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“WAKEY WAKEY MERLIN YOU LAZY ASS” Arthur’s voice tore into his eardrums, shocking him out of his sleep. His covers were yanked away. The sudden loss of warmth made Merlin shiver. He determinedly screwed his eyes shut and turned into the pillows, despite knowing that he wouldn’t get another second of dreamland. Not with Arthur here. God knows why Ma let Arthur in. Merlin was the early riser between the two of them. What the hell was wrong with Arthur today.
“Gnnghhshehge” He’d meant to tell Arthur to sod off, but ended up sounding like a thousand-year-old sorcerer on his death bed still yearning for his long dead lover to return from the lake in the last minutes of consciousness. Oh wouldn’t that be nice to be dead instead. Arthur, who definitely was taking his delight in tormenting Merlin, also took his pillow away. Merlin made grabby hands at the empty air and let out a truly pathetic whine.
Strong hands took hold of Merlin’s ankle and pulled.
“What—— ARTHUR!!” Merlin screeched. He desperately grabbed at his Monster Inc. bedsheets but Arthur was too strong. Fuck the gymbros. Ugh. He scrambled some more but it was futile, he could feel himself being dragged across the bed.
“LET GO!!!” Adrenaline flooded his veins as he landed a kick against Arthur’s something? He wasn’t sure since his eyes were still tightly closed. Yep he’s going to take as much shut eye as he can get sue him.
He heard a little “oof” and felt a wave of satisfaction. But the blow did little to deter the bloke who has been putting up with his physical attacks for years. Merlin was still being tugged off the bed at an alarming speed. His legs left the bed first, then his butt, and the rest would just be gravity and physics.
Merlin was expected to land on his ass on the carpet and braced himself for the impact of his head knocking against the wood of the bed. Instead, hands grabbed at his armpits and the last of the bed lost contact with him as he was hoisted into the air, simba style. Legs dangling mid air. Does Arthur have to flex his strength or draw attention to the fact that Merlin has the build and weight of a twig? Does he? Merlin hates him a lot sometimes.
Internally sighing, he admitted his defeat and opened a singular eye. Arthur was grinning like a maniac, dressed in a baby blue shirt and shorts, the summer 4am sunlight illuminating his profile.
“Now that you’re awake, I’d like to announce we’re going surfing.” He sing-songed as he shook Merlin mid-air. Merlin just let him as he remained limp.
“Hnndndndjgnke. You don’t even surf you clotpole.”
“Which is why we’re going to learn today. I’m doing you a favor. Where’s my thanks?” Arthur smiled even brighter, clearly enjoying Merlin’s misery.
“I’ve had enough of swimming lessons.” Merlin grimaced.
“Come onnn, Merlinnn.” Arthur was pouting. Oh no. He’s adorable in a totally no-homo way. There’s no way anyone could turn Arthur down after he made those horrid puppy eyes.
“Merlin.” Oh no.
Which was why Merlin found himself in his swimming trunks and flip-flops in a random bay in goddamn South Wales running on 3 hours of sleep. He’d nearly thrown up his breakfast on the 3-hour car ride there. Why were they in South Wales.
It was hot as hell. He missed his bed. Seagulls squawked annoyingly as they walked past him, some giving him a double take and a few side eyes, judging him and his bad decisions with their bird brains. Merlin hoped they’d go extinct.
They had been introduced to Coach Somers. Of course Arthur got them a private coach. They sat on the sand while Coach briefed them about safety. He should’ve listened more carefully, but it was really difficult to not get distracted by the sunlight reflecting off Arthur’s sculpted pecs. No homo at all. What, sue him for appreciating peak male body anatomy, he was gay and 17 okay?
Coach made them practice popping up on the surfboard on sand to imitate getting onto the surfboard on water. Merlin tried his best to copy whatever the coach had demonstrated.
“Don’t let your head droop, Merlin.” Merlin instantly snapped his neck up, eager to learn as much as he could and survive today. Well, he was kind of failing already, judging by the way that Coach had corrected his posture 5 times in the past minute already.
Arthur snorted. Coach’s head snapped to him. “Arthur, I would like to remind you that you have arms.” And it was Merlin’s turn to giggle. Arthur mouthed "Idiot" at him. Merlin mouthed "clotpole" right back.
After a while, Coach Something had somehow deemed them qualified to go into the waters and handed Merlin a freshly waxed surfboard.
"Off we go son, try to enjoy the waves." Merlin has never regretted his life more. The sun was high in the sky and while jumping into the water provided some relief from the heat, Merlin quickly realized that it was just another form of hell.
