?”
Arthur frowned, “Sure?”
“I thought we could eat it and stroll along the shore?”
“Yeah, that sounds nice.”
Arthur waited in the shade of the tree, unfastening buttons, taking his blazer off and rolling up his tie to slip into his trouser pocket. By the time Merlin came back carrying two large cups with several brightly coloured scoops in it. As he handed a cup to Arthur, he glanced down and smirked.
“Is that a phone in your pocket or are you just happy to see me?”
Arthur shot him a deadpan look over his tub, just as he was about to put a spoonful in his mouth. “Just for that appalling joke, you’re not getting any lavender ice cream.”
Merlin pouted, “So you’re not happy to see me?”
Arthur grinned, “Behave. Come on, let’s walk.”
Within half an hour they’d gotten too hot to walk, so they stopped at a sandy little clearing on the bank, shaded by a heavy canopy of leaves. The gentle lapping of the water was a soothing balm after the loud squealing and general chatter around the café. Poor Freya had been rushed off her feet catering to everyone, while Alice took a break.
“This is a really beautiful place,” Merlin said as he looked out across the water, legs crossed at the ankle.
Both men sat perched on a fallen tree, the rough bark snagging their trousers where they sat. They swallowed their scoops of ice cream, sharing any interesting flavours they came upon, and leaning as close to each other as they could without feeling gross from the wet heat. After they’d eaten and shoved their cups into a conveniently placed bin, Arthur turned to Merlin, his cheeks pink from the sun, and kissed him. Merlin sank into the kiss, gasping when he felt the pinch of Arthur’s teeth on his bottom lip.
“Fuck,” Arthur hissed, “I just want to steal you away and go back to my place. At least I have AC there.”
Merlin whined, “Don’t tease a man, prat.”
“I wish I didn’t have to go back to work. All I want to do is tear all these clothes off you, have you hot and naked under me, and ravish you.”
Merlin readjusted his trousers and panted as he brushed his lips against Arthur’s cheek. It was smooth, no sharp suggestion of stubble. “You’re a cruel man, Pendralyn.”
“If it helps, I’ll be thinking of you for the rest of the day.”
“Good. I’ll just go home and sort myself out in a lovely cool shower.”
“Fuck, you little brat!” Arthur growled, leaning up and over Merlin, grabbing his face in his hands and thrusting his tongue into his mouth. Merlin welcomed him readily, spreading his legs so that Arthur could slot between them, their hard-ons already grinding together through the stiff, warm trousers. Arthur thrust and grunted as Merlin whimpered beneath him. “You. Feel. So. Good!”
“Arthur -Oh, God!” he tipped his head back and groaned, nails digging into Arthur’s broad shoulders. “Fuck! Come over tonight, okay!”
“Tonight?”
“Y-yeah. I’ll sn-sneak you in -Oh, God, yes!”
Arthur continued to hump against him, bracing himself around Merlin on the bark of the tree, his teeth coming up to graze along the man’s pale throat. As if by an invisible force, Arthur wrenched himself away and let out a deep growl of frustration. His pupils were blown wide, his hair was a mess, and his lips were red and swollen. Merlin imagined he looked much the same. His chest heaved and his ribs ached with how hard his heart hammered beneath them.
Arthur stared at him hungrily. It looked like it was taking all his willpower to restrain himself. He let out a shaky, gravelly exhale. “We should get back.”
“Yeah …”
“It’s a funeral. We can’t disappear to -to -”
“No. Right. O-of course not.”
That heavy blue stare pinned him in place. “Tonight?”
“Yes,” Merlin licked his lip, “yeah, I’ll leave my light on. I’ll let you in.”
Arthur gave a tight nod of his head and took a couple of steps away before doubling back. “Just one more,” he gushed, grabbing Merlin’s face in both hands and kissing him deeply. Merlin moaned into the kiss and had barely raised his arms, before Arthur pulled himself away. “Later,” was grunted into his ear, before the solid presence of Arthur was wrenched away and marching away from the clearing.
Merlin braced himself against the tree trunk, panting heavily, the thick air making it hard to gather his thoughts. He needed to calm his racing heart before he could be around polite company again. It was alright for Arthur; he was just going to flounce off to work. Merlin was the one stuck with stiff, tight trousers.
Eventually, he’d calmed down enough to make it back to the café and bask in the shade with Aithusa, Gwen and Morgana, sharing ice creams and indulging in Aithusa’s imagination. Though it was a relief when she was whisked away by kids her own age to hunt for shells on the beach, or mermaid scales in Aithusa’s case. Merlin shared a smile with the girls, though when she thought they weren’t looking, he’d noticed Morgana’s features taking on a pinched look. Despite having checked on her and only leaving when he was sure she felt better, he couldn’t help but think he was only seeing a portion of the bigger picture.
~0~
By 11pm, Merlin was sat ramrod straight on his sofa, the windows cracked open, his palms sweating and the fan barely stirring any cool air around the room. He was nervous and giddy all at the same time. Hunith had gone to bed after the last guest had stolen away into the night. He doubted she was asleep yet, it seemed far too early for that. He hoped she would drift off before Arthur arrived, because the last thing he wanted to do was feel like he was betraying her trust. He also didn’t know exactly how the night would progress, so he didn’t want to disturb her if he could help it.
As the minutes ticked by, his nerves got worse. He began to spiral, questioning whether Arthur would actually show up. Finally, at twenty past, there came a clicking from the window. Merlin flinched at the sound but stood up and poked his head out and saw Arthur standing down below.
The grin nearly broke his face in half. As quietly as he could, he tiptoed out of the room, leaving the door ajar, and hurried downstairs on tiptoes. As the front door, he slid the chain back and allowed Arthur’s shadow to slip inside. Thankfully, the blonde had already thought to remove his shoes out on the porch. Gently shutting the door and sliding the chain back in place, Merlin didn’t dare breathe as he took Arthur’s free hand and led him back upstairs to his room.
Nothing stirred in the house. Merlin strained his ears for any potential creak of the floorboards, the hum of a TV, or a shifting of bedsprings from Hunith or one of the other guests. All was silent.
It wasn’t until they were safely in the attic room and the door was shut behind them before either exhaled.
“Well, that was intense,” he breathed, leaning his forehead against the wood for a moment.
He felt the heat from Arthur’s body against his back, before the strong, tan arms wrap around his middle and Arthur leaned his head against his shoulder. He tipped his own head back, leaning into the embrace. He let his eyes close as Arthur gently caressed his hands over Merlin’s flat stomach and forearms, his fingertips skimming the sliver of skin above his waistband. The faint scratch of his beard tickled Merlin’s skin where Arthur turned his head and pressed a firm kiss to his throat. The strokes got a little firmer, the heat of Arthur’s body grew warmer, and Merlin turned around so that he could look down into Arthur’s eyes. They were heavy-lidded and looked like blue fire as he let his gaze drop to Merlin’s mouth.
A finger traced along his jawline before they both leaned in for a kiss.
Their touches were gentle at first, the urgency from earlier having settled into a steady burn, hands coming up to stroke at arms, necks, hair and shoulders before the oppressive air got a little too much. Merlin nudged Arthur away from the door and, feeling brave, directed him to the bed. Smiling fleetingly, Arthur kissed him deeper, willingly backing up until there was nowhere left to go, before dropping down onto his back and dragging Merlin down with him. It should have been awkward to bend over the edge of the bed, legs tangled together and kissing passionately, but Merlin didn’t care. He had Arthur rutting beneath him and the man looked devastatingly gorgeous.
“Take this off,” he grunted, plucking at the lycra shirt clinging to Arthur’s muscles.
Happy to oblige, Arthur sat up and tossed the shirt aside, grinning up at Merlin with his blonde hair sticking up in fluffy spikes around his head. Merlin chuckled and dragged a hand through the golden hair, clutching a little and enjoying Arthur’s reaction at a little heavy petting.
“You too,” Arthur grunted.
Merlin rolled his eyes but obeyed. As he shifted, Arthur kicked off his shorts, Merlin’s following immediately after, so that they were both in their underwear. For a brief moment it entered Merlin’s mind to feel self-conscious that he was skinny and wiry, not at all like Arthur’s clearly worked-on physique. He needn’t have worried, however, as Arthur slid further up the bed, grabbed Merlin’s forearm and gently coaxed him to lay alongside him. Now plastered against Arthur’s toned body, Merlin felt himself grow hard. Arthur gazed down at him and turned to cradle Merlin ‘s jaw before kissing him again. The kiss deepened, their tongues playfully teasing as they moaned into each other, tasting each other, desperate to get as close as possible. Arthur wrapped an arm around his shoulders and held him tight. Merlin hooked a leg over his hips, feeling shy as his growing erection rubbed along Arthur’s thigh.
Arthur broke the kiss. “You’re so hot,” he gasped, sliding his hand down Merlin’s spine, his fingers stroking over every ridge and dip. He shivered as Arthur’s strong hand squeezed his arse.
Merlin rolled his eyes with a smile, and dove in for another kiss, happy to comply when Arthur tugged him on top, their legs slotting together. He grabbed Merlin’s hips and slowly gyrated against him. It was cruel to still have any clothing on still, but it kept what little sanity Merlin had intact.
Merlin felt dizzy as Arthur groped and squeezed seemingly unerotic parts of his body, yet when Arthur touched him it felt like lightning skating across his skin. When he kissed his way down Merlin’s throat and sucked a little, Merlin’s mind blanked as he thrust his hips down, grinding against Arthur’s crotch and panting shamelessly into his ear.
“God Arthur -A-Arthur -f-fuck!”
“You feel so good, Merlin.”
“I need more -p-please …”
“So pretty when you beg,” Arthur growled, his sharp canines snagging on Merlin’s ear. “So sexy.”
The words. The words were never associated with Merlin, yet this litany of compliments from Arthur of all people was enough to make his heart pump faster, making it harder for him to breathe, to slow down, to savour any of it.
“Tell me what you want, Merlin,” Arthur plastered kisses to any part he could reach, his hands always finding somewhere to grope, to stroke, to squeeze, to hold onto as though anchoring himself to the moment.
“I -I don’t know,” he felt his lip tremble, with want, with fear, he couldn’t tell. “I haven’t …”
Arthur pulled back, his pupils blown wide as he looked up at him, a slight frown between his brows. “You -you’re a -?”
“No! No, no, I’m not a virgin!” Merlin shook his head hastily. “It’s just -it’s been a while. I don’t -really remember what I like.”
He expected Arthur to be disappointed, to laugh or even show him pity. To his surprise, Arthur did none of those things. He smiled tenderly up at Merlin, cradled his face between his calloused hands and leaned up to kiss him softly.
“I’ll go as slowly as you want,” he murmured, nuzzling at the base of Merlin’s throat, before licking a trail up to his lips. He mouthed along Merlin’s as he said, “Tell me if something feels good. Whatever you want, I’ll do it. Tell me to stop, I’ll stop. I can’t get enough of you as it is.”
To demonstrate, he dragged a heavy hand up Merlin’s side, around his back and squeezed his arse firmly. Merlin let out a shuddering sigh, clinging to Arthur’s back and burying his face against his neck.
“As long as we slow down a little, I’ll be okay,” he inhaled sharply, before pulling away fast. “Shit! Do you -do you have any lube?”
Arthur blinked up at him, “No? Was I supposed to bring some?”
“I don’t have any.”
“What -Merlin how can you not have any?”
“I wasn’t exactly expecting -this -when I got here!”
“But you invited me over!”
“Well -” Merlin’s shoulders sagged. “Fuck. Shit. What do we do?”
“That depends. I assume you have zero condoms either, right?” Merlin shook his head, eyes downcast, a heavy feeling settling in his gut. Arthur stroked his hair behind his ears, “Hey, it’s okay. We can take it slowly and -well -I’m clean. I’ve not been with anyone in ages. What about you?”
“Clean.”
Arthur sat up under him and held the brunette close in his lap. “Lie down, Merlin.”
Merlin frowned, “W-what are you going to do?”
A wicked smirk played at Arthur’s mouth. It was disarming. “I’m going to take my time with you. I want you to feel good, I want you to remember every second of tonight, and above all else, I want my name to be the only thing you can dream of saying.”
Merlin felt his cock perk up at the gravelly husk of Arthur’s voice. A jitter of excitement fritzed through him as he was shifted onto the rumpled duvet and coaxed to lie on the pillows. The butterflies went haywire inside him as Arthur knelt with his chest pressed against Merlin’s bent knees, before he slowly pried them apart. A flush of embarrassment raced over him as his thighs quaked in protest. Arthur, however, kneaded his thighs with nimble fingers and managed to relax him enough to drag his underwear off before spreading his legs apart. There he was, lying bare and naked in front of an adonis of a man, every scar, every hair exposed to those hungry blue eyes. He felt like Arthur was drinking him in, his hands coming up to reverently map out every muscle and commit it to memory.
