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'BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BE- click'

Merlin groaned as he sat up in bed and rubbed his eyes. Last night, he couldn't sleep well. His nose was all stuffed up.

"Merlin," Gaius, Merlin's uncle, called, "Merlin, it's time for school."

Merlin groaned again but got up and coughed into his hand. He got himself dressed and while he was brushing his teeth, Merlin noticed how pale he was.

"Oh crap," said Merlin after spitting out the toothpaste. "Gaius is definitely not going to let me go to school."

As he walked down the stairs, Merlin kept his head low.

"Just act normal," Merlin muttered to himself. "Just act normal."

He sat at his spot at the table and drank some of the orange juice.

"Good morning Merlin," greeted Gaius, setting a plate of eggs in front of Merlin. "Did you sleep well?"

"Uh huh," said Merlin, not looking up.

Gaius frowned.

"Is something wrong, my boy?"

Merlin shook his head, still not looking up.

Gaius' frown deepened. He went over to his nephew and felt his forehead.

"You're running a temperature," stated Gaius, removing his hand. "Wait here."

Merlin looked up and saw Gaius go upstairs. He waited a few minutes before he saw Gaius coming back down, carrying a thermometer.

"Gaius," Merlin whined as his uncle pressed the 'on' button on the thermometer. "I'm fine, really."

Gaius didn't say anything as he stuck the thermometer under Merlin's tongue and held it there. Merlin glared at Gaius until the device finally beeped.

"101.4," Gaius read, shaking the thermometer. "You're going to stay at home today and rest."

Merlin looked at him with a shock.

"But Gaius," Merlin protested before he was interrupted.

"No 'but's," said Gaius, holding up a finger to stop Merlin from speaking. "You're staying home today and that's that."

Then, he walked over to the cabinet and grabbed a bottle of medicine.

"I have a math test today," said Merlin, watching his uncle take out two pills. "Can't I just go to school for that test and then come home and rest then?"

Gaius handed Merlin his medicine.

"No, you are staying here and resting," said Gaius as Merlin took the medicine. "Going to school with a fever will only make it worse."

Merlin opened his mouth to speak but Gaius stopped him.

"Merlin, nothing you say will make me change my mind," said Gaius. "Now, go back upstairs and change into your pajamas or something else that's comfortable."

Merlin sighed but went back upstairs and did what his uncle had asked of him. He changed into a pair of sweat pants and a T-shirt. When he came back downstairs, he saw Gaius talking on the phone.

"Yes, my nephew is sick so I'm taking a couple of days off to take care of him," said Gaius. "Ok, I'll tell him that. Talk to you later Beth, goodbye."

Gaius sighed after he hung up.

"I'm not a child Gaius," said Merlin, crossing his arms with an annoyed expression on his face. "I can take care of myself."

"Merlin, what happened last time I let you stay home by yourself while you were sick?" Gaius asked, crossing his own arms.

Merlin winced and let his arms drop to his side.

"I snuck out," Merlin said sheepishly, rubbing the back of his head, "and attended school anyway."

"Yes, you did and ended up missing even more days of school because your temperature spiked," said Gaius sternly.

Merlin sighed again.

"Now, you go lay down," said Gaius, pointing to the couch, "and I'll inform the school that you'll be out for a few days."

Merlin nodded and went to the living room while Gaius picked up the phone. Merlin turned on the TV and flipped through the channels before settling on a cartoon.

Merlin sighed once more as he watched the cartoon.

"Today's going to be a long day. A VERY long day indeed."