They stayed in the shallow areas. Merlin tried his best to remember what he did back on land and replicate it. He’d never been good at sports.
He gave himself a pep talk and heaved himself up onto the floating foamboard, just to promptly slide off and fall into the water, which hurt by the way. He thinks it's something about his core not being strong enough to maintain the balance. Urgh. It was all Arthur’s fault. But Arthur wasn’t faring much better either. He had managed to get a bit further than Merlin in that he actually had gotten on the board and stayed there. He was trying to push himself up, but he must’ve put too much weight onto his right hand. His entire board did a 180, sending him toppling over into the water with an undignified yelp. He emerged with his hair sticking to his forehead, spluttering and shaking his head side to side like a wet dog. Merlin laughed as loudly as he could over the splashing of the waves.
Arthur yelled across the distance, “Just so you know! You also look stupid as shite!”
Merlin was grinning as he fired out a retort almost automatically -
Then his foamboard whacked him square in the back of his head. Pain exploded behind his eyelids, the sharpness of it so strong that his vision went white. Cold water crashed down on him, the sheer force and weight of it bringing him under the surface. All at once, salt breached his eyes and his nose and his mouth and filled him up. He panicked, heartbeat going crazy in his ears. He opened his mouth to breathe but there was no air, only cold liquid. Merlin thought he made a horrible choking gargling sound, but he couldn’t know for sure. His brain, his body had stopped functioning. He was helpless, unable to save himself in the void of the waters. Ah, this is how I'm going to die, he thought to himself. Sorry Arthur. And then all went black.
When he came to again, after what could have been half a minute, or hours, he was sprawled across the sand. He tried to move, but his body would not cooperate with his orders. His lungs felt like needles punctured them every time he rasped a faint breath . He needed to cough and splutter, but his muscles lay dormant. Great. At least he's not dead. Yet. His brain supplied helpfully. He might die soon. His lungs felt like they were being corroded by acid.
He could feel someone, Arthur, hover worriedly over him, body heat radiating. Arthur put a hand over Merlin’s forehead as he gently slapped his face, mumbling panickedly under his quickened breath.
“Shit shit shit. Wake up Merlin, please. Wake up.” He pleaded brokenly and his voice shattered Merlin's heart into a million pieces. He can’t die like this. No he can’t. Not like this. He willed again for his body to survive, for his lungs to take in more air, for anything, anything. Merlin could feel Arthur’s hands, always so sure, trembling against his skin and he screamed at his body to move, to assure his person that he was alive.
A few more pats to his chin, gradually turning into harsher slaps.
“Fuck, I’m going to kill you.” Determination creeped into his voice. Typical Arthur. Hah. Death threats as a love language. Merlin loved him so much.
Fingers fluttered underneath the tip of his chin and on his nose, touch delicate, as gentle breath ghsoted his lips.
In the haze of Merlin's brain he registered these sensations. What was happening.
A moment's pause, then Arthur’s lips sealed around his, forceful and desperate, teeth knocking on his, bitter and salty like seawater, and nonetheless so so so perfect.
What.
And Arthur breathed, shared his breath generously with Merlin and the scathing pain in his windpipes was eased. Merlin felt content.
Oh. Rescue Breaths.
His eyelids flew open and he was greeted with the sight of Arthur’s face impossibly close to his, eyes a bit red as if he had been holding in his tears, cheeks so pale you could mistake him for a corpse. But Merlin could feel Arthur’s heartbeat reverberating in the spaces between the two of them. Warm, warm warm.
“Move,” Coach Somers’ calm voice rang out and Arthur was gone. Merlin managed to blink, and was quite happy to discover he had now regained some control over his body.
“I’m fine.” He managed to croak out before dissolving into a coughing fit. Arthur’s hands were on his back immediately, hovering around, completely useless but Merlin appreciated the gesture anyways.
Merlin felt his eyelids get pried open.
“Pupil dilations normal, clear speech, no signs of concussion, he’s fine.”
Arthur’s head swiveled to meet Coach Somers’ furiously, as he opened his mouth, no doubt to throw a rich prat tantrum about how Merlin getting knocked out was a huge thing, a huge danger, and he could’ve died, all that bullshit.
Merlin gave him a glance and Arthur seemed to have gotten the message and shut his mouth. For once.
Coach Somers continued, “You ought to go to the nearest hospital to check though. I’ll call an Uber.”
“No need, I have a driver and a car.” Arthur gritted out.
“I’m f-” Merlin started.
“Shut up Merlin.”
“I’ll come with you to the hospital and I’ll inform your parents.” Coach Somers said with finality.