Merlin felt his breath hitch as Arthur’s hot palm stroked the length of his cock.
His head fell back in anticipation, a soft moan blowing through his lips. Arthur stroked his hands up and down Merlin’s thighs before settling down on his stomach between them. Merlin tried to lean up and stare down at Arthur. Blue eyes bore into his own as Arthur licked a burning stripe up the length of his cock.
Air escaped him as he watched Arthur’s kiss-swollen lips envelope the head of his cock and suck.
He gripped at the bedsheets as the hot, wet heat of Arthur’s mouth sunk lower and lower, dragging out each maddening second, his devilish tongue swirling a maelstrom around his tip, until he felt Arthur’s nose poking into his pelvis. He gently rocked his hips, feeling the vibrations along his erection as Arthur moaned, pulled back all the way up, before sucking him down again. His eyes rolled back in his head, his hand reaching down to blindly grip at Arthur’s hair. He tossed his head back as Arthur’s tongue swirled around his head.
“Arthur -Arthur -Oh G-God! F-feel so good!”
The grip around the top of his thighs and the wet, burning suction of Arthur’s mouth was making his body spasm as he tried to fight off coming too soon.
Releasing him, Arthur panted as Merlin whimpered at the loss of contact. “Come for me, Merlin,” he growled, the husk of his voice making Merlin’s head spin with want. “I want to taste you.”
Merlin barely had a second to understand the words before his cock was wet and hard and thrusting into Arthur’s mouth, hitting the back of his throat. Black spots danced in the corners of his eyes, white hot heat spiked down his spine, his toes curled tightly and –
“A-Arthur -Oh fuck!”
His body convulsed, his fingers gripping the back of Arthur’s head, throbbing in his hot throat as he came. Arthur didn’t pull away, instead sucking the cum down and laving his oversensitive slit until he saw stars speckle his vision.
“Oh my God -” he groaned, flopping back down on the bed.
A low, rumbling chuckle made his insides clench with want. He squirmed as Arthur mouthed filthy kisses up over his hipbones and stomach before taking a nipple into his mouth and biting. Merlin hissed through his teeth, digging his fingers into Arthur’s scalp to keep him in place. He could barely move, willingly letting Arthur mark his skin with feverish love-bites.
“I’m obsessed with how fucking sexy you are,” Arthur growled, trailing his lips up Merlin’s throat, his teeth snagging on his ear.
Merlin averted his gaze, feeling his cheeks burn pink.
“Hey,” Arthur stopped abruptly, leaning over him on his forearms, the lamplight catching on the corded muscles bracketing Merlin’s head. His finger hooked under Merlin’s jaw and tilted his chin up so that, despite his resistance, Merlin had no choice but to look up into the deep blue eyes. “I think you’re remarkable,” he breathed.
Merlin fought the urge to scoff. Instead, he looked up through heavy-lidded eyes and sucked his lip between his teeth. He could have sworn he saw Arthur visibly swallow. He reached down between their bodies and stroked his fingers along the length of his spent cock, wetting his fingers with his cum. Arthur’s breath puffed out roughly against his chest as he teased himself, letting his eyelids flutter closed at the pleasurable sensitivity, knowing that Arthur was enraptured. A sharp gasp from above made him smirk as he plucked at the elastic waistband of Arthur’s boxers. He tugged them down, glimpsing a peek at the thatch of dark hair shielding Arthur’s erection from view. Gripping Arthur’s arm, he reached into the man’s underwear and slid his slick fingers along the length of the hot, hard cock. A tremor ran through Arthur’s body, making Merlin feel brave as he wrapped his long fingers around Arthur’s girthy erection. A thrill twisted his insides at the thought of such an impressive cock fucking him into the mattress. His breathing grew laboured as he locked eyes with Arthur and fisted his cock, the precum slicking his hand as Arthur’s hips starting to thrust in time, his own breathing growing harsher, his pupils blowing wide.
“Merlin -” he grunted, his thrusts making the bed bow under their weight. “Merlin -f-fuck! Don’t wanna finish yet.”
Grabbing Merlin’s wrist, Arthur drew his hand away from his throbbing cock and pinned it beside Merlin’s head on the pillow. He stroked his thumb along Merlin’s fluttering pulse point, his heated gaze stripping him bare. Merlin felt his insides thrumming with want, his cock twisting against his stomach, slick and neglected. He reached up and gripping the back of Arthur’s neck, sealing their mouths in a fervent kiss. His other hand grabbed Arthur’s hip and pulled him down, their erections immediately sliding together, their primal instincts seeking the friction as Arthur slotted his legs between Merlin’s for a better position. Their cocks were trapped between their bodies as they slid together. Merlin tossed his head back and moaned, exposing his throat for Arthur to attack with his blunt teeth. He teased at the skin and sucked hard, turning Merlin to jelly as he let out a filthy litany of curse words.
His body worked of its own accord, seeking the delicious wet friction as he thrust his hips against Arthur’s.
“Merlin! I need to be inside you before I lose all control!”
Merlin’s stomach jolted. He pulled back, staring hungrily up into Arthur’s face; his cheeks were flushed, his fringe sweaty and his jaw set. “Y-you want to be inside me?”
“Desperately.”
Chewing his bottom lip, Merlin whimpered, “Please -Please! Can you -are you gonna prep me?”
“Of course, darling,” Arthur stole his breath away with a deep kiss that left him reeling.
Wriggling down the length of the bed, bracketed by Merlin’s splayed thighs, Arthur settled down and licked a slow trail up Merlin’s cock that sent him convulsing at the touch. His chest rose and fell as he felt Arthur spreading his cheeks apart and a rush of hot air swept across his balls. When he felt Arthur’s tongue lave against his opening, he lurched upward, keening in surprise.
“A-Arthur?”
“Do you want me to stop?”
“N-no. I was just … surprised.”
“Tell me if you want me to stop, yeah?”
“I don’t think I’ll want you to,” Merlin huffed, willing himself to relax as Arthur’s tongue resumed its probing of his hole.
He gripped the bedsheets as Arthur licked and sucked, pleasuring him with the tip of his tongue and, eventually, a slick digit that he gently massaged inside him until he felt the bruising pressure of knuckles against his buttocks. He jumped a little at the intrusion, but quickly felt the electrical surges licking over his skin as Arthur slid his finger in and out. It felt so deliciously filthy that he forgot how to breathe, how to do anything else but focus on the feel of a second finger prodding and sliding inside, stretching him open.
It burned slightly, but he eagerly chased that feeling, rocking into Arthur’s touch.
Arousal flushed through him as he felt Arthur’s mouth caress and suck along his thighs, pinning him to the mattress with a firm hand on his hip, and fingering his arse until he was a sweaty, squirming mess. His hand reached up and latched into the damp gold hair and tugged hard, desperate for more contact, to have every inch of his skin drenched in Arthur.
“Are you ready for me?” Arthur growled.
Merlin gaped, unable to breathe, desperately wanting to feel him. He clumsily propped himself up on his elbows, almost whimpering as he felt the slick, thick fingers slide out of him, leaving him gaping open and exposed. He trembled with the strain of keeping himself upright.
“A-Arthur -please!”
Arthur surged forward and crushed their mouths together, his clean hand coming up to cradle the back of Merlin’s head. “Patience, love. I want it to be good for you,” he purred, brushing their noses together.
With a hand gently pressing on his chest, Merlin let himself be laid down on the pillows. The bed jostled as Arthur knelt up between his legs. A jitter of nerves thrummed in Merlin’s chest as he closed his eyes and willed himself to relax. Having Arthur’s heavy, firm hands anchoring his thighs in place was erotic in that he felt pinned and at his mercy. The pressure of the blunt head of Arthur’s erection probing against his ring, his breath hitched in his chest. He gripped the sweaty sheets. Despite Arthur’s enthusiastic administrations, feeling the blunt tip gently tease in and out of his tight hole left him blushing in embarrassment.
His eyes flew open when the head ‘popped’ in, fully sheathed.
Arthur stilled over him, his jaw slack as he let out a deep groan. “F-u-u-u-ck, Merlin. You’re so tight!”
“I told you -i-it’s been a very long time -” he whimpered, not daring to look up at Arthur.
Grunting, Arthur shifted higher on the mattress and starting to thrust his hips in a tight rhythm, gently easing his cock deeper and deeper into Merlin. Every inch had him writhing and keening on the bed, a hand clamped over his mouth to stifle his moans as he rocked his hips up, meeting Arthur’s thrust until they fell into a rhythm.
Throughout he had the panting of “Merlin -Merlin -fuck, you’re so hot -M-Merlin -” flooding his head.
He felt the tickle of hair against his buttocks and exhaled shakily at the fullness he felt as Arthur completely sheathed himself. Every part of him was daubed in sweat, the exhilaration of being filled so completely by the man above him was dizzying. He had no other thoughts or cares other than the feel of his and Arthur’s body interlocked so completely with one another.
Clinging to Arthur, Merlin lost himself in the rhythm of being stretched and pounded, his own cock throbbing against his stomach. Arthur’s hands gripped around the tops of his thighs and tugged him bodily into his lap. Merlin latched his arms around his neck and shifted his position, the thick cock inside him brushing roughly against his sweet spot.
“Oh, God!”
Arthur smirked filthily, “Was that good, Merlin?”
“Do -do that again -p-please.”
Shifting his hips, Arthur rocked him in his lap. Merlin threw his head back and moaned loudly, nails digging into Arthur’s back.
“Ooooh fuck, Arthur! Fuck, do that again!”
Arthur did so, to the same reaction. Again and again, Merlin had to clamp his hand over his mouth to stifle the filthy sounds dripping from his mouth. Arthur was torn between his own grunting and giddily telling Merlin to be quiet, though his own husky laughter threatened to bleed out. The wet slap of skin-on-skin made Merlin whimper as his prostate got hit over and over. He was sweating, his eyes were watery, and he was saturated with Arthur’s essence. Arthur’s heavy hand was knotted in his hair, anchoring him in place as their thrusts rocked the bed. He was dimly aware that the squeak of the floorboards or the knocking on the back wall might alert the other residents, but it was smothered immediately when Arthur sank his teeth into his throat and sucked hard.
Every muscle in his body seized. He clutched onto Arthur tightly as an orgasm shot through him, rendering him speechless as he came all between their plastered bodies.
“That’s it, babe, come hard for me!”
Any sense of control Merlin thought he maintained at that point disintegrated as Arthur continued to rock into him, his arse feeling deliciously bruised as all his muscles turned to jelly. For his part, Arthur clung to him as he positioned Merlin onto his back, trapped between Merlin’s spent, sweaty thighs, though he didn’t seem to complain at all. If anything, it propelled him to chase his own orgasm, bending Merlin’s legs to accommodate him as he captured Merlin’s mouth in a sloppy kiss, groaning into his mouth as he finally came inside Merlin, his body going rigid as every muscle turned to stone.
Finally, when Arthur sucked in a sharp breath, he collapsed on top of Merlin with an ‘oomph!’
Delirious and exhausted, Merlin accepted his fate of being pinned beneath hard muscle. He had no will power to fight against it. Why would he? Why should he care that damp blonde hair was tickling his cheeks, or that his thighs were screaming with the need to return to their usual position? Sighing softly, he turned his head and pressed chaste kisses along Arthur’s damp throat, purely to taste the salt on his skin, and nuzzled the damp hair. His eyelids grew heavy, his brain lamenting that he hadn’t been able to map out Arthur’s body as he had so reverently mapped out Merlin’s.
Eventually, Arthur let out a grunt and extricated himself from between Merlin’s thighs, though he didn’t go far. Merlin hissed as the man slid out of him, leaving him gaping and hollow, whimpering as a draught skittered over his skin.
“Can barely move,” Arthur admitted sheepishly. “Think my feet are crippled.”
Merlin huffed a laugh, his chest aching without the weight pressing down on him. He wanted it back.
“Want me to clean us up?”
“Sure …”
A warm kiss was pressed to his cheek. “Try not to fall asleep. I’ll be right back.”
Despite his exhausted state, Merlin smiled and listened as Arthur pottered around his room, the latch clicking on the bathroom door, the gush of water from the dodgy hot tap, and the clang and curse that told him Arthur had knocked something over. He chuckled and tried to force his body up on the pillows, the burn between his buttocks making him wince and grip the sheets.
Arthur returned looking somewhat steadier on his feet, brandishing a flannel. As he tenderly caressed the warm cloth over Merlin’s skin, ridding him of any remnants of their lovemaking, Merlin watched the corded muscles flex as he worked. He felt Arthur’s thumb massaging his inner thighs as he shifted them closed, the sudden soreness felt good, echoing throughout his body.
