Lancelot waited anxiously on the couch for the moment his friend and fellow partner in the Police force would come out of the nearby bathroom. A quick glance at his watch told him it was about four minutes ago since Merlin went in, so he could come out any moment now.
Indeed, not ten seconds after that thought, the door went quietly open. Revealing Merlin with hanging shoulders, puffy eyes, and the white stick clutched tightly in his right hand. Lancelot didn't need to ask Merlin what the outcome of the test was.
"P-positive." Merlin muttered, walking up to Lance to show the two pink lines at the screen. Lance put a comforting hand on his shoulder.
"We'll get through this together, Merlin. You don't have to do this alone." Lance took a moment, before saying, "Will you tell him?"
Merlin's immediate head shake told him enough.
"No! No, out of the question. Arthur can't know. Oh god, he can't!" Merlin sat heavily down on the couch, his hands raking through his hair. "If I'll start to show, and Arthur asks, I'll just tell him I've become pregnant from some random shag."
"Merlin! it's his child as well." Lance tried to not pick sides in this matter, but he knew that Arthur had the right to know he was going to be a father, whether he wanted the child or not. Lance knew that Arthur and Merlin had an on and off relationship, and that both Arthur and Merlin put their career in the Police force first. He also knew that Arthur had explicitly told Merlin that he didn't want children, ever.
"Arthur will think I've become pregnant on purpose. He'll think I want him to quit the force and look out for a job that involves a little less danger. You know I can't ask that of him. Even I don't want a desk job. The Police force is my life. Lance, promise me you'll keep it a secret. At least until I start showing. I don't want to be put on desk duty just yet. I will go mental! I need to be in the field, that's where I belong, just like Arthur."
"Merlin, you need to think this through. It's not only you, you have to think about. It's dangerous work in the field, you know that. You've barely recovered from the last time you were shot!"
"Lance, don't be so melodramatic. That one barely grazed me."
"This time, yes… but who knows the next time?"
Merlin inhaled deeply. "Lance, I'll be careful. And I've got you as my partner. I'll be fine."
"At least tell the Chief Superintended." Lance pleaded.
Merlin snorted. "And risk being put on desk duty? Did you not listen to what I had just said? I'm not made for office duties. I need to be out there, being active. And if that's a risk I have to take, than yes, I will. Just because I'm going to have a baby, will not influence how I think about my job." Merlin ran a hand across his face. "I have about six months left until I'll start showing, Lancelot. Just, let me have those."
"I can't persuade you?" Lance looked up to his partner with pleading eyes.
"Nope," Merlin answered with a shake of his head.
"Well, at least let me make you an appointment with a doctor. You need to talk to a physician about all the precautions you have to take, to ensure the little booger will develop as best as possible."
"Ugh, fine." Merlin murmured. He saw that Lance had his phone already in his hands, ready to punch in the digits of the hospital. Sometimes it was such an inconvenience to have such a protective partner. Although, he was already dreading the moment when Gwaine will found out about his predicament.
Merlin's attention went back to Lance, who apparently was already in a heated conversation with the person of the hospital's reception. Lance was normally the most gentle and compliant person, but when something involved the people he cared most about, he'd show the authoritative officer that Merlin knew so well from all the years they were partners.
"Okay," Lancelot began, pocketing his phone. "You can come in at eight o'clock tomorrow morning. It'll give us plenty of time before our shift starts. Of course I'll pick you up. I'm going with you."
Merlin really had to refrain from an eye roll.