Arthur gave a curt nod, cast Merlin one more worried look, stood up and sprinted across the sand to get their bags.
They ended up at the nearest hospital at inhumane speed. It was a private hospital (of course). Arthur performed some of his rich posh git magic (Merlin saw him slide the receptionist a couple bills), and Merlin got a check-up arranged within record waiting time. Arthur refused to leave Merlin’s side, always trying to have some form of physical contact, knees bumping together, an arm around his shoulder, an irritating but soothing presence. As if to confirm that Merlin was still alive. When the doctor called out Merlin’s name, Arthur followed him in naturally. Merlin yelled at his brain to stop preening.
“He is fine, MRI indicates he does not suffer from a concussion or any internal injuries, although there’s a slight break in the skin where he was impacted. It is best if someone monitors him for these two days. He will need to rest for a few weeks.” The doctor had said in a heavy Welsh accent. Merlin and Arthur both let out a breath they hadn’t known they’d be holding in.
“Come back to the hospital if you feel unwell, dizzy or anything of the sort.” She had smiled gently as the boys thanked her profusely.
Coach Somers had been waiting outside the room. Merlin told him what the doctor said. He looked visibly relieved.
“Thank goodness. I am happy to hear that you’re well.” He clasped his hands together.
“I think we should head back home. My mom’s worried dead.” Merlin said.
“Of course, she sounded horrified when I spoke to her. I am so sorry that happened to you and it would be great if I could have updates on your situation to reassure myself.”
The boys nodded and turned to leave.
“One more thing? Arthur, next time when doing rescue breaths remember to do it properly and pinch their nose, alright?”
Merlin watched as Arthur‘s entire face turned a truly magnificent shade of crimson red. He could almost see embarrassed little puffs of smoke coming out from Arthur’s ears. Cute.
Arthur hung his head ashamedly, staring at the floor. Merlin would laugh at Arthur’s embarrassment, but then he remembered the ghost of Arthur’s breath on his lips, and oh god he kissed me Arthur is my first kiss oh my god, and his face turned a similar shade of red.
In the car, Merlin had called Hunith. She had fretted over him for half an hour and Merlin felt oddly touched by the sheer amount of questions she had asked. (“Yes mom the doctor said it’s not likely for it to be a concussion” “ No mom I don’t have any medicines I forgot to take”)
They were silent for most of the car ride.
Arthur, sitting next to him, cleared his throat, a frown on his face. He took a breath, “I am so sorry about how today has gone. It… had been my fault.” Arthur's mouth was drawn into a thin line.
Merlin frowned. “Don’t be crazy Arthur. It’s not like my inability to handle a surfboard is your problem."
"You fail to understand if it wasn't for me dragging you out-"
"When have you ever respected my wishes." Merlin tried to joke.
"Exactly. It has been my fault." Arthur grimaced, not taking the bait.
"No, if anything, it is on me, for my clumsiness and me not paying attention when coach was talking about safety.” Merlin was so frustruated he could tear his hair out.
“Merlin! Stop being so stubborn," Arthur nearly screamed as he slammed a fist into his lap. And then, softer, "You could've died today. I could've watched you die."
Merlin didn't know what to say. There are certain things words just cannot convey, so he just holds Arthur's hands in his and brings it up to his chest, right over his heart. Thump thump. Proof that he was alive, right here with Arthur. That no matter how many if scenarios that Arthur had thought of, of Merlin getting taken away by the water, none of it was real. He's here. He would always be here, right by Arthur's side, until the day he dies.
Slowly, Arthur's breathing evened out, and Merlin gently put his hands down. They stayed silent for the rest of the car ride still holding hands.
When they arrived at Merlin’s place, Arthur reached over Merlin, undid his safety belt, stepped out and opened the door for Merlin. Merlin screamed at himself to keep his expression neutral as he walked past Arthur.
“Hey.” Arthur started. Merlin turned around instantly, as if he’d expected it. Arthur bit his lip.
“I’m really sorry for today again. I’m glad you didn’t die and I promise to never take you surfing again.” A small grin appeared his face.
“Should’ve listened to me in the first place. All is forgiven baby.” Merlin smiled and wrapped his arms around Arthur. Arthur hugged tightly back, head buried in his shoulders, ear right pressed up against his neck. Thump. Thump thump. The steady thrum of two heartbeats, Merlin’s own entwined with Arthur’s, inseparable, destined.
Merlin probably moved first, or maybe it was Arthur that did, and they’re kissing. The rest of the world fell away and it was just them two. And Merlin thinks privately to himself that getting a concussion was so worth it.