Returning to bed, Arthur immediately gathered Merlin in his arms and held him against his chest. His skin was warm yet no longer had a layer of sweat clinging to the coarse chest hair. Merlin was too tired to protest at being cuddled, he merely curled into Arthur’s warm and slotting his leg between Arthur’s own. The thrill of them both being naked, intertwined amongst his tangled sheets, his bare dick resting on the blonde’s thigh, left Merlin feeling jittery with excitement. He calmed down as fingers stroked through his hair, brushing his fringe out of his eyes and slowly tracing the curve of his ear. This continued for several minutes before Merlin raised his head and cracked an eye open.
“You really do have a thing for my ears, don’t you?”
Arthur froze, caught mid-action, his eyes wide before biting his bottom lip. “Sorry, I’ll stop.”
Shaking his head slowly, Merlin snuggled back against Arthur’s chest. He started tracing a pattern across Arthur’s tanned pectoral and absently wondered if he ever jogged shirtless in the mornings. “I didn’t say stop.”
There was no response for a moment. Then Arthur let out a relieved little laugh and the tension in his muscles vanished. He dropped his head back on the pillows, eyes closed and resumed his gentle caressing of Merlin’s ears.
Time seemed to stop. At least, Merlin had no memory of it, nor of dozing off as the adrenaline ebbed out of him. He just remembered the world fading into focus for a brief moment as Arthur breathed, “I really do like you, Merlin. Ears and all.”
He didn’t know if he responded instantly, or if half an hour had gone by. He whispered into the sanctuary of Arthur’s arms, “I really like you too, Clotpole.”
Not trusting himself to say anything else, Merlin burrowed his pink cheeks into Arthur’s chest, curled his arm tightly over the man’s stomach and promptly fell asleep. Though he slept through the night, protected by the strong circle of Arthur’s embrace, he had vague recollections of fingers threading through his hair, lips kissing his forehead and the shifting of another body constantly touching him, stroking him, and caressing him every which way. If, at one point, he awoke at dawn to the feeling of Arthur curled along the length of his back as they spooned in bed, he would never admit to lifting the sheet over Arthur’s cool body or tugging his arm tighter around his chest and lacing their fingers together. Those were stolen moments he wanted solely for himself, though he had a suspicion that Arthur knew either way.
Prat.
Notes:
I didn't want to disrupt the flow of the writing, hence the image being at the end. I slaved for this beauty! Enjoy!
Chapter 18: Chapter Eighteen
Notes:
Cannot apologise for the long wait to update this story. I promise to try better, but I don't want to give a schedule and then NOT stick to it. Thank you for everyone for still supporting and commenting!
(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)
Chapter Text
Chapter Eighteen.
The following morning coaxed Arthur into wakefulness so gently he was convinced he was still dreaming. Stretching languidly along the length of the plush bed, he inhaled the sleepy soft aromas deeply and let his muscles relax. He couldn’t remember the last time he’d woken up without an alarm, without the desperate, jittery need to go outside for a run, or without coffee punching consciousness into his skull.
Cracking an eyelid open, he let the blurry golden world slowly shimmer into focus. Despite the bed beside him being empty, he didn’t feel his stomach cramp uncomfortably at the absence. The gentle clinking from across the other side of the loft drew his attention. It took a moment for him to realise that it was Merlin pottering around in the kitchenette, but for some reason his brain didn’t connect the dots right away.
He watched the brunette man move back and forth in a pair of loose cotton bottoms, fixing two mugs of tea and barely flinching when the crumpets popped out of the toaster. Arthur flexed his thighs under the duvet, exposing his legs to the warm air and relishing in the slide of the cool sheets over his abdomen. He was mesmerised, watching Merlin as he buttered the crumpets, poured the tea, and got everything set-up on the tray.
As he turned with the tray in hand, he caught sight of Arthur watching him and froze. His face split into the most beautiful, dorky grin Arthur had ever seen on another human, and he smirked back.
“Morning.”
“Good morning,” Merlin made his way over to the bed. He shifted the tray onto the bedside table. The lamp squeaked backwards as he balanced the tray as carefully as possible.
“Didn’t think you woke up this early,” he grinned, shifting up onto his elbows and reaching for a mug.
“Of course I do!” Merlin rolled his eyes, “I just figured after last night you might need something to eat this morning.”
Arthur felt his mouth crook up on one side, exposing his crooked tooth. He happily indulged in the crispy, buttery crumpets, feeling butter drip down his chin. He licked it up, noting that Merlin watched from the corner of his eye before becoming far too interested in his own breakfast. He sat on the edge of the mattress and winced with one leg cocked as he took a sip from his own mug.
“Aw, is your little bottom sore?” he teased.
Merlin shoved his shoulder earning a laugh from him. “Behave yourself.”
“Now why on earth would I do that?” Arthur gave his thigh a squeeze, secretly delighting in the firm muscle under his palm.
They ate in a comfortable silence, chugging down their tea and sucking butter from their fingers. Once the plates and mugs were empty, Merlin busied himself by stacking the tray back up and shifting off the bed to carry it back over to the sink. Arthur watched him go, feeling the air thicken around him. Now that the light tedium of breakfast was out of the way, the reality of the night before came rushing back to the surface.
Had he managed to overstay his welcome? Is that why the sheets were suddenly getting too warm? Should he have set his usual alarm for his early morning run and snuck out before the sun broke over the treeline? The idea of tiptoeing out, half-dressed and carrying his shoes, while Merlin snored gently in the bed hadn’t even entered his mind.
Should it have?
The more the thoughts raced through his mind, the more his chest felt hot and tight, as though he were trying to breathe in a room full of steam.
From across the loft, a clattering of mugs against the metal sink snapped him out of his spiralling. Glancing up, he watched Merlin scrub a hand through his wild nest of hair and swear under his breath as he fiddled uselessly with the utensils. Arthur found himself wanting to believe he felt just as nervous. Or maybe this was his way of trying to find the politest way to ask Arthur to go?
Finally, as though deciding he couldn’t put it off any longer, Merlin turned and slowly meandered back towards the bed and Arthur. As he crossed the loft on quiet feet, Arthur felt his throat close-up.
The mattress dipped under Merlin’s weight and Arthur forced himself to look up at the brunette’s profile.
“So -is this where we have that awkward conversation about what happened last night?”
“I don’t know,” Arthur murmured, his insides clenching. He fought the urge to stare down at the bedsheets. “Is it?”
Merlin huffed a breath and shook his head. “I don’t know -I mean -how was last night?”
“Honestly? It was one of the best nights of my life.” He looked up into Merlin’s eyes and tried to gauge his reaction. He wasn’t usually so daringly honest, but he felt like he couldn’t keep the words inside his mouth. He watched as Merlin’s chest rose and fell faster at his words. He decided to be brave and expose his true intentions. “I had hoped that we might do it again.”
“You did?”
“If you were planning to stick around,” he inhaled sharply. “Are you?”
“I suppose it could be -I mean -I don’t have any other plans -”
“Stay.”
Merlin’s eyes went wide as he turned to Arthur. “What?”
“Must I repeat myself? I want you to stay, Merlin.”
“Really?” The tension from his body evaporated and he sagged forward. When he brushed his fringe aside, Arthur saw his face splitting into that wide grin, his eyes crinkling at the corners. “Thank God!”
Arthur was enveloped in Merlin’s arms, his lips crushing against his own. He fell back against the pillows and hugged Merlin against him, propping him up and opening his mouth to deepen their kiss. He gasped around the kiss, clinging onto the man in his arms, relief and arousal warring with each other as Merlin slotted their legs together. The kiss broke and Arthur squeezed his eyes shut as Merlin peppered his face with chaste, excited kisses.
“You have -no idea -how relieved -I am -to hear you say that!” Merlin gushed through kisses.
Pushing against Merlin’s chest to create some distance between them, Arthur looked up at him. “You’re relieved?”
“Of course I am!” Merlin sobered a little, the smile softening and the blue of his eyes shining. “Whatever this is between us, it feels incredible. I don’t want it to be over already.”
“It doesn’t have to be.”
Fighting the smile threatening to split his face in half, and failing, Merlin breathed, “Say it again?”
“Say what?” Arthur felt his lips twitching into a smile. Was it always this fun to tease Merlin? “That I want you to stay?”
“Again.”
“Stay, Merlin.”
“Again.”
Arthur forced himself upright and grabbed Merlin’s thighs with both hands and dragged him upright into his lap. He grabbed the back of Merlin’s thick nest of hair and dragged him in for a dizzying kiss. Merlin moaned into his mouth, his throat vibrating as he sank into Arthur’s lap and clung to him.
“Fuck -Arthur I’d love to stay. Just don’t keep kissing me like that or I won’t be able to get out of bed.”
Arthur scoffed, “What on earth do you need to get out of bed for?”
“Because, Officer Pendranyl, there is no way I’m staying in this bed with you, being kissed like that, without some proper protection,” Merlin said, unwinding Arthur’s death grip on his arse. He smacked his hands with a grin, “Come on, off!”
“Merlin! You don’t get a say in this I’m afraid.”
He laughed loudly as Merlin shoved him bodily back onto the mattress, smacked a kiss on his grinning mouth and then leapt off the bed, almost tripping over his gangly legs as he did so. Arthur smiled to himself as Merlin righted himself and side-stepped the plump floral sofa. He watched as the narrow stripes on the pyjamas bottoms flexed over the wiry muscles underneath. His insides flipped as muscle memory from the night before resurfaced; the way his tongue had traced every dimple around Merlin’s thighs, the noises Merlin had made as he writhed beneath him were memories he hoped to never share with anyone else, the heady taste as he’d gone down on Merlin, having those long fingers tangled in his hair, pushing him deeper –
His dick twitched.
Clearing his throat, he forced himself upright and willed himself to focus on anything remotely unerotic. It was proving especially difficult as Merlin turned back to him and leaned against the kitchen counter.
“Does this mean you’re going to do a condom run while I shower?” he smirked.
Arthur kicked the bedsheets off him and stood up, not even caring that he was naked and sporting a semi. Merlin’s blue eyes dipped down, and he drew in a deep steadying breath. Arthur stalked across the room and reached for Merlin’s bottoms, dragging him over so that they’re bare chests were flush against one another. He looked up at Merlin and let his free hand snake down the front of his bottoms, tracing the length of his cock.
“I think there’s room in that shower for the two of us,” he growled.
“Then lead the way.”
Arthur swiftly scooped Merlin up into his arms, earning a yelp from the brunette as he scrambled to cling onto Arthur’s frame. He let Merlin lock his legs around his waist before turning towards the bathroom. He leaned up to snatch another kiss, feeling Merlin sink further into his embrace and open his mouth to deepen it. A grunt from Merlin made them both chuckle against one another as Arthur backed them up into the door.
“Not sure I can get it open with you in my arms,” he grunted.
Merlin tutted. Awkwardly clinging to Arthur’s neck, he reached behind him and eventually felt the cold metal of the doorknob. With a twist and push the door creaked inwards.
“Such a good boy,” he purred, squeezing Merlin’s arse as he walked them into the bathroom.
The only sound Merlin could give was a deep moan as he was backed all the way into the shower stall against the cold tiles. It took them a good hour to properly shower, get each other off, and by then most of the hot water had run out. Neither seemed to care as the emerged, damp and hard and ready for another round of ruining the bed while making as little noise as possible.
~0~
A knocking at the front door startled Morgana awake from a heavy sleep. Her skull felt as if it had been twisted on backwards and stuffed with wadding and lint. There was a heavy throbbing from her temples and behind her eyes, that even pressure from her hands couldn’t abate. She’d fallen asleep on top of her duvet, the warm weather outside making it hard for her lungs to draw in air. She’d had a cold flannel around her neck and nothing had helped.
Maybe she’d imagined the banging? Maybe it was just a headache coming on?
Forcing her heavy legs over the edges of the mattress she hunched over, her elbows on her knees and clamped her head between her hands. The water beside her bed was lukewarm at best and made her throat feel like sandpaper. Drawing in deep breaths she pushed herself onto her feet and gently stretched her muscles, willing the creaks in her joints to ease up.
It took longer than she expected to hobble to her ensuite to splash water on her face and rinse her mouth out with mouthwash. Brushing her teeth would just increase the headache. It was only as she was leaving the bathroom, vaguely more coherent than before, when the banging started up again. That was definitely the front door.
Moving as fast as her body would allow -God, it made her feel like an old woman! -she made it to the front door and braced herself against the wood, peering out through the peephole. She recognised the mop of unruly dark hair on the other side. Drawing back the metal bolts on her door, she turned the handle and tugged it open.
Mordred looked at her with wide blue eyes, his expression openly expressing his distress, though concern shone through. She must really look a state if she was scaring him. His hand shot out, clutching a handful of hastily picked flowers.
“Mordred,” she exhaled, the very effort to speak deflating her. “What brings you here so early?”
“I -I came to apologise?” his dark browns knitted together. “It’s the afternoon, Morgana.”
“Is it? I must have slept longer than I thought,” she groaned.
Stepping up into the doorway, Mordred placed a hand on her shoulder. It was too hot and heavy, but she didn’t shake him off. “Morgana, are you not feeling well?”
“If you have to ask, you already know the answer,” she said, offering a weak smile. “Come on in, I’ll make us some tea.”
Mordred hastily stepped into the coolness of the chalet, closing the door to the heat outside. Morgana was already moving shakily across to the open-plan kitchen, knocking into the kitchen table and chairs as she went. Frowning he followed and hovered in the kitchen entryway as she busied herself making tea. Her hands fumbled with the tea box and the little spoons. He wanted to walk in and intervene and make the teas for her; he’d been there enough times to know where everything was kept. However, at the same time, he knew she would want to remain independent, even at the cost of her health.
Eventually, the teas had brewed, and she shakily carried the mugs over to the coffee table in front of the sofa. Mordred takes a tentative seat beside her, feeling his palms start to sweat. Morgana cradled her mug in both hands, though her eyes seemed to stare through him as they sat on either end of the sofa. Even in the shafts of daylight, she looked washed out.
“You said you wanted to apologise,” she breathed, her fingers tightening around the mug. “What for?”
“For causing you trouble,” a muscle twitched in his jaw. “And the fire.”
“You didn’t cause the fire, Mordred.”
“I know I didn’t,” he looked up at her, his gaze piercing her in place. “You did.”
Morgana pursed her lips, taking a sip of her too-hot tea. “It was a terrible accident. I can’t tell you how much I appreciate you breaking-in and trying to rescue me. Kara is a lucky girl to have you.”
Mordred pulled a face, never wanting the thoughts of Morgana and Kara to merge in his mind.
“Oh dear, is that not going well?”
He scoffed and shook his head, every muscle in his body tight as a coiled spring. He slouched further back against the plush back of the sofa; arms folded tightly across his chest. “I don’t want to talk about her.”
Morgana watched him for a few quiet moments, letting the words permeate the air around them. She watched as Mordred worked his jaw back and forth, scowling into the middle distance as though it had personally offended him. His leg jiggled in place, as though one wrong word would send him over the edge and into a raging fury.
“Well, if it’s any consolation, you deserve so much better than a girl like that who treats you like a dog she picked up from the rubbish heap,” she sighed and tipped her head to the side, softening her tone. “You’re a smart young man, Mordred. I hate to see you squandering your life.”
He tipped his head to the side, “You’re just saying that because you’ve been helping me out and don’t like to be wrong.”
“I’m never wrong, Mordred,” she clucked. “I’m many things, but wrong is not one of them. You have so much potential. I want you to have an amazing life. You just need to stop running around with that little gang of hers.”
He snorted. Adjusting his position on the sofa and curling a leg underneath him, he propped his head on his fist. “Whenever I’m here I feel almost like I can believe your words. I just wish they helped ground me when I go back outside.”
Reaching over, Morgana took his hand in her own and gave his calloused hands a gentle squeeze. “You just need to have more faith in your own abilities, Mordred.”
Perhaps it was the sincerity in her words, the fragility of her mere presence, or the faint spark he’d felt ghosting over his skin, but impulse drove him forward, eyelids fluttering closed as he leaned in for a kiss.
“Mordred!”
A hand came between them, the pressure on his chest pushing him enough to stop him. His eyes snapped open to see Morgana staring at him with wide eyes, her cheeks faintly pink as her breathing laboured. His heart stuttered in his chest, humiliation flooding through him like boiling water.
Morgana watched a range of emotions flash across his face, blood roaring in her ears. She could feel his pulse thrumming through his baggy t-shirt.
“Shit!” he hissed, leaning back. Her fingers clutched into the fabric to hold him in place, but all it did was tug at his neck. “Fuck, I’m sorry! I thought you -Fuck!”
He yanked himself out of her grip. Though instead of immediately racing for the front door, he begins frantically pacing back and forth, clutching at his hair to the point he could feel the roots pulling free.
“Fuck, I can’t believe how goddam stupid I am! Like you would ever want that sort of thing with me!”
“Mordred -”
“I fucking hate this! The one woman in the world who fucking understands me and I’m just a fucking pet-project! Are you kidding me?! Everything is just fucking fucked in this stupid goddamn town! I feel so isolated! I can’t even leave!”
Morgana frowned, “What do you mean you can’t leave? Of course you can. If you want to go to a good university, there’s no reason you can’t. I can help you with a recommendation if you need.”
He shot a poisonous look at her. “I know you’re not well, Morgana, but I also know you’re not thick. Don’t tell me you haven’t noticed?”
“Noticed what?” she pushed herself up to her feet, desperate to reach out for the man before her but not knowing how to do so without angering him further.
“When was the last time you ever left this shithole, Morgana?” he sneered. “When was the last time anyone left?”
Morgana pressed her lips together, desperately wracking her brain for a viable answer. Instead, she looked desperately up at Mordred, feeling her raw eyes brimming with tears, as though the answers she couldn’t find were causing her physical pain.
“You see my point?” he exclaimed, flaring his arms. “NO ONE CAN LEAVE! We’re all trapped here! It’s like a fucking curse is on this place!”
A flash of fire raced through her brain. The bottom dropped out of her stomach, and she fought the urge for her knees to buckle. “C-curses aren’t real …”
“You know I’m right, Morgana!” he said desperately, crossing the room and grasping her cold hands in his own. His grip was tight that it sent a spike of fear trilling down her spine. “It scares me -w-why can’t we leave? Why are we stuck here? What happens if we do try to leave? I -I hate it here!”
Releasing her hands, not noticing how she staggered at the loss of an anchor, he walked over to her plush sofa and collapsed almost horizontally, his hands clasped over his face. The silence was broken as muffled hiccoughing croaks came from his throat.
“I’m sorry! I’m so s-so fucking sorry!” he croaked. “I -hic -fuck everything! I fucking ruin e-e-everything!”
The sound broke Morgana out of her stupor. Turning to look down at Mordred’s desolate appearance slumped on her sofa, an instinct overtook her that she couldn’t name. Ignoring the imprint of Mordred’s grip on her hands, she settled down on the sofa, making sure to leave some breathing room between them. She placed a tentative hand on his quaking shoulder. He didn’t flinch away. Taking it as a sign of encouragement, she coaxed him gently so that he was lying on his side with his head nestled in her lap. The sobs wracked his body, coming from deep within his soul. It shook her to her core. She had never seen or heard him be this unhinged. Not even when he was strung-out on whatever drugs Kara and her gang liked to smoke in the woods.
Curling into the foetal position, Mordred clutched a hand around the fabric of her pyjama bottoms and buried his face in her lap. She stroked her hands through his hair and over his shoulders, making sure not to somehow encourage anymore advances. Eventually, the tension in her muscles relaxed so the point that she dozed for an hour or two, no nightmares plaguing her as Mordred exhausted himself against her.
By late afternoon, both had awoken feeling groggy but somehow better than when they’d started their days. Mordred was sheepish and fidgety around her, behaviour that Morgana didn’t like but didn’t know how to soothe. Perhaps it wasn’t her place, especially after the near-kiss earlier. They took turns in the bathroom, freshening themselves up. Morgana dressed in loose linen trousers and a t-shirt and busied herself in the kitchen making them something to eat while Mordred used the facilities.
As they ate, Morgana nudges his leg under the table and offered him a sincere smile. “Don’t feel like you’re not welcome here, Mordred. You know you can always crash in my spare room if you need to get away.”
Mordred stared at her, his piercing gaze somewhat unnerving. She held his gaze; a challenge most rarely afforded him. He relaxed and bowed his head over his plate. “Probably not wise after … earlier.”
Sympathetic, she propped her chin on her hand and stifled a yawn. “Mordred, I’m not about to sit here and judge you. And for the record, you are not and never have been, a pet project for me. I want you to put that thought from your mind once and for all, okay?”
He cut her a side-eye but nodded, regardless.
“I also don’t want you loitering around all summer.”
He frowned, “What do you mean?”
“Well, you’re planning to go on the camping trip this weekend, right?” He nodded. “Good. After that, we can discuss getting you a part-time job working for me in some type of assistant role.”
“You don’t have to stick your neck out for me.”
“I offered. You don’t have to accept, but I think it’ll be good for you,” she shrugged and combed her thick hair out of her eyes. “Do you want to stay for a little longer or shall I drive you home?”
Despite the temptation to spend more time with Morgana in her little chalet, away from all the prying eyes of the townsfolk, Mordred knew he needed to preserve whatever shred of dignity he had left and accept the offer to be taken home. It warred against everything inside him, but he still felt flushed with embarrassment knowing that he’d spent the better part of the afternoon yelling and probably frightening Morgana and sobbing into her lap like a little baby.
“I should probably get back,” he offered lamely.
Despite Morgana’s reluctance to let Mordred leave in such a state, she didn’t know what use she would be to him. Eventually, she swept her hair into a ponytail, grabbed her car keys from the hook by the door and turned back to the young man.
“Let’s go before we lose daylight.”
The car creaked to a halt at the end of the road, a dirt driveway leading off through the trees towards Mordred’s home. Through the thin, scraggly trees lights could be seen in the lower level windows. His parents were home for once it would seem. Something ugly coiled in Morgana’s gut and her hands gripped the steering wheel reflexively. She’d never liked driving down to this part of town, especially not in her Mercedes. The only time she even bothered to was to ensure Mordred got home safely. It was always the same routine even since the first time she’d offered to drive him back; park at the end of the road out of sight, no loud noises, don’t draw attention to themselves and avoid using the headlights until she’d turned the car around.
It gave her the creeps.
Drawing in a deep, steadying breath, Mordred unbuckled his seatbelt and turned to give Morgana an awkward smile, a mumbled “thanks” and stepped out of the car. She watched his dark shadow drift in and out of the trees, his body blending into the nighttime as he made his way across the overgrown, dried out lawn towards his front door. A rectangle of orange light flashed open and disappeared almost as quickly.
Morgana tightened her grip on the wheel, leaning forward and holding her breath. She didn’t want to turn around just in case he needed a quick escape. It was only ten minutes later that she convinced herself that Mordred was fine for the time being, and to turn her car around to go home.
However, when she got to the junction at the bridge, she hesitated, the glare from her headlights illuminating the railings on either side.
Steeling herself, she applied pressure to the pedal. The car crept forward, loose gravel crunching loudly in the still night. As slowly as possible she edged towards the edge of town and got out, the balmy night air making her skin prickle.
The edge of town had always been mystifying to her for reasons she could never pinpoint. There was no physical line, but even now, ten feet away, it was as though she could feel a pressure trying to push her back. Like her magnetic core was the opposite charge of the town-line.
She had never focused on it before, but Mordred’s words were festering at the back of her mind.
The hairs on her forearms prickled. Closing her eyes, she let herself feel the energy around her; the whisper of a thousand voices skittering in the trees and the long, dry grass. She drew in a deep breath of the damp earth from the creek and the brittle dry dusty flavour of the weeds and brambles flanking the roadside. Taking a small step towards the sign bidding ‘GOODBYE!’, she felt a firm pulse of energy spark like electricity across her skin and through her veins. It almost felt violent. Her eyes snapped open, her heart physically hurting as though she’d been struck.
Pressing her lips together, she reached out a hand and reached out through the air, her forearm beginning to quake the closer she got to the signpost. The pressure gripped her arm like iron shackles, squeezing until the veins bulged and throbbed. It flung her arm aside, forcing her to keel over, gasping and sweating, clutching her arm to her abdomen. The adrenaline masked the reality of the pain as hot tears swarmed to her eyes. Staring up at the expanse of road that stretched forth into the black night, she tried to comprehend what she’d just felt.
Massaging some feeling back into her arm, the muscles feeling bruised to the touch, she tentatively reached out again into the air, expecting to see something that would explain the pressure she felt.
She got the same reaction.
Whipping her hand away, she felt cold dread lick up her spine and across her brow. The road looked normal, stretching far ahead and disappearing across the treeline, but the force that kept her from approaching the ‘GOODBYE!’ sign was completely invisible. Nothing in the air or on the tarmac indicated that she would have any problem to walk past the sign and make her way to the main motorway. Yet, she couldn’t move past it.
“What is this?” she whispered, feeling the energy prickle at her mind.
She backed away until the backs of her legs bumped her car. Her heart was racing as she sank into the driver’s seat and slammed the door shut. Clutching the steering wheel, she stared out down the road illuminated by her headlights. Nothing stirred, nothing made a sound, nothing changed before her eyes in any way. She felt as though it was on the tip of her tongue. She could taste the sickly prickle across her tongue, the tang of metal at the back of her throat.
Trapped, Mordred had said. It was utter madness, the ramblings of a troubled teenager.
“But what if he’s right?”
Notes:
I'd love to know what you guys think! Have I lost my touch? XD
Chapter 19: Chapter Nineteen
Chapter Text
Chapter Nineteen.
Friday dawned far too hot for the human species to be comfortable. Even before the sun had crested the treetops, the asphalt was warm underfoot and the air was like sandpaper. The sky still held some of the post-dawn blush along the horizon, birdsong chirruped in the air and already people were starting to perspire in the shade of the treeline.
Arthur and Merlin were leaning back against the boot of his car, mirroring the other, ankles and arms crossed. Merlin had his head tipped back with his eyes closed, his long pale throat exposing the nick on his jaw where he’d cut himself shaving that morning. Arthur had closed his eyes for a few minutes at a time. Despite having gone for his usual run that morning, everything had been done an hour earlier than normal, and his body was feeling the effects of it.
Merlin had been lovely and made him fresh coffee when he’d gotten back. It had gone cold as they taken full use of Hunith’s spacious shower. Every now and then when the memory resurfaced, his lips twitched. He was discovering all sorts of new ways to get Merlin to mewl like a kitten.
Still, despite their morning activities, they were still one of the first cars at the meet-up spot by the edge of the forest, his boot packed with camping gear, a change of boots, sleeping bags and a cooler full of food and drinks and some sneaky beers for when the kids were asleep. A quick glance at his watch showed that parents should be dropping off their kids soon.
A crunch of tires had him lazily open his eyes just in time to see Gwaine rock up in his beaten up car, hair a dishevelled mess and looking like he had just rolled out of bed. Arthur resisted the urge to wrinkle his nose at the man’s slovenliness, but it was a near thing. Not long after, Lance pulled up in his Land Rover with Gwen in the passenger seat, all sunny smiles and dimples as though she’d just arrived from gathering lavender in a meadow. It was sickeningly sweet, especially how they unpacked their boot as though they were conjoined.
Pushing himself away from the car, he went and greeted them all, leaving Merlin against his car -he was pretty sure the brunette had actually fallen asleep.
By the time the sun had fully risen into the sky, everyone was hot and taking as much shelter in the treeline as they could as cars pulled up for parents to deposit their children for the weekend camping trip to the castle.
The gaggle of kids and teenagers and other volunteer adults created enough noise for Merlin to stir and crack his eyes open. Arthur watched over everyone’s heads as Merlin scrubbed a hand down his face and stretched his long limbs as though he had also just rolled out of bed. Arthur wanted nothing more than to grab that stupid neckerchief and drag the man back into the blessed shower at the guesthouse.
“Alright, is everyone here?!” Gwaine hollered out, shattering the soft, buttery morning.
A chorus of “yes’s!” echoed back, although that hardly meant much. They needed to get everyone’s names written down.
“Right, I want you all to line up properly so Miss. Gwen can take your names and phone numbers for our records! Once that’s done, Arthur and I are going to run through some basics about trekking, climbing and what to do in an emergency. As we go, we will be educating you guys on the forest, castle and surrounding wildlife!”
The younger kids grew giddy with excitement while the adults shifting with little to no interest, clearly wishing to be anywhere else on a hot day. Gwen stepped forward with a clipboard and pen and starting to take down the names and numbers of the kids accompanied by their parents, and the teenagers who looked all too eager to get lost in the wilderness. A glimpse of whiteish hair indicated that Aithusa was also attending, although thankfully her grandfather had opted to stay home.
How had she gotten all the way out here by herself then?
Another surprise came in the form of Mordred, slouching up the dirt track with his hands stuffed in his pockets, a ratty rucksack slung over one shoulder and a beanie pulled low over his curls, despite the heat. He wore denim cut-offs, chunky boots and a worn-through band tee. Arthur could only pray the kid didn’t stumble into any nettles.
The kid offered Gwen a stiff, awkward smile but hastily scribbled his information down on the clipboard before shuffling to stand at the edge of the group. Arthur was surprised the teenager was even attending. Usually, he’d be hanging around with the group of teens that kept breaking into places. He frowned; he could understand his sister’s sympathy for the down-and-out kid. Could she be the reason behind his sudden appearance?
Maybe it would be good for him.
The next hour was taken up in the shade of the parking area, going over the do’s and don’t of interacting with wildlife, unknown plant-life and in case they injured themselves or some other emergencies arouse. They explained how they would be setting the pace to reach the top of the forest where the castle ruins sat by mid-afternoon, with a stop along the way for lunch and to rest. Gwen announced that she had a first-aid kit, extra suncream and after-sun lotion in case anyone was unprepared. Lance looped an arm around her waist and hugged her close, their starry eyed glances at one another making a few of the teenager boys avert their eyes.
Finally, they were really to set off.
Arthur and Gwaine began setting the pace upfront, with Merlin strolling just behind, his long legs making it easy to keep up, parents were scattered around the edges of the group of kids, their floral bucket hats making them easy to spot, while Gwen and Lance currently brought up the rear to shepherd any stragglers or to tend to anyone with cuts and scrapes.
Mordred lagged amongst the rabble, hands in his pockets and a somewhat sullen expression on his face as though he’d been forced to attend. However, as they began moving through the trees and climbing uphill, a glance behind him, showed that Mordred’s expression was neutral if nothing else, his eyes drinking in his surroundings. It was a small victory. At one point when they were carefully stumbling over a shallow creek, hopping on the slippery, moss-covered rocks, Aithusa stumbled slightly, and Mordred quickly came up behind her. She bumped against his chest before beaming up at him. After that, she didn’t seem to stray too far, much to Gwaine’s amusement.
By 1pm, Arthur called them all to a stop on a shady embankment, the thick canopy of trees providing a cool haven away from the heat of the day. The ground was a soft, plush carpet of green grass, flowers and moss. Gwen produced a bundle of brightly coloured picnic blankets for everyone to sit on. The mountain of Tupperware containers produced was astronomical. Juice pouches were brought out, 2 litre bottles of water were shared, and bags of fruit was distributed amongst the children.
As they ate, Gwen and Lance did the rounds to make sure everyone was feeling well, everyone was keeping hydrated and attending anyone who’d gotten a splinter, blisters or bruised.
“So, what’s the body count?” Arthur asked as Gwen came over and dropped down onto his picnic blanket.
Grabbing an apple, she crunched into the fruit and swiped some juice away with her thumb. “Mostly alright, a few blisters from people not wearing thick socks with hiking boots. Over-all, very good I’d say.”
“That’s good. The last thing we need is people fainting and having to trek back or be left behind.”
“You wouldn’t leave anyone behind,” Merlin scoffed with a cheeky grin. “You’re too noble.”
Arthur rolled his eyes with a scoff, but nudged Merlin’s shoulder regardless. The lanky sod had the nerve to nudge him back. Another nudge, let to another and another and all too soon, Arthur was tumbling sideways into Merlin, head tucked under his arm and scrubbing his knuckles into Merlin’s scalp. Gwen squeaked and jumped out of their way while brushing crumbs off her dungarees.
“Gosh, you two act worse than the literal children we’re minding!” she tutted with a smile. “Gwaine, keep an eye on them.”
“What makes you think I can control that?” he said around mouthfuls of apple.
She wrinkled her nose before picking her way back to Lance around the edge of the blankets.
Gwaine frowned over at Arthur and Merlin who were still scuffling around in the grass, drawing attention from the others. Some of the smaller kids shrieked and cheered them on. Even Mordred looked what amused, seeing two grown men tussle like children.
“Alright, alright, I’ll concede!” Merlin cried out, his face bright pink, his scarf askew.
“Ha!” Arthur pumped his fist in the air, before jokingly shoving Merlin back onto his elbows. “I was trained to win since birth!”
“Oh yeah? How long have you been training to be a prat?”
Gwaine barked out a laugh, while one of the mother’s made a disapproving noise. “Language in front of the kids!” she hissed.
Merlin pursed his lips and turned his head to one side, trying to hide his obviously gleeful expression.
Arthur chuckled before straightening himself up a bit and resumed eating the last of his lunch. About half an hour later, he glanced at his watch and decided that it was time to pack up and keep moving. Thanks to Gwen being the organised wonder that she was, everything was packed and somewhat lighter within ten minutes. Arthur clapped his hands to get everyone’s attention.
“Alright everyone, from here on out, we’re going to have to split the group into three. This is somewhat of a race, so each group will have a flag to stick in once we get to the summit. When each team leader calls your name, please join them so that you can be led onward, okay?”
A rumble of agreement rang out.
“Group one will be with me and Merlin, Group two with Gwaine and Iana, and Group Three will be with Gwen and Lance.”
One by one, each group read out the list of names that had been drafted the night before. As Arthur hadn’t known Mordred would be attending, he added his name in the middle, so that he wasn’t left awkwardly standing by himself. Gwaine and Iana left their team off first, heading down into a dip on the hillside and out of sight. Gwen and Lance started leading their team up on the left hand side at a steeper incline. That left Arthur and Merlin to trudge along the rocky incline that was somewhat trickier to traverse. Arthur hadn’t put any tiny, helpless children on this team for exactly that reason.
“Okay, team, let’s move out!” Arthur called.
~0~
The rock face of the hillside was something akin to actual mountain climbing sans the gear, and Merlin had not been mentally or physically prepared for it. Arthur had promised it was only a gentle hike up to the castle ruins, and one quick Google Maps search had shown more glitches than actual evidence or ruins. A physical paper map had been more helpful, but Merlin had never been good at reading those. It could have been a McDonald’s menu map for buried treasure for all he knew.
His clothes were clinging to him with a thick layer of sweat. His hair was clinging to the nape of his neck, his neckerchief was being used to mop his brow, and his water bottle was half empty. Throughout the hour they had been climbing, Merlin had lagged further and further behind until he was bringing up the rear of the group. Not that he minded. He could still see Arthur’s arse perfectly from this vantage point.
He hadn’t realised Mordred had fallen behind until he accidentally walked into the back of the teen and stumbled sideways against the cliffside. Mordred pulled out his earphones, blue eyes wide with shock.
“Sorry! Did you want something, Emrys?”
Merlin scrubbed a hand through his hair and shook his head, “I told you not to call me that.”
Mordred ducked his head, “Yeah, right, you did. Merlin. You good?”
“Just didn’t see you.” He straightened himself up and nodded towards the group ahead of them. “We shouldn’t get left behind out here. I don’t know my way around.”
Mordred lifted the corner of his mouth in a half-smile. “Yeah, wouldn’t wanna get lost in the woods with you.”
“Why not? I could be useful in the woods. I could have been a boy scout for all you know.”
“Were you?”
“Well -no, but you didn’t know that!”
Mordred rolled his eyes but continued to pick his way along the rocks and grass that littered the winding path through the trees. The ground sloped at a steep incline and the toll on their calve muscles was sudden and excruciating. Up ahead, Merlin could hear Arthur’s laughter and wished he had been able to keep up with the blonde. Unclipping his water bottle from his belt, he took a swig, recapped it and then gave Mordred a shove on the back.
“Come on, we’re falling too far behind,” he said, digging his heels in and pushing forward. “Let’s get a move on.”
Much to his relief, Mordred did as he was told.
His legs throbbed something awful by the time they’d caught up with the rest of the group. Arthur glanced back and upon seeing Merlin, he grinned brightly, his crooked canine flashing in the dappled sunlight.
“There you two are!” he grinned. “I was wondering what had happened to you two.”
The group shuffled to a standstill, many happily uncapping their bottles and drinking deeply from them. Arthur let gravity guide him down the slope and came to a stop in front of the two men, clapping Merlin heartily on the shoulder.
“Worried about me?” he teased.
“When you go skulking off in the woods with other people, yes,” Arthur grinned, though there was a tightness to his smile.
Merlin rolled his eyes and nudged his hand off, “I hadn’t realised how unfit I was. Almost knocked Modred out.”
“Yeah, nearly sent me rolling back to the bottom of the mountain,” Mordred scoffed.
Arthur looked between the two and whatever he saw made the tension unwind from his stiff shoulders. His smile became less shark-like and he softened around the edges as he moved behind both men and shoved them in the back.
“Come on, get moving. There’s little kids who are walking faster than you two!”
Merlin snorted but allowed himself to be jostled along. Mordred happily put some effort in and raced further up the hill and settled for the middle of the group as everyone started walking upwards again. Arthur hooked an arm around Merlin’s neck and smacked a kiss to his black hair.
“What were you two really doing back there?”
“I told you what happened,” Merlin frowned. “Why?”
“I guess I’m still shocked that Mordred is even here to begin with, yet he takes a shine to you for some reason.”
“Arthur, please don’t tell me you’re jealous of a teenager? That’s dumb, even for you.”
He swatted Merlin upside the head, “Of course I’m not jealous. It’s just a bit … weird. He’s always been a strange kid. Morgana always goes on about him not having the best opportunities in life, and I have to agree. This is still left field for him, though.”
“Why does it matter, as long as he’s here?”
“I suppose you’re right.”
“Wow -can I get that in writing?”
Arthur shoved him sideways with a laugh.
By late afternoon, after a rather treacherous climb over some rocky ledges and jumping over some precarious gaps like a mountain goat, the group finally broke out into the bright blue sky and scorching sunshine. The sudden loss of the trees shade immediately zapped all their remaining energy. Most people flagged in unison, some even dropping like flies into the grass, despite the incline still being steep and the edge of the hillside dropped sharply towards the rocky hillside they’d just traversed. Merlin was exhausted, slathered in his own sweat and his lungs felt like they’d shrunk in his chest. It hurt to breathe.
One of the dads had dropped onto the grass, his head stuck between his knee and wheezing for air.
Arthur was the only one who seemed in decent enough shape. He had his feet planted wide, hands on his hips and nostrils flaring wide as he breathed deeply. Other than a bit red in the cheeks and blonde hair plastered to his head, he looked no worse for wear.
Merlin wanted to hit him -if only his arms didn’t feel like lead.
Mordred watched him from the tree he was leaning against. He looked so out of place in the middle of the countryside, in his dark washed jeans and ratty band tee, alongside bucket-hatted adults and spindly-legged teenagers. Merlin found it amusing as he zipped up his fly and scrubbed some anti-bacterial gel into his hands. The smell was sharp and chemical, and made his stomach roll uncomfortably.
“You want some?” Merlin offered the little bottle.
Mordred extended his hand and accepted a squirt.
“So, what was it that made you come on this weekend trip? Didn’t think this was your sort of thing.”
“It’s not,” Mordred shrugged. “I had a bit of a chat with Morgana the other day -you know, Arthur’s sister?”
Merlin nodded.
“Well, we sort of got into it a bit and I think I yelled and said some stuff I shouldn’t have -it’s a long story. Anyway, she said about going on this trip. It felt rude to say ‘no’.”
“You don’t strike me as the sort to care about saying ‘no’ to people.”
“Usually, no, but have you tried saying ‘no’ to Morgana? It’s like magic how she gets her way.”
Merlin smirked, “Yeah, she strikes me as the sort. How come she convinced you to come along?”
“I’ve sort of hung about the wrong crowd. As you’ve seen,” Mordred averted his gaze. “I dunno -I guess -I guess I don’t want to disappoint her? She’s the only person that thinks I have potential or some shit.”
Something in his demeanour felt off to Merlin as he glanced sideways and took in Mordred’s gait and expression. He stopped short and watched Mordred walk on and stop with a frown, looking back at him.
“What exactly is your relationship with Morgana?” Merlin asked, brows knitted together.
Mordred rolled his eyes at the accusation in the tone. “Please, she wouldn’t go for me even if I wanted her to. She sees me as a troubled kid, and that’s all I’d ever be to her. So, even if I had a crush on her, it wouldn’t mean shit, would it?”
“I -suppose not, no.”
“There you go.”
Merlin frowned as Mordred turned away from him, stuffed his hands deep into his pockets and hunched his shoulders around his ears as he stalked in the direction of the group. Not wanting any bad feelings between them, especially not with the whole weekend stretching out ahead of them, Merlin reached out and grabbed at Mordred’s elbow, pulling him to a stop –
The clang of metal on metal –
Blood spraying over chalk rocks –
The crack of lightning –
“ARTHUUUUUR!”
A black blade piercing into flesh –
Ice cold blue eyes –
He lurched away, nearly falling back as he gaped over at Mordred with bile rising up the back of his throat. Mordred was gaping at him as if he was suddenly seeing clearly for the first time. What the hell had just happened? Why was his heart beating so wildly to make his chest ache? He opened his mouth as if to say something, but Merlin wasn’t listening. He turned and sprinting up the hill, making a beeline for Arthur. Mordred panicked and hurried after him, grabbing the back of his shirt and yanking him back so that they both stumbled.
Merlin went down hard, rolling over the bracken and sharp rocks, yelling as one cut his leg open. Mordred skidded down to his level, kicking up grit and dirt, grabbing onto him to stop him from rolling any further towards the ledge.
“Emrys, don’t panic! It’s not what it looks like!”
“Fuck you!” Merlin smacked him away, eyes wild. “It’s you -t-that’s why you came here, isn’t it?”
“No! Jesus, are you mad? That wasn’t me! It -it isn’t me; it can’t be!”
“I SAW YOU!”
“You don’t know what you saw!” Mordred snapped, his blue eyes glassing over with tears.
Merlin lurched forward and snatched a fistful of his shirt, yanking him so that their faces were almost touching. “I know what I saw!” he snarled. “You stay the fuck away from Arthur, do you hear me?”
A shadow passed over Mordred’s face. “You really believe I would hurt him, don’t you?”
Despite his anger, Merlin hesitated. Though he hadn’t known Mordred long and had agreed with Arthur that he was a peculiar kid, he couldn’t actively say for sure that he thought the kid capable of murder or attempted murder. Then again, who did suspect that of teenagers? The beat of silence was all the convincing Mordred needed.
“Whatever that was, it wasn’t me and it wasn’t you and it wasn’t Arthur. You really think I’d hurt him? I couldn’t do that to Morgana.”
Merlin was desperate to believe him. However, the slice of metal-on-metal, the phantom smell of blood made him want to heave.
“You can’t swear to that.”
Mordred was struck dumb. A thousand thoughts flashed across his face but none of the words were going to hold any weight, not with the way Merlin was glaring at him that way. He dropped his gaze, noticing the rip in Merlin’s jeans and the spiderweb of blood on his calve.
“Here, Emrys, let me help.”
Merlin batted his hands away. “I’m fine! And my name isn’t Emrys, I keep telling you that!”
“I’m so-”
“Enough! Just -help me up.”
Mordred was conflicted but grabbed onto Merlin’s outstretched hand and helped heave him upright. Merlin felt stiff and awkward as he clung onto the teenagers shoulders, awkwardly shifting up the hill, jostling into Mordred and dragging his stinging leg after him. The teenagers hold on him was firm and stable for the most part, and Merlin hated every moment of it. Limping uphill was enough to make him sweat profusely, the anger simmering at the forefront of his mind was warring with what he knew of Mordred, here in front of him. They two didn’t match up and it pissed him off.
By the time their group came into view, they had crested the top of the hill and moved out of the trees. Arthur had directed the group over to the smattering of low rocks that had made up an outer wall, once upon a time. The group had mostly sat down in the grass of on the rocks, rubbing in more suncream and handing out drinks.
Upon seeing them emerge, Arthur strutted over like a man on a mission. “MERLIN!”
They both stopped, Mordred out of fear and Merlin because his human crutch was frozen like a puppy.
The moment Arthur was within arm’s reach; he glanced down at Merlin’s leg and frowned harder. “What happened to you two?”
“Em -um -M-Merlin came over a bit funny a-and he fell. I w-went to h-help.”
“Thanks, Mordred. Go and have a rest. I’ll sort this idiot out.”
Mordred looked awkward, eyes flicking between the two. He wasn’t given much of a choice as Arthur looped Merlin’s free arm around his neck and took his weight off of the teen and started heading back to the wall where he’d dropped his own baggage. Merlin clung to Arthur with a lot more surety than he had Mordred. The hard muscles gave him a reassurance that he wasn’t going to fall and crumble like a packet of crisps.
“You want to tell me what really happened?” Arthur asked in a level tone, easing Merlin down onto a low squared rock.
Merlin shifting, the pockmarked stone biting through his jeans. His stinging leg was starting to prickle, and he hissed sharply when Arthur crouched down and tugged the leg of his jeans up.
“This is why I told you not to wear the skinny jeans,” Arthur tutted gently. “I don’t think Gwen is going to be here for a little while. I’ve only got my little first aid kit in my pack.”
“It’ll do. It’s only a little scrape.”
Arthur arched an eyebrow at him but didn’t comment as he tore open an antiseptic wipe with his teeth. The moment the wipe made contact with Merlin’s scraped leg, he gasped as the fresh sting in his flesh as Arthur cleaned the cut as gently as possible.
“Shh, it’s okay, I know it hurts.”
“Fuck! Shit! Sorry -the kids!”
“They’re fine, they’re all off playing.”
Merlin pursed his lips as Arthur tossed the wipe aside and peeled some of the largest plasters he had. He taped them over Merlin’s grizzly looking leg, leaving no exposed cuts, and gently slid the borrowed cotton socks back up to Merlin’s knee. He sat back on his haunches, elbows on his knees and looked up at Merlin, a puzzled tilt to his mouth.
“What’s going on, Merlin?”
Eyes locked, Merlin warred with everything he had just witnessed colliding with everything he thought he knew. He didn’t want to keep things from Arthur. However, the truth would make him sound insane.
“I worry that Mordred might do something dangerous.”
A crease appeared between Arthur’s brows. “Has he said something?”
“N-no.”
“Done something?”
“Not yet, no.”
“Is he carrying any weapons?”
“Not that I saw.”
“Then where is this sudden paranoia coming from? The kid seems to look up to you, almost as much as he does to Morgana. Lord, help him.”
Merlin knew he was trying to get him to smile, but his mouth would not cooperate. Arthur sighed, his shoulders sagging, his hand still cupping Merlin’s cut leg. He gave it a squeeze before wriggling the denim down to cover the plasters.
“We can keep a closer eye on Mordred, if it will make you feel better. For now, let’s get up to the ruins, declare a winner and get settled in for the night.”
Despite his reluctance to let the matter go, Merlin knew there was no hope pressing the issue right now. Accepting Arthur’s offered hand, he grunted as he was tugged upright onto his feet. He staggered against Arthur, righted himself, and shoulders his rucksack, ready for the last leg.
~0~
Setting up camp has been set at a slow, steady rhythm. Gwaine’s group had been triumphant by seven measly minutes, but Arthur accepted his defeat with as much grace as he could muster. Little tents and bedrolls were set out in a small patch of dirt near the ruins main entrance, and an enclosed fire had been set up to help cook their food and, later, cook marshmallows. Gwen had helped shepherd the younger children into their tents, reading them short bedtime stories and making sure everyone had brushed their teeth and used the loo beforehand. Lance and Gwaine had helped corral the teenagers into a large tent and outdoor bedrolls for anyone who fancied it.
The rest of the adults passed around a small hipflask of whiskey back and forth, knowing that they couldn’t get completely pissed while looking after the children.
Over the crackling fire, Arthur watched as Merlin loped back across the dried, brittle grass, lanky arms swinging at his sides and high cheekbones illuminated as he drew closer. For a brief moment, Arthur thought that he looked like a fae prince ready to whisk him away on an insane adventure. Taking a swig from Gwaine’s flask, he hissed as the liquid burned down his throat. His eyes were sore from the heat of the fire. He had elected to take first-watch. Gwaine and Lance would take over at 3am. It wasn’t exactly necessary, but Arthur and his men had agreed it weeks beforehand.
Eventually the others retired to the tents and bedrolls they’d brought. Arthur remained by the fire.
Slowly the sounds of the quiet chatter petered out until only the crackle of the fire and the buzz of insects filled the air. Arthur hunched over with his elbows on his knees and stared into the fire without seeing it. At some point he felt a presence sit beside him. He didn’t need to look to know it was Merlin.
“It really is beautiful out here,” Merlin said, pitching his voice low.
Arthur hummed.
“I’m sorry about earlier. I don’t know what came over me.”
“Do you really think Mordred could be dangerous?” Arthur asked, just as quietly.
Merlin pursed his lips in thought, trying to pick out the words that were least likely to cause an argument. “I shouldn’t have said anything. I’m still new around here. I shouldn’t make judgements about people I barely know.”
“Sometimes our first impressions are good ones. I thought you two got on alright, from the start.”
He shrugged, “Like I said, I don’t know what came over me. Maybe the heat?”
Arthur turned to him with firm, blue eyes. “You and I both know it wasn’t the heat.”
“I -maybe not. I don’t know what it was, though.”
“Hm. As I said we can keep a close eye him over the trip. Just -try not to be paranoid? He has it hard enough as it is. I’d like to think this trip is a break from all of that.”
Shame splintered through Merlin’s mind. It was hardly the course he wanted to take; however, he didn’t know what he was dealing with. His skin still buzzed from the whole ordeal. Flexing his hands out towards the fire, he felt the same electricity lick up his veins and tickle down his spine. Even the ground beneath his feet seemed to buzz with a subdued energy. How on earth would he be able to sleep with that energy pulsing under him?
“Why don’t you get some sleep?” Arthur suggested, nudging his shoulder.
He scoffed, “You’re not getting rid of me that easily. I’ll go to sleep when you do.”
“Merlin, you’re injured. Just do as your told for once.”
“You know you can’t boss me around.”
For the first time all evening, Arthur cracked a half-smile. He shook his head and raked a hand through his hair. For his part, Merlin felt his eyelids grow a little heavy over his sore eyes, but he refused to call it quits.
“I’ve always loved coming up to these ruins,” Arthur’s low voice broken the quiet. “Morgana and I used to hike up here most weekends. She used to swear there were fairies down by the rivers, and unicorns in the woods. Once I even threatened her that I would go and slay the unicorn because that’s what knights did. She didn’t speak to me for a whole week.”
Merlin chuckled. “To be fair, I’d probably react that same. Unicorns are amazing creatures.”
“I’d always preferred dragons.”
“Ha! Of course you did. Dragons can be overrated.”
Arthur tutted. “Only you would think a wise old dragon would be overrated.”
“I feel like they’re the Dumbledore of magical creatures. All whimsy and riddles without actually being helpful.”
He laughed, “That almost sounds like old John. It’s a wonder Aithusa is as well-adjusted as she is.”
Merlin hummed, not daring himself to speak. It wouldn’t do to mention that said girl left a tiny bowl of milk outside of her tent for any fairies that lurked nearby. Stifling a yawn, he cast a look over at his bedroll. Resolutely, he stood up, brushed dirt from his trousers and snagged his bedroll and dragged it over to the fireside. He dropped it down near Arthur’s feet and collapsed on the faint padding.
“What’re you doing? You’ll set yourself on fire.”
“Nah I’ll be fine,” Merlin yawned.
He wriggled down into his bedroll and cushioned his head with his arm. It was incredibly warm by the fire, so warm he wanted to climb back out of his sleeping bag. He could feel the weight of Arthur’s gaze on him. Eventually he heard the earth get disturbed as Arthur slumped down against the log he’d used as a seat, crossed his legs at the ankle before reaching down to card his fingers through Merlin’s hair.
After an hour or two, Arthur sat watching the flames as though in a trance. The fire had grown low in the pit, but he wasn’t planning to add anymore kindling to it. The sky had started to lighten ever-so-slightly on the horizon. He became aware of a presence just over his right shoulder. His hand stilled in Merlin’s hair where he’d been stroking it on-and-off for a while now.
“Can I sit?” Mordred asked, making himself known.
Arthur nodded. Mordred settled beside him, hunched over on the log, his hands clasped between his knees.
“I’m sorry that Merlin got hurt because of me.”
“What happened?” Arthur asked brusquely. “One minute Merlin is right beside me, the next, he’s lagged behind and then injured himself.”
He turned his firm stare up to Mordred. The teen had enough of a mindset to shrink under the gaze. “I -I tried to help. He’s stubborn.”
“Yes. He is. However, that doesn’t explain why he suddenly thinks you have ill intentions.”
Mordred’s gaze shot up. “He thinks that?”
“He does.”
“I -I just wanted to help.”
“I believe you, Mordred. Despite your track record, I think you’re a good kid. However Morgana wants to help, I’d like to help too.”
“Really? Why?”
“I just don’t think I can call myself the chief of this town and turn a blind eye to those who need help.”
“I’m not a charity case!”
“No one thinks you are. If Merlin, or anyone else, thinks you’re still troubled, prove them wrong.”
Mordred narrowed his eyes, “How?”
“Whatever they assume you’re going to do, do the complete opposite.”
“What does that even mean?”
“They all might think that you’re a roughed-up slacker who breaks into places and steals things for weed. I think you can be so much more than that.”
Mordred chewed on his bottom lip, “You make it sound so easy.”
“I’m not claiming it will be easy, kid. I’m saying it will be so worth it for you. Get away from that gang you hang with. They don’t want anything good for you.”
“Okay -I’ll try my best.”
“Good man,” Arthur reached up and clapped Mordred on the arm. “Now, go and get some sleep. I’ll have to change off with Gwaine and Lance soon enough.”
“What about Merlin? What if he still thinks … I’m trouble?”
“Prove him wrong,” Arthur shrugged. “Help people. Be kind. Go above and beyond for others. Everything helps.”
Mordred still didn’t look convinced, but he relented with a stiff smile. He unfolded himself from his crumpled position and bade Arthur goodnight with a little wave. Arthur watched him go, a heaviness weighing down on his mind that wasn’t purely down to tiredness. He watched Mordred’s shadow disappear across the green before it dipped back inside his tent. He waited a couple of moments.
“I know you’re awake, Merlin.”
It was quiet for a beat, before Merlin sighed and rolled onto his front and propped himself up on his elbows. His hair was scruffy and sticking up in all directions. His cheek was creased, and his eyes were heavily lidded, so he had been asleep for a little while.
“How could you tell?”
“Your breathing changed.”
“Stalker.”
Arthur rolled his eyes. “Eavesdropping on private conversations?”
“You knew there was a risk I’d hear, don’t act all high and mighty.”
He snorted, “Fair enough. So, what do you think?”
With a sigh, Merlin forced himself up onto his knees. “I don’t know. I want to give him the benefit of the doubt but -I just have this weird feeling around him now -and he calls me Emrys and -it’s just all feels weird.”
“You know I’d not let anything bad happen, right?”
Merlin locked his eyes with the blonde man next to him and fought against the words swimming in his brain. All he could see was the gut-punch reaction of a blade slicing through flesh. A tremor ran through him. It was on the tip of his tongue to argue against the notion, but the bags under Arthur’s eyes were prominent enough and made him feel ridiculously guilty.
“I know you wouldn’t,” he finally said, much to Arthur’s relief.
‘Neither will I,’ went unsaid, but circulated in Merlin’s head as he watched the blonde stand, stretch and go over to Gwaine to kick him awake for his shift on watch.
As he and Arthur dragged their bedrolls a little further away from the firepit, Merlin was resolved to keep a close eye on both Arthur and Mordred for as long as he was able. The overwhelming urge to keep Arthur safe, despite him being a fully capable man, was a new and terrifying feeling. It burrowed straight down into his marrow, as though it had been branded upon his soul.
He stayed awake, watching as Arthur fell asleep beside him in his own sleeping bag, the stars twinkling out overhead. He let out a shaky breath. Arthur was alive; he was alive and whole and right in front of him. He stayed awake as long as physically possible.
He finally faded into sleep as dawn brimmed over the horizon.
Chapter 20: Chapter Twenty
Notes:
I am aiming to get this story finished by the end of the year! Please keep your fingers crossed for me and thank you to everyone who is still invested in this! I've had such a busy month (a friends wedding in China among other things!) so I am super grateful for your patience!
Chapter Text
Chapter Twenty.
The town was weirdly quiet without most of the police force and kids. Morgana propped her head up on her chin and cast her green eyes over the town square, tapping her free hand on the rim of her coffee cup. She’d been up from 5am and hadn’t been able to get back to sleep, Mordred’s words circling in her mind. The town was bathed in the quiet, misty hush of a summer morning. Most people were not yet awake, however the little bakery down the road from Uther’s manor house always opened at the crack of dawn. She’d been a loyal customer for as long as she could remember.
Once a comforting thought, not it felt almost humbling. How long was that, precisely? Could she scale her mind back to her childhood? Was the haze the typical reaction to aging or was there something deeper at play?
Magic.
The idea seemed both preposterous and at the same time, like a warm bowl of soup settling in her gut. Perhaps it didn’t seem as ridiculous as she would have initially thought? She would prefer to talk to someone else about it, someone who might have some insight to all of it. She just wasn’t sure who that person would be. She had tried to call Morgause last night, the first night the town lacked life as she knew it, but her friend had laughed mirthlessly and told her she’d been up late reading again, right?
Suffice to say, it had not been the reaction Morgana had been looking for.
Smoothing at the crease in her brow, she happened to glance up across to the park and noticed Gaius walking slowly alongside Old John, keeping to the cool, longer shadows of the trees dotted along the road. Something scratched at the back of her mind. These were two of the oldest men in the town, they’d known Donald King, surely they might be able to answer the things on her mind?
Her body moved automatically and before she knew it, her heels were clicking across the tarmac.
“Gaius! John! Can I speak to you for a moment?”
The two men stopped and looked up at her, bushy eyebrows raised. “Ah, Morgana, to what do I owe the pleasure?” Gaius offered her a smile.
“I don’t want to bog you both down so early in the morning –“
“Oh, please, we’re old men!” John chuckled. “This is practically midday for us. What can we help you with, my dear?”
“It was something Mordred had said to me actually,” she hedged, adjusting her grip on her coffee cup. “About no one ever really being able to leave the town. Like the town boundary was … cursed, or something?” She added a laugh, but it sounded high-pitched and fake to her own ears.
Gaius arched an eyebrow at her, while John looked between the two of them, his little horn-rimmed glasses reflecting the light. “Cursed?” he croaked.
“I know, it sounds silly!” her mouth felt stretched into a toothy smile. “It was just -something he said. And I went to the town line the other night -”
“You went to the town line? Alone?” Gaius asked, sternly.
There was something in his tone, something dark and urgent. It was completely at odds with his gentile persona, that it caught her off-guard. She frowned at the two men before her; though she was taller than both of them, she suddenly felt like a toddler getting in trouble by her grandparents.
Shifting her weight, she drew in a deep breath. “Should I not go to the town line alone? Is there something wrong?”
“No, no,” Gaius hastened, shaking his long mane of silvery white hair. “It’s just that -late at night, it can be dangerous?”
“What, is a fox going to maul me?”
“Foxes aren’t the only things that lurk in those woods, dear girl,” John tutted. “It never hurts to be cautious.”
“What is it that I’m supposed to be cautious of?” she stressed. At their heavy looks, she felt frustration take hold of her. “What exactly is it that isn’t being told to me?”
“Nothing, dear child, it’s only unwise to be traversing in the woods at that time of night.”
“The edge of town is hardly ‘in the woods’,” she scoffed.
John sighed heavily through his nose, his brows rising up into his wiry hairline. The judged feeling intensified. Morgana felt the anger building inside her like static electricity. It made her fingers and hands tingle with an electrical charge that made every digit ache.
Gaius raised an eyebrow and took a step closer to her, his hand coming up to rest on her shoulder. She resisted the urge to shake him off, though his touch was not providing the comfort it usually did. “Morgana, have you had trouble sleeping lately?”
Her mouth dropped open a little, a flash of all her sleepless nights shooting through her temple and making her wince with the physical twinge. “I -I might have …”
“Has the tonic I’ve given you run out already?”
“I -I -” how did she have the stomach to tell him she didn’t like the taste? That she hadn’t used it in weeks? It shouldn’t make a difference to the situation at hand -right?
Gaius seemed to sense her distress. “Oh, Morgana. You have to get some proper rest from all that work you do. The town wouldn’t run without you at the helm, but you need to look after yourself too.”
Letting out a shuddery breath, Morgana pressed her hands over the angles of her face. The pressure was somehow comforting compared to the thumping in her skull. Why did she feel like all her nerves had been frayed raw? She felt discomforted by the quietness of the town, by the absence of children’s laughter, traffic and the sheer presence of Arthur and his wayward friends.
“Come with me, let me take you back to mine so you can rest,” John offered.
Gaius turned to his friend with a frown, “Are you sure that’s wise, John?”
“Whyever not? Aithusa is off camping for the weekend, and Bal comes and goes as he pleases. Morgana will be perfectly safe having a proper rest somewhere quiet and peaceful.”
“No, no, that’s alright,” she croaked, wiping at her cheeks. “I’ll head back to my chalet.”
“With all due respect, my dear, that hasn’t worked for you so far,” John looked between the two of them. “Come. Gaius can have a cup of tea and keep me company.”
With a huff, Gaius shrugged a shoulder, “I suppose the oldest man in the town has spoken.”
“Now, Gaius, I’m offended!” John chided. “I do believe our dear friend, Geoffrey holds that title.”
Despite herself, Morgana hiccoughed a laugh, wiped at her raw eyes, and allowed herself to be guided by the two men towards John’s house.
When they arrived, John busied himself in the kitchen fixing them all some sweetened iced tea that Bal fixed after breakfast. He ushered them out into the conservatory where the temperature was temperate, and the reclining loungers was enough to ease most aches and pains. The moment Morgana sank into the cushioned seat, she felt herself melt, completely unaware at how tightly wound she had become until that moment. She accepted the tall glass of iced tea from John with a weary, grateful smile.
“I really didn’t mean to impose on your day.”
Gaius and John both waved her concerns aside. Easing himself into the cushioned lounger, John stretched his thin legs out and crossed them at the ankle. “Don’t you trouble yourself on that, dear girl. With Aithusa off at that camping weekend and Bal doing all sorts of odd jobs around town, I’m left to my own devices.”
“You’re not stuck indoors, though,” she frowned. “You and Gaius were walking around earlier.”
“It’s good to keep the old bones moving,” Gaius said.
“Even so, I’m not as agile as I once was. Company feels scarcer these days. Although having that young Merlin around has done wonders.”
Morgana’s eyebrows lifted, “He comes around often, then?”
“Every few days. I’m grateful for the company and the extra pair of hands. He’s like the big brother Aithusa never had. Bal seems to have taken a shine to him too, in his own surly way.”
“Bal likes him? That is impressive.”
“He has helped me with my deliveries as well,” Gaius stirred his tea. “I have to say, since he started volunteering at the police station, that brother of yours has been having a better time of it.”
“That’s not what Uther says,” Morgana sighed, rubbing at her temples. “Then again, he seems to have a stick up his arse about most things these days.”
“If you don’t mind my saying so, dear, but it doesn’t seem as though your father is the one with the problem.”
“What do you mean by that?”
The two men exchanged a glance. They seemed to do that a lot; communicate with meaningful looks and raising their bushy eyebrows in complicated patterns.
“It seems that Nimueh may be the one with a proclivity for -how can I say it?” Gaius entwined his fingers across his stomach. “She seems to be the one to take issue with things your brother does. Only then does Uther see fit to intervene.”
“My father is too bull-headed to be led around like a puppy just because he has a pretty girl on his arm,” she scoffed.
“Even so, I know you’ve noticed it as well.”
She pursed her lips, unable to deny the claim. In truth, she had noticed that there were some strange interactions between the two. It had gotten to the that even during social engagements, announcements or any other public appearances. It irked her when she saw her father leaning down to listen to whatever spells Nimueh whispered into his ear. The more she thought about it, the more instances came to the forefront of her mind. Had she been ignoring the signs for longer than she thought? What of Arthur, had he noticed these things too or was he too oblivious in his hero-worship of his father to pay attention?
Slumping back, she allowed the cushions to envelop her. She would need to ask John where he got these chairs. They were desperately comfy. She could definitely do with one back at her chalet.
“So, Nimueh is pulling my father’s strings? He turns a blind eye to what is actually wrong and instead panders to that harlot for her every whim?”
“Well, I wouldn’t put it quite like that -”
“I would!” John tutted admonishingly. “That woman is a menace, using your father as a scapegoat. I don’t know what power she has over him, whether it be blackmail or something else. What I have seen for myself, is that she is incredibly manipulative.”
“That we can agree on,” Gaius nodded sagely.
“I’ve also noticed, that since our Merlin has come to town, she has taken great issue with the police department. A lot of building developments suddenly coming under way.”
“Isn’t that more so that we don’t disrupt the town during the summer holidays?” Morgana asked. “Isn’t that the norm everywhere?”
“Regardless, suddenly wanting to demolish old churches for a new shopping complex is the worst use of the council funds that I’ve seen in years!” John groused, clenching his wizened hands into fists.
Morgana couldn’t help but smile as he ruffled a hand through his wiry white hair.
“I’m sure the townsfolk won’t let it come to pass.”
“You don’t know that!” John tutted, waving Gaius off with a scowl. “Regardless, it will probably go through. I’m surprised the castle ruins have been left intact for as long as they have. This weekend will probably be the last one the kids will get a chance to enjoy.”
“The castle ruins of a sacred monument of the Old Religion. Father wouldn’t be able to touch it, not without invoking a revolt led by old Geoffrey,” Morgana tried for levity, but it fell somewhat flat.
“You’d be surprised what’s been approved since that little chit came along,” Gaius arched an eyebrow with a disapproving shake of his head.
Morgana furrowed her brow. Was that true? If so, it had been little things, inconsequential things. If she had been in Nimeuh’s position, then starting small made sense, as a way of testing the waters and gradually get bolder and bolder. However, she liked to think that she had nothing in common with her father’s secretary. The knowledge didn’t sit well in her gut. Was she missing something? Had she been too focused on corralling Morgause whenever she got a bee in her bonnet, or watching over Arthur and Mordred that she had failed to notice Nimueh’s influence over her father?
While it was true she and Uther butted heads constantly, she didn’t like the idea that his morals were being corrupted by some woman who came out of nowhere, in a tight little skirt.
“Uther is lucky that there isn’t a mayoral election anytime soon. From what I’ve heard at the Bridge club, no one is especially happy with how things have been going lately.”
Morgana snorted, “He’s lucky he gets voted in every time. I can’t remember a year he wasn’t the mayor.”
Gaius and John shared a look but said nothing.
“I suppose that’s because no one wants to run against him.”
“But why?” Morgana frowned, leaning forward in her seat. “Surely if there are so many people who are unhappy with how things have been run, someone should have the nerve to stand up for the town?”
“And risk his wrath?” Gaius tutted. “There’s a reason most of his staff have transferred to other departments, my dear.”
Morgana chewed her lip. It was true, there had been a lot of personnel changes. Had it been that easy for Nimueh to step into the role? If everyone else had gone elsewhere, then it would make sense as to one of the reasons why she was hired. Those skirts, though, really were too tight.
“Someone needs to slap him in the face with the truth! This is ridiculous, it’s like he’s being brainwashed.”
“Uther listens to fewer and fewer people,” Gaius sighed, before standing up with a groan. “Oof! These old knees have seen better days. Anyone want a snack?”
That’s how Morgana got passively strong-armed into spending the rest of the day in the company of two old men. While no one brought up Uther or Nimueh’s influence on him again, the weight of their earlier conversation still hung at the back of her mind.
By late afternoon, Morgana decided she needed to make a move and take some time for herself. She bade both men farewell and graciously accepted a Tupperware of Bal’s food -she truly had no idea where the man had learned to cook, but he was talented -before heading back to the town square.
The buttery sunlight cast a glow over the town, the lack of loud children and harried parents was a strange experience, as though a moment in time had been frozen and she was the only one awake, drifting through the sleepy, sunny square. It was like walking through treacle, making her legs feel thick and heavy.
She returned to her chalet, the weight of everything pushing down on her. Collapsing onto the bed, she let her eyes fall shut, feeling tired for the first time in weeks.
When she woke up later that evening, she felt slightly better though her mouth tasted furry. Her place was dark, the early evening light casting long shadows around the gloom. Checking her phone, she saw that she had a few unanswered texts from Gwen, Mordred and even one from Arthur.
After she replied to all of them, she dragged herself upright, went to the kitchen and poured herself a glass of milk and downed it. Scratching a hand through her hair, she pondered all that Gaius and John had mentioned earlier. It deeply unsettled her to think that Uther was being controlled, that their town was slowly turning more into a dictatorship rather than the sleepy little getaway she’d always known it to be.
Not to mention, why would Uther tear down the church where he had married Ygraine? The townsfolk treated the ruins as hallowed. Why would Uther suddenly -not?
Though Morgana and her stepmother had not necessarily been close before she’d disappeared, she had been the flower girl at their wedding, and she had seen the pain her absence had wrought upon Uther and Arthur. The pain followed them like a spectre. To suddenly tear down somewhere that had one held such joy seemed blasphemous.
Feeling anger swell inside her, she decided she needed answers. Now.
Swiping her phone up, stuffing her feet into her trainers, she snatched her keys from the counter and rushed out the door. A quick glance up at the manor from the garden path showed that all of the windows were dark. Uther must still be at the town office. She hurried to her car, started the engine and raced down the road.
The roads were mostly clear as she careened towards the town hall and the offices beside it. Most of the windows were dark except for a couple on the second floor. Morgana felt her insides boil. There were so many nights that Uther had spent squirreled away in his offices for his campaign’s, for board meetings, for council meetings; she was used to searching for his office window.
Parking her car by the main gate, she climbed out and stormed inside, the door banging closed behind her.
The dim power-saving lights illuminated the stairwells and immediately triggered a headache as she took the stairs two at a time and stalked down the corridor towards his office.
In the dull light the painted “MAYOR” on the frosted glass window stared down at her mockingly.
Twisting the knob, she barged into the office with a snapped, “Uther!” to announce herself.
Time seemed to stop.
Uther let out a yell of surprise, oddly splayed behind his desk, his face immediately flushing red. Morgana frowned and drew nearer only to feel bile rush up her throat at the sight of Nimueh perched between Uther’s splayed legs, barely shielding his flesh from view. Her usually immaculate red lipstick was smeared around her spit-slicked mouth. Her eyes flashed dangerously, and the corner of her mouth ticked up in a smirk.
“What the hell is going on?” Morgana spat, forcing her eyes to lock onto Uther’s. “This tart is more important than doing your actual job, is it?”
Nimueh sneered.
“M-Morgana -” Uther extended a hand as though to reach for her, but his precarious position made him freeze and hastily try to cover his lap, pushing Nimueh away.
“Don’t come near me!” Morgana snarled, taking a step back. “All you’ve done, all you’ve been doing, everything you have built is going up in flames all so that she can -what? Suck what little brain you have left through your dick?”
“Now, listen here! I’ll not have you -”
“Enough, Uther! Do you really think I have any respect for what you have to say now?” she scoffed, feeling maniacal as, out of the corner of her eye, Nimueh got to her feet and straightened her skirt down over her thighs. Morgana felt sick at seeing the flesh of red underwear.
Turning her back on the apoplectic man, she stormed over to the door and sneered over her shoulder, “Go to hell, Uther. Do not contact me again.”
She slammed the door so hard the glass rattled in the frame.
The warm evening air did nothing to dispel the prickling electricity she felt over her skin as she climbed into her car and slammed the door. She let out a deep, heaving breath while gripping the steering wheel. Anger seemed to rattle her from her core, the pressure already crushing her skull from the outside. Hot tears burned in her eyes, but nothing spilled. It just sat there, as though her head were filling with the weighted memories and physical tears, like a river behind a dam. Soon it would burst, she could feel it.
Rubbing her face raw, she fumbled with the keys to turn the engine on, before hastily pulling out onto the road and driving aimlessly. She just needed to put as much distance between her and Uther as possible.
Though the roads were empty, Morgana’s body was going through the erratic motions of heaving without any tears falling. Her driving grew erratic as she white-knuckled the steering wheel, twisting the car from left to right on the road as though dodging pedestrians. The roads were empty. In her tear-filled haze, the anger bubbled through her veins like molten lava, and the pressure felt like it was cracking her skull plates.
She flipped her headlights on.
The beams caught on something large and white barring the road. It seemed to shriek at her, rattling her bones.
She swerved to avoid the creature and crashed straight into a tree.
The airbag deployed and smacked her head back roughly against the headrest. After some time in a black void, she felt her consciousness float up and sink down, always just within reach but never settling. It made her feel dizzy and nauseated.
An autopilot, she managed to fumble the door open and practically fall out into the fresh air. She heaved onto the tarmac, bracing herself against the car and grimacing as she ruined her shoes. Straightening up, she touched a hand to her head and winced at the gash and sticky blood smeared across her forehead. Glancing behind the car, looking for the white beast, she frowned.
She ‘WELCOME’ sign into Cam-Lott was slightly dented. She was barely two feet away from it.
The town line.
Mordred’s words rang eerily in her head, sending a fresh wave of bile up her throat.
Her whole body felt weakened, as though going anywhere near the town line was zapping any residual energy out of her. Pain radiated from the back of her head, and she could feel her body wavering.
When firm, hard hands touched her, she screamed and swung her fist around, connecting with a solid chest. Uther let out a grunt but maintained his steadying grip on her. She hated how it was grounding her in her dazed state.
“Morgana, you’re bleeding. Let me help you.”
She shoved him away, “I don’t need your help!”
Uther watched her, his expression hurt and concerned, though he knew better than to approach her. Morgana tried her best to straightened herself up and clear her head by drawing in deep breaths. She paced somewhat, nearer to the town line but felt a pressure in her chest keeping her back. When she turned back to Uther, Nimueh was a mere foot in front of her, blocking most of her view of her father. She frowned, her skin itching at their close proximity.
“You should really be careful with a concussion,” Nimueh purred, faux sympathy coating her words. “It can make one terribly unbalanced.”
Morgana shoved her hard, sending her skittering back on her heels. Nimueh angled her body just so Uther couldn’t see and landed a solid punch in Morgana’s gut. She doubled over, saliva dribbling through her clenched teeth. The pain was astronomical.
“Oh, dear, we need to get her to a hospital!” Nimueh cried loudly, the sound ringing in Morgana’s ears. Through her curtain of tangled hair, she grimaced as Nimueh crouched down to her level and smirked thinly at her before lowering her voice. “Let’s hope you get a good, long sleep out of it.”
Whatever balance Morgana had, was gone. Nimueh pushed her so that she careened backwards across the tarmac, her ankle twisting underneath her. She landed hard in the middle of the road, her head smacking against the embankment.
“MORGANA!”
Uther hurried to her side, but before he could reach her, Nimueh stepped between them, barring him.
“No, Uther, listen to me!” she cried as Uther struggled against the unusually strong woman.
He needed to get to Morgana, she was bleeding, she wasn’t moving, she needed help!
“Uther, call an ambulance! We can’t move her; we might worsen her injuries!”
Uther faltered for a moment, the logic barely piercing the veil of panic shrouding him. With shaking hands, he fished his phone out of his pocket and dialed for an ambulance. As he paced a little way off, Nimueh stared down and Morgana’s immobile body, and curled her lips up in distaste.
‘How tragic that such a strong talent could barely handle her gift,’ she tsked to herself.
Peering up, she saw that Morgana’s body was sprawled out on either side of the ‘WELCOME’ sign, with her upper body having crossed the boundary line. Nimueh smirked. There was hope yet.